#and! if he actually had a hand in creating the exorcists?

[discordiansamba]

in the wake of the destruction of the Illuminati's airship, they can all sense the tension in the air- the promise that this is not over, by a long shot. but among their friends and the bubble of security they provide, it was easy to not feel it. if he's being perfectly honest, yukio is still reeling from how easily they've accepted him back into the group, like he didn't run off to try and join the Illuminati. it's not quite as baffling as the decision of the three Arc Knights in their company to just ignore his actions and accept him back into the fold- the dreaded son of Satan had turned traitor, after all.

...but he recognizes a second chance, and he intends to take it.

and his intentions had never been to join the Illuminati anyways- he'd gone to them in order to destroy them- to protect rin in the same way he'd protected him for all these years. with Satan parasitizing his left eye, it was only a matter of time before the Illuminati set their sights on him. as soon as rin realized that...

...his fears had been right, in the end.

thank god for satan was perhaps the strangest string of words yukio had ever thought in his life- but if satan hadn't stopped him, rin would have died by his own hand with a smile on his face- all in the service of protecting him. it was yukio's worst fears realized- that his twin had broken himself so badly, discarding all the parts of himself that he deemed unnecessary to his single goal of protecting yukio, that he wouldn't think twice about killing himself to accomplish that.

...but was he any better?

all his life, he'd tried to be perfect. it was better than letting himself be what he was- deeply flawed and twisted up inside, with a dangerous temper and violent impulses that followed it. he'd done his best to squash that part of himself into oblivion, devoting himself to creating the facade of the perfect child- the perfect son, the perfect student- and eventually, the perfect exorcist. he hid himself underneath that, not letting anyone see the ugly mess he was underneath it- to the point where he'd even fooled his own twin.

"...we're both kind of fucked up, huh?"

yukio glanced over at rin and huffed.

"some of us more than others," yukio couldn't help but quip- which earned him a glare from rin, "-at least I recognized my own issues."

"shut up, four eyes," rin grumbled, "-at least I don't wear fake glasses. the hell did you bring a spare pair for? I know you haven't needed them since you drew the sword."

yukio pushed up the bridge of his glasses, "-aesthetic."

rin held his gaze for a long moment- before letting out a burst of laughter. honestly, yukio still had no idea which of his brother's smiles were fake and which were real- and he knew rin probably didn't know the difference either- but the one he wore now seemed real enough.

in the end, they'd both bought into each other's facade.

...maybe now, they'd finally have the chance to actually get to know each other.

[tsururoach]

Ioriku AU + ramble down below:

Au ramble: It's a mixture/touch and go of some stories I liked and wanted to dabble in with Ioriku:

-Riku and Tenn are children who were born with an odd amount of divine/spiritual power. However, Riku couldn't handle that level of power both because of his own health + because his power was focused entirely on his voice

-Tenn, because of his better control and because he didn't want Riku to be the one to go, enters the temple. Because of the "divine" nature of it, Riku hasn't seen him since

-Riku was given a prophecy as a child that he would die from his singing/voice, which Tenn had overheard. However, on the other end, Riku would be overwhelmed if he didn't get the release he did from singing.

-Iori is from a music obsessed bird clan, but would constantly visit the human world. Initially he did for his music loving older brother, to help him pursue furthering his music, but eventually started going because he enjoyed human things.

-Iori then finds Riku one day singing and becomes transfixed.

-At first, Iori is similar to other spirits who want possession of the voice, but as Iori listens, he realizes that while It was wearing riku's body down, the only person who can properly bring the power out of Riku's voice is riku himself.

-Iori then, properly runs away from his clan and fully pretends to be human, sealing away his bird characteristics. Becoming friends with Riku begins as an accident, because he truly just wanted to listen to Riku sing properly. (Which was difficult when the temple/exorcists kept watch over Riku outside of the forest)

-It's inevitable, but Riku's voice finally over takes him, and while Riku was recovering a stray god takes his singing voice.

-Riku falls into a depression because it was both the one thing he had shared with Tenn, and also something he had genuinely enjoyed. (Also he felt phantom pains, with it missing.)

-While without it, Riku's life would be extended, he cannot sing again.

-Iori had actually stolen a small part of Riku's voice before he went undercover as human, but struggled to return it (but had felt guilt for taking that small part in the first place.)

(This preserved part of Riku's singing was one taken from loneliness.)

-Because of this, Iori would be able to track down the stolen voice... but only after crossing the boundary to the spirit realm ... and with Riku in hand.

-It is the most extreme of extreme taboo to let a human see a spirit's true form, and can cause disaster (either for the spirit or the human). However, It's borderline impossible for just a spirit to pretend to be human in the spirit's boundary.

-Because of this, he makes a deal with Riku, that Riku cannot look at him if Riku wanted his voice back. While at this point Riku kind of vaguely knows what's going on (both because of the impossibility of events and because of tenn), he decides to trust Iori.

-Iori only partially transforms in the spiritual boundary. This makes him both weaker... but also harder to track down.

...

-Iori also wants Riku to still consider him as human, as fruitless as that is.

-They're being pursued both by the temple and by other spirits (those who wants the remnants of Riku's voice and the servant of the god)

-Iori's clan wasn't one of fighting, but he collaborates with Riku to create a song that can keep at least the spirits off their back.

-Iori plans on leaving Riku permanently, once his voice is retrieved.

[phoenixfire-thewizardgoddess]

Headcanon - Backstory AU

Contains mentions of chaotic cannibal nonsense and child harm

--------------

Against all odds, Alastor is good with small children.

Rosie has brought one of her nieces to the hotel with her, and is passing her around. She’s Aunty Rosie to all her citizens, so when one of the hellborns inevitably ends up with an infant, she always gets a chance to love on the little thing. She has eviscerated people for looking at her niblings wrong before.

Vaggie and Charlie are delighted at the little thing, even though it has a Lot and I mean a Lot of teeth. This little darling was a surprise for the cannibal couple that had her, but Lucifer drops in the idea that perhaps it was all the angelic meat they’d consumed. Angel blood, even low tier like the exorcists, did carry the spark of Life and Creation… much the same as Sinners were made of Death and Destruction. 

“Would explain the poor dear’s terrible morning sickness. And afternoon sickness.” Rosie muses.

The King is concerned, Sinners should not be popping out children like that. It could put those little things in danger… knowing what vile creatures some of his citizens were. Didn’t stop him from cooing over something small and sweet and demonic, like his little Charlie once was and, let’s be real, he still saw her as. What a squishy little thing!

He used his feathers to tickle her, not bothered in the least when the baby yanked a few out. He jokes to Charlie that she nearly took a wing right off when she got her strength in!

Vaggie seems hesitant, likely the exorcists didn't spend much time around the children in heaven. She holds the infant like a bomb about to go off. Charlie isn’t much better.

“Hmm, we can try that again in a moment, dears, I will need to feed her now.” Rosie interjects, and pauses, “Actually Al, could you do it? My wrist is still scabbed over from this morning’s feed… but her parents need a break, so who am I to complain?” she laughs. 

Vaggie stiffens as the baby goes to Al. 

“Oh relax Vagatha, little Mira here will be just fine.” He hums, shoving up a sleeve and using a claw to create a rather alarming cut. Charlie goes green.

“Okay, hold on, you can’t give a baby blo-...” she launches forwards as the infant latches her sharp little teeth onto Alastor’s wrist, thoroughly supported by the Overlord’s other arm, even the head postured correctly. Lucifer himself, though sceptical, puts a stop to that action with a hand on Charlie’s arm.

“Honey, the little ball of violent joy is a cannibal… even if we could find infant formula in this Ring, it wouldn’t do much good. At least this way anyone in the town can feed her. Still… I get it’s freaky to watch.” 

Angel chose that moment to walk in, and freeze. “Okay, is this a congratulations thing or one’a those situations where we’re hand-rearing our dinner, cause I have no idea what is happening here?”

Two Overlords glared at Angel, and he cowered back. 

“Okay, okay, congrats on the weird vampire baby that… actually, rewind, where did we get a baby in this place? Thought no one could y’know, Make Life in this Pit.” 

“Well, his Lowness has an idea that this and several other concerning developments around Cannibal town, are likely due to the angelic meat from the extermination. Other than that, we’re rather as surprised as you are… but do come over and meet little Miranda-Claire at your leisure.”

“That’s a weird-ass name, but she’s sorta cute.” Angel responds, getting closer. He hasn’t been in the room with a baby since he was alive, there was always one at a family gathering, it was a big Familia.

 

“I’m given to understand that is the compromise reached with the parents, when they were initially adamant about calling her ‘Miracle’. Although,” Alastor paused, thinking it over, “I do believe they got one over on you Rosie. Mira-Claire is close enough, wouldn’t you say?”

“Oh those foolish cannibals of mine…” sighed Rosie, recognising the play. “I just thought being called Miracle in a place like this wouldn’t be too great at keeping her safe, but… well, my darlings have their own minds at the end of the day, and they make their choices.”

“Wait, back up, did you say there are others expecting in your town?” Lucifer clarifies, his fingers tapping out a panicked message to Belphegor in the group text, seeking medical opinions on this whole shitshow. Ozzie was sending a number of emojis back that implied the sin was intrigued about how the cannibals had made the children, but not… in the way Lucifer was academically curious.

“Indeed, quite a few! Several are rather confused about it, as they have no idea how it happened, like dear Stabitha who only courts other cannibettes, and dear young Goreson, whose wife is understandably confused.” Rosie pauses, her whole body suddenly trembling with malicious glee as she turns to Alastor. His ears twitch in horrified anticipation as her grin went nearly as wide as his own. “And you’d never believe it but… guess who’s expecting?!”

“...NO!”

“YES! And she’s insufferably smug about it too!”

“Ah, perhaps dear Charlotte has been let off the hook, because whatever Susan is carrying MUST be the antichrist… there’s no other explanation.” 

“Exactly!” Rosie dissolves into cackles, and Alastor joins in. 

“BUT SHE’S ANCIENT?!” Charlie shouts, eyes wide and unfocused as she tried to picture an expecting Susan. She can’t bring herself to think the word ‘pregnant’ in the same general vicinity of the woman… even if Susan had been the lynchpin for the whole Extermination support situation. 

“Age is such an oddly fickle thing here, Charlotte, you know that. Why, anyone would assume you were in your twenties to look at you, but chronologically… I expect that you are older than everyone here, save the little majesty over there.”

“Oh yeah. Fair!”

Mira begins to fuss and pulls away to make a frustrated gurgling sound. 

Rosie expertly takes her and flips her about to pat firmly on her small back until the little creature burped. Niffty appearing with a bundle of clothing to change the child into and bouncing up and down in frantic excitement. 

“Can I make her clean? Can I? Can I? Can I?”

“Well, darling, if you do it over here where we can help you if you need it. I understand you haven’t spent much time with little ones…” 

“And freaky-face has? Hah!” Angel laughs, flippantly as he follows Niffty to the conjured blanket on the floor to clean up the child. “Betcha the last time you saw an infant it was sauteed or some shit.”

Vaggie can’t help but laugh, trying to turn it into a cough at the last moment.

Charlie looks aghast at the statement, but with a hint of suspicion there just long enough that Rosie’s expression fell. First hurt, then a snarl.

“Because all cannibals like to eat infants, is that right my poorly mannered fellow?” 

“Oh, er… well, I mean…”

“He didn’t mean it like that, Sovereign Rosie.” Vaggie added, not looking Rosie in the eyes. “It’s just that Alastor does freaky shit all the time, and he teases us, so…”

“Yeah, it ain’t that serious! Just joking, like the time I offered to suck his d-...” Angel interjects, and is cut off by the baby beginning to wail. “Oh, yeah, kid-friendly language. When I offered to-...”

“Enough.” Her voice was everywhere as the room went dark, and people’s bodies locked up. Without looking, Rosie felt her friend shift away into shadows, she could taste the hurt in the tang of his blood. Her powers holding everyone not of royal descent in a momentary pause. She sighs, upset at this breach of etiquette, and released them. “Do forgive me that slip of decorum, my dears, but perhaps watch your tongues before I find a reason to use them for seasoning. Hmmm?” 

“Okay, okay promise not to make baby rib jokes at Smiles or the other cannibals. Got it.” Angel placates. He’s already handled one pissed off overlord today, didn’t want to make it three. “Say, where’s he gone?”

“Ran off like a startled deer, I bet.” Lucifer preens, and feels the hair on the back of his neck rise as Overlord Rosie levels her eyeless gaze at him. She couldn’t hurt him… right? Asking for a friend.

Husk rolls his eyes. “Wouldn’t go poking that bear, if I were you, your Majesty. Boss is a nightmare made flesh when he wants to be and all but he’s weirdly good with kids… specially small ones like her. Happens when you’re the oldest, I guess, you get used to it. I sure had to… not like you can return the little buggers when they’re out.”

Rosie burst into laughter. “Not with that attitude, you can’t!”

“Oh, er, and would any of those hypothetical evil not-deer siblings be down here…?” Lucifer’s thousand yard stare spoke of his internal horror at the idea of multiple Alastors running amuck in his domain. One was enough, thanks. 

“Nah, well, not sure. They make a big fuss on earth about how unbaptised babies are sinners and would go to hell and all. Is that bit true or just some fucked up shit someone decided to put into doctrine?” Husk asks, accidentally allowing his gaze to soften as it fell on Angel trying to placate the sobbing Mira with four hands full of dancing toys. Niffty was wriggling a new set of clothes on the child as he did so.

“They said WHAT?!” Lucifer shouted, hellfire bursting from his tongue in disgust. “What possible crime could an infant even commit?”

“Something about being born evil from the original sin or whatever, but you know, the crazies who follow that line of thinking often also believe that the menstrual cycle was some sort of Heavenly judgement and not just… biology. Church near my town back on earth used to dance with snakes and claim to be the enactors of the lord’s will; liked to wear bleached hoods at night if you get me. And you just know that people like them wrote the literal book they all believe in… so I didn’t put much stock in it.” Husk shrugs, then takes a stern look at Lucifer, before starting to make the man a stiff drink.

“...where would I even PUT that many children?” Lucifer murmurs, as Charlie walks him to the bar, patting his back. 

“Where indeed, little king?” Alastor rematerialised, any trace of the earlier feeding removed and his clothing immaculate once more. He leans against the bar, watching Angel now dual-wielding one sobbing infant and the equally-distraught Niffty, who wasn’t sure why the baby disliked her attempts to keep her tidy. 

Rosie moved to intervene, smoothly. “Here, here, little miss… such a fuss for no reason!” she chides, picking up Niffty and holding her tightly, stroking soft red locks.

Angel brings the baby to the bar, looking uncertain. “I used to be okay with babies, not sure what part of me is setting her off. Is it the fur?”

Alastor tilts his head and a tendril delivers a firm strike to the baby’s back. Another little bubbled burp escapes, and the distress ceases instantly.

“I suspect that all the movement simply unsettled her recent feed, and she needed further burping. Nothing against your personal ability to manage an infant. For someone allegedly full of himself, you certainly can be quite self-conscious can’t you, Angel?” 

“Thank fuc-...dge! Heh, she’s kinda cute when she’s all happy an’ shi-...zz.” Angel dodges the swear words as best he can, after decades of casual use. He bounces Mira delightedly, and she clacks her sharp teeth at him in delight. “Okay, that’s a bit freaky but like… she’s full, right? Cause I think it’d be a bad idea for her to get a taste of me, with all the weird stuff Val was pumping into the air today at the studio.”

“Oh she’s fine, darling, don’t worry. You’ll know if she’s hungry again, but I think between Al and I we can get her unlatch her jaw before anything too vital is lost.”

“Could I hold her again?” Charlie asks, looking wistfully at the little creature. Behind her, Vaggie’s fingers twitch, eager to have another chance as well.

“I don’t see why not, Charlie dear, but I will need to get back to my silly people within the next hour or so. They can start doing the strangest things when I’m away too long… and with Susan so unexpectedly... blessed, I doubt she is paying close attention to any antics happening in my absence.” 

“On the bright side, the lack of screams of the eviscerated do indicate no one has gone on a feeding frenzy yet!” Alastor laughed back. “Though there is still time, if some enterprising young hunter wanted to try their hand at testing the boundaries…”

Lucifer looked between the overlords sandwiching him at the counter, and then over to Charlie, Vaggie and Mira. He frowns, a faint nostalgic smile on his face, recalling Lillith with baby Charlie.

“Were there any other side effects you’ve noticed from the… post-extermination feast? Aside from the apparently miraculous string of pregnancies? There weren’t say, 66 of them, were there?” He half-jokes, panicking internally.

“Why, just a general heightened cheerfulness amongst the populace. And rest assured the number is well below twenty in total, I promise. Unless you need it to be more… I have some of the meat and products left in the deep freezers we can haul out. Anything for King and country, eh, Alastor?”

“...well, it wouldn’t do to allow Susan to hog the spotlight, would it?” He grinned back at Rosie. “Thy will be done and all, little majesty.” 

“What-... no-... please whatever you do, no more angel meat until I’ve asked Belphegor about it. We don’t want to do anything that might set off a seal.” The desperation in his tone was aimed more at the idea of having to compete for Charlie’s attention with two theoretically pregnant overlords at once, and knowing he’d never win that little contest. Not now Charlie knew how adorable babies were. 

The overlords threw back their heads and laughed, dissipating the tension as Lucifer realised neither had been serious. Damn, he needed to get better at reading people… all that time cooped up in the palace had atrophied his bullshit detecting skills.

Husk reached across the bartop to stroke the child’s cheek, tail swishing in excitement as she grabbed his claw. “Okay, that’s pretty cute, kid. You think maybe her parents would mind us spending more time with her as she grows? Nowhere safer than here, if you think about it.” 

“Why husker, are you volunteering to babysit? I could add it to your roster, if that’s what you prefer.” 

“Ah, can it Al, you want the little miss here as much as I do. Could be fun to have a bunch of little cannibals and cannibettes bobbing about the place, might be the only time it ever happens down here.”

“...how bold of you, Husker. Though, true, it could be fun… as long as dear Rosie agrees?” 

“Boys, I promise that these poor sinners of mine will be bursting through your wall at all hours to drop off the children for a moment’s peace very soon. As delighted as they are this has been quite the surprise, and rather distressing for more than a few people.”

“Splendid!” Alastor claps his hands, leaning over Lucifer toward Rosie as if to share a secret, and not simply to piss off the King trapped between respective chests. “Now I hear that you-...”

The side wall blasts inwards explosively, electricity sparking in all directions. 

For one horrifying split second, everyone is hurled across the room and baby Mira seems flies free of Charlotte’s hands as the Princess is dazed by a chunk of foundational concrete. 

Vaggie reaches out to grab the child, but it is Alastor's shade who moves fastest, snatching the child out of harm’s way before anyone can blink. 

With a spine-chilling cervine shriek, the area floods with shadow as a very ticked-off Overlord expands to fit the confines of the room, looming over the no-longer-triumphant looking Vox he is pinned to the floor with a massive hand. A ludicrously small looking infant cradled carefully in the other.

“H33y you fuckee33r, fi111ght fair!” Vox growls, screen fritzing around the cracked screen. Building a charge to blast the other through the pinning appendage. “T111me3 to pay fff-4444our that little stunt with mmmm-my show!”

“V̶̪̠̩́̌͌̊͂̕O̶̢̯̯̹̮̮̰̟̠̭̦̔̋͊͑͋̆̋͒̅͘Ẍ̵̲̲̹̜͕̫̫͖̠͍́̇̒́̿́̎̅̌̊”

“Oh fuckkkkk o0000ff with thaaatttt…”

Charlie, stunned but regaining her sense of stability, is helped upright by Vaggie. 

Her father hovers frantically about her, and notices the smear of blood down her temple, the dazed look in her eyes, and he sees red.

 

“☠ S̶̠̣̲͂I̷̜͝N̸̳̰̰̱̾̋N̸͉̽̈́Ẻ̵̖̯̊R̸͇̪̈́̊̅͝,̴͓͍̲̦͍́̆ ̶̹̮̘̲̤̅̉̔Y̶͈͑͆́̊̚o̸̭̽̀u̸͉̯͕̯̘͊̈́̂̓͊ ̷̫̫̳͗͆̇ͅD̸͈̲͒̂̍́͘͜À̸̡̡̜͚̪R̴̺̻̈́͛ͅË̶̡̦̯̼͎́̆͂͊D̸̛̠̱��̻̘̏͑͋̐ ̶͉̗́t̶͉̲͍̠̄̈̊͝ȯ̷͖̎͑ ̵̘̞̫̤̏͋̔a̴̼̩̋t̴̨̼̻͖̑̐̀t̷̝͈̩̝̀̋͊ͅa̸̯̳̋̔͜ͅc̸̹̖̔̍̂k̶̟̓ ̷̺͆̑̎͝a̸͔̩̪̐ ̷̟͍͈͍́p̵̟̖̘̄̓̅͘l̴̨̨̛͕̰̆͌͐͜ã̴̻͇̲̱̺c̴̬͚͉͓̉͋̀̄̊ȩ̷̹́ ̸͔̒̈́ü̷̳̻̤͆̑ṇ̷͍͔͈̈́͝d̶͖͕̮́ẻ̸̖͓̥̠r̷̢͇̰̩̈́͐̈́́͜ ̴̨̩͈̟͈̽t̴̢̨̫̀͌͘ͅẖ̶̰͙̙̗͊͌ē̴̦̪̼̘͒̉̃̕ ̵̹̗̣̠͇̀̿͑͝r̶̛̲̝̒̒̕u̴̯̤̒̓̍̇l̸̻͓̓̐̕͝ȅ̵̝̌ͅ ̸͇̭̗̞͎̇ō̵̧̟͍̻̉͝f̷͓͎̍̽͊̈ ̸̟͙̮̋̈m̷̘̑̅͐͗̕y̶̠͚̙̾̓́ ̸̨̼̖͖͙̾̈́ḍ̷̛̠͐̈́å̸̭̱̠͔̮͗͠͝ǘ̸̙̤́͝g̴̢̘̗̝̐h̶̗͎̗͋́̋͂́t̶͖̝͍̃́e̶̦̟̫̱̿́͐̎r̴̯͕̟͂̆̄?̴͎͊̃̀͆͜ ̷̬̪͚͖̽̎U̶̬̒̃̎n̶̘̙̣̂̃͐ͅd̷͈̠̽ȩ̵̘͎̲̭̋̌ṛ̸͓͎͈͕͑̑̄ ̷̛̹̻͛͘ͅm̶̡̯̺̻̭͌y̷̜̌̈́͂̀̚ͅ ̷̮͝ṕ̸͎͍̭͕̍͒̓r̶̟̱̖̋ô̷̗̓̐̾t̸̩̣͊͐͗̑͜͝ẹ̸̦͇͚̞̿͂c̷̜͠t̸̼͖̋͐̃î̴̢̙͕͇͕̔̀͆́ö̸̻́͛n̷̨̧̺̣̤͝?̸̧͕̆!̵̰̿̽͗̆ ☠”

Vox realises he fucked up and tried to escape. He’d come to fight Alastor, for knocking out his towers earlier that day… not face down the Devil himself.

“Y000our Maje33s555ty, I can expla- pla-plain…” he glitches harder, casting about for any spark he could use to leave the situation.

“You disappoint me, Vox. I always thought you better than this, lowering yourself to some petty attack in the middle of the day… and I assure you, it would not do to test my patience for you, dear. I am starting to grow… H̵̳̞͚̥͈̬̦̳̹̤̳̃̈́̉͂̈̔̍͂̓́̚͜ͅͅǘ̸̞̆͑̒̔͐̕n̶̡̳͇̹̟̤͕̬͍̻͚̝̬͛͜ḡ̸̡̨̗͍̭̺̠̞͇̻̺̃̄̽̈́̑̏̈́̏̐̚r̶̬̖͌͐̊̍͗͘ͅy̸̗̞̖̠̝̯̫̍́͛͐.” Rosie intones, and Vox looks about three seconds from Blue Screening… or ruining his pants. 

Alastor makes a disgusted sound, his static filling the air with warning klaxxons as baby Mira shifts in his hand and expresses her disgruntlement at the noise. He pulls back the hand holding Vox to the floor as it is clear the TV was enjoying this near death situation far more than anyone involved preferred.

“Leave, Vox. Or I shall enjoy feasting on what remains when his Majesty and Alastor are finished with you.” She orders, standing tall over him now. She claps at him, “SHOO.”

He hurls himself at a sparking wire from the busted wall, disappearing down the line  as hellfire singes where he was. 

Lucifer is seething, but he’s marked down that sinner’s name and face. He had all of eternity to ensure that such a creature didn’t get away with harming his Charlotte… speaking of, he hastens to her side.

Rosie, meanwhile, is taking little Mira and handing her off to Husk. Angel has Niffty in several arms and is stroking her hair. It’s a little more for him, at this point, anxiety about retribution from Val high in his worries right now. 

“Now deerling, you need to settle down as well because she’s fine… and Charlie’s fine too. See, Husk has her… she didn’t get hurt, your shadow saw to that.” Rosie soothes, as Alastor began to shrink down again. “See? Totally fine!” 

“...ah, excellent. Do excuse me.” He murmured, and disappeared into shadow.

“Blast, now I have to trek through his bayou in my nice boots. Husker, can you handle Mira for a moment longer? Excellent, good chap.” Rosie orders, sidestepping some shadow poppets that arrived for the wall. She pauses, glaring menacingly at the wing obstructing the way as if she was tallying the risks of biting his Majesty for the sheer pique of him holding up her egress.

“Hey, hang on… firstly are you okay?” Lucifer asks, and at once you can see the angel he was glowing behind the years of torment and self-hatred. “I retained a small vestige of my healing, I can help if you need me to. The child is fine, she didn’t even get dust on her.”

“Sire, I’m fine, but I do need to go and visit my deer friend before he goes on a rampage. Vox really crossed the line today, and over one of their little spats, honestly I have no idea why I don’t just eat the pair of them.” She grumbles, storming up the stairs with the King hovering behind. He’s not really doing this altruistically, its more curiosity at this point, but she’ll take it.

“So… what’s eating the bellhop?”

“I’d prefer, Majesty, if you refrained from antagonising him for the moment. This whole situation has stirred up something that I will mention, but ask for your discretion about, as I would have to eat you should you try and use it against him in this whole dick measuring contest you two have going.” 

He nearly falls out of the air hearing Rosie swear like that. It just… caught him off guard, is all.

“I-... er, yeah, okay. I mean, I was ready to end Box for hurting Charlie, but she’s my daughter and I’d burn down Heaven for her if I had to. What’s up with spooky in the swamp?”

“It’s a sad little story, but the gist of it was that he was never an only child… just the only one that grew up. Some never took their first breaths, their bodies already bruised from their father’s fists and their mother too frail to give them what was needed… and just the one little girl made it beyond that fragile measure. A little sister that brought joy into a place of torment and violence, who was doted on and cared for primarily by a brother barely older than her.”

Alastor will never tell you more than that, and it is not my place to share the parts around the cruelty of his father, the suffering of his mother, and all of the townsfolk who let it happen because it was easier than interfering. What I can say, is that despite the best efforts of my fawn-dest friend, babies cry… and violent men dislike things out of their control.”

Lucifer thought about his little Charlie, and his stomach dropped. 

“The little girl was dashed into the wall, you see. Have you ever seen a baby strike something solid like that? They have no chance… no way to defend against it. She didn’t even cry out, and that silence was so profound I am certain it had something to do with the manifestation of Alastor’s static ambiance. He hates when it’s too quiet.”

“...fuck.” Lucifer choked out, gorge rising. “I-... I would have killed someone for less.”

“Oh, never you mind, Majesty, he definitely murdered that man. Twice. You can hear his screams in the background of any broadcast if you know who to listen for.” Rosie grins, pushing open the door and shooing off the shadow as it leapt at Lucifer. “Come now, we’re here to help. In anycase, sire, the damage was already done… I think that perhaps today was a step too far for anyone to handle. Babies in Hell of all things, and then the one he’s even tangentially attached to is launched at a wall… I thought he was going to break the hotel in half with his panicked response.”

“...I… I didn’t even think about the baby, I was looking at Charlie.” 

“Understandable, of course, she is very much Your Baby and a delightful young lady at that. She was safe, you saw him put a tendril between the Princess and Vox, I’m certain. And I would have stepped in if needed.” 

“So, there’s a swamp in here… where do we look?”

