Fuchsia

"You really love flowers don't ya, handsome?" Angel asked one day when finding Hesediel taking care a large assortment of floret resting at a center table in the maze courted library. Looking up from his book now and then in catching Hesediel pluck off dead leaves.

"Maybe not at first. But it was something I grew to enjoy." Hesediel answered, while tapping on the petals to glint on sudden moisture.

The holy one looked over his shoulder when hearing the spider groan. Snapping his book closed in slow forming frustration. He was about to speak again but Angel cut in beforehand.

"You have been hanging out with Al too much, stop."

Hesediel stared at Angel, stone face until a soft hum was heard. He followed with. "Oh. I doubt that is very true there, Angel. One unknown toss of a pun, make not, of what friends to be here."

"Whatever works for you. But yeah, you love planting." Angel said, walking over and plucking one of the long stems, a flower of reds and yellows shock in contrast to his white fur. Angel gave it a whiff, a slant smirk in place, as he spoke. "But from what you say about paintings. I get the feeling there is more to it."

"Is this another attempt at trying to woe me?"

Angel gave a snicker, shouldering the other while handing the flower back. Saying. "Nah, that ship sailed. I was actually going to ask you something. Because well... I got an admire, you could say, and they been wowing in gifts." Sparing a second to pull out his phone and showing pictures of said items, adding. "My girlfriend isn't the romantic type, so all this shit is new. Maybe you could help?"

"Are you asking because it feels unwanted or you want to get idea of this quiet flirt?" Hesediel asked, holding out for the phone, once in grasped, scrolled through them. Taking a seat on the loveseat, that Angel soon joined by a lazed leaning over Hesediel's suspender free shoulder.

"Both, I guess." Angel said, looking at his painted nails in thought, adding on a whim. "A whore can't be too careful, ya know?"

"Right..." Hesediel answered back lighty. Eyes stay focusing on the phone screen. Tapping on a picture now and then, to just enlarge the images. Saying when he a got a sum up. "Okay, nothing is very shameful. This person sends the basics like roses and jasmines. Which are love and romance. I was never one for peonies."

"Why?"

"They mostly mean wealth or own one as possession. So, I can guess that whoever is watching sees worth in you or wants to see you as an object. Not that it could be true. Seeing as they sent marigolds and sweet peas, so hopeful that's why."

Angel rested his head on Hesediel's shoulder, lips posed in thought, taking in what the holy one was saying. Having to asked. "What about this one? The fucker sends them the most."

"Windflowers. They mean they wish to protect you." Hesediel hummed, closing the phone and handing it back.

"So what? Should I go for the guy or what?"

"I don't see how my word should be vow to your being, Angel." Hesediel stated, getting up from the chair and finishing up the pottery. Staying still when feeling the loosed wiry arms drapped over Hesediel's shoulders, a wandering hand tapping on his hip.

"I thought my wusband would be a little more worried about his girl running off on him." Angel teased, a wide smirk could be seen from Hesediel's side view.

"You're pet names are never ending, aren't they?"

"Maybe you're just too nice to say no. Besides, I thought you enjoy us hanging out?"

"Of course I do. Also, I hardly think my amiability is the cause for any of this."

Angel flicked Hesediel's nose playfully, saying. "Hesy, your brife here don't believe you."

"Divorce me then if the trust is so poor. Also, return my jacket."

"Don't know what you mean."

"I have certain people asking too many questions about my declining wardrobe. I don't want others getting the wrong idea."

"Not my problem that they can't mind their own business."

"Angel..."

"Hesy, I know deep down. If you care, like honesty did, you have just took it back by now. You don't give a damn and you just like our banter. Admit it. I got you figured out there."

"I will not confirm nor denied. But, fine, be as you are."

The response was only a sharp laugh from the spider demon, leave the other to fetch his book. Relaxing back in his seat with such ease, he could have been made of water. Hesediel, though not showing the same stance, plucked the leaves with less of a jerk.

"I don't know if this will mean anything, Angel, but thank you for putting up with me for the short term as it has been."

Angel just shrugged, a small twisted of a smile on his lips stayed downward. Flipping onto the next page, nearing the end of the book. On a whim had Angel to say with a small laugh. "On another note. You're taste of books are so nerdy."

"And the moment ruin, just like so, I'm going to ignore that." Hesediel answered back, finally done with the assorted flowers. Taking a lean break by the windowsill, looking out in the rare calmest invoking through the streets below of downtown area of Pentagram City. Unknowingly Hesediel runs a finger across the carvings on the vase, enlightening for a jiff and gone before it settled back into its faded and grim designs. Hesediel choosing to speak again. "Will you all be alright on the upcoming new year?"

"The princess has got the place marked as a no touch zone. I doubt it will work, but, hey, better than on the streets."

