#tav pats his back like i know...teenagers

[bhaalsdeepbat]

Astarion actively dislikes (most) kids, but can you imagine him having to interact with a thirteen year old on any kind of a regular basis. The bitch off they would have. Every day would be so dramatic. Like Tav just has a popcorn maker bc every damn day they wake up like "OK what's gonna happen on 'Days of our Lives' today?" Sits down. Enjoys the show. Sometimes writes down a REALLY good zinger for later. It would be performance art, actually.

[lucrezianoin]

okay... i am... trying something :'D if you stumble upon this and would like to read a tav/astarion snippet from wyll's pov I was wondering... does Tav seem too harsh? a bit harsh? this is an experiment with something

Shadowheart heals their wounds as they walk and limp their way out of the spiders' lair. Wyll is exhausted, nursing what he is sure is a dislocated wrist. He does not want to inconvenience Shadowheart more than she can offer.

"Was it really necessary?" she complains, eyeing the dark amethyst that Tav is still holding in his hand. Gale, even limping and grunting with fatigue, allows himself to a long winded explanation on how the persuit of knowledge is always worth some pain; how the gem could maybe unlock the book they found at the necromancer's basement, a book that surely held more than a few secrets. Wyll is pretty sure 'dangerous lair of spiders' and 'necromancer's book full of secrets' are definitely not words he would have happily encouraged in the past. But apparently travelling with such a mismatched group has given more than ample opportunities to pick his battles.

"I'm going to give the book to Astarion," Tav says, putting the amethyst away in his satchel

To his credit, Gale falter just for a second, quickly recovering from his surprise. "You are going to give the mysterious powerful probably dangerous book on necromancy to Astarion. He doesn't even practice magic!"

"Let's just destroy the book, and everyone will be happy," Shadowheart deadpans, and Wyll nods to himself. That is really the ideal solution, isn't it? But he saw how impossible of a reality it was going to be the moment Astarion and Gale started bickering about the tome.

Tav chuckles, patting Gale's shoulder amicably. "Unfortunately he is much more convincing than you."

That makes Gale sputter and flaunder, because they all know what Tav means. The elven druid and the vampire have made no secret of their relationship. Wyll has not tried to pry, but it has been impossible to miss the longing gazes, the sneaking out, the way Tav's decisions so often swayed in the favor of Astarion. Just like now.

Once they are back at camp, Gale hides to sulk in his tent. Wyll has learnt to pick and choose his battles - or he is trying to learn - so he simply sits at the fire, gladly accepting the tea Karlach has prepared for them. She is currently enjoying trying all the herbs the Grove has to offer, tastes and smells she has not had for too many years. Wyll sips at his hot cup, recognizing a trace of lemon balm and mint.

"Darling, you look like death," Astarion's voice pipes up. He is reading in front of his tent, legs crossed onto a carpet that definitely was not there that morning. He jumps onto his feet when he sees the other elf get a book and a violet gem out of his pack. "You didn't! May I?" The vampire takes a step closer, but Wyll cannot hear what Tav replies. It must be a yes, because a grin spreads through Astarion's face.

Wyll immediately averts his eyes when Astarion, instead of grabbing the book, closes his fingers around the leather strap keeping Tav's druiduing symbol anchored to his chest to pull him onto the tent behind them.

Karlach sighs. "Man, I also want to get laid, this is so unfair."

Wyll shakes his head, but he is smiling. He still cannot believe this is Karlach. This young tiefling woman who is far too kind for someone who has been forced to fight in the Hells, someone who more often than not is ready to align herself with Wyll's need to help others. All things considered, letting Tav spoil his new lover is a little price to pay after he has convinced Wyll to see the right path. He does not even want to imagine what could have happened to him and Karlach if Tav has not been there.

Tav sometimes has unconventional methods, but he has not failed them yet. And Wyll might not know much of love, but he understands crushes and the need to impress. He has stolen more than a few flowers in his teenager years.

They were back at the Grove and selling some of the items Tav and Karlach had found along the way, when Tav announced: "We should tell Astarion."

Wyll pauses, boots covered in mud and the blood of the escaped hag still caked under his fingers. At least they had managed to save the girl. "Why? That Gandrel is not going to be able to make any deals with the hag, and we often move camps. He is not going to find us again."

"He has a right to know," Tav insists, pocketing the few coins they had earned with their barter.

"You're gonna ask him about the kids? The monster hunter said he stole some kids," Karlach demands, the words falling out of her as if they had been simmering at the surface.

Wyll had no doubt the man they had met in the swamp had been honest. While he was less likely to trust his own intuition these days, Wyll could recognize a fellow monster hunter easily enough. And no monster hunter needed a story, or needed to invent a bunch of kids being kidnapped in the night - the monster being a monster was usually enough of a convincing tale.

"And when you tell him this man is after him? Mark my words, Astarion will want him dead. We are not going to kill an innocent man."

"He said he wants to bring him back to Baldur's Gate. Have you thought that maybe his master sent him?"

[styxchip]

Wraith’s daughter from a different dimension

@edgelord666-s76 was the one who requested these! I had fun making them and I am excited to see what y’all think about them! Also, please be gentle. I don’t write a whole lot about Wraith and her voices. Sorry if that aspect is a bit iffy. Same with Lifeline and medical terms. I know I didn’t have her mentioned a whole lot but still. Sorry to keep ya waiting!

