KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[possedere]

[While the priest being late was of some concern, Mukuro had only thought that he might have been held up by a particularly chatty parishioner. After all, it didn't seem like the priest was performing many risky exorcisms nowadays, and if that was due to Mukuro's own influence or because there were few demons in the vicinity nowadays remained to be seen.

And while Mukuro had seen the priest in a worst state, for some reason, seeing him limping towards him with a bandaged jaw made his blood boil. Normally, he wouldn't touch the priest without it being carefully calculated, but he reached out for him anyway, grasping at his arm to tug him closer to him and see the full extent of his injuries. His eyes narrowed, his mouth tightening and turning down at what he saw.]

Who did this?

[kokuyoyo]

[He was prepared to keep his distance. To truly treat this encounter with what it deserved: apathy and professionalism. Letting himself get swept up was… foolish. He remembers that now.]

[Or, rather, he remembered it, past tense, because the demon suddenly grabbing him by the arm, and his eyes widen as he’s pulled close. It’s so outside their usual routine, he doesn’t know what to think. After a second, he comes back into himself, and shrugs as his eyes flick away. Delicately, still aware of his leg, he folds his one free arm against his stomach.]

...It was just a minor demon… [His gaze go back to Mukuro, briefly.] You didn’t know…?

[He’s not sure why he thinks that the demon would. It’s not as though they all keep close company, demons, and, besides, this one in particular has been trapped within a body of flesh and blood. Would he have been contacted about it?]

[...Well. It’s not like there was probably any planning about it, he supposes. An exorcism wasn’t even supposed to be on the table, for anyone in the church. The visitors were from out of town, after all, simply coming back to an old priest the family knew somehow before they moved elsewhere. They were worried about their child, and it was supposed to simply be a consultation. Yet it seems things escalated, and the next thing he knew, a possessed teenager was slamming into him straight out from one of the small side rooms.]

[He’s had worse, and the situation is taken care of, now. All he’d had to do was stay behind to be patched up a little and make sure he wasn’t too hurt.]

[possedere]

[For once, Mukuro felt warm in this prison of flesh, and he felt his rage like hellfire licking along the thin human skin he was inhabiting. Though he was normally careful about keeping an illusion around his eyes so that they appeared an inconspicuous human blue, he felt the flames of his rage starting to eat away at his right eye, revealing the red beneath. He let go of the priest quickly, least he burn him, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

Because not only was the priest his, and thus under his protection, but he had not known. It was a double wound to his pride, in which he had deluded himself he could stay in this vessel and still keep the same stranglehold on hell as he always had. While minor demons came and went and it was impossible to track them all, he should have at least sensed one in his territory. He had known that attracting more demons to this realm was a possibility, and erroneously he had believed he was prepared for it. Clearly he wasn't, and his priest had suffered for it.

Once he was sure that his illusion was back in place, he turned his eyes up to the priest, gaze sharp and furious.]

You're a fool.

[Who he was addressing with that, was really up in the air. He grabbed the priest's arm again, this time gently, starting to steer him back towards his car.]

You should have told me you were injured and rescheduled. Why force yourself to come here?

[To see a demon no less. The priest should have felt no guilt in rescheduling, unless he was trying to test him. To remind him that even if Mukuro was powerful, he was blunted in this imperfect form, and that his arrogance had a price.

While it was too late to prevent what had already happened, he could make sure he would make an example of that minor demon. While true, calling attention to the incident might bring more of their ilk to him, it would also deter an equal amount. An eternity was a long time to spend trying to dodge Mukuro's wrath.]

Tell me the name.

[It was said harshly, with no hint of condescension or teasing that was normal for him.]

[kokuyoyo]

What-
[Even as much as he’s offended by the insult, he’s just as confused, and he’s helpless to really stop Mukuro from guiding him along. Then again, he doesn’t really have the energy to get into some argument about it all, either- the escapades have tired him out on what was supposed to be a lowkey day, and an injured leg is not ideal for that either.]

[....Still. He thought the demon would be pleased by this kind of thing.]

[Hearing such a change of tone brings a chill to his heart, and Chikusa frowns slightly, chin tucking into his chest.]

What would you do if you knew…?

[possedere]

You're not driving with that leg. I'll call a cab, and I'll have someone pick up your car.

[Quickly, Mukuro pulled out his phone to put in for a cab, forcing himself to calm down lest his fingers shake and force him to poke at his phone multiple times.

