KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[possedere]

Yet here we are. I honored our agreement, and still you've called me back.

[Mukuro leaned forward, mouth curving upward almost cruelly. He hadn't wanted to bring it up at all, still wary of the tenuous connection between the two of them, but nor was he going to allow Chikusa to delusion himself. That would be counter productive.

He leaned back at the mention of the Black Forest, humming thoughtfully.]

Perhaps next time. [Then, idly taking a drink:] For a fan of nature, you rarely seem to go out into it.

[kokuyoyo]

[Only a few words, but they're a knife sliding through his ribcage.]

[Chikusa looks away, jaw clenched. How can he deny it? That's the truth. The first time in exchange for his mentor, the second in exchange for an answer. This is the third, but there'd been no need to call Mukuro again. There's no need for him to have done this. He could have moved on. He's making steps to fill his life, isn't he? So why did he do this?]

[The answer isn't clear to him. Maybe because he's scared of acknowledging it.]

I know.

[It's not clear what it's in response to- the first statement or the second. Either way, Chikusa keeps going.]

I've wanted to stay in the city. You're a demon- surely you've seen conflicting desires before.

[possedere]

[There it was. That conflict splayed out across the priest's face, while probably barely noticeable to mortals, was as bright as a neon light to Mukuro. He resisted the urge to lean forward, to drink it in, to swallow it in and feel it slide down his throat, smooth as honey. He can practically taste how close Chikusa Kakimoto was to him, how close he was to falling to depravity, and the sweet cloying meatiness of it made Mukuro impatient to taste more.

But instead he just wound his hands around the mug of tea, drinking in that expression. It would be enough for now.]

What would the rest of your clergy say if they knew? What would your mentor think?

[Oops, guess he couldn't resist twisting the knife a little further.

The question was barely worth answering, Mukuro flicking his bangs from his face in disinterest.]

It's not solely a demonic trait, I hope you're aware. It's a very human emotion.

[kokuyoyo]

[What would they say? What would they think? Chikusa doesn't know, but he can imagine the looks they would give him. There would be no need to hide anything from him then, no need to fake politeness and civility. Merely thinking about it has his fingers tighten around his mug, and his head bows further.]

[He'd be excommunicated. Surely.]

[It's a horrifying idea. Certainly, his life might be hollow, he might be shunned, but he's still part of something. There's still that community. Without it, without his faith, he's...]

[What is he?]

[Chikusa doesn't answer. Fortunately, Mukuro doesn't press.]

Being contradicting or having desires?

[possedere]

Both.

[Never let it be said that Mukuro couldn't be gentle, letting the other topic go away without another word of comment. It seemed like Chikusa Kakimoto knew the consequences well, but the question was whether that would be enough to stop him and his budding curiosity or if it wouldn't. Mukuro in the mean time would be dying to see the outcome.

But he would put up with the small talk for now, since the priest seemed so keen on it.]

I have known humans who are outwardly meek and gentle, but when pushed are worse than any demon. I have known humans who only seek money and fame, and do not care about the consequences afterward. I have met humans who would almost restore my faith. [A quiet, contemplative pause, his mouth turning down.] But they all meet the same ends and they all suffer in their own ways.

[kokuyoyo]

[It's a relief to have the subject dropped. Chikusa doesn't believe it will stay that way, of course. This is a demon he's dealing with. It'll come back to bite him at some point in the future.]

[But that's the future. In the present, he tentatively lets his shoulders lose some of their tension and peers up at Mukuro from his cup curiously.]

What kind of human could restore a demon's faith?

[possedere]

Kufufu, [There was a quick drop of expression, from amusement to complete ruthlessness, the change almost shocking.] none.

[There was no reason to bring his cute little Chrome into this, to have them meet anytime soon. Not when he couldn't be sure about his hold on the young priest. Meeting someone as pure and lovely as Chrome would undoubtedly sway him back towards his faith, something Mukuro wasn't interested in seeing after all of his work. Hearing one's messiah walked unobtrusively among mortals tended to do that.

But, dodging the question might take Chikusa Kakimoto's interest start to pique in a different direction, he added:]

A type of person who only comes once every millennia. You speak of miracles, and yet all I have seen are precious few mortals who had the wish to change the world and the ability to do so.