-Renee Blasey has seen the other dimensions where she has had her own offspring.

-She never really thought she would have any of her own because she was with the lovely static defender, Natalie Paquette.

-They did actually consider adopting but the two women were busy with the Apex Games.

-One night, Natalie was up and tinkering with her technology with the help of Elliott.

-Renee was sitting on the bed she shared with the defender. Octavio was swinging his metal feet on the edge of the bed, since we all know this man is smol.

-“Ugh...Mi amor! I am bored! Can we just go already?” The small Legend whined.

-“We will go back and cuddle soon--Hey!” Elliott laughed as the small man decided to curl up on his lap.

-Renee chuckled and laid down on the bed then closed her eyes.

-Something’s coming...Elliott needs to move... A voice spoke in the skirmisher’s head.

-She jolted up and looked at the men cuddling, “Elliott! Tav! Move!”

-The skirmisher pushed them away in the rolling chair as a fairly recognizable portal appeared and a teenage girl came stumbling out.

-Renee, Elliott, and Octavio froze while Natalie dropped her tools to help the young girl.

-“Oh my goodness! Octavio, please go get Ajay! This girl has hit her head quite hard.” The defender spoke.

-Octavio nodded and hopped off of his boyfriend’s lap to retrieve the medic.

-The young girl had curly black hair and was average height. Some of the equipment she was wearing seemed...Very familiar.

-She also had caramel colored skin, a bit similar to...Elliott’s.

-“Oh God...” Renee whispered. This was a child of her’s from a different dimension, no doubt. The child was also Elliott’s.

-The teenager opened her eyes. They looked exactly like the skirmisher’s.

-“M-Mom? Dad? Why do you look so much...Younger?” She looked over at Elliott and he looked back at the girl, utterly confused.

-“Um...What? Sorry, girl, but you got the wrong guy. I’m with a man and we haven’t--”

-“Elliott!” Renee went up to him and began to whisper, “This girl is from a completely different dimension. Where we had kids.”

-He looked at her then to the girl. Renee looked at the girl as well. The small girl was a blushy mess while being in Natalie’s arms.

-The skirmisher chuckled, “Natalie sure is pretty, hm?” 

-The girl looked at her nervously, “Y-Yeah...”

-Renee walked up to the teenager and helped her up.

-Ajay ran in with Octavio next to her. “Whoa, who is this?” The medic asked.

-The girl blushed even harder at the sight of the medic. Renee leaned over to Ajay and whispered, “A child of mine from a different dimension...She has the same powers as my own...”

-Ajay smiled, “Well, now.” She knelt down to brush some of the hair away from the younger girl’s face.

-“Ya gonna have to take it easy, suga. Ya hit ya head pretty hard.” Her and Natalie set the girl on the bed.

-“Elliott, make yourself useful and go get an ice pack.” The skirmisher barked.

-The trickster nodded and went off to get the pack of ice.

-“Wh-What is going on? I was at home th-then suddenly...” The girl stuttered and teared up a little.

-“Sh, sh, sh...It’s okay...” Natalie whispered.

-“You phased, hun. You are in a completely different dimension.” Renee smiled, “You got it from me.”

-“I-Is that why you and Miss Paquette look so young?” She questioned.

-Renee nodded in response.

-Elliott gave Ajay the ice pack and the medic put it on the young one’s forehead.

-“What’s ya name, suga?” Ajay asked her. The girl’s cheeks went even more red.

-“V-Violet. Violet Witt...”

-“What an adorable name.” Renee smiled.

-“I-It’s kinda dumb if you think about it...Dad calls me Vi. So he can say “Vi Witt”. It is really dumb actually and a bit funny, I guess...” Violet shrugged.

-The defender put her hand over her mouth and giggled a little.

-“That really does sound like something I would do.” Elliott smirked and looked over at his partner, “Hey, Tav? Whaddya think about--”

-“Mi amor! We are not getting a child for that reason!” The junkie laughed.

-The rest of the Legends that were there laughed as well.

-“Take it easy now, Violet. You’re head seems fine now but still.” Ajay grinned.

-Anita walked to the area that the group was in, “Jay, when are you comin’ back? The bed’s gettin’ cold.”

-“I was actually just leavin’.” The medic smiled at the soldier.

-Violet looked at the soldier and her cheeks went even more red then closed her eyes.

-Renee patted the girl’s head while the medic left with the soldier.

-After a few days, the skirmisher and the child went out of the dropship.

-“Brr...It is cold here. How do you guys handle fighting in these conditions?”

-“Most of the Legends have layers when they fight. Octavio on the other hand...He doesn’t learn.” Renee chuckles as she lends her scarf to Violet.

-“Thank you. Miss Paqette didn’t want to join us?”

-“I figured since you almost fainted at the sight of Anita, Ajay, and Natalie, it would be best to do this by ourselves.” The skirmisher smiled.

-Violet laughed awkwardly, “Y-Yeah, it’s kinda rough being bisexual.”

-“I get how that is. There can be a lot of attractive people out there.”

-“So, you are going to help me get back to my dimension?”

