The pain in his shoulder felt like needles when he sat on his bed. It had previously been numbed solely by the adrenaline of the situation - the situation of nearly getting his throat ripped out by a demon, the event of nearly dying, the feeling of his bones being crushed to a pulp but not really being able to feel it. It pumped him with adrenaline, but now it was gone, and he could feel the multiple bones protruding from his shoulder.
Ewan was standing in front of him. With nimble hands, he was cutting off the shoulder of Ben's shirt. Every slight movement sent shocks of pain through his body, making him inhale sharply.
Once the shoulder was off, Ben put his opposite hand on the wound. Again, he felt the cold plate press against it, making him shudder.
This pain was worse than the last. This pain was his bones coming back together, shifting in his skin so that they were in place and mended together. And then his skin started fixing itself as well until the wound was fine, just sore.
"So tell me why you didn't just kill that demon," said Ben, sitting back. He looked up at Ewan with a firm gaze. "He would've gone back to Hell anyway, right?"
Ewan clicked his tongue before shaking his head. "No. It, um... Hell is complicated. Chester is an Overseer, which means he... oversees a Sin. His is Gluttony." Ewan went quiet, perhaps deciding how to word it. "So, uh... you become an Overseer by being in Hell for... well, for a long time," He bit his lip.
This was bad news for Ben, it seemed.
The demon continued, "Overseers, they don't... they don't have a soul anymore - just a personality. And they even just... take on a persona based solely around what Sin they were in charge of - for Chester, it was the Gula." He sucked in a sharp breath before doing some weird gesture with his hands that were perhaps there to express nothing. "They're so... lacking of anything soul-wise because of their years in Hell. So they have to possess a... living mortal, if they come to the Surface. And depending on how long they've been an Overseer, the amount of soul they use from the human varies. A new Overseer wouldn't even know there was another soul with them."
Ben was silent, then he scoffed, putting his head in his hands. "So the person Chester's possessed... he's in there, but... he can't do anything?"
Gradually, Ewan brought himself to nod.
"How do we get rid of him, then?" growled Ben.
Ewan chuckled humorlessly. He went silent, looking Ben over. Then he clicked his tongue and shrugged. "That's a great question, Ben. Another good question is why he wants to kill you. And you know, another good question is why he's here just five days after I got here." Ewan sucked in a sharp breath before narrowing his eyes. "Who are you, Ben?"
Ben wasn't even surprised. He raised an eyebrow, spreading out his arms to indicate how mundane his room was. How mundane his life was, really. "The kid who almost got eaten by a demon," he said. He got up, despite how woozy it made him. "The kid who nearly died two days ago by being stabbed in the gut. Who do you think I am?"
"I think you're more than just some prophecy kid that's supposed to make me a better demon. I don't know, maybe you're Satan-incarnate, trying to test me. Maybe you-"
"Maybe my mom died," said Ben firmly. "And maybe I found out that the first crush I've had in months is possessed by an angel who conveniently came here just because of you. And maybe, Ewan... maybe I'm just the kid who got messed up because he killed a guy and a demon possessed their dead body. And now he has to see that guy every day and remember what the Hell he did."
The two went silent, staring at each other. Thinking about it for a second, Ben did feel a little guilty for his outburst. He swallowed deeply and stepped back.
"I didn't... ask to come here," breathed Ewan, but he didn't sound mad. He sounded apologetic. "I'm sorry I'm here. And I'm sorry for accusing you of collaborating with The Devil. I shouldn't have."
Ben sighed through his nose then nodded, sitting back down. "It's fine." He put his elbows on his knees, running a hand through his hair. After they bathed in silence, he continued, "So how do we get Chester back to Hell?"
"We need to draw him out of the body. Maybe... convince him you're already in Hell?"
"My body would still be here... I think he's interested in eating me."
Ewan visibly shuddered, sitting down at Ben's desk. Then he offered, "We could... kill him and try to heal the body with your Enchantment."
"He'll be dead, Ewan. That's what dying means."
