I'm laying in bed, hidden under the blankets, allowing this day to be unproductive one. Wanting nothing more to listen to music and sleep the day away, I'm interrupted by someone tugging the sheets of my bed and calling my name.

At this point I didn't care if it were an intruder, but I look over the covers with a blank look to see Ichthys, cheekily smiling, as he speaks.

"Wait...what?" I say, sitting up and taking out my earphones.

"I saaaid, heeyy!" He says cheerfully.

I sigh. "Hi."

"What are you doing still in bed? Humans don't usually stay in bed for this long, do they?" Ichthys asks then a worried expression appears on his face. "Are you sick?"

"No, I just feel like staying in bed." I shrug.

I actually think this is for the best...withering away in bed...

Since I can't seem to do anything right to help Dui...even though I'm urging to see him...

"What? But that's no fun!"

"It is to me." I lay back down, pulling the covers up over me.

"Come on!" Ichthys once again tugs on the blanket.

I groan. "What do you want?"

"I need your help with something, come to the mansion." He says, finally giving up on pulling the blanket off of me.

I hear Ichthys leave my bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Peeking over my covers, I contemplate on what to do, dragging my lazy butt out of bed, I take a shower to help me think.

Running the hot water drip and roll down my body, I close me eyes, running my hands along my skin.

I'm not helping with any punishment jobs or erasing any sins...

Since I can't even freakin' absolve Dui's without almost being killed more than once.

Oh...Dui... this must be so hard for you...

I shut off the water and hop out, quickly drying myself off. I think of my options, either slipping on some pajamas and going back to bed, or getting dressed, sucking it up, and going to the house of the gods.

Sometime later and I walk out my bedroom door, with my messenger bag over my shoulder and keys in my hand.

"Fiiiinally! I was waiting foreeeever!" Ichthys springs in to my view.

"Jesus!" I jump back and slap my hand over my heart feeling it ready to burst out of my chest. "You've been waiting here this entire time?"

"Yeah! Now come on! Let's go!" He grabs my arm playfully and snaps his fingers.

Later That Day...

Ichthys enlists me and I end up cooking for the gods.

"...All right everyone, it's ready." I call out to everyone, as I place the last dish down on the table.

Teorus walks in, eyes sparkling. "Woow! It looks so good!"

I was confused at first as to why Ichthys needed my help. But it wasn't until after hearing that Dui has stopping eating cherries that Ichthys has asked me to help have a taste-testing party.

"With everything that happened last time, I didn't get to eat your omelet rice." Ichthys says.

I jokingly sigh. "I wonder who's fault that was. But there's more than just omelet rice." I begin pointing to the different foods naming what each one is, that I quickly whipped up under a short period of time. "Oh, and those beside the baked potatoes are meatballs."

Leon, at first looking at the dishes with a smug expression, is suddenly mesmerized by the plate of meatballs.

"What are these with the fruit on top?" Teorus asks.

Vega excitedly answers. "They're pancakes, Lord Teorus."

Vega, the messenger from the Department of Wishes, had decided to join us on earth today.

"Vega and I helped, Lady Abbey." Altair says an excitedly.

"Lady Abbey even let me wear a cute little apron!" Vega giggles.

I didn't want to get her godly clothes dirty so I just gave her my work apron to wear from work, which was a little to big but still managed to look adorable.

I ruffle the two little gods' hair gentle. "Thanks for the help you two."

"Wow, Vega in an apron. That must've been hard for you, Altair." Teorus mentions, his cheeks slightly pinkish.

Altair cocks his head to the side, looking puzzled.

"Girls look cute in aprons." Teorus laughs.

"T-there just kids, Teorus!" I harshly whisper.

"That reminds me. I heard on earth, naked lovers put on aprons and cook for each other as an expression of love."

"What?! That sounds fun!" Ichthys excitedly shouts.

Me and Vega hold a look of shock on our faces.

"Oh my god..." I cover my face with my hands, shaking my head.

