I Use the Term "Missionary" Loosely

He facepalmed.

"Oh, Lord...why didn't you say something sooner? Augh, this is going to mess up my plans, but, um...look, can you wait here? I have some business here that really can't wait, but if you can stay over here for a few minutes, I can take you to my house.

"I know it sounds creepy, because I'm the stranger you just met in a cemetery, and hey--the church has a reputation for producing a ton of wackjobs, but...what I'm trying to say is, I want to help. You don't have to trust me, but I give my word as a man of God that I'll offer you sanctuary for a few days until we can find you someplace better. Is that okay with you?..."

He nodded.

"You're a man of God; I trust you." All the naivety in that sentence was enough to prove that little ol' Marsy really shouldn't be on his own.

Priestly himself winced at that.

"...Okay, just wait here, kiddo. Keep your head low." He smiled, ruffling Mars's hair before wandering off into the cemetery.

Mars sat down on the ground and wait patiently; he had gotten pretty good at waiting...

A few minutes later, there was a loud, inhuman shriek.

He frowned deeply, sitting up and looked around. Briefly he wondered if that priest guy was alright.

There was another loud shriek, and the sound of something large slamming into the ground.

Mars slowly got to his feet and after a few moments of deliberation, he wandered in the direction he heard the noises coming from, until he found them.

Priestly was standing over a large, living gargoyle. He pressed his boot down over its throat, smiling gently.

"Please stop struggling--you're only going to make this harder for both of us..." While the beast made unintelligible noises, he withdrew a small pocket bible from his coat; he pressed it to the beast's forehead, shouting prayers in Latin.

The demon erupted in flame, and was gone; Priestly pocketed the bible and wiped his brow, mouthing a quick prayer of thanks.

He turned around, only to run into Mars; his face paled.

"...I thought I told you to wait."

Mars, however, barely registered Priestly's words.

"There are more." He said, dumbfounded. "Not just...demons..."

"...Kid, I swear, I'm not going to hurt you," he said, frowning. "I...I wish you didn't have to see that."

He latched onto Priestly in a hug.

"You can help me!" He exclaimed.

He stared at Mars, completely surprised.

"...You're not afraid?..."

He shook his head slowly.

"Not after last week..."

Without another word, Priestly pulled him into a hug.

"I understand. But you know what?" He smiled broadly at him. "I like you, Mars--you're welcome to stay with me for as long as you want."

He smiled slightly.

"R-really...?"

He nodded.

"Come on, let's go get you some food and some clothes."

He nodded as well.

"O-okay..."

Priestly sat on the bed, smiling broadly.

"This is where you'll be sleeping. It's a guest room, so it rarely sees much use, but I'm sure it'll feel more like home once it's more lived-in. My room is just down the hall, if you need me during the night..." He winked flirtatiously.

"This'll be interesting--even when i have guests, no one sleeps in here."

"I'll be fine." He said, missing every suggestive bit about that sentence. "But I would like to sleep now..."

He yawned, as if to prove that.

He nodded, standing up.

"Are you sure? Did you get enough to eat? Would you maybe like a bath first?" He placed a hand on Mars's arm, making sure he was all right--which is to say, checking him out.

He thought for a moment.

"A bath would be nice..."

He smiled broadly.

"Want me to scrub your back?"

He frowned.

"...I'll be fine." He said, finally getting creeped out.

He chuckled.

"Sorry, you'll have to excuse me--I forgot for a second that we'll be doing that tomorrow night." He winked suggestively.