-The skirmisher nodded.

-The two of them began to train. The young one began to get more of a handle of the phasing.

-A couple more days passed, it was time for the girl to return home.

-She said her farewells to all the Legends, she was still a bit skiddish with the female Legends, but she still bid them farewell.

-“Thank you for everything, um...Renee?” Violet said.

-The skirmisher smiled, “Yes. You are very welcome, hun.”

-The younger one smiled and hugged Renee.

-Renee was surprised. Yet, she hugged back Violet, slowly.

-Violet let go and waved to everyone. She went on her way to her dimension.

-Seems as if she had lots and lots of explaining to do.

[bubblemagician]

BELATED THING FOR PEPPER

@sweetredbeans

“Alright, everyone fine with the plan? Any questions?” Roy looked to the faces of the other Sinlings at his desk for any hesitation or doubt.

“Yeah” Luci raised his hand “Where’s Miss Zel?”

“Mom’s gonna stay at the station, they’re busy patrolling and stuff anyway” Miles answered. Roy nodded at his words and Luci sat back.

“Alright, one last time just in case-” the teens all groaned audibly but Roy ignored them “The Masquerade starts at 6ish, we all eat, drink, and make our presence WELL KNOWN… then at eight thirty on the DOT we switch out our masks with our designated decoys. Everyone, name your decoy.”

“Harley Jo” Marie answered first.

“Mr. Freak” Miles said, rolling his eyes.

“Papito!” Luci smiled, showing his razor sharp fangs.

Roy pursed his lips “Um, Luciel, I thought you were gonna switch with Uncle Trav?”

“I WAS going to, but Papito wanted to help out this year” and then the tiniest glimmer of red shone in the teens teal-lavender eyes “Is that a problem?”

Roy contemplated arguing his perfectly thought out plan but decided against it “Fine. Adriel, who’s your - Addy?”

Adriel was scratching the back of his hands like it was on fire, but immediately stopped at Roy’s question. “Huh? oh Dad. Dad is gonna switch with me.”

“Right… are you feeling OK, Addy?”

“He’s been doing that ALL day” Marie piped up, crossing over to the half demon and taking his hands and bringing them to her face, examining them closely

“I’m fine” Addy blushed in embarrassment “I’m ok really - I don’t think it’s anything serious.

"You sure, Addy?” Roy asked in concern, taking his other hand. The half demon squirmed at the two Pridelings’ forwardness.

“Yeah, I’m ok!” he insisted.

“… alright.” Roy let go of him and shooed Marie back.

“OK so I switch with Mr Face who already told me he can put makeup to look like me. Eight Thirty we give our masks and costumes to our decoys, then nine o’ clock EXACTLY Luci, Miles, and I will go to the Graveyard and portal to the meeting place. Addy and Marie, you two will teleport from the kitchen. Our decoys will go mingle with everyone in our place while we hunt… we come back at 11:30… put our costumes back on and take off our masks at 12. It’ll be flawless. We have the perfect alibi in case we get suspected. Which we won’t.” Roy murmured “We just gotta stick to the plan.”

Marie put a reassuring hand on Roy’s shoulder and squeezed it “Your plan is perfect, everything will work out. You’ve never failed us before, and you never will, Roy-bro”

Roy inhaled the compliments and took his sister in a one armed hug “I love you, Marie”

Miles made an immature retching sound but was punched quiet by Luci.

“Ok, we all know our positions, does anyone need another recap-”

“NO!” The teens all answered. Roy gave everyone a sheepish smile.

“Ok then… Adriel, are you sure Tavros said he didn’t want to come with us?”

Adriel had been itching his hands again but looked up “Wha- oh yeah no. He specifically told me he doesn’t need to… hunt”

Marie bit her lip “But he IS gonna come by for the party at least, right?”

Addy smiled kindly at Marie “I’m sure he wouldn’t wanna miss seeing you.”

“Wouldn’t wanna miss seeing the END OF MY KNUCKLES you mean!” Miles said in indignation “I swear to God if he tries anything funny this year-”

“Shut UP, Miles!” Marie screeched, face burning tomato red “That wasn’t- I was the one who- just shut up, God!”

“Marie, Miles, cool it” Roy spoke in a firm tone, though his own fist was clenched under the table. The blond head of the household cleared his throat. “We have a long Halloween night ahead of us. Go and get ready everyone, and stick to the plan. And remember”

He stood up and pecked each person’s cheek “I love all of you”

“Gay” Miles scrunched up his face, rubbing his cheek vigorously.

“YOU’RE gay” Luci stuck his tongue out at the Miles, then licked his other cheek. Miles made a sickened face before lunging at the Wrathling. Luci gave Miles a wicked grin before tearing out the room in a purple flash, leaving Miles to crash to the floor.

“Don’t be so immature, Miles” Marie rolled her eyes, helping up her younger brother. Miles begrudgingly took her hand, muttering about getting Luci back later.

“Oh shush, let’s get you in costume, your highness.” Marie lead him out as he sulked. Adriel was STILL itching.

“You sure you’re ok, Addy?” Roy repeated, eyeing the symbols on the half demon’s hand. “Has this happened before?”

“Uh no. But don’t worry about it Roy, I’m ok!” He waved at the older boy and teleported back to his father’s factory.

