"Did you really go home with those guys from the bar!" That was the first thing to greet Danny when he walked into his class at the juvie center.

Danny paused and sighed. He'd completely deflected them yesterday. He really ought to give them something. "Actually… The ones I met were very old friends of mine I hadn't seen in a long time."

"But you went home with them, right?" Cindy, one of the older girls, crossed her arms with a smirk. "Because in that picture they couldn't stop looking at you, seemed like."

"I went home with them, but not in the way you're assuming. We've simply been talking. Catching up with one another."

"That's boring," John muttered, slumping down in his seat. "Are you sure nothing's been happening? You're smiling more."

"I'm sure. I just really missed them. We were very good friends before they left." Danny started to get his canvas paper out, then passed out the notebooks.

"C'mon, teach, you have to tell us something more than just that. What are they like? Do you like them more than they like you? Give us something!"

Danny laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, I'll give you five minutes. We like each other just the same. Randy is like me, but… But he doesn't care quite as much for rules. They're both incredibly sweet. Andrew is more of an intellectual, he always has been."

"They sound like nerds," someone in the back complained, as if they were honestly devastated by the news. "Why couldn't you at least have cool friends to balance you out!"

"Randy would be pretty offended if he heard that, you know. He seems to have gotten good at presenting himself as up with the trends."

"You should bring him in, then, and prove to us that he can be cool," Cindy smirked. "We could threaten him to treat you nicely, even!"

He thought about it. Randy probably wouldn't be against it. He'd probably like some of the kids, even. "I'll ask him, how about that?"

"As long as he says yes." Mm, well, that might be up for debate. "Why can't we have an outside class?"

"I don't make that choice."

"But you're the teacher! Teachers choose how to do everything!"

"Not here. You guys know that. Come on, open your notebooks." There was a wave of groaning across the classroom, but they eventually complied - with a great deal of complaints, but it was a victory, nonetheless.

It felt like his class lasted for longer than it normally did before Danny was finally escaping the far too curious children and heading home - home. The fact he could actually say that and mean it was amazing. Danny got home it seemed just before the other kids got home from school. He smiled as he got himself settled, the kids just coming in. Danny was about to ask Randy about going with him-

"Why does it always seem like this house is about to explode with too many people?" A man who he had never seen before just walked through the door as if he belonged.

"Jake!" Josh leapt to his feet with a bright smile. "You're back, you said you wouldn't be back until Saturday!"

"Jake's back?" Randy poked his head out of the kitchen, looking to where Josh was near bouncing with a wide smile in front of the new person - Jake? "Jake's definitely back. How was it?"

"Ah, you know. The average. It started out well enough, then they double crossed me, then I had to double cross them back."

"So you basically stole whatever it was you went out to buy," Randy said, looking like he was trying not to laugh. Danny noticed that Josh had a hand on Jake's shirt, clutching it tightly. "Josh, just hug him-"

"C'mon, Pops, he just got back, he doesn't want me smothering him, and I'm not that fond of hugs," Josh waved off quickly.

"Aw, come on, I've gone a whole two weeks without a hug, do you know what that does to a greed demon, Joshy?" Greed demon? Joshy?

"Fine, but only because it's pathetic to beg," Josh huffed, latching onto the demon in a tight hug, near nuzzling against his chest.

"Hey, uh, Danny!" Randy was suddenly right by Danny's side, beaming at him. "This is Jake. He's a bit of a family friend."

Danny looked him over before he jolted with realization. "Jacob." Jake - Jacob - looked over at him in surprise.

"It's been a while since I've heard that name." The fallen studied him for a few moments before giving a small little hum. "You're Danny, right? Daniel?"

"Right." Danny glanced to Randy before staring again. They were so friendly with Jacob? They'd hardly spoken before he fell.

"We've known Jake for a while, now, but we didn't start really seeing him around until a few decades ago. He typically follows where we go because he's annoying and 'borrows' from our savings. Speaking of, you owe me twenty, you asshole."

"Yeah, uh… The plane ride back cost a little more than I was expecting, so…"

"I see," Danny said quietly, but Andrew was already loudly arguing with Jake, and Josh was defending him and it got to be so easy for him-

"Hey, Danny, you want to help me make lunch for the kids?" Randy asked, nudging him and smiling. "You, at least, can cook, unlike these idiots."

"Sure," he mumbled, and they hardly even noticed when he or Randy left. Was he really that easy to ignore when someone else they knew better came along?

"You seem like you might want to talk about it," Randy finally said, getting a few pans out.

"Talk about what," Danny asked conversationally as he looked through the fridge to try to busy himself.

