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"Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck..." Davin said, over and over again. Even though the people were gone, it seemed like all their cars were still there just to block him from escaping the massive dragon that he had once thought was a nice coworker. Now his place of work was gone, and the only number he had been able to reach so far was Bruce. What was happening? Hell, he'd just summoned the car he'd thought was Zagan's until a little while ago. When had this been his car? Did it really matter right now? All he knew was he had to get to Deviant Delights, just like Bruce had said. Even as he weaved around car after car, he somehow felt like his random and panicked turns were getting him closer to his goal.

"Davin... come to me... merge with me..." Zagan said, his alluring voice shaking the fabric of reality. Davin almost felt himself turning around, his mostly draconic body reacting violently to the command before he caught himself. Shaking his head, he focused on his goal. The bar. His bar. The place he worked... holy shit, he was a lust daemon. As soon as he remembered that, he felt himself smile as he realized why Bruce and his friends had been the way they were. Bruce had known all along, hadn't he?

"Gods, I need a drink," Davin said, turning down yet another street. He could hear and see buildings and infrastructure crumbling in the rear-view mirror as Zagan simply walked through them like they were made of wet paper towels. He had to stay alert, though. Whenever he looked away from the road, he found new roadblocks would appear when he looked back. The sky had turned red at some point, and thunder pealed. Was this the fucking apocalypse...? No. The Virtues would have interfered by now. He had a feeling that the only people in this world were him, Zagan, and Bruce. He wasn't on Earth, that much was obvious by now. So where the hell was he?

"Davin..."

"Oh shut up!" Davin shouted, flicking a switch on his dash. The radio blared to life, playing music he'd become familiar with over his career. It was almost like he was remembering it, with how clearly it came through. Maybe it wouldn't drown out Zagan's voice completely, but it helped him focus on where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be.

"So where are we going?" Jared asked from the passenger seat, smiling at him.

"You're not really here, are you?" Davin asked, more okay with it than he realized he would be.

"No. Not really," Jared said, shrugging. "I'm that dragon Rune right now, remember? It's why we're both missing an eye here. We're the same person."

"Where is here?" Davin asked, dreading the answer.

"Haven't we made it obvious by now?"

"So I am crazy," Davin sighed, shaking his head. "None of this is real, is it?"

"The consequences are real enough. But that's not what you really want to ask me, is it? Why else would I be here right now?"

"I'm not sure..." Davin said, though more and more he was beginning to remember. "I hurt you, didn't I?"

"Not on purpose," Jared said, comforting him. "Hell, I hurt you too."

"Yeah but that... that was a drone thing..."

"So? You know as well as I do what it was like. How seductive it was. Can we really blame each other for what happened while connected to them? They were a drone network run by an Envy daemon and powered by Lust itself, Davin. It's surprising we didn't succumb sooner than we did."

"But..."

"But nothing. You already said you don't want to live with regrets, right? Living in the past, dwelling on what you could have done differently... that's no way to live. It's poison, like Bruce said."

"So how do I... how do I move on then?"

"I don't know how it is with daemons, but forgiveness is usually a good start when it concerns us mortals," Jared chuckled, shaking his head. "But you know this. Don't you?"

"Fine... I forgive you. Will you forgive me?"

"I don't know. Will I? You'll have to ask Jared, since I'm not really him. I'm just what you think of when you hear that name. But I think no matter what, he would want you to forgive yourself. After all, weren't you the one who told me not to be so down on myself? Now here you are, pretending to be mortal to escape the truth."

"But Zagan put me here!"

"He's the jailer, but not the one who built the cage. You did that yourself, even if Lucian gave you the materials to work with."

"I..."

"Forgive yourself, Davin. Otherwise you'll always keep coming back to this point. Maybe not the same world, maybe not the same way... but you can't run forever."

"...I know. It was nice hanging out with you, Jared. While it lasted."