~

The Sinlings had all dressed up in costumes and gave each other knowing looks as they danced and chattered and ate the first few hours of the masquerade party. The theme was ‘The Eighties’ and 'Thriller Michael Jackson’ Adriel kept an eye out for the others as he ate his fourth plate of choco-bomb brownies and loaded nachos.

“Enjoying yourself?” a red-haired girl asked, stealing a handful of chips off his plate. He obviously recognized the pleasant scent of Marie despite the wig and 'Pretty in Pink’ costume and mask she wore.

“I am, the brownies are really good” Addy scratched his hand and managed to steal one chip back. “Is Tav here?”

“Um, I think that’s him” she pointed out a snoozing Luke Skywalker- with the giveaway silver hair. “We should probably let him sleep-”

BOOM

They were interrupted by a masked Marty Mcfly creating a flashy tear portal right in the middle of the hallway to the gasps and cheers of the numerous teenagers.

“Luci! ugh Roy SAID to keep low too!” Marie huffed and ran to grab the boy’s ear and drag him off. Addy chuckled at the Wrathling getting told off by the family Princess. He looked at his watch.

Nearly time. He levitated SLIGHTLY off the ground to flawlessly moonwalk backwards into the hallway back to the kitchen area.

“Excellent dancing, Adriel” Red grinned, catching his son’s moves as he entered the kitchen.

Addy gave a flustered wave of hand “It’s not that difficult for me to do”

Red nudged his son and started to help him take off the shiny vinyl costume.

In a few minutes Red was wearing thr Michael Jackson outfit, and had even put temporary pink chalk streaks in his hair to match his son.

“Do you have my gloves, Dad?” Gloves were a MUST for Sinlings. Unlike their fathers, they had fingerprints and very traceable DNA. Red handed over a Ruby red pair to his son and Adriel pulled them on before taking off his mask to give to his father. He quickly got into a simple black shirt and jeans- nothing too noticeable and built to blend in.

“Thanks Dad! Just gotta wait for Marie-”

Marie appeared just as he spoke, wearing similarly muted colors next to Harley Jo now in the wig and pastel dress.

“Hey Harl!”

“Hi Addy, Mr. Red” she nodded to both of them, adjusting the red haired curls over her head. “You guys ready to go?”

“Yes.” Marie took Addy’s side, putting on a pair of pink gloves. “ Harley looked silently at the two Gluttony offspring.

"Just be careful, ok?”

They nodded to her. Red gallantly held his arm out to Harley to take, patting her head. She gave him a small smile and they left back to the party.

Marie and Adriel kept their eyes glued to the clock on the wall. 8:59 and Adriel turned to Marie.

“Ready?” he held out a hand to her. A pink gloved hand took his and gave a firm squeeze. Addy nodded and in a silent second they were standing at a dark back alley.

“Wow, that was quiet” Marie whispered, letting go of him “Luci’s is kinda loud”

Addy shrugged “I guess it’s a demon thing?” he couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit upset that his powers weren’t nearly as flashy as the Portal child’s.

“I like it” Marie patted his arm “It’s good for stealthy-sneaky stuff”

Adriel smiled, rubbing the back of his palm again. Marie raised a brow.

“Are you having an allergic reaction or something?”

“I don’t think so… don’t worry about it, it’s just an itch, we need to get to the meeting point.”

Marie held out a hand to stop Adriel from moving.

“Addy, if something is wrong, we can call off the hunt. It’s ok, we’ll figure out another hunt-”

“No!” Addy’s voice was an insistent whisper “Roy spent forever planning this! I don’t want to be the one to ruin it!”

“Adriel.” Marie turned around to face him straight on, her eyes a gentle but serious midnight blue and she took his face firmly in her pink gloves “You aren’t 'ruining’ anything. You’re our family and we all look out for each other. You’re just as important as any of us Sins and if you are having a problem or need help then you HAVE to tell us. That’s what family is for, right?”

Addy hesitated, wishing he could look somewhere else. If the Princess wanted something, she usually got it, there was no refusing her. He tried not to squirm, but he knew Marie had no intention of letting him go.

“Alright… alright if it hurts anymore we’ll go straight to Roy.”

“You promise?”

Oh perfect, she KNEW he couldn’t get out of a promise. With a resigned sigh he was about to cave in to her royal Pink-ness’s demands.

“1.21 GIGAWATTS!”

Luci’s high voice seemed to be even louder in the evening. Marie quickly let go as they saw the flash of the portal.

“Let’s go!” Marie released the half demon and rushed towards the source of the light.

Adriel was grateful for the interruption. He didn’t need blood that often, but Miles and Luciel, despite being the youngest of the half-Sins, needed blood frequently. A single missed hunt and everyone else could manage but the terrible twosome would grow weak and sick almost instantly. And Miles didn’t have the luxury of teleporting or traveling through the void. The Andrews were exactly half human- with no powers, AND traceable DNA.

Luci was probably too young to understand and the Pridelings would NEVER admit it, but Addy knew just how vulnerable the three were. But like Marie said, they were family. He would do everything and anything to help Roy and Marie and Miles, and any of the other Sins.

Including ignoring this dumb itch.

