The ring of Greed, ruled by Mammon of the Ars Goetia, truly lived up to its name in that it is filled with businesses and enterprises of all kinds whose sole function was to line his pockets. From casinos to cat cafes, if it made a lot of money it existed here. And whatever money they would typically pull in from other rings, they would charge triple that amount here. You would hear no complaints about it from the locals though. After all, the excess in greed was accompanied by an abundance of wealth. If you were to pay a thousand dollars for a pair of shoes, you can rest assured you'd be buried in those shoes and they'd last longer than your decomposing corpse.

It was for its reputation in high-value items that we find Asmodeus traipsing around one of the many mega-malls of Wrath. This one in particular was Rapacity Plaza, and it held the most expensive stores in the entire ring. Clothes shops of various names selling garments presented on Lilith's very runways, jewelry stores filled with priceless gems and stones whose names have been lost to time, and eateries so divine it could rival those found in Beelzebub's ring. Then there were the stores standard to every mall: V-Mobile, Auntie Aman's, and Stylish Occult to name a few. There wasn't a single store that existed that this mall didn't have.

Because of this, the location grew exceedingly popular. So much so that Mammon had been consistently expanding it every time it reached capacity. It quickly became the mega-mall to dwarf all the rest, and now it is the largest in Hell if not all of existence. It's said that some people even live there solely because they can never find a way out. Designed like a pentagram, each line was themed by a different kind of store, with the circular ring encompassing the entire structure being a hodge-podge of whatever Mammon thought the mall needed.

Asmodeus was currently in this ring, humming a tune to himself as he looked around trying to find the store he passed on the way in. But like most within these walls he found himself easily lost in the long rounded hallway broken up by the occasional mall guide, what little help they provided. Instead he relied on looking back and forth to either side, hoping he'd catch the name of the store amidst the thousands pressed together that he had already passed. Having no such luck so far, he continued his march ahead.

"Fizzy," he called out, "I forget, was Satanic Louboutin in this area, or was it back closer to the Morningstar & Sons?"

The person he addressed the question to was Fizzarolli, his partner in business and in the bedroom, and at the moment partner in carrying everything he bought that day. His arms were slightly extended and carrying ten bags each, and in his hands were boxes stacked so high it hid his top half from view. And within this variety of containers was a little bit of everything. New suits from Goetian's Warehouse, the finest top hats from Top Hat Rack, fashionable gloves from some place Fizz can't remember, and that was the extent of his knowledge about their shopping spree as he stopped paying attention several stores ago. He did know they bought soaps and perfumes at some point, their scent had been wafting around him for at least an hour now, although he couldn't remember ever stepping foot in either kind of store.

Regardless, he had been trying his best to keep up with Asmodeus's lengthy gait. Blind as he was though, this task was obviously harder than when he wasn't usually overencumbered. He had to rely on the reflected surface of linoleum below him just to make sure Asmodeus didn't leave him behind. Of course, he would never do such a thing.

"I don't know Ozzie," Fizz grunted out. Then, with a huff, he said, "Maybe it was by the west side exit where we came in." He said this fully knowing he didn't know where the store was, but hoping getting his partner to the exit would influence him to leave whatever it was he wanted and just order it online like a normal person.

Asmodeus hummed to himself, and Fizz's hopes were raised assuming he was actually considering what he was saying. But they were immediately dashed when he said, "No, no, I'm fairly certain it was this way. Mammon didn't put in the Satanic Louboutin until way later so I know it's somewhere in the ring at least."

"Great, only one-thousand miles of area to cover," Fizz muttered to himself.

As they endlessly marched through the long curved hall that made up this ring, Fizz once again asked himself why he agreed to come out in the first place. Once again he told himself why: Asmodeus proposed that they spend the day together, no business or otherwise to get in the way. Naturally he jumped at such an opportunity. With the popularity of Ozzie's and Asmodeus's usual work with the Goetia it was becoming a rarity they would spend time together. He didn't care where they went or what they did at the time, but now he really wished he asked for specifications.

It wasn't due out of any strain, his arms and legs were designed to lift far heavier items, but out of boredom. If he wanted to spend the day carrying Asmodeus's loads, well, this scenario wouldn't have even ran across his mind. Hell, he was half expecting him to pull him aside to some secluded area of the mall so they could have some real fun. Of course that didn't happen, and now with the day nearing its end all he wished to do was go back to the limo. Maybe give a lackluster handjob if Asmodeus wanted one, if he even had the energy for it by that point.