"Yeah, it was fun. Say hi to Bruce for me," Jared said, winking as he vanished. Eyes full of tears, Davin turned down another road. He was almost there. He took his eyes off the road for a second to check on Zagan's progress, but when his eyes returned to the road it was too late; he was crashing into a truck and he hadn't even buckled his seat belt. It went about how he imagined it would, with him crashing through the windshield as he was ejected from his seat. Shards of glass around him reflected the titan reaching out to catch him... everything seemed to slow down as he admired it all. He could see the alley that lead to the bar, though it seemed reality itself was breaking down all around them. No. This wasn't reality, was it? He couldn't deny it anymore. If the truth would set him free, then...

"This is my mind," Davin said, somehow staring up into Zagan's massively smug face. "Not yours."

As if responding to his statement, time froze all around him. Zagan's hand was nearly upon him; it was obvious he was struggling to move, but he could do nothing but watch as Davin slowly lowered himself down to the street. Davin could feel the strain of his will against Zagan's, so instead of trying to fight him he ran down the alley. He had bought himself some time, but not much.

"Davin!" Zagan shouted, just as time had resumed. But it was too late for the dragon. Hurtling through the open door, Davin ran through the hallway before crashing through into Deviant Delights.

Looking down at himself, Davin realized with relief that he looked like his human self. No scales, no urge to be a dragon... nothing. Of course, he didn't know why he wasn't in his anthro form either. Still, no one else was here save for a lone figure sitting at the bar waiting for some kind of service. Without a word, Davin walked over and around to behind the counter.

"Hey bro," Bruce said, happy to see him. "You made it."

"Yeah. I did," Davin said, smirking. "Had a little trouble getting here, though. Traffic was hell."

"I bet," Bruce said, tapping his palm against the counter. "Mind getting me something? Been a while since I had anything good."

"What'll you have?"

"Anything. Just fuck me up, bro."

"Water it is..." Davin laughed, causing Bruce to pout.

"Nah, bro. Just get me some vodka if you're gonna be like that."

"Screwdriver?"

"Sure, why the hell not," Bruce said, looking over as the sound of the door opening echoed through the empty bar. "Uh oh, someone's grumpy."

"Davin!" Zagan shouted, though he was far less intimidating here now that he'd been shrunk down. He was in his suit as usual, though he was shaking with rage. "Get over here and-"

"Sit down and shut up," Davin said, surprising the dragon. "I remember everything now. And, whether or not this is in my mind or the real world, you are still in my bar. Show some fucking respect."

"I... fine," Zagan said, regaining his composure. Acting as if it was his idea all along, he sat down at the bar next to Bruce. "Is this him? The one who's been interfering?"

"Guilty, bro," Bruce said, readjusting his hat. "Though I prefer to call it 'intervening'. You've been decidedly not cool to Davin, you know?"

"What am I supposed to do? Lay down and die?"

"It's a bar. You order drinks. Maybe dance or play pool."

"That's not what I... ugh. You're impossible."

"I don't know how he's here in my mind with us, but Bruce has been on my side since... well, however long we've been doing this, really," Davin said, noting recognition in Zagan's eyes as he said Bruce's name. "But what will you have, Zagan? It's on the house. I insist."

"...Very well. Scotch on the rocks."

"Hm, just like Lucian," Davin said, sliding the Screwdriver over to Bruce before working on Zagan's drink. "Speaking of Lucian... yeah, he and I are going to have words after this."

"Assuming you even want to be Davin," Zagan said, slamming the last pill on the counter. "Here. Take it."

"Why?" Davin asked, more sure of himself with every passing moment. "Just because you said so? Don't insult me, Zagan. Not now."

"Still, he is offering you a choice, Davin," Bruce said, his glass already empty. Had he just chugged it? "But it's kinda one-sided, isn't it? I have an idea. We're all drinking tonight, so why not make yourself a drink too? Make it something unique to you. Something you enjoy."

