Bellflower

Another day in hell, is just day filled contentment and sublime flow for it. A lone thought Hesediel let run in his mind while setting out for the day. Checking his watch for the time. Taking a moment to make a morning warm tea, while having his office ready for today's light round.

Fixing up the paintings that context nicely to a room of white with thin abstract patterns in black, purple, and blue. With navy furniture assorted in a comfy livingroom setting, with basic wooden side tables, a glass coffee table onto of a tailor design carpet, bookshelves placed about, along with a book case near the large floor to ceiling stain glass window that reflect an ocean by rocky beaches setting with hell's natural hues giving it a forever crimson dusk hour. Beside the left of the window was roller locked steel six by five vertical filing cabinet.

Everything in place, in a therapeutic sense for himself as he unlocked and set the sign that office was open. A form of constancy, though any noises outside were greatly ignore. Glancing now and then out the window to see off in the distance was a turf war. Willing himself to head over to the window. Thinking. Given how far, the hotel wasn't in any dangers for the day. That ease an unknown tension in his shoulders, but stiffen when feeling rangy fingers toying deeply through his dress shirt and hips, while minding his suspenders and bolo tie.

"Hey handsome, you looking a bit tense. Want me to tend to it?" Raspy and coy the words flow round his ears, glancing over his shoulder to partly catch Angel smirking teasely back.

"Good morning, Mr. Dust. You look swish as always. And no, thank you." Hesediel answered back, while moving slowly from Angel's reach, seeing the other pout a tad only to wear back his usual confident self. Adding, after eyeing his watch. "You're up early, daily tendings to little Nuggets or back from work?"

Angel rolled his eyes to his words, saying. "Work. You going to rat me to princess of not making it back in time for crewfew, tush?"

"What happens is between you two. I'm just glad you're back safely. To that, you don't have to come today's sitting. Just head to your room and rest." Hesediel told, nodding to the door while hearing the whistling of the kettle. Adding. "Given to outcomes as it is, Mr. Dust. I don't doubt you just want to take it easy." Words flowing, unaware of the expressions running across Angel's face.

"That's it?"

"I believe so, Mr. Dust."

"What about your wandering magical touch checking? Come on..."

"I can tell just by looking that you are in spades. My so-call magical touch is not needed."

"You don't know if nothing went wrong, it's my boss, ya know?"

"While I'm not familiar with your boss. I could tell he's not to act unless target in sight. So your wellbeing is out of reach."

"You're not worry at all... really?"

"It's hardly been five months. This is untame as it comes, but limitations are no stranger to a threat. Just another day passing by in con-"

"Are you really going to act like nothing happen, dick?"

"What do you-"

"Are you just going to think I don't want to speak with Hes. Because it sure the fuck not the fucking good doctor I need right now. You asshole!"

Hesediel stopped carting to his tea, looking to Angel. Unsure what to say but motion the other to sit. Reluctantly Angel followed the wordless tell. Slumping deeply into one of the plush chairs by the window. Barely taking in mind of a cup of tea rested by him.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Bull."

"Angel-"

"Oh, now it's Angel... aren't you just a jet now."

"I'm sorry. I have no excuse for that slight. I was just-"

"Putting me first. Like everyone else. I got that."

"Was it wrong to think I just didn't want to bring it up. Having you..."

"Freaked out?"

"That's one way to put it. I know everyone here is use to your work habits for the last few years. But I know those... moments are not something everyone knows or voice out. It upset you when you asked to keep it between us, understandable. I was just being mindful."

"Maybe as the doctor. But would be nice to see that man who held me and, damn it this is bullshit... tended to me like I matter..."

Hesediel carefully reached out to Angel. Pulling back just a tad when the spider demon inched away. He waited, before trying again to place a gentle hand on the other's open palm.

"I am sorry, Angel. Please know that. I thank you for your honesty. I'll be sure to take our personal time more to heart. You're my friend in those times, not a patient. Forgive me."

"Don't be a drama queen, sweetheart. That's my job." Angel sassed, giving squeeze between their hands before letting go. The grip wasn't tight but more unsure.

"I notice that very well."

"And?" Angel asked, taking the cooling tea with an unmuse glace but sipped, given who gave it. Eyeing the other in a sided peek, very close to his usual sass.

"Really, Angel..."

Angel just shrugged kittenishly.

"I only have a few clients today. I can at best take you out for a late lunch for my callus behavior."

Angel jumped from his seat, cup empty and left on the table. Strutting in glee to stand in front of Hesediel, to lean in to give a loose one arm hug. Husking out near one of Hesediel's pointed ears. "It's a date, Hesy." Adding with a loose brush of air that mirror a kiss against Hesediel's cheek, words trailing along. "Later Adonis."