"Oh!" Fizz heard Asmodeus say in surprise, and his head perked up. "It seems you were right Fizzy-pop, it was by the west side exit."

His eyes widened, hopes raised higher than ever as he could see a light at the end of the tunnel. Not wanting to be fooled, however, he strained his head to peer to the side of the boxes in front of him to confirm Asmodeus's words. True to what he said, he saw it. The store Asmodeus wanted to go to, and the exit directly across from it. Being an imp Fizz never had faith in God, but right then he could've become a believer.

Happily he began to make his way directly to the exit, while Asmodeus went towards the entrance of Satanic Louboutin. When he couldn't feel Fizz's presence near him, however, he turned just in time to see him halfway down the hall leading outside.

"Fizzy, where are you going? We have this last store to hit, remember?"

Fizz continued walking, slower this time, and explained himself to Asmodeus, "Not that I didn't love being with you at Mammon's overglorified mall all day Oz, but I feel like my circuits are getting strained. I'm heading to the car to dump all this off and I'll wait for you there. I'm sure you can handle carrying whatever it is you want to the car by yourself."

Asmodeus could only chuckle at his remarks, a finger placed on his cheek as he amusingly watched Fizz walk away. He thought at first to let him find out what amused him for himself, but seeing that as too cruel he enlightened him on his mirth.

"Your circuits are fine, I built those appendages myself after all. Besides, what car are you trying to go to?"

At this Fizz paused, looking confused at the space in front of him before peeking his head once more around the stack of boxes he was carrying. "What do you mean what car? The one that took us here you-" Whatever small rib he was planning to throw at Asmodeus never left his lips, as he stared slack-jawed through the glass doors to find the limo that drove them here was gone.

The revelation was so shocking he nearly let the boxes drop to the floor, but he refrained knowing that picking them back up would be impossible. Instead he swiftly spun around to face the still-entertained Asmodeus, "What the fuck happened to the car?"

Asmodeus put his hands up with a sly grin, "I don't know what you mean baby."

Fizz marched over to him, making sure the boxes didn't topple over during his minor temper tantrum. "I mean the car was parked right at the entrance, we literally got out of it right here. Why isn't it still here?"

"Have you never been to a mall Fizzy? You can't park at the entrance, it's a no-parking zone. And when it comes to Greed those are strictly enforced. I've seen cars towed for way less, and let's just say you don't want to get towed down here. Considering the lots are full, my guess is the driver is taking it for a spin around the place. Which means he might be back here in at least a couple hours from now."

A couple hours? Fizz thought to himself. The faith he had before was quickly stripped from him, and he damned God for good measure. Why oh why couldn't I get a break just this once?

Seeing the disheartened look on his face, Asmodeus kneeled and gave him a sympathetic look which Fizz tried not to take offense at. "I'm sorry baby, if parking wasn't so bad here they'd probably have taken a spot close by. I understand this all hasn't been very thrilling for you, but I promise this is the last store. Then we'll leave, ok?"

Fizz took a moment to look into his eyes, making sure there he wasn't lying and planning on taking him through another section of this hell within Hell. Then he threw his head back and let out an audible groan, before looking at him again and asking, "Promise?"

Cutting an x across his chest with a finger Asmodeus replied, "Cross my heart Fizzy-pop."

With another groan, Fizz pushed past him and towards the store entrance, "Yeah yeah, you better not die on me, otherwise I'll have been carrying this crap for nothing."

Another amused chuckle from Asmodeus and Fizz reached the entrance, pushing against the door with his hands wrapped around the base of the box stack. It didn't budge. He threw his head back and groaned again, he just couldn't get a break. Carefully he balanced the boxes on a single hand, his history in the circus really benefited him in the unlikeliest circumstances, and reached to pull the door open with his other hand. As he grasped the handle the door flung open, but not of his own volition.

Taking a couple steps back, the stack teetered and threatened to collapse, but Fizz quickly regained control of it before that could happen. Breathing out in relief, an annoyed expression came over his face and he shouted at whoever opened the door while he was clearly standing there.

"Hey! Jackass, are you blind? You must be 'cause there's no way you could've missed me!"

