Asmodeus shook off his shoes from his feet, then slid into more comfortable slippers. He had changed from his scrubs to tan slacks and a loose white button-up shirt: nice enough for the restaurant, but breathable and roomy. Altair followed suit, changing from his white robes to a black silk shirt and matching dress pants, completed by black loafers with gold soles.

“Hey, you look nice,” Asmodeus commented, eyeing Altair up and down.

Altair blushed, looking away. “So do you.”

Beaming, Asmodeus pulled Altair close and kissed his forehead gently. At the sound of the doorbell, he quickly released him and stepped back, allowing Altair to answer the door.

As the door creaked open, Asmodeus’ eyes widened at the bulky man behind it. He was tan skinned and bleach blond with deep, dark blue eyes accented with eyeliner that flicked outward on his bottom lid. He was tall and muscled with teal ribbons wrapped around his forearms. A dark turquoise compression tank failed to hide the grooves of his chiseled pecs and abs, and his hips dipped beneath white, wide-legged jeans pulled high above his waist. The jeans were secured with a ribbon, matching the ones on his arms, and his feet were covered by simple dark slip-ons with white accents.

His deep blue eyes immediately locked onto Asmodeus, his gaze piercing and his facial features drawn into a slightly neutral expression just one step away from a scowl.

Altair ushered him in, the two of them exchanging silent yet understanding nods. As he stepped through the door frame, Asmodeus caught sight of a white motorcycle parked out front, detailed with teal, turquoise, and silver. Altair sat down in their living room, gesturing towards Asmodeus and their guest to join him.

Asmodeus opted to sit next to Altair on their loveseat while the other man settled into a chair across from them, folding his hands across his large chest. Their seats were separated only by a long mahogany coffee table.

Finally, Altair broke the thick silence that their guest’s presence had unintentionally created. He pointed to the man, turning to Asmodeus, and spoke, “Asmodeus, this is Gabriel, my superior. Gabriel, this is Asmodeus, my boyfriend.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Asmodeus extended a hand. Gabriel merely looked at him, eyes cold and calculating. Finally, he unfolded his arms and extended his hand, shaking Asmodeus’ firmly.

“Pleasure.” His voice was deep and filled with gravitas. He turned to look at Altair, disregarding Asmodeus. “You didn’t tell me your boyfriend was a demon.”

Altair shifted nervously. “Yes, well, I… I didn’t want any of the angels to find out and hunt him down, or…”

Gabriel blinked, leaning back in his chair. “Of course not. I understand. But if I had known…” his eyes locked back onto Asmodeus, making him feel like his every move was being scrutinized. “I would have visited sooner to question him.”

Altair quickly turned to Asmodeus. “Right! Azzy, Gabriel has been looking for a specific demon for a long time. Perhaps you can help him.”

“Huh?” Asmodeus raised an eyebrow. “I mean, I suppose I could try and help. But it’s been decades since I got kicked out of Hell, I can’t be certain that I know every demon’s whereabouts.”

“The demon I am looking for is fairly well-known and very powerful,” Gabriel assured. “You may know of him, he’s famous for his wit and… charming… personality. Of course, I’m not sure if he still goes by the same name. I haven’t heard it in so long…”

Asmodeus’ eyes flitted over to Altair, who seemed to be listening intently to their conversation, before looking back towards Gabriel. “Perhaps. Who was it you’re looking for? I’ll do my best to help.”

Gabriel’s eyes darkened and his voice went low as he uttered, “Beelzebub.”

Freezing, Asmodeus bit down on the inside of his cheek. Finally, he asked, “Wh-what is it that you’re wanting with him?”

Eyebrows shooting up, Gabriel’s expression immediately softened and he offered a small smile. “Don’t worry. Me and him just have unfinished business.”

That only made Asmodeus worry more.

Asmodeus swallowed before speaking again. “Beelzebub is my older brother. Well, half-brother. He was born in the mortal world and I was born in Hell, see.”

Gabriel leaned forward, eyes widening. “Where is he now?”

Snorting, Asmodeus scoffed, “Most likely still in Hell. When I got kicked out, he had been going through a severe depressive state and refused to leave his room. He never went up to the surface much, anyways. Probably doesn’t like dealing with angels who try to track his every movement…”

The last sentence was more pointed, as if Asmodeus spoke from experience. It was Gabriel’s turn to shift nervously.

