I thrust my right elbow back, aiming straight for his stomach. Unfortunately, his abdominal muscles barely stir at my contact and he doesn't budge. He chuckles and I feel his hand sliding off my shoulder, his fingers trailing down my arm.

     " Tell me, Diamond, did you really think that was gonna work? "

I cannot prevent an exasperated groan from escaping me. I whip around, finding myself nose-to-nose with the bedroom's occupant. A shaky sigh is all I can manage, as I'm slowly getting swallowed by his wine-colored eyes.

     " If you missed me so much, all you had to do was tell me. No need to break into my room to smell my clothes, or something. "

His remark is mischievous, and I am annoyed, but our faces are too close for my brain to function effectively. Therefore, I mutter:

     " As if... "

     " You're a really cute frowner, y'know. " He tilts my head in the direction of his from my chin and jawline with three of his left hand fingers.

I step away from him, tripping on the slight definition between the floor of the room and the closet behind me. He dives, catching me with his hand grabbing my waist and his arm crossing the middle of my spine, leaning over me as I am suspended a few inches above the ground. It's as if we are trying to recreate the cliché drop that couples do when they dance. Azzoxan promptly pulls me up and into his arms. I smack into his toned torso, which doesn't even make him flinch. Staring diligently at his Adam's apple to avoid his irises, which I sense are anchored to me, I clench my fists and furiously command, chasing the trembling out of my voice to obtain a bitter and flat result:

     " Let me go. "

Suddenly, my feet leave the ground, the demon's arms are tightly wrapped around my waist, and we're... Flying?! The hundreds of clothes dangling and surrounding us flap against my naked arms, before folding away under the pressure of my back. Instinctively, I raise my arms and my fingers curl around the leather surface of his jacket, holding on to his shoulders. We reach the end of his wardrobe, stopping abruptly with a deafening bang. I do not even have the luxury of realizing what just happened that my captor's closet's doors slam shut by themselves, trapping him and I in overwhelming darkness.

I slowly regain a normal breathing pattern, hearing the Devil's son soft panting a few centimeters from my face. I quickly conclude the loud hit couldn't have been my back against the furniture's inner wall, so it must have been one of Ace's palms or fists slamming into the thick wooden panel... Especially because only his right-side arm is still encircling my stomach.

     " Not an option. " He pauses and I feel his fingertips dig into my flank. Additionally, I am almost certain he is leaning forward, closer to me. " So, where were we? "

His voice is low, and I follow his lead, although mine is much less pleased than his sounded:

     " I think you were kidnapping me inside your closet like a creep, " I snap, deftly adding: " But, oh, right, silly me, that's still happening! "

     " A creep, huh? "

     " Take your hands off of me and... "

My disgruntled request is cut short by his thoughts:

" I want to spend time with you. Are you free after your classes? "

     " We are not communicating like that, " I harshly state.

I shove him away, observing his shadow as it blends in within the omnipresent darkness and mass of clothes.

" Why not, Diamond? We've done worst things than have a telepathic conversation. "

I swallow, my guts inadvertently twisting. He has a point... But, no. This is the last thing I need right now. I calmly begin:

     " You said you wanted to help me. This is not helping. "

I huff, staring into the imperceptible collection of the demon's clothing, attempting to catch his silhouette yet I can only hear fabrics rustling against one another.

     " This is abducting, " I comment, jokingly.

     " Can't argue with that, " he replies, shockingly near to my face. Right next to my ear. I smell the smoke on his breath and, slightly startled, decide to remain completely immobile. My choice gives him the opportunity to continue speaking. Judging by the volume and origin of his voice, Ace is pacing in a circle around me.

     " Trust me, I like to play games, Diamond. And we could play this little game for years, pretending we're barely friends, getting up to all sorts of things, kissing in the dark... "

I feel his warm lips brush mine and I bite into my lower lip, retreating further against the wall with my fists clenched abnormally tight. Fortunately, he keeps moving and talking to me, in those low, raspy tones.

     " Except I have it on good authority that you may not have that luxury. "

     " What are you talking about!? " I sputter, irritated by his tricks and evasive ways.

     " Time. "

His fingers briskly graze my left cheek and I sigh. This has gone on long enough. I start striding in a straight line, determined to eventually find the exit, permitting me to leave his ridiculously enormous closet and ditch his stupidity. Azzoxan and I might have shared a moment or two, but all of his scheming ends now. I can ask Jackie to move out with me and...

     " You're involved with Camelia Trissys, aren't you? Even demons stay away from her. "

He sounds more or less bored, yet I inexplicably sense chills running down my back.

     " And how would you know Camelia? "

He serves me an insufficient and smug answer:

     " I know many people. "

     " That isn't going to cut it... And since when do demons avoid anyone other than exorcists and angels? "

His palms settle onto my shoulders from behind, and I twitch at his uninvited touch. Turning my head, I try to guess his exact position, but my eyes solely meet with complete darkness.

     " I understand you don't think you need my help, but the sooner you admit it, the better. I swear, you won't regret accepting my boundless generosity. "

I grunt under my breath, pulling myself out of his grasp. Perhaps I overreacted... He could prove useful, after all. I also shouldn't forget that he knows crucial information about my situation, what if he turns on me and tells Detective Hua everything? Maybe antagonizing him is not the smartest option. I can pretend to trust him to get what I want, surely that wouldn't be too difficult..?

     " If you get me out of here, Ace, we can talk. But if we proceed with this, there will be some ground rules, okay? "

     " I wouldn't have expected anything else from you, Diamond. "

I bite into the inside of my cheeks, astonished to feel my roommate's arms around my abdomen. Unintentionally, I press myself against him for support as we fly towards the doors of his wardrobe. They open and before I can even realize it, we have landed... On his bed. Oh, gosh. Oh, hell no..! I push myself up, although my hands are sinking into his mattress, propping myself up on my knees. Horrified, I realize I am now basically straddling his stomach region. Azzoxan is nonchalantly lying down underneath me, with his right arm crossed below the nape of his neck.

     " Hello, " he drawls, displaying the cockiest grin I have ever witnessed.

     " No. " is all I manage to utter, still capable of sounding authoritative, at least.

Ogling at my lips, the demon teases me: " I'm still waiting on those ground rules... "

I attempt to raise my left thigh, more than ready to get off his bed, but he grabs it with his hand. His fingers feel boiling hot and prod my flesh through the denim, steadily imprisoning me.

     " I meant ground rules if you agreed to help me! Not for... Whatever this is. " I sputter, rolling my eyes.

     " Good. "

Before I realize my mistake, Ace has sprung up and his lips are touching mine. I kiss him back, lowering my eyelids. His palms glide along my back, one climbs up my spine and the other slides down. I balance myself with my hands on his shoulders, forgetting for an instant that this is not what I am here to do. Not at all. The second I perceive his tongue against my lower lip, though, I immediately regain my senses. I push him back, standing on my knees, letting out an inaudible gasp.

     " Are you insane?! This is not... "

Satan's son arches an eyebrow and, smirking, kisses me again. I moan softly, mostly out of shock, yet I cannot find the will to put an end to our exchange. Therefore, I wrap my arms around his neck and let my instincts take over. Entirely.