Chapter Seventeen
When I woke up the next morning, the pain in my hand was gone. But, oddly, so was the pain in the rest of my body. I sat up, my joints not cracking back into place, as they were where they should be already. I blinked a few times in confusion. My feet touched the cool stone floor and instead of sharp cold needles of pain on every rough bump, it was cool, soothing almost.
It confused me so much. Did Simeon heal my chronic pain along with my hand? As I sat there soaking in the fact things didn’t hurt I fought back tears. I took a deep, shaky breath.
I owed him so much.
But that would have to wait. He was still asleep and I needed to go get started on lunch. I got dressed for cooking and padded out of my room. I was usually light on my feet to reduce the pain of stepping. But now I was light on my feet because there was no pain to moving freely. It was still odd to do things without a side of pain.
“Good morning, Drizzm,” Barbatos greeted as I practically floated around a corner, “You’re up early.”
“Am I,” I questioned, “I slept about as much as I normally do.”
“Is that so? It seems that everyone else will be asleep for a while longer. Would you like some tea?”
“Sure, thank you. I’m gonna go grab my tablet real quick though. I forgot it.”
He nodded and I went to my room to grab it, then made my way back to the kitchen. While I use it mostly as a drawing tablet, it can also be used like a normal ass tablet. So I pulled up some recipes I liked a lot so I could get started on some of the longer ones. I had a lot of dishes because I picked one for each person.
“You’re quite prepared,” Barbatos remarked.
“Well, I want everyone to have at least one thing they would like,” I explained, “And I’ve been dying for cinnamon rolls.”
I heard him chuckle as I kneaded the dough. I got the other things set up that needed to rest for a while. The noise of tea preparations accompanying me. After putting things aside I took a seat with Barbatos, who poured me a cup as I sat. The handle of the cup didn’t feel like a dull knife digging into my finger. I sipped the tea happily.
“You’re in quite high spirits this morning,” he pointed out, “Most genuinely so, as far as I’ve seen.”
“Oh, well,” I guess I should have expected he would notice. He notices everything, “ I suppose there’s a reason for that. Simeon healed my chronic pain last night after the pillow fight.”
“You had chronic pain?”
I nodded, surprised he didn’t notice that out of all things, “One of those invisible problems, y’know? But, I’m free from it now. It’s weird. Picking up this cup didn’t hurt, and the stone floor doesn’t cause sharp pain in my feet. I don’t know how I’m going to repay him.”
“Why don’t you ask Luke?”
“Yeah, that was probably gonna be part of the plan. But he’s also an author so maybe I can pick out an extra nice fountain pen? Or a vintage one?”
“Whatever you think of I’m sure Simeon will appreciate it.”
“I could probably give him a cool rock and he’d appreciate it. He cares about the intent.”
He chuckled and we kept chatting as I continued working on my dishes. He helped me figure out how to use the oven and where all the kitchen utensils and ingredients are. Soon enough Solomon joined us in the kitchen. And Barbatos was not a fan. It didn’t take long for me to find out why. The food looked like it was supposed to, good even. But the ingredients were just all wrong.
Thankfully the kitchen was big enough that I could keep my dishes completely separate from his. Though what he made wasn’t food. He made science experiments dressed up as food.
It was afternoon by the time everyone got up and gathered together to eat. Barbatos promised that he safely hid Diavolo’s and Lucifer’s dishes so they could eat it when they woke up. Apparently they stayed up until dawn talking. I’m sure they did.
While packing I approached Simeon, “Simeon, I wanted to say thank you. I’ve never experienced life like this and it’s so overwhelming it makes me want to cry.”
“Aw,” he hugged me, “You’re very welcome. Your joy is everything I could have hoped for.”
“I still feel like I need to repay you. You didn’t have to do that for me.”
“Drizzm. It’s my choice. I want you to repay me by living happily.”
We smiled at each other. I guess he really is an angel, huh? We finished packing and left to go back to our respective dorms. So, back to the House of Lamentation with the others. On the way back I made my way to the front of the group where Lucifer was leading.
“Hey, Lucifer,” I gently called, nervous about how Diavolo may have chewed him out, “Can we please talk when we get back?”
“Must we,” he sighed tiredly. As if you gave me any choice before, so.
“Unfortunately, yes. It’s better to communicate than ruminate. Trust me, I’d rather we not have to do this. But I can’t stand feeling like this anymore.”
“Drizzm-”
“OI! No hoggin’ Drizzm,” Mammon suddenly pulled me away as I yelped in surprise. I ended up getting bounced around from brother to brother, mostly Mammon and Asmo, the rest of the way back. I told the others to inform Asmo of our plan, but to make sure to leave Satan in the dark.
