Jon opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, then closed it and simply turned the screen on. The moment Barion saw Iron Bull’s scarred face, he understood Jon’s nervousness, because he felt heat rushing into his cheeks with so much force that he was surprised his scales didn’t burn off. “Uhm…” was all he got out.
“I’m sorry.” Jon started fumbling with the remote, letting it drop in the process. “It’s just that it was on because you had the screen on standby. I do that all the time, you know, because that’s how you found out about me being PLM, and really, I love this story, even though the graphics are kind of outdated, but we can totally watch something different.”
“It’s fine. A bit embarrassing, but fine. I love the story as well, especially the thing with the watchword.”
“And when the others walk in on them.”
“Yeah. And when Kadan tells Iron Bull he wants to marry him.” Barion grinned broadly. He found it both hilarious and sad how a video game showed a healthier relationship between two strong people than many so-called sophisticated stories and films.
“So it’s okay to watch this?” Jon still sounded unsure.
“It obviously is. I mean, I had it on, so I can’t claim I’m offended or some shit, and you seem to know it as well. No need pretending anything when we’re agreeable on the matter.” If he were honest, Barion wasn’t nearly as sure about watching this together with Jon as he made it sound. The idea stirred feelings in him he wasn’t sure what to make of. But he really wanted to make Jon feel comfortable around him, because hanging out with the zombie was a lot more fun than Barion had anticipated.
“Here we go then.” Jon picked the remote back up from where it had fallen between two cushions to start the video on YouTube. “And thanks to the kind soul who went through the trouble to put the whole story out there.”
“Cheers.” Barion lifted his pizza slice in Jon’s direction. The video started playing and they enjoyed their meal in a slightly sexually charged silence that took on steam with every appreciative moan over the excellent food. They were done eating shortly after the video came to an end. Barion reached for the remote.
“How about something light for dessert?”
Jon nodded eagerly. “Do you want to stay with the video games or go for a real film instead?”
“Hmm, good question. There are some great videos out there, but how about a comedy for a change? I haven’t seen the second Jumanji film with The Rock yet.”
“Wonderful idea! It’s a kind of a game, yet a film, and certainly funny. I loved the first one.” Jon was reaching for the bag with the crème brûlée, taking out the two bowls and holding one out to Barion. He took it with a graceful nod, while searching for the film. Once the opening credits rolled, they both leaned back on the couch, their treats in hand, enjoying the movie.
Chapter Seven
When Barion brought Jon home, it was only seven a.m. in Beaconville, which had Jon a bit confused, because in the Carpathians, it had already been well past midnight. Accepting this as one of the stranger things that came with being friends with a demon, Jon turned to Barion.
“I enjoyed our day together very much. Would you like to come over tomorrow to play another round of Eden’s Doom?”
Barion’s smile lit up the entire apartment. “Really? Are you filming it again?”
“Only if it’s okay with you. We can just play.”
“No, I had fun.” Barion hesitated. “Though perhaps you should first see what your subscribers say. If they think it’s okay, I’d love to do another video with you.”
“It’s a deal.” Jon wanted to say more, was even thinking about asking Barion to stay a bit longer when his cell started ringing, playing Chris de Burgh’s Don’t Pay the Ferryman. Jon groaned inwardly. “I’m sorry. I have to get this one. It’s my Grann.”
Barion nodded. “I understand. Family.” He rolled his eyes. “See you tomorrow? Around nine? I can bring breakfast again.”
Jon wanted to argue that it should be his turn to provide food, but the ringing of his cell grew more insistent. He knew it was technically impossible, but then again, so was coming back from the dead, and Grann was a witch queen. So he simply settled for a nod and a “Thank you” before he retrieved his phone from its place on the kitchen counter. Barion waved before slicing open the air and vanishing. Jon took the call.
“Hello, Grann.”
“Don’t ‘hello’ me, enbesil! You simply vanished hours ago to pop up in Europe, of all places! The ancestors were sick with worry when they couldn’t find you! What have you been thinking, lanfe ak kondanasyon?”
Jon actually had to hold his cell away from his ear. Grann was on a roll and wouldn’t stop until she had spoken her mind…in great, colorful detail. When she was finally running out of steam some ten minutes later, Jon managed to get a word in. “I’m so sorry, Grann. Barion invited me to his home in the Carpathians. It was a spontaneous thing, and I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
“You mean you didn’t think of your poor, old Grann at all!”
Jon knew better than to contradict her in any way, be it the poor, old Grann comment or the fact that she was very obviously keeping magical tabs on him through the ancestors, even though he was a grown man—zombie—with a life of his own. No, contrary to what she had called him, he was no enbesil and knew when to keep his mouth shut.
“I’m sorry, Grann. Barion and I were just having so much fun. We played a video game together and he invited me to have pizza with me that he fetched from Rome.” He was also a master in the art of distraction and had no shame in playing the cute grandchild who’d simply gotten carried away, even though it was very much the truth in this case. The heavy sigh coming through the phone told him he had at least gained some points.
“Pizza from Rome sounds nice, cherie.” She made a pregnant pause. “This demontre, he treats you well?”
“He’s a perfect gentleman. I like him very much.”
