Burger time! Burger time! Burger time!

"You look like a maniac," Asmodeus chuckles, shaking his head with fond amusement. He decides there's no point in waiting-- or trying to cook a proper breakfast to go with the cake, since he's sure that's all they're going to eat anyway-- so he puts the cake on the table before he scoops Fizz up into his arms.

He peppers his face with kisses. "Quit pinching your nose shut. Might as well see my hard work now you're up." The cake is insanely decorated with lots of colors, the crude candles, and the words "happy one year anniversary froggy" written in delicate script at the top of the cake.

For a second, he thought about pointing out how they'd been together much longer than one year, but it didn't take him too long for it to click what he really meant.

"Oh, Ozzie" Fizz said, looking down at the cake "this is- amazing. I love it. I can't believe it's already been a year. I wouldn't have been able to leave that job if it wasn't for you."

Fizz grabbed the sins face and pulled him into a deep kiss.

@2minutenotice gets a starter!

Asmodeus hums quietly to himself while he cooks. He loves cooking, especially for Fizz, but this is special. He'd gotten up early and everything, which is not something he does for anyone or anything except for Fizz. He's going all-out-- ridiculous cake, homemade icing, little candles that look like clowns with giant.... wicks. Okay, maybe they're not the best candles if that's where you light them.

Today is special. It had been a big deal for Fizz to leave Mammon's service and step down as his poster boy, but it had also been a big moment for them in their relationship. They've been publicly dating for a year, and he wants to celebrate that.

He hears before he sees Fizz, and turns to look at him. "Froggy, you're supposed to be sleeping," he croons. "You're gonna' ruin the surprise."

He yawned and stretched his arms high above his head, then both his legs.

"I could cover my eyes if you want" Fizz said, his hands quickly clapping over his eyes. He sniffed at the air and slightly opened his fingers enough to peak out.

she's probably come to tell me about all the trouble i'm causing her and about how glad her and the old man'll be when i'm dead.

i'll say i'm taking you to the hospital, which'll be truth enough.

you fight real good for a kid your size.

i would never have believed a greaser could pull something like that.

how's the kid?

i don't know what to do.

why should i be proud of it?

you want to know something? i'm scared stiff.

now look what you did.

take a couple of aspirins and go easy.

you might have done the same thing.

if the fuzz show, you two beat it out of there.

i'd tried drinking once before, the stuff tasted awful.

i'm scared of policemen anyway.

hurry up, you're gonna be late.

you can go to the movies if you want.

where you gonna get the dough, little man?

where's that blue shirt i washed yesterday?

i wasn't going to live in a lousy neighborhood all my life.

useless.. fighting's no good.

maybe people are younger when they are asleep.

i know i'm too young to be in love and all that..

your mother's here to see you.

did you know you got your name in the paper for being a hero?

i liked you from the start, the way you talked. you're a nice kid.

maybe i ought to take the day off.

when i get in a fight i want to stomp the other guy good. i like it, too.

these hospital people won't let me smoke, and i want out!

i can't feel anything below the middle of my back..

i thought you were in the hospital?

why do people sell liquor to boys? why? i know there's a law against it, but kids get it anyway.

i'm sick of all this. sick and tired.

it's not fair.

ever consider working for a living?

the doctor said i had too much imagination.

i don't know why i'm telling you this.

what did i tell ya?

we'd better go home. we can't do anything here.

they treatin' you okay, kid?

maybe i felt like playing hero.

if you had the sense of a billy goat you'd try to help around your place instead of bumming around.

man, i hate not bein' in that.

one time he came home drunker than anything.

i thought she was going to cuss us out. i really did.

it was almost six-thirty when i got home.

i don't want to see her.

i didn't want to worry him any more.

sixteen years on the streets and you can learn a lot.

so he can talk after all.

no wonder he hates your guts!

we stomped them, chased them outa our territory.

what's the safest thing to be when one is met by a gang of social outcasts in an alley?

hate to tell you, buddy, but you have to wear clothes to work. there's a law or something.

we're gonna clean up the house, the reporters or police or somebody might come by.