“Oh, I know the place, it’s just a shame the place is so realistic.” Rosie laments her boots’ fate and storms in looking for her friend. “You’d better be decent, I’m coming in!” she yells, startling a laugh from somewhere nearby.

“Not a day in my life, Rosie…” echoes around them in the mist. 

Rounding a clump of mangroves, they find a mossy alcove under a large, sprawling tree that seems to be both a seat and a large bowl style bed. One might fit at least four Angel Dusts in there if they curled up a little.

Alastor was sitting there with his face in his hands, bloody gouges trailing from under his eyes down his cheeks. Reopening as they tried to close.

Rosie smacks his hands away. “Enough of that!”

Heart 2 Heart style talk about how everyone is okay.

Lucifer is awkward about it.

Rosie offers to use her power to settle Alastor to sleep, but he refuses, stating he wanted to check on the child one more time.  Lucifer mentions that a drop of his blood could do the same, if he imbues it right, and Alastor makes a quip about the king clearly trying to get him pregnant at the exact moment Niffty races past. Ensuring the rest of the hotel gets a messy version of it.

Checks on little Mira, she’s FINE.

Banter. Insistence that Susan is carrying the true antichrist and they need to let Heaven know to avoid hostilities. Rosie collects the child and heads back to Cannibal Town.

Husk asks if things are fine? Subtly. 

Yes. The wall is almost completed.

Once Rosie is out of sight, Angel receives an aggressive call from Valentino, calling ‘his whore back to work’ and telling him to give up any plans on walking for the next week because Vox came back pissed. He needed someone to play with… etc.

“Oh, let him know you’re coming, Angel. I’m sure we could escort you there.”

“Please don’t get me in trouble with Val…”

“My good man, he can’t hurt you if he’s DEAD, can he?”

Epilogue of Lucifer and Alastor having a conversation where it is slowly revealed that they are standing in the decimated ruins of V tower, twitching masses of viscera are left of their adversaries. 

Shell shocked Angel standing there, half horrified and half aroused. 

“Okay, I know the answer was no the first time I said it, but can I PLEASE suck ya-...”

“NO” unified response.

“Hey, your loss.” He shrugs, texting Cherri the good news. “Well, if ya change ya mind ‘Boss’, just know I can probably get ya pregnant with more accuracy than Short King there…” 

The sinner howls with laughter as he dashes off, at the truly scandalised expression on Alastor’s face. The temptation to yank him back by the soulchain was… strong.

“Oh come on… I could too get you pregnant,” Lucifer whines. Getting him a glare. “I mean theoretically. Had this whole argument with Lillith before Charlie, but she insisted… and well, let me tell you the whole process is No Joke. I love Charlie, but never again.”

“...that explains a lot about both of you.”

“I spill the best kept secret in hell and you backhand it at me. You’re infuriating!”

“I aim to tease, your majesty.” Alastor grins. He glances up at the pentagram in the sky. “So, it appears that things are changing once more, and of all the plagues to cast upon us… Hell is full of cannibal infants. Is there anything in that little book about that?”

“Er, I didn’t like how fictionalised it was, so I never finished it. No one said begat by the way, except maybe Uriel once when he made a joke about how he be-getting tired of hearing self-serving prayers.” Lucifer glanced up, then bac at the sinner. “Not the worst thing that could happen, I suppose… and hey, if Charlie’s program works, maybe we can get them upstairs and eating angels soon too.”

There’s a pause. “You know, I’m sure your sister is up there, with your mother… never had anyone under thirteen fall here, and that was a very specific circumstance. Msot teens get a pass because they’re all naturally little monsters… er, I’m bad at sympathising, but I hope you get what I mean.”

“Oh, I do… but watching you fumble was fun.”

“Fuck you.”

“I thought we’d moved past the impregnation discussion sire, I’m starting to suspect you have ulterior motives here…” Alastor quips back, stepping atop what was left of Vox’s severed screen as they began to walk back to the hotel.

“Oh you fucker-...”

“Alas, again I must decline, my short-statured sovereign. Many thanks for your consideration, but I dont believe I own a step-stool of the right height to facilitate anything salacious betwixt us. Ah, a pity…” 

“...I can’t think of anything you won’t twist into something fucked up…” Lucifer admits, cringing slightly as a hunk of what may have been Valentino once slipped off a nearby neon sign and landed at his feet. “Heh, guess that moth guy had guts after all… they’re on my shoes.”

Alastor can’t help but snort in response.

“Why little majesty, I do believe I could come to like you if you continue to amuse like this.”

“Excellent, you’re falling for my fantastic sense of humour already. So when I do decide to end you, you won’t see me coming!”

“Sire, given the lack of a step stool, I wouldn’t be seeing you coming in any circumstance…” Alastor deadpans, and flits up the street in his shade to stand next to a stunned-looking Angel Dust. Cherri Bomb is rolling on the pavement beside him, howling with laughter.

Lucifer sputters, grinning and furious that the red haired bellhop had somehow outmanoeuvred him in their little game of wordplay. He’s trying to slap something together on the fly, and finding nothing.

“Come along, your Lowness, I believe Charlie is cooking dinner tonight. At least one person capable of putting out an industrial fire should be present, for the sanctity of the hotel.”

“Hey, I taught Char-Char to cook. She’s fine at it!”

“...nah I’m with Smiles. That girl is amazing as long as you can force down charcoal flavoured whatever it was supposed to be at every meal. No idea how Vaggie manages it. There’s love, and then there’s that codependent mess…” Angel adds.

“

[Find way to end]

[man3at3r-mp4]

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖆𝖒𝖇- 𝕳𝖍 𝖝 𝖒𝖆𝖑𝖊 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗

Chapter 3- Family feud

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 (𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞)

               𝐁𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐧

                             

                              ↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

                 

                    1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

Prologue Chapter 3.5

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

  "YOUR HIGHNESS!!!"

Liam's loud, shreeky voice called out to you. But you could care less, as you stormed out of the ball room, practically ripping off the uncomfortable and itchy gown you were forced to be fitted in.

The clicking of your hooves tapped against the crystal tiles of the floor, as you stomped off. You didn't know, you just wanted to get out of there. You picked up your pace as you heard the door slam open, and three pairs of footsteps following after you.

"Oh c'mon babe, where are you going?" You heard Adam call after you.

"Somewhere away from the three is you!" you snapped back, as you crossed your arms, one of your ears flicking in irritation.

"Your highness!" Liam spoke up, following not far after you, Adam and Lute.. "I understand your frustrations, but you shouldn't run off like that!" he clutched the schedule to his chest.

"Your highness, don't act to brash" Lute scoffs. Your eyebrow twitched at her words, but you continued to walk.

"Well I sure don't.." the exorcist angel quipped, "not to be a dick or anything, but you running off mid way through my sentence was a bitch move"

Your eye twitched, as you shot Adam a glare over your shoulder, causing him to blink as he shrugged his shoulders in confusion, "what?"

That got you to stop, you swiftly turned around and gave the other male the harshest glare you could muster, "What the hell do you mean WHAT?!?" Your ears were slightly pinned down. Apparently your yelling caught them both off guard.

"I just found out that my sister agreed to give you my hand in marriage and no one bothered to FUCKING tell me!" You growled, stomping your hooves on the ground, you were so enraged you didn't notice how you actually created a dent in the floor from how hard you were stomping.

"Your highness, language-" Liam interrupted.

"OH KISS MY ASS LIAM!" You pointed your finger at him, as steam huffed out of your nose. This caused the said Angel, to squeak as he shrieked back.

"Woah babe, chill out-"

"CHILL OUT?!?" You only got louder, "I'M BEING MARRIED OFF LIKE SOME FUCKING 16 CENTURY PRINCESS!! NO ONE EVEN BOTHERED TO ASK ME!" as you continued on with your rant, you were unaware of how you were actually getting taller. Actually, you were growing in size, as your usual e/c were now replaced with a golden glow, your horns elongated and sharpened, as you continued to grow. "YOU DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO ASK ME! YOU WENT STRAIGHT TO SERA!" Your voice deepened and became more echoey as you finally stopped growing. Your head touched the ceiling, as you had to get on all fours and duck your head down to Adam and Liam's level. You blew a puff of steam out of your nose at the exorcist, as you finished.

"Holy shit..." Adam murmured, his eyes wide in surprise. Liam and Lute held similar expressions. You expected him, to apologize and be a bit scared if not intimidated of you but this is Adam we're talking about.

"YOU CAN TURN INTO A FUCKING KAIJU?!?" He shouts, "oh that's so fucking sick!".

Liam and Lute shared a look before the female exorcist sighed, "Sir...I don't think this is the right ti-"

"Shut up Lute." Adam cut her off, resulting in Lute groaning and rolling her eyes. You blinked, taken aback from his response.

"Really is that what you're focusing on? And not the rest of what I said?" You asked, in a deadpan voice.

"Well duh, you never fucking told me you could do this" he says, as he placed his hands on his hips, glancing at you up in down. "Fuck, this is kinda doing it for me. I'd thought I'd never be into the whole size difference thing but maybe for our honeymoon you could-"

You growled again, your hooves scraping against the ground as you released another puff of steam from your nose. Liam took notice of this and shrieked, "Adam! Cut it out!" He pleaded. "You're making it worse!"

Lute nodded, "Sir, you're only angering him even more! Can you save your horny bullshit for later!" She said through gritted teeth gesturing over to you.

Adam huffs, "Fuck, fine..whatever I'll wait for him to be done with his little temper tantrum.."

"TEMPER TANTRUM?!?" You roared again.

"Oh no..." Liam squeaked, shrinking back into his wings. Lute only face palmed, at Adam's stupidity.

Fortunately, before you could do anything a familiar voice interrupted you.

"What is the meaning of this?!" A motherly voice spoke, It was Sera. Her voice booming throughout the room, as her wings folded gracefully against her back.

"Is everything okay?!?" A familiar younger looking angel called out, it was Emily and it was obvious she was concerned by her slight pout and furrowed eyebrows.

They both gasped as they noticed your monstrous form. "Y/n!!" Emily cried, as she quickly flew over. "What happened?" She frowned.

Meanwhile Sera was a lot less gentle with her tone. "Y/n! Stop this nonsense at once, whatever you're angry at shouldn't warrant this reaction!" She scoffed. "You're shaking the entire palace! Everyone in heaven can hear you!"

You huffed, "Well maybe I wouldn't be so fucking angry, if I didn't just find out I'm getting married!"

Sera's eyes widened,"how did you-" she cut herself off, as the realization settled into her brain, she shot a quick glare over to Adam. "Adam! I thought we agreed we'd tell him after he finished with his duties for the day.."

The said Angel shrugged, "You really expected me to wait the entire day? No bitch, it's not my fault you're so fucking busy..". Sera only rolled her eyes in response, she then turned back to face you.

"Y/n, I know this isn't an ideal situation to learn about your engagement but you must stop this nonsense at once." She sounded stern, as she still tried to maintain some semblance of normalcy in her tone.

"No! This isn't nonsense! I'm justifiably angry!" You groaned. "You always do this Sera! You make decisions about my life and never fucking ask me!"

"Language."

You growled in response, you went to speak again but Emily interrupted. "(Y/n)...please, I know you're angry but don't lash out at anyone, please. I'm sure we can resolve this if we just talk..?" She suggested. Your eyes softened a bit, as you looked into your sister's eyes. You let out another huff before, you began to shrink back into your normal size.

Sera and the others visibly relaxed as you retreated back to your regular size. You fixed the crown that laid sideways on your head, before soothing out your clothes. "Okay...I'll let you explain yourself..." you grumbled, crossing your arms.

Sera sighed, "I know you're upset" 'upset is an understatement'  you thought, as you listened to your sister speak. "But, I made the decision to accept Adam's proposal because I knew it would be good for you, it would be good for all of us."

You raised a brow, "how exactly?"

"Your union with Adam, will provide a  good service not only here but on earth. Love is a fundamental part of heaven, your marriage with Adam will symbolize love and happiness to the human. It'd help spread hope across the globe and help mortals stray away from sin"

"But what about my happiness??" You asked. "I don't want to seem selfish..but everything I've ever done has been for the humans or for heaven...I don't even know half of my subjects? I've never even been to the earth." You scoffed. "How do you even know this'll work?"

"I have faith it will." She responds, though it felt like there was something else she wasn't telling you.

"Faith?" You repeated. "I'm in an arranged marriage all based on your faith?" You growled.

"(Y/n) don't.." you heard Liam meekly whisper.

"(Y/n)..," Sera warned, narrowing her eyes.

"Y'know Sera " you spat out your sister's name like it was venom. "It seems like you're willing to do A LOT of things for faith huh?" You scoffed. "Like when you forced all your societal expectations on me !." You watched as everyone in the room stiffened.

"Y/n!" Liam said, "you can't-"

"I can! I'm sick of this! I'm sick of everything! You always treat me like a child! All of you do! I'm 23 years old! I'm not some naive little boy anymore Sera!" You huffed.

"You throwing this outburst isn't really helping me see that, is it now?" Sera replied, matching your sass.

Your eye twitched, as you glared up at your sister. "Go to hell, Sera." You spat. Causing her eyes to widen, and for Emily and Liam to gasp. You could see Lute narrow her eyes a bit.

"Y/n you do NOT speak to me that way!" Sera commanded, as her anger grew so did the eyes that began to appear in her hair as she retained a slight glow to them. "Being angry is one thing but you do Not  raise your voice at me!"

"There you go again, you're treating me like a child! I-" Emily then finally butted in.

"Y/n I know you're up about your engagement to Adam but we think it'll be a good idea.."

Your form slouched, as your tone grew quiet. "Wait...we?..." you frowned. "Emily..." you glanced down at her, obvious hurt in your eyes. "You knew...did the others-" Emily frowned, averting her gaze as he hesitantly nodded, giving you confirmation the rest of the seraphim knew and signed off on your engagement.

Your eyes welled with tears, as you backed away. Everyone knew about your apparent engagement, except you. It was one thing for Sera to make decisions for you but for Emily and the others too...it hurt. Emily was usually your aid for guidance and knowledge when you couldn't get it from Sera. She always told you the truth....but she made this life changing decision without even asking you about it.

You sniffled, you felt a bit embarrassed for beginning to cry in front of everyone. It sent you back to your preschool years when you remembered being scolded for being a crybaby and too emotional.  But you couldn't help it now, you felt betrayed and you didn't know how else to handle this.

At the sound of your sniffling, Sera's glare softened as well as everyone's posture. Instead of being tense you could feel them begin to pity you.

Surprisingly, Adam made the first move. "Y/n babe.." he began, his voice unusually soft. "Why don't you relax and we meet up later and-" he reached out to place his hand on your shoulder, but you slapped it away.

"Don't fucking touch me." You spat, hiccuping on your words as turned and dashed down the hall. You heard shouts of your name but you didn't care. You just wanted to get away from everyone right now.

Emily reached out to stop you, but Sera held her back. "No, let him go. Maybe some time alone is what he needs to digest everything" she sighed. "I hope..."

You slammed the door open of your room, shutting it behind you as you slugged your way over to your bed before face planting against the soft silk sheets. You let out a loud sigh as you did.

Skelly, who was happily snoozing in the corner of the bed perked up. He tilted his head, before stretching his body and trotting over to you. He seemed to notice your down mood and whimpered, nuzzling into your hand as he gave you puppy eyes.

You frowned, "Not now, Skelly..." you mumbled, as you sat up from your slumped position on the bed, causing the puppy to let out another whine.

"Can you imagine? Me," You huffed, "The wife of that, boorish brainless..." You stood up from your bed, walking over to your vanity, placing the engagement ring on your finger. "Madame Adam, can't you just see it?" You continued, as you sang to Skelly, who watched you in confusion.

"Madame Adam, his little wife. Ugh!" You growled out, as you ripped off the ring and placed it on the vanity. "No, sir! Not me! I guarantee it!" You walked over to the balcony doors, pushing them open. As you made your way to the balcony you gripped the railing as you sighed, " I want much more than this provincial life!"

You hesitantly took the golden crown that laid on your head, as you glanced over it before setting it on a nearby table.  With a determined look, wings sprouted from your back as you bent your knees a bit to boost yourself off the ground.

As you soared into the sky, you glanced over the city, before making your way to the roof on the tallest tower in the palace.  " I want adventure in the great wide somewhere!" You grinned, as you felt the wind blow through your hair. "I want it more than I can tell.." you glanced at a few residents of heaven you were able to see from the height  as you held onto the golden pole that held the flag of the seraphim.

"And for once it might be grand.." your voice softened, as you did a small twirl around the pole. "To have someone understand..." you made eye contact with the bright golden gates of heaven before your eyes softened, glancing past the gates as you leaned against the pole. Your cheek resting against the cold surface, "I want so much more than they've got planned..."

Sorry for the lateish update!!! I was preoccupied with my other hazbin hotel book that was in the works!!!!

@mixplara @lukerycyja-reblogs

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[americanhoney913]

I'm obsessed with Hazbin Hotel and Pokemon, so I just had to give everyone teams! I didn't want to give anyone specific types but things to fit both their personality, growth, and just Pokemon I thought they'd have.

Explanations below:

Charlie's main Pokemon is her Umbreon, to represent KeeKee, and Dreepy to represent Razzle and Dazzle. Hisuian Typhlosion is said to purify spirits before leading them to the afterlife but can also unleash those spirits when they're enraged. Quaxly and Mime Jr. are just fun little nods to Charlie's love of dance and Mime Jr. can also learn the move Sing. I imagine them singing and dancing along with her.

Vaggie's main Pokemon is actually her Absol. I was going to make it her Iron Valiant, which I believe all Exorcists would have, but I wanted to do something different for her. I gave her Pokemon that have weapons and a moth to call back to her earlier designs. Her Espeon is a parallel to Charlie's Umbreon. Because they might be the reverse in personality, you still have Heaven (the sun) and Hell (moon).

Alastor was difficult to give Pokemon to since he's such an enigma. His main Pokemon would be a Rotom that inhabits his microphone. Skeledirge has a microphone and is a ghost type. I'd imagine the Skeledirge has is much more malicious than is typical of its species. Dedenne is another Pokemon that I'd link to radio waves while Froslass and Runerigus are "evil" Pokemon. Runerigus even has strange tentacles like Alastor does. Unfortunately, there are no evil deer Pokemon but Autumn Sawsbuck are the most aggressive of the four seasons.

Angel Dust was a fun one to create. Because he's such a complex character. My first thought was to give him waifu Pokemon from different regions but I didn't want to focus on that aspect of him. Or just give him all spider Pokemon. So I focused on the Pokemon he might surround himself with. His main Pokemon is, obviously, his shiny Lechonk to represent Fat Nuggets. His Ariados plays on the fact that he's a spider but is also a poison type Pokemon. Togepi and Sylveon are both fairy types and Pokemon linked to empathy and feelings. Morelull could be the closest nod to shrooms or other drugs since it's, you know, Pokemon. I gave him a Mawile because it's feminine Pokemon with a scary bite.

Oh, Niffty. The funniest idea would be to give her an all bug team. But that would be mean to the bugs. Her Scyther is her main Pokemon because it's a bug but also has sharp knife hands. So I gave her a Joltik as her one bug Pokemon as a connection to bugs and Alastor. Her Minccino is another Pokemon that evokes the part of Niffty that's the hotel's maid. Mimikyu is just a creepy Pokemon that hides behind a cute look. And I just threw in Tyranitar because Niffty would have an insanely strong Pokemon that's a little crazy.

Yeah, unlike the others, I did give Husk mostly cat Pokemon, but they all fit his personality or the idea behind his character. His main Pokemon is his Meowscarada because it's a magician, just like Husk. Meowth represents the more regal yet greedy Overlord he used to be. His Torracat has very similar colors to Husk with the black and red. His Litwick reminds me of the magical lights Husk put up and were lit with Charlie's magic and his Purrloin represents his deviousness regarding his Overlord days. His Rookiedee represents his wings and chivalry when it comes to some of the characters later in the show and his steel exterior.

Sir Pentious was obviously going to have some snakes on his team but I also wanted to give him some steel types and psychic for his high intelligence and love of engineering. His main Pokemon is his Steelix. It's snake-like but in-your-face snake. He has an Arbok but it's not his main Pokemon. He has Exeggucte to represent the Egg Boiz, but also kind of Togedemaru since it's friend-shaped but spikey. Metang and Golurk represent things that have been created/man-made, which is his thing.

Cherri Bomb was fun because most of her Pokemon know the move Explosion. Her main Pokemon is her Camerupt, which shares her personality. Her Golem and her Electrode are for the whole, you know, bomb thing Cherri's got going on. Her Cherubi and her Hattrem are the more feminine Pokemon on her team but her Hattrem likes to terrorize people just like she does. Her Magnemite has the single eye like she does and also explodes.

Lucifer was really fun because I was originally going to try to give him Pokemon to match the forms that he changes into during the fight with Adam but then rethought the plan. Obviously, he needs to have an Applin for the forbidden apple that will eventually become a Hydrapple. And a Ducklett because of his love for ducks. It was between Ducklett and Psyduck but I thought the cuteness of the small Ducklett just makes me think of Lucifer putting a top hat on it. Lucifer's main Pokemon is actually his Hisuian Zoroark, which is the Baneful Pokemon. I was going to have his main be his Seviper but him being tossed out of Heaven and retreating into isolation and shadows once Lilith left him just fit Hisuian Zoroark. Spiritomb has evil spirits inside it which I think matches Lucifer being in charge of the evils of the world. And Lucario is based of Anubis, who is the guide of the dead to the Underworld.

Thoughts?

[kittenfangirl20]

Hellhound au

Adam groaned, his head pounding as he finally awoken after being in a world of darkness for so long.

However, when he opened his eyes come to find out this world didn’t have much light either. It was dark and dingy, water dripped down onto the dirty, concrete floor. He’d say he was lucky to be lying on a mattress but even that wasn’t so great either.

It was ripped in certain areas with springs exposed. The only thing that covered him was a thin blanket. Looking down he also saw that his robes were tattered beyond belief, barely recognizable anymore.

That wasn’t the only thing unrecognizable. When he brought his hand up comb through his hair in astonishment; he was instead greeted by the sight of a furry claw.

He gasped drawing it away then yelping as he saw it do so.

This…this was his own hand!

He brought it closer again to inspect and while shaking he could see that it was indeed a paw.

The paw of a canine.

His ears pricked up at the sound of footsteps. He quickly lay back down and wondered what kind of monster had brought him and did this to him?

The door to the room opened and in walked someone.

?: Hey…are you awake?

Adam’s eyebrows shot up at the sound of the person. That didn’t sound like an adult…in fact it sounded like a little girl.

Taking his chances he turned and saw none other than a young Hellhound girl. She couldn’t have been older than twelve. Or at the latest thirteen.

Lydia: Hi, glad to see your finally up. You were asleep for so long that the others actually started getting worried.

Adam: W, who are you?

Lydia: I’m Lydia and when I found you passed out on the streets I took you back home with me.

Adam got up and he made his way to a mirror and saw a Hellhound version of himself. He was covered his very soft fur the color of his hair and he placed his paw like on his face and felt a snout. Thankfully the fur on his head was still like his hair since he took pride in his hair. He saw a very fluffy tail.

Adam: My name is Adam, do you know what happened to the hotel on the hill?

Lydia: Oh you mean the Princess’s Hazbin Hotel, it was rather cool when that angel demolished it with his laser powers.

Adam: It’s called Holy Light.

Lydia: I didn’t know that, but after he was killed Lucifer rebuilt the hotel. It sucks that the angel was killed.

Adam: I thought that the people of Hell wouldn’t like the Exorcist.

Lydia: Most Hellborn don’t like Sinners especially when the Bitch Queen was encouraging them to rise up against Heaven. Sinners can go up the ranks in the caste system by becoming Overlords, but Hellhounds and Imps can’t because we are on the lowest place in the cast system.

Adam: That sucks.

Lydia: Yeah, that’s why Hellhounds and Imps have to look out for each other. I have a nice bath set up for you and some clothes that should be in your size and what looks like the style you like.

Adam: Thank you.

Adam went to the bathroom and got out of his clothes. He looked over his body and touched himself all over feeling the very soft and fluffy fur that now covered his body. It was actually really nice and warm. He got into the bathtub and started to clean himself. He also started to touch himself and blushed at the fact he needed relief. He wasn’t created like a typical man. He was made to impregnate someone and be impregnated. The thought made him rather sad since he was told that he was made that way because he was meant to be with his angel Lucifer. But Lucifer made no secret about the fact that he wanted nothing to do with him.

Adam: There is no sense crying now, just figure out what to do with yourself now and live your life like you always did.

@talesfromawannabewriter

[bloogers-boogers]

Thinking of an au where Lucifer is still the king of hell but in this world Adam was a mere sinner and not the ‘first man’ but the first ‘willingly fallen angel’. People will say wouldn’t that be untrue bc Lucifer yada yada,, but nah, Lucifer didn’t expect to fall, so willingly he didn’t, at least not in this au ~ so anyways…

Adam was never created as a human, he was an angel and had been friends with Lucifer before his fall. They were both seraphim! Though Adam was made a few ranks below Lucifer, God created him as the embodiment of perfection and beauty ~ so all angels admired him for how he looked and was praised by the creator, even Lucifer.

Lucifer at the time never considered Adam as something more than a brother just like all of the other angels they just saw each other like that? The knowledge of romance was an oddity or some type of supernatural feeling no one experienced at the time but God would mention about when it came in describing the first humans.

And they weren’t entirely close either. They were just connected being very pampered and favored by God.

Fast forward to Lucifer already being casted to hell and married to Lilith. They eventually heard of a fallen angel landed in hell (by a deadly sin, I would like to say it was Satan who informed Lucifer of this bc yk that’s a freaking fallen angel). So Lucifer was shocked of this revelation. After all, it’s been like a century since Lucifer and Lilith gathered angels to go against heaven and then be casted to live in hell for the rest of eternity.

When Lucifer tracked the angel down, it took a while until his eyes landed on Adam. Yup. The Seraphim Adam he once knew as the living perfection of God’s hands turned as a sinner.

Once Lucifer helps Adam, picking his unconscious body and taking him to his castle to get heal. Adam wakes up and was greeted with a bomb of questions by both king and queen of hell of why the hell was he here. In this case Adam refuses to tell them why he fell and flees to never be seen.

Leaving Lucifer and Lilith speechless because why, when, how???

Years pases by and the whole incident is long forgotten, just like Lucifer’s marriage.

So everything is basically the same except Lucifer is more of a king than being shut in his castle depressed. I feel having the influence of Adam back in heaven kinda toughened him up a bit bc he shared a lot of things in common and well, God’s love. So there was some sorts of jealousy involved just like competition. Also having Lucifer near by kinda just softened Adam a ton which made it easier for him to be too vulnerable in hell.

Lucifer is much more colder though. He doesn’t have Charlie in this Au but Adam sorta does? He has Abel who has a similar personality and ambitions. His dream is redemption and thats why nothing much changes aside from that. But without Charlie Lucifer just doesn’t have anyone, and like they say, nothing is more scarier than someone who has nothing to lose.

Adam has a strained relationship with his son because he’s so blinded by Abel’s mother who’s very abusive and who Abel distanced himself from (unaware Adam is actually trapped in her chains/ she owns his soul), so they rarely ever talk or see each other but Adam loves his son more than anything.

Abel isn’t Adam’s only son he has 15 biological children! And 56 adoptive ones (exorcists that in this au are hellborn orphans/ who aren’t necessarily currently living in his area or home but are his nonetheless) Vaggie, Lute, and more. Adam is an overlord! The most powerful in wrath and was allowed to leave pride by a deal he made with Lilith thousands of year before she kinda bailed on hell.

He and Lucifer did cross paths throughout that time which made the whole falling incident more easier to forget considering Lucifer was no longer interested in wanting to know why Adam fell and just respected his privacy. The deal he made with Lilith needed to be reinforced from Lucifer’s power so it was necessary for the king of hell to be involved and grant Adam’s wish to leave pride and join wrath instead (he’s still a pride citizen he just isn’t forced to be there like the rest of the sinners/ is basically the only one allowed to have left his ring).

But getting to the plot. So Lucifer starts getting a bunch of complaints of Abel’s hotel and all the trouble he’s making with heaven. And the angels aka Sera haven’t stopped pestering his ass about it so he goes and seeks for this ‘Abel guy’ he has no idea who’s about (or who’s daddy did this one belonged to) and surprise surprise Lucifer becomes Abel’s Alastor ~ he joins in the hotel (with all the intention on screwing it over) being a sponsor, and ofc to this Abel’s all enthusiastic having the actual king of hell ‘on his side’ giving him ‘support’ of his dreams yk

And you can imagine the rest aksbwksheks Loving the idea of Hell greatest dad being Lucifer taunting Adam for being a better dad than him and Adam feeling challenged (bc he kinda is)

[luneariaa]

✧ in piscinam.

