#Am also making a demon Lucifer drawing guide

[allastoredeer]

Redrawing/editing Lucifer screenshots swapping normal Lucifer with demon!Lucifer and vise versa.

I’m having a lot of fun ^.^

[hisfluer]

how to connect with lucifer ? he’s such a revered figure that I feel there’s a wall between us

he comes across that way, doesn't he? well, i'll be the first to say that the wall is our making, not his. i put him so far above me that i thought there is no way he would want to associate with me but lucifer is a breaker of barriers, of chains, of limitations. he lives in the in-between, the morning star.

i would say to find the aspect of him that you wish to connect with. he is extremely multi-faceted and has mythology of all colors, has all kinds of stories and understandings. there is something of him that draws you to him, focus on that. is it the light he brings? is it the infernal / demonic force of him? is it the roman god that called the stars home? or the angel that rebelled against an oppressive force?

once you identify what part of him you want to connect with, start connecting. i suggest doing this way because he represents so many things that it feels like a lot and that can be overwhelming.

here's what i did: i lit a candle for him ( lightbringer, yanno? ) and told him that i would like to connect with him. that's all i did in the beginning. no spell, no incantation, just an honest request.

after that, i would find offerings to give (things that i associated with the aspect of him i was trying to connect with or things that just made me think of lucifer or just a cup of water when that's all i had. ) or i would pray to him. i suggest you do the same. there are demonic chants you can do or prayers but honestly, i never got much into that. lucifer and i have a big UPG relationship. you can journal and tell him how you represented the aspect you're trying to connect to that day. for example, if you're into the illumination of knowledge then perhaps you tell him of the things you're interesting in learning and how you're going to go about doing them. this becomes a devotional act and he will see this.

connecting with an entity, in my experience, is not akin to some huge incredibly movements of religious ecstasy or anything like that. it is very much the little things. i see lucifer in the sunsets, i see him in the dove coos, i see him in the apples i offer him, i see him in my learning and education, i see him in my self-love, i see him in my strength to stand up for myself and in all this, i am connecting with him.

i trust that he is there because he has shown me is through signs, miracles, and associations.

he is the lightbrighter. he will meet you where you are in the dark and he will guide you to illumination. you need only ask him.

if you have more questions or are unsure about something, feel free to ask! i know i'm not very active on the blog but i am around a lot!

EDIT: i also wrote this VERY LONG ask about him too. it might have some insights for you too.

[ln-stories]

Leviathan's Mc!

This is the third drawing and headcannons of my mini series with the obey me charachers and their custom mcs. Previously i did Mammon's mc if you want you can check my page. After alot of thought i decided to make Levi's mc next. I'm accepting request for the next characher reccomentations, Ty for reading and enjoy!.

(Apologies for any grammar mistakes.)

Third Leviathan's MC

Warnings: Spoiler alert of the lessons, small swear words.

Heacannons:

This mc (he/him)

Personality: energetic, optimistic, shy sometimes Really Forgetful, aloof, secretly a Weeb, sensitive (very sensitive if someone bully him about his horns. Protect at all costs.)

1)This Mc is a medium size fella not to big not too small. A perfect size with much floof. He always have a pink blush in his face, He doesn't know why XDDD

2)when he arrived at devildom he was the only one that was asleep. When he woke up he was thinking that everything was a dream (bad one since he was seeing demons surrounding him). Poor guy had an existential crisis when he learned that it wasn't a dream.

3)At first he wouldn't get out of his room at all. He was really scared. Lucifer assignmented Levi to guide him in the devildom since this Mc showed a very introverted nature with them. Lucifer also hoped that Levi would find a new friend since he was locked himself in his room. 

4)The first meeting was awkward.. VERY awkward, With Levi repeating calling everyone a normie including the mc. This backfired with a big surprise cuz this mc is secretly a weeb, as one manga comic of an anime series that the mc was watching fell on the floor.

5)After that they has a duel what realm has the better anime and games. The jealousy and tesion was so intence you could cut it with a knife XDDD. They had a big rivalry with eachother proving the superiority of their favourite series and games. (i imagine the MC doing jojo poses and Levi be like "WTF am i watching now???")

6)After the TSL showdown, Mc was really hurt with Leviathan actions, both of them took some time to cool off. Levi admitted that Mc won and decided to make peace with them, earning Leviathan pact. (the pact mark is visible on one of Mc's ears).

7)This mc had many incecurities and it turns out he was bullied alot in RAD. One of Mc's incecurities is that he didn't had any horns compared to other mcs of this series. 

8) Slowly both leaviathan and mc started hanging out exhanging games and anime series that they should try out. They bonded over the colorful characters and funny scenes to the point they turned thing into regular meetings in Levi's room.

9) Both of them failing classess Miserably since they spend alot of time together playing very late at night. They almost had to repeat a year.

10) Leviathan and Mc have a wholesome relationship mostly, thought sometimes Levi jealousy and incecurities gets in the way.

11) Levi and Mc had alot of deep talks with their gaming sessions. Levi always remembered that they were incecure about not having horn like the others. Sooo Levi decided to do something about it.

12) Since Levi is a premium member of Akuzon... He decided to buy secret magic horns for the mc as a token of appreciation for all the good times they had so far. (The mc loved them and wore them everyday, the bullies got real quiet after that XDD). Also gifts are also an often thing that Levi does to mc, whitch include manga and special limited stuff.

13) After some time Levi and Mc are inseparable, either they are hanging out to levi room, or Mc's room. Not anywhere near outdoors. (only on events with the others, otherwise outside? Big no)

14) Levi is getting jealous alot when the Mc is hanging out with someone else other than him. Overthinking alot that the mc doesn't care for him anymore. (whitch is not true). Well he is the avatar of envy, its literally his first nature.. 

15) Sometimes his jealous issues are getting severe alot sometimes he doesn't act upon them, sometimes he does.. and when it does he doesn't let mc out of his room, making excuses for "cmon one more episode mcccc pleaseee! It's about to get good!!".

16) The mc is guarding Levi rooms at times whenever he away so that Mammon doesn't steal stuff or money. One time Mammon tried to steal a limited edition ruri-chan figuring and it didn't end well for Mammon since Mammon's mc will drag his ass away and apologize for him to the mc and Levi.

17) Mammon's mc and Leaviathan's mc have a very wholesome bond. Kind of like a wholesome sibling bond. Whitch is soo cuteee.

18) Sometimes the mc with levi will play online with the angels luke and simeon. Lets say we all know who wins those online games XDDD. (poor luke and simeon RIP)

19)This mc is very forgetful sometimes, when events are coming up, Levi is always making sure to remind them and ask them if they wanna go together. (sooo wholesome and shyy)

20) After RAD ended The mc didn't wanna return to the human realm, He got too attached to the devildom. He visits the human realm from time to time but he usually likes to stay at the devildom with his favourite person Levi. He made connections with the others as well. (closest friendships Mammon, Levi, simeon, luke and Mammon's mc)

Thank you for reading! i'm accepting requests for the next characher and the custom mc. Have a nice day!

[mageofseven]

Bros and undateables react to MC who bakes in the middle of the night when stressed

I read this and my brain was like "so Beel's dream MC?". Of course, doing it out of stress isn't good, but Beel would definitely enjoy midnight sweets~

Anyway, will do, Nonnie! Please enjoy 😊

Also, like always, I'm splitting this into two parts: one for Brothers and the other Undateables for space reasons.

~

Lucifer:

Was heading to the kitchen to get himself more coffee to continue his paperwork.

When he saw the kitchen light on, he expected to catch Beel raiding the fridge.

Instead, he found MC at the oven, pulling out another set of cookies to add to the already monstrous pile of them on the counter.

"MC, what are you doing?"

The human jumped at his voice then gave an awkward laugh.

"Baking..."

"Yes, I have eyes, Love." He tells them. "What I mean is, why are you baking at 1am?"

"...I dunno."

The man sighed before approaching the human and turning off the oven.

"Regardless, I believe you've made enough cookies for one night. It's time for bed."

The human didn't move however.

"Darling?"

"I can't sleep..."

MC proceeds to explain how they get bad anxiety at night and how usually they can power through it, but with some school stressors on top of it, it became overwhelming and they just needed to do something to distract themselves.

The demon frowned.

"Love, you should have just came to me if you were having issues."

"But you're busy with your work--"

"That doesn't matter if you need me though."

The firstborn smoothed down their human's hair, which was messy.

"Now follow me to my room. I'll make sure you get some rest."

"But what about the cookies?"

"I'm sure Beel will wander in and take care of them for you."

Mammon:

Just got back from a party and was heading to the kitchen to grab a snack before heading up to his room

Only to find MC awake and... icing a cake?

"Oi! Human! What's with the cake?"

"I baked it."

"Well duh. But why?"

The human finished icing it, making the cake a colorful one with all of the brothers' colors.

"Because I wanted to." The human shrugged, not meeting his eyes. "Do you want a piece?"

"Uh.. sure." The demon mumbled.

He hopped onto the counter next to them as he watched them grab a plate and cut a piece for him.

MC handed the plate and a fork to him.

"It's red velvet." They said proudly.

"Yeah, yeah..." The man mumbled, taking a bite.

His eyebrows raised.

"Man, this is good!" His face went red at his words so he dialed back. "I mean, its okay... ya know."

MC gave a small smile, but it quickly fell into a heavier look.

"Hey, what's with that face??"

MC quietly hopped on the free counter next to him.

They didn't answered, just lightly kicked their feet as they stared at the floor.

"Oh c'mon, Babe, talk to me 'ere!"

MC sighed.

"I'm sorry. My anxiety is just bad tonight... I wanted to keep busy."

...oh.

The Avatar of Greed sat the plate down and put his arm around his Human.

"I don't get why you went to straight to baking..." The demon thought aloud. "But it doesn't matter. I'm home now, got that? You don't have to be anxious on your own..."

MC gave a soft smile.

"Thanks, Babe."

"Nothin' to thank me for. Now just let The Great Mammon take care of you!"

Leviathan:

This boy's sleep schedule is kinda fucked up

So it's not unusual for him to be up at 3am.

The Avatar of Envy ran out of pop in his room so he ventured out to the kitchen to get some more.

Which is how he found MC in the kitchen with like... seven cheesecakes???

"...What am I looking at?"

"Cheesecake."

"Well duh, normie." The demon rolled his eyes. "But why did you make cheesecake at like, 3am?"

Silence. Levi was suddenly worried that they hurt his Human's feelings and the look is their eyes definitely wasn't filled with the positivity that he's used to.

"Look..." He came up and hugged them close. "I just don't get it. Please don't be upset."

MC laid their head against their boyfriend's chest.

"It's fine." They mumbled. "I'm sorry... I just couldn't sleep so... I just came in to bake and this was the outcome."

"You should have just came to my room." He pulled back to look at them. "You could have been watching me play Rune Factory or something."

MC turned away from the demon, wrapping their arms around themselves.

"I'm not too clingy... right?"

"I... what?"

MC sighed.

"I didn't go to you because I was worried that you just wanted time to yourself and I'm always with you during the day..."

Levi just shook his head at every word they just said.

"Look... I always want my Henry with me." He blushed. "And yeah, I like my time away from other people, but that doesn't include you; just other normies."

"Are... are you sure?"

"I mean, yeah." He mumbled. "So... just don't worry about it, okay?"

Satan:

This man usually has a better sleep schedule but tonight he had stayed up reading just a bit too long.

He started heading to the kitchen to get some water and found MC with counter surfaces covered with cupcuakes while they looked really stressed and teary-eyed down at the one they were drawing on with icing.

"Kitten?"

MC jumped and quickly raised their hand to wipe their eyes.

Satan strode over and stopped them, looking down into their eyes.

"Kitten, what's wrong?" He wiped away a fallen tear.

They avoided their boyfriend's gaze.

"It's not working..." They mumbled.

"What are you talking about?"

"The cats aren't turning out right..." Their gaze falls to the dozen cupcakes with cat faces drawn on them in icing, but didn't meet the human's standards apparently.

The blonde raised an eyebrow. Surely they weren't in the kitchen crying over cupcakes because their designs weren't coming out well?

He sighed.

"Give me your hand." He took the human's hand with the bag of icing and brought it over a cupcake. He guided them with the design and helped them make a cleaner-looking cat.

"Thank you." MC sniffled.

Satan pressed a kiss to their forehead.

"Now what's the real issue, Little One?"

MC didn't say a word, just lightly sat the icing bag down and stared at the cupcakes.

Their boyfriend waited patiently and just rubbed circles on their hand with his thumb.

"I... I'm not gonna be sent away if I fail a class, right?"

"What are you talking about?"

MC shifted their gaze to the ground.

The blonde sighed once more and wrapped his arms around their waist.

"Talk to me, Kitten."

They sniffled.

"I'm failing my Hexes class." They mumbled. "This semester got so much harder and my grade took a nose dive... and the requirements to stay in the program say I gotta keep my grades in a certain range..."

"MC... you should have told me sooner." He tightened his embrace around them and set his chin on their shoulder.

"B-But you can't always help me--"

"Yes I can, Kitten. I'm always ready to help you when you need me."

"Satan..."

He kissed their cheek.

"And trust me when I say I would never let anyone take you away from me." He told them. "I'd fight the whole Devildom to keep you by my side."

He placed one last kiss on their temple.

"I'll help you study tomorrow. For now, let's clean up and get some rest."

Asmodeus:

Another one who just came home from a party and was heading towards his room when he heard a frustrated sigh come from the kitchen.

The demon poked his head inside and found MC staring down at... something. Whatever it was supposed to be, it just looked like charcoal now.

"Doll? What are you doing up?"

MC sighed.

"Baking." They eyed the black brick on the counter. "Or well... tried to anyway."

Asmo stepped inside and immediately went over to kiss his human.

They smiled a bit.

"Welcome home."

He smiled back and gave his Doll a big hug.

MC relaxed into the hug.

"My anxiety is just bad tonight for basically no reason." They explained, burying their face in the crook of his neck. "I was waiting for you to come home."

"Aww, Dolly." He pulled back and kissed their check. "You should have texted me! I would of been home sooner!"

"No, no, it fine." They pulled away. "Did you have fun?"

"Yep! Of course, I would have had even more fun if you came me, but I still made do~."

He gave them another kiss, this time on their nose.

"Now why don't we lay down now, hmm?"

MC smiled.

"Okay, thank you, Azzy."

Beelzebub:

Midnight kitchen raid. A usual nightly occurrence.

This time however, the Avatar of Gluttony's nose was greeted by a sweet smell as he approached the kitchen.

"Oh Beely!" The human displayed their plate full of fudge squares to him. "Please try them and tell me what you think."

Was he dreaming? The man felt like he was dreaming. Still, he didn't hesitate to accept the human's offer.

He made quick work of the fudge and smiled happily at his Muffin.

"Good?"

"Amazing." He stepped forward and hugged his human.

After a moment though, his smile fell.

"Wait...what are you doing up?"

Silence.

"Muffin?"

MC broke away and sat the now empty plate in the sink.

"I dunno. I just couldn't sleep." They explained. "I guess I just..."

The demon stared down at them, waiting patiently.

"Ugh..." MC let their face fall into his chest.

He stroked their hair quietly, brows furrowing in concern.

"I got a test on Friday and no matter how much I study for it, I can't stop stressing about it." They sighed.

"What class?"

"History..." They mumbled. "Why do we have to cover a whole century of events in one test?"

Beel patted their head and hugged their human close.

"Can I sleep with you tonight, Beely? I don't think I wanna go back to my room."

He kissed the top of their head.

"Of course, Muffin."

Belphegor:

Believe or not, its common for Sleepy Boy to be up late at night.

He sleeps so much during the day that he's usually awake starting from after his dinner nap to about 4 or 5 am.

Hence him being awake at 2am and heading towards MC's room, only to notice that their room was empty, but there was noise coming from the kitchen.

He found his Human sitting on the floor in front of the oven, staring into it.

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting for the brownies to bake." They said dully, not looking away from the oven.

"Are you baked?"

MC lightly hit his arm, but broke out into a small smile.

He smirked.

"Come on, I mean, who bakes brownies at 2am and just stares at them?"

Their smile fell, as did their gaze; they stared down at their bare feet.

Belphie frowned.

"Okay, what's the problem, Butthead?"

No response. He gave a small flick to their head.

"Ow..." The human rubbed their forehead, looking to the Avatar of Sloth as he stared expectantly at them.

They sighed.

"I've been getting nightmares lately... at least I think I have been."

The demon raised an eyebrow.

"You think you've had nightmares?"

"I... can't actually remember them." They mumbled. "All I know is that I'll have them and wake up crying with my heart pounding... but I can never remember why. Like, what the dream was about..."

"How long has this been going on?"

"About... two weeks I think?"

He flicked them on the forehead again.

"Ow!" They rubbed their forehead once more.

"Dummy. You are literally dating the demon whose an expert on sleep and stuff."

Silence. He sighed.

"Come here." He pulled them in for a hug. "Come to my room. I'll keep the nightmares away, got it?"

[prettyboy-asmo]

Aquarium Date

Pairing: Diavolo/Reader(Gender Neutral reader)

Pure fluff/attempt at humor- SFW

Summary: Diavolo asks about your favorite things to do in the human realm, and you tell him about aquariums. He decides you should go to one together.

Huge thank you to @jugodeflores for motivating/ encouraging me to write this and also beta reading for me!

“MC,” You look up Diavolo from your D.D.D, wondering when he’d stopped doing his own paperwork. Instead, his gold eyes focused on you as he propped his chin on his hand, “What’s your favorite thing to do in the human realm?” 

“Well, I guess it depends,” You tell him, smiling a little as he listens to you speak with intense curiosity, “Do you mean day to day, or special occasions?” 

“Special occasions?” He questions, leaning forward in his seat now.

“Yeah, Like vacations, day trips, or dates and stuff.” 

“I’m interested in special occasions,” He answers. 

“Okay, Well, I never really went on vacations or traveled much,” Which in a way, is what had prompted you to sign and mail the mysterious exchange forms that had found their way in your mail one day, “But I liked taking trips to the cities I lived near, just to explore and find new places and stuff. There were a couple of water parks around, and some carnivals during the summer, along with an amusement park a few hours away, a few museums too. I think my top favorite was the aquarium though, alone or for a date.” 

You watch the Prince tilt his head slightly, his expression urging you to continue. “There’s just something about the experience that never gets old for me. Seeing all the different creatures that I wouldn’t see otherwise, and it’s more than just looking at fish too, sometimes they have live feedings for certain animals, and the one I went to had penguins and sea otters and A jellyfish tank. I could watch the moon jellies for hours. And there’s information on everything housed in there, so you can learn about them while you observe them. I went for a field trip in second grade and I fell in love with it.” 

“That does seem like it would be an entertaining experience.” he grins warmly at you, “Let’s go to one.” 

You blink at him, processing his words, “Huh?” 

“Let’s go to a human realm aquarium. I want to experience one with you.”  You feel your face flush when he laughs, “I’ll make all the necessary arrangements.” He already looks so excited that you can feel your heart melt. It’s not like you’d have said no in the first place, but you nod your agreement anyways. 

So a week later you’re visiting the human realm, Your hand gripping Diavolo’s as the Demon Prince led you along to the aquarium he’d chosen to visit. It wasn’t very often you got to see him in casual clothes, So while he was focused on your destination you took some time to admire the way he looked in the dark red button down and black slacks. It was kind of unfair, really, how good he looked. 

Soon, though, you had reached the doors and Diavolo was paying the entry fees, taking a map and leading you into the building farther before stopping and turning to you, “What should we do first?” 

“Well,” you pondered, glancing at the pamphlet he held out to you, “There’s a show with the dolphins in two hours if you’re interested in that. Until then, we can start here and work our way through the building, unless there’s something you want to see right now.” 

