Penny Picker

Six a Penny

A/N: Wow, I seriously just looked back to when I updated last. I feel terrible… How have I gone this long without updating and you wonderful people still ask me to update! I am not worthy!!! You guys are amazing and I cannot thank you enough for continuing to read and support my amature work!!

Warning: s****l content/Strong language

Chapter 6: Six a penny.

I felt warmer than usual when I started to stir from my slumber, and as I tried to turn over to get comfortable again, something was stopping me from doing so. My mind went from a groggy sleep to completely awake in seconds.

Devi was still in my bed and he had me trapped under his strong arm. I had to get free, had to get away from being so close to this devil. My body burst with waves of heat from the close contact, with unwanted feelings bubbling up in my gut.

I tried to wiggle myself from his grip, hearing a soft moan from the copper haired man behind me. His grip tightened and it only made me struggle more, wiggling my whole body to indicate I wanted to get up and out.

Then I was hit, frozen from what I was feeling. The hard sensation of morning wood was digging into my ass as I was forced to be the little spoon. I felt horror wash over me and a panic gripped me. I had to get away from this guy, he stroked too many emotions from me.

“If you keep moving like that, I’m going to have to take advantage of it Avi.” Devi’s sleepy voice cooed into my ear. “Just let me sleep a little longer, just like this. It’s so nice.” He nuzzled his face into the back of my neck, pulling me tighter and getting comfortable again.

The blood drained from my face, I couldn’t believe this is what I had to wake up to. “f**k this!” With all the strength that I had I pushed myself up and around, landing a punch right on Devi’s cheek as I scrambled free.

“Oww, that wasn’t f*****g nice Avi.” Devi was sitting up rubbing his cheek, messy copper hair sticking up in all directions.

“I-I’m sorry. You just. We. I can’t.” I wasn’t sure how to explain punching him, I’m sure I could’ve come up with a less aggressive way to get away, but the way he pulled the emotions from me was hard for me to handle. “Y-you just shouldn’t-shouldn’t do that kind of thing Devi. I-It’s… it’s just not something you do unless…” I cut myself off realizing that I didn’t owe him an explanation. He shouldn’t have been cuddling up to someone he didn’t even know.

“Unless? Unless what?” Devi had stopped rubbing his cheek and was watching me with a devilish grin. My eyes narrowed at him, he was such a f*****g ass.

“Never mind! We just aren’t that way with each other. So don’t make it seem so normal.” I gripped the blanket around me as the room fell silent.

Devi laid down on the bed, propping himself up on his elbow. “Avii?” I brought my eyes up to look at him, and I got a coppered eyed stare back that made my heart flutter. “Would you… ever consider being with me?”

I could feel my face flush, I had no way to answer him. Sure, nearly every time I looked at him he reminded me of the copper gems that had taken over my life for years, which in turn made my heart race… but... he was an asshole through and though. An asshole!

I gave him a stern look and in the end I took hold of my pillow and whipped it into Devi’s face. I needed a shower and a moment away from this devil already. First thing in the morning and I was almost at my limit.

“Oh come on little penny bunny, I was just playing around.” Devi was grabbing the hem of my shirt as I got up and went for the shower.

“Don’t call me that.” I shut the door to the bathroom behind me. I was alone now.

I inhaled deep, taking in this very moment. I was jobless and didn’t have very much in savings, maybe a few months worth to keep me afloat. I looked around the plain bathroom that was now becoming my safe haven from the world around me. It was simple, with very little in it. I wanted my life to be like that again. I wanted to sleep, eat, work and look for my pennies, but something deep inside me said it would never be the same again.

-----

I came out of the shower with a new wind in me. I was going to look for a job and if I was going to be stuck with Devi, or whoever he might really be, he would have to pay his way too.

“Devi?” I wanted to let him know the plan and if he wasn’t up for it, he would have to find his own place. “Devi? Where the hell are you?” My nose caught the scent of something delicious as I made my way through the small apartment.

“In here.”

I followed Devi’s call into the small kitchen to see him stirring something in a frying pan. “W-what are you doing?”

“Well you seemed a little hangry before your shower, so I thought I’d make you something to calm your t**s down.” Devi put the spatula down and caught me in a stare. “You look like you’ve never seen a man cook… how sheltered where you as a child?”

“I-I just never had someone... cook for me before… I-I’m not sheltered!” I huffed in anger and crossed my arms.