Ben hadn't exactly gotten the run-down on his new power, anyway. But he did know it was something about healing people who were going to Heaven and burning people who were going to Hell. He didn't know why the Enchantment healed him, though.
Ewan just nodded, sighing in irritation. They sat in silence as both of them considered their options. Maybe Ben did just give himself up. It would be a painful death but at least no one else would die. And then Ewan could -
The demon shot up, eyes wide. "I know! I know how to do it!"
"I was thinking, too-"
The demon lifted his hand and wrapped his fingers around his Enchantment. "Take this off me and what am I?"
"A demon with a... way better fashion sense, that thing looks antique," Ben grinned. When Ewan huffed, he continued flatly, "What are you?"
"I'm practically dead. No Enchantment means no powers. And no powers means no getting back to the Surface - here. Otherwise, we'll burn and get sent right back to Hell." Ewan laughed incredulously. "We just take his Enchantment - he goes back to Hell and stays there. He gets demoted, even. Back to being a Sinner."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "And he just wears it around his neck?"
"Hopefully. It works as long as it's on their person." Ewan took in a shaky breath. "You'll have to do it, though, because I - well, I don't really want to. And then he'll hate me when I go back to Hell."
Silence, then Ben asked, "Why can't you just explain your situation to him, anyway? Tell him you need me."
"He's an Overseer," Ewan muttered, rolling his eyes. "His needs triumph absolutely everyone else's."
A slow sigh escaped Ben. This was becoming difficult and very, very complicated. "So I take off the Enchantment. Then what?"
"Then Chester leaves. He just... evaporates." Ewan made a sort of magical poof with his hands. "And he goes back to Hell and that's the end of him."
Ben was silent, looking Ewan over. Could Ewan do that? Just... take off his Enchantment and leave? Would he go back to Hell or would he take another body? What happened if he went to Hell? Which brought up the bigger question, the one hovering around Ben's head: did he want Ewan to leave?
And he wasn't sure. Not yet.
"So what do you actually look like?" mused Ben, deciding to pass the time with questions. He sat down again.
The other scoffed. "Oh, so now you're curious? When the lives of many are in jeopardy?" Ewan put his elbows on his knees, leaning forward with a grin. "I'm devilishly handsome. I've got naturally red hair - I've not seen a lot of that here, oddly enough - and I've got freckles, you know, green eyes..." His voice dwindled until it sounded hollow. Behind his eyes was the look of someone lost, someone who missed something important. "And I... well, I wish I was him."
"You are." Ben tapped his own chest, then lowered his voice to a whisper as if he was telling a secret. "In here."
"Ben," retorted Ewan, narrowing his eyes, "are you mocking me?"
"Maybe a little," mumbled Ben, grinning and looking down.
"I was giving a lament," argued Ewan. His grin faded as he rolled his eyes. "Anyway..." He seemed to ponder before raising an eyebrow. "How are you going to get the Enchantment off Chester?"
"I'm going to do some really sick backflips and then take it off his neck once I've flung myself into the air," Ben said.
In response, the demon only nodded. Then he raised an eyebrow. "You know how to do a backflip?"
"No," Ben said. "No, I don't."
Ewan sighed through his nose, putting his hands in his pockets. "Okay," he said with finality, "my name is Chester. I am the..." He licked his lips, then spread out his arms, "embodiment of gluttony. And Ben," Ewan held his hands out to Ben, "I'm about to eat you."
Ewan grabbed Ben's arm, pulling him up. Ben was grinning, and he stood in front of Ewan, who put one arm on his sore shoulder and the other on the other side of Ben's neck. It ached, and he tried to suppress a grimace of pain.
The demon's eyes flashed with panic and concern. He slid his hand up from the wound to Ben's neck, an oddly intimate action that landed them both in a position of just staring at each other.
The other's hands were cold. They made his skin tingle and they made Ben open his mouth for air, taking in a slow breath. They shared a gaze - Ben kept eye contact, staring into... Stirling's eyes.
The eyes that broke the sentiment.
