Chapter 13

L

The way she looked at me was humiliating; I should have just apologized, retracted as soon as she had spoken up but instead I made myself look like a complete fool. The underlying question I posed within the real one…can we be friends…it's laughable by any means! What do I, the second in command to the next ruler of Devildom, need with the likes of a human, especially one such as her?! I let my guard down and she made a fool of me, I suppose that it was my own fault really.

I went back home to work on more of my tasks, I sensed my brothers and their usual banter but their voices were muffled, distorted. I couldn't be bothered now: I had work to do, work that could have been done hours ago if I had not tried to learn about that wretched girl. But learn I did; I learned that she is passionate about her plants and her work, that she loves each one for their beauty as well as their flaws. I learned that she herself feels broken, that there is a darkness within her own heart that drives her forward as does mine. I learned that that greenhouse was her sanctuary as was my own private study. I learned that the brown flecks in her eyes shine like gold when she speaks of poisonous plants and their uses.

"DAMMIT!" I slammed my fist onto my desk, what the hell is wrong with me? How could a human like her stir up such feelings within me? Why can I not go a simple day without her on my mind?! I felt as though I were being hunted, chased and cornered by some unforeseen force and the more I tried to flee from it the more adamant it became. From the moment I met her she had done nothing but plague my mind like a virus with malice and scorn, finding her way there by any means whether it be to spite me or mere coincidence. Only now the malice was gone…but she is still there, why?

I looked to my papers but they seemed to haze into a mass of gray on a sheet of white. Can we be friends….can you consider me your friend…of course she couldn't, not after the past we have had. We didn't bond instantly like she had with my brothers, they dote on her and she strengthens them in ways I hadn't seen before. But that window has been and gone for us, but what does that matter anyway? I have not changed at all, my circumstances have not altered. She does not matter to me academically, socially let alone emotionally. She will be gone in ten months' time anyway. But then why do I feel…numb, I feel so out of sorts; I must have inhaled the spores from one of her plants. It was very possible that this sense of delirium was the cause of a botanical toxin.

"What…?" I reached for the accounting book and found I was still in the gardening gloves from before. Then where were mine? I searched my pockets to find them missing and they were not in my room in any location I had retraced. Had I left them at the greenhouse? No, I swore I had them then. I thought back and retraced my actions since I left; I may have simply dropped them on the stairs as I was reaching for my key. I traveled back from whence I came and found them gone, but another thing was missing as well. The voices and even the presence of my brothers…. at this time they would be down here. In fact….it dead quiet.

"MAMMOOONNNN!" there was a crash and a door opening before my eldest younger brother came skidding to my location. He looked flustered and jumpy, and as I thought, terrified.

"Y-y-yeah Lucifer, ya needed me? I mean everyone needs the Great Mam-"

"Shut up! Don't you think something is…amiss here?"

"Amiss? No, I wouldn't say that…"

"We live in a house with eight people, yet it is as silent as the dead, why is that?"

"How should I know? You got a lot of nerve throwing questions with no purpose to em, make me think you accusin' me of somethin'." Rage began to build in my chest as I raised a finger to him to silence him.

"H-h-h-hey L-lucifer….your gloves are gone…how odd."

"Yes….now where are they?"

"Now what makes you think I did somethn' to em!? Why do you alw-" I snatched him by his throat and began to slowly apply pressure, sending fear into his eyes.

"You have thirty seconds to start answering my questions before I wring your neck until your head comes clean off." I was beyond angry at this point, I hadn't felt this upset since this idiot too Jetèa to that night club. I began to slowly add more pressure.

"Twenty nine…twenty eight….twenty seven…." I could feel my form changing.

"Okay, okay! Look you came in earlier and you dropped them out of your pocket, you didn't even notice at all! So I thought of a little prank ok, I put them in this hellfire's brand tuna can, you know pressed it like it was new and all and I put it in the cabinet! It was supposed to be a game of keep away to get at you is all….but…"

"BUT?!" I clenched him tighter and he yelped and tried hard to swallow.