[kokuyoyo]

[After only a few meetings, Chikusa's never seen an expression like that cross the demon's face. Hunger, cruel delight, mocking ease, yes, and he's come to expect all of those. But that sharp expression, that rapid change...]

[For a second, Chikusa is left visibly off balance and he reacts on instinct. Even meeting the demon as he's been doing can't stop habit, after all. He tenses up, takes a step back, and doesn't keep his eyes off of him until the conversation has moved on.]

...But you would say that, wouldn't you? That miracles don't exist. As a demon, it's your way.

[There's still that wariness that the ruthlessness he saw could come back at any second.]

[possedere]

Since you already know, why ask?

[Mukuro stirred his tea idly, head canted to the side as he smiled innocently enough.]

Or are you holding out hope that a demon can be converted to goodness? It would be a tremendous boon to your side.

[kokuyoyo]

I'm neither that arrogant in my own abilities or naive enough to believe it could happen.

[Still feeling on edge, full of nervous energy, he starts to make a move to the couch.]

Besides, I don't know nearly enough about your kind to puzzle out what would be a suitable enough reason for you to change sides like that.

[possedere]

Perhaps if a young priest befriended me and taught me the power of friendship, I could be persuaded.

[It was full of mockery, Mukuro making no move to follow after him, but tracking him with his mismatched eyes. He drained his tea cup before going to make another.]

For someone so who says they are unsure, you are quick to educate me on my ways and actions. I wonder if that thinking could be changed or if you're merely trying to reassure yourself.

[kokuyoyo]

[He's not the shounen protag even in this universe, Mukuro, sorry.]

[There's a flicker of a scowl on his face at the blatant mockery before Chikusa returns to his tea.]

So do you want me to never contact you again? I can do so easily.

[But... That's his attempts to reassure himself again.]

[possedere]

[My, my what a threat that was. Mukuro frowned despite himself, pushing himself off from the counter, leaving his cup where it was as he sauntered over to the couch. While it was far too soon, most likely, to invade the priest's personal space, but if perhaps, he had the strength to swear him off, Mukuro would make sure he had done everything to prevent that.

He sat himself down right next to Chikusa Kakimoto, eyes sharp with interest, and he leaned forward until their faces were merely inches apart. He spoke softly, but each word he used was carefully crafted and thin as a needle, meant to pierce the cracks in the priest's almost impervious armor, and if they could not widen the gaps, at least they would stay there and fester until they grew infected.]

Could you? Would you be able to return to this apartment day after day after knowing you had invited a demon in here? Are you so certain the small changes you have been making will one day bear fruit? And, even though few have done so in your lifetime, are you sure that anyone else will take an interest in you? Or even notice you?

[Mukuro leaned away from him a small smirk on his face.]

Should I leave you now then?

[kokuyoyo]

[Alarm bells start to go off in his mind as Mukuro puts his cup down, as he starts to approach, and Chikusa sets his own down on the coffee table before him. What he can do in the face of a demon in a situation like this, he's not entirely sure, but it's some faint reassurance just to have his hands free.]

[As it turns out, free hands won't do him any good.]

[Being so close, nearly sharing their breath close, freezes Chikusa. Fear is a part of it, that human instinct which tries to guide foolish humans away from danger. He can't deny its presence. At the same time... They're so close. Something has curled around his spine, like static electricity, and he swallows as the words start to dig into him worse than any claws. Despite how much he wants to run away, he's trapped there, listening, until Mukuro leans away and Chikusa lets out a breath. Immediately, he breaks his gaze and curls his fist on the armrest.]

...And what will knowing you bear fruit to, besides perhaps suffering in Hell?

[possedere]

[Perhaps Mukuro was having more effect than he thought possible, taking in that rapt stare. True, it could be only fear and the priest's reticent nature, but the fact that he hadn't flinched away yet was progress. What a sad thing to consider progress, but what was it if nothing else?

As soon as his point was made, he would give Chikusa Kakimoto the space he needed to collect himself, standing fluidly from the couch and heading back to the counter, chuckling softly.]

Isn't it also in a demon's nature to give mortals whatever their hearts desire? You wouldn't be alone, Chikusa Kakimoto, not now or for eternity.

[He paused, at the counter top, tracing his fingers across it's surface, thoughtful.]

