Slate has been distancing himself from us and every time he does that, there's a pang of pain hitting my chest. I've been questioning myself if I'm ready to face the consequences of my decision, if I really want to be a demon just to save Slate. Of course there's no doubt I want to save Slate because I want him alive and well.

Stupid sex.

If we hadn't done that, then this wouldn't have happened. I would be lying if I claim that it's not really good at all. No, it's a fucking heaven for me. Being with Slate makes me feel like I'm a complete different person. With him, I don't have to follow rules or instructions of the others. I can be myself around him. I also don't have to worry about myself because I know he's there to protect me always. Back in home, I always had to follow my parents, the King and Queen, because I was the heir of the throne. I was given a responsibility that I didn't ask in the first place. I had to always follow their instructions, every instructions, and sometimes it felt like it's too much for me. I couldn't be with the other kids just to play. I couldn't even be a normal angel. I had to stay up in my room, learn some stuff, study some politics, and learn how to be an Angel of Love. But I couldn't. I would always see their disappointed faces, and that's too much to bear for a kid to see.

But with Slate, it's totally different. He'd always be by my side and he'd never want me to do things that I don't want in the first place. Well, except when we first met, but that's a long time ago. Yes, Slate was an arrogant jerk, a class-A demon who wanted nothing but bloodlust but somehow he changed.

"Hey," Slate says as he walks in on me doing kitchen stuff with Leandre. My best friend gives me a side glance and says that he has something else to do than be here, which is actually just another word for I'm out. I give him a smile.

His voice feels so distant and this is actually the first time I heard his voice so sad and hurt, like he has been experiencing some terminal illness without a cure. Slate moves forward and reaches for my hand, which I gladly offer to him. Even though he's been distancing himself from us, I understand. Slate doesn't want to see me sad and hurt because we both know that we can't stop what will happen in the next days. Unless I decide to be a demon. Of course I would be able to save him and change what's going to happen, but that would mean Slate getting mad at me.

It's as if my muscles have a mind of its own, because the next thing I know, my head is rested on Slate's shoulder and there are tears pouring out of my eyes. His arms wrap around me slowly, pulling me closer and I hear the sharp intake of breath he takes. His hug tightens, as if he's afraid to let me go and I want that. I want that feeling.

"Ow," Leandre busts gets back in the kitchen, his cheeks flushed. Probably because he just walked in on us. Come to think of it, this is the first time Leandre has really seen us being lovey-dovey and emotional with each other. I have yet to see him act around his mate. "Sorry, I forgot to turn off the stove. Gotta be careful. Don't want to burn down the house." He makes a face and his fingers spreading out, making a fire gesture and it's funny. If Slate and I are not having an emotional talk, then we'd definitely laugh out loud. "I'm gonna go. You may continue." Then he gets out of the kitchen.

We both let out a chuckle once my best friends leaves us out alone.

"Slate, I'm ready," I tell him, caressing his face as I stare in his eyes deeply and lovingly. His brows furrow and his lips twitch. As he's about to speak, I put my index finger over his lips, preventing him from speaking. He frowns for a moment before I tweak his nose and that makes him smile. I love that smile. I really love it. "I would rather become a demon and spend eternity with you than being an angel without having you by my side. And I'm serious about this. Because in my years of existence, I... this is the first time that I really, really experienced what real love is. I may not be able to put it into words, that love defines us. It is us. I can't risk losing you, and I know you're going to say that I will not lose you, but it will be painful. Because let's face it, everything is better when I see your face, when I'm able to touch you, when I'm around you. I get to hold your hand, I get to kiss you, I get to smile with you. I get to do things, everything, with you. And every day, every hour, every minute, every second, I always fall in love with you. Is that crazy?"

"That is crazy," he lets out a soft smile and rests his forehead against mine. "But you know what's crazy? I feel the same way."

Then we share a passionate kiss, the kind of kiss that makes us forget that we're in the messed up world, the kind of kiss where everyone and everything fades and leaves us alone. My heart belongs with him, and his heart with me. I would do everything just to be with him, even if I make those sacrifices. But really, being a demon doesn't sound so bad after all. I mean, look at Slate, he's a demon for Pete's sake but he falls in love with me every day just as I do with him.

The kiss is gentle and soft, like we're savoring our time to just feel each other's lips. It's not heated, it's not needy, it's not full of lust, but it is something genuine and nice. Sometimes kisses like this is the best. Slate pulls away and his fingers trace every part of my face, his eyes twinkling brightly, tears pooling in his eyes. Slate is letting himself be vulnerable, and I'm so fucking glad with that. Because for the first time, I feel like I'm the one protecting him.

"Are you really sure about that?" he asks, his thumb gently massaging my bottom lip and I shut my eyes. I feel him lean down and capture my lips again before pulling away. "Because like I told you, spending an eternity with me is quite painful."

"What can I say?" I tease him, hugging him and placing my head on his chest. "I can't help falling in love with you." I look up and see him rolling his eyes playfully and his smile is so genuine, like he's so happy with my decision and my heart bursts in happiness. I hug him tight and he does the same, planting a kiss on my temple as we rock back and forth, enjoying each other's comfort.

There's a commotion happening outside. We both look out through the window and see the people screaming and demanding something, but we're too caught up in the moment to even care. Whatever is happening outside, I'm sure Alpha Cloud and his friends can fix it. Right now, what matters most is this. Slate. Me. Us. He pinches my nose and I groan, glaring daggers at him and he bursts out laughing.

"I love you so much," he chortles as he shakes his head, sighing out loud and staring at me lovingly. "You have no idea."

"Oh yeah?" I cross my arms across my chest, arching a brow. "Well, were you already in love with me when you saw first saw me back in the woods?" I look away because looking at his face makes me blush. To be honest, I'm quite having a high expectation and it feels like we always had some connection.

"No, not really," he chuckles.

"Why not?" I whip my face to his direction, biting my bottom lip.

"Maybe because I already fell in love with you the first time I really met you?" he tells me, his mesmerizing eyes piercing my heart. "I don't know, you tell me. Was I in love with you already? Or did you feel like we're going to see each other again? Did you feel that we're meant to be together?"

Yes. "Yes," the first time I met him in Heaven when I was a kid; the time I met him again in the woods when my father decided to punish me by becoming a mortal without any powers. Yes. I believe we're meant to be. "Who knows? I mean, I was kind of rebelling when I was growing up. Maybe that was because of the demon I met who influenced me."

"Fine, fine, blame it on me,"

I smile at him and look him in the eye. "I'm so lucky I found a demon like you."

He smiles back and there's so much love in his eyes and words that just makes me want to melt. "Hadraniel, my only Angel of Love. I'm so lucky to even be around your presence. I'm ready to give you everything. My life, my heart, my body, my soul. You... can do whatever you want."

"And I'll gladly take care of it." I say, sealing my promise with a kiss on his lips.