#the archangels thoughts about adam and lute

[emiimagination]

What’s the Archangels’ thoughts on Adam, Lute and the Exterminations?

That's an interesting question ^^ thanks for asking ^^

In my headcanons,

Michael is rather neutral about Adam. He has a hard time putting up with his pretentious behavior once he ascended to Heaven but he can understand the resentment he has towards Lilith. He himself holds a huge grudge against the Queen of Hell for seducing his brother and dragging him into her fall. But Adam has no interest in saying bad things about Lucifer in front of him and he knows it very well. Michael didn't agree with the Exterminations, always fearing a slip-up and that Lucifer would be harmed, but as most of the Elders agreed with this, he accepted on the condition of never hurting Lucifer. He trained Lute and Adam himself but Lute ends up making him very uncomfortable because she takes too much pleasure in the massacre. Many times he wondered if he should not send his own Celestial Militia soldiers rather than those bloodthirsty Exorcists who seem more like they belong to Hell than Heaven.

Raphael has distanced himself from the life of Heaven, becoming more of a hermit, but when he returns, he tries to avoid Adam and his Exorcists as much as possible. The presence of the First Man reminds him of what happened to Lucifer and these Exorcist Angels are only a reminder of what Heaven is doing to his brother's people. Although he agrees that Sinners must be punished and that they must protect Winners, he finds the Exterminations far too extreme. And the behavior of Angels such as Lute disgusts him!

Azrael doesn't care about anything related to Adam and the Exterminations. All he knows is that once a year many Sinful souls disappear into Limbo and their screams give him a headache. Lute tried to talk to him once, thinking that as the Angel of Death he would support the Exorcists… but the look he gave her made her blood run cold enough that she never tried again.

Uriel blames himself for not having been able to protect Adam and Eve from Lilith's scheme with the Apple (he refuses to accept that Lucifer had anything to do with it) so he is rather tolerant towards the First Man. The only times Adam comes to see him is to talk about the rare moments in his past when he was happy and Uriel is happy to remind him of these good times. He saw that the Exterminations had to take place so he resigned himself… but Lute and the other Exorcists make him uncomfortable. He is the one who insisted on containing Adam and only doing an Extermination once a year. According to him, if the time between two Exterminations happened to be shorter, great upheavals would take place!

Gabriel has great difficulty tolerating Adam and his Exorcists. He was too young to have seen him in Eden since he was still an Apprentice Archangel at the time so he doesn't really know what the First Man was like before. He respects him for his status as Father of Humanity and is very friendly with Abel but he can't stand his pretentious behavior and the fact that he constantly denigrates Lucifer or brags about his "masculine attributes" (Dickmaster, etc.) Gabriel was the first to question the possibility of redeeming Sinners when Sera and Adam proposed the Exterminations since he is a pacifist and hates War but the Rules are black or white!… even if the Exorcists are not white and they can stay in Heaven. The only Exorcist he liked was Vaggie.

The Archangels may be the five Pillars of Heaven, but they are still constantly monitored by the Elders who maintain that Hell and Heaven are two completely different worlds that cannot mix. This is why they cannot prevent the Exterminations as long as they are effective in keeping Hell under control. Needless to say, everything changes after the Extermination that killed Adam!

[bloogers-boogers]

Adam slicing a crowd of sinners with his guitar

Lute: fuck yeah!

Adam: calm your tits, babe, I know I'm fucking awesome

Random sinner wrapping a magical rope around Adam's body

Adam: what the-

Rope tightens against his body in a squeeze, making his clothes rip apart and expose his huge ass luckily covered by the fabric of his underwear

Adam: hey! You fucking pervert! Let me go!!

Lute: Sir! Don't worry I'll get you loose!

Adam: hurry up, bitch! I can feel my insides popping!

Lucifer in the middle of the battlefield: fuck. Retrain me everyone I'm about to sin!

Alastor: we rather avoid touching you in that state of mind

Charlie, disturbed: what in all fucks is going on!???

Lucifer: I'm about to fuck him into retirement

Adam: what the fuck is wrong with you!?

Lucifer: I asked the same thing when I saw you slaughtering my people

Adam, face intese golden as the rope was too tight he could feel the lack of air from his body: *gasp* lu-luci—fer!!

Lucifer: hm.. you should keep that for the bedroom

Lute, while struggling to release him: you sick fuck!

Adam being suddenly released by a beam of light

Adam: huh? *he says as he felt himself fall but in a dash of wind was caught by none other than archangel Michael*

Adam, embarrassingly flustered: Mi-michael! Just so you know I was totally handling that shit like a boss, I was no damsel in distress

Michael: were you?

Adam: y-yes! *under his breath* fuck. You’re so fucking hot

Michael: what was that?

Adam: nothing! *desperately wraps his arms around his neck for "safety"*

Michael: *tries putting back Adam to the ground but he was refusing to let go* Adam?

Adam: yes?

Michael: can you let go please?

Adam: I'm sorry, it's just.. I have a injured wing and I'm— scared that these filthy sinners would attack me while vulnerable and weak 🥺🤧✨️🍃🪷🌸🌼

Lucifer, clearly annoyed: I thought you were handling this shit like a "boss"

Adam, suddenly feeling much better and rage screaming: SHUT THE FUCK UP THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU!!

Lucifer: *offended gasp*

[powerpuffobsession]

As much as I love Adam for a few fun parts of his character and for what he could have been at the hands of a competent writer (as shown by the fanfics where he gets properly developed)...

I feel like he (and the way he's characterised) is what broke Hazbin hotel season 1 pacing, Lucifer's character and the show's overall atmosphere.

(Long and packed rant under the cut, because I've been having these thoughts since I saw season 1, and I want to share them. Viewer discretion is adviced)

Before Adam existed (pilot era) it was all simple and worked more properly: a story about the hotel and its inhabitants, and most importanty, redemption. It was a small snuggly location with a few characters in the center of a plot

Heaven was in the background and kept as a mystery. Moreover, from what we've seen in the pilot, Lucifer was obviously a background villain or at least an anti hero, one of the real obstacles for Charlie to overcome on the way to her goal (instead of a minor inconveniece resolved in a single broadway song)

But when Adam and his weird obsession with murder broke into that perfectly cut out premise, everything just shattered. Too many themes got weaved into the short story of the 8 episodes: Heaven vs Hell politics, overlords, war, Charlie's conflict with Adam, the seraphims...

All of that pushed the hotel and the redemption to the background instead of Heaven.... in a cartoon that's named after the hotel. Because 8 episodes is not enough to talk about politics, a war and a 6 month redemption course (the latter even happened behind the screen with only some verbal hints given about the amazing secretive progress the hotel guests made that we were not allowed to see!)

(Had this cartoon stayed indie, there would have been a possibility of making more episodes and tackling more themes properly. But big name broadway actors are more important than that, it appears)

Back to Adam.

He is not even a good villain. He really should have been more of a background antihero. Give the man some sedatives, for f's sake! Where did all that rabidity even come from, after centuries of living in Heaven? Honestly, he'd be expected to act calmer and wiser than how he actually did, especially with how old he is (as old as the earth itself). But instead it's like he got frozen in a state of a dumb jock bully from high school

Imagine if Adam allowed Charlie and her hotel guests to prove that redemption is possible, out of principle, or curiosity. Hell, maybe even allow him to threaten to kill them, but not straight away! Later, after they fail to prove him wrong! If that's what Adam's role had been, the hotel part would have gotten time to breathe and more spotlight

All Adam did in the series, was:

1. make a lot of excessive noise

2. do dumbass things (and it wasn't even explained WHY he's the way he is, not even a single flashback or his own musings and thoughts shown, which makes all of his actions fall flat in every sense)

3. break the remains of logic (Heaven looks plain dumb because of him, not able to tell sinning from non sinning and to judge human souls properly. It's not even corruption, since Adam is not that important or benefitial to Heaven, an actual archangel like Michael could have been leading exorcists in his place and do a better job.... it's just stupidity)

And then Adam just died, for nothing and with no consequences.

I mean, straight after Adam's death Lucifer is immediately trying to divert the viewer's attention: "who wants pancakes? :D". It's like the cartoon itself doesn't care that the first human, one of the most mysterious beings in vivzieverse and someone who badly needed a second chance and therapy, just died. By a very stupid joke too (Niffty didn't even have to stab him).

In short, Adam's plotline is a huge waste of screen time...

And while his final smile to Lute may give us some hints that there's something good inside Adam, but it's more akin to mockery. Since we were never shown that there's more to Adam besides "the main character's opponent=ultimate bad"

And of course Lucifer was retconned into a pathetic uwu boi, who's depression and "silliness" have overshadowed the fact that he practically doomed humanity to a life full of pain, suffering and surviving and took away Adam and Eve's home. We don't even get the slightest glimpse of what exactly Lucifer DREAMED of that was so important to force him to do the humans dirty. Meaning it was something abstract and not thought-through anyway.

(Free will my ass.. Adam and Lilith did as they pleased in Eden without the free will, Adam ordering his wives around, Lilith being able to defy him and Eve being able to disobey God. What good did "free will" from that fruit even do them? If anything, it only did harm to everyone)

And so now this daft egotist is being portrayed as this selfless harmless character only for the sake of contrasting the painfully obvious bad evil that Adam is.

That comes off as black and white writing, fit more for a childrens cartoon, despite the show critisizing Adam for thinking in black and white terms. Not a good look

[kaisntbreathing]

𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐌 𝐗 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋

𝐀𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐘 𝐈 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄😭

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 | 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 | 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

@strangerthings36

@ozzersauce

@fictionalwhor3

@snoozewritezz

@star1yn0

↳˳⸙;; ❝ ____❦____ ᵕ̈ ೫˚∗:

As you locked eyes with the sinner that looked god-awfully like your seemingly dead lover, your heart sped up its pace as you heard it thundering in your ears.

Time seemed to slow as the sinner looked at you dead in the eyes as they had the same eyes as Adam did those golden eyes that you fell in love with so long ago.

They didn't hold the fear you were used to seeing out of the sinners that saw you they looked...happy?

"Adam?..."

You called out as your voice cracked your eyes were seemingly were playing tricks on you as you rub them trying to see if you were hallucinating or not seeing the sinner had not moved or disappeared as you looked back up at him you realized they were real.

"Y-Y/n?...."

As soon as you heard the sinner call out your name you knew that it was Adam, as you ran towards him dropping your weapon in the process as it clattered to the ground as you tightly embraced him.

"I-Its really you?... Like really you?"

"it's me Sugartits...it's really me"

"Prove it"

You wanted to believe the sinners words but you couldn't out of the small half of you still not being able to fully trust the demons no matter if you thought it was your lover or not.

"Remember when we first met? It was during my first or second week in heaven and you showed up late to the court attendance, I remember you not being able to keep your eyes off me."

It was really him truly it really was him as you let your tears flow freely from your eyes onto your cheeks soaking and staining them.

"How are you?...."

"I got reincarnated as a demon"

You then noticed that he had two pairs of curly horns that curled upwards but also to the sides of his head he had his ashy brown hair along with two upside down crosses on his arms.

"You're still beautiful to me Adam"

You cupped his face as you looked up at his eyes your six wings curling around the both of you as he now had a tail that curled around your thigh as you lean down to kiss him, pressing your lips gently against his holding him as if he was made of glass.

"Never do that to me ever again...I thought I truely lost you...."

"I know babe, I know and...I'm sorry I won't do it again, but one small issue"

You tilted your head slightly to the side as you hummed in question as he pointed to his new form as he gestured to all of him.

"I'm a demon, you're an archangel. Regardless of who I am, the higher ups won't be happy if they found out about this."

"I don't care I'll make it work, darling I'm an archangel and Michel kinda likes me and you didn't do anything wrong-"

"I don't think it works li-"

"Adam... Please-"

"No. Listen, there's clearly a reason that I'm down here, you have to-"

"Fuck you don't shush me asshole, first off I thought for the last year you were dead and so does Lute she still doesnt-"

You shut him up as you put your pointer finger over his lips as you glared down at him as you saw a Exorcist angel flying as you grabbed Adam and flew off as he squirmed for a moment before relaxing to the almost forgotten feeling as you hovered above the buildings as you looked at him as his tail wrapped around your waist as you flapped your six white wings as you glanced around not seeing anything as you flew towards a forest as you landed and rushed into the forest with him as you hide beside a rock as you placed him down.

"Stay here .... I'll be back I have to do one more thing please"

He nodded as you slowly took off into the sky again as you were still in uniform as you opened a portal back to heaven specifically into your room as you grabbed your golden glowing book as you flew back down as you saw another Angel flying near the forest curiously.