“I apologize. Angels have orders to make sure demons aren’t causing trouble for mortals,” Gabriel said matter-of-factly. “We are simply trying to keep the balance between us both.”

Asmodeus sighed, dropping his serious expression. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Wouldn’t have met Altair without that… but Beelzebub doesn’t like having eyes on him. He usually prefers a more reclusive setting.”

“That does line up…” Gabriel murmured. “I’ve been hunting down demons for years now, hoping to see him again. You know, back before Heaven and Hell were even created, we were quite the… rivals.”

Blinking, Asmodeus suddenly shot forward. “Wait, are you the “troublesome, annoying, pain in my ass, sculpted hunk of a general” that Beelzebub always talks about?”

Gabriel looked surprised, a smile creeping onto his features. “Is… is that how he describes me?”

“He’d go on about you a lot,” Asmodeus said, “and sometimes used some very… choice and colorful words.”

“Sounds just like him,” Gabriel sighed wistfully.

“Well, if you have a score to settle with my brother…” Asmodeus grew serious again. “You’ll probably have to wait a while before he shows up again.”

Gabriel’s expression became serious too as he nodded, “I understand. But I have waited nearly a century. I can wait longer.”

─── ♡ ♢ ☀︎ ✩ ☽ ♧ ♤ ───

“Skye.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Got three letters for ya to deliver tomorrow. It’s very simple, to be delivered to the capitals of each kingdom. Even you can’t mess this up.”

“You got it, boss! I can do it!”

─── ♡ ♢ ☀︎ ✩ ☽ ♧ ♤ ───

The soft thrum of the overhead lights provided the only background noise for Dr. Alde, save for the occasional clinking of mechanical gear. His glove lay half disassembled on his desk, pieces carefully marked and organized as he slotted piece after piece back into place.

If the lab weren’t underground, or if there was a clock somewhere in the lab, Dr. Alde would have seen that it was well past sundown. The only clues to this, however, was his steadily slipping consciousness and the sound of Frankie cleaning upstairs.

His head fell onto the desk with a soft thud, unable to fight back against the drowsiness anymore, pieces clattering from his hand onto the desk. The sounds from upstairs paused and heavy footsteps began thumping overhead and down the stairs. The footsteps paused just before they reached the bottom, accompanied by a gentle and upbeat “hm” before resuming their steps, trodding over to Dr. Alde. Deft and gentle hands readjusted Dr. Alde before lifting him up, establishing a firm grip around his torso and arms and another under the crook of his legs.

Frankie brought Dr. Alde upstairs, casting a glance at the clock that stood at the end of the hallway, directly opposite of the laboratory’s entrance. He took a sharp right into Dr. Alde’s bedroom, carrying him towards a large sized bed resting underneath a large window, silver moonlight filtering in through the partially opened slats.

He lowered Dr. Alde into bed, peeling off his clothes and shoes and redressing him in comfortable, breathable pajamas. Then, he tucked him in. Frankie reached over to the window, grabbing the drawstring and making sure the slats were closed all the way, basking the room in an even deeper darkness.

He straightened up and turned to leave when Dr. Alde groaned and shifted in his sleep. Frankie froze, turning his head to peer at Dr. Alde’s silhouette from the corner of his eyes.

Dr. Alde’s brief restlessness was interrupted by sudden snoring. Frankie released a sigh of relief, making a quick exit and leaving the door cracked open just a little.

Just how “he” liked it.

As Frankie finished cleaning up the kitchen and removed a kettle of tea from the stove, he heard the sound of Dr. Alde’s bed creaking, as though a heavy object were removing itself from the mattress. Frankie peered at the clock on the wall again, a small smile creeping on his face.

Right on time.

The bedroom door creaked open and a bright orange light flooded into the hallway, casting a golden shine across the kitchen floor and walls. Frankie turned to face the person approaching him, arms folded neatly before him in anticipation.

A hand wrapped itself around the doorway—although it was less of a hand and more of a claw that flickered and danced like fire—before pushing itself forward and into the kitchen. At first it was just a flickering mass, no different in appearance than a ravaging wildfire, until it slowly took shape. It formed eyes that glowed a bright white and a mouth that spat hot fire every time it opened.

Frankie merely looked at it with an expectant smile, as though they were friends meeting up for tea time.

In fact, that’s exactly how it was.

Gingerly lifting up the tea kettle, Frankie poured a single mug of hot water and dropped in a tea bag, stirring languidly. The fire creature watched him intently, before it spoke low and hoarsely.