With the merchandise obscuring his vision, Fizz looked towards the ground to see who bumped into him. Although he couldn't see much, he could tell they had terrible fashion sense, their red legs wore heels that were colored a sickly green. The green-heeled lady gasped in shock, and Fizz rolled his eyes. With just a single noise he could tell the type of person he was about to deal with.

"Excuse me? Who the hell are you to talk to me that way? Do you have any idea who I am?"

So many questions, it was like she was playing directly out of the entitled playbook. Rather than entertain all of them, Fizz answered the last one. "Sure I know you! You're in my way. Now get out of it, we got shit to do!"

He should have known it wouldn't have been that easy, as he saw one of those very heels stomp on the floor. He heard her sputter for a bit as she tried to form a rebuttal, one Fizz had several responses lined up for, but before this interaction could get interesting Asmodeus stepped in.

"Fizzy, please be nice to the poor woman. She's just trying to shop here, same as us."

His intrusion was followed by a gasp from the woman, "L-lord Asmodeus! I-I was actually finished browsing this store. You know what, I'll be going now, sorry for the trouble."

With that the heels clacked off, but not without one final word from the jester, "Yeah, try not to run into anyone on the way out!" As he shook his head grumbling to himself, Asmodeus opened the door for him and ushered him inside while he followed closely behind. Fortunately for both of them, this last stop wouldn't take as long as expected.

A couple hours passed and a hot pink limo pulled up in front of the west entrance where Asmodeus had been waiting patiently, and Fizz not as patiently. As soon as the Goetia opened the back door of the car Fizz stepped in front and dumped all the bags and boxes into the backseat, fortunately not spilling any of their contents in the process. Then he snaked his way in while Asmodeus carefully pushed the assorted baggage against the opposite door and took a seat beside it.

When the door closed behind him and the car started moving Fizz made his relief obvious, sinking into the seat on the side of the limo with a grateful sigh. He intentionally put distance between himself and the merchandise, as if merely existing near it would drain whatever life-force was left in him. Asmodeus, meanwhile, looked giddily at the pile, until he reached over and started sifting through it. Hearing the noise, Fizz perked up just enough to catch Asmodeus withdrawing the box they got from the last store and he grimaced.

While their browsing was, as previously described, short-lived, that didn't stop the manager from trying to waste their time, much to Fizz's irritation. On numerous occasions he would not-so-subtly push Asmodeus into seemingly buying their whole stock, despite being told he just wanted the boots in the window display. This information clearly passed unregistered through his ears, as they were practically hand-held to be shown the store's vast array of footwear. While Asmodeus's patience during this seemed infinite, Fizz's was the exact inverse.

After the tenth, "Those are nice, but…" from his partner, Fizz couldn't take it anymore and he shot an arm out across the room to grab the boots he desired. Then he just as quickly retracted that arm, practically smacking the manager with the leather as he told him, "Here! Take these and find some in his size or I swear I'll make you eat them!"

An odd threat, but it worked in making the manager back down and he scurried to the back to search. Although he couldn't see it, Asmodeus was thankful for his usual crassness, and minutes later they were allowed to leave with what he wanted with no further hassle. Now the Goetia couldn't wait to get a better look at his new kicks, Fizz being somewhat curious himself as he didn't get a good look at them throughout that bothersome exchange.

Placing the black and red container on his knees, he bounced a little in his seat as he took off the lid. "Oh I can't wait to wear these new boots, my current heels just aren't doing it anymore. Can you believe they only had one pair of size 64s left?"

Fizz, not wanting to be rude, tried to keep the pent-up exhaustion from escaping his voice as he replied, "Hardly."

Asmodeus slowly reached into the case, as if he was handling delicate glass rather than a pair of large, expensive, footwear, and withdrew one boot for both to see. While Asmodeus was grinning like a child with a bowl of ice cream, Fizz could only tilt his head in confusion. The boots were all black in color save for the red shoe lining, toe, and heel. As he looked, he could feel his eye start to twitch, and his lips pursed as he tried to hold back from pointing out the obvious. That restraint didn't last long.

"Ozzie… those look exactly like the same shoes you're wearing right now."

Asmodeus quickly shook his head in response, "No no, look, it has a white trim on the bottom see?"