You closed the portal behind you as you landed in front of the angel, startling them as you looked down at them.

"I've already been here."

"Oh sorry Ma'am."

And you watched her leave as you made sure nobody was watching as you made your way back to Adam as you slowly made your way back to him.

With your book in your hand and that exact moment you knew you were never going to leave his side and he needed you and you needed him and that was that that's all you knew.

As you peeked around the big rock you left him behind you saw him waiting patiently as he jumped and startled surprised by your sudden appearance as you giggled.

"I'm staying with you Adam"

[libby-for-life]

A small portion of Chapter 2 of Adam Dies with art from @breedtheseed :

The setting is in Eden

Adam let out a high-pitched yelp as Lucifer chuckled and pressed himself into the crook of his neck. The archangel's grip tightened as he took Adam's wrists in one hand and the human could feel Lucifer's grin against his skin. "Did you seriously think that I wouldn't find you?" Lucifer teased, his voice laced with amusement. Damn it all! He must've teleported behind Adam!

Adam's heart raced with fear and anticipation as Lucifer's fingers danced over his skin, causing him to squirm and laugh uncontrollably. "I guess you'll have to be punished!" Lucifer's voice was playful, but there was a hint of mischief lurking beneath the surface.

Adam begged for mercy, but his pleas fell on deaf ears as Lucifer continued to tickle him mercilessly. He twisted and turned, trying to break free from the archangel's grasp, but it was no use. "Hahaha! No! Please!" Adam begged his stomach aching from all the laughter.

"It's cute you think you have any say in this," Lucifer taunted, his hand wandering over Adam's chest with feather-light touches. Adam's heart skipped a beat as he realized where this was going. "No! Not there! Anywhere but there!" he yelled, but it was too late. If Adam could see Lucifer's face, he was sure that the archangel would be smirking in satisfaction.

"Oh, are you sensitive there?" Lucifer said in mock sympathy. Two fingers pinched his right nipple making Adam whimper in shock. No one had ever touched him there. It was probably why it was so sensitive. Every once in a while he would tickle his stomach, armpits, and even the crook of his neck, but he would always go back to his chest. Adam felt like he was about to burst with how much he was laughing.

Finally, his wrists were let go. Before Adam could regulate his breathing though, fingers found their way to his chest and pulled on sensitive nipples. Without really thinking, Adam let out a low moan. Lucifer paused and Adam blushed, completely embarrassed by the sound of his voice.

"Are you okay?" Lucifer asked. Adam was surprised when he was turned around and the archangel looked over him, a look of worry painted across his face. He had never had anyone look at him like that before. Well, except for Lute...a sudden pang of sadness came into fruition at the thought of her. "I'm okay," Adam said distractedly. "It didn't hurt." It felt the opposite, but the human was not going to admit that to the archangel. He knew Lucifer would use it against him.

[ani-iu]

[𝟑] 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒 | angel 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 × female human 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: marriage of convenience; forced proximity; angst; domestic; crack treated seriously; possessive Adam; he falls first and harder; misogyny; Adam being Adam; explicit language; religious imagery & symbolism; sexual tension; eventual smut; happy ending; not canon compliant. 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 7,7k.

// blue-eyed altruist, keep your distance, but not too far

𝐀dam hates coffee.

He doesn’t like the earthy smell, finding it difficult to understand how anyone could derive enjoyment from something so unsavoury. And the bitter taste — it always, without fail, fades into the anticlimactic acidic aftertaste on his tongue, so already having endured a string of disappointments in his life, Adam opts out of drinking caffeine to spare himself from even more misery.

Yet, at this moment, as the black stainless steel exterior of the coffee vending machine swallows up the reflection of Adam’s black mask — only leaving an amber frown and two glaring eyes staring back at him visible — Adam feels like the happiest soul in Heaven. The bliss, however, is bittersweet.

By now, a couple of hours have passed since Adam and Lute split up so he could go to Sera’s office alone. But here he is, standing in the empty lobby, stalling the eventual visit for as long as he possibly can. He wasn’t afraid of the seraph; he was merely not in the mood to receive a stern talking to.

Silence means loneliness, and Adam, unable to tolerate either, as soon as the machine grows quiet, allowing that dreadful interval of quietude to settle in and the pungent aroma of coffee to reach his nose, throws the coffee cup into the trash can and restarts the process. The cacophony of mechanical and liquid sounds makes the otherwise deathly silence at least somewhat bearable to endure, allowing Adam to test Sera’s patience with his absence for longer. 

The high-pitched string of single-tone beeps signals the completion of another order and diverts Adam's attention from his thoughts, but just as he turns to take the steaming cup and throw it away, he sees Sera's horrifying reflection in the sleek exterior.

"Fuck, Sera! You can’t sneak up on a guy like that!"

"Adam, you are testing my patience." As it echoes through the empty foyer, the seraph's mellow tone of voice is both authoritative and commanding, making her presence felt all the way to Adam's very bones. If you were to ask Adam, he would tell you that the calmness was even worse than if she were to scream at him. "I thought I told your lieutenant I wanted to see you immediately."

"Can’t a guy get a drink first? I had a long day—"

Sera, who is quite familiar with Adam's tendency to change the topic he is not particularly eager to discuss, cuts the angel's prattling short by going straight to the matter at hand. "What is a mortal doing in Heaven?"

"Wow, straight to the point, huh? Well, you all are always on my ass about my way of life, so I decided to change that!"

"You married that mortal." Sera grits through her teeth. She foolishly clung to the hope that perhaps Adam had only brought you here as another rendezvous of his, but marriage, especially if it was officiated by an archangel, was a huge deal.

Adam has the nerve to act surprised. "Oh, so Daniel already ratted me out?"

"No, you did that yourself, but now I will be having a word with archangel Daniel as well for officiating this sacrilegious excuse of matrimony, which, may I add, makes it impossible to send the mortal back! Jaw-dropping, truly. Every single time, Adam, you manage to surprise me with your actions. How did you even get a hold of her?"

"Oh, that's actually a funny story. You should have seen the stunt she pulled in Hell!"

"And that’s where you should have left her — in Hell! Be their problem, not ours!" Sera momentarily raises her voice an octave higher before catching herself and attempting to calm down. She takes a deep breath and exhales, brushing her hair back away from her face while doing so. "Why did she even agree to this?"

Confident to a fault, but having every reason to believe his words, Adam puffs his chest out and points his thumb at himself. "Who can say no to this? Every woman out there wants a piece of the original dick! I just need to pick one of many."

"And you, naturally, go and pick something forbidden." At that moment, it seemed like a reasonable statement to make in an attempt to silence the first man, but that didn't make it less cruel. In front of Sera’s many eyes — visible and not — Adam’s expressive LED mask effortlessly twists his glowing features into a look of pain, although only for a fleeting moment. As soon as Adam gets ahold of his unspoken feelings, Sera concludes their conversation, her tone staying resolute. "Usually wisdom comes with age, but I see that there are instances where age comes alone. I expect you to deal with this problem you created for yourself appropriately. If you keep her under control, I won't interfere. If you are unable to do so, I will. Just like I did with Eve."

And just like that, Adam is left alone, but this time, he is able to stay in that spot for as long as he wants to.

Glancing at the waiting cup of coffee, still steaming away on the drip tray, Adam chucks it into the trash and is about to snap himself to his destination when his gaze gets stuck on his hand. With a defeated sigh, he turns around and strides towards the left wing of the enormous building where all the archangels reside.

Raphael is the last archangel Adam wants to see — ever — usually avoiding the heavenly being as much as he possibly can, which isn’t that hard when the first man is an immortal being who can’t get hurt. But keeping your bleeding wound at the forefront of his mind, Adam has no choice but to seek out the angel of healing of his own volition.

Adam doesn't knock, pushing the door the same way one rips off a band-aid. But instead of experiencing temporary discomfort, he is met with a slender, pale-faced figure.

The eyes, which usually symbolise these celestial beings' all-seeing and omnipresent nature, are tightly wrapped in a white cloth, but a lack of sight doesn't make Raphael's all-pervasive perception any less so. With such a statement, he blatantly showed that he doesn’t need sight to see through others.

Raphael's pride is just another thing he has in common with his fallen brother, apart from their near-identical appearances.

"Adam."

"You already know why I'm here."

Raphael puts his quill down and tilts his head at Adam. "Yes, Sera can be very loud when she wants to. So you really are here because of the mortal? Finally decided to seek my help?"

"She got burned by hellfire. I need something for the wound."

"I was talking about you."

"I’m not hurt."

"That’s what you seem to be desperately trying to convince me of, or are you trying to convince yourself?"

Raphael’s words are met with petulant silence.

The archangel rests his chin in his palm, lazily drawing the silhouette of a bottle in the air with his finger, while Adam watches how an invisible scribble turns into a tangible object before his eyes. Having grabbed Adam's attention, Raphael uses the opportunity wisely. "Not all wounds are physical, and not all of them can be remedied with divine healing. If you want to open your heart to someone again, first you have to mend it together. It has been bleeding for decades, but love heals. Self-love is also love, Adam. You can’t love someone without loving yourself first." The bottle of dark glass grows heavy and starts to drop down, falling into Raphael’s waiting palm. "The burn of hellfire will be the least of her worries if you don’t take into account what I said, Adam."

Snatching the flask of holy water away from the archangel's grasp, Adam teleports instantly back to his apartment. He planned to fly back, but he couldn’t spend a second longer in the same vicinity as Raphael.

If Adam pretended that nothing happened today, it just might seem that way at first glance. All of the furniture is still in its place, and the dust on it is left undisturbed, yet the man can’t help but notice little details like the coffee table being a bit turned to the side while the room feels warmer somehow — more lively and not as empty. Or was it Adam’s subconscious not allowing him to entertain a thought of you not being in his life?

His legs instinctively lead him toward the bedroom, where a small crack in the door allows him to catch a glimpse of the inside without fully stepping into the room.

The moonlight spilling in through the open windows illuminates the minimalistic space. Its rays are softer than the sun's — not as harsh on the eyes — and bathe your feminine features in cool watercolour shades, making you and your existence feel more and more like a dream than reality to the silent observer that is Adam. Adam doesn't even notice when he steps inside, discarding his mask near the bed and sitting on its edge, your sleeping self right behind him.

In the huge bed, you look so tiny and vulnerable — the bedding looks like puffy clouds swallowing you up in dreamy white. But even in deep sleep, you don’t look at peace.

"Mngh…"

Your breathing is laborious as you toss and turn, so Adam thoughtfully glides his index finger along the curve of your body, sliding the long digit under the tightly wrapped strips of fabric and softly tugging on them to loosen up the dress. Almost instantaneously, your lungs take a greedy gulp of air once the pressure on your chest elevates, so fragile and alive…

Adam's hand goes to hover above your face, not yet daring to touch your pinkened cheeks. Instead, he starts small, carefully bringing his leathery fingers down towards soft, warm skin and brushing away a few hair strands that are obstructing his view. But that is when you unconsciously turn your head and nuzzle your cheek into his hand. Adam holds his breath as he watches you closely. Your lips look as mildly intoxicating as the wine you drank, seducing Adam into pressing his own to get a taste. Staring at you in such a way almost feels gluttonous, as if savouring you without your knowledge or consent is one of the sins God warned humanity about, an ever-tantalising morsel…

But just as Adam lowers his face to be merely a hair's breadth away, a feeling of doubt crosses his mind.

Did you drink the wine so that it would be easier to face him? And instead of kissing your lips, he ends up planting a lingering kiss beneath them — on your chin.

Adam's hand, which supports his weight and lays flat beside your head, grips the sheet in anger at himself. He hates himself for his childish dreams of wanting to be loved in this lifetime, for yearning to have someone breathe life into his mundane days, and for wishing for someone who would occupy his self-loathing mind with meaningless conversations.

"Mmm… Marcel…"

He loosens his grip on the sheet and sits up.

"And you, naturally, go and pick something forbidden." Sera's words echo inside Adam's head as if his own inner voice isn't taking enough space in it as it is.

Adam knew a thing or two about forbidden things. He understood how perilous they were and what misery they could bring him if he indulged in them, but there was also the indescribable sweetness that almost made it all better.

He takes your burnt hand into his own — your human skin sharply contrasting with the inky black of his palm — and covers the weeping wound in holy water. With his thumb, he gently moves the liquid back and forth until it all disappears, washing away the blood and pain while only leaving a scar. Hellfire was no joke.

After giving you one last look, Adam gets up from his seat and retreats back to his spot on the couch.

He indulged himself enough for one day.

» » »

It takes you a while to blink your sore eyes open — the room you are in is just too bright.

