Chapter Text
Alastor was in the process of making a pitcher of sweet tea when he felt it. Forced habit kept his hands steady as the sensation of fabric pulled against his throat. A warning, one he hadn’t felt in months but knew intimately.
Two small minions formed from his shadow, one a lanky hunched figure with a smile like his own, while the other was slightly taller with long arms and a spaded tail. “Stay with them.” He ordered as his Shadow was pulled into the room. The expression it gave him was one of disgruntlement and anxiety. A mirror of the emotions he wouldn’t show. “Come along.” The words barely left his mouth before he was pulled to a new location.
Modern music drifted from somewhere as Alastor settled on his feet. The room was spacious, if rather empty. A shelf hosting a variety of books that changed at random along with an assortment of items one would see in tourist shops. A couch was pushed against a cream colored wall with a short coffee table covered in scattered papers and mug rings. Light emitted from a bulb embedded into the ceiling, shining with the brightness of a clinical light. The room would not be remiss as a simple display; no pictures, no windows, no touch of personhood.
Turning fully around to the door, Alastor could have pretended that a mortal stood before him. Standing at his chest, the figure had regal features that Alastor had seen every day for months. Minus the darker coloration of the figure, they shared many traits with the Princess of Hell. A darker touch to their complexion could have placed them anywhere around the world. Their champagne hair pulled back into a low tail, and held the same heavy wave as Charlie’s own. A splatter of freckles dotted their cheeks where Charlie’s permanent blush would be. If the Princess were to ever attempt a human form, Alastor idly thought she would resemble them.
“Hello Eve,” Alastor greeted the woman scowling at him. Eyes of amethyst narrowed as the fair haired female continued to stare at Alastor. Neither spoke, not because Alastor had nothing to say. On the contrary, he had plenty to say to the Mother of Humanity. The biggest was a demand for why his Energy had changed. Past experience had taught him that Eve wasn’t one to answer right away though. Time had not been kind to the forgotten and betrayed wife of Adam.
“You were supposed to protect her.” Eve’s lips never moved but her voice pushed at Alastor’s hearing. “She’s supposed to stay safe. Not flouncing around Heaven!” Prey instincts had Alastor’s knees shaking as he forced himself to remain still. “An Exorcist? Another purge? Adam threatening her?!” Eve listed off while her eyes darkened with power.
“All taken into account and adjusted for,” Alastor dismissed. Eve snarled, the growl hitting Alastor in the chest and making the music around them screech and warp with her voice. “In fact,”
“Shut up! You fucked up.” Eve spun on her heel, disappearing around a support wall into what Alastor knew to be a kitchen. “Adam is planning to go after her. He’s pissed that the Seraphim got caught. Roo’s hiding him and I don’t!” Alastor ducked with his Shadow as a pan was thrown past him.
Alastor waited as Eve charged around the space and allowed her power to whip around them. Alastor would have been concerned if he wasn’t worried about what Eve hadn’t mentioned. Lucifer and Doe were factors that Eve hadn’t considered. Lucifer had been tucked away for years, and had been ignoring Charlie for longer. Yes, Alastor had considered what to do if Lucifer decided to show up. He’d considered many different plans when he’d gone to see the Princess. From simple kidnapping to integrating his power into hers so fully he could force her to do what was necessary.
He had never considered a baby.
“You will do everything. Everything. To keep her safe.” Eve stood in front of the pieces of her couch, panting as power flickered a demonic overlay on her. Curled horns of ebony flickered in and out of view over her head, while a spiked tail whipped behind him. Mortal and Demonic, human and monster.
“As if our Deal would allow anything else.” Alastor said with canned laughter emanating from his cane. Eve turned her head to glare back at him. “She will be safe.” He assured her before holding out his cane. Eve didn’t move for a beat, the angry music settling into a soft country melody before she nodded her head in ascent.
An easy wave summoned a few mindless shades that quickly set to work repairing Eve’s tantrum. The woman watched them before turning and facing him once again. Alastor forced his ears still as amethyst eyes looked him over with the scrutiny of a spyglass. Hard-won skill kept his eyes on the space between her own and his legs from making a retreat as she walked closer.
“Lucifer has even reappeared.” Though her lips never moved, Alastor heard the words edged in wonder as Eve scrutinized him. “What brought Lucifer back?” She whispered as fire gently cupped his face. Alastor felt the sensation of fabric around his neck stiffen as Eve pulled on his chain. “Why aren’t you angry?”
