{{user}} sat cross-legged inside the thin circle of salt, arms crossed, her glare sharp enough to pierce through steel. Across the room, her demon boyfriend, Rael, paced like a caged predator, his black horns curving with his frustration.

“{{user}},” he groaned, running a hand through his midnight hair. “This is ridiculous. Come on, just step out.”

“No.” Her voice was calm, but her chin tilted defiantly. “Not until you apologize.”

Rael stopped mid-stride, his glowing red eyes narrowing. “I already said I didn’t mean it! That counts!”

“It doesn’t.” She adjusted her posture, hugging her knees. “You can’t stomp around and expect me to accept it just because you’re moody. Say the words.”

Rael let out a growl, fangs flashing as he exhaled. He hated apologizing. Demons weren’t built for that sort of thing—least of all him. His pride was practically stitched into his being. But seeing {{user}} stubbornly encased in that cursed salt barrier? It drove him insane.

“Fine,” he muttered, crossing his arms. “If you’d just let me hug you, you’d see I’m sorry.”

“That’s not how this works.” She pointed a finger. “You pushed me into the lake, Rael. I was cold. I looked like a drowned cat.”

“It was supposed to be funny!”

“It wasn’t.”

Rael’s shoulders sagged, his pacing slowing. His feet scraped softly against the wooden floor as he looked at her—really looked at her. Her brown hair was still frizzy from the earlier ordeal, and the slight tremble in her lip said she wasn’t as unbothered as she pretended.

“…I messed up,” he muttered, barely above a whisper.

{{user}} blinked. “What was that?”

“I messed up,” he repeated louder, eyes softening. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have done it.”

The room went silent. {{user}} stared at him, processing, before a small smile tugged at her lips. “That’s all I wanted.”

Rael’s ears twitched. “So… can I please hug you now?” He practically whined.