Chapter Text
That afternoon, Douma found you, Toki, little Aiko, and Haruma in the activities room making several streamers of colored paper intertwined. Decorations for the party?
"Oh! There you are, darling."
He appeared behind you in a blink and bent his tall frame over your shoulder to examine what you were making. His heart fluttered at the way your face scrunched up, with your tongue poking out, as you concentrated on assembling the decorations. He found you so adorable sometimes.
"What are you all up to?"
"We're making decorations for the party. Then, after this I have to work on your present."
You had put on a brave face, but his eyes, that were often focused on you, could see the imperceptible signs of you not feeling well. Your pains and fatigue were more severe. You had headaches and dizzy spells more often than usual. The luster and body of your hair was dulled and subdued. Your skin was dry and lost some color, but gained dark under eye bags.
Poor little lotus.
"Wonderful!" he said, returning to his full height. "I can't wait to see the end result! But please don't overwork yourself, dear. I could get more people to help you while you get some rest. As many people as you need."
The conflicted emotions inside of you battled viciously. While you appreciated his consideration and how he could tell you weren't feeling well, you were also annoyed at your body's constant limitations and him acknowledging it made you slightly angry. At yourself.
You wanted this party to be perfect and portray your feelings for him, make him happy and feel appreciated like he did for you. You couldn't afford mistakes from people that didn't see your vision. You shivered a bit because you caught yourself sounding like Gyokko there for a moment. Maybe the chat you had, asking him for decoration ideas, rubbed off on you.
"Just a little longer, okay? I'm fine."
Douma's eyes narrowed. You could be so stubborn sometimes. He made sure Haruma and Toki kept a close eye on you and had you take a break when they felt like you needed one.
Later that night, Douma sighed from his place across the room. He was trying to finish some paperwork, but he heard you tossing and turning again. It was the third night in a row that you were plagued by nightmares that robbed you of rest. You were near zombified during the day. The party you were planning for him was rapidly approaching. How were you supposed to throw it if you couldn't stay awake?!
Being the curious man he was, he quietly entered the bed and tried to cuddle you close. Trying to see if he could comfort you without waking you up.
"N....o. No." You muttered, still asleep.
It saddened him to see the way your arms flailed in front of you, as if you were trying to push someone or something away. He let you go, but the flailing continued. If only he could protect you in your dreams, too.
"Ah! I have an idea!"
That was how Enmu found himself at the Eternal Paradise Faith staring down at the human he once helped before. He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. How you found yourself in danger again, he'd never understand.
"So you want me to put you to sleep and send you into their dream?" He asked.
"Exactly! Easy peasy for you right?" Douma smiled, brightly like it was the best idea ever.
Enmu's eye twitched listening to his superior's words. He had no idea how much energy it took to put a demon, as high in the rankings as he was, to sleep! Easy for who?! But he obviously couldn't say no. Hierarchy and all. Although he'd probably be much more lenient than Upper One or Three.
Lying next to you, Douma held your hand and examined the rope around your wrists as his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. And then he was out, into a deep sleep. In the dream realm, he found himself falling into your dream that was materializing in the void below him.
"Ow! Did you bite me? Get away from me!" You screamed.
Your ex loomed over you as you backed into a wall. You shuddered and closed your eyes from a chilly breeze out of nowhere. When you opened your eyes, a man was standing in front of you and holding your ex by the neck as if they weighed nothing. This man. You were sure you had seen him before. His platinum hair, that red turtleneck with the dripping pattern, the rippling muscles, and those rainbow eyes. Why did your heart beat so wildly? Why did he save you?
"Biting people really hurts. I would know, after all." Douma grinned with fangs on full display, lengthened for extra emphasis.
"...Dou–?"
You closed your eyes before you could hear the massive crunch and squelching of Douma taking a bite out of their flesh. The scene faded soon after.
Enmu, in the real world, watched as your brow creased in confusion before your face relaxed. The dream was changing on its own? How interesting.
Again and again, every dream the man appeared and helped you, only for you to seemingly forget him in the next one. Unfortunately, Enmu was running out of energy and he'd have to pull Douma out soon.
