He let Vezaias pull him gently by the hand towards the bed where he was gestured to sit. Vezaias began to undress though rather awkwardly as the wings attached to him made things difficult. He mumbled softly in irritation about 'stupid poorly designed human clothing' before he was free from the fabric. Now that he was nearly naked with only tight boxers covering him Ephraim was nearly enchanted by his new physical body. His leathery red skin seemed to reflect light differently than human skin, his body now less fleshy and more solid muscle than before with far less body hair than a human would have apart from the hair on his head, and eyebrows which was solid black which stood out perfectly against his leathery red skin. He glanced at Ephraim now who was flushed with fuchsia and fidgety.

  “What is it, Eph?” Vezaias asked. His voice was much more alluring as a demi-demon.

  “Uh! Nothing!” He blushed hard and looked down to the floor then away to the wall very awkwardly.

  “Eph. Be real.” Vezaias said smoothly. Ephraim swallowed his awkwardness and tried to compose a more honest response.

  “Seeing you like this, in private, well it's very….” He struggled with how exactly to word what he was feeling. He finally settled on; “…….. enticing?” He slowly and meekly glanced up at Vezaias who looked utterly otherworldly. Vezaias seemed coy now and smiled. He came closer rather bashfully.

  “Do I look appealing to you? I am still trying to get used to it.” Vezaias said softly.

  “It's strange but….hmph, I want to feel your skin. It looks so different…” Ephraim began to trail his eyes over every muscle. Vezaias looked even more bashful.

  “You can….” He said suddenly. “……if you want to……” He paused. Ephraim reached grazing his fingertips over the skin of Vezaias's abs. It was cold, smooth, and silky, similar to the texture of a snake's skin. Ephraim felt more, flattening his hand against the muscles. Next he reached his other hand now rubbing both against Vezaias's body. Vezaias watched him with satisfaction.

  “Zay?” Ephraim said without looking up.

  “Hmm?” He hummed curiously in response. Ephraim was now very bashful about his own curiosity.

  “Do demons……I mean how……..do they……or rather are they similar to humans…….when it comes to things like romance?” Ephraim wasn't sure how to ask what he wanted to know.

  “I suppose it is similar.” Vezaias said softly. Ephraim continued to explore his skin, while keeping his hands above the hip.

  “I assume a human is not very desirable to a demon.” Ephraim said, dropping his hands to his lap unhappily.

  “When was the last time you were attracted to your dinner?” Vezaias said seriously. Ephraim tried to hide his cringe. “Humans are very sensitive to this truth, I've noticed. How strange.” Vezaias said with a sigh. “……as strange as that is……I have enough human to feel desire towards another human.” Vezaias said, now reaching and taking Ephraim’s hands and placing them back where they were against his skin. “So I do not want you to stop, unless you don't want to continue.” Vezaias said enticingly. Ephraim blushed harder and became more aggressive lowering his hands south and peeling down the only remaining fabric. It was different, bigger, thicker, harder, and ready. He felt hands on his head now gripping his hair with sharp nails guiding him in the desired direction. The act was as unusual as it could be, more painful than any typical human interaction, while lasting longer than normal. Vezaias was aggressive and animalistic, and it hurt going in, as he forced himself to relax his muscles and take it. What was even more painful was the scratching as Vezaias kept a firm grip on him, then the biting with fangs and drawing blood, sucking the skin like a straw, clamping down and making him scream. Afterwards Vezaias acted as if it wasn't concerned about the amount of pain he inflicted. Ephraim laid on the bed exposed and battered as if he had just survived a vicious animal attack. He held in his agony for as long as he could, but soon it began to slip out in forceful sobs.

  “Are you alright?” Vezaias asked, now growing concerned. It was as if he hadn't realized how violent their session was.

  “I'm fine.” He choked out his response trying to sound authentic.

  “Eph…” Vezaias sounded irritated. It was very obvious that he wasn't fooled. “……why do I have to continuously tell you to be fucking real with me? I would rather you be honest and hurt my feelings then lie to me just to make your response more palatable.” Vezaias pressed.

  “It hurts.” Ephraim crumbled his reservation. “It hurts a lot.”

  “Hmph, I tend to forget how delicate human bodies are. Demon's bodies are much more durable.” He said remorsefully. “I am sorry that I hurt you. Do you need to see the physician?” Vezaias asked.

