Game of Hearts

Rin walked across the rubble of the Nave, fuming at what had just happened. The adrenaline of holding a weapon and attacking Miriam was still coursing through his veins, and he desperately needed some way of venting his frustrations. However, fortunate for him, he did not have to wait long.
It always seemed to be that sooner or later a human would venture out of the Rectory, alone and somewhat unguarded. He did not fully understand this, but assumed potentially that they were running low on supplies. In this case a brunette man had decided to walk across his path, and the temptation was too much to resist.
Rin noted quite quickly that he did not have weapons, aside from most likely something along the lines of holy water. In either case there was no blade to stop him, and very little to resist. Slowly he made his way down and around the rubble, trying not to attract his attentions. Then when he was close enough he brought out his blade, admiring it momentarily as the light from the sky, far above, reflected off it.
With all his anger, taking out all of the emotions stirring within him, he struck the man down, hitting the back of his head and momentarily knocking him out. He then waited until he proceeded to stir, before he kicked him to kick him down. Eventually when his attentions lost him he started to cut and gut him, until he reached a point where he was no longer focused on his actions, or where exactly the blade in his hand was hitting, instead wholly focused on his anger and rage and betrayal.
The body of the man initially cried out, and flinched at every action, however as he continued he stopped moving entirely. This however did not stop the blood flow, and it covered Rin's clothes and arms. He made no attempt to try and clean this off however, in fact not even stopping cutting until long after the man was dead. Only then did he stop, standing back and shaking slightly. It had hardly helped, but the blood was somewhat calming to him.
He looked around in silence, letting out an exasperated sigh as he tried to process what to do next. He was entirely lost, and the fact that this kill had not even helped meant he could not especially comprehend what he could do. He had thought he had been able to somehow resolve his problems, by cutting them off at the source, but it seemed without a source he had no focus whatever.

She ran as fast as her weak, injured legs would carry her, praying to God that she did not run into anyone but Rin, and soon enough she spotted him, his back towards her. Her heart beat faster the closer she got to him, and when she was close enough to speak quietly enough not to attract attention from other demons she called to him in a quiet hiss, speaking his name like a gentle lover calling for the man she yearned for.
She could not see what he was doing, but did not care. She simply needed to see him. Yet, she kept her bloodied knife out of her bag in case Calcifer had not spoken truthfully. Though she believed him, there was always a chance, and this risk she was not willing to take.

It was such a shock to hear her voice that he almost dropped his knife. Hearing it must have meant she got out alive, and he felt a combination of shock, relief and annoyance at that fact. He tried to analyse her tone of voice, but he did not trust her in the slightest, and he gripped his knife tightly. However he could not fathom a reason why she would want to speak to him if she had apparently managed to make her way out alive without his help. He prepared himself for some final mockery, or maybe she was foolish enough to want to try and exorcise him for once and for all.
Ignoring his bloodied appearance he turned around slowly, knowing that prehaps she would understand he did not want a polite conversation when she looked at him. He could not help but feel glad to know she had managed to escape, smugly proud of how Calcifer had underestimating her. The knife she held in her hand only proved so.
He could not think of anything to say, nor did he have the energy for it. She had called him, not the otherway round, and so he stared at her blankly, still a look of suprise on his face.

She smiled softly when he started to turn around, but the smile was quickly wiped off her face when she laid eyes on the blood. His appearance didn't need an explanation, and tears sprung to her eyes at the realization of what he had done. It was what should have been expected of him, and yet she had forced her mind to ignore the fact of what he did to her kind. Looking at him now she could no longer ignore it.
Her teary eyes widened in surprise, shock and pure despair and her mouth opened wide at the sight of him. She wanted to run from him, wanted to scream at him, but her legs were planted firmly to the ground, and not a sound escaped her lips. Immobilized by the moment she could do nothing but stare at him, trying to focus on the dark eyes she had grown to love instead of the bright red, but failing.

He looked back at her teary eyes and stood there shocked. He could not understand what she had expected of him, but he now had his doubts of his first ideas. However he did not remain fooled, still willing himself on.
Opening his mouth, he prepared himself with an explanation, but instead could not think of any. Further still he did not know why he felt the need to explain himself at all. He would have felt no guilt towards this man's blood if it were not for Miriam standing there now.
Instead he put away his blade, not knowing what else to do, his head bowed slightly in a sigh. He was fed up and tired of the games. She of all people should have understood that.

She took a step back, but was unwilling to go any further, afraid that her weak, shaking legs would betray her.
"You're a monster," she whispered, her eyes still wide as she let her tears run down her cheeks. The ragged blade in her heart had been viciously and violently pulled out, leaving her heart bleeding until it was empty and black, filled with nothing but despair and sorrow and heartache.
Never had she been this pathetic and weak in his presence, but she had left herself open, followed him blindly and let herself hope before it being ripped away from her in a split second, more viciously than she could have imagined possible.

