'What took you so long?' John raised his head and tilted it against the splintered door, resting it as he focused his traitorous eyes on the man in the white suit .Figures. White. Angels and their damn hypocrisy. All pristine and holy-than-thou shit when they clung to the threads their own bigotry. Meddling with humanity -damn them to hell. John doggedly blinked against the numbness that spread through his body and clogged his brain, his thoughts slowly eroding against his lungs insistent demand-urging him to breathe harder and faster.
'Hello John. John ,hello' John couldn't muster the revulsion and loathing that that greeting warranted, not when his flesh weighed heavily against his own bones, cold and uninhibited like a carcass on a spike. Was barely aware of the- hiiissssss- that steadily squelched in betweenfootsteps. The stench of rot and fester that accompanied it that filled his nostrils, ripping the crisp nightmares of his youth to the forefront of his mind. Of the fire, the scalding heat of the cold, and the screaming-just the screaming- echoing- the pain throbbing as it stabbed at his eyes.
'You're the one soul I would come here to collect myself. Mmhhhm' John opened his eyes resolutely, gazing up at the man who had by now situated himself on a chair. The chair, John noted, that he had wiped the sole of his shoes when he had deported those half-breeds. Immaterially, he wondered if his footprints would gratifyingly imprint upon the devil's pristine white suit when he was dragged back to hell. Hell. The final mark of John Constantine .His throat clench at the thought, his teeth grit as bitterness and anger threatened to smother him. The memories whispered the stark memoires that fuelled so much of his determination and fear in his life. John drew a shuddering breathe, shoving the self-pity from his thoughts. So the old man himself came to collect him, he imagined worse. The man was giddy as a child, clapping his hands in mockery, or was it actual happiness.
'So I've heard' Swallowing the evidence of his damnation, however was just that more final and eternal and so goddamn unfair. And God, he needed a cigarette. His fingers fumbled for his lighter 'You mind' through both knew , Lucifer and he, that Constantine would do as he damn well smoke if he pleased. Yes, there-the brief pause in which lips narrowed and sparked in red demonic eyes, before the easy juvenile smile wiped his wrinkles into a into the lazy ease in which he excluded. Worth it, through he may come to regret it. Lucifer's following consent meant little to him, they both knew.
'Coffin nail,' he murmured clarification, slightly scornfully in a fuck you to hell distain, the significance was not lost on Lucifer. A subtle reminder that it was he that chose this-the time and place, not the surge of unholy minions or that accursed cancer poisoning his lung cells. He was in control, at least while he was on this plane-
'Very fitting, John' alight frown lilted his brow before he straightened his blazer and smirked. The irony acknowleged that either way, sooner or later, Lu was getting his soul and probably his body to boot. The cigarette was a symbol of that, and all that was wrong and messed up in John's life. But he was damned if he didn't breathe one sweet mouthful of nicotine smoke before the brimstone and hellfire. Already his fingers was shaking as he withdrew his lighter and flicked it open-
'You know when you cut to deep, you cut the tendon...finger movement goes out the window.' God, he was gloating-the lighter laid between his legs like a errant puppy. Begging to lit and pleading to be held. John clenched his teeth, the taste of raw cigarette quelling but not satisfying. 'Let me help you' The man was close, too close as he leaned over Constantine in fable concern. This close John could see the dark tattoos that ran upon waxen skin across his neck and fingers, the dark sister gleam in those red eyes. His hot breath in controversy was not unpleasant, through the stained teeth was mildly upsetting, especially when he grinned. The cigarette lighter held firmly within his thick fingers, John glared at the lighter-traitor, but the need for the slacken pull of smoke was strong. The resulting mouse chase was expected through it did still irk him. He inhaled and finally, through this whole mess and blood, he could think. The roll of smoke and twang upon his tongue as he blew smoke , albeit awkwardly at the devil. 'See' Lucifer flicked the lighter wickedly, John flinched instinctively- merely human instinct. 'Sonny, I've got a whole theme park full of red delights for you' John concentrated on inhaling just that little bit more.