✰ 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : claudio serafino x fem! reader.

✰ 𝐰. 𝐜. : 1k+

✰ 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 : claudio sees you within the cool waters of the pool, before deciding to approach you and make his presence known.

✰ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 : reader is wearing a dress ( mentioned ), claudio might be ooc, pretty much a self-indulgent fic. also very fluffy <33

✰ 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 : my very first attempt on writing for him, and the ideas have been brainrotting in my mind for weeks 😭💙 so i just knew that i had to actually post this one out.

. dividers by @/saradika-graphics !! 💫

The light taps of your shoes filled the silent hallways, stepping against the perfectly marbled floors with such ease within the private sanctuary within Italy– the Duomo di Sirio, as it was known to some others. You are also recognized to be in a quite higher position than others as well, just below CLAUDIO SERAFINO himself, as you are his personal confidante. One of his most trusted person, as far as he’s aware.

Not a single soul in sight, so you have decided to take a quick dip within the clear waters of the pool nearby, just to try to cool yourself off due to the warm weather. Claudio wasn’t around as well, since the last time you checked his schedule, he had some important errands to tend to.

Eventually arriving at the intended location, you take one last look around you, just to make sure that no one is present– gradually letting your dress fall onto the hard ground without any sound and changing it to a transparent one, before immediately letting yourself sink within the cool waters below.

Today seemed strangely quiet. For Claudio, at least. He was expecting any sort of greeting from you once he arrived not too long ago, but instead, he finds himself searching for your whereabouts around the place. 

Several thoughts are running through his mind, and yet, none of them have made any proper thoughts due to how messy it currently is. His steps are quite heavy, yet cautious as to not attract any attention somehow. These past few months have been admittedly stressful for him, and it has tested some bits of his patience in ways unimaginable.

It didn’t take him long enough to halt on his tracks, spotting a rather familiar someone by the clear waters. It’s pretty unexpected to see someone taking a dip at this time of the day, yet he couldn’t even blame the said person, as the weather outside has been nothing but merciless to them.

He leaned himself over the edge someplace almost hidden, not wanting his presence to be acknowledged just yet as he rests his arms atop of it. His slate blue eyes are quite sharp and observant, clearly now having different thoughts as he sees the person in the pool, yet none of them has any.. Unholy intentions, dare he say, but rather, one gaze that is filled with pure adoration and silent amazement. 

The sunbeams from above seemed to have touched your face perfectly, which made your expression to appear more serene in a way. Your now wet hair flows down so beautifully, as if you originally belonged in a portrait that’s being highly revered and taken care of– or that’s how he told himself to be, at least.

His thoughts never lied to him, because why would he?

Claudio begins to feel some sort of a strange sensation within his heart– has he been living in a certain darkness for all this time? His throat feels dry, his mind goes hazy for a while there. He has always been a man who's focused solely with his own assigned duties naturally; all the while, trying to avoid any potential distractions within his line of work.

But the sight he’s witnessing right now made him really think deeply. Has he never seen you being all relaxed and ethereal like this? You did it all so effortlessly, which made him possibly be baffled with his own actions if you ever caught him watching you like this.

Without moving away from the spot just yet, the Italian exorcist moves his hand in a smooth fashion– creating something rather unexpected, yet beautiful for anyone who’s able to see it. A small, blue butterfly begins to emerge out of nowhere; glowing vibrantly as it follows the magic flow from his hand, flying discreetly towards where you are. 

The seemingly glowing butterfly gracefully glides across your features, immediately catching your attention as he intended. He watched, as it landed just on your cheek nicely, making you look even more divine from his perspective. It compliments your features so well, which makes his heart swell. 

Claudio has not experienced these types of feelings for a long time now, and he wants– no, needs to keep feeling it deeply within his heart, if he were so bold to say. A warm, genuine smile made its way to his handsome face, wanting to let the scene unfolding ahead of him to be engraved within his memories alone.

The way you smiled as the butterfly flew around you– it is something that he didn’t want to ever forget. Sure, you are his confidante, but your smile alone is enough to send his heart beating so rapidly, as if you are his lifeline. Claudio didn’t even remember when was the last time he’s able to observe you properly like this, without any work-related distractions.

The feeling just escalates even further as he sees how gentle you are, cradling the butterfly on the palm of your hands with an expression of pure awe. He could admit he had feel.. Something, within him– a type of feeling that he ever tried to shut it away from.

When the butterfly has gradually flown away, his smile remains– clearly still mesmerized by the genuine actions you’ve portrayed. It’s beginning to feel a bit funny for him since he doesn’t want the feeling to stop just yet–

“How long have you been standing there, Signore Claudio?”

Has he been stuck within his own train of thoughts for that long? It startled him slightly when your mere voice managed to pull him out from his own little world; now realizing that he has finally been caught. But that’s like the least of his worries at this point.

You have propped one of your hands up by the pool’s edge, placing your head atop of it with an amused expression. Somehow, he doesn’t know how, but you looked even more.. Attractive, looking at him that way. So his smile returned without any ounce of hesitation present.

“I’ve been here for a while now, cara.”

His reply was simple; quickly being followed by the temporal lingering silence between the two of you. But this only made your curiosity grow, tilting your head slightly as you added more words to your previous question even more.

“Have you, really?”

A small smirk is present upon your delicate features by now, “Do you know how improper it is to stare at a lady who’s bathing?”

“I’m aware,” he answered with honesty, not even shifting his gaze away from you just yet. “I just couldn’t resist, bella.”

You rolled your eyes playfully, not wanting to admit that those little nicknames he has specifically given to you did make you swoon internally. Claudio has always possessed a certain charm with him– maybe being Italian is one of them– but that’s beside the point. He’s always been this way ever since you decided to work alongside him, so you almost couldn’t tell yourself.

Not even moving away from your current spot, he begins to approach you with several steps closer; eyes not leaving yours as if he’s simply trying to convey his unspoken words from there.

“You sure know how to make a man’s heart throb.”

“Oh, do I?” You tried to mask your surprised expression, giggling a little with the maintained eye contact. “Do I, perhaps, have caught your heart at least, Signore?”

The Italian exorcist stops just not too far in front of you, yet leaving just a few spaces between you both as he kneels in front of you. Without thinking twice, he leans his face just a bit– his heartbeat is so rapid that he’s sure you might be able to hear it if you went a bit closer to him.

His mind is telling him to move away this instant, but his heart tells him otherwise. Perhaps, something just awakened within him, that he just begins to fall into a clear realization? You have been his confidante for years, after all, maybe that’s why he dares to become a little more bold right now.

Maybe you are the lady who was meant to be his equal in a lot of ways. Maybe now he knows what he’s been lacking.

Claudio was unsure yet, but he can tell for one thing– his heart has spoken to him. He knows what he wants, and he’ll try to slowly pursue it.

“Ah, don’t get too close to the waters. Or else, I might have to pull you along with me.” You leaned your head backwards and slightly move away from him, which caught him off guard.

He decided to just follow what his heart tells him. A genuine chuckle escaped from his luscious lips; already feeling even more entertained by the whole ordeal.

“Is that an offer, bella?” His Italian accent is thickening somehow, and deeper as he spoke those words, his smirk reappearing within seconds. “Then, who am I to refuse?”

You had your brow raised, before giggling then returning his smirk in a similar fashion– swimming even further away from him as a way to possibly tease him, “Well then..”

“You know what to do, Claudio.”

mb idk how to properly end it lmao-

@luneariaa do not repost; reblogs are alright. all rights reserved.

[jinkiezzsstuff]

if you don’t mind me asking, when are the next installments of the transmigrated reader series coming out?

So sorry it’s taken so long! It’s been a wild couple of weeks and I’ve been jumping from fic to fic tryna get each one complete! I hope this is a satiating enough! Hopefully when life lets up a bit i can write the longer shit i like to do teehee

Transported (3)

Hazbin crew x male!reader

characters featured: Emily, Sera, Lute, Adam, Vaggie, Charlie, Sir Pentious,

part: [1] [2]

words: 1.3k

warnings: swearing, sera is implied to be kinda bad kinda a hater, adam calls you big balls little dick, male read btw, goat reader, readers implied to be tall, shortish, sir pentious is gonna be a lad, not proofread!

Standing alongside Vaggie and Charlie in the courtroom, you guitily tuned out the entire ordeal, you’d seen the scene many times before and lietened to the song on repeat, that actually was a problem as you starting singing along with the two of high made Vaggie give you a confused look. You however simply shrugged that off like it was nothing.

You waited for the scene to be set and for the three of you to be forced into the portal Adam would create and be good onto the next. However that didn’t happen, instead Sera, Lute, Emily and Adam came down in front of you Charlie and Vaggie, the other angels flying away. “So big dick goat boy, what’s the shtick with you?” Adam clicks his tongue, hands on his hips as he looks up to you, inwardly you panic but hold together, giving a quick glance over to Sera who looked quite menacing at the moment. “What do you mean?” Charlie stepped in, exhaustion lacing her tone, understandably as she just found out her girlfriend is an ex angel.

“Well it’s just that big balls little dick here is outta place, even Sera said-“ Sera promptly cut the first man off with a stern call of his name and a glare. He sulked crossing his arms and sticking his tongue out, however he kept his mouth shut. Charlie didn’t seem like she was in the mood to question what Adam was going to say, thank goodness, but Sera didn’t seem to be done. “You know, some of us were born to be, and others made to be, but none of us just appear out of thin air we all have a purpose in heaven, or hell.”

Charlie crossed her arms shrinking back, probably making the assumption the comment was about the hotel, however Sera had her sight set on you, her eyes glowing with meaning. You glanced over at Adam and Lute, Lute seemed to giving you a hard glare, but Adam didn’t seem to care scrolling through his phone. “We do all have a purpose than, even the ones who appear out of thin air may serve a purpose.” You claim wearily, yet attempt to keep your ground as your eyes bounce from person to person. Your hands shoved in your pants pockets you stood tall, horns sticking up high past your head.

“Yeah, cool, whatever-bye bitches! we’re coming straight to your hotel this extermination!” Adam broke the silence butting in, now this is what you were familiar with as the portal opened, Adam shoved you three through, Charlie freaking out and trying to get at Adam. You caught one last glimpse of Sera’s cold gaze as the portal closed, and you just know things aren’t gonna be good from here.

~

Vaggie was downstairs at the bar, not drinking but just sitting. She wish you didn’t see the way things played out, and she was embarrassed you found out she was a fallen angel too. Walking up to the bar, your hooves clopping against the ground alerted her of your presence before you slid into the barstool beside her. She didn’t bother looking up at you, or even saying anything to you, just at quietly.

She half expected you to sling out questions one by one about her being an exorcist, however you just sat quietly with her. In your mind you wanted to comfort her, but after today it would be too suspicious for you to act in a way that is too out of the ordinary, like giving the impression you’re an all knowing fortune teller. Instead you gave Vaggies back a few comforting pats, when she looked toward you, you offered a small smiled.

Vaggie seemed to appreciate the gesture smiling back and giving a nod, you’re hopefull things lighten up soon. As Vaggie went to open her mouth an inquisitive look taking over her features, the hotel doors slammed open, and in walked Angel with Alastor. “Weird there coming in together.” You mutter, giving Vaggie a look, she hummed in agreement. Angel plopped himself down on the couch, meanwhile Alastor lingered creepily in the back, close enough but still far. “So how’d things go with the holy? What’s the plan?” Angel asked lounging across the sofa, Vaggie nervously looked around scratching the back of her neck.

“We don’t…. Charlie will come up with something a big plan is going to happen.” Vaggie affirmed, out of the corner you watch Alastor fade into black goop, you already knew the plan was going to go down… but should you really intervene? It seems your presence in the show has already caused disturbances in the way things are playing out, if you stop the deal from happening who knows what crazy twist things will take.

But… you know the angels can die, which is what Alastor wants to make the deal for. In the middle of your inner battle the green shot through the room making you tense. “Too late,” You mutter watching as Vaggie run off. “What did you say bad boy?” Nifty creepily asked breathlessly, hugging the bottom of your leg. You grimaced watching as Angel gave you a look, Pentious slithering into the picture. “Nifty, invading onessss perssonal ssspacce issss very rude,” Pentious reason hissing out his words, you smile at him genuinely, watching as he tried to poke the little devil off.

She hissed like a demented animal, and clung tighter to your leg. “Don’t test her, I saw how she can be with Val.” Angel muttered, Husk who entered behind the bar not long ago spat out his drink. “Angel!” You tilted your head confused, oh right, they went to the bar, and you’re not supposed to know that. Acting confused, you attempt to save Angel the lecture of keeping his mouth shut, instead you simply bent down and tore the cyclops off you. “Hey, Pentious?” You questioned plopping Nifty down, her cackling and running off. “Yessss?” The snake hissed tilting his head, you wrapped your arm around his back guiding him away from the others. “I was curious about your inventions, and you would know better than anyone..” You trail off your hand making a circular motion as you try to find the words.

“You think Id know better than anyone?” Sir pentious said in astonishment sparkles in his eyes. You smiled at him and nodded. “Yeah, i want some scientific advice.” He clapped his hands together happily, ready to help. “Do you think it’s possible to move between like universes? Like falling into a wormhole?” You questioned as nonsuspiciously as you could, however Sir pentious was used to his egg boys madness and didn’t mind it at all. He perked up hands tapping on his lip as he though.

“I supposssse? We’d have to confirm the existenccce of other universsesss firssst.” He said matter of factly, you hummed, trying to figure out how you could question him further without him questioning you back. “I’m just really interested with theories of other life and realms, especially since finding out hells real.”

The snake nodded understandingly as he listened to your explanation, it seemed like he was trying to figure out what to say. “You know that isss quite interessssting! I’m alwayss ssso focussed on killing machinesss! I’m going to do sssome sstudying!” Pentious proclaimed finger in the air, you chuckled at his over the top reaction, but pat him on the back bidding him ado as he slithered off. Fiddling with the cuffs on your suit you wandered aimlessly back over to where Angel and Husk stayed situated.

“Heya babe~” Angel whistled at you dragging your attention away. “Yeah?” You say a little air headed like, you felt weirdly about everything especially after seeing Sera and the angels, you wonder what they saw in you that the demons couldn’t? “Wanna play a card game until the others come down?” Angel guestured over to Husk who had the cards between his claws.

Might as well relax a bit, after all it’s only a matter of time before the battle.

[urathestardragon777]

Pt1

I guess a little preface is needed for this.

Major changes:

°Adam isn't the asshole he is in the show, he's still a bit rude but not purposely (most of the time). He's straight forward and doesn't see the point in pleasantries or not offending people. He sees the Exorcist as his daughters, even Lute. He also never exposed Vaggie's secret about being an angel because their was no secret. He's got a dry sense of humor mixed with the most painful dad jokes ever. He didn't know Lute took Vaggie's wings and eye, he just thought she was coward/traitor.

°Vaggie was left in Hell 3.5 years ago after being attacked by Lute. Charlie found her and knew she was an angel because she was bleeding literal gold and the fact that Charlie saw were her wings were pulled off. It took a while for the two to actually open up to one another. They've only been dating for a year.

°Charlie is basically the same although she does have a bit of a sadistic streak and a temper (she's gotten good at keeping it under control but slips up every now and then)

As far as the story goes it's not that much different from the show with the exception that all Seraphim and high ranked angels know about the exterminations. So Emily wouldn't be shocked to find out but she would still want to help Charlie because she believes that the exterminations are unjust. Emily is also the youngest Seraphim, created a thousand years after Lucifer was cast out. God is also more heavily involved as he was the one to give the order to Sera who then gave the order to Adam.

Other characters are pretty much the same personality wise but look different (I redesigned them).

The comic starts towards the end of episode 8. Adam has just been stabbed by Niffty.

Seeing her father being stabbed and collapsed on the ground, Lute calls out to him as she rushes to his side.

Lute: DAD!!! NOOOO!!

Lute: Nonononono! Dad! Adam, wake up! Please...

She turns him on his back, pleading for him to stay with her.

A smile spreads across his face

Lite is calling out to him but that's not who he hears, not who he sees.

Adam: Eve?

He calls out to her even though his mouth doesn't move. She smiles back.

Eve: Com'on Addy, wake up. Cain is cryin' for ya.

Adam: I'm coming..

His eyes close slowly as the rise and fall of his chest come to a halt.

Lute stares down at the lifeless body of her father figure but her head quickly to the sound of footsteps approaching. She looks up and sees the princess of Hell, the traitor and the Devil himself.

Charlie: This battle is over, Lute. Take the remainder of your army and-

She gets cut off by the sound of trumpet being blown as a fiery ball of light comes down from heaven. The brassy sound of the trumpet echoed out through all of Hell. The remainder of the Exorcist fell to their knees with their heads bowed and began to chant.

Exorcist: Father, glorify Your name! Our Father, Who art in Heaven-

Vaggie and Lucifer fell to their knees, hands covering their ears as the horn continued to be blown and the chanting got louder.

Charlie: Dad! Vaggie! What's wrong?

She crouched down beside them extremely worried.

Lucifer: It's...fine..Char Char..

Lucifer grit out. It had been eons since we was cast out of heaven, since he was an angel but something deep and instinctual was tugging at his core to start chanting.

Exorcist: -Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come-

The horn stopped as did the chanting. From the ball of fire emerged a large structure (spirit?) it was made up of large spinning wheels that overlapped one another with eyes covering the inside and out.

???:I think I went a little hard on the horn. Like, be not afraid peeps.

And inside of that creature was an angel holding a golden trumpet, they had four wings in their back and one on each ankle. They flew out from the spinning wheels and flew down closer.

???: I'm just the messenger after all.

Lucifer looked up in shock.

Lucifer: Gabriel?

Gabriel: Long time no see, big bro.

[mydahliarose]

A devotion to remember (Michael's Christmas card spoilers.)🪽🃏🎼

Pairings: niiri x Michael/miiri

Characters featuring: thiago ( my exorcist oc)

Fandom: what in hell is bad?

Tags: wholesome, romantic, Michaels Christmas incident aftermath, some spoilers,my au

Synopsis: niiri is doing a devotion ritual for Michael since hes away for work, a way to feel closer to him when hes gone. Thiago walks in and stays with niiri as she talks about her favorite memory of Michael. The aftermath of that fateful Christmas that lead to there relationship becoming official.

It was a quite morning. The dim light of the candles vaguely gave life back in the sanctuary. A mumbled echo of quite prayers sung throughout the room, all for a devotion of one arc angel angel; Michael. Yes, all morning niiri had been praying all throughout the morning at the alter of Michael himself. Places upon it were offerings of his liking. Blue candles, some flowers of angelica's, cinnamon, and of course wine. Placed upon his carved figure where of shields and sword necklaces, a very important part of him. She prayed upon for his saftey during his heavnly duties, everytime Michael left for work she always became lonely without him. She had become so used to him, always being so close to her that just a couple of hours without him felt empty. So keeping his altar of his statue always kept her a sense of company. Plus, knowing the things Michael could go through knaws at her stomach. She never misses a chance to chant any protection spells that could help him for better safety measures. " Dear lord, please wherever you are. May my words reach enlightenment to your angel of war... protect him from evil and corruption...I'm not with him right now, so please lend me a helping hand so that he may return home safely...". Usually, if she were to chant these holy things shed burn. But thanks to the priest of this church, she was givin myrrh ink to draw sigils of protection around her body; now she could chant any divinity without reprocessions.

Click... click ... Hm? She could have sworn eather she was alone for today, or it would seem one of the exorcists has decided to walk out for a small break. Well judging from those footsteps, she was right. And it was none other than the maestro thiago himself. " Oh sorry!" . He awkwardly scratched his head and was about to walk out the hall until niiri spoke. " Its alright, stay. Perhaps your lovley tunes could perhaps reach out to him". She said, not looking back to thiago; her eyes were very much shut into concentration. Upon hearing this the maestro was actually quite surprised, usually shed want to be alone when it came to her prayer session for Michael. Then again while niiri at times spooked thiago she did always consider him her closest friend to be comfortable around with. Plus, she always did love to hear his tunes whenever she felt sad or just wanted to feel some peace for her mind. " Huh? I actually feel quite honored haha". His footsteps became closer and sat in the frontrow seats. Crossing his legs as he adjusts his musical instrument to set the mood of tranquility.

" please dont turn this into one of your many musical numbers". She jokes, with her eyes still closed she only let out a small chuckle. " Ay muñeca(doll) niiri, i know better not to let that happen during a prayer session." He laughs, as he strings his guitar. With his music combining with niiri's prayers, created there very own lyrical song. Candles flickering around, a sign that there devotion spell was finally doing its work, though slowly. " Not to interrupt such an important moment for you muñeca(doll) niiri, but i must say your love that you have for the angel is rather beautiful. Sending him all your devotion like this, is something so uncommon for you demons. They all must laugh at you down there for doing so...". He said with empathy towards niiri, hes aware of the repercussions she faces in hell with the demons. " Oh theo, if they make fun of me? So be it, but when i run into them in battle? Let them see our taboo as there final breathe hehehe~". She snickers with a grin, no matter how angelic she says she is her demonic instincts will never fade away. Gulp. " Haha, true!.." perhaps its best to sway the conversation back to Michael. " What is your favorite memory with the seraph if i may ask?".

Quirks an eyebrow with a smile. " You really want to know?". Thiago smiles. " Ill create a love song as you tell me it". There was so many niiri could pick from, absolutely all of her times with Michael especially the ones before they became together she still holds dear to them. But after going through them all in her head one will always stick out to her, infact it was the most important moment of there relationship ever to this day. " My most fond memory of him...was that fateful day after what had happened to him during Christmas...the aftermath of that incident was an eye opener for Michael, he finally saw how real my feelings where to him...the day we both finally became official and not just teasing each other." Now thiago was intrigued, the Christmas incident was one he wish to not remember ever again, it was a day so incredibly frightening and stressful for everyone, but more for niiri. He will never forget how terrified he was when he saw her full blown rage like he's never seen before. Michael at the time did show feelings for her but tried to shut them down as much as he can. That was until niiri saved him by breaking the chains in tears. Never has Michael ever seen such devotion towards him and from a demon no less. Thiago was afraid for niiri in the sense hed reject her of all her efforts that day, but no. It would be a moment the group would change into an unexpected bond like never before. " I remember...i was afraid of you remembering that day, i never considered how important it would actually be for the two of you when we saw you two in his room holding in eachothers arms...". A beautiful sight thiago will never forget. Niiri chuckles. " Yeah...im so glad that you and mery supported us all the way through, that is why your friendships will always be dear to me." A single tear shed in her eye, immediately she wipes it away. " So that memory, can you tell me exactly how it happened? How you two officially became a couple?'.

" i thought youd never ask". She sighed in love, heart skipping a beat as she remembers. " That day... Michael's condition was at its worst ive ever seen, so he flew away and i went after him. It took all night to search for him until i saw him land on the empire state building, and so naturally I ran up to talk to him...and this is where it begins".

Flashback 🌆

Huff! Huff! The running up the stairs felt like hours upon hours, times like these she wished she had a pair of wings to grow and fly over to the top. But alas she cannot. Huff! Huff! Slam! Finally, she reached the top. Michael was there, he was leaning on the edge of what seemed to be smoke floating around him. He was smoking it seemed, niiri couldn't blame him after what had been done to him... At first she was going to scream his name, but perhaps shouting isn't the best solution right now. Slowly, she walked towards him. She meant well, shes always meant well all throughout her time with him and the exorcists. Shes never showed signs of betrayal or to take advantage of him. Michael was not in the right state of mind, he could do something to hurt her or push her away or so niiri thought, but it was in character of him to do so. But her heart spoke to her, to talk to him, tell him everything was going to be ok. " A-angel-". Phew... " What do you want?". He didn't look back at her. " I wanted to check up on you, I'm worried.". She looked at him with sadness in her eyes. He said nothing, only the sounds of him huffing and puffing out his smoke. He watched the night city lights of new york as the wind picked up and flew his hair around. " I'm fine...". He wasn't, she knew he wasn't. He always tried to keep the persona that he was but there were never signs of his well being improving. Again, she walked over slowly. Every walk she breathed hesitantly, she did not know what to expect of him at this moment. She felt anything was walking on eggshells with him right now. Her heart tells her to trust the process. She stops, now the two were finally together as they watched the city. Silence Not one word but the sounds of incoming cars and Broadway music echoing the streets. They watched until finally niiri spoke. " It's so beautiful...". Her pupils moved to her edges, hoping he'll speak up. " It is...". Barley, but it will do for now.

" say Michael...what do you think of new york ever since you started working as thiago and merywens gaurdian angel?". This could be a good way to distract him of what he had endured yesterday. Sigh... " Filthiest place ive ever seen...but i suppose after staying here for quite sometime ive grown to have some form of eanderment for this city...". There was still hurt and sorrow in his voice, despite the little form of positivity at the end of his sentence. " Yeah your right, this city. Ive never seen one like it before...theres just something about it, i believe its the atmosphere it has compared to other places. Sometimes it makes me wanna sing my heart out! Maybe even dance haha!". How cute she was bieng cheerful to her beloved crush. He wanted to smile at her enthusiasm but bite the edges of his lips. Niiri cared for him so much all throughout bieng together. Her teasing was something he secretly looked forward to always. And her way of helping him calm down during his worst moments were something hell never forget. She was a demon sure, did he wished for her to die? Yes, however now? He couldn't bring himself to think such ill thoughts towards her anymore. He wanted her to hold him, he wanted her to whisper sweet nothingness. His body shaked, anxiety from yesterday's Christmas incident. He was afraid her touch would be rejected by his paranoid instinct if she touched him.

He was screaming for her love within himself, what niiri didnt know however was during the moment he was chained down, not only was he thinking about his hyung. He was also thinking about her aswell. He prayed to god if she truly was his plan for her to be her forever partner in his life, his gaurdian angel. To please finally prove it to him in that instance before his halo could burst. And what do you know? There she came, fully in tears, hair a mess, screaming with all her lungs until those chains finally broke, throwing his muzzle to the ground as she picked him up and ran immediately. His eyes widen in awe that theyve never done before. His heart raced like it had never done before, at first it was fear but afterworth. That changed for love.

" niiri...". " Michael?..." Ah... A shaken hand tried to hold her face for a second, but as soon as it hit her white faced skin. He immediately jolted back. Shaken breathe escaped his mouth with a fear look in his eyes. "Angelica?...". It was all she could do or say, the state he was in it was best not to move forward. He might take the wrong idea since shes a demon. " Angelica...". Michael whispers to himself. The nickname shes always called him, finally caused him to blush for once. Cheeks redder than they've ever been in his life. " Why...why are you always so nice to me? All I've done...drip...drip...i-is treat you like your beaneth me...what have ive done to deserve your kindness? Y-your a demon...so why...". He said in confusion. All his life hes been taught demons are the sole reason god is gone thus all must perish. They stole him from them, thus anger and revenge on those demons are all he could ever think of. So why...why is all this all of a sudden happening? Why is he for once wanting to hear an answer from a demon? Why is everything changing all of a sudden... Wait...what is she doing? Ah! " N-niiri!?". Suddenly the doll out of the blue hopped like a rabbit, and in response all of Michael's stars above his halo jumped up in waves of formation. The movement caused his head to tingle a bit which in turn made him giggle. " Ah! What on earth!?". " Hahaha! Theres that laugh i love to hear.". She smiled at him, as if he deserved to be treated as such. " W-why did you-". " Michael, ive said it before and ill say it again. I am the demon of joy, i heal peoples inner child that they've long lost because of a horrible event in there lives. I am an emotional healer, an angel...your angel." She blushes. He quirks an eyebrow as tears contenue streaming. "I-i am w-worthy?...i-im worthy...o-of your gift?". He gulped. " Silly angel, its not about me wanting to heal you, sure i want to but....". She looks down, blushing.

" i know youve been mean to me alot in the past, but i look past that, i see a beautiful angel in need of help. Youve been abandoned...you cry and you scream for somone to love you again. When they reject you, you lash out. Your hurting. And when your shouting your woe's people eather laugh at you or shut you down only agitating you...". Michael only looks at her in awe, he was finally bieng heard, bieng seen for once; not just some scary seraph that can kill without hesitation. " But most importantly... because i understand how you feel...i am in your same shoes of your loss of somone dear... And so my vision sees your suffering." She to has lost somone dear to her? Is this why theyve always had such a strong connection this whole time? Not just because they share there love of revenge and bloodhsed towards demons but there was always something more to it than that?. " Your my equal...". His trembling legs suddenly begin to move forward towards her. " I get it now... why...this sacred feeling...". Tap...tap... " Do you get it now Michael? My kindess isnt just because of my title. Its because you and i are the same, and thats why..-". Ah!