You toss and turn, pulling the sheets closer to you with involuntary movements. Slightly disoriented, you finally open your eyes, and as your brain connects the dots, the sleepy bliss disappears. You can feel your stomach drop at the realisation that all of it was not a nightmarish hallucination. The room is Adam’s bedroom, as in the first fucking man from the Bible, and you are in Heaven — a place, not a state of bliss.

"God, I’m so fucked." You groan while palming at your eyes. It takes you a few deep breaths in and out to calm yourself down, but once you do and roll to lie on your back, another problem makes itself known.

The wedding dress that had been so tightly wrapped around you yesterday is now just a pile of loose pieces of silk hastily draped over your body, leaving too much skin exposed to the chilly morning air and to anyone’s eyes if they decided to walk in the room. Most importantly, you had your new husband to watch out for, and as that realisation dawns on you, you sit up in the bed while hugging yourself, desperately searching around for something to use as a shield from his perverted gaze. Luckily, it doesn't take you long to spot a neatly folded fabric at the foot of the bed.

Scooting closer, you reach for the garment and unfold it to get a better look. The fabric is so silky smooth that it slides between your fingers like quicksilver. It is cold to the touch, but you have little choice; the other one is to walk naked, so putting on the new dress it is.

You glance at the door before standing up. With the remnants of your previous dress pooled around your legs, you pull the new one over your head. An involuntary shiver shakes your body, but with the help of your body heat, the fabric quickly warms up. If only everything could get better so swiftly. 

The dress is more comfortable, less tight, and has long bell sleeves that leave only the tips of your fingers visible. Still no underwear, but beggars can't be choosers.

All dressed up, you plop back onto the bed, your hands fidgeting in your lap. Deep inside you, a conflict rages between your stubbornness and insatiable curiosity. The wine hangover helps the latter prevail, so you warily walk out of the room.

With your heart pounding, you trail your palm across the walls for support, listening for any noise and searching your mind for the appropriate words. How does one start a conversation in this kind of situation? 

As you reach the corner behind which the living room resides, you stand up straighter, take a deep breath, and step forward with way more confidence than you feel at the moment.

Only to find the space empty. All that pep talk, only for Adam to be nowhere to be seen. Did he even come back home yesterday?

But instead of relief at the angel's absence, a cold, freezing feeling of dread washes over you, to the point it makes your skin prickle. Sure, you would prefer going back to your old life with no Adam in sight, but if you can’t, you are ready to accept your new normal. This is why, without Adam around, you feel the loneliness and emptiness that you felt when you got the news of Marcel’s passing. 

Adam can't die like Marcel did, so his absence is intentional. 

Brushing your hair away from your face, you turn your back towards the living room and face the darkness of the corridor with new resolve. You will do your best to make the most of this situation and use your husband’s absence to look for a way to bring your dead boyfriend back from Hell.

There is one more door further down that was left unexplored yesterday — the one you push open, allowing the morning sun to kiss you all over your face. It warms you up like a mother’s hug, and you feel a bit better until you see what type of room it is.

Jackpot.

The cosy home study houses two big bookcases and a desk area with a sizeable amount of drawers, which means ample space for storing something that could be useful to your cause.

The cosy home study houses two big bookcases and a desk area with a sizeable amount of drawers, which means ample space for storing something that could be useful to your cause. Given your affinity for reading, you naturally begin by scanning the leathery spines on the bookshelves.

Gold decorative elements on the spines give off a sense of elegance and luxury, but they emit any lettering that would hint at or spell out a title. When you hook your finger and drag one out of the row, it's a blind guess.

The book has some weight to it, which only adds to the impression of its value in all aspects, but as you open it, it lacks the one thing that is most precious to you. The high-quality paper is pleasant to the touch yet is worthless without any ink staining it. 

You flip through the rest of the book, but all pages are like that — empty.

All the same, you painstakingly go through every book. You pick each one with the same exact care as the one before it, skimming through pages on the off chance that one of them will contain something, and after sifting through three shelves worth of books, you would choose any language over blank pages. But as you close the last one and put it on top of a pile, the reality sets in.

You believed that nothing could be more disheartening than finding yourself stranded far from home in a loveless marriage. That is, until now, as you sit on the ground, surrounded by nothing but empty leather shells and an emptier mind. 

You stand up and begin putting everything back, and as you reach the last volume, you hug it close to your chest, refusing to accept defeat. Maybe I need some kind of looking glass to be able to read? This is Heaven after all, and naturally, a human couldn’t simply access something that might be deemed sensitive information.

With that, you turn toward the desk.

Come on, Mr. 'I’m so important' should have something useful in his freaking house.

The desk has paperwork in the drawers, but they look like basic forms that probably should have been filled out and signed.

I’m starting to think that either his importance is inflated or he actually doesn’t do anything.

You want to stay confident, but the revelation hits you in the gut. Despair, headache, and hunger unite their forces, and you slump into the armchair by the desk — defeated. It’s difficult to stay optimistic when everything seems to be working against you.

Having nothing else to do, you pick yourself up and give the room one last glance before stepping out and closing the door behind you.

And then your bad mood is only made worse by the unsurprisingly empty kitchen.

You swallow down the taste of nausea at the back of your tongue and turn to face the rest of the living space while leaning your back against the kitchen counter. As you gaze around, you chew at your bottom lip, debating if it’s time for self-cannibalism.

The coffee table is empty of any trash, so Adam must have come back for at least a second. Now the important question is what he did while he was home if he didn’t leave anything for his very alive wife.

Your eyes move to the side of the main area, where you maintain eye contact with another living thing in the apartment — the potted plants. Walking closer towards them, you sink your middle and index fingers into the pot, touching the soil to find it freshly watered.

So, he had half a mind to take care of the plants, but not you? Noted.

Hunger turns into anger as you storm towards the wine cellar to pick up a fresh bottle of poison.

You wonder if this is his tactic to make you succumb to him. Does he think that if he isolates you for a long enough period of time, you would jump in joy to see him, simply because you would crave that human connection? If so, he underestimates you greatly.

You will jump him alright, with a knife at hand.

You get comfortable on the couch, snuggling into the soft blankets. They smell like him, but the scent is surprisingly pleasant, so you don't mind it too much as you nurse a bottle of red wine and patiently wait.

Contrary to popular belief, you weren’t a confrontational person. You wished nothing less than to go back to the bedroom, mind your business, and wait till the next day for Adam to leave. Rinse and repeat. But no, you couldn’t afford that now. Now knowing that there is nothing of value to be found in the house pertaining to your plans, you have no choice but to be confrontational.

When you notice the first signs of the evening in the room, you put the half-empty bottle on the coffee table and begin slowly flipping through the empty pages of the book that you snatched from the decoy study. It's a poor attempt to make yourself get lost in thought, and it gives your fidgeting fingers something to do — not to mention it is more interesting than looking at a plain corner. 

You wonder what time it is in Hell, and where Marcel is right now. Is he lying in bed just like you, thinking of you the way you are thinking of him? You know that he is, and that's what keeps you company. The knowledge that wherever he is now, he is with you in thoughts and memories — happy and sad ones. You now cherish every single one.

And that’s when the front door finally opens.

"Oh, you’re still awake?"

Adam is noticeably a bit surprised to find you sitting comfortably on the couch with a new wine bottle opened and standing tall on the coffee table. There’s a glass beside it, half full.

You glance up from the decoy book. "You hoped I wasn’t, huh?"

"Huh?" He dares to act confused.

"What’s your long-term goal? What’s the gain? You just tore me away from everything I once knew, only to leave me all on my own to navigate the land of the dead!" The sound that is created by you loudly closing the book acts like the exclamation mark to your abridged list of grievances, and when you — not so gently — throw it on the coffee table, it reopens and displays the nothingness you have been looking at this whole time. It's a silent testament — one of many — to just how much effort Adam put into caring for you. So much, in fact, that he couldn't even provide you with something to occupy your time. But that is the least of his offences.

He finally closes the door behind him.

"You bitches are so fucking emotional, fuck. Can’t even step properly inside."

Silence.

You are now looking at Adam through your furrowed eyebrows, chewing on the skin of your lips in deep thought. Thank God you threw the book before he spoke; he can practically see the murder plans brewing inside your pretty little head. 

And then you smile, falling back onto the couch and rolling around like it is the most comfortable thing in the entire world — it isn't, which is why your words sound even more condescending.

"That’s a lovely couch you have there. Is that why you sleep on it instead of the bed?"

"...what?"

"Why don't you sleep in your bed?"

"I— uh, didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. I may be a dick—"

"No," you shake your head, leaning back against the backrest with your arms crossed. "You didn’t sleep there before me either."

"Pff, and you would know?"

"Why?" You ignore his fake display of cockiness.

"Why what—"

"You know damn well what I’m getting at. Don't act stupid, and do yourself a favour by not openly showing that you are not the brightest star in the sky. What’s wrong with the bed?" You would guess that the mask adorning his face serves a specific purpose. Without a doubt, it serves as an accessory on the battlefield, but its constant use leads you to believe that the man in front of you likes to hide his true feelings behind it. Too bad that his mask is just as expressive as the skin he hides underneath it. "It’s not a weakness to admit pain, you know? Talk to me." Give me something to work with...

"Listen, babe, I think this role of a ‘wife’ is getting into your head, as does the holy wine. I think you had enough of that, don’t you?"

He takes the bottle away from you before you can snatch it.

"Maybe leave me with food next time if you don’t want me drinking! How else am I supposed to sustain myself?!"

"Definitely not with liquid, and for your information, holy wine sustains the soul, not your mortal body, dumbass."

"Keyword — mortal! You want me to die?!"

As you scream at one another with such a hefty distance between you two, the situation kind of seems hilarious, if it wasn’t so fucked up.

"Sorry, I didn’t know that I couldn’t leave you by yourself for five fucking minutes as if you were a child! You know you’re free to roam around, little dove? The cage," he turns around and reopens the front door for effect. "Is unlocked."

"As if I will venture to a place that I know nothing about!"

"That didn’t stop you from going to the fucking Hell! Heaven is where you draw the line?! It’s the safest place there is, for fuck sake!"

In your fury-addled state of mind, you stand up on the couch, your bare feet sinking into the plush cushions.

"Maybe the sound doesn’t travel up to that height or you are just as empty as the books in your study, but all the same, let me rephrase my words. Ever think that it would be just as scary as a human to be around angels as it would be surrounded by demons?"

It turns out that wanting compassion out of the first man is useless.

"If only I knew beforehand that you would nag so much."

And for someone as primordial as the Earth itself, Adam comes across as very callow.

"You call me wanting to understand my husband more nagging? Or is it the part where I ask for basic human necessities?!"

It takes him exactly three steps to stand face to face with you. Your breath is visible on his mask.

"Oh, you want to do your wifely duties so badly?" He coo’s at you patronisingly, his voice so flat it makes you shiver in fear. "How about we start with consummating our marriage, hm?"

The words reach the desired reaction as Adam watches your face grow noticeably pale.

"Nothing to say? Can I speak now, or are you going to scream some more?"

You swallow the lump in your throat, tasting defeat. Once again, you lose the shiny spark of hope in your eyes, and Adam swears that the room grows darker just like the colour of your iris.

"I never thought I would have to fight for a marriage I didn’t even want. Why marry me if you have no need nor time for another person? If I wasn’t in a new environment and actually knew someone else who wasn’t you, believe me, I wouldn’t be begging for your company. You are not the prize you think you are. I’m a fish you plucked out of water and threw in a glass with water because, according to you, that’s everything a fish needs — something to breathe."

Adam doesn't stop you from climbing off the couch, nor does he run after you as you slink towards the bedroom.

After gently closing the door, you press yourself against it and slide down until the dress pools around you. You hide your face in your knees and let out a shaky breath. This is your life now: living in a place that will never be your home, surrounded by creatures who will never understand you. Even if these souls once were humans, they have long forgotten what it feels like — Adam is a wonderful example of that.

You don't know if you slept that night. You only know that your eyes were already open when the first rays of the morning sun started spilling into the bedroom. Everything is foggy in your mind as nightmares mix up with reality, until the line becomes so blurred that you don't know where one ends and where the other begins. 

After stupidly wasting too much time pressed against the door, you finally exit the bedroom when, to your relief and irritation, Adam is nowhere to be heard again. You don’t want to see his face after yesterday, but his absence also means that he didn’t care about anything you said to him — or about you, for that matter.

As you make your way through the empty apartment, the presence of the study behind you is almost palpable — mocking you behind your back for naively believing it would be of any use to you. However, you won't let a small disappointment deter you from seeking a way out of here.