He ended up just taking off his gloves- the velvet was just irritating his skin.

“Oh, wow, Addy look!”

Marie had stopped her stride to point up at the night sky. Addy blinked and looked up.

The moon was a deep red crescent. Crimson clouds were hiding the stars, only the dull glow of the scarlet moon illuminated the sky.

“A blood moon on Halloween, it’s like a cliché horror movie- Addy?”

Adriel had gone absolutely still, looking up at the moon. He couldn’t move his gaze from the luminous red sphere.

It beckoned.

“Addy” Marie’s voice was tensed as she noticed his entranced state. “Addy what’s going on… we need to meet Roy…”

And to her shock she noticed the seals on his hands melt off completely. Addy’s nails began to elongate, the red gloves falling to the ground.

“Addy! Is this a demon thing!? Snap out of it!” Marie scooped up the gloves “Addy, listen to me!”

But Adriel stared up blankly at the crimson crescent. His head was pounding painfully but he couldn’t look away. His blue green eyes started to cloud over into bright pink glowing orbs and his features tensed up as the pain seemed to pressurize on his temples, his shoulder blades, his lower back. It was agonizing but the moon- the blood red Hallow’s Eve moon- it beckoned, it SUMMONED.

And in a second he was gone.

“ADRIEL” Marie screamed. But only a ripped black shirt remained.

~

“We should redo the incantation, maybe the timing wasn’t right-”

A group of robed adults wearing animal skull-like masks stood around a circle in a clearing in the middle of the woods. The circle itself was made of suspicious red ink with unsettling Latin symbols in the center.

Looks like SOME people were taking Halloween a little too seriously.

But as the 'leader’ spoke he was interrupted by gasps from the cult.

Standing dead center in the circle was a creature. It seemed to have a human face and body, save for the fact that it had two large leathery black wings protruding from its back. A pointed black tail was visible from its back and sharp horns stuck out on either side of its head. Talon like claws dug into the ground as it gnashed its dagger like teeth, reminiscent of a shark. But the most frightening of all.

It’s gaze. Large blank jewel-like eyes blazing in a hot pink glare devoid of anything but the urge to CONSUME.

“Demon s-summoned on the Eve of Samhain - I speak thy n-name and to us you w-will grant favor…” the man gulped “…Beelzebub”

“Sssorry” the young demon replied with a wicked smirk “Wrong number” And he jumped on the man and biting straight into his neck.

The remaining cultists screamed, but Adriel Altaha was too fast. Slitting one’s throat, clawing out the heart of another, suffocating a third with his newly sprouted tail… The taste of the entrée was only as good as its preparation and Adriel was eager to partake in this feast of Sin. Sure, the blood was mostly Greed and Envy, but food was food to the Glutt child and he’d take all of it and more, regardless of how it tasted-

What was that SMELL??

Adriel dropped the limp body of the human in his arms and sniffed the most mouthwatering aroma wafting towards him. All things sweet and savory and DELICIOUS were assaulting his senses, beckoning him to follow…

“ADDY!” Marie had rushed into the clearing in a panic “Addy, I was looking everywhere-”

And her large blue eyes widened at the beast in front of her.

“Addy…” she tried to keep her voice even as the demon appraised her with pure HUNGER “Addy it’s ok… we’ll go back to your Dad… we’ll fix this, ok? You’re fine, everything will be fine…”

Adriel prowled towards her, tail swishing, talons poised, unreadable pink jewel eyes trained only on the sweet, sweet body containing the most gluttonous heart of Sin after himself.

He lunged at her with every intention of satisfying the unquenchable famine within.

Marie shrieked and punched the demon in the neck. Addy hissed but he was unphased, trying desperately to sink his fangs into her flesh.

“Addy, get OFF I don’t want to hurt you!” Marie struggled attempting to hold his neck to keep his razorlike fangs away.

Adriel only hissed, newly acquired wings knocking her down. He pounced on her, claws digging into her shoulders. Marie cried out in pain as deep cuts appeared on her forearms and the scent of Gluttony filled the air.

Adriel felt intoxicated with the aroma. Still holding down his prey, he couldnt help but lick up his claws-

Pure ambrosia burst in his mouth. Drink of the heavens, strawberry smoothies, cherry syrup, cake batter ice cream- nothing, NOTHING tasted as amazing as the Sin dripping down Marie’s arms. He buried his face into her shoulder and sucked the crimson Manna out of her flesh.

Marie gritted her teeth, bracing for the pain and keeping absolutely still. She wasn’t a fighter. Zel had taught all of her children basic self defense techniques, but the half demon/Sin was a lot more powerful than anything Zel could have prepared her for.

She HAD to find a break in the assault to get away. Luckily, he was distracted by her dripping wounds, and the Princess in training swiftly kneed up his groin. Adriel howled, dropping to the ground in pain

“Sorry Addy!” That was the one no-no move she wasn’t allowed to use on her brothers or any other boy. But she was sure Mom and everyone else would understand, Addy was out of control right now. She grabbed his… tail? while he was in agony and tied his wrists together with it, stepping on his chest to keep him down.

