#poor carl dude...

"Aah, there we go...!" The demon bat mused, taking some garlic bread out of of oven and shutting the door.

He cooked it just the right amount of time this go around! He was sure it'd go amazingly with the pot of chili he'd made for the both of them.

"Hmm... Solomon?" Red called from above, his tail audibly thumping against the stone in excitement. No doubt he already smelled it, "What're you making? Can I get a hint? Just a small one?"

Solomon laughed a bit, "Nice try ol' buddy, but you have your surprise and I have mine! Unless you wanna give me a hint for yours...!"

He heard Red sigh, earning another laugh from him. Yep, he was absolutely sure this would be amazing! He stirred the chili some more as it cooled, pouring enough into their bowls and being sure to give Red some extra alongside the bread.

He couldn't wait to see the look on Red's face!

He called out as he carried both dishes through the kitchen, "Alright love, now close your eyes...! Get ready for the surprise!"

Red perked his head up, making him stop moving around the candles. Reaching to a nearby branch, he untangled a string of the hanging lights from it and taped them back into place, then reached under the table.

Pulling out a CD case, he grabbed the disk and slid it into the radio, smiling once calming music drifted out of the speakers. His tail swayed in glee, proud that he'd finally finished this project for today.

"And here it iiiisss!" Solomon announced, walking out and holding up the food like some sort of grand prize. A grand smile spread across his face as he took in the scenery.

Red flicked his tail, giving a shy-looking smile. "What do you think?"

"Man... you really know how to make a nice setup outside, huh?" Sol set down the food for the both of them, and sat cross legged on his side.

He admired how the lights glowed amid the evening skies. The now redish-pink plant life swayed with the winds all across Zenith, leaves and blades of grass swept in it all.

He could almost feel the pollen in the forests, the feeling of laying amidst the flowers... All of the peace he remembered feeling when he was smaller.

The rare moments he was down, this view always picked him back up. His eyes drifted back to Red, his happiness bubbling up even more.

"It's impressive as always..."

He knew Red already loved this moment.

"So are you..."

Red's face became pink as he smiled, like every word meant more than the world to him.

He wanted to freeze this moment in time forever; the sky, the music, and just being here with Solomon.

He heard Sol giggle as he licked his lips, bouncing in place in excitement over the food. He hadn't had this in forever and wanted to scarf it all down!

"Go ahead, love. It's all yours!-"

A sudden ringing echoed from inside, making them both flinch. Red sighed as Solomon got up and went in to get the phone, "Hang on, it's probably Carl..."

He rushed through the living room and kitchen, wondering what the guy could possibly be calling about. On it's millionth ring he picked it up.

"Hello? Hey Carl, what's up?"

"Yeah, hey! Solomon, uhhh, just wanted to double check something to be sure and everything." Carl spoke, Solomon swore the man always sounded nervous about something.

"What is it?"

"So, Usol's not allergic to anything as far as you guys know, right?"

"No, Usol doesn't have any allergies. He can eat pretty much anything a human kid can eat, why?"

"Oh, good, good! Cause he said he wanted something for dinner and all. I didn't want to make him sick-"

"I already told you I can eat the chicken nuggets just fine!" Usol's voice piped up.

"Hey little buddy! Having fun?"

He heard what he thought was Usol taking the phone from the man's hands, "Wh- Hey!"

"Yeah, lots of fun! Carl showed me all of these games he played when he was little- like Street Fighter 2 and- Oh! I have to show you when you come over! There's some you'd really like!"

"I bet there are, kiddo. It'd be nice to see them! Just keep yourself and Carl outta trouble, okay? Me and your dad are having a really nice dinner..."

"You're doing gross kissing stuff, aren't you?"

Solomon held back his laughter, "No, no! We're just eating dinner over here and playing games-"

"Sure you are..." Usol deadpanned.

"Ppffftt- Anyways, we'll pick you up later, buddy! We love you! Bye!"

"Bye, love you too! And stop being gross!-"

Solomon slumped over wheeze-laughing for a minute after he hung up, taking a while to compose himself. While there, he grabbed glasses of milk for him and Red before heading back outside and taking his seat.

"Something wrong?" Red tilted his head, taking his glass.

