The Fox and The Devil: Ficlets

A Blanket of Sun

Blanket (noun) (UK): to cover something completely with a thick layer

[Cambridge dictionary]

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Warm sunlight seeped through the slightly ajar dark curtain, falling onto a thin figure slumbering under a thick velvet blanket. He wasn't asleep for much longer—he couldn't—because the chirping birds from his alarm were getting noisier by the minutes. Groggily, the pale man rubbed his eyes before running his clawed fingers through his brown locks. The turquoise eyes blinked—once, twice, thrice—trying to register his surroundings. His keen sense of smell—akin to that of a fox—started to notice a familiar scent of coffee.

He is here.

Mysta let out a soft groan as he stretched his hands out, unconsciously letting him notice that the fox boy had woken up. He rolled inside the comfort of his blanket. The velvet felt nice against his bare skin, as if someone was embracing him. He wanted to go back to sleep, but the sleepiness had completely left him. He blinked again. Once, twice, thrice.

Once again, he stretched his hands out and blankly stared at the ceilings. It has been a few days since he moved in, but he was still unaccustomed with the pure, white, brand-new looking plafond. He turned around, eyes scanning the whole room. It felt both familiar and unfamiliar: he had pictured everything—the dark curtains, artistic chairs, and vintage drawers—in his mind for the longest time, but to really have them here with him in real life was still somewhat surreal.

Mysta closed his eyes. Everything was perfect: the warm sunlight falling on his face, the soft velvet blanket covering his body, the cool air on his skin, the slight smell of tobacco and amber in the air. He inhaled deeply; the scent of coffee was wafting closer.

He is coming.

Mysta slowly opened his eyes as recognizable footsteps were nearing him.

"I see you are awake, Mysta," a deep baritone voice greeted him, with a hint of smile in his voice. Mysta looked up to see a handsome, pale man—demon, to be exact—in a red shirt and white pants were walking into his room with two mugs in hand.

"You know I don't like coffee," Mysta croaked, his voice was still rough from sleep. Vox chuckled. "I know, I got you a hot chocolate." The demon placed the mugs on the table next to Mysta's bed with a soft thump. Now that Vox were next to him, Mysta could smell Vox's cologne clearly.

Amber, today?

"Hot chocolate in the morning?" Mysta grumbled, but sat up anyway, "I didn't give you my password so that you can trespass as you like."

"Oh, shut up, Mysta," Vox said as he jokingly hit the top of Mysta's head," You are as good as dead if I'm not here. And besides, it is noon already. Wake up, you silly fool."

Mysta stared blankly at the man now sitting on his bed. Oh, how everything had changed. A year ago, at the same time of a day, he would have been outside, scrambling over whatever case he could get his hand in to, struggling to make ends meet. He would not—he couldn't—dare to dream of a life of comfort. Staying alive was his only goal every day. He was so lonely, but he was too busy tackling many side jobs to afford any relationship with another human being.

But look at me now.

He was currently inside his cozy blanket, enjoying noon sunlight, in a brand-new house he used to only dream of, with a friend sitting down on his bed.

"Mysta, are you okay?" Vox asked worriedly, but Mysta kept his silence.

"Mysta, did I hit you too hard? I am seriously sorry, I were only joking, I...."

Vox's words were cut midsentence as Mysta suddenly engulfed him in a hug.

"Mysta? Mysta? Wh-what's wrong? Any pr..."

"Just shut up for a while, will you, Vox?" Mysta grumbled, burying his head on Vox's red shirt. Mysta inhaled deeply. His hold on Vox's body became tighter; his hand clawed on Vox's shirted arms.

The scent of his cologne is real.

The warmth of his body in my arms is real.

Everything is real.

This is not a dream.

The hard time is finally over.

Vox was startled when he felt his shirt started to become damp. He kept quiet and gently pat Mysta's back. However, Mysta started to shake violently, his sobs become louder. Mysta was a strong man. He never complained. He persisted. He struggled in silence. He had always been keeping his emotion under control for the longest time. He was like a dam waiting to burst. And today, out of any day, something tipped off his balance.

Maybe it was the warm sunlight.

Maybe it was the comfy blanket.

Maybe it was the glass of hot chocolate.

Or maybe, it was him.

Vox hugged the crying fox closer and rested his head on top of Mysta's head. Vox had no idea what happened, but he knew what he could do.

"Ssshhhh," Vox whispered slowly, "Everything is alright. I'm here."

Mysta's hold on Vox became stronger. The tears that he has been holding in for so long were escaping him and he couldn't help it.

"Mysta?"

No answer.

"Rock-a-bye baby

On the tree tops,

When the wind blows

The cradle will rock

When the bough..."

"SHUT UP!" Mysta groaned, his shoulders were still shaking, but now it was a mixture of laughter and sobbing.

This stupid demon, really. What a way to ruin a melancholic mood.

"I am not a DAMN... baby!" Mysta complained, but laughter was obvious in his voice.

"And why a lullaby, damnit!"

"I-I-I panicked!!"

Idiotic demon.

Mysta released himself from Vox before both of them broke into laughters. He sloppily rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Aaah! Damnit!" Mysta groaned into his blanket, while Vox chuckled softly.

What a way to start a day, huh.

"Vox?"

"Yes?"

Mysta hugged his blanket tighter while avoiding Vox's eyes. His ears were red from embarrassment. The realization of what his emotional burst had done was quite.... Humiliating.

"Thank you. For everything."

Vox smiled; his hand reached out to ruffle Mysta's head, blanketing Mysta from the warm sunlight. There was no need for him to understand what turmoil Mysta were going through. However, Vox knew that he would always be there to support Mysta.

"Anytime, Mysta. Anytime."

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A/N: Hello, Arcana here.

This is my first time writing a FoxAkuma fanfic. As a NijisanjiEN fan, I really adore the dynamics between these two. English is not my first language so any input regarding grammar/wordings are very much appreciated.

Thank you for reading.