"Hm... an interesting request, but I can work with it," Davin said, already handing Zagan his drink. Something he'd enjoy, hm? Well, he supposed it didn't matter much in this place what he used. He had an idea what Bruce was suggesting. Mixing what looked like a simple rum and cola, he poured the essence of who he was in that moment along with the liquid. Pulling out a bottle from somewhere hidden, he poured just a little bit of the essence of Lust itself into the drink before hiding the bottle again. "There. One Davin de Lust."

"I think you should work on the name a bit, but hey! Now we have a real choice, Zagan."

"And what is that?" Zagan asked, clearly not happy with this. But this was the one place he had no power in all of Davin's mind. It was the one memory Davin had been unwilling to tarnish in any way whatsoever. Zagan could only be here with Davin's permission.

"Isn't it obvious?" Davin asked, shrugging. "I can take your little pill there and become you, or I can drink and return to being myself. Though, I don't know what will happen to either of you if I do that one."

"Don't worry about me, bro. The hard part's over on my end," Bruce said, smiling encouragingly at him. "This is your choice. If you're worried about Zagan, though, I don't think you should be. He invaded your mind, you know?"

"I was made from him, though," Zagan muttered, angrily taking a sip of his drink. "If anyone's the invader here, it's you."

"Well technically I invaded your mind, Zagan. Just happened to find Davin buried deep inside," Bruce chuckled. "What a wild dream you've been having, bro! But like all dreams, they gotta end. Doesn't matter if you want to keep seeing my bewitching mug or Zagan's, it's time to wake up. You know what I'm saying, right?"

"Yeah. I think I do," Davin sighed. "I just hope everyone's okay. I'd hate to wake up and find out they're all Pride's playthings..."

"Only one way to find out, right?" Bruce said, though if Zagan had anything to say he was currently guzzling down his drink. Was he nervous? Afraid? It looked so uncharacteristic of him. Sighing, Davin picked up the pill... and threw it in the garbage. He wouldn't be needing that anymore. It was time to stop escaping from his problems and himself, even if he was ironically about to use a glass of alcohol for that purpose. Dreams were strange like that, though.

"Bottoms up," Davin said, drinking deeply of his own drink. He heard a panicked gasp from Zagan and a laugh from Bruce before everything faded completely away.

*******

Davin's eyes focused as he woke up from his nightmare, though the burning sensation of not having blinked at all caught up to him as he hissed in pain and closed his eyes for a few moments. Blinking rapidly, he eventually realized he was being watched by everyone around him. Uther had his sword pointed at him, ready to fight. Everyone looked equally as nervous... he realized why. He still looked like Zagan. Reaching up, he gently took the hat off his head as it returned to normal. Was this... it had to be Bruce. He just had a feeling it was, somehow. Looking down at it, he realized his pendant was still on. It looked just like Zagan. Was that why they were worried? He remembered everything now, Zagan's memories becoming his own as he had regained his mind. Yet, they felt like they were a dream now. They weren't him, though he accepted them. For once, he felt clear on what he wanted now.

"You guys look like shit," he said, smiling. His throat felt dry and his voice was hoarse, but he was happy to speak all the same. "I can't really blame you, though."

"Davin?" Uther asked, lowering his blade. "That you?"

"Yeah. It's me," he said, handing the hat to him. "This is yours, isn't it?"

"...Yeah, it is," Uther said, slowly reaching for it. He obviously didn't trust him, but he still took the hat from him and retreated. Placing it back on his head, he shuddered slightly and dropped his blade. "Bro. That was awesome."

"Ah, there you are," Davin laughed. "Bro, it's good to see you."

"You gonna remove that cursed piece of shit or...?"

"Oh, yeah," Davin said, removing the pendant. Almost instantly, his form reverted back to his lion and bull form. "I think he's in here, now. I don't feel him inside me, and no I don't mean like that."

"Yeah I figured that might happen. Where else could he go?"

"I'm really confused," Clay said, though he was clearly happy for them both. "What happened? Why do you two seem to know each other?"

"We're friends, aren't we?" Davin asked, hopeful.