Diavolo shook his head, “I want to see it all.” and with that he sets off again, his enthusiasm drawing a laugh from you as he leads you in the direction of the exhibits. His eyes light up as you walk into what you note is supposed to be an exhibit on the Amazon, and the look of wonder that graces his features is something you want to commit to memory for the rest of your life. 

You move along the tanks, and he leans in close to each one. Sometimes, you’re able to point out a specific fish and give a few facts about them, and sometimes you read him the trivia posted around the exhibit.

“It kind of reminds me of Leviathan,” Diavolo says suddenly, prompting you to turn from the sign of facts about Piranhas you’d been reading. You can’t help the laugh that you let out when you see he’s observing a rainbow boa that’s draped lazily on one of the many large branches in its enclosure. The pattern along its body does indeed remind you of Leviathan’s demon form. You don’t have time to respond as Diavolo takes out his D.D.D, double checks the flash is off and snaps a picture. 

You try to peer over his shoulder to see what he’s doing, but with a grin he finishes typing and turns the phone toward you. The Picture of the snake is there, soft iridescent sheen on it’s skin visible along with the pattern, under it is a short message that simply reads, Is this you? And you can only imagine how Levi will react when he opens that message. The thought is amusing but it quickly drifts to the back of your mind as Diavolo starts moving toward another enclosure, attention captured by something there. 

You follow him through the rest of this exhibit, letting him lead you around the rooms and take as much time to observe everything he wants. You’re glad he’s so tall, otherwise you might be afraid you’d lose him in the crowd with how suddenly he seems to take off to other exhibits when something catches his eye. The interest and child-like excitement that continues to shine through him rubs off on you, and soon enough your hands are intertwined once again as he pulls you gently along. You make it through a freshwater fish exhibit before you decide it’s time to head to the show. 

As you’re heading there you pass a group of young children clearly on a field trip, and apparently heading to the same show you are. A few of them stare at you- or, more accurately, Diavolo. One of them whispers to their friend, a not so quiet- “He’s really tall, like, as tall as a superhero!” You feel the soft chuckle Diavolo lets out, biting back your own laugh. Diavolo though turns back slightly, sending a wink at the pair before guiding you to your seats for the show. 

Now, instead of his grip on your hand he wraps his arm around you, pulling you flush against his side. It causes a slight blush to dust your cheeks, but you lean into his side anyways, enjoying the closeness of the moment. “Are you enjoying your day so far?” he asks as people continue to find seats, shuffling around and settling while waiting for the show to begin. 

“I’m having a lot of fun,” you tell him honestly, your own smile bright, but your conversation is cut short by the show beginning. You both give it your attention, though every so often, after a dolphin performs a particularly impressive trick or amusing maneuver, you glance at the demon beside you to see his reactions. Each time he laughs in delight you can feel it move through him, and you can feel the way his arm tenses around you during tricks, can see the awe in his eyes when the trainers explain some of the mannerisms of the animals, the relationships they form with one another, and efforts to help the earth’s environments to help the natural habitats of the animals. 

After the show, you end up at the touch pools- something that sets off a whole new level of excitement in Diavolo. He’s extremely careful when he reaches in, fingers gently grazing the creatures sitting in the shallow water. “It’s fascinating,” the Anemone his hand brushed against swayed gently with the movement of the water. 

“You don’t expect them to feel so...squishy, right?” 

You go through a few more exhibits after that, and you even manage to sneak a few photos of Diavolo, your favorite being the one where he’s nearly leaning against the glass of the beluga whale enclosure, one of the creatures on the other side  staring right back at him, the delighted expression on Diavolo’s face is priceless. You also manage to send it to Lucifer, knowing he’d appreciate it as much as you do.  A while later, Diavolo takes your hand in his again. 

 “The Aquarium is hosting a jellyfish exhibit for a limited time,” he says, leading you along to a staircase that has another attendant standing at the top, “I got us the passes because you said you liked them.” He hands the attendant the passes, who nods as you continue on down the staircase. Even in the dimmer light as you reach the bottom you can see the faint tinge of pink on his face. 

“You didn’t have to do that,” you squeeze his hand, smiling up at him, “but thank you, I love it.” 

The pace you took around the exhibit was slower now, moving along the dim rooms and taking minutes at a time to watch the strange creatures drift through the lit tanks. It’s quieter here than the rest of the aquarium, and less crowded, probably due to the fact that it required additional passes- but it feels almost serene, despite the low chatter of the other guests roaming the rooms. 

“I believe I understand what you meant when you said you could watch them for hours,” Divaolo says next to you, his golden eyes are tracking the movement of the Jellies, his features bathed in the blue glow of the tank’s lighting- it makes everything feel softer somehow, the way his lips are curved into a smile, how his hair falls just slightly into his eyes, even his gaze. 

When he turns to you there’s something else in his eyes that makes your face heat up. “They really are beautiful,” he says, and you realize he’s leaning in closer, as he continues, “Almost as beautiful as you,” he finishes, and even though there’s sincerity in his voice- even though you know he doesn’t lie- you have to fight the urge to roll your eyes. 

“That’s...so cheesy.” you say, but you can feel your own grin on your face, your hand squeezes his tighter, and you lean up, almost completely on your toes to meet him in a soft, quick kiss. “Thank you for this,” you say earnestly, “I’m happy we got to come here together.” 

“As am I. I should thank you for putting up with me dragging you around all the exhibits, I’m sure you are used to a more relaxed atmosphere than that.” 

“I think it’s cute.” You answer, satisfaction washing over you at the blush that covers his face, “I like how excited you are. It means I can tell you’re having a good time.” 

He chuckled slightly, “I would say any time spent with you is good.” 

The two of you lingered in the Jellyfish exhibit for a while, silently admiring the displays. 

When you finally emerge you have to blink at the sudden increase in light, but Diavolo is already leading you along again. “I was told that these sort of trips aren’t complete without a visit to the gift shop.”  

“I guess that is kinda true,” you admit, following him into the shop. Immediately, something catches your eye. “Dia, look!” You hold up an almost perfectly round stuffed seal in your hands, squeezing it’s soft sides slightly, “It’s so cute!” It’s little flippers dangle slightly as Diavolo looks at it- and you- with unveiled amusement, “Feel it!” 

He takes it from your hands, squeezing it slightly. “It is incredibly soft,” he turns it over in his hands, squishing it again, “Do you want one?” 

“Wait- really?” 

“Why would I ask If I didn’t really want to know?” 

“I do like it,” you admit- “Reminds me of you, in a way.” 

Diavolo looks at the Seal’s face, then back to you, “It reminds you...of me?”

“Nice to hug. Cute.” 

“Is that so?” Diavolo’s cheeks are flushed pink again, and even though your own face feels warm you can’t help but admire the ability to make the Prince of the Devildom blush. He tucks the seal under his arm without saying anything else- and then it seems that a display of t-shirts catches his eye. “All proceeds go to charity. MC, do you know this charity?”

You glance at the sign. “I do! It’s a good one, they support a lot of rescue habitats and environmental efforts- and they actually use their money for what they say they do, unlike some.” 

Divaolo’s eyes shine as he takes in the shirts, Colorful cartoon fish decorate the fabric, and bold, bright letters declaring “Don’t be Shellfish, Protect our Oceans,” are written on the front. He moves to the display, rifling through the shirts before pulling out three different sizes. 

"Three?"

"One for Lucifer as well!" 

You laugh out loud at the mental image of Lucifer wearing the shirt and nod, "Good idea."  Diavolo wanders around the shop a bit more, when another stuffed animal catches your eye. A beluga whale. Your mind flashes back to the delight on his face when you’d snapped that picture of him and the whale earlier that day. You pick the stuffed beluga up, it’s large and, to your delight, is just as soft as it looks. You glance over at Diavolo and see that he’s distracted by a book display, so as stealthy as you can you make your way to the cashier with the whale. 

You pay, thanking the cashier, then make your way to the door before calling out, “I’ll be waiting outside, Dia!”  

It’s not long after he exits the gift shop with a curious expression, multiple bags gripped in one hand and the seal tucked back under his arm. “MC?” 

You hold the whale out to him, “I thought you’d like this,” you say, pleased by the fondness obvious in his expression, he frees the seal under his arm, handing it to you and taking the gift. 

“I adore it. Is this why you left before me?” 

You grin, squeezing the seal with one arm and linking your free hand with his, “I wanted it to be a surprise, as well as a thank you for all of this.” 

You feel like you’re half asleep when you get back to the Devildom, eyes drooping and legs slightly aching from all the walking you’d done that day. You eat dinner with Diavolo, and then you insist on joining him in his study when he says he has some paperwork to finish before he goes to bed. 

You’re curled up in one of the armchairs, the stuffed seal Diavolo bought you under your head like a pillow as you watch him do paperwork. You feel your eyes droop, slower to open them each time. Eventually you decide it’s easier to give into sleep, figuring Diavolo could wake you before he went to bed for the night. 

“Dia,” You mumble, waiting for him to look up from whatever paperwork he was pouring over now, “Thank you for today. I love you.” 

He smiles softly back at you, “I love you, sweetheart.” You give him one last smile before curling up tighter and letting yourself fall asleep. 

[obeyme-kaidii]

Obey Me Card Strategy Guide, (1/4)

Also known as “Why maxing out cards one at a time is a waste of time and Grimm”

Or alternatively “Why you should power your cards up evenly”.

(Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4)

The Short Version

To put it simply, the best strategy for advancing in Obey Me is to power up and level your cards (both Memory cards and Demon cards) evenly, by creating a “base team” for each type that consists of 2-3 Demon cards and 2-3 Memory cards. This works for two reasons - 

The new lessons give you a 2.6x type advantage for the primary type of a level, and a 1.9x type advantage for secondary types. 

Everything gets exponentially more expensive the higher the level of your cards.

Additionally, while UR cards are very helpful they are absolutely not necessary to progress through the normal mode lessons. It’s entirely possible to get through with a team of SSR cards. (And rainbow glow sticks make it even easier.)

If you’re willing to just take my word for it, then you can stop here. But if you’re interested in learning more about the math behind my recommendations, I hope you enjoy the rest of this guide. :)

The Long Version, pt. 1 - Type Advantage 

For the first season of the game (lessons 1 - 20), the type advantage given on each level was minimal. Every card was given a boost to the specific stat that corresponded with the primary type of that level, regardless of the type of the card itself. So if the level had Envy as the primary type, ALL cards received a boost to their Envy stat. 

Because of this, the best strategy was to simply overwhelm the opponent in terms of strength, with whatever your 3 strongest Demon cards and 3 strongest Memory cards were. There was no reason to strategize or level up multiple cards. You just focused on one card at a time and beefed it up as much as you could.  This meant there was a clear advantage for players who had access to UR cards, and those with mainly SSR cards found it much more difficult to advance in later lessons.

But with the release of the second season (lessons 21 - 40), everything changed. Now, a SSR card that matches the primary type of a level is ALWAYS going to be stronger than a similar level/star UR card of a type that does not match the level. 

This is because the type boost applies only to the corresponding stat when the card type matches the level. In other words, a level with Greed as its primary type will only boost the Greed stat on Greed cards. 

Here’s a great example of what I am talking about.

For lesson 1-6, the primary type is Greed. And even though my Beel SSR card is a higher level, my Lucifer UR card is still considered stronger. In fact, every single one of my UR cards over level 50 is stronger than my Beel SSR card. 

But, in lesson 39-11, where Beel is able to take advantage of the 2.6x primary type boost for the level, his card is considerably stronger than Lucifer’s UR card.

This principle also holds true when comparing two UR cards that are even further apart in terms of level and stars.

In this example, my Asmo UR+ card is level 60 with only 1 star. And even though the primary type for level 19-19 is Envy, just like Asmo’s card - my level 80, 4 star Pride Belphie UR+ card is much stronger.

But in the new lessons, such as 39-17, the two cards are much more comparable in terms of strength despite the fact Belphie is 20 levels higher and has 3 additional stars! 

Even when comparing the same Belphie card to a Mammon SSR card that is 20 levels lower, and has 2 less stars - the type advantage is almost enough to completely overcome the difference in levels and stars. 

In this example for lesson 39-11, Greed is the primary type. My Mammon SSR card is at level 60, with 2 stars. Combined with the type boost, his total strength is 51,595. Belphie, in contrast, is level 80 with 4 stars, and only has a total strength of 52,451. That’s a minor difference of only 856 strength. 

So what does all this mean for you? Well, based on the above observations we can draw some VERY important conclusions -

You do not need UR cards in order to advance. 

SSR cards are viable in battles, even at more difficult levels. 

The type boost for each dance battle is more important than the rarity of the cards you use.

Really, you don’t need the UR cards. Continue reading in PART 2

[meenah-chan]

Quintessence

A Lucifer x MC’s Over-protective! Sister fanfic

4.45k words

Genre: Angst

Trigger Warnings: mentions violence, self-inflictions; Read at your own discretion.

Chapter 1: click here

Chapter 3: click here

"Is this a some sort of punishment?"

"You're really lucky... I am quite jealous, if I may say."

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

With the noisy, yellow demon unconscious, the only sound on their way to House of Lamentation is MC's periodic yawns from the lack of night's sleep and the rumbling wheels of their suitcase on an empty road.

"We're here! Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone. They should be in the dining room right now." Starting to feel the exhaustion she's been holding back since meeting the other-worldly creatures, Alexandria let her sister half-drag her off to somewhere.

"I'm home!" Pulling her to a room, the first thing she saw is a large dining table filled with food and... Five more demons. Five male demons.

"MC, we're leaving." She tugged on the female's hand, still attached on her own, but in turn resisted her slight force.

"What? No, we won't." The teen raised an eyebrow from her sudden demeanor.

"MC!! I MISS YOU!!" A brown-haired guy came rushing towards their direction with open arms. Yet, before he could even latch his arms around the girl, Alexandria pulled her away, causing the male to hug nothing but air.

"MC! Why did you avoid— Huh?"

"MC, w–who is she?" A purple-haired tensely asked, anxious of the stranger in their home.

"She's my sister—"

"Ahhh!!" Alexandria and MC flinched from the sudden outburst of the man who came running at them moments ago, which caught her off-guard.

Suddenly, her hand was yanked away from her little sister's grasp and was held a few centimeters to the demon's eyes.

"Wha... such a..." He then stretched the said arm out and tenderly stroke it up her shoulder, "What a flawless, plump, porcelain skin..." then let go and cupped her cheeks with both hands.

"Such a refined beauty. But wait..." The male narrowed his eyes for a second, "Are you not sleeping well? Your face is a tee~ny bit dry and a bit of bag under your eyes." The demon gave her a sad pout.

"I usually appreciate such flattery. However, right now, I can only sense it as an assault from a stranger I just met. So will you please refrain from your harassment?" Regaining her composure, she snapped at him.

"Asmodeus, stop harassing our guest unless you wanted punishment." Asmodeus instantly raised both his hands up from the domineering voice on the doorway. Lucifer appeared with a beat Mammon.

"Whoopsy! My bad. What a rude way to greet a wonderful guest such as yourself." Asmodeus sends her a wink before returning to his seat.

"MC, will you introduce her to everyone."

"Hmm! Everyone, meet my sister, Alexa! Due to certain circumstances, she'll be staying here with us all throughout my stay here."

"Pleased to meet all of you. I'm Alexandria Evergreen, MC's older sister. I'm here to watch over her. I hope to have a conflict-free relationship with everyone."

"No, the pleasure is ours." A blonde-haired man replied, "I'm Satan, the fourth eldest. I maybe the Avatar of Wrath but I assure you, I'm the nicest and most logical person here." But her instinct says otherwise as she felt an odd atmosphere around the green-eyed man.

"Bush e'shi, shoo shais shoo hamp 'o shibi." Her eyes travelled to the oranged-haired man who seemed to be emptying the table stuffing himself.

"Beel, you shouldn't talk while chewing." A drowsy, navy blue-haired guy yawns beside him. "MC, he means you said you have no siblings." He rubbed his eyes before turning his attention to the older sister. "Hello, I'm Belphegor, Beelzebub's twin and the youngest. I'm also the Avatar of Sloth. This guy beside me is Beelzebub, the Avatar of Gluttony and the sixth oldest." The scarfing guy nods and she returned the gesture.

"Oh that? Yes, I don't have one back then, but our parents got married a few weeks ago. We're originally childhood friends."

"WoOAAAHH~!! That's just like the anime 'My Dearest Childhood Friend became my Sister after our Parents got Married but now the Aliens Invaded the Earth so We Became Heroes and Stop the End of the World!!' and that is really LIT!!" The demon, whom she thought was timid a while ago, squealed in one breathe, and it certainly caught her by surprise.

"That noisy one is Levi." MC sweatdropped.

"I'm Leviathan, the third oldest and the Avatar of Envy."

"And don't forget about the sweet and charming Asmodeus here~~ I'm the fifth eldest and the Avatar of Lust. You can call me Asmo-chan~~" he winked for the second time.

Yet contrary to his positive attitude, Alexandria cocked an eyebrow. "So you mean..." Her gaze followed Mammon wobbling to the table. "That crook right there is the second oldest?"

His head snapped at her. "Oi! Gotta problem if I'm the second oldest?"

"Yeah, in more ways than one." She curtly replied. "So, if you're the Avatar of Greed, you being a crook does make sense."

"Oi! You don't have to say it twice!"

Ignoring Mammon, she faced the oldest. "And you're the Avatar of Pride, I suppose?"

"Yes, and let me properly introduce myself to you." He placed a palm above his chest. "I'm Lucifer, the oldest of the seven brothers and the Avatar of Pride. I'm the one who leads this household and tend to all of these problem children." Satan, Mammon and Belphegor glared daggers towards him.

"Ha! More importantly, I have a juicy piece of news to you guys." Mammon grinned which alerted Lucifer.

"Not a word Mammon."

"'Ya see, that's no normal human right there. A few hours ago, she just made THE Lucifer on his knees and tied him in a pact with her."

The five brothers' eyes popped out of their skulls and jaws dropped. Even Beel almost choked.

"Pact... you say?" 5 pairs of eyes darted between a grinning Mammon, a displeased Lucifer and the new female.

"You're right. She's not an ordinary human but let me clear two things." The menacing red-eyed demon crossed his arms and raised his chin. "The only one on his knees, or rather, on his back is none other than you Mammon. You're the one knocked out after just three blows from her. You're also the one who caused this series of unfortunate events... Don't ever think I'm done with your punishment yet."

"Eek!" Making shrieked and cowered in fear.

"Wait– She what? I know Mammon is weak but, she really knock him out with three blows??" Asmodeus exclaimed.

"Are you really sure she's a human?" Satan added.

Although Beelzebub is also shocked, his brows twitched in realization, glancing at the two female. "MC, Miss Alexandria, you probably haven't eaten anything yet. You should eat."

"I think I'll pass. I'll get some shut-eye first." MC awkwardly laughed. Beel is pretty amazing in his own way...

"I thank you for the offer, but I also needed some rest." She slightly smiled.

Lucifer stepped closer beside her. "If that's the case, then you should stay in MC's room for now. Mammon will clean the room beside MC's for your use later."

Glancing at the oldest, she shook her head. "Providing a room for me is more than enough. I can tend to it just fine. And I can't impose to you anymore than I already did."

"But you're a guest. It's only natural for us to ensure you'll have a great time staying here."

"But I insist. And I'm not a guest. I'm the one who made my way here so it's only natural for me to help here in exchange for my stay." She paused as she crossed her arms. "Unless, freeloading is a thing here. That'll be bad, for encouraging irresponsibility and decadence."

"..." Lucifer speechlessly furrowed his brows.

Seven pairs of eyes were both shocked and amazed to see someone actually have the guts to run their mouth against one of the strongest demon in their realm without breaking a sweat.

"She really is not a human. There's no way a human can stand her ground against Lucifer." Asmodeus gaped.