  “I don't know! Ughh.” He cringed as his pain response flared with every movement. “….it would be embarrassing!”

  “Embarrassing?” Vezaias seemed to look puzzled. “Eph your medical care is important, but if you are embarrassed to be my sexual partner then maybe…”

  “No it has nothing to do with you! It wouldn't matter who it was with, I just like my private things to be private!” Ephraim said quickly, trying to explain himself.

  “Heh, well then I will take you to clean up first. You can lie to him and tell him whatever you want. I attacked you because I was hungry, or whatever. As long as you are taken care of.” Vezaias said flatly. Then he easily scooped up Ephraim and took him to the showers and helped him clean up the mess, before going to the infirmary. Ephraim sat and waited on a soft armchair which was usually reserved for visitors, but the soft cushion was necessary padding that he needed. Soon Zexich appeared looking mild and polite.

  “May I help you?” Zexich asked.

  “Eph needs medical care. I believe I was a bit too violent with him.” Vezaias said looking unhappy. “I will be in my bedroom.” He added, just before leaving. Ephraim sat quietly and feeling awkward now that Zexich was inspecting his situation.

  “Can you tell me more about what happened?” Zexich asked delicately.

  “He was a bit too rough. He fed off of me. I don't think he realized how much he was hurting me.” Ephraim said softly as his eyes began to water. He stared fixated to the floor.

  “I see. In what way was he rough with you?” Zexich asked.

  “He bit me several times. He scratched me. He um…..” Ephraim paused. “……this is embarrassing…….but it hurts to sit now.” Ephraim looked humiliated.

  “And were you a willing participant?” Zexich asked prudently.

  “I was until he started to get violent, by then I was too afraid to tell him to stop.” Ephraim said growing emotional. “He can be very scary and callous, then act soft and comforting. It's very confusing.” Ephraim cried softly.

  “At least he isn't chopping off your arm every time he wants a snack.” Lux was now in the doorway. He wandered over to the armchair and looked at Ephraim very seriously. “How about this; we trade places. You can be the meat factory and I will be the cum bucket?” Lux said. Ephraim scowled at him but didn't reply.

  “That's what I thought.” Lux said sourly.

  “Didn't you choose to be here, same as I have?!” Ephraim snapped.

  “Heh pfff, do you really believe he gave us a choice? If you do then you are fucking stupid.” Lux said seriously. Ephraim looked angry now.

  “He gave all of us the option to…”

  “He gave us the delusion of a choice! Isn't that what he is fucking good at? Did he ever give you the option to be friends? Or did he force you by removing all of your opportunities to exit? Because I didn't have a choice. I had to be his friend! He wouldn't let me choose not to be!” Lux snapped in frustration. Ephraim fell silent. “I remember one time I did try to leave, and he let me because he knew the very next day I would be back apologizing to him for leaving as if I had been the one who had made a fucking mistake, then I was sucked right back into his world where everything is about him and none of my shit or anyone else fucking mattered! Since the fucking day I met him I've just been completely obsessed with him; what he is doing, where he is going, what he wants me to do or not do or say or not say, trying to please him, trying to convince him to love me back, trying to impress him, making sure I did everything he wanted in hopes he would be mine, going to jail and prison knowing it was for him because that's what he wanted to happen, wondering every fucking day that I was locked up when I would see him again, obsessing over it, then the moment I knew where he was I returned to him like he was a fucking magnet, forgiving him, still trying to be important to him and love him, but do you know how he looks at me now? He looks at me the way a hungry wolf looks at an injured rabbit. He doesn't look at you like that, or Remington, or Ava, not even the mad scientist!” Lux was fuming now and his fists were sparking like sparklers. “What's even more fuck up is I am just now coming to terms with the fact that I don't even give a shit about the people he would end up killing to feed himself if I left, it's the fact that I want him to need me in any sort of way, I want him to want me around, and I don't want him to become a mass murderer because he actually doesn't need me! Do you know how much that hurts?!” Lux was crying now and crossing his arms to shut off the electrical currents from escaping. Ephraim was silent. Lux sank to the ground and wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his face to cry. It was a long moment before a chipper soprano voice cut through the silence.

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  “I don't believe any of you have a clue as to what is actually going on, do you?” Ava giggled softly from the bed.

