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Of course this would happen.
Festival lights danced and glistened in the night as you stood alone at the front of the fairground. The city you lived in was holding a winter festival, to which your friends had excitedly invited you over text the week before. The frigid December breeze whipped your hair into your face as you stared down at the time on the glowing screen in your hand.
7:35.
Over half an hour later than your friends had promised to meet you.
An exasperated sigh heaved from your chest as you furiously clicked back to your messaging app and glared at the multitude of messages you’d sent in the group chat.
“hey i’m here”
“how long til you guys get here?”
“I’m inside by the gate”
“you guys here yet?”
“hello???”
Seen 7:25pm
Stupid. You thought as you shoved your phone into your pocket. Of course they’re not coming.
This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. These people could hardly really be called your “friends”, but unfortunately, they were currently the closest thing you had. You had tried so hard, sacrificed weekends and evenings, trying to fit in with this group. You’d bought them food and drinks, covered gas and even helped pay rent, but regardless of what you did, you were still just the “spare” of the group. You knew this, and yet you still kept trying, desperate to eventually be considered a real friend and not just someone there for convenience’s sake. This meetup was their idea; no doubt they were at a bar somewhere, laughing at the thought of you stupidly waiting by yourself for a party that would never arrive.
Just like always.
You swallowed heavily, a painful knot forming in the back of your throat as your eyes grew hot from fighting back the tears. How could you be so stupid? You thought bitterly. You thought just because they pretend to like you to your face, that they’d actually want to hang out with you? What a joke.
You choked back a sob, rubbing your sleeve furiously over your eyes to wipe away the tears before rising to your feet. You’d paid for a ticket already, and the shuttle for the fair wouldn’t be back for a while. You might as well at least walk around and get your money’s worth.
Eyes downcast and face shoved into the scarf around your neck, you started trudging through the fairgrounds, glancing uninterested at the glimmering displays around you. Carnival rides whirred and roared as their riders shrieked in joy. A small girl shrieks with laughter as her father sips hot chocolate, raising his head from his cup to find whipped cream clinging to his thick beard. A teenager nearby whoops victoriously as he wins a carnival game, claiming a stuffed penguin prize and promptly handing it to his beaming little sister.
Somehow, the joy all around you made you even more miserable.
Feeling the tears well up again, you ducked into the space between two buildings, hiding your face as you struggled to collect yourself. A hiccuped sob escapes your throat as the pain wells up in your throat again and a hot tear streaks down your face.
“Awwww, what’s got this pretty little thing so upset?” A slurred voice comes from the entrance to the alleyway.
Your heart drops to your stomach as you turn anxiously towards the source of the voice. Two older men, already slurred and staggering, stand between you and the rest of the fair.
“‘S a festival, sweetheart. This ain’t a time to be cryin’.” The first man speaks again, stepping towards you.
“I bet we can make you feel all better.” The second reaches drunkenly towards you. “We can show you a good time, make you forget aaaall about those tears.”
You step backwards anxiously, reaching into your pocket and gripping your keys between your fingers like a knife.
“Stay back.” You warned lowly, the tremble in your legs giving away the fear behind the firmness of your voice.
From behind you, you hear a gentle tinkling noise, like jewels on the wind. Then suddenly, there’s a presence beside you.
“There you are, darling.” A soft voice speaks from beside you. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
A tall, lean man stood next to you where there was only empty space before. The gems and baubles adorning his neck glimmered in the dancing light of the festival, their brilliance second only to the mysterious glisten in his brown (grey? Blue? The colors seemed to be swirling in the night) eyes. His silver hair seemed to glow in the dark alley, framing a fair and handsome face adorned with a soft, mischievous smile.
“Where the Hell’d you come from?” one of the men slurred, stumbling backwards in surprise and confusion.
Where did you come from? You thought anxiously as you glanced nervously at the man. This alley had been empty when you entered it, you’d made sure of it; you were trying not to be seen crying, after all. And there weren’t any obvious entrances from the other side.
“Pardon the intrusion, gentlemen. I was just looking for my dear fiance, here. I had walked away to use the facilities. Did you get distracted by all the sights and wander off in my absence?” The man gently places a hand around your shoulders as he leans over to whisper in your ear. “Forgive me for this, please play along.”
You stiffen at the closeness, already on edge, but manage a shaky breath and a nod.
“Y-yes, of course!” you stammer, leaning into the arm around your shoulders. “I’m so sorry about that, love.”