Sure, being able to find everything you need in one place that you have complete access to would be ideal, but life is never this easy, and the afterlife, being an extension of it, is no different. Nonetheless, you already are planning what your next course of action is going to be, and for it to work out, all you need is to find out where Adam works and think of a diversion so he doesn't question you too much. Of course, on top of everything, having bravery would be an advantage, but it's not a requirement.

And just like the sun comes out after every storm, something in your peripheral vision catches your attention, leading to a growling stomach and a spark of sudden inspiration.

Surprisingly, Adam took into consideration your mortality and left you with a plethora of ingredients — killing two birds with one stone by providing you with something to eat and entertainment in the form of cooking. This is also the moment when you decide what you will use as a diversion in your plan.

Maybe you could slowly make Adam trust you over time, or, even better, somehow infiltrate the circle he’s frequenting until you get the useful information. But you are not known for being patient — determined and stubborn is a more correct description. And as you shove a freshly baked muffin into your mouth while putting the rest into one of the containers you've found, you hype yourself to finally leave the comfort of the apartment, despite your stomach churning with anxiety.

He wants you to venture outside on your own? You will… you will…

And you do.

Until now, you didn't have a chance to truly observe Heaven, but one thing is for certain — you look terribly out of place here.

It’s a very surreal experience, as though you've journeyed into the distant future. Perhaps it's because of all the Renaissance paintings you familiarised yourself with during your frequent visits to local museums and art galleries, but you truly believed that Heaven would have more fields filled with freely roaming animals rather than the anthropomorphic ones who are actually not so subtly staring at you as you pass them by.

Their reactions to you kind of explain the reason behind Adam's hideous mask. He did feel quite human looking underneath it, and judging by the looks you're getting, that's not a very common appearance around here.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where I could find the first man?" You turn and direct your question at the first unfortunate winner you encounter, who appears to resemble a lamb. She even bleats like one, noticeably frightened by your presence and straightforwardness.

However, she is in heaven for a reason. The beautiful angel, unable to turn away a person in need, with a soft, high-pitched voice accompanying her hoof points towards one of the glass buildings and says, "You should find him there."

No maybes are muttered, only an assured statement as her white face blushes golden.

"Thank you."

But you don't care for nuances. Ultimately, you are simply content that you now know for certain where to look for Adam — inside of a particularly tall glass building outside which you now stand.

When you push the door open, its surface fogs up from your warm touch, leaving noticeable fingerprints behind. You tug on the sleeve of your dress and attempt to clean the smudging off, but it seems to only make the mess bigger and, in turn, more visible. Your skin prickles with hot embarrassment as you almost drop the box with your baked goods while trying to fix up the mess.

"Oh, sweetheart, where did your halo go?"

Startled, you jump a bit, causing the door to slam shut with a glass-rattling bang. Seeing no one at your eye level, you glance down to look at a small animal-like creature near your feet. The small sheep angel looks like what grape candy tastes like, dressed in various shades of periwinkle from head to hoof.

Before you can answer him, another voice cuts into the conversation.

"Obviously she’s human, Collin!"

You turn your head to see who the second voice belongs to and notice another tiny guy, but this one looks like a chubby human baby and a more familiar version of the small angels you have seen being depicted in paintings before. These small creatures are cherubim.

"H-human? In Heaven?!" The sheep cherub is soft-spoken, his voice remaining on the lower side even as he shouts.

"If I may ask," you clear your throat to catch the attention of the little cherubims. "Where could I find, um, Adam?"

But they just take the information you have given them and ignore your question entirely.

"It's not surprising that the first man allowed a human to roam freely around Heaven." The more human-looking cherub puffs out his tummy and huffs while crossing his tiny hands in front of his chest. 

"Cletus! You shouldn’t speak that way!"

That's when you feel someone tug on your free hand, the one with your wedding ring on.

"So the rumours are true…" the baby cherub whispers underneath his little button nose while the timid sheep jumps into action and finally gives you what you wanted.

"He’s currently at a meeting but should be back soon! You can wait in his office! It’s— actually let me write it down for you!"

With the directions written down in great detail, it doesn't take you long to reach your destination. You give a knock first, in the off chance that Adam got back, and you would have to execute your original plan. You don’t want to — it’s easier if he’s not there — but you will do anything for this to succeed.

The door is unsurprisingly unlocked, and when you step inside and look around, it all suddenly clicks to you. No wonder Adam doesn’t come home.

Adam's workspace looks like what one might expect a person's home to look like. It’s cosy and warm, filled to the brim with character, as each element conveys a deeper meaning without the need for Adam's voice. Now you know where he keeps his guitars or where he writes his music. And the furniture — now you notice that you haven’t seen any wooden furnishings anywhere else apart from Adam’s home and now his office. Everything else around Heaven is cold to the touch and glassy. You can't help but wonder if he builds everything himself. 

You finally snap out when the door, no longer being held by you, snaps close shut with a loud bang.

Right, you should probably get going.

However, there are even fewer things to be found here. It's all the same unfinished paperwork you have seen back in his home study, but this time there's not even a decorative bookcase filled with empty books to at least create an illusion.

You halt in your step when you hear footsteps and the sound of Adam’s voice nearby.

When the doors open, you are like a deer caught in headlights. You find yourself standing in the middle of the office, with no time or opportunity to hide. You guess there is no other choice for you but to go along with the original plan.

Another angel accompanies Adam; she resembles Lute in her attire, yet her complexion is darker and her hair is longer, with curls cascading down to her chest. She is standing flush with the taller angel as if attempting to squeeze through the narrow doorway at the same time as Adam. But although he is guiding her away from him, he’s doing so with softness and a light-hearted laugh while the smaller angel seems to drink up the affection with glowing cheeks.

You know you shouldn’t feel the way you do, but you can’t help but feel your heart squeezing up at the sight. And just as you consider ducking to hide under Adam's desk, he suddenly looks in your direction, and his face falls.

"Oh! Hello?" The female angel looks you up and down, craning her head a little bit to the side. "You must be one of the girls from the temples, right? I can’t believe the outdated dresses they make you wear there."

Somehow that stung, even though you didn’t choose your clothing yourself. You started getting used to them, this particular dress being quite comfortable and pretty in its own way, but now you just felt even more like a fool. It didn’t help that you already felt self-conscious — being a human and not an angel. In their eyes, dying could turn you into a sinner, implying that you didn't belong here. But also being branded as old-fashioned for your clothing was definitely a final nail in your imaginary coffin. 

Was Adam thinking the same way? Sure, he married you, but perhaps the Hell’s lighting played tricks on him, and now he realises after the fact just how unattracted he is to you. In the Archangel’s office, it was dark too. It would only make sense—

Wow, your self-esteem got really hit. That is the only explanation why you would care what he thinks.

You don’t say anything to her, just raise your hand so your palm is hovering above your head and move it back and forth to show the lack of a halo. This finally catches her attention, and with wide eyes and a meek apology, she leaves you and Adam alone in the room.

"How did you get in here?"

Adam doesn't sound frustrated with you, so that’s a relief. You swallow down any unsavoury words you might be tempted to say and grab a box of muffins from his desk.

"I took up your offer and went for a walk, also thought I would bring you this," you present him with the baked goods. "Think of it as a peace treaty."

He still looks sceptical, so you bite your inner cheek, put the box back on the wooden surface, and move toward Adam with slow steps.

"I’m really sorry for how I acted last night." There is only a small gap between you two as you, without looking away from his masked face, drop to your knees and sit down so that your butt rests on the heels of your feet. "What do you say, let's start over?"

Afraid he would start thinking too much when you want him to not do that, you don't wait for his answer and bring your hands to grasp both of his clothed thighs. You gather the fabric of his robe in your fists, pulling the garment up — all the while maintaining eye contact.

You feel Adam's fingers wrap around one of your wrists, which motivates you to now undo his belt. However, before you can do anything, Adam effortlessly pulls you up.

"You think I’m that dumb, wifey?" He tugs you by your arm until you are leaning against his stomach. "Save the last bit of your dignity and go home. You want me to believe, after the blowout of yesterday’s night, that suddenly you’re so head over heels for me while shaking like a leaf? Please."

But that’s what finally does it for you.

You free your wrist from his grasp and make your way towards the door without saying another word. You don't give a damn about where you're going or where you should go. At this moment, all you want is to reach the end of Heaven and jump off it. You didn't want to see Adam or the judgemental glances of angels and winners as you passed them by.

But just as you are about to reach for a handle, Adam — not wanting this to happen in a place that everyone can see — opens a portal where the door is, and that makes you fall through it straight onto the couch in the living room of your shared apartment.

"Are you really that upset about me not wanting to take advantage of you?" Adam yells as he steps through the portal himself.

"You are quite comfortable taking everything else from me, so I don’t see the problem with that, but no, for your information, that is the least I’m upset about." You sneer back at him. "Did my presence in Hell truly offend you this much that you decided to curse me for a life of misery?"

"Life of misery? Is that what you call a marriage you consented to?!" Adam instantly regrets his outburst. It was always so easy to cast the blame away from himself. Usually, he wasn't at fault, but your solemn face tells a different story. He made a huge mistake.

"I did, huh." With that, you push yourself up from the couch and turn to leave.

That’s when Adam grows desperate, scrambling to get you closer. He quickly gets back into your line of sight in an attempt to grab your hand.

"What do you want me to say?! That I didn’t think it through when I married you?? Bitches fall on their knees for me! They love me! What makes you so different? For your information, I take wedding wows extremely seriously, and I’m not some kind of monster to touch you when you don’t want me to. I–I didn’t want to come onto you and make you uncomfortable." Adam can't even bear to look you into your eyes. "I wanted your loyalty, that unrelenting devotion for myself. I didn’t think it through. I thought, at that moment, that I could take it, but it was never mine to take. But here you are, bending over backwards, trying to prove something! Is he really worth all of this? Do you think you are so brave for doing something like this? Sacrificing yourself for nothing?"

"For nothing?! I'm doing this for love! Love IS a sacrifice, and I sacrificed being with Marcel because I love him enough to give my life and future for him when I don’t even know if he’s alive. That’s how much I love him." You scream at Adam as if your loud voice would finally get through him, but he doesn't even look in your direction. He leaves you to stare at your own reflection in his dark, shiny cheek. "Everyone deserves love, but you devoid yourself of it on your own. I accepted my fate! I really wanted to know you more, see from your perspective, and what did I get in return?! You treated me like a joke!"

"I don’t want this to just be bearable for you! I don’t want to see you because I can’t bear looking at someone who is just okay to be here!"

"What’s even the point of wearing that mask if you can’t even look me in the eyes while saying that I’m just a mistake you made?"

"I know that you hate me. It would be so unbelievably stupid of you if you didn't, and that’s why it’s easier if you direct all of your hate towards this," he points to his masked face. "Than the real thing."

You two stand so close to one another — too close — but neither of you moves away for a while. Adam can hear your breathing, but that's it. 

And that's when one of you makes a move — you walk around him. Adam tries to grab you again, but you yank your arm away.

"At least hate me like you did before. I need you to feel some type of way, anything but indifferent… please. Scream and shout, but don’t stay silent."

He hates the silence.

You stop, but don't turn around to face him.

"All I can do is pity you. You are your worst enemy, Adam."

Back in the bedroom, you tear the dress off your body and fall onto the bed. You curl in on yourself and burry your face into the fluffy sheets, soaking them in your fury-fuelled tears while screaming all of the frustration away. Your head is a mess, and your heart is too.

Helpless — you feel so helpless.

[intrinsicepiphany]

Okay tumblr lets talk theories again.

(my brain rot + knowledge of religion has me all up in Hazbin Hotel right now.)

Today I want to talk Biology! Mostly because I made the poor choice of going to Twitter's chaggie tag and looking at the comments...

So can we discuss Why do so many people keep trying to apply HUMAN biology to the Half-Demon Nephillim daughter of an Arch-Angel?!

Okay I'll start at the begining and work my way to the reasons why if Charlie really wants a kid with Vaggie both of them being assigned female at creation probably isn't going to matter.

Let's start with Lucifer!

So as far as has been shown in the show Lucifer is an original Archangel even down to his lovely 6 red wings. This makes him one of the most powerful beings in heaven.

(If we go by bible text he was actually a favorite until his dreams of free will led him astray and depending on the text he merely has to admit he was wrong and ask for forgiveness to return)

Now looking at everything after this fall he has never lost his Angelic Abilities. His default powers are still angelic gold.

We do see he also has a Full Demon form when he is pissed. Interestingly enough his crown also doubles as a halo in this form. Also note for later just how much Charlie resembles him in both forms.

This suggest that at root biology Lucifer is still an archangel with demon traits. This combination is most likely what makes him the strongest being in hell by a long shot. The only reason others even have power is purely because he doesnt care enough to flex his power and has no desire to actually rule.