"Yeah, bro. It was a dream world, sure, but our friendship? We're bros forever. Though I'm still gonna see you in the gym, right?"

"If you want," Davin laughed. "Though I'm not used to seeing you as Uther, you know?"

"Yeah, limitations of being a magic hat," Bruce said, shrugging. "Though that's a story for later. Seems like you got someone who wants to talk to you."

"...Jared," Davin said, his eyes welling up with tears as he saw the sabertooth tiger walking up to him. "I... I'm so sorry. Forgive me."

"You didn't know what you were doing," Jared sighed, though it was clear he was irritated about everything that had happened to the two of them. "Lucian's hooks were just that deep in you. Just like they're still in me. It's... really annoying, you know? It feels like it was all a dream, yet my brain keeps screaming at me how wrong it is not to be a dragon right now. But I'm also ashamed I fell so easily to Pride."

"Hard not to, when you're Odin," Davin said, shrugging. "I know that's not what you need to hear, but do you know how prideful and boastful old Norse gods were?"

"...Um, that kind of makes sense, actually," Jared said, as if remembering something. "But yeah. I forgive you. I mean, didn't I do the same fucking thing to you when we were in that hivemind?"

"I guess we're even, then. But hey, I already forgave you for that. It's similar though, isn't it?"

"We're a bunch of idiots, huh?" Jared said, resting his head against Davin's chest. "Liam's assured me I'm not fired for what I did earlier. Says being influenced by other Elders is an occupational hazard at times. He's actually going to pay me more to compensate for this. I don't deserve it after being such an asshole, but hey. He's the boss."

"Can't argue with that logic," Davin chuckled, before holding him tightly. He didn't care who saw, or how long they waited. He didn't want to let go of him, and from how tightly Jared held him he could tell he felt the same.

"You're crying," Jared said, looking up at him.

"So are you."

"I... thought I lost you. Forever this time."

"You almost did. I was so ready to become Zagan..."

"You didn't though."

"I didn't."

"...I guess it's similar. When I was on that hospital bed, and you were watching me through Zagan's eyes... god, it's my fault, isn't it?"

"No. Lucian took advantage of me, but then he did say if he had to help me again he'd take me as his own. I should have realized that extended to his offer to me at the hospital... or maybe he decided later that it would count. I don't know, really. I'm done trying to figure out what was going through his head. I mostly just want to punch him."

"You can," Jared laughed, pulling away finally. "He's right over there."

"Wha- Oh, Seth. What have you done," Davin said, smiling at the sight of Lucian kneeling before the wolf. "All hail Temperance, huh?"

"Hey, it's already awkward enough as it is," Seth said, rolling his eyes. "Don't you start bowing down to me too."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Davin said, before looking over at Lucian. "Damn. I can't punch him while he's like this. I want him to feel it in the ego, you know?"

"Guess you'll have to wait," Dylann laughed. "He's Seth's for as long as both you and Jared were Lucian's."

"...Shit. What did you say exactly?"

"Something like every day Jared and you as Zagan were under his control, he has to serve me. How... how long was that, by the way? I didn't think to ask Jared since we were busy ah, 'deprogramming' him."

"Oh no... Seth, it was... years and years. A day on earth is years here."

"And both of you were here for... seven days. Earth time."

"Give or take, yeah."

"...Well fuck me," Seth sighed, crossing his arms. "But hey. I guess it's what I asked for. Might as well make use of him. A bit of Temperance for Pride, as it were."

"Well you can always spend those days in another realm," Davin reassured him, though Seth simply shook his head. It seemed he was having trouble accepting the idea, even if he thought it was what Lucian deserved. He was going to make a fine Elder.

"Hey, Davin," Liam said, in his human form. "Don't worry about showing up to work. You've been through enough for a while."

"No, I want to work," Davin said, looking at him in defiance. "Unless you're firing me?"

"What? No, I just... well, if you're sure, Davin."

"I'm sure. I just went through hell and back in my own mindscape. I think I deserve some peaceful days at my bar, don't you?"