He takes a step towards the men, his arm ushering you forward as he makes to exit the alley. “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen, we have some friends who are expecting us.”
The drunks scoff in irritation, but stumble off in defeat. The mysterious man quickly ushers you in the opposite direction, sitting you down on the first bench you find before retracting his arm.
“I’m terribly sorry if I overstepped, but I couldn’t just sit by and watch that happen.” He apologizes as he stands in front of you.
“No, not at all.” You reply, not meeting his eyes. “I’m not sure what I would’ve done if you hadn’t stepped in…”
In a heartbeat, you feel the adrenaline wearing off and the full weight of what could’ve happened came crashing down over you like a tidal wave. Your already heavy heart sank in despair, and the tears couldn't be kept at bay anymore. White-knuckled fists clutch at the fabric of your scarf as you bury your face into the folds, finally letting out all the stress and sadness that had been building up through the evening.
“Whoa, hey, hey…!” The man’s voice shifted to concern. You barely registered the hand that gently gripped your shoulder as you cried helplessly into your scarf. Sobs wracked your body as flood gates finally broke, your pain and grief finally manifesting. A thumb slowly stroked your shoulder as you broke down. You leaned your head into the stranger in front of you, the top of your head meeting his abdomen as his other hand came to rest on the crown of your head.
“I-I’m so sorry…” you hiccuped into your scarf as his thumb continued to stroke your shoulder. “‘m pathetic…”
“Not at all.” He replied without hesitation. “Even with the way it ended, that must have been very traumatic for you…”
You sniffled, lifting your head from your scarf to look at the stranger. He returned your teary eyed gaze with a look of sympathetic kindness, his hand still holding your shoulder comfortingly.
“Wait here.” He squeezed your shoulder before letting go. “I’ll be right back.”
The man disappeared into the throngs of people. You stared numbly down at your hands, now curled into loose fists atop your lap. Your outburst had left you feeling mostly numb and empty, with the exception of the humiliation from breaking down in front of a complete stranger.
Exactly what you’d been trying to avoid by ducking into that alley.
You quietly cursed whatever deity seemed to have it out for you that evening as you continued to stare quietly down at your hands.
Suddenly, a steaming styrofoam cup appears in front of your face.
You jump a little, looking up at the stranger holding the hot drink out to you.
“I hope you like hot apple cider.” He smiles. “No alcohol, don’t worry. Just something to warm you up.”
You take the cup shakily, muttering a quiet thanks as you bring it to your lips. The cinnamon and nutmeg warm you almost as much as the temperature of the drink itself. A sweet, spicy flavor fills your mouth as warmth fills your chest.
The stranger sits down next to you, bringing his own drink to his lips as he watches you curiously. As he lowers the cup, you note the sound of ice cubes clacking together in the liquid.
“Are you…drinking an iced soda in the middle of winter?” You cock an eyebrow.
“I enjoy the cold.” He responds, taking another sip. “What about you? Crying alone in an alley in the middle of a festival is almost as strange, wouldn’t you say?”
Your shoulders sag as you look away in humiliation. “So you saw that part too, huh?”
“I actually noticed you shortly before you went into the alley. It’s not exactly a subtle look when someone is fighting tears.” His thumb rubbed the side of the styrofoam cup in his hand as he leaned forward to rest his arms on his knees. “I take it you weren’t having the best evening?”
“That’s one way to put it.” You scoff before taking another sip of your drink.
“I see. Is there anything I can do?”
You look up at the stranger, your eyes still red-rimmed from your breakdown. “You’ve already been so kind to me. More than most people would be, anyways.”
“Think nothing of it.” He smiles softly. “If you’re comfortable with it, and don’t have any other plans, would you care to accompany me around the faire? It’s not as much fun going around a festival by yourself, and it seems we’re both without company.”
His glistening eyes meet yours for a moment before you look away, staring down into the cup of cider in your hand.
You did already pay for your ticket. And he did kind of save your ass and buy you a drink.
“Why not?” You shrug, rising to your feet. “Not making friends anywhere else, anyways.”
The stranger blinks, shooting you a questioning look before shrugging and standing to join you. He takes his drink into one hand before offering you his free arm with a smile.
“Well then, shall we?” He smiles that soft, mysterious smile at you.
You return his smile with a weak smile of your own as you loop your arm through his. Slowly, you begin making your way around the fair, taking in the sights and chatting away. At first, only small talk was exchanged, but before you knew it, you were spilling all your troubles to the stranger.