Now on to Lilith!

What do we know about Lilith?

Well we know she was a created human not born.

She was Adam's equal

And she left and got with Lucifer before the fall.

So here is the deal... I dont think Lilith can be classified as a sinner. She didnt die to end up in hell and in fact she fell before hell was really a thing. she helped create it after all. (Plus you know Charlie exsists)

So what IS Lilith? I think Lilith as one of a few Actual Demons. And if we have to classify her she'd be closer to a Sin. I actually think of Lilith as the Sin of Pride in Hazbin Hotel not Lucifer. We are even told that She created pentagram city and developed hell while lucifer kept to his workshop in depression.

Now let's talk about this scene for a second. Lilith fell from heaven/earth Alive and possibly even immortal since human kind was immortal before Eve took the apple.

Lilith gains power from her fall into hell. She develops demon like attributes and seems to have musical based magic. She also seems to retain or get immortality. So what does this fall mean? It means that Lilith was NOT HUMAN by the time Charlie was born.

So what does this mean for Charlie?

Well for one Charlie is NOT just some Hellborn. She is by Definition a Nephilim but she is not half-human. She would most likely be considered a Half-Demon, Half-Angel Nephilim.

This would explain her expansive (if never used) power base. The official power ranking has her tied with Lilith with only Lucifer being more powerful. Which makes complete sense. She is the Heir to the entire thing after all. (I actually think this is why Alastor couldnt make a deal for her soul and settled for a favor instead)

She also inheirited Angelic powers from her father. As seen by the fact that her default magic is gold. Which means she has angel blood in her veins. Lets be honest i wouldnt be surprised if she ended up bleeding gold in the future.

In fact she seems to have inherited most of her abilities from dear old dad.

Im pretty sure that just by shear ability and magic if Charlie wanted a kid she could probably create/magic one into exsistance no matter who her partner was.

But lets review Vaggie just for fun! Because I have thoughts

What do we actually know about Vaggie?

Well we know she is an angel. I say is because I dont think Lute or Adam actually have the power to cast an angel out of heaven AND she gets her wings back. This would mean she is not actually a sinner she would be closer to a fallen angel like lucifer.

We know she speaks Spanish and seems to be of Hispanic nature. BUT! Do we know if she was ever really human?!

We know Adam claims to have named her Vaggie. This could suggest three things

1) exorcist take on a new name when they join. But if this was true why wouldnt she leave this name behind and return to her human name once in hell? It would have kept her secret better and you'd figure she would want to leave behind the negative feelings that would come with her exorcist name.

2) Adam in his self-centered ways misheard her real name (maybe something like Aggie from Agatha or Maggie) and thought she said Vaggie or actively chose to misinterpret her name and she never cared to correct him. BUT Once more why would she not just return to her real name once with Charlie in hell?

Or 3) And this one is the real kicker. Vaggie is a Heaven-born Angel.

If the answer is 3 than it would imply that she was never human which brings her closer to lucifers biology.

Some other interesting things to consider about this last theory. Lute and Vaggie resemble each other a great deal. In fact, all the exorcist seem to have a similar body type. (I mean you could argue its the uniform but even without the uniform the resembalance between lute and vaggie is uncanny) and if I remember correctly at one point the exterminators are refered to as sister? I mean this could mean sisters-in-arms BUT What if ALL exorcist were heaven-born?

If they were never human this could explain both their ability and their desire to slay sinners. Much like Sera they wouldn't have any sympathy for the dammed because they wouldn't have any possible family that could end up down there. They would also have Very little connection to or concern for former humans. After all like Adam said they had their chance and they screwed up.

So in the end what does this all mean?

Well I actually already kind of said it

1) Fandom really needs to stop applying human biology to Charlie. She is a half demon half archangel Nephilim with incredible magic.

If charlie wants a kid she can probably magic one up no matter the obsticles please stop asking artist and writers how it is possible for her and vaggie to have a kid/get pregnant if they are both women - the answer is Charlie Magic.

2) all 4 of the above have the potential to be way stronger than they have been shown in the show.

And

3) Charlie is a potential BadAss and is just too nice to go full tactical nuke - this will be covered in my next ted talk.

[exorcisticlute-archive]

Here for you until the end of time

FANFICTION: Adam x Lute

SFW || fluff || injury

{First fanfiction written and published here I hope you enjoy!}

————————————————————-

It was their first time flying down to hell to the new structure that was just built. The elders wanted a place where meetings can be held without sinners going up to heaven. Although Adam thought it was the most bullshit thing he has ever heard he was instructed by sera to head down but had Lute with him. Where ever he went Lute was there next to him. No matter the time of day, not even sera could separate them if she tried too.

Landing in front of the building it was a large hourglass as it was still under construction. There was tape wrapped around the building to make sure no one dared to enter. Surprisingly the building itself has not been vandalized with pentagrams all over. Entering the building was a long hallway. All very empty, a few rooms to the left and the right. "This is what we fucking waste our time on?" The lead of the exorcist complained squinting his eyes everywhere.

Lute ran her finger on the wall and looked down to see her gloves dusty. Grunting to herself "It's not even cleaned" Stepping foot into a room as she passed the frame of the door she felt her body being shoved foreword onto the cold marble. Grunting as she quickly grabbed hold of her sword getting up on her feet swiftly. "Adam!" She yelled his name loudly to hear if he was okay while she kept her eyes on the two demons that attacked her.

Two demons with wings and disfigured face both looked down at her with saliva running from their mouths. "What the fuck is it! Making me walk everywhere" You could hear the whine laced in his tone. He appeared as he was about to walk into the room but lute pushed off her feet and flew right towards him. Her hands gripping tightly onto his robe as she uses the force to push him back into the empty hallway. "If you wanted to be top just say so babe~" Smiling widely up at her as he made such an obnoxious face while he wiggled both his eyebrows and biting his lower lip.

"Right now is not the fucking time!" She got in her stance in front of Adam with her wings spread out to make herself bigger. "We got company" Their two heads appeared out the door frame as they crawled out into the hallway. They were a decent size, bigger than lute herself but smaller than Adam. One demon hissed and flew at Lute with a handmade shank in his hand as she jumped towards it with her sword watching their movements closely. It had taken Adam a couple seconds to come to terms with what was going on. The worst part? They were fighting in a brand new building.

Fuck him. He couldn't use his golden blast but he could use his guitar to beat them on the head with it. In a snap of a finger his guitar appeared in his hands as he gave the demon a sinister grin before they charged at each other. "Man you must really live a very pathetic life if it came down to being bold enough to attack an angel" Smirking as he dodged all of the demons moves in attempting to kick and punch the archangel. "Well you're in hell so man your life really is fucking pathetic" He snorted laughing uncontrollably as he took a good swing at him hearing the guitar meet with the side of his face.

From above Lute flew around trying to get a good point to face him head on. She made a quick wrap around a column and collided with the sinner who was chasing her. When their bodies collided the sinner had thrown the shank down as Lute quickly turned her head to see where it was falling towards. It had strike his other companion in the throat as his blood gushes as his body hit the concrete. Those moments where Lute had her back turned towards the enemy she was kicked into the wall. Her back hitting the cold stone as she yelled out in pain.

She fell onto the cold floor while trying to prop herself with her arm. 'What the fuck just happened' Thoughts running through her head. Just like that she remembered what was going down before she was flung into the wall. "Fuck... Adam!" She yelled weakly attempting to get up and looking around to find no one. Holding tightly onto her injured arm that she landed on as she limped her way over to each room. Her heart raced not hearing or seeing him. Hyperventilating started to set in as she became uneased. With the bit of adrenaline left in her body she pushed herself to run down the hallway passing the first sinner that died in battle.

Passing all the rooms, with no sight of him the tears start to form. Panic had clouded her mind at this rate letting the tears fall heavily. She approached the last room as she stared at the frame of the door hoping and praying Adam was inside. Shaking she walked in and saw him. All of a sudden she felt the boost of adrenaline shoot through her body as she ran over to him. "Adam... Adam!" She fell onto her knees next to him as she started shaking him. No response. "Fucking dammit wake the fuck up!" She yelled as her tears started to drip onto his robe leaving stains behind. Her wings lowered as she lifted the top half of his body the best she could. She rested his head on her lap with her arms wrapped around him.

She took his helmet off and threw it aside as her face buried into his brown hair. Her hand cupped his face as she sat there for a few minutes cherishing the moment. She lifted her head a bit giving him a kiss on his forehead. Seconds after that she heard his grunts as he started to slowly move. Her eyes opened wide looking down to see if she wasn't just dreaming but no. He was actually waking up. It felt as if life was just restored into her, a wave of relief washed over her.

His gold tired eyes meet with hers. Red and puffy from crying. "L-Lute?" you could hear it in his voice he was slightly sore from the battle as he remained laying in her lap. "Yes?" She pushes the strands of his hair from his face. "You're still here... you didn't leave me behind" His voice cracked slightly surprised to see her there next to him. She smiled down softly at him surprised he would even think she would leave him behind in this corrupted place. "I would never leave you behind.." She helped him sit up slowly as she sat in front of him.

"I am here for you until the end of time"

She stood up offering a hand to help him up as his hand grabbed hers. Lute could see the genuine smile and look Adam was giving her. It wasn't very often that Adam was genuine or they had moments like this. But when they did Lute would never forget. Helping him to his feet he immediately went in for a hug pulling her in close. Lute melted in his arms. "Thank you" He whispered to her. He had expected her to leave him behind. He was used to women leaving. Lilith left and Eve left. But not Lute she was loyal to him and even when he didn't want to admit it she holds a special place in his heart.

"Lets get the fuck out of here" He slung an arm around her shoulder as she smiled up at him. It was a constant fear of losing him but not today it made her happy that they were going back to heaven together.

[akystaracer22]

Ruthlessness is Mercy Upon Ourselves

Synopsis: Vaggie and Adam talk about mercy and each other. It doesn’t go in any direction they thought it would.

Notes:

TW: Graphic Depictions of Violence – I’m ripping someone apart. TW: Death

Oh man this one’s fucked up.

Vaggie opens the floodgates.

There is now a reason the archangels are like this and it’s fun and fucked up.

Mindflayers are my favorite DnD enemy btw.

Bit more unreliable narrator Adam here too.

Sorry this one took so long, had relationship issues, six dnd campaigns and six assignments at uni to work through so I’ve been a little busy.

Word Count: 1674

Adam found her on the roof of the hotel, as he expected.

Vaggie’s wings were out, lax against her back as she looked out at… the outskirts.

Adams domain. The growing garden as Lucifer was so fond of calling it. There was a tension in her shoulders and Adam quietly dismissed Echo behind him. There's not going to be a fight today, he could handle this.

He made sure his steps echoed on the ground as he walked up beside her, brushing her wing with his own on instinct before folding them under his arms like normal.

It was silent for a little while, Vaggie refused to look at him while Adam got his thoughts in order.

The leader of the exorcists sighed; this was going to suck.

“I’m not going to apologize for what I did that day.”

Vaggie pushed herself away from the railing immediately, Adam’s arm reaching out at the last second to grab her and keep her from fleeing, “Let me finish.”

“You-”

“I will never apologize for making that call, but I am sorry for the pain that decision caused you,” Adam continued, “I didn’t want to do it, but I would do it again if I had to.”

“You’re not sorry,” Vaggie snapped back, her wings mantling behind her threateningly, “Don’t try and act like it with that kind of apology.”

“Listen to me,” Adam pressed, keeping his voice as even as he could, “Just- give me a chance to explain.”

“Explain what,” Vaggie retorted, straining against Adam's grip, “What the fuck is there to explain.”

“You weren’t the first exorcist that showed mercy,” Adam spat out, his gut twisting in panic as he spoke quickly, “You were just the first one that heaven didn’t get its hands on.”

That made Vaggie pause, looking him in the eyes and faltering when he held the gaze steadily, “What?”

Adam sighed; he was right this was going to fucking hurt. The fallen angel sat down and patted the space next to him, he couldn’t do this standing up.

“Sit down kid, this has been a long time coming.”

He was right, this was going to suck.

Adam stretched as he took a moment to break during the extermination, swinging his axe over his shoulder as he looked around.

Annie was chasing a sinner down the street, flanked by Rumi and Dawn as the exorcist's cackles echoed through the city.

Charlie, Delta, and Echo soared overhead, having finished up their area and likely headed to help Lute, Fei, and Netto in their area.

Vaggie darted out of an alleyway and used her spear to break through a door to get to the sinner’s inside.

Wasp-

Adam looked down and saw Wasp standing over a sinner, her wings shaking as her rapier clattered to the ground.