A warm feeling catches her off gaurd, his arms wrapped around her waist, embracing her tightly in his trembling body, trying to reject her. Michael for once begin to fought off what had happened to his body yesterday, he wanted to feel the soft warming love of his beautiful doll. His soon to be lover. " Michael?". " Shh...fate is truly funny sometimes, i thought it was a cruel fate that god put me through. I was wrong...this isnt cruel." With one hand he tilts her chin, making her red pupils now stare into his angelic eyes. She could have sworn they began to glow otherworldy. " My equil...i never i thought id be saying that in a million years...you bring me nothing but pure joy...you bring me emotions ive never felt in thousands of years....your a miracle....". His thumb begins to touch her lips, niiri is left unable to speak. Completely captivated by his words and nurturing actions. " Im scared...but when your around, suddenly its as if that feeling never existed...". He sighs like a hopeless romantic, giving her a soft look with an adoring smile as he admires her. " Sweet doll...thank you for saving me back there when i needed you most...thank you for showing how authentic you are that day....your my savior...my angel...". He cups her face. "M-my...". " Your...?" M-mmf! swoosh! Wings embrace's niiri closer to Michael. His halo glows brighter than the moon and stars above them. His lips, begin to glow in its divinity. His purity shining through. In turn niiri begind to glow with him, closing her eyes while locking her lips to his virginal lips. Actions speak louder than words, at this moment she knew they where more than just partners in crime. They where lovers. Chu~ " Im ok...i was scared, but when you ran out from backstage towards me...i was no longer afraid... because my angel came to save me from becoming stained...thank you...a million times thank you...". Drip...drip... Tears streamed down his face, tears of joy for once.

" i was scared for you Michael...i couldn't think straight i was wreckless on the entire mission to save you. I don't regret a single thing". She returned back to his lips, ridding every filth that was stained on him. " Niiri...you did wonderful, your actions are valid to me...". He mumbles into her mouth, closing his eyes letting her saviour every part of him. He tasted like smoke but she didnt mind it one bit.

" thats all i needed to hear...". She took a breathe of fresh air as she finally let go of him. Touching her lips with her fingers cherishing this moment for life. " From now on never leave my side, i fear if you leave my side ill vanish in thin air yet again...". He holds her hand and looks at her in desperation. "Please...im scared what will happin if your not next to me...". How could she say no to that adorable face? " You must be out of your mind if you think id leave you alone after that! Heck, will be sharing rooms from now on! Ill be moving in with you!". She said with authorization. " Oh yes! Immediately! When we get home ill help you move your stuff into my room. Infact bring your whole closet to mine!". He looked so cheerful. " Oh absolutely angelica! The whole room will become empty!". " And maybe, thiago and merywen can sleep with us for the day. Extra saftey just incase...". " I was thinking that aswell! See? Where equals you and i". They both chuckle. " Ahhh...i think im finally ready to go back home...". Without warning Michael picks her up. "Shall we?". Nods. " It is past your bedtime after all."

Back to the present ⛪

"ahh...my heart flutters every time i think about it everyday...". The maestro chuckles, still playing his melody even after finishing up her happiest moment. " So that's what happened? What a beautiful moment indeed.". Finally he puts his guitar aside and kneels down with niiri. " San Miguel...filled with so much pain within him, finally found his equal that will help him in his journey of finding peace within himself. ". He looks up to the statue of Michael as he prays with niiri. " To think all throughout my life I thought i knew him just by going to church and reading the bible about him. It wasn't until after i became an exorcist and was assigned with him and merywen i learned the truth about him". He chuckles. " Yeah your scared of him now hahaha!". She smacks his back. " AY! Ughh...well yes but nowadays? I'm used to how he is, but ever since you came into the picture I've seen a different light in him. A light i wish to continue seeing". He smiles. " Ahh thiago, i dont just make him happy, you and mery also do. Trust me he says nice things about you when you're not looking". Blink... " H-hes does!?". Hes in disbelief. " Oh yeah! That gift you gave him on Christmas? He never shuts up about it, he even cries when talking about it haha!".

He was touched, the maestro felt warm upon hearing this news. Sure he was mean but thaigo regardless looked up to him, that was his favorite angel all throughout his life. Thats the angel he always prayed to for his family prior into becoming an exorcists. To work with him was a true blessing, and gifting him things even small was more than enough to show his devotion to Michael. " That angel haha, i knew he was a softy". " Oh we all know! And its so cu-". Click. " Why are you two talking about me?". That familiar stern voice, oh dear looks like he has finally returned home. " ANGELICA!!". Dash! Niiri lunged towards Michael, smothering him in kisses as he picks her up, swaying her around before embracing her. " Oh my dolly! Did you miss me that much?". He cooed. " I did! I was praying to your statue all day to send you good things to come since you were gone! Even theo joined in." " Awww niiri, your to sweet to me- wait Theo joined with you?". He looked to his side, not expecting him to be there. Gulp... He waves nervously at Michael. " Welcome back arc angel! I hope things up there werent to bad." Scratching the back of his head, hoping Michael will not say something to mean. " Hmph...it went well, thank you very much. Where you praying with dolly?". Thiago nods " mostly playing tunes to help her set the mood with her devotion towards you but in the end i did for a little bit". Bieng truthful to him. " I see...thank you for bieng there for her when i was gone that means alot". Putting niiri down to go and give thaigo a quick pat in the back before leaving to his room. " I need a shower, dolly care to join me?". " You make it sound like id have options to choose when i always say yes to my angel~". She smirks. " I know, i just love to tease you". He smirks back, moving his finger to come and follow him. " Alright theo its time we went are seperate ways". Before she leaves she turns to smile. " Thank you for listening to my ramblings".

Thiago smiles to his demon Friend. " And thank you for letting me be a part of your little devotion prayer for san Miguel". And with that both went there seperate ways.

End

[deadgirlwalking91]

new #guitarspear one-shot in collab with @branded-rose 'drunk minds speak sober thoughts' 🎸 🗡️

Summary

Adam’s eyes widened as they darted back to the bar. Sure enough, the mystery exorcist that Vaggie had been talking to was now fully facing the stage, eyes frantically peering through the crowd and - oh, holy shit.

Lute held in her hand the universal vessel of a good time: a red, plastic party cup.

“No fucking way,” he muttered, grinning maniacally.