They got the totally wrong idea about that...

The subject is totally dropped a second later as the Gods take their seats, looking among the dishes of earth food.

"They all smell so good!" Teorus happily compliments.

"Whether the food is a meal or entertainment, delicious food is always present at a celebration. Both gods and goldfish are the same in that respect." Leon says, all high-and-mighty, as he stares straight at the meatballs.

Dui remains quiet at the table, avoiding any sort of eye contact.

"But whatever possessed you to cook for us like this?" Huedhaut asks.

My eyes dart to Ichthys.

"Being on earth with these marks and all, our energy levels get depleted. Do you guys have all been eating things, right? I figured, if we're going to bother to eat, we might as well eat composed dishes every once in a while. Instead of just ingredients on their own." Ichthys explains a rather, surprisingly knowledgeable answer.

Huedhaut even agrees. "You have a point. None of us are very familiar with cooking."

"And, this way you'll be able to discover dishes you may enjoy." I say, taking a seat.

"Come on, guys! The food is supposed to be better if you eat it while it's still hot." Ichthys turns his attention to Dui. "Hurry up and try something. Ok, Dui?"

Dui puts on a small smile, as he nods. "Okay..."

Looking over at Dui, I can tell he's doesn't seem to be feeling very well.

To make sure Shadow Dui doesn't cause a scene, I took precautions to try and make sure none of the dishes resembled blood.

Dui, looking utterly weak and exhausted, picks up his utensils.

"Let's dig in!" Ichthys cheers.

I sit back and watch as the gods immediately dig in to whatever appeals to them.

"So, how is everything?" I ask, as I would sound if I were at work, with my happy customer service voice.

"Mm... the pancakes are awesome!" Ichthys exclaims.

Leon shrugs. "None of it is inedible."

Huedhaut smiles. "It must have been hard for you to prepare all this by yourself."

"We could've made this stuff appear in a second with our powers." Teorus says. "You made it all from scratch?"

"You probably think that's pointless, but Abbey put her heart and soul into making this." Ichthys speaks before I get my say in. "This food was made with love." He cheekily sticks out his tongue and winks at me.

I try and hide my embarrassment and sneak a glance over at Dui. "How are the pancakes?"

Dui smiles warmly at me. "They're really good... thank—"

The look on Dui's face changes dramatically, and he slams his hands down on the table.

Oh no...

Leon sighs. "Look like you-know-who is here, Teo."

Teorus calmly nods. "I know."

Teorus subtly shifting positions to protect me.

I do my best to stay calm as well.

Shadow Dui gags. "What the...what's this mushy crap in my mouth? I think I'm gonna puke."

I turn away and bite a piece of pancake, trying not to let his harsh insult get to me.

"Taking this jerk's insults seriously? Even the likes of you should know better." Leon says to me.

"I don't know what your talking about..." I casually say.

Huedhaut chuckles. "Leon is trying to tell you there's no need for you to be sad."

I shrug, shoving another piece into my mouth. "I'm not ..."

Even though it did kinda' sting...

"Well, just look at the plates." Huedhaut says.

I follow to where Huedhaut gestures to the now-empty plate of meatballs.

Did...Leon ate them all!?

"I-It's okay, Abbey..." I hear Dui say quietly.

"Dui?" I breath.

"He's back." Teorus smiles.

"Hue..." Leon calls. "What did that look like to you?"

Huedhaut responds immediately. "I don't think his transformation was triggered by anything in particular...meaning..."

"That Dui's personalities are beginning to destabilize." Leon finishes Huedhaut's explanation.

Huedhaut nods." Yes, it would appear so."

Each of the gods from the Department of Wishes observe Dui calmly and subtly, taking note of this new development.

"Bring out the real food." Shadow Dui barks.

I wince at his outburst.

"This is fine. I love pancakes." Dui sighs, irritated at his other self.

I watch as Dui switches between personalities, unsure on what to do.