"Nah, Carl just wanted to make sure Usol didn't have any allergies. Little guy's having fun, though!"

The Hellbeast smiled as Sol shifted, getting comfortable. "Now, where were we..."

"Dinnertime!" Red bellowed, before digging into the spicy dish and bread with his claws and spoon, practically feeling the spice through the steam in his mouth.

He savored every single bite. It was just as good as he'd remembered with how all the flavor blended together so well.

"Dinnertime!" Sol chuckled.

The demon bat took a bite of his own, taken aback by the spiciness so much that he quickly began eating his bread.

"Whoo boy- added a bit too much this time, heh... What's the verdict, hun?"

Red slowed down his eating, taking a second to try more of the bread. "Delicious."

"Really? It's just as good as you remembered?"

"Mm-hm!" He nodded.

"I thought so! It's not too spicy for you?"

He swallowed a few more giant bites and shook his head. His bowl already half empty.

"Really? Cause I thought that stuff was gonna set my heart on fire... kinda like you do."

Red had stopped eating halfway through his bowl.

"Oh? I do that? Thought I stopped burning things a while ago..."

Solomon rested his chin on his hand, leaning closer to Red, both giving each other flustered smiles.

"Nah, you do it all the time. Always lighting it ablaze when I least expect it."

"You did it to mine first."

"I did? Well, you want me to help cool you off?" Sol interlocked his claws with Red's, seeing how pink his face was along with the smile he tried to hold back.

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yeah, it's the least I could do for you..."

"The least? Then what would the most be?"

"What'd you think it'd be? Hm?"

"I- Just- you- ughhh..." Steam emitted from the Hellbeast's back, stumbling over words, flustered. God dammit, how was this bat so good at flirting?!

"Ran outta smooth things to say, huh big guy?"

He gulped down most of his drink, trying to stop his overheating, "Shut up, you stupid bat..."

"Ha! You're gonna have to make me!"

"Why do you always do this to my heart...?"

"Do what? Make it full of love for me...?"

The Hellbeast cupped Sol's face with a clawed hand, caressing the softness beneath his claws as he pulled him closer. Both of them smiled.

The setting sun was frozen in the orange skies and petals flew slower in the winds of the summer afternoon, all as he stared at his husband.

A welcoming and loving sense of warmth spread from the fire within his stomach, feeling one of Solomon's hands snake to the back of his head as they both closed their eyes and-

The phone began to ring, again.

Both demons were slammed back into reality, sighing in annoyance. What could Carl possibly need now?

Solomon let got of Red -to his disappointment- and headed back into the kitchen to the ringing phone, muttering to himself before picking it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Solomon, it's me, Carl! I just wanted to check to make sure-"

"What's up now, man? Something else about Usol, I'm guessing?"

"Actually, yeah. I just wanted to ask what games he's allowed to play..." Some shuffling was heard on the other end as he looked through a pile of games.

"Why are you asking? Just stick to the ones you'd know the kid would like. As long as there's nothing a kid shouldn't see in them, anything's fine."

"I thought so. Uh, sorry if this was a bit dumb, I haven't watched over a kid in years. I just don't want to f- mess anything up."

"You're not messing anything up, Carl. Just make sure nothing bad happens to either of you, okay?"

"Okay, okay..."

"That's all I need you to do for me. Go and enjoy your dinner, Red's a bit frustrated now, actually..." Solomon laughed a bit.

"Oh, shit- I'm sorry man. Go and enjoy your date and all!-"

"Just leave them alone, you stupid goose!" Usol was heard shouting from across the room.

"I'm going to! Sheesh... is the kid usually like this?"

"I think he's just concerned with how much you're worrying today... But seriously, go relax and have a nice time, Carl. Everything's going to be fine."

"Yeah, you're right. Have a nice time, Sol!"

"You too." He quickly hung up the phone. He really didn't want to be a jerk, but now he sort of understood why Zach sometimes didn't like Carl.

The Hellbeast impatiently tapped his claws against the tablecloth as he scarfed down the last bit of his food. It was still delicious as always, but it was hard to enjoy all by himself without showering Sol with praise.

He always loved everything that Solomon had cooked, from full-on dishes to small snacks he'd thrown together, it all tasted like it'd come right from heaven. What made it better was how Solomon's face lit up at other's enjoyment of it.