You were now in a familiar restaurant. Your ex was sitting across from you looking bored. Out of nowhere, he stared at you and frowned.
"What did you do to your face?"
"I thought I'd try a different look for tonight."
"You didn't know what you were doing, did you? It looks like shit. The eyeliner is crooked."
"I–", your lips trembled as you fought back tears.
You went to hold their hand and they pulled away.
People at other tables were staring at the scene in interest before looking away when you noticed. You felt so humiliated. Why were they being so mean?
You sat shaking in your seat when they excused themselves to go have a smoke. The alleyway on the side of the restaurant was lit with a single overhead light. A flicker of movement caught their eye, but nothing was there. They blew out a puff of smoke and turned around to stare at the empty street. Behind them, the light bulb blew out abruptly, in the darkness appeared a set of eyes with kanji. A clawed hand crept out from the shadows and, in a flash, they were spirited away into the night. Muffled screaming and splattering was heard by the rats before it all went quiet.
Back inside, you were looking around for them to return. Had they just up and left you? They were your ride! You felt a presence return and turned around to find a handsome stranger sitting there. His silver hair sprung from his head every which way, a spot of red on top of his scalp.
"Um. That seat is taken."
"I'm sorry. I just had to tell you how amazing you look tonight" he said, his head rested on his fist, with a smile that could rival the sun.
Your heart sped up. He looked at you so lovingly. Something about him made you feel safe.
"O-Oh. Thank you. Um my partner should be back...soon."
You startled when he put his hand over yours and gave it a gentle squeeze. The purple-like claws looked familiar. He looked familiar. But why?
"I saw them leaving actually. I'm sorry. People can be so rude to the people they claim to love."
His body tensed when you began to cry. Even in a dream, it made his heart uneasy.
"Shh. Shh, my darling. It's okay. You really deserve better anyway" he said, with a smile to try to lighten the mood.
"Wow you're...so early...for the rebound," you said through sniffles. "Is that...how you get into relationships nowadays? Wait for some idiot, hopeless...romantic to have their heart shattered and you swoop in like some hero?"
Beads of sweat streamed down Enmu's face as he struggled to keep the connection going. Parts of the scenery started to disintegrate around the dreamscape.
"No. But my job does entail me making people happy. I can't walk away seeing someone like you so upset. Please don't cry over that waste of breath. They don't know what they're losing out on. I have to go."
You panicked. "Wait! Don't leave! Who are you? Why do I feel so calm to have you here?"
He and the rest of the dreamscape began to dissolve as you were sinking into a deeper, more restful sleep on the outside. You reached out to the stranger before his being dissipated completely.
Only his words were left in the air. "You're okay now, darling. Get some rest and I'll be here waiting for you."
Enmu watched your body relax completely as whatever was tormenting you was finally over. He jumped when Douma's eyes flew open and he sat up like a zombie from a grave.
"How thrilling! Did it work?"
Douma asked before he looked down at your serenely sleeping face. You stopped thrashing and your brows were smoothed. Teddy even curled up next to your head to snooze himself since you stopped moving so wildly.
"Aren't they just the best?" Douma asked out loud with a sigh.
Enmu wasn't sure if he was supposed to answer that as he stood there awkwardly being forced to watch his superior be lovestruck. He was exhausted and now terribly hungry.
"Um...if there's nothing else you need, my Lord, I'll take my leave."
Douma straightened up as if he just remembered the two of you weren't alone. Before Enmu could even register his movement, Douma was right in front of him with his hands eclipsing Enmu's as he excitedly shook them, and most of the rest of the smaller demon's body, in thanks.
"Oh, right! Thank you, Enmu! Your powers are amazing. You should really try rising higher up the ranks, you know."
Enmu's face turned as red as a tomato. He thought only compliments from his Master could make him have that reaction. Apparently, anyone higher than him, acknowledging his deeds and strength was enough. Douma had even invited him to something called a "birthday party" and offered him a human to take so he could replenish some energy.
Douma never returned to his paperwork. He blew out the lantern and returned to bed, careful not to disturb you and the clingy beast attached to you. He wanted to be there when you woke up. He had told you he'd be there waiting for you, after all.