"Or maybe she's just clueless of Lucifer's true power... Though I could use her help to mess with him." Belphegor and Satan snickers at the same time as if having the very same thought.

"To not even have the natural instinct to flee from danger is just dumb." Alexandria ominously glance towards Belphegor, Satan and Leviathan, causing a chill run down their spine.

"Then please excuse us. MC shall be my guide." Drawing back, she bowed towards Lucifer and the others before pulling MC and their luggage out of the dining room.

"MC... I must say, our time here will be anything but harmonious..." The older sister sighed.

"But I'm sure you'll have fun. There's no boring times here" MC just laughed awkwardly.

"Oh well, all I want is a peaceful time you. Even an hour or two a day would be nice."

-----

Forget their peaceful time, getting along with most of the brothers is hard, except Beel who is too nice to her to be considered a bother. All the other brothers do was try to steal MC away.

Well, Asmodeus is an exception. He's not trying to take MC away. He's trying take both of them away for his beauty and night out shenanigans.

A few days have passed, and she was also made into a student to be with MC as much as possible.

"Hey Alexa-chan, I'm just wondering... Is there anything you can't do? At this rate you'll end up stealing MC's heart faster than any of us. You're too dreamy, you might as well take her as your bride." Asmodeus pouts as he lazily pokes through his steak Alexandria prepared for dinner.

"O–Oi! The hell are you saying, Asmo?" A flustered Mammon yelled, sitting beside MC.

The older female sighed and glance at Asmodeus, sitting beside her. "Just eat Asmodeus, you're just hungry. And I told you to not call me Alexa."

"But aren't I right? You're so in love with her enough to follow her here. And you're not really her sister by blood, so it's possible."

"If I told you, you and Mammon look good together, you should marry each other, what would you feel?"

"Eww! That's the grossest thing I ever heard." He stuck his tongue out in disgust.

"She really hates you, lololol." Levi snickers at Mammon, sitting across him.

Mammon narrowed his eyes at him, tapping his knife on his plate.

"I never saw this child that way. I'm more like a mother to her more than anything." She points to the 'child' next to her, too busy stuffing her face with the food to notice she is the topic on the table. "Saying that, I didn't protect that child just to fall for any demon."

"Aww... And I thought it'll also be interesting if there's that kind of plot twist." Asmodeus look down, only to find his plate empty. "Hey! Beel, give me back my steak!" His eyes darts across him, towards the orange demon chewing happily.

"I thought you don't want it anymore so I ate it." He smiled innocently as Belphegor and Satan laughed in amusement, witnessing the whole theft.

Alexandria glance around the room, searching for a certain person she haven't seen since yesterday night. "By the way, where's Lucifer?"

"He's probably still in his study, it's the time of the month he have tons of work to do." Satan replied.

"He'll probably coop himself until tomorrow or the day after." Belphegor added, finishing his meal.

She gave a second glance in the table, void of any trace of any food left, sweeping to the also empty plate of her sister.

"Hmm... MC did you eat well?"

"Yes! I really missed your steak!" The teen beamed at her, having a drop of sauce on her lips.

"What am I gonna do with you." She giggled as she wipe the stain off. "Come on, you should rest for the night."

After sending her to her room, Alexandria strolls towards the kitchen and left with a tray on hand, walking towards the library.

She passed by the tall shelfs with several missing books of all sorts of fields. Going further in, she knocked on the door inside the library.

"It's Alexandria, I brought you something." Hearing no response, she let herself in.

The first thing that attract her eyes is the tall pile of paper wall on the table and the male who is almost hidden by it, black circles around his eyes.

"Are you still alive?" Lucifer's flipped towards her, finally noticing her presence.

"Ohh, it's you. What do you want?"

"You probably haven't eaten anything since this morning. I brought you some sandwiches and fruit shake." She set the tray down the small table in the middle of the room and took the plate of sandwiches and the large cup of fruit shake, moving towards Lucifer's study table.

"Here, taking a breather won't hurt." Red orbs darted between the plate, the cup and her face before reluctantly taking it after a sigh and setting it down the free space is the table.

"This is a nice study. It's cozier than mine back in human world."

"What's your deal?"

"Well, I like the fireplace. I can't have one in my apartment."

"If you need nothing, then leave. I don't have time to waste."

"Yeah, I need to do something." She took a few leaves of paper from the desk and scan through it. "Hmm... I see... As expected..."

"What is it you need to do?" Lucifer raised his eyebrow.

"I'll help you with this papers. With us two, we can finish it by morning."

"Hmmp! There's no way I'll let a human mess with the financial statements of the Devildom."

"If it's about the difference of terms and flow of currency, then I have already studied about it."

"...Huh? How..." The demon suddenly remembered the several books missing from the library's shelf. "Ahh... But then, how did you learn how to read our language?" His brows furrowed.

"There's no way I could have extensive knowledge about pacts and such if I can't read the original texts about it."

The lady in front of him never failed to impress him. And yet, "The answer is still a no." Stoic expression returned his face.

"Then let me rephrase it. My master is having a hard time," Lucifer almost slip out of his chair from her words. "...and I can do something about it, so I want help however I can."

"Did you just say 'Master'?"

"Yeah, based on our contract, you're technically my master. Though you can't take advantage of me, which is a good thing..."

Lucifer wouldn't admit it. He can't admit it. But being called master by this capable human who always amaze him has stroked his ego more than he could ever felt from anyone, he can't even stop himself from grinning.

"You really know your way with words. But don't get me wrong. I only allowed you because you've went so far just to do what you want." A smile was also plastered on her face.

"Yes Master Lucifer, if you say so." She chuckled a bit before taking the papers Lucifer choose for her to do.

Sharing a few conversation while working, they really did finish by morning as she predicted.

------

"Alexa, why aren't you in your room? Did you woke up early?"

"Yeah, something like that." With a bit of sleepiness clouding her head, Alexandria chose to eat light breakfast before taking a rest. Good thing it's weekend.

MC moved her attention at the demon on the end of the table. "Lucifer, it's really unusual. You've finished quite early."

"I just discovered a breather had been rather helpful." He stealthly stole a quick glance towards the lady busy eating her food.

The only sound on the table after that is a few yawns— from the usual sleepy Belphegor; and Leviathan and Mammon, probably from overnight gaming marathon they could never finish tonight as Lucifer is out of his confinement.

Everyone has their own world when Alexandria breaks the silence.

"MC, you told me you're hanging out with Mammon and Asmodeus today, right?" She place down her utensils as the girl glance at her.

"Yeah, we're going to shop some clothes on Majolish. Why? You're coming anyways, aren't you?"

"No. I have some business today, but I'll leave you to Beel. Is it alright with you Beel?" She scan the face of the food-loving demon whom just finished his food.

"I don't mind." He smiled softly.

"Thank you. Please do bring her safe and I'll treat you to Madam Scream's of anything you want."

"Madam Scream's...? Really? With anything I want?" Beel's eyes sparkles as drool pools down his empty plate.

She gave him a broad smile. "Yes, anything."

"Alexa, you probably don't know what you're saying. Beel will definitely bust your pocket in no time." Belphegor yawns as he took a bite on his toast.

"But I'm aware of Beel's appetite. Let's just say I'm loaded enough to feed 10 Beels for at least 1 month." She swiped a black card in air with her middle and index finger.

"Hey... Is that..." Satan raised an eyebrow.

"WOAHH!! The legendary black card! Imagine how many Ruri-chan collectibles and games I could buy with that." Sleepiness flushes out of Leviathan's system as he stared at the black card.

"Can feed... 10 Beels..." The sixth-born's drool intensifies.

"Hmm? When did you get one? You should've just asked me to process it for you." A surprised but rather unfazed Lucifer asked.

"I told you I don't want to be a bother. Though I admit getting one is not an easy task."

"Hey Alexa-chan. Are you sure you don't wanna join us shopping?" The fourth-born playfully twist her bangs around his fingers. "And while we're at it, let's have a full body Super Beauty Mud Course~"

She touched her chin in thought. "I'll think about the mud course, but not today."

But then, a demon, who should be hyper at the sight of a premium item, was rather silent.

"Hey Alexa-sama... Can I touch it?" The second-born teleports beside her, orbs sparkles gold and fingers twitching on air in a perverse way. "Please. It'll be a dream come true to hold it in my arms for even just a second."

"I refuse." She slid it back her wallet as fast as she swiped it out. "Show me first that I could trust you." She pinched the tan nose facing her, grinning.

Cherry red orbs observes the sight of the lively table, a curve tenderly forms across his face.

"O-Oi! Let go–" *Ring ring*

The sound of a phone rung through the spirited atmosphere, which wiped the smile off Alexandria's face.

Picking up the cup of tea with her free hand, she gulp it down before letting go of Mammon.

"Take care while shopping later, MC." She ruffled her sister's hair, "Thank you for the meal. Now, if you'll excuse me." ...before leaving the room.

"Then, I'll also retire for today and take a rest. Don't make a mess while I do so." Feeling tired of his restless shift, Lucifer decided to leave and retire to his room.

On his way, he heard the familiar voice of the lady behind her door, seemingly distressed.

As unethical as it seems, the oldest's curiosity of the enigmatic female wins him over and decided to stood his ground.

"I told you Father, I can't right now, that's why I'm telling you to just let me quit...... If I tell you, you'll definitely try to take me back there....... No...... Not telling......."

He could hear the series of loud sighs and frustration beyond the door.

"No, I don't want it. Brother deserves the company more than I do. So please think it over again.... Yes....... Yes, I will. Then, bye." He then heard a beep ending the call.

On the verge of stepping away as to not get caught, the next thing he heard render him motionless in place.

"I'm not even a your real child to begin with. If I continue there, I'll actually end up killing myself..." Unconsciously, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

Alexandria jolts in surprise as her door opened out of nowhere.

"Wha..." Surprise was imminent on her face yet, realizing it is the first-born, her brows scrunches. "Don't you know knocking is a common courtesy?"

"What do you mean by you not being your father's real child? And what do you mean about killing yourself?" He ignores the annoyed expression of the woman. There's no way he could let this information pass under his nose. Not with this girl who made him concede more than he expected, and certainly not because of that grim words.

"What do you want?" She narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

"Killing yourself is something I could not ignore. And, I want to know more about the human who have the audacity to force a pact with me." He returned the same gaze with crossed arms above his chest. They stared at each other for a few seconds before the lady yield for the first time.

"Alright. I guess as a demon who have a pact with me, you have the right to know. We are, after all, connected by soul in spite of everything... Let's go to your office or something. I don't want anyone to hear this like you did."

"Right now, Satan is probably cooped in the library. He'll certainly asked why we're together. Let's go to my room instead. It's quite spacious for someone to eavesdrop."

She followed behind the oldest brother, careful not to be seen by anyone. Entering the room without meeting anyone down the hallway gave her a sense of relief.

"Even your room is nice." She casually strolls in the room, brushing her fingertips on the bones in the pillar, the candelabra, the gramophone, and scanning a few picture frames above the fireplace.

"You may want to start your story this instant or I'll pull the words out of you by force." Growing impatient, Lucifer took a sit at an angle on the corner of his bed, arms drapes his chest again.

With another sigh, she sat on the length of the bed partially behind the man, placing both her palms on the bed as she face the furnace.

"Too eager, aren't we?"

"Unlike you, I want to take a rest." Alexandria chuckled of his remark.

"It's true I'm not a real child of the current family I'm in. I am adopted after all." Her Aquamarine eyes glows a hue of orange as she stare at the dancing fire in the furnace. "It's no secret to MC. I did met her in an orphanage after all.."

"She's a volunteer that time when we're still young. Is that good enough? Am I off the hook already?"

"No. That doesn't answer my second question. You're still hiding... something." The strained smile he witnessed on her face almost made him regret continuing his statement.

"Is this a some sort of punishment?" A self-reproachful laughter rings the room, "You're good with picking your card if it is."

"You can say that. But I'm also curious of you."

"Yeah, yeah... But it'll be a long story. Is it alright with you?"

"I have the whole day available. And you?"

"I also have nothing to do. I just gave MC a sister-free day or she'll get tired of me."

"Then, continue your story." He moves facing the same fireplace.

"Ahh, right... If I remember correctly, the Great Celestial War... It's a conflict within your family, right?"

Lucir flinched from the sudden question. "...Why did you ask?"

"I just thought we may have the same sentiment... or maybe not."

"..."

"Anyways, MC knew nothing about what I'm going to tell you, so it's our secret, okay?" She waited for his reply before continuing.

"You see, I also have a big family. I'm the oldest with my six, adorable siblings. They're 3 set of twins. Amazing, right?" She smiled at him, softly.

"We're living a normal, happy life. I'm really satisfied with our big family I feel it to last forever... Or so I thought." The softness in her face disappeared into a grimace. Colors in her eyes disappeared as she travel back to time.

"I was 9 at that time when that night happened. It was freezing I couldn't feel my fingertips. Snow was falling hard when I witness everything."

"Unlike that fire, the place was rather cold and dark. My struggling brother's neck in his bare hands, my limp and beaten mother trying to pry him away from my brother, the bloody corpses of my 3 sisters, my 2 other brothers writhing in pain... and that sickening smile on my father's face." She spat, grabbing Lucifer's comforter with her fist. Lucifer watched the scorching flame reflected in her eyes as if it's her own.

"There's no way I could ever forgive him for what he have done..." She rid of her shoes and hugged her legs, facing Lucifer as she lay her cheeks on her knees. "Like how I could never forgive myself for what happened."

"Forgive yourself? That's a foolish way to put it. You didn't do anything wrong."

Bluish orbs draw itself towards his own as she gave him a bitter smile. "You can say that because you don't know everything."

"Then tell me what I don't know."

"Let's just say that a drive to protect MC and a drive to live are two different things. And I've been searching for the latter to no avail."

"You're really lucky to still have your brothers. I am quite jealous if I may say." She wore her shoes again and amble her way to the entryway. "It seems like this is as far as I could tell you right now. Maybe I'll continue it next time. If you'll excuse me." She bowed before closing the door.

In contrast, Lucifer couldn't utter another word. Perhaps it's because of the pact above his chest which connects them, but he felt his heart ache slowly since she started telling her story.

And right now, he feels an unbearable pain. An unbearable pain as if he's reliving his own scars.

He stared at the same scorching fire, and as though imitating her, he tried imagining the grief he have felt of losing someone dear.

"...lucky, huh... I guess I really am..." Clutching the fabric above his chest, he felt a pang of guilt from his curiosity.

If anyone asks if I hate Mammon for bullying him here too much— the answer's no. In fact, he's my # 2 (sometimes # 1 coz Luci). I really love him and his dorkiness! But he's just so adorable when he's flustered that I end up picking on him a bit too much (maybe that's also the reason why I love Luci and he's my first if not because of my occasional Mammon hype).

Anyways, it's a good thing I posted it now. I've been proofreading it for the umpteenth time cause I don't have any friends to ask nor share sentiments with the Obey Me Fandom (sad life of an otaku). I have many revisions but I'm quite satisfied with how it turns out again. UwU

And I didn't even noticed it's already 3 a.m. so I'm gonna peace out now~~

Chapter 3

MASTERLIST

[magaprima]

Okay, people, let’s talk about all the ways Lilith and Hecate were connected in Part 4 because I am living for that link. I think I might bullet point it to make my life easier

The Mother facet. We have Zelda talking about who represents each aspect of the Triple Goddess, the Maiden, Mother and Crone. Lilith embodies the ‘Mother’ concept throughout Part 4. She’s already the Mother of Demons, for one, but her main story line is about being a Mother and giving birth, her focus is her child a lot of the time. Lilith is undeniably representing the Mother aspect of Hecate, especially considering she gave birth to the child and was planning to raise him in a temple of Hecate

Hecate blesses the birth of Adam. This is a birth of something that is half Lucifer, but it’s the Goddess Hecate that oversees it. She blesses the birth in that both Lilith and Adam survive, but she also blesses it in answering Zelda’s spell/prayer to share the pain of the birth with all of the coven. Hecate was undeniably, and very literally, directly involved in the birth of Adam

Carrying on from that, Zelda specifically asks Hecate ‘Make Lilith’s pain our pain’, that’s the request, specifically to help Lilith and to share the pain amongst the coven. And Hecate does it. She answers that request and grants it and I think that signifies a connection between Lilith and Hecate, but also the significance of Adam’s birth in general, of him being something that binds different worlds, just as Sabrina’s birth did. 

Lilith is offered sanctuary by the Order of Hecate and she accepts. Lilith fully plans to live with the coven for sixteen years; that means living under Hecate’s protection and domain for that time as well. Adam, a King of Hell, was going to be raised under the protection of the Goddess of Witches rather than anything to do with Lucifer or the False God. 

Lilith does subconsciously engage with the idea of being part of the coven; primarily shown in the fact she constantly calls Zelda, the High Priestess, ‘Sister Zelda’ in a display of respect and acknowledgment. Lilith is not considering her own witch nature to be separate to theirs, she is comfortable in the Order of Hecate

She openly declares her connection to Hecate. When Lucifer says she’s been hiding away in a Temple of Hecate, Lilith replies ‘Well, she was the Goddess of Witches and I was the first witch’. She is not just declaring the link between them but also emphasising how important it is and how relevant. Lilith is already pulling away from Hell at this point, and drawing more towards Hecate, which is something I feel we would have seen develop even more if tragedy hadn’t struck

She outright prays to Hecate. Not in a ‘help me with a spell’ or even calling on her power to cast, but an actual prayer. ‘Hecate, give me the strength to do what must be done’. Lilith has turned to Hecate for strength and help in her most terrible and grievous time. That’s who she’s turned to. It’s the first time we’ve seen Lilith pray to anyone since she prayed to the Dark Lord in the Midwinter episode. She believes these are going to be her last moments on earth, and she chooses to kneel before  Hecate’s statue and pray to her, dying under the Goddess’ eye and protection

But, she’s stopped…by a High Priestess of Hecate. I genuinely believe Hecate heard Lilith’s prayer and sent her Zelda to stop her from using the dagger on herself. Not only does Zelda’s appearance save Lilith’s life, but it also leads Lilith to go to Lazarus, which leads to him killing him with the blade, which saves everyone from The Returned. If Zelda hadn’t walked in then, the Eldritch Terror would have defeated them. There is no way in any of the realms that that wasn’t Hecate’s hand guiding them all. Hecate hasn’t just used Zelda as her worker on earth there, but she’s also used Lilith…which means the Goddess has taken in Lilith as one of her witches. 

Adam’s baby blanket has Hecate’s triple moon symbol on it. She is literally wrapping her son up in a symbol of the Goddess

Also, there are those who associate Hecate with Lamia. Lamia was someone who was forced by Hera to devour her own children and then condemned to sleeplessly grieve her own children. Lamia also gets associated with Lilith due to her serpentine associations and her reputation for seducing and destroying men. This is more a little side fact that I think is interesting in drawing the Part 4 story arc for Lilith and Hecate together even more. 

[kerblackthorn]

Unmasking the Master-Mistress of Magic

I am the prophet of the Mastriss, the seer in the Darkness. I sought a path: I looked to religion, to science, and to the innumerable paths within Paganism, Hinduism, the occult, and Wicca, but none could hold, none could contain fully my heart nor express the language of my soul. I pilgrimaged to India and Europe, became certified in yogic instruction, I took many plants hoping to finally rend the Veil and see the Truth. Intuitively, I always knew that Truth is One although our languages and cultures are many. Truth is absolute although our experiences are as countless as the stars. As variable in sound as the way each child develops their speech. We do not invalidate one another but expand our breadth and depth of knowledge for this beautiful wondrous Kosmos through one another.

