Fridge Mission Master

WHAT

his demonic form unfurling, tail catching in the wind as he plummeted

AM

phone still in hand, quickly scrolling and tapping away

I

then once the device was slipped back into his coat he simply looked to that distant, bright, dazzling horizon

DOING!?

Muttering a spell under his breath, just the tip of his shoe landing on the stone path, allowing him enough leverage to launch off of, sending him hurdling across the grounds. Only a few leaps and already he was well past that giant fence.

Bounding through forests, barely landing on those treetops before leaping again. The closest a creature such as he could get to the freedom of flight. Of weightlessness.

No.

Actually, that was about a week ago when you and he were back in the club room talking about this very day, the mutual understanding of your connection.

That was the closest he could ever get.

Why was his heart pounding?

That feeling was all he knew. No thoughts in his mind, his body just carrying him onward.

Only once he had circled part way around the town, foot meeting stone again those mighty leaps slowed to a tripping run.

The edges of town weren’t lit like the ever-alive center. Only powerful demons could live out here. Ones strong enough who’s presents was enough to scare away predatory wildlife and even lesser demons that would otherwise encroach on these grounds.

But even had the moon gone out, he’d know his way. That little house you insisted was giant, it’s silhouette he’d be able to recognize anywhere came inching over the horizon.

His footfalls mere taps as he bound down the street, hand on the edge of that open gate to help him take that sharp turn and-

There he stood, completely out of breath before you. Stopping just in time to not send the pair of you hurdling towards the ground.

“… Huh,” You eyes raked over him, up and down, before settling on his face. “I’m liking this look on you.”

…

He was really here.

That truly was your voice, not a somewhat grainy recording.

You were just… there. Right there. As irritatingly charming as ever, especially with an amused smirk playing on your lips.

Just, how; how was there someone who rivaled Asmodeus in such handsome beauty.

Meanwhile there he was, a disheveled wreak, panting, sweat dripping down his skin, his hair simultaneously clinging to his face and tossed about from the wind. Even his clothes, coat unbuttoned, shirt riding up and wrinkled. Just a mess he was, surely.

And you were out here to see him and

And

And he was here.

.

.

.

“Our date will be an hour or two at most, no more, and no one can know of this!” If he were anyone else the weight of his mind coming back to him would have sent one’s knees buckling, collapsing to the ground. But Mephistopheles was not just any demon, a constitution of steel he had, something he needed, honed over eons and eons.

… At least he thought.

“Of course!” Your voice, how it-

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM!?

His mind scrambling, instincts colliding, to recoil back from how your hands burned cradling his flushed cheeks, and yet he needed that touch, dive in, pull you close and squeeze, indulge in that overwhelming heat.

Stuck in a deadlock he just stood ridged and frozen there.

And you just continued on as if nothing were wrong! Like there was no war being waged within the demon before you! “This is… so unlike you. I never thought you’d ditch your duties like this! I wouldn’t… I COULDN’T ever ask this of you. But you just did, on your own.” That smile, how it stole his breath and made it hitch.

Terrifying, this power you held over him.

“What a gift to give me for Valentine’s Day.”

Damn it heart, settle down, it was being much too noisy for the demon’s liking.

Uh-Wait WAIT!

Before you could take both your hands away he placed his atop one of your’s. Holding it in place.

“… That rough getting here?” How soft your voice was. Did he worry you?

“I must admit. I am surprising myself by this. However…” he had to. He needed too. There was no choice in this matter.

…

Still it was all settling in, and only now did he see just what he was presenting you. A mess of a demon, less than what you deserved. And you had such low expectations already from your time with those brothers. He had been doing so well in showing you what should be the bare minimum, and here he was failing at every step.

Your hand on his cheek he took down, his other hand finding the free one of yours that went to straighten his outer-coat.

A kiss to the back of your hand.

A far better greeting than nearly trampling you.

You deserved someone who had etiquette.

And even if he couldn’t completely fix himself up, he could at least straighten out his outfit, and ran a hand through his hair so it wasn’t clinging to his face.

You deserved someone who could get dressed.

“Though it is rather last minuet, I do have a date planned for us. And we may be off any time you wish.”

You deserved someone who could provide.

All you had to do was take his outstretched hand.

And that you did…

“GAH-”

Before dragging him to the house!?

“In a moment, first you need a jacket or something, it’s freezing tonight.”

He would have been overwhelmed with embarrassment that you were able to trip him up so easily had it not been for the sudden dizzying lightheadedness that seemed to crash into him all at once, instead concentrating on not accidentally sending you both tumbling to the floor.

Again.

Down those decrepit halls the pair of you went. Thankfully your room wasn’t too far from the entrance.

Even a light shove of your’s and he was sent back onto your bed. Hopefully you hadn’t noticed how he fell back and hadn’t just let you place him down.

And you went sifting through your closet.

At least this gave a moment for his leg to rest for the night ahead. Didn’t need it giving out on him or for the pain to slow his steps. And it wasn’t like his cane would be able to be of much help either since it’d only get in the way.

“Uh… maybe this one?” You held up a… something, before draping it over your arm and grabbing one other item.

Both seemed a bit oversized for Mephistopheles.

“First we…” Around, and around, and around, and around you wrapped that blanket calling itself a scarf, assumably at least, having it cover most of his face. There was even enough extra to drape over his shoulders like a shawl.

There was something very… soothing about this.

“Heh, what’s gotten you so giggly?”

“Wh-‘giggly’? I was not giggling!”

“Alright.” You lightly chuckled as you smoothed out the ends…

You must have heard something outside for it certainly wasn’t him.

…

Strange, to be looked at so tenderly.

Or did you always look at him like this?

Perhaps he’d just gotten more used to glares over the past several days so anything over than false smiles or open sneers felt so… foreign.

No, no.

Your affections, how open they were had always-

Oh, he needed to lift his arm.

He hadn’t had something like this put on him before. A hoodie he believed it was called, but those were more… shirt-like? And this had a zipper along the front.

It was instinctual, his posture straightening as you zipped it up, as if you were buttoning up his shirt or tying his cravat. A bit silly, considering how loose the things was, and yet still he did so…

When had he stopped holding his posture up? It was natural for him to hold his body like that, when had he started slouching!? And in front of you no less!

“Uh… could you come out of your demon form?”

Oh? A simple enough request.

Up and over you flipped the hood, it covering part of his vision. “And done. Now no one should be able to recognize you!”

Given what you were to do, he had already taken into account that his identity would be substantially hidden. He couldn’t use his or his family’s money lest that could be tracked or anybody in his family notice, nor could he call upon any of his staff even to drive you around lest they know he left his duties. But… “Thank you.” It shouldn’t have been a surprise to him. You who had a penchant for sticking your nose in other’s business, giving your all to help anyone with even the most ridiculous of problems, treating them as the most serious of matters. Of course you’d take into account this. “Let me tie up your scarf.”

You nodded trotting off to get one.

…

If… if you were truly his alone, then anyone seeing you would assume it was he beside you, right?

But you weren’t. That was merely wishful thinking on his part. If you were out and about with a masked anyone, it’d be stupid to assume anyone but those brothers…

You all were a packaged deal, really. When anyone referred to ‘the brothers’ only in exceedingly rarer circumstance did it NOT include you, like when speaking with you about them.

You were already dressed for the cold. You didn’t need to hide your face to save his own, and yet…

You seemed all too eager to accept his assistance, practically preening yourself under his gaze.

Cute.

Well, if it didn’t matter before, it did now, if nothing else than for the warmth of this moment with you.

It was not all too often he got to do this, for himself or another. This fussing. The staff were good at taking care of things right the first time, even with his little brother.

“There.” Even with most of your face covered no one could miss the giddiness that radiated off of you. The crows’ feet at the corners of your eyes, how you were unable to keep still.

Then you head snapped up at the smallest of creeks from above. “Shit. We need to go, now. Before Lucifer catches us!”

Before the demon could question a thing, you bolted away to a lone window- “C’mon!”

And that he did. The nobleman was far too used to this, sneaking around for scoops and leads for the newspaper. No wonder he had kept being called a noble with no sensibilities of one the past several days.

“Create a path.” Instead of stumbling onto the ground, the earth gave in beneath you, magic surround and tangling the pair of you till once again footing was stable and you laid on the stone road down from that house, past R.A.D., tucked away by the facilitie’s outer walls near the back.

You couldn’t help laughing. “I’m surprised it took him so long to notice.” Sighing you looked over to the man beside you, scrambling up and dusting himself off. “So like, is it our tradition now to runaway from the House of Lamentation every Valentine's Day.”

“Ugh.”

“Bad joke?”

“Distasteful more like.” With a huff he crossed his arms.

“Okay, how about it’s tradition to run away from the brothers?”

“I’m leaving.” Mephistopheles said as he took your hand, helping you to your feet.

… Huh, and he never let go. Not that you would complain, but another surprise. Seemed the noble demon was just full of them tonight.

You weren’t quite sure how to feel about this.

Or the dark bags under his eyes.

At least for this time, he was beside you.

“So, your studies under Solomon seem to be going well, being able to teleport both of us with only that small part of the incantation.”

“Yep! Impressed?”

“Who wouldn’t be?”

Excellent. “Then…” Before the pair of you could take a step further you stopped dead in your tracks, and missing a beat Mephistopheles stopped two steps later, turning back to you. “Since we only have less than an hour, why don’t I teleport us to our destination?”

“That is true.” With a nod he pointed to the base of a mountain off in the distance. “I trust you can get us there.”

“I haven’t been there before, what if I can’t?” To teleport to a place you’d never even been before. You didn’t think you’d ever even heard of anyone, even SOLOMON of all people, doing such a thing.

“If you couldn’t do that. Well, I’d have to revalue you against my expectations.”

…

You CANNOT fuck this up now! Besides, you had so few chances to ACTUALLY IMPRESS Mephistopheles, you couldn’t let this slip by!

At least you could see the place. “I am the magician, MC… Heed my words!” Deep breaths. Feel the energy flow through you. “Open the way forward-” Sliding his fingers aside your fingers interlocked, your demon giving your hand a tight squeeze. Spirits of water, something similar to the feeling of their magic flowed through you from his hand. “and create a path where there was none!”

… The portal looked stable enough.

“The whole incantation this time?”

“I was nervous, okay!?”

A brow raised he looked to you and smiled. “With your brazen cocky attitude I had no idea you were at all familiar with such a feeling.”

“Shut up! You’re one to talk!”

Sighing he led the way. “Come now. As you said, we don’t have time to waste.”

So confident in your work, even more than you, simply going right through without any sign of hesitation.

Even after you were both past the portal, standing before a massive lake his grip never loosened, just the magic he let pass through faded.

“Now let us just hope we arrived at the correct side, or else we will be having a long walk.” A quick glance around and he seemed pleased. “This way should be it.”

You wouldn’t say it aloud just in case it spoiled his plans, but in all honesty a long walk didn’t sound that bad. “It’s breathtaking.” The lake almost like a mirror, reflecting that sky aside from when the surface rippled from the breeze and the violet, pinkish tint to it all.

“Heh, just you wait till we get closer.” The sheer amusement in Mephistopheles’ voice, you couldn’t stop yourself from scooching in a bit closer to him, see if you could catch some micro expression from him. Just what was he planning, you needed to know.

“Closer?” Already you were walking along the shore, a rough crunch accompanied every last one of your footfalls, something seeming to break and be crushed underfoot.

And that smell, it almost reminded you of the ocean, but there was something so distinctly off about it you couldn’t quite place. Something… fresher? Greener? Like the dense forest that surrounded this place.

“What is all this Les?” Little row boats came into view, then only when you were walking past could you notice the familiar white crystal that clung to it, the outside of the boats, the poles they were tied onto, even rope that kept them together.

“The only body of salt water in the Devildom, Salt Lake, nicknamed water-lava lake, or holy lake due to the abundance of purifying salt here.”

“Should you even be near here!?” It still surprised you how there was such little salt in the Devildom ocean’s but considering how hazardous the stuff was to demons you slowly got used to the idea, and taste of it being so sparse. Even unpurified salt could hurt them, or lesser demons and Little Ds at least. Your gut still twists into knots remembering Little D No. 6’s yell after you fed him a human world potato chip.

“Hah! You needn’t fear for me-” Arriving on a dirt path the pair of you followed it away from the lake and into the encroaching woods. “I’m far too strong for it to have any real affect on me, a minor irritation at worst!”

“… If you say so.”

“And what is that supposed to mean!?”

“Just…” How were you to put this delicately? “Don’t push yourself too hard. I know you always give your hundred and ten percent, but I just don’t want you hurting yourself on my account or something, I don’t know.”

It seemed you’d always see this expression at least once whenever the pair of you spent any time together, his complete and utter bafflement at you. “… What nonsense are you speaking!? Do you think that little of me!?” His free hand landed on his chest. “I won’t- I can’t afford to not do so! I’m already gifting you a rushed date. I can at least make it decent.”

And before you could retort. “There it is.” The pair of you made your way to a little stand.

“Excuse me. I’d like to rent a boat and two paddles.”

“Huh?” A tall pudgy demon sat there, blinked a couple of times before their gaze seemed to finally focus. “Uh… for two?”

“Yes.”

“Five-undred grimm.”

The man beside you flinched. Ridged for a moment before pulling something out of his pocket.

… They just stared, gaze lazily flickering between Mephistopheles’ covered face and the card he held out. “We take grimm here sir.”

“I-uh- This, is.”

“Physical grimm or get lost.” With a yawn they leaned back in their chair. It was actually rather impressive they balanced so perfectly to not be falling backwards.

“I don’t…” Such a quiet mumble, Mephisto beginning to pat himself down.

“Here.”

“Thank ya kindly.” Didn’t even look to you or the grimm you placed on the counter, instead with a grunt sat up some and kicked the wall! And just like that a pair of oars came tumbling out of a hatch just below the awning the pair of you stood under. “You kids don’ fall in an’ get yerselves killed now, ya-” A mighty yawn revealed those glistening sharp teeth. “‘ere.” And they were leaning back in that chair, just as when you found them, eyes half open and fogged over suddenly, softly snoring.

…

“Les?”

“Ah, MC?” Spacing out again.

“Should we take this guy’s lead and get a little shuteye first?”

“No! No, not unless you, want too?”

“… Well, let’s go see the boats first.” You still couldn’t place it, was he being off because he needed a break from all the nobility stuff he had to do, or was it because he was taking a break. At the same time he clearly wanted to do this, so you were unsure about how to confront this, or if it were best to leave it be. Or was he just tired, the most likely of the three options.

For now, you’d enjoy your time. This was a date after all.

A secret date.

“How come you didn’t disguise your voice?”

“Unnecessary.” He didn’t even look your way!

“Come on, you’re supposed to be hiding yourself, you could at least have gone deeper or something.”

“All that’d do is draw attention to ourselves!” Finally.

“Fine we’ll just have too next time.”

“How unfortunate, as we shouldn’t be running into anyone else.”

“Damn it!”

“You’re ridiculous.” Mephistopheles said as he chuckled.

“And that’s what you love most about me.” He flinched at your sickeningly sweet singing-song tone.

“…” His pace slowed for a moment. “UGH- enough of this!” Before picking up pace.

Soon your steps and mingling chatter was accompanied by the crunching of salt once more.

“Hop in.” After you did so Mephisto followed after. The moment the oars were in the oarlocks the rope keeping the boat secure to shore undid itself, and easily enough Mephisto pushed off the pole sending you drift… ing…

“Hah, nothing like this in the Human World, is there.”

You didn’t answer for a moment, memorized by the sight. The breeze was far too light, especially with those thin sheets of salt on the water’s surface, but the rocking of the boat, the oars cutting through the water as the demon began to row did. Big enough splashes sent the water to glow a beautiful golden-red color. So that was where the ‘water-lava’ nickname came from, probably.

As Les made no protest to your placing your hand in you assumed it to be safe, watching as your breaking the surface, moving forward with the boat got more of that glow to appear in the ripples. “we do actually. But ours are blue, and in oceans. It has something to do with algae, I think.”

…

Well, that answered your question from before, if the man could ever look more handsome than after having literally ran to come see you. It was him surrounded by that red glow, with such a peaceful expression, a small soft smile, eyes partly closed, his hair swaying in the breeze, about to go on one of his tangents. “What’s happening here?”

“Huh, perhaps something similar to your world actually. This is also the only place where Angel Eater Algae can thrive as they sustain themselves on salt. It’s so small it can’t be touched, or even seen unless they glow. And how they do so is a fascinating process, and completely unrelated to their diet despite no other known algae having any sort of bio-luminescent effect such as these!”

It’d been far too long since you last hear one of these.

He really should have disguised his voice though. At least you certainly couldn’t forget his sound. Maybe it was something about his cadence, or that slight hum that seemed to always be in the back of his throat, but it was such a lovely sound. And you were lucky enough to hear it for seemingly hours, rudely interrupted by the crunching and scraping of salt sheets against your little boat.

“And given you can’t see as well in the dark you may not be able to tell, but this whole lake is so dense with salt the water is pink. Before the algae was discovered it was believed to be blood, angels draining demons of so much of it, and the tears from the pain of that war mixed together created this lake. As for it’s true origins, that’s still the only lead we have.” It was good to see him so relaxed and in his element.

“I’m surprised though that such a dangerous thing as this is just left be.” With how little salt there was everywhere else a part of you had kind of assumed demons got rid of all the salt, not that it seemingly didn’t naturally exist here. “I’d think this place would have been gotten rid of.”

For a moment he paused in his rowing and looked out to the lake. It was only now with his silence you could notice… music, off in the distance.

“We could get rid of this place, but poisons can still be taken to be used in medicines. Just as true here as it is in your home as you’ve taught me.” And back to rowing he went.

You could no longer see the shoreline. The further you went out the louder that music became, and eventually, a large building came into view in the distance, past the forest that surrounded you, up a hill. Maybe you could see this lake from there.

And Mephistopheles stopped. Stopped talking, stopped rowing, even placed the oars in the boat. Then he leaned over the edge, seeing his warped reflection with the backdrop of that endless sky as his demon form came forth.

And then he tapped the water’s surface with a single finger.

The ripple from it was more golden and less red in hue.

Taking off the glove that touched the water he set it beside himself, muttering a healing spell as he rubbed his fingers together.

Even after his hand still twitched, and the way he held it was a little off and stiff.

And to his confusion, you took that hand, giving it a kiss. Only when you looked up could you see how his eyes widened. It was beautiful how they sparkled from the glow of the lake and the stars it reflected.

Slowly, carefully, he stood. After a moment he stepped out and you reluctantly let go. Arms up some as if to help him keep balance just in case, a little before him he tapped the water’s surface with his shoe a few more times.

A step, a turn, a satisfied hum he was beside you, bowing, that hand held out to you.

You didn’t hesitate, letting him drag you off the boat, pulling you close with a hand on your hip instantly making you forget about the chill in the air.

It must have been such a strong spell, and yet you could only feel the faintest hints of magic when you tried.

Sometimes you forgot just how powerful Mephistopheles was.

The pair of you swaying, giggling, dancing, running around, each of your steps punctuated by glowing ripples that constantly collided into one another.

To walk on water, for it to be so steady, not even a single droplet clinging to the bottom of your shoes.

So powerful he rivaled Lucifer who once was the most powerful of the angels. The only ones who could out class hem were Diavolo, Barbatos, and maybe Solomon. Such power, and he so rarely used it. Not for newspaper club activities where he could probably make something to spy on others for scoops. Never at any of the balls Diavolo threw where demons are expected to show off where Diavolo is right there to see.

And such control he could keep the spell from affecting algae at all. Such control you could hardly feel it, something so powerful and it left almost no presents as to not distract from the moment.

So elegant, and beautiful, yet subtle. Perhaps too subtle for his own good at times. Such a man not used to the limelight.

Twirling about, his tail curling around you, the tip dragging across the water leaving a trail, that gorgeous grin. It was unfair that the world couldn’t see just how amazing this man was. But that just meant only you got this. Mephistopheles. A man so colorful yet quiet. A true demon, a gentleman who wasn’t afraid to bend or break the rules of his conduct in favor of his nature, to dash around, let the hood and zipper fall off, the scarf come undone. Unapologetically show you a beaming smile and sheepishly laugh as he tripped over his own feet. Always one of his hands was on you, never truly letting go.

It started as a waltz before devolving and losing all form, eventually the pair of you simply holding hands as you spun around and around.

And when you got too dizzy, and when his leg began to give out you held one another close, let you lean against eachother as the pair of you simply sway.

“I wonder where the music’s coming from.” Obviously some party or another out in the distance, maybe that mansion you could see.

“Ah, that, my Dear, is from The Meeting of the Lords.”

“What!?” You shot up shocked, THAT NAME, of all things came from Mephisto’s mouth at the moment.

Turning his head to that distant mansion he continued. “It’s being held there.”

“Are-Is it safe here!? Could you get caught!?”

What was with that sigh from him. It was not one of his usual overly dramatic ones. So small, so… “None of them would bother with such a simple place as this.”

“Simple!? It’s gorgeous!”

“I agree.” A step back and he took you into a slow waltz. “But it takes time to look beneath the surface, and… well, when you’re supposed to be supporting your leader your supposed to not have the time for such things as investigating, or even learning.”

Was that BITTERNESS in his tone at the end there!? And he looked so intently at… at you.

“… Did they talk about, us.”

“…” He just kept staring at you.

“hey, Les.” He didn’t seem completely here. “Mephistopheles.”

“ah- yes MC?”

…

“How come they have the music so loud we can even hear it out here? Do they need the whole Devildom know they’re partying it up?” Maybe an easier question could help him get his focus.

“It’s to show how well versed in magic they are.” As if to emphasize his point his next few steps had a little extra flourish to them. “How powerful they are. For all of us to go on and on nonstop for the whole meeting.”

You couldn’t help eyeing him up and down before settling on the bags under his eyes. “Mephistopheles have you slept since going to this thing?”

His shoulder sagged. “I usual can last the duration of the event but…” But what. “I tried getting sleep tonight but couldn’t.”

“Are you kidding me!?” He seemed surprised you were forcing this dance to stop. “Dude no- just- You’re getting some rest! Right now!”

“MC-”

“Three days straight Mephistopheles! I don’t care if demons don’t need as much sleep as humans or whatever b s, you need a break!”