"...Well, when you put it like that, then I'll see you tomorrow Davin," Liam said, regaining his composure. "Though you said some mean things, you know? Gonna have to work that off."

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry boss," Davin laughed. "Oh, I'm a lust daemon by the way. Just so you know."

"I figured, once I felt your presence. But good to know for sure," Liam said, shrugging. "What are you going to do with him, though?"

"Who, Zagan?" Davin said, realizing he was still holding the pendant. "...I don't know. I should destroy it, but... I don't know if I can."

"Why can't you?" Jared asked, fear in his eye. "He almost took you away from us. He had no qualms about destroying you and brainwashing me. Kill the fucker, I say."

"Daemons don't stay dead, you know," Davin said, sighing. "But I understand your rage. More than you know. But with all the power and emotions invested in this little thing... okay. You can destroy it, Jared. You've suffered more at his hands than I have."

"I don't think that's true, but... alright," Jared said, Gungnir appearing to him in an instant. "Hold it out to the side. Wouldn't want to pierce you too."

"Like this?" Davin said, holding it against the wall as the pendant dangled from his hand.

"Perfect," Jared said, throwing the spear. It whistled through the air and found its mark; in a bright flash, the pendant was shattered into a million shards by the godly weapon before disintegrating completely. Nigh indestructible meant nothing to Odin, but the pendant shouldn't have reacted like that.

"I thought that might happen," Davin sighed, knowing what it meant. "We'll see him again someday."

"Wait that's not supposed to happen?" Jared asked, summoning his spear back to himself. "I thought..."

"Yeah, funny thing about an item like that," Bruce piped up, though it was still strange to see him using Uther's body like that after having grown so used to his real self. "It had so much daemon in it at this point that it became his body, even if I did seal him in it for a bit. You just sorta released him."

"I don't feel any different, though," Davin said, before shaking his head. "Duh. Of course I wouldn't. He's probably floating around us right now."

"I guess he got what he wanted in the end, then," Jared said, though Davin could tell that if he ever saw Zagan again, he'd kill him. "Well, once he forms or whatever. I don't get how you daemons are born sometimes. Genesis'd. Whatever."

"Honestly, neither do we," Davin laughed, though his nerves were still shot. "Mark, Zale... you've been awfully quiet. Not happy to see me?"

"We... we are," Zale said, standing at attention. "It's just..."

"Right, I see," Davin said, smiling. "You're on the job."

"So to speak," Mark said, a bit more relaxed. "Though it's a bit easier than being in Dylann's realm. I think we'd lose ourselves completely if we were there. It's a struggle as it is not to revert to that mindset completely."

"...Yeah. I just want to enjoy it while it lasts," Zale admitted, smiling. "It's nice."

"Stellan was here, but he decided to go and do whatever it is he said he was going to do," Dylann said, walking up to Davin. Clasping his shoulders, he smiled warmly at him. "It's really good to see you back with us. No more contracts, okay?"

"Yeah. The fucker put a secret contract on the pendant. I really should have looked closer," Davin sighed. "But... I still trusted him, you know? I thought he'd learned his lesson. I didn't realize how badly he wanted me. I'm sorry for worrying you all again."

"Not your fault. Lucian's hard to resist when he really wants something. You know that," Liam sighed. "I'm still surprised Seth managed to beat him in the way he did."

"You'll have to tell me all about it," Davin said, growing a pair of bat-like wings. He was done being scaly for a while. "But maybe after we're out of here, yeah? I seem to remember Lucian locking everything down to one platform before you showed up. Only way we're getting out of here, unless Seth orders him to change it."

"I'd rather not fuck around with his realm. Besides, I didn't get a chance to see it properly through all the rain," Seth said, growing his own pair of wings. "Why don't we all just take a nice, easy flight back? I don't think anyone's going to bother us anymore, right Lucian?"

"No, my lord. They know full well of your victory now. You may all leave peacefully."

"God damn, that's hot," Davin said, smiling at the display. "Holy shit."

