The first time it happened, the demon had been so sure she would scream.

It loomed over her, a mass of twisting shadows with too many eyes and jagged teeth that dripped with something black and viscous. Its claws curled menacingly, its voice a guttural whisper of horrors unknown.

And yet—she blinked up at it sleepily, barely registering the terror it had spent centuries perfecting. Instead of screaming, crying, or even gasping in fear, she yawned.

Then she reached out, wrapped her arms around its cold, formless body, and pulled it against her like a child clutching a beloved stuffed animal.

The demon stiffened.

“What… what are you doing?” it rasped, its many voices blending into a cacophony of confusion.

“Mmm… ‘s cold,” she mumbled against its chest, nuzzling into its smoky form. “You’re warm. Kinda cozy, actually.”

Cozy? The nightmare creature, the very embodiment of terror itself, was cozy?

The demon didn’t know what to do. It had tormented mortals for centuries, basking in their fear, but this—this was different. This was warmth. Softness. A gentle hum as she drifted right back to sleep, snuggling against it like it was nothing more than a large, weird-shaped pillow.

It awkwardly curled its claws around her, hesitant, unsure. No one had ever touched it like this before.

And against all reason, the demon found itself relaxing.

Maybe—just maybe—it didn’t mind being her teddy bear.