House Pride

One can only aspire to have the kind of affection for someone as you do for your queen. Yes, I would have made myself known earlier had I not been repairing the damage my family has caused the coven throughout the centuries. If there are two things I know, it's that there will always be a timeline out there where my family is linked with yours, and that my Uncle will always not be the best with socializing, but it's his endearing quality. I'm not worried about any gruffness; at least I know that my Aunt will help me smooth things over if necessary.

One day, perhaps, you will carry that affection for someone if you haven't already. Your absence is forgiven, heir, I've been away on vacation partly and occupied playing guard dog for anyone who enters my home. Linked much to your father's chagrin, but that's no matter. Celeste does have her Wrath whisperer-like way soothing my brother's grumpiness, Finnian, she's the only person who can drag him to social events. Now...I'm aware stitching the coven back together isn't your only concern, but the goddess herself. I'm afraid that it seems I've been neglectful in my help to Jadis during her possession. While she may believe I do not care, I wish to help her where I can. She signed her soul to me, so she's my responsibility. Do you know if Bellora is still in her body?

The people who have visited have only wished to have my listening ear; they know that the delicious guard dog that you are would have their ass if they crossed a line. I have– the number of pregnant women in the family has officially expanded by one, but your brother wasn't here to see me for my specialties. He... offered to help open a clinic. A gift that I would be an idiot to turn down.

Just listening ear and advice? I think we'll both be capable enough to handle that and keep this delicious guard dog at bay for now. The threat of apocalypse truly acts as an aphrodisiac and produces children, but this is the same Sloth we are talking about. The laziest of my brothers who does not grant a single person anything and he offered a clinic on a silver platter? Surprising. And foolish if one looks a gift horse in the mouth, so it's a good idea not to turn it down. I just wish I'd thought of it first.

No, my Prince in shining armor, no one has dared to ask me for help. I just know that there's war on the horizon, and I'm the best damn healer there is currently, so I can't just sit around and do nothing.

Good, I would be so inclined denying anyone access again who may have clamored for your help in something so destructive to your progress. You've had a few patients come and go recently, one I noticed was Sloth. He looked...uncomfortably happy.

It's nice to see that you are just as devoted to your Queen in this timeline as you are in my timeline. I figured I'd keep my distance, given the security, but thought I'd introduce myself now. I'm Finnian, son of Rhys and Uriel– First Heir. You're the King of Hell in my timeline, and we had a close working friendship that I hope we can have in this one. Even if you aren't the King.

If there comes a day where I am not devoted to my Queen, I have either turned my emotions off or I am dead. Ah, the infamous Finnian I've heard mere whispers of by name and reputation only. I knew there must've been a timeline or two out there when I was King, but even if I'm not, your Aunt and my brother who come from two worlds, united both with their union. Therefore, I do not see why either Wrath or myself wouldn't continue the close working relationship. He really isn't the best with socializing, I should warn.

I'm sorry, but whatever that is looks like gruel's distant relative that was thrown in the deepest pit of Hell. Oh, that was actually you.

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

I really hope no one has approached you to help majorly in this war, my love, and they may find themselves hosting a problem directly from me.

Nor was it what I was expecting him to say. You think you know someone, and then they come out of left field and knock you on your ass. I know I deserved more, deserved better, and this whole thing... I'm not mad that he likes men or that he left me for one. I'm mad that, after all the years of friendship we had, he chose to run when I would have done pretty much anything for him. I don't know. This whole thing is weird, and I'm feeling... conflicted, but I don't need you going all vengeful demon Prince on him, alright?

And you really had no idea in your time together? It would explain his sudden departure, we tend to run from the things that scare us. And this isn't me making any comparisons between his actions and our vacation away from the city. I never expected him to go sweeping back in our lives, my darling, but fine. If he gives me just one reason to distrust anything he says, I am going all vengeful demon Prince on him and ensure no one resurrects him again.

I have never been so thankful before that my witch didn't come with a hairy mongrel that I would somehow have to orchestrate getting rid of. I don't know how you do it. The little beast would have been a nice pair of gloves for Isabel by now if I were you.

Judging by the chaos of your home life, brother, I will admit that I might prefer the little beast to what you have. We'll ensure these clothes are paired nicely by a beautifully crafted matching hat for my queen and she will be none the wiser.

A comeuppance that is undue even though he's a fucking idiot. He didn't leave me for a woman; Colin is gay. It doesn't excuse what he did, but I at least I know the truth.

Want me to make the little beast disappear? It will solve your hair problem.

Only if you wish for my demise at my Queen's hands for making her cat accidentally disappear.

Sometimes I really don't like that you know me so well.

It's a curse for you and a blessing for me.

Or, you could just wear black suits like a rational pet owner, Pride.

Even if my suits are all black regardless, they're like an infection.

Are you... worried he could get between the two of you? Besides, if anyone is going to point blazing guns at him over what he did to Bel, she'd be the one to do it, so we don't need both of you grilling him. Delacroix isn't stupid, just stubborn, but he'll realize that dealing with the demons he knows is better than dealing with those he doesn't. I'm sure he'll have some sort of stipulation on it, though, and unfortunately, it's not one I can predict.

Of course not. Maybe, I don't know. Yes. Okay, I am worried that by some miracle, Isabel moved past what our Angelus did and feel the connection she had with him through their timeline. She never needed my help defending herself against any man-handling, that's a certainty. That's what worries me about Azriel, Gluttony, he will possess the pettiness adding something extra just to make our lives more difficult. Perhaps, someone close to him like Gianna can help identify exactly what if it came to that.