A Demon's Comfort

Chapter 1 "Comfortable Introductions"

Ash didn’t sound good over the phone. 

His voice was strained, tone deep and rough as if in pain. 

Jasmine knew that Artrannus was trying to get out, and this time she weren’t there to stop him. 

She arrived home, expecting the place to be burnt to the ground. Or some nightmarish trap waiting for her. 

But instead, she walked into a house completely intact and a slouched form on the couch. 

“Artrannus?” Jasmine asked. She didn’t get a response.

Edging closer, she glimpsed the black-rimmed eyes staring down at the floor. They were distant, lost in thought. 

She crouched in front of the man, waiting for him to acknowledge her.

On rare occasions when Artrannus had slipped out, he hadn’t been nice. He had fooled Jasmine into believing he was Ash once, but then tearing Jasmine apart emotionally by pricking at the secrets she had trusted in her friend. It had destroyed Jasmine. It took months to build her confidence back up again. And even more time to look at Ash again.

Other times Artrannus had mock Jasmine, endlessly poking at her conscious. He had been so confident, so smug, all she had wanted to do was swipe at him. 

When Ash returned, he had tried so hard to mend what Artrannus had torn apart, she knew it wasn’t just an act.

Two people resided inside Ash. And she grew fearful of the creature lurking in his mind.

But here, he looked defeated. His posture was tense but bent, like a wilted flower. With the expression of a child, he looked up at Jasmine, finally meeting her gaze. 

“I’m not in the mood to play today,” He said. “Go along with your business.” 

Shock riddled through her, and despite herself, she sat in front of him. 

“Are you…ok?” She asked. 

The question seemed to confuse him. As if he didn’t know himself. When he didn’t give an answer, Jasmine moved to sit beside him. She gave him every chance to stop her or move away. But instead he turned his gaze back to his lap.

She waited for him to do something. 

Leap at her. 

Yell at her. 

Snarl, growl, hiss, anything.

But Artrannus remained silent. Like a statue.

She nudged his shoulder with hers, “Do you wanna hear a story?” 

He didn’t look at Jasmine, but he didn’t refuse either. 

“When I was really little, I had tried to be a superhero.” She told him. “I had a cape and a mask, designed by yours truly. It was actually just a really colourful sheet that I cut up and a frog mask from a dollar store. And I thought that was all you needed to fly. I didn’t get the concept of “super-powers”, I thought it was the cape that gave you the abilities.” 

Artrannus remained quiet, she knew he was listening by the slight turn of his head. 

“And on that day, I had climbed this massive pine tree that was in the neighbour’s yard. I climbed until the branches were too small to hold me. And…I jumped.” She said with a grimace. “And for a second, I actually thought I was flying. I didn’t feel any fear, until I started to hit every damn branch on the way down.” 

She glimpsed Artrannus’ mouth twitch and Jasmine continued. “Two cracked ribs, many bruises and a broken pride later, my mother refused to let me wear anything cape-like till I was fifteen. I was devastated. Can you imagine me in a super-hero outfit? I’d look amazing!” 

Artrannus sighed, the tension in his shoulders had released some and he lifted his head. 

“That was the most moronic thing I’ve ever heard She say,” He said. 

“Trust me, my younger self was the stupidest child She’d ever have the misfortune of knowing.” She chuckled. “I tried to jump from my second story window to catch a bird.” 

Artrannus shook his head, returning to the slouched position. 

The story helped, but only a little.

Biting her lip, Jasmine squirmed under his arm, wriggling till her head was on his lap and she was staring up at his somber gaze.

“What are you doing?” He asked, retracting slightly.

“Not sure yet,” She admitted. “I’ll tell you when I figure it out.” 

His eyebrows furrowed, watching She as She smiled up at him. His arms relaxed, laying around Sher body like a cage. 

Never being so close before, Jasmine took the time to examine him. Artrannus of course had Ash’s features, but they were somehow different. Small changes, enough so that she’d glance over them and not notice. 

But now, with only a small space between them, she could tell. 

Artrannus had slightly sharper cheekbones, his jaw hitching upwards like blades. His eyes were darker, with longer lashes and a paler face. 

Where Ash was warm and friendly, Artrannus was cool and predatory. 

Without thinking, Jasmine lifted her hand and traced a finger along his jaw. 

Artrannus flinched, but didn’t move away from her touch. His eyes fluttered close as she followed the lines of his chin, lightly tickling the scruff coating his cheeks. 

Her hand followed her fingers, cupping the side of Artrannus’ face and gently rubbing his temples. 

Artrannus leaned into her palm, nuzzling her fingers as his arms tightened around Jasmine. He held her softly, like a wounded animal that might try to scamper away if he moved too quickly. 

