"Arx? Got any empty rooms for her?" Luke asked the inn.
The inn only sent him a mental emotion, as if amused.
Luke frowned. "Don't play games. I'm serious. She needs a place to sleep. Night is coming soon."
Before Arx could answer, the girl tugged at his shirt softly. He looked down, surprised, as she shook her head, refusing the idea.
Luke bent closer. "Hey. It's fine. You don't need to pay. Just rest. You'll use one of the staff rooms."
She hesitated, biting her lips, then slowly nodded. Her small hands released his shirt, and she let him guide her toward the room.
When they reached the corridor of chambers, Luke opened the second room from the one he had used the night before. The room was dusty but intact, with a bed in the corner.
He helped her sit on the bed, then adjusted the pillow.
"There. Not fancy or clean yet, but better than collapsing outside."
The succubus girl immediately curled up as exhaustion overtook her, her wings folded tightly against her back.
Luke stood, watching her breathe, his chest heavy.
"First guest," he muttered. "And she's a kid succubus. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?"
Luke rolled his eyes and snapped back at the inn. "Yeah, yeah. I'm the innkeeper. I'll figure it out."
He stepped to the door and closed it gently, leaving her to rest.
—
Luke now stood in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, knife in hand.
For the first time since being dragged into this world, he felt calm and at peace. Chopping vegetables, stirring broth in a pot, tasting soup. He hadn't done this in over a month, not since leaving Earth, busy with work.
"Man, I missed this," he muttered, tossing onions into the pan. The sizzle filled the room, the smell of garlic and herbs rising. "Cooking beats fighting monsters any day."
He hummed, moving with the rhythm of cooking that felt comforting. Arx's voice echoed in his mind, humming along, amused by his sudden cheer.
Luke ignored it, focusing on the stew bubbling before him.
The scent spread through the inn, and he was ladling soup into a bowl when the kitchen door opened. He turned in surprise.
The succubus girl stood behind him, her crimson eyes fixed on the stew in his hands.
Luke spoke carefully, trying to smile despite his shock. "Want some?"
She didn't answer, only stepped closer silently, her bare feet making no sound, her eyes locked on the bowl.
He chuckled softly. "Looks like you do. Okay, sit down."
She hesitated, then sat on a chair at the table, moving cautiously, as if every motion Luke made might harm her.
Luke placed the bowl of stew before her, then slid a spoon across the table.
"Careful. It's hot," he said.
The succubus girl took the spoon, scooped stew, blew on it gently, then tasted it. Her eyes widened at the savory flavor. She quickly scooped another spoonful.
Luke leaned against the counter, arms folded, watching her eat. His chest tightened at how much the demon girl enjoyed his cooking.
"Good?" he asked.
She nodded quickly, her cheeks flushing, no longer pale, her wings loosening.
He chuckled. "Looks like I can be a good innkeeper."
Arx's smug voice echoed in his mind, making Luke scoff. "I can see that myself. But thanks for the commentary."
He took another bowl of stew and sat across from her. They ate in silence, only the crackling fire and bubbling stew filling the room.
"So… you got a name?" Luke asked, breaking the quiet.
The girl froze, spoon halfway to her mouth. She stared at Luke warily.
"No?" Luke shrugged. "Fine. Not gonna force you. Just thought it'd be easier than calling you 'kid succubus' all the time."
She lowered her gaze to the bowl and ate again.
He sighed, scooping more stew. "Look, I don't care what you are. Demon, succubus, whatever. And this inn is supposed to be neutral ground. So you're safe. Got it?"
Her lips parted slightly, but she said nothing. Then she nodded quickly once.
Luke watched her eat again. "Neutral ground. Everyone gets a bed, everyone gets food. That's the deal, right, Arx?"
"I see, but I guess deals don't mean much if I can't keep people alive," he muttered, stirring his stew slowly.
The succubus lifted her head, staring at him.
Luke noticed her gaze and shook his head. "Don't give me that look. I'm just trying not to screw this up," he said softly.
He finished his meal, stood, and carried his bowl to the counter. "It's getting late. You should rest. I'll clean up."
But she stood too, carrying her empty bowl to the counter, placing it beside his. Her small pale hands lingered on the bowl, staring at Luke.
He blinked at her. "Helping already, huh?"
She gave a small smile, then turned and returned to her room.
Luke watched her go, chest tight. "Damn it, what am I getting into?" he muttered.
"Haha, and apparently, that means babysitting demons," he scowled, washing the dishes, wiping the counter, then leaning against the sink.
Watching the shadows dance across the kitchen walls from the firelight, he felt there was something real he was meant to do in this world.
Not something heroic—just keeping someone alive, perhaps.
"Fine. If babysitting's the job, I'll take it. But I swear, I'm not gonna let anyone take her away."
The inn sent a mental emotion into his mind, expressing its agreement.