"B-b-beel was hungry and thought it was real and used the electric can opener on it and tore them apart…."

"YOU DESTROYED THEM?!"

"I didn't mean to….it wasn't supposed to happen that way…" I cut off his air supply completely.

"No it never does, does it and yet you are always the center of any destruction! You incompet-"

"LUCIFER WAIT!" There she was coming to his rescue again, I didn't need her chiding me and adding to my rage. It took all I had to turn slowly towards the stairs. Her hair was disheveled and her face flushed and she as panting heavily. She must've ran all the way from her room. Seeing her this way…receded my anger just enough to want to hear what nonsense she was about to say.

"What Mammon did was stupid and not thought out…and he took something that was of value to you and that was the worst thing!"

"I am not in the mood for you to patronize me human; you can either go back to your room or-" She thrust out her hand and began to descend the stairs. In her hands were what looked to be my gloves. I let go of Mammon and turned to her completely as she slowly descended, cautious but sure in her movements.

"I did what I could to make them sturdy as before and also to keep any seam lines invisible; and I used nylon because it is the strongest…well in the human world anyway." She handed them to me, and I inspected her work, I hardly saw any visible seams except in a few places and when I tugged they didn't give.

"I knew you would notice them gone, regardless of how many pairs you would or could have, and simply buying another pair wouldn't do, because they would never feel quite the same, possibly taking a while to break them in. So the only plausible option was to repair them." I put them on and they fit as they always had the only difference was that I could feel the miniscule knot she used to tie off the end, but in this case I didn't mind it.

"I know they aren't perfect, but it was the least I could do."

"Well it was very endearing of you to do this for him-"

"No, I did this for you." I heard a collective gasp and I knew the audience had arrived. But my focus remained on her and the kindness in her eyes.

"They are important to you, and that makes them important to me. And I'm so sorry about earlier but I believe we misunderstood each other. You see I don't care what you call me; but what you meant by it….i wasn't sure how to answer because I was under the impression we were already friends." I stared at her confused, she already saw me as a companion?

"You have been there for me in so many times this past few weeks and you believed in my abilities; I know it was you who spoke to Diavolo about my joining the Council. You don't come right out about it but you are such a kind and sweet person under all of that arrogance." I should come back at her with a retort but I only listened…and looked at the gloves she painstakingly repaired for me.

"I know that before I had compared you to Hellebore but I was wrong. If I were to pick a poisonous plant that would be just like you I would pick the Rosary pea."

"Truly?"

"Yes quite, because you may be lethal, and you may be feared. But there isn't a single person here that doesn't put their faith in you; their trust in you either because or in spite of that. The reverence you receive isn't because of their fear but their trust in you. You are so much more complex than Hellebore…and yet I want to learn why." She flushed and we stood there a moment in silence, she didn't motion to my brothers behind me nor did she avert her eyes from mine. She has time and again stood up to me without fear, but even here she is confessing her respect. It was in this moment that I realized that she truly did see me like one of her precious plants. That realization turned the mixture of emotions from confusion and distraction to adulation.

"So I will be blunt in front of everyone here; Lucifer, I both like and respect you, not only as a classmate but as an individual. I enjoy your presence and your wit and humor match my own though your intelligence surpasses mine." She blushed yet again, was it the audience or because she was letting her guard down?

"So I want us to form a companionship…dammit, I mean. I want to officially call us friends…If that is what you would like." She stood on the last step so that she could meet my eyes and I could do nothing but look at her and laugh.

"Are you sure you want to be my friend? I could kill you at a moment's notice." The look in her eye in response made my heart skip.

