What they didn't know was that I was stubborn.

If any of these people knew me as well as they said they did, they would know that once I put my mind to something, I was going to hold out.

Now, that didn't mean that despite how I felt about Maddox and how angry I was with him, that I didn't miss him. I mean, obviously I had to if I was willing to charge forward in the line of battle to save his ass. No, I wasn't the one who did things without a reason. As I said, I had never loved before, so it made sense that my love for him was so intense despite all of our challenges and our experiences. 

"Oh ho ho," Maria Morelli folded her arms, staring at me with surprise as she raised her brow. "I just knew the day Sir Alistair told me that he retrieved you from back home that it was gonna be a day to remember and sure enough, it was," She chuckled, gleaming at my stomach. "When did my son get a son?" She screeched and I let out a breath of relief.

I had thought that she would've been angry with me because this was not the life that she had imagined that I would live. Here I was, 19 and shackled up with the man who snatched she and my father away from me when I was younger and to add fuel to the fire, I was having his evil spawn (I love you, my son). I could imagine the in-depth confusion and the inner turmoil that she was going through. No less, I didn't think about what my father would say because he just as a hardass as he is carefree.

Even though there were trying times, their approval mattered and I didn't want them to think any less of me because of all the events that transpired. I was, no doubt, terrified of what they had thought.

"I just knew that demon lord had a fascination with my baby. Can you believe we're going to be grandparents, Vasily?!" My mother clapped her hands happily, patting my father's shoulder. He still hadn't said anything and I was shitting myself internally in my sweatpants. "This skin will still be looking radiant by the time the little one gets here," Maria chuckled, flipping her hair over her shoulders.

"Of course it will. You're still as beautiful as the day I met you," My father rubbed my mother's back as he took my hand in his, moving a bit closer on the bed. The physician had granted my wish of allowing me to move back to my room and I was so glad. "Troy, stop looking at me as if you're expecting me to bite you," He rolled his eyes and I feigned a nervous chuckle. "You're still my strong, badass child. The only difference is that I can't hit you upside your head out of respect for my grandson," Vasily smiled softly, his green eyes crinkling as he rubbed my hand.

"Y-you're," I breathed. "You're not mad?" I asked and he shook his head, offended that I would ask such a question. "Why would we be? We're proud that you met someone so great and changed his life because you are who you are. I can't think of a better person suited for you than Sir Alistair," He offered gently and I fought the urge to scoff.

"Now that we've gotten that out of the way," Maria folded her arms, prepared to give me a lecture. "What is this I hear about you avoiding Sir?" She raised a brow and I looked away, feeling like I was a kid again, getting caught with my hand in the cookie jar after bedtime. It seemed as if she wanted clarity on the situation, so I explained to her all of the events that happened up until we came back. 

She listened to me deeply and I was proud of myself that I was able to keep myself from bawling whenever I thought of Jade. 

"Son," My dad clicked his teeth. "We know you're in a tough spot. That goes without saying. It's extremely terrible that you lost Jade and I'm grateful for the fact that she saved you, but life goes on. You need to remember what it is that you have here. You have Avery, us, your son, Maddox, the other demons and humans," He said. "From the stories that Jade told me about you, she wouldn't want you to let this ruin every other piece of happiness. That's why she saved you," He stared at me adamantly and I sighed, having said nothing.

That was right, she did say to go on and be happy for the both of us.

"Troy, you know you love that man. Just as much as he looks at you like the sun, the moon, and the stars shine out of your ass," My eyes widened at her use of profanity. Seemed like she didn't care anymore, hehe. "You look at him like he has given the entire galaxy to you, so go snag that man up! He has done enough moping and quite frankly, I'm tired of seeing him look like a kicked puppy every time he comes to see us."

Puppy lord.

"It's not his fault and it's not your fault. Always remember that girl and look at it as if she's the reason your son gets to have his life," Maria stood up next to my father, bidding me farewell. "I trust that you'll make the right decision, Troy," She pointed at me before kissing me on the cheek and walking out of my room.

I pulled out my phone, ignoring the wallpaper of myself sleeping with a smiling Maddox next to me, going to scroll through the pictures that Jade, Avery, and I had taken during our time here. It was so sad because she was the first I had meant when I had come to that town. Despite her being uptight and cautious, we meshed together so well and she had given me friendship and a family all in one. It was just so hard to believe that she was gone because despite knowing that she would throw herself in the line of fire to protect to me, I didn't think she'd actually do it.