Lute didn’t drink. At least, not outside the comfort of her own home to the best of his knowledge. Now, this he had to see.

~~~

At the post-Extermination Day party, Lute decides she's had enough of watching Adam get drunk and make a fool of himself year after year while she watches on, sober as a judge. She decides it's her turn to have a little fun of her own, but soon realises that her drunken antics come with their own set of consequences that can't be ignored. OR;

Lute gets drunk, Adam tries to be responsible and all Vaggie wants to do is be a good friend.

Author's Notes

Diiiiiiiid somebody say collab??? Because when branded-rose and I connected over our mutual love for Adam and Lute, we sure as hell did!

We had plans to write a 'short' one-shot, which ended up kiiiiiinda escalating... big time. And we couldn't be more excited to share it with you all! Speaking of sharing, branded-rose created some beautiful art to accompany our story, which can be found here. Before you scroll down, CLICK THAT LINK and give her ALL the love for her work! Also, Lute looks SO pretty!

Only warning is that this is long (18,000+ words), and we haven't split it up purely because it was only ever meant to be a one-shot and we want to keep it that way.

To my wonderful co-author: writing this with you has been the MOST FUN. Internet friends freaking RULE. Thank you <3

So buckle up, buttercups and enjoy! ***

The music was loud. The people around her were loud. Everything was LOUD. 

Lute could almost hear herself think. Almost. 

Then again, she was never really big on the Victory concerts.

The last thing she wanted to do after an extermination was watch Adam and the other girls get drunk and toss themselves at each other. Toss themselves at him.

Normally, she’d have no issue competing with the other girls. However, she wouldn’t when they were drunk out of their minds. That was no competition. 

Every year, they went through this. Every year, she reluctantly took part and never drank anything. 

Why would she? There was no point.

Well, usually, there was no point. Today though? She was starting to have second thoughts. Especially as she caught their boss flirting with several of the exorcists on the stage.

Like he did every year. 

“You actually gonna drink?” Vaggie walked up, nodding to the plastic cup in her sworn sister’s hand.

Lute puffed her cheeks, drumming her fingers against the cup in question.

“Just… wine.” She glanced down at the liquid, her already furrowed brows dropping lower. 

Vaggie eyed the red cup skeptically. “You, uh… you’re sure?”

Lute shot Vaggie a look, bringing the cup to her lips and taking a large sip to prove a point.

She held the liquid in her mouth for a second, debating if she wanted to actually swallow before stubbornness won out.

It was just one glass of wine.

Vaggie raised a brow, unconvinced. Sure, it wasn’t unlike Lute to have a glass here and there in the comfort of her own home. But this wasn’t her own home. This was a loud party. 

One their maniac of a boss was throwing.

Normally, Lute would stand in a corner and glare at anyone and EVERYONE before she ushered their idiot commander home for the night.

Not something she would personally do herself but who was she to judge?

“You’re sure?” Vaggie sighed and took a sip from her own cup, turning to face the party.

Lute’s eyes scanned the crowd, her jaw clenching as she realized she’d lost sight of Adam.

He was probably off doing body shots again. Great.

She knocked the rest of her drink back, something that very clearly caught Vaggie off guard.

Lute ignored the wide-eyed expression her sworn sister shot her, turning back to the bar and getting herself more wine.

“Ooookay- this isn’t… typical of you.” Vaggie moved to stand next to her, concern growing.

Lute ignored her again.

“Especially not after an ex-” She cut herself off when Lute once more knocked the drink back, downing the wine in the plastic cup like it was a shot glass.

“-termination…” Vaggie had no words.

She continued to stare at her comrade with a mixture of concern and pure horror as she watched her slam yet another glass of wine after that.

If it was ANYONE else she might not have cared. Because this was Lute? She had to have some level of concern.

It wasn’t as if the lieutenant was… the most easy going of exorcists. She had VERY strict standards that she held herself to.

And she was also borderline INSANE.

Lute had downed a solid five drinks by that point, quickly and without mercy.

Her cheeks started to flush gold, the flashing lights and pounding music not nearly as intrusive as they had been moments ago.

She very briefly caught sight of Adam near the stage as she turned around, having a great time with Layla. 

That bitch.

She grit her teeth, suddenly remembering why it was exactly she had felt compelled to drink in the first place.

Turning back to the bar, she requested something harder, much to Vaggie’s surprise.

Adam fucking loved the annual Victory concert. The babes. The booze. The beats. It didn’t matter which direction he looked, he was surrounded by the result of another successful Extermination Day.

He’d managed a new personal best this year, too. Four hundred and eleven.

Four hundred and eleven bottles of hard liquor that were expertly raided from the degenerate entertainment venues of Hell by his specialist task-force of exorcists.

Personally assigned by the first man himself, their sole job during the last hour of Extermination Day was to storm the copious bars and clubs that lurked in the shadiest districts of the Pride Ring and confiscate the alcohol that lined the top shelves of such fine establishments.

Adam’s definition of confiscate, however, was to transport the goods back up to Heaven for their yearly balls-to-the-wall bender where everyone would trade in their usual wine for the hard stuff they could only get their hands on at the post-extermination rager.

Wine glasses were a rare sight at the event, the partygoers opting instead for red party cups or plastic shot glasses, filled with whatever they’d managed to pilfer from Hell that year. Adam’s drink of choice were body shots - the type of liquor unimportant - off whichever exorcist volunteered to be his own personal bar counter.

The best part? Everybody was one hundred and ten percent down with the party. Inhibitions, dignity and modesty were left at the door by all before entering, almost like they were being checked into some sort of moral cloakroom.

Once the celebrations eventually wrapped up the deviant revelers would emerge, spend the following days nursing wicked hangovers and then return to their usual heavenly selves, ready to repeat it all the next year.

Well, almost everybody did, anyway. Everybody except Lute.

Adam peered out into the crowd, squinting through the bright lights as he tried to locate his lieutenant. She wasn’t leaning against the back wall, arms crossed, scowling at everybody else dabbling in their one night of debauchery. She certainly wasn’t on the dance floor - the current song playing was an apparently popular R&B tune from Earth where the only appropriate dance move was to grind rhythmically against another person’s hips.

Lute did not grind.

At least, not to his knowledge.

His eyes flickered over to the bar, where Vaggie was standing next to another exorcist who’s side profile he couldn’t quite make out - though whoever it was, they were taking a damn long time to drink from their cup. He could have smashed three shots by now. 

Speaking of…

He flagged down Layla, one of his favorite angels to party with post-extermination. A brunette mega-babe, she made everybody’s heads turn whenever she strolled down the promenade. 

She flashed him a million-dollar smile and sashayed her way over. 

They had an annual tradition that was yet to be honored this year, something they’d dubbed the ‘Victory Shot’.

Layla loved body shots almost as much as Adam did. Possibly more. Sometimes she did them off the other exorcists, other times she was the body. Rarely was she a spectator.

Layla was the epitome of a good time.

“The usual, sir?” She grinned, expertly balancing a clear shot, salt shaker and lime wedge in one hand, other resting on her cocked hip . He returned the smile, placing a hand on her waist as he leant in to answer her.

“You know it, sugartits.” 

Layla’s laugh rang in his ears as she nestled the shot glass between her cleavage, sprinkled salt over the top of one of her tits and balanced the lime wedge on the other.

“Here’s to another killer year!” she cheered, shaking her hair off her shoulders and sticking her chest out in Adam’s direction. 

“Fuck yeah, babe!” Adam tightened his grip around her waist and licked the salt clean off her skin. Wasting no time, he wrapped his mouth around the rim of the glass and lifted it out from between her breasts, tilting his head back so the liquid slid down his throat in one smooth motion. He removed the glass from his lips and promptly replaced it with the lime wedge, sucking hard until no more juice remained and the burn from his throat eased. Layla held her hand out for a high-five, which he returned eagerly.

“Ahh, good shit. Thanks babe.” He crooked an elbow around her neck and pressed a brief kiss to the side of her head affectionately before strolling towards the wings of the stage, remembering what he was doing before he got distracted.

“Hey, you haven’t seen Lute around have you? Or has she bitched out already?” he yelled back to Layla over the pounding music.She laughed again and pointed to where Adam had seen Vaggie standing moments earlier.

“Check the bar, she’s in for a good night I think.” 

Adam’s eyes widened as they darted back to the bar. Sure enough, the mystery exorcist that Vaggie had been talking to was now fully facing the stage, eyes frantically peering through the crowd and - oh, holy shit. Layla wasn’t kidding.

Lute held in her hand the universal vessel of a good time: a red, plastic party cup.

“No fucking way,” he muttered, grinning maniacally.

Lute didn’t drink. At least, not outside the comfort of her own home to the best of his knowledge. Now, this he had to see.

“I… don’t know if this is-“ Vaggie began, attempting to dissuade her sworn sister from making a big mistake. 

Lute waved her hand in front of the other’s face, cutting her off as she raised the cup to her lips.

“How I choose to party shouldn’t be your fucking problem.” She hissed, raising the drink to her lips and attempting to knock it back.

She could not knock it back, instead spitting it out onto the floor in front of her.

“The fuck! That tastes like paint stripper!!!!”

“Diiiiiiiiiid somebody say stripper?” Adam grinned, leaning sloppily against the bar counter.

“What are you doing to my lieutenant, Vagasaurous? If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, if you’re gonna corrupt her with your pussy-loving powers, call me-“

“Oh, go fuck a cheese grater, would you?” Vaggie rolled her eyes and leaned towards Lute so Adam couldn’t hear. “Need me to stick around? He seems like he’ll be especially painful tonight.”

“I heard that!” Adam protested, leaning over to check the contents of Lute’s cup. “What are you drinking, Dangertits? Not water again?” He plucked it out of her hand and took a sip.

Ooooh. That burned. And not the good kind of burn. Whoever swiped that from one of Hell’s bars missed the memo where he specified top shelf booze only. They’d be running laps on Monday as punishment once he found the exorcist responsible for bringing petrol back up to Heaven.

“Nope. Can confirm that’s not water.” He shuddered and set the cup on the bar.

“Finally having a drink, Lute? Rude of you not to ask me to pop your cherry."

Lute narrowed her eyes at him. “Sir, we have had a drink together before.”

“Not like this, Lutey!” He threw his arms around both girls’ shoulders and squeezed them tightly.

“This is gonna be legend-fucking-dary!”

Lute froze, her arms pinned firmly to her sides.

“Ugh, gross. Nope. Not happening.” Vaggie twisted out of his grip, spilling most of her drink on herself in the process.

“Oh, chillax, Vag. Look, I’ll pour you both a drink, here.” Adam released Lute from his death grip, who’s face had turned the exact same shade of gold as the stage lights. He vaulted the bar counter, stumbling slightly upon his landing.

The bartender gave him a filthy look. Adam didn’t care. It wasn’t like the bartender had organized the booze. He leered at them until they skulked off to serve another exorcist.

“Right - what have we got here that’s virgin-friendly?” He eyed a half-full bottle of vodka. Perfect.

Not too hard for a baby drinker like Lute, but enough to help her relax. Loosen her up a bit. Maybe even enough for a cheeky dance later, if he was lucky.

Vaggie turned away from Adam and the bar, once more attempting to offer Lute an out. She suspected though, the lieutenant wasn’t going to take it.

“You can still back out and call it a night. No one is gonna think any less of you if you bail early.”

Lute scoffed at the notion that she’d need to back out. She shot Vaggie a look.

“You’re overreacting.” She went to raise her abandoned cup to her mouth, only to think better of it when she remembered the taste, and the fact that Adam had drank from it.

Vaggie’s eyebrow twitched.

”I’m overreacting? Lute, you’ve just knocked back five glasses of wine in under ten minutes and now our sleazy boss is here to keep you company. REAAAALLY don’t think I’m overreacting here.”

“Well you are.” Lute slammed her hand down on the counter.

Vaggie eyed the hand Lute had slammed on the counter, sighing exasperated. She pinched the bridge of her nose, weighing out whether or not this whole argument was worth her life.

On one hand, she hated the thought of just leaving Lute in the gross incapable wandering hands of their boss.

On the other… She didn’t feel like it was necessarily worth it lingering either. Especially when Lute was the first person to kiss up to said gross incapable boss.

Didn’t mean she deserved to get taken advantage of. Or WORSE. She’d get drunk and start punching people.

Then all the exorcists would be put through it Monday morning.

“Fine, you wanna drink yourself silly for whatever reason? Do it. But you know where to find me if you need me.” Vaggie turned away from the bar, making her way out into the crowd to try and enjoy herself as best she could the remainder of the night.

Lute hissed as she watched Vaggie go, her eyes narrowing. 

How DARE her. The audacity.

She could have a good time! She could cut loose! …If she wanted to.

She yelped, startled at a loud thud on the counter behind her. She whirled around, saluting and standing at attention quickly when her eyes glimpsed Adam’s robes.

“SIR!”

“Geez, at ease, Lute!” Adam laughed, sliding a new red cup towards her.

“What’s this I hear about you slamming back ten glasses of wine in less than ten minutes? What’s happened to Sergeant Sober?”

Lute lowered her hand and, ignoring Adam’s question, grabbed the cup and inspected the liquid inside. It was clear and bubbly, with a thin slice of lime floating on top of the ice.

“What’s this?”

“Vodka, soda and lime. Not something I’d drink myself, but considering you don-“ Adam’s eyes widened as she lifted the cup to her lips and began drinking.

And she didn’t stop until she’d downed the whole damn thing.

“More.”

Adam ran his hand through his hair. Fuck. She was really doing this. Then again, it was Lute. She was a go hard or go home kind of gal. Scratch that - she was just the type to go hard.

There was no going home with her.

Unless…

There was a part of him that wanted her to let loose. The selfish part of him wanted Lute to drink herself silly with him, keep up with him drink-for-drink, get on the dance floor and grind until…

“I said more, Sir.”

Adam shook his head and tossed all thoughts of grinding with Lute aside as she threw her empty cup at him.

“Shit, alright, calm down. Hey - where did Vaggie go?”

Lute’s head whipped around towards the crowd. While she wasn’t looking, Adam quickly refilled her cup with water and plonked it in front of her. She turned back and without looking, gulped down the drink.

She was lost in her thoughts, visibly perturbed at Adam’s inquiries to where Vaggie went.

Why did he care if Vaggie was there anyway? Probably so he could fucking goad them into making out or something. As if they were that close anymore anyway- 

She paused, pulling the cup away from her lips and looking at it, then looking at Adam incredulously.

It was distinctly not the same drink he’d offered her before. It was watered down. 

Wait. It was water.

“Sir. This isn’t what you gave me last time.”

Adam raised his brows, scratching the stubble on his jaw as he tried to play dumb.

“What? It’s not?” He grabbed the cup from her, pretending to investigate the contents.

“SURE it is! You questioning my judgment?”

Lute blinked as he handed the cup back. “I would never-“

“GREAT!” Adam launched himself back over the bar, arm wrapping around his lieutenant’s shoulders as he looked out on the party.

Lute felt her face heat up once again. Although, she was BLAMING the alcohol. Yes! It was the alcohol’s fault. Not… proximity.

She cleared her throat, the hint of a small smile touching the corners of her mouth.

“Look at what we did, Lute.” Adam squeezed Lute’s shoulders and planted a kiss on the top of her head, pride radiating through his body.

He gestured with his other hand to the crowd of dancing angels in front of him.

“Everyone is here having a kick-ass time because of what we’ve built. You and me. So, if you’re really serious about celebrating… then let’s get fucked up!” He let go of Lute’s shoulder and turned to the bartender, grinning.

“Two tequila shots, thanks.”

“Salt and lime?”

“Does a bear shit in the woods?” Adam looked over at his lieutenant, who had joined him at the bar and was tightly gripping the edge of the counter. “Lute, you all good?”

She looked at him, wide-eyed. “Of course. Why do you ask, Sir?”

��You look like you’re trying to flip the bar counter. Are you trying to start a riot?”

“Oh.” She looked down at her hands and let go. “I’m fine.”

Ah. There was some of that defiance he knew and loved.

“I’m an adult, I know what I’m doing.” She frowned and glared up at him.

Adam grinned down at her, accepting the shot glasses from the bartender. “There’s my girl. Anyway, you ever done one of these before?”

Lute shook her head. “No, Sir.”

“Alright, repeat after me. Lick,” He held the saltshaker up. 

“Shoot,” he pointed to the shot glass.

“And suck.” He lifted the small plate of lime wedges before setting it back down on the bar counter.

“Lick, shoot, suck.” Lute echoed, the faint smile returning to her face again, accompanied by a slight blush.

Shit, why did that make his head spin?. He was definitely feeling buzzed.

“Damn, Lutie-cutie, I love it when you talk dirty.” His remark was met with a quick jab in the ribs. “Ow! Alright, alright. You ready? Watch me first.” He grabbed her wrist and sprinkled salt over it.

Without warning, he licked the salt off her bare skin, threw back the shot and grabbed a lime wedge, popping it in his mouth.

“Uhh… Sir?” Lute looked down at her wrist, nose wrinkling in confusion.

“Oh yeah, you can’t go wrong with one of these. Your turn. I’ll even get the lime ready for you so you don’t have to worry.” Grabbing the salt shaker again, he shook it over his own wrist this time. He then handed Lute the shot and picked up the lime slice. Grinning, he held his wrist out to her. “Ready, babe?”

Lute’s eyes darted between the shot, Adam’s face, and the salt on his wrist. She was trying to make peace with the agreement she’d made. An understanding that she would need to lick salt off of his wrist was something she was finding incredibly hard to wrap her mind around.

There was a level of forbidden about the concept of her consuming anything off of her boss’ body. One that she couldn’t tell made it more enticing or more shameful.

Maybe both?

Even still… she wasn’t about to say no.

Lick, shoot, suck. Lick, shoot, suck. Lick, shoot suck.

That was all she needed to do. Three simple things.

The logistics of which were all getting scrambled in her mind. What was the order?

LICK. SHOOT. SUCK.

EASY.

Her heart pounded against her sternum, her body frozen for a half a second as she considered and reconsidered the ramifications of the actions she was about to take.

SCREW RAMIFICATIONS. Adam was watching her expectantly. Waiting expectantly.

She grabbed Adam’s hand and pulled it to her mouth just as she heard him start to ask a question. She licked up the salt, tossing Adam’s arm away as she whirled to grab the shot and knock it back.

Her eyes widened and she recoiled as the taste hit her, pushing away from the counter and the lime in Adam’s hand.

Fuck!

She held the liquid- no, poison- in her mouth for a half a second as she tried to consider whether or not to swallow or spit it out.

She was vaguely aware of Adam gesturing with his hands in her direction. Though, the obnoxious music muffled whatever he was exclaiming in the moment.

SHOOT THE LIME.

Lute forced herself to swallow, spinning around and nearly crashing into Adam. She frantically grabbed his other wrist, trying to wrestle the lime free of his grip.

“Shit - Lute - what are you doing?” Adam laughed, the smaller angel trying to pry each individual finger off the lime wedge in his hand. “Don’t fuck around with it, just shove it in your mouth!” He let go of the fruit and watched her desperately suck the wedge, her jaw working overtime to extract every last drop of juice from the lime.

He couldn’t deny it was kinda hot. 

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Better?” She nodded and took the wedge from her lips, depositing it onto the plate Adam had taken it off. “Well,” he cleared his throat, starting to feel the effect of the shot he’d taken only minutes earlier. “That… did not go as I had expected.”

“Why?” Lute frowned. “Did I do something wrong? Should we do another one?” Her eyes darted frantically towards the bar.

“Yeah, that’s gonna be a giant nope from me, babe.” Adam shook his head fervently and stepped between Lute and the bar.

One tequila shot down and she was already trying to wrestle him. If she had another she might try and… Well. He wouldn’t mind that. Especially considering she’d finally ditched the chain mail that usually covered her neck and collarbone, leaving them temptingly bare.

“I could handle another one. You don’t think I could?” She put her hands on her hips and glared up at him.

“Lute, if there is anybody who I think could do it, it’s you. All I’m saying is, let’s take a break. We can have another one later.”

Lute said nothing.

“Luteyyyyy.” He teased, moving closer to her, not stopping until their bodies were virtually touching. 

“Come on.” He snaked an arm around her waist and bent down to whisper in her ear. He felt her body immediately tense, the heat rising in her cheeks practically radiating off her.

“If you take a break for a little while, you can come back and do another one later. Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll let you do it off my chest.” He heard her breath hitch in her throat and without even looking at her he knew her face was several shades brighter than the sun itself.

He grinned to himself and gave her waist a little squeeze. She was stupidly cute when she got herself all flustered and being under the influence of alcohol just seemed to amplify it.

“Right, hold tight babe. After all these years, it’s finally happening. You and me, we’re hitting the dance floor!” In one swift motion, he hoisted her up over his shoulder and strode out to the packed crowd, Lute’s protests drowned out by the thumping music.

Lute propped herself up with her arms, doing her best to wriggle off of his shoulder as she was unwillingly carried to the dance floor.

Normally, she might’ve protested more. But the alcohol, admittedly, was beginning to get to her, if not entirely overwhelm her.

Her self-restraint was reasonably inhibited at the very least. At the most? She was pleasantly numb. And for once… that was nice? 

She didn’t have to worry about the stack of paperwork or what the seraphim might say if they heard about this party in the morning.

She could just… exist and do what she wanted.

In other words, she found herself giddy, a small giggle escaping her lips as she was carried on.

“Sir. I… can’t dance.” Or at least she’d never danced before to her knowledge. Never mind whatever… dancing was being done in that moment.

She felt the world spin as she felt Adam whip her off his shoulder, nearly stumbling backwards as she landed unsteadily on her feet. Adam caught her hand, pulling her back into him.

“What? That’s fucking ridiculous. ANYONE and their mother can dance if they want to.” He placed his other hand on her waist to steady her.

She felt her face heat up again, very aware of the close proximity of their bodies.

She didn’t pull back though.

“… I’ll follow you.”

Adam pulled a smirk, bringing his hand up to tap near her ear.

“Just listen to the music. Move with the beat!” He started sliding side to side, his movements getting gradually more overt the longer the song carried on.

She watched him, trying to copy, her brows furrowed in concentration. Every so often her eyes would flick to his face, looking for reassurance that she was doing it right.

She apparently was not, given he chuckled and shook his head. Or she assumed he chuckled at least. She could barely hear him over the music.

“Dangertits! You need to LOOSEN. UP. Here-“ He moved to stand behind her, his hands finding her hips and applying just enough pressure for her to get the hint that she needed to move.

She stiffened briefly as she felt his chin near her ear, his hot breath on her neck.

“Move WITH me, not against me. Come on you’re stiff as a board.” He moved his hand up the tiniest bit, cackling as her wings tried to flap involuntarily but were kept immobile by his proximity.

In her defense she wasn’t really listening to the music. She couldn’t really hear over the roaring of her heart in her ears.

Was she breathing? 

Air might be good.

She took a very loud, deep breath. 

“Sorry S-IR!” She was cut off as Adam took her hand and spun her very quickly, only to immediately snap her back towards him before she had any time to process what was going on.

“There we go! Get those feet going!”

A laugh erupted from Lute’s lips as she was spun around again.

“Sir!”

Adam snickered, his arms coming around to trap her against him as her momentum carried them close once more. 

His mouth found her ear so that she could hear him. 

“Did I just hear the most badass bitch in the army laugh? No blood? No guts? Just laugh on the dance floor?”

Lute felt his arms hold her firmly in place and without thinking she lifted her feet off the floor to test just how tight his hold was. Like a child might with their parent. 

It was something she would’ve NEVER tried if she was sober.

Then again… if she was sober there was no way in heaven OR hell she’d allow him to be this close to her in a public space.

She felt her face heat up again as his stubble grazed against her cheek, her heart rocketing away at the contact and pressure.

She realized she hadn’t answered his question, her toes tapping back on the floor as she shook her head.

“I can laugh at things that aren’t death!” She argued, another smaller giggle erupting as Adam all but tossed her away from him again.

“I’ve certainly never seen it before.” He argued, drawing her back into his chest, this time they were facing each other though.

Lute paused, her eyes wide as she looked up at her commanding officer.

She wasn’t breathing again. 

LUNGS WORK.

The look on Lute’s face as she gazed up at him was certainly something Adam had never seen before, either.

Really, there had been a lot of firsts during this year’s Victory concert: 

It was the first time Lute had gone without her armor that she never left home without.  

It was the first time Lute decided to drink at the annual party.   

It was the first time Lute danced.  

And, unless he was reading the situation horribly wrong, Adam was about ninety-nine percent certain that this would be the moment he’d kiss Lute for the first time. 

And it was all he could think about as he stared intensely back at her.

Even in the dimly lit room, he could see her usually bright eyes had melted into golden pools of honey, a depth to them that kept dragging him in. There was no escape, no chance of looking away, even if he wanted to.

She was all he could focus on.  

What else could he possibly think about, besides the way she was looking up at him? Wide-eyed, lips slightly parted, that ridiculously cute blush spreading across her cheeks again.

He was sure she’d stopped breathing by the way he’d felt her chest swell against his body as she inhaled, the exhale never coming as her breath hitched in her throat. Her body, usually so incredibly tense and rigid, was soft and relaxed as he held her tightly against his front. 

She was practically melting into him.  

Not that he could judge her in the slightest. He’d melt into himself too, if it were humanly possible.

Could she feel how clammy his hand was? Their fingers intertwined, his thumb now absentmindedly tracing small circles onto the back of her hand.

Did she feel like they were the only two angels in the room, too? Or was that the tequila talking?  

“Hey, Lute?” He murmured, leaning in closer, his forehead basically touching hers. He heard a barely audible gasp escape her lips, her chest pressing harder into his as she drew her breath in.

“Can I – ouch!”  

The moment was shattered as Lute’s forehead was suddenly knocked into his, the impact of the bump causing him to see stars.

He blinked once, twice, three times, trying to rid himself of the golden flecks dancing across his line of vision.  

Fucking hell, he had been so close! Whoever that little cockblocker was, he was going to tear them a new asshole as soon as he could see properly again.  

“Fucking watch where you’re dancing, bitch!”  

Or not. It seemed that Lute – sweet, blushing, breathless Lute was going to do it for him.

In a single instant Lute’s entire demeanor shifted. The jolt that had come from behind the catalyst to her rage.

She had been AT PEACE. She had been dare she say… happy? Relaxed even? It was as if no one else was with them, no one else mattered to Adam except her.

It felt like SHE was the center of someone’s world. And the elation that came with it was indescribable.

Which was exactly why the abrupt shift had been intense and irreparable.

She pulled away from Adam, whirling around to face the unlucky exorcist who had been stupid enough to bump into them.

Logic would dictate they were all drunk, it was a public place, they were bound to collide with others.

Lute did not have logic on her side anymore.

The tequila and wine had effectively told logic to take a hike. Which was… not great considering she was a tiny bit unhinged in the best of times.

What was worse, is the exorcist who had bumped into them was fucking Layla.

Lute grit her teeth, shoving Layla with as much strength as she could muster, sending the girl flying into the crowd, knocking at least three other girls down like they were bowling pins.

Her wings twitched, half-spreading in a threat.

“Dance somewhere else!”

Vaggie, who had been passively keeping an eye on her more uptight sister from the other side of the room, scrambled over, pushing through the crowd to stop… whatever it is this was.

She was pretty sure it was gonna be a murder though if she didn’t step in.

No way Adam was going to be any help.

In fact, he’d probably egg it on. 

She jumped in front of Lute, arms stopping her from moving any further towards poor Layla.

“Woah! Woah. Uh- how about we step out and fucking cool DOWN? This isn’t the place to pick fights.”

Lute shot Vaggie a look that said she wanted to maim her in some gruesome and horrible way. 

The look was ignored.

“Get. Your hands off of me.” Lute hissed, pulling back away from Vaggie, stumbling into Adam as she did so.

“Ugh - shit! Hey, Lutey,” Adam caught her around the waist with one hand before she fell, bringing the other up over her front, trapping her arms by her side so she couldn’t use them to hurt anybody.

Or him, for that matter.

“Wanna go grab some water and just chillax outside for a sec?” Selfishly, he also wouldn’t mind trying to recreate what had almost happened earlier, without the risk of another interruption.  

She struggled against him, thrashing violently to escape his hold on her, elbows bending and colliding with his stomach, attempting to throw him off her.

“Let – me – go!”  

Vaggie glared at Adam. 

“She needs to go home. She’s going to end up butchering somebody in a minute.” She narrowed her eyes further at Adam and put her hands on her hips. “This is all your fault.”  

“My fault?!” Adam cried incredulously, wincing slightly as Lute stomped down on his foot. “I didn’t do anything! You’re the one who let her drink eighteen glasses of wine before I got to her!”  

“And you thought tequila, of all things, would be a good way to wash all that down?”  

If Vaggie wasn’t careful, he was going to put her on fucking toilet cleaning duty come Monday morning. What was it with these warrior chicks and their smartass mouths?! If it wasn’t Lute sassing him, it was this one getting her panties in a twist about… well, everything.  

“Look,” he started angrily, shifting Lute to the side as she started kicking backwards, clearly hoping to make contact where she knew it would hurt. Bitch. “I don’t fucking care how she got to this point, scissor sister. I just need to get her home, to bed.”  

Vaggie balled her hands into fists. “I saw you two before Layla bumped into Lute. There’s no fucking way in Hell I’m letting you take her anywhere. Alone.”  

“Why, you wanna join in?” Adam taunted, squeezing Lute harder. He felt her body soften with the pressure, and he gently rubbed the shoulder he was holding, a silent ‘thank you’ for finally calming down. “If that’s the case, all you have to do is ask.”

Vaggie’s eyebrow twitched at the very notion that Adam would invite her back with them. Which only FURTHER sealed in her mind that she could not and WOULD NOT let her sworn sister, be it Lute or anyone else, go with him that night.

Disgusting excuse for a first man.

“I’d rather stab my eyes out with forks.”

She glanced at Lute, who for the moment was calm, but seemed a hair’s breadth away from popping off again.

The lieutenant was peering at Adam from the corner of her eye. Her brows furrowed in concentration. 

Though what she was concentrating on, Vaggie hadn’t the slightest clue.

She grabbed Lute’s wrist, pulling her free of Adam’s grasp and towards her.

“Uh, Lute.” She placed her hands on either one of the lieutenant’s shoulders and lowered her tone so that Adam could barely hear over the music.

“I REALLY think you should just get yourself as far away from this pervert as you can and sleep this off.”

Lute made a face, pulling away from Vaggie.

“Like I said earlier, I’m fine.”

Vaggie couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes. 

“And unlike earlier, I am not going to let you go ANYWHERE with this sleezeball alone.”

Lute waved her hand, the action uncoordinated and flippant.

“We’ve been alone together plenty of times before-“

“But not while you were drunk and certainly not while HE was drunk. Look I’m just saying you’re not able to think clearly-“

“Don’t question me!” Lute snapped, swatting Vaggie as she turned back to grab Adam’s hand.

“If the commander is going to fuck me on the table then we’ll fuck on the table!”

“What the…” Adam trailed off, eyes darting back and forth between Vaggie, who looked like she wanted to be sick, and Lute, who was tugging insistently on his hand towards…  

…a booth.  

Oh, shit. She wasn’t kidding.  

“You know what?” Vaggie threw her hands up in the air, exasperated. “I give up. I don’t care anymore. You two do whatever the hell you want to each other.” She started off towards the bar before turning back and facing Lute.

“What you just said makes me want to drink bleach. But it sounds like you’ve made up your mind, and I can’t stop you from making shitty decisions. If you need me though, you call me right away. I mean it, Lute.” She threw a filthy look Adam’s way and stalked away, muttering further under her breath in Spanish so neither of them could understand her.  

Adam cleared his throat and turned his attention to Lute, who hadn’t stopped pulling at him. “Lute. Stop for a sec, babe.”  

She listened, her grip loosening as she looked up at him expectantly. Adam swallowed nervously, his hands clammy once again. He’d be a liar if he said that he didn’t love the idea of taking her there and then on the table in front of everybody. 

Or against the table. Or from behind as he bent her over the tab-  

Not the time, dickhead!  

“I’m taking you home.” he said firmly, grabbing her other hand and squeezing both of her hands with his. “You’ve had enough. Fuck, I’ve had enough, and that’s saying something. I’m going to make sure you’re home safe, and I’ll stay with you until I’m satisfied that you’re not going to choke on your own vomit once the high inevitably wears off and you start feeling like shit.”

Lute tried yanking her hands out of his grasp. “I don’t want to go home. Let’s just stay here and – ” She was cut off as Adam tightened his grip.  

“That’s a fucking order, Lieutenant. I’d think long and hard about your next move.”  

Not one to disobey her commander, Lute fell silent.

Adam seized the opportunity to pull her closer, one hand holding her firmly around the waist, the other finding the back of her head.He grabbed a fistful of hair and firmly tugged her head back, her head tilting upwards, bright eyes wide once again. He lowered his eyes and leaned forward, lips brushing slightly against her skin as he pressed his cheek roughly to hers, mouth finding her ear.  

He felt her inhale and forget to exhale again, hands fisted in his robes.  

“Then, you and I are going to have a little chat about saying things that we don’t mean. Understood?” He whispered angrily.

Lute swallowed, her eyes widening as she felt his mouth against her ear.

It wasn’t often Adam got mad. Even more rare that it was directed at her. And that stung.

She’d be lying if she didn’t think the whole interaction was… the tiniest bit hot though.

“Yes, Sir.” She responded, ducking her head low when he let her go, shame smacking into her with the force of a train.

She looked at no one, and said nothing as they left the party, following closely behind her commanding officer.

Once they were alone and outside of the venue Lute lifted her head, glancing at Adam to see if she could read his body language. Something that was easier said than done given she could hardly walk a straight line and consistently bumped into him as they moved.

Even still, he was stiff, his long strides carrying him quickly down the decently empty promenade. His grip on her hand was tighter then she would’ve liked it to be.

Oh crap! The seraphim would KNOW she was drunk! She puffed her chest out, trying even harder than she had been to walk in a straight line, her eyes darting around the sky, looking for open windows in the taller buildings.

If there was anytime when Sera would spot them, it was then.

They were done for. She was going to get written up!!!

She felt Adam yank on her arm, jarring her from her particularly panicked thoughts.

She was going to get written up AND Adam was mad at her. This was the WORST FUCKING NIGHT!!!

She wanted to cry.

The walk back to the barracks and her apartment was the longest walk. Not just because she kept stopping, and bumping into him.

