Rough: Books 8-9

Chapter 2-1

2

Mia couldn't believe the news she had just gotten. Being made a Screaming Demon was such an honor and she wanted to jump up and down with joy. She knew if she had to do it all again, she would in a heartbeat. It wasn't about getting some sort of title or label. She hadn't thought about that or cared about it either when she had gone looking for Sage. She just knew that she had to save him no matter what. When she had been wrapped up in helping to find him she just constantly remembered the time he had saved her from an angry Omen, how he had come out of nowhere and saved her. She owed Sage her life for that night. He had constantly saved her or helped her in some way and there was no way she would've been able to live with herself if she hadn't done everything in her power to find Sage. It wasn't just because she loved him but it was also because she could see how much of an impact he had made in everyone's life and he deserved a chance.

She also wanted him to have a chance so he could eventually let her in. Maybe it was selfish but she wanted to be selfish with him. She wanted to show him that she could look after him if he let her. She was a stronger and better person, better than she had ever been before, and she felt as if she could change someone's life now. She didn't feel like she was just drifting along the wave of life anymore. She had made something of herself.

Sage and Mia stood outside the study door for a while before either of them said a thing. Both of them were thinking of the honor Mia had just received. She felt undeserving of it. She hadn't done anything to deserve being called a Screaming Demon. She had almost ruined everything with her actions. But Sage knew Mia deserved it. Unlike him. He had fought an Omen and had gotten himself kidn*pped. That wasn't what Screaming Demons did. He felt disappointed in himself for what he had caused. Perhaps they should strip away his right to be a Demon.

They could both feel the electric energy that pulsed between them. It was undeniable but they both ignored it. It was a strange feeling for them and they honestly didn't know how to take it. They hadn't seen each other properly in days.

"I just wanted to thank you personally for everything you did, Mia. I'm in debt to you for saving my life,” Sage said, breaking the silence. He knew just a simple thank you would never be enough to truly show how grateful he was to her, but it was all he could do at that moment. He couldn't do much else considering he was still so weak. He had thought about hugging her but thought against it. Not only was his body too sore for that kind of action but he also didn't think it would be right. He still had a lot to think about with regards to Mia and he didn't want to act on impulse. He could see the bags under her eyes. The more he looked at her, it was clear she hadn't been sleeping much and he couldn't understand why. Was it because of him, he wondered. Had she lost sleep because he was missing? He didn't want to believe it though.

Mia looked at him, taking him in. He looked better, healthier than the last time she had seen him. She involuntarily shivered at the memory of him just a day ago. It was a memory she would never forget. She would always remember how she had heard him cry when she found him.

He was still skinnier than normal although he had more of a healthy glow about him. His eyes were sunken in a bit with blueish black circles around them and he still looked a bit battered and beaten but nevertheless, he was alright and home. She could see the look in his eyes, the look of gratitude that was written on his face. It made her heart leap in her chest.

She had left him at the hospital in the early hours of the morning, unsure if he'd be happy that she was there in bed with him. She had stayed long enough to make sure he was alright. She had kept her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her hand until she had fallen asleep for a while next to him. She had headed back to the house to make sure Grier had a working space while he was visiting. He had stayed at a hotel during the night while Mia was at the hospital with Sage. He hadn't asked any questions about it and Mia was thankful for that.

She wanted to wrap her arms around Sage again but stopped herself. She knew she couldn't do that. She was unsure if he even remembered her holding him when he was out of the well. He had been so out of it due to dehydration.

"Your life matters, Sage. Of course, I would've made sure you came home,” she said softly, avoiding his gaze. It was just too much for her to handle. She didn't want to come across as gooey and vulnerable but she also wanted to be honest with him. She couldn't tell him she loved him as much as the words were on the tip of her tongue, at risk of stumbling out into the open between them. If she told Sage she loved him, it could change everything and she wasn't sure if things would change for the better or not.

She had to force herself to remember what had happened days before he went missing. He had pulled away from her so she didn't doubt that would continue now that he was back. She couldn't allow herself to think that her saving his life meant anything more than that. It didn't mean he would all of a sudden love her too. The thought was unrealistic and Mia had to push it out of her mind.

"Is there anything you'd like to have for dinner?" she asked as a way to change the topic. She could at least distract herself with cooking, she needed to get a lot of distance between herself and her thoughts. She also needed some distance from Sage.

"You really don't have to go to the effort for me,” Sage said. As much as she wanted to help him get back on his feet, she knew cooking would be for herself more than it would be for him, despite the end result being whatever he wanted.

"Really, just choose something. You need a good home-cooked meal now that you're safe,” she said. She knew he needed a few home-cooked meals to fully regain his strength but dinner would be a start.

“Um, okay, spaghetti bolognese would be great,” he replied after a few minutes of thinking. Thankfully Mia loved pasta so it was a good choice and as much as she loved to eat it she also loved to cook it.