I shall seek to express in such variable human skills the Truth of our existence. I shall try to explain how to experience this Truth, that anyone who reads my words would make connections and find their own words. That when you speak to the spirits, they would speak back and be heard. I want to do this because I love you, although I do not yet know you. All of this World is my kin, and so you who read my words are my brothers and sisters, my aunties and uncles. I was discouraged and deluded, full of doubt and fear, but when I found the footsteps of the Trickster in every culture, the fingerprints of that profoundly simple dual-natured Mastriss experientially everywhere I sought the reality of things, all of my burdens were shed. Now, I wander around with a head as empty as a child and eyes as open as a madman. I come and go from my body as a mouse from their hole.

Having drunk from the breasts of the Mighty Goat, I smile at the Wind, talk to the Tree-People, and sometimes cry when I pluck a Plant. All of my needs and desires are taken care of, and I have no fear of any future need or desire to go unmet. My spirit-mate walks beside me and I see Her smile and hear Her voice all throughout my days. One day, when the Dark Angel comes for me, that demon that once terrified me but whose mighty name I know now and call, I will go along hand-in-hand with a smile as friends on our merry way to those well-known Lands I often dream of.

If you would set out upon this path, you must make every effort to break open your mind. The mind will always doubt, always delude, and always unnecessarily entangle you. Therefore, go to war with the mind: empty it, destroy its barriers, and achieve madness for yourself. The boons of Dionysus and the panic of Pan are your friends on this path, and the comforts of Aphrodite are your secure fixing point. Make Venusian love your great guiding principle and no evil will overtake your soul. As this war of the mind is undertaken, you must work to change your mind to its very core when it comes to 3 human beliefs whose presence is the greatest reason that unnatural religions continue to prevail in this world and the body clings so tightly to the soul that people have forgotten how to dream and how to sojourn out of the bonds of the daily self.

The first is the basically gnostic worldview which has been so ingrained through it's Christianization and the subsequent spread of Christianity. Gnosticism teaches us that the world is spiritual over physical, mind over matter, principles over practice… this is the first great trick which the Mastriss uses to test us. You must see past this preoccupation with compartmentalizing. Break open the dam of your spirit and let it flow out over your life! Embrace the truth of animism. Until science began to overtake religion in the 19th century it is clear from the journals of clergymen that even the Christian Church embraced this worldview until it had been supplanted by a science which was entirely incomplete, which could not comprehend the things which modern minds have found: the truths of quantum physics, the language of trees and water, and the true nature of consciousness were all matters of religion then, and when microscopes did not reveal these miniature worlds, the old world dismissed all the majesty of mystical religion. The reality is that mysticism was and always will be far ahead of science. Embrace animism, return to the primal.

The second trick we must overcome from the Mastriss is that of nature's triumph over nurture. We have fought with nature for so long, becoming, as anthropologists assert, cooked and "overdone". But now an eldritch call is going out in this last age of humankind, a voice that tells us we must return to the primal, the primitive, the raw, or else we will perish. This latest viral threat is just a taste of what the spirits will unleash unless we can succeed. A true religion must therefore be primal, entirely banded to the natural world and the survival of the Earth. A religion which neglects the eternal nature of the Earth as the World Tree itself, containing the 3 worlds within Her, will bring about an organic age of peace, balance, and harmony without needing laws and courts and tariffs and the imbalanced malarkey of the patriarchy to succeed. Earth-centric spirituality is fundamental.

The third and final trick we must overcome is the myth of humanity's separateness. Now, this is rough ground to till due to the preoccupation people have today with avoiding something called "cultural appropriation". And in one aspect, this preoccupation is something very positive: syncretism can quickly turn into a cycle of devouring, digesting, and regurgitation which leaves people with something so different and new that the original culture is lost. However, there is also a deeply ingrained principle in us all that Truth is absolute, even if it is not capable of being explained in absolutes. No one would seek out religion and pour over books and demand experiences if they were not wanting to know the true nature of existence and the laws and spirits behind the Kosmos. That doesn't mean that the language and system they learn is absolute, but that they are experiencing the reality of things. It's like meeting a person for the first time with your best friend: you both may discuss the same event and make up entirely different judgments about this newcomer.

Syncretism is, however, very helpful, as the process of seeking synchronicity with spirits and experiences and books allows one to develop a system of fact checking oneself and developing a road map toward broader horizons through knowledge one has not yet experienced. When viewed through the lens of animism, this process becomes even simpler. There is a strong chance that when viewed through the lens of animism some of the spirits that seem related from other cultures are, at times, angels of the primary deity who dwells within the same natural phenomenon. Angels are simply messengers, reflections of the spirit-gods they serve… the 7 primary Olympic Spirits who correspond to the 7 planets have hosts of angels that serve below them. Every one of the 72 Elohim encountered by Solomon has so-called "legions" of angels below them. I use angel here in the older and proper Grecian context which accords the etymology of the word.

I fall back on Helleno-Roman texts and worship a lot, alongside grimoire texts. I do this simply because it is so well preserved and so well ingrained in the Western corpus. Moreover, the “Papyri Graecae Magicae” and the “Orphic Hymns”, two veritable treasure troves of mystical wisdom handed down to us, veritable scripture for me, are culturally Hellenic. Jesus' draws on beliefs around Ouranon, Olympus, and Hades constantly in his teachings, teachings which most of us are somewhat familiar with. And the names of the Gods of All are contained in the PGM and Orpheus’ songs; that said, most of us have 4 seasons, so relying solely on Hellenic Reconstructionism does not necessarily make sense. It is absolutely divine that such a culture rooted in animism survived for us today, and it is so easy to understand their recordings due to the omnipresence of the Christian Church in the West, but not all of the personality of the True Religion has been contained therein. Moreover, celebrating the overlap and gaps filled in by other cultural beliefs is a beautiful treat: something the Orphics did to a lesser degree and the mageia of Alexandria did at length, and so is true even to the spirit of these origins.

Furthermore, relying solely on the ancient Hellenic religion does not make sense for a witch because Hellenismos was not predicated on the survival of witchcraft, seeking to outlaw and destroy it really, and the philosophy behind ancient Greek religion revolved around the worship of the 12 Olympians. The True Gods, the Old Gods, had been displaced and locked away to greater and lesser degress. Hecate, Hades, Persephone, Cybele, Helios, Selene, even Eros and Pan were mostly propitiated out of dire necessity. The mageia of Alexandria remembered Their true names, however, as well as the worship appropriate to Them and Their existence at the Root of All Things. In Rome, the peasantry are recorded handing down the story of Diana and Lucifer (the latter of whom is Eosporos before Roman naming came into effect) in “Aradia: the Gospel of the Witches”. This should be a sacred text for any true witch for in it we have the story of how the True Gods came and how They mean to come back, as well as Their natures and the relationship witches are invited to have with Them.

How then do we bring back the Old Gods as They choose, no longer boxing Them or packaging Them, but rather letting Them rule with Their own personalities? Quite vehemently, magic on the level of the miraculous, brothers and sisters. The story of Aradia is the story of how, when one has been granted a boon by Hecate-Diana, you should tell everyone how great She is and tell others how to pray to Her for their own benefit. Same as the story of how Isis won the secret name of Ra… you don't need to attack people with your faith as the Christians do, but to tell everyone how great your life has become as a result of Hecate, Eosporos, and Hades work in your life. If you are wont to, call Them Morrigan, Dagda, and Cernunnos, or Freya, Odin, and Thor. As long as the secret names from the PGM and the grimoires are intact and you know that you are talking to the God of Death, the Goddess of Fate, and the Mastriss of Storms you'll get far.

And on that note, I'd like to share some of the miracles I've seen Them work for me and those I love through me. 5 years ago, when I went to look for a home, I couldn't even qualify for a measly $450k loan, barely scraping up to the $300k level. In my home state, this means all I could afford were places that had been destroyed by the previous tenets, and the only bank loan I could qualify for required the home to be perfect… I had two kids and was very afraid what this meant for my future. I now have a $450k rental and I live in a $1.5M home in the woods. I let the Mastriss take the wheel of my life: I started working a little harder and accepting job offers and life offers that came in, and the Mastriss took care of me. This gave me the time and freedom to actually start pursuing my true passion, which is worshipping the Elder Gods, preaching and writing about Them, and practicing the Craft of the Witches.

When my middle son was very little, 1 year old, his older sister accidentally slammed his thumb in the door at a hotel in Disneyworld Orlando. It was a heavy, metal door and his little thumb was as flat as a pancake and oozing blood. I asked the Mastriss to heal him as we drove to the ER, using an old Germanic charm I have picked up. By the time we arrived, he was asleep. By the time we checked in, the thumb had stopped bleeding. By the time we got seen, it looked normal and he was already using it. They laughed at the resiliency of children, but a doctor visiting Disney had already seen the thumb and said that the bones looked smashed to pieces from the door, which had closed shut without any space in the frame at all. I had found him trying to yank his little thumb free from the steel frame, and it was not budging. And yet, 2 hours later, here was his thumb looking and feeling as well as ever. It didn't even swell up.

I have lived in the woods for more than half my life, and when I was young, I saw the Mastriss standing at the edge of the woods in the moonlight. The creature-form was mesmerizing and terrifying, with the haunches and mouth of a goat but the torso of a breasted humanoid. The Mastriss had piercing dark eyes that saw into my soul and the moonlight draped the Beast’s form like a cloak; my mother froze looking at the Beast beside me, standing at the woods edge. She was angry with me when the Beast left, saying that this was all my fault due to my "dabbling". Later, when my little sister and I were wandering in the same woods, I accidentally kicked a mountain lion who was sleeping in the underbrush. Startled, the lion roared and took off and then, to our terror, began running back at breakneck speed. When the lion was back within sight, I yelled, "I have seen the Master of these woods! I have seen the Master of all the woods! And not one evil can befall Them! Help me, Master Goat! Send Your angel!" And the lion stopped in its tracks, lowered its body, and slunk back gently into the grass.

If anything in your life is concerning you for any reason, no matter how big or small, try the Mastriss out. Put the Goat Angel to the test. Don't be afraid, because the Mastriss will appear to you as you need, and often appears as a little blue child to those who would fear Their Bestial Form, as to those Hindus who call Them little baby Krishna and those grimoires who call Them Lucifer or the King of the Fae respectively. In reality, the Mastriss is neither male nor female, but third-gendered. The One Who stands at the Gate to the Otherworld, Scirlin, Janus, Papa Legba: all masks that the Mastriss of Misrule wears, disguises and spirits that serve Them. Pray at the Threshold of your home, the edge of the Woods, on a Bridge, at the edge of the Ocean: "Mastriss of the Winds and Storms, Goat Angel Who tussles the tops of the trees, Adonai Sabaoth Who leads the Deathless Hosts through the windswept realm, I ask You to come into my life and order it how You see fit. Child and earthly consort of our Dark Mother, Brimo, let Your name be blessed by my tongue. Light up my life, Mastriss Lumiel, and let Your breast be my sweet succor. In the name of Your Chief Angel, Heliou Amene."

[leviaju]

anonymous asked: Hi there! I’d like to send in a confession letter request from Mammon to my MC instead of me if that’s ok :) so info about her: she’s an ENFP Aquarius and has the nickname of Rose. She likes drawing (including the brothers) where she keeps a sketchbook/journal of her times at devildom that she lets the brothers sift through. She also plays piano and likes to cook. For personality I’d say she’s friendly, upbeat, witty, passionate for her interests/goals, and can sometimes be a bit of a hothead. She’s also able to empathize with others easily and can be sensitive. She tends to be very open-minded to trying new things (even if they get her in trouble sometimes) and has a chaotic streak that can cause a bit of tension with her and authority (like Lucifer). But if a situation gets too serious, so does she and she’s usually able to keep cool unless it’s someone she cares about at stake. Her morals also tend to guide her decision making and is quick to stand up if she thinks someone (or her) is being mistreated. This confession could be slipped in her room for her to find but you can change that up if you want! Sorry about the info dump and believe me when I say you don’t need to incorporate ALL the information into the letter. Also I just wanna congratulate you with 100 followers bc you definitely deserve it <3

thank you so much!!!!! your MC seems so sweet <3 i hope you like the letter!

[click for hd. everything is typed out below the cut]

[letter requests are now closed! thank you to everyone who celebrated my 100 follower event with me ^^ next event will be @ 300!]

Hey, Rose!!

I just wanna say that I really like you your drawings!! But especially when you draw me, makes me feel great that you wanna immortalize me in your art!! Plus, you make me look really handsome. Makes me wanna get you to draw me on a huge piece of paper so I can hang it up in my room and stare at myself whenever I want! Yer so talented too, so even if I wasn’t as great as I am, I know you’d make me look hella good anyways!

Uh… this is kinda embarrassing, but I just wanted to thank you for always being there for me! I’d never show weakness ever, cuz I’m the strongest demon in the Devildom!! But for the times I’m not feeling as strong, yer always there to pick me back up! And I really like that about you. And I want you to know that I’ll always have yer back too.

I can’t say this to yer face cuz I always clam up and get all embarrassed, but maybe you can stay by my side from now on? And no one else’s, either! I just want you to stick with me, and me only.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I really like you, Rose! A lot, I think about you all the time, and wanna make sure I’m the only one on yer mind, too!

Come over to my room later and tell me how much you love me, okay? Hurry with it too, I’m already dying with nervousness!

From,

Your Great Mammon!! 

[erasingworlds]

a soul’s mate

( BARBATOS x JULIA )

Multiple side ships will be mentioned throughout, mainly Belphie x Usako. Please enjoy!

-----

Being able to read auras came in handy very, very often. For example, often in the Devildom would a demon see Julia wandering about, and seeing how she was blind given the white cane she used to help guide her, demons would quickly view her as an easy target. So, they would approach her, waiting for the right time to snatch her up and slice her open to extract her soul. When that time came...

She would either put up a magical barrier just to protect herself and continue on her way, or turn around and beat the demon with her surprisingly durable cane, using the shape of their aura to have a good estimate of where their head was usually and aim for that. Really, it depended on her mood which treatment she gave. Oh, but if she was in a really good mood and some demon decided to try and ruin it, this witch would make sure to get something of theirs and use that to curse them because how dare they mess with her happy day?

Every aura was different in some way, the shape and movement of every aura showing their mood, and helped to give her insight on their personality. The colors in their aura also helped her differentiate human, from demon, to angel, to anything else, while the energy radiating from it told her how powerful they were. The most interesting part, though, was the core of their auras. Their souls... well, if that really was what the majority considered a soul she wasn’t sure, but she liked to call it that at least. 

Their soul told her about their morals, their thoughts, the depths of who they were. Everything revolved around it. The stronger souls seemed to even have these unique symbols in the middle of them, like the Avatars of Sins.

Speaking of them... man getting Usako and Belphie together was going to be a pain.

A fun thing she learned from when she was young and lived with her aunt and uncle were these things called a soul’s mate (to her, calling someone a soulmate really referred to the person, so to differentiate from the souls she could actually see, she would specify being able to see a soul’s true mate). Whenever someone had an interest in another, their aura would flicker and wave in the direction of said person, but a soul’s mate was something else. That was where, whenever the two people came into contact, their core, the soul itself, would draw a bit closer, but being unable to leave the center, would instead change its hue slightly, glowing in its center the core color of their mate. It was one of the few things she could say she saw and would immediately feel giddy witnessing.

Surprisingly enough, when she got to the Royal Academy of Diavolo (RAD), many of her human companions that were part of the exchange program with her had their soul’s mate here, with the Avatar of Sins. Man, did her friends really catch themselves some powerful boyfriends.

One by one, when she began noticing the change in their hues to reflect the person they had just accidentally brushed hands with, pat the other’s head playfully, hug, any physical contact, she decided to try and nudge them together, wanting her friends to be happy with the one they truly belonged with.

But, for the love of Lord Diavolo were Usako and Belphie a pain to get together.

“Usako, it is clear you two belong together. I do not understand why refrain from confessing,” the green haired witch huffed, keeping her chin up and arms out to the side as her friend helped her put on the uniform. Usually she got away with just dressing in a long sleeve, dark teal dress and a black cardigan, but apparently Lucifer wanted them all to be dressed properly in their uniforms as they were going to have a meeting with Diavolo? She had no idea, nor did she entirely care about the fact Diavolo had wanted to meet with all of them, but what she wanted answers for was why this stupid uniform was so complicated with buttons and beads and belts.

Thankfully she had friends who took pity on the girl and rather than letting her walk out with the jacket upside down, not even properly buttoned, she was taken back to her room to help get changed. “I don’t know for sure though, Julia! What if that was some, hoax? Or maybe I was just seeing things,” Usako sighed.

Julia couldn’t help but roll her eyes at this. “You have checked this string trick of yours numerous times, and even I have seen how your souls interact with one another,” she retorted, finally putting her arms down when Usako said she finished with the belt. “What more proof do you need?”

“Being able to see the string on myself...?” Usako seemed to have an interesting ability, as well, despite not being a descendant of a witch - at least, not that either of them knew about. She could see thin threads of red connecting soulmates to each other, and while she couldn’t necessarily see them be attached, the string would tug and move in the same direction as the other’s hand, as though reaching out to each other. While Usako couldn’t see her own string, she one day saw Belphie’s string follow her own hand.

Before Julia could say anything else, Usako began lightly nudging at her. Her voice held a playful tone as she asked back, “What about you, hm~? How about, rather than meddling in everyone else’s love life, you go and make yours a reality?”

“It is may be mutual attraction, but our souls are not mates,” Julia sighed, though she did feel her cheeks tingle as a blush rose to her face. “And unlike you, I do know. Barbatos has offered me his hand once before when I fell, and when we touched, his core did not change.”

“Oh, c’mon! Let me check for you! You’ll just need to touch hands again when I’m around so I can see!”

“Barbatos has mentioned he is not a very touchy person before when you tried insisting we hold hands before, so I do not believe that will happen any time soon.”

Usako pouted, about to pester her again, before hearing Mammon call from down the hall, “Yo! We gonna be late, get it movin’!”

--

“Belphie, I can tell you are not asleep,” Julia huffed, poking the avatar of sloth sitting next to her with her cane. Their History class was now a study hall due to the teacher being absent, so everyone was doing whatever they pleased. Well, almost everyone. Belphie wanted sleep, but Julia said no. “Belphegor.”

She suddenly felt her cane get yanked from her grasp, a low growl quickly following up with, “Poke me again and you’re going to need a new seeing stick.”

“White cane.”

"Whatever,” he grumbled, folding the cane in half before placing it back on her desk, then laying back down to try and sleep.

“... Okay, but here me out--”

“I swear you can be more annoying than Horizon and Solomon when they start belching songs,” Belphie finally groaned, turning his head to face Julia, though was still down resting on the pillow on his desk. “I already told you, no. Stop playing matchmaker with me.”

“If you truly love someone, I do not see why you should refrain yourself from confessing.”

“Because she doesn’t like me, she... she likes--”

“I have already told you she no longer does.” She remembered how Usako told her she originally had a crush on the avatar of gluttony before Sen and Beel got together, but how that attraction and interest was no longer really present (besides finding him hot when he was shirtless... but apparently everyone agreed on that, even Asmodeus, and that was his brother).

This was infuriating, and she wanted to just flat out say to Belphie that Usako admitted to her about having an interest, and how she saw how their souls reacted to each other and that Usako even saw their strings react... but that was out of the line for her. Since she could see such personal feelings, she didn’t like directly telling someone another’s emotions... but she was real close to breaking that exception. Julia technically already did with Usako, but that was different since Usako could see the strings anyways.

Actually, yeah, screw it.

“Belphie, you are speaking to someone who can read everyone’s emotions. Do you truly believe I would be encouraging you to confess so desperately if I knew it would end in pain?” she tried to reason, her voice a bit lower, sounding hurt.

She saw how the edges of Belphie’s aura spiked, startled at her tone and words. He remained silent for a moment, as though assessing her to see if she was serious, before sighing. “You better not be lying...”

“Finally!” Throwing her hands up, the human girl cheered, which was rather out of character for her. She normally was much more quiet and reserved, even when she was teasing someone else.