“And they just never even responded?” He asked in astonishment.
“Well, not as of 7:35. I can check if that’s changed though.”
You fish your phone out of your pocket and click the button to wake it up. The time now read 8:55. Your eyes widen a bit at the realization of how quickly the time had gone by. Shaking the thought away, you open your messaging app. The last message you sent is the last one showing in the conversation.
“Nope. Nothing.” You laugh bitterly as you shove the phone back into your pocket.
“Wait just a moment.” The stranger holds his hand out to you. “May I see it?”
You take the phone back out, turning it on again before handing it to him. He clicks a few buttons on the screen before leaning his head closer to yours and holding the phone out in front of the two of you.
“Smile!” He grins as he leans in.
You blink in surprise before offering a shy smile, looking into the front-facing camera. He takes a picture, then lowers the phone once more, clicking a few more buttons before handing the phone back to you.
“It’s a wonderful photo.” He says as he places the phone in your palm. Heat spreads across your cheeks as you glance down at the phone in your hand.
Only to see the picture you’d just taken together being sent to the group chat.
“W-wait!” You stammered in a panic. “What did you do that for?!”
“They left you here alone to go have fun without you. We just showed them that you’re having fun without them, too.” He replied matter-of-factly.
You stared blankly at him, flabbergasted. Then, the phone buzzes in your hand.
One of the group chat members had replied almost instantly to the photo. Then another. And another. Suddenly, the chat that had been completely silent was bursting with activity.
“who is that”
“omg he’s hot???”
“(y/n) who tf is that”
“Is he ur bf? why haven’t you introduced us”
You feel a gentle tugging on the phone in your hand. The stranger takes the device slowly, a sly smirk on his face as he turns the device off before handing it back to you.
“I think we can let them sweat a little.” He smiles, taking your arm once again. “Shall we continue? There’s a stall over here I’ve been wanting to take a look at.”
“Okay…” You reply, still processing what had just happened.
He leads you gently over to a merchant stall filled with glimmering jewelry and exotic looking trinkets. His free hand comes up to his chin as a look of focus overtakes his features. Slowly, he scans the various wares.
The vendor notices the two of you and greets you warmly. “Welcome! Are we perhaps looking for a gift for our special someone here?”
Your entire face feels aflame as you hide sheepishly in your scarf, unable to muster any words in response.
“Actually,” The silver haired stranger seemed completely unfazed. “I’m here to see if you have a particular item in stock.”
The merchant frowns. “If it’s something you’ve seen elsewhere, sir, I’m sorry to disappoint but you won’t find it here. All our items are handmade.”
“Of course.” The stranger replied. “It’s not a specific style so much as a particular gemstone. Do you happen to have anything with…”
As the conversation continues, your eye catches a particular necklace tucked away at the far end of a display. A warm brown stone glimmered from within a simple gold setting.
Almost the exact shade of brown as the stranger’s eyes.
Cheeks burning once again, you quickly look away, coughing awkwardly into your scarf. What is wrong with you?! You think in exasperation. A guy is nice to you for what, a couple of hours? And suddenly you’re acting like a lovesick grade-schooler.
“Yes, this is perfect!” his voice shakes you from your thoughts. Your eyes fall on the necklace in his hand, an almost glowing green dangling from an ornate golden chain.
…”almost” glowing...? You squinted at the gem, unable to tell if the gleam was a trick of the festival lights, or if the gem itself was actually glowing in his hand.
“Wonderful! I’m sure your dear mother will love it.” The vendor clapped his hands joyfully as he took the silver haired man’s payment, tucking the cash into an apron around his waist. “Thank you so very much for your business!”
You stared warily at the green gem as it dangled from the man’s hand. “It’s for your mother? Does she like stones that glow? I know some rocks glow under certain lights so I can see that being a collector's thing…”
The stranger’s eyes widened in surprise at your words, seemingly astonished.
“So you can see it…” he muttered under his breath.
“Huh?” You gave him a confused look.
“Nothing.” He waved you off before turning his attention back to the necklace. “No particular proclivity for glowing stones, but I did have a specific reason for buying this one.”
“And that is…?”
He smiled mischievously at you. “If I told you that this stone was cursed, and I bought it to keep it out of the hands of an otherwise innocent and unsuspecting victim, would you believe me?”
The look on your face seemed to answer his question for you.
“I’m just kidding.” He recovered quickly, pocketing the necklace. “In truth, my mother passed away many years ago. But she loved the color green. I like to buy things that remind me of her.”