“I’m gonna call Roy…” and the loss of Sin and blood was starting to get to her as she attempted to keep steady “we need to get you home…”

She could barely stand as precious Sin dripped down her arm. Adriel hissed and writhed underneath her, she lost balance instantly. So weak…

Adriel was attempting to disentangle himself, so Marie had only minutes before he was after her again. She raised her head and noticed a half conscious cult freak attempting to get away, blood flowing from a long gash down his or her back

“Get here…” Marie stood up, the smell of the blood awakening her own inner beast. In a second her lips attached to the wound as the person begged for mercy.

“You’ve been-” slurp “absolved of Sin.” Marie said in between gulps of blood. “You are purified”

Roy was better at making people feel comfort in their last moments, but Marie HAD to feed quick to make up from her still open wounds. The person breathed their last but not before Marie extracted every last bit of Gluttony within. Satiated, she dropped the corpse and turned back to Adriel, just as he released himself.

“Adriel, stand down!” The princess commanded “I don’t know what’s wrong, but you need to snap out of it now!” She stood firm and unafraid, invigorated by her hunt.

“Let me… tassste” Adriel hissed, advancing towards her with impossible speed-

“GREAT SCOTT!”

A ball of lightning struck the demon teen in the back and Adriel finally crumpled to the floor. Miles and Roy looked in shock, Luci having sent the attack just in time.

“Marie!” Miles raced to his sister and clung to her like a child “You’re hurt! Roy, MARIE IS HURT!”

Roy’s eyes snapped off of Adriel and he joined his siblings. “What happened?! Lu, make me some bandages Stat!”

“I’m okay” Marie waved her uninjured hand, patting Miles fluffy raven locks “I don’t know what happened to Addy, he just suddenly… turned into THAT”

Luci offered Roy the void dressings, and the Prideling quickly patched up his sister. The four turned back to Adriel.

“Those were… Sin eyes, right?” Luci whispered, staring at the luminous pink orbs still glowing under the closed eyelids in place of Addy’s usual happy teal eyes “I think my father used to have a red one…”

“He did” Roy answered. The teenagers stared at the unconscious demon. This definitely wasn’t part of Roy’s plans.

“Miles. Luciel.” the leader spoke finally “I want you both to feed up. Luci, you take Marie and Miles back to the Mansion and send Mr. Red here.”

“Youre not staying here alone!” Marie interjected “Adriel is being crazy right now, it’s not safe!”

“We can’t just leave him out here alone.” Roy answered calmly. “It’ll be fine Marie, he’s knocked out.”

“Then I’m staying with you!” Miles insisted.

“No, Miles. Head back to the party, just like we planned.”

“Roy it’s… it’s really not safe. Demons can be… scary” The portal child added.

Roy looked at his brother, sister and Luci’s faces. All betraying worry and concern and fear.

“Listen you three. We need to get Mr. Red here without arousing any suspicion, and this is the only way I know how without endangering the people I love most”

He looked up at them, large blue puppy dog eyes

“Marie Andrews. Miles Andrews. Adriel Altaha. Luciel Hess. Oh and Harley and Tav too. And Mom. And Uncle Travel. And Mister Zero and Mister Face and Mister Red and Mister Dodge and Mister Freak-”

“We get it!” Miles rolled his eyes. Roy cleared his throat

“What I mean is… I’m leader. And protecting all of you is my first priority over anything.”

“We want to protect you too, Roy” Marie answered in a small voice.

“I’m not going back without you, you can’t make me.” Miles answered stubbornly.

“Me too… and I don’t wanna leave Addy neither” Luci piped up.

Roy stared at all of them in contemplation.

“Fine. Go and hunt, we’ll all get back to the Mansion together, can you handle that, Luci?”

“No hay problema!” Luci flashed his fangy smile at Roy.

“There are more of these creepo cultists around here, they seem pretty sinful to me” Marie nodded to the woods where they must have gone. Roy looked at Miles, then Luci.

“Don’t leave any witnesses” Roy answered seriously.

“RACE YA!” Miles shoved Luci, then ran straight into the woods. Luci growled in sudden rage and raced in after him.

Roy watched them before turning back to Adriel’s unconscious form. He had the same baby face and freckles all the Sinlings inherited, looking so out of place over the demonic body.

Marie stayed next to Roy, taking a black gloved hand in her pink.

“He’ll be ok hopefully…”

Roy nodded in silence. Despite the Pride within telling him the exact same thing, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed in himself. Addy was hurt, Marie had gotten hurt. All on his watch.

He was the leader of the Sins. He PROMISED Daddy he’d always protect the family, he was the man of the house now.

And he let this happen…

Marie couldn’t sense the drop in Sin as a Glutt child, but as a sister she knew exactly what was going on in Roy’s head.

“Aw Roy- bro” she gave him a one armed hug “It wasn’t your fault, it was an accident. You’re an amazing leader, you’re smart and fun and focused and determined to keep us all healthy.”

Roy couldn’t help but relax as his little sister boost him up. He was about to reply when Luci’s signature BANG flashed in front of him.

“Hey Doc!” The pre-teens mouth was covered in a mess of blood, eyes rimmed in red and almost deliriously happy in Wrath. “I feel like I could go beat up a BEAR!”

Marie gave a small shriek at the mess on the smaller boys face before grabbing him to scrub him clean. Luci struggled to get out of her grip but no way was the Princess letting that abomination back into her pristinely tidy house.

