"Dark Angel"

The sound of laughter rang in the empty museum, the source coming from inside a janitor's closet. La Muerte was pushed up against a wall, her way of escape blocked from her husband's wandering hands. Fits of giggles escaped her lips feeling Xibalba's ticklish fingers run up her sides. She placed her petite hands over his gloved wrists, trying to get his hands away but with no avail. He had on a wolfish grin, laughing along with his wife as they both battle for his hands.

"Xibalba!" La Muerte gasped, giving him a playful slap on his hand. He moved his hands away putting them back to her waist as he let out a chuckle, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I know you like it." He grinned, tapping his fingers against her. She let out a large smile.

"Oh stop...you are such a naughty boy." She said seductively, tip toeing her fingers against his armor. He gave her an excited growl.

"I'm I now?" He said wiggling his eyebrows at her. She put her hand up to her lips giving him a slight blush.

"Stop!" She smiled, pushing him away gently. "I'm serious." She said sternly, trying to fight off another laugh. "The museum is about to open."

He let out a groan letting his arms fall as he watched his wife walked to the door, carefully avoiding the bits of trash in the closet. It may not be the cleanest or well kempt, yet it was the place to come when they want to be private.

"Let's skip today, I rather spend the day with you." He said wrapping his arms around her from behind. She rested her head on his shoulder, her hand cupping his chin as her fingers twirled his mustache.

"Oh Balby." She said sweetly, he let out a small shudder from her touch. Making him melt inside. He moved his hands to her stomach giving her small tickle. She let out a sharp gasp and gave him a quick slap to his cheek.

"Oh stop that!...I mean it." She said pulling away from him, giving him a smile.

"Can you blame me?" He questioned his eyes moving up and down her body. She hugged herself, shielding herself from his eyes.

"Xibalba!"

He gave her a roar of laughter, taking her back in a warm embrace. She always seem to make his day much more happier. She smiled innocently at him. lifting her toes up, a small kiss meet lips. He closed his eyes, taking it in as he responds back with the same. She pulled away only for him to follow, his lips still puckered. Holding back a laugh, she placed her index finger on his lips making his eyes blink at her in confusion.

"We will continue this later." She whispered. He let out a deep chuckle, taking her hand gently.

"How about at our lunch break?" He asked, pressing his lips on her knuckles.

"What would you like to eat?" she asked, he pressed his lips to her knuckles again.

"I would rather kiss you."

She gave him a scoff, pulling away. Acts like a gentlemen for one moment and a ravenish snake the next. She crossed her arms.

"Ya! Xibalba! " she said with false anger. She gave him a harsh scowl only for him to raise a brow, not buying it. She let out another laugh, not able to contain it. Xibalba smirked and bowed to her.

"As you wish, Mi amor...but don't expect it from my own hands." He said putting his hands up stretching his fingers. She shook her head at him and waved her wrist turning into her disguise of Mary Beth. He snapped his fingers, turning into an old security guard, even if he was half the size to La muerte, that did not stop her from giving him a peck on the cheek.

He let out a contented sigh as she opened the door.

"I will see you around, my love." She winked stepping outside into the corridor. Xibalba waited a moment before stepping outside. A precaution in case someone accidentally sees them. He clicked his heels down the halls, swinging his flashlight with his right hand, whistling a happy tune. He enjoyed their moments together, it made him feel young and vibrant again. Their private moments always seem to make their day the most happiest. Just seeing her smile, hearing her addicting laughter, even the stings of her slaps when he does something wrong. He loved her for it.

He tapped his foot impatiently on the floor, his eyes glazing over the wall clock on the museum. The short hand slowly making its way towards its partner at twelve. He needed to wait five more minutes. He felt his leg shake along with his foot., restless leg syndrome was a constant annoyance. His eyes watched intently at the children running back and forth trying to keep up with their tour kept his eyes on them the most, children are curious things, and curiosity leads to broken artifacts. His eyes glanced back at the clock and as if a miracle occurred, it was finally lunch.

