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That’s it! They’re going to knock some sense into that stubborn blockhead! The first thing they did in the morning was quickly dress themselves in the simplest attire suitable for travel—comfortable trousers, a loose shirt, and a small, satchel-style backpack. They fed Lily her favorite breakfast of fresh fish and crunchy grains, then grabbed their worn leather pack packed with essentials for the journey, and took a deep breath to ready themselves for the confrontation ahead. The trip from their modest dwelling—a cozy cottage nestled amidst dense trees—to his secluded cave didn’t take long, although it might’ve been their unwavering determination to set the record straight that made the journey feel shorter; they arrived in less than a day or two. Once they finally reached the dark, moss-covered entrance of the cave, they rushed inside immediately. Inside, Azure was seated comfortably on a low wooden stool, engrossed in a thick book with a sunflower on the cover—a likely token of his botanical interests since he spent much of his free time tending to his small but lush garden nearby. The Oni looked up in astonishment, eyes wide with surprise. “Is everything okay? You look upset, my dear friend,” he inquired softly, setting the book aside.
They felt their frustration bubble up but knew they couldn’t afford to lose control, so they took a deep breath, letting their tense muscles relax for a moment. “Yes, I’m upset at you,” they admitted, voice trembling slightly. Azure’s brows furrowed with concern. “At me? Did I do something to offend you?” he asked, genuinely puzzled. They shook their head slowly. “Not exactly. I came here to make things clear with you,” they explained, voice steadying. He was confused but nodded, giving them space to speak. “This is about the poem I sent you—I never thought you’d overlook what I truly meant. In that poem, I laid out all my feelings for you, and you mistook it for simple friendship. I do appreciate our companionship, I really do, but I want something more than friendship—I want a romantic connection! If you’re comfortable with just being confidantes, I understand, but I had to tell you how I really feel,” they insisted firmly. Azure's eyes widened in realization. That poem was about love, huh? Now that he thought about it more clearly, how could he have been so dense? To think they traveled all this way just to confess their feelings—he felt foolish. The moments they’d shared, the gentle exchanges, the warmth in his chest—that’s what truly made his heart race. He had always eagerly awaited their letters, cherished their words, and felt his heart pounding whenever he was near them—though he often told himself it was just his health issues acting up. He loved cooking for them whenever they visited, often preparing their favorite dishes like spicy curry and honey-laced pastries, just to see their face light up with joy. At times, he envisioned them living together in a cozy house with Lily, their pet owl, nesting nearby. In one heartfelt letter, he admitted he wouldn't mind having them by his side for eternity. Gradually, he realized those thoughts could be interpreted as romantic feelings.
He couldn’t recall ever feeling this way about someone else before. He was aware that humans expressed love in different ways: gift-giving, acts of service, words of affirmation. Love manifests uniquely for everyone. He simply never thought he’d fall for someone in his lifetime. Their voice interrupted his thoughts—pleading softly. “Please say something…” they begged. Gathering his courage, he finally found his voice. “I admit I have been a foolish man. I apologize for my obliviousness—that was a significant mistake on my part. It took me some time to recognize that I— I want you… and it's embarrassing that it took me so long to see it,” he said shyly, vulnerability softening his tone. Two didn't know how to respond to this sudden confession. Did he love them the same way they loved him? Could this be real? A heavy silence fell over both of them, hearts pounding in unison, waiting—their breath shallow. Carefully, Two approached the Oni and gently placed their hands on his face, hesitant at first. Then, with eyes full of love and tenderness, they looked into Azure’s. There was no turning back now. They had to do this, or their feelings would forever remain unspoken. “C-can I do this?” they whispered. “Go ahead,” he replied softly. They closed their eyes, and perhaps noticing their hesitation, he did the same. As they leaned toward each other, their teeth accidentally clicked together in a brief, awkward moment. They both giggled, then drew closer once more. His lips were soft, warm, and inviting. They couldn't help but crave more. Slowly, they wrapped their scarred hands around his calloused neck, feeling a mix of longing and courage as they pursued his lips in a tender, searching kiss. If they had taken the time earlier to investigate the rumors about him, they might never have met.
He belonged to them—and no one else had the right to claim him, lest they risk eternal curses. For Azure, their boldness was overwhelming; he had never done this before, and from his observations, neither had they. Yet a possessive part of him thrilled at the thought that no other had claimed them, at least not yet. He didn’t want anyone else to have them before him. He gently wrapped his arms around their angular waist and stopped to kiss their neck, eliciting a soft groan from the witch. That sound awakened something deep inside him; he longed to hear more of such noises. After some time, they slowly pulled apart, both visibly exhausted, as if they’d traveled across vast distances. They averted their eyes, the witch covering their face while the demon struggled to maintain eye contact, staring at the ground instead. Their relationship had undeniably shifted into something more profound, and they both knew they wouldn’t return to just being friends. Azure broke the awkward silence with a nervous laugh. “T-that was nice, right?” The witch nodded quickly in agreement. “Does this mean we’re lovers?” the demon asked, eyes shining with hope. The witch then uncovered their face and huffed, pinching his cheeks affectionately. “Of course it does, you blockhead!” Azure chuckled warmly. “I knew I was just checking,” he said teasingly. “Lovers—yeah, that feels right,” they all silently agreed, their hearts now permanently entwined, unwilling to let each other go no matter what.