My Heart Belongs to You

Prologue- Bedtime Story

Everybody, this is my third Gravepainters AU (I can't help it, I love writhing about those two), but in this occasion a few continuity points might be different from my main cannon story (this will have a darker tone). Still, I hope you enjoy it

Of the thirteen realms, the Land of the Forgotten could be considered one of the most depressing and empty, though it was nothing compared to the Land of the Cursed just beneath it. It was always snowing, and the sharp edges and stalactites gave the realm and unwelcoming air. There was not a single sign of color nor life, other than the Forgotten souls that wandered around seeking the comfort they would never find.

In the middle of that gray realm was a castle with the shape of two coiling serpents, in the middle of a great lake of lava; the snakes had open mouths with sharp teeth, one of them containing the throne room of its Lord and Master. Candles of green fire were lit on various parts of the outside, giving the castle an even more eerie appearance. The bridge that connected it with mainland had also the shape of two serpents, showing that the ruler of that realm had an affinity for the reptiles.

However, the color palette of the realm and castle didn't apply to one of these rooms. Its walls were a light cherry pink with painted flowers and swirls colored golden and lavender as well as white edges. The lamps were golden rather than green, giving this room a warm air contrasting the rest of the castle. The floor was layered with a pink carpet, and there were different toys scattered on the floor, and bedside tables painted white. The canopy bed was king-sized, the tester panel almost reached the ceiling, and decorative magenta fabric draped across it. The covers were light pink, and the pillows were stuffed with swan feathers.

Currently occupied, a child of five year old lay beneath the covers, hugging a stuffed purple snake. Her hair was dark, almost as dark like the realm she grew up in, yet her sugar skin was a contrastingly white, with golden markings on her arms and little face. Her eyes, though, were a tone of green with red pupils, and little black wings with golden tips stuck out from beneath her back.

She smiled innocently at the gentle woman sitting in the edge of her bed. "Would you tell me a story, mami?"

The Goddess who was her mother smiled sweetly at her with her ruby red lips. She and her daughter were very alike; in fact, the little one had taken after her mostly. The older woman had sugar skin with golden markings on her arms and face, as well as dark blue eyelids. Her warm golden eyes looked down at her child with adoration and love. Dark waves of wavy dark hair reached her knees; she was wearing a knee-length pinkish nightgown. Her delicate fingers brushed a hair off her child's face.

"Of course, chiquita." Her voice was sweet like honey. "What kind of story would you like to hear?"

"It's something I've been wanting to ask, mami."

"What is it, dearie?"

"Well-"

Before the child can continue, the doors to her room open and a god of tar that seemingly came from the depths of hell stepped into the room and approached the bed with his hands behind his back. Unlike the Goddess and child, he looked like a black skeleton, with green markings on his face and a glowing green neck of ectoplasm. Two dark, scarred wings protruded from his back, and were tucked close to his body. A great black cloak hung from his waist and covered his skeletal legs. A purple bathrobe hid his strong chest from view. He had two long, curly white moustaches and a well-kept, carefully combed beard, as well as thing yet bushy eyebrows, all colored snow white. But the unique feature around him were his skull pupils, colored red like blood, in two wide pools of acidic green. His very presence usually inspired fear in the hearts of those in his presence.

But not in this case.

The child beamed at him. "Papi!"

The old god smiled at his child with a tenderness and love one would have never thought to see in his eyes. He came to a halt right next to his wife and child. "How are my special girls doing tonight?"

"Mami was going to tell me a story." The girl replied gently.

His gaze shifted to the beautiful woman as he sat down behind to her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Aww, you were starting without me?" he whispered into her ear before kissing her cheek, making her giggle.

"Ay, Balby…" the Goddess sighed, caressing his cheek gently.

"Papi, that's gross!" the child stuck out her tongue in disgust, making both her parents laugh softly.

"Well, mi florecita, what kind of story would you like to hear?" the dark god smiled at his daughter, ruffling her dark hair fondly.

"I was just about to ask mami."

The woman smiled. "You're right, sweetie, what were you going to say?"

"How did you and papi meet?"

Both her parents glanced at each other in surprise, before her father spoke. "It's a rather long story, dear daughter."

"I don't mind, papi… I'll stay awake."

"I think she's old enough to hear that story, my love…" the goddess grabbed her husband's much larger hand with a small smile.

"If you insist, mi amor…" the dark god glanced down at his child with tender eyes. "You'll be surprised to hear that your mami and I didn't get along at first."

As he expected, the girl's eyes widened a bit and she clutched her stuffed snake closer. "You didn't?!" She had seen her parents interacting with each other, and she could clearly see they were very much in love.

Her mother giggled. "That's right, chiquita. It all started with a rather… unusual wedding."