"Your boss doesn't give you shelter anymore?" Hesediel asked, taking a quick glance at the other whom just rolled his eyes.

"Don't go rogue on me, big guy, that wasn't the deal."

"I have no idea what you mean?"

Angel gave a sly smirk, closing the book once done. Standing up and handed the novel back. Looking up in a slant to catch the other's eyes, saying. "Sure ya don't. Denied it all you want, I'm not having you come with me to work, again." Angel, patted Hesediel on the arm in kind, adding. "Don't think I don't appreciate it. Just, you know, you got to think of the hotel first."

"I do. And I plan to keep to that. To Miss. Charlie and to those here. All of them." Hesediel said simply, book in hand moving to place it on the correct shelf by them.

"Keep up that sweet talk and you're going to give this whore high hopes." Angel said, as they left the library, catching Hesediel checking his watch before fixing himself, the suspenders hung at his hips back to the shoulders. Angel spoke again as Hesediel adjusted his tie and flower stem in his shirt pocket. "You got a long day? Don't want to keep you from your job and all."

"You seeking peace is hardly a distraction, Angel. Maybe at first, but it was understandable. I really don't mind."

"Yeah, I guess-"

"There you are my dear fellows! I was thinking you finally cave in, little dove, and disposed the body of Mr. Dust."

"Alastor." Hesediel greeted, his slight twisted in his shoulders didn't go unnoticed by Angel, who just nodded in greeting. Hesediel adding as he and Angel kept walking, Alastor trailing behind with that forever etched sharp smile. "Is there something you need?"

"From you? Oh goodness no, I was just noticing how quiet things were and well, the most tragedy comes from silence. If anything, color me dissatisfied at the results. I thought out of anyone would have murder the spider by now and all for not. How sad."

"Really, Alastor-"

"Though, wouldn't it be nice to see something of worth here. You living to your halo statist is falling quickly. I mean, like the rest of them. I thought you would give up this faux compassion of yours. Extermination day is nearing. Wouldn't it be nice to get first call. Quite-"

"Sorry to disappoint, hot stuff, but if your looking for a fun time. I have something else in mind." Angel tossed in, arms snaked around Hesediel's arched elbow that flexed when Alastor got a jerk reaction from the holy one.

Hesediel watched as Angel going on full work mode, having the blue tone flirting setting Alastor on edge, left eye twitching in frustration. Before it could go too far, Hesediel place a kind hand on Angel's hip. Dragging away before Alastor's shadow made an unwelcomed appearance.

"I think we should be going, Mr. Dust." Hesediel said in a low tone, eyeing as Alastor's rage seemed to be seeping from the walls.

"Oh, fine." Angel huffed, flicking his hair in a tiff to Alastor demeter, adding on a whim as they walked away. "We'll play at another time, Berg Boy. I look forward to it, remember the rope, don't want to disappoint your fans."

Alastor's head tilt with an unsettling crack, radio white noise filled the air. Hesediel sighed, arching the ache that running up his spine, sliding between the two. Keeping in mind to not touch either. Ignoring the tighten grip around his left ankle.

"Okay, you two, that's enough with whatever tension is going between you two. Ease up now. Think about what Miss. Charlie would think about this. Come on." Hesediel said calmly, angle his chin high enough to miss Alastor's microphone staff, the bunt of just inches away from Angel's face if Hesediel didn't grab it.

"Aren't you being a hero about this, little dove." Alastor radioed hissed, eyes and teeth flickering to each word.

Hesediel sighed, eyeing Alastor blandly when saying. "Hardly, but I don't expect you to believe that. Or anything I say. It's quite sad to see your progress slipping. But if anything, do not drag others into your schemes. Shouldn't me being your punching bag be enough?"

Alastor only etched out a sharp laugh, angled his staff to just grazed Hesediel's cheek. Leaving just a faint line, barely a mark as a soft glow kept the full force from pressing down. Angel suddenly went from cocky to just unsure what was going on between them. A slight worry coming to play went a darkening line gathered in the corner of his eye and ear towards Angel.

"A groveling eggplant like you is just a side dish."

"Of course... how silly of me." Hesediel answered, about to to add more when Charlie and Vaggie showed up, looking for Alastor on some filing.

Angel took the chance to dragged Hesediel away. Shouting out an excuse that he was late for his appointment. Not letting Hesediel correct and long gone, before others could give a word back edgewise. Hesediel carefully taking care of the dark stains on his being, letting it whisked into the air like thin smoke.

"Clever thinking there, Angel." Hesediel said, once they found themselves in front of Hesediel's office.

Angel shrugged, while the other unlock the door. Going in when invited and slumped harshly into the couch. Hands covering his eyes in thought, catching clinks and water hissing in the sparce silence between them.

"Tea?"

"I would rather have a stiff drink, but yeah, sure. Are you okay? Smiles seemed more prickly than usual."

