#feathersofstarlight

Ash stood close by, keeping the antidote on the nightstand. He too had been both nervous and eager about this. The thought of seeing his boss in an uncontrollable state of lust was quite enticing, which was why he was glad the avian had accepted his offer. “Don’t drink it too quickly, Your Majesty,” he advised. “You’ll want to let it settle in your system, let your body get used to it. I don’t want it to be too intense for you.”

Looking down at the Sinner with mild perplexion, Ash could feel his eyes studying him, searching for a hint of dishonesty. Evidently, he found none. “Hmm...indeed. Well, if that is the case, I suppose I can leave the safety of my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in your hands. Loyalty is a rare thing to see in Sinners, but admirable nonetheless.” Having already bid farewell to the rest of the family, he ordered his chariot driver to urge it onward. “Farewell, then, little one,” he said impassively before the chariot rode away. Rising from his position, Ash stood up, then his ear twitched and he picked up and sound somewhere behind him. Turning around, he saw Stolas. “Ah, Your Majesty,” he bowed again, a hint of pink appearing in his face. “Um, how much of that did you hear exactly?”

Indeed, something like this wasn’t strictly within his job description as a bodyguard. However, given the attraction he’d come to have for the Goetia Prince, he wouldn’t say no whether the Prince had extended the offer to him without the current heat. Of course, he hadn’t known about said heat, not even hearing the whimpers and moans from outside his door. When he heard Stolas calling for him, he opened the door and peered inside. “Your Majesty? Is everything...” He trailed off as he saw the current state of the Prince, whose arousal couldn’t be more blatant. He knew that he and Stella had something of an open relationship, or that they just didn't give a damn about who the other slept with. It would explain why she hadn’t offered to help him. “Um, your Majesty?” he asked tentatively, the blush visible on his cheeks as he looked over the Prince’s form.

What wasn’t a result of his paranoia was his reputation with other members of Hell’s court. This night in particular, Ash had come along to some sort of party, though, for what he couldn’t say. While the clothing he wore was more elegant than what he was used to, it was worn to make sure he could move quickly in case of an attack on the family. Despite this, he could tell he seemed underdressed just from the side-eying by the other guests. Nobody brought it up at the table, but once dinner had finished and everyone else was mingling, one of the other nobles approached Stolas and asked in a snobbish, rather condescending tone, “Stolas, dear fellow, I don’t mean to be rude, but do you always allow ‘the help’ to be seated beside you? Rather poor form, is it not, allowing a Sinner to be seated as if he were one of us?” Despite currently doing his duties and stoically keeping eyes on any locations assassins may use to their advantage, he heard the nobleman’s words. He was used to such talk, and it was true; by all rights, he had no real place there. Still, he would have been lying if he said that such remarks didn't sting just a little, even now.

The butler knew he was coming and let him in as soon as he reached the door. He was promptly escorted up to the prince's chambers by an imp who looked like he had long ago quit asking questions. When the imp knocked on the door to announce Angel's presence, Angel found himself a little flustered. Funny, that. Sex didn't fluster him at all, but kindness? Affection? He was a mess.

Returning the Prince’s smug expression--albeit with less shyness on his part--Ash ran a finger along the side of Stolas’ neck, then leaned in, kissed it, and whispered, “What can I say, Your Majesty~? Hearing you moan and whine as I tease you is truly exquisite~”