I wasn't gonna post this update today especially since I recently updated Dark is not Evil yesterday which by the way you guys should give a read. But we decided "Eh what the heck might as well post it today" so here you are the latest update for this au

A couple more days have passed, and now it was three weeks. Grometheus' stubbornness was starting to wear off, doubt crossing his mind. Was the Hunter really telling the truth? Would…

Would the kid's parents seriously never return for her?

A frown formed on his face, and his boisterous storytelling faded. The Kid looked up at him, frowning. It was almost like she could feel his depressed mood.

"What? I'm alright, kid. Just lost breath. Don't worry." He ruffled her hair. The Kid closed her eyes, a smile appearing on her face. Grometheus smiled, picking her up. "Alright, it's time for bed. I said one more story."

The Kid huffed, but let herself be placed down into the crib. She fell asleep not too long after. After summoning the Hunter to watch over her, he went into a shadow. Appearing once more at where he found her, he stared at the spot. The grass was growing there, but if you looked you could see an outline of where the kid once was. A prominent frown was on his face, and he leaned down to get a closer look.

"If they really aren't coming back…" Grometheus stood tall again, shaking his head. "Two more days."

Grometheus went into another shadow, and traveled to the edge of his forest. The moon was high in the sky, it's light illuminating his face more. Using this to his advantage, he stepped out into the light. The moment he did, he had shapeshifted into a form that he was familiar with.

Instead of his usual demon form he now had the appearance of young man with dark purple hair which was long and wavy, reaching his shoulders even whilst the majority is tied up in a very large ponytail. Additionally, his messy bangs all but obscure his dark, slanted eyes.

For his clothing, he was donning a long, black jacket trimmed with a light-colored flame pattern; the lapels are a matching lighter color as well. The cuffs of his jacket are rolled up, revealing a light-colored inside, which contrasts the black outside of his jacket, and have a black line cutting through the edge of the fabric. The jacket itself is tattered and splits into four torn fabric segments at the tail. Beneath the jacket, he had a frilly black v-necked shirt, lined in a lighter color, that closes down the middle and is adorned with a buckle just below his clavicle; just below this is a piece of fabric that was kept over this shirt but under his jacket, that circles the majority of the lower half of his torso. The rest of the attire was simple, consisting of light-colored pants that lay lazily over the top of rather plain black boots and have, on each leg, a seam running down the middle, as well as two pairs of buckles that form an X on the thigh and lower calf. However, the buckles on each thigh later disappear, leaving only the ones on each calf.

All in all though? He looks quite fancy.

He rarely used this form, however. Only to go into town to buy books or sometimes other stuff. And well, wouldn't you have guessed it!

He was in town buying some things...and maybe a book or two when he's done.

Where did he keep these items, you may wonder. Well, he has a closet that is like a portal connecting to the attic of the hunter's cabin(there's a reason that man was his most trusted servant after all)

The one time where he didn't have to worry about intruders or mysteriously disappearing parents. Wasn't a long time, but it was still quite relaxing.

But he also had a second purpose for tonight. As much as he believed her parents would come back last minute, just in case, he decided to get the Kid some books. As much as he enjoyed reading her ghost stories and horror novels, she kinda also needed toddler books. Parenting books wouldn't hurt either.

"Hello, Larry," The bookstore owner greeted. He was an old lizard demon, with tiny circle glasses and a withered yet friendly smile. If there was any people who Grometheus was to refrain tormenting, it was him and his family.

Grometheus nodded in greeting. He used an old nickname, as he didn't want the old man to be suspicious.

"What brings you here?" he asked, bookmarking a book he was reading himself.

"I'm taking care of a child," Grometheus answered, picking out a book for himself before scanning for more child books.

"A child? Has the ever-so cold Larry become a father?"

Grometheus nearly dropped his book, but his fumbling hands managed to catch it. The old lizard laughed merrily at this.

"Me? A father? No, no. She's… the daughter of a friend," Grometheus lied, pulling out a parenting book.

"Uh-huh. A friend… So, daughter? What's her name?"

"Uh...Tyke?" It was half a lie. He had been calling the kid Tyke sometimes, but he doubted it would persuade the old lizard that she wasn't his. Not that she was!

He groaned mentally.

"Tyke? Isn't that a boy's name? Still it is adorable."

Grometheus rolled his eyes, pulling out two children's books. He strolled over to the counter, where the old lizard began to scan them.

"How long is she staying with you?"

"Only a couple more days. My friend travels a lot for her job."

"Is she-"

"No! I'm not seeing anyone right now."

"Alright, alright. I shouldn't have pried."

The bookstore became quiet again, and once it was done Grometheus handed him some snails.

"I'll see you next week."

"Yes. And, Larry?"

Grometheus turned his head to him.

"Good luck."

When he had gotten back, the Kid was awake, the Hunter playing with her. He formed back into his demon form, books still in hand.

"Welcome home, boss!" The Hunter greeted, picking up the Kid.

"Still no sign of the kid's parents," Grometheus sighed, placing the books in the closet. The Kid babbled, reaching out to him. She must have just woken up, as she wasn't distraught like she had been. "She's getting really talkative, huh?"

"Yeah! I think she might say her first words soon!"

Grometheus scoffed, taking her into his arms.

"I doubt it. Also, don't get too attached to her."

"Right, boss," The Hunter chuckled. After he left, Grometheus grabbed one of the toddler books.

"Alright kiddo, time to read you back to sleep," Grometheus said, sitting down in his chair. The Kid lied down in his arms, turning her head to the book's pictures. He began to read to her, pointing out each animal and kept a gentle voice. Soon enough, Hat Kid was getting sleepy once more.

Grometheus placed the book on the boxes once finished, the Kid drifting in and out of sleep.

That's when it happened.

She reached out her hand, and for a second Grometheus thought she'd just pull at his neck again. But instead, she made a grabbing motion, but grabbed nothing.

"Pa-Papa!

It was an immediate reaction, and since he was so used to it, his hand moved to hers. Her little hand gripped his finger again, and before he could think, he already blurted out what he thought.

"Don't worry, kiddo. Papa will keep you safe from night terrors."

The Kid finally fell asleep, but it had already been done. It took almost a minute for Grometheus to realize what he said.

"Wait, no, I couldn't have-" He cursed under his breath, his eyes softening. He hated to admit it, but he loved it. Before the betrayal that made him what he was today, he had wanted to be a dad. Her saying that, to him especially, welled up an emotion inside that he hadn't felt in a long time.

He pushed it down, standing and putting her into her crib. He tucked her in, watching her from above. His hands gripped the side of the crib, his eyes closing again.

Love. That's what he had felt. In these three weeks, she had him. In these last hundred years, he couldn't believe it. But he knew he couldn't keep it inside forever. Her parents could still be out there...

Love.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Luz's first word which was as expected is "Papa".

Grometheus human form is based on Mard Geer from fairy tail. Whenever Rothem imagine what Grometheus looks like as a human, Mard Geer is the first one to come to mind. As for his nickname Larry...well lets just say Grometheus is known to be terrible with names XD.

anyway hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.