"Hurry it up! How long are you gonna keep me waiting?!" Shadow Dui hysterically shouts, then shakes his head as his expression softens, as he speaks quietly. "I... I don't feel so good..."

"It's okay, Dui..." I rise from my seat, and go over, placing a hand on his shoulder for comfort.

"Goldfish, leave him be for now." He orders me.

"How dare you touch me!" Dui angrily yells.

He abruptly stands up and shoves me away with a great force.

"Ah!" I gasp, tripping over my own two feet while I stumble.

Luckily, Teorus catches me just in time before falling.

"Dui!" Ichthys yells.

"I-It's okay, Ichthys, I'm all right!" I quickly regain my balance with the support of Teorus, as I try to calm the situation.

Leon's lips curl into a menacing smile. "I thought I would have to put an end to this myself if he blew up here, but at this right he's switching personalities, he won't be able to make much trouble."

"This must be somehow connected to Dui's mental state..." Huedhaut adds in.

Leon huffs with smugness in his tone. "If that's the extent of it then that useless scorpion is enough." Leon waves over Altair. "Altair, tell the scorpion, 'clean up after you own department's messes yourself'." He orders.

Altair nervously nods his head. "Y-yes, sir!"

"Tch, goddamn it, lion..." Scorpion clicks his tongue.

Scorpio suddenly enters the room, after he proclaimed that anything that I make is to filthy to be eaten, and so didn't participate in the party.

Meanwhile, Dui's personalities continuously alternate. It's like he's been possessed. It hurts to watch him fight himself.

"Everybody worked so hard to put this together...I'm sorry..." Dui says with guilt in his tone.

"So, you know why we did this?" I ask.

Dui smiles kindly. "Yes, I mean—" He jolts and his expression twists into a demonic smile. "Any idiot could see right through your simplistic plans!" Shadow Dui laughs, then abruptly stops when Dui returns, averting his eyes from everyone. "I'm so sorry to have to put everybody through thi—" Shadow Dui crazily smiles. "Don't apologize!"

"Dui! Get a hold of yourself!" Ichthys shouts.

"Urgh..." Dui puts a hand to his forehead. "I'm...really tired for some reason... I'm sorry... I want to go to my room."

Teorus looking uncomfortable, nods. "That's a good idea. Ikky, let's bring him back to his room.

"Yeah, okay." Ichthys agrees.

I watch as the two gods assist Dui, as they head back to his room.

"We should probably let Zyglavis know about this. Altair." Scorpio calls for the little god.

Altair comes to Scorpio's side. "Y-yes, sir."

Vega with tears in her eyes, as she speaks with a shaken voice. "Lord Leon... what in the world happened to Lord Dui?"

Leon answers nonchalantly. "There's no need for you to worry too much about it." Leon then looks at me. "...His heart is in chaos. He's losing sight of himself, that's all. Whether he lives of dies... it depends on him."

"We can't allow the worst to come to pass, however unlikely." Huedhaut says with a bit of hope. "The Department of Wishes will cooperate with you in whatever wat we can."

Scorpio rolls his eyes. "Tch..."

Leon and Huedhaut rise form their seats and leave the room, as Vega chases after them as well.

I'm left alone with Scorpio.

I eye the door that Ichthys and Teorus escorted Dui out of, feeling the urge to follow.

"Leave Dui alone for now." Scorpio catches my gaze.

I look at him with a glare, without saying a word.

"I could careless what happens to a filthy human like you. However, if you perish, our sins will never be absolved.

That's right...

I'm nothing but a vessel of power for their use...

A tool to only help absolve their sins...

...help? I can't even do that...

"We'll take care of Dui ourselves, somehow." Scorpio says, almost skeptical with his own words.

With that said, Scorpio exits through the door, leaving with only me and my thoughts alone in the room.

I know where he's coming from. He's not so much as angry as he is worried.

I sigh.

There has to be something I can do...