A before you could stomp off you were clutched against him. “True I am exhausted, but I simply can’t sleep. To be beside you… there is nothing more I want, no greater break or rest I could take.” Squeezing you tighter his voice went quieter. “Unless I awoke you before? If you desire sleep we may do so.”

“… No, I couldn’t sleep myself.” Too preoccupied with figuring out if you could somehow surprise him on Valentine's Day without getting in the way of his noble stuff.

“Then may we stay here awhile longer?”

“Yeah.”

And so for the moment the pair of you simply sway there, the sparse red glow at your feet.

“So, you guys just go all night?”

“Indeed.”

“I thought it was a meeting, not a party.”

He hummed for a moment, thinking it over. “Its mostly an event to socialize. See how others are doing. Organize things, size up one another.”

“Ah.” Usual politician bullshit then, what else were you expecting. “Did they talk about us?”

His grip grew tighter. “No…” There was a slight grumble or raspiness to his hushed tone. “They didn’t acknowledge you, not in any form at all.”

… Wow, who knew Mephistopheles insulting you was the better treatment you could receive from most demon nobility when you first met.

“As…” His voice wavered, looking to the side. “As much as there is a need to impress when courting, to properly court I must gift you everything. No one would be satisfied with buying something and expecting it to be one thing and only to find it’s something else entirely. If I am to court you properly, I am to offer myself up fully, not just in part.”

So tempted you were to ask, but surely, in just a moment you’d get your answer. Where was this coming from?

“The host and I… That family used to be the crown’s main council, however my family has proved to be wiser, to look further than the issues of the now, and we proved to be more loyal, never straying from serving the crown and it’s people, our people, and so we have been granted honor of council for so long now. A kind acknowledgement of our efforts all the eons before.

Then we all lost when Lucifer arrived. Someone our prince barely knew, someone who didn’t know a thing of our people and still refuses to embrace us keeping himself and his brothers so separated aside for playing popularity contests…

Lord Diavolo saw Lucifer more fit than his own childhood friend.

He saw a man who lost a war as wiser than the man who’s family’s main purpose is strategizing and information gathering. He sought out an ex-angel for the matters of what would be best for the demon population instead of another demon.

Lord Diavolo who if not surrounded by demons who would die for him at least had a friend he could trust over all else, who cared about Diavolo, not Prince Diavolo? No. A man he barely met several times before would be more loyal and trust worthy. A stranger would see to it his best, not another demon who’d known him, had been by his side his whole life.

And after all this time he still chooses Lucifer, each and every day.”

He watched as those distant ripples faded away, back to just like how they started, as a part of the dark smooth waters. “This exchange program, all his efforts, they question if he’s being manipulated, if he wishes for the downfall of our people.

I’ve heard it all before, how I must be incapable, or how my family must not be as trustworthy or loyal as we ‘portrayed’. How I’m a sham, how I will be why my family falls from our station, all us be executed for having too much strength and no loyalty to put it towards. How I’m so weak, unable to protect him or this kingdom. Merely an abandoned lap dog desperate for scraps.

I know what they think of me.

It’s my family’s job to know things such as this.

As long as I can still serve, it doesn’t matter, and as long as my family is safe, it doesn’t matter.

But of course, it had to be this family who played host this time. Usually the talk is less, however merely because we’-”

“Hey, Les.”

“Huh?” Completely snapped from his train of thought he tripped.

But you were there to keep him stead. “May I impress you again?”

“I- What?”

“I want to teleport aaaalllllllll the way over there, or- you know what? What if we stayed here, and instead I teleport them all over here, right into the water! Wouldn’t it be nice to see the whole lake glowing?”

…

The pair of you stopped, simply standing there as the air around you teemed with magical energy making the water tremor, the lake glowing a blood red.

Eyes wide, his lips sightly parted, a deep dark red graced his cheeks that wasn’t the glow of the lake, you could feel the sheer heat that radiated off of them. You could feel it, how his heart quickened in pace, pounding away against you. And his breath, slightly trembling with each one he took.

…

You’d never seen an expression like this on him before. Full of surprises tonight, wasn’t he.

Eyes half lidded, leaning in, your breaths mingling as his hand trailed up your neck and cupped your cheek, letting him pull you in. Lips just barely grazing one another.

He swallowed, shaking, expression contort-

Collapsing to his knees he let go for a moment, but just before you’d part he had a vice like grip on your hands. “Make a deal with me. Ask me to be something you could love forever.”

“Wh-”

Looking up to you, such pain in his face. “I have a power, should one make a deal with me, I’ll have all the strength I need to accomplish it.

Please.”

Leaning his forehead against yours as you kneeled down he closed his eyes, pressing your hands to his chest. “By your hand, by your command, make me into something you would keep.”

“What are you talking about!?” Immediately you dropped down to his level.

It terrified you, even with his voice trembling, possibly on the brink of tears, there was a calmness underneath. Not desperate, not saying whatever passed his head, he was still choosing his words, no matter how raw and brutal they were.

Important things had to be said properly after all. One needed etiquette, holding the hands of and locking gaze with the one they were pleading too. One needed to be dressed, in their demon form the highest form of dress while carrying the colors and garments of their lover’s people. One needed to provide, give all they could possibly offer.

“Grant me this power, please. If nothing else could I be your’s? Even with all my failures, all that I am. I was so caught up in the moment, but I should have been the one to bring you here. I should have paid. It shouldn’t have been a question that I’d spend this day with you. I’m no noble, not in attitude, I cannot be anything else now, just a humble demon asking for this one favor.

Please keep me.

I don’t want this to end.

I don’t want you to look away.

Let me keep performing, tell me what you want me to be. What you want to see.

Say it.”

“I…”

What the hell were you supposed to say?

All you could do was try keeping him steady.

He wouldn’t let go of your hands, so the next best thing you could do was lean your forehead against his. “What are you talking about? Who you are now already IS that.”

What a pitiful chuckle. “For now. Or maybe it’s not, and it’s not just me this time who doesn’t know it. You did say I wasn’t acting myself before when I left the meeting.”

“That’s it.” As gentle as you wanted to be, this would not stand. “You don’t get to decide how or what I feel. Even to predict it.”

Somehow you managed to pry your hands out of his, and instead firmly placing them on his shoulders. “You’ve been awake for three days and nights straight, and you’ve been put through relentless harassment through it all. You’re exhausted. You. Need. Sleep.”

“MC please-”

“No. Listen up. You are Lucifer in this situation!”

Sitting there Mephistopheles just blinked in shock as you continued. “I had been with that lot since the moment I arrived here. The brothers, Diavolo, Barbatos, Simeon, Solomon, and after YEARS of knowing them, of them fighting over me, of all the endless love confessions, the moment you finally decided to appear after us just somehow NOT bumping into each other at all at R.A.D and I was head over heels! Even with you being an ass, going on and on about how weak humans are, you still captivated me!”

You kept one hand on his shoulder while the other waved about, presenting and gesturing to a whole lot of nothing as if there was a screen or presentation behind you. “So if you’re going to not subtly compare this to what happened with Diavolo, well guess what, I’m going to keep choosing you each and every damn day.

I have no idea how in the world they’re all blind to your greatness, how caring you are, how you put your all into whatever you do, your passion and dedication, your loyalty to your personal creed, but that just means I’m cruelly lucky in that only I get to see such beautiful sights past the salty, rocky exterior.”

Damn it, why were you getting emotional now. OF ALL TIMES! “So don’t magically change yourself. Just… let that be something that naturally happens over time.” You caressed his cheek. You couldn’t help it really. He was too damn pretty last year, and still he was, even if in different ways than before. “And I’ll be right here because I want to see it, because I can tell you for a fact, there just isn’t anything better than this. Than you.

I love you.

So please, don’t so easily disregard that guy like everyone else. He means everything to me.”

…

You couldn’t quite read his expression. “oh.” The closest you could get to describing it could possibly be, a small shock.

And even if small, it was no less impactful. His hands shaking before lurching forward-

“AH!” Perhaps with a little too much force, pulling the rest of him along with it. Still he hugged you so tightly, face burrowed in the crook of your neck, leaving you with a view of the stars above.

“… but if not this, how can I know you won’t…” His hot breath tickled the skin of your neck.

And his voice sounded so tired.

How you wished you could give a clear answer to that. Tangible proof for him to hold. “… I don’t know. All I can do is be here all the same. Maybe one day you’ll believe me.”

“…”

“Say, could you let me roll over?”

And that he did. Finally you could see him again.

He looked exhausted too.

Laying on your sides you both held hands. Mephistopheles let his tail drape over you. His gaze couldn’t quite meet your’s but only for a moment. “I… I can’t completely trust all that you say. It’s too good to be true, too romantic. But now more than ever I want too.”

…

“Les.” Gently you brushed that hair off of his face. “Please get some sleep. I’m begging you. And after all the meetings, and after you’ve had time to recuperated, if you want too, we could look for some magical way to bound us together. I would offer a pact, bu-”

There you were on your back again. However instead of the starry sky it was Mephistopheles, his hands on either side of you pinning you in place. His pupils were the size of pinpricks, piercing right through you. “Make a pact with me.”

.

.

.

“Only if you ask me again in two weeks time. People’s emotions a heightened when it’s late and when they’re tired and I don’t want you to offer something you’ll regret.”

“… But this is still how I feel, even if they are stronger. Two weeks ago, now, two weeks from now, I just want to be your’s.”

…

“You felt like this before?”

It was too long a pause where all you could hear was the wind and the music. You were both completely still.

Slowly his pupils returned to their normal size. “I… I may not have had the words for it… or offered my power, but yes. I want you to want me.”

“A pact seems unfair though, you giving me your power and I… just have it.”

“It shows my respect and trust in you. At least… that’s how I’d see it.”

You needed to close your eyes and think for a moment. If you looked at him any longer surely you’d give in without a second thought.

“Hmm… still unfair though, you’d have the same thing as the brothers when I don’t see you the same way I do them.”

What to do.

Actually. “It’s also unfair you’ve taken me out for Valentine’s and I haven’t, or gifted you anything.” This is serious, why were you blushing now! “When you texted me, I was actually trying to figure out how to surprise you for today. But like… you’re so rich, you can get whatever you want, so the only thing I could think of was to make something. So…”

“So?” Why did he have to lean in!?

“So… I… uh… what if we could always feel the other’s heart. The idea I liked best for what to make for you was a pair of rings for us, and through these rings we could feel the other’s pulse, your heartbeat, but, I don’t know? It just, felt like something I’d be more into than you and I do have other ideas like-”

Laying atop you your chests were pressed together, your hearts right beside one another. Your hands fumbled about till they finally found one another, fingers interlacing together, squeezing tight. He lightly moaned, crooning with that first kiss. He did end up denying himself your lips, your embrace before, and finally he let himself melt into it.

And before he could lean down for a second you quickly turned away. “I take that as you like the idea.”

You couldn’t help chuckling some as he huffed. “You phrase that like a question when clearly you know the answer.”

“Just checking.” And before he could do a thing you grabbed the back of his skull, slamming your lips together, and your demon all too eagerly went along, finding your cheeks to keep you from turning away again. Not that you would, you had no more cheeky remarks. And you couldn’t resist the way he bit your lip.

How could a mere hour or two hour feel like so long and so short at the same time? With a groan you managed to sit up, pry yourself out of your lovely warm sheets. You would have slept in- “it’s too early for this.” But already you heard all that ruckus just outside your door.

Thankfully you never bothered to get changed into pajamas, able to just get up and out, smooth out the oversized zipper hoodie, and hope whatever today’s chaos was could be delt with easily so you could get back to-

“Ah, there you are. Had a good night?” Never before had you been so terrified. Lucifer, beside you with such forced cheeriness from his voice.

Flowers, heart shaped boxes, candies, chocolates, human world love birds, and too many other things for you to recognize all pouring through the front doors of the House of Lamentation!

Satan stood there, demon form out just about ready to scratch up the walls, Levi was crouched in the corner mumbling about normies, Mammon had his calculator out trying to take stock of everything, Belphegor was having fun stuffing as much as he could down Beelzebub’s gullet and Asmo was shrieking excitedly in a voice too high pitched for these morning hours.

It was all addressed to you.

Thankfully, you never changed so you still had your phone on hand for you to make calls.

“M-”

“What did you do!?”

“I assume you’ve gotten my surprise!” How was Mephistopheles sounding so happy and rested!? “As I couldn’t do things properly, hand make you chocolates or gift you flowers in person, on the way to see you I ordered as much as I could from only top quality services my family have used for our personal catering or events in order to compensate some. Several places were unable be finished by the morning, but they have assured me they’ll get them to you soon. Actually I suggest we go to some of these stores in-person to pick out the material for out rings if we don’t decide to get the raw material by hand!”

…

“… I love you.”

“I-uh! I… I love you too.”

“Good-”

“But that doesn’t even begin to describe my feeling for-” Suddenly a strange muffled scuffling came from the receiver. “Excuse me, I’m having an important call here! Ahem, as I was saying. I love you doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings for you.”

Ah, so you’ve graduated to love tangents, have you? What were you going to do with this man?

Well, try running away from a furious Lucifer while you listened for one.

With stretch and a high pitch groan you readjusted yourself on the couch, some joint in you popped getting the demons around you to flinch before returning to whatever they were before, still freaked out by some of your human body’s ‘eccentricities’.

It was a nice, warm, quiet day. Such a pleasant rarity in the House of Lamentation. Perhaps everyone was just that tired from school and chose, for once, to relax and not cause trouble during these weeks off.

There was something lazy about the atmosphere. Satan slouched against the chair, eyes half droopy all the while slowly drifting from one page to the next. Asmo laid across the floor on his stomach, feet lightly kicking the air as he flipped through make-up swatches, them taking up the majority of the living room’s floor space. A sleeping Belphie ended up shoving Mammon off the couch so he could sprawl out, all his big brother did was complain for a minuet before continuing to scroll on his phone, not bothering to move from the floor.

You and Beelzebub sat side by side on the other couch, you scrolling though :D JOBS for some part-time gig over the break, otherwise you’d have however many demons, angels, and others hounding you for your attention and admittedly you were getting a bit low on pocket money too, while Beelzebub rested an arm across the backrest behind you, letting you slowly lean into him while the others were too preoccupied or tired to notice. A sucker rested in his mouth, a new record with how long it had stayed there without it being swallowed down stick and all, there was still a quarter of the candy bag it came from left. Silently an already unwrapped sucker was held before your face, when your mouth opened there it was placed, a sour fruity flavor immediately danced across your tongue, not what you were expecting from the creamy green and neon orange colored candy, but not an unpleasant surprise.

A ding sound and Beel took out his phone… and raised a brow.

“Hmm?”

He looked to you for a moment before answering your silent question. “Barbatos wants me to do some work at the castle.”

“Oh yeah, it’s been a while hasn’t it.” It was not uncommon for the man beside you to do as such from time to time, a little disappointing though since usually he’d be gone for several days for it. Only thing you found odd was that you’d think Diavolo would take the opportunity to insist that Lucifer come over to help too, but maybe he actually had SOME form of boundaries and realized asking for that of the man as well was too much, not that assigning half HIS work to him wasn’t already.

“He’s probably gotten stressed over gala preparations.”

You simply nodded watching as the giant beside you held the D.D.D. in one hand, the other in a loose fist aside from a single pinky held out, had to type with it, any of his other thick fingers would hit multiple keys on accident on that little key pad, no matter which way he held the device.

There was some big party held at the castle around the end of this break, you tried figuring out what it was for your first year here, but you just kept getting different answers. Didn’t matter really, just another opportunity to get drunk and be a giggling mess trying one’s best to keep composure. For everyone else at least, meanwhile no alcohol that would have any effect on you in sight, so babysitting duty…

Maybe you could get work for that day? But even if you did you’d be dragged over to the castle anyway.

…

What about if you got injured on the job the day before?

Oh? Just as you were about to go back to scrolling you spotted how Beel’s gaze flickered to you before beginning to quickly type again.

“If Barbatos is okay with it, would you want the work too?”

“Sur-”

“HOLD UP! NO WAY!” Mammon leaped to his feet. “It’s vacation MC, we’re gonna be liven’ it up! You can’t just walk out on me like that!”

“I don’t remember agreeing to anything like that.” The man flinched at your words. Just as he was about to retort he was cut off by a sigh.

“For once, Mammon is right.”

“The hell you mean ‘for once’!?”

Asmo sat up, clapping his hands together and looked to you over his shoulder with that brilliant smile. “We need to be resting while we have the chance. That’s why I’m going to book a spa trip for us~”

“Actually-” Satan placed the now closed book gently in his lap. “I would like to join in this work t-”

“No.”

…

… Everyone looked to Beelzebub, caught off guard by the sternness in his voice and how quick he was to cut off that idea, even Belphie jolting up from it.

“Why not? Wouldn’t more hands be better.” There was an undeniable twinkle of curiosity in Satan’s eye, and admittedly you couldn’t help but wonder too.

“Hmm, I wouldn’t want to get all sweaty but if MC’s going, I could cheer you all on from the side lines.”  And there went the last peace maker, Asmo likely saw an opportunity to take over party planning.

“Yeah, we can all go.”

“You know Mammon will just steal things, don’t listen to him.”

“HEY!”

“I never asked any of you.” Even glaring at his brothers a roar of complaints began to ring out, Beel shooting down every retort.

You barely tapped his arm and you had all his attention, Beel immediately dropping all arguing with his brothers. “Sorry bud, maybe it’s best I don’t.”

It was only slightly but you saw how his brows furrowed, you didn’t feel it fair either but Beelzebub and Barbatos were by far your dearest friends, of everyone they were the last people you wanted to cause any issues for. Another ding from Beel’s phone got a quick glance from him. “Well, if you change your mind Barbatos would be glad if you joined us.”

“This is what you’re fighting about? If you’re that desperate for work I have plenty in mind.”

“Hi Lucifer. How long you’ve been here?”

Quickly the demon gave you a nod in greeting before turning to his brothers. “The whole time. You two get ready, I have to make sure no one here causes any trouble for Lord Diavolo.”

“Hey we wouldn’t!”

“If Barbatos wanted your assistance, he would have asked you.”

“He didn’t ask for MC’s either, Beel- EEP!”

Beelzebub took your arm and swiftly the pair ducked out of the room, dashing away before Lucifer changed his mind for whatever reason and dragged you two into a lecture as well.

Up the stairs, around the corner and into the twin’s room you ran.

“Well… would you still want too…”

“Of course!” Your chest fluttered seeing your demon’s beaming smile at your answer. So handsome and pretty, good thing he was so tall, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to resist cupping his cheek, trace that sharp jaw and stare at those beautiful long lashes.

You plopped yourself on the edge of his bed, watching as Beel trotted about, collecting his travel bag, clothes and other essentials.

“How long and what exactly will we be doing?”

“Don’t know.”

“And you agreed to the job just like that?”

The man paused for a moment, gaze locking with your’s in bewilderment. “… Yeah? You did the same thing.”

“That’s different!”

“How?” Getting absorbed in the conversation he stopped leaning over the bag, standing up straight, a couple of t-shirts still draped over his arm. The man always scrunched up some, maybe it was to take up less space, or be closer to eye level with his brothers. He had decent posture, but when he allowed his posture to be more natural like out in the field it always struck you upside the head just how… commanding? Strong? his frame was. Larger than life, chewing away the scenery till there was only him. It really showed off those broad shoulders and puffy chest, how his shirt draped over those curves and

Wait, shit! He asked you a question-stop staring!

Think!

Words!

“You.”

“… Just me?”

“Yeah. So, what about you?”

“Well…” He dropped the shirts before going to the closet to take out a few pairs of pants. “Same, just because it’s Barbatos.”

“Hmm, I didn’t realize you two were so close.” … Did he stiffen at your words? Or was that a pause? Or were your eyes playing tricks on you, you couldn’t be sure.

With many other articles in hand he returned, perfect. Shifting about the bag, he pulled out some items already inside, leaving some in, making room for the new clothes. “I like his cooking. And he helps us all the time. It was only after you came did everyone else start warming up to him too, until recently, even if he did ask, I think they would have been too scared to be around him long. But when he asks for help, it’s only if he really needs it.”

…

You’d completely forgotten about that.

Your first year here in the land of demons felt as if it were so long ago, so much was happening so quickly, sure you literally signed up for joining an exchange program in a place called the ‘Royal Academy of Diavolo’ in the ‘Devildom’, but when you got that wax sealed letter you thought it was some silly Role-Play thing or a weird new scam, you signed up for shits and giggles wondering what the hell this could lead too, not, an actual school exchange program!

It was all a bit overwhelming. In all honesty some bits were hard to remember. But you did recall something. It was around the time you were trying to make a pact with Asmodeus, when you first stayed over night at the castle. Barbatos was so hyped up to you to be dangerous and terrifying, even Asmo, who would flirt with literal statues, and snakes, and monsters, said he wouldn’t go near let alone touch the butler with a ten foot poll. You kinda just assumed they were exaggerating to scare you, but…

“Heh, but not you?”

“… He’s……… He’s strong. Very strong. Maybe even more than Lucifer. I should be, I guess.”

Huh, maybe he isn’t sure why he’s not? Or maybe he didn’t know how to phrase it. You dragged out the little crate under Beel’s bed. Good, there were still snacks inside so you could toss a bread roll his way. You adored the relief that spread across his features after catching swallowing the thing…

… and he didn’t continue. Too bad, it’s hard to think when you’re starving, sometimes a tribute could help him but it seems this time he was done and content with his answer. But you did get to hear that delighted hum from him, how his crystalline eyes seemed to shimmer your way, his short yet warm “Thank you.” how your simple action could bring such joy to him on it’s own was enough to prompt you to do so, an extended answer would just have been a nice addition.

There was a twinge of excitement, likely from the unknows of whatever you were headed into. It was just the next day and you and Beelzebub were off for the castle, a cool breeze brushing past, a lovely relief from the already warming environ.

Beelzebub, of course, didn’t even ask, just wordlessly took your bag, carrying both his and yours as you went along. He likely didn’t think about the action, this brand of kindness for those he cared about second nature. Your bag probably didn’t even weigh a thing to him, but still. Even how he always made sure he was walking on the outside where cars would pass by.

Very lucky, weren’t you. That as popular as he was, adoring fans, secret admirers, jealous and awed teammates, only you really got to see his true charm beyond his strength and looks. Although, you have gotten to see and experience other sides of those aspects as well.