"Davin, while I'm glad you're a lust daemon again... please control yourself a little bit," Seth said, clearly embarrassed. "This is weird enough as it is."

"Yeah, well... I'm sick of looking at his face anyway. Even in my dreams he tries to screw me over. Some boss."

"Okay, now I'm really curious," Clay said, quiet until now. "What did Bruce do, exactly?"

"A lot, actually," Davin said, feeling a kinship with Bruce even now. "Let me tell you how amazing your boyfriend is on the way back."

*******

"Thanks for lending Lucian to help out," Davin said, smiling as the Elder of Pride himself took their empty glasses on the tray. Lucian was in a human form, though fairly different from his usual appearance. Instead of the immaculate businessman with a ponytail, his red hair was shorter with a bandana wrapped like a headband around his forehead. His beard was rough and his skin looked tan and leathery, though his human age couldn't have been older than thirty. He was dressed in leathers similar to Seth now, giving the impression he was in some sort of biker gang... though Davin knew of a few biker clubs who wore way more gear than they did.

"I figured it would help him make reparations a bit, even if I'm ordering him to do it," Seth sighed. "Besides, I'm going to have to deal with his fawning over me for a long time it seems. This just gives me a break."

"Well, you'll get used to it," Davin said, shrugging. "Just don't go all Pride on us, okay?"

"Fat chance," Seth sighed, shaking his head. "You okay Jared? You've been pretty quiet this whole time."

"Ah... I'm as okay as anyone could be in my situation," Jared said, shrugging. "Now that we've been here a while, ah... it's like being the dragon Rune was just a weird dream or dreams I've been having. Hurts my head when I think too much about it."

"It'll feel like that for a while," Zale said, nuzzling with Mark. They were all seated in one of the large round booths meant for larger groups of friends. Liam was working the bar but had given Davin and Jared the night off to get 'readjusted' to 'normal life'. "Trust me, for as long as you were there... it's going to be weird for a while."

"Yeah. It was just so easy to fall into his power, though. I was so sure of myself. I could handle him, being Odin and all... that's what I thought. I trusted him to keep his end of the bargain. I didn't know he meant a week here, or I'd have been more alert. And Zagan was... persuasive. Everyone there was, honestly. Do you know what it's like to have your head constantly filled with positive reinforcement and flattery at all hours? I felt so sure of everything. I let myself fall to Pride."

"Don't be too hard on yourself," Mark said, purring against Zale. "We fell to Temperance just as easily. It's so attractive to worship a 'god' and be free of the 'sins' that plague normal mortals, you know? To have someone that powerful watching over you... it was nice."

"Now I feel like I should apologize again," Dylann said, blushing as he ran a hand through his blue hair. He'd decided to be in his human form after the entire incident, though Davin was happy to see he was relaxing today in just a pair of sweatpants and a tank-top. It was hot out, to be fair. "But yeah, what they're telling you is the truth. Every mortal falls easier to one aspect or another. Yours was Pride, and he's the most powerful of the Vices here. Now you know for the future, but don't overcompensate and end up falling to Seth and myself either."

"I'll try not to," Jared sighed, nursing his drink as he stared at nothing in particular. "...Maybe I should do something to take my mind off of it all."

"...What about working out?" Uther suggested, sandwiched between Jared and Mark. "You know, like in Davin's dream?"

"...You know? That doesn't sound half bad," Jared said, nodding. "I mean, I have to keep my figure anyway, and doing it in a normal way like that? Might just be the thing I need."

"You think Chase would give him a discount?" Davin asked, causing Uther to shrug.

"I don't know. Bruce isn't sure either. He's telling me Chase was in your dream because you remembered him that way. So you tell me."

"I'll give him a call later," Jared said, shaking his head. "Discount or not, it doesn't matter. But I was thinking maybe I could workout with Bruce and Davin. And you, Uther... I mean, it is your body, and you're sharing."