He scurried along the hallways towards the entrance, ready to meet La Muerte. He ran his fingers through his white hair, combing it as he tried to look presentable. He takes a sharp turn to the right, breaking out of the doors into the harsh light outside. La Muerte always stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for him, waving to any passing child. He stopped abruptly seeing her with a young man. He dove to the side, hiding in the shadows of the marble lions, and silently looked on.

"You look beautiful, Miss Beth." The young man slyly stated. His hand holding a bouquet of roses, while the other was placed on his waist, his hips pivoting to the side. Xibalba eyes narrow at the mortal hatefully. He had jet black hair, with rugged facial hair, he had on a suit and tie, showing that he worked in a high paying career.

Mary Beth gave his a small smile.

"Oh, how kind of you." she replied kindly but refused to take the bouquet. "But I told you before...I am not interested." she crossed her arms, a key that meant she has nothing to do with the conversation. The young man gave her a smug look, not understanding the motion.

"Not even for a cup of coffee? it will be my treat, or I can take you to that new restaurant that opened up...they have great lobster." he said, as a way to indulge her in an expensive dinner. She sneered at him.

"I'm allergic to shellfish." she lied, Xibalba chuckled quietly at his wife's interest in the mortal but he was persistent. The young man let out a soft laugh.

"Are you on a diet or something?" He mockingly started. She glared at him as his eyes looked at her hips. "Might work into bringing those down a size…" he mentioned. Xibalba let out a irritable growl, his fingers going inward into a fist. Just one touch and he'll send him to the Land of the Remembered.

La Muerte scoffed at him, placing a hand to her hip. "You know, I'm not in the mood to talk to you, please leave me be, I am waiting for someone."

"Like who?" the man laughed, "I don't see anyone else around here, just a handsome man and a very pretty lady." he cooed, taking a step towards her. Xibalba chest puffed out, his back straightening. It was time for the mortal to go.

La Muerte held her scowl, she could tell that he was egotistical and a narcissistic man, she prayed that no women would ever agree to go on a date with him. The young mortal suddenly closed the distance between them, the stair wall connected with her back as the man placed his arm over her head. Closing off her escape.

"Why don't you just say yes and we can go have a nice dinner? hmmm?" he mused. Before La Muerte got the chance to slam the thorn covered bouquets on his face, he was distracted by someone tapping his shoulder.

The man turned to come face to face with a tall man, wearing a security uniform, with a scorpion-like white beard and curled mustache. The man shrank seeing the man's glare full of anger.

"Mind explaining what you are doing with my wife?" he growled, his fists ready to make contact.

The young man began to stamper while La Muerte let out a smile towards her dark angel.

"y-your uh..uh w-wife?" he shook, fear apparent on his face as if he stared at the god of death himself.

"Yes, is that too much to process in your mind? or do I need to knock that empty skull around?" he snarled taking a step forward, the man took two steps back putting out his hands protectively.

"No! no!...sorry, m-my mistake, I won't bother her again!" he whirled around running down stairs as if being chased before he finally went out of sight. La Muerte tossed the bouquet in the garbage as she strolled up to her husband, putting a hand on his chest.

"Oh, Mi amor…" she said softly. "My sweet dear hero."

His anger quickly melted feeling a sweet kiss on the cheek. La Muerte looked at his new disguise giving him a hum.

"I like the new look, it fits you well." she said eyeing his new physique the most. He let out a sheepish smile.

"Well, just for today, my love." he replied taking her hand gently, their fingers twined together in an embrace. "Are you alright?"

She rolled her eyes letting out a scoff.

"Nothing that I couldn't handle, but it was worth seeing you come to my rescue." she smiled as she lead him down the stairs.

"If he would have done something-" he growled, his anger coming back. "Consider his life finished!"

"Hush, Balby…" she said gently cupping her chin, facing him. "No need to be angry, let's continue with a good mood, what would you like to eat?"

He sighed and let out a smile.

"How about some churros? I could use something sweet to eat."

"I thought I was enough for you." she said enticing him. He let out a playful growl taking her by the waist.

"Always-"