She said something and the Sinner ran away deeper into the alley disappearing around a bend.

Adam sheathed his axe and jumped down, picking up Wasps rapier as he pulled his girl into a hug, shielding her as she broke apart.

Vaggie glared at him, “So you’re saying that if anyone else shows mercy to a sinner, fine, but when it’s me-”

“Would you kindly shut up and let me continue?”

“…”

Adam sighed again.

Adam stayed with Wasp for the rest of the extermination, keeping out of the fight and making sure his kid was okay.

“You don’t have to participate in the exterminations again if you don’t want to, all right? I bet I can get the higher-ups to make an exception.”

“I- I’d like that,”

Adam smiled reassuringly down at the exorcist as they touched down at the entrance to heaven. The angel paused once he and Wasp headed past the golden gates, blinking a couple of times in mild surprise.

Gabriel was waiting at the gate, grimacing when he saw them. Adam instinctively stood a little straighter, pulling Wasp closer to him with a wing.

What did he want?

“Adam, Michael wants to see you two.”

“Why didn’t anyone see this,” Vaggie questioned, giving Adam a hard glare, “If the archangel Gabriel was there-”

“Because Archangel Gabriel has that effect on people, you only see him when he wants you to. Unlike his siblings, the messenger angel is a lot more subtle.”

Adam stepped into the golden hallways of the Ancient Archangel’s home; the glittering palace located in a secluded area high up in the city. Adam had already been to the palace many times for meetings or when Michael wanted an in-person report for the exterminations.

He didn’t know why they wanted to see Wasp as well though, but it did make things easier for him.

“Michael will see you now,” One of the servants said with a doll-like smile, moving to guide the two angels through the halls, Adam was dimly aware of Gabriel flaking off into his part of the palace.

“Do you know what’s going on, sir?”

“Well, I guess we’ll find out,” Adam stood a little straighter and pulled Wasp behind him as the doors to Michael’s office opened and they stepped inside.

The windows were dimmed, and the room was lit solely by the halos in the room and the chandelier on the ceiling. Michael was pacing the back of his office before turning to face them.

The hair on Adam's neck rose at the dangerous look on the archangel’s face. That wasn’t good.

“Do you have any clue how much trouble you two have caused?”

“So that’s it? You talked to archangel Michael and Wasp went into hiding?”

Adam swallowed thickly and shook his head, raising his wings from where they rested to cover himself slightly from anxiety.

“No- he… he didn’t listen to reason.”

“I promise you that Wasp is very capable to keeping to herself and-”

“Enough!” Divine magic lanced through the room and slammed Adam against the wall, Wasp drawing her rapier before being disarmed by the warrior archangel and restrained with magic.

“I cannot risk this compromise to heavens security,” Michael spat, his halo glowing brightly and casting sharp shadows on his face, “Not on something as fickle as a promise.”

The archangel turned to Wasp; wings mantled as power gathered around him.

“No matter, just as easily as I created you and your choir, I can just as easily unmake you.”

Wasp screams were beaten only by Adam as Michaels magic proceeded to tear her soul apart.

Adam strained against the magic chains holding him in place, all pretences of composure gone as he fought against Michael’s magic keeping him in place.

His heart raced as he saw and heard Wasps ligaments tear, bones snapping as Michael ripped into Wasp to get as her soul. Ichor painting rivers in the marble as Wasp screamed in agony. A shower of golden blood marking her arm giving way to the pressure and tearing from her body.

“DAD-!”

Adam’s eyes widened at the title his exorcist- his daughter screamed out; she was calling to him.

Adams magic cracked against Michaels as he strained against the chains constricting him, he needed to get to her he needed to save-!

“WASP!”

Michael pulled on his magic, the power ripping through her chest before extracting her soul and crushing it.

Adam could only stare at the space his daughter used to be, bile rising to the back of his throat as sickness overtook him.

“What a shame such a defect manifested itself and infected you,” Michael’s voice cut through the air as he spoke to the dead, chilling in its apathy as he inspected the golden blood on his hands, “I’ll have to scrap the Exorcist choir as a whole and start from scratch to prevent a repeat of this incident.”

Adams blood froze as he jerked his head up to stare at Michael in horror, he couldn’t be serious.

The head archangel sighed and walked towards the door, hand reaching up to pull on the doorknob. He was serious.

“Wait!”

Michael paused, his hand pulling away as he glanced over at Adam, “Hm?”

“I- She’s the only defect, I swear on my soul Wasp was the only one.”

Michael turned to look completely at Adam, “And if this… mess, becomes a repeat occurrence?”

Adam swallowed thickly as he met the archangel’s gaze.

“Then I swear on my very existence that no exorcist who shows mercy will ever see the light of heaven again.”

Michael pulled back, something almost fond flashing across his face as he nodded, “Then we have an agreement.”

“And that was that” Adam finished shakily, keeping his gaze anywhere but on Vaggie as he tried his best to hide himself with his wings, “That- that’s it. That’s the story.”

“I-”

Adams breathing picked up and he scrambled to his feet, this was such a stupid idea, “I’ll get out of your hair now, go and bother the jumping spider or some shit-”

Vaggie grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into a hug.

The leader of the exorcists froze, going stiff in the other angels hold before shuddering and sinking into the hug, his wings instinctively wrapping around his girl as he held her close and fell apart in her arms.

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

“Lucifer, honey, can I borrow you for a moment?”

The king of hell startled and whipped around to greet his wife with a smile, “Yes! Of course! Whatever you need dear!”

“Ah, in private, if you would,” the queen of hell requested with a smirk as she glanced over Lucifer’s head, “I don’t think I’m comfortable having Charlies… friends, listening in.”

The fallen angel nodded and snapped his fingers, whisking the two of them away to their room. Lucifer nudged a stray duck out of the way as he lead his dearest to a table, “So! What do you want to talk about?”

Lilith sighed before speaking, “I overheard a conversation between Adam and his daughter, Charlies girlfriend daughter.”

“Oh”

“Lucifer, it’s about your brother, Michael.”

[cemeteryspider]

Only Human

Lucifer Morningstar x Archangel! Reader

Summary: Lucifer and an Archangel meet every century to discuss certain issues, through song... "Only Human" in the Deathnote Musical to be specific

@mygoldtears - this was their idea and I do not want to take credit for it (If you see this I hope you enjoy!)

Trigger Warnings: ANGST, grief, violence, angels (as their own warning)

Words Count: 1020

Under the comforting canopy of the Tree of Knowledge, you patiently awaited Lucifer, reveling in the dappling shadows cast by its ancient branches. Still, you waited for Lucifer in your usual spot. This is where every century you would meet to discuss angelic and demonic issues that were important to bring up to the higher angelic counsel.

Over centuries, you had become the sole attendee of Lucifer's pleas. You quite missed him and his crazy ideas, even if that's what made him fall.

His footsteps echoed a melancholic rhythm as Lucifer approached, a shadow of sorrow etched across his features. Every time the meeting was held the day after an extermination. Somehow, with each meeting, Lucifer lost more of his hope and enthusiasm. A pang of sorrow tugged at your celestial essence, but duty held you steadfast.

How else would Lucifer's ideas get to the all mighty of Heaven?

Perched on the edge of Heaven, his solemn gaze surveyed Earth, where the vibrant tapestry of life unfolded amidst bustling cities, factories casting shadows upon once pristine landscapes. If you focused hard enough you could see all the little people, running around with their unearned, free will.

"Look at how they crawl around upon the ground like little ants" Your mischievous grin earned a dismissive eye-roll from Lucifer.

"Yes, but how they fascinate confusing fate with what is merely chance" he mused, guiding you down to the land of the living, his gaze distant as if searching for answers in the bustling city below.

"Isn’t it a laugh?" As you pointed to all the people going into churches as if it made a difference where they ended up. Praying to a God that couldn't give a shit about them.

"Isn’t it a shame?" Lucifer however, was staring at the funeral for a little girl across the street.

"Thinking there is someone in Heaven to blame" With another heavy sigh, you spread your wings and ascended, leaving without a soul below realizing your departure.

He swiftly joined you in the celestial expanse, his voice carrying in the cosmic winds, "Yes, but even while blaming fate for the lives that they lead. They hope for the lives that they need"

"Living every day ‘til the day they die. Never getting answers" You tried his beliefs as much as you could bear, knowing these were the questions Heaven's "finest" would ask.

"Yet still asking why. Going through the motions as if there will be a reward"

~~~

As you recalled the song you and Lucifer sang, its resonance echoed through the celestial courtroom. However, it fell on deaf ears. Sera, stern and resolute, banged the gavel, her authority echoed by the amused laughter of Adam and the sly grin of Lute.

"And we stay eternally bored" Adam cackled and Lute joined in without a second thought.

~~~

Together, you and Lucifer recounted the determination made by the angelic counsel, your bond evident in shared history and purpose. Lucifer could only harmonize with your sweet sorrow.

"They’re only human. They don’t see. Who they are is who they’ll always be. Only human, after all"

"So they push and they shove", You shout.

Lucifer's hand sought yours, intertwining fingers as he whispered, "With this thing they call love"

"‘Til they fall!"

~~~

"Isn’t it a farce?" You looked down at the same itty bitty people doing the same itty bitty things.

"Isn’t it a waste?" Lucifer sits next to you hoping that maybe this time will be different.

"Struggling to face what can never be faced" A silent hand fell on his shoulder.

"Yes, but maybe death can release something more than we share", he gave you a small smile which you returned even though your eye betrayed you. You continued to watch the humans on Earth, not knowing the celestial struggle going on above them.

~~~

"I really don’t know and don’t care" Laughter echoed mercilessly through the courtroom, an unsettling chorus of celestial mockery.

~~~

As another unsuccessful pitch echoed in the background, you turned to Lucifer to share the details. 'They’re only human,' you sighed

"Standing still. Doomed to live pushing boulders uphill. Only human, after all. So they give and they take" You recounted Sera saying.

"Hoping someone will help break their fall" Lucifer sings portaling himself down to rethink his pitch next century.

~~~

"They will pray, curse, live, die. Never knowing their truth is another man’s lie" Anger seethed within you, a tempest fueled by humans wielding Lucifer's gift for malevolence. Angry at your fellow angels for choosing hate and violence over peace. Angry at yourself for not following Lucifer many millennia ago. Your wings quivered with the weight of disappointment.

"Eat, sleep, love, hate. Like a leaf blowing in the wind" He tucked a stray wisp of hair behind your ear, and grasped your hand with the other.

~~~

"Watch them all vacillate!"

Tears fell from your eyes as you tried to reason with them.

"They’re only human. They can’t see", You tried to get them to see from a different perspective, but Adam and Lute held the power.

"All the years they could give you and me" They chuckled together.

~~~

"Only human, after all" You sadly revisited the same melancholic tale with Lucifer. Tears still falling from the meeting.

"So they give and we take" You cry.

