Only Kidd would've been too psyched out to realize he was pick-pocketed, of course, of course he'd be pick-pocketed, of course he'd lose all his cash, his plane ticket home, and his phone, why not?

The redhead flipped onto his stomach in his pile of hay and buried his face in it as he groaned at his predicament, choosing to ignore the various barn animals that nibbled at his locks in favor of planning his next course of action.

It was by luck alone that he found a kindly farmer, one that was extremely appreciative of his help with the village's beloved shrine and thankful enough to willingly bring Kidd with him on his way out to the nearest town.

The man even let him spend the night in his barn before they set out in the morning, for which Kidd was very grateful for considering his other options, or lack of.

Unfortunately the apprentice couldn't really bring himself to show his gratitude very much with a mind still plagued by demons, or just one particular demon at that.

Sometimes when he closed his eyes, he was still there, in that shrine, freezing his ass off with a demon laying just beneath his fingertips, whenever he flexed his hands, he thought he could still feel the uneven, layered horns, and it just made his heart stammer ecstatically.

Kidd was sure he was the only man alive who got to touch a demon like that and get away with it, the thought was empowering- though he made sure not to let it get to his head.

Now that he had the time to recount everything that happened to him, Kidd could feel all the things he should have been feeling before but tenfold, the numbing fright, the humbling enlightenment, the breathtaking awe, the brisk adoration with something more.

The demon looked so- too human, Kidd would always hear Akainu scolding younger recruits for feeling empathy where there should have been none, because the supernatural were all supposed to be a wide collection of animals, berserkers without cause.

But after that encounter, Kidd realized how wrong he was, that demon wasn't an animal, Kidd could understand the intelligence in his eyes, he could hear the civility in his voice, see the grace in his movements, behavior wise, that demon was no less human than the rest of them.

Now the apprentice just felt so.. weird, the encounter changed him somehow, though how it did it he might never understand.

The demon was so powerful, even when on death's door it felt like Kidd could've been swallowed up at any given moment, yet it was in his grasp, he could've taken the demon's offer and used his death to be the next great exorcist, but he didn't, and Kidd felt conflicted whether how he should feel about that.

He was supposed to feel bad about that, right?

He could've taken everything that was destined for him in that moment, however, instead he chose to be true to his integrity and personal morals, even though it meant going against the rules, and he let the opportunity slip through his fingers, not only that, but he even tried to help the creature.

Why did he try to help him? After rolling around until he rested on his back, Kidd stared into the dark roof with a blank mind until a word came to him, and slowly things started to come together.

Respect.

Kidd respected the demon, he didn't see the creature as some thing to conquer anymore, that was another living breathing being, and it honestly almost made him embarrassed to remember what he thought of his kind before, suddenly his goal made a little adjustment.

He didn't want to conquer a demon anymore, he wanted to be worthy enough to stand on the same playing field as them, to rise as an equal, to have his respect requited.

Kidd valued the demon's dignity and respect over his duties as an exorcist, and he knew for a fact that there should have been some disturbance within himself over that.. but he was at peace with that now, there was something deep inside him that felt prideful, maybe slightly possessive over their brief interaction, it was like a little secret he would carry with him for the rest of his life.

It was almost like Kidd could only keep the demon to himself in this way, in his memories, that would one day turn into a daydream, that he would keep close to his heart.

Though that was just a selfish thought, for all the redhead knew, the creature could have flown all the way to China by now, he was wild and free, nothing could constrict him but himself, not even Kidd, not even by being tamed...

The redhead knew now, taming was a pipe dream, you can't control that, mankind can't control that, it was a tall tale, something that somebody thought would boost morale or some shit.

Now, Kidd could only hope to better himself for his next encounter.

At last, feeling his much needed sleep begin to tug at his eyes, the apprentice yawned haggardly with enough force to rattle his body, and began to bury himself among the hay.

Once he deemed himself comfortable enough, the redhead stared into the darkness, internally setting himself up for the challenges that would no doubt come his way once he started to work towards his goal.

Only seeing the phantom vision of the demon once more, Kidd allowed himself to fall into a thankfully dreamless sleep, left sheltered underneath the roof of the well kept barn, bathed by a moonless night with only the stars to guide one's way.

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Law flew through the frigid night, tracing the path of the exorcist's blazing soul and followed every single curve and turn.

The demon wasn't just surprised to find himself alive, but he was completely healed as well, not a thing was amiss, neither of his horns were snapped off as some trophy, his wings weren't clipped, not a single thing was done to him, even in his weakest state.

The man left no evidence behind that he was there, and really, was there a chance that Law conjured him up in some delirious, desperate daze? The only evidence that proved the man was in fact of reality over fantasy was Law's lack of a wound.

Why did the exorcist spare him?

To think the other would react so violently to his submission, it only made Law feel ashamed, his words struck him like lightning, they were hot and passionate as hellfire, and just like the man's soul, they were true to him and his integrity.

The exorcist treated him with respect- he held him in respect, and Law felt a wave of humiliation to know how he completely disrespected the other, the raven didn't even consider the man's pride against his own, and that actually hurt.

The first time he meats a true exorcist, and he practically spits in his face..

When he initially woke up, all Law could feel was mortification, regret for his own behavior, and a sense of longing.