God damn it, Jade. 

Later on, Lexica, Availa, and Zero had come to see me, an aura of happiness and relief around them. It was as if they had forgotten their roles and they were talking to me as if we were regular people back in No Man's Land. I really enjoyed the conversation because it was a fresh of breath air and after they left, it had gotten me thinking.

People always told me that my biggest weakness was the fact that I was too carefree but now that I was being cautious, I was wrong. Even I knew that I was wrong for blaming Maddox because the man couldn't help how much he loved his family and how much he'd do anything to protect them. But still, I didn't know what to do. This was all very new to me. I had experienced what I thought were my parents dying, but never had I had someone die in my own arms. 

And that someone was one of my best friends. 

I wanted Maddox to hold me and tell me that everything would be okay, but the asshole in me didn't know if I was able to look at him without feeling as if it was all his fault. Sure enough, he wasn't the one who shot that beam into her stomach but the whole reason for us being there was his fault. 

We had defeated Tion, so the only thing left now was to focus on uniting the nation. I had no clue what Maddox planned on doing with me at this point. I had no idea what we were, if we were boyfriends. I didn't want to put too much hope in the situation because I was scared that it wouldn't be true. I mean, he had many demons at his disposal. Why would he want a mere human who would die in 70+ years? It wasn't worth it.

I had gotten everything back that I had lost while being here in Hell. I felt complete until I didn't. The question was: what did I did now?

No one, more than you, deserves to be happy, so go on and be happy for the both of us.

"I wish you were here, Jade," I shook my head, pulling my knees up so that I could bury my head as I thought of Maddox's warm arms around me. I wanted him here just so I could yell at him and get all my frustrations out because I knew that, like the diligent demon he was, he'd make me see the rational side of things. 

All of a sudden, there was a knock at my door and it creaked open slowly, revealing a tall and shirtless demon lord, those gold eyes staring at me as if they were begging me to let him in. He resembled the puppy right about now, looking less and less like the fierce lord that I met months ago.

"Can I come in?" He asked in a soft voice, his hair hanging over his eyes as he kept his head bowed. "I guess. It's not like you're not already in," I rolled my eyes, motioning for him to take a seat on the bed. It was silent as I stared at the floor and he stared at me, waiting for one of us to talk. Finally, he broke the silence with his deep voice. "Troy," I fought a wince at the way his voice cracked. "Why have you been avoiding me?" That was then that I finally took a look at him, and I could see his gold eyes downcasted with sadness and a bit of hope as the rim around his eyes remained red as if he had been crying. 

I took a deep breath, ready to explain. 

"When you sent me back the way that you did, it hurt me because not only did you tell me that this would be a joint effort and that you would rely on me, on us to help you win this war," I began, clearing my throat. "It was basically a big fuck you because I felt as if you were undermining my knowledge and my skills. I may be a human, but trust and believe that I know my shit," I folded my arms and he nodded, listening to me carefully, not interrupting me. I could tell by the twitch of his hand that he wanted to touch me, to hold me even, but it wasn't happening.

Yet.

"If you want this to be a relationship or something, then let me share your burden. Let everyone share your burden because if they're your family as you say, they aren't going to let anything happen to you and they'll stand by you through thick and thin. And again, you sent me back. What would you have done if I didn't come to save you and you died, not knowing that you had a child on the way?" I pointed to my stomach and he lit up like fireworks, the happiest grin breaking his face. 

"Did you just plan to leave me behind as if everything we had been through was for nothing?" I said, expressing that insecurity. "Moreover, because we had to save you in the impromptu way that we did, I lost my best friend," I took a deep breath, unable to stop my lip from quivering as he frowned, sensing my emotions.

"I knew that tomorrow wasn't promised for any of us that day, but I didn't expect her to do what she did for me. I know you didn't tell Jade to push me out of the way to save me, but if you would've just let me go through my initial plan, all of this could've been avoided," My voice fell to a tremble as I looked down to the ground, feeling awfully tired. "I just couldn't see you, knowing all of that."

Maddox nodded, looking extremely guilty and if he had dog ears, they'd be flat against his hair. "I'm sorry, Troy, I really am," I could hear the regret in his tone and I guessed that I was satisfied by that. "I never planned to leave you behind. I couldn't and I wouldn't because I need you," He said. "Your friend really did have good intentions," He whispered before looking me sternly in the eye.