At least this gave you an excuse to bump his arm and motion him to lean over a little so you could feed him a something. This gave a little pep to his step, but he always made sure to keep in time with your pace. It was so tempting to give him a kiss, and it wasn’t like there was anyone around to complain or insist on one of their own.

However it seemed daydreams of such took too much of your time, before you even realized it you stood before the grand front gates of the castle. You always expected some sort of screech as they swung open on their own, but Barbatos would never allow such a detail to go unchecked, you once admitted your expectations but he told you this of all places had to be kept perfect, wouldn’t want to give anyone a bad first impression.

Soon you were at the doors, them too opening without you needing to do a thing. However they did not do so on their own. “It is a pleasure to have you two here.”

Beelzebub was right, if Barbatos of all beings was asking for help, surely things were dire. You assumed, that even him with his seemingly endless wellspring of skills, if HE couldn’t handle it he’d be… a bit more haggard or tired looking? Yet, there he was, prim and perfect as ever.

Behind Barbatos Little Ds dashed about here and there, many carrying something or other, No. 6 holding onto a tower of boxes with a sleeping No.7 on top, keeping whatever was shaking in the top one from escaping, No. 3 almost tripping over the pile of wires draped across them, even No. 5 jumping down the stairs with a bit too cumbersome chair in hand.

“Come in, come in.” A step to the side and you two were allowed through. And just like that it seemed the Little Ds disappeared.

“Let’s get you settled into your room, then I can show you too-”

You wouldn’t have noticed if Beelzebub hadn’t shaken the butler off and took a step back. It was eerie how the man was about to get ahold of your bags without your notice, he was too good at misdirection, at being everyone’s shadow. To take care of all the little things all the while making you not notice.

But Beel did.

He lightly shook his head, a hand on all the straps making sure they couldn’t be slipped off his shoulder. “Actually we brought some tools with us. You can just tell us where and what we have to work on now.”

“I see.” The butler’s eyes closed, head tilting a little to the side. “Then follow me.”

Really, what were you expecting.

Last time you worked with Beel on construction it was renovating that restaurant. It was a fun relaxed time, Beel taking things slow, teaching you how to use each of the tools, getting into paint fights, having the time to admire Beel’s form as the man lifted anything and everything with ease from stone tiles to a tower of wooden beams.

 But you were under Barbatos’ command this time. The man who, despite knowing the way to escape the fairytale book was for him, the prince, to declare he loved you, still drilled into you all the upper-class social niceties you’d need to know to woo the prince at the ball like in some becoming a princess montage in a children’s movie.

And still now, he expected perfection. Everyone had to meet his standards, which likely were if he had done the task himself. During every job he’d pop by, critiquing every last thing, even down to examining how much you sanded down any given surface. Yet he wasn’t hovering or overbearing about it either. You knew he scrutinized everything nonetheless, you could tell just by the look in his eyes, how his gaze lingered.

“Have you done repair work before?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, but only once with this Devildom stuff. The wood here is so dense and… attacky.” You flicked the slab so it’d stop chewing on your arm. You really didn’t want to deal with any more splinters.

A light chuckle escaped the man behind you.

YES!

Barbatos leaned over a little to get a better look at your work. “And you’re already able to handle framework?”

“Beel’s a good teacher.” Snowboarding, the saxophone, construction, recently sewing and design, whenever Beel had a true interest in a skillset, it seemed he would master it. Not just learn something but come to understand all it’s intricacies of how it worked. So patient, he always quickly picked up on what you were struggling on and coaxed you through. And a good bit of praise too. But not so gentle as to let you get complacent, he just… “So smart, straightforward, and kind.”

The kind of guy you could always feel so safe and secure with. Even if you’re making a fool of yourself, fumbling over the same mistakes over and over.

“He certainly is.” A soft quiet tone, an agreement you didn’t necessarily have to hear.

You both waved back to the man as he gave a wave from the rooftop.

You bolted to the ladder, holding it steady as he began his quick decent down.

Barbatos still stood beside you, gaze on the barreling man above. “Although, you shouldn’t sell yourself short either. You make for an excellent student.”

“Hah, I don’t know about that. I can still barely remember the names of all those spoons for dinner parties.”

“Oh?” A chill fan down your spine at that single expression from the man beside you. You weren’t even looking at him, yet you knew how he looked, that icy smile turned your way. “Shall we do a review tonight th-”

“NO! N-no. I-I was planning on showering.”

“Hmm-”

Okay, all clear.

“-After the festivities then.”

DAMN IT!

“But school will be starting back up right after.”

“There’s a few days, it would be a good warm up to get used to schoolwork again.”

So days of scolding. That in of itself wasn’t so bad, especially from that man but…

You got used to Beelzebub, living under the same roof for so long. Didn’t make your heart pitter-patter any less whenever he held you, complimented you, or when you helped him with his workouts. And with all those brothers competing for the position of Avatar of Jealousy you learned how to be more discreet with your appreciation of the drop dead gorgeous men around you.

Barbatos however. So blunt yet mischievous, but only sometimes, you still couldn’t properly find your footing around him. You were always prepared for it, doing something mundane only to begin to trip on his words, and you fall for it every time. Him running circles around you, and using your words against you. Sometimes it seems he knows what he’s doing and others, you can tell he SOMEHOW genuinely doesn’t!

Not to mention with a single glance he can make one feel as if he were on such a high pedestal and also make you compelled to kneel before him squirming and apologizing for any unknown slight!

YOU BARELY SURVIVED THE BOOK INCIDENT WHICH WAS LIKE WHAT!? AN EVENING!? NOW SEVERAL DAYS!

How were you to not get so flustered that you forget everything… again. And what if you actually disappointed him this time?

You could never live the shame and heartbreak down.

BESIDES HOW WERE YOU SUPPOSED TO PAY ATTENTION TO ANYTHING WHEN HE’S SO GOD DAMNED BEAUTIFUL! NO WONDER THE WHOLE OF THE DEVILDOM FREAKED OUT WHEN HE DRESSED AS A DAME, YOU WOULD HAVE GONE JUST AS FERRAL AS WHEN BEEL GOT ALL DOLLED UP FOR THAT PHOTOSHOOT IN THE YUKATA YOU MADE HIM!

…

Not that his butler uniform was any better, stupid pants showing off his butt perfectly.

“You’re so flushed.”

“EP!” You mentally cursed yourself for getting so lost in thoughts. But how were you not too!? At least his tone seemed neutral?

“Allow me.”

A cloth?

Gently it was pressed to your forehead, then your all too warm cheeks. A swipe over your nose getting rid of the irritating bead of sweat that tickled and hung off the end of it before running over your neck.

“That… thank you.” You could just melt on the spot.

He stood there, not having realized the chaos running rampant through your mind because of him, just genuine concern, lips pressed into a thin line. “Thankfully I’ve prepared cool refreshments. But please, do not overexert yourself.”

It wasn’t that hot a day, but the humidity… A kind one could only notice after spending a considerable time outside, something you knew the butler hadn’t done unlike you and your friendly giant. Only someone who cared for even the smallest of details would have noticed otherwise.

… So smart, straightforward, and kind.

Another thing that usually came along with the butler’s visits was a much needed break and-

Barbatos only had the chance to pull out your seat, Beel already making himself comfortable, his chair already pulled out, plate covered in the baked goods.

“Thank you.”

“An uu” He barely paused in devouring the mini feast, but you understood. It was certainly a feat to manage stringing up those metal wires from up there.

Barbatos simply gave a little nod before pouring you your drink.

Thankfully for you Barbatos tried extending these breaks. Beel always made sure you were left with your favorites and frankly more than what you could finish. And all too quickly he had finished his portion before you could have even a fraction of your’s. Barbatos never directly said it aloud, but he always made sure to distract the man to save you all the heartbreak of seeing his continued hunger, as reluctant as you were to part from him.

This, however, did give you a very rarer sight. Just those two together.

Kinda.

You could recall more memorable moments of Barbatos with Belphegor or Beel with Diavolo, but… them spending time together wasn’t very rarer when you thought about it, just…

Both men, rather quiet and reserved in nature, when the louder personalities were taking over the conversation they both would take a step back and keep to themselves. It was subtle in a way.

And here you were getting to watch as they quietly talked over the construction of the stage.

It was interesting.

“Bigger?” Beel raised a brow.

“Yes.”

“No. The supports couldn’t take that. We’d have to start all over.”

“I know, but still, we must accommodate even… unwanted guests.” A hint of irritation rolled off the butler’s tongue in those last words.

Not exactly formal, not exactly casual.

“You should just throw them out.”

“Believe me, under normal circumstances I gladly would.” That polite smile with the closed eyes, if you weren’t paying close attention on them you’d assume Barbatos was just fine with this.

They focused on the task at hand mostly, but it was… more relaxed, in a way. You don’t believe Barbatos would have said something like that around the others, at least not as loudly.

“Hmm…” The redhead pointed to different areas of the stage as he spoke. “We could knock out some of the flooring and make the stage shorter but wider. And we can add an elevated part in the middle for Diavolo to stand on for the speeches.”

“What will you need?”

“Nothing, MC and I will make what we already have work.”

“It wouldn’t be trouble to get more supplies.”

“Nope. You don’t do anything. We’ve got that covered.”

…

Beel always did that, making sure Barbatos didn’t do more. From just about the very moment you arrived here.

“Beelzebub would you-”

“Where?”

“Entry way. Drop them off at the basement.”

“Wait, Barbatos stay here and watch MC for a moment. They’re still new at using the spirit level ruler.” And before Barbatos could respond Beelzebub was already off.

… The ruler where all you had to do was watch for the bubble to be in the middle of the cylinder. Really?

What surprised you though was that he actually did. Not staying but not insisting he had other things to do. And sure, he kept an eye on you, but it was less of the that judgmental gaze and just… watching you work. You KNEW he had far better things to be doing, with all your work outside, any time you looked to the castles windows you’d see his distinct silhouette bustling about from one place to the next, even suddenly switching to floors at the complete opposite side.

Even when you were almost done with the stage, Beelzebub was able to place a hand on the man’s shoulder and have him sit on the raised platform with you two for a few minuets to show it was sturdy.

You NEVER seen the man take breaks before. He even seemed apprehensive but never actually fought back or anything, just accepting the situation. It wasn’t often, you could count all the times this happened on one hand, but STILL.

BARBATOS, and man who even the PRINCE OF ALL DEMONS could not convince to go on vacation, the man whom you were absolutely sure has only gone on ONE vacation EVER, willing took breaks now?

Perhaps, the situation was that dire, but… that didn’t seem quite right.

You heaved a breath, leaning on the dresser, Beelzebub holding onto the other end so the dolly it was on wouldn’t roll away.

“Just two more days and we’ll have all the heavy lifting done.”

“Okay.” You stood straight, clapping your hands against your cheeks causing a loud snap like sound to ring out, an awful stinging radiating where skin met skin sending electric shocks to your mind. No more exhaustion! “We’ve got this!” And with renewed vigor you continued pushing ahead.

Back and forth, up and down, on and on you two went. Admittedly you felt a little guilty, Beel having to carry the stuff up the stairs by himself, but you would only get in the way if you tried assisting, it was just safer for everyone, no extra feet to accidentally trip over but still. “We need to take things slow or we’ll strain ourselves too much.” Beel refused to risk either of your safety even a little. And so you’d sit there watching as he slowly made his way up.

The halls of the castle were an eerily noisy place, like what one would expect of a haunted house. A groan here, a shriek there, the constant static-like buzzling gnawing into the back of the skull, but you could always recognize Barbato’s quiet footfalls amongst all that, no matter how far. You waved to the man down the hall as he sped walked his way toward you.

“MC, how are you and Beelzebub fairing with the furniture?”

“Fine, I guess.”

“Good, we need everything switched by the evening, before dinner is served. The Fairie ambassadors are arriving early and their rooms need to be ready.”

“What!?”

A soft thud as the dresser was placed down. “Half a day?” Beel looked between you and the butler, a little hesitant.

“Yes, you will get this done.”

It took a moment but Beel nodded in reply. “I’ll make it happen, somehow.”

It was more so a belief they had in one another. Even if Beel or Barbatos were not sure about something, if the other believed they were capable, then that was it, they’d do it, whether it be taking breaks because they were skilled enough to make up for the lost time, or of having the brawn to make any task viable.

They had a mutual trust in the other’s abilities, or at least that was your impression of the situation.

Beel looked to you, worry evident in his features. “But…”

“Uh… maybe I could push stuff to the stairs?”

“No, you could pull a muscle or throw out your back.”

“MC,” A gloved hand perched itself on your shoulder. “you’ll assist me in dinner prep, won’t you?”

“Yeah, I can do that!”

Still though, you were hesitant to go. It felt off just leaving him like this. Taking a glance back you saw he was in his demon form doing some stretches. He gave you a little smile when he noticed. Sure, Beel was moreso taking the brunt of the workload before, but it didn’t sit right with you to just leave what was supposed to be two days’ worth with your assistance down to just half a day alone.

Even after the stage there was still much to do, a lot of strange odd jobs. If you didn’t know better at times you would have thought Barbatos was looking for excuses to keep you and Beel around. And what was for the next several days apparently, temporarily switching out the furniture in the guest rooms, something about the current stuff being poisonous to certain species. It didn’t matter the reasoning, Beelzebub just took on whatever task the butler offered. At least grocery shopping wasn’t as precise and nerve wracking as sanding down the table legs in that one guest room by exactly three centimeters.

Thankfully the shopping was easy if hectic, Barbatos clearly had the several course meal planned already, occasionally asking for your opinion on what to use for a garnish or if this discounted spice was fine since the ones he usually got were out.

“Oh, thank you.” “Thank you!” “Thanks!”

Felt as if that was the only response you could give the man at times. Still ever the gentleman, even when your hands weren’t full Barbatos opened the door for you and the like. He even happily picked up a few extra things, you hadn’t the chance to pick yours and Beel’s dinner reward any day you were here yet. Finally you were not so exhausted that choosing something was a burden and Barbatos was sure to take this opportunity. Even if you were a little pressed for time.

In all honesty you weren’t quite sure how you made your way back, it didn’t feel or look like you teleported. You simply followed Barbatos, side by side as he took you down streets, and alleyways you didn’t know of, and before you knew it already making your way past the front gates.

You scurried your way to the kitchen, Barbatos giving you instructions to preheat the oven, fill a pot with water, and other such prep work along the way before he had to leave. Even so you were a little distracted, Beelzebub ran about at blinding speed, some heavy looking bed or closet on his back, face flushed, breath heavy.

“MC, careful to not trip over the Little Ds.”

“AH- Sorry, sorry!”

…

Did you choose a good meal for dinner? Your main reward for all this, every day, has been the most lovely dinner, the next day’s always somehow better than the last. This was your first time choosing, and you wanted it to be something that a lot of it could be easily made. At least try satiating Beel’s stomach, but considering all he’d have to do today… you just didn’t want him to be left hungrier than usual somehow. You doubted Barbatos would let that happen, after all, though you’re both working, you are still guests, technically…

“Good, good. You even have the spuds already prepared to peel.” Barbatos came marching in, rolling up his sleeves, getting straight to work.

“Well, I already finished everything, so I thought I’d start the first dish.”

Hmm.

“MC?” The man paused for but a moment before continuing his work. “… Shameful, to have forgotten such a step.”

Your fingers lingered behind his ear where you tucked those longer, bright strands of hair back.

So pretty.

“Nah, you’re cooking, and I’m just assisting you in the little things. And that includes tying your hair back if need be!”

“Heh heh. Not typical work for an assistant, but I suppose today is not a typical day either.”

“Exactly!”

Being a chef is no easy feat, being Barbatos’ sous chef even more so. Any guest would not get anything less than exemplary service. This kind of cooking was much different from your usual casual hang outs or baking sessions. Timing was key, being synchronized so Barbatos’ sauce and your fish were ready at the same time. There was also several times where you were left alone while Barbatos had to take care of something else. It surprisingly wasn’t too bad though, a lot easier than cooking in the House of Lamentation at least, no one popping in insisting you can drop everything you were doing to be with them or someone sneaking in and deciding to help without telling you and messing up everything.

“MC, I told you to take a break!”

Finally he was back, took him a lot longer than you expected. “The cooking isn’t really done till everything’s cleaned.” You were really tempted but… “So everything turned out okay?”

Barbatos scooched in beside you. He made one attempt to take the sponge from your hand, but you weren’t so willing to allow for that and reluctantly he opted for a towel to get started on drying the growing pile beside you. “Far better than that. They loved the meal and their rooms. Even found our service most excellent.”

“Aren’t fairies sticklers for etiquette and service and stuff?”

“Indeed.”

You couldn’t help heaving a sigh, losing all the tension, letting your shoulders relax and your arms rest in the sudsy water. “And what about Beel, how’s he doing?”

“Napping in your room, seems he just emptied the snack stash there so he should be satiated till your dinner is ready.”

“… good.” … you needed to check. “Say do we have enough ingredients to make an extra dessert, or just… more for my and Beel’s dinner?”

“If that is what you want, I will make it happen.”

“Will it make more work for you? The point of us being here IS to help you, not have you do more.”

“… Let me assure you.” His tone grew softer, a voice you hadn’t heard since coming under his command. The tone you were more familiar with as of late, the tone when you’d visit for tea testings or when you asked him for help with coming up with dinner for eight people. “Just you both being here is more than enough; knowing you’ll help me if I asked, even more, let alone you actually doing so. And you, MC, wanting this… well, it’s a treat.”

“I’m glad.” Okay, back to scrubbing. “… Although, I know we’re here for you. Well, you’ve seen him. Beel’s been doing most everything, especially today. I just, wanna give him a reward or something. He really deserves it.”

“… I believe you’re right. He dose deserve a reward.”

Did his eyes twinkle for a moment?

Wait! “When did you finish drying everything!?” Panicking you scrubbed with renewed vigor still having a small pile of dishes and utensils beside you, almost splashing yourself and most of the counter in the process.

“Tonight then.”

“Huh!? Tonight?”

The butler trotted across the floor, seemingly not hearing your question as he got out some new ingredients.

Well, at least Beelzebub was going to get a something, maybe a dessert that takes a while to make, not that Beel would mind midnight snacking.

Actually… that did get you curious about something, and maybe you’d get a clearer answer from him. “Say, Barbatos.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think of Beelzebub? You seem to get along really well.”

“…”

From the corner of the eye you saw how his tail kinda just… swayed a little. Just in place, not even to get out of the way of something as usual.

There was a little hum in his throat before he spoke. “Given the circumstances, I suppose it’s only right I indulge you.”

Only right?

“Beelzebub is… one of the more reliable of his brothers, as well as the least judgmental. He takes any situation in stride and is quick to get what is needed done. I respect him. We both have a rather similar dedication to those we care about. I believe a human term would be ‘kindred spirits’. We understand the strains this kind of dedications has, this doubled edged knife, just as fulfilling as it can be draining at times. There is no place else I rather be than here, just as Beelzebub beside his family. I love my duty so much I would let it kill me, but that would only hurt the Young Master. Sometimes, as much as Beelzebub adores his brothers, he’ll ask for work, to let me give him a way to blow off steam, to take control for a moment, to let him rest, or not think for a time.

And…” You looked over your shoulder wondering why he suddenly paused, even in food prep. “He is so smart, straightforward, and kind.” That smile! Heart caught in your throat. The moment your eyes met you flipped back to the sink, an awful heat growing on your cheeks. WHY DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL SO- AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! Lips tight, this stupid embarrassment beginning to course through you. WHY WAS IT EVEN THERE!? “It all makes him rather charming.”

But even with this flushness hazing your mind you couldn’t miss THAT. It was surprising to you how little you heard such compliments for Beel. At last, someone else with good taste. Still… Like Beel Barbatos was, even if veiled by politeness, rather blunt, but not as straightforward. You weren’t expecting such an answer from the man. So… detailed, perhaps?

“Perfect you’re done washing. Now-” the demon crowed you, standing so close, coaxing you away and towards the door, a hand on the small of your back. “you will take a break. Get some rest, you needn’t worry over me, cooking for you and Beelzebub will be a much needed cooldown from the day. Drinks and water will be waiting for you in your room by the time you arrive. This has been a long day for you, so be sure to recuperate. Please.”

“Okay, okay! I will!” Thus you were all but kicked out. He was right though; you didn’t realize how thirsty you were till that first sip hit your lips before chugging down the pitcher whole. You also knew your feet were sore, but you melted the moment hitting that cushy bed, going completely limp.

Eyes heavy you let them rest. Every passing moment you felt. Noise, the ticking of the grandfather clock, that was what your drifting mind seemed to find focus on.

You knew there were other sounds. You knew what they were but…

They didn’t register

Blurring into the background

Only that

Tick tock

Tick

Tock

Tick

tick

soft

voices?

“MC.”

A gentle warmth on your shoulder, you were lightly rocked.

Oh wait.

You should probably get up.

It was blurry, but you’d recognize that bright, sunset-like orange anywhere.

A few blinks to clear your vision and you slowly sat up. “hey bub.”

He seemed to stare at you for a moment, a smile across his lips you rarely saw before this. A little tired, a little dopy, yet content, or something like it.

A deep breath and that’s when that delectable smell finally hit you. Guess you ended up taking Beelzebub’s lead and-

…

“Food’s here?”

Beel just nodded before pulling a table between your beds closer. You couldn’t tear your eyes from the feast, more than just what you requested. There was even an ice chest by the corner, away from everything else. “Barbatos said we had the rest of the day off and that’d he’d be back once everyone else was settled in.”

“Oh!”

You felt a bit giddy, this sort of bubbliness popping inside you. It was like you and Beel were staying at a hotel on vacation. Perhaps it was knowing there would be a treat later or the realization that you could simply relax for the evening and just do nothing, not even have to go to the staff dinning room for dinner per usual. You bounced a little in excitement before plopping yourself next to one of your favorite people on the edge of the bed, beginning to devour the practical mountain of food before you.

Thankfully there was a second table which had more. When your table got too empty for his liking Beelzebub would trade those empty plates for the new ones. He never stayed at the other table long, quickly taking his seat beside you again.

Amazing, as always. So many layered flavors, yet not so many as to be overbearing. Textures that melted on the tongue or crunched between the teeth just right, the sensations such a delight. Barbatos’ cooking was truly art no matter the angle you took, the looks, those smells, even the sound of taking a bite, and most obviously the taste, a symphony for all the senses, all at once. Enough to bring a tear to the eye when one was too full and could no longer fully partake.