"There is always more to a poison than its death rate." I smiled at her and she leapt over and embraced me for the first time. My brothers released their held breaths and cheered this so called accomplishment of claiming the seventh brother as a personal comrade. But what she didn't know was that this meant something to me as well, this arrogant, vicious and beautifully determined little dog that is bound by her own chains, may just have the ability to set me free. I could feel it in the warmth of her affection and I put my arms around her. I may still be bound to servitude, I may still be damned…but I felt in that moment that the freedom she could bequeath me was so much more than something tangible. So yes my little kindred spirit, I will be your friend.

J

The stricter curfew was finally lifted and we were finally free to go out as we pleased. Of course I was simply excited to not have to do anymore construction at that club and be back at our study sessions in the library with Belphie Mammon and Levi.

"Ughhh, this is boring! I hate having to learn Chinese."

"Mammon this is Algebra."

"What? Aw man I'm goin' to bomb this test too!"

"No you won't, I won't let you. You are a member of the student council; therefore the other students look to you to set the example. If your grades fail, the entire school looks bad. And personally I don't want to see you fail." Mammon peered at me through his sunglasses with a very uncomfortable look before kicking back in his chair.

"I swear you soundin' just like Lucifer 'til that last bit; I thought he was sittin here instead of ya. I don't need no lecture on my position or this damned school."

"Fine then go, you don't have to be here." He got up with a huff and grabbed his bag.

"Fine I will!"

"I will be just fine with Levi and Belphie." He stopped in his tracks and turned around quickly.

"I just remembered; there's this group of bad demons out there and they may try to attack you on the way home. And Levi and Belphie here ain't strong enough to fight em off. So I'll wait here until you're ready for me to escort you home; I am your guide after all."

"How are you going to protect her if she can kick your ass?"

"Yeah LOL wouldn't that be her protecting you?"

"Shaddup! I don't need any lip from either of ya!"

"Lower your voice this is a library!" I whisper shouted at him and he flinched back into his seat.

"Yes ma'am."

"Now pick up your pencil and work on the Fundamental theorem!"

"But I caaaannn'ttt!" he began to pout.

"Yes you can, you are the Great Mammon after all."

"Yeah…I am! I can do this easy!" He started writing equations again and it was once again quiet.

"So what do you guys have planned for tonight?"

"I am going to work part time at the fall, I know, but the place has grown on me and I could use the extra grimm for a con coming up in a few months."

"I got a date at the mall with Goldie, there is a new watch with my name on it and I'll need an outfit to go with it."

"I am going to the gym with Beel, he's going to work out while I record him and he's buying me dinner as payment. So it's not bad."

"Oh, well that's good!" Truth be told I didn't have anything to do for my first evening of freedom, but I was sure there was a brother who was doing nothing. We went back home and everyone was already bustling about. Asmo was off to the human world, some witches asked him out for a night on the town. And Satan was going to a book club. All would be back by the ten o'clock curfew of course but sitting in such a big room for hours seemed sad. I walked along the halls looking at the painting and sculptures and I thought about my first couple of months here. At home I would have stayed in my room, talking to my plants and studying for exams. I wouldn't have given a single thought to socializing or fun, because it wasn't accessible to me. Looking back I realize that I was to blame for my isolation as much as my peers because I lacked the sympathy to understand that a person does not have to be perfect to be liked. I assumed that being perfect in everything else would make me successful in place of my failure at friendships.

But here was so different; here they accepted me for who I was more or less. Some took longer than others and I had a lot of ups and downs but I have the seven best friends a girl could have. Belphie Asmo, Levi and Mammon all agreed to keep my secret and my anxiety has been nonexistent since I became friends with Lucifer. I felt as though my life was busier but at the same time it had much more meaning.. The constant bickering and the antics were more than enough to keep me on my toes but it was overshadowed by the smiles on their faces when I would arrive home each evening.

My DDD rang and to my surprise it was Lucifer calling me.

"hello?"

"Hello Jetèa, how are you feeling?"

"I'm very well Lucifer."

"I see, I am glad to hear that."

"And are you well?