You suspected that the reasoning was a cop-out, but didn’t press the issue any further.
As if swooping in to ease the awkward atmosphere, your stomach let out a perfectly timed, astonishingly loud grumble. Your face flushed vermilion for what felt like the thousandth time that night, and you hid nervously in your scarf once again.
“I…maybe haven’t eaten since lunchtime.” You muttered in embarrassment.
The stranger let out a melodic laugh before taking your arm again. “There’s a stand nearby with some chicken on a stick, if that sounds good to you.”
You nodded quietly, refusing to meet his eyes.
Chuckling, he leads you back out into the throngs of people. You resume your night together with the mysterious man, enjoying the food of the faire, playing games and taking in the sights. The people shrieking in joy on the rides, the children laughing and teenagers having fun now added to your own joy, rather than your misery. The evening progressed into late night, and before long, the announcements came that the fireworks show would begin soon, signaling the closing of the festival.
From the way your evening had started, you hadn’t expected to be so reluctant for it to end. You glance sadly at the stranger holding your arm, only to find him already gazing at you in apparent contemplation.
“If it’s alright with you,” The stranger whispered into your ear. “I have one more thing I’d like to show you.”
For the first time all evening, he sounded hesitant and uncertain. A feeling of nervousness welled up in the bottom of your stomach, but you nodded anyway. So far, he hadn’t given a reason not to trust him. And frankly, you weren’t ready for your evening with him to end.
He smiled softly before leading you away from the crowds of people heading towards the exits. You watch him glancing around nervously, checking the surrounding area for people before slipping quickly behind a building, pulling you with him.
Dread forms in the pit of your stomach. Had this all been an elaborate ruse to get you to lower your guard? Your mind races as his arm wraps firmly around your waist.
“Hold on.” He whispers in your ear.
Wait, what? If he was going to do something to me, why would he say-
Wind rushes down over you, as if a rapid downburst had opened up in the sky over your head. Instinctively, you grab hold onto the stranger, your hands balling the fabric of his shirt up into your fists as you clutch tightly to him.
You blink, and you’re in the sky over the rooftops of the fairgrounds. The glittering lights of the faire dance beneath your feet, sprawled out in front of you like a field of fireflies dancing in the night. The people move below, looking not unlike insects as they all skitter to the exit. Above you, the stars glimmer in the deep blue night sky, as if competing with the lights of the faire in their beauty and majesty. All around you, the lights of the fair, the stars, and the city surround you, dancing through the night air and leaving you in complete awe.
“I’m dreaming.” You whisper, and the man chuckles next to you.
“You can believe that, if you want to.”
Just as you feel you’re about to catch your breath, a brilliant blue shower of sparks lights up the night sky before you, a loud POP crackling through the air afterwards. Then, a white flower blooms in a flash of light right after it. One after the other, colors fill the air before you, shining their light on the rooftops below. The fireworks joined the dancing lights of the fair and the stars, filling the night and your heart with brilliant light.
You could say without a doubt that this was the most incredible thing you’d ever experienced.
The fireworks crescendo into a great climax, the lights and sounds overlapping as the air filled with colors and crackling BOOMS that shook your chest and left you breathless. Then, all at once, it came to an end, silence occupying the space where thunderous lights had been only moments before.
Silence that forced you to confront the fact that, somehow, you were flying while clinging to a man you’d just met.
“That was spectacular.” He said dreamily, still basking in the afterglow. “But it seems that our evening has unfortunately come to an end. May I walk you home?”
“Um…” you glanced around nervously, not sure how to answer his question. “I took a shuttle here, my apartment is kind of far…”
“Not a problem. Just point the way and I’ll take it from there.”
You gaze at him dumbly for a moment before pointing in the direction of your home. Keeping one hand on your waist, the man used his free hand to grasp onto yours before taking a step forward, his feet somehow finding purchase in the sky as he guided you gently towards your apartment.
“Just like walking normally.” He coached. “One foot in front of the other. That’s it, you’re doing wonderfully.”
You were absolutely certain you were dreaming now as you walked through the sky over the city, the lights glimmering beneath your feet as you made your way home. Without streets and traffic to worry about, the trip was much shorter than it would have been on the ground. Before long, you spotted your apartment, guiding the man over towards your balcony. Slowly, he removes his hand from your waist, holding onto your hand as he gently lowers you onto the balcony below.