“Okay, perfect. Spaghetti bolognese it is,” Mia said. She knew if she wanted it to be good it would at least take some time for everything to cook so she could distract herself happily for a while.

"If you don't mind I'm going to go lay down for a while,” Sage said. She could tell he was exhausted. She could see a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead. It was obviously taking a lot of his energy to stand and she also knew he had to be in some sort of pain while his body still recovered. She could only imagine what he was going through.

"No problem. Shall I wake you up when dinner is ready?" she asked.

"That would be great. Thank you,” he said.

And with that, Sage headed for his bedroom while Mia headed for the kitchen.

Mia spent some time getting everything she needed out and laid them before her. Slowly, she started putting everything together, chopping the fresh garlic and carrots, so she could create a fantastic meal for the two of them. Just because there was nothing romantic going on between them, didn't mean they shouldn't eat a great meal, she thought. She cooked away, silently humming to herself as she worked, trying not to think too much about Sage and how he might be feeling.

"Something smells delicious."

Mia turned to see Grier standing in the doorway of the kitchen, holding his overnight bag and his laptop bag. Clearly he was ready to leave. She had almost completely forgotten he was there at all because he had stayed in the study most of the time.

"You're more than welcome to stay for dinner,” Mia offered. She wasn't sure if there would be enough for all of them because she had only had herself and Sage on her mind but if he did stay she'd make a plan so he would get a plate.

"No, no, that's quite alright. I better head home to my family,” he replied. Mia was jealous of Grier. He had a family and she didn’t. She just had someone she loved who would push her away almost every chance he got, not much of a family.

"Of course, thank you so much for coming all this way,” she said. Although he had only managed to arrive after Mia had found Sage she was still grateful he had taken time out to come to Florida in the first place. She knew he would've done it anyway considering he was the boss but she also knew she had taken the situation into her own hands which could've ended badly.

"I'm glad you called. Don’t ever hesitate to call if you need anything,” Grier said. She knew she was capable of doing a lot on her own so she wasn't sure if she'd call him for help, but more just to inform him of what she was doing. She was after all a Screaming Demon now which held a lot more power than just a Hell Kat.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Let me show you out,” she said as she led him to the door. She showed him out and watched as he got into the cab that was already waiting outside, he had clearly called the cab company before he had stopped to say goodbye. She waved him off and turned back to the kitchen, she couldn't risk the food burning since it was almost done. She gave the bolognese one last taste before adding one last pinch of salt. She drained the pasta, rinsing it, and then mixed it in with the bolognese. She found it was much easier to dish up that way.

Everything was cooked and ready so Mia decided she would set the dining room table before she went to wake Sage up from his nap. She was impressed with herself as she looked at the table once more. Anyone would be lucky to come home to a meal like this she thought and yet she had cooked a meal for someone who would probably go back to acting as if she didn't exist in a few days. It had been just over an hour and she felt if he slept any longer he may not be able to sleep later that evening.

Sage woke up when he heard a gentle yet loud enough tapping on his bedroom door. She didn't want to startle him by just walking into his room.

"Sage? Dinner is ready,” Mia said softly from the other side of the door. She didn't enter which Sage appreciated. He didn't want to be seen so vulnerable and small in his bed.

"Thank you," he said, a bit dazed as he slowly woke up. "I'll be out in a minute,” he replied. Mia went back to the kitchen, wanting to make sure everything looked presentable. It was Sage's first proper meal since he got out of the well so she wanted it to be the best meal he could have.

Sage lay in bed for a while before he stretched his body. This time it didn't hurt so much and he was grateful. He knew he just needed the rest so his body could get back to its normal self and heal from the inside out. He decided to have a quick shower before going for dinner. Obviously he had been cleaned up while in hospital but he still felt dirty after everything.

"I'm just going to have a shower and then I'll be right there,” he called out to Mia, hoping she could hear him. He wasn't sure if she was waiting outside his door or not for a reply from him.

He switched on the hot water and waited for the bathroom to steam up as he always did. Once he was satisfied with the amount of steam that hung in the air he climbed into the shower. He stood still under the showerhead, allowing the fresh hot water to rush over him. He smiled to himself. He never realized just how much he could miss having a shower but when he was getting covered in dirty cold water just days before it was obvious that fresh water was so much better. His body almost melted with pleasure. He would never take showering for granted ever again.

He washed every inch of himself, making sure to scrub at his skin until it was red and raw. He had been covered in dirt, urine and feces for two days which brought him a sense of shame and disgust. He felt as if he would never truly be clean again after that but that didn't mean he couldn't try. He washed himself twice, making sure he could be as clean as possible. He wanted to bathe in a tub full of disinfectant. He remembered how Mia had hugged him when she found him and he shuddered at the thought. He couldn't imagine what she thought of him finding him like she had. He would've been disgusted at the sight. He stepped out of the shower and changed into his own clothes considering the hospital had given him scrubs to wear. His clothes had been chucked away and there hadn't been anything else for him to wear. He felt almost himself again as he walked to the dining room to meet Mia for dinner.