"yes, thank you. Have you gotten used to your life here in Devildom? Is there anything that you have been troubled with lately?" I looked around the hallway I was standing in before sitting on the floor my back against a door.

"Is there something on your mind? Maybe something you need to ask me?"

"Hm, Ah…sorry. I didn't call you to have a disjointed conversation or to confuse you like this. But I don't have any urgent business with you either."

"Well then….why are you calling me?" there was a long pause.

"Lucifer, are you there?"

"Y-yes I am. You see I have finished my work for the evening and it appears the house is empty. Curious, how odd a house can sound when no one else is home."

"Yes…I know." He was lonely, stubborn fool, just admit it.

"I…just wanted to hear your voice for a bit, is that strange?" That was unexpected…but I felt my heart swell at the same time.

"Actually, I am feeling a bit Lonely myself so getting a call to have a conversation doesn't sound strange at all. Im fact, I'm happy you did."

"I see…That is a relief, I felt ashamed so it was hard to tell you; but your reply has made me feel happy."

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, it is perfectly normal to want to reach out; I enjoy hearing your voice all the time, it's very calming." Why in the hell did I say that?! There was another long pause and I could swear he could hear my heartbeat through the DDD. His chuckle broke the silence.

"Truth be told I have been told that before; so even though it's no surprise, I am however surprised to hear it from you." I do not know what it was, but something about his voice when he spoke softly in this way made my heart skip. I first noticed it when he spoke to my Castor bean…he was normally yelling or had irritation in it, but when he was relaxed….Stop it, stop it now! Answer him before he thinks you hung up!

"Hey…'Tèa?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I can talk to you for a bit longer? I know this conversation isn't headed anywhere in any particular direction, but such a meandering talking is exactly what I'm looking for right now." I stood up and hung up the phone, I just love to bait him. Then I knocked on the door. It was several seconds before he opened it a little surprised.

"How long have you been there?"

"Hmm, since the call began. But I have a better idea; how about we talk in person? We can finish our game, loser takes the others kitchen duty?" a glint formed in his eye has he took a step back to allow me in.

"dear girl, if you wanted to cook for me all you had to do was ask." I slid by him with my head high and a haughty smile.

"Careful Mr. Pride; as pride does come before the fall."

"Are you foretelling your own loss? Pawn to f5"

"Oh! I am not that prideful! I work very hard for everything I get, and I don't demand credit or recognition! And I most definitely don't believe that my ideas are always right either unlike someone! I am a very humble and caring person! Pawn to e5."

"I, I, I; Me, me, me. My Goodness, if that was all I was going to hear I would just sit and talk to myself. Knight to e5, I have taken your pawn." He tossed me a devilish smile and I nearly wilted.

"You have a lot of nerve Senpai; I do believe it was you who wanted to talk to me." he stopped my hand from moving again.

"tut tut, you still owe me an answer to my question." I went pale, I hd forgotten all about that.

"Tell me honestly, do you enjoy the sound of my voice?" Damn I knew he wasn't going to let that go.

"About as much as you enjoy irritating me about it." he laughed and it was my turn.

"Rook to C3"

"Playing it safe now?

"It's called a strategy!"

"Alright I will move my queen to C5 to block your rook. Let's see you get out of that." I enjoyed seeing that light in his eyes, especially when we went back and forth. We have come farther than anyone here; and I believe because of that our friendship will be the most unique. We have gone from indifferent colleagues to near enemies and now very good friends, I think a growth like that can only happen once in a lifetime,. I noticed he would thumb that small area under his pinkie when he wore his gloves, it was only that hand and only when he was deep in thought it seemed…odd, he had never done that before they here ruined and repaired. Huh…sort of like us, ruined and repaired….

"Lucifer."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for calling me." He smiled and I picked up my knight and placed It right where his queen had been.

"Checkmate." He sat back and looked over it, seeing where I had gotten him.

"Best two out of three?"

"I'd like that a lot; but loser gets the next round of kitchen duty as well."

"Ladies first."