Perhaps happiness could also be attainable, but I'll confess, I may be rusty in that department. But I do know pleasure, and that is always a good start.

[kokuyoyo]

...But I'd be suffering for eternity.

[That's what it means to be in Hell, after all. It's what's spawned such twisted creatures as demons, who cause harm to any who come into contact with them and who stay in fragile human bodies until flesh can no longer stand it.]

[Is it really worth that?]

[Of course, then the demon says that.]

[This isn't the first time a demon has said something similar to Chikusa. However, perhaps because of what's gone on in this brief meeting so far- awakening in his room, the casual invasion of his space- something is different, and Chikusa's skins starts to heat up slightly in the dimness of the living room. His voice is somewhat tight.]

I'm not interested in any pleasure which you might offer.

[possedere]

Aren't you suffering now?

[It was said off-handedly, Mukuro smirking at the priest over the brim of his tea cup. True, it wasn't exactly a comforting thought, but demons weren't exactly known for being warm and cuddly. Lying didn't seem to work on his young priest, so he would get as close to the truth as he could without burning himself.

The reaction to that rather innocent offer was far more interesting, and Mukuro couldn't help but laugh at that rather quick lie.]

It's easy to say that when you've never known it.

[He rested his elbows against the counter, still chuckling softly in amusement.]

Pleasure isn't a sin. Without it, where would you mortals be?

[kokuyoyo]

[The truth, like so many others, makes Chikusa twitch out a grimace which he tries to hide. He wants to say that he'd been happy before this whole mess, but, while it wasn't suffering... Could it really be any better?]

[It's something he'll hoard to himself for a later time. Right now, he's still slightly pink and reaching for his tea again. There's not a lot of other distractions for him, after all.]

It depends on the pleasure.

[He... guesses, anyway. ]

[possedere]

[Now that was a look Mukuro wouldn't mind seeing on Chikusa Kakimoto. It might be getting ahead of himself, to try to carve that expression and exact shade of blush into his memory, but he would do so anyway. He leaned forward with obvious interest, eyes wide and almost innocent.]

My, my, I wasn't aware that the church was changing their minds on the topic.

[It must be difficult to get new converts, but he kept his mouth shut about it for now. There were far more interesting topics at hand.]

What forms of pleasure are sanctioned now?

[kokuyoyo]

[He never should have said anything. Now, whatever he does, those will just be ideas that he's practically handing over on a silver platter. A flicker of annoyance at himself goes through his eyes before something comes to mind.]

[Turning his head away, Chikusa glances at the demon from the corner of his eye.]

There's always the pleasure of doing God's work.

[Yes, he's aware he's being a little shit]

[possedere]

[Chikusa Kakimoto being a little shit was pretty entertaining so far, and Mukuro would give him that response at least. He chuckled at that, going to wash out his cup in the sink.]

Kufufu, the one pleasure I have little interest in. When you're ready to expand your horizons, you'll let me know?

[Except it wasn't so much a question.]

[kokuyoyo]

[That's certainly a different response than when he had invaded his space so forcefully... Chikusa keeps it in mind, finishing off his tea.]

So it's only that one pleasure you have no interest in, is that it?

[possedere]

Bring me your cup if you please. I'll clean it out too.

[It was the least he could do as a gracious host in the apartment that wasn't quite Chikusa's apartment.

That question made Mukuro shrug carelessly, though his shoulders tensed slightly.]

As a demon, wouldn't it be true to my nature? [Let that go, holy shit Mukuro he had you pegged.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Fortunately, Chikusa is still somewhat fumbling and new to reading people in some ways. As he picks up his cup and gets to his feet, he misses the way those shoulders tense. His response is merely a soft noise.]

I suppose...

[Coming into the kitchen again, he pauses. His tone turns dry again. Unfortunately, he still gets ideas.]

But since you're so busy trying to tempt a man of the cloth with how he can't know how good something is that he's never experienced, you deserve having the opposite offered to you.

[possedere]

Kufufu are you telling me I should pray with you priest? Or go with you to church? [He paused, glancing over at Chikusa Kakimoto with mock amusement.] Should I join your order? I know quite a few verses of your book by heart.

[He held out a hand for the priest's cup, one eyebrow raised.]

Weren't you just telling me you weren't so naive?