Seeing her like this was enough to remind him of heartache, or at least on some vague level. Even he doubted that what he felt could ever be the same to what she, or any other human, felt, but it was enough.
'Just proving your words' he said bitterly, remembering all too well what she had said before. He wiped his hands against the material of the clothes he was wearing, equally as blood stained, before running his fingers through his hair.
He refrained from keeping eye contact, unsure as to whether he really could look her in the eyes right now. By now he was beyond confused or conflicted. He simply had no idea what he wanted, one side of him still untrusting and wanting her out of sight and mind, whilst another part of him yearned for something more.

She let the weapon drop to the rubble unwillingly, but paid no attention to it. Her hands were shaking, far too weak to even hold a knife, and in a moment she was scared her legs would follow her arms' example and buckle, but somehow she managed to keep standing, even if shaking like a leaf in a tornado.
The open cut Calcifer had left her with was still bleeding heavily, the red blood flowing down her arm and drippled off her fingers before it hit the floor, but Miriam could not feel it, her whole body numb. Nor could she hear the sickening dripping sound over the sound of her own heart beating.

He walked towards her, slowly but hesistantly, certain now that she was not trying to use him, and even if she did he did not particularly care. His main concern was with getting her out before Calcifer returned, making her whole initial escape useless. He could not be blamed now for this- for all Calcifer knew he had done his job.
'I'm sorry' he said simply, although he knew that would not even be close enough. 'Its just what we do, what we know to do' he muttered quietly. He did not expect her to understand, nor for that to make it any better, but it was the truth. He could not bring himself to understand his own mind and so he took this out on the nearest human he could find.
Slowly and hesistantly he reached out for her wounded arm, wiping away some of the blood surrounding it and delicately pressing his hand to the wound.

His touch was enough to make her stagger backwards, suddenly snapping out of her daze though the tears wouldn't stop.
"D-don't touch me!" she yelled louder than she should've, and even as she screamed the words she felt herself regretting them. She did want him to touch her, wanted her to hold her like he never had. Even a simple, stolen, hungry kiss like the ones they had shared before would be enough for her, but she could not have it. Never again could she allow herself such a horrendous sin.
"I- I can't- I thought-" she stumbled on her words, tears still clouding her vision. She didn't know what to say, she didn't even want to speak to him, but her tounge seemed the only functional part of her body at that moment, the rest paralyzed with either fear, shock or despair.
"Were you telling the truth.. earlier... in the spire..?" she said a great deal more quiet as she forced herself to calm down and wiped her tears away. It was not what she should have said, or what she should have wondered in that moment, but yet she felt she needed to know.

He couldn't help but feel like time was repeating itself, and he silently cursed himself for falling for it once more. However he was still ultimately concerned for her, and it was glad to hear that she seemed just as confused as he felt.
Looking at her due to her last question he considered why she would ever think different. 'I don't see how in any circumstance me lying to you about that would have in any way helped my own cause' he said simply. It was true- those words had caused him far more trouble than benefit, and she must have known that.
Now he made no attempts to stay near her, letting her recover. All she would do is push him away, and he watched her as she processed his words. Ever so often he nervously checked around the Cathedral for any demons that may threaten her, but aside from that made no action that might in any way suggest anything.

She looked at him, eyes wide as she got Calcifer's words confirmed. She still seemed to think it impossible, but yet she believed.
"I-I thought you... I thought you were playing me.." she muttered and looked away from him at last. His piercing black eyes were almost worse to look at than his bloodied clothes. This was not the conversation they should be having, and yet it was the one on her mind. It was why she had run after him after all, and she couldn't help but let the questions torture her until she recieved her answers.
Looking away from him she glanced the knife on the floor, not until now realizing she had dropped it, and cursed her foolishness.

He smiled weakly. 'And whos to say thats not reciprocated? After all, how many times have you managed to benefit from our arrangement at my disposal?'
Even if she was acting entirely weak and pathetic now, there was still some concern in his mind that this was all just a mere extension of her mockery. He would be forever cautious whilst she acted so out of character, even if any use of his in this situation was not immeadiately apparent from his perspective.
'Hasn't this always been a game, as you so often call it?' he said, a tad bitter.

"I don't play with feelings," she snapped at him. This had used to be a game, but far from what he was insinuating. It had been a game of power, each trying to break the other down. Both had succeeded, and in theory won, yet none seemed to gain happiness from it.
Even if his facade was still up, his words were what she focused on, and though she wanted to scream at him, all she managed to do was eliminate the distance between them, and before she had a chance to think her lips were on his again, tasting the sweet, familiar feel of his lips, drinking in his intoxicating smell and closing her eyes fiercly in fear she would regret her actions in the following seconds, depending on his responce.

He sighed in almost relief, his arms brought around her body to pull her in and keep her there this time. He knew he had not, and would not, find such content unless she was there in his arms. Nevertheless he knew he had to let go of her at some point, and although reluctant he broke away from her. They could not simply stand in the middle of the Nave, oblivious, and expect no one else to find out. He also expected that whatever impulse had made her do so was not enough to last, and sooner or later she would change her mind, it which it was better for him to take the initiative now than to find out only moments after.