"Danny, I think I already told you I can feel emotions, now. I know you're not exactly… happy. So. Talking."

"There's nothing to talk about. It's fine."

"It doesn't sound like it's fine, Danny."

"Why wouldn't it be? What are you making?"

"I'm not quite sure yet, but I'm thinking stirfry. We have a few things about to go bad, so that's a good way to get rid of it all." Randy started gathering food, setting it on the counter as he looked back to Danny. "If you do want to talk about it, you know I'll listen, right?"

"Like I said, there isn't anything to talk about." That didn't seem to deter Randy, the man only humming quietly as he started on lunch.

"Well, are there any questions you want answered, maybe?"

"How did you get wrapped up with him? I thought he fell for greed."

"He did, but he never told us what he fell for, really," Randy mused, thinking about it for a moment. "Like I said, we met a few centuries ago and he and Andy got along about as well as me and Vladimir do."

Danny's frown deepened. "Then why are you all so…" Familiar? Affectionate? So easily weaved into one another's lives where Danny was barely finding his place?

"We ran into him again over the years and they finally agreed to stop hating each other a few decades back," Randy explained, keeping his eyes on the stove. "It was nice to know there were other fallen around, I think, and… he remembered you, so he was someone we could talk about you to."

"How could he remember me. We'd barely spoken."

"We've… told a lot of stories. We've also kind of had him keeping an eye out in case he ever saw you when he was out of town."

"That certainly worked."

"Is that sarcasm I detect?"

"From me? Never. I'm too 'pure' for something like that." Danny watched as Randy paused, not moving for a moment before he sighed and continued with what he was doing.

"'Pure' can be pretty relative, Danny."

He scoffed, his arms crossed. "Not so far as I can tell."

"That's a lot of bitter emotions," Randy finally said, turning the flame up higher. "I can't read minds, however, and I haven't been able to See in a very long time."

"The moment you two left, I was deemed precious and delicate. Vladimir lied to the others and claimed I requested his constant presence."

"That little rat." Randy seemed even angrier than Danny did about it all, tail appearing as it snapped through the air as sharp as a whip. "I knew it- I knew he was a little- Ugh. That fucker!" Danny watched him. Specifically, his tail. This all would have been so much easier, had he just fallen with them. This wasn't fair. It was never fair.

"Hey, um, Danny?" That was Josh. Why was Josh talking to him? Looking over, he saw Josh was standing in the entry of the kitchen, looking nervous with his backpack in hand. "You're… You're good at science, right?"

"I… like to believe so, at least. Why do you ask?" Science? Why on earth was Josh asking him about science? Why was he asking him?

"Well, Dad and Pops are pretty bad at science, and you seemed like you liked it, and I wanted to know if maybe you could help me on some homework?"

"You… want my help… with homework?"

"If it's okay," Josh nodded, as if he was serious. "I mean, you can't be worse than Dad last time he helped me. So, um… Please?"

Danny glanced to Randy. "If you really want?" This had to be some kind of joke. Randy blinked, giving an encouraging smile.

"I'd honestly love your help," Josh nodded, giving a smile. "We're working with chemicals right now and I'm not that good at remembering their interactions with each other, yet."

"Oh. Well, that's simple enough, seeing as I remember most of the discoveries," he said flippantly as Josh took his notebook out.

"What? Really?" Josh stared at Danny, eyes wide. "You're my new favorite."

"Did I say something?"

"What makes you think that?" Andrew couldn't sense changes in emotions like Randy, but he could tell Danny had closed himself off very quickly upon Jake's arrival.

"He used to be a lot friendlier. And Josh just abandoned me to go talk to him. Not so heavenly in paradise?"

"He's in the middle of falling," Andrew said quietly, letting Jake in properly before closing the door. "Mood swings are to be expected, although I don't know why Josh went to go speak with him."

"In the middle of? He seemed pretty calm and in control, to be in the middle of falling."

"He's not feeling pain, either." Andrew looked to Jake, narrowing his eyes. "Did you feel pain? When you fell?" Jake stared towards the kitchen with wide eyes.

"Like nothing else. Worse, even, than when you cut off my head."

"Yes, yes, we all know you hold a grudge," Andrew waved off, feeling more concerned. "He says he hasn't felt any pain since it all started."

"That… Isn't normal," Jake said with a frown. "Is he just putting up a front?"

"Randy would have noticed if he was," Andrew shot back, shaking his head. "He's honestly felt no pain, but the light has already left his wings and they're starting to turn gray. We think it might be where he's experiencing the sin… slowly."