'Well, aren't you a peach' Never a doubt Midnite, got his finger in every pie-John grimaced.
'I didn't think you would make the same mistake twice' Yeah, well neither did he, John met his eyes blowing smoke smoothly in reminisce of his better days. Lucifer's ruby eyes, narrowed suspiciously at the fallen man, his tone cleared from the light playful tone 'And you didn't...' to a low growl. '...did you'. John was unsurprised .They were surrounded in a unambiguous grave of half-demons, bullet shells that lay silent in evidence and the odour of holy water would surely have alerted Lu if not repugnant him that no-Constantine had not just give up. Because frankly, why the hell would he deported those insignificant scum if not to promote him. And he, John Constantine, sincerely would have walked out, never even turned back to the screams left in his wake. He wasn't a saint and he never claimed to be.
'So how's the family' how mundane, John drew more poison and closed his eyes.
'Family's doing just fine. Busy, busy, busy. Need a vacation' Lucifer grunted, flexing his neck in cruel recollection. Probably one damn long holiday for the tyrant, John grimaced and concentrated on his words. There was nothing that was stopping him from speeding up his death, even if he was restricted from directly interfering. His soul was damned from all those years ago, belonged to the devil -a little leeway of speech was all John got.
'Word is that kid is a chip of the old block' John exhaled, let him figure out which kid he fathered.
'Well, one does what one can' a void expression. Lucifer obviously did not care, cared even less than John. Obvious that he wasn't even aware of the defiant streak that was documented in the Black's Bible, or the fact-
'He's in the other room' John stated, hampered the urge to kick the devil's chair as the Lucifer rubbed his coal stained feet upon his tailor fitted suit teasingly. 'With Gabriel' That caught the other curiosity, through only briefly- 'They have the spear of destiny' John clarified, vaguely amused that the King of Hell's ignorance. So much for omnipotent and omniscient-or was that God? Who knew with these deities. Lucifer paused, his eyes darkened as he focused on the dying man in contemplation, weighing and shifting the words in his mind. A tongue flickered and tasted the words-
'They have the spear of destiny' he mimicked derisively, sniggering. And John could see the effect, the knowledge of the possibility flickering in his eyes but also the doubt. The inerrant distrust, that John would have smirked if the situation of him dying was not so evident. If ever a dead man told a lie, it would be John Constantine, a sinner to the end.
'Or is it another of your cons' Lucifer hissed, his ire inflamed in his breathe. His sudden presence compressing as all humour dissipated from his face. John gazed up and focused on the other, itching for another drag. The strain was cutting all sensations and he could feel the lack of weight upon his consciousness- telling him that he was definitely dying. He knew. And damn them for resting the fate of humanity upon his shoulders. He was happy just killing the occasional half-demon and vampire for his redemption, nothing about saving the whole useless flock. Chas was dead. Hennessy. Beeman. Angelica was probably dying by now, the human body was never designed to recover from such a taint as the devil's son. He hadn't killed Balthazar. That- that was- John was resigned.
'Go look for yourself.' he challenged Lucifer; red eyes glinted as he further studied John. There was an admittedly undercurrent of hope that lilted his tone, that Lucifer would tear the wings of that angel Gabriel-or whatever the hell those freaking angels did. Which doubtless confused Lucifer, John lifted his head from its resting place 'You waited 20 yrs for me, what's another 20 seconds?' And that was pride in John's voice. Something that Lucifer did not appreciate- foolish really. The growl that tore from Lucifer's throat was gravelly and predator and John definitely flinched as his head smacked painfully at the wall .Unable to move but to tilt his head as far away as his neck would allow, away from the other. The tense vibration made his heart pump faster making him more light headed with the blood loss. The moist touch on his neck made him cringe and he farrowed his eyebrow. That was it.
The sound of glass shatter and the abrupt absence of heat opened his eyes. Well, that was it then. The clear relief shocked him for a moment, he hadn't known that he cared that much. He drew another smock filled breathe slowly. His eyes had hazed to the extent where he couldn't see his shoes, just the undistinguished shape that led surely from his knees. And damn, he wished his watch hadn't stopped- 20 seconds suddenly felt so much faster in pause motion.