The sensation of his arms wrapped around her was strange to say the least. Never had they embraced each other, never let their emotions show through touch. Whatever brief, intimate moments they had shared had been anything but romantic. This time, everything felt different. Softer, but on the other hand far more intense. It caused her pain when he pulled away, but knew it was for the best. Whatever they were doing, whatever she had decided to give into, was wrong enough without witnesses that could hurt them at a later point. This, whatever it was, was better kept secret.
"I-.. I don't want to.." she sighed, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Reject you anymore.." she said, almost ashamed as she looked away from him blushing. This situation felt insane and impossible, yet there they stood. She had known for a long time she could no longer reject him, but hearing herself say the words still surprised her as much as they must have surprised him.

He stared back at her in suprise, unsure whether or not to trust her. However he knew that whatever she was playing at he was willing to play along with, as it was far worse to be without anything at all.
'No one can know' he said, keeping his voice hushed. 'We both know things like this are not supposed to happen for a reason.'
Once more he checked around, looking for any demons that may be a potential threat. However for now the coast was clear, relatively speaking.
'...But I don't think its fair we go on like this any longer.'
Slowly he listened to himself, barely reconisable from what he was only a few weeks, maybe a month ago. So much their chance meeting had changed.

She knew all too well the truth of his words, and remembered the minor panic attack she had gotten when Proteus found out. She knew he would not hold his tounge if he was to catch them again however, and neither would anyone else. They both had so much to lose if they were caught, it seemed amazing to her that either of them had even considered this to be possible, and yet here they were, both of them.
"I was right in the spire y'know," she muttered, but dared look at him with a teasing smile. "You're stupider than I thought."
Though her words were mocking, her smile was soft and her eyes were kind, showing she meant no harm in her words.

'Can't say much better of yourself' he smiled, mocking her back. 'Now you have to leave, right now, before anyone comes looking for you.' He leant over to pick up her blade she had dropped and gave it to her. 'Keep that while you can and run while you have the chance' he said, seriously this time.
He knew if she had injured Calcifer, which was all too likely, he would be looking for her soon, alongside Cali and whoever else. He could go back to his body and simply not be involved if she left now, but otherwise they would be forced to hide whatever this was once more.
'They can't know anything has changed' he said decisively. 'So please go.'

She nodded, though hesitantly, and took her weapon back. She was tempted to ask when she would see him next, but there was a limit to how weak she would make herself in one day. She knew however that limit was far overstepped, but she tried to ignore that fact for now to keep her dignity.
She touched his chest one last time before turning around, overlooking the nave and the wings to check for demons she would have to avoid on her way back, and saw to her terror Calcifer stumbling his way through the nave towards them. It was too late to run, he had already seen them, and all she could whisper was a silent "fuck," only loud enough for Rin to hear as she stared at the crossroads demon.

The pain was unbearable, and he winced with every step he took, yet he forced himself to keep walking until he spotted her, not far from where she was. It somehow amused him she had run to Rin after what he had told her, but he could not make himself smile. He was bloodied and pathetic, hunching his back and clutching at a deep gash in his stomach, all the while coughing blood. If he had been annoyed with the girl earlier, his rage overshadowed anything she could have done in the past. He would have that girl regret her action, and she would regret them deeply.

Conflicted he watched. Miriam had certainly made a lasting impact on Calcifer, but now he was sure he would not let her go. He did not know what to do, and he certainly could do little to save her now. If she did not run of her own accord then he could hardly ward off Calcifer. Instead he took a step back from her, thinking of what he could do to help. He hoped Miriam would understand this, and not assume the worst, but there was simply no way of communicating this to her. Instead all he could do was watch and wait.

She hid the knife behind her back, not wanting Calcifer to know she still had it, and waited for him to come close enough. He was hardly a threat in his current state, unless Rin changed his mind and handed her in. Somehow, she didn't think he would twice. For some dumb, blind reason she trusted him, despite logic and beyond sense. She had to now, or she was done for.
When he was finally close enough to grab her with his bloodied hand she cut him again twice, and a last time while he was down, feeling a certain excited thrill while cutting him. The bastard got what he deserved, and somehow feeling in control of things for once, felt nice.
She quickly put her blade back in her bag and shot a last glance at Rin before she ran towards the sanctuary.

Calcifer could do nothing but cough blood against the rubble he was lying on, and barely that. It took him a couple of seconds to find the strength to yell, but when he did he stared straight at Rin with a threatening glare.
"What are you standing there like a dumbstruck fool for?! Get her!" he yelled with all the strength he had left. The rage had taken control of him, and he was red, even without the blood he was soaked in. He would get that girl if it was the last thing he did.

He smirked down at Calcifer, unable to hold back mockery as he quickly took his knife out of his belt and nodded.
'Hang on' he smirked down at him, before running after her, not really believing his luck. He had no real idea what they would do afterwards, but any time with her was better than notihng.