After putting my stuff in my room I went to Lucifer’s and knocked, calling out to him. His footsteps got louder until he opened the door. It took him a second to actually step aside and let me in, motioning to the sofa. I sat on it. I stared around his room since it was the first time I had really been in here. It was a massive ass room, I think the biggest in the house. Wonder what he needed all that space for.
“Are you just going to stare at my room,” he sat across from me, “I believe you wanted to talk?”
“I do,” I nodded, then sighed, “But now, I’m not really sure where to start.”
“Then, you won’t mind if I do, right,” he leaned forward, “Why didn’t you tell Lord Diavolo until he forced you?”
“Because I genuinely don’t think you intended on crushing my hand. I also didn’t wanna cause a fuss. Can you imagine what would have happened if everyone knew?”
The look on his face told me everything, “You still kept it a secret even though we don’t have a good relationship.”
“And who’s fault is that Lucifer?”
“Don’t put all the blame on me.”
“Trust me, *I* know how to take responsibility. Remember the *tomb*?”
He sighed, “if you just listened to me…”
“That’s not a good relationship Lucifer. I don’t want a fucking business partnership where we shake hands and go about our lives completely separately. I want to actually get to know you and be your damn friend! But you’re so fucking blinded by your attempts at “protecting” your family or making sure that Diavolo’s “magic” plan doesn’t fail that you’re fucking sabatoging it!”
I took a breath. I was standing now, yelling at him. Surprisingly, he didn’t really try to stop me, “Is that all?”
That smug ass attitude made me so angry, “No. I fucking hate that you hate me. It hurts, that’s why I’m so mad.”
That smug ass attitude made me so angry, “No. I fucking hate that you hate me. It hurts, that’s why I’m so mad.”
“Drizzm, wait,” Lucifer grabbed my shoulder, turning towards him. I moved my shoulder from his hand, “Look at me.”
I sighed, trying to not look sad. I guess it didn’t work very well, “I’m sorry,” I looked away again. “Why do you insist on befriending me?”
“Because I can tell that this front you put on isn’t you. It’s part of you, sure. But I want to know *you* Lucifer. Who you are underneath the miles of walls to keep others out. I know you said you didn’t want to be friends. But, why? Why do you insist at keeping me away?”
He didn’t answer.
“I could give a convincing reason on why you should be my friend, if you’d like.”
“Oh? And what’s that?”
“This is a good one. You want Diavolo’s exchange to be a success right?”
“Yes?”
“Well, while it’s good enough I don’t die, I suppose. But that’s not very convincing that it’s a good plan. But if the Avatar of Pride himself is able to form a genuine connection with a human? Now that’s interesting.”
“That’s quite convincing indeed,” he seemed amused, “As for my reason for refusing your efforts? I suppose you could they were reasons similar to the others,” he paused, before giving a sheepish smile. Oh? “That still wasn’t very honest of me, was it?”
“Certainly a half truth, at least.”
“I suppose I should be honest right now,” he sighed.
“Please,” I quietly begged, “I just want to know you.”
Something flashed in his eyes, “I shouldn’t like that as much as I do.”
“Huh,” my cheeks flushed as I absorbed what he said.
The panic in his wide eyes told me that he didn’t want to say that out loud, “That’s not what I meant.”
“Enlighten me because there are two ways I can take that.”
“I meant that you look adorable,” he explained painfully, this is not the conversation he wanted, “When you asked for the art tour you gave similar look.”
“Oh,” I had no words. He found me adorable? The way my heart skipped I knew my face was like a tomato.
“You know,” he suddenly teased, “I quite like that too. I haven’t seen that look before.”
Heart. Please. Beat normal. I looked away. I can’t believe that’s all it takes for this demon to make me feel like this. A gentle touch under my chin as he lifted my head to look at him. He was smiling, definitely enjoying this. I was supposed to be scolding him not falling for him!
CRASH!
We jumped as the others began arguing outside the door. I held my hand on my chest to try and calm my heart beat. We both sighed as I gave him a smile and opened the door.
“Y’all done eavesdroppin’,” I crossed my arms at their pile.
“Actually Drizzm,” Satan pulled himself out of the pile, “I heard you were forming pacts to gain Lucifer’s respect.”
I glared at the others and they didn’t even try to explain themselves. I literally just had a cute moment with Lucifer and now we’re gonna fucking fight again.
“My respect,” Lucifer asked behind me, “Why?”