  “Well you are a Vezaias expert, why don't you fucking enlightened us!” Lux snapped. Zexich walked over to check on him.

  “Please help me sit up.” Ava said softly. Zexich adjusted the bed for him.

  “Do you realize the amount of audacity my brother has?” Ava said in amusement, his voice weak and hoarse.

  “More than anyone I have ever met.” Zexich sighed.

  “I simply do not understand how people, even people who have been devastated by him in the past, continue to underestimate him. Do you really think that when he found this demon, who was content on just consuming his soul, that he made a deal with the transparent intentions of just surviving long enough to make it back to life?” Ava giggled. “No offense Zex but he has taken down an entire arsenal of superhumans just by 75% observation, planning, strategy, and manipulation, then 20% utilizing the talents of his loyal followers, and 5% his own damn strength.” Ava sounded very amused. “So when you consider that, do you really think he saw only an opportunity to save his own life by attaching himself to a powerful demon? No, he saw a opportunity to become a parasite and slowly sway this otherworldly creature into doing whatever the fuck he wants it to do. He has never been, nor will he ever be a subordinate follower.” Ava ended with a laugh.

  “I feel sorry for the demon.” Lux sighed.

  “Me too.” Ephraim added.

  “Let us hope that his ambition is not world domination.” Zexich said thoughtfully.

  “Why stop at 'world' when you have access to multiple dimensions. My brother is absolutely diabolical.” Ava giggled. It was quiet now and Zexich was finally able to tend to Ephraim's situation privately in his office. He inspected each bite mark very thoroughly before bandaging them up. He gave Ephraim a few instructions to care for himself before he was finished.

  “I think Lux and Ava are right. Was I stupid to let myself get involved in this?” Ephraim sighed.

  “No more than I….I suppose.” Zexich said mildly. “I have nothing left. Everyone I love is dead. He may never keep his promise of letting me recreate them. As much as it hurts, I cling to the slight glimmer of hope like a fool. The only thing that is making any of this bearable is helping you and Lux through this situation. You are a kind person, trapped here just as much as I am. Lux is very troubled, I have been trying to help him since he arrived at this base. Helping him is also worthwhile to me. I am not sure yet about Ava, or Remington. Perhaps they are just as victimized as I am.” Zexich sighed. “So forgive me if I seem to cling to our meager moments of socialization. I am used to having my heart full of joyful moments with my friends. I miss them all so much already. I feel so hollow without them.” Zexich was crying silently now.

  “I'm so sorry.” Ephraim said sincerely. He watched Zexich cry but could not sit there and ignore his genuine pain. He got up carefully and hugged Zexich. It startled him at first but after a moment he relaxed and then cried harder into Ephraim’s shoulder. It took a while before he would calm down then his pain was interrupted by screams of agony.

  “Help! He's awake!” Lux shouted from the infirmary. Zexich instantly swallowed back his tears wiping them away then quickly went to the infirmary entrance to see what was happening. Remington was now awake and screaming in pain. Zexich quickly prepared a syringe of pain medication and injected it into the IV. Remington began to relax, and stop screaming but continued to breath heavily.

  “Lux, can you go and make Vezaias aware that both Ava and Remington have woken up?” Zexich asked solemnly. Lux frowned and got up to leave through a portal.

  Lux appeared into the bedroom and approached the bed carefully. Vezaias was laying in the bed seemingly asleep. Lux came even closer feeling very afraid. Vezaias was snuggled into the blankets and breathing softly. Lux felt his heart flutter as he was close enough to reach out and touch him. He looked so very enchanting, it was disgusting how attracted he felt towards such a monster. He leaned closer.

  “Hey…. Vezaias…..” He whispered, nudging him softly. “….wake up….” Vezaias didn't wake. “Hey…hello….” Were demons really this charming while simply sleeping? “Vezaias!…..wake AKK!” Lux yelped as suddenly Vezaias snatched him, pulling him into the bed by surprise and twirling around him like a snake would coil around its prey. Lux struggled and fought but Vezaias was strong and unwilling to lose his prey. Soon Lux was so trapped that he couldn't move from the weight and strength holding him in place.

  “Hello Lux. I’m glad you’re here. I was lonely.” He cooed in Lux's ear. Lux reddened and struggled more.