"Even so, I don't want you to be alone while you're thinking through things. You lost a friend, let me share that pain with you!" I narrowed my eyes, wondering where he got off on his high horse, saying that. "The hell do you mean? That isn't up to you to decide," I raised a brow, catching shade really quickly. "It is because I love you and I hate to see you in pain," He was very adamant as he made his confession, and I ignored the flip-flops that my heart made. 

Focus on what you have left.

"That makes no god damn sense. If you loved me, you wouldn't have done what you did, to begin with," I spat spitefully and he rolled his eyes. "I did that because you're my main weakness. I didn't want you to become the main victim of Tion after he captured me." He explained and I still didn't get how that mattered to the plan. I raised a brow, letting him know that I still wasn't convinced. "Don't you understand!?" He gripped his hair, his frustration increasing a high caliber.  He turned to glare at me with those eyes. "I fucking love you, Troy! I'd die ten times over before I let anything happen to you!" My eyes widened as he shouted at me, the intensity of his voice soothing my worries. 

Then the room went silent as we stared at each other, the only sound being of his heavy breathing.

I sighed. "I didn't ask for this, you know? You came into my fucking life and ruined me in all of a millisecond, and you have the audacity..." I trailed off, unable to get my thoughts together. I couldn't be around him and think straight while he was shirtless.

"Eat my ass, Maddox. I'm tired of talking to you." I turned away from him, intending to get up with a pout. We both knew that this fight was already over, but I didn't want to admit defeat first. We both knew that we missed and loved each other and that we would find comfort and solace with each other. It would take time for this hole in my heart to gradually grow back together if it did, but at least I'd have him.

Focus on what you have left. 

He chuckled darkly and within a second after I stood up, thick arms were wrapped around my waist as I found myself being pulled backward, falling on the bed. "If you request so," Maddox loomed over me, his eyes now black as he licked his lips, tracking his exposed fangs with his tongue dangerously. I gulped as he stared at me like a man who hadn't seen such water from being in the desert for years.

I could sense the hunger radiating off of him as he wasted no time, swooping in and capturing my lips as his. I moaned instantly, the feeling of his soft lips against mine tasting like heaven as he gripped my waist, tugging me closer to him so I could explore his body. I had missed this, that was for sure. The way that he was running his hands across my body, using that tongue to lick and lap at my lips and all over my mouth, embedding his very touch as if he was afraid it would diminish.  

He pulled away, breathing heavily with lust in his eyes as he yanked my head to the side, planting deep kisses onto my neck as the mark started burning with need. The way his claws scraped against my skin as his hands descended inside of my sweatpants, touching me, leaving behind desperate pleas of heat. Fuck, he was doing something to me. Maddox forced me to wrap my legs around him as he began grinding against me, uninhibited pleasure shooting inside of my core.

Somewhere along the way, his claw shed my body free of my shirt. His tongue traced its way down my torso, nipping and swirling around my ultra-sensitive nipples. I was a bit insecure since my pecs were becoming softer and increasing in size, but he hungrily ate them up, causing me to moan like hell. This feeling was amplified ten times higher as I could feel every single thing that he was doing to me and it was driving me absolutely crazy.

"I can't believe you're having my child," If I could pay good money to photograph the big and goofy smile on his face as he kissed my stomach, I wouldn't because this moment was priceless. 

"I knew you looked beautiful when I first met you but man, this takes the cake," He rained kisses down my tummy as he descended lower and lower, shivers wracking my body as he sheathed my sweatpants down, seeing that I went commando. I gulped traitorously as he gripped my erection, using my pre-cum to lather up the base. "Agh!" I groaned out loud as he inched his face closer, examing my piercing.

"Guess it's time to see how much damage I could wreak on you with just this," He winked, breathing heavily over the silver ball in the head of my dick and I shivered, anticipating what lied ahead. I wanted him to go ahead and make me feel what I never felt before. He tilted his head with a pout, the glint in his eyes promising me that I would be at his mercy. "First, I gotta punish you for making me feel so lonely," He chuckled before swooping in for the kill, not allowing me a single breath.

That same night, I fell asleep under him as he wrapped his arms around my stomach, a protective yellow light emanating from him onto my stomach, his eyes closed as he was sure that all was safe.

Hmph, he really was no good.