The question was met with a sharp, dry laugh, Mukuro turning to look at the priest fully, eye burning bright red.]

See to it that they serve as an example. You are mine Chikusa Kakimoto, and I will not have others harming you.

[kokuyoyo]

[A soft sigh.]

I did drive here, just fine.

[But…. That soon becomes something inconsequential as the demon turns to him, states his claim to him, and Chikusa loses every bit of air out from his lungs. Suddenly, he’s far too aware of the state of his body- the flushing heat creeping along his throat and jaw, his heart throbbing as if to break through his chest. His eyes are dilating, although he can’t tell.]

[It takes him a second to compose words to say.]

I…. The exorcism proper is to happen tomorrow, I agreed to do it quick while things are still early…

[possedere]

[Mukuro waved aside the priest's protests easily enough, flagging down the cab as it neared them. Absently, he sent a missive to one of his minions to pick up the car tomorrow, holding out his other hand.]

Your car keys, Chikusa Kakimoto.

[The spike of arousal was interesting enough for Mukuro to tear his gaze away from his phone, and he tucked it into his back pocket as he took the priest in. Any other time he would have reveled in it, and pushed this small advantage, but there were bigger things at stake here. But he would note it for another time.

An exorcism tomorrow didn't leave him much time, and quite honestly, he hadn't left his vessel since he had entered it. He wasn't sure how long it would take for him leave it to do what needed to be done. He was tempted to send the priest on his way and start the task of going to a bloody war with all nearby demons now, but it would be for nothing if something happened to his cute little priest between then and now.]

Schedule it for the evening.

[Mukuro's voice left no room for argument, and he opened the door to the car for the priest, mouth down turning.]

And tell me the name.

[kokuyoyo]

[For a second, he’s not sure what to do. This is a matter for the church, for him as an exorcist. Letting it be handed over to a demon…]

[But then… is it bad if demons go after each other? Certainly it would mean less trouble for the church… So long as it’s kept to the realm of the spiritual instead of directly affecting humanity on earth… After some moments of struggle, he finally reaches into his pocket to pull out his keys.]

...Nigella… Whatever you do, you won’t hurt the host, will you…?

[possedere]

[The keys in his hand feel like victory, like being given a flaming sword to slay his enemies. He smirks, but it's a feral, beastly thing, and he tucked them safely into his pocket. He leaned forward to give the cab driver the priest's address, before turning to assess Chikusa Kakimoto smartly. His eyes, at least, are fading back into their fake blue, and when he smiles, this time it is closer to normal. But it still promises malice and destruction.

Nigella... It isn't a name he knew, but it wouldn't matter. In a few hours, its very existence would be wiped from every imaginable plane.]

If I don't, will I be rewarded?

[Slaying demons was all well and fine, but doing good deeds in his natural state would be irritating to him all over again. Perhaps it would be worse, since now he was so susceptible to sensation, having given himself over to a mortal vessel for quite some time.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Of course... His expression shifts back into the usual neutral displeasure he's so often worn when around the demon. He should have expected it would be like this, shouldn't he? Shoulders tense, he starts to duck into the cab.]

If you're responsible for the harm or death of that child... I'll find a way to tear you out from that shell of yours.

[possedere]

[It had been worth a try, Mukuro shooting the priest an amused look as he climbed into the cab.]

You catch more flies with honey, my cute little priest.

[Still, his eyes hardened, mouth curving up into a vicious smirk.]

Don't worry. The only thing that will be harmed is that demon.

[kokuyoyo]

[So he says…. Chikusa can’t help wonder if that will turn out to be the case. And yet just as much as that, despite how he had told himself he would firm his resolve at being reminded of how demons are…. His hand reaches up to brush against Mukuro’s arm.]

Don’t do anything foolish.

[And with that, he tugs the door shut, shoulders hunching up.]

[possedere]

[The touch was enough to startle Mukuro, his eyes flicking over to the priest, surprised by the genuine concern he seemed to be displaying. He would take it, he supposed, as a sign that he was slowly but surely winning him over. It was about time, considering he had all but taken him out on dates and blew him already.

He canted his head to the side, though his normally condescending and smug expression softening slightly at the edges.]

Is that concern, Chikusa Kakimoto?

[kokuyoyo]

[THE BLOWJOB HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, MUKURO.]