I take my seat in one of the chairs, plucking a cherry off one of the pancakes, before popping it into my mouth. "I should have stayed in bed..."

Eventually, I clean up and head back to my apartment with my stomach full of food but my heart consumed with worry for Dui.

I carry back with me a brown paper bag full of leftover food, and I spot a few bags of cherries I was planning on giving Dui.

Setting it down on the counter I take out the bags of cherries.

"Hmm...I wonder if I can really eat all these..." I wonder to myself, knowing fully well that Dui could. I end up chuckling as I recall something. "Oh yeah...I remember making my mom's homemade cherry pie recipe for Dui..."

I cock my head to the side as I look at the cherries. Then, before I know what I'm doing I pull out the old and charred recipe book, finding the cherry pie recipe again.

"Hmm..." I read over the steps and ingredients. "Maybe...just maybe I can sneak him a pie so he'll have something to eat when he wakes up." I set down the book as I give it more thought. "That shout be all right, as long as I place it in front of his door like I did before."

By convincing myself, and with my thoughts on helping Dui, I decide to bake another pie.

"I want you to bake a cherry pie."

"Can you really make one?"

"Mmm! It's so good!"

As I'm in the midst of making a cherry pie, I can't help but think back on the moments that happened in my apartment when Dui stayed with me.

Suddenly I feel something warm roll down my cheeks and drip into the batter of the pie.

"What the?—" I place my fingertips to my face and realize their tears. "Oh shit..." I quickly wipe away the tear streaks and stopping anymore tears from appearing. "I can't cry, or else the pie will be gross and salty."

After finishing the preparations, I place the pie in the oven and wait for it to bake.

I cross my fingers as I pray. "Please be delicious...please."

Time flies before I know it and the oven dings, sending me to jolt upright.

"Ha! It's done!" I excitedly say, slipping on my oven mits and retrieving the pie.

Immediately opening the oven door, a rich scent of sweet cherries wafts through the air, feeling the soothing warmth radiate off the golden crust, and satisfyingly watching the steam rise off the pie, disappearing into the air.

Letting it cool after a bit, I place it carefully on a plate.

"Now where is that domed container?" I say as I get on my hands and knees to dig through my cupboards, searching for a specific container.

Knock-knock

I lift my head to quickly as it bashes the edge of the cupboard as I pull out. "Ow!" I whine, rubbing the back of my head. "The hell was that?"

I'm getting deja-vu...

I hear the faint knock again and notice it's coming from the balcony.

"No way could it be that cat again?" I groan, feeling a throbbing pain at the back of my head as I walk over.

As I come closer to the balcony I notice the shadow of a man on the other side of the curtains.

I freeze.

"No way..." I gasp as I run to fling open the door to see Dui. "Dui!" I say excitedly.

"I came." He smiles brightly.

"W-what are you doing here? H-how?" I ask, in total shock.

Dui steps inside as his eyes are fixated on me. "I guess I must have smelled your cherry pie all the way from my room."

"Pfft..." I giggle.

We stand in silence, just staring at each other with smile on our faces.

"I missed you..." I breath, then quickly cover my mouth realizing I said what I meant to think out loud.

"Hah, already? We just saw each other." Dui looks surprised.

"Ahh...it's the pie! It's that the cherry pie came out so well. I just wanted you to eat some!" I make up a little lie on the fly to cover my embarrassment. "U-um...so, are you okay now?" I ask.

Dui nods, reassuring me. "Yeah, it looks like things calmed down after the sun set."

"Oh, great. Um, well the pie came out pretty okay, so...do you maybe want to try some?" I ask nervously, making my way over to the pie in the kitchen.

Dui follows and his eyes widen. He reaches out, it's not for the pie, but instead he tenderly touches the skin around my eyes.

I hold my breath feeling and missing his soothing touch.

Even before I knew my feelings for him, his touch was always made me feel safe and comfortable. When we're holding hands walking through the city or stargazing. Being in each others arms when we're feeling down and yearn to be with one another.