The crack of fallen glass beside him woke him and he blinked the traitorous sleep from his eyes. 'What do you want' John blinked at the devil. The white fuzzy indistinguishable from the creeping darkness . What did he want? Oh yes- he should have remembered that demons only deal in contracts. Well, his life would be swell. But John didn't think that the devil would deal his freedom '-Extension' the devil quipped expectantly, breaking his submerging consciousness. John's head tilted in aggravation-so he would end up in the exact position in 10 years time without his redemption. And damnation and hell did the devil know it. Isabella through, she didn't deserve that, she deserved what he could never earn-
'You know you're going to be working hard with my boy walking around. Chip of the old block indeed' Lucifer grinned as John head jerked in shock. No. The knowing grin grew gleeful -Why that sonofabitch.-
He- he dead- cut his wrists. Committed the whole damn suicide fiasco -so that the devil could arrive fashionably late. Damned humanity with a sprinkle of sugar?-and Angelica, she was unequivocally dead then. Chas. God, he could wished he could deport the devil to hell. His finger twitched in an unloaded gun.
'Naa-ah-ah.' Lucifer tutted, as John's vision took in the white figure kneeling over him. And fury filled demonic eyes. The cigarette fell from his numb lips- well shit, there goes his cigarette. John's head rolled back as he tried to distance himself from the heated wrath. Cold fingers gripped and steadied his chin, stroking his neck 'Breathe for me John' John's lungs expanded greedily as he gulped in air that he hadn't even known was depraved from him. 'Now you see my problem. Family's a hassle. Got to wrap this up now, John. You want to die here or later.' John sneered, would a fuck you suffice. He was done-done to the bone. Midnite was right, time to hand over the reins. His time was finished the moment he learnt that he had terminal cancer in the hospital , before he had met Angelica. Before this whole case ended with people that he knew, people that had helped him–dead.
'Chas Karmer.' He snarled, through his voice was almost empty of sound 'The boy, give him to me' Lucifer grin widened impossibly, a heated spark of what-approval?
'Mmhmm. I didn't think you one to play with toys John. Don't think you would have time to play, with all the gory delights I've got planned. You know, if you want something pretty to taunt, there are fresher boys that scream so wonderfully for you. Hmmhmmm. Yes they would.' Lucifer nodded to himself as he slanted John head, such that his neck was exposed. 'So much more filling to the soul, right John' watching as his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.
John teeth gritted 'No' his hands laid uselessly limp beside him, longing to shove the other bodily away. 'No. No I want you to bring him back' John fading eyes hardened it's sight on red circled irisis '-here. On earth. Where he belongs.' His chin was unexpectedly dropped and it sagged on his chest, a groan escaped him as his vision swayed. Lucifer snorted-
'You think that boy could succeed you? John, no.'
'Bring him back , Lu.' John rasped 'And you'll get my soul' there was a sound of shifting of weight. Something wet, cold was smudged across his face. Finger squeezed him cheeks painfully upright.
' Oh John. Do you know how long-' eyelids were hooded drunk on yearning, desire at the sight of blood on John's check, his mouth slack as tongue darted to run across his teeth with a hiss. John eyes blinked rather dumbly-
'I 'll scream for you, Lu-'
'No!' Lucifer bit, fingers tightened across his tie .His voice startlingly softened 'I want to break you gently, John. Slowly, sweetly, savouringly ' John could only nod in assent. Let him try.
'Then do it Lu, or forfeit my soul' the incredulity of his statement made Lucifer straighten for a second before the grin manifested on his face.
'John ,John ,John' he mocked 'Do know who you're talking to?' John could only blink once again, his lungs were all that kept him from dying at that second; his heart had slowed to the occasional beat of that of a coma. 'I'm flattered really. Yet 'The lord giveth and the lord taketh away.'' Lucifer paused , his eyes flickering to the ceiling 'Do I look like Jesus to you?'
