It was Friday night. The game was War. And – to his astonishment – Adam was winning.

His opponent didn’t seem to care. Ryka was blissfully buzzed, and only half paying attention to the game. Adam was fairly drunk himself, and thus concentrating far too hard.

He really hadn’t anticipated spending part of his evening playing cards with a demon. Both he and Kyle had been getting tipsy when, with a dramatic sigh, Kyle had informed him that Ryka would be joining them. Well, joining Adam. As Kyle had put it, the demon had been begging for a chance to play a game with Adam. This pleading was all a pretense, Ryka trying to be respectful of his host. When it came down to it, if he wanted to do something, there was no stopping him.

That had been the reason for Kyle’s sigh. Like it or not, his night of drinking was over. And Adam’s night as Ryka’s entertainment was just beginning.

“What’s safe?” Adam asked, once it was decided it would be a card game. A safer bet than darts, but he knew that most of these were off-limits, at least if wanted them to be fair. Unable to stop himself, Ryka would be able to tell what cards Adam had, what his next move would be, or if he was bluffing. It sucked most of the fun out of playing.

“War,” Kyle answered quickly. “Neither of you know what cards you have, so there’s no way to cheat. Well, I’m sure he could manage, but it would probably take more effort than he’s willing to put in.” It was something Adam often found himself playing with Kate’s sister’s kids, so it felt silly and a bit childish to be agreeing to a game now. But at least they’d be on a level playing field.

Just to be extra safe, Adam had been the one to shuffle and deal the cards. At first, Ryka had seemed focused on the game, but it had quickly become apparent that this was just an excuse to socialize.

“You’re easy to look at,” Ryka suddenly remarked. He was grinning in what Adam supposed was meant to be a non-threatening manner. But he had so many teeth, and they were so very sharp.

“Uh, thanks?” Time and again, Kyle had assured him that Ryka didn’t dislike him. It was hard to believe when he often felt like he was being used as a quick meal, his discomfort a convenient snack for the demon.

“That wasn’t flirting,” Ryka explained, as though that would be the first conclusion Adam would jump to. He didn’t get to say he’d assumed as much before Ryka continued. “I just meant that when I look at you, I’m not forced to watch a lifetime of sinning play out behind you.”

“Oh.” That was a relief on two fronts. “Well, that’s good, right?”

“For you.”

“Right. Uh, is there anything?” Maybe it was the beer making him brave, but he had to know.

“Nothing of note,” Ryka told him. “It’s almost boring, in fact.”

“I’ll take boring.” Ryka looked like he wanted to disagree, but, in a rare show of restraint, kept his mouth shut.

Conversation paused entirely while the game continued, at least for a few minutes.

“You are easy on the eyes, though.”

Luckily, Adam had swallowed his mouthful of beer prior to this comment. So, instead of spraying both the table and a relatively calm demon with alcohol - surely changing that all-important “calm” bit - he found himself strangling out a bewildered “Uh ….”

“That was flirting.”

Kyle had warned him to gently brush off such remarks. Anything else would just egg Ryka on. In a more sober state, that would have been exactly what Adam did. Instead, he countered with a bold, “I got that one.”

“Okay, good. Ah, fuck.” This last as Adam won another battle. Ryka took a swig of his drink and offered Adam another beer. He probably should have declined, but he just couldn’t say ‘no’ to more alcohol.

Fresh beverages in hand, they resumed the game. Adam knew he was far too drunk to be safely interacting with the demon when he found himself saying, “You know, speaking of flirting, Kyle says you can be very sweet to him.”

In fact, Kyle had said it only moments before allowing Ryka out that evening. Adam had been bragging about some of the thoughtful things Kate had done for him, and Kyle had proudly assured him - with only a little bit of slurring - that Ryka, too, was very considerate. Then, blushing furiously, he had mentioned that Ryka also desperately wanted to come out. Adam realized now that Kyle may have fibbed a bit earlier, and Ryka was only out to save Kyle from further embarrassing himself.

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“You say that like you don’t believe him. You don’t buy it?” Ryka didn’t look remotely offended, just amused. And maybe a little drunk, too, his pupils nearly eclipsing those burning red irises.

“Well ….”

“I can be nice. I can be very nice.”

Adam glanced up from the game to meet the demon’s smoldering stare. Wide-eyed, he leaned back in his chair. Maybe he’d gone too far? “I believe him.”

“The look on your face says otherwise. Want some proof?”

He was sure Kyle would have told him to say “no.” He was sure sober Adam would have said the same. Mostly-drunk Adam said “Sure.”

“Well then.” Ryka pushed his stack of cards aside and leaned across the table. Since he couldn’t get any farther back without toppling his chair, Adam froze where he was. “Look deep into my eyes.” That was not the best idea, Adam knew. Fortunately, even Ryka was having trouble focusing, so they were both just looking in each other’s general direction, which was more than enough for Adam. One thing he couldn’t escape, however, was Ryka reaching across the table for his hands. For a moment, all Adam could focus on were those claws. But even buzzed, Ryka was careful.

