( Is it kindness? To be called "kind", if anyone would use the term aloud for him, might be strange. What he is, is only meant to be objective, neutral — neither expressively cruel nor kind. Equal exchange, balance. His protectiveness and interest towards Falco is because of what the boy has provided to him, and a connection made deeper. If he were any unknown child on the street, Paimon would do no harm, but he would also not provide this assistance. Not like this. Not unless there were a reason for him to.
....And yet...
What he is, has been filtered through humans. Observing and absorbing emotions and feelings in different ways from how he's meant to function. He has known what it is to be cruel. And perhaps he has also known what it is to be kind. For when the boy reaches to him — arms wrapped securely, face pressed tight, uttering soft words... there is a warmth that blossoms from a heart that might belong to Peter, but currently reacts to Paimon's own emotions. To be held by a human this way is still strange; it's only happened once or twice for him. He's stunned for a moment.
But he enjoys it. The realisation is just as strange for him; he doesn't know when it happened, only that it has. There are ways he can reach humans now that are new — physically, through a body that can touch and feel. Slowly, the demon's fingers tighten into the boy's clothing as his arms circle around Falco's body in return. Embracing him, and it's a little odd and stiff around the edges, a thing that isn't human, imitating a human gesture.
But he breathes him in and holds him, and he will for awhile longer. There is no thought of reciprocation, only a quiet fierceness to protect and to assuage the boy's pain and fears. (When did that happen? Does it matter?)
He will keep this child safe, whether from beast or illness or a looming fate. )
IT'S A WRAP i just had to do a little thing bc... Feelings and Character Development™
....And yet...
What he is, has been filtered through humans. Observing and absorbing emotions and feelings in different ways from how he's meant to function. He has known what it is to be cruel. And perhaps he has also known what it is to be kind. For when the boy reaches to him — arms wrapped securely, face pressed tight, uttering soft words... there is a warmth that blossoms from a heart that might belong to Peter, but currently reacts to Paimon's own emotions. To be held by a human this way is still strange; it's only happened once or twice for him. He's stunned for a moment.
But he enjoys it. The realisation is just as strange for him; he doesn't know when it happened, only that it has. There are ways he can reach humans now that are new — physically, through a body that can touch and feel. Slowly, the demon's fingers tighten into the boy's clothing as his arms circle around Falco's body in return. Embracing him, and it's a little odd and stiff around the edges, a thing that isn't human, imitating a human gesture.
But he breathes him in and holds him, and he will for awhile longer. There is no thought of reciprocation, only a quiet fierceness to protect and to assuage the boy's pain and fears. (When did that happen? Does it matter?)
He will keep this child safe, whether from beast or illness or a looming fate. )