At least, in it’s place, you could take on Beel’s pleasure. His delighted hums and groans at each bite, those beautiful sparking eyes, the terrifying way he ravaged every meal that sent your reflexes into fight or flight mode, swallowing dishes whole, sharp canines on full display making the heart pick up in pace. Watching how when he found something particularly good, which was everything, he’d offer you some on a fork or spoon. It was nice, just seeing someone so thoroughly enjoy something.

It was a surprisingly slow meal considering how hungry, well, hungrier Beel must have been, but he’d pause every few bites, asking how things were while you were separated and the like, about what you cooked and if you ended up having to serve anyone at any point, if you got to sneak any tastes of the dishes. “Really man? All this food and you want to know what I tasted?”

“Yes?” Stated like you questioning why he’d ask such things was the silliest or oddest parts of this conversation. Which to be fair, it was, considering you were taking with him.

“Well… A little, when Barbatos asked me to check something and tell him how it was.”

“Ooh! And… you had a good time?”

“Yeah, it was a nice change of pace from what we’ve been doing.”

“I’m glad.

…

Hmm, want a bite?”

“I really can’t buddy.” You sighed, it was very tempting, but you knew you would regret it later when your stomach would inevitably turn sour. “You worried about me?”

“… No.” A little clink and the empty platter was placed atop the growing pile before he dragged one of the as yet untouched plates before himself. A piece was cut onto the fork, his other hand held under it, almost turned to you before quickly taking the bite and continuing the meal, dropping his hand. “I didn’t like being separated from you. I don’t ever, but it was different this time. It was the first since we came here… And next I see you, you’re asleep, I didn’t even know you came back.” The man grumbled, shoving in the next bite with a bit of force. “I’m starting to sound clingy like Mammon.”

…

You scooched over, letting your head lean against him. He paused. You didn’t need to look up to know he was looking to you. “I didn’t like it either. Almost a week we’ve been here? We’ve been beside each other just about every moment. Of course it’d feel weird.”

“Two weeks.”

“Already!?” Finally you faced him, he simply nodded. “That long already!?” Beel nodded again. “How!?” Beel just shrugged. “But it can’t be! We just started!” An arm wrapped around you, pulling you close.

So, your time together was going by too quickly for your liking too. Beel was glad that you seemed to agree.

You wiggled out of that hold for but a moment after some time, once your giant was getting to the last of the dishes. The moment your hand landed on the handle Beel too eyed the ice chest. To your surprise it wasn’t very heavy at all, if you didn’t know Barbatos you very well would have thought there was nothing at all inside.

With a pop it was opened, the pair of you leaning over to get a look.

Sliced fruit! All elegantly arranged in a bowl and some much smaller covered bowl beside it. The saranwrap covering it had steam obscuring the view from the underside.

“Ah!”

“MC!?”

“Sorry, but…” Carefully you tried taking the mysterious bowl out, the chill surrounding your hands a such a stark contrast. You held it out to Beel, his eyes widening the moment he made contact with that heat.

Beel hummed before collecting the fruit bowl. “Fruit’s cold.”

“Eh?” Curiously you removed the wrap.

You didn’t even have to unwrap it fully to realize what it was. Stabbing one of those fruit slices and dipping it in the ooey gooey chocolate before holding it up to your giant who eagerly took the bite, with such force you were concerned he may have bitten through the fork, but the delight across his features was more than enough to place you at ease. And seeing the fork was still intact.

Slice after slice, piece after piece you dipped and passed to him, careful to not let any of the chocolate drip-

“Sorry!”

And in your rush you bumped it into his cheek, by the corner of his mouth instead.

Clink

He didn’t care, taking that bite from the fork without hesitation. “ats ok.”

“At least let me get it.”

…

You let your hand rest on his cheek for a moment, your thumb caressing the area right under the chocolate.

Poor Beel, he made the grave mistake of sitting beside you, being closer to your height. But he of all people had to understand indulging yourself.

A soft quiet gasp, his warm breath hit you as your lips were pressed against him. And a small lick, that goodness immediately melting on the tongue. But all good things have to come to an end so reluctantly you leaned ba-

“Don’t… tease me like that.” You were taken aback for a moment. A little gruff, a little disappointment and a hint of hurt mixed within his tone. Arms encircled, keeping you pressed close. If you had to guess, you would have expected your demon’s usual shyness, a bashful look, a flushed face, or even a quick kiss to your cheek.

“Beel.” Foreheads pressed together, nuzzling into you, his lips just barely brushing against yours before gently yet hungerly kissing you. How could you forget. It’d been too long you supposed, how unabashed he was when it came to his affections when others weren’t around, particularly his brothers. There were some sides of himself he didn’t show so easily, like this. But not with you at least. Adoring you with his every mov-

Knock, knock, knock

You jolted back on instinct, so used to having to hide one thing or another when one of those brothers came crashing in, or you were already that lost in the moment and anything besides it disturbing, jarring, Beel had a tendency to take up all your attention, as he rightly should if he wanted it. Yet in that moment he didn’t anymore, letting go the moment you hopped back. No resistance at all.

You almost wished he didn’t, you certainly didn’t want to lose his touch but, for him, your comfort and safety was ALWAYS the top priority, no matter the moment, and if you stepped back, that was it.

“Apologies, am I interrupting.”

“Oh, no! You’re fine.” Beel’s surprise, Beel’s surprise, Beel’s surprise!

Seemed you assumed wrong about the cooler being it. An almost cheeky or playful smile graced Barbatos’ lips as he quietly closed the door, towels over one arm, some fancy crystalline like bottle in hand.

A massage!

“So, are you ready?”

“W-”

“I’m sure Beel is!”

Perhaps you were a bit too excited for this, accidentally interrupting Beel’s answer, but, how could you not!? A massage from BARBATOS had to have been the closest thing to heaven one could get in the Devildom, and you certainly knew how wonderful the ones Beel gave you after workouts were, surely it’d be nice for him to be on the receiving end for a change.

The butler’s back was to you, placing those licked clean dishes on the far table, out of the way. He looked over his shoulder, lightly chuckling. “And you?”

“Huh? Isn’t this for Beel?”

Said man suddenly looked between you and the butler baffled.

“Hmm.” Quietly Barbatos made his way over, placing those items on the table beside your bed, standing before you in such a way where he partially faced you both when doing so. “Of course, but I’m very sure he wouldn’t want you simply left out.”

His hand landed on your shoulder, sliding onto your upper back as you were lead back to where you were before he arrived, pressed against Beel. Then he

they

A heat began to burn under your skin, a lump forming in your throat you had to swallow, trying to not salivate, one of those gloved hands on that beautiful chest, the other lifting up Beel’s chin with middle and pointer fingers, lips on lips, the butler sighing into the kiss, leaning in more and more almost pushing the giant on to his back.

“W-wait!”

Barbatos was shoved back, not roughly, Beel’s forearm on the butler’s chest keeping him away.

“Ah, is that no longer allowed for me?” There was not hurt in Barbato’s words, something slightly curious, yet knowing when he glanced to you.

“No, you can- wait, MC’s joining?”

.

.

.

The butler’s eyes widened. “You… never told them?”

“… No? You did? You two were just talking about it, but for me? But you asked for work so MC and I should be leading you. You haven’t had the chance to let go at all yet.”

As Beel sat back up Barbatos stood abruptly as if repulsed. “Excuse me, Beelzebub. You said they wanted work.” Shock, worry? His tone fluctuated, unsteady. That… was a first. Unsteady.

“Huh? I…” Something clicked. “They wanted work and… I didn’t want to leave you like this and let you down. I saw they were looking for jobs and I knew if I agreed I wouldn’t get to see them, so I asked. But… I was only thinking of work and not this part of ‘work’. We don’t always do this part.

MC, you don’t have to join if you don’t want too, I just wanted you around-”

“YES!” Wait, fuck that was right in his ear! Don’t screw this up! “I- well. Only if you want too, not out of… obligation I guess??? Or awkwardness? I don’t wanna intrude on you two!”

They just stared at you.

“Okay, FINE! I do, but not if you would not be okay? With it?”

Words were failing you, rather difficult to speak when your mind was completely elsewhere running rampant with made up stories and scenarios having only heard half of the conversation, heart racing from the mere thought, let alone seeing the two most attractive people you KNEW KISS RIGHT BEFORE YOU, AND THE IMPLICATIONS THEY DO SO AND MUCH MORE SEMI FREQUENTLY!

THERE WAS A LOT DISTRACTING YOU AT THE MOME-

“MC.” The moment your giant’s voice hit your ears your mind settled, focusing on his words.

“Uh-huh.”

“Our job, is to take control for a while, so Barbatos can have a break. Are you comfortable with that?” And admittedly, there was a more… commanding or confident tone to his voice than usual, one you were compelled to follow.

“Ah… Are we talking hardcore stuff ooooooorrrrr ???”

“If we want to.”

“… Noted.” Almost squeaky how that word came out, a high lit at the end. You were mindful of your breathing. If you were to do this, you didn’t want to seem, unreliable or frazzled or something. Who would want to be in the hands of someone like that? Maybe if they were taking the lead, HOWEVER, this was different. After all this is what Barbatos thought you were here for, wouldn’t want to let him down now.

“So,” You placed a hand on Beel’s thigh before patting it, and glancing to the two men. “shall we get started?”

In an instant those big hands had found purchase on the butler’s hips, dragging him on to Beel’s lap. And if he squished in a little there’d be room for you. You snuck in behind, pressing Barbatos into the redhead, but not before you placed your hands on his abdomen, fingers just itching to pick at those suit buttons. You-

“Now hold on.” You and Beel froze on the spot, locked onto Barbatos who leaned back and into you some. “I may be the one who requested work, but since MC’s here, I’d like to rearrange a little.”

“What about your stress reli-” Beel started your question before you could, cut off by the butler opening his palm at shoulder height.

“I’m very sure.”

“Uh, you don’t have too on my account! You two can just keep going, or do what you normally do, I can just sit in the corner and you can pretend I’m not even here!”

“Sounds like you’d enjoy that very much.” You almost wanted to shrink away from Barbatos’ piercing gaze. You were a bit obvious, weren’t you.

“Perhaps another time, if we’re willing. However, I would much rather you take an active role. And if I may be so bold, I believe Beelzebub feels much the same.” Beel gave a firm nod to the butler’s words. “I just would like to not be strict as to who ‘takes it’ this time.”

The man let that palm down, allowing his hands to rest on your knees on either side of him. “MC, is there anything we should know? Areas to not touch or something to not do? A preferred safe word? Or perhaps you’d wish for a moment to prepare?”

“Do whatever you want to me or just tell me whatever you want me to do to you.” … Maybe a bit strong of a start, but there was not going back. “And stop lights? Y’know, red, yellow, green?”

“Red, yellow, green.”

“Red, yellow, green.”

… It was strange, to find such a moment sweet, them echoing your words. For lack of better wording for it, there was something so familiar about it, something so… human. The moment gave you a small smile. Demons were more sensitive to invisible forces like emotions, could they feel that?

“For myself, do not manhandle my tail.” Before you could back off from where you were pressed against it the man took your wrist, pulling you a little forward. “You can touch, just do not be too rough with it. There tends to be…” He paused before holding out a pointer finger at having found a not terrible wording. “unintended consequences.”

Beel glanced away for a moment, eyebrows slightly furrowed, the faintest of blushes blooming on the tips of his ears and cheeks.

“Oh?” You wouldn’t ask for now, after all, it was Barbatos who should get the brunt of teasing, not Beel.

Speaking of, you leaned over a little, looking to your giant. “Pain play on you.” He didn’t even have to think on that.

“But you would on Barbatos?”

Beel simply shrugged. “If we wanted to.”

“… Fiiiiiine.” You placed your chin on Barbatos’ shoulder, it was a convenient perch. “Besides, Barbatos is supposed to be the star today, right?” You felt how he shifted, your warm breath against the back of his ear before a sweet kiss. Then one right below it, then one on the jaw, slowly leaning your weight against the man’s back.

“Hold on now.”

You ignored the butler’s words for the moment, having him continue, there was no tone to stop or nervousness more so… something else, instead meeting gazes with Beel who seemed to be staring in awe. So, he liked a show too?

Up close and personal with the rest of your weight shoving them flush together. A closer view for Beel as you dragged your tongue over what little skin on Barbatos’ neck was exposed past his high collar, forcing his head to tilt up some to give you room. Even getting a soft sigh from the man, seemed whatever Barbatos wanted to say could wait a moment, a moment, or a few, to let your teeth to sink into that flesh, biting down into that skin, entranced by that slight minty chill and tingling it left on your lips and tongue. Barbatos was in his demon form, perhaps there were other eccentricities of his body like this to find.

Your gaze was still locked with Beel’s, how his eyes seemed transfixed by how your lips danced across that skin. The moment he looked away you let your eyes close, savoring the feelings.  How Barbatos had to crane his face up as Beelzebub left wet kisses on his throat, your combined assault getting quiet, stifled groans or cut off breaths from him. How even with those tiny fiddley buttons Beel deftly undone them, practice likely from thousands of times before, popping open that collar giving you a wider canvas to work with.

Your hands wandered, raking over that fabric, down his chest, under the outercoat, down lower to the hips, bumping into such familiar, gigantic, calloused hands. Almost delicately your fingers intertwined, an unexpected thin cold metal getting tangled between them before your hand was held, practically engulfed by his own, a soft squeeze letting you go on your way.

Barbatos did have a chain thing that connected the ends of his collar, didn’t he. Reluctantly you leaned back, reaching over and placing the thing on the table behind you. Wouldn’t want to lose or crush anything, a bit counter productive of what you were trying to do.

“MC.”

He turned to you as much as he could, gloved fingers just barely brushing the underside of your chin before that hand was drawn back, leading you to him. There was an expression you’d never seen on Barbatos, at least, not so openly, so… raw. A yearning. You’d seen hints of want and desire, nothing as soft as this.

You felt how his breath just lightly shook as your lips met. One after another, after another, after another. A hand on the cheek, keeping him in place as you melted into the other’s embrace, a hand atop yours, that chilling gloved palm making sure yours wouldn’t stray away.

Something deep in the gut fluttered, this nervous excitement you couldn’t handle, tossing that wayward, irritable energy into slamming your mouths together again. Not enough, not enough, not enough, you needed more! Raking your teeth across his lips, tongue pressing across the seam, pleading for entrance.

You couldn’t stop yourself the moment he let you in, exploring all that you could, lungs soon burning, breath getting lost and taken away getting the same treatment in kind. It was cruel, any time he dared to back away, you immediately dove in for another, something he too eagerly obliged.

Even with your eyes shut so tight, you knew your vision would be spotted from how light your head was. But you had to have another, those groans and moans were too inviting, you didn’t care if they were from your interlocked lips, or Beelzebub’s love bites, or how you could feel that man coaxing this on, nudging Barbatos into you or tugging on your shoulder back forward whenever your body jolted back for breath.

“Wh-” It hurt. I hurt, it hurtithurtithurtithurt. Your breath heaved and rasped, needing air yet still you had to have a moment to swallow so you wouldn’t choke on yours and Barbatos spit instead.

“Before you get too far, there is still something we have to do, remember?” Similar to Beelzebub before, Barbatos’ forearm pressed into your chest, keeping you back and admittedly giving you something to lean on, in the likely case you were a little dizzy.

“Beelzebub here still deserves his reward. We really should be preparing him first, don’t you think?” His expressions, his movements, the man was meant to be a butler, truly, his mannerisms for it were just so natural, so polite, you almost missed it, yet you also could never had, not to your trained eye who had long memorized his patterns, that heat in his gaze, the subtle… not giddiness, something calmer than that yet still…

Clearly he was looking forward to whatever he had planned.

“Well, what sort of preparation dose he need? If all it is, is to get him excited-” All to easily your arms encircled him, your fingers trailing down the cummerbund, finding the waistband of his pants, rolling over the front button before dragging your nails up to his chest. “I believe putting on a show for him would be enough. I mean, it’s been working so far, right Beel?”

You couldn’t stifle your chuckle seeing the blush that began to dust your giant’s cheeks.

Good, you weren’t off the mark there. Placing a hand on his cheek, letting him hide his embarrassment a little and lean into your touch, tilting his face, a tender kiss to your palm, even if you were right you knew how calling him out like that could maybe get to the gentle man a little.

But where to start, and how were you even supposed to get the cummerbund off in the first place?

…

Stiff, Barbatos always looked that way, even now. Knowing he came in expecting this you’d think he’d be more… loose, yet somehow he looked to still be serving, too ridged, at least for the role he was to be in. Shoulders up and taut, a hand to the side, his other arm rested at a right angle, even his tail. Not bad, but, clearly, the man was thinking too much.

There was only so high you could go under that outer suit coat. Still, you watched your finger under the fabric, slowly tracing down his spine. So many layers keeping him wrapped up and…

“MC,”

You nodded, not like Barbatos could see that though. A thin strap at the top and bottom of the cummerbund held it together, gold buttons on either end, even a thin gold chain connected over the top ones, delicately draping over Barbatos’ tail. The top strap draped over it as well, yet the sides and underneath there was a bit of an opening.

It was odd, just how cool he was too the touch. You could feel it through his clothes, let alone pressing your fingers against the base of his tail, the thing leaving a thin wet film that seemed to quickly evaporate, only a slightly tacky feeling on the skin to remind you it was there at all. Was that what left the tinglyness on your lips? And the skin around it, that black quickly fading to teal than his complexi-

Did he just shutter?

You continued to trace where tail met spine. “Oh, are you sensitive here?”

“He is.” Before the butler had a chance to answer for himself, Beelzebub just conformed it so matter-of-factly, mumbling it into the man’s neck as he leaned back a moment, watching your mistransgressions, his arms naturally wrapping around the man in his lap, his fingers pulling up some of that excess fabric, like drawing back curtains.

“Is that so, Beelzebub?” His tail shifted, loosely coiling around the two men, Barbatos’ hands going lower. “You think that is sensitive? You and I both know you-mph”

Arms pinned down between their bodies, hand clamped to the back of the butler’s skull, wet grunts and clicking chues as tongue bullied into another’s mouth. That tail stopped encircling, you could feel how the muscles slowly began to let go, the tips slowly flicking back and forth. And a shaking through the butler’s body, a quiet chuckle?

He tried to move his arms but to no avail, only made Beel squeeze tighter.

…

What a silly and fun game these two had.

Around and down your fingers traced, dipping just below the fabric, not too far though, too tight for that. Oh well.

You ran your hand around the underside of his… tail…

You felt it so distinctly, that shudder, that flinch.

Your fingers pressed into the underside, felt like an abnormally large vein. A deep, stifled groan you drew out of him. The man squirmed, you knew he did, even as he did his damnedest to not, feeling how the muscles in his tail clamp tight to not move.

“What’s this? W-Hey!” As you lifted up his tail it quickly slipped through your grasp, more of that ooze secreted from it, it stuck to your hand, even spreading your fingers apart it stretched between them like webbing.

Beel had to gulp down a deep breath before he could speak up. “What’s what?”

“Thi-”

“QA-ngh.” The butler trembled, stopping himself just short of burrowing his reddening face into Beelzebub’s shoulder. You continued idly pressing the thing, finding it was rather short, starting slightly below the tail and ending just short of where tail met body at the underside, curiously there was even a divot or hole at the end.

“Ooh, Barbatos’ egg hole. He’s extra sensitive there if he’s not in water.”

“Excuse me his WHAT!?”

You needed to tug at the collar of your shirt, the heat growing unbearable. Heart hammered against the ribcage and picking up in pace. And his stupid wet tail pressing against your cock.

This man was getting destroyed.

With your hand already around the base it was simple enough to yank it up-

“MC!”

…

You hated this new wave of heat spreading across your face and the pain of having, fucking, PUNCHED IT! “I’m fine.” You managed to groan that out, the least you could do to not further worry your demons. Slowly you uncovered your face from behind your hand, wiping off the other of the slippery secretions that caused this in the first place. “I think my pride is more wounded than anything”

“Not the first time this has happened.” At Barbatos’ words Beel looked to the side, with a blush that perfectly matched your own.

“Oh, SHUT. UP!” You and Beel were supposed to be the ones teasing him, not the other way around!

He just barely covered his mouth to stifle that chuckle, that quiet laughter shaking his body, a smile pulling tightly on his lips. A gorgeous laughter that made the embarrassment flair up too much and subside some, the lovely sound all too charming. And that expression beautiful, truly a rarer sight to behold.

“Barbatos.” You didn’t even know your voice could purr like that whispering into his ear, grinding your hardening cock against his ass and the base of the tail, cutting him off- drawing out a shuttering breath, and that glare, a smoldering glare. A challenge, you supposed, one you were all too eager to accept, your hands already unlatching that chain connecting the bottom of his coat, Beelzebub happily joining in, kisses worshiping what little skin he could get, hands smoothing up the shoulders and down the arms peeling off the outer garment at last.

Layer after layer, piece after piece, Beel holding up the man’s arms so your fingers could slip under those gloves, practically ripping off the triangle vest piece, hands on the top of that fluttery button-up pulling it apart so easily buttons giving way perfectly to reveal that canvas, that heaving cheat, that smooth belly, that soft cold flesh, the unnecessary things falling away.

That friction was too little, all it did was frustrate, you needed him, yet you could ignore the terrible tightness of your pants for a moment simply to take in it all. 

How those arms were like his tail, such a bright, practically glowing teal at the ends, cracking onto that black skin that faded into that pale complexion just a little past the shoulders where the button-up began to drape off.

Long stretchmarks on his sides, between the hips and ribcage, horizontal they went. His gasp, you flinched back the moment feeling… something so warm come from them as Beel tenderly traced his fingers across one.

“His gills aren’t very sensitive, but they can be…” His thumb pressed into one of those lines, going back and forth making the man under them shake. “ticklish. So if you plan on taking him from behind, be careful of them, you don’t have the strength to keep things from getting very bumpy.”

“Gills… how pretty.” You simply let your palms rest against them, feeling how they seemed to shift, feeling that… breath, was it?

“So, we’re not letting them find out anything for themselves?” Partially a query, mostly an observation, the man looking to Beel with a quirked brow.

One of Beel’s large hands landed on the butler’s neck, tilting him up to look just a little higher. “No, not everything. I know what they like and… what can help you get what you need better. Then we’ll all have more fun.”

A rough bite to the throat and an open-mouthed moan left Barbatos, he flinched, arching his back rubbing more into you.