i would drive us, but the brakes are out on my car.

how do you like bein' a hero, big shot?

nobody in this neighborhood's going to call the fuzz, they know what'd happen if they did.

i couldn't have gotten up to save my life.

you get a little money and the whole world hates you.

they play your way. no weapons, fair deal. your rules.

i'll be well by tonight, i'll take a bunch of aspirins.

come here. i want to talk to you.

it was either that or get married

i don't know anything anymore.

he's so greasy he glides when he walks.

always running around in the middle of the night getting jailed and heaven knows what else..

you like fights, don't you?

why don't you get a job?

he didn't get much sleep this week, he hardly slept at all.

that was what he wanted. for somebody to tell him no.

don't you know a rumble ain't a rumble unless i'm in it?

tell her to leave me alone, for once.

i'm pretty bad off, ain't i?

you want anything besides hair grease, kid?

they asked too many questions too fast, and got me mixed up.

he was a good fighter and tuff and everything, but he was a real person too. you dig?

that big guy with y'all, you know him pretty well?

if he'd been like me he'd never have been in this mess.

i couldn't ever look at the person who killed him.

you know the rules. no jazz before the rumble.

we're all proud of you, buddy.

don't slam the door.

oh, damnit, don't die, please don't die..

i've stayed by my lonesome before. you can't afford a day off.

you wanted it straight and you got it straight.

you're funny. we ought to send you in to the reader's digest. i hear they pay a lot for funny things.

i'll fight anyone anytime, but i don't like to.

this house ain't messy. you oughtta see my house.

i don't know about stuff like this, but.. well, he seemed pretty bad to me.

if i ever did that my mom would die of shock.

don't get juiced up, because the doc won't let us see you no more if you do.

even if you whip us. you'll still be where you were before, at the bottom.

don't you ever feel sorry for us. don't you ever try to give us handouts and then feel high and mighty about it.

i hated them.

i wouldn't mind it so much if there wasn't so much stuff i ain't done yet, so many things i ain't seen.

will you go up to see him?

they're still writing editorials about you in the paper. for being a hero and all.

they'd never believe a greasy lookin' mug could be a hero.

yeah, but you just got back and i really ought to stay..

they spoiled him rotten.

he's getting mighty big to be carried.

you two blow at the first sign of trouble. you hear me?

i would have let those kids burn to death.

don't y'all run off.

where're those wheat jeans, too?

we couldn't get along without you.

and what do you do for fun?

i'd had nightmares and wild dreams every once in a while when i was little, but nothing like this one.

i wasn't trying to give you charity!

people get hurt in rumbles, maybe killed.

i'll get hold of a little one, okay?

we're havin' the big rumble tonight.

i'll fight so good this time he won't ever worry about me again.

i'll take on anyone.

i never knew you to play chicken in a rumble before, not even when you was a little kid.

can't you two wait till i set the eggs down before you go shovin' me all over the country?

i don't know if you ought to be in this rumble.

jackets interfere with your swinging ability.

he wants to see you.

be careful, if you get in a jam, holler and i'll get you out.

you feel okay?

stay gold.

you'll be okay.

yeah, the cops told me last night.

never could keep that hair back..

i got an awful feeling something's gonna happen.

he goes to the barber for an oil change, not a haircut!

i wouldn't want you to see him. you're a traitor to your own kind and not loyal to us.

you only knew his bad side.

you ain't gonna die.

they don't do things like that to heroes.

did you know about the juvenile court?

do you realize how scarce nice kids are nowadays?

i used to talk about killing myself, i don't want to die now. it ain't long enough.

i had a nightmare the night of mom and dad's funeral.

i only wanted to help.

all right, buddy, where's the fire?

how would i know if he's bad or not? i ain't no doc.

i had one of those dreams last night. the one i can't ever remember.

man, am i glad to see you!

i'm sick of it because it doesn't do any good.

you can't win, you know that, don't you?

i hate to leave you here by yourself.

you look out for yourself and nothin' can touch you!

the book, can you get another one?