"‘Til our silly hearts break" He squeezes your shoulders in sympathy, and looks deeply into your eyes. "Looking down from above. I’m intrigued by their love"

"So I'll fall," you smiled, the weight of understanding settling upon you like stardust. Finally comprehending the sacrifice he made, the chance to make choices and experience love, you embraced the poignant truth of his rebellion.

~~~

Exhausted from the relentless debate with the counsel for the second time that day, you felt the inevitable pull of descent. Air rushed around you as you crashed through Earth's atmosphere, and through Earth's crust. Your feathers charred around you, and in the midst of the fiery descent, a silent hope lingered - the hope that they'd grow back.

You continued falling through a crimson sky, but Lucifer was waiting to catch you. To break your fall.

[commenter2]

"Welcome to Heaven" review

Time for a change of scenery and to learn more about Heaven. Spoilers.

Nice to see Vaggie told the truth instead of attempting to lie. I am curious, would that have even worked on Charlie? Does Charlie have a power to tell if people are lying to her, since her father is the “father of lies”?

That was sweet of Vaggie, but there is a lining of “Vaggie sacrifices more for the relationship” idea in my Charlie/Vaggie trailer breakdown here. LUCKILY there hasn’t been much of that as I expected in this season. At least we’ll find out how Vaggie lost her Exorcist title.

CHAGGIE KISS! Wait why’d she kiss her on the eyepatch? Also I’m NOW just wondering if Vaggie DOES still have her left eye, but is covering it up Japanese anime style cause it contains a great Exorcist power?

Here’s Cherri Bomb making an “explosi.. eh I’m not going to finish that lame joke. I do like the new Australian accent they gave her.

I’m not liking where this is going. I feel like this is going to result in a situation like in the pilot where Angel and co. embarrass Charlie’s goal in front of everyone in Heaven. I mean (spoilers based on the HH S1 trailer) something is going to make the next Extermination happen, but I hope it’s something else.

You really should have told the others to behave themselves before leaving Charlie.

A new portrait of Charlie and her parents in the background. It’s hard to make out, so hopefully someone posts a proper version of it soon.

Charlie casually throwing Vaggie through portal XD.

(Pen sees Cherri) knew this was coming here we go. Bet Pen X Cherri shippers are going to enjoy that moment.

Anyone else think the eye symbol at Heaven’s gate is also a reference to the Sheikah Eye from Legend of Zelda?

Saint Peter? With her last name being Morningstar, you think he would realize she is Lucifer’s daughter.

Charlie Morningbreakfast

Cursing is allowed in Heaven. Interesting to know, you think there will be a gag for when someone curses, everyone else covers their ears “Harry Potter Musicals” style?

So angels can take on different forms. Also was it just me or did the old angel’s bird form look like Stella a bit? I did have this theory that touched on the idea of how after fallen angels went to Hell, they would evolve to become different from what those in Heaven look like and create subspecies, and it looks that is true.

The angel finally has a name, Sera. Oh she may sound nice now but wait till we see her evil side! Right there she says, “you are gifted to be here”, life if she wasn’t Lucifer’s daughter she would have been really rude to Charlie.

Even though she says she is the highest of the Seraphim (the highest rank in Heaven’s hierarchy if pic of said topic are any indication) I feel like there is going to be a moral Heaven thing where every angel is treated equal. I thought I bring this up now cause when Sera reveals herself as a villain, I hope later on she becomes an antagonist (replacing Adam) who fights against Charlie’s redemption plan but will have trouble when other Seraphim’s and Archangels side with Charlie.

Sounds like Emily is the Charlie of Heaven XD.

Got some interesting designs like a Hellhound looking creature with hooves and that…thing she is next to. There is also someone that looks a lot like Vaggie but with no mouth, who “COINCIDENLY” has a close eye where Vaggie has an eyepatch.

I think that was a FNAF/Chuck E Cheese mascot band refence there.

MOLLY HOLY CRAP! Looks like we found the motivation to get Angel to redeem himself! I was going to wonder why she was spider looking creature when you think Heaven only has people in human/cute animal like forms, till I saw that crab looking angelic being in the same scene. Also on the bottom right, I think that’s a Sara Bellum from PPG reference.

Again. Sera being rude, though Emily sounds very ally like.

Vaggie being jealous XD

LUTE? Wait does this mean Adam is wearing a mask/helmet/whatever too? I bet he’s fugly under it XD.

Damn the Amazon Prime pause button. It keeps making the video skip ahead instead of doing its job!

OKAY HUGE REVEAL THERE! HOW COME NO ONE ELSE KNOW ABOUT THE EXTERMINATONS? Do the archangels at least know? Either way this could actually be good but I’ll get into that later.

Okay so Sera seems to be one of those “doing bad to do good” kind of characters as she just wants to protect Heaven, explains why she looked so sad in Charlie’s story, but I feel like she will have prejudices too. It also sounds like Adam was the sole person who came up with the Exterminations.

FINALLY confirmation of Vaggie being a former Exorcist! :D… Wait… Oh crap! :(

ADAM GAVE VAGGIE HER NAME! CALLED IT!! https://www.tumblr.com/commenter2/718141081445957632/odd-theory-but-do-you-think-vaggie-got-her-name?source=share

That was a hellborn child! I had suspicions that Exorcist also killed Hellborn demons during the Exterminations (Viv did once say they kill anything that wasn’t indoors) but still its more shocking than knowing it was a correct fact.

I do like that the Extermination scene is a flashback and not taking place in the finale like I predicted.

Also as messed up as what happened to Vaggie, losing her eye and wings (more on that later) at least it led to her instantly meeting Charlie. Hey they are wearing their pilot outfits :D

At least we can look forward to a Vaggie vs. Lute fight in the future.

Since it was shown that Lute was able to wound Vaggie when she was still an angel, my idea from my “Overture” review of the dead Exorcist being killed by one of its own is a little stronger now. I still think someone else like the threat impersonating Lilith did it, but I'm still keeping that as a possibility until we learn more.

If the first human soul to arrive in Heaven doesn’t know what qualifies to get into Heaven, then Charlie redemption plan deserves a chance. It also makes me curious on what the other angels think qualifies. Also again how would Angel be any different than having Adam there.

WAIT WHAT ABOUT ABEL? He was murdered by his brother long before Adam died, what happened to him after he died?

See I told you we’d get another pilot situation, though at least it’s better than last time as Angel did resist for a time. Heck Husk and Sir Pentious should also be considered proof of being able to redeem since Pen was being nice to a degree and Husk was actually trying to help Angel.

Seriously, Adam has been cursing up a storm, yet you react to when Charlie does it? Maybe like us they were just surprised that she can curse, given how good she is.

Looks like I was wrong about the situation leading to pilot vibes. GOOD! Also great to see Angel stand up to Val.

Now that we know that Val’s shirt are his wings, it makes the scene of Niffty ripping a piece off hilarious XD.

This seems enough proof to me that someone can be redeemed, don’t try and change the subject Adam.

So no angelic being in that room properly knows how judging a soul works? While odd, I wonder if this is a result of after what happened to Lucifer, maybe soon after others got sent to Hell for minor things and eventually no one dared to question or go against God’s (or whoever else’s) judgment and now they are at this point where they don’t recall things or fear becoming a fallen angel like Lucifer. I’m (semi) counting this as another one of my ideas coming true, as I did bring the idea of Heaven not knowing how to loosen the restrictions to getting into Heaven.

Though a bit understandable from Charlie’s POV and thankfully she got lucky there, her ranting to Heaven is another time where Charlie should have taken up at least SOME of Vaggie’s words.

So glad to see Adam’s ego and stupidity finally leading to some good for the heroes, as it will be interesting to see how parts of Heaven will react to learning about the Exterminations.

Trailer screen shot. At least I’m glad that Sera isn’t what I thought she was going to be like.

Oh don’t phrase it like that Charlie! You’re making my “Lilith wants to destroy Heaven” theory sound like it could happen :(

Again when looking at that statue of Sera, she looks like Stella. Also if I’m right the other creature is Emily, who I guess can take on the form of a unicorn.

Aww crap Adam revealed Vaggie’s secret. I know I brought up the idea of Charlie and Vaggie’s relationship being tested, but I just meant personality wise not this, mostly cause I though Charlie already knew. Then again Charlie can be an idiot at times. Hopefully Charlie can be mature about this and thinking back to the trailer, the two do loving sing to each other, heck looks like Vaggie gets her wings back. So yeah, I’m guessing that they will be fine and their relationship will be stronger than ever.

Seriously Sera, after what you see your going to still allow Adam to do the Extermination. Then again she might not have a choice here. This is quickly confirmed with Sera expressing the “Angels scared of suffering the same fate as Lucifer” idea I brought up. Also obviously we need something to continue the series.

So Sera and Emily ARE mother and daughter, I was starting to wonder. Actually speaking of family and thinking back to “Queen Bee”, Bee brought up the question of how fallen angels and such are related, I wonder how related Lucifer and Sera are. Could Charlie and Emily be cousins? If they are, then Vaggie won’t have to worry about Charlie leaving her XD.

At least Charlie has her first angelic ally. I wonder if what Sera said and Emily clenching her fist IS foreshadowing her fate? If my idea of her being able to transform into a horse comes true, what if her demon horse form takes on the form of the horse at the end of the Spindlehorse credits.

Aw man we’re not going to see how Charlie feel about this or more importantly,

Whew that was intense near the end. We got to see Heaven and learned some big things about it like the residents such as Molly being there or how angels have NO IDEA how judging a soul works. Then there was a big reveal that no one before the events here even knew about the Exterminations, that was a great twist if not a bit odd.

It was also great to learn more about Vaggie’s now confirmed past and be introduced to Emily and how she agrees with Charlie’s thoughts instead, making the argument less one sided. It was also funny seeing how she and Charlie got along so well which led to Vaggie being jealous at one point. Hopefully for her, Emily and Charlie turn out to be cousins.

It was nice having Cherri be in the episode, even if she almost led to Angel doing bad things and getting Charlie in trouble again. Speaking of which, it was GREAT to see that Angel HAS changed since joining Charlie. Hopefully if he learns that Molly is there, a great cameo BTW, he will amp that up to 11.

I also personally liked how stupid Adam looked in it, and now that people know the truth about Exterminations, I think it could lead to him being demoted (both related to Heaven's hierarchy and as a main antagonist in the series) and my idea of Charlie being the “chosen one” to save everyone from a great threat or the idea I have for what season 2 could be about.

The only downsides were that this was kind of the expected outcome given the episode’s place. Maybe if this was the 2nd to last episode and the finale was an hour long, it could have helped but I’m not complaining.

It was also a bummer that we didn’t see more of how Charlie feels about discovering Vaggie was an angel. At least the S1 trailer makes it clear that thing between them will be fine in the end.

The things about no one knowing about the Exterminations, or what the qualifications to get into Heaven really are, but I’m not complaining. This is actually a perfect excuse for my season finale epilogue idea where after the Extermination, Heaven agrees with Charlie and they need to rework or explore the qualifications required to get into Heaven, and Charlie plans on having a big say in it so that more people can get into Heaven whether it be after they die or through her hotel. Of course some people of Hell and Heaven will be against Charlie’s ideas, so Charlie will have to go through a multi-season storyline where she needs to keep convincing more and more powerful people that this would be a good thing, eventually having to convince God himself. All the while evil forces will try and progress its/their agenda, leading to big fights.

Now we wait for the season finale.

As always let me know your thoughts about the episode.

[bloogers-boogers]

Lucifer: *kneeling down infront of Adam as he takes a small box out from his pocket*

Charlie gasped in realization of what is happening, covering her mouth with both hands, while the others snapped their heads to know what was going on.

Adam blinks dumbly while staring at Lucifer.

Lucifer, suddenly nervous by all the attention: ehem *clear throat as he pulls on his bowtie* Adam, it's been a pleasure being tied to you by all means of a very intimate relationship-

Adam: what class of shit is this? Nerd poetry in the hotel? It was already lame with all those songs

Lucifer: Adam, please. I'm trying to be romantic here. EHEM *clears throat once more but with much more intensity* I've fallen so deeply in love with you, that I've grown blind to your stupidity

Adam, immediately blushing: *stammering * f-fuck you!

Lucifer *opens the box revealing a beautiful golden snake ring with a green gem in its eyes*

Adam, exhales air with widened eyes.

Lucifer: what I'm trying to ask you is... would you give me the honor to be your husband, to love and cherish you for the rest of our eternal lives. Would you marry me, Adam? *a bunch of roses summoned from the ground with flames around Adam and the lights darkened only letting Adam steal the spotlight*

Charlie was wiping tears of joy as she watched the two from her seat next to the bar. She was a emotional wreck like Lucifer.

Adam blinks while processing everything.

Adam, says simply: no.

It took awhile for Lucifer to process Adams words before having to process his rejection, his heart sunk: No?

Adam, shrugs: No. I'm married, I cannot marry again unless I get a divorce those are the rules

Lucifer stands up immediately, absolutely confused and offended: YOU'RE MARRIED!? But! But- but Eve- she's gone, she left you! You said-

Adam, stops him with one hand in the air, correcting him: not Eve. To somebody else. Well something else

Lucifer lifts a brow even more in confusion: whaT? What do you mean by that?

Adam: yeah, it's kinda like a crazy story. So me and Lute once crashed into the archangels base and let me tell you it was scary as hell. We thought we were gonna get caught, so like, we were like really sneaky about it and somehow me and Lute split up and we got lost, that place is HUGE. But yeah, I entered this weird looking door that had a really intense shimmer around it and I went in and one thing lead to another and I got married to Michael's celestial goat

Lucifer: WHAT

Adam: I know, I know. Crazy stuff. Anyways, yeah, Michael caught us, obviously because his goat was involved here, took us to Sera. Scold the shit out of the three of us and he did try contacting God to brake our holy union but nope, nothing. So I'm stuck married to that goat until one of us dies DIES, like actually die.

Lucifer, still processing.

Lucifer: no fucking way a goat is preventing ME from marrying you!?

Adam: yes way. I told you I'm a man of my faith I cannot marry you until I'm single again

Lucifer: but you would marry me if you were??

Adam: uh duh? We've been together for over two years now, I think it's kinda official at this point