God fucking damn it, dude.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Satan cut him off, “I know the pacts are annoying to Lucifer, so I want to form one with you.”
“What?!” Both me and Lucifer yelled, but they were very different.
“Satan, you can’t do that,” Lucifer scolded, “A pact-”
I don’t have to listen to you,” Satan snapped, “You’re always telling us what to do! If I want to make a pact, then you can’t stop me.”
“As long as you are under this roof I can,” he pushed me to side to fight with Satan, blocking my way out of his room. After a few minutes of them yelling, “If you hate it, then get out of the house!”
Satan recoiled then glared, “Fine! I will,” he stomped off to his room and Lucifer stepped back into his room and shut the door, locking it again. I was still in there and I had no idea what to do next. I didn’t want to say anything and make him upset. But also staying silent and staying here wasn’t really an option.
“Would you like me to leave,” I asked softly, a worried look on my face.
“Why do they want pacts with you,” Lucifer lamented, “Why couldn’t they just resist you? You’re just a human.”
“Lucifer? Do you really think I’m trying to take your family?”
“No,” he sighed sadly, “It feels like that.”
I grabbed his hands in mine and looked him in the eyes, “I promise you. The last thing I want to do is take your family.”
He just looked at me sadly. I really hoped this whole thing with Belphegor worked out.
“I hate seeing that look,” I hugged him, “My heart breaks with you.”
He tensed but surprisingly hugged me back. I expected him to shove me away. But, I’ll take this over how we usually interact. He never relaxed, trying to keep as much of his pride as possible. Avatar of Pride indeed.
“You don’t need to say anything,” I softly told him, “I’ll be here for you either way.”
“Why?”
So quiet.
“Because I want to. You’re so stressed taking care of others and making sure everything is moving along as it should. But, you don’t really seem to have someone to lean on for emotional help. Don’t take what I say as pity. It’s kindness, and it’s a deliberate choice. I want to be here for you. You deserve peace like this too.”
He hugged me tighter, “I believe you. It’s just hard to comprehend.”
“Comprehend me? You might have better luck getting Mammon to pay his debts,” I joked, “As long as you believe me, then that’s good enough.”
He did a short sharp exhale through his nose. Wow, he did the scrolling on the phone and you see something funny thing. I hope he was laughing at the Mammon joke. I felt him lean over, just barely touching what I assumed to be his lips to the top of my head. Then he took a slow deep breath, before sighing. While still very tense, he did relax just a little.
“You should go speak to Satan,” Lucifer sighed, his breath heating my head “He’s only likely to talk to you right now.”
I quietly whined, not wanting the moment to end, “Fine. I guess I gotta go be responsible.”
“Don’t you have a strong sense of responsibility?”
“Haha,” I sarcastically laughed, pulling myself away from him. I smiled at him one last time as I closed his door behind me. Upon approaching Satan’s door I could hear him moving things and talking inside. I knocked.
“Satan,” I called, “It’s me, Drizzm.”
“Come in,” his muffled voice came through the door, he didn’t sound that upset. I opened the door and saw him rummaging through his books, “I’m trying to decide which book to take with me. I have more books that I thought.”
I got curious and began looking at the books. I wanted to ease into the conversation to prevent him from getting mad and defensive.
“Be careful. Don’t touch any books without my permission. Some books are cursed.”
“I honestly should just know better by now,” I laughed, “What kind of cursed books do you have?”
“There’s this one,” he grabbed a large red book, “When two people touch it at the same time they temporarily switch bodies.”
That. Is something. But I said, “Switching bodies is a classic.”
“I wish my brothers were as interested in books as you.”
This seemed like as good a segue as any, “So, you’re really gonna leave?”
“Yes,” he was determined, “I’m tired of them anyways.”
“But, none of us want you to go.”
“Lucifer does.”
“And suddenly you’re gonna listen to him?”
“Why do you care, anyways?”
“Why do I care?!”
All this work to fix this family and be kind and Satan asks a dumb ass question like ‘why do I care?’
“I dunno,” I was incensed, “Maybe I fucking like you guys? Including you by the way. Why do I care? You’re smart, dude. You should know better.”
“Well, if you care that much then make a pact for me to stay. I can’t wait to see Lucifer’s face.”
“I take it back,” I glared at him.
“What,” he was confused.
“That’s a stupid reason for a pact. I’m not doing it. How stupid do you think I am?”
“You think I’m giving you a choice?!”
“Pacts require both parties to agree. So, I do have a choice. Whether you like it or not.”