That fuzzy feeling in his stomach returned as he remembered how Sol would give that same toothy smile and laugh. He used to hate that look on his face, he used to want to kill him.

But now, he wanted his bestest friend, his old enemy, now his husband, right before him. The lavender candles and music weren't nearly as calming as when the demon bat was here, intwining their claws tougher or making silly jokes...

"Hey there big guy...!"

The Hellbeast blinked in surprise as Solomon wrapped an arm over his shoulder, his wing draped over him.

"Aww, what's that handsome face of your so pink over? Is the spice finally getting to you?" He poked Red's cheek with a claw, giving that smile he always did.

"No? It didn't taste very spicy to me..."

"Really? Hm, guess I forgot you can't really taste most spices. Is that a Hellfire thing, or-"

"There's this one in there, that's-" He coughed, "Really starting to seep in..."

Solomon leaned closer, "That's odd, I don't think I remember putting that one in..."

"Maybe something sweet could help me out? Something we could share?"

"Yeah? You've got anything specific in mind? Maybe some desert, a game, or...?"

Red's head perked up, "How about a movie? With popcorn!"

"That sounds sweet enough to me, how about some snacks too? Would that make ya happy?"

The Hellbeast's chest rumbled with a purr when he scooped Solomon up into his arms and carried him inside, earning a small laugh. They considered what movies they could watch as they headed into the living room.

One suggestion was rewatching Evangelion, but that would take too long. It wasn't good for a date, kaiju fights and all.

Another was one of Red's many horror movies. The more serious and bloody ones wouldn't fit for tonight, either.

Solomon asked about watching one of the sillier bootleg horror films as he made the popcorn. Red dug through his collection for one. It wasn't a half-bad idea since they were always laughably horrible.

So, after some joking around, Red slid a slasher movie into the player and found a spot on the couch amid all of his snacks. He purred in glee as Sol sat and nestled at his side, a bowl of popcorn between them.

"So! Which one did ya pick for tonight? That crappy Friday the 13th one, or what?"

"Chopping Mall. That one's fun!" Red smiled, wrapping his tail around Sol's side.

"Ooohhh yeeaah! This is always a riot, haha! How could any of these teens find these robots scary?"

"I would survive, even if I was their age. Easily."

Solomon burst into laughter again, "I don't even think you'd need to be a kaiju to survive these things!"

"They die because they're stupid."

"Yeah, yeah, all horror movies are like that! It wouldn't be fun otherwise!"

The movie went on, past the intro and the security robots getting electrocuted and corrupted. The technicians had already died along with the cigarette guy and his girlfriend- all of it laughable as always.

How could anybody be afraid of three little robots you could just push over, or throw off the top floor of the mall? The characters probably didn't need guns or anything.

"Really, these guys could probably just keep hiding until the place opens!"

"Or set it on fire. Burn the tiny thing down."

"Yeah! Or they could hit it with-"

"Oh! Oh! This is the best part!"

While the other characters were off to the control room, another hit a robot with a golf cart. Although the shock killed him, the cart had taken out the killer machine.

"That's what I was gonna say! Hit the tiny thing with a golf cart...!" Solomon's shouting devolved into more laughter.

"See, the writers thought the same."

Sol clapped amid his laughter, making Red smile. What did he ever do to deserve such an amazing companion?

He waited a bit as Sol's laughter began to die down, coughing on some popcorn. He patted Sol's back as he caught his breath.

"Breathe, breathe."

"I'm alright, buddy. I'm alright... whew... Heh, like I said, this one's always a riot..."

"So are you, sometimes."

Solomon turned to him, then smiled. "I am? Never heard of that from you before. Anything else you wanna tell me...?"

Red leaned back as Sol got closer, "I'm sure you already know everything..."

"Like how much you want something sweet? Cause I've got you something!"

Solomon grabbed a box of pocky and put a stick to his mouth. A massive grin had already spread across Red's face, his tail wagging in anticipation.

He looked back to the kitchen, glaring at the phone. It hadn't rang in well over an hour. But it could ring again at any minute.

He felt Solomon place a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, don't worry about it. He won't interrupt this time, I'm sure of it."