Belphie simply shook his head at her actions, though couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “Now shut up and let me sleep.”

“Actually, no, I believe you are behind in some assignments, so you should work on though.”

“I actually hate you.”

--

“You seem to be in a good mood,” a voice called from behind her. 

Hearing the other, she nodded, but rather than elaborating, noted, “I am surprised you are not with Lord Diavolo.”

Barbatos sighed. “He ran off to talk with Lucifer about what we will be discussing about later at the meeting,” the demon explained, before gesturing to the space next to her on the bench. “May I?” The blind girl raised an eyebrow, pausing before she took another bite from her sandwich, missing the slight gesture. “Oh, my apologies, may I sit next to you?”

Understanding now what he meant, she nodded, before continuing to eat her lunch. She liked to escape the cafeteria and eat out in the garden area sometimes. Usually, some of the others would come and join her, but it seems everyone was taking this lunch break to meet up with their significant other. Belphie said he was going to talk to Usako during lunch, but demanded she stay far away and not peak at their auras, so she was respecting that. Julia did enjoy whenever she had time to be alone, seeing her friend group was rather big, meaning she was almost always bound to be around some of them (usually as the third wheel, but that gave her plenty of chances to tease them so she was fine with it). Since it was Barbatos, though, she didn’t mind this kind of company.

They remained silent for a little as they ate, simply enjoying the other’s company and relaxing blissfully, not hearing constant yelling or orders or complaints or fighting or obnoxious loud laughter. It was peaceful, and made Julia feel warm inside.

Once done eating, Barbatos broke the silence, questioning, “What is it that has you in such a good mood? You normally don’t swing your legs while sitting down.”

Oh. Julia didn’t even realize she was doing that. Her legs were barely swinging, to begin with, though it was true, she normally kept perfectly still and sat properly. “I finally convinced Belphie to do something that I have been begging him to do.”

Hm? She thought she saw a small spark of orange by the rim of his core, but when she did a double take, it was gone. “Belphegor? What did you need him to do?”

“Ah, that is a private matter.” There was that spark again. Jealousy. Julia had to refrain from smiling a bit. Of course, wit her abilities, she wasn’t oblivious to when someone was attracted to her. She knew Barbatos had an interest in her, just like she in him, but... she was not his soul mate. There would be no point in starting a relationship that wouldn’t last - at least, that was how she felt. Didn’t stop her from finding satisfaction at the sight of him getting jealous over her, though. “It is something only he could do. If it was not, I would most likely go to you first, seeing as I trust you the most.”

The way his aura waved indicated to her he was pleased with what she said. “I’m glad you can put such faith in me.”

“Oh, how was your double date with Lucifer and Lia, by the way?”

“Why do you...” he sighed, knowing there was no point in protesting. Similar to Lucifer, he also often got teased by everyone about having a thing for Diavolo, even more now that Lucifer found himself a girlfriend. “If ever possible, please stop Lia from suggesting anymore human world cartoons to our Lord. He wants to a pet platypus now and I can’t find a green one.”

“... Can you not just use a spell to make it green?”

“Why is that your first question rather than why he wants a platypus? That should be the stranger point.”

Julia just giggled. 

They continued talking for the remainder of their break, mainly addressing the craziness they have to go through on a daily basis. At times, she would see the occasional demon walk by, seeing a sliver of shock and curiosity rise within them that was directed at Barbatos and her. No surprise, seeing as Barbatos was normally glued to Diavolo’s hip. After the sixth person, Julia mentioned it to Barbatos, who just shrugged it off.

“Should you not be getting back to Lord Diavolo?” she questioned with a slight frown. While she wanted to continue talking to him, she didn’t want to take him away from his duties.

It surprised her when he declined, “He’s probably still speaking with Lucifer. Even if he wasn’t... I don’t always need to be right by him.” Those were words she never expected him to say, and there wasn’t even any hesitation in his aura when he spoke. She was just about to comment on that, before he added, “Besides, I would prefer to spend my free time with you.”

Okay, she did not expect that. His aura hadn’t even been hinting that he was about to say such sweet words directed towards her. It didn’t flick back or inch closer to her until just after he spoke. Okay, whoa, that really caught her off guard. She felt heat rise to her face, eyes widening and mouth slightly open, before quickly shutting it. Nope, she spoke with logic, and there was currently no logic going through her mind at the moment. In her surprise, she accidentally kicked her white cane a bit, which had been to her other side next to her. Julia didn’t even realize until she heard the soft clatter to the ground.

“Hm, oh, excuse me.” Why was Barbatos getting up to get it for her? He was sitting at her other side. She should get it herself, she kicked it! Wait, calm down, he is a gentleman and works as a butler, so this is just instinctual for him.

She bit her lower lip a bit and willed her cheeks to cool down. Ugh, she didn’t know how she looked when flustered, but she was sure it was foolish. Distracted with that thought, she didn’t pay too much attention to when he handed back to her the cane. Instead, she quickly said thanks as she accepted it back, their hands touching just momentarily since she reached a bit too far accidentally when taking it.

That was when she saw something from the corner of her eye.

“Wait, what?” she accidentally slipped out, quickly looking back up to Barbatos’s core. It had gone back to its normal turquoise with little lime green edges that outlined both his soul, and the symbol in the middle.

He was about to question what she meant, only to be taken by surprise as Julia quickly used her other hand to grab his as she placed her cane down to the side - which ended up rolling off the bench and onto the floor again, but she didn’t care. Standing as well now - way too close, not that she really noticed or cared, though it did take Barbatos off guard - she held his bare hand in hers, her gaze directed right at his chest.

“Um, is there something the matter?” he questioned slightly nervously, unsure if he should take a step back to give her space. He felt himself getting even more flustered when she brought one of her hands to his chest and rested it there, and while his face didn’t entirely show it anyways, he wouldn’t be surprised if Julia saw it in his aura. “Juliana?”

“Y-Your... your hand feels different,” the witch muttered, her thumb softly stroking his palm. “It... is very rough. You should moisturize.” Now she was sputtering randomness.

He just blinked at the comment. “I usually remove my gloves when eating. I’m sorry if my hand... doesn’t feel pleasant?”

His questioning words and concerned tone brought her back to reality, releasing him and watching the plum purple mist fade from his soul. “No, I like the feel of your hand,” she complimented without thinking.

“Pardon me for the suddenness, but, can I be your girlfriend?”

[baronccorbin]

The Little Ones

Paring: Lucifer x Reader Prompt:  Lucifer and the reader had been together for a few months, the pregnancy went well until angels started to feel the power of their babies. Lucifer and the reader went to live at the bunker and I suck at this summary thing!   Part 1  Part 2 Word count: 3,510 Warnings: Smut, 18+

You moaned as Lucifer’s hand roamed your body, your back pressed firmly against his chest as he lifted your right leg, opening you completely for him. You rested your head on your pillow, loving the sensation of your husband’s cold fingers against your hot skin.

“Are you enjoying yourself, my love?” he asked as his hand cupped your sensible breast, his fingers pinching your hardened nipples making you throw your head back in pure bliss.

“Please” you whisper, feeling your core ache in need, you didn’t need a lot of foreplay lately, just a few touches and kisses and you were ready to take Lucifer.

“Are you wet enough for me?” he asked, letting your breast go and moving his hand towards your heat “so ready for me” he whispered, leaving a wet kiss on the crook of your neck as his finger tips brushed over your sensible lips, growling at the feeling of your wetness coating his fingers.

You moaned as his fingers started to rub your clit, soft and gentle little rubs were enough to make you moan his name loudly. Lucifer loved that, he loved to have you begging for his cock with one single touch, he loved how desperate for release you got every time, he even loved you big baby bump, he loved the possessive felling that washed over him every time he saw your stomach swollen with his children, even when now the only way he could take you was sideways on the bed, he secretly loved that too.

“Lucifer” you moaned as he thrust a finger inside of you, making your hips jolt backwards

“Y/N” he moaned as your ass rubbed against his cock, you smiled knowing how ready he was for you and repeated the action, making sure that his cock rubbed against your ass with every thrust of his finger “you want it so bad, don’t you my love?” he asked as he pulled his finger out, taking it directly towards his mouth to relish your sweetness

“Yes” you nodded vigorously making him chuckle

“Okay” he whispered before taking his cock on his hand and giving it a couple of pumps, he positioned it so the tip was right against your entrance and slowly started to thrust it inside of you.

“Fuck” you moaned, feeling his thickness stretching your walls deliciously as he kept thrusting into you inch by inch until he was inside of you completely.

He moaned as he felt your warm wall surrounding him, never feeling more completed than when he was inside of you. His hand made it way towards your stomach, rubbing slightly before pressing his palm softly against it.

“Move” you whined “please baby” and that was everything you needed to say, he started pulling out all the way out until only the tip of his cock was inside of you before pounding it inside again. Your arm reached behind you until your hand grabbed a fist full of his dirty blond hair, using it to guide his face to yours and crash your lips together.

His cold and slightly chap lips felt incredible against your soft and warm ones, and you couldn’t help but moan when you felt his tongue exploring your mouth and dancing against yours. You sucked it harshly before breaking the kiss to let a loud moan out.

“Lucifer” you moaned as you felt the pleasure increasing to the point of explosion, clenching around him as you felt your orgasm approaching.

“Come on, Y/N” he whispered in your ear as he grabbed your leg and tossed it over his to open you up for him even more, using this as an advantage to rub your clit to make bring you over the edge

“Fuck” you screamed as you came hard around him, you walls clenching around him tightly igniting his own orgasm

“Y/N” he grunted as he came inside of you, his warm seed filling completely as he rode your high.  

“That was amazing” you whispered as you felt your heartbeat starting to get normal

“It is always amazing, Y/N” he smiled making you melt even more.

You were about to respond when you heard the flutter of wings and a loud intake of breath. You jumped trying to cover yourself as you turned to meet a wide-eyed, flustered Castiel standing by the door of your room.

“Little brother” Lucifer grunted, waving his hand and covering your naked bodies with clothes “haven’t those Winchesters teach you about this little thing called knocking?”

The dark headed angel nodded before looking at you in the eyes, the little blush never leaving his cheeks.

“Apologies, Y/N” he said before looking at his brother “I thought you were sleeping, it never occur me that you would be… intimating” he looked so adorably embarrassed that you couldn’t stop the giggle from leaving your mouth, Castiel looked at you again and smiled a little, relieved that you weren’t mad at him.

“No problem Cas” you smiled, sitting up by the end of the bed “wow” you whispered as you felt the little twitch at the side of your belly

“Are you okay” Lucifer was behind you two second after, his hands rapidly moving towards the baby bump, Castiel was also really close to you, a hint of worry on his eyes

“I’m fine” you laughed, lifting your shirt to reveal your big belly “someone is up” you smiled, tapping your skin lightly with on finger and smiling even wider when you saw your baby responding the gesture,  his whole hand pressing against your skin.

“Wow” you heard Castiel say, looking in awe at your stomach

“Amazing, huh?” you smiled at him and he returned the gesture

“It is… why the other baby is not doing the same?” he tilted his head, looking back at your belly intensely

“She’s right over…” you used your hand to touch around you bump, seeking for the now familiar feeling of your baby girl pressed against you “here” you pressed your palm against the opposite side “she doesn’t really wake up until later”

“Oh” he said, still not looking at you

“This is good and all” your husband’s voice made Castiel straighten his posture “but why are you here?” he asked making you roll your eyes

“He’s your brother” you elbowed him “he’s welcome here”

“Not at 7 in the morning” the archangel scoffed

“You don’t even sleep”

“But you do�� he wrapped one arm around your body, bringing you closer to him “you need rest, Y/N. You are six months pregnant with two half angel babies… you need as much rest as you can get”

“Is not like I was sleeping though” you smirked back at him making him chuckle

He was about to respond but you were interrupted again by the angel on a trench coat, who cleared his throat loudly to draw the attention towards him again, he was kind of scar you would start “intimating” again, right in front of him.

“Sorry” you whispered, feeling your face heating up

“No problem” your ‘brother in law’ smiled at you, but then his face became serious “I am here to take you with me” he stated “your babies… they are powerful, and their power can be sensed by other angels” you gasped, knowing that it wasn’t a good thing “I need to take you to the bunker, we can protect you there. Just until we can stop Michael”

“How do I know your damn Winchester won’t try to hurt her?” Lucifer almost growled, wrapping his other arm around you and tightening his hold, soon enough you saw his soft, white wings wrapping around you as well.

“Luci” you whispered but he didn’t look at you, he was too busy looking at his brother with narrowed eyes

“We are not going to harm them, Lucifer” Castiel assured “you know Dean loves her like a sister, he has been in this house, and he helped you set the Demon tramps when you moved here”

“He’s right, Love” you muffled voice was heard from inside the feather forth “you know Dean won’t do anything to hurt us”

“What about the other one?”

“Sam is okay with this too” Castiel said “even if he isn’t he won’t hurt her either… you will be there, I will be there… even Crowley will be there”

There was silence for what it felt like hours until Lucifer decided that even when he didn’t like to admit it, he wouldn’t be able to protect you by himself and he would rather lose all his pride than lose you or his children

“Okay” he sighed, unwrapping his wings from you “let’s go”

-

The first thing you felt, after the normal dizziness of being transported by an angel, were two strong arms being wrapped around you, you didn’t even need to open your eyes to see who it was, the smell of whiskey, motor oil and mint were enough.

“You’re so fat” you heard the deep manly voice of your big brother muffled against the fabric of you shirt

“Fuck off, Winchester” you groaned, shoving it to the side and faking annoyance

“Still beautiful, though” he smiled making you chuckle a little

“I missed you” you smiled

“Me too, Bobby will be here in a few hours” he informed you, taking your bag from Lucifer’s hand and walking towards your old room

“Hello to you too” Lucifer grunted as you took his hand and dragged him towards the direction Dean was taking

“Hey Luci” the older Winchester smirked making you kick his leg “Ouch!”

“Shut up” you hissed

“You had to tell him” you husband sighed as you entered your room

“Wasn’t me”

“It was me, actually” you heard the British accent from some part of the room; you turned around to see Crowley standing by your bed, a big smirk on his face.

“You promised not to talk about that, Fergus” you groaned earning a laugh from Dean

“I forgot about that name” he said between laughs

“You’ll pay for this” the King of Hell said

“Right” you scoffed “Will you send Juliet to chase me?” you asked, faking horror

“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me” he ignored your last question “I need a drink” and with that, he was gone.

“Okay” Dean sighed as he calmed down “this will be your room for the next days or weeks, I don’t know” he walked towards the door, but stopped as he saw you caressing your belly “how my nephew by the way?” he asked walking towards you to place a hand on top yours

“He’s good, Dean” you smiled; taking his hand and placing it on your belly, letting him feel your hyperactive child. He chuckle in awe as he felt your son kicking his hand.

“Your niece is good too” Lucifer said as he began unpacking your clothes

“N-niece?” Dean looked at you with wide eyes “I knew it wasn’t normal for you to be this fat” he blurted out, making you roll your eyes

“She’s not fat, you ass” Lucifer scoffed, walking behind you and wrapping a protective arm around you “she’s bringing new life to this world”

“I know” Dean raised his hands “I’m kidding” he smiled at you, letting you know that he didn’t mean it “do you have names yet?”

“We are naming the girl Iris” your husband informed him, smiling proudly at the name he chose

“That’s pretty” Dean nodded “what about the little guy?”

“Dean” you said, wrapping your hand around Lucifer’s, waiting for his reaction.

“What?” he asked, looking at you with his eyebrows raised

“Dean” you repeated “we are naming him Dean” you watched as his eyes widened, realization washing over him

“O-oh… that’s… oh god” he closed his eyes before wrapping his arms around you, pulling Lucifer into the hug as well

“Are you okay with that?” you asked against his shirt

“Okay?” he scoffed as he let you go, wiping some tears from his eyes “of course I’m okay, Y/N” he smiled and you returned the gesture

“Just make sure you live long enough for my kid to know who he was named after” you half joked, earning an eye roll from the green-eyed hunter

“Of course” he laughed and you laughed too, but all the laughter was gone when a tall figure appeared by the door, it didn’t take long for the pair of wings to wrap around you once again, making you sigh and shake your head

“H-hi… Y/N” Sam muttered from the door

“Hi Sam” you smiled tightly

“Can we talk?” he asked you but he was looking directly at Lucifer who tensed behind you

“Come on, Luci” you whispered you loud enough for him to hear “we’ll just talk” he slowly unwrapped his wings but didn’t move, not until Dean tugged his shirt and dragged him out of the room saying something along the lines of ‘She won’t leave you, you already knocked her up’

“So…” you trailed off as you sat at the edge of your bed “what’s up?”

“Listen…” Sam sighed and sat next to you on the bed “I’m sorry… about everything that happened between us, about me leaving you like I did” you flinched at the memory “it wasn’t me, Y/N… it was the demon blood, you know that I wouldn’t have done that in my right mind”

“What you need to understand Sam is that you did it in your right mind” you shook your head, standing up to get some distance between you “when Ruby approached you, when she talked with you about all that nonsense, you were on your right mind” you shook your head when you saw that he was going to respond “it never occurred you that maybe your girlfriend needed to know what you were doing, all those hunts Sam, you told me they were minor and in reality you were meting her”

“I’m sorry”

“I don’t know what you want from me” you whispered

“I want you to forgive me, I want you to look at me like you used to, I want you to talk to me… it kills me to know that Dean goes to your house and sees you but I can’t”

“I will never look at you like I used to, Sam” you shrugged “I looked at you with love, but I don’t love you anymore” he winched at your words “I looked at you with respect and that’s something you lost… you lost my respect the day you betrayed me, the day you lied to me looking straight to my face. You lost the right to talk to me the day that you left me on the floor, crying for you to stay with me” you shook your head

“I’m sorry” he whispered over and over again

“I’m sorry too, Sam” you said, swallowing a lump in your throat “I’m sorry that we had to end up like that… but it wasn’t because of me… so now don’t ask me to talk to you like nothing happened, maybe someday… maybe someday I will be able to trust you enough to let you back into my life, but right now I can’t Sam”

“I… I understand” he said after a few minutes

“Good”

-

It was a weird, stressful months for everyone at the bunker. With angels trying to find you and rouge demons trying to kick Crowley’s ass, everyone was busy with research and with hunts. You didn���t ask many questions, you just listened to the updates Lucifer gave you before you went to sleep or the little information Castiel let slip out when he went to see you and the babies.

It surprised you to see Lucifer and the guys working together, especially with Bobby, who still wasn’t too familiarized with your husband. But together they managed to send Michael to the cage where Lucifer used to be, but that didn’t end there. They spend more time trying to find a way to get Adam’s body out without Michael in it; they looked for the answer everywhere but couldn’t find it.

It was a hard time for everyone, expect for Crowley who really didn’t care about it but faked sympathy when you kicked him under the table.

Dean felt guilty about the whole thing, but tried to fake a smile on his face when he was around you, not wanting to upset you and hurt you or the babies, it didn’t work though, you saw right through it and he finally broke down in front of you, letting everything go as you rubbed his back and told him everything was going to be fine, just like he had done whenever you felt bad about not saving someone.

Right now you were cooking some breakfast, tired of the food from the diner a few miles from the Bunker, you decided to make some eggs and toasts for everyone in the bunker, everyone that actually ate.