"You've been crying, haven't you?" Dui asks.

"Hm?" I flinch. "I-I don't know what you're talking about...Actually I think an egg shell might of gotten in my eye... haha, a-anyways..." I nervously avert my gaze elsewhere, hurrying to change the subject.

"I'm sorry, Abbey..." Dui sighs. "I'm...I'm always hurting someone, aren't I?"

"N-no!" I panic, flailing my hands in front of me to stop him from continuing. "That's not true. We always have so much fun together!"

"Sorry...In the end I made you cry... What a waste." Dui says disappointingly.

The fingers that had been caressing my cheek gently brush my hair out of the way and moves to hold the back of my head.

I swallow the lump in my throat, as I carefully watch Dui.

"I made you cry and I'm sorry..." Then gazes into my eyes. "But...no matter what, I love you so much. I can't stand it." He proclaims.

Dui's face draws slowly closer.

My heart is pounding faster and harder by the second in anticipation.

"Pfft..." Dui lowly chuckles.

Before I can call out in surprise, Shadow Dui has his hands around my neck.

"Urghk..." I grunt.

"Got yoooou." He mockingly says.

This time, Shadow Dui has his hands clasped so tightly around my neck that I can feel the pressure in my face so much it hurts and my vision darkens slowly.

Shit...I can't breathe...Dui, please!

I try to struggle, but at this point it's useless, for my lack of oxygen weakens me. But with one last attempt as my thoughts still lovingly think of Dui, my hand grips his hand, and I dig my nails into him as hard as I can, and rip across his skin.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Dui shouts, as his grip loosens, shaken by the sudden scratch marks left on his hand.

Just then, the medallion around my neck catches the light, and my hand grips around it, aiming it directly at Dui.

In an instant I can see Dui's expression change. And the hands that has been strangling me relax and I desperately gasp for air.

I stumble, wheezing for air, feeling the countertop to my back, as my hand touches my sore neck.

"I...I just..." Dui shakily backs away.

"N-no...Dui..." I cough as I can't seem to get enough air. "It was... nothing. It's okay. I'm okay..." I try to tell him through hoarse breath.

He looks down at his own hands and begins to tremble. "Impossible... I really... Abbey..."

"Dui..." I shake my head, trying to breath properly. "I'm ...okay..."

Breath damn it...I plead to myself.

"What did I do...?!" Dui panics.

"N-no...Dui...please."

I try to reach out and touch Dui, however he leans away from me, as if afraid. He tries to avoid my touch.

Dui looks down at the ground. "I'm sorry... Abbey."

For a second, one of his hands move sympathetically towards me, but immediately catches himself, quickly pulling his hand back.

It's okay Dui, you can touch me... please...

"I really did it... I really tried to kill you... with my own hands." He says, sounding scared. "I'm sorry... I'm really sorry...I can't believe I tried to kill someone I love... again..."

"...Dui..."

"I... I can't be with you..."

I slowly start shaking my head, not liking where this is going.

"I can't be with you... or on earth... or anywhere anymore!" He shouts.

"No! Dui, wait!" I croak.

Dui looks at me with sad eyes that tell me to leave him alone, and I find myself unable to touch him either.

Don't...don't look at me like that...

"Abbey..." Dui softly says my name.

No...don't...

"Thank you for everything... really..."

I feel my heart crumbling as I feel an inescapable suffering I haven't felt in a very, very long-time creep over me. I look at Dui and sense that he's going to leave me. He's going to leave me and go someplace far away where I'll never ever be able to see him again...

The strength of that premonition is so intense that I've gone numb to the core.

"I tried to kill you too, but...I'm still too stupid to give up on you... My only choice is to disappear..."

Please... don't leave me too...

"I don't ever want to hurt someone I love again."

That numbness turns to rage as I scream as my voice will allow. "No!"

I rush and grip Dui's arm, jerking him towards me.