Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dan feels the not quite physical sort of tugging sensation that means he's being summoned, and sighs. He could resist of course, but it becomes increasingly uncomfortable the longer he does and a strong enough being could just force him to appear anyway. He sets his hand of cards face down on the table and looks up at Ross. "I guess we're going to have to finish our game later. Some asshole is summoning me again."

Ross grins wide enough to show his fangs. "No problem man, we can pick it up another time. Holly wanted to do something today anyway."

Dan glares at the vampire. "You better not look at my cards, I'll know" he warns before letting himself be pulled to the summoner.

As he appears, Danny decides on a whim to go full on theatrical, willing a cloud of black smoke into existence. He manipulates the smoke so he's cloaked in darkness for a few moments, before letting it dissipate and reveal his presence. He let's his eyes bleed black with a grin.

The man standing outside the summoning circle yelps and back-peddles away from the demon.

Dan cocks his head to the side. This was the person who summoned him? He certainly doesn't look very threatening. "You summoned me?"

The human looks at Dan with wide eyes. "I...fuck...did I?" He starts flipping through his spell book quickly.

Dan frowns in confusion and let's his eyes turn brown again. "You didn't purposely summon me?"

"Umm n-no? I was trying to cast a cleansing spell on my house."

Danny looks at him for a good silent five seconds, before he starts laughing. "You- how do you accidentally summon a demon? I mean, how did you manage to fuck up that badly?"

"Ah, I don't really know?" The summoner offers, a light blush on his face. "So does this mean you aren't going to kill me?" the man asks.

Dan rolls his eyes. "No, I'm not going to kill you. You did interrupt my poker game though."

"Sorry...? In my defense, I didn't mean to summon a demon into my house. I'm Arin by the way."

Dan shakes his head. "I'm Dan. Or Danny. Or master, but that usually doesn't come until later." Arin chokes out a surprised laugh making Dan grins in satisfaction. "Why were you trying to cleanse your house, anyway?"

Arin sighs. "I have a bunch of pixies that wont leave me the fuck alone."

Dan snickers and holds his hand out. "Let me see your book."

Arin hands it over with a 'have at it' gesture.

Dan scans the page Arin had been reading. The demon kneels down and smudges a few lines of the sigil that Arin had drawn, before fixing them with the piece of chalk. Satisfied with his work, Dan stands back up and begins reading from the book, perfectly pronouncing the Latin words that Arin had been fumbling with. He hands the book back to Arin. "Alright, that should take care of it. They won't be able to enter the property anymore.

"Wait really? That's it? Do I owe you my soul now or some shit?"

Dan leers at Arin. "You would know if we made a proper deal. You gotta kiss to seal that shit."

Arin snickers. "Good to know. So, you said I pulled you away from a poker game? I don't want to keep you if you should you be getting back to that."

Dan shrugs. "Nah. Ross, my buddy who I was playing with, left to go have date night with his wife."

"Oh, cool. Good for them. Well now that my pixie problem is gone, I don't have anything planned out for the day. Want to play Xbox?"

Danny grins. "Depends. What games are we talking?"

Chapter Text

Next time Dan gets summoned, the demon is just chilling on the couch watching a movie. Now that he knows Arin's aura, Dan's able to recognize him as the summoner before answering the pull. He wonders if something is wrong, maybe the ward against the pixies failed? They can be known to be nefarious little buggers. Dan pauses his movie before consenting to being summoned.

Dan looks around the room. He's not sure which part of Arin's house this is, he's never seen this room. He spots Arin across the room standing over a large cast iron cauldron, slowly stirring it's contents. "Hey, Arin. Is everything ok?"

Arin looks up. "Dan! Look, I actually performed an intentional summoning this time" Arin grins at him proudly.

"That's great Arin! I'm proud of you, buddy." He looks back at the- now intentionally created- summoning circle. It looks like Arin is a fast learner. "Although I wouldn't go around summoning other random demons, some of us aren't all that friendly. Is something up?"

"Oh, yeah. I need to keep stirring this counter clockwise for the next five minutes and then immediately add in a bit of Anise, but I just realized I ran out. Would you pleeease go get me some?"

Dan raises an unimpressed eyebrow. "You summoned me to go grocery shopping for you?"

"Please? I can't stop stirring this, or it'll mess it up."

The demon sighs. "Fine, but you better not expect me to become your demon errand boy."

Arin smiles. "Awesome, thank you!" Here, take some money." 

Arin makes to grab his wallet off the table, but Dan waves him off. He disappears, teleporting himself to the alley alongside a little apothecary he visits whenever he needs ingredients for his own projects. Dan makes sure that all of his demon attributes are concealed before applying a heavy glamour to prevent other beings from sensing his true species. Dan doesn't have many enemies, but any magical creatures within the area would be capable of sensing his aura and recognizing him as a demon. Better to be safe than sorry. Once that's done, Dan casually strolls out of the alley and enters the shop.