Hips bucked on their own, adoring the unexpected movement. But, surely they were feeling too incumbered too.

You adored it, drinking it in, every last sound Barbatos would give you, especially as you massaged him. “Your pants are already so tight; you must be feeling just awful right about now.”

“ngh- says the person making it worse.”

“Well then, I better help you out then.”

The thing practically sprang out leaving you stunned, Barbatos whimpered as it finally hit open air, pinned between himself and part of the giant lump in Beel’s pants.

It was clear with a light teal tint. Five distinct layers that went at a diagonal, low end at the bottom underside, high end at the top back, almost like a flower if only all the petals were on one side; arum palaestinum perhaps if the petal grew up against the pollen rod and didn’t go too far beyond it. And if the petals were much thicker. Layer upon layer the color got darker the light teal core turning a green more similar in hue to the butler’s hair. And the thinner rod bit in the middle, black, at least it looked like such, you see the black tube inside, and if you squinted, faintly what was in it, the precum that came leaking out.

If you were at the right angle, if it was right at your face, could you see… inside, past through his member and to the organs inside? Could you? Something in your breast trembled at the idea. Past the dick that clearness quickly faded into his skin tone and grew opaque.

The texture was much smoother, reminded you of petting manta rays at aquariums. Your fingers simply glided over those layers and ridges, even in just your hand the texture of it was setting your nerves alight.

But that was it, seemingly nothing underneath, at least, nothing obvious.

The demons shifted about doing… something, but you had to know, was that it?

A bit of a tight fit what with the pants and having to push against Beel’s big mound but it was easy enough to find what you were looking for… maybe. Those family jewels or at least what you assumed were them were where one would expect, however it seemed they didn’t hang out, instead tucked away inside, the only sign of them a pair of smooth, oval bumps where they would b-

“Ah!?”

That big hand found it’s way past the waistband onto the butler’s ass, giving it a firm squeeze, perfectly lined up to push against your member. Beel’s revenge against you perhaps.

“Beelzebub, could you pick up Barbatos for a sec for me?”

He didn’t even say a thing in return, simply completing your request effortlessly. “Perfect, thank you~!” Now to finally get the last of those useless clothes off!

A couple tugs, chucking of shoes getting a surprised and miffed “MC!” from the butler later and the man was placed back onto Beelzebub’s lap. Meanwhile you slipped off the edge of the bed right behind you.

Now… to at last get back to what you intended for before, and thankfully with less cloth in the way and this new angle, you could go about this a little differently.

Carefully, you lifted up his tail, just enough so you could get in place.

His breath hitched, body jolting the moment your tongue pressed against that sensitive spot under his tail. Sucking, biting, kissing, groaning into the vain-like channel you got lost, your partner’s moans beginning to fill the air. Clearly the man wanted more, suffocating you, grinding into your face, you were tempted to stop palming yourself to keep him steady till you finally looked up, Beel’s strong, sturdy hands on those hips, he alone got to decide how much they got to move at any given moment, and it wasn’t like you were one to complain.

One hand did find it’s way to kneading the flesh of that ass, not plump, but it had a delightful firmness one couldn’t get enough of, giving in to your touch just enough to have something hearty to grab and squeeze or leave love bites and burses. It needed attention too after all, it was certainly going to see much use later so while you were here, you might as well as help that puckered hole loosen up a bit.

Your fingers, your tongue, how those legs began quaking from your work, that man’s voice beginning to come undone, his voice breaking out with every heaving breath, feeling how another’s gaze boring  into you and your actions, at any time able to take over and pin you and Barbatos down so easily but letting you have your fun for now, heart racing knowing how Barbatos, possibly the strongest being there was, willing let you do whatever you may please, play acting this part for the sheer joy of the role, how was one to not to love his? For one’s body to get lost in the haze, happy to suckle away down there, mindlessly grinding to release the pressure between the legs long lost to the wayside, instead absorbed in the beautiful symphony of noise he willing gave to you and made with you?

“A-hah. More, m-more.”

Fuck. Who were you to deny him. How were you not to get so hard from that whine.

“Oh? Ngh- I’m surprised. You didn’t realize just how skilled they are with their- AH ah… mouth? Why don’t you find out?”

“I-”

And just like that Barbatos’ strange yet refreshing chill was gone. Now a radiating heat in it’s place, but from who you couldn’t be sure. Between your giant’s knees you kneeled, his fat hog pulled out, jacket discarded, hair and clothes disheveled, his face and expression flushed with embarrassment, eyes locked onto you for a moment before quickly flickering away. “No, I… couldn’t fit.”

“…” Your jaw would probably break if you tried. A little shorter than average for a man of his size, what Beel lacked in length it was more than compensated for with sheer girth. A tingling chill ran down your spine at the idea… or that was just Barbatos doing that. “Hey!”

You playfully slapped away his hand, rather rude to interrupt implausible daydreams-

“MC seems eager to try.” Barbatos looked to Beel as he lightly gestured to you.

“Just what are you trying to pull.” Your tone lacked question. True, you were curious, but it was more so pointing out he was pulling such a move at all. Did you need to get a bit more serious? Barbatos stood behind you, just slightly off to the side. Even when you tried to look to him for a response he simply nudged you back to Beel.

Those slender hands perched themselves on your shoulders, sliding down your arms as he kneeled to your height. “You said so yourself. Beelzebub more than deserves a reward, and I now know this would make for an excellent one.”

“……… I mean, if you of all people say so I can’t exactly refute, can I?”

There was a light chuckle in his first few words. “I don’t know about that, but it is an honor to know you value my opinion so highly.”

Immediately you pounced, with a slap your hands landed on Beel’s thighs, the tips of your noses touching, a quick kiss to his lips before slipping down and giving another to the tip of his other head.

Beelzebub was never a very vocal person, but he always made his feelings known to you, shuttering under your touch, grunts and groans as you dragged your tongue across that thick black vein on the underside of the shaft, spreading out his legs so you could make yourself more comfortable, hands holding yours’ or on your shoulder or head, his thumb caressing you. Letting you know he adored your every touch, wet kisses, massaging his balls, both hands grasping around to get in a few good pumps, licking up the pre that came beading out of that fat tip.

You could hear how he swallowed as you did your best to take him. The size alone wedged your hurting jaw open, lips stretching around it.

“Come now, you can do better. Relax.” You tried keeping calm, Barbatos’ sudden intrusion startling the daylights out of you. You were already breathing hard, consciously through the nose, trying to not accidentally try from the mouth and panic or gag.

There was not much you could do, only bob up and down, tongue pinned back and down.

“Y-your good… so good.”

A cold hand on the back of your skull kept you in place even as you tried going back. Huddled close the butler used his free hand to lightly tug your hands off that thick cock. “I didn’t take you to be one to be so easily satisfied with this kind of service. You call this a reward?” Gagging, shoved down to take another inch, though he let go as you jolted back you didn’t go up all the way, instead diving back down again.

“N-no, MC’s doing so-mph”

Drool dribbling down your chin and Beel’s cock, tears pricking the corners of the eye as you were held down, hips bucking into you, soft praise in one ear and strict criticism and goading in the other, doing your damnedest to take in even just a little more before coming up to suck back down. Beel was not going to finish till you could take in the whole thing if it was the last thing you did!

The giant whimpered as you moaned and hummed around him. He seemed to really like it when you looked up to him, finding that heated gaze, batting off Barbatos’ hands from you, even telling you to slow down or to let up a little.

Some sort of fear pooled in your gut, how he looked down at you, so, so adoringly, almost like he was ready to attack at any moment. Not you, but anything that dared to get in the way. Even your own flesh if it made indulging yourself in that moment the slightest bit difficult. Snap off and unhinge the jaw to take more of him if you wanted, rip out the lungs so he could fill them with air for you so you wouldn’t have to stop for yourself.

But the moment you went back to focusing on the task at hand, to get that thing into your throat, swallow down more and more, those bumps veins and ridges pressing into your tongue, cheeks, the roof of the mouth, you were let be. The other demon made his appearance, that chill keeping you in place, back to his vip seat beside you for the best view of the show.

Eyes shut tight, tossing yourself down, forcing it in all that way, a strangled moan was all you could hear, a terrible stinging pain radiated, your mouth and throat filled and stretched, burning hot cum pouring down your gullet.

It took a few moments to settle that wretched cough which wracked your body. A cold hand smoothed up and down your back as you caught your raspy breath. “H-heh heh, I actually got my mouth around it!”

Perhaps you were a bit too forceful at the end there, but in all honesty you were too proud of yourself to care. And you didn’t even cough up anything! You did need to swallow one last time, still feeling some of that viscus, salty stuff on the tongue.

A giant hand cupped your cheek, his thumb wiping away the stray tears from your eyes. The roof of your mouth and the back of your throat felt somewhat raw. “You okay?”

“Great!”

“Good, I… really liked that.”

“Want a taste?”

“huh?”

You held Beel’s dumbfounded face in your hands. “I swallowed it all you know. Want to know what I tasted? We always share if we find some good grub.”

“Ah…”

You couldn’t wait, crashing your lips into his own. They slotted together perfectly, already open, eager to explore one another. Happily sucking on one another’s tongue.

A chill settled in behind you, Barbatos all too eagerly pressing himself against you. His hands explored around, tracing the hem of your shirt, or up your le-

Beelzebub immediately backed off when you flinched. You took the butler’s wrist but made no real move to stop him from palming the tent in your pants. “F-fuck.” Your face ran hot at how bucked into his hand. So needy and desperate. You had been neglecting yourself, hadn’t you? But even that strain, that denial could feel so right. However, it just felt so sensitive, so terrible and great.

It was too much at first, like a punch to the gut, a sudden jolt piercing your lower abdomen. A deep pressure in and around you, trapped, needing something to let up. You couldn’t help it, squirming under his touch, grinding against him, it was awful, not enough, not enough not enougnotenough

“I must wonder, was that a reward for Beelzebub or for you?”

“I…”

“Actually,” Beel’s giant hand easily found it’s way under your shirt, fingertips then palm pressed on your stomach, traveling up your skin, stopping at your collar bone. “MC deserves a reward too. They’ve haven’t had work under your strict eye before, and they did really well.”

“I must concur.” How cruel of Barbatos to take his hand away. “Since you know what they like, I believe you know what would be most appropriate?” They rested on the buckle of your belt, idly undoing it.

“Hmm.” That… Your heart picked up in pace, looking up to the giant before you, the man who happily let you tie him down and rode you for all you were worth… There was… A LOT he could choose from. “Nothing too intense.” And with a flick of the wrist your shirt was off and half-hazardly tossed away. “You’ll need your legs for later. We still need to make sure Barbatos relaxes.”

“I’m rather enjoying myself already act-”

“Right, MC? After our rewards we’re going to make sure he gets a good break.”

“Obviously.” You got a smile from him with your answer, Beel happily pulling you close.

“Hey, wait a minuet.” Your hands propped yourself back a little on his chest.

“Huh?”

“Lose the shirt, you’re not staying dressed big guy.”

“oh.” Beelzebub could be exceedingly cute at times.

The moment he chucked it away your hands were already on him. Who could resist grabbing and squeezing the supple flesh of his chest. Or nuzzle into it. Or kiss and adore that valley between them. Let their fingers roll over those cherries, make them a nice bright red. Worship that beautiful frame.

As soon as there was space, the butler oh so helpfully undoing the button, Beel’s hands found their way down and around the swell of your ass, his fingers eagerly digging into you. Only fair that he got to play with it while you got his chest.

Back you went, dragging him along so you could stand, much easier to discard the unwanted cloth, letting them fall to the floor.

…

Oh, what do we have here? Surprising that Beelzebub hadn’t polished it off at some point.

Just about all the fruit was gone aside from a few Devildon equivalent of grapes and orange slices. However, you took the almost empty bowl with that strange heat. “Seems we didn’t finish before. We were a bit abruptly interrupted, why don’t we finish this off? But where, on me? On yo-”

It was gone!? “Hey!” One moment it was in Barbatos’ hand, the next, it vanished!

“We don’t… involve food. It’s too dangerous.” Over your shoulder you could see how almost ashamed Beel looked. “I once bit off Barbatos’ ta-” What was THAT expression that flashed across his face!? “aaaaa Nothing to speak of happened!”

“… Is that why his tail split off at theeEEEE!”

Your whole body shuttered, that long slimy muscle mass wrapping tightly around your thigh. A light tug and you tripped forward, bumping into the butler’s sturdy frame, a hand perched on your hip, his tail slowly coiling up and around.

Around and around, pushing it’s way through where thigh met thigh forcing them apart. Heart fluttered, feeling how those muscles shifted, stretching out a little forward before contracting together to stretch out again in many small waves all the way to the tips. Yet it looked so smooth like it simply glided across. However you couldn’t miss it, not with how your thighs involuntarily squeezed together from instinctive terror and excitement.

“No. it is not.” He simply smiled, yet you desperately wanted to slink away.

But you couldn’t.

Not as it kept coiling up and around, pressing into and dragging against your balls, higher still over the swell of your ass and it prodded at your entrance.

“Deep breath.”

So smooth it was, inching in, so easily making you swallow more and more of that freezing object. Even as some of the tail’s ooze dripped and plopped down there was still enough to breach and coat your walls. The tip so thin it easily slid in, hardly a sting, just an odd feeling in the gut, something wrong about this intruder, then it kept going, getting bigger as it went, the only resistance from your hole clenching around the growing size and chill.

Your breath deepened, body growing hotter melting away that cold protruding inside, flinching as it folded in under itself to let more in as it was getting too long, sliding over, tickling that damned spot that he just. wouldn’t. press. Slowly filling you, forcing you open.

Hands on his shoulders for some stability, knees growing weak realizing THIS probably wasn’t the reward, just preparation, even if you would die happy to be completely wrapped up and filled like this.

You ripped a gasp out of him, your weight thrown into him, his back hitting the wall with a loud thud.  The lightest of blushes dusted his cheeks as you glowered at him, body heaving with your breaths, flinching at the intrusion, feeling how it writhed inside massaging your walls even when reaching the split that kept more from arriving. The other end explored around, wrapping itself around your other leg or along your hip.

Bodies pressed tight, skin to skin, a little roll of the hips and your dicks were rubbing up against one another sending sparks through the nerves releasing and worsening that pressure. Leaning in your hot breath hit him, open mouthed pants ready to steal his breath away.

“I do apologize interrupting before.” Huh? “And now for having to decline your plans, however I hope this may serve as some form of satisfactory compensation. A forbidden treat, given the circumstances.”

Your breath hitched the moment those two digits pressed into your tongue, that sweet, delectable, chocolate bathing your tastebuds. When the hell did he swipe some!? When he grabbed the bowl?

Well… since he was such a fan of your mouth, you might as well as give him a show. Swirling your tongue around them, sucking, letting your mouth open some for a moment so he could get a view of the action…

Ripping his hand out and pinning it to the wall, your fingers interlocked with his. Sticking your tongue out for him to see there was still some chocolate there, lurching forward to capture his li-

Your attack suddenly halted, breath caught on your throat, a hand so giant and firm holding it, thumb alone so easily got you to tilt up, crane all the way, peel you away a little so he had enough room. Steal that kiss, his tongue bullying into your mouth, taking what was his and his alone, that interrupted moment.

Even your hand losing grip on that shoulder, instinctive going up, cradle Beel’s cheek or land on the back of the neck to keep him in place it was taken, cool, slender fingers interlocking between your own.

“Hmm, almost there… I believe this should be a size you’re more accustomed too.”

What was-

You couldn’t stop it! You couldn’t stop it, you couldn’t stopityoucouldn’tstopit! That other end forcing it’s way in. Even when your hips jerked it still kept going, pushing and pushing, stretching you and twisting around the other tail end. Rougher and faster, squeezing it’s way in. Beel swallowed up all you moans, groans, screams, whimpers, your hastening breath.

With what felt like a pop, that hump, where the two ends split off, it thinner at the whole tail. Everything trembled feeling that constant writhing, that slithering, in you. Gasping as you heard that squelching, in and out over that hump. And STILL! He refused to just press that damn spot. Keeping you filled but refusing any true relief. Only that anticipation, that tightness, those appendages filling out those walls. Even his hands on your hips, keeping pressed close, grinding into each other.

In and out, in and out, and… out?

Desperately gasping for breath even Beel backed off a moment, still close, enough for you to take in his air, but…

Barbatos’ tail completely slid out. You squeezed around nothing.

You were pressed against him, Beel hugging you close, him nuzzling into the crook of your neck. A hand on your chest, feeling your pounding heart.

Then his hands went lower.

“Wah!”

Lifted up, those hands hooked on the underside of your knees, back against his chest, legs held up and apart. Your face burned so hot at being on display like this, so exposed, so empty. So hard, it almost hurt, pre leaking from your tip. But you weren’t the only one, looking lower seeing the man who held you so close was in a similar situation.

He was Gluttony after all. Even if he’d just finished, whatever he wanted, no matter what it was, he had all the capabilities he needed, always able to get his heart’s desire, so much of it it’d make one sick. However this man could never be full.

But he was very kind to you, his desires lied with your own. He wouldn’t like it if you didn’t want it too.

Two squeezes he did with his hands, both short but the second one slightly longer. Your signal. Under normal circumstances he’d already know what you want, to just go for it, but things were a little different this time, so, just in case.

You swallowed, taking a slightly trebling breath, hands on his forearms, leaning forward. A short, then a longer squeeze you gave him.

And you were plunged down, his hips bucking up, that thick shaft burrowing into you, crashing right into that spot, knocking all the air out of your lungs, stars dotting your vision. Head thrown back, body convulsing for a moment. A strangled sound ripped from your throat.

Your breath labored as he simply held you there for a moment, nestled inside you. No matter how much prep one could never be truly prepared, even if they had done this before such as you. He was all consuming, filling you up to just before the point of bursting. Just a moment, so you wouldn’t break.

Before he effortlessly lifted you up, and his hips backed off, and he dropped you, thrusting in as far as he could get. Over and over again, every thrust seemingly pushing himself in deeper, go in harder to get past any walls in the way, burrowing through.

These pangs sparked through you, deep in the gut, through the thighs, at your cock, that pressure, finally being able to squeeze it tighter, feel that dull pleasure come in waves threatening to knock you over.

You were gonna through up, it was too hard to breath, so labored. He completely filled you, there was no room for anything else. Over and over, he didn’t even have to thing, his body memorized where your sweet spot was long ago. Wave after wave of that growing pleasure that-

“W-wait! Waitwaitwaitwaitwait!” Your voice wavered, breath growing shallow. That teal hand wrapped around your cock. He didn’t even have to move, Beelzebub doing all the work, just holding you, squeezing in time with every last thrust. Except that thumb which always kept some pressure right under your head.

“Hah-ngh” He pulled strangled wines from you. His other hand kneading one of your breasts, his almost talon-like fingers flicking your hardened nipple, a curious pinch before a sharp pull.

“N-no, I can’t-fuck!” He made sure to leave bruises on your neck, his sharp canines digging into you.

And harder that that thick cock thrusted in.

So exposed, that predator watching as you writhed between them, adoring this display. You felt how his gaze bore into you.

You couldn’t take it. It was too much. So much. Being torn apart on the inside, being assaulted out. Everything burned and it only grew hotter. The friction, those bodes, needing more.

“H-hold-” It snapped, that pressure broke, forcing everything to come spilling out, body tightening before going slack at losing it. One, two, three, a fourth slower one before Beelzebub let himself out of you.

A whimper escaped you. You were so empty now, you could feel how it seemed to radiate, your pulse through you, especially at your hole. It didn’t burn, or hurt, or feel the slightest bit raw though. And though Beel didn’t cum, still things dripped out of you, slimy on it’s way down and out.

A palm wiped the sweat from your brow, trailing down to rest on your cheek. Though much of that coolness had faded, it was still so appreciated.

You tilted your head up looking to your giant who simply shook his head. “Water break.”

You were shifted about, being more comfortably held in Beel’s arms, watching as Barbatos spread out a towel on the bed. He even already had a cup of ice water on the nightstand, from where or even how he got it, you had no idea, other than Barbatos being Barbatos of course.

Gently you were placed down, with plenty of pillows for a backrest. Sighing, letting yourself relax, taking a refreshing sip of water, Barbatos patting you down at some spots, and cleaning up the mess you made on yourself.

It was funny how delicately you were being treated. Beelzebub certainly knew you could, and would happily handle more, but he was right, didn’t want to push yourself too much before the main act. Even then the… secretions from Barbatos’ tail certainly helped a lot.

…

Would he be at all amicable to letting you bottle some up for future use? Doubtful…

But what if~

As Beel let himself flop on the bed you hopped up for a moment from the shifting mattress; Barbatos taking a less impactful approach, took a seat on the edge.

Huh, you were so distracted by Beelzebub’s still stiff log you almost missed the glinting of the crystal bottle thing Barbatos had brought in with the towels in the redhead’s hand.

And aphrodisiac? Lube? What could be in such a pretty bottle.

So swiftly Beel wrapped an arm around the butler’s torso, dragging him to the middle of the bed and flipping him onto his stomach. With a squeaky pop Beel flipped off that crystal stopper with a flick of his thumb, pushing that tail out of the way and pouring the clear substance right onto his hole. “Now, no more thinking. I’ll do the work.”

Lube it is.

“Say, mind if I loosen him up some?”

Both men looked your way.

“I may be in time out, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help a little. Besides, I gotta show that there’s more to me than a talented mouth. And I may as well finish what I started before, only the proper way to handle a job, right?”

“Right.” Beel gave you a firm nod. “Barbatos wouldn’t like it otherwise.”

Before anymore could be said the butler was practically tossed onto you. He did manage to catch himself with his arms, prop himself up, hands one either side of your face as if pinning you there. Your arms wrapped around his shoulders pulling him down. For a moment, resistance, but it quickly collapsed under your sway. “Good. Could be better.”

“Hmm?” Your comment seemed to catch his attention; however, you paid it no mind.

“Lovely.” His skin was like porcelain, so smooth and perfect, so few blemishes it could be unnerving. Your fingers traced along down his spine. Your other found itself getting tangled in his hair, lightly tracing around his horns.

“You think so? I’m very lucky indeed then.”

“Won’t you scooch up some for me then?”

Perfect, while he was distracted you looked to Beel, fervently glancing between him and lone candlestick holder at the far end of them room. His expression confused before following your gaze… That only seemed to get him more lost.