“There you are.” He said, his fingers still lightly grasping yours. “Now that you’re home safe, it’s unfortunately time for us to part ways. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did.”
“It was amazing.” You held onto his hand, not wanting to be the first to let go. “Thank you. For everything.”
“The pleasure was mine, my dear. And don’t worry about those…’friends’ of yours. If they can’t see what is so astounding and special about you, I’d say that’s their loss. You deserve better than how they treat you. You are far more special than you realize.”
You feel tears well up in your eyes at his words. “Thank you…”
His hand comes up to cup your face, his thumb lightly brushing the tears away. A smile graces his lips once again as he gazes fondly at you.
You heard something like a snap in your mind as his skin brushed against yours. A feeling of boldness surged forth in your chest. Before you could let yourself think too much, you leaned forward, brushing your lips against his.
He froze for a moment, clearly not expecting such a bold gesture from you. It took only a moment for the surprise to wear off before he leaned into the kiss, pressing his lips more fully into yours as the hand cupping your cheek now gently guided your face. His other arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer to him. Your arms snaked up around his neck as you pressed further into him. Suddenly, the fireworks show seemed underwhelming compared to this. Your heart thrummed in your chest, thundering against your ribcage like the explosions in the night sky. The same heat filled your bosom as fireworks filled your soul, and you moaned softly as his lips moved against yours.
If the night wasn’t already incredible before, this certainly sealed the deal.
The need for air at last won out, unable to be ignored any longer. Slowly, you pulled apart, your eyes still half open as you gazed at him, basking in the afterglow of your passionate display.
He chuckled softly, his melodic laugh filling your ears once more and sending electricity from your heart straight through your veins. His thumb rubbed your cheek softly before slowly, reluctantly, he pulled away.
“Good night, my dear.” He nodded his head cordially to you.
“W-Wait!” You cried out. “Will I see you again…?”
“Without a doubt.” He smiled again, the moon reflecting a mysterious glint in his eye. “I promise you, we will meet again.”
You heard a gentle tinkling sound, like jewels on the wind.
Your eyes fly open to sunlight pouring through your apartment window.
You didn’t recall when or how you got to bed last night. Did you actually go to the festival, or was that just a part of the strange dream you’d had? It felt so vivid, you thought. Generally, by now, the memory of your dreams would already have mostly faded from your mind, leaving you only with the vague vestiges of the emotions it had brought. But the silver-haired stranger remained stubbornly in your mind.
Leave it to me to dream about a magic man sweeping me off my feet after a mental breakdown. You think sarcastically as you stretch, rising from your bed and heading towards your bathroom.
A glint of light in the mirror catches your attention. You blink the sleep from your eyes, squinting in confusion at the glimmer before gasping. Your hand flies up to your neck to confirm what your eyes had seen in the mirror.
The necklace with the brown gemstone, hanging from your neck. Somehow, it seemed brighter than it had the night before.
You know you didn’t buy this. You lean on your counter as the realization slowly washes over you:
It wasn’t a dream.
You fidget with the necklace fondly, staring down in wonder at the gem between your fingers. It was like seeing him once again, the glimmer of the gem matching the glimmer that seemed ever-present in his eyes.
The eyes of the silver haired stranger who swore you’d meet again.
You realize you never got his name.
It would be almost two years before his promise would be realized.
Cast into a world unfamiliar to you, surrounded by demons and devils, the Princes of Hell were mildly confused at the lack of dramatic reaction from you.
“I can’t say I’m used to this kind of stuff,” you’d told them, “but it’s not the first run-in I’ve had with magic.”
Now, on your first day at a demon academy as an exchange student, fighting the throngs of demons just waiting for a chance to consume you, your eyes meet another’s from within the crowd.
You grasp the gemstone on your neck. You’d never taken it off since that night.
His eyes widen briefly in recognition, but there is no surprise in his face.
“Hello again.” He greets you softly, his voice as melodic and beautiful as you remember. “Fancy meeting you here.”
A soft grunt escapes his chest as you throw yourself at him, your arms wrapping tightly around his torso as you bury your head into his shoulder.
“It’s really you…” you mutter, clutching his shirt as you cling to him. “I knew I’d see you again.”
“I promised, didn’t I?” He wraps his arms gently around you, returning the hug as he leans his head against yours.
You laugh softly, pulling back slightly so you could meet his eyes. “This is gonna seem silly after everything but… my name is MC.”
He laughs in response.
“Solomon. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”