At this he demonstratively held the bottom of the shoe towards Fizz, and there he saw the soles were pure white. Not that this revelation satisfied him. Asmodeus brought the shoe back to his face and his other heads continued to admire it.

"White trim is all the rage these days. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. Figured it would make a great addition to my wardrobe. It'll match beautifully with my pinstripe coat."

"Uh-huh," was all Fizz could muster in response. As Asmodeus put the shoe back with its pair and replaced the lid, Fizz laid his head back down. "Well as long as you're happy. I just want to get back to our place as soon as possible."

Asmodeus paused and looked at Fizz with the box in his hands, before letting out a sigh and placing it back with its high-priced brothers and sisters. Standing up from his seat, which was nearly impossible to do given the confines of the vehicle, he awkwardly bent over and shuffle-stepped to where Fizz was and took the seat next to him. Then, he more gracefully put a large arm around the imp and prompted him to come closer, which he did.

"I know this whole day probably wasn't what you expected, or wanted, but it was nice to get out and away from the business right?"

This was followed by a hand stroking Fizz's back, which he arched into like a cat and smiled gratefully. He knew he was just buttering him up, but he gave in anyways because it had been an extremely long day and he didn't feel like putting up a fight.

"Yeah, alright, it was nice," he said with a satisfied hum. "But you could've bought less shit at least. As if you're going to use all of it anyways."

Asmodeus chortled, "Just for that, I'll make sure I use everything at least once. And don't act like I didn't try to carry anything. You just kept adding more and more onto yourself, and when I offered to hold something you specifically told me, 'No, I got this'."

Fizz looked at the ground blushing while Asmodeus raised an eyebrow at him in amusement. After a brief silence where Fizz tried his best to come up with a clever response, he settled on, "Yeah, well, I'm stubborn what can I say. Figured if you saw me in pain that'd get you out of the mall faster."

At this Asmodeus laughed, causing Fizz to look at him with a smile of his own. "I'm sorry," he said with a hearty breath, "I didn't know the boredom was literally killing you."

With the grin still on his face, Fizz extended an arm up and pointed in his face, "Hey! Don't laugh at me! I could have died in there! Frozen in place with a blank stare, stuck lookin' like a fuckin' Christmas tree with designer bags as decorations."

"Well I'm thankful that didn't happen," Asmodeus said, pushing his hand away to get a better look at the jester, "because for your valiant efforts in expertly handling my baggage I believe you deserve a reward."

If he didn't have it already, the mention of a reward fully got Fizz's attention. Retracting his arm, "Oh a reward? Do tell."

With the hand he was using to pet Fizz, Asmodeus reached under and delicately scooped up his partner. Fizz allowed this, kneeling in his hand as he was brought up to the Goetia's face. He took a moment to look at his other heads from this vantage point, as usual they were delighted to see him, and when their eyes met they bounced in his mane excitedly. Once again Fizz wondered if they had their own emotions or if they were simply extensions of Asmodeus's feelings. But he didn't dwell on the thought for long, returning his attention to the center face to hear what Asmodeus had to say.

"Well, it involves us," he started, raising his other hand and stroking a finger along Fizz's chin, "a nice, long bath, our bed, and whatever the hell is on Voxflix."

All of this was music to Fizz's ears, enhanced by the fact it was Asmodeus's sultry voice airing these promises. He internally apologized to a God that couldn't hear him for damning Him earlier. Although if tonight went exactly as Asmodeus suggested, He'd be hearing him soon enough.

Even so, he couldn't help but tease him a little bit. "Just Voxflix and chill babe? After the agony you put my poor muscles through?"

Asmodeus gave a throaty chuckle in response, "Like you said, it's been a long day. I don't feel like breaking out the candles and rose petals tonight." He raised Fizz's head up gently with his finger, "But I'll give you a message in the bath if that will make you feel better."

Grasping the giant's finger with both hands, Fizz looked deeply into Asmodeus's eyes with a lust that easily matched his own, "Mmmm, that sounds good to me."

Gaining his approval, Asmodeus brought the small imp closer to him and leaned forward with his eyes closed; Fizz took the cue and met his lips with his own, the two of them sinking deep into the first of many passionate and tender kisses that would transpire that night. As their lips closed against each other, opening only to slide the occasional tongue into the other's mouth, Fizz thought to himself.

Maybe shopping isn't so bad after all.