WHY WAS IT SO HARD TO WALK?

She doubted flying would be any easier though. The last thing they needed was to fall out of the sky because she crashed into the side of a building.

The longer Adam was silent, the more anxious Lute remained.

Okay… table sex is not something she should EVER SUGGEST EVER in the future.

He was never going to trust her again. She was going to get demoted. He’d probably promote Layla…

She crashed into him when he stopped at her door, bouncing back and saluting.

“SORRY SIR.”

Adam ignored her.  

“In,” he growled, pointing at the door. “Now.”  

Lute shakily dropped her hand from her forehead and produced her key from her pocket.

Adam plucked it from her hand and swiftly unlocked the door, guiding her inside. If he let her try and do it, they’d be out there all night, given how she could barely walk home in a straight line. And he did not have the patience to watch her repeatedly try and fit her key into the keyhole.  

The first thing he noticed about Lute’s apartment wasn’t that it was spotless, or that there was no visible clutter – unlike his own home, which was practically littered with random bits and bobs. Or even that she had very little decor adorning the walls and surfaces. 

No. It was her dining table, which was devoid of any decorations and looked very inviting.

Suppressing the urge to take her up on the offer she’d made at the party, he remembered his annoyance with her. He grabbed both of her shoulders and steered her towards her couch instead.  

“Sit down.”  

She obediently dropped onto the two-seater, deliberately avoiding his gaze.

He went into her kitchen and opened cupboards, muttering to himself in irritation as he struggled to locate her drinking glasses. After finally finding them on his fourth attempt, he filled them both with water and joined Lute on the couch, handing her one as he sat.

She accepted, still silent, staring down into the glass  

“Drink.” He raised his own glass to his lips, an invitation for her to do the same.

She took a small sip, finally meeting his eyes.  

Shit. Adam felt a tiny pang in his chest at the way she was frowning at him. He knew what that look meant - she was embarrassed.  

“You wanna tell me what the hell happened back there?” he asked sternly.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the glass tighter.  

“Um…” Was all she could muster, face flushing as she turned away from him.

“I…” She quickly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and puffed her cheeks.

What was she supposed to say??? If she admitted she had genuinely wanted him to take her on the table, he would be mad given that was the thing that started this mess.

If she tried to cover, and just say she was drunk, which she was, he would be mad.

She didn’t know how to navigate this without Adam being upset with her in some manner. And that fact unnerved her more than anything else.

She didn’t want him to hate her. She very much did NOT want him to hate her.

She took a shaky breath, her teeth clamping down on the edge of the glass as she raised it to her mouth again to drink.

And, as she still was buying for time, she downed the entire contents of the glass.

Shoot. Now what?

She set the glass on the coffee table in front of them, her motion stiff and robotic.

Then she exhaled the air she’d been holding, cracking the knuckles in her fingers and wrists as she looked around the room for a sign, an answer to why she had ever let herself suggest they have sex on the table.

The thought of which was still teasing her… especially as her own table caught her eye.

Fuck! She was so hot.

“I- um…” She swallowed, pressing her lips together.

Her hands were so sweaty.

“I…” She was going to melt if she didn’t do something!

“Give me one moment Sir. I just…” She shifted in her seat, pulling her tunic up over her head, only for her to struggle getting it off.

WHY WAS HER COORDINATION SO AWFUL!?

“Lute,” Adam sighed, taking in the sight of her with her tunic stuck over her head, shoulders hunched forward, arms tangled awkwardly in the material. “What are you doing?” It was hard to stay too mad at her when she looked so fucking ridiculous. There was a muffled reply from beneath the fabric that he couldn’t quite make out. “Do…” he cleared his throat. “Do you need help with that?”  

Lute managed to pop her head through the neck of the tunic, exhaling loudly.

“No, Sir,” she breathed, freeing her arms and depositing the garment on the floor next to her couch. Smoothing her tousled platinum hair out of her face, she grabbed Adam’s glass of water and downed it in one gulp.

It wasn’t hard to notice that she was flustered. Her face was a brilliant shade of gold, spreading from the apples of her cheeks right down her neck and spilling over her chest. She kept rubbing her hands on her legs like there was something unpleasant on them that she desperately needed to wipe off.

Not to mention the fact that her breathing was oddly erratic - she was practically panting.

He just couldn’t figure out why she was so worked up. Adam cocked his eyebrow at her, his irritation slowly but surely being replaced by mild amusement at how out of sorts she was. “Better?”  

“Um,” she bit her lip nervously and turned her head to stare towards her dining table.

Adam felt his chest tighten as he followed her gaze. Oh. That damn table was going to taunt him all night, and now it really wasn’t helping knowing she was clearly thinking about it, too. He wondered if it was for the same reason it was playing on his mind.

“Not really, no. It’s so hot in here.” She exhaled pointedly, and she looked so incredibly bothered now that Adam couldn’t hold his grudge any longer.

Her eyes were darting nervously around the room, hands running through her already messy hair and clutching at her flushed skin. A lot more skin than what he was used to her showing, Adam reminded himself. She puffed her cheeks like she always did when she couldn’t get her words out properly and stood, stumbling slightly as she started pacing.  

“Lutey,” he started, chuckling. How could he possibly stay mad at her? She was being completely ridiculous now, which was so fucking endearing to him. He liked how that made him feel, how a warmth was starting to spread in his chest and extend down into his abdomen. Or, it could just be the alcohol talking. “Lute, come here.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto the couch.

He had intended for her to fall back where she’d originally been sitting, but he must have been drunker than he realized because he’d incorrectly gauged where she was going to land and pulled her right into his lap.For the third time that night, she grabbed the front of his robes in her fists. He felt his own breathing quicken in anticipation, his hands gravitating to her waist like they had each time they’d been close earlier that night.

His hands spread around the curve of her figure, just a sheer piece of fabric separating him from feeling her bare skin. “Hey,” he said, squeezing her gently. “You all good?”  

“Uh-huh.” Her bright eyes bored into his own, blazing, determined not to break contact.  

“Good,” he whispered, absentmindedly running the tips of his fingers up and down the side of her body.  

For several seconds, neither of them spoke or moved, an unfamiliar tension in the air hanging thickly between them. Neither of them broke eye contact with the other as they kept staring, both determinedly playing a silent game of chicken. Waiting to see who would be the first to break.  

It was Lute who folded.  

“Oh, fuck this.” she groaned suddenly, and before Adam could react, she’d pulled on his robes to close the gap between their mouths and kissed him, not holding back as she took control. She devoured him with the same manner as she approached her work: hard, fast and with reckless abandon.

Her hands quickly found their way onto his neck and into his hair, her lips never leaving his as she hungrily explored every inch of his mouth with her tongue like her life depended on it.

She tasted like tequila, lime, red wine, pure adrenaline and… the blood of the hundreds of sinners she’d slayed earlier that day?

Ow. No, scratch that, it was his blood. She’d just kissed him so fucking intensely that she’d bit his lip. 

Now that was hot.

“So,” Adam rasped when they finally broke for air, head spinning, his mouth surely bruised, “does this mean you were serious about – about the table? Back at the party?”  

She nodded, biting her now-swollen lip as she backed up off him, tugging on his hand so he also rose from the couch, leading him towards her dining table. 

“Oh, no, babe,” he grinned as he realized what she was doing, hoisting her onto his hips, her legs instinctively wrapping around his body. If she thought she was calling all the shots, she had another thing coming.  

Lute involuntarily let out a small gasp of surprise as he lifted her body against his, lacing her arms around his neck to steady herself.

“You’ve had your fun, now it’s my turn.”  

“But I- ”

He silenced her protests with his mouth, his kiss softer and slower in comparison to hers. He could feel her frustration at his deliberate pace as she tried to dominate him, her hands gripping his neck tightly as she began responding fiercely, her lips fighting his to take over.

“Nuh-uh,” he tutted against her mouth, taking a step towards the table. “What did I just say, Lieutenant?” He pulled back ever so slightly, smirking as he felt her exhale in frustration, her breath hot and heavy against his face.  

“It’s your turn, sir,” she panted shakily.  

“You’ve always been a fast learner.” He rewarded her with another long, lingering kiss as he backed her towards the table, stumbling slightly as he accidentally bumped into a wall. “Such a good girl you are, Lute.”  

She whimpered as his mouth met hers again, her fingernails dragging against his scalp as she entwined her fingers in his hair, his praise clearly turning her on - which, in turn, drove him fucking crazy.

He quickened his pace, kissing her with a fierce intensity that he was no longer able to contain. Setting her down on the edge of the table, he pulled his mouth away and leaned his forehead against hers to catch a quick breath.

The whole room was spinning around them, but he didn’t care.  

“By the way,” he whispered as he steadied himself, dipping his head to gently press his lips at the hollow of her neck,

“I don’t believe I’ve told you how hot you look tonight. Or every day, for that matter. How rude of me.” His hands found their way up underneath her underdress, feeling their way up her back until they discovered her bra strap, which he fumbled with clumsily until the clasp broke free.

“So fucking sexy,” he murmured against her throat, his hands now free to roam her upper back, taking in her hard muscles, the soft indents of her countless battle scars, the sensitive flesh where her skin met the base of her wings.Lute moaned in response, the vibration tickling Adam’s lips as they trailed down her neck and across her collarbone. 

The sound she’d made… fuck, that sound alone was enough to make him explode, which was a dangerous thought, given how hard his dick was straining against his pants. His mouth found hers once more, now frantic and desperate. His hands groped at her ass, pressing her body tightly against his hips, rocking forward firmly so she could feel how badly he needed her.

The message seemed to ring loud and clear as Lute’s fingers hastily located the buttons of his robe and fumbled with them, trying in vain to undo them.  

“Sorry, Sir,” she murmured against his mouth as she struggled, “I guess I’m a little drunk.”  

“A little drunk?” he laughed huskily, catching her bottom lip with his teeth and tugging it playfully as he reached his hands up to help her with his buttons. “Babe, we’re absolutely fucking wasted.”  

Then it hit him. They were wasted.

This wasn’t right – as much as every fiber of his being wanted to follow through with Lute’s declaration back at the party, as much as it went against every instinct of his to stop what they were doing, he couldn’t continue. Not like this when they were both in the wrong frame of mind.

He didn’t want her to wake up the next morning and resent him for it or think something had happened that she wasn’t okay with.  

He didn’t want her regretting it.  

“Lute, babe,” his hands closed around hers as he painfully stepped back slowly from her, his whole body crying out in protest. “We need to stop now before we get too carried away.”

Lute’s jaw dropped.

Shock and confusion clear and evident on her face, in her eyes. Her brows furrowed as she felt the space between them grow wider.

Her hands reached out, clinging to his robe in some desperate attempt to bring him back.

He wasn’t serious.

They couldn’t just STOP??? NOT NOW!

She scooted forward on the table, her feet latching onto him in a similar, desperate manner that her hands did.

She was going to fall off the edge of the table if she wasn’t careful-

“Sir? But-“ She closed her mouth, her eyes darting back and forth as she internally sorted through the steps that had been taken to get them there.

She NEEDED them to keep going.

“We could just- we don’t have to be on the table.” She pulled him close again, her hips bucking the moment she felt him against her once more.

He exhaled deeply, his hands coming to rest at her sides as she pulled him back into a desperate kiss.

He pulled back, turning his head and bringing his hands up to take her wrists.

“What? No! No. Lute-“ He shook his head, running a hand through his hair and messing it up further.

“That’s not the fucking issue here. We’re not doing this! You’re going to bed, I’m gonna hit the couch. We’re gonna sleep this off so we don’t regret it in the morning.”

Lute’s face fell, the rejection impaling her like an icepick through her chest.

Any other fucking exorcist and he’d have taken them on the couch, on the table, on the chair-

Why couldn’t he do the same for her?

What was it about her that was just SO unappealing that he refused to cross that professional line?

She sat on the edge of the table, watching him shuffle towards the hall. He stopped and turned to look at her, apparently he had realized she wasn’t following.

He looked annoyed.

GOOD.

She was annoyed too.

She folded her arms in an indignant huff as she slid off the table, her feet just barely landing solidly on the floor beneath her.

“You’re really gonna sit there and fucking pout in the kitchen?”

She didn’t respond, she just continued to glare.

He looked at her flatly, walking back to grab her arm and usher her towards the bedroom.“You need to go to bed. I need to go to bed. Stop making this more difficult than it needs to be.”

“You’re that tired all of a sudden?”

“Lute, look how fucking hard I am right now, you REALLY think I just wanna go to bed for the hell of it? I’m TRYING to be the responsible one here!”

He pulled her down the hall, peeking his head into the first two doors until he found her bedroom.

“I’m not going to sleep, Sir.”

He looked at her flatly.

She stared back at him, every ounce of defiance she could muster in her golden eyes as she stood firmly rooted in place.

After a moment of neither one of them daring to move, Lute realized her bra was still haphazardly on. She maintained eye contact as she blindly tried to remove the straps and take it off, her expression DARING Adam to try and stop her.

After struggling for a substantial amount of time she finally managed to slip the garment off, tossing it into the hallway behind them.

“Yeah, you’re going to bed.”

“No, Sir.” she stated, staring him down as she then removed her pants, falling into the wall as she struggled to get the article of clothing off. Once she did she triumphantly tossed them behind her, hands on her hips, chest puffed out.

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, frustrated.  

Frustrated that it turned out that he had a conscience – where the fuck had that come from? – and stopped himself before they christened Lute’s dining table blind drunk.  

Frustrated with the fact that Lute wouldn’t go to fucking bed.  

Frustrated with the fact that instead of doing her bra up like a normal person would in this situation, she’d chosen instead to take it off, followed by her pants.  

Frustrated with the fact that her stupid underdress was see-through – seriously, what was the fucking point of it, anyway? – and now he had her standing defiantly opposite him, hands on hips, tits proudly on display beneath the sheer fabric as she stared him down.  

As if he didn’t have a fucking tent pitched under his robe as it was, she had the audacity to go and tease him like this. She knew exactly what she was doing.  

Bitch.  

“You were saying, Sir?” she smirked, attempting to brace herself on the wall but her hand slipped, causing her to stumble slightly. If she wasn’t irritating him so much, he’d find her newfound cocky bravado somewhat adorable.  

“Bed.” Was all he could muster as he stared at the ceiling, fighting the urge to let his eyes cast downwards at her body. Because, shit, she really did have a great rack.

No wonder he’d nicknamed her Dangertits. Somebody could very well die being suffocated by those things.  

It’d suck balls to die and all, but man, what a fucking way to go.  

“Make me, Sir.”  

Adam’s head snapped back to its normal position, his gaze meeting hers once more. She continued to bore her eyes into his, silently daring him to defy her.  

He wasn’t going to fall for it. If he challenged her, she’d probably sprint away from him, and he was too drunk to be able to confidently catch her.

“If that’s what it takes, fine.” He strode towards her – still avoiding looking at her body anywhere below her chin level – and without warning, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, one burly arm wrapped around her waist.

Like a ragdoll.  

“Are you coming to bed, too?” she asked as he carried her into her bedroom, shutting the door with his free hand behind them. Knowing her as well as he did, if he left the door open she’d sprint out of the room the first opportunity she got.  

“No,” he answered, setting her down on her bed clumsily.

“I’m going to go and sleep on the couch.”

Lute flapped her wings once to balance herself once she lifted herself into a seated position on the bed.

Not that it worked. It was like she was on a boat, every correction she’d made to try and stay upright pushed her too far in the other direction.

Had she not been so sexually frustrated with Adam, she would’ve been more irritated by her inability to keep herself steady.

She thrust her hand outward as she fell forward, catching Adam by his robe before he could pull back fully.

Their faces were close again.

“You choose now in your immortal life to be responsible??” NOW of all times???

If she had been the sober one he’d be making dumb reckless choice after dumb reckless choice. But because SHE was also drunk he was deciding that it was his turn to be a gentleman???

What if she didn’t want him to be a gentleman!? Which she didn’t. She wanted him to fuck her right there and then!

She felt his hot breath against her face as he sighed and looked skyward again. Letting go of his robes, she grabbed his chin, turning it down so their eyes met.

“Shit! Lute come on I’m doing my best here! You’re not thinking right. I’m not thinking right and you’re REALLY pushing it babe.”

She pulled him into another sloppy kiss. “I don’t want you to do your best. I want you to fuck me-“

“Go to sleep.”

“No, Sir.”

“Babe. I’m not fucking around. You. Need. To. Sleep.”    

“And I’m not fucking around. I. Want. To. Fuck. You.” Lute punctuated her latter declaration with a short kiss to Adam’s lips after each word.

“Hard. Fast. Here. On the table. My couch. I don’t care where or how, I just know that it’s what I want – and from what I felt back on the table – ” Lute’s eyes moved down Adam’s chest, towards his lower body,

“ – you wanted it too.” She flushed slightly and bit her lip.   

Dammit, she looked so fucking hot when she did that!

He was this close to throwing responsibility out the window. One more, if she told him how badly she wanted him one more time…  

Adam squeezed his eyes shut. He needed to collect his thoughts, needed to talk himself out of giving in to what he really wanted to do.  

He needed to think non-sexy thoughts.  

Paperwork. Hard paperwork – no! Not the word hard. Shit. Difficult – yes, that was better. Difficult paperwork. Lute helping with the paperwork. Lute leaning over his desk, wearing the same sheer underdress so he could see her – fuck! Okay, thinking about paperwork wasn’t going to cut it.  

Sera! Sera wasn’t sexy. Sera was a giraffe lady, who liked to write him up constantly for bullshit reasons. Like sleeping during Court. And pranking Lute during meetings.

Really, Lute should be written up for this. He’d reprimand her, all right. Order her to bend over his lap so he could smack that tight ass of hers.  

No! Bad Adam!  

THIS. WASN’T. WORKING!  

“No!” he cried, grabbing her hands and removing them from his face.

“Babe. I need you to stop.” He swallowed, his throat tight, every part of his body aching now, to the point where if she touched him just one more time he would probably explode. “I’m going to get up now. And lock the door.”

Lute squinted her eyes, her brows furrowed at his statement.

“Why would you need to lock the door?” Her brief pause from confusion ended when she noticed him pulling back. It was then she grabbed his robe again, yanking on it to draw him close once more.

He was NOT getting away from her that easily. Especially when there was a high chance he’d run.

She grabbed his face again, only for him to deflect her away.

“LUTE WILL YOU LET ME BE FUCKING RESPONSIBLE FOR ONCE???” He threw her back against the bed. Initially thrilling. The rush of being tossed backwards making her giggle.

She could work with this!

Or she thought she could. Before she could so much as utter a rebuttal, he was on top of her. But he wasn’t on top of her in anyway that she wanted him to be.

He was laying sideways overtop of her so that his feet were off the bed. He held her arms pinned to her sides so she couldn’t move, at least not her upper body.

She was trapped under him in the least sexy way he could’ve possibly come up with.

“Sir! What the fuck are you doing???”

“Go to sleep Lute! I am fucking begging you! We are both completely wasted and I’m not gonna come out of this the fucking bad guy for once!”

Lute kicked her legs in protest, trying to get leverage by twisting and wriggling free.

She couldn’t get a single hit on him. Shit!

“Kick air all you want. I’m NOT moving.”

“SIR.”

“GO TO SLEEP.”

Adam was rather proud of his quick thinking.  

He knew it was risky, pinning Lute to the bed. Mostly because he knew she’d enjoy it – and given the way she’d laughed as he threw her down, his suspicions were confirmed.  

He filed that away for a later, more sober date.  

This position, however, was perfect. He had her arms pinned, so there was so way she could grab a hold of him. She couldn’t kick him, considering his body was lying across her upper torso and there was no physical way she could reach him. His head was far back enough from her face that she couldn’t lean forward and kiss him.  

Or at least, he thought it was perfect. Because when she started kicking out and thrashing, he’d made the mistake of looking down at her chest and noticing her tits again.  

He said a silent prayer of thanks that his dick was nowhere near her body as he shifted his hips downwards onto the mattress.   

Just in case.  

“Sir?” she panted, her kicks subsiding.

He could feel her body slacken beneath his – it could be tiredness, or, knowing Lute, she could be feigning fatigue only to take him by surprise and throw him off her when he was least suspecting it.

He squeezed her arms tighter by her side, keeping his eyes firmly on her undecorated bedroom wall behind the bedhead.“Yeah, Lute?”  

“Are you going to tell Sera about this?” Her voice was quiet, small. Afraid.  

“Only if you don’t shut up and go to sleep soon.”  

“Oh.” Silence.

“Sir?”  

“Yeah?”  

“Are you going to write me up?”  

“For what?”  

“For me wanting you to fuck me on the table.”  

Adam sighed heavily and looked down at Lute’s face. Her eyelids were drooping; she was looking at him from underneath her eyelashes. He could feel that her breathing was becoming slower; more even, regulated. She was finally on the cusp of sleep.  

“No, babe. I’m not going to write you up,” he said, watching her face relax. “You were a fucking menace tonight and tested me in every way possible, but no. I’ll let you off. Just this once.”  

“Oh,” she breathed, her eyes fluttering shut. “Good.”

Adam watched Lute’s face as she drifted off, her head tilting to the side slightly as she finally gave in to sleep. He smiled fondly as soft snores escaped her mouth and began to rhythmically fill the room.  

She was adorable, even in sleep.  

He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the forehead, smoothing her wild hair out of her face so she wouldn’t get it in her mouth as she slept.  

“Night, Dangertits.” he whispered as he slowly, deliberately, moved off her body. He took the duvet from the opposite side of the bed and wrapped it over her, lifting her arm to tuck it just under her body.  

Now, it was time for him to sleep. He was fucking spent.  

He opened her wardrobe and located a spare blanket, folded with military precision on the top shelf. Picking up the spare pillows that had ended up on the floor during their tussle, he lined them up neatly parallel to Lute’s body and settled himself on the bed next to her, draping the blanket over himself.  

She may have been all over him earlier, but he knew what she’d be like in the morning when she discovered that they’d shared a bed. Best to play it safe.  

Closing his eyes, he attempted to reconcile how he’d ended up in this position. Adam was never responsible; in fact, he was practically the poster boy for bad choices, the textbook definition of irresponsibility. So why was he so insistent of not fucking this up?He peered over the pillow barrier at Lute, who had shifted slightly in her sleep so her body was now facing away from him. 

Deep down, he knew why he was so determined to do the right thing. Too bad he’d never admit it out loud.  

Though, he was looking forward to when the time was right between them. Because if the way she kissed him was any sort of preview of what he could expect…  

…it was hot as fuck.  

Hot.  

He was hot as fuck.  

This room was hot as fuck.  

EVERYTHING WAS HOT!  

Adam groaned and threw the blanket off himself and onto the floor. This was the part of drinking that he hated. The inevitable comedown, the beginning of the antagonizing descent back to sober-ness that meant a host of other unpleasant side-effects were soon to follow.  

Usually, he tried to get to sleep before he hit this stage, but somebody had other ideas.  

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to think of what unpleasant symptom would come next. Would it be a headache? The nausea? The irritability?  

He was boiling. His body temperature must have been at least a thousand degrees, if not more. Sitting up, he ripped his robe up over his head and tossed it next to him on the floor, his pants and undershirt following suit not long after. Clad only in his underwear, feeling significantly cooler now, he glanced over at Lute, who hadn’t moved since he’d last checked on her.  

He smirked as he lay his head down on the pillow, his eyes now feeling heavy as sleep drew nearer. She was going to freak in the morning when she saw this.

Lute groaned and cracked an eye open, immediately shutting it as the sliver of light from her windows cut through her pupils like a hot knife.      

Her head was THROBBING. The pressure building the longer she laid there.

Even the simple basic act of thinking tore through her brain like a spear.

What happened last night?

She was aware of a very bitter taste in her dry mouth. Like bile.

The party… The victory concert-

Her head was going to explode. The sound of snoring just behind her wasn’t helping-

Snoring?

She sat up quickly, squeezing her eyes shut again as the room spun around her.

UGH she was going to be sick. And she was GOING to kill whoever kept snoring in her ears! It might not have actually been loud but in that moment it was like an amp was turned to max right next to her head.

She grit her teeth, moving slower as she felt with her hands to try and see EXACTLY who dared to sleep in her bed.

At least… she hoped it was her bed…

She forced her eyes open, taking some level of solace through the blinding light that what she could make out seemed at least familiar.

It wasn’t Vaggie’s apartment. Okay… it was hers.

She looked down at the wall of pillows, confounded as to why they were there.

Seriously… what happened?

She brought her hands back to her face, rubbing it gingerly in that hopes the action would alleviate the pressure.

It didn’t.

No wonder hard alcohol was typically banned from Heaven. This was HORRIBLE.

Finally, she found the strength to open her eyes and confront whoever was taking up residence in her bed.

Oh… shit.

It was Adam. Her boss. Sleeping in nothing but his underwear. IN HER BED.

Her eyes widened and she very quickly felt her body, looking down and kicking off whatever covers there were.

She was in her underdress and nothing else... fuck.

What happened last night?! …where was her bra??? Where were her pants???She looked around the bed for any sign of either of them as frantically as she could muster, only to slip and collide with the floor with a ‘thud.’

“Ouch.” She hissed, muttering curses into her carpet.

Adam grunted. Whoever the fuck was rolling around on the floor was about to cop an absolute earful if they didn’t stop in approximately three seconds.  

He groggily opened one eye and took in his surroundings. White bedspread. Black bed-frame. Pillows to his left, dividing the bed.   

Ah. He remembered now. This was Lute’s room.  

Opening the other eye, he peeked over the pillow barricade. Lute seemed to have vacated the bed. Probably sitting on the floor, rocking in the corner of her living room as she pieced together memories of what a freak she’d been the night before.

He smirked as his own recollection of the night began flooding back. She really had indeed been a freak.  

Yawning, he scratched his chest as he sat up properly. Shit, his head was pounding. He had half a mind to lie back down and sleep it off, but he figured he should find Lute and try to ascertain what her version of last night’s events were.

Crawling across the bed, he picked up the pillows and threw them off Lute’s side, not paying any attention to where they landed.  

“Ow!” an indignant voice cried from the floor.  

“Lute?” Adam called, peering over the side of the bed. He was greeted not by her face as he’d expected, but by her almost-bare chest, covered only by the thin material of her underdress.  

Ah. That’s right. She’d taken her bra and pants off in some kind of weird striptease for him last night. A last-ditch attempt to get him to sleep with her.

He wondered if she was aware of her newfound interest in the art of burlesque.  

Only one way to find out.  

“For fuck’s sake, Lieutenant,” he sighed, “Put on a bra, would ya?”Lute responded by rolling over onto her stomach, forehead pressed to the carpet as she tossed a pillow at him, missing and hitting her headboard.

“I’m about to get up, Sir. I just… need a minute. Close your eyes.”  

“What for?” he snorted. “You couldn’t get enough of showing your tits off last night.”  

Lute’s head snapped up, her eyes wide and cheeks positively golden with shock.

“What?!”  

“Oh, yeah.” Adam flattened himself on the bed and grinned down at Lute, who was gaping wordlessly up at him. Oh, this morning was going to be fun, even if he was hungover as shit. “You were wild last night, babe. An animal. You couldn’t keep your hands off me – I had to beg you to stop. Turns out you want the First Dick just as bad as the rest of ‘em.”  

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Lute muttered, her forehead dropping back down to the floor.

She had debased herself.

Even if she was VERY aware of her feelings towards her commanding officer, she’d at the very least always maintained that she still had her chastity. That she wasn’t clamoring to sleep with him like all the other exorcists purely BECAUSE he was the first man.

She likely didn’t even have that anymore. She was just like every other pathetically hopeless girl who drooled over him in heaven. 

Any amount of respect she had for herself? Gone. Obliterated. 

She groaned and thumped her forehead against the floor, immediately regretting it as black spots danced in her vision.

That was nothing compared to the all-encompassing sense of shame that had her in a chokehold.

After a very long moment she forced herself upright, pulling herself to lean on the bed and face her boss.

He was staring at her, a smug look on his lips. His hair was an absolute mess and she REALLY hoped that was of his own doing and not hers.

“…We didn’t… did we?”

Adam snickered, shrugging his shoulders.

“Oh, now you’re having second thoughts? Let me tell you Lutey, you were an absolute FREAK of nature last night.”

Lute paled, slowly sliding back down to the floor so he couldn’t look at her. So he couldn’t SEE any part of her.

He’d apparently already seen enough. AND HE REMEMBERED IT ALL. So why couldn’t she???

-Pants! She needed to find her pants. And her bra. Unless she wanted to continue to unintentionally flash him.

She crawled around the bed, bumping into the frame way more than she would’ve liked as she felt around on the floor for the items of clothing.

She pulled herself up when she reached the door, using the frame to get her up onto her feet.

“Nice ass.”

Lute felt her ears burn as she glanced over her shoulder at him, irritated that he would DARE look her way. She dropped her wings, crossing the bottom feathers in the hopes she’d be at minimum a little more covered.

“Sir… why are you still here?” She asked through clenched teeth.

“You think I feel any better than you do?”

She pressed her lips together, deciding not to respond as she made her way out into the living area.

She was NEVER drinking again. EVER.

Her brows furrowed as she pulled herself along the wall, using it to keep herself upright as she wandered into the main part of her apartment.

She felt like she should be able to remember something from the night before. But apparently it was so horrible her brain had conveniently erased it.

She paused at the end of the hall as her table came into view.

There was something about that table- something IMPORTANT. Why couldn’t she remember???

She heard a very low vibration emanating from the living area near the couch. The telltale sign that her phone was going off from its hiding place beneath the cushions.

GREAT. Another thing she needed to hunt down.

It took her way longer to find her phone than she cared to admit. Especially as she had to keep pausing to close her eyes. Everything was so fucking loud and bright. 

WHY the fuck was everything in Heaven so illuminated all the fucking time??? 

She sighed with relief when she finally yanked her phone from where it was trapped, squinting and wincing as the vivid light from the screen assaulted her sensitive eyes. 

She had …fifty-thousand notifications.

Oh shoot.

She rubbed her face as she very quickly skimmed through, groaning the whole while. 

A handful seemed to be pictures the other girls were tagging her in. Great. That was just great.

The rest were… messages from Vaggie.

One VERY important one at the very top of the stack making her heart drop.

‘I’m coming over. Be there in five.’

No, no, no, no, NO!

VAGGIE COULD NOT SEE ADAM IN HER PLACE!!

It was bad enough SHE had to live with the knowledge of what happened last night. But for VAGGIE to find out??? She did not want to have that conversation.

She did not want to deal with the JUDGMENT.

She sprung to her feet, intending to go back to her room and tell Adam he needed to leave immediately. However, she was stopped when there was a knock at the door.

Vaggie huffed impatiently, tapping her foot as she waited for Lute to open her damn door.  

She was exhausted. Part of that was her own fault – she’d continued to party long after Lute and Adam had left, well into the early hours of the next morning. And when the party had ended, she wasn’t quite ready to go home so she’d continued celebrating by spending a little one-on-one time with another angel in their bed.  

It was no wonder she was so tired. She hadn’t slept a wink.   

The other reason she was exhausted, though, was because she’d been stressing all night about Lute leaving the party with Adam.  

Their boss, in Vaggie’s eyes, was nothing more than a selfish, womanizing piece of shit and it killed her to think that her friend had fallen victim to his apparent charm.

Lute. The baddest bitch in all of Heaven, who took no crap from anybody.

Lute, who would happily gut somebody with her sword without a second thought if they even looked at her the wrong way.  

Lute, who as far as she knew, had never gone home with anybody before.  

The door creaked open, mid-foot tap.  

“Hi.” Lute poked her head through the gap in the door. Vaggie winced – she looked like hell, and that was putting it nicely. Her hair resembled something more like a bird’s nest than her usual platinum crop, her eyes looked tired and her pale face had the faintest tinge of green to it.  

“You look awful.” Vaggie crossed her arms and glared at her friend. “Can I come in?”

“Um,” Lute looked back into her apartment nervously, filling Vaggie with a sense of dread.

He was fucking in there. She knew it.

“...Can you just give a minute? I just have to, um – ”  

“Nope.” Vaggie pushed the door open, eyes widening at the absolute state of Lute.  

Despite being what she would consider ‘good’ friends with her lieutenant, in the many years Vaggie had known Lute she had only ever seen her wear two things: her exorcist uniform in full, or training gear.

That was it.

No casual clothes, no fancy outfits. Even when the Exorcists hit the showers after training, Lute would always enter a private shower cubicle fully dressed, and exit the cubicle fully dressed. She’d never undress near the lockers, like their other sisters.  

So, to see her in nothing but her sheer underdress and plain black panties was something of a shock to Vaggie.  

“Is… is there something that I need to know?” Vaggie asked weakly, watching as Lute hastily folded her arms over her chest. “Because I’d rather you just tell me now and get it over with – ”  

“No,” Lute squeaked, in a tone that Vaggie had never heard before, the blush on Lute’s cheeks completely betraying her. “I was just getting ready for a shower.”  

“A shower,” Vaggie echoed, her eyes trailing to the black bra that hung over the lamp on Lute’s desk. She nodded at it, Lute’s eyes following and widening in horror when she realized what Vaggie was gesturing to. “Do you normally just… throw your underwear around your apartment when you take a shower?”  

“I put it there for... safekeeping.”  

Lute was a lot of things. Lethal. Ambitious. Downright terrifying, at times. One thing she was not, however, was a good liar.  

“Uh-huh,” Vaggie nodded slowly. “And your pants?” She pointed to the crumpled up pile of familiar black leggings that lay near Lute’s dining table. “Do they require safekeeping too?”  

Lute just swallowed in response and crossed her arms tighter.

