Anon had spent almost an hour cooking. He was by no means a chef, but he knew his way around a kitchen. Although he never cooked anything particularly special or extravagant. Always focused more on the nutritional value of the food rather than the taste. This time was different, he was actually cooking for someone else this time. So, a bit of effort won't hurt.
Azrael had finished cleaning and sorting the coffee table by the door rather quickly, so Anon had to come up with more things she could do. Eventually though, Azrael seemed content with her efforts and allowed herself to relax on the sofa. Which reminded Anon. He did not have anywhere to dine at, usually he would just sit on the porch and look out into the wilderness in the mornings and eat on the sofa in the evenings. The latter will have to do.
The human finished plating the food before grabbing the two plates of curry and heading to the sofa. Azrael just stared at the food as he placed it down on the coffee table, as well as cutlery and a few napkins. Then after returning to the kitchen to grab a pitcher of water and some glasses he finally took a seat on the couch opposite Azrael with a sigh.
"This smells amazing sir!" Azrael commented, staring at the food. "This is the curry you were talking about right?"
"Yeah, although curry is a broad term. This specifically is a chickpea and parsnip curry. Don't wait on me, dig in." Anon replied, not moving as he explained.
Azrael had no objections as she began eating. She knew that the food here was a hundred times better than anything in Tartarus, and she knew the one who made it. But it did not stop her taking a hesitant bite out of habit.
Taking a small forkful of curry, Azrael gently placed the food in her open maw, letting it slide off the fork as it spread over her taste buds. Over the next few seconds, the curry let open the flood gates of flavour as it all hit her at once. Her eyes went wide as her body stiffened, letting a small squeak escape her mouth.
Anon heard Azrael take a bit of curry, he lazily looked over to see what could only be described as bliss, as she took another bite, and another bite. Anon could see her tail shiver from base to tip like an arc of electricity.
By the time the human took a bite of his food, Azrael had already eaten most of hers. Trying to savour the taste but the addictive flavour begged to be consumed.
Anon for the first time since coming here, gave a genuine smile. Not because of someone else's misfortune or for the results of his teasing but because something he did made someone else happy.
The human was able to enjoy decent food with company for the first time in long time, something he planned to savour.
It did not take long for the pair to finish their meal, Anon had made enough for two humans so the demon was able to go back for seconds. After dinner, the human let Azrael clean up the dishes before an early night.
As the duo relaxed into the bed, Anon had a thought which he directed towards Azrael.
"Do demons even need to sleep?" the human asked.
Azrael thought for a second before replying. "Technically no. But it is a nice commodity to have, having a period of time where the only noise is the ambiance of your surroundings is quite pleasant." Azrael explained as she curled up on the end of the bed.
It did not take long for the two to fall silent as they allowed sleep to take them.
Anon's senses were overwhelmed as he limped down a familiar alleyway.
All he could taste was blood. All he could smell was sweat. All he could hear was his own heartbeat. All he could see was blurred redness. All he could feel was pain.
Anon struggled to continue as his body kept telling him to stop, but he knew better. If he were to rest now he would not get up again.
Eventually, an old wooden door filled his vision as he leaned against it with a small thud, before mustering the strength to knock. When he received no answer, Anon spat out a mouthful of blood before speaking.
"J-Jack, It's me." Anon said though gritted teeth.
Hearing muffled footsteps get closer to the door, Anon leant against the doorframe to not faceplant when it opened.
As the door opened, Anon struggled to give a smirk to the homeowner.
Jack sighed as he opened the door fully and helped Anon inside.
Walking past the living room towards the kitchen, Anon spotted another resident sat at the kitchen island.
"Sarah. Could you please grab the med kit? We have a guest." Jack asked.
Sarah turned away from her newspaper as her eyes went wide. "Oh dear. Right yes, just a second." She sputtered out before running out the room.
Jack sat Anon on the bar stool by the island, as he grabbed a nearby pair of scissors and started cutting the blooded shirt. Taking off the shirt revealed jagged wounds stretching down Anon's back. As well as other cuts and bruises that span his body.
Sarah returned with the med kit as well as a few towels. "Hey Sarah. S-sorry for the sudden visit." Anon joked, as the pair tended to their visitor.
Eventually, they had managed to stop the bleeding treat the wounds, as well as make Anon feel at home with food and drink.
Jack let Anon finish his meal in peace before sitting beside him.
"How many this time?" Jack asked with a troubled tone.
"Three." Anon replied immediately, his tone becoming defensive as he knew what was happening.
"How many are left?" Jacked questioned with the same tone.
Anon paused for a moment, then looking away before replying. "I don't know."
Jack sighed as his expression became saddened. "You cannot let this kind of life control you. You are not that kind of-"
"You're wrong." Anon interrupted. "My mistakes has put my family in danger. I will do what I have to, to keep them safe."
Without another word, Anon stood up from the barstool and made his way to the front door.
Jack's first instinct was to get him to sit back down, but he knew from experience it would be a futile attempt.
As Anon left their home, Jack stood in the doorway as it started to rain.
"Promise me one thing jack." Anon spoke, not looking back as he stood in the rain.
"Promise me you will keep them safe if I can't." Anon hoped as his tone never changed.
Jack sighed before speaking. "Promise. Just take care of yourself now, ya hear."
Anon waved off as he walked further into the alleyway he came from.
Jack watched Anon leave. "Don't do anything stupid kid." He muttered to himself as he closed and locked the door.