Damn it man! You’re trying to be smooth about this!

Still the man got up-

“Better?” He sat perched on your lap, letting you get a perfect look at his slender frame. Those teal cracks among the black reminded you of scorch marks and kintsugi. Resting on his lower back your fingers teased, lightly smoothing where tail met body.

“I don’t know.” Your voice trailed off into a sigh. Fingers traced lower, yet no reaction. He was the master at having a poker face, but this was work now. Dose he refuse to let go because he wants you to entertain him more? Or was he calling himself out before and HE preferred to watch from the side lines? “Come closer.”

With a fistful of those locks you tugged him down roughly. You got a huff out of him, something in his eyes shimmered, something deep, something almost glittery. He had to crouch over, most of your demon companions were at least a little taller than yourself, and that included Barbatos. Still, he crowded above you.

One, two, you slipped in, scissoring idly. If you really wanted to prepare the man you’d probably have to stick in your whole fist, but, though this was for Barbatos, you didn’t think it fair to keep Beel waiting that long.

“Relax.” You mumbled that into his chest, hearing him swallow. A third.

“You-HA-gh” Hooking your thumb into the hole at the base of his tail. A sharp exhale from his nose. You wondered what his expression could be. Too bad you couldn’t check, too preoccupied with biting his nipple, loving the feeling of that flesh sinking between your teeth.

Poor, poor Barbatos. You could feel how his hardon pressed into you, and with holding him so close you could also feel how his muscles twitched, and jerked, wanting to move, so subtle something the eye couldn’t catch, at least not easily. “You don’t have to hold back. I rather like the sound of your voice.”

“ngh”

“Won’t you let me hear it?”

“MC…”

“You were doing better about this earlier, even if it was quiet.”

He whimpered, your thumb pressing up and deeper noticing some bumps. “I though y-… you wanted to show off more thAN-”

“I know, but… how can I resist when they’re RIGHT. THERE!... unless” He shuttered as you leaned back. “you don’t want me too.” You quickly got settled against the pillows, fingers still exploring around, even going a knuckle deeper.

“I…”

A great shift on the mattress signaled your partner was back. “You can speak up.”

A very light laughter seeped out of Barbatos. “It’s simply not often I’m asked what I want… please, do not stop.”

He flinched, pressed against him, nipping on that already reddening bud. His voice betrayed him, leaking out with his breaths as a great pressure pressed him into you. Beelzebub, a hand on Barbatos’ back, using it for Balance as he leaned over to get a better view of you and your work.

“WAH-Haaahhhhhh.” His whole body jolted, and much to his disappointment, you stopped, too intrigued. Watching as some wax dripped off his back and down his side.

 “So you ARE sensitive to heat~” Just what you were hoping for or at least, to test. “Thank you for getting that for me Beel.”

“Oh!” You shoved the butler back, leaning in to capture the pleasantly surprise sound from Beel’s lips, a very quick kiss. So pleased he accidentally already had done what you wanted.

A three prong candelabra, the wax a deep dark purple bordering on black and the flame a bright cream. There was a surprising lac of candles around the castle. Admittedly, thinking back on it now, this was the only time you recalled being in a guest room here that had any, that was probably… a rather big hint as to what Barbatos thought your intensions to be. Setting the mood so obviously.

“Say Bub, could you keep him from squirming too much, don’t wanna accidentally burn him or the bed.” A quick nod, with a single hand pinning both those arms behind forcing Barbatos’ to arch his back some, legs partially covered by his own, and tail pinned under him.

He held out the candelabra for you to take.

Both seemed surprised, but made no protest when instead, you carefully took one of the candles, wiggling it free from it’s cup.

Barbatos appeared entranced by how that light bounced off you. Or how the flame flickered in your eyes. Or how you held it up to him, so close that even if the raise and fall of his chest weren’t a give away for his hastening, deepening breath, how it made that flame tremble, did.

“And you asked so nicely too, I’m sorry for stopping before. Could this make up for it?”

You were almost startled by that open mouthed moan. That hot wax dripping down his chest, right over the nipple. Your thumb pressed into it, rubbing and stretching, spreading that substance around, getting such sweet sounds from your host.

His breast trembled, holding that flame so close to the skin. “Well? Dose it?”

… Huh, he actually seemed caught off guard at the question.

“It would…” There was that gleam again in his eyes, it was certainly not the flame, that sparkle in his eyes was too golden for that. Something more akin to when the shimmer of Grimm was reflected in Mammon’s eyes. “not. There would have to be… a lot more.”

“Oh, okay. Then-”

His whimper as another drop rolled down his skin let alight something under your own. Watching as he squirmed some whenever more hit him, trailing down agonizingly. It hardened all too fast on his cool skin, but as you flicked and peeled away it always left bright pink marks, proof of it’s heat.

You’d pinch and pull it off those buds on his chest, there was simply no better way to get rid of that layer, and it left him a little more raw for the next round.

It was usually on accident, Beel too preoccupied with watching your work, wax from the candelabra would tip over and run down the butler’s shoulder making him shutter.

You adored seeing how sometimes his hips jerked.

His groans as you let some burn down his thighs, making them twitch with each drop.

Actually…

Head thrown back, trying and failing to buck up into that heat as you let the wax drip down his cock, so beautifully rolling along those ridges, encircling that thin pole in the middle, and being led to the same spot in the middle. His cock twitched so hard, even managing to flick some off onto his stomach. “M-MC, MC, Beelz-” How he moaned and groaned your names.

“MC’s very hot inside.”

“I KNOW!” How his answer for Beelzebub utterly melted, quaking.

He couldn’t take it, not how you delicately traced your fingers down his throat, right over where the adam’s apple would be if he were human, how you smoothed over that spot before kissing the exposed underside of this lower jaw.

If he was having some fun before, now he was truly coming undone, giving himself utterly to this moment. There was a rawness to his voice that wasn’t there before. Those perfectly measure building blocks of the foundation of the butler, the man being chipped and letting himself fall through the collapsing foundation.

“Okay Beel. I think he’s ready.”

“Huh!?”

And Beel too, you didn’t miss how he was grinding into the man.

It was so sudden how Barbatos was snatched off your lap and tossed onto the middle of the bed, sprawled out.

The man barely had a moment to get up on his arms before there was a hand on his hip, easily lifting it up. Beel’s cock already lined up with the man’ entrance.

“Down.”

That free hand slammed on the back of that thin neck, Barbatos’ face shoved into the mattress that failed to muffle his strangled moan as Beel thrust himself all the way inside bottoming out. Tears pricked in the corners of his eyes, whimpering, body convulsing for a moment, losing all sense of self, just filled up by Gluttony completely.

Those hands stayed firmly in place, not letting the butler move. That was where he would stay and that is where he wanted to stay, after all, it was Beelzebub’s will.

A shiver ran down your spine as Beel set the pace. His favorite pace. Languid thrusts, so slow and so strong each one rocked the bed and made both Barbatos’ and your flesh ripple from it. Every thrust was noted with a harsh snap sound, reddening those cheeks that were slammed into. Each one also got guttural moans bordering on yelps of pain, fingers digging into and clutching the fabric beneath them, every last breath labored, drool beginning to pool out of the mouth, tail trying and failing to wrap around that waist or leg but the efforts getting cut off as the mind went blank and body convulsed.

No matter how you’d want it faster, you couldn’t dare ask, each thrust knocking the air out of your lungs, Beelzebub savoring the feeling, how you squeezed him, how the ridges of your walls caught against him, how they clung to him, how plush your ass was against him, drinking up all you were so willing giving him. Another meal where he wouldn’t leave a single crumb behind. A meal all participants would savor.

Your gazes met, Beelzebub looking to you. When he did his movements were so deliberate, gripping Barbatos tighter letting his fingers sink in, pause for a moment like making sure you were really paying attention before ramming in full force, his muscles flexing a little more than they needed too for any given action, grabbing onto Barbatos hair and turning him which the man gave no resistance, even how they were positioned, giving you the best angle to appreciate this show. The painful bliss on Barbatos’ face, how his dick stretched out that hole, how the light twinkled on the sweat dripping down him just right.

Barbatos, of all people, was willingly submitting to him. It was him, of all people, who Barbatos trusted to make this arrangement with. Why WHOULDN’T he showoff in this moment. His power, his attentiveness, it may or may not have been deliberate, Beel wasn’t one to showoff or care for attention, but an appetite for your’s had awoken in him long ago. And he, is a simple man, loving any bit you gave. But he is indulgence, sure he’s satisfied with some of it, but he could take more, and you don’t mind. So, why wouldn’t he? There was no reason not to.

Even if you were in the palm of his hand, having completely given yourself to him, there was more, there’s always more, your time, your mind, your thoughts, why not indulge in it. Bathe in it. Drown in it. Let it take you over and kill you with it.

His gaze locked onto something for a moment.

Something in you trembled, having to swallow down the lump in your throat at the sight laid out for you when Beelzebub moved them here. Barbatos had an equally shocked and flustered expression on his face, even that oh so rarer blush tinting his cheeks. His face pressed up against your hard poll, it was against the side of his nose and covered one of his eyes.

And it was silent other than breathing.

“Beel?” All the demon did was give you a little smile. He didn’t move, just sitting there in Barbatos.

…

You flinched feeling that wet muscle, Barbatos’ tongue drag up you. He gasped, it quivering when Beel nudged a little more in. You didn’t realize how cold it was till his hot breath hit your member.

He backed off for a moment, one hand taking the base, sending a shutter up your spine, tilting it a little his way, lips just barely not touching it. Those eyes half open, his lashes obscuring the view of them. “I won’t forget this time, MC.” And he tucked the longer bright teal bit of his hair behind his ear.

He didn’t even hesitate taking you in completely. And that harsh snap, both hands on those hips to make sure they stayed in place as to not disturb you too much.

You completely understood, each of those thrusts, how it forced one to moan and groan, but damn, how he kept vibrating around you made you weak in the knees. And that tongue constantly wrapping around and pressing into you like trying to draw your pre up.

Why again!? Having gotten so lost in the show you forgot yourself, and now being thrown straight into the deep end, that steady bobbing, squeezing and loosening it’s grip on you. So warm, so wet. There was such a pressure deep in your gut twisting you up.

How the hell were you supposed to notice though with witnessing Barbatos getting fucked senseless by Beelzebub!? That’d simply be forcing someone to just NOT look at the most gorgeous sight in the world when it’s placed right before them!

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

You couldn’t- you didn’t want to lose yourself too soon. Just a little longer, settle in this growing pleasure, this heat a little longer, let it boil you.

And even that man, so quiet aside from showering praise,  you could hear his grunts with every thrust, slipping up, even his own body begging to pick up in pace, to make it snap, to let the flood gates open, to let that all too short-lived glorious feeling wash over him. But that build up was the best part, he knew it, it was just a balance to keep going, not push too far. And. Yet. If one wouldn’t want to risk it all to shove another over that edge and indulge in it.

Fuck, you had too keep your hips still, you just had too.

You had to shut your eyes, but who could with that view. There was this tingling under the skin, a heat more unbearable than the one around your cock. All you could do was watch as that demon begin to climb over, his forehead against your’s. Crowing you in, absolutely dwarfing you.

You sighed into that kiss, heated, yet so gentle. Even as he was taking your breath away he let you breath for a moment but dove right in for another.

You couldn’t last longer. You were losing yourself, that pleasure completely consuming your rod, about ready to burst.

Slender fingers found your’s quickly tracing along them before hands held one another, fingers intertwined, grip so tight, Barbatos’ trembling, as he actually faltered, jittering, having to let go of your cock, choking back sobbing whines.

But only a moment, swallowing you down once more, all the way as far as you could reach, choking you down, squeezing you so-

Your desperate moans were swallowed up, feeling how that hot seed washed over you for a moment before getting swallowed down. But he wouldn’t stop. It was too much, even as you bucked he wouldn’t let you go.

So hot, too good, too much, so much, that feeling so much, it didn’t hurt but it just kept up, Barbatos’ mouth burned!

You had too, you couldn’t, you needed to focus. How he squeezed your hand, how Beelzebub panted into you how HOW-

He was almost there, Beel was almost there. He just- “Bub, PleAse! More!” Everything shook, you could feel it. “BeelZEbuB!”

“Ah-I, I will! I will!” His voice growled; teeth grit. Barbatos clutched your hand tighter.

So much, so-so, you writhed under them, Barbatos refusing to let up at all.

“NGH-” One, two, three, and he slammed his lips into your’s. Five, six!

His breath heavy, nuzzling into the crook of your neck. And finally, you were let go, your butler resting his face on your thigh.

Your free hand found it’s way to your giant’s scalp, running your fingers through his sweaty hair. “So good. You did so good. Practically back to back.”

“… I can do more.”

“I know.” He could go… You hadn’t actually tested that out surprisingly, but there was always something the next day so there was never the chance. “Now, you two get a water break, alright? And let me take care of everything.”

“Oh, what do you have planned, MC?”

You squeezed Barbatos’ hand before answering him. “Well, clearly you still haven’t been fucked dumb yet. So… a lot.”

All that did was get an amused chuckle out of him.

Perhaps it was time to find the limits of your and Beel’s endurance.

So warm, not too hot, just perfect. You wanted to roll over closer, but your stiff and sore body couldn’t. It was such a familiar warmth; one you had awoken too many a morning. All you could do was tilt your your face a little more his way.

Thank goodness you all took a shower after everything. Soft touches, helping one another scrub their back or sore spots. And get off all the sweat. Your muscles would certainly be hurting now if it weren’t for the gentle massages Beelzebub and Barbatos gave you. Kisses to your bruises, praise for Beel, letting Barbatos use you as a pillow.

Knock, knock,knock. It was soft, quiet, but clear.

“Good morning.”

“morning.”

Barbatos stood above you, his uniform pristine and perfect… just like always, even his walk and how he held himself, as if nothing even happened.

“How are you feeling?”

“good. you?”

“Excellent… It seems I’ve made the right call in giving you two the day off today.”

“oh… thank you.”

His chuckle was warm, not quite as open as last night, but… such a stark contrast from the one you heard from him day to day. “Only this once, mind you. Usually there’s still much to do the next day, and I’d expect you two ready by now.”

…

“Wait, what?” It made sense but…

Barbatos ran a tight ship, you really shouldn’t have expected anything else.

“I’ll be back with a proper breakfast soon, but…” His gaze shifted to the man who’s bicep you were using as a pillow. “he’ll need something to tide himself over till then once he awakens.”He placed a bowl of fruit on the table.

“Definitely.” You were so tempted to reach out, rest your hand on Beel’s chest, but he deserved the rest, you didn’t want to risk waking him.

“Want me to leave the lights off?”

“… Dim? Or maybe just the furthest ones?”

With a little bow Barbatos was off… there was a little skip to his step, wasn’t there? Before you could really tell he was already by the door, with a small smile and a bow before closing it.

…

…

…

Ding

Reluctantly you rolled onto your side so you could more easily pat at the nightstand, feeling around… for…

there

Immediately you turned down the screen brightness to as low as it could go before tapping the newest notification.

‘Work?’ It was called.

A new group chat. You, Beelzebub, and Barbatos.

There was only one message.

‘I thought to set this up now, since I believe we’ll be needing this for after the galla.’

…

oh

…

…

Oh!

Before you could tap the stickers you felt a shift, then a moment later another arm was wrapped around you, loosely pulling you closer, against his chest, Beel nestling into you.

“okay buddy, just a sec.” After sending that sticker you flipped off the D.D.D., back to the nightstand before turning back around to him, slowly letting your mind wander to future work, and more moments like this.

“That’s making everyone else hesitant about their own proposals. Cause, you know,-” Beel wasn’t one to gesture with his hands too much when speaking. “he’s Lucifer!” But Lucifer was just that grand apparently, words lacking to describe him. “To reject him, is like saying no one would ever be good enough. And… they’re scared to be rejected and lose any connection to you. Levi started going into a spiral about how you’re going to find a way to sever your pacts with everyone.”

… So, that was why he seemed off at the kitchen.

And why they said what they said when you flew off with Beel.

Such extremes these demons. To reject one feeling is to reject the whole, but… it felt odd, to accept another’s more… romantic feelings, and not reciprocate. Would you just have to be okay with him trying advances on you or something? Would declining those but ‘accepting his feelings’, what was the line, could that be seen as rejection? Or did ‘accept’ mean ‘tolerate’ in this instance?

… whatever it did, you didn’t want him, but you also didn’t want to hurt Beel’s family… what you wish could be your’s too, pretend it is… but things like that could never truly be, what with their pining.

A tricky balancing act you wish you didn’t have to play.

Gently you took one of his hands into both of your own, your’s too small to hold his properly it felt at times, so… both was the best you could do.

Maybe one day, maybe soon, changing the dynamic would safeguard you all.

“I’m not sure what I was doing. Something just felt wrong and I panicked. I…”

His free arm wrapped around you, pulling you close. Kneeling down some, while you stood on your tip-toes, nuzzling into the crook of one another’s neck. He took a deep breath, leaning into you. “I know, I could taste it.”

These beings, where emotion was everything… “You said you were fine after the magic but… did my freak out do anything?”

“Doesn’t matter… Is it bad, to say I’m happy you reached for me then?” Squeezing you tighter he mumbled his question into your skin.

“No, it’s nice.”

“… okay.”

Sometimes you wished you were a bit bigger, just to be able to more, physically gift him the same security you always feel from him, in every way.

Maybe... “Love Bug? Could I give you my answer?”

“You haven’t even seen the house yet.”

“I know.”

Letting go he stood straight, actually straight, his real posture, not the hunched over stance he usually took to be closer. There was an understated subtlety to his features, his neutral face verses his more serious one. Something about his eyes you still couldn’t quite place. “But I want to. You’re… not like us. Humans are more physical. When I touch you, you can’t sense my emotions, you aren’t affected by my worry like that. Even when you touch the house you won’t feel my love, when I’ve pored everything into it. All of me. But it’s physical like you, so you can still know it, even if you can’t feel it. It’s… important. That there’s more to me than-” He held out his hands for a moment, looking down to himself, before they fell. “this. That you judge me on everything.”

…

You could tell he was struggling to find and gather the words.

To be fair demon’s… less physical inclined nature could be a bit much for a person to wrap their head around. That what you saw before you wasn’t exactly Beelzebub, but what your mind has been able to scramble together, but a times it falters and your senses don’t know what to make of things, like changing their forms, a sudden blurred haze like water drops and steak covering a smeared mirror.

Even if it was more difficult to place exactly what he meant, the context he saw that you simply can’t, but the heart of it… “It’s a way to connect, right?” To show you what you can’t see, is it?

He just stared at you, expression unchanging.

“… yeah.” His voice almost breathy.

…

Did you get it wrong? You couldn’t tell.

… Funny, kind of felt like when you first met, when you couldn’t understand any of his expressions.

So, there was still more to learn about him.

How lovely.

But now you were a little nervous.

“Well-” You took out the keys from your pocket, standing beside the thing, tossing your tied up bags into the truck bed. “I got the biggest, sturdiest, off-road one I could find.” Glancing between your bug and the truck, you gestured to the passenger’s seat. “Shall we test it out?”

Here, accepting and asking were seen as different. You’d be fine.

You hopped up and over to the wheel. You always had to pull yourself up, and it felt a bit cartoonish in a way how high up you were in the thing, couldn’t help but wonder if driving a monster truck felt anything like this.

It was definitely more suited for Beelzebub who didn’t even need the step, Easily reaching over and dropping his bags in the back, just ducking right in, instantly shifting the suspension under his weight. It was cute, how he curiously took a glance around as he climbed into his seat.

… “You comfy there?”

“I think so.” He had to scrunch up some, something he was rather used too unfortunately.

Too bad. You were hoping for a perfect fit, but you knew that’d be a long shot, especially with shopping in the Human World where generally everything was smaller than it was here. But what the hell else were you supposed to do! Any bigger and you wouldn’t be able to drive the thing, not that there was any! Probably!

“Take a seat in the backady-back while you still can and see if that’s more comfortable.” Sliding the back window open you pat what you could reach of the truck bed.

“… Are you sure?”

“Yeah!”

Beelzebub, so gentle by nature, it was still sweet in a way to see how cautious he was. If he had ridden in cars and such before it was probably Mammon’s, and that man treated his like a baby, no wonder Beel was being so careful.

“All good? There’s no seatbelts back there, but I’m sure you’ll be alright.” Not like you’d be going anywhere fast anyway considering there were no traffic lights, and most people walked, or took the catbus if they couldn’t fly, so you were going to have to be extra slow and careful.

“Ohh. Uh-Yeah!” he poked his head in for a moment, distracted by such an odd vehicle it seemed. And the food.

“Then I guess we’ll go.”

Luckily it was a school day so the place was open, but late enough that few souls remained, so there wasn’t much issue.

“Are you okay?”

“Just peachy.” Didn’t stop your palms from sweating, a terror crawling beneath the skin if you ended up damaging anything, hitting lockers, scratching the walls. You just hoped Mephistopheles wasn’t around, he’d simultaneously scold you, and ask you so many questions about the whatever was going on here.

You pointedly tried ignoring how Beel stared at the back of your skull.

“Okay, fine! I will be once we’re out of here!”

Finally he looked away after your confession. That man was too good at reading you.

“Would talking hel-”

“Yes please!” On one hand, you were desperate to concentrate, and on the other, you couldn’t stew on this any longer without giving up and abandoning the truck.

This was your chance to check something too. “You know how everyone’s freaked out about how I reacted to Lucifer’s… you know.”

“Uh-huh.”

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, your nerves skyrocketing, but you needed to check how much time you had left. “Did they not interrupt because he’s the eldest? Like… some power hierarchy thing, because I’d expect if anybody did, they’d interrupt to propose themselves. I get that here you can accept multiple proposals, but, at least Mammon would fight over being ‘first’, right? Or even Satan and you were there but neither of you did anything.”

“…”

SHITSHITSHIT “I-”

“No. I…” He used the open window as an arm rest, his fingers idly fiddling with your seat. “I had a feeling he would at the party, or someone would, but it just happened so quickly.”

Okay, so there wasn’t something stupid like that in play, even if there were you doubted they’d actually follow it.

“I guess I didn’t really know he was trying either till he mentioned the ring.” And some were still dancing, did they only realize something happened when you had the truck crash in? Or even find out at all once everybody got to talking after you fell asleep. “Still, it all feels off somehow, you know?”