Devi walked over to me and placed his arm on my shoulder. “Just say thank you, you little shit.”

After those words, I was taken out of my daze of the site of Devi cooking for me. Slapping his hand off my shoulder I pulled myself up. “L-look, if you are going to stay here, you’re going to have to get a job or something. Help with the bills and stuff. Either that, or you can find your own place.” I had told him, and after it was all out I felt better, like I had hold of the reins for once.

Devi was looking at me with a stern eyed stare, but it soon broke into a cheeky smile. “Hahahaha. Oh man you’re too funny Avi.” He took hold of my shoulders. “I’m a f*****g magical being that can turn your luck as I see fit, and you want to give me the ultimatum of getting a f*****g job or moving out?” He continued his mocking laugh. “You must be worried about money, eh?”

“Of course I am, you made me quit my job and I don’t have much in savings. I-I have to start looking for a job now.” I was falling into his eyes again, beautiful copper eyes. They shone, filling me with those fluttering wings.

“Fine. Let’s eat, then we’ll deal with your bitchy money problems.” He spun me around and pushed me, “Set up the damn table, foods almost done.”

I did as he asked… then a thought popped into my head… what if he was lying… what if he was some crazy man that just conned his way into a free ride. Was I a fool? Was I that much of a pushover? So gullible? There had to be a way to tell right now.

I walked back into the kitchen, and with a bit of demand in my voice I spoke. “Devi. I want you to prove to me what you can do. I-If any of what you say is really real.” Devi had stopped in his tracks, looking unimpressed. “This whole c-crap about being able to make my life oh-so-much-better or a living hell. It’s- It’s just not something I can wrap my head around so easily.” I crossed my arms, finished with my little rant, but Devi didn’t respond. He just stared at me like I was a loon.

I started to open my mouth, but I wasn’t sure what to say now. “I… I just can’t grasp the idea of you just being magical…? I mean I know the penny rubbing thing is… well, a bit strange, but I don’t think I would count it as something ‘magical.’” I pulled the air quotes move as I spoke and looked on at Devi, wondering what he was thinking and going to say next.

Then he finally spoke. “Tell me little Avi, how do you think your ex-boss acts like on a usual day? Or do you think your luck was a little more… mmm, potent?” Devi challenged back, crossing his arms as well. “And that Avi, was only a small bit of luck. Still can’t believe you were drawn to that douche.” His copper eyes rolled as he picked up the plates and carried them past me.

“T-That could’ve happened… maybe… someday…” My courage dwindled as I spoke. I thought back to that moment in Arron’s office. It was all crazy, and honestly I couldn’t see it happening on any other day. I had daydreamed about it so many times, but knew nothing would ever really happen like that. I was at a loss for words after.

Devi had come back into the kitchen again where I stood, dumbfounded. “So, if we can f*****g eat now. I can show you, oh so much more after that, ok.” He’d grabbed me by my shoulders and lead me into the dining room and small table that had a beautiful array of breakfast. Omelets, french toast, bacon, sausages, hash browns, orange juice, milk and delicious looking treats for after laid before me.

“Where did you learn to cook?” I was in awe of the gorgeous food in front of me. Then I thought. “Where did you get all this food from?”

I looked over to Devi who was already digging in, not waiting. He looked up at me for a moment with a playful smile on his face. “I just have all the luck.” He took a bite of toast, as if to tease me.

I scoffed as I sat down with him. “We’ll see.” I whispered under my breath.

---

It wasn’t long before we had finished breakfast and I was feeling stuffed and satisfied. I rubbed my belly happily with the full feeling. Something that I rarely felt with all the terrible food I ate. I was almost thankful for the meal I was given. I stopped myself as soon as I thought it. I was thankful. I hadn’t felt satisfied in a long time. It was yet again another feeling that coppered eyed asshole had brought to the surface. As much as I didn’t want to say it, I had to thank Devi. He’d given me a home cooked meal… something I hadn’t had in years, and probably wouldn’t have for many more to come. “Thank you Devi… for the breakfast.”

“I know, I’m a great cook. You’re welcome.” He leaned back in his chair, looking quite proud of himself. It made my blood burst with anger.

“You’re so full of yourself.” I got up and took my plate and a few other empty ones into the kitchen. I regretted thanking him. I started to fill the sink with water and placed the dirty dishes in them to soak.

