ANTARES

His eyes were fixated on hers. The rumours were true. She was the catalyst that drove all men, women and those who were neither to insanity. Just with a simple look.

The darkness and desire dancing in her eyes were addicting. A woman that knew what she wanted. If one could forget that she wasn’t a woman in the first place.

“Took you longer than I’ve expected, Heidelberg”, her voice a melody that brought shivers to his neck and spine.

“Call it curiosity, if you must. There is no one like you when it comes to potions and poison, Persephone”, he spoke soft and firm. After all this was still a job for Heidelberg. Get the poison, use it to save June, make Hunter happy.

When had he signed up for this entanglement with them, exactly? It used to be simple, loose ends without responsibility. A night with her, a date with him, a walk with her, a game with him and somehow he had found himself between the sheets with both of them.

You’re the reason why June took the mission in the first place. You’re going to do whatever it takes to bring her back to us. You need to save her, Asher. You need to save our partner.

The uncomfortable presence of his mistake and hearing his real name out of his boyfriend’s mouth, had let to sleepless nights of calculating the best outcome.

Persephone wasn’t the first demon he had done business with, but she was the first of the four Kings ruling over the city. In short – she had more power, presence and poison to kill the entire town if she wanted to.

“I’ve heard that someone dear to you is in trouble. Lucky for you, I have a liking for her too. In fact did June ever mention where she used to spent her nights before she ended up in your bed?” With every word Persephone walked closer before she stopped right in front of Heidelberg.

Don’t let her in.

But as she stood in front of him, Heidelberg couldn’t help himself but let her presence wash over him. The smell of pomegranates and flowers of a garden spring were addicting. Mixed with the underlining energy of terror and torture, it was a symphony of inquisitiveness for Heidelberg. She knew how to hit his sweet spot, that part of him that was addicted to thrill and tasting the forbidden fruits. It had once been the very reason why he started to become what he was known for nowadays.

A monster amongst the mundane.

“My taste of jealousy is the spider web of someone’s mind. I am the comet that collapses into your life. Once I’m there, you beg for more, no matter the amount of destruction I cause. If June found pleasure in your presence, she is exactly the person I took her for.”

Heidelberg didn’t move his gaze of Persephone, his white eyes a mist of threat.

“A monster with magnitude, I am impressed, Heidelberg”, Persephone mused. Her hand was now moving on to his shoulder. “Let’s make this deal quick. All I need is a kiss from you, and we’re done here. A simple trade. Once done, you shall have-”

And that’s when he kissed her, like he made the first move in a chess game.

If you get her first, you might survive.

If Hunter saw his, he would curse him.

The kiss wasn’t gentle nor subtle. It was demanding. Heidelberg enjoyed it. He knew what he wanted and if it meant to fill the queen’s desire to save his own, he would do it. The moan that escaped Persephone, amplified the heat inside him.

That’s when he felt the effect of her powers in his entire body. Like a Succubus she wasn’t draining his energy but actually taking a piece of him, right from his lips. The thrill of it was almost unbearable. She pressed herself more against his body, inviting him to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. He had to stop, had to make sure to get out of her grasp before she could take too much. But as the seconds went by, filled by the taste of her lips, Heidelberg felt himself crumble. She tasted so good. Persephone wasn’t just taking a piece of his energy, she was satisfying a part of him that he had locked away ever since June and Hunter became his priority. The darkness that could crash an entire village, the kind of energy children scared as the monster under the bed. Persephone was taking every drop, as if she was feeding from a never-ending well.

A soft moan escaped his lips as Persephone parted from him, lips crooked into a smile of satisfaction. Gentle fingers danced along his cheek. Heidelberg was still dazed by the intense effect of her powers.

“Now I know what webs you are weaving”, Persephone mused, as she stepped away from him. “The potions are on the table when you leave the building. If you ever want to bring June along, you’re more than welcome to do so.”

“I’d rather not, but thanks for the invitation”, Heidelberg scoffed, as he brought back his breath and focused his mind. Persephone chuckled.

“Heidelberg, an Antares, is still a star of the whole constellation of Scorpio. No matter how much you will start to care for someone like June, your darkness will always shine through. It’s easier to admit that, than to hide who you are.” The smile she shot Heidelberg resembled the same threat his white eyes had given her earlier. Then she vanished into the dark.

***

“Is everything okay?”, Hunter spoke quietly as Heidelberg took a zip of his cigarette, staring into the night sky.

“I’m too tired to have a discussion. June’s safe now, that’s all that matters”, Heidelberg answered and blew out the smoke, leaning more against the balcony.

“I am not asking because I am concerned. I am asking, because you look pleased”, Hunter said.

“Should I not be?”, Heidelberg raised an eyebrow, but didn’t look at his boyfriend.

“Stop doing that, Asher. I thought we’re over this phase where you deal with everything on your own and-” Hunter stumbled over his own words when Heidelberg pulled him as close as he could into a hug.

“Ease your mind, Hunter”, Heidelberg said and threw away his cigarette.

Hunter went quiet.

“Don’t let my comet be your chaos, that’s just the way the curiosity killed the cat”, Heidelberg rasped and gave Hunter a kiss on his forehead.

“What makes you think the cat ever died? Being in a relationship with you is like being a curious cat all the time. However, it leads to satisfaction. Life simply doesn’t get grey with you. There is always another layer or colour to explore. You are the factor of satisfaction why the cat never dies”, Hunter said.

Heidelberg couldn’t help himself but blush over the sudden confession of his partner.

“Are you two gushing into the starry night without me again!?”

Both of their heads turned to June who leaned on the balcony door, pale as a piece of crayon, yet smiling.

“Come here, June”, Heidelberg said and waved her over. For once, June didn’t hesitate. She melted into their arms.

A reunion of hearts.

Curiosity had lead Heidelberg to all kinds of missions and monster in his life.

But there was no connection created by curiosity that was like them.

The only thing that no thrill of darkness or demons could ever beat.

Love.