“Lute,” Vaggie pleaded desperately, placing her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “Please tell me you didn’t?”

Lute recoiled away from the touch, her arms pressing tighter against herself.

How the fuck was she supposed to explain this??? ESPECIALLY when she wasn’t even sure exactly what happened!

She couldn’t even look Vaggie in the eyes. She didn’t want to. Not when she knew the girl would chastise her. She couldn’t deal with that. 

“I… don’t-“ Lute pressed her lips together.

WHY COULDN’T SHE BE A BETTER LIAR?

“No! Of course I didn’t.” She turned away completely from her sworn sister. Though she could feel Vaggie’s eyes boring holes into the back of her head.

Her wings tensed, eyes widening as she heard Adam in the bedroom.

No! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Vaggie could NOT know he was still here!

She spun on her heel, turning back to address her friend, order her out of the apartment, but before she could so much as utter a sound she felt her stomach whirl and bile fill her mouth.

“Oh, sh-“ Was all she managed to get out before she sprinted through her bedroom and into the bathroom, the door banging off the wall as she pushed it open.

She was lucky that she managed to make to the bathroom BEFORE she voided the contents of her stomach. Though just barely.

She was NEVER drinking again.

Vaggie had joined her in the bathroom at some point, she wasn’t sure when and she didn’t care given she felt like she was sick for decades.

Her head was throbbing, the room was spinning, she was nauseous and clammy… AND SHE STILL HAD NOT THE FAINTEST CLUE OF WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT BEFORE.

“Please just kill me now and put an end to my suffering…” She muttered, head in her hands as she pulled away from the toilet.

She wanted to die. Death would certainly be better than whatever this was. 

Adam smirked to himself as he propped himself up on his elbows and tried to peer into Lute’s bathroom. He couldn’t see a lot of the action from where he was laying, although given how violently ill Lute was, he figured that was probably a good thing.  

“It’s alright, hon,” he heard Vaggie sigh, consoling Lute as she retched again. “I think after you’re done it’d be best if we got you into the shower and cleaned you up a bit.”  

“Can I watch?” Adam called from his spot on the bed, grinning. He didn’t feel too crash hot himself, and the sound of others vomiting made his own stomach churn, but he knew he’d get a good rise out of Vaggie if he riled her up a bit, and that would be well worth it.  

Besides, he wasn’t even sure if she’d seen him as she’d run past the bed, chasing Lute into the bathroom.  

Vaggie poked her head through the doorway. “What the fuck did you do to her?” she hissed, her almond eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. “She’s not in a good way, Adam!”  

“I didn’t do anything!” he proclaimed, sitting up. He saw Vaggie wince as she took in his near-nude body, the blanket draped over his lap hiding any trace of his underwear. “Oh lighten up Vag, as if you’re never seen a naked man before – actually wait, I take it back, you probably haven’t.” He spread his arms out proudly. “It is an honour to be the first – ”  

“Now I think I’m going to be sick,” Vaggie moaned, rubbing her eyes. “Why the hell are you so hairy?”  

Adam looked down at his chest, frowning. He wasn’t that hairy…

…was he?  

“What would you know, carpet muncher?” he shot back. “This is one hundred percent pure testosterone you’re looking at – and given I’m the First Man, I’m also the ideal man, so why don’t you – ”  

He was interrupted by another retch from Lute.  

“I don’t know what you did to her,” Vaggie growled, “But I’m going to put her in the shower and take her back to my place so she can recover in peace.”  

“Like fuck you’re taking her home, I’m taking care of her.”

“Yeah, coz you’re doing a real good job of it now, laying your lazy ass in bed while she pukes her guts up.”  

“I was getting up anyway to make us coffee, fucking calm your flaps.” Adam threw the blanket off his lap and rolled off the bed.  

Rolling wasn’t a good idea. His stomach churned violently as he steadied himself.  

“Could you at least put some clothes on?” she snarled. “I’ve already seen enough of your doughy dad-bod this morning.”  

“Fuck off! There’s nothing wrong with my body. Like you’re one to talk anyway you hypocrite, you’re still in your clothes from the night before. Did you do the walk of shame here?”  

Vaggie muttered something under her breath that Adam couldn’t quite make out and slammed the bathroom door shut.  

Whistling, he strode out into the living area and through to the kitchen.

Anyone would, and should be grateful to have a friend like Vaggie.

Lute was not among the grateful that morning.

Especially not when Vaggie tried to get her to step into the shower. She pulled away, borderline belligerent, her wings coming up around herself to cover herself.

“I can manage myself.” She hissed.

It was an absolute lie. She very much could not handle herself. She could barely stand upright, much less keep her eyes open.

Vaggie sighed in exasperation, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Well it’s either I help you or I go get our… erm, charming boss to do it.”

Lute jumped, her wings involuntarily smacking Vaggie into the sink.

“OR why don’t I shower myself?”

Vaggie looked at her flatly. “Lute you can BARELY stand. If it makes you feel any better just get in wearing what you have.” She turned on the water, pushing the lieutenant into the tub before she could protest.

Something Lute would be REMEMBERING when they got to the office on Monday.

She shrieked when the water hit her, making the sheer fabric even MORE see-through as he clung to her. In a panic, she tried to pull back from the water only to slip on the wet tile and fall, taking Vaggie down with her. 

“This is why. THIS right here is why I wasn’t going to let you shower on your own. You’d fucking KILL yourself.” Vaggie muttered as she moved her now soaking wet hair from her eyes.

Lute stayed on the floor of the shower for a moment longer, eyes squeezed shut. 

Her head was going to explode. 

“Seriously, Lute. Tell Adam to fuck off and get out of here. You’re not in your right mind and clearly he’s already done enough damage.”

Lute waved her hand blindly, eyes staying closed.

“He said he was making coffee.” She muttered, defending him despite the fact that she shouldn’t. 

BUT, if he left she might never piece together what happened the night before. And she sure as shit wasn’t leaving him alone in her apartment to look through all her stuff. 

Vaggie sighed, not bothering to waste her breath anymore. She turned on her heel and left the bathroom, hoping Lute wouldn’t drown in the shower while she found her a change of clothes. 

“What are you doing?” she asked Adam, emerging from Lute’s bedroom, hands on hips.  

“Performing a fucking baptism,” he shot back, watching the coffee begin to steep into the pot. “What does it look like, you dumb bitch?”  

If there was anything that got on Adam’s nerves, besides math, it was stupid questions.  

“I can see that, fuckstick. I mean, what are you doing with Lute?”  

Adam leaned against the counter and considered Vaggie’s question. Even though she was a moody pain in the ass, she cared about Lute. Genuinely.  

Maybe just this once, he could level with her.  

“I know you’re not going to believe me,” he said slowly, scratching the back of his neck. “But I mean it when I say nothing happened between us last night.”  

“Then why are you both barely clothed?”  

“Because I was drunk and got hot, and I stopped Lute from doing something she might have regretted, alright?” He turned away from Vaggie and filled three mugs with black coffee.

“Any other stupid questions?”  

Silence. And then, “No.”  

“Good. Do you take milk or sugar with your coffee? Or are you weird like Lute and only drink it black?” He added two spoonfuls of sugar and a considerably large splash of milk to one mug and took a sip instantly. “Oooh. That’s good.”   

“I’ll have mine when I get back. I’m going to grab some food.”

Vaggie reached for the handle of the front door and paused, turning back to Adam. 

“Lute’s just getting changed now. She… wasn’t too keen on the shower. I think it will help, though, so I’m glad I forced her in. Make sure she drinks that.” She nodded once at Adam – a rare civil gesture – and closed the door behind her.

Lute took SOME level of solace, she supposed, in the fact that Vaggie had helped her find new clothes. And had given her the privacy to change.

She at least felt… somewhat decent now. Even if her head was still pounding, she could face Adam with some level of dignity.

She made her way into the living area, the towel loosely draped over her head to keep the light away from her eyes.

And… to hide her face until the last possible second.

Once she got to the end of the hall, she rubbed the towel over her hair and pulled it down over her shoulders to catch whatever water might still be there.

Now or never.

She let out a breath, strolling into the kitchen as nonchalant as she could muster, head high, chest out. 

She deflated quickly though, her jaw clenching as she caught sight of Adam’s bare- EVERYTHING.

Heaven help her.

“Sir.” She slammed her hand down onto the counter, trying her best to maintain her composure.

“What happened last night? And don’t dance around the question.”

Adam took a sip of his coffee, sliding the mug he’d made for her across the counter. She stopped it with her hand.

“The Victory concert? We got hammered babe.”

Lute looked at the dark liquid swirling in the mug, before peering up at Adam flatly.

“I know that.” She hissed. “I mean AFTER we came back to my apartment.”

He smirked, once more raising the coffee to his lips.

“I already told you. You got freaky~” He winked, holding up his finger when she opened her mouth to protest.

Her eyebrow twitched.

“That isn’t helpful. Sir.”

“What do you want me to say, Dangertits? You wanted to fuck me on the couch,” He nodded to the living room. 

“The table, oh you were REALLY gunning for me to dick you down on the table-“

Lute cut him off, balling the towel up and throwing it at him. Gloriously, she managed to hit him directly in his smug stupid face.

Her own face was burning.

“My table? Of all the places in my apartment you’re telling me the TABLE is where I wanted to do it?”

Adam snickered, letting the towel drop to the floor.

“Yeah. Wouldn’t let me so much as walk away before you started stripping in some sort of little tantrum because I WOULDN’T fuck you on the table.”

She wanted to kill him.

Adam, First Man, he would die that day. 

Adam took one look at Lute’s face and he couldn’t hold his laughter in anymore.  

She was filthy with him.  

“Tell. Me. What. Happened,” she snarled. “I know where my knives are. You don’t.”  

Adam opened the drawer closest to him.

Knives. All perfectly polished with expertly sharpened blades. There were far too many of them for one angel living on her own – but then again, it was Lute, so it wasn’t the same level of shock as it would have been had they belonged to any other angel.  

“Wanna tell me when you started a side hustle as a butcher, babe?” Adam asked, taking another sip of coffee. “Coz, really, you don’t need this many – ”  

“I’ll butcher you in a minute,” Lute growled, “If you don’t shut up and fill in the gaps from last night.”

Adam held up his hands in defeat. “Alright, alright, calm the fuck down.” He rubbed a hand against his jaw and sighed.

He had no idea how she was going to take what went down last night – but she needed to know, and he really didn’t feel like talking her out of wielding a knife at him today.

He nodded towards her mug, still untouched on the bench. “I’ll tell you, but you’re going to want to drink that before it gets cold.”  

Lute eyed the cup wearily before glancing back in his direction, pointedly averting her eyes so she was looking somewhere over his left shoulder.

“...could you at least get dressed first?” she asked weakly.  

“Nope. This is how I came into this world – well, almost – and it’s how I intend to stay today. I will, however – ” He bent down and leaned his forearms on the counter opposite Lute, the lower part of his body mostly obscured from her view.

“ – stand here so I don’t catch you checking out my junk. My eyes are up here, remember?” He pointed to his golden eyes and grinned, watching Lute roll her eyes and reach for her cup.

“Alrighty, story time. What do you remember from the concert?”  

“I-” She pressed her lips together and glanced sideways. “I saw you doing a shot off that bitch. Layla...” There was a bite to Lute’s voice when she said Layla’s name that caught Adam off-guard.

He cocked his head, frowning, trying to recall the moment.  

“That was at the start of the night,” Adam said slowly, studying Lute, who had gone practically fluorescent and was making every effort to not look at him. Instead, she was intensely studying the black coffee in the mug she held between her hands. There was no fucking way black coffee could be that interesting.

“Lute – did you drink yourself stupid because you were jealous?”  

“No!” she cried indignantly. “...I just thought, that maybe, it might be fun to have a drink or two, that’s all.”

“Well, you didn’t just have a drink or two. You mixed at least four different drinks, including, from what Vaggie said last night, at least a full bottle of wine.”  

“No wonder I feel so crap.” she muttered, still not meeting his eye.  

“Yeah.” Adam snorted, draining the last of his coffee and setting his mug down on the bench. “Given the fact that you’re a giant overachiever, I’m not surprised you drank yourself stupid. Don’t ever pull that shit again. It’s dangerous, and you could have fucked yourself up pretty hardcore. Understood?”  

Lute continued to stare into the depths of her cup, head bowed, damp hair hiding her face.  

Adam sighed and rubbed his face. It was time to cut the bullshit and come clean.  

“Babe, nothing happened last night. I promise. I wasn’t lying when I said you were an animal – you initially wanted to fuck me on a table in front of everybody, which was when I decided to take you home and put you to bed.”  

“I did not say that.”  

“Well, no, you didn’t say it, but you certainly screamed it,” he smirked and ran a hand through his hair, trying to remember their surroundings at the time. “If it makes you feel any better, I think only Vaggie heard.”

“It doesn’t. So what happened when we got back here?”  

“Oh, before I get into that – you tried to fight Layla on the dance-floor. I think she accidentally bumped into you, and you flew off the handle at her and wanted to throw hands.”  

“She should have watched where she was dancing, then.” Lute’s tone was decidedly miffed. 

“I think it was an accident, Lute. And stop getting your panties in a twist about Layla. She’s a good time and a nice chick, but that’s about the extent of our relationship.”  

“And I’m not.” Lute finally tore her eyes from her coffee and glared at Adam, hurt evident in her own eyes as she stared him down like she was daring him to deny her statement.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. There was far, far too much to unpack in what she’d said, and his head was already fucking pounding.  

“I didn’t say that, so cut the self-deprecating bullshit. You’re the bane of my fucking existence some days, but you’re the baddest bitch in Heaven. My top girl. There’s nobody else I’d rather have as my right-hand woman. Does that make you feel better?”

“No.”  

“Well, let me put it this way – I like a good time, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not what matters most to me. Got it?”  

Lute said nothing, absentmindedly tapping a finger against her mug instead.  

“Anyway. We got back here, and I tried to get you to sober up by giving you water, but you were all worked up over something. Turns out, you were just horny as fuck and you kissed me there on that couch.”  

“You said nothing happened!” she wailed, burying her face in her hands as she leaned her elbows on the counter.  

“When I say nothing happened, I mean we didn’t sleep together. But fuck, Lute, I’m not gonna lie to you – it was headed that way. I had you up on your table and was about to start ripping your clothes off with my teeth before I realized something.”  

“What?” she groaned into her fingers.  

“I realized that when it happens – and I’m not saying the word if because I know it’s only a matter of time before it does happen – we both need to be in the right frame of mind. Not blind drunk. So, I put a stop to it.”  

Lute separated her ring and middle fingers, her bright eyes peering out at him from the gaps she’d created.  

“Lute? Say something?”

She didn’t want to say something.

She wasn’t even sure she could breathe in that moment given her BOSS just admitted that he fully expected them to fuck sometime in the near future. But not only did he expect them to fuck he expected it to be without any alcohol.

Her heart thumped wildly against her ribcage, her face burning hot.

Was she… excited? Anxious? Was that what she was feeling? SHAME? How the fuck was she supposed to process or accept that in any capacity? She wasn’t supposed to be into him like that!

Only to realize that she still hadn’t answered him and he was looking at her like she’d dropped her halo.

Speak. She needed to speak.

She cleared her throat, straightening up. Her eyes dropped down to the countertop and away from Adam, her hands smoothing out a stray napkin that was setting close by.

“I… recognize my behavior was… unprofessional.” She winced when Adam started laughing.

“Unprofessional? That ship sailed LONG before we got back to your place.”

She pressed her lips together, brows furrowed as she kept her full attention on the napkin. In particular she kept her attention on a wrinkle that wouldn’t come out.

“…But, thank you for… stopping me from doing anything foolish….Sir…” She felt her cheeks burn hotter.

She might not have been looking at him but she could FEEL his smug expression on her.

Any second he’d laugh again. Any second he’d poke fun. 

But he didn’t. Instead he reached out and gently took her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb.

“Like I said,” He started, the sound of his coffee mug being set down on the counter hitting her ears.

“We need to be in the right frame of mind. Cause that’ll be a day I want you to remember~”

Lute’s eyes flicked up ever so briefly before she looked back down. She rubbed her temple, her headache returning with a vengeance.

She cleared her throat again, her breath hitching as she felt Adam, very gently, place a kiss on her forehead.

He then shifted around the counter, hoisting her up into his arms bridal style.

“Sir!” She yelped.

“What are you doing???”

“Simple, you have a headache. I know I have a headache. Standing around here isn’t going to help so let’s just call it and go back to bed.”

She covered her face with her hands once more as he carried her back into her room, easing her down gently onto the mattress before climbing next to her.

He then very deliberately took one of the spare pillows and placed it over his crotch.

“Don’t want you getting any ideas.” He winked, snickering as Lute involuntarily smacked him square in the chest.

“Ouch! Hey, see? I was smart. Now I’m fucking protected!”

Lute rolled her eyes, shifting to get herself comfortable and falling silent in the hopes her headache would fade. She just needed to go back to sleep.

Shockingly, Adam also fell silent. It was startling him not speaking for so long that Lute was the one to break the silence.

“Sir?” She asked, her voice small.

“Hmm?”

“You’re not going to fire me over this?”

He frowned, propping himself up on his arm.

“Why would I fucking do that? Didn’t you hear me? You’re my top girl.”

“I was just making absolutely sure, Sir.” She pressed her lips together, falling silent again as Adam readjusted his position and closed his eyes.

“Sir?”

“Yeah?”

“Are… you going to tell Sera about this?”

Adam cracked open an eye, choosing to scoot closer to close the distance between them, his legs bumping up against hers. 

Of course, the pillow was still there because the first man was apparently choosing THAT particular moment to be modest.

“What Sera doesn’t know won’t kill her.” He shrugged.

“Besides, it was our Victory concert. Everyone goes wild that night. You just decided to be fucking insane.”

Lute glanced off to the side, only to pause when she felt Adam’s fingers brush against her cheek.

“It’s okay though. Keeps Heaven interesting. You being fucking nuts.”

She inadvertently leaned into his touch, bringing her hand up to hold his wrist, a small smirk on her lips as she closed her eyes.

Vaggie didn’t bother announcing when she came back given she expected to see them in the kitchen.

BUT NO. No, they’d decided to leave their half-empty coffee mugs on the counter.

She hated to consider what that meant given Adam was a party in all this. There was no telling what he could pressure Lute into. Not that Lute was seemingly at all unwilling most times.

Then again, it wasn’t out of the realm of reason that Lute had just gotten sick again. Even IF she probably didn’t have anything left in her stomach by that point that didn’t mean she wouldn’t still dry heave.

The exorcist sighed, placing the bag of food on the counter as she made her way down the hall towards Lute’s bedroom.

She paused when she heard whispering, peering through the door to see them… in bed?

She waited a moment, weighing her options. If she went in there and disturbed them - EVEN if she wanted to on principle - Lute would be FURIOUS with her. If she did nothing… well… she’d probably be fine.

After a long moment she sighed, deciding to leave the apartment for the time being.

She’d send a text checking in later. But for now, she’d let them rest and sleep off their hangovers.

Hopefully, it would benefit all of them come Monday.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Merida

Merida placed the joss stick in its holder, as she did every day. The faint scent of incense invaded her nostrils, and she sneezed. This made the girl in front of her let out a little giggle. The pair sat there, contemplating the faintly burning joss stick.

"Thank you for putting that there. My parents never honored my choice of religion while I was alive. I'm glad someone does now," the ghost girl said, after a while. It was strange hearing such solemn words from what seemed to be a nine year old, but Merida was used to strange things. Ghosts always appeared as children, whether they died of old age or were stillborn. "I will not forget your kindness, Cazarsa. I owe you a boon. Should you ever be in need of help, simply call me."

Cazarsa. It always warmed her heart to hear the phrase. In the language of the dead, it vaguely meant 'ally', but with an air of gratitude and friendship. Ghosts did not use the phrase lightly. "It was my pleasure to help you. I hope the starlight shines on you as you dance beneath the full moon," Merida said politely.

"And I hope the sun warms your soul and Kurall favors you in all that you do," the ghost responded automatically, before bowing. Then Merida picked up her bag and headed off to school, leaving the graveyard as the grey morning light stole away the darkness of night. It was the time of the living, and the ghosts would soon be away, lest the exorcists catch them.

Merida Ryder spent her dawns and twilights helping the ghosts. Ofttimes, all they needed was something as small as a vase of flowers or a copy of the new reboot of their favorite show. They had come to accept her as a middleman, someone to guard them from the cold cruelties of the exorcists. She warned them of the approach of any exorcists, and they did not hunt the living. It created a peace most attributed to the nearly savage zeal with which the exorcists hunted ghosts.

Merida slipped between two cars, strolling up along the street that led to her secondary school. A few ghosts resided there, along with a spirit. They were the most frequent recipients of her gifts and assistance, for she needed their favors the most. The moment she walked through the school gates, she felt a presence at her side. 

Without looking at him, she said, "What's up, Hans?" Hans was the spirit, a strange creature that never showed his face. He and he alone traded in artifacts, requesting her to go through esoteric channels to find the most incomprehensible magical objects in existence. On the other hand, his favors were far more practical than most, especially for chasing off exorcists. Most exorcists had no interest in getting into a fight with a genuine spirit, since they were unable to bully them around. It meant the difference between a painful second death and afterlife for many ghosts, so Merida tried to keep a few of his favors on hand at all times.

Nevertheless, she never truly trusted the spirit, though she rather liked him. He was far too powerful to be lurking in the middle of nowhere twiddling his thumbs. "The exorcist has brought her weapons to school again. It seems she plans on killing someone today. You might want to warn the ghosts," Hans remarked blandly. 

"Thank you for the information." She had to get back into her school persona, she reminded herself sternly. It would not do for her sister to discover that she was the one feeding information about the exorcists to the ghosts, and speaking with the formality of the dead would give her away instantly. "Don't talk to me until after school. I don't wanna get caught by her."

As the presence left her side, Merida turned around. "Actually, could you warn them for me? I'm afraid I can't make my usual rounds. I forgot my homework at school yesterday." She felt him nod assent, then disappear.

The school was old, and with age came death. The ghost-mice scurried along the corridors, unbeknownst to the vast majority of the students, and Merida dropped crumbs for them as she went, crumbling the cookies for her lunch. "Go home, little ones. It's dangerous out here. The school exorcist is making her rounds," Merida murmured. The mice took the hint, disappearing into the walls and the pipes. Hopefully they would carry the message to all the other ghosts.

Keeping her eyes on the slate floor tiles, Merida hunched her shoulders and tried to blend into the crowd of youths who gabbled amongst each other and spilled drinks and had a deep-seated prejudice against the dead, never considering that they too would become ghosts one day. Grey locker doors swung open and closed, and Merida avoided them as she made her way to the hall. 

She settled down in a corner, trying to blend in with the faded white paint of the walls, praying that the exorcist would not find her. But she had neither the skill nor the luck of the ghosts, as Miranda Ryder, youngest exorcist in the 42nd Corps, approached her.

"I need you to be on your best behavior. I'm doing a presentation on exorcism today, and the press is coming to see it. I don't want you screwing it up again. Got it?" Merida shied away, glueing her eyes to the floor. 

"Look at me, damn it! Merida, this is important. There are more bigwigs coming here than I can shake a stick at. Even the head of my corps is coming here. This could mean a promotion!" Miranda all but shouted at her, and she curled up even tighter into a ball, closing her eyes tightly. The head of the corps? There were going to be far too many exorcists at the school for the number of ghosts Merida was trying to hide. It was dangerous, far too dangerous, and Merida felt her heart sink.

No matter what she did today, someone was going to die.

A sob caught her throat at the thought. "Stop that. You're not a little kid anymore. You don't get to throw tantrums every time you don't get your way," Miranda told her angrily, before striding off. Merida stopped her, terrified of what was to come.

"I want to help you. I'm sick of being in the background. Just let me be your assistant, just for a day?" If she could find out more, she might be able to minimize the loss of life. She might be able to avoid the piles of corpses, the dead who died again leaking ectoplasm. It had taken her weeks before she could get rid of the phantom sensation of sticky ectoplasm, and months to stop bursting into tears at the mere sight of the school last time.

Miranda raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You'd better not. In any case, I need to show that you're not the same batshit crazy bitch who threw a tantrum when we got rid of those pests at the school," she told Merida. "You really embarrassed me last time. Maybe this will make up for your idiocy."

Merida blinked back tears at the word 'pests', and kept her mouth shut. Monsters, she thought. How could anyone call a sentient being a pest? Even if they are dead, what does it matter? They still have feelings. Her fingers clenched the greying hand-me-down school skirt she wore. The blood flowing through her burned her flesh, bitter with anger.

But she could not hate the exorcists. She understood how dangerous the ghosts were. Part of her life, and Miranda's, involved stopping the ghosts from ripping open the guts of the living and feasting on them.

They both brought safety to the living, in polar ways. One with death, the other by preserving life. Of course, in the classic style of humanity, bloodshed was favored over the quiet negotiation and peace.

They walked up onto stage, and Miranda handed her a sheet of paper. "These are your lines. Don't fuck them up, got it?" Merida nodded dumbly. 

In front of them, the school's populace settled into their morning positions, a sea of white shirts and black pants. Merida pulled her eyes away from them to look at the script. It consisted of a few lines, mostly prompting segments of Miranda's speech. 

As she read further, she realized that Miranda planned on showing the school an actual demonstration of an exorcism, on an actual ghost. That pig-faced bitch! She's going to murder someone in front of us all?! And they will all applaud and cheer at the extermination of a monster… Merida had to do something. But what? 

The exorcist jostled her elbow, and Merida realized that they were starting. 

"Good morning everyone! I'm certain you all recognize me. I'm Miranda Ryder," Miranda said, before nudging her again.

Her line, according to the script, was 'and I'm (insert name)!' In a fit of pique, Merida said, "And I'm insert name!" 

A scattering of snickers gave Merida the courage to continue, taking over Miranda's lines. "On this fine, ever so sunny day, we are going to talk about the murder and torture of the dead! Or as you all call it, exorcism!" The lines were not strictly in the script, but Merida felt it summed up the content perfectly.

"And since I know you all know what exorcism is about, given how much they shove it down our throats, let's just skip to the fun bit, shall we?! We're going to do an elaborate ritual to kill an innocent ghost! I wonder who it is… Maybe one of your ancestors, or the soul of a beloved friend?" Miranda tried to cut in, livid at her for turning her speech into a train wreck, but Merida was on a roll. 

"While our beloved exorcist fetches the victim, I'll tell you the truth about ghosts, shall I? You know those stories about the dark times where ghosts stole away unsuspecting children, eating them alive?" Merida waited for them to nod, and they did. 

"Well, it was true. Ghosts do drink human blood. They do it to further their after-lives. They choose children because they look like children, and because children are easily manipulated. They get the child to trust them, then they take the child off to a dark corner and they drink their blood!" Miranda had stopped protesting, and was listening curiously.

"I was the victim of this when I was five. I made an imaginary friend, and followed him to the forest one day. If my sister had not saved me, I would have been devoured by a hungry ghost. Even as it is, I still have the scar," Merida said as she pulled up her shirt, exposing her midriff. It was covered in jagged scars, as though a chainsaw had scraped across her chest. A collective gasp resounded through the hall, as people gaped at the horrific evil of the ghosts.

"Guess you aren't gonna fuck this up again," Miranda muttered. "I'll bring the ghost out. I'm glad you've finally stopped being a fuckwit."

Merida ignored her. "These ghosts have done things to rival the cruelties of the most infamous serial killers. Worse, they exploit the very thing that makes children children; their innocence. These creatures are child predators! Wouldn't you agree?" 

There were wholehearted cheers from the teachers, many of whom had kids of their own. "Exterminate the ghosts!" Someone in the back cried.

"They're just like the human scum we give death sentences to, right?!" The response was deafening, and Merida was filled with horror at their support for mass genocide. These people… Do they not realize they are killing humans? Have they not made the connection? Simply because they are dead does not change the fact that they were human once! 

"That's because they are," Merida said. The half a thousand people in the room hushed, confused by the sudden turn. "These ghosts you hate so much are the very same serial killers that society reviles. Stop to consider. Ghosts are just the souls of the dead. Serial killers and rapists and general human scum have souls too, yes?" 

The people nodded uncertainly. Behind her, Miranda had stopped to listen, and Merida gestured for her to get a move on. She did, and Merida continued.

"And therein lies the problem. These disturbing crimes against humanity are being committed by a tiny portion of ghosts. Most ghosts, just like their living counterparts, simply want to live their after-lives in peace. An exorcist's job is to eradicate these evil ghosts."

She let them simmer in that, as Miranda wheeled a massive cage, made of cold iron, with a long velvet curtain draped over it. Its bars were wide and flat, covered in an enchantment meant to contain ghosts. Merida nearly gagged at the terrifying aura of the cage. It was slimy, like ectoplasm, and putrid, magical rot embedded into metal. It was a cage meant for cruelties, made to corrupt and corrode.

"Please, let me out," someone said from within. Merida recognized that voice immediately. It was the girl she had visited in the morning. 

As one, the audience gasped in excitement. Ghosts were normally only perceptible to children and those with magical talent. Merida placed her hands on the velvet cloth. "I'll get you out, miss. Just play along for now, okay?" The girl reached out to the small gap between the bars and touched Merida's hand. Her fingers were cold, even through the thick layer of velvet.

"I trust you, Cazarsa," the girl whispered. Internally, Merida cursed herself for forgetting to warn the ghosts beyond the school. They were in as much danger as the rest.

"Well, shall we?" Miranda gave her a tight-lipped smile, rightfully suspicious of her whispered communication with the ghost. Merida nodded.

Together, they dragged the curtain off the cage, revealing the ghost. She was an absolute mess, with ichor running down her cheeks, tears of the dead, and wide, terrified gray eyes. She floated in the center of the cage, curled into a foetal position in an attempt to get as far from the cage as possible. Merida felt horribly uncomfortable being in the vicinity of the cage. She could not imagine how infinitely worse the girl felt.

"Look at this horrible criminal! This peddler of evil, participant in the most vile of sins! Dearest sister, will you please tell us all what crimes this inhuman filth has committed?" Merida placed as much emphasis on the 'crime' the girl had committed as possible. If they saw she was innocent, Merida might be able to convince the exorcists to let the ghosts be, if only for a while. 

Maybe there was a chance to stop the bloodshed.

Miranda instantly saw the minefield she had set up. Her eyes hardened, lips flattening into a line. She said nothing.

"I will tell you what I did to deserve this," the ghost girl said, uncurling herself. Her tattered clothes were stained with ichor and ectoplasm, and her eyes were red from crying, but she still managed a semblance of dignity. 

"What are you doing?! Get down!" Merida hissed urgently at her. She was going to ruin the entire thing!

"No, Cazarsa. I must speak. My horrible crime, as you put it, was being young and stupid. I was a drug addict, a New Age fool who thought getting high was the key to enlightenment. I had a teenage rebellion, went for the religion that seemed most likely to piss off my parents, and joined a community of equally foolish youth. Some of the adults in this room might remember doing the same."

"The only difference is, I did not survive. It was two days from my coming of age, when I got run over. I was in the middle of the road, higher than the top of a skyscraper, when I got hit by a man rushing his pregnant wife to hospital. I did not come back to haunt them. I do not hold a grudge against them."

"Yes, I did drugs. Yes, I did stupid things. But I paid for them in blood and the tears of my loved ones. I came back for them, to say sorry, to tell them that I had been stupid. I do not care that they did not respect my religion, or even acknowledge my presence at the funeral. But I forgive them."

"I am not a ghost of revenge, or of evil. I am a ghost of regret, one made to sit and contemplate my own foolishness for the rest of eternity, to find peace and lead others to it. That is my crime, if you so wish to prosecute me for it," The girl spoke eloquently, projecting her voice throughout the room. There was no way anyone could not have heard it, and Merida thanked Ina for her mercy. 

The room had fallen completely silent, all eyes and ears on the ghost girl. The cameras of the journalists were pointed right at them, and Merida knew she had scored a point for ghostkind. 

Finally, someone said, "That's not a crime at all!" 

"Yeah! She's a good person!"

"Let go of her!"

Echoes of the sentiment reverberated around the room. Merida turned to the girl and raised an eyebrow.

"I used to win prizes for my public speaking and impromptu speeches," she admitted sheepishly. 

"Thank Ina for that," Merida whispered, then corrected herself. "Kurall, I mean." 

Miranda surveyed the hall with a poker face. "You knew this was going to happen," she said accusingly.

"I did not. All I know is that I cannot let the exorcists to continue harming innocents, whether they are alive or dead," Merida replied.

"This time you've gone too far. You're a traitor to your own kind, and I'm going to stop you," Miranda snarled, pulling a gun out of her jacket.

Everything happened in a blur. Merida instinctively ducked as the gun fired, diving towards the floor, but she was not fast enough. Sharp, bloody pain filled her shoulder.

Merida looked up, confused and in agony. "You shot me! But… I'm your sister!" 

Miranda stared down at her with dead eyes. "Not anymore," she said dispassionately. She lowered the gun slightly, aiming it at Merida's head. 

This is the end, Merida thought. I knew someone was going to die. I just never expected it to be me. But I cannot give up. I must not. Nobody will protect the ghosts otherwise. I can't try to be peaceful anymore. Not unless I want them to keep massacring the innocent.

Someone's going to die today, and it's going to have to be my sister. The thought, horrible and wrong as it was, gave her the will to move. 