Lucifer poofs away as he summons books about how to brake heaven barriers

[firecrackerhh]

So you know how Vaggie seems surprised at the fact that angels can be killed even tho she was injured herself by said weaponry?

I’ve seen some people call it a plot hole, but…here’s a thought.

Being injured by something is not the same as being KILLED by it.

It stands to reason that Vaggie would have no idea that holy weaponry can kill an angel because, well, as Lute said “They never managed to kill one of us before.”

Lute never said anything about injury.

Perhaps the concept of death to an angel is something that literally never occurs to them because well…they’re already dead right? What reason would an angel have to fear anything like that in heaven? I imagine that Adam specifically drilled into an exorcists head that they are literally unkillable, because that’s what he believed, not even he knew such weaponry could hurt him until the battle of episode 8.

Which begs the question on who exactly made such powerful weaponry to begin with. Was it Adam? Unlikely. The archangel Michael? If he’s in the show proper, sure. Sera? That would be interesting. The council of heaven? Specifically the angels we see in the beginning of more than anything? Oh, now that’s very interesting.

Would such weaponry be able to kill an archangel, I wonder?

That would actually be insane. Talk about a shake up of the status quo.

[sparkinglove]

@allantlers | starter from Vox

The Hazbin Hotel wasn't the only one to suffer damages from the most recent battle with the Exorcists. They were the target of the first attack led by Adam and his Lieutenant, Lute, and likely the most desirable target for Heaven to eliminate, but they certainly weren't the only targets.

There was a second wave of attack, led by an archangel, and this time, all of Hell was their target.

It started with screams filling the streets, interrupting the broadcast the Vees were watching together of the fight currently happening at the hotel. It was finally getting to the good part, where Alastor was about to die by the hands of the angel, but the screams became too close for comfort, and soon, alarms surrounding their tower began blaring.

It was a scramble for them to try and fortify the tower, but it was too late. The angels broke through and tore through every VoxTek employee who stood in their path until they reached the three of them, and a terrible battle ensued.

It wasn't necessarily an attack on them, but as it turned out, on all of Hell. The Exorcists had instructions to obliterate as much as possible and destroy all the souls they could, especially those of the most powerful sinners; the Overlords.

They barely managed to escape with their lives, but that was all they managed to retain. Everything else was lost in the battle; their tower, their employees, their companies... and for Vox, the very relationship he shared with the two of them.

Complications arose during the battle and without a second thought, both Velvette and Val all but disowned him, refusing to allow him to join them again in an attempt to rebuild all they lost. Despite basically being the one to form their group -- the Vees, the three of them -- the bastards disowned him!

In reality, Vox couldn't blame them for the decision after what happened during the battle -- what he did to them -- but that didn't stop it from crushing him any less. He wanted a second chance to make it up to them, to prove that he could change his ways if it meant remaining with them, as part of their group, but they knew better. They refused, casting him aside as if he was another object to be discarded after extermination day.

For a couple of days, all Vox could do was sulk. He all but fell off the grid to the rest of Hell, not appearing in broadcasts or in front of anyone else, too ashamed to show his face, and had too much time to think. It made him realize that without the other Vees or his media, there was nothing left for him.

Maybe it would have been better if one of the Exorcists had taken him out along with the others, rather than living life alone like this.

That was when he realized that he didn't have to be alone. There was one place in Hell that would accept him, regardless of his history, or whatever dirty tricks he previously partook in. One place that wouldn't question him about what happened during the attack at the V Tower, at least not by the person who ran the establishment.

With nothing else left for him, Vox swallowed his pride and showed up on the doorstep of the Hazbin Hotel, knocking on its door and prepared to ask for a room to stay.

[libby-for-life]

Title: Adam Dies

Summary: Adam dies. Or does he? When he's reincarnated back to when he was first created, Adam realizes that he has a chance to live a better way. One where he doesn't die nor does he have to make the same mistakes. Can Adam make a better future, one where he isn't so alone?

Chapter 1: Rebirth (preview)

Adam didn't really think he would die today. He actually came down to do the killing. Who would have thought that he would be stabbed in the literal back by some maniacal demon? He could hear her insane laughter as she stabbed him over and over again, burning firey pain running through his veins with each stab.

He felt her hop off him just as he heard the sound of Lute's voice yelling for him. "NO!" Adam whimpered in pain when he felt himself being rolled over. Lute's devastated face came into view. The first thing he noticed was that her arm had been ripped off, golden blood gushing from her wound. And yet, she was worried about him. He had never had someone look at him like that before.

He couldn't help but smile gently at her. Lute was loyal to the end and if it were possible, he would never forget that. He felt himself close his eyes as he heard Lute yell one last time. "ADAM!"

Darkness.

The darkness around him seemed never-ending as if he was stuck in an abyss with no way out. It was cold and lonely, and he couldn't see anything. Was this his hell? The thought crossed his mind more than once. He tried to shake it off, but the feeling of despair lingered. It was like a heavy weight on his chest that refused to lift. He wondered if this was his punishment for his sins. He was once Adam, the first man created by God. But now, he was nothing but a lost soul, floating aimlessly in the void of darkness. At first, he was filled with anger and indignation. After all, how could he, Adam, be confined to such a fate? He should be lounging in heaven, basking in the glory of God.

XxX

As he floated aimlessly, Adam's anger gradually faded into a deep sense of denial. He couldn't even begin to fathom how long he had been stranded in limbo. It seemed like an eternity had passed since he was cast out of Heaven. For he has to be or they would have come for him. But he held on to the hope that he would be brought back soon and all of this would be forgotten. After all, he was the first man and a pivotal figure in the creation story. He wasn't just anybody - he was somebody important! Surely, Heaven needed him. And God needed him too! Who would lead his army of angels without him? These thoughts swirled in his mind as he desperately clung to the belief that he would soon be rescued.

XxX

Adam found himself still lost in the pitch-black darkness, unable to see anything around him. He had no idea how long he had been drifting in this state, but it felt like it had been far too long. He realized as he had nowhere else to go, that maybe he had been too brutal in his killings when it came to demons. And yes, he could have been more attentive to the rules instead of skirting along them. If any could hear him, he's learned his lesson now! He would be much more careful in the future.

As he called out for help, he hoped that whoever could hear him would understand the gravity of his situation and come to his aid. Despite his pleas, the silence remained unbroken, leaving him feeling more alone and helpless than ever before.

XxX

The oppressive darkness seemed to stretch on endlessly, causing Adam's desperation to grow with each passing moment. He couldn't help but wonder if anyone would come to his rescue, but deep down, he knew that he was alone. After all, what use did heaven have for him? Lute, his right-hand angel, could easily take over his duties and the archangels were more than capable of carrying on without him. Perhaps it was only right that he suffer the eternal consequences of his actions. It was his own fault, he couldn't deny that. Adam had made grave mistakes, and now he had to face the repercussions of his wrongdoings.

It was fitting, wasn't it? If Lilith could see Adam now, she would be enjoying his eternal suffering. She was as beautiful as she was dangerous. Even in the idyllic setting of the Garden of Eden, Lilith was a force to be reckoned with. She was fiercely independent and determined to do things her own way, no matter the cost. He remembers how he would force himself on her, saying that God wanted this to happen and that it was their duty as His creations to do as they were told. He...didn't like it either but he didn't want to displease God in any way.

He learned the hard way that there was also a darker side to her nature, a ruthless streak that made her dangerous to those who crossed her. Adam made the horrible mistake of ever hurting her and paid the price when he was tempted to eat from that damned apple. Poor Eve, so innocent in nature. So dainty and submissive, the exact opposite of Lilith. He didn't like her either.

Eve was always hanging off of Adam, no matter what he did. Her amazement was unceasing and it seemed that everything Adam did was an incredible feat of strength and intelligence. At first, Adam was flattered by her constant attention and empty praises, but he soon grew tired of it. He couldn't understand what was so great about picking up a simple rock or performing other everyday tasks that he found mundane. Despite this, Eve would still cheer and clap in admiration, which only made Adam feel more annoyed. He wished that she would stop worshiping him for things that he considered to be trivial.

Eventually, he thought this was how he should be treated and expected as such when he first came to heaven.

Adam was now aware of the fact that Eve was a product of a highly patriarchal and oppressive system. The system had been designed in such a manner that after Lilith's rebellion had resulted in Eva being put in her place instead. Consequently, men and women were no longer considered equal. The angels, who had been entrusted with the task of restoring order, had decided to make women more submissive in nature. Adam supposed that this strategy had worked, considering there was no more fighting or rebellion against the order. However, despite the apparent success of this system, Adam couldn't help but feel unhappy. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was fundamentally wrong with this situation.

As he floated in the dark, for how long Adam couldn't remember, it came to him. Love. He wasn't in love with Lilith at the time of creation nor was he in love with Eve after it. That was why he was unhappy during it all even after he ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. In fact, this was why he had eaten the fruit to begin with. He was so depressed with his life that he was willing to even sin if that meant change.

'And look where that landed you. If only he could do things differently, maybe you wouldn't have died.'

Suddenly, a yank at his core made Adam yelp in pain. What was going on? And then he knew no more.

So, what do you think of the preview? If you're interested in my book, Adam Dies, then go check it out!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53883259/chapters/136385803

[truearchangel]

“ because of what they/you did i’m damaged. ” lute to Michael

@heavenscrow ; I am very sorry about this. Hello nice to meet you, I'm about to break your muse.

   “You,” a deep breath is taken here, an attempt to reign his temper in. Something failing poorly. “Do not get to play victim to me.” 

   Michael’s office had classical music playing at a rather moderate level. Not too loud but loud enough for him to be attempting to drown his own thoughts out. It was working relatively well, until Lute came in to talk to him. Reasonably, he knows she is upset. Adam was dead, she left her lost arm, she feels that she is entitled to something. Which simply isn’t true. It isn’t true because the two of them just screwed everything up. 

   “I cannot even begin to express my disappointment in words.” But he is trying, because the other option that he wanted to do was demote her, remove her entirely from the exorcists and shove her into a Heavenly Trial. The only thing keeping him from doing that is that Michael, unfortunately, needs her. He had shoved the problem of the exorcisms off onto Adam so he wouldn’t have to deal with them. Though Michael might technically be the one in charge, Adam ran the entire thing as the commander so that Michael didn’t have to. Now without him, those angels would need someone else to guide them. 

   After Michael figures out what to do about them because Lute and Adam screwed the contract up. 

   The classical music isn’t loud enough. 

   “How prideful and wrathful do you have to be to do what you did?” He’s been pacing back and forth in front of his desk, the report from the failed extermination on his desk and taunting him. Every time he glances over at it he feels that rage burn a bit brighter in his chest. The other Archangels were going to demand an explanation for what happened and Michael doesn’t even know where to start because he doesn’t understand. Whose idea was it to even take the fight to the Hazbin Hotel in the first place? 

   Stopping in front of Lute he turned to face her. “What was the one rule in that agreement, Lute?” How soft and calm his voice was should be alarming to her. The fact he hadn’t pulled his sword out, should alarm her. 

   The wrath of the Sword of God was not something she should test. 

   “You all were meant to not touch the Hell borns. That was the main rule that Lucifer had made when he signed the agreement. An extermination once a year, with the protection of the Hell borns. That was all you had to respect, that was all you had to do, and they were the most simple of rules that I could have ever worked out for all of you. They were reasonable considering what Heaven was going down there doing.” Genocide. That was genocide. There was no sugarcoating it. There was no better word to explain it. 

   The mass slaughter of thousands of people a year is called genocide. 

   “Not only did one of you choose to move it up, and I don’t care who, you then verbally attacked Lucifer’s daughter. In Heaven of all places!” His voice rises slightly here, his arm waving angrily toward their surroundings. “And then you took the fight right to her doorstep! You threatened and attacked a Hell born and the King of Hell’s own daughter!” 

   They dragged Lucifer into that fight. Every single action they took, it loosened the chains further and further on the King of Hell until he had every single right to step in and get involved as he did. Michael was surprised he only stopped at Adam. In a single moment, in a breath really, he could have snapped the life of every single angel down there with hardly and effort on his part. 

   The fact he didn’t was a mercy to them. 

   He pulled in a breath through his teeth, his hands falling to his side and clenching. “Because of you and your choices, I have to deal with this now. With a shattered agreement, with this Hazbin Hotel, with my brother. Because you couldn’t play by the rules like everyone else, Heaven now has a problem. You were born here, you of all people should have known better.” 

   She should have told someone that Adam was growing out of control. She should have told him herself that this was going too far. She should have kept herself in check and not made this worse than it already was. She should have honored the Holy Virtues and not fallen to the sins of Pride and Wrath. But she didn’t and as Michael knows well, consequences have actions. 

   “So no. Do not stand there and play victim to me. It will earn you no sympathy in this office.” Michael turned away and stepped around his desk to sit in the chair. “If you want pity or someone to be sad Adam is dead, go talk to Uriel.”