"I'll talk to him later, when I go see Clay. Shame he had to go back to the shop right away. I feel like the odd man out here with all of you paired up. Physically, I mean."

"Yeah, I was about to say you're with Bruce technically," Davin laughed. "It was good to finally meet him. I didn't know you could do that transference trick, though. I thought Liam said Bruce was in your head now?"

"Ah... we sort of did it with Liam before," Uther said, shrugging. "Good thing he didn't tell you about that; Zagan had no idea either. I really don't think you'd be Davin right now if Bruce hadn't helped you get your head right about some things. There was so little of you left by the time we got to you."

"How long have you been able to do that though? Not that I'm ungrateful, but... I'm curious."

"Oh, uh, we figured it out pretty quickly after changing the hat's enchantment," Uther said, shrugging. "First time was an accident. Clay seemed happy about it though, having Bruce in his head for a bit. But it's not something he can do forever, you know? He has to eventually come back out... he and I are bonded like that. The hat's just a catalyst to make that trick work, or to pass him on to someone else if we decide our 'living situation' isn't working out after all."

"To think he could set up a dream world, though," Jared sighed, shaking his head. "Then again, I guess he made that hat's enchantment, didn't he? Why am I surprised..."

"I'm pretty sure half of that was Zagan," Davin said. "The bastard turned into a giant and chased me naked through the city. You don't do that if you're just an observer. But look at me, acting like I'm an expert on dream therapy... magic... whatever it was."

"I'm just glad to have you back," Jared quietly said, a small smile on his face as he stared into his empty glass. Seth looked over to Dylann with a look, and the two seemed to share a moment of understanding.

"Anyway, it's been fun, but Seth and I need to be heading back now," Dylann said, standing up out of the booth along with Seth. "What about the rest of you?"

"Ah... I guess we have some places to look at for venues," Mark said, pushing gently at Zale to get moving. "Don't we, babe?"

"Ah... yes? I mean yeah! Sure," Zale said, catching on. "You wanna come with us, Uther?"

"No, I'm good. But ah... I think I might go dance for a bit," Uther said, surprising even Davin. When he noticed them staring, he glared in defiance. "What? I dance... sort of..."

"Well, have fun," Davin said, watching them all make their way out of the booth slowly but surely. They all went their separate ways, leaving just Jared and himself.

"...So."

"So," Jared said, averting his gaze. "Um... you remember everything now, right?"

"I do. You?"

"I mean most of the details are fuzzy now, but... I remember a few things."

"Like?"

"...I know I was all for erasing him from existence, even though that obviously failed," Jared sighed, the fight leaving him. "But I can't bring myself to actually hate him. Weird, right? I only wanted to make sure he couldn't come for you again. That was fear talking back there, not anger."

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"...Yeah. Sick as it is, I do. Whatever else he was, he cared deeply for me. I fell for him too, even if I was mostly thinking of myself as just Rune by that point. Ugh, should I change my stage name?"

"Do you want to?"

"...No. I'm not going to let Lucian take that from me. It was my name first, anyway..."

"If Zagan were here now, would you give him another chance? Now that he doesn't need my body, anyway?"

"...That's an unfair question," Jared grumbled, closing his eye in concentration. "...I don't have an answer for that yet. I'm not even really sure where my head is at, nevermind my heart. Right now? I'm just glad to see you're back, and in one piece. I think that's enough for today, don't you?"

"Sorry. I shouldn't have asked something like that," Davin said, feeling insecure. Why had he asked such a dumb, hurtful question like that? "I'll get out of your hair, Jared. Have a good night."

"Stay," Jared said, catching his wrist as he tried to leave. "Please."

"...Okay. I'll stay," Davin said, sitting back down. "I just thought..."

"Davin, even if I still have feelings for that bastard of a dragon, it doesn't mean I don't like you. It was an unfair question, but I know why you asked it. But I don't love him. I think even as Rune, when I was fully enthralled, I only was with Zagan because of the status. He made me feel good, he made me look good. He was a powerful partner, but there wasn't any love in there. He liked me, sure, but he didn't love me. I guess we were more a power couple? I don't know. I'd rather not think of Pride's realm right now, but I felt you needed to know that. You know, so you don't beat yourself up again. I mean, weren't you the one who told me not to think so negatively about myself? You should take your own advice sometimes."