Her hand travelled upwards, very lightly stroking the black strands of his hair. 

A slight rumble echoed from Artrannus’ chest as she continued to outline his features with her fingers. 

It wasn’t menacing like she was use too, it was almost calming. 

Jasmine’s thumb brushed over his eyes, a finger delicately sliding down his nose and outlining his lips. 

Artrannus peeled open his eyes to watch her. His gaze was no longer sullen or cold, a faint warmth had melted the onyx gems. And the corner of his lips curled up lightly.

His breathing was slow and deep. Arms cradling you.

“I understand now why he is so fond of She,” Artrannus purred. 

Jasmine smiled up at him. “Everyone needs some love sometimes.” 

Artrannus hummed, his eyes shutting again as her fingers dusted over the lashes lining them. 

Suddenly, he started moving. Artrannus lifted Jasmine off the couch, placing her beside him and then stretching over the cushions himself. 

Laying his head on her lap and guiding her hand to his face. Jasmine grinned, chuckling softly as she continued Sher mapping. He hummed and closed his eyes. 

She allowed her hands to travel down the sides of his head to his neck. Following the veins that were located beneath the skin, then floating back up to his lips and across his forehead.

Artrannus started to drift into sleep. He fought with the void, wanting to stay and feel Jasmine’s touch a little longer. 

The sensation, the warmth, it calmed the swirling thoughts in his head. The itching in his fingers ceasing to nothing as he lay there.

He turned his head towards Jasmine’s tummy, allowing her fingers to explore the back of his neck. Ticking the soft hairs and very gently tangling up in the strands. 

Jasmine’s scent surrounded him. Consuming his senses in her presence and only her existence. 

She was the only thing in his world at that moment. There was no reality, no Ash, no deranged thoughts. 

Just Jasmine and her hands. 

And as she swept her thumb over his cheek, caressing the bristles, Artrannus slipped back into the blackness and Ash opened his eyes. 

“Oh, hello.” He said. “I’m back.” 

“Good morning,” She said. “I think I’m beginning to grow on Artrannus.”

----------------------------------------“A small time skip------------------------------------------------

Four weeks. Four weeks of silence and peace. 

Ever since Jasmine’s latest encounter with Artrannus, Ash has become more cheerful. 

Every morning Jasmine was greeted with a smiling man, energized and ready for the day.

Where she was grumpy and tired, glaring at Ash as he raced around the house.

When Jasmine had asked him why the sudden mood-swing, Ash shrugged.

“It’s like a fog lifted from my head,” Ash would reply. “I feel clearer, lighter. I don’t know what you did, but I haven’t heard or felt anything from him in a while.”

Jasmine didn’t know why, but it troubled her that Ash said this. She should feel happy that Artrannus had calmed, but for some reason, there was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind. Telling Jasmine that Ash was a ticking time-bomb. 

One morning, while she was sipping on her morning beverage, Ash appeared looking pale and twitchy.

“Wow,” She said, grimacing at his expression. “For once I actually want to see you jumping around early in the morning. Are you ok?” 

Ash didn’t answer, he swayed slightly, gripping onto the kitchen bench and leaning against it. 

“I…I should apologize,” He said. 

“For what?” Jasmine asked, utterly confused.

His eyes turned upwards, chocolate brown laced with black. “I don’t think I can hold him back much longer.” 

She rushed to his side, taking his hand and cupping the side of his face. 

He felt hot, as if taken by some fever. 

“Ash, hey! Come on now, you’ve done so well.” She told him, gripping his hand tightly. “You can’t lose after all this time.” 

“He’s…stronger,” Ash grunted. “He’s been holding back. Deliberately staying away…” Ash winced. The coal black taking over his smooth brown eyes. “Jasmine...you need to go. He’ll be able to…stay in control for longer.” 

She shook her head, holding his head in her hands and forcing him to look at her. 

“Ash, hang in there!” She ordered. “Don’t go. Please, stay with me!”

He blinked and Artrannus sighed, lifting his hand to coil his fingers with hers. 

“It’s been a while, dear. Miss me?” 

She tried to move back, but Artrannus’ hand latched onto her waist, holding Jasmine close to him. 

“Easy now,” He said softly. “I’m not going to hurt you.” 

Jasmine swallowed thickly, lowering her free hand on Artrannus’ face to his chest. 

“So, you’ve been gaining strength, huh?” She asked coldly. “I thought I had soothed you into a slumber or something.” 

Artrannus chuckled, moving her hand to his lips and lightly kissing the back of her palm.

“For a while you did,” He murmured into Jasmine’s skin. “But our little session was too short for my liking. So, I stayed away, enough to attain some power over Ash. Now he’ll stay in his little corner till I say otherwise.” 