Roy looked around for Miles, who came out the woods, dragging a limp body out into the clearing before dumping it in front of Roy.

“For you. Cuz, y'know. I don’t want it.” He mumbled.

Roy stared at the Pride-riddled body in front of him, then looked up at his brother.

“Miles I love you SO MUCH” he grabbed the boy and smothered his face in a million kisses everywhere he could reach.

“Get off this is so GAYYYYYY!!” Miles fought tooth and nail to get out of his brother’s love-lock, but it was futile. Finally he managed to break free and ran to Marie.

“Quick, quick get the cooties off!!”

Roy smiled before swiftly turning to feed off his prey.

Moments later he wiped the blood off of his face and rejoined the others, standing vigil around Adriel’s demonic body.

“We’ll have to carry him through… Luci, get us to the balcony, I don’t think anyone will be up there.”

“Roger that!” Luci nodded. The Wrathling tore open a shining portal, holding it for the others. Marie and Miles stepped through, and Roy moved to lift Addy’s body in his arms. He moved towards the hole in the void to the black balcony on the other side trying not to disturb the demon, but Adriel snapped awake.

“LET ME GO!” Adriel hissed suddenly in a voice that wasn’t his own. His wings struck Roy’s head and the blond dropped him.

“Addy!” Luci attempted to grab him, but he only slashed at him with his claws. He turned his gaze once again on Marie and launched himself at her.

“NOT MY SISTER!” Miles tackled Addy down before he could reach the girl. Roy and Luci ran to help him.

“Marie! Get out of here, go get Mr. Red!”

Marie rushed into the Mansion as Miles and Luci attempted to get a hold on Adriel. They were no match for the half demon who easily threw them off. But the boys were persistent in running back into the fray, keeping him occupied as Roy desperately tried to think of a plan.

“Addy, it’s me! It’s Luciel!” Luci attempted to reason with Addy before getting knocked into the balustrade. “C'mon, you know me, I’m you’re favorite cousin!”

“I’m his favorite, poser!” Miles interrupted, jumping on Addy and attempting to hold off his wings.

“Shut up, we BOTH like the color Red! I’m his favorite” Luci stuck his tongue out at Miles as he wrestled with Addy’s tail.

“Guys quiet-” Roy tried to hold the demon down “someone will hear-”

“OH MY GOSH, EVERYONE LOOK AT ALTAHA’S COSTUME!!”

Miles and Luci looked helplessly at Roy, his warning was a second too late as a small crowd gathered in the Sins garden under the balcony. Adriel stopped struggling to smile wickedly at the fresh scent of Sin from the humans below…

“Addy…Addy don’t do this!” Roy whispered a plea “Please… I know you’re in there somewhere, you gotta control this thing, it’s not you!”

But Adriel threw off the Sin boys once more and spread open his bat wings, Gluttonous pink eyes trained on the numerous prey gathered underneath him, poised to dive straight into the crowd.

“Adriel!” Red’s voice called out in a firm tone, teleporting onto the balcony. He’d taken off the Michael Jackson getup, balancing on the rail as he grabbed Addy’s wrist.

“Mussst hunt!” Addy growled at his father, attempting to swat him away. Red was more than prepared as he clapped an iron bangle to the boys hand.

Addy hissed in pain and the crowd below gasped. Red didn’t waste a second before tabbing his wrist and marking him with the seals. Slowly but surely Addy ceased his battle, wings weakening, claws retracting into normal nails…

He fell out the sky onto the crowd below. The party going teens screamed and ducked for cover.

But Red teleported to his son and proofed them away.

There was a heavy silence, Roy watched with bated breath, unable to figure out how to explain what just happened.

“… AWESOME SPECIAL EFFECTS!”

“THAT WAS SICK, IT LOOKED SO REAL!”

“THIS WAS THE BEST HALLOWEEN EVER!”

Roy couldn’t help but breathe easier at the cheers and compliments of the crowd. Luci gave an irritated sigh, clearly annoyed with the peppy crowd who didn’t realize what was going on, and Miles, of course, basked in the attention.

“Let’s get inside” Roy murmured, putting a hand on both the boys’ shoulders and leading them back into the Mansion. It was already pretty late, they’d have to swap out with the others really quick if they wanted to avoid suspicion. Midnight would come, they’d send their guests home, and hopefully Addy would be ok by then…

~

Addy suddenly gasped for air as he jolted up from his bed.

“Addy… how do you feel?”

“Dad?” he blinked up at his father, emerald eyes watching him closely.

“I’m a little sore…” he stretched out, his back and head (devoid of wings and horns) looking normal but feeling strange. He looked down at his hands, fresh seals over them.

And he clapped a hand to his lips as he suddenly remembered the events of the past few hours.

“Marie! Is she hurt?? Please tell me she’s not too bad” he swallowed the bile in his throat with guilt and dread.

“She’s fine. I managed to fix her up” Red nodded to his son, placing a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder.

