Victoria Goerk - The cold warmth

Braylon made a small noise of acknowledgement, suddenly realizing that he didn’t remember going to bed by himself. He sent a small smile to the ghost, patting his chest softly.

“Well thanks. Sorry for that though… you could just leave me there next time.”

Jaylon frowned, making a face like Braylon just said that he killed his dog or something. “I can’t do that! Come on, I made breakfast.”

The younger grabbed Braylon’s shoulder, turning him around to push him to the kitchen. The half demon let himself be maneuvered easily, entering the kitchen to see a plate of toasted bread, scrambled eggs and some sausages. All of it was a little burnt, but it still looked edible. The florist didn’t have the heart to tell the other that he usually doesn’t eat much in the morning. The spirit prepared all of it for him, there’s even a small cup of steaming black coffee on the side.

Braylon turns back to look at the ghost, who was fidgeting on his spot with round, eager eyes. He was clearly waiting for a reaction.

“Bend down a bit,” The demon beckoned.

His roommate raised an eyebrow at him but obediently lowered his head down for Braylon to reach up and ruffle his hair fondly.

“Thanks, you did a good job.”

The ghost instantly lit up at the praise, beaming brightly and sat across from the florist to watch him eat it all up. After that, Braylon went on with his morning routine while Jaylon returned to his movie. Right before leaving for work he popped in the living room, clutching his bag nervously.

“Jaylon?”

The younger hummed in response, one hand grabbing the remote to pause the movie.

“I’ve got something for you.”

“Really? Another one?” Jaylon stared at him with wide eyes, looking a bit hesitant. Braylon didn’t miss that. He curled in on himself, feeling really uncertain.

“Um, if you don’t want it-“

“What? No- I mean- I dowant it!” Jaylon rushed up to him, waving his hands around in panic. “I just- you know… you already gave me these movies and I… I’m really really grateful for that.”

“Is that why you made breakfast for me?”

Braylon peered up at him, feeling a bit better that Jaylon still wanted his gift.

“Yes, but- I wanted to do that, with or without the gifts. You’re here to help me and you have other work too while I’m doing nothing.”

The ghost mumbled with his head down. Braylon felt bad, seeing him like this, so different from his usual playful self. “I feel like I’m receiving so much from you and I can’t return all of that… I don’t like it…”

Braylon sighed quietly, stepping forward to cup Jaylon’s cheek with one hand and gently pushing his head up so that they can see each other properly.

“Please don’t think like that, ok? You can return the favor by not thinking of unnecessary things like that and focus on what youwant to do.

Cooking, cleaning, sleeping- anything. You do your best and I’ll try to do that in my end too. Alright?”

Braylon didn’t know what he was saying, he certainly wasn’t a man of wise words, but he istrying to convey his feelings and comfortable the other at the same time. It looked like it worked though, Jaylon looked like he was going to cry and slowly leaned in, wrapping Braylon in a chilly hug and pressing his face into the older’s neck.

The half demon squirmed at the sudden coolness on his neck. The hug though, was kind of comforting and Braylon didn’t even feel cold due to the sudden flustered feeling he was experiencing.

He cleared his throat, awkwardly patting the younger’s back. “So… do you still want my gift?”

“Yes of course☺.” Jaylon mumbled into his neck, still not moving.

“Ok… well, I have a gaming console for you.”

“What!?” Jaylon literally shouted, startling the older as he pulled away from the hug to stare at the half demon. “A-Are you kidding me? Please say that you’re not.”

Braylon couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle, shaking his head and finally pulling the console out of his bag.

Jaylon watched him with wide eyes and a gaping mouth, whispering a small ‘wow’ at the sight of it and suddenly hugging him again tightly.

This time, Braylon swore he felt the small tinge of warmth hidden beneath the coldness.

A week had passed by with them living together.

Jaylon seemed to be more comfortable and reallytouchy with Braylon. The older blushed furiously every time the ghost was too close or in an intimate position that he really wasn’t used to. Jaylon was oblivious to the flustered florist, always having his own way of hugging and cuddling Braylon without a word of complaint from the other.

Jaylon also got better at cooking with Braylon’s help of little tips and tricks day by day. He prepared breakfast and dinner for the half demon every day, except for the days Braylon decided to stay in because of the lack of orders.

Marcellus gets really sulky on those days. Demons can teleport to a lot of places but they couldn’t really enter in a private place like a human’s home, so the messenger couldn’t just appear in Jaylon’s apartment. He bombarded Braylon’s phone with tons of texts and calls, whining to see his friend and meet the young ghost.

“Please… I’m really bored.”

“Don’t you have a job to do?” sighed Braylon while stirring a small pot of stew with his phone squeezed between his ear and shoulder.

“I don’t! I’m today free today. Adan has been nagging at me to check up on you too.”

“Okay fine! But don’t come empty handed!”

Braylon had already mentioned Marcellus to Jaylon a few times, but the younger didn’t really seem to be interested. He always shrugged with a small pout when the half demon asked if it was okay for them to meet.

Braylon lowered the heat of the stove to the lowest setting an inhaled a deep breath before raising his voice to call the ghost.

“Jaylon!” The younger immediately appeared at the kitchen doorway, bouncing in with a wide grin to take a look at the demon’s stew.

“Ohhh! That smells so good, I wish I could eat.” He pouted, clinging onto Braylon again, a habit he had picked up lately. The older smiled softly, reaching up behind to pat the younger’s head and breaking the news to him.

“Um… remember the demon I told you about? He’s coming over.”

The two stood in silence for a moment before Jaylon huffed loudly, moving his head from Braylon’s shoulder to rest on the honey blond locks instead. The florist frowned at the huffing, turning around to look up at the pouting ghost.

“Why are you sulking Jay? Don’t you want more friends?”

“But I have you,” The younger stubbornly said and even though Braylon could feel his heart flutter at that, he continued to muster up a stern look.

“I know that but… give Marcellus a chance, ok? If you don’t like him by the end of today, then- I’ll make sure that he won’t come to bother you again.”

Jaylon started to float up and down, still pouting and staring at Braylon, so the older continued, “Marcellus’ really a nice guy once you get to know him, I promise.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Jaylon sank into the counter at the sound of it and Braylon started to get a bit worried, wondering if it was too much. The doorbell rang again after a few seconds and Braylon just send Jay a reassuring smile before walking over to the door to welcome Marcellus in. The spirit immediately flew over to latch himself on the half demon, wrapping his arms around the shorter just before the door opened.

On the other side of the door stood Marcellus with a huge backpack hanging from his shoulders, taking in the sight before him.