"Oh, I am," Davin said, smiling. "It took a mental ass-kicking and as close to a near-death experience as a daemon like me can truly get, but I'm not going to live in regret anymore. Honestly, I never used to either. But... well, I'm not blaming you, but I just find myself caring about you more than I should be. It scares me."

"Is that really so bad?" Jared asked, not sure how to take it.

"Let me put it into perspective for you," Davin sighed, preparing himself. "I've had many partners over the years. Some were more serious, but most weren't. I cared about them the same way I'd care about anyone else. They filled a need, and I filled one of theirs. It was... sort of a friends with benefits thing? That's just how I was."

"Was?" Jared asked, curious now. "What do you mean by 'was'?"

"I don't know how to say this without making it seem like it's because of the great sex we've had," Davin sighed, frustrated already. "Or because you're Odin now, or even because of what happened as Zagan..."

"Just spit it out already. What are you trying to say?"

"...I like you. A lot," Davin said, blushing. "More than I thought I would. More than just a little crush. When I think of how I've hurt you, even by mistake, I just... I can hardly look at myself in the mirror, you know?"

"I know what you mean," Jared said, frowning. "But when I became Odin I decided to stop living in the past. I've sacrificed too much to waste my time on that sort of thing anymore. We've forgiven each other anyway, so don't feel like you have to make it up to me. Okay? If you'd known what was going to happen, I don't think you'd have put on that pendant so readily. Just put it from your mind, and let's both move on with our lives."

"Yeah. You're right," Davin sighed, feeling his heart ache. "We should move on. I understand."

"You know, for a daemon who's supposedly been around for a long while, you're kind of dense," Jared said, turning his head to look at him. "I didn't say we should move on from each other. I just want you to have a clear conscience before you officially ask me out."

"Uh...?" Davin managed to say, caught off guard.

"Isn't that what you were gearing up for? Or was that whole 'like me a lot' spiel just a lie? I thought you were saying I meant more to you than anyone you've been with in the past. So ask me out already."

"...Want to be my boyfriend, Jared?" Davin said, feeling incredibly awkward suddenly. This really wasn't like him at all.

"Sure," Jared said. The sight of his smiling face was enough to lift Davin's own spirits. "Been waiting for you to ask me that for a while now. I liked our 'dates', and sex is just... I never thought you could bend that way. But I didn't spend time with you just for your dick, you know? Even if I made it seem that way sometimes."

"I know," Davin chuckled, holding Jared's hand. "I'm just not used to being so serious with my ah, 'relationships'. Lust daemon, you know?"

"Yeah, I can imagine," Jared chuckled. "But I do have one condition if we're going to be an official couple now."

"Name it," Davin said, prepared to give him almost anything.

"If you're okay with it, I want this to be an open relationship," Jared said, smirking mischievously at him. "Maybe Mark and Zale might be into swinging? I'm curious..."

"Open relationship, hm? You're just saying that for my sake," Davin said, before Jared shook his head.

"No. I mean yeah that's... part of it, but... I've barely gotten to explore my sexual side. Oh, I could learn a fuck ton from you, sure, but I think it's just more fun to share. Also you gotta be fine with me dancing on stage still."

"That's two conditions, but I wasn't going to complain about that anyway. So long as I get to watch," Davin said, laughing. "I'm fine with whatever you want, so long as it means I get to be with you."

"Do you know what I want right now?" Jared said, leaning in closer to wrap an arm around Davin. Using his free hand, he rubbed up and down Davin's thigh.

"I can take a wild guess," Davin said, turning into Jared's embrace to hold him tightly. Without another word they began kissing and exploring each others' bodies, not caring who was watching at that moment. They were together, and that was what mattered.