He drops the Anise off to Arin, and only after he's back home, does Dan realize that he can't think of a single potion that requires the herb at that stage of the brewing and wouldn't survive if one were to stop stirring.

After that, Arin starts summoning Dan at least once a week, always claiming to have some problem that requires the demon's assistance. (Even though Dan's pretty sure 99% of them Arin could solve no problem on his own.) He's grateful that Arin's started using a watered down version of the summoning spell, one that can be refused without ill effects.

Dan appears in Arin's home for the third time in two weeks and puts his hands on his hips. "Alright, what is it now?"

 Arin smiles sheepishly. "I don't have an excuse."

"So you admit that you've been summoning me with a hundred and one half-baked 'problems'?"

Arin rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "Maybe?"

Dan snorts. "You know if you wanted to hang out, you could have just said."

Arin shrugs. "I figured you probably have better, demony things to do?"

Dan rolls his eyes. "Here, let me see your phone."

Arin hands it over. "Do they have cell service in hell?"

"Ok. One: I don't live in hell, you racist. Not every demon lives there."

Arin laughs.

"Two: Yes we have cell service. And Wifi. Our current king is pretty chill."

He blinks. "Alright, ignoring the fact that you guys apparently live in a monarchy- which I did not know."

Dan texts himself from Arin's phone, and then hands it back. "Here. Text me like a normal person sometime, and we can have a movie night and get takeout or something." Suddenly Dan's phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. Dan reads the text and sighs heavily. "Apparently there's a pissed off centaur tearing up our apartment, so I have to go kill my roommate now." He smiles at Arin apologetically and then teleports out.

Chapter Text

A week goes by before Arin hears from Danny again. He's kept so busy by orders for charms and potions, that he almost doesn't get the chance to notice the demon's absence. He may still be an amateur, but Arin is proud to say that he's been greatly improving. Arin's sorting through his notes on various customer's orders, when his phone buzzes.

Dan: Hey, want to do something tomorrow?
Dan: I'm free all day

Arin: Sure. I have to fill in at work for a couple hours in the morning, but I'm free afterwards. Want to come over around noon?

Dan: Sure, that works.

Arin: Cool. Come hungry, I'll cook something for lunch.

Dan: Wow, a home cooked meal. You spoil me ;)

Arin's not quite sure what to say back to that, so he just puts his phone away and ignores the way his face heats up.

The next morning Arin gathers up a few orders he'd completed the night before, carefully placing the vials into his bag so they won't clink together.

On his way to work, he delivers the potions to a few houses conveniently located along his route. He hasn't been in the business for that long, but he's managed to get a decent clientele going that he's extremely thankful for. His dream is to one day open up his own apothecary, but for now he works at a little bookstore that specializes in magical tomes.

Work passes rather quickly. Arin wasn't scheduled to come in today, but a coworker asked if he could cover them for a few hours Arin had happily agreed. He can always use the extra hours and the bookshop possess a number of regular customers that he loves talking to.

On Arin's way home after the shift ends, he considers his options of what to make for lunch. He doesn't take Dan as being a picky eater, but still. Arin frowns. Should he have asked Dan what kinds of food he likes? Do demons have any specific likes or dislikes? He'd seen him munching on skittles once, so surely human food wasn't unappealing as a rule. And anyway, Dan would have mentioned it when Arin mentioned cooking. He's still mulling it over in his head as he unlocks his front door. Stepping inside and shutting the door, Arin turns around and immediately freezes. Lounging with his arms outstretched across the back of the couch, is man with blood red eyes and pale skin. He looks up when at the sound of Arin's arrival.

"Oh good, you're home" the vampire says, face breaking out in a grin that reveals a sharp looking pair of fangs.

"Umm... how did you get in?" Arin asks nervously. "Don't vampires have to be invited inside?"

The vampire shrugs. "Maybe if they're some low leveled scrub. You really need to work on your wards." He gets up from the couch and begins taking slow steps in Arin's direction, looking Arin up and down with a leer.

Arin nervously steps backwards until his back is pressed against the front door. "Who- who are you? What do you want from me?"

The vampire suddenly cocks his head to the side as if listening to something and then sighs in disappointment. "Always appearing just in time to ruin my fun" he mutters to himself.

Before Arin can ask what he means, he hears the sound of his workroom door creaking open.

"Hey Ar, you home?"

Arin's eyes widen at the sound of Dan's voice. "Dan?" He must have decided to stop by early. He wasn't expecting the Demon for a couple hours yet, but he's grateful for the apparent change of plan.

Dan's footsteps quicken at the nervous tone in Arin's voice, and the vampire rolls his eyes.

"Arin, whats wrong?" Is everything-" Dan steps into the room and freezes. "Ross? What are you doing here?"

The vampire smirks. "I just wanted to see where you've been running off to so much lately."

Dan looks at Arin"s position still nervously pressed back against the door and then whips around to glare at the other supernatural being. "Were you scaring him?" His eyes flick to their demonic black as he glares at Ross.