“You need to rest” Lucifer groaned for the 100th time, giving you everything you needed form the counters and not letting you do much

“I am fine, Lucifer” you rolled your eyes “I can make breakfast”

“There’s no need for that, Y/N” you heard from the other side of the kitchen where a too tired Dean stood “I can go for something”

“No need” you sighed “I’m just finshi-“ you couldn’t finish you sentence as you felt and foreign popping sensation within you, followed by a warm liquid wetting your shorts and dripping from your legs “uh-oh”

“What?” Lucifer and Dean asked at the same time following your gaze and looking at your now wet legs and wet floor

“Gross, Y/N” Dean groaned “I didn’t know pregnant woman couldn’t control their bladders”

“That’s not pee, you ape” Lucifer grunted, standing behind you and lifting you bridal-style “She’s having my babies”

“Oh shit” Dean gasped, looking at you wide-eyed “what do we do? Where do we go? Castiel!” he started panicking making you roll your eyes

“My room” you said “Call Bobby”

“How are you this calm?” Dean asked, running towards Bobby’s room with Lucifer behind him as he carried you towards your room

“The contractions haven’t kicked in yet”

-

“Come on, Y/N” Bobby padded your leg, encoring you to push again

“It’s not that fucking easy” you growled before doing as he said “AAAHG” you screamed as you pushed with everything you got, the pain making you scream more than the force you used.

Lucifer couldn’t take it anymore, he wanted you to finish as soon as possible, the little help he could give you wasn’t enough anymore

“Come, my love” he whispered, kissing your clammy forehead “I know you can do it… just our baby girl and you’re done”

“Better said than done” you rolled your eyes before pushing again

“Not so calm now, huh?” Dean asked from the corner of the room with little Dean on his arms

“SHUT UP” you screamed as you pushed harder

“I see the head” Bobby announced

“Thank God!” you exclaimed, feeling too exhausted to keep pushing for another hour  

“Just one more”

“AAAH!” you screamed as you pushed with everything you had, squeezing Lucifer’s hand for some sort of support.

“That’s it” you heard before a loud cry filled the room. Dean hurried to bring a towel and a blanked to cover your little girl with and handed them to Bobby who cleaned her and wrapped her before putting her on your lap “wanna meet your little girl, mom?” he asked

“Oh my God” you whispered as you held your baby girl for the first time. She was swollen and red and probably looked weird to everyone else but for you she was the most beautiful baby girl you had ever seen  

“Don’t forget about Casanova over here” Dean said as he placed your little boy on your free arm  

“Hey” you whispered as you saw little Dean stir in your arms, his little hand gripping the fabric of your shirt tightly  

“Aren’t they beautiful?” Lucifer asked, looking in awe and adoration at the little ones on your arms.

“Yes” you smiled, kissing his mouth softly

“Thank you, Y/N” he whispered, resting his forehead in yours and wrapping an arm around you and the babies “for loving me, for giving me a family”

“No need to thank me, my love” you smiled “you helped me with this, you made it possible when you looked for me”

“I love you” he said before kissing you once more “I love you and my little ones” he rubbed you little girls cheek and gasped when she wrapped her little hand around his finger

“They love you too, baby” you smiled “not more than me, though”

“You’re so cute it’s gross” Dean groaned

“Let the be happy idjit”

“Do they have wings?”

“We can’t see them if they do”

“That’s not fair”

“Shut up, Dean” everyone in the room groaned

[dcddyrecper]

My muse is all tied up (how and why is up to the mun)

Under all condition Death would have had reason to be worried.

First off there was Fred, one of his favorite reapers whom appeared to him and mentioned the Crimson Mist. He  like many of the reapers knew that Death frequented the establishment and that he would often meet with them there so they could take a meal. It was something irregular and not as often as Death would have liked.

So he tipped his head at Fred "Yes, Fred?" he inquired of the tall suited man with the dark hair and eyes.

"Its the Crimson Mist." he said cautiously. "There has been death." he stated his stature not shifting from the upright and respectable form. Though his eyes were concerned that he might see Death angry. Since he knew that the Father of Reapers was fairly fond of it.

"Who ?" Death asked

"Leo and Greg two of the bouncers." Fred obediently answered and Death could only nod his head.

"Were they reaped ?" he inquired.

"Only One." Fred answered "The other had not died yet" he told the entity before him. “Would you like me too ?”

Death would never consider leaving it to another reaper he had known both bouncers. They had worked at the club as long as he had been showing up for meals. "No,  I will take care of it.' he stated simply. "Inform the others no one is to go in or around Crimson Mist, I will take care of it myself. There may yet be reaping to do, I have tingle." he stated

Fred nodded "Yes, sir." he said and than was a blur and gone to the next appointment that needed keeping.

Death did not bother to use to the door he merely appeared in the club. The club was hoping as it always was. The weekend was a good time to go. Since it was always packed and people partied hard in there. Part of it was the encouragement of the lady of the establishment. He had concerns it might have been someone there to rob Amelia.

It didn't seem the case.

There were not tell tale signs of lights outside and there was no sirens in the distance. He found the crumpled form of Leo first. The man was a bodybuilder during the week, and he had been married five times, had a roaming eye but that would not have gotten him killed --he was still kind at heart, but knew how to be firm with others.

"Oh Shit." Leo said when he saw Death. "Your here for me ain't ya." he stated rather than asked and Dee gave him a curt nod.

"Afraid so, what happened to you ?" he asked he could find out the quick way if he needed to but he wanted Leo to come to terms so he could pass on. It would always make it easier.

"Man, let me tell you." he said as pointed into the club with the beat pounding. "There were these guys who showed up. At first I thought they were in costume you know like come from a ren fair or somethin' ." he motioned to the full armor over his own form. "Head to toe armor I told em they could come in but they'd have ta leave the weapons at the door, and they called me a heretic or some shit, and than moved to stab me. " he frowned "So I busted a chair over his head. Nothing personal but I didn't want to be stab." he looked mournfully down at himself. "I shoulda been more clear on that huh." there was a gashing wound in his chest and the dark blood was a sign the wound was fatal.

"Indeed." Death said "Than what happened ?"

"One of his buds stabbed me through the back, said I was suffering a monster to live and was condemned by that. It ain't true is it ?" he asked his eyes were starting to show the shock. Dee touched him and all the pain swept away like a leaf on a river. "I think they were looking for the boss." he added "I know Greg put up a fight because you know that's how he is too." he glanced to the other man who was missing a head.  "He was a good one." he mourned.

Death knew precisely how Greg had died. Greg had hurt one of them and he had died via beheading. Nothing seemed out of place because the music and the party covered the sounds of combat and likely what ever else had come.

"You got to help the boss, they were lookin for her." he added.

"Yes, well You are to go into the light, you see it don't you Leo, rest assured your going up and not down." he promised. "I don't judge not my thing, but you were also one of the good ones." it looked like it gave him peace and he disappeared into the light with a simple.

--”Right On.”

Greg was already on his way, he didn't need coaxing or guiding. Fred likely.

Still there was the issue of what was actually going on here. He tuned out everything and focused on the warrior. He scanned the place, there was a certain spot where holiness seemed to radiate. There was nothing worse than power that blinded and those to enveloped in the Sin of Pride and Wrath to see it. These were heretic their power came from not god but Lucifer as he did so love those who suffered the same as he.

There was a small group of them.

Templar.

Death knew precisely what they were when he sensed them. He wondered if they knew they were not going to where they thought they were. That they were not so righteous as they thought themselves. Likely not such things never came to men like them.

There had been other death's here a witch, and another vampire who had gone to far from her nest. She had not even been hunting. It irked him. These were death's that were not supposed to be.

He could feel the energy in the bar and beyond that the sensation of pain and inability to do anything. Amelia ? He was fairly sure it was her. She felt drugged, angered, restrained. She was suffering and it seemed a follow up to whom ever had caused trouble for the woman before. He had only gotten there in the aftermath of that, in time to feed her. It seemed he would again be a source of nourishment. It did not trouble him. He had few friends who could touch anywhere near his age. He valued each and every one of them.

Though there might have been something more to it with Amelia.

He broke off the contact it made him angry seething  really.

Death turned toward the hallway and his form shifted. Gone was the tall gentleman with the cane carrying his doctor bag. Instead there were shadows which seemed to pull around him and draw into him. A hood that hid the skeletal frame of the Pale Horseman. A scythe was firmly held in one hand, and the light all but retreated from the primordial entity as he walked through the crowd. They did not see him.

Still people shivered as though a cold finger had brushed up their spine, sending hairs to stand on ends. It was just Death passing them. The aura was enough to give even the most seasoned hunter a chill.

The first of the Templar's to encounter him saw him for himself.

The grim reaper.

"Your..." he blathered and pointed.

The bare skull smiled coldly.

A single touch to the man set him aflame in his armor, his screams mingling with the whooping of the crowd as the DJ played another loud beat song. Death collected him the soul snatched from the body and placed into his doctor bag. The man did not get a chance to even question the entity and never would. This soul would be interesting in trade with someone who might like a supposed holy man. Death rarely took offense but when he did. It always ended one way.

Badly.

The next of the men had come to check on his ally only to find the smoking remains of the armor, he nearly tripped over himself to get back to the leader of their little group. Death allowed him to run. You couldn't cheat Death after all.  

A low soft laughter followed in the man's wake making his terror all the worse.

The door even swung open for him. The fool was doing the work for him. The man was ranting at the point of reaching the Leader a man who was cruelly handsome and radiated a certain charisma. Still his response to seeing Death was a widening of his eyes.

"You can't be here." he stated.

"Yet, here I am." Death said in a low hollow voice, both skeletal hands expanding outwards in a lazy shrug.

"You are a demon." another gasped and began to pray.

"Oh do pray. If he answers you--which he won't he's not there boys." the tone was dark, taunting.

Death even waited for the smiting that they were praying for. He allowed them to assume they had something of a chance in hell. That they might have hope. Only to see it dim from there eyes. Yes, he was angry.

He moved closer to Amelia where she was bound and staked and gingerly brushed her with the robe in passing. If he chose not to take her. Than the wounds would stop bleeding and he gave her respite it was not her time. This was what he whispered in her ear. A soft low murmur "Do not fret it is not your time, my dear." the tone was cultured and kind though his actions towards these would be killers---not so much.

Anyone who thought that Death was too compassionate had never seen him when he let loose. The likes that only his brother War ever saw. it was that side of him that could cause destruction, topple mountains destroy kingdoms. These Templar were not even half a challenge to Death--however--he toyed with them.

He allowed them to think they stood half a chance, that they could talk their way out of it.

The leader was of course saved for last, he wanted him to know remorse, pain and the apathy that Death had for him.

The others--well--one turned into stone and shattered into a million pieces, two other killed each other,  the third became ooze that was struck fire and burned. The last two, he saved. They would be meals for her.

Was he throwing the balance off ? He had to pause and check--the answer was no---these fools were destined to do this. The Church of all people wanting her dead. They couldn't stay across the Pond and handle their areas they had to come to America and continue their vampire hunt's their witch hunts. He had a thing about those who hunted witches, one of his adopted children had been a witch. She worked as a reaper now after they had destroyed her.

Both the Templar were staring at him. They never knew they feared Death until they saw him as he was.

He turned to the tied up woman and at his touch the stake appeared in his right hand. His left covered the wound. Though it was bony fingers. The wound began to close by sheer force of his will. He murmured to her "You are going to be dreadfully ill, my dear." he frowned "Its the only way to get what is in your system out." the touch of his robes were warm, velvet. Even bone was unusually warm.Bindings dropped away, and turned to snakes to taunt the last two of the would be slayers.

He motioned to the two men that were divested of armor, of weapons and of their very faith, having renounced it for a chance at life. "They are yours" he said nonchalantly. "I will be just outside this door." he motioned. “Do not worry yourself about them escaping, they are doomed and know it now. If you have need of me, just think to me and I will return." he glanced to them with out another word, there was a soft sound of wings as he disappeared leaving her with prey.

@malumxsubest

[emmy-lou-badoo]

The Nephilim & Cambion Pt. 5

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 6

Research sucks, I like reading but this is ridiculous. We tried one lead, but it really got us nowhere. We need an Archangel for the spell to open the portal, that was about all we discovered. But things just always seem to work out for us. I had heard of Ketch, but until now I had the pleasure of not meeting him. He stole the Archangel Gabriel from Asmodeus and brought him to us, because he knew we needed an Archangel. And he wants us to protect him from Asmodeus for doing it. He even gave us a vial of Gabriel’s grace and his Archangel blade. We made the deal with him. We needed toil we wanted to get Jack and Mary back, well Jack and my grandma..I guess

I followed my Dad to take care of Gabriel. He looked so sad and ..hurt. Plus I was named after him, so it was kinda cool to see him, meet him. His mouth was sewn shut and Gabriel was so skittish, he was letting Dad carefully cut it off, but he was still shaking and cowering. He finished and set the tools down, Gabriel flinched as Dean walked into the room. 

“We gonna do this thing?” 

Dad looks to Gabriel then stands to talk with uncle Dean. I stay seated near Gabriel. 

“Don’t you think we should wait” Dad looks over at Gabriel, then back to Dean, “I mean look at him”

I watch uncle Dean glance over the injured angel and I look over at him as well. He jumps under the multiple gazes. He meets my eyes and I smile kindly and brightly, trying to show him that we won’t hurt him. Dad and Dean came to a compromise that Dean and Ketch would go, to check things out, see if they could get them back. But we only had a little bit of grace so It would only last 24 hours. We saw them off, praying that Ketch wouldn’t pull anything that  would get another family member trapped in other world.

Castiel showed up not long after uncle Dean left and he wasn’t happy about it. As Dad and Cas were having a heated discussion of why Dean went to the other world with Ketch I skipped to the kitchen. Thinking that maybe making Gabriel some food, would make him feel better. We also had some of his grace left over, any bit he could get would help him recover. Uncle Dean had got me some candy, as I like sweets, so I grabbed some of them on put them on the plate with the sandwich, vial of grace also there. I walked into the hallway, Dad and Cas were there standing outside the doc of bedroom we put Gabriel in. 

“What’s this?” Dad asks. I smile and hold the plate up, “I made him some food, to help him get better”. My father smiles at me, looking proud. Can opens the door and it takes us a good bit to locate where he is. He is so pressed into the corner of the room,it’s like he’s trying to become the wall. “He really is in bad condition” Castiel says when he sees his brother, essentially. “Well the isolation, drawing, torture” Dad points out. I gently take slow steps towards him, I kneel down, placing the plate on the bed as I do. “Gabby” Dad says, when Gabriel jumps, he s worried about what he will do. I hold my hand out. “Hi, Gabriel, my name is Gabriella, I’m Sam’s daughter” I point over my shoulder to me dad, “I’m named after you actually…I made you some food, do you wanna sit on the bed, it be more comfy then the floor” I hold still and he slowly reaches out, taking my hand. 

He sits on the bed and looks at the plate I made for him, I can see that he sees the vial of grace. “Gabriel, after you..died..or we thought you did, you left a video, told us how to put Lucifer in the cage” Gabriel makes no move or motion that the knows what Dad is trying to bring up. “It’s not working” Cas says deeply. Dad rolls his eyes, “I know, maybe he just needs some help, see if anything is in his head” Dad reaches to the plate and takes the vial, but Gabriel freaks out and jumps off the bed. Maybe he is too far gone. We leave him on his own for maybe an hour, to try and reassess the situation. When we come back into the room we are shocked, there is writing all over the walls, in a language I don’t understand. “Can, what is this?” Dad asks spinning as he takes it all in. “It’s his story, how he lived so ‘death’ “ Cas translates. Dad and Cas tried to take in all this new information, that Gabriel was still in there. I don’t know hoe, but dad had a talk with him and got him to talk. Now we have Gabriel and he has at least some of his grace back.

It seems Gabriel’s return of grace alerted Asmodeus to where he was. As my Dad’s phone rang and it was none other than Asmodeus. I can hear what he is saying over the phone. “You have something that belongs to me” “Don’t know what your talking about” My Dad replies rather calmly, but his face is worried. “You have one chance to return what is mine” his southern voice drawls, “he is no use to you , if you do not give him back, i’ll have no choice but to take it by force, you have 10 minutes”. he then hangs up. “I can stop him” I immediately say. “no Gabby” Dad tries to stop me. “I can though, Iam stronger than any demon or prince of hell, let me help” Dad still looks skeptical, “ok, but no direct fighting, I don’t need you getting hurt”. The banter must have gone on longer than I thought or Asmodeus wasn’t patient, because the power went out.

The red emergency lights of the bunker made it all more eerie. It set the mood for those who showed up, demons. Sam jumped into action to fight, but before he could all the demons, froze, screaming as the black mist was expelled from them. Gabby stood hand out, she exorcized them all. “Well, I knew you’d be strong but my my” the southern voice of Asmodeus spoke, nonchalantly appearing in the bunker. Gabby went to fight against the prince of hell, but Gabriel stopped her. She understood that he needed to do this, for everything that he did to him. Asmodeus tried to put Gabriel down again, but Gabriel was himself again and had his power back and in the end Asmodeus burst and burned into flames.

Uncle Dean came back through the portal just in time, but with no Ketch. He explained it a bit to us and we had to tell him what went on here. But it seemed with one person left another had to leave, Gabriel left. Pretty much said thanks for the help, but i’m out. Guess helping him was just for the sake of helping him, he didn’t help us at all, not like we were hoping. It was odd, I expected more from him, maybe it is because I wanted more. I was named after him, he is an Archangel, It just wasn’t what I was expecting of him.

We needed help, seeing as we were almost back at square one. We were going to call Rowena, now I have never met this ‘Rowena’, but Dad explain she was a badass powerful witch….well I may added in the badass part. We were all around the library table, the phone sitting on speaker, ringing, waiting for Rowena to answer. “Hello” a chipper voice sounds over the phone with a scottish accent. “Rowena it’s the Winchesters” Dad spoke “We need your help” Castiel spoke out from behind the chairs we sat at. “Is that the handsome angel I hear” Rowena says, ignoring Dad. Castiel looks like he wants to blush or something, bashfully answering with a, “yes, hello”. I giggle at this which Rowena hears over the phone. “Was that a giggle? I know I’m funny boys, but-“ Sam cuts her off. “That was Gabriella..my daughter”. Rowena makes a happy scoff sound, “well think of that, Sam Winchester has a daughter, how are you sweety” She speaks to me, even though she can’t see me. I smile, I like her, “I’m fantastic, I’ve heard about you Rowena, you sound awesome” “Oh I really like her” Rowena speaks, “call me aunty Rowena, honey” “Ok, ok” Dean jumps in, “you to can talk your hearts out later, Rowena we need your help” “Well I don’t know boys, I’m on my own little job now” Rowena answers, background noise can be heard, other people talking. “Rowena, are you at a party?” Dad asks. “I am, I’m surprised you know what a party sounds like” The boys look annoyed. “Oh I have to go boys, bye bye, oh and goodbye little Winchester” then Rowena hangs up. There is a pause, that plan didn’t work. “She's right” Castiel speaks up, “you never go to parties”.

We ended up going after Rowena in person, she was hunting reapers, trying to get her son back. Crowley, on on way back to the bunker she told me about him, Fergus, but mostly known as Crowley aka the King of Hell. She agreed to help us and we were working on the spell to open the portal. Gabriel had also returned to help, I don’t know exactly what happened but he turned up and decided he wanted to help us out now. I was watching as Rowena was gathering ingredients, reading from a book I didn’t understand. I was excited, it seemed things were finally working out, I smile to myself I was happy thinking of having Jack back. I miss not having him to talk to about my powers and showing him things. “Are you and the Nephilim close?” Rowena asks. I look up thing a moment , “yes..” I wander off thinking about Jack. “Do you have a crush?” Rowena points to my cheek. My hand flies up and my warm cheek, stuttering. “You do” She smirks, but kindly. “I umm….ya” I admit. “don’t worry my lips are sealed, those Winchesters are great at hunting monsters, but now so much at talking about feelings”. I laugh at this, “I guess not”. Our conversation ends when the guys walk in, Including Castiel and Gabriel. “We ready?” Dean asks. “Yes” Rowena says, “just need the holy juice” She holds her hand out and Gabriel hands over a small vial of grace. She adds it to the misty potion bowl, “you boys only have a day” Rowena instructs then she says the spell, opening the glowing portal. “Alright” Dean nods, ready to go. Dad looks to me and places a hand on my shoulder, ready to guide me through. But the glowing flickers and fizzes out, the portal closing. We need more angel grace, Gabriel is still to weak to provide the amount needed to keep the portal open. The only archangel possible for us to get our hands on was lucifer. No one wanted it to come to him, but we needed him. Dad, Dean and Cas were worried about the past experiences, I mean Lucifer possessed my Dad. Dad was mostly worried for me. As a Cambion the closer I was to Lucifer the more powerful I became. It took a heated debate, but It is what needed to be done, so Gabriel and Rowena went get Lucifer.