No. No. This could not be God sake- had he no pity? Constantine could only stop the scream of frustration at the injustice.
'See. I'm gonna spread it clear for you John' Lucifer situated himself more comfortably on the floor 'Now, I can't do much on this plane. Neutrality and the wager an all.' John snorted , Gabriel didn't have such issues- 'Aaahh-but you don't see God around do you. Angels, Demons- not as honourable or restricted.' Lucifer shook his head in lament 'Subordinates' he sighed. 'What me and the Big One don't know- won't hurt the wager would it?' the gleeful undertone was evident even to John befuddled mind. ' And since you simply not listening to reason here, trying to go all martyr on poor me, I'll give you a clear cut deal.' Lucifer picked the discarded smoke packet and drew a cigarette. 'I'll give you 500 yrs, John.' He placed the terminal cigarette between John's lips and lit it with a flick of finger. 'I'll give you 500 yrs of immortality,' Lucifer stroked his greased slinked hair 'If you bring me my son' The cigarette smoke caressed his skin in grey ash. The devil sniggered at the dazed perplexed look that must have crossed his face. 'What? You think blood would mean more than my fun' Lucifer's grin calmed to smirk. Actually, John was wondering why he couldn't just let it be. More chaos, more death and destruction merely meant more shipping's to hell. It wasn't as if God was willing to interfere 'So do we have a deal? Sonny' John eyes flickered to door where Angelica doubtless laid. If only he had been faster, if only he hadn't hesitated- damned if he did, damned if he didn't. Some choice.
John nodded with the last of his strength. 'Very good John,' Lucifer dragged his fingers across the pools of blood. 'But as you are, you're not much use to me' Harsh fingers gripped his hair and tugged it up, John groaned in pain, helpless to do anything but endure. A frown funnelled his brow as his neck strained against the exerted force.'You need-' the acidic liquid taste of iron ,hot fire, moist, chilling and thick, spiralling his already shaky grasp into a drugged trance '-a little boost' It swept through his throat and soothed it, drowned sensation back into his limbs. It tasted divine, it tasted like- oh god, it was blood- John jerked as he snapped his jaw shut with the new strength. 'Now John, be reasonable' the man scolded, prying his mouth open with ease. John whimpered, he had not agreed to this, he had not- But it felt so good, so empowering and soothing. Like liquid gold and fire. An unconscious hand snaked to grip the flesh, dark eye lashes flickering- Lucifer sighed, the grip in his hair had softened and unknowingly cradled the human's head as he studied the ashen complexion richen upon tainted angel blood. He had always been Lucifer's favourite, but now, he was so much more. Special. 'There, there' he murmured with a mocking lisp as John practically sobbed as he drank greedily in large draining gulps.
Gradually he withdrew his wrist, but not before drawing an endearing snarl from the boy. Lucifer grinned in satisfaction, the healthy sheen upon the glowering man's face as he snarled like a new born demon. Already he could see the effect of his blood, steming the flow of John's blood and pulsing within his limbs- through they quivered with the influence. 'Good boy,' he crooned, as he smoothed a sweat slick lock. The man shuddered with rage, Lucifer gleefully noted the glint of red that sparked in dark eyes. It was cruel, yes. John could barely live with himself, let alone the perverse knowledge of what ran through his veins.
'What did you do' John voice practically rose in fury with utter rage. His hand pressed with trembles as he rose shakily to his knees.
'John , the contract.' Lucifer shook his head in mocking displeasure.
'Bullshit. All you needed to exchange blood- you didn't- you could have-' Constantine's voice cracked, or was the fledgling chocking on his blood?