  “Ah ah ahh! Nah, I'm not letting you go now that you"re in my bed with me. Do you remember how we used to sleep cuddled up together in my bed at my father's house?” Vezaias said smoothly.

  “How could I forget?” Lux said sourly.

  “Aw, I’ve missed doing that very much. Won't you stay here with me? Just for tonight?” Vezaias said, pressing against him firmly.

  “Hah….I've just come to tell you…” Lux paused as he felt cold lips against his neck and a wet lick then teeth graze his skin. He gasped and shivered against Vezaias's solid cool body.

  “Ahhh…. Vezaias…..this is really making me lose my shit…..” Lux said feeling his body react.

  “Then lose your shit then…” Vezaias cooed in his ear. He then felt Vezaias rake his nails upward and with a quick jerk Lux's shirt was on the floor.

  “AHH! Wait!” Lux struggled. “Please let go of me! I can't do this!” Lux was fearful now.

  “I'm not going to hurt you Lux.” Vezaias said softly. Then drawing Lux's mouth to his own.

  “Is that what you told Ephraim?” Lux mumbled.

  “I'm finding my reservation. Help me practice.” Suddenly Vezaias was deeply kissing him. Lux couldn’t fight it and soon tangled his fingers into Vezaias's hair and urgently helped him remove more clothing. Vezaias jerked him into position then slid inside with force after manually lubing himself.

  “AHHH shit!” He felt Vezaias bend over him pressing his shoulders into the bed and thrusting vigorously. His bodyweight now pressing onto him and a hand clamping onto his shoulder digging his sharp nails into flesh.

  Lux was boisterous over the pleasure until suddenly he felt teeth sink into his shoulder “AHHHHHHHH FUCK YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!!! Lux was crying now. Lux began to fight him and punch while not being able to kick as it was too painful. Vezaias wrestled him into submission.

  “Lux you have such a dirty mouth you little slut.” Vezaias cooed. He flipped Lux over to his back and shoved himself back inside.

  “AHH I'm your dirty slut though right?” Lux was gripping wads of Vezaias's hair now and using all of his strength to withstand the thrusting.

  “You better be my dirty slut. Or I will bite your dick off. Do you hear me slut?” Vezaias spat. Lux sobbed in pleasure. He felt Vezaias grab him and jerk him rushing him into the finish just before clamping down on his neck with his teeth. Lux screamed only to be muffled by a firm hand over his mouth. He struggled again, punching as hard as he could and muffed screaming into Vezaias's hand. Vezaias sat up bloody mouthed and licking his lips.

  “Shut the fuck up Lux, you fucking slut. You know you wanted this.” Vezaias said sourly.

  “I do! I wanted you so bad!” Lux sobbed harder. Vezaias leaned back in to lick the accumulation of blood.

  “Ahhh Vezaias please take what you want!” Lux cried. Vezaias began to kiss him again. The blood he could taste was his own. Soon Vezaias was panting and collapsing into Lux's body. Lux held Vezaias against him tightly until he felt Vezaias push up off of him and turn to sit on the bed. Lux felt physically destroyed. He could barely move his arms or legs, his pelvis was screaming, he was bleeding, scratched, and bruised. Now he understood how Ephraim felt. He cried more now as his body throbbed with pain.

  “Why the fuck are you crying Lux?” Vezaias asked in mild irritation.

  “They said you just want to hurt me.” Lux sobbed.

  “Heh, and screw your brains out.” Vezaias said in amusement. “Plus a meal everyday.”

  “I just wanted you to love me!” Lux sobbed.

  “I do love you Lux.” Vezaias cooed.

  “Pff, sure…” Lux cringed.

  “What was it you came here to tell me?” Vezaias changed the subject, glancing over his shoulder at Lux.

  “Ava and Remington are awake.” Lux huffed painfully.

  “Great! I cannot wait to see Rem.” He got up from the bed and began to get dressed. “Are you coming?” Vezaias asked.

  “Ah, no…” Lux said painfully. “I think I'll wait until I can stand up.” Vezaias shrugged.

  “Maybe you should come and see the physician.” Vezaias said seriously

  “Fuck off.” Lux snapped.

  “Suit yourself.” Vezaias said amusingly. “I'll be back eventually.” He said just before leaving.