[Stubbornly, he tries to keep his away, at least in an upfront way. There’s certainly a glance from the corner of his eye, heart throbbing uncomfortably at that look.]

At this point you’re my responsibility… And I know how you overdo things.

[possedere]

[Is it because the priest had caught feelings long before then?

Mukuro chuckled lightly at that poor excuse, leaning back into his seat, allowing the priest this one white lie. There was also an easy joke about what else he'd like to overdo, but perhaps later. There were more pressing concerns for once than what he could do to his priest.]

My, my, I don't mind being kept by you in that case. What other perks can I expect?

[kokuyoyo]

[Yes. Regret. And other things, which he regrets even more.]

[He particularly regrets encouraging the demon in any way, and he resists the urge to shake his head. And to think that only a moment ago, and he’d felt so breathless at Mukuro’s words… Crossing his arms and holding them against his body, he makes sure to keep his gaze focused elsewhere.]

Access to my car, apparently- please don’t make copies of the key or something…

[possedere]

[Well no said dicking a demon would be easy ayyy.

That closed off body language was enough to get a small sign from Mukuro, and he let the priest have a bit more breathing room, leaning away from him and inching slightly to the side.]

Don't worry my cute little priest, I wouldn't need to if getting your car was what I wanted.

[Because that was supposed to make it better.

As they pulled up to Chikusa's apartment and after tipping the driver, he went around the side to help the priest out of the cab should he need it.]

Next time, reschedule.

[kokuyoyo]

...Reassuring.

[Mukuro pls]

[Still, as he opens the door to find the demon waiting for him, he hesitates only a moment before sliding his hand into his to rise to his feet.]

I thought your ego would be stroked more.

[possedere]

There are better ways to stroke it that don't involve your pain.

[It was said with a hint of carelessness and lightness, lacking in the usual amount of innuendo it normally did, Mukuro helping the priest up to his feet and heading towards his apartment.]

Though since when have you been interested in stroking my ego?

[He glanced over pointedly at the priest's face, interested.]

[kokuyoyo]

[At least he's not making this worse.... Chikusa side eyes him in a way that's not particularly subtle.]

I was preparing myself for having to deal with your overwhelming smugness. That's the only reason I ask.

[possedere]

If that is what you insist, I'll believe you my cute little priest.

[Though an 'overwhelmingly smug' smirk that overtook Mukuro's expression might beg to differ. He paused once they were outside of the priest's apartment, flickering his gaze back to Chikusa Kakimoto's face, weighing the pros and cons of what he was to say next.

Eventually, with a small sigh, he asked quietly:]

Should I have someone watch over you tonight?

[As if he didn't every night, but it wasn't like the priest had to know.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Mukuro, why does he tell you anything? Still, he knows he's brought it on himself, so Chikusa merely sighs and allows himself to be escorted in otherwise silence. As he's fishing for his keys, however, he pauses at the demon's words.]

'Someone'?

[Mukuro has friends? Or other people who can stand him?]

[possedere]

An associate.

[Like that clarification means anything, really, and Mukuro only looked over at the priest with a small touch of amusement.]

I know people who could see to your wounds. Should I make the call?

[Listen, doctors are one of the leading groups of people to sell their souls to demons, and some for actual good reasons. Save this dying child, let this person pass peacefully, murder the director of medicine so I can take their job, blah blah blah.]

[kokuyoyo]

Somehow, the idea of what associates you could have doesn’t fill me with confidence…

[This is still Mukuro, although that he’s bothering to bust out personal resources for him is… flattering? Still, he unlocks his door and steps inside, although he still looks to Mukuro as he does so.]

It’s just some minor things… They’ll heal up on their own. I can last for that long, even as a human.

[possedere]

I associate with you, don't I, my cute little priest?

[Still, he wouldn't press the matter. He was loathe to have his worlds intersect, considering how difficult it was most days to get the priest to forget he was a demon without flaunting all the morally bankrupt and sinful activities he was engaging in right underneath his nose.

There was a temptation to follow the priest inside, to soothe those 'minor' wounds with his mouth and his hands, but he had a more important job to do. Besides, the priest was looking wary enough, so there was no need to make him even more skittish.]

Then I'll leave you to heal. I'll see you when my work is complete, Chikusa Kakimoto. Until then...

[He reached out, brushing a gloved hand almost affectionately against his cheek.]

Keep out of trouble.