'Couldn't, shouldn't, but did. Or have you made a deal with the devil before' Lucifer purred
'Why-'
Why? Why indeed. Lucifer had been initially intrigued when a warrior of God had fallen to hell- barely 20 yrs ago. Suicide, the great stress killer. He wasn't gonna lie-John's soul was captivatingly, innocent with grief and torment, young and resigned -an enjoyable pass time. But what had Lucifer fingers twitching and teeth baring, was that the enigma, Constantine, had been practical abducted and flung back into the living. God had bent the conventions of death. Which was acceptable, it was only one soul- But nothing tasted sweeter than a fruit denied. The knowledge that Constantine had been destined for heaven only sweetened it- yet rules were rules. Suicides go to hell and angels fell. No doubt, in the end he would have eventually ascended to heaven [ if he had endured hell intact] – not that Constantine knew. But now, with his tainted blood thrumming through John's veins, surely he would be eternally bared from heaven. Surely, he could keep this one child of Eve-
'Because you human, John' and God did he love smirching their innocence 'Do you think that you could challenge my son as a human. Tut, tut John. Your clearly have a concussion' Lucifer stepped back and straightened his blazer 'Or are you still seeking redemption.' He questioned with a scorn. Even now, with the evident blemish upon his soul-innocent. Lucifer could not help but sight the pure white that had fallen into his domain. It was there as John's light fractured with each broken hope, a tight ball that coiled itself deep within his core.
Lucifer snorted at the revelation of John's sagged head, his face spanned a giddy grin at the utter despair on John's face, he let out a little giggle. Oh, this was fragile, still fighting, still willing to hope and to preservera. Still God's unwilling little warrior. 'You're thrice damned,' Lucifer stated with a pinch of gloat 'Made a deal with the devil, son. Oh, and two successful suicides. Not much needed after that. You're going to hell either way, the die roll now – is whether it's sooner rather than later. Harsh or tender. The jailer or the jailbird. It's your call ,a deadline of 500 yrs and the perks of sin ' Lucifer straightened his cuffs 'Not that you haven't indulged' He noted ,as he ran a sharp eye of the darker head man. John eyes were focused on the floor, fixed upon the pool of blood that had inevitably joined -Lucifer chuckled. He did enjoy John's defiance-it made him- worthwhile. 'Well, I must ran. Oh, and-'Lucifer flinted closer, leaning oppressively in what must strained the other's bones, and breathed 'welcome to the family' thriving on the instinctive jerk. Luifer bid himself homeward, he was going to enjoy the next half a century.
'John! John!' a hand cupped his cheek as the other raised his head. He felt heavy, cold. John's head lolled for a brief moment and he was distinctly aware of his body being heaved upright, before it was rested upon damp warmth of another body. 'John! John, come on man' the hand that was patting his cheek had become more frantic, forceful in its alarm. The worrying tremor in the distinctively young voice made John's fingers twitch in recognition. It triggered sentiment, of nostalgic and perhaps slight irritation. 'John! John?...John!' The blows were undeniably bruising no- Chas. John placed the name distinctly within his murky mind, he drew in a sharp breath ...then exhaled steadily. Tasting it, breathing it, feeling it fill his lungs as he drew a slower more profound breathe with relish. 'John!' The sharp clarity of brown curled locks and anxious chocolate eyes peered down at him as blinked 'Oh man, you were like- you weren't breathing, for 10 minutes. I thought- I thought-' John groaned as he heaved himself upright with a grimace, ignoring the hesitant attempts to sustain him. His limbs quivered but not with pain or exertion, but from a force, an electrical adrenaline was pulsing through his body. John flexed the muscles in his back, skilfully overlooking the tight grip upon his shoulder as he sceptically examined his hands. The vertical cuts upon his wrists had disappeared unblemished. John brow creased and deepened when he realised that he now resided in moisture of his own blood. Disgust pulled his mouth as he flicked his hands of the excess blood and crooked a knee. The amount alone should have killed him, it clung to the skin of his clothes like the stench of iron, heavily and potent. Ozzing into his shoes, he hafted himself to his feet-
'You all right, John? John! Don't ignore me John' Constantine shifted his trench coat awkwardly, his toes squelching his shoes.