To lie and claim no knowledge sat on the edge of Alastor’s lip. He could tell her Lucifer had appeared as a passing fancy, a way to remind Charlie of his presence. “He wants to help.” The truth tasted like the first sip of a strong coffee. “He hopes to make amends and not repeat his mistakes.”
“Amends?” In for a penny. “He abandoned her, spouted nonsense about my children’s worth.” Eve’s voice grew like the beginning of a flame. “He focused more on himself than he ever did on his family.” She growled with the edge of her fangs touching her lips. “Lilith and Charlie suffered for years because he couldn’t-” Demonic features shimmered like heat waves over the woman’s face.
“It would seem,” Alastor carefully moved away from Eve. “Old dogs can learn new tricks.” The laughter from his cane seemed more static as he watched Eve calm. “Congratulations, your youngest niece is quite the charm.”
… …
Husk was keeping one eye on Doe as she squirmed around the Egg Boys and one eye on Niffty. The woman had decided to put barriers all over the Lobby, ripping apart throw pillows to stitch soft cushions around any hard surface. Currently she was turning a side table into an ottoman with scraps from a pillow.
“You’re very small!” An Egg exclaimed as another lay across from her.
“Yeah! And you smell!” Another added before it was pushed away by a fourth Egg. How Pentious kept track of the things Husk wouldn’t know. “Watch out!” Husk rolled his eyes, feeling his years as he moved to sit on his knees and push the creatures away before they tumbled over Doe. Pentious was too absorbed by his project to help and Husk could see how Doe was getting cranky.
“C’mere runt,” she fit snugly against his chest. “Go help Niff,” he ordered the Eggs. It shocked Husk how much he could remember from his life as he shifted his arm enough to balance Doe. The girl met his eye with wide innocence and curiosity, reminding Husk of things he’d thought gone. “Shit!” The grit in his tone was covered by the coo as tiny fingers yanked his whiskers.
Husk bit his tongue to keep any other curses from slipping out. Doe was just doing what all babies did, grab and pull. Least she hadn’t bit him or tried to lick him. Small nails, akin to puppy or kitten nails, pulled on his lip as he moved them both over to the bar. Thanks to the King’s renovations, there was a small fridge under the bar that he kept a few things inside. “Here,” a small but shiny necklace was pulled from the device and placed over Doe. “Chew on that.” He ordered as Doe leaned back and grabbed at the new item.
Husk had a lot of time on his hands, not everyone drank as much as he did. So that left him with time to craft the metal lids into small things. Doe, instead of investigating with her mouth, decided to shove the cold, smooth metal into his. Husk smirked when he caught it between his lips, careful not to let it get into his mouth before blowing it out.
“Aa!” Doe squealed in delight. Husk let her do it a few more times before settling her in an empty sink. He would have used the playpen, if Niffty hadn’t started taking it apart to use for barriers as well. Years of habit allowed him to keep an eye on Doe, Niffty, and the rest as he fixed orders.
“Gimme,” Angel appeared with a tension in his shoulders and a frown on his face. Usually Husk would reach for an amber mix of alcohol that would ease those things for the spider. “Whatcha got, Womb Nugget?” He laughed as Doe gave a bleat from being picked up and gently manhandled to face the male.
“Work?” Husk already knew the problem, but he still spoke in case he was ever wrong. Angel hummed but kept his attention on Doe as she attempted to grab at his face. She gave him a wide smile when he playfully bit at her hands before she discovered his chest fluff.
“Val’s trying to tell me I need ta make up hours.” He explained, tilting his head and laughing when Doe buried her face into the space under his chin. “I am the softest!” Husk rolled his eyes with a half smile while sliding a ginger ale with cherry syrup onto the bar.
“She’s gonna pull,” Husk warned. Angel used one of his hands to wave him off as he took a sip of his drink and continued to hold Doe.
“She’s a baby, they do that.” Angel told him as Doe leaned back to look at Angel again. “You’re just a baby!” Doe just smiled before twisting to look around. “I’ll probably leave early, get it all done.” He explained as he absently shifted Doe to a more secure hold. Husk nodded, ears twitching towards where Pentious had caused a mess.
“Out! Out, out, out!” The snake Sinner yelled to his eggs. Husk pulled his focus back to Angel, watching the duo cuddle at his bar. It was oddly nice. Maybe having a baby around wouldn’t be a bad thing.