The other didn't look at him as if he was a beast, his glare was as if he was viewed as an equal, when they stared each other in the eyes before he blacked out, Law could see the same fascination and approbation reflected in himself, even though he was completely helpless against the other.

The man spared him, and there was a part of Law that considered, that feared, perhaps it was out of spite or disappointment for how he addressed the other.

The raven didn't know why, but the thought of losing this man's approval made him sick, it made him feel less than he thought he was, because if a great beast of an exorcist like that thought of him no better then scum, then what was he?

There was another side of Law that tried to tell him that he had some right to be upset as well, that the red haired man completely disregarded his pride by sparing him, but he knew that was just an arrogant, weak excuse to make light of his own behavior.

He didn't have any pride left to lose after submitting himself like that in the first place.

His wings rippled against the winds, allowing him to glide almost effortlessly as he rode against the sky's breeze, his mind preoccupied with the one track mission of finding the exorcist and just..

He didn't quite know how to finish that, Law honestly didn't exactly know what to do after finding him, but he just knew he had to find him, it was an undeniable pull, maybe to apologize for his poor showing, maybe to prove to the man that he was in fact not some disrespectful, arrogant demon that was too self absorbed to demonstrate some decency.

He just.. he wanted more, to be in his presence, to keep close to that soul, to gain the man's unshaken respect again.. maybe earn his..

Earn his what..?

Law had no idea, and wasn't quite sure he wanted to know, with how his impulses were threatening to spiral out of control, but.. something changed inside, like a primal, long forgotten switch was hit.

There was never a mortal that could stir something so desperate in him, one so fascinating, one that Law could admire, one that..

One that made him feel tame.

The demon rushed to the ground and landed where the trail grew to its strongest, and with nightly vision, he came to realize the place was in the appearance of a well kept barn.

What would the exorcist be doing in such a place?

Perhaps.. he knew he was coming? No, there was no way the exorcist could have such insight when Law himself didn't expect to be pursuing him.

Giving up on questioning it for now, the raven took a deep, steadying breath, and then he slipped inside without as much as a peep.

Maneuvering around the drowsy cattle, he ventured deeper until he could pick out a flash of red in the pile of hay, and watching as the resting mass stirred, the demon guessed the exorcist wasn't aware of his arrival yet.

A guess, that was proven wrong moments later, when the man rose from his sleep and stiffly evaluated his surroundings, evidently having noticed something was amiss without even needing to see.

Law cringed at the mistake, assuming he could've snuck in on the exorcist was another act of disrespect on his part, shit.

Kidd on his part, eyed the darkness wearily, it was hard to pinpoint, but there was a pressure in the air, a familiar chill skittered down his spine, and it took a few deep breaths of miasma to realize just what was going on.

He came face to face with a pair of silver eyes, stalking him from where he imagined it was trying to hide, albeit unsuccessfully.

The demon followed him..?

Was he there for a fight? That was what came across Kidd first, but there was no malice in his eyes, he seemed to have been aware that he was caught now, but he didn't make a move to run off or rush him, he was just, observing.. almost patiently so.

There was a beat of silence, and Kidd forced his suddenly thudding heart to calm whilst reaching for the lantern above his head.

When a sudden light flooded the barn, Law clicked his tongue at the light and shielded himself with a wing

"What.. What are you doing here..?" Yeah, maybe he should have asked something else, like was he there to kill? Or you know, maybe he should make a break for it? But, eh, if the demon didn't do anything yet, it wasn't likely he was plotting anything sinister.

He was more expecting an answer than being mauled or cursed at this point.

"I- yes.. why am I here?" Kidd shivered for a moment, being caught off guard by the question being bounced back to him.

Didn't help his heart, having such a velvety, well grounded tone as he did.

Not seeming to notice Kidd's squirming, the demon lost himself in his own thoughts as he raised the wing, revealing himself in all his glory whilst moving aimlessly around the room, looking for focus, or answers.

"I wanted to see you again.. I thought maybe to apologize for my previous behavior or prove myself.. prove myself as what though..?" The redhead watched his wings, focusing how they would twitch or suddenly flutter whenever they came into contact with something.

"Mnn, I just.. I can't get you to leave my head.. actually, I don't think I ever even thought of leaving.." trailing off, Law slid to a graceful stop in his movements and glanced back at Kidd over his shoulder.

"Even now your soul glows so bright.." at that remark, Kidd moved his hand to grip at his chest as a reflex, not as much as a nervous reaction as to just try and quell the thundering beating of it, maybe smother the threats of it leaping out and bouncing across the floor.

"Exorcist.." with a serious expression, Law approached the redhead, and in return Kidd tried to sit up without a single flaw in his posture, face the other dead on.

The two appraised each other, searching for any signs of aggression or hostility before Law spoke, with finality, "will you let me act as your familiar?"

The wind roared above, causing the roof to rattle and stir up some of the cattle as a result, both men though, didn't move at all or glance away from the other's eyes.

It wasn't until the barn came to a calm once more did Kidd fully digest what the raven said, what must have been the last thing a demon would ever say in all time, what had to be, a misunderstanding of some kind, Kidd must have heard wrong.

He heard that wrong, right?

"What?"