“I may play nice most of the time. But, don’t forget that I’m the Avatar of Wrath. I won’t just kill you. I’ll make it nice and slow,” he seemed to vibrate, like he was trying to keep himself from growing bigger with his rage.
“Whatever, dude,” I scoffed, “You’re not the only one playing nice. And what a fucking generic ass threat. Ooo, I’m gonna torture youuu. Yeah, existence is torture and a fucking dedicated squirrel from the Human World could kill me. You ain’t that fuckin’ special.”
His height suddenly grew by a foot as I struck a nerve, “How dare you speak to me like that?! I’ll show you exactly how much worse I am!”
“You were supposed to convince him to stay, not make him angrier,” Lucifer appeared in the doorway, arms crossed.
“So you two are all buddy-buddy now,” Satan grew slightly bigger, “Get out Lucifer, this doesn’t involve you!”
“Satan calm down-”
A book flew across the room. God damn it. Books were flying from both side. It’s like a worse version of the pillow fight. Suddenly a white light appeared as they both grabbed the same book.
“Lucifer,” Lucifer yelled,” Why do you have my form? Is this some kind of joke?”
Ain’t no fucking way, dude.
“Satan, calm down,” Lucifer-in-Satan’s body said, “It seems as though we switched bodies.”
Satan looked at the book in his hand, “Of course we touched this book.”
I fucking knew that was gonna happen. Why would Satan have a book like that anyways?
“How long do the effects last?”
“Several days. So, we should stay home to avoid attention.”
“No, if we suddenly stay home Lord Diavolo is going to ask questions. We have to keep going to school.”
“Ugh, it’s always ‘Lord Diavolo this’ and ‘Lord Diavolo that’ with you.”
Lucifer ignored him, “Also, I don’t trust you with my body so you’ll be staying in my room so I can keep an eye on you.”
“No! No way! If we have to share a room, it’s my room!”
Lucifer looked pensively at the books scattered all over the room, “There’s so many books that I don’t have space to sleep.”
“Well, that only leaves one option.”
No.
“Indeed it does.”
They both looked at me.
Yeah of fucking course.
“Well, come on, then,” I sighed, “Before I accidentally touch a cursed book.”
We all made our way to my room, where Mammon and Asmo were hanging out.
“Why did my room turn into the hangout spot,” I questioned.
“I just wanted to see what cute undies you had,” Asmo shamelessly admitted.
“I’d say that’s a violation of my privacy but to be honest my room doesn’t feel very private at this point. Also, I’m sure you’re disappointed the asexual has non-cute underwear.”
“But I did find some crop tops you’ve never worn around us. Why not? You’d look so good in them.”
“Crop tops,” Satan wondered, “You have crop tops?”
“No,” I corrected, it was weird hearing that come from Lucifer’s body, “Those are my binders.”
“That explains why they were so tight,” Asmo mindlessly said.
“Did you wear my binder?”
“But the stripes were so cute.”
“You wore my trans pride binder?! Where is it?”
“Why are you so upset?”
I shot him a dirty look, “They are the only ones I have and I really like that one.”
“I’m sorry,” he bashfully gave me the binder, it’s seams torn, “It was hard to take off.”
“Yeah because it’s not your size,” I sighed, “Whatever, we have bigger problems anyways,” I tossed it dismissively in the trash.
“Bigger problems?”
I gestured to Lucifer and Satan in their switched bodies and explained what happed. Lucifer also decided to set house rules for him and Satan until they switch back. Neither of them could enter the other’s room without the other one present and don’t do anything to attract attention. Most basic ass rules but these guys love getting into shit.
With all that settled I grabbed my tablet and rested against my headboard to draw. Lucifer joined me, sitting at the foot of the bed, as Satan was impersonating him dramatically to entertain himself and his brothers. I heard him sigh in dismay at the show.
“Just ignore them, Lucifer,” I didn’t look away from the commission.
“It’s easier said that done when they’re right in front of me,” he sighed again. This man would never survive being bullied in the Human World.
“Then come watch me draw or something.”
I scooted over so he could sit next to me and he did so. Even though he was in Satan’s body, it was nice that we could be so close physically so casually, with him sitting close to watch over my shoulder.
“What are you drawing?”
“A commission of someone’s character.”
“You’re taking commissions?”
“Yep, I’ve got an account on Devilgram and Levi helped me set up a website and all that.”
“I’m surprised.”
I looked at him, confused and low-key offended, “The fuck’s that supposed to mean?”
“Apologies, that came out wrong. I’m not saying anything about your art. I’m just surprised that demons would commission a human, and so soon after you arrived.”
“All in the marketing. I also charge a pretty penny.”