“Ready?” he asked. Adam nodded, not sure exactly what he was bracing himself for. “How’s this?” Clearing his throat, Ryka leaned a little closer and told him, “If anyone – and I mean anyone – fucks with you, I’ll destroy them. I’ll eviscerate every last asshole that even thinks of hurting you and turn this shithole of a town into a literal Hell on Earth. And if that’s not enough, I’ll bring this whole planet to its knees for you, make them grovel at your feet for mercy. Which I can assure you they won’t be receiving.”

Fighting back first a shudder, then a nervous laugh, Adam shook his head. “I feel like that was maybe not what he meant.”

With feigned exasperation, Ryka sighed and dropped Adam’s hands. They had been sweating, and now felt cold and clammy out of the demon’s grasp. He wiped them on his thighs quickly.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Can I try again?”

“Please do.”

“Okay. Then allow me to set the mood.” This was, Adam quickly discovered, a two-step process. Step one was to dim all the lights in the room. Including, somehow, the TV. Step two was to make things feel even more intimate by stretching his wings open and around the small kitchen table, so they were kept cozy within his wingspan. Now there was definitely no getting away. Gaze lowered, Ryka quickly glanced up at him and purred, “I want to fuck you so hard you forget your name.”

He sounded a bit too serious. Mouth dry, Adam asked “Does that work?”

“More often than you’d expect,” Ryka replied with a grin, refolding his wings behind him and forcing the lights back up.

Poor Kyle, Adam thought. He was probably quite embarrassed. And it was about to get worse. Knowing it was a road he probably didn’t want to go down, but tongue loosened by alcohol, Adam asked, “Is that even, um, possible? I mean, given that you share a body. I understand the basic mechanics of … nevermind.”

Adam wondered why he worried so much about pissing off Ryka – the demon was usually too busy laughing at him, as he was now. “Glad you understand. But I’d be happy to help you brush up anytime.” He paused. “That was more flirting.” When Adam turned red and looked away, Ryka moved on. “As for how … Well, you’ll just have to believe me when I say I have my ways.”

Assuming that was a nice way of telling him to mind his own damn business, Adam nodded. “I see.”

Eyebrows raised, Ryka replied, “No, I don’t think you’d want to. Though I’d love to show you.”

Feeling close to what had to be combustion - how could his face feel this hot? - Adam stared down at the table. He was normally much more careful with his word choice. Too late to worry about that now, he supposed. Better to just move on. “So, should I try that line on Kate?”

“Let me know how hard she slaps you.”

“She would, too, so maybe I’ll pass. But that still probably wasn’t what Kyle meant by ‘sweet.’ I think you’re getting closer, though.”

“I’m on the right track?” Adam nodded. This was turning into a more entertaining game than War, so Adam didn’t expect Ryka to suddenly become very serious. “Last try?” he asked, now somber.

“Um, sure.”

“Stud, are you paying attention?” As he often did when speaking to his host, Ryka looked up and to his left, like he was talking over his shoulder. Keeping his gaze there, he continued, “You know I love only you, right, stud? And I’ll tell you again – I think we were made for each other. I’ll do anything to keep you safe. Anything to make you happy. Anything to make sure we’re together. Forever.”

Now his purring was genuine, and he closed his eyes and smiled. Adam felt a bit like he was interrupting something and tidied up the cards to keep busy while Kyle presumably replied to Ryka. The demon’s purr jumped half an octave, and Adam could hear the tip of his tail thumping on the floor.

For a moment, Adam thought he’d been forgotten. But he looked back up from the table when he felt Ryka’s stare. “How was that?” Apparently, his expression said it all. “Why do you look so surprised?”

Even the slightest tinge of annoyance in the demon’s tone was enough to make Adam start to tremble. But not answering wasn’t an option. Hoping to avoid his earlier mistake, he chose his words carefully. “It’s just not a side of you I see often, that’s all. But Kyle was right. And that was very nice.”

“You really do play it safe with me, huh?”

“Shouldn’t I?” Eyes wide, he clapped a hand over his mouth. What a stupid thing to ask, he thought. But Ryka didn’t seem remotely bothered by the question.

“I’d fuck up some sinners for you, too, big boy, so don’t worry so much.” Adam didn’t need to be told that was more flirting, especially not when he also now felt the tip of Ryka’s tail brush across his lap. With a gasp, he started, nearly tipping his chair over. “Relax. I was just checking to see if all that sweet talk got you excited.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” he squeaked.

“I’ll survive. Now before I get yelled at, let’s play.”

“Uh …”

“Cards. Unless ….?”

“Cards, please.”

“I’ll take what I can get.”