"Could be better. Though not the worst I had to deal with. Also, Alastor is Alastor, I been wise to leave him be in his hissy cat fits. Though, right now, it's understandable to see from his point of view to things."

Angel laughed, sad and bitter, at the truth to those words, relaxing on the couch the best he could. Not well, given he heard Hesediel call out to his name, in a tone, that he Angel thought as a worried parent.

"What the fuck even was that?" Angel asked, taking the tea when it was ready, blowing the steam away, and sipped. A brow arch when he adding in peeked instrest. "Rum?"

"Not a word to Miss. Charlie or Mr. Husk."

"Is the little kitty keeping a stash here or something?"

"I will not confirm nor deny that." Hesediel said, taking a sip from his own cup. Rubbing his left eye from the pulse throb that twitched now and then. Saying in kind. "Call this as a thank you back there. That wouldn't have been pleasant."

"Doesn't answer my question, Hesy."

"Which one?"

"Any of them, jerk."

"The alcohol is a little bribe between Mr. Husk and I for him to rise chances to show up. It helps and our conversations on art enlightening. I don't approve. He knows, but at least keeps to a small dose. It's pleasing to see him try."

"Cute."

"My, my... is that jealousy I hear?" Hesediel said in dull jest that invoked a snicker from the other.

"You wish."

"Hardly."

"Really, handsome, what was that?"

"I rather not speak of that. Some parts are hard to explain and given events between us. I don't want to alarm you, if anything."

"Keep it simple. I can take it. I'm a hard bitch for a living, it's pretty much my job. Besides, this is kind of what we agree on. You scratch my back. I'll try not to bang yours."

"Really, Angel..."

"Oh, shut up and spill already."

Hesediel eyed the other, over the rim of the cup. Thinking in how to phrase it gently. Letting the sweetness of the tea calm him just enough to loosen the tightness in his shoulders. Finally speaking. "It's kind of form of punishment."

"Okay... you going to give me more than that?"

"I don't really want to."

Angel glanced at him, letting the silence roll between for what felt like an endless time loop. Choosing his next words carefully. "Can it kill you?"

Hesediel gave a hummed, the closest sound of a laugh Angel gets out of him, before saying. "That would be a bit pointless to others. It was far much worst than this, now it's just when negative emotional state of others are at their lowest. Given mine are locked away and I can't vent them out naturally, that leaves my nebulae being is in painful condition and crushed against the outcomes."

"Crushed?"

"Picture a car or trash being compacted into a tight shape to where if liquid was in, it would seek an exit given the first space is nonexistent. It has messed my vision to a degree when in that state. Though, it can be tiring at times, more so that these exoskeletons are hard to take care of."

"Huh... so you don't really look like this. Such a shame and waste of a pretty face."

"I didn't want to look like this when coming to help. But staying in my nexus form isn't safe, as its far too sensitive to the environment like here and above, while mildly distracting with mortals, and being formless is not much a welcoming look, to at least humans. Well, the adult ones anyway. I'm unsure and do not want to try with any of you. Sanity is a precious thing after all."

The spider let a loose smirk at the odd joke from the other, only nodding. Angel finished his cup, letting Hesediel fetch him another. Letting the information sink in. Eyeing the tall being dressed in white and purple.

Angel found himself saying offhand. "I guess we have more in common than you thought, handsome."

Hesediel held out the cup, but held a little back to have Angel look at him in confusion. The holy one adding. "Not true. I believe you can get out of your chains, Angel."

"Now you're just being nice. If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to get into my pants. You almost got this slut's heart skipping a beat." Angel snorted, taking a quick gulp not to look at the other.

"I wish you rethink some of your self titles, Angel."

"Hey, I'm just saying the truth. What else would I be?"

"G trian paid noan aoiveae de ol." Hesediel hushed baritone as usual, as he walked away to clean up his kitchenette.

Angel just looks at him oddly, the lost tone thick in his words. "What the hell was that?"

"Worry not, it was all in kind." Hesediel answered, glancing at his watch quickly to say next. "I have a few appointments today. Do you wish to continue this later?"

"Oh. You say sweet nothings, wusband and now you plan on leaving me hung to dry. I see your game."

"Whatever you believe, Angel. Be my guess. But still, thank you for this. This really shows an arising amiability for yourself."

"Damn... if I had know. I would have gotten you in my bed sooner."

"Angel..."

Hesediel looked over his shoulder when feeling a light pat on his lower back, a sassy grinning Angel eyes him back. Saying something that neither thought had to be said. "Hey, it's what friends are for." Ending with a wink before strutting out of the office that made air around Hesediel to be a little more breathable than before.

"Friends, long time since I last made one. That's always nice to have in kind." Hesediel murmured to himself, in ease, as he finished up in time to have one of his clients showed up.