“What’s you’re website,” he pulled out his phone as I told him, “That’s quite the premium. How do charge so much?”
“Think about it. I’m a normal ass human on exchange in literal hell and within 2 days I had a pact with the second strongest Ruler of the Devildom. Then quickly got pacts again and again. You said demons can’t resist temptation, right? What’s more tempting than getting a limited spot for such a person’s skills. There are only so many commissions that can be made before I have to go back. So, people will pay out the ass just to say they got one.”
“That’s some impressive thinking.”
“Thanks, I guess. I had to learn marketing in the Human World. But, I’m not as interesting there so it’s not easy.”
“You’re just one of many humans.”
I laughed, agreeing, and we continued hanging out until it was time for bed. Which meant time for another argument. Lucifer and Satan were fighting about who would get to sleep in my bed. Good thing I still have insomnia I suppose. It is pretty weird that as a human I sleep less than the literal demons, but meh. Satan won the argument and I got up, sighing, and sat at the table with my tablet.
“What are you doing,” Satan inquired, “Why aren’t you going to bed?”
“For one, you sorta commandeered it. For two, I don’t much to begin with.”
“You look exhausted, though?”
“It’s fine.” Honestly my chest was bothering me more than my tiredness.
“What are you doing with your shirt?”
“I haven’t really been able to take my binder off in days because of the retreat. It aches. But it looks like I’ll be continuing that trend.”
“Why don’t you take it off, then,” Lucifer offered like it was obvious, “You seem uncomfortable.”
“And have you guys see me as a girl? No thanks, I’d literally rather die.”
“Is it that serious?”
“Yes. I am deeply uncomfortable in my skin as it looks. I hate the body I was born in. It’s not me. I feel like my body is totally separate. That’s why I wear the binders. So I don’t try to crawl out of my skin.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Satan genuinely apologized.
“Of course you didn’t,” I was matter-of-fact, “I never told you. And trust me, it’s worse than I say. But I hate putting words to it more because I have to face it.”
“Then, that’s enough of that,” Lucifer declared, “Let’s go to bed, including you, Drizzm.”
“Where do I sleep? On the ground with you?”
“No,” Satan interjected, “you’ll be sleeping with me in your bed. I won’t take no for an answer.”
I looked him in the eyes, “No.”
“You sonofa-,” he picked me up and plopped me on the bed, “Now go to bed. Lucifer, get the lights.”
“Got it,” he turned off the lights without a second thought. Do they only work together when they work against someone else? Satan stood with his hands on his hips, like a parent. I sighed, giving up and laying down. He joined me and soon enough, the others were asleep.
“Ow,” I got whacked in the face by Satan’s fist, “Dude, fuck this.”
He was tossing and turning, grumbling all the while, so not like I was getting any sleep.I got up and sat at the table. Lucifer tossed and turned uncomfortably on the floor. This has been the busiest month of my life. But, I was making so many friends and the new environment has been so great. I do miss my cats, though.
I tapped the table a few times before realized that I should actually go check on Belphegor. So up to the attic I went, with him meeting me at his door, like usual.
“Hello Belphegor,” I greeted.
“Good evening,” he stared at me, “You look tired.
“Tell me about it. I came to give you an update since apparently I have King Kong in my bed.”
“What?!”
“Nothing. So there was a retreat at the castle and I formed a pact with Asmo.”
“I’m impressed at how quickly this is progressing.”
“Yeah, maybe I oughta slow down. You still probably wanna kill me.”
“You don’t seem that upset, though?”
“No? At least, not anymore, I guess. It’s just a fact of the situation, and honestly, once I’m dead it’s not really my problem anymore, right?”
“You’re very odd.”
“Thank you, I’m aware,” I replied blandly, “Also, Lucifer and Satan got into a fight. They ended up touching a cursed book that switched their bodies.”
“Woah, really? I wish I could see this,” he reminded me a lot of the brothers right now, “How long are they stuck like that?”
“Satan said a few days.”
“Well, you certainly have your hands full.”
“Yes, it seems no matter where I go I’m managing people and their problems.”
“Sounds rough.”
“Don’t forget I’m trying to fix yours too.”
“Yes, and I appreciate it.”
I sighed, “I don’t want to go back to King Kong. Maybe I’ll grab a blanket and sleep in the planetarium.”
“You visit the planetarium?”
“Yes, I love stars.”
“I see. Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I left and went back to my room. Satan was still thrashing on my bed.
“This sucks,” I sighed. After debating for a moment I just sat at the table, grabbing my headphones on the way. I worked on commissions for the rest of the night.