… …
Lucifer watched the last rolled up invitation vanish with a puff of ash. His hands were cramped, his back hurt, and his eyes felt like he hadn’t blinked in hours. After a quick shower, he had set to work writing out a few letters to the Sins to explain the radio broadcast. Then he attempted to clean his room. Key word being attempted, because in the process he had remembered he needed to give everyone a warning for what he’d done.
“Ow,” the groan of his voice hurt his ears. The room was still a mess, and he was still in only a towel. His skin felt too dry and pins and needles raced from where he’d kept his legs and feet bent. How many letters and invitations had he written?
“Dinner with the girls and then a nap.” He told himself as he fell over and closed his eyes. “I’ll make grilled cheese and soups.” He mumbled with a smile. The simple dish had been a favorite of Lilith’s. He could remember Lilith making three or four at a time to eat with salsa or tomato soup. He hoped Charlie could forgive him for not making them as good as Lilith, but he liked to think they were pretty decent.
… …
Michael sighed as another one of his friends padded away with no news. He’d started searching for Adam after Sera had been forced from her position as High Seraphim. Jerahmeel hadn’t wanted to let Emily fill the position, saying she was too young. Uriel had demanded they needed someone as a High Seraph. Azrael had suggested placing an angel with a domain. It had devolved into an argument that hadn’t ended till Gabriel had spoken.
Until Emily was considered to have learned enough from each of them, the position of High Seraph would remain empty. The duties of the position would be split amongst the siblings as they had been in the beginning. Gabriel would take the various message forms, Uriel the prayers of Souls, Jerahmeel would assist the Winners, and Michael would take over the overview of law and rule.
It was tedious, slow, and empty. Something he hadn’t expected. He’d been on edge because of the absence of action. Sera and Adam had led the exterminations for decades. Adam had stood at the head of an army made of Guardians. Michael scratched at his hands while his mind tried to figure things out.
“Mrup,” Billi forced his way into Michael’s lap. His small fuzzy body pushed between his hands as he worked his paws into Michael’s chest. Purs spilled from the cat as Michael slowly began to pet him, running blunt fingers through the fur while his mind settled.
“Where would Adam go? Hundreds of Guardians,” he mumbled. For all that Winners claimed, Heaven wasn’t endless. It had as many layers as Hell, with dozens of hidden pockets that were rumored to overlap with Earth. In theory, Adam could have gone and hidden in one. He had been in Heaven for nearly a millennia, so it would make sense for him to know a few of the secrets.
“Mike,” Raph greeted as they entered his office. “Kebi said you’d be here.” They explained while inspecting the room. “Father, this place is a mess.” Mike wanted to roll his eyes at his sibling, but Billi headbutted him before he could. “Is that the same clothes from our last meeting?”
Michael glanced down at his shirt and tried to remember how long he’d been in his office. From Raph’s words and tone, the meeting had been a while ago, but how long ago? He couldn’t see any unusual stains or smell anything to imply he needed to change.
“Nope! You are coming with me.” Raph ordered, moving around the desk to grab him as Billi jumped away.
“I’m fine,” Michael tried to argue. “Raph-”
“You weigh as much as Dowan! We’re going to eat and you are getting fresh clothes.” Raph manhandled him out the door with a smug Billi following them. Michael made several attempts to speak, but Raph continued to berate his timekeeping and clothing skills. It was enough chaos that Michael would have missed the small grey and white kitten if he hadn’t been desperate for a distraction.
“Gatinha!” The small ball of fluff jumped in surprise at his yell, but quickly ran over to them with a roll bigger than her on her back. “Let me,” quick movement and Michael was free of his sibling.
“Yeet.” Raph’s monotone made Michael want to stamp his feet and throw the other. “You’ll get this. After you eat and change.” They told him while holding the roll of paper in their own hand.
“Raph, this is important!” Michael grumbled as he lifted the tired kitten into his hands and stood up. “That’s a letter from-”
“From Lucifer,” Raph read. “If you want to read it, you need to hurry up with what I said.” Michael debated the merit of tackling the other. He could easily pin them down and snatch the roll away, but what if it ripped? “Tick tock, hurry up.” Raph ordered while shoving the roll into an oversized pocket on their shirt. “Food. Clothes. Letter.”
Michael did not use profanity often, but the terms he did have Raph’s face imitating a red light bulb.