Unfortunately Devi had no clue on personal space and was standing right up against me as he spoke into my sensitive ear “You ready for me to show you what power I really have?” I was froze, unsure of what to do next. “Come on, leave that crap, you won’t even be worrying about it soon Avi.” I was pulled away by the copper haired man, out into the outside world again.

--

It wasn’t long before Devi had stopped dragging me, we stopped in front of a small convenience store and stood there. I looked from the stores front to Devi with curiosity.

“So… what are we doing here?” I pulled my hand from Devi’s soft grip. It was almost like he was hesitating to make his next move.

“I better not regret this, you little four eyed wimp.” I was taken aback by his little outburst.

“Why the hell do you have to be like that to me? It’s not like I’ve been the jerk to you.” I crossed my arms, contemplating if I should just head back home. Maybe if I locked him out of my place he would eventually leave me and the penny that was now rightfully mine.

“It’s just a pain to keep going through this crap and continuously get screwed over. I’m sure you’d be a little prick if that’s what you had to put up with for over a hundred years.” I was now being shoved forward into the little store.

I knew the penny was first introduced in 1864 and made a legal tender then, and this would explain why the coin had gone through so much hardship and was extremely hard to recognize now. The more Devi spoke the curiouser I became, and it made it that much more difficult to not believe his story.

As I was pushed through the store and up to the front till. “Okay, we want this one. That one and this one.” Devi was pointing to and picking three scratch tickets.

“Scratch tickets?” I was bewildered with what he was doing.

“Just pay the f*****g lady.” He scooped up the tickets after the lady had finished scanning them. She gave me a sympathetic look and I pulled my wallet out to pay for the tickets Devi had taken.

“Thank you.” I said to the lady and walked out after Devi.

“Here, scratch these. I mean it’s only adds up to 200k, but it will get the ball rolling and we can always collect more later.” He handed the tickets off to me, and somehow he looked a little worried and he scanned the area around us.

“You think we are going to hit a winner off of all of these? Are you nuts?” I couldn’t help but give a small laugh at the thought.

“You want to see if I’m lucky or not. To see if I really do have powers? Well then scratch the f*****g tickets and start offering yourself up for sacrifice.” Devi was like a switch, complete addhole one second, then a playful asshole the next.

I checked my pockets for some loose change, pulling out a nickel to start scratching. I picked the first ticket for 50k and started to scratch away. It was a simple one, if I got three of the same prize winning numbers I won that amount. It wasn’t anything new when I seen the first 50, 000 pop up, but I could feel the rush of excitement when the second 50, 000 was revealed. Then… “Holy s**t…” The third 50, 000 was looking back at me… I had won. I had really won. “This has to be--”

“Luck?” Devi was looking smug as I held the first winning ticket in my hand.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. This is just literal luck… they have to be out there. Winners. This couldn’t honestly be you.” My heart was pounding with a thrill I only knew when I found those little copper gems out in the world.

“Keep f*****g scratching Avi. If you don’t win on those two, then I will be your little bitch.” Devi crossed his arms challenging me to keep going.

My eyes glared at him as I accepted his challenge and I started scratching the other two tickets.

I was frozen.

Every ticket was a winner. All three that Devi had picked were winners. As he had said, he was lucky. He had powers beyond my knowledge and he was sharing them with me.

“How is this possible?” I asked in awe.

“f**k if I know… my memories before I was attached to that damn penny are gone. The only thing that I know is that I can give luck or take it. Most people that piss me off or try and make me their little slave get the worst I can give them. Then I’m thrown away till the next person finds me.” Devi stretched and rubbed his soft copper hair. “Anyways, let’s get these things cashed and go on some spending spree or f*****g vacation. This city is a damn drag.”

I looked down at the tickets, still in awe of what had just happened. “Why did you call me to you Devi?”

“The hell you talking about?”

“When I was walking… I heard you calling me. That’s was the only reason I found you. I heard you calling my name.” I thought back to that moment, I was walking down the silent road. It was him, I was sure of it. Devi was calling to me, calling for me to find him.

“What the hell are you smoking Avi. I didn’t call you… like I would pick a wimp ass b***h like you to find me.” Like a switch, Devi started walking and I couldn’t help but feel a pull for me to follow.

A/N: I apologize for any mistakes. I’m honestly just writing to get this all out of my head. It’s been brewing inside me for a while. I hope you enjoyed it tho! Thank you all so much for reading!!