Merida was not a trained fighter, or a magician. She had never seen the point in learning magic, unless it was to help or to heal. But she did learn to enhance her speed and endurance. She was long and lanky, and being able to run from the graveyard to the school in five minutes seemed like an excellent idea. She was glad she learnt to do so, because it was the only thing that could save her.

She slammed into Miranda, tackling her legs even as her shoulder screamed in agony. The gun went off as Miranda went down, and a second source of pain shot up her leg, and she clung on to her consciousness. She had to finish it. The world seemed to become smaller, encompassing only the two sisters and their struggle. 

Miranda slapped her, sharp nails raking across her face as Merida slapped the gun out of her other hand. They fought bitterly, like all siblings did. The only difference was that it was life and death, rather than a squabble over the last slice of cake. The gun skidded out of range, leaving the two of them to fight it out with their fists and teeth.

Merida thrashed like a fish in a net, ignoring the throbbing wounds that tried to claim her attention. I have to finish this, she told herself. I must finish this. She tried to drag herself to the gun with her uninjured arm, clawing desperately. Just before she could reach it, the gun floated out of her range.

"Hello there, Merida," Hans said with his typical cheer. "Need some help?"

Merida gritted her teeth. She did not know if she was glad to see him, irritated, or too pained too care. She suspected it was the latter. "Pass me the damn gun. And hurry up about it!" 

Behind her, Miranda was stumbling to her feet, clutching a broken wrist. She looked like a reanimated corpse from a zombie movie, complete with gratituous gore. Unfortunately, most of it was Merida's. 

"Are you sure? I mean… She is your sister," he said skeptically. All the same, he tossed the gun to her.

Merida's mind flashed back to what Miranda had told her. _Not anymore, huh?_ She raised the gun, cocked it.

Miranda had just enough time for her mind to register that she was about to get shot. She raised her hands, a futile gesture. The bullet went straight past them, penetrating the spot between her eyes. 

The world seemed to slow. Blood blossomed out of the wound, the flower of Death opening for the briefest of moments. Miranda's eyes were wide with horror, caught in that moment for eternity. Her mouth was open slightly. She looked the very picture of shock.

Merida wanted to feel sorry for her, like she had for the dead ghosts, but she could not. All she could think about was how the exorcist got what she deserved. Or, as Ina had put it, karma had come to bite her in the ass. _Those ghosts had the same expression when they died too. That or relief that their torment was finally over. _

Then time resumed on its normal course, and Miranda fell backwards, dead as the ghosts she had failed to kill. Maybe she would become one. That would be truly ironic. 

Merida turned back to Hans. "I guess you only owe me two favors now," she said calmly.

"I guess so," he replied, sounding unnerved. It took a lot to disturb a spirit. They were notorious for having no empathy. If Merida had been in any proper state of mind, she would have been horrified. But she was not. So she did not care.

She stumbled to her feet, numbly ignoring the pain that racked her leg as she put her weight on it, and hobbled over to the cage. The girl was still floating in the middle of it.

She fiddled with the latch, which needed no key, and released her. Merida's vision was slowly going black from the blood loss. And the trauma of watching her own sister die (albeit indirectly) at her hands, though she would never admit it.

The last thing she remembered doing was kneeling over her not-sister dumbly.

[fanfictionstuff]

Amaimon and the Exorcist (14)

Hot Seti is back lol

Might want to review the previous chapter when reader explains love to Amaimon

“Haven’t we already had this conversation? You demanding that I love you.” You laugh, shaking your head. “I do love you.”  

Amaimon shrugs, “______?”  

“Yes?”  

“I like your odd quirks,” he says bluntly, lying on his side and observing you with an intensity that makes your heart race. His unexpected words catch you off guard.

“I don’t have odd quirks,” you reply, narrowing your eyes at him. Amaimon stares at you for a moment before continuing, “You make a funny face when Seti scolds you.”  

“No…” you protest weakly, even as a small part of you recognizes the truth in his observation. 

He runs his claw along your ear, the sensation sending shivers down your spine. “And you like playing with my ears.”  

“I…”  you stammer, your voice faltering under the weight of his gaze.

His thumb gently brushes against your cheek. “You like to stare at my face, especially when I blush.” 

Your face begins to burn, and you avert your gaze to the ceiling, attempting to conceal the rush of emotions coursing through you. Amaimon grips your head, lightly but firmly, turning you to face him once more. “I like staring at your face too. I like those quirks.”

He locks eyes with you for a moment, his hand resting gently on your cheek. "I don’t like being away from you; it frustrates me. I got angry at Big Brother because he asked me to go somewhere and said I couldn’t bring you. I told him no." 

“Oh.” You blink, unsure of how to respond, still trying to grasp his meaning. “It’s nice to know you like me.”

A slight frown furrows his brow. “Like? If it’s love for you, why isn’t it love for me?” He pulls his hand away and turns his back to you. “I don’t understand humans.”

“Love?!” You grasp at his shoulder, urging him to face you. “You think you love me?”

“I never cared about emotions before—until I met you. You make me feel things I don’t understand.” He admits. “But if what you described is love, then I do love you.”

He hesitates, struggling to articulate his thoughts. "You... do things that annoy me," he states plainly.

Your eyes widen at that, “What have I done that annoys you?” 

“You spend too much time with the fox; you continue working as an exorcist; you were more focused on Rin than me at the amusement park, and you didn’t want to kiss me there.” As he lists the reasons you annoy him, you have to bite your lip to keep from laughing. His voice is edged with tension, a mix of annoyance and something else simmering just beneath the surface. He’s not annoyed; he’s jealous. 

“Are you laughing at me?” His brow furrows, the muscles in his jaw tightening, creating an earnest expression that almost makes your heart flutter. 

“I’m sorry, it’s just that you’re really cute.” You can’t help but smile, the corners of your mouth lifting involuntarily. Amaimon, with his striking features and the unique glow in his eyes, holds your attention completely. “I’ve been spending more time with you lately than with Seti. I can’t just stop working; Rin was lying beaten on the ground, and I needed to check on him. I didn’t want to kiss you because, as I mentioned at the amusement park, exorcists can’t just go around randomly kissing demons, especially demon kings. You’re not annoyed with me; you’re jealous.” You pull him closer, feeling the warmth radiating from his body, and press your lips against his soft, inviting ones. “There’s no need to be jealous,” you whisper, losing yourself in the intoxicating mix of his scent and the soft brush of his skin against yours.

“Jealous?” 

“Yeah, like you’re worried someone is going to take me from you. Actually, it feels like you’re teetering on the edge of being a yandere,” you said, unable to hide the amusement in your voice. The warnings Mephisto gave to Seti flash through your mind, making you a little uneasy yet oddly intrigued. 

"Jealous," Amaimon finally repeated after a long pause, his expression thoughtful as if he was trying to understand a new concept. The word hung in the air, heavy with implication. "Is that what it is? I don't want others getting what's mine," he added, his gaze intense, filled with a possessiveness that sent a shiver down your spine. 

"You're possessive, too," you chuckled softly. Despite their possible undertones, his words stirred a warm feeling in your chest. They are endearing in a strange way.

"I have to be. You're mine," he replies, his tone blunt, as if this were the most obvious truth in the world. “I’ll stop anyone who tries to take you from me.” He climbs over you as he speaks, his head dipping slowly until your lips finally meet.

He deepens the kiss, tracing his tongue over your lower lip to seek entrance while simultaneously, his claws dig into your hips, making you gasp. Amaimon’s tongue glides against yours before he pulls away and begins placing kisses down your throat. He then redirects his attention to the spot he had asked to bite earlier. A sharp pain shoots down your neck. “Amaimon, that hurts," you groan as he grazes his fangs along the still-sensitive skin. He huffs in slight annoyance before dropping all of his weight on you. 

You sigh at the unexpected weight. “Are you always this clingy?” you ask while running your hands across his bare back. "Is it the same with your past relationships?”

“No.” He shifts his body lower, resting his head comfortably against your chest. You gently lift your hands, fingers gliding through his soft hair. “Then why are you so clingy to me?”

“You’re going to be my mate,” he responds as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

You give a gentle tug at his hair. “And do you always decide that your partner will become your mate within a month?”

You can feel him shaking his head. “No, you will be my first and only mate.” 

“Just curious, if you were in another vessel, would you still want me as your mate?”  

“You think I only want you as my mate because of my vessel?” 

“Honestly? Yes.”

He shrugs. “You’re probably right.”  

“Amaimon!” You attempt to push him away, but he tightens his grip around your waist. “You weirdo, let go of me.”  

“Wait, no, in my other vessels, I’d still want you as a mate; I just wouldn’t be so…” He lifts his head, the warmth of his breath brushing against your neck as he begins to nuzzle into you like he had when he was a hamster. “This vessel is… sensitive in multiple ways.” He raises his head to frown at you. “I need to make you my mate as soon as possible. You're living with another man.”

“Seti is a fox.” 

“He has a human form.” 

You let out a sigh. “Amaimon, you’re jealous of a fox.” His jealousy could become an issue. A few of your childhood friends come to mind; they’ll want to see you, but if Amaimon tags along to your parent's house, things are going to get complicated. “You better be nice to my family and friends next month.” You give a hollow warning. What can you truly do against a demon king? You can feel the power that surrounds him; you are nothing compared to him. “You need to understand you have no reason to be jealous, Amaimon.” You gently run your fingers along the tips of his ears. “I’m yours.”

-------------------------------

“Big brother.”

The door to Mephisto’s office swings open as the green-haired demon steps inside.

“Hello, Amaimon.” Mephisto grins at the younger demon. “How can I assist you?”  

“Am I supposed to buy ______ a ring with a diamond?”  

The question takes Mephisto by surprise. “Oh? Are you asking her now instead of demanding it?”  

Amaimon shrugs. “She knows we’re getting married.”  

“Did you ask her?”  

“I told her.”  

“Of course you did. Why are you asking about an engagement ring?”  

“A man told me I need to give her an engagement ring before the wedding ring.”  

“No. You’re supposed to ask and then present the engagement ring.”  

Amaimon tilts his head, confused. “So, I don’t need to buy her a ring?”

Mephisto rubs his chin, contemplating the best way to get Amaimon to shut up about the ring without spending too much money; after all, it’s Mephisto’s money that Amaimon will be using. “I’ll give you my card to buy her a ring, but keep it under 15,000 yuan, deal?” He extends a sleek black credit card for Amaimon to use. 

Amaimon grabs the card, muttering a quick thanks, before jumping out the window like a wild animal. Mephisto shakes his head in disapproval.

--------------------------------------

So, that’s what Amaimon does. However, there was one big problem with Mephisto’s plan that he hadn’t taken account of. 

The Earth King wanders into the bustling city, overwhelmed by the crowd and the array of specialty shops surrounding him. Surely, there must be a shop dedicated to selling rings, but despite his search, he hasn’t noticed any. His quest for the perfect ring leads him to a convenience store, not for a ring, but for candy. He decides to take his chances and asks the cashier if he knows of a place to buy a ring. 

“Welcome!” A young, beautiful, dark-haired woman smiles kindly at Amaimon as he enters the jewelry store. 

Amaimon gets straight to the point. “I need an engagement ring. With a diamond.” 

“Of course! Let’s start with your budget.” 

“15,000 yen.” 

The saleslady’s grin falters as she responds, “Oh, well, we might not have a diamond ring for that much, but we can find something just as—”  

He interrupts her, asking, “How much are diamond rings?”  

“Our most affordable option is around 40,000 yen, while our more expensive ones can reach into the millions.” Her smile returns, though now tinged with a hint of nervousness, as she assesses this unusual man in the store. 

Amaimon tilts his head, curiosity piqued. “Millions?” The more expensive, the better, right? “I want to see those.” 

She taps her fingers anxiously and asks, "Are you sure? Sometimes, it’s difficult to admire something and become attached, only to realize you can't afford it.” She says this as politely as possible. Why present someone with rings worth millions when they are out of their price range? Also, this man slightly scares her.

“I want to see them.” He orders. 

“Of course.” 

The most expensive rings are located at the back of the store. Amaimon pays no mind to the other jewelry around him, focusing solely on the section to which the woman is guiding him. “If you don’t mind my asking, what is your budget...?"  

“I have no budget."  

Her eyes widen in confusion. How did the budget go from 15,000 yen to no budget at all? “Are you sure?"  

“I don’t like to repeat myself.”

She gestures toward the display of rings. He frowns; there are so many. Noticing his confusion, she offers her assistance. “Well, what shape does she prefer? Round, princess, pear, marquise, oval, cushion?” She lists a few from the top of her head. When he gives her a blank stare, she offers him a booklet showcasing different types of cuts. “Which do you think she’d prefer?” He maintains his blank expression. “Well, do you want one single diamond or something like this?” She gestures toward a ring featuring smaller diamonds encircling a large one in the center and another ring adorned with diamonds on the band as well. 

“Only one.” 

She nods. “Okay, so these all have single diamonds; you don’t have any idea what shape she’d like?” As he stares at the rings, one stands out to him more than the others. “That one.” He taps on the glass. 

The woman stares down uneasily at the ring, “That one?” She questions, eyeing the price. “I told you; I don’t like to repeat myself.” When anger seeps into his tone, she quickly nods. “Okay, we’ll need to size the ring. Do you know what size she wears?”  

“…no.” 

“R-right, well, sir. You can go ahead and purchase it now, and just give me a call when you have her size. I’ll make sure to prepare everything as soon as I receive the details. Does that sound good?" She’s still slightly nervous he won’t be able to afford it. 

“It’ll be two and a half million.” She shakily takes the card the man passes to her, worried about his reaction if it’s denied. As she scans it, her eyes widen in surprise. It was approved.

Amaimon leaves the shop with a receipt and a mission to find your ring size. 

Mephisto’s problem is that he didn’t think that a jeweler could show Amaimon more expensive options. 

-------------------------------------

“Seti, I’m so bored,” you sigh as you lean back against the sofa. Seti sits on the opposite side, gently massaging your left ankle and gazing off into the distance, relaxed in a white t-shirt and brown pants “I’m not here to entertain you,” he replies, glancing at you from the corner of his eye before returning his gaze into the distance. “Why don’t you call your boyfriend? Or fiancé? Whatever he is to you,” Seti suggests with a shrug. 

It is as if the demon king could sense Seti talking about him; only a few moments later, the door to your house swings open. The demon king strides into the living room, pausing to take in the scene. Amaimon glares at the fox demon, who responds with an arched brow. "Is something wrong, King?" he taunts. As the two demons lock eyes in a tense standoff, you sit quietly, debating whether to intervene. Seti is clearly trying to piss off Amaimon, but if you call him out, he’ll only assert that he’s not doing anything—just sitting on the sofa—which is technically true. With a lazy flick, Seti's fluffy tail thumps against the cushion as he leans back, unfazed.

Amaimon’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and demanding, as he questions you. “Why is he here?” 

Seti answers for you. “Because I live here,” comes the calm reply, the air thick with tension between them. 

Amaimon steps closer, “Why is he touching you?” 

“I’m her familiar,” he replies once again before you can, unperturbed by the unspoken threats of the demon king. “But if you really want to know, the idiot hurt her ankle, and I’m just massaging the muscle. If you’d like to take my place, feel free; I’ll grab the heating pad.” Seti gently pushes your leg to the side and stands from the sofa.

Amaimon doesn’t take Seti’s place. Instead, he drops to his knees beside you and leans in for a kiss. When he pulls away, he stares boredly. “You’re living with another man.”  He repeats what he had said in the hotel the night before.

“Seti is a fox.” 

“A fox can’t touch you like that.” 

Seti approaches the back of the sofa and drops the heating pad on your sore ankle. “Actually, a fox can touch her like that because I just did it, and I am a fox.” Irritation seeps into his voice as he speaks, leaving you uncertain about which is worse: an irritated Seti who refuses to leave your side while you’re still recovering or a jealous demon king who isn’t going to leave your side because he’s jealous of the fox that won’t leave your side until he’s deemed you well enough. 

The only reason he left the night the naberius attacked was because he knew the aloe would heal you instantly. “It’s just a sore ankle, Seti; I’ll be fine.” 

“That idiot doesn’t know how to take care of you.” You don’t realize just how awful that insult is. But it’s a personal attack on Amaimon. The most important responsibility of a demon with a mate is to care for their mate. Sure, you’re not Amaimon’s mate yet, but it still applies.

Amaimon sees red. “I’ll kill you.” 

“But if you kill me, who will take care of ______?” 

You grasp onto Amaimon when you feel him begin to shift, wrapping your arms tightly around his shoulders. In your panic, you do the first thing that comes to mind: you bite him.

His reaction to your biting him is completely outside the realm of what you expected. His body relaxes unexpectedly as if the very essence of his being has been momentarily disrupted. Like he’s glitching, his eyes widen in surprise, and he falls into your arms.

Seti snorts.

[devastatedloyallute]

Waiting On A Miracle -A Guitarspear fic, sequel to BTTWS Chapter 3

Summary: Adam believes he has a plan to give Lute the thing she wants, but can he pull it off? _____________

Read on [AO3] 💕 or under the cut! _____________

In the week after, that little taste of Hell followed Lute home in the form of her period. As periods were uncommon in Heaven, with only the exorcists being ones to get them when they arrived back from Hell, menstruation products were few and far between. Lute had brought this issue up to the Seraphim ages ago and requested these items to be available for their army of women, but they were still limited in quantity.

Lute laid on her side across the couch, debilitated by cramps. She had her arms clung to her stomach and felt that if she moved even an inch her whole body would tear apart. With a sharp inhale, she attempted to crack a joke, “You know, no matter how many times I go through this, ripping my arm off still hurt about a hundred times less.”

Abel nuzzled himself into the bend of her body and wrapped his arms around her, “Can I do anything, mama?”

“You’re already doing it,” she said with a slight wince from the movement. She pulled him close, finding his warmth comforting.

Adam pulled his robe on over his head and attempted to neaten out his messy hair, “So I guess I gotta go meet with Sera over something, you want me to bring you back anything while I’m out?”

“I think I’m alright, but surprise me if you want,” Lute said, muffled by Abel’s fluffy hair in her face.

“What about you, squirt?” Abel shook his head, content just to stay with Lute as her personal heating pad. “Alrighty, I’ll be back before you know it,” he kissed Lute’s head before he left.

Adam didn’t actually have a meeting with Sera today, he just needed to go for air and get his thoughts in order. It was him who was the reason they weren’t conceiving. How could that even be possible? Wasn’t that one of the big reasons he was created? To populate? And now he can’t even do that. Adam aggressively shook the thoughts from his head, but…Isn’t there something he can do?

As he walked through the promenade, he was catching the attention of passersby. Some stared with awe, others in confusion. He was convinced it was due to him forgoing his exorcist mask, but maybe it was because people were curious as to where he had been those six months he had spent in Hell as a sinner. And the last few months he’d spent mainly at home with Lute and Abel. Some even approached him cautiously, asking if it was really him. They hadn’t been told of his passing, nor of his return. It was treated as though it never happened. As if he just vanished for a while, which Adam was pleasantly content with.

He found himself outside of the hospital, gazing up at the tall building. His mind raced with thoughts, ‘I know Lute said not to but…what she doesn’t know won't hurt, right? I could just go in there, get those fertility pills. What are they gonna do? Say no?’

“No, we cannot give those to you,” said the pharmacist sternly, for the fourth time. “Listen, I don’t care who or what you are, you are not authorized to be prescribed this medication.”

Adam, growing impatient, dug his nails into the desk, “Why the hell not?! I’m literally the first man!” His wings puffed out making himself appear larger. Before this he had asked as politely as he knew how, and yet they still refused him. “If my gorgeous fucking angel of a wife want to have my fucking baby, she’s going to have my motherfucking baby!”

“Sir, if you do not leave, I will have you escorted off the premises.”

“Do it! Fucking try me, I will fucking rip you apart!” 

Adam was then promptly kicked out of the building for causing a scene and threatening harm to its staff. He wasn’t going to actually hurt anyone, just all big talk in hopes to get his way. That used to always work. He plopped himself onto a set of nearby stairs, resting his chin on his hand, to pout and ponder his next move. 

‘That didn’t work. But it’s not like I was doing it for selfish reasons. It’s for Lute so…bad for a good cause, right? Ugh…They’ll only give em to specific people, huh? Who do I know who would go along with thi– EMILY!’ Adam sprung to his feet, ‘Yeah! She’s a seraphim, so they’d have to do like she asks!’

He broke out into an almost sprint to find her before realizing, ‘Wait- Emily can’t keep a secret to save her life. Or, well…She did go behind Lute’s back and bring Abel to the hotel without her knowing. Maybe she can.’

Adam casually sauntered into the main lobby of the Seraphim’s office building, trying to act as if he wasn’t so worked up just moments ago. Emily was chatting with someone, but other than that she was alone. When her conversation was over Adam quietly waved her over, “Em, c’mere sec.”

“Uncle Adam! Hi!” the younger seraphim squealed as she hovered over to him. “What brings you here?”

Adam put his arm over her head and pulled her in to whisper at her, “I need you to do something for me.”

“Oh! Sure, whatcha need?” Emily asked in a hushed, sneaky manner. 

“You can keep a secret, right?”

Emily nodded with determination, “It’ll be really hard, but yes!”

“Good, good. Because you cannot tell anyone. At all,” Adam emphasised, to which Emily nodded enthusiastically. “And how about coming up with a compelling lie on the spot if you have to?”

Emily paused and shifted her gaze to the side, “Umm…”

“...Emily. Kid. Come on,” he pushed anxiously.

The girl brought her shoulders to her cheeks with a sheepish grin, “I can do my best?”

Adam stared intensely at her, not breaking eye contact, “...It’ll have to work. Okay, let’s go.”

“Go where?” Emily asked, blindly following him outside.

“Well it’s a secret so I can’t just explain it to you out in the open, idiot,” Adam hushed.

Emily nodded, “Right, right.”

They had gone somewhere close by to the hospital, but far enough away to not be noticed. A place where people usually weren’t. “Alright, reminder you can’t tell anyone,” Adam gestured with a finger to her face. After scanning to double check no one was around, he pulled Emily to the side to whisper to her, “Lute wants to have a baby, but some bullshit is stopping us, so I need you to–”

“OHMYG- Oh my good golly gosh! Adam that’s-” was all Emily could excitedly sputter before Adam clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Holy fucking christ, shut up!” Adam held her as she resisted against him, “Fucking hell, what part of secret did you manage to forget that fast?!”

Emily pulled his fingers apart and away from her mouth, trying to catch her breath, “AH! I’m sorry! But that’s so exciting!!” Emily freed herself from his grasp and neatened herself. After a few short calming breaths she asked, “What did you need from me?”

Adam rubbed at his temple. Maybe asking Emily for help wasn’t the best idea, but she’s his last hope. “I need you to get me those “only for the heavenborn” fertility booster pill things,” he said with what seemed to be a hint of desperation.

“But if they’re only for heavenborn, why do you want them? If they’re for Lute, couldn’t she just come get them? She’s a heavenborn,” she tilted her head with confusion.

“Look, it's a long story that I’m not gonna get into. Either help me or forget this whole thing ever happened,”

Emily watched him as his expression changed from that of irritation morph into desperation. “Okay, I’ll help you. But can you tell me what your plan is? I need a little more explanation here.”

“Ughh, I hate having to explain shit. Long story short, turns out that human souls can’t have kids in the afterlife. Which, clearly the problem here is me. I’m hoping that if I take these magical pill things, it might allow me to…do the thing I gotta do, ya know?” Adam tried to explain without being overly in detail.

Emily brought her hand to her lips in thought, “Okay, I get where your head’s at but…Who’s to say this medication meant for heavenborn angels will have the effect you’re hoping for?”

“Worst case nothing happens, right?” Adam shrugged. “Besides, it’s not like I’ll be telling her. If nothing happens, nothing happens, life carries on as normal. She’s already upset about not getting preggo, so what would be the point in telling her something that might not be true?”

Emily grimaced grossly at him and sucked a breath through her teeth, “Oooh…Gee I dunno about that one. I think you might want to tell her?”

Adam fanned his hand dismissively, “Pssh, nah. It’ll be fiiine.” Seeing how Emily’s face hadn’t changed he set his hand on her shoulder, “I know it sounds bad but…You don’t know just how badly she wants this baby. So I don’t want to get her hopes up just to have them fall again, ya know?”

“Right, yeah…” Emily looked pensively down to her feet. She hated seeing her friend upset, like that time when right after Adam hadn’t returned from the extermination. That emotionless look in her eye…Was that what Lute was feeling now? She didn’t want her to be feeling that again. “Okay! Let’s do this!”

“Sweet! Alright so you go do that and we’ll meet back at the fountain, yeah? I’m gonna go pick some stuff up for Lute. She’s at home dying on the couch from her period so I’mma bring her some snacks and shit,” Adam said as he began to head off in the opposite direction.

“Wait huh? You’re not coming with me?” Emily asked frantically. “Also what? She’s dying? What the heck is a period??”

Adam stopped and looked over his shoulder, “You kidding me? They just kicked my ass outta there. Hell no I’m not going with you, they’ll know something’s up!” Turning to face her, “Oh right yeah, Earth women get them all the time. They sorta bleed from their crotch region for a few days, but my girls only get them when they come back from down below, though.”

“THAT’S WHAT THAT WAS?!?” Emily shrieked in horror. 

Adam recoiled from her screech, covering his ears. ‘Oh right, that was the first time she’d ever been down to Hell. Guess Lute never gave her the heads up.’

Emily entered the hospital’s main lobby and found her way over to the pharmacy desk. She had to remain calm, not let anyone know she was up to anything. She was just coming in on an errand. “Hello? Could I get some help please?”

“Good afternoon, Miss Seraphim, what brings you in here?” The angel at the desk asked.

“Hi there!” Emily chimed, “This is a little awkward for me but, could I get an order of the fertility medication?”

The angel at the desk narrowed their eyes at her skeptically. They did just have some lunatic human soul screaming at them only an hour ago, asking for the same thing. “For you? Pardon my straightforwardness, but you are trying to have a child? You’re but a child yourself.”

Emily’s eyes widened in shock, she pushed her hands out in front of her shaking them, “No, no! Silly me, they aren’t for me, they’re-” she flustered, her dark face hued golden from embarrassment. But she could still pull this off, quick on her feet she continued “-they’re for my sister. She’s actually super embarrassed to have to ask so she sent me to discreetly get them for her. You know how she is, she likes her privacy private! Hee-hee… but oops! Look at me, spilling it broadly…I guess I sort of ruined her little surprise!” Emily rubbed the back of her head nervously, “If we could get those for her and then please pretend you never saw me, that would be fantastic.”

The angel looked Emily up and down. She was clearly nervous, but this wasn’t something new. Being asked to get something sensitive, and then being accused of being the person taking it, would make anyone a bit uncomfortable. Explained the hesitancy also. The angel gave her a slight side eye as they filled out the prescription, “It will be ready for you shortly, second window.”

“Thank you so much,” Emily sang cheerfully. She had done it! She trotted over to a seat, pleased with herself. After a short while, her name was called and she approached the window, this time with a new angel at the window.

“Did you have any questions about the medication?” The nice angel asked.

“Um, yeah actually I do have one little question. It’s kind of random though,” Emily said quietly.

“I’m all ears, sweetie!”

“So um, just purely out of curiosity because I like to learn things, what would happen if a human soul were to take this medication?”

“Oh, it does the same as it normally would for angels. We just really try to deter winners from getting their hands on them. Deceased souls shouldn’t be able to create new souls, they had that chance on Earth. There’s only so much space after all. It’s extremely discouraged so we will usually straight up refuse them. But apparently there was a crazy winner in here earlier screaming his bloody head off and demanding them until security had to kick him out,” the angel shook their head, “Makes you wonder how some people made it into Heaven.”

Emily bit her cheek to stop herself from saying the first thing that came to mind, ‘Yup, that was my uncle. While true, he definitely did come off that way, it was all for Lute so that doesn’t make him bad, right?’ She shook the thought away.

“Anyway sweetie, were there any other questions you’re curious about?” The angel said, drawing Emily’s attention back.

“Nope! I think that’s the only one I was curious about! Thank you again!” Emily said with her typical cheery tone, enhanced by her success at duping the staff. She stuffed the medication package into her dress pocket before leaving to find Adam outside.

Emily ran up to Adam who was swirling his finger around in the fountain out of boredom. With a gigantic smile across her face, her hands behind her back, she rocked back and forth on her heels, “Guess what~”

Adam quickly drew his attention away from the water, feeling his heart begin to pound in his chest. Had she done it? Was this his chance?

Emily pulled the small package from behind her and giddily shook it at him, “And! And! Even better~” Adam’s ears perked at her lifted tone. “It will work!! You two will be able to-” She covered her mouth as she looked around at the sparsely scattered people around them. “-you will be able to have your baby!!” Emily whispered to him, trying so hard to contain her excitement. “Oooh it’s going to be so hard to keep this to myself!!”

“Heh, well you better! We don’t need anyone learning about this. At least until it’s too late and there’s nothing they can do about it,” Adam grinned ear to ear. He pat Emily’s head before pulling her into a hug, “You did good, kid. How’d you pull that off anyway?”

Emily sheepishly smiled and itched her nose, “Well, I may have told a little lie…And said they were for my sister.”

Adam blinked at her, completely dumbfounded. “Holy shit. I didn’t think you had that in you, great fucking job!” Adam slapped her on the back in congratulations, “What do you want as payment?”

Emily shook her head, “Nope, you just make sure I get to meet a new family member!” Her smile faded for a moment, “So, you’re still not going to tell her?”

“Nah. Mainly because I’ll get an ear full if she learns I did the thing she said not to do,” He said with a chuckle.

Adam arrived back home to find Lute looking better than when he left. She wasn’t crouched over herself and was instead sitting up right as she read a book. “Hey babe, I brought you some snacks, and-” Adam reached into the bag containing the snacks he had got and pulled out a large lobster plush, “This menstruation crustacean! It’s a heating pad disguised as a stuffed animal! Ain’t that fucking neat?” 

Lute looked at the plush he had thrust into her view, “That is quite humorous.” Adam dropped it onto her stomach, “Woah, that’s heavier than I expected.” She set her book down and picked the toy up, “It is cute. Thank you, honey.”

“Course! But yeah, have at those snacks,” Adam said proudly before heading to their bedroom, the package from the pharmacy tucked beneath his wing out of sight.

Sitting on the end of their bed, Adam opened the package and looked at the case of pills, ‘Oookay…How the hell do these work? Isn’t there like an instruction manual or something?’ He tipped the box upside down and a folded up piece of paper fell out. He noisily unfolded the paper that was folded over about a million times, and paragraphs upon paragraphs of words met his eyes, ‘Woo…That’s a lot of words. Too bad I’m not gonna read 'em. This should be pretty straight forward, just take one of these a day, right?’ _________________________________________

Yes, this magical medication is essentially reverse birth control pills 🤣 No artwork with this one sadly, I didn't have a big standout moment that really called to me to make a piece for 💔 but I love this chapter regardless, a break from the heartache 💕

[decent0distraction]

*nudges a rock with my foot, turning it over, just to watch it roll over, ready to be moved again* so uh, I’ve been thinking

You know how Adam from Hazbin Hotel made the exorcists? That means he made Vaggie and Lute.

That got me thinking about two scenarios.

One involves the ship between Lute and Adam and one doesn’t.

To start, the non ship. Because if I present the Lute/Adam one first, this is will just be weird.

Lute/Adam…Ladam? Alute? Alutam? Heavy Metal? Too much? I’ll stop. (Update: I just found out people are calling the ship guitarspear?? I don’t know I feel about that)

So! Adam made the exorcists, huh? So Adam is a dad? He’s got a dad bod, right? We can at least agree that Adam is plus size, right? He’s got that wibbly wobbly physique? (Reminder to tag Centaurworld for reference credit)

So with that scenario in mind, don’t think about Vaggie betraying her father. Don’t think Lute, who has done everything their father has asked just to watch her sister run away with some demon. Don’t think about Vaggie being threatened by the people she once called family; the father who mistreated her; the sister who hurt her. Don’t think about Vaggie begging the man she once called father (shoutout to The Prince of Egypt) to not expose her, to let her just live her life.

I’d imagine that Vaggie is the sibling the other exorcists refuse to talk about. It’ll just make Dad upset or their big sister Lute angry. (Lute is def the oldest and Vaggie the awkward middle child)

When asked about her past or her family, Vaggie shrugs it off, explains that she doesn’t know anything about them, and that’s where the conversation ends. She doesn’t think about them. She can’t. She can’t wonder if maybe, just maybe, Adam is worried about her, or if Lute misses her, or even if one of the others maybe have their doubts like Vaggie did. Maybe they’re in the same room as Vaggie or just down the street, not even knowing that their sister is in Hell too.

Ok, now onto the other scenario. The one in which the exorcists aren’t born or forged, but molded. Shaped into fully grown warriors Adam hands a spear and a command to. Similar to how gems view the diamonds in Steven Universe, the exorcists are loyal to Adam. But Vaggie had her doubts prior to her “betrayal”. When she joined up with Charlie, she joined up with a cause that didn’t make her uneasy; that didn’t make her excuse herself from the after party so she could throw up.

And in a way similar to how someone might experience that gloomy nostalgic when packing up their childhood room in a toxic house, Vaggie is naive, for a single, selfish second, that her creator would not only be happy for her, but actually allow it.

Adam finds that hysterical. He doubles over, his stomach hurting as he chokes on laughter that just keeps bubbling up and pouring out of his throat.

And his creation imagines that laughter as blood. For the first time, she sees a purpose for her weapon.

Lute, however, is loyal. She would never betray the man they owe everything to. The man who gave them status; purpose; companions.

But there are those who know what’s good for them and those who aren’t strong enough.

Lute considers it a kindness, in a way - a mercy to literally rip Vaggie from her station. She wants to fall down to Hell and play house with a demon? Fine.

There is no method in this madness. Not here. There’s only order. That’s what they were created for. Or whatever was their creator asks. It’s the least they can do.

In the ground, bleeding and in pain, Vaggie has learned a hard but necessary lesson. There was no goodness, no justification, no reason. Adam was and is a monster that Vaggie can help destroy.