Chapter Thirteen

I heard a faint voice calling me. It was incessant. I opened my eyes, blinking as I came back to consciousness. I was in Beel’s bed with him sitting at the bedside.

“Thank goodness. You’re awake,” he sighed heavily, relieved, “Humans are so fragile I was worried.”

“I ain’t that fragile,” I sat up, “What happened after Lucifer attacked me?”

“Diavolo stepped in and stopped him. But I think the shockwave of his arrival knocked you out.”

“What happened to Luke?”

“Simeon came and picked him up. He’s pretty shaken up.”

“Understandable. And you didn’t hurt either?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry for causing all this.”

“Why are you sorry? I’m the one who knows Lucifer’s temper. I should have warned you better before.”

“Then let’s call it even,” I smiled.

He sighed, smiling, “Yeah, sure,” he became serious again, “But, why did you do that? You almost got yourself killed.”

“Because I’m responsible for the situation we found ourselves in. If I die, then it’s my fault. For the record, I doubt I’ll stay mad at Lucifer either.”

“Why?”

“What’s a grimoire?”

“Huh? It’s a book that allows you control the demon or demons connected to it without a pact.”

“I see. So it’s like the physical manifestation of your free will. Then, I’ll completely forgive him. While he shouldn’t have lost his cool like that, it makes sense that he just wants to protect his family.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that. If he just attacked with anger for no reason but to be unreasonable, then we’d have to have a serious talk. But protecting those you care about tends to get people heated.”

“I still want to do something to make up for you almost getting killed when I should have done something.”

“This may seem weird. But, I’d like a pact.”

He was immediately suspicious, “Why? I thought you didn’t care about making pacts with us?”

“I didn’t. But now I have a reason. I want to help Lucifer and Belphegor make up. But, as you know, Lucifer doesn’t actually respect me or truly take what I say to heart. If I make pacts with all of you, maybe I can convince him that I’m able to help.”

“You want to help us?”

“Yes. Seeing your family fractured as it is breaks my heart. If I can, I want to help.”

“In that case,” he steeled himself, “I’ll do it. I want my family together again.”

I shook him, “Stahp, you’re gonna make me cry. I’m already helping you.”

He chuckled and we formed our pact, the color is orange this time.

“Since the pact is for Belphie I still feel like I owe you. Why don’t I treat you to Hell’s Kitchen?”

“Sure,” I smiled, the bond between us buzzing pleasantly in my brain. It’s still kinda weird to have these sensations in my brain.

I took a shower and got dressed to leave with Beel. On our way out we were accosted by Mammon and Levi. They insisted that they come along. The more the merrier I suppose. Beel made it clear that he wasn’t happy about it. Probably because Mammon saw it as a chance at free food. Either way the four of us made our loud way to Hell’s Kitchen and took a seat at one of the tables.

“Go on and pick whatever you like Drizzm,” Beel told me. I didn’t get a chance to speak before Mammon.

“Yeah,” he yelled excitedly, “I’m gonna order a whole lot!”

“I’m not paying for you,” he firmly explained, “I only agreed to pay for Drizzm.”

“Come on Beel. Don’t be so stingy. Ya won’t even notice with how much you’ll be getting for yourself.”

“I’m still not doing it.”

“Whatever, man,” he spoke to me, “Hey Drizzm. You’ve got a pact with all three of us, right? Why’d ya keep making pacts after you said you weren’t interested?”

I explained to Mammon and Levi my plan to get Lucifer and Belphegor to make up.

“Ya really think that’s gonna work?”

“There’s no way it works,” interjected Levi, “You’ll never be able to convince Lucifer. Not after what just happened.”

“Actually,” I smugly leaned in, “I won’t know until I do it. Besides, I don’t see any of you guys trying anything.”

“Rude, but fair. So, your plan right now is to get pacts with us? And then what?”

“I haven’t gotten there yet. There’s still plenty of time to figure out how to talk to Lucifer.”

“Your nonchalant attitude is gonna be the death of me,” Mammon sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“Don’t worry,” I leaned back, flipping through the menu, “I’ll die first.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better!”

I laughed, “Dude, before long y’all are really gonna bring me outta my shell and see how much of a fuckin’ weirdo I am.”

They stared at me silently and intently. It was very weird.

“Why are you guys staring at me?”

“You just cursed,” Levi said, shocked.

“Yes? I’ve got a sailor’s mouth. I’ve just been trying to keep myself under wraps.”

“I think ya gotta cut loose,” Mammon insisted, “I didn’t knew ya spoke so casually.”

“A big thing is, also, I don’t want to constantly explain my slang.”

“Ya think that stops Levi?”

“Yeah, me and Levi are gonna be talking around you in circles, no cap.”

“No cap???”

“Exactly,” I laughed. We had a good time eating and chatting away. I let myself relax I think the most I have so far. Not completely, but I spoke more freely and goofy. It felt good to feel like I was making friends and helping the brothers get closer. I mean, the shut-in Levi is here chatting with us instead of dwelling on his negativity. When we got back to the house Lucifer approached us.

“You all seem to be enjoying yourselves,” his eyes never left mine though, “Your room is fixed. So, you can go back to it tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I replied, “Thank you.”

“Goodnight,” he nodded and left to another part of the house.

“Man that was tense,” Mammon and the others visibly relaxed. Levi agreed with him and Beel nodded along.

“Not? Really? He just told me my room was ready. Besides he probably doesn’t wanna do anything. He looks so tired.”

“He always looks tired.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling.”

We all went to our respective rooms. I’m not sure why i couldn’t sleep in my room tonight. But, whatever. Not like I’d do much sleeping anyways. Beel tried to argue with me about the bed. Again. Doesn’t he learn? Do we really need to fight every night about sleeping arrangements?

“Beel, I swear to God,” I was exacerbated, “If you don’t sleep in your bed I’mma kick you.”

“Fine,” he grumbled, “Can I ask a favor?”

“What’s up?”

“Can you hold my hand? Just until I fall asleep?”

“Of course. Say no more.”

“I really wish Lilith could have met you. You two would have gotten along really well.”

“Well, she’s your sister. So, I have no doubt.”

Beel laid down to go to sleep and I pulled up a chair with a book. The book was for after he fell asleep. We said goodnight and I held his hand. It was huge compared to mine. I felt a tinge of envy and dysphoria but pushed it away.

It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep. But, that didn’t mean his grip loosened on my hand. Which was fine, I just read the book I prepared. At some point I almost fell asleep in the chair. I went to go sleep on the couch but his grip was still too strong and I’d definitely wake him up if I kept trying. So I just sat on the ground, using the bed as a pillow. I fell asleep surprisingly quickly.