Artrannus ran his lips over her hand, his eyes falling shut as he lightly pecked Jasmine’s fingers with kisses. 

She withdrew her hand, ignoring the small growl that ripped from his chest. 

“What do you want?” Jasmine demanded. “Another cuddle? Sorry, but that was a one-time thing.”

Artrannus hummed quietly. His fingers kneading her waist as he bit his lip.

“I’m sure I can change your mind.”

She scoffed, “Dream on, big boy. I doubt it.”

Artrannus grinned. A wicked, sharp smile that caused goose-bumps to rise on her arms.

“Really? Because, I can be very persuasive.” Moving both hands over Jasmine’s hips, Artrannus moved closer, holding her still as he lowered his head so his lips brushed her ear.

“And, my dear, I’ve got all day to persuade you.” He whispered, his moving lips fluttering over Sher neck.

She shivered, her hands gripping his shirt as he trailed the tip of his nose against her skin. 

The scruff on his cheeks tickled as he nuzzled against her. She whimpered softly as he drew Jasmine closer, his breath washing over her. 

It had felt like an eternity during his time in the void. 

He drank in her scent. The fragrance renewing his memories of Jasmine’s touch. 

He wanted it so badly. To feel her against him. To have her fingers trailing his body. 

But she was defiant. When his fingers lowered, she drew back, wincing as he tightened his grip. 

He had to tread carefully. He had injured Jasmine before, her trust in him was nothing but a sliver. 

If Artrannus wanted her, he would have to be patient. 

Artrannus’ hands rose up Jasmine’s back. Massaging the tender spots on her shoulders, pressing lightly on her spine as his mouth lingered against her throat. 

She felt him breathe under her hands. His chest rising and falling, quickening when her body arched into him. 

That same rumble echoed out of him. Vibrating through him and into Jasmine.

She rested her head on his shoulder, allowing him to enclose his arms around her. 

His heart-beat was steady, a deep throb under the trembling base of his growl.

It was…nice. Had Artrannus felt this way when she had touched him? 

His head dipped lower, his lips grazing over her shoulder. His voice low as he spoke.  “When we were on that couch, I was lost, I felt like I was floating away into nothing.” His fingers stroked along Jasmine’s arms, circling her wrists and twisting with her hands. “I was in a hole. Something I will try not to fall into again, but you were the rope that pulled me out.” 

She whimpered when Artrannus pressed a kiss on her shoulder.

“I thank you for that.” He said, “And I want to return what you did for me.” 

Jasmine lifted her head to meet his gaze. That same warmth from four weeks ago had returned, and a small smile stretched his lips. 

“Artrannus, I..I shouldn’t-”

“I don’t want you to do anything,” Artrannus said. “Just…stay still for me.” 

Jasmine nodded and Artrannus lowered his lips to hers. He paused for a moment. A hairs breath away from meeting her. His eyes searched her own. 

Permission? Denial? Acceptance? 

He only saw curiosity, and with a gentle smile, he leaned into Jasmine. 

The kiss was slow, both of them uncertain. But Artrannus continued on, tasting Jasmine with as much patience as he could muster. 

I’ve hurt her. She won’t accept me. Not yet.

Her eyes closed and she felt one hand leave hers to cup her face. His thumb brushed over Jasmine’s cheek, fingers tangling in her hair. 

Suddenly, Artrannus drew back with a quiet hiss. 

“Dammit,” He growled, holding his head. 

“Artrannus?” Jasmine voice was distant. Like she was shouting from the end of a tunnel. 

Get back in Sher cage! Ash yelled. The Human’s voice a bellow of screams in the Demon’s mind. You don’t belong here!

Artrannus stumbled backwards. His back striking a wall as he fought with his body to stay in control. He felt Jasmine grip his hand, begging him to talk to her. He growled and Ash shoved her back. 

“Stay away,” Ash warned. But Artrannus snarled at him. 

“I’m not done with her,” He said through clenched teeth. 

“You are done.” Ash yelled. “I’m not letting you toy with her.” 

Artrannus looked up at Jasmine. Her eyes wide and confused. Conflicted. 

How should she help? Who should she help? 

Artrannus chuckled, “See, love. It didn’t take long, you’re almost on my side now.” 

Sher eyes sharpened, anger flaring in those sparkling gems. 

“So that’s what this was about?” She asked, “She just wanted me to keep Ash back.” 

What? No? He hadn’t meant it that way!

Before he could mend what he did, Ash threw back his head, slamming his skull into the wall. 

Artrannus howled and Ash pulled him back. He fell into the abyss, Jasmine’s name flying from his lips.