Red sighed, feeling all the weight around him vanish as Solomon interlocked their claws together again. Together like they've always been, for as long as they've know each other. Red took his side of the stick, and gladly began eating it. Solomon did the same, trying to keep up.

Faster than expected, they got closer and closer. Once they were, Red chuckled in excitement and cupped Sol's face with his free hand, both pulled the other into a kiss. A calming warmth washed over the both of them, melting into the kiss.

Nothing else mattered now, only that they savor this moment for as long as they could-

Ringing murdered the silence yet again. Solomon tore away from Red as the Hellbeast grabbed his phone from the table. He didn't need to look to know who it was.

"What." He seethed, forcing down his rage.

Carl's voice sounded nervous on the other end, "Is this Red?-"

"Yes. What do you want."

"Okay, how do I explain this? Uhhhh... Usol set my TV on fire- the fire's out and all-"

Red's anger vanished, "How did that even-?"

"What?!" Solomon snatched the phone from Red, "Hang on, Carl, what caught fire?! Is everyone okay?!"

"Everyone's fine. Usol just got frustrated about a game while I was cleaning up. Thank God I hid an extinguisher in here... so the fire's out."

"Is Usol alright?"

Sniffling and muffled crying was heard on the other end. "Yeah, but the kid keep asking if he can go home now..."

Solomon sighed, "Don't worry, we'll get him in a bit. You have the money to replace the TV?"

"I- I think so, yeah. I'll try to keep us both calm in the meantime."

"Alright, Carl... See you in a bit." Sol flipped the phone shut. Red pulled him up from the couch, palm lit ablaze with a Hellfire portal ready. They both stepped through and knocked on Carl's door.

After some talking, and getting the now broken television out of his living room, they hugged and comforted Usol as much as they could. The small monster stayed in Red's arms and refused to leave.

"Are you sure you'll be fine? I can give you some money to replace it if you need it."

Carl shuffled through the cash in his wallet, "Oh, you don't have to-"

Sol placed a pile of silver and gold coins in his hand. "Please. Trade these into a shop, and use the money."

Carl closed his hand, "Thank you. Really, thanks."

The kaiju then took their leave, wishing Carl well, stepping back through another portal and into the living room. Usol yawned before he looked over the room, then at the TV, "Were you having a sleepover?"

"Yes, one with a lot of funny and scary movies!" Red patted Usol's head as he set the small monster down.

"Can I watch one with you? Please?"

"Isn't it your bedtime now?"

"Yeah, it's kinda late kiddo, but..." Solomon paused, thinking. Maybe they could stay up with Usol, just to let the night end on a good note. "Actually, we were gonna watch another movie, but there's just too many good choices. We'll let you pick!"

Usol's face lit up at that as he ran to Red's movie collection, the Hellbeast following as he looked through the shelves. After a bit of searching, he grabbed one and held it up, "I wanna watch this one!"

Red took it, "Home Alone? Hm, good choice."

The small monster giggled and rushed to the couch as Solomon finished tidying up the snacks and sat beside him. Solomon pulled him into a hug, "What'cha giggling about little guy? Find a good one?"

Usol nodded proudly as Red took his spot, wrapping his tail around them. The movie went by just as quickly as it started, with Solomon and Usol sharing snacks and playing around. At one point, they were trying to see who could balance more chips on Red's head, only to cheer when he devoured the whole stack.

Then Red asked Usol how he'd design traps, spiraling into a whole talk involving cooking ingredients, sharp tools, rocks, and other random objects. Even some loud movies were thrown in after seeing how it scared the bandits in the movie, getting more laughs out of them all.

Before they knew it, the chatter and snacks had slowed down and Usol drifted to sleep in Solomon's arms. The demon bat hugged him closely and perked up to kiss Red, just as his own tiredness caught up to him as well, their embrace too comforting.

The TV only now cast a faint glow on them all, credits rolled while Red rubbed his tired eyes. The living room was now a mess, snacks, crumbs, and wrappers surrounding him, with the two monsters he cared for the most sound asleep beside him.

The Hellbeast only sighed and smiled, hugging them closely, the Hellfire within keeping them warm. Sol and Usol only nestled closer to his side, he felt Usol hug his arm tightly, his heart now light. Sleep drifted over him, all three kaiju wrapped up in one another.