“It dose?”

“I don’t know, if I had to throw a guess as to how he’d propose to a person I’d assume he’s a private kind of guy?” You adjusted the rearview mirror some to get a better view of Beel, who immediately noticed you fiddling with the thing, meeting your gaze through it. “Or if he did do it publicly it’d be at like a restaurant with strangers or something. Not with you guys around, since they might try interrupting him to propose themselves once they realized what was happening.”

“Well, he had too.”

Had too, huh. “Let me guess, otherwise the other’s wouldn’t be willing to believe it.”

Poking his head in he grabbed the edges of your seat. Looking to you from over the headrest. “How did you know!?”

BECAUSE YOU’VE ALREADY HAD THE SAME DAMN IDEA!

You sighed in relief the moment the front gates were within sight. “I’m gonna go faster now.” You couldn’t wait to get out of there.

Being out in the open road was so much better. Although you were more used to walking around, taking short cuts through alleyways or over fences, but getting a little turned around wasn’t so bad. The Devildom was truly such a gorgeous place. Older architecture with the conveniences of the modern. Coble stone streets, stone and wooden buildings that looked to be mini castles, neon lanterns in trees igniting the streets in color and any not bathed in it instead receiving the pale glow of the moon and stars or the warmth of fire light from shop windows, there was just nothing else quite like it.

“let me see…”

“Hmm?”

Flipping on the radio it was nothing but static so you kept adjusting and adjusting, surely it could pick up- THERE!

It was funny to hear a kind of beachy sounding tune in winter.

“Oh, I haven’t heard that one in a few hundred years.” It was quiet but after a few moments Beel began to hum along. Guess you just had to turn it up then.

And maybe you could also pick up in speed a bit more.

Soon your fingers tapped along to that addictive beat.

So lost in the song, your demon’s sudden movement startled you. “Uh- Beel?” Why did he stand up?

Ignoring the fact you really should fix the rear-view mirror to show you what you needed it too, you instead rolled down the window, sticking your head out some and look up, the corner of your eye still on the roa...

…

“gorgeous.” He looked so blissful. Eyes closed, hair getting tussled in the wind as well as making his popped collar flutter. His hands propped himself up off the roof, for once he stood up straight and tall, the only thing bigger than his profile, the ever-shining starlit backdrop. His wings wavered in the wind as well, lights kept reflecting and refracting off of them in the most brilliant rainbow display.

“This feels so good on my wings.”

This demon had no idea what he dose to you.

You ducked back in, face flushed and much too warm…

Wait! Popping open the glove box you were glad to see you had refilled your emergency bag of trail mix.

“Beely Boy!”

“Eh!?” Startled out of his trance, the faintest of blushes on his cheeks he turned to you. Then his eyes shimmered similarly to his wings- “Thank you!” taking the bag you held out to him.

Climbing up and over he sat on the roof, happily munching away.

The populous must have been very confused by the reserved and intimidating Beelzebub being paraded around, music blasting as he contently snacked away judging by the bewildered and odd looks you got. Many even got out their D.D.D.s.

… You muted your’s after you started getting a flood of nonstop notifications from Devilgram, mostly about you having been tagged in a post.

You did, eventually, figure out your way to your favorite grocery store.

“Alright, we better be quick about this before the cold stuff melts!” As Beelzebub hopped off you climbed onto one of the steps, almost falling in as you reached for one of the bags in the truck bed.

“What’s that?” He pointed to the binder you pulled out.

“My schedule.” Three ringed, every page in sheet protectors, and very thick. It was admittedly a little heavy, but cooking could require a good amount of upper arm strength at times so over the past year you gained enough muscle to be fine carrying something as hefty as this around for a while, even if you didn’t have it before. And as long as the store hadn’t been rearranged too much, you should be able to find everything rather quick too, so there wouldn’t be much strain on your arms.

Now you just hoped above all else they had all you wanted in stock.

“Uh, what tools do you need?”

Stopping in your tracks you just stood there, blinking at your giant. “…what do you mean ‘what tools do you need’!? Have you not been using the kitchen to make yourself meals!? You at least kept stuff in the fridge, right?”

And he just shook his head.

“Beelzebub! You of all people should know better! Construction is hard work, that takes so much energy!”

“I, I brought plenty of food?”

“Bub! Just how much, there’s only so much even you can carry, let alone in addition to material, and boards and whatever!” You turned away, pinching the bridge of your nose. This man could not have STARVED himself for you. OF ALL THINGS! “Guess this’ll also be to make up for how small all your meals were when building.”

Before Beel could say a thing you snatched his hand, him letting you drag him inside.

Now more than ever this needed to be a quick trip, you splitting the list in half and running off to collect everything, each of you getting six double sided pages.

OH YEAH, AND YOU STILL NEEDED TO GET THE TOOLS AND UTENSILS BECAUSE APPEARENTLY BEEL DECIDED TO BE AS ABSENT MINDED AS A DEAD ASLEEP BELPHEGOR OR AN ASMODEUS IN FRONT OF ANY MIRROR!

“MC, let’s get these green plates.”

“… The white and dark purple ones are bigger.”

“Oh, you’re right!... Heheheh.”

“What?”

“You’re cute.”

“I’m ANNOYED at you! THIS is not cute!

...

Stop smiling like that.”

“I can’t though.”

…

“I’m going to borrow your body for a minuet.” Before Beelzebub could say a thing you proceeded to hug him, screaming your anguish into his bosom.

Which just got ANOTHER CHUCKLE FROM HIM!

That drew any passer by’s attention, especially that of what you thought were familiar heads of hair ducking into the crowd, quietly swearing and whispering, likely to ‘shut up’ you assume.

Eventually you got everything ready. The staff were even kind enough to pack the dishware and tools, and even your ingredients in boxes for you, they were used to big bulk orders from greedy and gluttonous demons after all. You did have to get rope separately to tie everything down, but with Beel’s help to toss it over the tower it was quick enough work.

“Something wrong?” After you fished tying Beel stood there staring at it… For a while. You weren’t sure if he was somehow under a spell or in some trance.

“… This would have helped so much.”

“Told you! Now c’mon, let’s go home!”

“… home.”

And finally it was time to get going. You could feel the difference in handling the thing with all the weight on it, but it still felt sturdy- “MC, go right here.” Even as you left the smooth cobble stone streets for bumpy dirt paths.

“Now left here.”

It wasn’t too far out of town, but enough so that some of the ways were unkept, making you wonder if you accidentally wandered off it. Certainly didn’t help it was a dense, thick forest, needed the headlight to make out anything, but the trees were so tall you at least didn’t have branches and leaves blocking the windshield.

“Left again, and that’s it.”

The path became stone again, and the trees began to become more sparce as you went down that path, more and more of the sky beginning to… come into… view.

…

It certainly was not as big as the House of Lamentation, but in the middle of that clearing it certainly felt like it. And unlike The House of Lamentation, despite being two stories it looked rather cozy. Any and all little details you had mentioned, at least for the outside look were there.

It was breath taking.

“MC!”

A-and it seemed you had gotten so absorbed in it all you missed how Beel had gotten out and pulled open the large folding door for the garage, a separate room for a car that WASN’T a display space, a concept your bug seemed rather perplexed by when you tried explaining it to him. Guess you forgot to mention the garage door opener, but that was fine, you’d help him figure that out when you two were in the Human World.

For now though it was time to get in.

Beel’s interpretation for a garage was certainly different than most, not just a cement and wooden box. Something closer to the entrance way of a house mixed with a utility closet and an alchemist’s or gardener’s workshop. A coat rack by the door, the tools he probably used to build this place including gardening equipment hung on the wall, some sort of plants in jars hung from the ceiling, likely what was giving the space a refreshing smell. Much better than gasoline.

Wait

…

How were you going to get gas!?

While you began to stew over such a grievous oversight Beel let you be, setting about untying the cargo.

But such things had to be fretted over later!

You were on a mission!

And so you hopped out, heart picking up in pace.

You could do this, you HAD to do this!

THERE WAS NO REASON TO START GETTING NERVIOUS NOW!

Well, now to see if the inside reflected the outside in being all you asked for and more.

But it seemed it wasn’t just you. To the average person it’d look as if Beel was just fine, in anything acting very calm and cool, simply opening the folding door and taking several boxes in, but you knew the man, to you, it was plain to see from his face he was so nervous.

Before he flipped on the lights you could see past him, the floor and ceiling, so softly illuminated by the trimming, bright enough to find your way, but not so obtrusive as to be blinding should one get up in late night hours.

And stepping through it was just as you asked, basically right into the kitchen.

“Where’s the freezer?”

“Other door.”

Quickly you scurried over to the only other door in the garage. Which you regretted, instantly freezing, but you were going to have to get used to it.

Placing was perfect, as you expected, like this it would be easy to get everything in their proper place after grocery runs with the places you needed being literally right next door.

Most importantly though, you needed to familiarize yourself with the kitchen.

A beautiful set up really, ‘u’ shaped, tucked away in a corner, there two free sides would be was a corner shaped island that was almost split in half, the edge facing away from the kitchen was raised while the side close to the kitchen was lowered and had metal burners with nobs you could turn, drawers, cabinets, and such, even a pull out shelf, or… was it a pull out cutting board? The part of the kitchen that was attached to the wall had the more heavy duty stuff like the sink, the dish washer, and the oven, and the other oven, and the convection oven.

And it was an open layout too, no walls, just part of the island separated the kitchen from where the dinning room could be.

Perfect.

It’d be much easier to hold conversation that way, or have space here without having to cram in like back at the brother’s place, or even toss Beel snacks while he waits.

“Hey, Beel?”

“Yeah!” Poor guy. So worried. Did you startle him?

“Would you wash the dishes while I get everything out of the boxes? I rather clean them just in case, who knows who’s touched these.”

“Okay.”

While he set about that you could get all your ingredients out and start exploring this space proper. As much as you would like to for the rest of that house, if you were going to get everything done on time, you needed to familiarize yourself with how everything worked here! And there was new opportunities, what with having three instead of only one oven to work with.

But then…

Unfortunately you didn’t have a pen to scribble away with, but that was probably for the best, making sudden changes at the last minuet would probably lead to mistakes and oversights, and that was something you could not afford today!

It didn’t take long though, where you’d instinctly expect something to be, it was there, even down to how you controlled the oven, it was just immediately intuitive. And here, things were actually much closer to your size, no need to ask Beel for help, or to climb a chair to reach certain cabinets anymore.

You were actually able to switch roles, you doing the drying and placing away while Beel washed.

But it was also a little awkward at some spots, you having to go on your tiptoes. But you did specify they you wanted Beel to be able to comfortably to reach for anything too. So in the end both of you had some awkward places, but it wasn’t bad.

And soon all was done except emptying the last bag. Your binder which you had flipped open twelve pages in on the counter, and an apron. “Devilcat!?”

“Heh, yeah. I… I got it before I left last year.” The thing was worse for wear, a fair few stains, but it was a good sturdy thing, definitely saved you from burns a couple of times. A beautiful deep red, with even darker red triangles lining the hem, the shoulder straps white like his collar, the straps you tied around the waist was the same blue of his bow, and embroidered on the pocket a little Devilcat drooling, waiting for the meal to be finished.

“I wanted a little extra something of you while I was away.” How Beel adored and related to this character, you’d grown fond of him just from Beel’s enthusiasm. And it was one of the things that first led you to seeing new sides of Beelzebub. Like how cute and cool he could be.

“It looks great on you.”

“Yeah, well-”

“Wait, you were already planning on cooking after you left.”

SHIT!

“Well…” No, no more lies. “I still wanted to connect with you, while away, and… I thought cooking was a good way to go about that. And it kept me busy enough to now wallow in missing you too.”

He smiled, so sweetly. “So, like me and the house.”

…

“Yeah. Like that.”

Time to get started.

Beel stood there, leaning against the raised, outer edge of the island counter watching as you got set up.

“I could wash the potat-”

“Nope! You stay right there and relax! I’ll do everything.”

While you still could, before you’d start running around you kept glancing to the windows.

“You see something?”

“Well, the view for one. Unlike you I’m not used to it. Not in a bad way!” Curious to see if those familiar tufts of hair had followed or not.

But soon the initial prep work was done, so it was on with the show.

“Oh!” Your first dish came out quickly, something to tide him over while- “There’s more?” He looked around seeing there were still much more left on the counter to be used from utensils to vegetables and meats.

“I told you, I’m going to try making you full, and that means a many, many, many course meal. I… kinda lost track of how many I added half way though.”

“Will you be okay?”

“I’ve been practicing!”

Soon enough you were running about, always something to do, cleaning so you could use the blender again, taking something off the fryer and into the oven, prep for other meals, even more cleaning, placing something in the fridge, cleaning one of the ovens, placing your newest dish before Beel, cleaning the plates because they were running low, swapping dough in the proofing drawer, getting jittery at how the ovens and atmosphere affected how long the bread took to rest and bake, chopp-

“MC, you should take a break.”

“I’m good!”

“…”

You’d gone over this fully only twice, couldn’t afford, or had the stomach to do it more than that so often you’d have to dash back to the binder, occasionally flip to the further page, making sure you had all the right set up for it, or boing back to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

“MC.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Is a break scheduled in there.”

“Nope, I’ll be fine.”

“…”

Well, maybe you could make some changes after all. You did have a lot more plates so less time could be allotted to cleaning and instead you could start the next step sooner than usual or even start on one of the other dis-

…

There was a pressure on your head.

It was Beel’s hand, the moment you reached up and felt it, you couldn’t mistake it for anything else.

“Please take a break.”

It hit you all at once, your labored breaths, the sweat dripping down your face, just how hot you or the room was.

You slipped away, back to the binder, finger on the list, speed reading each line as you went down.

“In a few steps.”

“Okay.”

That was a better pause point, not now when you needed to be careful about mixing the pastry dough just right, it couldn’t rest now.

It was almost automatic to go over to the next step, but you made sure to stop yourself, trudging over to the other side, and sitting next to Beel who had parked himself on the floor, leaning against the island.

You wiped your face off with a towel for probably the thousandth time, tugging on the collar of your shirt to alleviate some of that sticky heat.

“No thank you.” Gently you pushed away the forkful that was offered to you.

“You haven’t eaten in hours.”

“I know, but that’s for you.”

“Food tasted better with you though.”

…

“You want me too?”

“Yes.”

… Well, who were you to refuse. “There’s still a lot left, and some things are time sensitive, so I can’t share every last one with you, is that alright?”

“Just when you need or want a break then.”

“Thank you.”

Actually… this may be the last time to talk before…

“It’s been a year. How much have I changed?” With that you took the bite, letting the man feed you, his expression turning confused for a moment.

… then it dawned on him. “Well…” Oh, another bite for you. “You’ve gotten skinnier since you were last here.”

“Ah, trying to fatten me up are you.” The exhaustion made your voice come out a bit droll, but it seemed Beel found the amusement in it anyway.

“… I guess I am. I just like eating with you.” But still, even with jokes he was blunt and honest to a fault.

“Which you want to do all that time.”

“I do. And you skin is darker too.”

“Thanks to dear old sunlight.”

“So you got a lot while you were gone. Good.”

You simply nodded, letting him continue. “Some of the lines on your face… they seem deeper, but different than before… Can the sun also do that?”

“Uh… I think so??? I’m not really sure.”

“There’s a lot of little things.” More and more he scrutinized you, but in the end smiled- “But you seem better, healthier, in some ways-” and poked your cheek. “in others I think you might need some help.”

“So… I don’t seem any older?”

… “I’d have to watch you more to know.”

He wasn’t sure then… for now at least. “I think I probably do. Just what stress and loneliness dose to a person.”

He didn’t say a thing, but the statement certainly caught his attention. “I’m sorry I left. Well, no, I had to leave, I guess… I’m sorry it was so long. I had too, even if I don’t like it.”

Was that some white at the window?

“It was only right before I left I realized something. You should have come with me. I mean, I had to be back anyway, perfect timing for you to start on the Human World house, wouldn’t you think?” You couldn’t help laughing a little seeing the realization dawn on him. “If I could, I won’t make that mistake again. When I go back, you’ll be with me. And I won’t want to come back here, unless it’s via that pathway you promised that connects the houses.”

He gave you a firm nod. “I have a plan for that all ready.”

“Ooh. Well, I can’t wait to see it.” Only thing you could think of was convincing Diavolo somehow, but given the circumstances, that it’s part of a proposal for you that wasn’t from Diavolo himself, you couldn’t see it. Just what could it be.

“Time to get back to work.” You still had a few hours left and way too many courses, but with this you should be able to make it.

The rest was easy enough, you having practiced these ones more because they were the most complicated, even with having to pause every few steps to be fed another bite or two, but it wasn’t so bad.

Soon enough you began to slow down, letting the final few courses and desserts take their time in between idle chats, what kind of furniture you wanted, what should be in the garden, should Beel add a shed in the back, or instead of a shed a sunroom thing for if you wanted sunlight without having to actually go to the Human World, he had been studying a lot on light spells for a while now after all.

Before you knew it you were flipping to the back of the last page.

Almost there…

While watching the ice-cream maker do it’s thing, relived you didn’t have a broken or sore foot, you debated setting up your D.D.D., on one hand, it seemed in the end evidence wouldn’t be needed, however on the other… videos didn’t age, it may be nice, to have this captured, even while you were long gone.

So you did. Just leaning against the wall, propped up with the help of the thick end of the binder.

Damn it, your throat was already tightening, as if you were going to cry, your chest feeling funny in a way you didn’t know how to describe if asked, breaths starting to shake As you watched him finish that final bowl, having you take the last bite.

“Thank you.

For… just… everything. All of it. For everything. I love you. I… damn it. What do you say, when there’s so much, but you. Just. Can’t?

Um

Thank you, even for the rough start we had here, thank you for everything that’s hasn’t happened yet, both that we know and don’t know! Because I know you’ll always be in my life, so there’s going to be, just, so much.

And thank you, for everything before that, for all the decisions you made that led to you being where you are, and… yeah?

And I’m glad, even when the pain and tears are troublesome, because it makes you realize all the more just how important and special this is, to be happy, to be able to hurt with another, to find that comfort and safety.

Whatever happens, I know I’ll be all the better because I met you. I want to be better, not even for you, hell, not even for me, I don’t know, just as a person, because, because, I don’t know, people deserve that.

And

And

Like, it’s terrifying the idea I’ll be gone one day. It scares me so, just so fucking much. I don’t want that, and I don’t want to hurt you, that’s the last thing, but you wanted me to be gluttonous, right? To live my life. To take because I can, indulge in your warmth, because I can. To want you, to, to, to learn about every last thing, even the stuff I can’t wrap my head around, I want it.

But I realized something. That makes us be better. Even after I’m gone, our love will still be there, it still existed, and, maybe it can be your strength. It can keep going on and on, but not as a burden to you, but as nice memories. For thousands and millions of years.

So, um

Thank you, for loving me, thank you for changing my life, change me, changing how I, I see things, how I treat others.

Thank you

So, so much,

For everything

 I owe who I am now to you.

I owe to you, this version of me I’ve come to love most, and all the versions after that have already been touched by you.

This

T-this, is ju-just one example of how I-I’l l gift you my dedication. A year and then some. Try and fill you, even if it’s impossible. Even if it is, I’ll keep trying, from here on.

Take my time, my effort, everything, everyday, it’s because of you and is your’s.

I love you.

Thank you, I don’t know what else to say

Thank you so much.

If you’ll let me, hell, I’d probably do so anyway, but I-I’ll dedicate myself to you, if you’ll let me.

Till the day I die, no matter how short it is.

The rest of it is for you.”

Your breath and body trembled, tears blurring your eyes, heart racing and pounding shaking you to the core.

What the hell even was this? All you did was say aloud the obvious, and what you were going to do anyway without this. Yet you were crying, and he… He stood there, eyes growing wider, cheeks getting redder and redder an-

Lunging at you, holding you so tightly, his grip only loosening to go a little lower, try picking you up some, to completely engulf you so it was only him, not even the floor touching you. And how his body trembled, or was that you? You, you couldn’t tell. Maybe it was the exhaustion after hours of cooking. You tried hugging back but your arms felt like jelly so you weren’t sure if you were or it they kinda just flopped there.

“yes, Yes, yes, Yes” Like it was all he could say, over and over till it was just broken sounds.

He took several deep breaths, and with each one squeezed you a little tighter. “I, I built you a house, I know I promised you more, but-”

Gently you tried pushing back, just a little, just enough to see his face. “Wow, wow, wow,” There was something so desperate in it. “-slow down there buddy. You don’t have to rush things.” You did manage to place a hand on his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere any time soon. To go to the human world, to make the second house, to move in, to stay there till I’m old and grey, all of it, we have time.”

Closing his eyes he heaved a great sight, nuzzling into your han-

“Shit!”

“Mammon!”

“IT WAS LEVI, NO ME!”

“YOU KEPT TRYING TO SHOVE ME OUT OF THE WAY!”

You stood… sat their frozen, still held up and clutched by Beel.

All of them were there, fallen to the floor, a bickering pile, all blaming the other aside from one who stayed out of it all.

Well…

That sobered you up real quick.

“… Beel, dose the garage door have a lock?”

“It will be the next thing I do.”

Mammon was the first to scramble to his feet. “Hold on! Ya can’t just do that!” Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. “It shoulda been me!”

What? Mammon was a terrible liar… you could always tell. You could tell he was! Right then!

Asmodeus was the next to find his footing. “Just admit it was beautiful!”

“SHaD uP!”

Belphie managed to sit up, his hair seemed more floppy than usual. An expression you’d never seen before, something hurt, and something happy. “Congratulations.”

Satan didn’t say a thing, still sitting on the floor, a clenched fist pressed against the wall… and slowly he opened his palm, keeping it there, Was he… trying to ground himself, or feel something?

Finaly Leviathan who had been at the bottom of the pile scrambled up. He also had tears in his eyes. “How… how can I feel so awful and happy? I want it to be me, but you look… so happy.”

“Alright that’s enough.” And in stepped Lucifer. “We should be getting back home. Now.”

They continued to squabble but it seemed they were slowly getting a move on.

Aside from Beel. He just stood there, thinking.

“Do you not wanna go back yet Bubs?”

“Well he is.” Lucifer had his arms crossed, clearly not in a good mood. But perhaps you should have expected that after you… last saw him… “And he’s not going anywhere. He’s not allowed too.”

Beelzebub’s grip on you grew tighter. “I quit.”

