Kev stirred awake, blinking at the pale light leaking through the curtains. He groaned, pushed himself up, and glanced at the clock."Damn… already eleven," he muttered.
He slid out of bed, pulling on his pants and shirt. As he laced his shoes, a rich aroma drifted through the apartment. His nose twitched. He followed the scent to the kitchen, where Ammy was busy at the counter.
He slipped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning close."Mmm, that smell hittin' right. Cookin' up somethin' delicious in here."
Kev's eyes drifted across the counter, pots simmering, spices scattered, steam rising thick from the pan. He took it all in with a slow nod before smirking.
"Who'd have thought demons be cookin' in hell? Well..." he chuckled, lowering his voice, "not this kinda cookin', if you know what I mean."
Ammy laughed, shaking her head."Silly. We were once human, remember? Not like we were born demons."
Kev grinned, kissing her cheek before stepping back. She glanced at him, catching sight of his half-buttoned shirt and boots.
"Wait... why are you getting dressed?" she asked, frowning. "You can't go out in the rain."
Kev glanced toward the window. The heavy patter against the glass said she was right. Sheets of rain blurred the outside world.
Ammy crossed her arms, leaning against the counter."Stay a while longer. What's the rush? It's not like we've got contracts waiting. This is our holiday."
Kev scratched his chin, then shrugged with a crooked smile."Aight, fair point. No use gettin' soaked for nothin'."
Ammy smiled and turned back to her work, the soft clatter of utensils filling the kitchen. The smell thickened, rich and inviting.
After a quiet moment she called out, "Hey, give me a hand, will you?"
Kev pushed off the couch and strolled over, rolling up his sleeves. "Aight, what you need?"
She handed him a knife and slid a cutting board his way. Kev started chopping while she stirred at the stove. For a while it was just the sound of sizzling oil and their easy movements in rhythm.
Then, without looking up, Ammy spoke casually."I was thinking about taking a side contract… earn some extra points."
Kev's brows lifted. He glanced at her, then smirked."Side contract, huh? Can't lie, that sound good. Points gon' come in real handy right now. I'm sittin' at the top of my grade… I slip up, I'll fall down. Gotta keep pushin', get to that number one spot."
Ammy glanced over her shoulder, a smirk tugging her lips."You will. I believe you. But… would you take the side contracts with me?"
Kev grinned. "Why not? Let's run it together."
Ammy's smile softened at that, her eyes bright for a moment before she turned back to the stove.
They finished preparing lunch, ate, then sprawled on the couch, watching movies as the hours bled away. By the time Kev glanced outside again, the rain had stopped and dusk was rolling in.
He stretched, grabbing his jacket. "Guess I better head back. You could swing by my side later."
"Alright babe," Ammy said softly. They kissed, hugged, and he stepped out into the cooling air.
***
By the time Kev reached his apartment, the night felt heavier than usual. He kicked off his boots, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and dropped onto the couch. The hiss of the can opening filled the silence as he flicked on the TV, letting the dull chatter wash over him. For a moment, it was normal.
Then the chill came. A prickling at the back of his neck.
He frowned, muting the TV. The apartment was dim, but it wasn't just the dimness, shadows stretched unnaturally along the walls, pooling into corners where no light should bend. Slowly, the veil thickened, swallowing the room in a creeping black haze.
Kev stood, crossing to the window. Outside, the street looked clear. He cracked the door open, it was normal.
But when he stepped back inside, the weight pressed down on him again. His entire apartment was drenched in shadow, curtains of black shifting like they were alive, thick with the air of another realm.
Kev's jaw tightened. Someone was playing with him. Someone strong enough to anchor the Shadow Realm inside his walls.
His hand flexed at his side, and with a flare of orange light, his axe materialized, markings crawling up his forearm as the weapon locked into place. His aura pulsed out steady, as his gaze swept the living room.
He bared his teeth, eyes scanning the darkness. "Well, come on then, pussies. You gon' hide forever?"
His voice echoed through the shrouded air, daring whatever had come for him to step forward.