Now it was time, hopefully, we have been through enough,we don’t need anymore bumps in the road, but I’m sure there would be. Lucifer was still passed out as Rowena put the ingredients together for a second time. Dad and uncle Dean had firm stances in front of me, blocking me from Lucifer. I could feel the difference, being in the same room as him. It felt like when I was a kid and my powers started up for the first time, like tornadoes swirling inside you waiting to wreak havoc. It was like that all over again, but even more powerful. As I was trying to rein myself in, Lucifer woke up. He looks around the room groggily, putting the pieces together. “Oh” He shakes his head, “I see what’s going on” he sounds patronizing,taunting. “Your going to save mother Mary”. He scans the room, looking at the reactions of all the people he has had less than nice interactions with. His eyes stop on me, Dad and Dean notice, I see their forms clench in uncomfort. “I knew I sensed something powerful” He smirks, “but a Cambion how interesting, tell me how are you with the Winchesters and still alive?” “Hey, don’t talk to her” Uncle Dean is firm. Lucifer raises his brows in an innocent manner, “just asking a question, and I believe I asked her, not you”. I swallow the lump in my throat, “Sam’s my Dad”. Lucifer lights up, “Well.. well ..well” he smirks, “Enough” Dad interjects, “we need grace to open the portal, and we need a lot, so we are going to use you” Dad stands closer to Lucifer, almost getting in his face, “we are not just gonna crack the door open, we are gonna keep it open, drain you” “Grace on tap” Gabriel adds on after Dad finishes his rant. Lucifer doesn’t look phased by the information. They give Rowena the ok and she opens the portal. We lined up to go through, Dad was by my side, letting me go through before him and after Uncle Dean. I take a breath and step through, falling into the other side. I screech and catch ,myself, stopping myself mid fall down a hill. The others rolled down. I slide on m feet and butt down to them. only to see Gabriel had landed right near Castiel’s crotch area. I bit my lip to stop giggling, watching as they scrambled away from each other. Once they gathered themselves we needed to find where we were and where we need to go. “They have an outpost in Dayton Kentucky” Dean informs the group. I know he was directing to towards Castiel, but I figured it out before him. “That way” I point northish. “Ok” Dean gestures for me to lead the way, which I do. It is gonna be a long walk.

We had been walking for a good hour and a bit when off in the distance we heard screaming. We all shared a quick look and followed it with haste. In the woods were two people being attack by a human looking monster, but with a sharp set of teeth. It was a vampire, but a scarier than normal vampire. I have never fought vampires before so Im the last to jump in to help, but when I do I finish the fight. I hold my hand out and the vampire drops to the ground in a pile of glittery dust. I may have taken inspiration from twilight, cause vampires sparkle in the story. “Thank you” The man and woman breath deeply, they eye me oddly, but I can tell they are thankful. “Which way are you headed?” Dad asks them. “North, to Dayton” The man answers “The rebels Jack and Mary have a camp there” The girl adds on. “That’s were we are headed as well” Dean tells them. “Well were headed” The new man says, “the only way is through the tunnel, there is a nest of vampires in there”. We all hold our breaths, but Dean makes the decision, “we have to go though, stick with us, we will get you to the other side” and we head to the tunnel.

The tunnel is dark, damp and eerie. I am right beside my dad, the girl beside me. We are moving in a circle kind of formation. I hear things around us, but they haven’t come out yet, made a move and I didn’t know why. If the vampires were so hungry, why haven’ they attacked us yet. They is a cavern, the exit block by rocks on one side of it. Castiel and Gabriel begin to move rocks with the help of the man, Dad, Dean and the girl and I stand watch, nervous and waiting for the bloodsuckers to show themselves. The noises started to get louder, it was hard to her over the rocks being moved, but they were growing closer. Then they ran from the shadows, they surrounded us, ambushed us. everyone has to fight them off. I am using my powers, turning them to dust, setting them on fire anything I can do fast enough, but they are so fast and I’m not use to this kind of combat. I hear a scream, it’s a man and it was my Dad. One got him, dragging him down, others swarming in. I screamed, letting pent up anger flow through, relaxed as power. The rocks blocking the entrance blew out like an explosion and I tried to get the vampires off of him. But he was pale and limp already and more kept coming. Uncle Dean picked me up, pulling me away. Pulling himself and me away from him. I walked with my uncle in silence, no one talked to us. I had blood on my clothes, I didn’t know who or what it belonged to, I didn’t care. We walked to Dayton, made it to the camp. The gateway in site. As we walked into camp a bell rang. Once I was in the camp, I look from my feet to find him. I saw him step out from a building with Mary, my grandmother. “Gabby” His voice was soft I didn’t really hear it, but I know it’s what he said. “Jack” it was like a whine, my eyes blurring. He ran and held me as I cried into his chest, clutching him close.

Tag List: 

@bellero, @lynnmariefaith, @the-winchesters-impala, @jaycc7983

[thewhiterabbit42]

OoTW: Birthdays Part 6

Part of the Out of This World Series

Pairing: Gabriel x AU!Reader Word Count: 1200+ Tags/Warnings: Some angst, but it ends on a happy note A/N:  When will she end?  How sleep deprived is she?  The answers are I dunno (or do I?) and VERY.  But it’s well worth it to help make my bb’s day special <3  Also, this one’s mostly unbeta’d since she tends to get to bed at a reasonable hour.  All mistakes are mine.

***Please do not repost or copy my work to any other site without my written permission.  Giving credit does NOT count.  Reblogging is ok.***

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When Sam had offered you an out from the bunker (and assuredly Gabriel),  you had all but sprinted out with just the clothes on your back.  When it was clear the archangel wasn’t following you on your case, you felt infinitely lighter, grateful from the reprieve from your battle of wills.

By the time you returned to the bunker, however, you were exhausted.  Weariness clung heavily to your features, and both your shoulders and Sam’s were slumped with defeat despite having rid the town of their witch problem.  Your victory rang hollow, however, when you thought about the number of people you hadn’t saved and how many of them had been kids.  

You never did well when things involved children.  You’d all but resolved to have them, having lost so many of them in your world.  Their fragile bodies were not designed to withstand the elements or the hardships that came with limited resources.  There, at least you could rationalize that it was a time of war.  Here, there was no excuse.  

You and Sam had sat in silence the entire ride back, and even though he’d parked the car fifteen minutes ago, you both still sat in your seats, staring at the concrete wall of the garage.  

“You alright?”  He finally asked, voice quiet from disuse.  

You avoided his gaze, knowing you’d find the same shadows and heaviness that lingered in your chest.  “Are you?”

You reached for the door handle when he spoke again.  “You should talk to him.  I know he’s driving you up the wall but… whatever it is he’s after, just talk to him about it.”  

You appreciated the advice, you really did, but you could not handle any conversations beyond what flavor ice cream you needed or how long you wanted to be left alone for so you could sleep the feeling of failure away.  It didn’t matter that you had saved all six kids that had gone missing and caught Sam’s attention.  There had been so many more everyone had missed buried beneath that dirt floor in the cellar.    

“I’ll take that into consideration,” you told him before pushing your way out of the car.  Now that Sam was prodding, you needed to be away from him.  Maybe you just needed a break from everybody and everything that didn’t qualify as a distraction.  

The bunker was eerily quiet this time of night.  You were grateful to return so late.  All you wanted was to curl up in the den and get lost in a mindless movie.  

You were so focused on that goal that you never saw the pair of figures waiting up for you and Sam in the kitchen.  You walked right past the doorway, their laughter and Gabriel’s subsequent greeting falling on deaf ears.  You didn’t notice the way he shadowed you and this time he didn’t even attempt to use his magic to snap himself under you.  He simply waited for you to grab the remote and plopped down on the couch seconds before you did.  

The moment you dropped onto his legs, an internal battle began to rage.  You went rigid, the urge to leave soaring at his anticipated badgering.  Yet, part of you just wanted to collapse against him, desperate for comfort that wasn’t fleeting, edible, or imbibed.  You froze, caught between these two extremes, and Gabriel took it as a sign that the game was still going.  

“So, I’ve been doing some thinking while you were gone,” he began.

You leaned forward, forehead dropping into the palm of your hand.  “Gabriel…”  

He either ignored or completely missed the warning in your tone, diving right back into where you both had left off.  “How about we narrow it down by season?”

You shook your head.  “Not tonight.”  

“At least tell me if it makes a good beach day --”

“What part of not tonight did you not understand?”  You demanded, anger blossoming.  Did he not see that you couldn’t do this right now?  Last you checked, he might have been low on fuel, but his senses weren’t broken.  

“Listen --”

“No, you listen.  Why can’t you just let this go?”  You snapped, leaping to your feet and spinning around.  “Why is this so goddamn important to you?”

“Why isn’t this important to you?”  He demanded.  

“Because it’s not to anyone else!” You shouted, the dam you’d worked so hard to contain everything finally breaking.  “There will always be something more important to worry about.”

When you were younger, it had been monsters needing to be hunted.  Then it was the apocalypse.  Angels.  Demons.  Basic survival.  It was a never ending list of things that took precedence, and you expected now to be no exception.  

“Y/n…”

He rarely said your name, and the gentleness with which it came out had tears forming in your eyes.  You tried to blink them back.  You tried swallowing everything back down, but you couldn't this time.  This time, you were just too tired to hold it all in anymore.    

“Sweetheart, come here.”  He took you by the hands guiding you down until you were sitting on the coffee table in front of him.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” you told him. The last thing you wanted to do was cry in front of him, but you were beyond being able to stop this train from wrecking.  The most you could do was drop your head, allowing dark, wavy strands to act as a shield behind which you could hide.  

“Then just listen.”  He paused, taking a few extra moments to choose his words carefully.  “You are one of the strongest, most fearless, and craziest people I have ever met.”

You let out a sound halfway between a snort and a sob.  He had the crazy part right.  The rest was debateable.

“Stop it.  Stop doubting yourself,” he ordered.  “You spend so much time on other people and never enough on yourself.  I want to celebrate you.  You deserve to be.  That’s why this is so important to me.”  An odd tension settled into the brief silence that fell between you, and when he finally spoke again, he was much quieter.  “You’re important to me.”

You let out a slow breath, resignation washing over you at his confession.  It couldn’t be easy for him to admit this, and if he could put himself out there…

“My birthday’s today.”  

You weren’t certain what you expected, but it wasn’t the slightly panicked, “Well... shit.”  

You didn’t need to see the look on his face to know his brain was already going a mile a minute trying to figure out a way to make this work.

“It’s ok.  You can do something next year,” you told him, trying to let him off the hook.   

“Woman, what part of I want to celebrate you do you not get?”  

If you were being honest, it would have been every single word of it.  You might have actually voiced that, but you became distracted when his arm snaked around you from behind, his fingers drumming restlessly along your side.  Your head shot up, brows drawing together as you found yourself facing the opposite direction from which you’d been sitting.

“Uh, Gabe?”

“Hmmm?”  He said absently.

“Why am I in your lap again?”  

His fingers stuttered for a moment before resuming.  “Shhhh, I’m thinking.”  

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[whatdoyouthinkmyjobis]

Hunters on the Hellmouth

masterlist

first chapter

previous chapter

AN: Inspired by events in BTVS 7.15 “Get It Done.” This chapter references events that happened in GND 14, mainly, The First tricked a Potential into being his vessel and she later exploded. Here’s a cheat sheet for keeping track of the Potentials. Oh, and sex below.

Chapter 34: F Is For

Buffy had wracked her brain for hours before resigning herself to the hopelessness of her situation. Her head was still pounding when Willow handed her a large caramel latte. “I may have blanked on pretty much everything, but I’m sure I could persuade Professor Yardy that coffee is part of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need.”

Willow nodded. “I’d put it in the safety level. Could you imagine people driving without coffee?”

“This entire semester was a failure. Again. I don’t think I’m college-girl, Will.” Buffy enjoyed her classes, if not the homework and papers. But a deeper worry than grades churned inside of her. A college degree was a key to certain futures, and lately, Buffy felt her desires for her future and the reality of the Slayer crashing against each other.

“Don’t be discouraged!” Willow said. “School has ups and downs.”

“Like that time you got an A minus?”

“Dark days, but no. Take this semester off. Deal with the literal Devil incarnate, and try again next semester.”

The next semester started in nine months, an incomprehensible time frame when Buffy could barely wrap her head around the events of the week.

“Besides,” Willow added, “you spent your big study day dealing with Astrid and Jada.”

After notifying Astrid’s Watcher that she’d been killed by The First, helping Sam’s (ex-)girlfriend and her addled aunt escape to somewhere safer had been practically relaxing.

“That's the problem though. When have I ever had a semester without a Potential-killer or a Professor Frankenstein or a super vamp? A smooth semester is practically Bigfoot.”

As they walked on, Buffy put thoughts of school aside and focused on what she could handle -- grocery shopping for the packed house, the upcoming birthday she hoped to ignore, her newly human ex now crashing in her basement.

“Why so glum, chum?” Willow asked.

“I keep thinking about Principal Wood,” said Buffy. She’d tried to avoid him in the week since he beat Spike. “I can’t imagine spending my life on a Mel Gibson movie-esque vengeance quest, only to discover the bad guy is in another castle.”

Willow scrunched her face and asked, “Is Mel Gibson playing Mario in this analogy?”

“Kinda picture him more as a Luigi,” Buffy sighed. “At least Wood left Spike alive.”

Willow threw disapproving side-eye over her coffee. Spike living in the basement was awkward for everyone. The main argument against him had been his attack on her months prior, but Buffy was certain that monster had been exorcised.

Then there was the lack of space and food. As it was, bedtime changed the living room into a sea of army cots and blankets. And it was a struggle to make sure dinner was something more substantial than cereal.

“How many did Giles say he was bringing back today?” Buffy asked.

“You know how there are numbers the human mind can’t comprehend, like the age of the Earth, the number of atoms in your body, or how many people are living in our house?” Willow sounded tired.

“Xander said he could take a few. We just have to decide on who to move.”

“What about Gabi?”

“Gabi’s growing on me; she’s just...Gabi. Besides, we can’t move her or Cloé will go back to crying all the time. I’ll probably move Naomi,” Buffy added.

“Aw, but she’s sweet!”

“She’s also avoided the porch since Annabelle. She’ll be more comfortable at Xander’s.” Buffy glanced at her friend and asked, “How about Dani? Stay or go? I may be crazy busy, but I’m not blind.”

“She’s not subtle either.”

“Are you crushing, or is this a one-way street?”

Willow sat down on a bench at the edge of campus where they watched pigeons fight over a half eaten bagel.

“I know it was Lucifer, not Tara, but it was still her face. Her voice. I’ve been dreaming about her ever since. The way the sunlight would hit her eyes and make them glow, like she was some sort of sea goddess. I keep smelling her sweater, and I’m worried the scent is going to fade. And if my memories of Tara slip away --”

Holding her friend’s hand, Buffy grasped for words. “Sweetie, you’ll always have those memories. Tara was -- is -- a huge part of your life. But I don’t think she’d want to be mourned forever.”

“I don’t want to mourn forever, but how do you know when the mourning is over? It’s not like we have some calendar of crying with coordinating clothes like in ye olden times.”

Buffy’s worst breakup had been Angel, her high school sweetheart who guided her into Slayerdom. And she’d had to kill him. She still thought about the kiss before she ran a sword through him. She thought about it, but she didn’t cry. “I think mourning is over when you feel it’s over. Do you feel like moving on?”

“The idea kinda makes me woozy, and it’s not the good wooz. Even if I did feel the good wooz, I don’t know if it would be with Dani. She’s okay, and she’s here, but what I had with Tara was more intense than ‘okay’ and ‘here.’ I mean, she was my first…” Willow took a deep breath, then a smile bloomed across her lips. “The thing is, I loved Tara, but I also loved Oz. All of this death aside, I have a lot to sort through before I even know which way to move.”

“As long as all juicy details are provided, I’m there for you.”

Giles sat on the basement stairs with a well-earned mug of tea warming his hands. In the last few weeks, they’d added over a dozen more girls to the house, including the crowd of six he’d arrived with that afternoon. They were currently making themselves comfortable on the training mat while Dawn and Andrew set up their presentation.

The pair was becoming fluid in welcoming new girls and acclimating them to the house. Repetition would do that. Just as Giles was becoming comfortable with altering parents’ memories and ignoring the tears of children whose lives he’d saved by ruining them.

“Hi, I’m Dawn Summers. My sister is the Slayer. You’ll meet her later.”

“And I am Andrew Wells,” he said in an affected accent, “hero-in-training and resident chef at the Summers house.”

“You have a chef?” asked Ju, whose face was mostly obscured by thick, black bangs.

“He likes to be useful,” Dawn sighed, annoyed with already being off-track.

“Anywhoodle, we’re gonna make this quick so you can get on with your jet lag and culture shock,” said Andrew. “There are a few simple rules. One, don’t leave the house at night. The city is infested with vampires and The First will send them after you.”

Bianka, a pale Polish girl with strawberry blonde hair, raised her hand. “Are vee not safe here? Girl upstairs say you kill First.”

“You’re safe inside the house,” Andrew clarified hastily. “All those marks on the doors and windows keep out demons and vampires. As far as The First goes, we cooked some Storm Troopers, but the Dark Father is still very much alive.”

“Vot?”

Dawn jabbed her elbow in Andrew’s ribs before he could add to the confusion. “We’re working on it, which is why you’re here. Safe inside. Speaking of The First, remember that it doesn’t have a body, so it can’t physically hurt you. So that’s a good side. But in horror movie twist, it can appear in the form of any dead person. So if you see someone who you know is dead, tell someone.”

“The list of people who’ve died includes Buffy, Dean, Sam, and Spike,” Andrew added, pointing to three photographs and a stick figure drawing of a blonde in a black trench coat. The girls started to whisper. “Short story: they died and got better. None of them want to talk about it, so don’t ask for more details.”

Ginika, a girl with tiny knots of hair dotting her head asked, “These people are regular to the ‘ouse? How do we know if they’re real or not?”

“If you throw a pencil at them and it goes through them, they’re The First,” Dawn said with atonal brightness. “If they tell you bad stuff like, ‘You’re a loser’ and ‘Why don’t you give up?’, they’re The First.”

“Throw things and be positive,” Andrew repeated with a big smile and rainbow hand gesture.

“The rest of your safety stuff will be covered in training--”

“Hold up!” said a dreadlocked girl in overalls. “I came here for protection. Mr. Giles said I was in danger, and I already knew something was watching me. What the hell you talkin’ ‘bout training?”

Giles had told all of the girls about their calling as Potentials as well as the danger that awaited him, but at his current break-neck speed, he couldn’t promise they’d all comprehended his information dump.

He cleared his throat. “Rona, you are in danger because you are a Potential. You may become the next Slayer, so you need to be trained accordingly.”

“But I don’t wanna be no Slayer. I got plans, an’ they don’t involve vampires.”

“I’m not arguing that the system is fair. I’m simply saying we want you to be prepared,” Giles replied.

Shaking her head, Rona stood up and hoisted her duffle over her shoulder. “Nah, you promised me an’ Gran I’d be safe here. Now you’s sayin’ it’s too dangerous to be out after dark, but you want me to bust up that danger? With what? You want me to poke it with a damn stick? Man, I’d be better off back in Flint.”