“Wh-”

“Student council members have to live in the House of Lamentation, that’s what you and Diavolo agreed too. Well I quit! I’m not going back!”

“You are coming back right now.” A thick, suffocating magic presents filled the air, Lucifer in his demon form.

“Wait, we could do that?” Suddenly all eyes were on Belphie, who meandered his way over to you two. “I quit, I’m going with them.”

Aside from Beelzebub and Lucifer who were staring one another down, the rest looked to one another.

“I quit.”

“I QUIT!”

“I quit too!”

“I-”

“ENOUGH!” A voice like that could shatter the earth, Lucifer looked about ready to attack. “All of you are coming back NOW!”

“Except Beel and MC.” Beel immediately held a protective arm before Belphegor who stood between you and Lucifer… If looks could kill, that glare from the eldest would have eviscerated the youngest.

“Hey, look, I agree with him.” Then it was Mammon who blocked Lucifer’s path. “Look, I don’t… I don’t like it either, but… we shouldn’t ruin MC’s proposal like this, ya know?”

.

.

.

“Where will you live then?” Diavolo stepped through the door. You hadn’t even noticed he was also at the doorway before.

Beel didn’t say a thing…

Really? Guess you had to give him permission since technically the plan was for later. “It’d be easy enough to get sleeping bags or something till you make the bed, and all the important stuff like the bathrooms are good to go right. We can move in early, besides, it’ll make figuring what kind of stuff I want, and where easier.”

“I’ll live here.”

Diavolo was usually a much more expressive person, but this moment his expression was more neutral, maybe a smile a that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I see. And you realize that if you won’t be in the Student Council you’ll have to return to work, right?”

“I know.”

“Beel’s already been doing D: Jobs though?” It seemed you confusion did get some form of amusement from the prince.

“No, his actual work.”

Actual work?

Wait…

ACTUAL WORK!?

“… You guys have had like actual real adult jobs this whole time!? You’re like… actual real working adult men!?”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean!?”

You glanced to Mammon, completely baffled by his response. “What do you mean, what do I mean!? I thought Diavolo just paid you all to be in the student council or be figure heads or something! You have jobs!? That’s not just existing!?”

Suddenly a howling laughter shook the room, Diavolo doubling over, clutching his stomach. “It dose look like that, doesn’t it!”

Eventually he did catch his breath and stood again. “They each have a job under me, but they can take leave as long as they’re a part of the student council.”

So the House of Lamentation is just a vacation home!?

Suddenly so many questions flooded your mind, grabbing hold of your demon and having him face you. “… Do you have the space you need? Or, I guess can you even work here, do you need to add another room or will you have to go out every day? Wait, no. What do you even do?”

He tried turning away but you kept him in place so instead his gaze seemed to suddenly find his handiwork on the trimming very interesting. “… I forget.”

“HOW DO YOU FORGET THAT!?”

“It’s been a long time.”

“I’m sure you’ll get back into the swing of things. For now, Lucifer-” Diavolo dropped a firm hand on the man’s shoulder. “I believe we have some paperwork to get done.”

Lucifer didn’t do a thing for a moment, just dead silent, before he turned and marched out.

“Eh, guess I’ll have to go back to work to-”

Satan glared at Mammon, not even letting him finish. “No you can’t you don’t have anywhere to stay.”

“I can stay here!”

“No.” “There’s no room.” Such an immediate reaction from both of you.

“All the rooms are empty!”

Reluctantly Beel placed you down on the island counter before going to shoo off his brothers, who did eventually leave. Even Belphegor who actually willingly did so.

After shutting the screen door behind himself Beel leaned against it, looking out to the empty house.

“You okay?”

… Slowly he made his way over, arms loosely draped around you, his face leaning into the crook of your neck. “I am now.”

You shuttered, trying your damnedest to not start laughing after all that, a snicker still getting out at his ticklish breath against your sensitive skin.

Your body flinched feeling how his lips pulled into a smile on you.

“BEEL!” You couldn’t stop laughing! “STOP IT!” He just kept blowing raspberries into your neck, taking such delight in getting you to squirm, your joyful, playful tone drawing some laughter out of him. “NO FAIR! I-I CAN’T GET REVENGE, YOU WOULDN’T EVEN FLINTCH!”

It was so cathartic, all the emotion come pouring out, wiping tears from your eyes, being left out of breath.

And you didn’t even get the chance to catch it, lips tenderly pressed against your’s.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Hey” You cradled his face, thumbs caressing his cheeks. “You okay after all that.”

“… I knew something like that was going to happen, I’ve been ready for it.” He leaned into you, forehead pressed together, somehow felt like he was melting into it.

“Alright, I just don’t want to… I don’t know, ruin anything.”

“You never could.” Interlacing your fingers together he squeezed your hands. “and I want his, want you so much.”

“You do though.”

“Almost… I still have to propose… But I will, I promise.”

Lifting you up, you were carried up the stairs to the second floor. The room you found yourself in was rather big and empty, but that was to be expected. What made this one unique was the attached bathroom that didn’t have a door yet and a pair of glass doors that lead to a balcony. Even from here you could tell where the city was, one half having a faint glow from it while at the others was such a deep darkness.

You were adjusted a few times as Beel was, slipping off his jacket? And spread it out on the floor. “I was thinking this would be our bedroom.”

“I can picture it already.” And gently you were placed atop it, Beel laying beside it, his arm folded under his head.

“Good. Then maybe we could sleep here for a little bit?”

You were rather spent, both physical and emotionally, but not completely in bad ways.

“Not like this mister.” You didn’t give Beelzebub the chance to say a thing, instead taking off your own jacket, folding it and slipping it back where Beel’s head was before he sat up. “Now we can.”

Beel’s jackets were much too big and thick for you. Perfect for snuggling into and keeping warm, getting completely wrapped up in, so when finally he laid back down, and you climbed atop him, your head resting on his chest, you favorite pillow, it made for a great blanket for you both.

…

He already was, but now more than ever Beel was determined to give you the greatest home. Even if you were already acting like you had it. “Thank you for choosing me.”

Part 1: The Future and Part 2: The Pursuit of Happiness

.

He kept expecting it, for Lucifer to stop him. Lock him up, tie him down, muzzle him, something, yet

nothing.

It hadn’t even been a day since he got Diavolo to agree to make the pathway, but still.

Until this did reach the eldest, Beel needed to get as much done as he could now.

If only his stomach would stop growling, making it that much harder to ignore the gnawing. And the pics from your latest baking exploit you just sent really weren’t helping either.

Maybe he should push ahead with the electrical work? That way he could test the kitchen to make sure everything was working! Or well, at least the oven or burners, or something. But there was still more of the plumbing as well to do and-

And do…

Do the…

THE THING TO DO-

he couldn’t think straight.

Just a short flight, all he needed to alleviate this.

The large boulder his marker, wading into the knee-high river after tossing away his phone, boots, and socks.

Now, where was it. Dragging his feet across the soft silt he felt around for it, mostly finding the occasional rock or the wet dirt getting between his toes before being so quickly washed away.

Then he caught it getting hooked to his foot that handle.

Eagerly diving in, yanking it with all his might, the force practically sending it flying, that refreshingly chilly water flying off it getting him soaked.

That metal container so cold to the touch, perfect.

Now to just… pop off the li-

With a loud THUNK the thing was dropped in favor of his phone, ringing and vibrating away, water dripping on the screen making it near impossible for it to read his presses and swipes.

Nearly.

“Hey Bud! Did I catch you at an okay time?”

Nothing could stop him answering your call, in any form. A magic circle, or a phone, didn’t matter.

“Yeah! Yeah, just getting a snack. Was feeling a little odd and though this might help.” Even if you couldn’t see it, he still nodded.

“Something bad happen?”

“No, not really.” Maybe he was still nervous from the visit to the castle.

“Ah, just an off day then?”

“Maybe. I’ll be fine.”

“Alright, just don’t push yourself today, just in case. Okay?”

“Uh-huh.” He took a deep breath before sitting down and putting you on speaker. It really was such a lovely lush dense forest. The smells here so fresh and vibrant. With a finger he took a swipe of his treat, humming in delight. Anything eaten outside just tasted so much better. Maybe for the next batch he could add some of the berries that could be foraged around here.

Oh!

He should have some ready for when you come back, show you what this place has to offer. He was still a little worried, beginning building without you having been here, but you really insisted he choose the location… Why you were…

nah, he’d ask you later. Shaking his head as it it’d help fling away the thought.

“Ooh sound like you’re enjoying yourself, what is it?”

“Bloody lingonberry ice cream.”

“Nice.”

It was always good to hear you. This tune he was much more used too, what a contrast to when you left. Sun light really made all the difference, huh. It made sense though, that you’d need something so important to the Human World to stay alive and happy. It really stuck him during your first call, and just about every other one after he was reminded of that fact.

“Funninly enough I got an odd ice cream maker.”

“Oh?” Boots tied together hanging over his shoulder with socks tucked away inside, container under one arm, phone in his other hand he began his trot back to the work site.

“Yeah, it’s this hard plastic ball thing you’re supposed to put your ingredients in the inner bit and dry ice in the outer shell, thing, and kick it around. I thought it might be something fun, get the ice cream ready while I was making dinner without having to take up another outlet for an ice cream maker-” He should add more outlets to the kitchen wall. “-but I ended up just laying on the couch with an ice pack on my foot and had to order take out. The thing was hard as hell! And it was advertised as a family camping thing! If any little kid tried using the thing they’d break their foot!”

“Your foot’s fine though?”

“Yep.”

“… Did you still get ice cream?”

“No.” You nervously chuckled so softly, the receiver almost didn’t pick it up.

“Oh… I rolled mine around.”

“Hah?”

“I used ice magic and placed the ingredients in a metal barrel. Helped flatten out the ground some at less dense patches of the ground before fixing those for real. Used it to keep some of the beams upright.”

“Wait, wouldn’t that be back at the beginning?”

“Uh-huh, once it was mixed enough I buried it under a river to keep it cool, and so I wouldn’t eat it right away, emergency snack.”

“You ran out!?”

“Trying to get extra done tonight. I don’t want to use time to go hunting or fly back to town.” It was funny. Getting through to the clearing he couldn’t help sighing in relief.

How many hours had he spent here now? Chatting away with you, now taking a seat on the back porch, whittling down a branch he picked up on the way into a big spoon real quick for the ice cream.

…

He really did love it here, didn’t he.

Already, and it wasn’t even done yet. You hadn’t even approved of this place yet, but he still did. He couldn’t help chuckling from how silly it seemed.

And it was so odd, how silence used to unnerve him, not hearing his brothers up to something or another nearby… it still did really. It would be nice, if they could be here, maybe even be happy for him, but…

Knowing them, no matter where he went, someone would be around, that’s just how they are. Even if Beel weren’t moving in with you-

IF, if, you accepted.

…

As sure as he was, he couldn’t act like it. Not yet.

Still he’d go around, making sure everything was ready,

“So, how’s things coming along?”

“Pretty good, doing set-up for installing the grab bars.”

“Grab bars? I’m not going to be needing stuff like that for a while, dude.”

“Maybe, but they’d be helpful for you to get around if you got a broken leg.”

preparing and dreaming

“MC, for the night lights, would you want glowing stone for the wall and floor trimming, or plug ins for outlets.”

“We could place big Glow Stone chunks around for decoration, y’know, like people do with salt rocks!”

“No, tripping hazard, and if they look like salt rocks I might eat them.”

for what you’d need in the years to come,

“-Wait, how come the stairs are getting carpet?”

“I read it’s better for grip.”

“Love Bug, you’re gonna be with me. You don’t have to worry about everything, you’ll be there if I ever trip.”

“Just in case.”

“I know, I just don’t want you stressing out about making the whole place super safe, alright?”

“I’ll be less stressed knowing you’ll be safe even if I’m not around.”

ever by your side.

Immediately Beel picked up on that sigh. “Something wrong?”

“No, you’re just making the place sound so nice.”

The way you were saying it, it sounded like a bad thing.

Your grumble came along with the flipping and rustling of pages before continuing. “You’re making it so hard to stay away any longer.”

“It has been the longest you’ve been away. Almost a year now.”

“I KNOW! But…”

The silence hung heavy in the air. Beel was so tempted to ask, but from your tone he knew you were going to continue.

“… January.” Such command was in your tone. “THAT’S when I’ll come back! No more delays!” That was about three months! “I don’t think I could push things off any more without someone just kidnapping me back again. Honestly I’m surprised someone hadn’t tried that again yet.”

Three months… He may just be able to get it done in time! He wouldn’t have furniture, but it’d be something!

…

But even then he still couldn’t propose, he still had a second house to build after all.

So strange though, he promised you a home, and… in a way, for him at least, it already…

.

“Aw, going back to work already?”

Any answer Beelzebub could have given was muffled by his stuffed cheeks as he stood from the dinning table.

There was no R.A.D. so the giant wanted to get going, breakfast was already late due to him having to get Mammon down from where the man was strung up to the ceiling, why did it have to be Mammon’s turn for breakfast duty, anybody else would have had it done on time.

Before Beel could get past the door Asmodeus skipped on by, blocking it, a pout on his face, lightly pointing to Beel. “Hon, you really need to take a break, all that work can’t be good for your skin, it’s, what, the fourth day in a row of this.”

“I’ll be going now.”

He tried side stepping, yet his brother persisted, tutting. “Whatever you’re doing can wait, not like it will give you as good of pay.”

“Huh?”

Everyone ignored the overly excited wriggling and grunting of the second born from his just placed ‘seating’ suspended from the ceiling Lucifer was still tying him down to.

“Leave him be Asmo.” With a loud yawn Belphegor slowly sat up, eyes half-open, clearly still groggy.

“I will, I will. I’m just looking after my baby brother~” With a dismissive wave the beautiful man turned back to Beel. “So, Beel. I’m going shopping, and I’ll need some extra muscle to help carry my things. Isn’t that just wonderful!”

“… I’m leaving.”

“I’ll buy you lunch.” All playfulness gone, only serious cheer. Even Asmo’s signature smile. “Anything you want. Even the all you can eat places.”

Beel stop in his tracks.

“Hehe, I’m glad you-”

“Sorry, I can’t.” While he could think he needed to decide on if he should ask you about that truck thing. If they really could carry as much as you said that’d defiantly speed up moving all the pipes for plumbing. And driving couldn’t be that hard, right? Like Devilkart just with the gas button on the floor and not on the wheel. But what if there was more to driving, or worse, was he too big to even fit in on-

“Beelzebub.”

“Oh! Yeah Lucifer?” His eldest brother behind him, arms crossed and… why did everyone else look so worried?

“Before you leave we’re going to my office.”

Beel simply nodded before following along. Whatever happened was probably important… It couldn’t be about the house, if the others knew of it they’d be reacting a different way, so what could this be about?

To the library, past the staircase and down the not-so-secret hidden staircase to the office they went. Lucifer slinked behind the desk, looking out the window to that view of the dark forest out back, much less healthy than the one Beel chose for you. He stayed behind the coffee table and couches, it was an unspoken rule that one shouldn’t make themselves comfy in Lucifer’s spaces without his permission, even if they usually disregarded it when the eldest wasn’t around.

“It really is impressive work you’re doing.”

Beelzebub flinched, holding his breath for a moment. Just when he thought it couldn’t be this conversation…

So strange, pride? Frustration? Fear? Relief? Joy? Worry? Beel just could not pin point whatever it was he was feeling as Lucifer looked over his shoulder back to the six born with a smile and… perhaps, just maybe… something soft in his gaze.

It was there for only a moment.

Probably just a trick of the light.

Beel couldn’t look to his brother anymore, even though Lucifer turned back to the window before continuing. “Your skills have improved so much, a far cry to when the demonic wolverines were making a mess with their holes and scratching.”

“You knew back then!?”

“Did you truly believe I had no idea where you were going this whole time. Flying back and forth to the same place over and over?” Beel didn’t quite care for the amused droll of his brother’s tone.

“Ngh…” But he hadn’t done anything about it before, so why now?

“Just a word of advice.” Turning around Lucifer took something out of one of the desk drawers. It fit in his hand perfectly… A black velvet skull. “You should add more bedrooms. Six, although if we want to mak-”

“No.”

…

The silence was deafening. A sudden tension in the air. One dose not simply alter something another was pouring their all into, emotion into physical form, it was too precious and important to dare be tampered with. After all that was to dare to object to the emotions’ very existence in this society, where emotion was such an important commodity.

And the sheer gall, even for Lucifer. Didn’t matter the man was his brother, that man in essence objected to Beelzebub’s very existence, their emotions, were all a demon has, and all they are. To object to one part, was to reject it all, as emotions are messy tangled up things you simply couldn’t just separate from one another, try as we might.

A heavy sigh, and Lucifer gripped the little skull tighter. “This is for MC. Then you’d want what would make them happy. A home has family. Once they able to go back and forth as they please-” So Diavolo did tell. “the burdens they carry will be gone, and any ‘space’ from us would not be needed.”

“That’s not for you to decide. Only MC gets too. No one else.” Beelzebub’s voice came out rough, not holding back any of the anger and offence. He had every right to tear out the eldest’s throat for the words he DARED let spill.

“…” With little force from his thumb the skull opened, a gold ring rest inside. Intricate engravings of leaves and a snake, a great blue gemstone was set in it. “They have been happy here with us and they will continue to be happy with ALL of us.”

“… You don’t know that.” Bitterly Beelzebub spit that out before turning heel and marching up those steps.

Beel saw his brother so highly once, but now? Locking Belphie away, LYING about that, and now acting like he knew YOU so well, acting like HE had any right to dictate your life and actions, your very EMOTIONS, the idea-

“…”

 He blinked one, twice, slowly. After a moment his brothers scattered away from where they clearly had their ears pressed to the not-so-secret bookshelf door even after Beel opened it, sliding it to the side in front of the other bookshelf.

Whatever, he had work to do, that WASN’T adding bedrooms.

…

It took a good bit of the day but he managed to get the rest of the plumbing for the second floor. It needed much less than the first so it should go fairly smoothly. Maybe he should finish the lights on the second floor though, they were ready after all, and they shouldn’t cause any problems when he was still working on the electrical in the crafting room and the kitchen.

Leaning on the railing of the front porch he looked to the building before him… The idea of laying on the living room floor was rather nice actually. But he always didn’t want to snack there and accidentally leave any crumbs and attract bugs or something. But… it’d be even better once you were there. Sitting there, snacking away, you pointing out what furniture you liked in magazines. Maybe after the bed the next thing he should build be a kotatsu? It’d be so cozy laying there together under one. He’d gotten used to the cold of the Devildom long ago, but human bodies were so sensitive, maybe he sh-

A long high-pitched whistle pierced the air. “So THIS is what you’ve been workin’ on?”

Mammon!?

Flipping around Beel spotted how they came marching out of the thicket. Belphegor pushed his way ahead, very clearly annoyed. “Come on, guys. Just leave Beel to his work!”

“He’s not working, it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not! Let’s go!” Usually they gave in to Belphie’s pleading. Guess even his powers could only go so far. Thank you though. He tried, but Beel knew something like this would happen at some point, even if he tried ignoring it.

“What ARE you doing-” Levi looked around. “putting your essence everywhere like that. It’s so thick, it’s making me sick.”

Satan stepped forward, a sharp curious focus in his gaze wandering about before settling on Beelzebub. “Clearly it’s to scare away lower demons and the monsters that live around here.”

“Hah, didn’t stop those demonic wolverines though! Those things will fight anything!”

“Wait, you knew the whole time!?” Mammon too?

Mammon just gave the bewildered and startled Beelzebub a questioning look, posture slouched, hands resting casually in his pockets as if this weren’t VERY WORRYING AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO THE SIXTH BORN! “Well, yeah. Lucifer was getting’ tired of getting those photos of you going here all the time taken down so he asked me to tail ya and figure out what you were up too. Wasn’t much back then, just filling in holes and replacing the scratched wooden beams, but-” Beel REALLY didn’t like the smirk that spread across Mammon’s features. “who knew you went ‘n made something like THIS! Imagine the killing we’d made selling this pupp-”

“Don’t. You. Dare. Even. THINK. IT.” A dreadful buzzing filled the air, Beelzebub’s demon form unleashed without hesitation.

“Ugh, honestly, you’re so dense Mammon, OBVEAOUSLY this means a lot to him!” Asmo slapped a hand over Mammon’s mouth, nervously laughing before waving the phone in his hand a little. “I was wondering why those pictures of you kept disappearing just a minuet after they appeared. Are you making something for Diavolo, Oh a…”

“…” Whatever face Beel was making it seemed to shut them all up. All of them were there except Lucifer.

“Dose it matter. Beel’s built building for work before. This has been a big waste of time.” Instead of his usual flop Belphie practically tackled who he had been leaning his head against.

“H-HEY! BELPHIE! You can’t use me as-”

“OI! Levi, the hell you’re-”

Belphie leaning against Levi, who couldn’t stay standing ended toppling onto Mammon, sending them all tumbling to the ground.

Satan shook his head, whether it be at the statement, the commotion, or both, none could be sure. “Beelzebub turned down food, a massive meal at that. Clearly this isn’t just any job. And I assume you know it is.”

“…”

“Belphie! You can’t already be asleep! Get up! YOU’RE CRUSHING ME!”

“You know what’s happin’? Both of you get off me and tell us!”

Cautiously, yet with no hesitation Asmo made his way over, Satan not far behind. “We’re just worried about you Beel.”

“…” He took a deep breath, letting go of the tension in his hands. “I’m fine. You really don’t have to worry about me. I already have plenty of snacks.”

“There!” Asmodeus pointed, his perfectly manicured finger landing on the tip of Beelzebub’s nose. “Snacks. Just snacks vs. all you can eat! There is something very wrong here!”

“I have more to get done. That’s all.”

Asmo scrutinized him, lips puckered, leaning in and grumbling, as if frustrated looking into Beel’s eyes wasn’t giving him the answers he wanted to hear.

“And just what is- oh?” Asmo followed Beelzebub intense gaze that landed on Satan.

He wasn’t fast enough, Satan’s hand already landing on the porch’s fence. How he froze, eyes dilating before tenderly retracting it, his fingers seemed almost hesitant to part. “… We should leave Beel be. We’ve intruded enough already.” His voice breathy.

Grabbing Asmo’s arm Satan tugged him back a little much to his younger brother’s confusion, who all the same let him.