The landing pad lights blinked red and gold as the helicopter touched down. Pride Ring's skyline towered above them vertical spires of obsidian, glowing windows, razor-sharp silhouettes slicing into a hazy sky.
The doors slid open. A burst of cold, thin wind rushed in.
Verosika stepped out first, heels clicking sharply against the metal platform. She flicked her hair over shoulder, pretending the altitude didn't make her stomach twist.
Malerion followed calm as ever, coat barely shifting in the wind.
Below them, the Pride district pulsed with a completely different energy from Lust: colder, cleaner, richer, more controlled.
Where Lust was neon chaos, Pride was teeth wrapped in velvet.
"…Okay," Verosika said slowly, looking around.
"Wow. I forgot how intense this place is."
"You've been here before," Malerion said.
"Years ago," she muttered, folding her arms. "Back when I was still… stupid."
Malerion gave her a look.
Not judgmental just honest.
"You're not stupid."
She laughed once.
"Yeah. Maybe not anymore."
WALKING THROUGH PRIDE
They descended the metal stairs onto a quiet rooftop walkway overlooking the city.
Demons here wore sharp suits, long coats, tailored uniforms.
Every movement was calculated.
And all expression guarded.
Verosika felt eyes on them curious, assessing.
Not because of her.
She was used to stares.
Because of him.
Malerion walked like he belonged here.
Altitude itself obeyed him.
And that made Pride take notice.
She leaned close, whispering:
"People are staring at you."
"I know."
"And that doesn't bother you?"
He glanced at her.
"Does it bother you?"
She was not expecting the question to be thrown back.
"…No," she said after a beat. "But I'm used to it. You're not exactly… flashy."
"I don't need to be flashy."
She smirked lightly.
"No. You just walk into a room and bend the atmosphere by existing."
"…Is that a compliment?"
"Ugh. Don't make me say it twice."
They entered a high-rise tower polished black marble, gold sigils lining the floor, silent staff who bowed but didn't speak.
Malerion pressed the button for the 69th floor.
Verosika gasped dramatically.
"sixty-nine? What kind of meeting is this?"
"A private one."
"That's not an answer."
"You didn't ask a precise question."
She groaned so loud the elevator echoed.
"You know what? After a year, I've accepted that you're intentionally frustrating."
He didn't deny it.
The elevator began to rise smooth, fast, the city shrinking beneath their feet.
Verosika's tail swayed idly until she noticed how close they were standing.
Too close, deliberate.
She swallowed.
"You really brought me along just because you wanted… company?"
Malerion didn't look away.
Yes.
Her breath hitched.
He continued:
"And because you're one of the few demons who doesn't fear me."
She snorted.
"Oh please. I fear you constantly.,,
He raised an eyebrow.
"Do you?"
She hesitated.
Then, softer:
"…maybe Not
The elevator chimed.
The doors slid open into a luxurious suite tall windows overlooking the Ring, a long obsidian table, subtle enchantments humming in the walls.
But there was no one else inside.
Verosika blinked.
"…Malerion. If this turns out to be you tricking me into alone-time, I swear"
"It's not a trick."
"Then where's your meeting?"
He stepped toward the window.
"I finished the meeting earlier today."
Her mouth fell open.
"YOU WHAT?! Then why did you"
"You said you wanted to understand me."
She stared.
"You"
Her voice cracked.
"You re-scheduled an entire political meeting just to bring me here alone?"
"I moved it a few hours earlier."
"That's the SAME THING!"
He looked at her calmly.
"You're worth adjusting my schedule for."
Her knees almost gave out.
"Stop. Stop talking. Right now."
"I'm being honest."
"That's why it's worse!"
She paced in front of the window, trying to steady her breathing.
Malerion watched her not amused, not smug simply present.
After a long moment:
"You don't have to stay long," he said. "I only wanted to show you Pride from above.
You mentioned once you never saw it properly."
She froze.
"…You remembered that?"
Yes.
She slowly stepped toward the window, staring at the glittering city below.
It was… breathtaking.
Not chaotic like Lust.
Suffocating like Greed.
Cruel like Wrath.
Just vast.
Structured.
Heavy with meaning.
Verosika rested her hand on the glass.
"…It's beautiful."
"Yes," Malerion said behind her.
But he wasn't looking at the city.
She felt him before she heard him quiet, steady, warm behind her.
Not touching or crowding.
Just close enough that her heartbeat stumbled.
"Why me?" she whispered.
A year of tension, banter, collisions all in that one question.
Malerion answered simply:
"You don't treat me like something I need to be afraid of."
She turned halfway toward him.
"That's because I'm stupid."
"No. You're brave."
She swallowed hard.
"And you don't treat me like a prize or a tool or a trophy," she said.
"That's… new."
A silence stretched soft, electric, thick with everything they weren't saying.
Verosika stepped closer by an inch.
He didn't move away.
She held his gaze.
"Malerion… this thing between us… what is it?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Something we don't need to rush."
Her lips parted in surprise.
Then she smiled.
small, real, a little dangerous.
"…Good answer."