Love is Human...

I have NO IDEA when this happens yet- it could happen before or after Omniwar. All I know is that it does happen.

Hooray for another short story with Deathwalker and Ruby that isn't grimdark...

Now... BRING ON THE CHEESE!

Love is Human...
''"W-w-what are you?" the mob-boss asked in a panic; in front of him was the gaunt figure of Deathwalker and about 20 of his lackeys unconscious on the floor.''

"I am Deathwalker. The assassin from Hell."

"You... you're a monster! A freak!"

Deathwalker proceeded to deliver a blow to the man's neck that knocked him out cold.

"I'm not... a monster... I am... human..."

Deathwalker snapped out of the memory and found himself sitting on a rugged motel bed, staring vacantly into a cracked and paint-peeled wall. He sighed quietly, slowly remembering where he was- He and his comerade Ruby were on the run from the demon Malacoda, and were supposed to meet up and regroup with another fellow comerade, Thirteen. It was getting late, and having barely evaded Malacoda only a couple hours earlier, they opted to stay at a motel for a brief night.

Another memory popped into his mind;

"He was lying on the cold floor, barely able to move, or let alone breathe. His vision was blanking out, fading into darkness, and to his horror, he suddenly found himself incapable of drawing breath. That's when the falling sensation began; he could feel himself slipping into the blackness, being swallowed up by darkness, landing right in the midst of Hell...

"Deathwalker!" called out the voice of Ruby, snapping him out of his trance.

It took Deathwalker a moment to return to reality. "I-I'm sorry..." Deathwalker said. "I zoned out..."

"I've been trying to get your attention for a whole minute." Ruby said. "I was just going to tell you that Thirteen called; he said to meet him downtown at ten 'o clock tomorrow... Is something the matter?"

"...not really." Deathwalker said, looking away and avoiding Ruby's gaze.

"...you've been having visions again, haven't you?" Ruby said.

Deathwalker merely looked down, his face saddened. Ruby sat down on the bed next to him, running her fingers- which were quite soft for a demon- gently through his long, unruly hair.

“…I saw my death.” Deathwalker said finally.

Ruby and Deathwalker sat there, side by side, in silence for several minutes. "Ruby..." Deathwalker finally said aloud. "...do you think that we could ever become human? I'm losing faith- Everywhere we go, we've been treated like monsters..."

"It's just... going to take time..." Ruby responded with uncertainty.

"...We've been on Earth for years... nothing's changed..." Deathwalker said quietly.

Just then, Ruby leaned over and wrapped her arms around Deathwalker, as well as her wing, in an embrace. Deathwalker’s face betrayed surprise at the gesture. She held him close, protectively. He could feel his arm sinking into her soft, cushion-like breasts. He could feel the gentle warmth emanating from her body. Her tail curled around his midsection; the gesture made him feel secure in her arms.

“…Isn’t this what people do… Don’t friends hug each other to make themselves feel better?” Ruby asked genuinely.

Deathwalker sat still in stunned silence for a few seconds. Then he wrapped his arms around Ruby and held her just as tightly. It was Ruby’s turn to appear surprised.

“…Ruby…” Deathwalker whispered. “…thank you.”

He brought his face level with hers. His eyes- hollow, yet expressive- met with hers. He brought his mouth to hers; their lips connected. Ruby was stunned; she had never been kissed before, as it was strictly a human practice, but something about the gesture felt natural and correct to her. Their embrace sent a pleasing shock through her body. Her senses seemed to melt as she leaned into Deathwalker, returning the kiss with the same energy; her hands stroking his back and his hair slowly; his hands doing exactly the same. After what had seemed like several minutes, they parted, a little to Ruby’s disappointment.

“Deathwalker…” Ruby breathed, her heart pounding within her breast. Her skin tingled, and her face burned with both shock and inexplicable joy.

"Isn’t that what people do… when they are in love?” Deathwalker asked.

Ruby was speechless; could it be possible? A demoness like her, first finding friendship, and then, even love? Ruby couldn't find words to express her joy, so she took Deathwalker's face in her hands and planted another passionate kiss on his mouth.

"Love is human..." Ruby thought to herself. "The fact that we feel it proves that we are human, too..."

(I must cut off the story here- sorry folks, but there is... iffy content ahead...)