Giles scratched his chin as he considered the frightened girl before him. “If you want to catch a bus back to Michigan, you may, but you should have all of the facts first. For example, nearly all of my fellow Watchers are dead -- blown up or cut to bits. As I’ve traveled the world picking up Potentials, I’ve been too late for over a dozen of them. A couple were still warm as they lay in pools of their own blood. The last Potential who decided to leave the safety of the house was returned by The First with her throat missing. Just yesterday, The First intercepted another Potential at the bus station. She died. Now, would you like me to get you a bus schedule?”

Rona sat down.

Dawn tried to salvage her presentation. “Um, Buffy will be back by dinner to talk training with you. She may even take a few of you out on patrol tonight.”

Andrew lit up. “Now let’s talk about my favorite thing: The Wheel of Chores. Me, Dawn, and Willow put it together, so be nice to us.”

Buffy’s afternoon walk with her best friend had relaxed her, but the knots in her muscles returned the moment she and Willow entered the backyard. Where she’d expected to see her three squad leaders -- Grace, Dani and Gabi -- drilling the girls in combat basics, she instead found three Potentials smoking and laughing with Spike. She was only half surprised. New arrivals always seemed to throw off the schedule. Plus, she’d heard the girls whispering about the mystery man downstairs; she hadn’t had the time or energy to explain him to them yet.

She certainly didn’t have the energy or patience now. Buffy marched over to Kate, a sarcastic eye-roller from Ireland, and yanked the cigarette from the girl’s mouth. “Ever heard of cancer?”

“No, but I did hear a story about how we’re all fooked, so why’s it matter?” she asked, smoke curling around her glossed lips. Kate had been high on their success after rescuing Sam from The First, but Astrid’s death had sent her back to her neutral state of doom and gloom.

“You’re not fucked,” said Spike, apologetically.

Buffy grew hot with anger. “He’s right. You’re not fucked. I am. Have you noticed how there aren’t any full-grown, know-what-they’re-doing-with-life, briefcase-carrying Potentials here? Because you phase out. I stay alive, and you get too old to qualify for the Slayer Happy Meal. And I’m a bitch to kill, aren’t I, Spike?”

“Like a cockroach,” he muttered to the ground.

“You die,” said Eva, a pixieish blonde who’d arrived from France a week before.

Tucking her green hair behind her ears, Lys asked Eva, “Étiez-vous en train de lui dire de mourir ou de demander quand elle est morte?”

“Le petit homme n'a pas dit qu'elle est morte?”

“Andrew told us you died once,” Lys explained.

“Twice.” Buffy squeezed her fist and released, regretting her anger. She didn’t need to add her tension to theirs. Calmly, she said, “I don’t want to catch you smoking again, got it? Not a great habit for people who have to run a ton. Now get your butts inside.”

Buffy watched the girls slink back to the kitchen and huffed, causing her bangs to flop into her eyes. “What are you doing out here, Spike?”

He raised his hand to his lips, then dropped it. He hadn’t been smoking with the girls. “Enjoyin’ the sun.”

“Really?”

“Inside’s a sardine can. Given the ‘eightened fear since that girl exploded at the ‘igh school, I thought I’d chat up the mini-yous out ‘ere.”

“They’re not me,” she said coldly. “And they’re also minors.”

Spike stepped back, hurt in his eyes. He peered at her, into her, in his familiar, intimate way. “Test didn't go well then?”

How did he know? How did he always know? Buffy bit the inside of her cheek, ashamed anew at the way she'd lashed out. “I'm just going to pretend F stands for footloose and fancy-free.”

“Or fighter.”

The anger rushed out of her. He was right. She had passed greater tests than Developmental Psychology or a packed camp of teenagers.

“Or flirt. As in don't. The girls don't need you distracting them.” The venom in her voice was gone. Some of the girls, who were otherwise good fighters, were hopelessly boy-crazy. Having the Winchesters as trainers had drawbacks.

“Don't worry. I think we both know Angel’s the vamp into shagging teenagers.” Spike smirked.

“You were all with the sweet a moment ago. Where did William go.”

Spike laughed, low and rich. “William is gone, love. Good riddance. My demon, too. Still sorting out who’s left.”

Spike had been met with trial after trial since getting his soul back. He had been unfortunate enough to be the first creature Lucifer encountered when he rode the angel wave to Sunnydale. He’d become a cosmic punching bag, but she knew another, grander side of Spike.

“You want to help? I need leaders, fighters, people who can train teenage girls to kill vampires. You in?”

“Damn right, I’m in.”

“Be ready at eight,” she said before heading inside.

In the kitchen, Dawn was arguing with Willow about Ella, a techno-pagan from Australia who’d arrived a week prior. Since a few of the Potentials showed magical prowess, Willow was giving them additional tutoring. Ella was gifted beyond all of them.

“I don’t care if she doesn’t want to cook. It’s her turn,” Dawn insisted.

“If she says she can’t, then give her something else to do!” Willow replied, loud enough to draw the attention of several other girls.

Buffy’s stepped in between them spoke quietly so the other girls couldn’t hear. “Infighting is not on my list of needs, like, ever.” She looked over Willow’s shoulder, where Ella stood, arms crossed. “If you don’t know how to cook, Andrew can teach you. We can get another person to help, too. It’s just really important that everyone pitch in, you know?”

The girl sighed. “I know how to cook, but I can’t help with a big meal. Can’t clean up after it. Probably can’t eat it.”

This rang a bell. Buffy had noticed her sneaking away when the other girls were eating, but had yet to ask her about it. “Why? You have to eat to stay strong.”

“I eat! I eat my own food. Your food is too dangerous. I’ve killed two vampires in training no problem, but peanuts or dairy? That’s the end of me. If that means I clean the loo twice as often, fine. ”

Dawn turned away, embarrassed.

Buffy nodded. “Thanks for the compromise, Ella. Dawn, will you rearrange Andrew’s chore chart for Ella’s allergies?”

Buffy pointed at a pale strawberry blonde. “You, newbie, help Andrew.” She left before she could get angry again. Hopefully Dawn and Willow could make up without her.

In the living room, a group of girls were teaching each other their favorite dance moves. Buffy noticed Grace sorting out a squabble between Lili (always Lili) and Verusha over whose shirt was whose. Leticia, Cloé, and Gabi, giggling so hard tears streamed from their faces, bounced on the pillows and blankets piled on the couch. In the corner, Dani whispered with a pretty new girl. The girl (woman? She looked older.) had an explosion of dark curls and a small toy in her hand.

The dining room held a stack of folded cots that reached Buffy’s shoulders. Despite the cramped conditions, three girls were squished in at the dining table attempting to do homework.

Heading upstairs to find Giles, Buffy practically tripped over Mio, Jabulela and Naomi folding laundry on the steps.

“Bathroom’s busy,” Naomi said cheerily. The bathroom was alway busy.

Buffy nodded, catching a glimpse of the two girls from Mumbai, initially chilly towards each other, doing each other’s hair in the bathroom.

Giles was on the phone, pacing in her room, the one place off-limits to the Potentials.

“Miércoles, si. Gracias, Padre.”

“Padre?” she asked when he hung up. “Have you been keeping secrets?”

“No,” he said, swapping the phone for a file, “it seems I need to fly to Spain tonight. Three girls managed to make it to an abbey outside of Barcelona. There were five of them originally…”

“Oh.” Much as Buffy hated being trapped in a house overrun with strangers, she didn’t envy Giles for his nightmare.

“Anyway, I should be back in time for your birthday on Sunday.”

“Shh!” She grabbed the file from Giles’ hand. “We’re keeping that one super secret. No way it won’t add to the weird.

“Tell me about the new girls.” She flipped through the notes. Ginika from London. Ju from Toronto. Bianka from Wroclaw -- the strawberry blonde she’d told to help with dinner. The dossier said her English wasn’t the best. Good luck, Andrew. “Training?”

“Ginika has several year’s worth. Julia, Holly and Rona were completely in the dark, while Ju and Bianka have over a year between them. Julia, at least, runs a dojo with her husband--”

“Her what?!”

Giles gave her his grave news face.

Buffy flipped open Julia’s file, and was greeted by the face of the woman who’d been whispering with Dani. The Potential was twenty-two, married and -- Buffy’s heart skipped a beat -- Julia had an infant. A little girl.

Julia had the life Buffy could never have.

Snapping the folder shut, Buffy swallowed hard. “Spike’s joining my pod tonight.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“What else are we going to do with him? I’ll take Bianka, Ginika, Kate, Kimberly, Shakti, Wook, and Udoka. We’ll put our Spanish-speaking girls with Sam. Except Gabi. I need her and Dani to get the latest newbies up on their weapons training.”

“Didn’t Fernanda go out the day before I left for France?” Giles asked

“And she nearly got herself killed. Gotta get back in the saddle or on the bike or whatever non-motorized travel you chose.” Buffy was suspicious that Fernanda had a little crush on Sam, but with the language barrier, he was the best suited to train her. “I know I should know this, but I’m totally fried. Who speaks French?”

“Natively: Jabulela, Lys, Eva. Violet and Shakti speak it as a second language. Ju speaks some, but I doubt you want her out so soon.”

“None of them are Molly-levels of boy crazy, are they?”

“That would be difficult,” Giles sighed. “How is she doing, by the way?”

“At least a week in the hospital. Maybe two.” Buffy hoped Molly’s Potential state would speed her recovery from her burns.

She ran through the names in her head again. “Okay, leave Ju for weapons training. Put the French-speakers with Dean; Vi can translate. Give him Shakti, too. Voila! Three functioning squads.” Functioning felt like a stretch.

Buffy tossed the files on the desk and headed for the door. “You can give the others the destiny speech again, right?”

“Buffy!” Giles called out before she left. “How was your day? Did your examination go well?”

She watched his mouth move but had to hear the words a few times before understanding she needed to respond. She’d already shut the door on school. “Uh, I guess. I have to get downstairs, meet the new girls and all.”

Buffy had only wanted one thing for her birthday, private time with Dean. Instead, they’d spent the weekend moving ten girls into the Winchesters’ apartment and another half dozen to Xander’s. At least it was easier to get time in the bathroom.

As promised, Giles had returned Sunday night with three emotionally -- if not physically -- scarred Potentials. He had forgotten it was her birthday.

Monday morning started with tears. The last time someone had cried so much in Buffy’s makeshift office, it was because their parents were divorcing. Starting a new school barely ranked by comparison, but Magda’s big tears probably had less to do with math class than survivor’s guilt.

Buffy handed her another Kleenex. She’d thought putting Magda in school this quickly would help her, give her something to think about other than the slaughter on the train. Now she wasn’t so sure. “Listen to me, you did the best you knew how to do. It’s not your fault no one from the Watcher’s Council found you. It’s not your fault you were picked for this. Most importantly, it’s not your fault that those other girls died.”

Magda, who had just arrived the night before, was untrained. The only reason she’d survived the Bringer attack was because the girls she was with, Betje and Sophia, had eight years of training between them. Betje and Sophia’s Watchers and two Potentials had died in the attack.

“The-they were def-f-fending me. I do not know f-fighting.”

“But you know surviving. That’s all you need to do today: survive. You have all the same classes as Dawn, Cloé and Sophia, so you won’t be alone, okay?”

The girl nodded and wiped a black streak of mascara under her eyes. “Sophia is nice. She share with me candy bar.”

“If you need anything, I’m here all day. Now, go wash your face, take a deep breath, and go pretend Algebra makes sense.”

Once Magda was off to class, Buffy pulled out a worn journal Giles had brought back from his travels. It was his first journal as her Watcher, and he’d been hesitant to let her see it.

“There’s very little about you I haven’t changed my mind on,” he had explained, “in some cases a few times. Please, do not think this is the entirety of my view of you, Buffy.” She’d taken the journal with a smile, vowing to cry into her pillow and hold every word against him.

She’d asked to see it because she wanted to know how spun always-together Giles had been when he’d started as her Watcher. There were obvious differences. She was already the Slayer by that time, and her first Watcher, Merrick, had been murdered. Most importantly, there had only been one of her. Even so, she felt the journal would give her a peek into Giles’ mindset and methods that memory couldn’t provide.

The first few pages were Giles’ gleeful anticipation of her arrival. He had assumed the Council had been in touch since Merrick’s death, and that she knew he had been assigned as her new Watcher. The day she started school in Sunnydale, his journal read, “I had been lead to believe the Slayer is a paragon of discipline and duty. She is at peace with her destiny and gives herself over to the cause no matter the cost. This is not the case.

“I have spent the entire day surrounded by teenage girls. The Slayer is a teenage girl, a mystifying sort of creature who varies from age to age, continent to continent, culture to culture, and apparently hour to hour. No amount of destiny and duty will change this overnight.

“Though a gifted fighter, Buffy seems wholly uninterested in training. She would much rather run off with her friends in childish pursuits of what they refer to as ‘hang time.’ This adherence to friends and the social structures of the natural world is highly unusual.”

“That’s me, Unusual Girl,” she muttered.

She was deep in the journal when a voice interrupted her. “Miss Summers, may I see you in my office for a moment?”

Buffy looked up to see Principal Wood leaning against the edge of her cubicle, jacket unbuttoned, as casual as a person who had recently beaten an ex-vampire to a pulp could be.

Journal still in hand, she followed him into his office.  

“Coffee?” He gestured to the chair across from his desk.

Having been up most of the night with Magda and company, she desperately wanted another cup. “No, thank you.” Though Wood’s story was no longer a mystery, she still found his piercing, dark stare unnerving.

“Two more new girls today,” he noted.

“Three. We have three, but one has already graduated.”

“Ah.” He leaned back in his chair and stared at her as if he was regarding a complicated piece of art. “How many started at Sunnydale last week? Six? Eight?”

“Fuzzy vagueness sounds right.”

“We certainly have the space,” he said. Several dozen families had moved out of town over winter break. “Buffy, do you know why I hired you?”

“You believe I can make a difference? I’m too tired to cliche.”

“I hired you because you’re the Slayer, and Sunnydale High’s death rate is the stuff of legend. In these few months, you’ve saved several students both from the typical evil creatures and from the everyday pressures they face. You’re good at this, at guiding kids.”

All this time, she’d been flying by the seat of her pants, doling out advice with no knowledge of its impact. “You think so?”

“You’re a good leader, which is why I’m firing you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You have a houseful of Potential slayers who need guidance. You can’t give them what they need if you’re here all day.”

“But most of them are here during the day. And you know what teenagers love? Eating. How can eating happen if work isn’t happening?”

“You’re resourceful. Besides, with the sudden downturn in legit enrollment, I can’t justify keeping you on.”

“But I need --”

“You need to be the Slayer.” He opened one of his drawers and handed her a purple sack and three small books. “Speaking of, my mother’s Watcher gave her these when she became the Slayer. I guess technically, they belong to you.”

She opened the bag and pulled out a small metal figure shaped like a man either dancing or writhing in pain. “Modern art? Great,” she muttered.

“I’ll get you a box,” he said, opening the door for her to leave.

Buffy, box at her feet, was sitting on a planter near the parking lot when Dean pulled up. He rolled down the passenger window and called out, “Hey sexy, need a lift?”

Her face flicked between amused and upset as she climbed in with her box and slumped against his shoulder.

“Is that a fired box?”

“Yep.”

“Want me to kick Wood’s ass?”

“Yes, but don’t,” she sighed. “Can I hang out with you today? I don’t want to go home.”

“Do you want a frou-frou coffee before or after you tell me what’s up?”

“Before.”

She barely looked at him as she sipped her latte, her frown sinking into her skin, her bones. He didn’t press. For once, they had hours alone, so he held her hand and waited. By the time they pulled up to his work, she’d filled him in on the details.

“Now do you want me to kick his ass?”

“No,” she said, this time with a half smile. “He’s not wrong. Slayer comes first, but it’s not like being the Slayer means I’m ready to run Buffy’s Halfway House for Protected Teenagers. The electricity and water cost money. They need food and blankets and soap. And dear God, they need deodorant! Did you know that’s not a thing in some countries? Not to mention, some of them have nothing. Last night’s arrivals? Literally the clothes on their backs. And Lili is from, like, the armpit of Estonia and keeps stealing from the other girls because everything she has fits in a backpack. Jabulela washes the same Catholic school uniform every night and wears it again in the morning.”

Dean had grown up poor, poorer than he’d understood as a child, but some of the Potentials were lucky if they had enough dirt to rub together. Not for the first time, he felt being the Slayer was less of a superhero calling and more of a crapshoot punishment.

But anger would have to wait. “Didn’t Giles say some of the Potentials’ parents offered to help?”

“Yeah, and they’ve been sending money, but it doesn’t come close to covering everything.”

“Can you ask for more?”

Buffy sighed. “‘Hey! It’s that stranger who has your daughter. I’m going to need more money for pizza rolls.’ No way that doesn’t sound like a terrible ransom note.”

Dean shrugged. “Pot pie instead of pizza rolls? It’s a comfort food.” A plan to hustle pool in LA all weekend half formed in his mind. “Anyway, I got it covered.”

“Legally?”

“Legally.”

“Safely?”

“Beggars and choosers, babe.” If Sunnydale’s citizens shifted from trickling exodus to pack-and-grab panic, looting would become too easy of an option to ignore.

He lead her upstairs to a recently vacated apartment he’d spent all morning painting. His boss believed all the people leaving town were merely a winter trend, and by spring people would be looking for places to live. Dean disagreed, but he was paid to paint.

“Maybe we could key his car?” Buffy pondered, tossing her purse and coat in the middle of the room.

“What?”

“Wood. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I don’t need him to look out for me. If work and slaying was too much, I would have said something.”

“No you wouldn’t,” he laughed. “You’d just keep wobblin’ with that globe on your back.”

“Not like I can put it down,” she grumbled. “Besides, if he wanted to help, he could have -- crazy idea -- volunteered to help. But nope. He jumped straight to a backhanded firing.”

“Flaming bag of dog shit,” Dean said as he poured the paint.

“Is that your new nickname for Wood, or your suggestion for swift retribution?”   

“Both.”

Loading his roller, he started the second coat of paint. “Can I help?” Buffy asked.

He smirked at her khakis and black turtleneck. “Not really dressed for it, Girly.”

She cocked her head to the side -- her signature I don’t like what I’m hearing move.“Got another roller?” A moment later she was painting beside him, stripped down to only her black panties.

He managed to resist for half an hour before they collapsed into a pile of paint-flecked limbs, their sweat-slick bodies cooling in the afterglow.

Spreading her fingers over his chest, she purred, “Being unemployed isn’t so bad.”

“Told ya work was overrated.”

Before the priest stood a young brunette -- fourteen, on the cusp of womanhood -- with a crushed windpipe and a handprint-shaped bruise on her throat. A handprint that fit the priest perfectly.

Caleb picked up the leftover wine from communion and guzzled it. Some Catholics believed the wine turned into the blood of Christ. He liked the idea of the blood of a deity running down his throat.

He smiled, slick and satisfied. “She was the first little whore I killed. You got a point in showin’ me this?”

“You have a long history of doing God’s work, Caleb,” said the specter.

Caleb pinched out the candles in his sanctuary, enjoying the sizzle and hiss of his flesh. “Keepin’ the world clean of uppity women is God’s highest calling. And who are you, ghosty?”

“I’m one of God’s angels. He has a job for you. There is a houseful of uppity women who need to be put in their place.”

The killing visions had been flooding his dreams. Girls screaming. Crying. Blood soaking through their dresses. He’d wake up from them hard and aching. Surely, this was a sign. “I am a willing servant if you will but show me the way.”

I have a slight plot hole regarding The First and "Amends." I was going to fix it in this chapter with a phone call between Angel and Buffy after she's read Giles' journals, but I feel very crunched for time. Being a new mom (and being sick all the time, thanks winter), I don't have as much time to write. I'd rather get you this chapter with a minor plot hole than hold on to it for another six months.

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