'500 dollar suit' he scowled in a murmur, the blood in his shirt alone would be impossible to remove. John's eyes flickered to Chas beside him. The boy was tense, hovering close with an expression upon his young face that John placed as want of reassurance. John stifled a sigh, that-that was why he hadn't introduced the kid sooner to the game. He just couldn't grasp the psychological mentality necessary to make him an asshole. Even partially. The reek of naivety and virtue made corrupting him a bigger hassle than John was willing to go. How the hell was the kid supposed to live his daily life, as an exorcist if he could not distance himself from the victims? It was death after death. Causalities, regrets, collateral damage –were a necessary part of the package. Some you knew, others you didn't-
John's instantly stiffened, his mouth dried as he twisted bodily towards his apprentice. His hands roughly threading through brown tangled hair, in search for damage or a dent. 'Whoa-woa-wha' Hands gripped his arms trying to untwine his grasp, as Chas mortified tried to still his questing hands. 'John! I'm alright. I'm alright John' John released one hand and gripped the other forearm, dark eyes flickered the over other's face to his body than up- glaring in intensity.
'You died' John affirmed, his chin unconsciously dipped as he shoved the other a feet away. A frown drawing his eyebrows.
'I didn't- I'm not dead,' Chas splattered his cheeks reddened, then a sheepish look crossed his face 'I just- I just thought I was' he shovelled on his feet awkwardly, 'You know-dying 'his eyes fluttered refusing to meet the elder's, his fingers tugged at the wet clothes.
'You thought you were dying?' John reiterated. The image of Chas body being flung brutally away, flickered in his mind, the relentless force shattering Chas's bones at each impact upon the solid wall. And the sickening twist in his stomach as he watched immobilized, loathingly aware that he was unable to stop it. Unable to force it to stop. Limited in his humanity and petty insignificance. The hauntingly vivid sight of dawning understanding in broken eyes as they splattered with fading light and the crushing guilt that floored him until he smothered it into apathy. Gabriel. John teeth clenched as eyes roved against the damp drenched kid, his uncapped mess of hair frizzing slightly-and couldn't stop the instinctive trickle of relief.
'You and me both' he murmured, he took a determined step as he blinked the image of pale clammy skin and the bloodied nose.
'Hey, your the one lying in blood. I thought you were dying' Chas defended, his lips pressed with agitation 'John? John!' -and the kid was back to reiterating his name. John moved rigidly in his tacky clothes as he walked progressively towards the pool. The rising sun cast an orange tinge of light through shattered windows and John briefly considered the notion of blaming the resident patients, but dismissed it. It would take one messed up patient to sprinkle demon dust within aligned clothes. John halted at the sight and heaved, withdrew a battered packet and flicked his cigarette lighter. He needed a smoke. The boy had finally paused to take breathe and peered over John's shoulder.
'Is she-is she dead?' the disbelief and denial was clear in his question. Still naive.
'Her intestines are discernible and ribs are cracked open. I think she might survive.' John muttered, he drew a long drawing breath and exhaled slowly. His head titled as he examined the body at the corner of his eye. Well- fuck. He couldn't even give her a private funeral given that she was a cop. Forensics would be all over the place, at least three blood samples and two dead bodies. Not to mention the damage cost if they pinned it on him. John strode closer and dropped to one knee, brushing the strands of hair and finally closed her eyes with a sigh. So much for faith in God- two devout sisters. One in hell and the other ripped open alive. By now, he knew that God was not going to lift a finger. Not for her and defiantly not for him-no wonder why people turned to the devil. Some reaction was better than no reaction.
John glanced over his shoulder in firm decision 'Grab her feet' he muttered. His arms already hooked under her armpits, cigarette dangling between his lips, her head resting against the crock of his neck-
'Jo-John. I don't think we're supposed to move the body.' John head lifted to meet hesitant brown eye, his eyebrows drawn in caution as he stepped apprehensively closer.
'Chas. You want to learn something? This is your chance' John heaved himself to his feet and as expected, Chas was ineptly balancing with the added weight. With a jerky nod that belied the younger's anxiety, Constantine patiently walked to the exit with a carcass and a stumbling apprentice at hand.
Hey-hope this does not offend Angelica fans. Please point out any mistakes-thanx