Ross rolls his eyes. "Calm down, your human is fine. I was just having a little fun with him" Ross grins, but has the decency to look sheepish if not apologetic when Dan growls at him. "We haven't hung out in a while and I was curious to see what's had you so distracted lately."

Dan visibly deflates, guilt plain on his face. "I'm sorry man. I know we haven't hung out in a while."

The vampire waves him off. "Don't worry about it. You can make it up to me by coming over for dinner on Thursday. Holly found a new chili recipe and she wants to know what you think."

Dan smiles. "Absolutely. Tell Holly I'll be there."

Ross disappears in a dramatic puff of smoke and Danny rolls his eyes.

"So... that was a friend of yours?" Arin asks with a touch of residual awkwardness.

Dan's whirls around to face Arin as if he'd forgotten the other man was still standing there. "Are you alright?" He worriedly looks Arin over. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea Ross would show up here. He must have tracked my magical signature one of the times he was with me before I teleported over here. He never would have actually hurt you, he just likes to be a dick."

Arin steps forward and sets a hand on the demon's shoulder. "Relax man, it's ok. I just didn't expect anyone to be here when I got home, he startled me is all." He grins suddenly. "If he had tried anything, I would have hit him with some of the defensive magic I've been practicing."

Dan snickers. "I'd like to see that. Wouldn't be the first time Ross has gotten his ass kicked."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Arin asks.

Danny frowns. "Yeah, sure. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Your eyes are still all" he waggles his fingers vaguely in Dan's direction.

Dan honest to god blushes and ducks his head, eyes quickly changing back to brown. "Sorry, sometimes they change when I get worked up about something. Does it freak you out?"

"No! I was just worried, usually you don't let any of your demon attributes show."

Dan shrugs. "A lot of people don't like the reminder that I'm not human. It's just easier to look normal so I blend in."

Arin's brow pinches, a feeling of anger filling him at his friend's words. "That's crap, man. You shouldn't have to change how you look in order to conform to other people's idea of 'normal'. I should have known there was a reason I've never seen you in your demon form." He looks up at Dan, anger suddenly deflating at the look on the demon's face. "What?"

Dan smiles. "You're sweet. You really want to see me all demoned out?"

Arin feels his face heat at Dan's praise. "I mean, not if you don't want me to."

The demon rolls his eyes good-naturedly before taking a breath and letting himself change. A pair of curly red horns grow from Dan's head as his eyes flick black again and a pointed tail sprouts from his lower back until it's just brushing the floor. Shift complete, Dan inspects Arin's face for any signs of discomfort.

Arin stands stock-still as he takes in Dan's new appearance. He can feel his face heat up as he blushes, praying that he isn't turning red.

Dan cocks his head to the side. "So, is it what you expected? You aren't going to run screaming on me, are you?"

"N-no. You look good." Arin stutters. He mentally curses his inability to hide his bodies reactions.

"Then what is it-" Dan cuts himself off and takes a step closer to Arin. He stares into the human's eyes for a moment before grinning. "Oh. You like me like this, don't you?"

Arin's first instinct is to deny Dan's accusation, but before he knows it he's surging forward to kiss the other man.

Dan groans and wraps his arms around Arin's waist. He kisses Arin with such single-minded concentration, that it feels as though there's nowhere in the world he'd rather be. Arin reaches up to brush Dan's hair back from his face, the demon letting out a slight hiss when the human's hand catches in his curls. Arin leans back and looks up at Dan apologetically. "I'm sorry, did that hurt?"

The demon shakes his head and for a moment Arin swears he catches a glint of humor in Dan's eyes, before he's being pulled back into another kiss. Dan reaches up to rest his hands on the sides of Arin's face as they kiss, cradling him with a level of carefulness that one wouldn't expect from a demonic being like himself. He gently strokes Arin's skin as if he was a delicate treasure in danger of shattering at the slightest mishandling.

Eventually Arin has to break the kiss so he can take a breath, lungs complaining about the lack of oxygen. He raises an eyebrow at the demon. "Dude, how are you not out of breath. Do you not need to breathe or something?"

Danny grins. "Nope. I usually do in order to blend in and it kind of becomes a habit after awhile, but I don't actually need to." He leans in close to whisper the next part, tongue flicking out briefly to drag against Arin's ear. "Comes in hand in certain situations..." A startled groan escapes Arin's throat and Dan straightens up again to look at him curiously.

"Is you tongue forked...?" Arin asks, the blush on his face impossibly deepening.

For a moment Dan stares at him blankly, not having expected that, then he laughs. He sticks his tongue out for a few moments so Arin can see it. "I forgot you didn't know, it's just a regular part of my demon form to me. Is it weird? I can change it back if you want."

Arin quickly shakes his head. "No, I think I like it" he admits with a bashful smile."

Delighted, Dan shoots the human a sultry grin. "Oh we are going to have so much fun together." He takes the other man's hand in his and begins leading him deeper into the house towards Arin's bedroom.