Unsure of what else to do, he lifted his hand, grabbed the necklace around Ewan's neck and pulled. It brought the other closer, made them two inches apart, made Ben swallow weakly and gaze into Ewan's eyes again.
"Easier than I thought," Ben mumbled, slowly lowering his gaze to Ewan's lips.
He wanted something to happen. Very, very badly. In fact, he felt like he needed something to happen, needed the two of them to understand each other in a way their words couldn't force.
But Ewan had a life somewhere else. A life that didn't include Ben and a life that surely didn't include staying on the Surface with him for any longer than he had to.
"Don't," said Ewan suddenly. He still had his hands on Ben's neck, his hands gentle, almost as though he thought Ben would break if he gripped him too hard. "Don't do that." His voice was soft.
"Do what?" asked Ben, grinning nervously. He kept his voice quiet, too, as if speaking too loud would break the foreign and forbidden intimacy of the situation.
"You got that look with Gabrielle too," said Ewan. "When she talked to you in the hallway... Like you don't believe someone would stay."
Ben was quiet for a second before going to take a step back. "Sorry."
Ewan's left hand shot to grab Ben's wrist. "Ben," he said, "stop."
The boy looked up at the demon. But this entire thing felt wrong. The mere thought of intimacy, the idea of wanting to kiss the man he'd killed... it was all wrong. And completely out of both of their control.
So it was better to never start.
"I can't. Ewan." Ben shook his head.
He opened his mouth to continue, but Ewan swooped in and placed a gentle finger against his lips. Gradually, Ben brought himself up to look into the other's eyes.
He had a look of understanding in his gaze, a look of silent acceptance. Chills raced down Ben's spine.
"I understand," said Ewan gently. His hands slid off Ben's neck, falling limp to his sides. "I understand." He had a knowing smile on his lips. One that comforted Ben and made him feel like things were actually okay and Ewan did truly understand.
It made him feel... empowered?
Ewan's eyes drifted down to Ben's chest, and he sucked in a sharp breath.
Ben glanced down as well and found a pastel orange light shining through his shirt. Almost like his heart was glowing, which was... incredibly cheesy, but a necessary thing to think about. It made him grin, and he looked up at Ewan, blush coating his cheeks at the realization of how close they were.
But Ewan soon leaned back, gazing at the Enchantment.
Yeah, things are getting awkward...
Fumbling, he pulled the necklace out of his shirt and let it rest on his palm.
They'd managed to get another column. Ben's head was still swimming from how close they'd been - he was still recovering from the mere idea of going further than looking into each other's eyes. He couldn't process the information.
When it was clear Ben didn't know what to say, Ewan spoke. "I think it's... Ch-" His voice broke as if something was weird or wrong with the idea of it. "Chastity."
When Ben didn't reply, Ewan grinned, "Congrats, Ben - " He did some emotionless jazz hands, his smile burning with mockery - "you're not a necrophiliac."
This drew only a grin from Ben. He didn't say anything in reply, though, and rather sighed through his nose and just gazed at Ewan.
The situation was a strange one. They were stuck staring at each other and Ben knew they were thinking about what could have happened if Ben had said yes. If Ben had just said it was okay. But he hadn't and now his lips were tingling and he felt longing.
"I'm gonna take a shower," whispered Ewan. He licked his lips. "Maybe you should too."
"Af-"
"After," Ewan confirmed. "After me. Once I'm done. Then you can..." He cleared his throat. "- showe-"
"Just go," growled Ben, putting his hands in his pockets.
Blushing as well, the demon left.
And Ben sighed, rubbing his face. He sat back down on the bed and let his eyes drift up to the clock. It was 4. They had an hour until they met with, apparently, one of Hell's greatest demons.
He ought to call Ezra... just in case things went poorly.
The other picked up on the fifth ring, speaking intensely into the phone. "Hey, I can't talk right now. I'm in church. Can I get back to you? Give me, like... an hour."
Ben glanced down to his jeans, then his gaze drifted up to his blood covered shirt. His once broken arm and feeling the pain of his head wound vibrate through his skin.
"Sure," he said. Swallowing weakly, he nodded. "Sure. Yes. I'll get back to you."