i'm not going to show at the rumble tonight.

you get tough like me and you don't get hurt.

it was your fault.

if you give me any static you'll end up on your own operatin' table.

why, he had to get a haircut to get his picture in the paper?

it's time for those guys from the state to come by and check up on us.

you smoke more than a pack today and i'll skin you. understood?

you want to run down to the drugstore and get one?

years of living on the east side teaches you how to shut off your emotions.

he could be sweet sometimes, and friendly.

i'd die if i got my picture in the paper with my hair looking so lousy.

sometimes i think it's the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs,

he likes to show off his muscles.

just listen. we'll bring you some hair grease next time.

we gotta win that fight tonigh.

that's what you get for helpin' people.

i'd help you if i could.

most parents would be proud of a kid like that, good-lookin' and smart and everything.

if you want to know the truth, i wasn't feeling real good in the first place.

you still got that fancy black-handled switch?

shoot, everybody fights.

i'm hurryin', i'm hurryin'..

i never could remember what it was that had scared me.

go home and get some rest.

i read about you in the paper, how come?

if it was blades or chains or something it'd be different, nobody ever gets really hurt in a skin rumble.

he's just a guy. he just wanted to talk.

he was the best buddy a guy ever had.

what would you do right now if you could do anything you wanted?

running away won't help.

is he real bad? do you need an escort?

we all get tensed up before a rumble.

let's get the rules straight: nothing but our fists, and the first to run lose. right?

anybody home?

i ain't chicken and you know it.

i just didn't feel much like walking or trying to hitch a ride.

yeah, it just hurts sometimes.

i'm marked chicken if i punk out at the rumble, and i'd hate myself if i didn't.

wouldn't you try to help me if you could?

tonight, i don't like it one bit.

kid, you scared the devil outa me the other day. i thought i'd killed you.

when did you start shaving?

"It also sounds really fucking familiar and I can't figure out why. It's kinda pissing me off. Eh. Whatever. And no, I'm not a fucking priest. I'm motherfucking Adam. First man. Pffff. Can't believe you've never heard of me."

"Oh riiigh Adam" Fizzarolli said, resting his chin on the back of his hand. He leaned in closer to Adam as he spoke "how could I not know Adam. The guy with the shitty mask!" Fizz grinned at Adam as he spoke.

Was Fizz pretending not to know who Adam was, or was he just fucking with him? We might never know.

"I am Fizzarolli," he said, pointing to himself, "you've probably seen my beautiful face all over the rings." Even if Mammon had tried to scrub everything Fizzarolli related from the shelves as of late, there were still lingering bits. People still had their old Fizz-bots, or other collectables. Some of witch had surprisingly gone up in value.

is that why you're here? to ask questions you already know the answers to?

you know what makes a hero? a man who values protecting others above protecting himself.

i'm so sorry this happened.

that's it? no "welcome back?"

wars are fought one battle at a time.

you belong behind bars.

this city was built because of men like me.

so you did some good. so what? doesn't mean you're above the law. nobody is.

you look gorgeous. no surprise.

you need to leave, right now.

[name], where the hell are you?

why does it feel like we keep saying goodbye?

it was such a pleasant surprise when i discovered that the two of you were together. you know, after the gag reflex.

did you just fake cough?

you don't have any whiskey, do you?

it seems you left dinner just in time.

we'll keep an eye on him.

once a criminal, always a criminal.

i don't know what i would do if something happened to you.

like an idiot, i would wake up thinking, hoping that the next day, you would show up at my door.

after everything that's happened, you really have nothing to say to me?

i bet you were close growing up.

you want to explain yourself?

have you changed your mind?

you wanted to talk.

what do you have to offer?

surprised to see me?

wow. so this is where you live.

i feel like i walked into something.

i do not want to get in trouble. odd as it might seem, i do enjoy working here.

you don't control me anymore.

what the hell are you doing here?

why didn't you kill me?

if i didn't know better, i'd accuse you of being a sentimentalist.

sounds like you're busy. maybe i should go.

what happens when there aren't anymore?

i don't think this place is running out of monsters anytime soon.