Adriel leaned onto his father “I didn’t mean it” a dry sob echoed through his body “I couldn’t stop myself, I couldn’t think”

“It wasn’t your fault, Adriel. That much witchcraft in a concentrated summoning would break any demon’s seal”

“But I didn’t stop!” tears filled his teal eyes “It wasn’t just the demon stuff… I didn’t stop after hunting them- I was full but- I wanted- I wanted-…”

“Shh, Addy, you’re exhausted-”

“More. I wanted more.” Adriel clung to his father, trying to internally shield himself from what he’d done “It wasn’t enough - It’s never enough! And now… now everyone hates me”

He finally broke down, sobbing into his father’s arms. It was true, the others wouldn’t want anything to do with him, not after he’d ruined everything.

Red just stroked his son’s pink and raven hair, at a loss of what to say. The father and son just held each other in silence and sadness.

There was a gentle knock at the door.

Addy wiped his eyes and shook his head 'no’ at Red, but Red already spoken a “Come in”

A silver haired Luke Skywalker quietly stepped inside.

“Addy? Are you feeling okay now?”

“Tav”

Red stood up and teleported out to give the teens their space. Tavros quietly took Red’s place on the bed next to Addy.

“I was asleep, but everyone keeps talking about it”

“You mean how I turned into a monster and hurt everyone?”

Tavros looked up at him with his unreadable lavender eyes “No. The awesome special effects.”

Adriel felt like crumbling again. “Tav I attacked the others, I injured Marie!”

“We all make mistakes”

“I could have KILLED her! You weren’t there! I was unstoppable, I could have killed her and the guests and everyone!”

“But you didn’t” Tavros answered simply.

“Tav, you don’t understand I was completely feral-”

“And the others looked out for you.” Tavros replied again. “Right?”

“Yeah, but-”

“Adriel I don’t know… I don’t know much about what you guys do. But I do know that I can trust you. Roy… knows that too.”

Pale purple eyes looked seriously at Adriel “You need to trust him back”

“Why wouldn’t I trust him, he doesn’t turn into a hell beast…”

“Trust him” Tav repeated “He wouldn’t let you do something you’d regret. Even if you become a 'hell beast’”

Adriel paused, not knowing how to answer that.

Their quiet was once again interrupted with a flash as Luci ripped straight onto his bed

“ADDY! Addy are you OK now?!” The preteen whispered loudly, taking both Addy’s hands and squeezing them tight.

“Yes Luci” He gave the boy a half hearted smile to appease him. Luci gave his signature 'serial killer smile’ back.

“Good, because that was AWESOME! Can you do it again??”

Tavros quietly stood up to leave, finding the youngest Sinling too loud for his tastes as Luci talked.

“You looked MUY bien! Those wings were awesome, next year Imma dress as you!”

Addy felt the corners of his lips curve at the boy’s enthusiasm, despite going feral demon the last thing he ever wanted to do.

“I don’t know if we should do that again, Lu, it was dangerous.”

“You mean 'Heavy.’ ” Luci quoted Marty Mcfly “This is HEAVY.”

He listened to Luci chatter about the hunt and how 'cool’ he looked and how he couldn’t wait till the next one. Luckily he was cut short by the scent of the Pride boys finally arriving at Red’s factory. In a moment the door burst open.

“Addy, I’m your favorite cousin, right?” Miles asked before anyone could get a word in.

Luci glared at the other boy, eyes gleaming in red “I am his favorite and you know it”

“Both of you outside, please” Roy said firmly. Miles stuck his tongue out at Luci and rushed out, Luci hot on his heels after him.

“How’s Marie?” Addy asked.

“She’s asleep. It was nothing too serious, your dad did something to make it stop bleeding right away” Roy replied.

“Oh, that’s good.” Addy didn’t know what else to say. “Roy… I’m - I’m really sorry…”

“Aww Addy” Roy went up to him and engulfed him in a stinky hug.

“I ruined your whole plan-” his voice wavered, tears threatening to return.

“Well, you did miss the meeting area and we ended up going after different targets instead and Mom said they’re writing it off as an animal attack but that’s actually really good because no one will suspect us. Not that anyone WOULD suspect us we all got into costume right away and they just thought that you wore a vampire costume instead of a Zombie from Michael Jackson but it’s still-”

“Roy, I’m really really sorry!”

“Hey,” Roy smiled his genuine, perfect sunbeam of a smile “We’re all safe. And I just need to plan for demon worshippers for next time.”

“I don’t…” Addy swallowed “I don’t think I should come next time”

Roy’s blue eyes widened in disbelief “What?!”

“It’s dangerous… and you don’t - you don’t REALLY need me to hunt with you guys…”

Roy let go of Addy and stood up, this time the resemblance to his mom was uncanny.

“I really DO need you to hunt with us. Dangerous or not, you’re a Sin and you’re our family and we stick together and protect each other. No matter what. No. Matter. What.”

Adriel nodded meekly under the Leader’s gaze. Roy gave an approving nod before continuing.

“I love you Adriel. We all do. And next time my plan will be even better and we’ll collect even more Sin and we’ll do a better theme because the 'Eighties’ are kinda dated and barely anyone got our references and Luci was a little too loud and plus we forgot to be Ghostbusters-”

Adriel leaned his forehead to Roy’s mouth, effectively quieting him. He embraced Roy, knowing that the elder truly would always be there for him. No matter about demons or feral behavior, or failed hunts or crazy parties. Roy would always love him.

“I love you too”