“What flavor of tea today, Frankie?”

Frankie ceased his stirring, lifting up the tea bag from the drink. “Fenugreek.” he paused, pointing his stirrer at the creature. “Did you burn any of Master Alde’s things on your way out?”

“Nope! In the clear! You can check if ya want.”

“I trust you, Master Hyde.” Frankie tossed the tea bag in the air, the creature—Hyde—catching it in his mouth. It was gone in less than a second, disintegrated as Hyde smacked his fiery mouth open and shut. “Beesides, if you did leave any scorch marks, I’m sure Master Alde will complain about it in the morning.”

Hyde’s eyes narrowed as he slunk towards Frankie, still careful not to touch anything flammable. “Master this, master that… Come on, Frankie, at least one of the few things me and the doctor can agree on is that you don’t need to call us master!”

Frankie averted his gaze, sipping his tea. “I apologize, ma- er, Mr. Hyde. I can’t help it.” He sighed, placing the mug down with a soft clink. “It’s certainly troublesome that you and the mast- Dr. Alde, I mean, share a body. I wish I could talk to both of you at once, and I wish the two of you could talk your differences out.”

“Trust me, kid,” Hyde hissed, turning his sights to a plate of cookies laid on the kitchen table, “me and the doc ain’t really creatures of talkin’.”

“Go ahead.” Frankie gestured to the plate of cookies. Hyde immediately set himself upon them, shoveling cooking into his mouth eagerly. He smiled. “You both talk to me rather easily.”

Hyde burned through the cookies quickly, releasing a hot belch in response. He turned back to Frankie, his jagged mouth torn into a frown. “That’s ‘cause you’re easy to talk to. That doc that’s slumberin’ in my belly right now? Heh… we’re the same stubborn creature. Chats will get us nowhere.”

Frankie hummed disappointedly before shaking his head. “You made sure not to jostle Master Alde, right?”

“Of course. I know if I woke him, I wouldn’t be here!” Hyde barked out a laugh. Deep beneath the flames that made up Hyde’s body, Frankie spotted the silhouette of his Dr. Alde, curled up and still asleep. Such was the deal with Dr. Alde’s curse: whenever he fell asleep, Mr. Hyde woke up and set fire to everything he loved. He refused to sleep for days on end in fear of the fiery beast.

At least, that’s how it used to be before Frankie moved in and caught Mr. Hyde, scolding him for hours. That day, the fire creature had learned that true fear was an angry butler who had just finished cleaning and now had to deal with scorch marks on the floors, walls, and his master’s things. But overtime, he’d also grown to respect Frankie, and eventually they grew close enough that Hyde could even call him his first “friend”. Of course, he’d never admit that to Frankie or anyone other than himself. But the two of them came to an agreement that Frankie would feed Mr. Hyde as long as he left Dr. Alde’s belongings alone, and Hyde found it impossible to refuse the offer of free food. 

“Oh! Before I forget…” Frankie strode over to the fridge, looking through its contents briefly before pulling out a giant tuna. “Here, for you. Delphina gifted it to us, but Master Alde doesn’t particularly like seafood, so I prepared it for you instead.”

Hyde had appeared over Frankie’s shoulder, peering at it curiously. “I’ve never had fish before. They’re always underwater, can’t quite get to them, y’know?”

Frankie laughed. “Of course. I’ll be sure to get you more seafood then, shall we? Or even crab or lobster!”

“I would love to eat the shells off of one of those little buggers,” Hyde said, then consumed the tuna whole. He let out a groan of satisfaction, before slinking to the doorway. “That was delicious as always, Frankie. But I think my fire is ready to burn out already.”

“Goodnight, Master Hyde.” Frankie offered a slight bow.

“Just Hyde.”

“...Mr. Hyde.”

“Just- nevermind, forget it. Goodnight, Frankie.”

─── ♡ ♢ ☀︎ ✩ ☽ ♧ ♤ ───

“Someone sent warning letters to the post office.” Bai Guo shuffled in, quickly dropping to her knees in a bow. The crimson curtains remained drawn, shielding the figure of her queen like usual.

“I see…” came that low, sultry voice. “Let us continue anyways. Even with a warning, they are no match for your archaic magic.”

Bai Guo nodded solemnly. “Of course…”

“For your hard work, why not go to Branzino’s? Treat yourself to a nice meal.”

“Um… okay.”