i get to go home when i want, get drunk when i want.

hello? we're closed.

this is harder than i thought.

i'm happy for you.

it's not a compliment.

if you leave now, i won't call the cops.

any chance you want to come quietly?

you taking care of yourself?

you okay, [name]? world getting you down?

just trying to be nice.

it's a puzzle. the trick is opening it.

it was a lovely thought.

hear that? you should be lauded.

you have a family here.

i imagine you're here about your offer.

i only want what's best for you.

good luck finding anyone to take that job.

someone should do a story on you.

i got nothing to say.

i was going to say it's hard to find a quiet bar in the city.

i like coming here.

why are you being so kind?

i know the feeling.

details can be distracting. sometimes, a simple solution is best.

drop the gun.

i'm sorry i was gone for so long.

what the hell are you doing?

we had a deal.

you're a son of a bitch.

i knocked.

was a new alarm system really necessary?

i imagine you have some ideas.

you tried to kill me.

is that why you're angry?

for someone who has everything, you have no idea what you actually want.

there are about thirty witnesses.

why would he leave?

no one's ever looked at me like that.

i've never had a friend. i've never had anyone.

you have no idea what it's like to spend your whole life alone.

"Like an actual fortune teller, or someone who says they are to scam people out of their hard earned money? I've met the latter before. Lemme tell you, I know she was bullshitting it the whole time, but fuck, she nearly had me believing it."

Fizz laughed a little, not in a mean way.

He lets everyone else walk past, planning to lag behind so he could collect himself and put his mask of anger back on. No one could know how he really felt, after all, but Fizz was on him. "No, no one was hurt. Well, fuck, I mean someone was hurt, but no one that mattered." It wasn't his family so it wasn't his problem.

"Things are actually pretty good here" he told Blitz, "we're a good ways from the Pride ring here aaand sinners aren't exactly allowed here, and frankly I don't think heaven gives two shits about us here so, we're safe. And you'll be safe."

"Oh you bet I am" Fizzarolli said "in ways no other living thing could possibly by." Fizz stretched out his arms as he spoke, reaching across the room to grab a drink for himself, and for the stranger. He handed the cup (filled with just some water) to the other.

feel free to adjust pronouns as necessary!

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overture

"no one mourns the wicked."

"isn't it nice to know that good will conquer evil?"

"goodness knows the wicked's lives are lonely."

"are people born wicked?"

"now, at last, she's dead and gone."

what is this feeling?

"there's been some confusion over rooming."

"my roommate is unusually and exceedingly peculiar..."

"what is this feeling, fervid as a flame?"

"i will be loathing you my whole life long."

"these things are sent to try us."

the girl in the bubble

"such a beautiful life built on lies."

"all that's required to live in a dream is endlessly closing your eyes."

"the truth has a way of seeping on in."

"it's time for her bubble to pop."

"who in the world is she now?"

"the beautiful lies never stop."

no place like home

"why do i love this place that's never loved me?"

"it's a promise, an idea...and i want to help make it come true."

"why should a land have so much meaning when dark times befall it?"

"when you feel it's not worth fighting for, compel yourself."

"think how you will grieve for all you leave behind."

"if we just keep fighting for it, we will win back and restore it."

for good

"i've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason."

"we are led to those who help us most to grow."

"i don't know if i believe that's true."

"i know i'm who i am today, because i knew you."

"it well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime."

"let me say before we part, so much of me is made from what i learned from you."

"who can say if i've been changed for the better?"

"i guess we know there's blame to share."

no good deed

"let him never die."

"what good is this chanting? i don't even know what i'm reading!"

"no act of charity goes unresented."

"was i really seeking good or just seeking attention?"

"let all agree, i''m wicked through and through."

"all helpful urges should be circumvented."

"that's one more disaster I can add to my generous supply."

wonderful

"once folks buy into your blarney, it becomes the thing they'll most hold onto."

"they'll go on believing what they want to."

"they called me 'wonderful.' "

"you know, i never really had a family."

"the truth is just what everyone agrees on."