"I'm going to ignore that one." He said once meeting the other's eyes, whom just wore devilry grin in return.

"Your loss." Angel said with that very grin still in place, patting the other's cheek and moving away.

"Angel." Hesediel called out before the other could leave.

"Yeah?"

"How was work?"

"Business as usual. Val is still pissed but aware, that all?"

"And yourself?"

Angel only send a kiss motion with a wink and out the door. Leaving for Hesediel to exhale a low sigh out, finishing his tea and taking both cups to the kitchenette counter. One to wash and the other for a refill. Catching a glimpse of his first client. Slightly pleased to see who it was.

"Morning Mr. Husk. A pleasure to see you. Would you like something to drink?"

"Doc." Husk greeted back, while tossing. "Not really, thanks for asking." He then heaved a breath, taking a lay on the couch while focusing sights on one of the few paintings decorated around the walls.

"Alright." Hesediel started, placing his tea down at the desk that divided the room and grabbing for Husk's file. Adding in his tone that made Husk grumble when hearing. "How has your intake been?"

"You should know."

"Mr. Husk..."

"Eh, I don't know... still pretty heavy but I'm easing with the good stuff to like monthly awards. That goddamn behavior scale the brat has going is a pain. But it's better than going cold turkey."

"Have you been doing the same with gambling?"

"Fuck off."

"Just checking. So, what has that painting there have you so longed?"

"No clue. Peaceful. What's it called?"

"The Hanged Man's House by Paul Cézanne. The golden hues were seen a sense of pride, while in most cases the colors could mean danger, hunger, and cheerfulness. The tints of blacks fall under in theory as sorrow and stability. Another prominent color seen is brown, that is relaxation. Cézanne was a hidden talent of his time, no saint but had quite the tales to tell. Peaceful is not what I call this one, but interesting."

"Was that why you change it?"

"Funny. If you were here on the regular. You would know I change them often, but what you said about Alfred Sisley's Regatta at Molesey. It give me ideas. So, thank you for that."

"Huh, what were ones I missed?"

"Is this how you want to do your sitting, Mr. Husk?"

He just shrugged as an answer. Hesediel took it as confirmation and stood near the painting in the cat demon's view point, catching Husk sitting up more straighter, awaiting for Hesediel to take the reins. With a glide of his hand in a razz style, that always intruded the heavy drinker. Hesediel wondered the Cézanne image to melt, twist, and waver into far grimmer picture, by the tall gloom building, dark foliage scatter about the tombs. Leaving the other pictures alone.

"I thought your job was trying to keep people from being depression, Doc?"

"My job is more to make sure the emotions are intact. What happens mentally and physically are out of my control, in a way. Is there a reason for that response?"

"Doc, in case you suddenly went blind. It's a picture of a graveyard."

"The Jewish Cemetery by Jacob van Ruisdael. The man an acute of intrigue to how a place such as this mirror human nature. In this case; this image told death, age, forgetfulness, and loneliness. Granted, most never saw that. A new beginning and hope were also common. Reasons vary, but the core of the story remains a simple constancy."

"What would that be?"

Hesediel looked to Husk, puzzlement across the eyes of the cat demon. Haunting to say that Husk knew, but didn't want to say it out loud. Hesediel glance back the image, flicking his wrist in ease to change to another. Lowly he answered. "Goodbye."

A beat of silence plays out to them. But as easy as it comes, it doesn't stay as much longer, for in most cases life itself can't even do that.

"Shall we continue?" Hesediel asked gently, given Husk a chance to change things up at his constant flow.

"Sure. I think I know this one... Les Fétiches... it's by... ah damn. I remember seeing it in a shotty gaming house after one of my tours, won some good stacks then. I think it was either stolen or fake. Never asked then. Shit."

"Loïs Mailou Jones, a youthful flair a woman like her was beyond her years. Using dark tones that recalled back to her cultural that she couldn't express in words. One of few that made staple in the Harlem Renaissance. Choosing not to question how you saw it aside, good taste as it comes. Many believe it spoke of being close to your roots, fine riches, inner demons, and roaring seeks of peace. Theory to some and just lies to others, but I find it fitting for this one."

"No offense, Doc, but you don't really keep to a tone." Husk stated, slightly as a joke though it never ran by as one.

"Constancy is nice to have. But if I were like that for everything, it would be trivial and very, very boring."

"Yet, you have never had a drink at the bar?"

"What's your point?"

"Oh, now you have a funny bone?"

"I guess so. Shall we move onto the next one?"

"Sure."