Work Text:
Deep breaths darling. Vega cooed as his Pet heaved against his chest. He brushed the damp hair away from their face as they looked up at him. You did so well today. You’re always so good for me . Pet smiled and closed their eyes, falling limp into his arms, face nestled into the crook of his neck. He leaned backwards against his pillows. And as beautiful as you are like this, we wouldn’t want you getting sick now, would we? He snapped his fingers, simultaneously cleaning up and clothing the both of them at once. Pet flinched at the sensation, but immediately relaxed again, and Vega stroked their hair. There we go. Is that better? He asked, and they nodded, still too exhausted to speak. Good .
He continued to stroke their hair, allowing them to catch their breath and regain their strength, but a few moments later they tried subtly shifting their body weight, a pang of self-consciousness running through them.
What is it darling? Vega asked.
“I… would it be okay if I… got off of you and laid on the bed instead?” They asked slowly. He raised an eyebrow with a smirk. Am I uncomfortable?
“No! I-I just…” They looked away, and Vega could feel a hint of their embarrassment. “I just like it when I can curl up against you on the bed. S-side by side.” He chuckled. If that’s what you wish. Pet’s face lit up. "Thank you!" They said, and rolled over to the mattress, laying on their side. Vega laid his back onto the bed and Pet nestled into him, head resting in the crook of his shoulder, a hand over his beating heart. He wrapped a strong arm around them and they sighed, content. He smiled, sensing the warm feelings swirling around within his Pet. Safety, comfort, happiness. Feelings so foreign to the sadism demon, especially when aimed towards himself. Pet’s breathing slowed to a steady rhythm, matching his own, and their eyes fluttered closed. He brought his other hand over to caress their cheek, and they smiled. He rested his hand beside theirs and laid his head back, closing his eyes. He stroked his Pet’s back and focused on their feelings, sensed that they were sore, and slowly used healing magic to soothe their aches. He could feel them lulling to sleep, and they sleepily reached for his hand. He opened his eyes and watched them. They took his hand into theirs, laced their fingers together, and absentmindedly rubbed their thumb over his knuckles. They stayed like this until his Pet’s motions slowed, and then stilled, and he knew they were asleep.
He gazed into their peaceful face for a moment, then laid his head onto the pillow and closed his eyes again. He didn’t quite understand it, but he wanted nothing more than to keep them here like this. Secure, by his side. It was a miracle that they lasted this long in the cruel world they found themself in. They were so soft, too kind for their own good. But he would protect them. Make sure that they would never be harmed, as long as they were his.
Vega pondered why he felt so attached to this human. It wasn’t love, he didn’t think. He never felt “love” himself before, although he’d felt it from others. Vindemiator and his human, they loved each other. That feeling was unmistakable when they were together, it was so strong that it was almost nauseating. And his Pet… He looked back down at them. They loved him too. Not as fiercely as the incubus and his freelancer, but it was still distinctly there.
He pressed their palms together. The tips of their fingers barely reached past the second joints of his. No, this feeling was different. There was a physical attraction, of course, but it wasn't just that. There was a certain fondness. Affection. He played with their fingers, rolled them around between his own and studied how delicate they felt compared to his. His Pet loved his hands. How strong they were, what they could do. Frequently they would just hold them. Play with them, much like he was now. He never knew why they were so fascinated with them, but now as he lay, studying theirs, he could understand the appeal.
They moved in their sleep, tangled their legs further with his, and once again was still. He could sense that they were having a pleasant dream, and could feel the gentle rhythmic pressure of their chest against him as they breathed.
At the very least, his Pet intrigued him. How quickly they learned to trust him, to be unafraid in his presence, no matter how cruel he would be. In that sense, they perplexed him. They were precisely the type of person who would usually be terrified of a demon like him. Instead, they felt safe of all things. Vega chuckled and shook his head. How foolish . He thought to himself.
He slowly stilled his hands and furrowed his brows. Or was it that… he was the foolish one? Had he gone soft as well? He thought back to every moment he’d spend, holding back his strength just enough so that he wouldn’t break them. Why was he so afraid of breaking them? What made them so different from all of the other humans he’d come across? What was it about them that made him feel so–
The sound of the buzzer interrupted the sadism demon’s thoughts, and indicated that they had five minutes left together. He quietly cursed to himself, and his Pet stirred slightly. Vega paused for a moment, and then gently caressed their cheek until they gradually opened their eyes. Our time is almost up, Pet. He said as they groggily blinked up at him. He smiled. Good morning, my darling.