"Alright," replied Ezra. A pause, then, "I love you, man. Sorry you got me at a bad time but I'll definitely get back to you."
Ben rubbed his face, smearing blood. "It's fine... Love you, bud," he said. Then they hung up.
A shower later, Ewan was clad in a black sweater and high-waisted jeans. He looked like an 80's bad boy with no hair gel.
Ben redirected his gaze to himself in the mirror. His hair was still a little damp, but he wore a white sweater and black jeans.
It was pretty cold - well, every day in North Dakota felt like winter. Which was why half of his closet was filled with sweaters and the other half was filled with jackets. Ewan had taken the liberty of wearing whatever he wanted from it even though none of it suited Stirling.
When Ewan got out of the shower, they didn't exchange words. Somehow things were more awkward after both of them showered. Ben just cleared his throat and glanced down at his feet before clearing his throat.
"Alright, well..." He nodded to the door. "Let's kick demon ass."
He was nervous about this. There was always the chance that Ben wouldn't be able to get the Enchantment off of him, or maybe it wouldn't be on his neck, and before he knew anything, his head would be bitten off. And then what would happen to Ewan? Would he be stuck here if Ben died?
The motorcycle ride was quick and made Ben want to throw up. It wasn't that he didn't trust Ewan. He trusted that if things went bad, Ewan would step in and try to help.
Try.
They stopped in the parking lot and Ben took out the key, pocketing it. He got off, looking to Ewan anxiously.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Ben began, "If this doesn't work out-"
"I know, I know," said Ewan, rolling his eyes. "'Tell Ezra I love him,' or whatever. 'Tell Gabrielle I loved her.' That whole shtick."
"No," said Ben. "If it doesn't work out, don't... don't feel guilty. If I die, it's my fault."
This shut Ewan up and made the two gaze at each other again. Ben knew it was usually in times like these that people kissed in movies. This wasn't a movie, of course, and Ben redirected his gaze from Ewan's lips to his eyes.
"If you die," Ewan said softly, "I'll just feel guilty about not saying goodbye."
"You'll see me in Hell," Ben replied, grinning gently.
"I'm..." Ewan shrugged, grinning. "I'm not sure I will, Ben."
Ben felt his heart leap. And before he really quite knew what to say, Ewan had grabbed his arm and had begun to lug him into the carnival.
It was clear Chester, or the Gula, had gotten bored. He was sitting on the counter of a booth, and there was a human person, a live person, being held up by other people and Chester was carelessly throwing darts at them. The darts thrown at balloons to pop them but these were thrown at humans. Ben could see two lodged in the person's stomach but they weren't struggling. In fact, they looked like they were in a trance.
There was no one else at the fair. Just the three people Chester had been... "playing" with and two others acting like bodyguards.
"What the Hell..." mumbled Ben.
"Ah!" exclaimed Chester. He turned around to face the two. Ewan's grip tightened on Ben's arm and Ben just held his breath. "How lovely..."
"What's happened to those people?" asked Ben, his voice quiet but firm.
"Oh, them?" Chester glanced to the people mindlessly standing there. "They're just a little... scared. Not as scared as you should be, though, but you're looking quite calm, Ben-Boy."
An overwhelming urge to kill the man rose into Ben, burning his throat like bile, but he stood there and glared. He hated this. Hated the thought of even momentarily giving Chester what he wanted. But they were doing it to save a man's life. That was the important part.
Chester took one stride forward and took Ben by the neck, forcefully pulling him forward. He could feel Ewan almost try to keep hold of his hand, but eventually Ben was all alone in Chester's hand. Ewan could do nothing now without harming the host that carried Chester.
It was all up to Ben now. He was the one that could save Chester's host and he was the one that could send this demon back to Hell and he was the one that could save his life.
His gaze drifted down to Chester's own neck, eyes hungry for the sight of a chain. Something to indicate an Enchantment around the man's neck, something to indicate that this would be easy and that this would be something Ben could survive.
His stomach plummeted at the sight of a bare neck.