Category: Darksiders I & II

Rating: M

Couples: Azrael/Abaddon

Warnings: AU, Disturbing Imagery

Chapter:32

Copyright: Characters & places © By Appropriate Copyright-holder, Plot & OC´s © by me

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Orth tooted softly, mimicking the puppy-dog eyes of the little boy holding her.

"Are you sure you can resist that, Abaddon?" Azrael smirked lightly at his fellow parent.

"I'm sure I can, yes" Abaddon replied in annoyance. Looking down on Zeruch, he added. "Zeruch, no. You can't bring your Ortho with us. She must stay at the Barracks."

"But, but, she wants to come with us!" The young child looked tearfully at his elder, "Please can we take her with us?

"You can by me." Azrael smiled gently. "So it seems Abaddon is outvoted three to one."

"Toot." Orth squeaked, not really understanding the talk of the angels around her just yet.

"Azrael, an Ortho is not a pet! And what do you mean I'm outvoted?" Abaddon exclaimed in frustration. "Are you telling me you want a warsteed in the house?!"

"But she is small" Zeruch pointed out, hoping to change his Uncle's mind.

"She wouldn't stay like that forever and you know that, Zeruch."

"Abaddon, I have plenty of space in my house." Azrael rolled his eyes. "And you were outvoted on the matter of whether THIS Ortho will become a pet."

This Ortho in question squeaked a bit more, getting restless in the hold of the little angel. Zeruch petted her to calm her down and whispered: "Don't worry, Daddy will change Uncle's mind. He always does." Pets were nice... The little Ortho squeaked again, hoping to get more.

Feather all ruffled in annoyance, Abaddon shook his head. "Why do you want an Ortho in your house? I remembered you disliking being near one before."

"Because Zeruch wants her." The scholar pointed at the boy with the fluff ball in his arms. "And it's more that the adults do not like being near ME."

"Azrael, she will also become adult one day and she is bred to become a warsteed, not a house pet. And you are now spoiling the child." Abaddon humphed.

Zeruch began to hug his Ortho tighter, feeling sad at his Uncle refusing to take Orth with them.

"I have plenty of space for an adult as well." Azrael countered. "And would a mount not be much better when it has a strong bond with its' Rider?" He leaned down, offering scratches to the small featherball, who purred.

"You know that the Riders don't really have a particular mount. They are supposed to be able to ride most Orthos. I admit there are some who have a closer bond with certain ones, but that's very uncommon."

"Perfectly good reason to see if it'll help if they get assigned specific ones." Azrael pointed out. "Or would you not like the Ortho's to get far more effective in battle?"

Orth meanwhile tilted her head, attention having strayed to other, more interesting things than the conversation she could not understand.

Abaddon had to admit that Azrael may have a point. But still... "Can't Zeruch just visit the Barracks to train with her? Do you know how much care an Ortho requires? And once she reaches adolescence, she will become destructive. I seen enough Orthos tearing apart mannequins or other equipment when they having their spats."

"I can watch over Orth!" Zeruch piped up.

"Plus, we have you." Azrael added. "And who knows, maybe some proper bonding will help keep Orth from becoming destructive." He blinked in surprise when noticing that the little chicklet was trying to bat at his feathers. Smiling, he playfully moved it closer.

"Please Uncle, can I bring her home with me?" Zeruch begged softly. He was petting Orth on her fluffy head.

With a sigh, Abaddon gave in. "Alright, alright; Ortho can come with us. And Zeruch, it goes without saying that you are responsible for her."

"And one more for my account." Azrael smirked. "Why do I always win our arguments?"

"It's not my house the Ortho will trash", Abaddon answered smoothly.

"Says the one who forgot they are demanding we move together for the boy's sake." Azrael pointed out. "My house will be YOUR house as well."

Abaddon smirked back at Azrael, "I can at least flee back into my office at The Barracks"

Zeruch hopped around the two adults in happiness.

"I can flee to the entirety of the Argent Spire." Azrael dryly countered as Orth squeaked at being swung around. "Zeruch, you are holding someone."

"Oops, Sorry!" The young boy petted his feathery friend, trying to calm her down again. Orth tooted at the pets, trying to climb onto the boy holding her.

"And most of the furniture is yours."

"We'll replace mine with yours." Azrael smirked.

Abaddon sighed. "Coming along then, Zeruch. We need to inform Heyyel about your Ortho and also to get some supplies for her."

Zeruch nodded and followed his uncle. Orth meanwhile managed to settle on Zeruch's shoulder. "Toot."

"While you do that, I'll go replace my furniture." Azrael called after them.

"Don't you dare, Azrael!"

"I can't exactly join you to the stables, now can I?" The scholar shrugged.