"Slowly? You don't experience sin slowly. You either sin, or you don't, the only 'slow' about it is if you repent."

"He won't repent." That just left them back at square one, then. "I'm worried about him, and Randy says he's cycling through feeling all the sins."

Jake drew back at that. "What? What do you mean, he's cycling through the sins?" Well, Andrew supposed it did sound more than a bit strange.

"The way Randy's been explaining it his emotions indicate that he's been experiencing one sin after another. It started with lust and so far we've worked our way through sloth, gluttony, and pride, although, I believe today might have been something close to envy…"

"Close to?" He heard Jake snort. "That could rival an envy demon. You sure that's not what he's falling for?"

"I hope not." They would love Danny no matter what, but an Envy demon sounded like far too much to deal with. "I'm sure it'll be fine." Maybe.

It was a while before Josh came out of the kitchen with his school bag in hand. "Okay. I think I helped," he proclaimed.

"You helped?" Jake raised his eyebrows, Josh pouting at the two of them and grumbling a little. They really did need to get him to stop muttering to himself.

"He's helping me with my science homework. He's better than all three of you are at it, by the way."

Jake shrugged. "I never saw much interest. The 'facts' always change every few decades."

"You're a horrible immortal," Josh snorted, standing close to Jake's side - closer than he should be. Andrew was remembering their talk the other night in startlingly clarity. "So when are you going to take me back to your apartment to see the collection?"

"Aheh, I never said I would do anything like that." Mm, he'd gotten smarter over the years.

"Dad, stop glaring at him." And Josh had gotten more stubborn.

"I'm not glaring at him." And he wasn't. He was scowling. Completely different.

"I worry about when the girls get older if you're this bad with me," Josh complained, looking through his backpack. "Can you imagine Pops around Stacy's dates- Hey, do you think Danny is any good at History?"

"I'd be surprised if he was. He was always moving around, much more frequently than the two of us."

"I mean, he might be good, since he's an angel and all and we're doing a section on Hebrew History." Josh looked to Andrew, giving a frown after a moment. "Is that technically teaching religion at schools?"

"That… certainly sounds like it, yes- That's illegal."

"Really? Cool. So, uh, is it also illegal for them to give a student detention over not doing anything in class? Like, the student in question paid attention and wasn't disruptive, and they still got detention."

Andrew shook his head. "Not illegal- You got detention again?"

"I didn't do anything this time!" Josh defended quickly, looking near panicked. He had been doing better about keeping himself calm, too… "My science teacher, Petricoff, I'm pretty sure she just hates me."

"Josh, this really is getting to be a problem. Do I need to go down to the school and have a talk-"

"No, no, no, no talks." Josh looked even more panicked at that though. "For one thing, to the school, you're just a next door neighbor. For another, it's really not that bad. I'll just- I'll be better in class. Promise."

"It sounds like there isn't much to be done about you being a better student, you just need better teachers."

"No one else gets detention like I do," Josh snorted, rolling his eyes. "I'm probably just doing something she doesn't like that I don't even realize. Just- Give me a week or two."

Looking him over, Andrew finally sighed. "If in two weeks…"

"I promise you can come terrify all the teachers at school. I'm gonna see if Danny will help me with some of the history stuff, though."

"Alright, alright. No promises he'll be helpful." Hm. Josh really was forming a nice bond with Danny. That was very good. "Jake, how would you like to help me plan the downfall of a high school?"

"That it? You're losing your touch, Riter."

"I never said I wouldn't be dragging them to hell as I plan their downfall," Andrew shrugged, looking to the girls who were now on the couch. "And how was your day, Stacy? Annie?"

Annie shrugged. "Okay. Do you think Danny will let me touch his wings, now?"

"Maybe later, sweetie. What homework do you have, today?"

"None, today."

"How about you, Stacy?"

Stacy rolled her eyes at him. "Finished it at school, Dad."

"I think I preferred it when you all were young and still looked up to me," Andrew sighed, trying his best to hide a smile.

"I think you're making that up, Dad."

Well, Josh had been helping, Randy mused. Now it seemed like Danny's negative feelings were back quick as a flash. He'd glanced to the living room again. Something about what Josh had said? Or maybe about what Andrew had said… What about that would inspire these sorts of feelings in him, though? Andrew had just been doing his usual parental lectures… Did that have something to do with it, maybe? Randy may have felt emotions, but he hated that he could never see where they came from. Danny was leaning against the counter, arms crossed as he stared down at the ground. Oh, Danny… He always had been awful at hiding from them.

"Do you want to come taste test this for me, Danny?" Randy offered the spoon, giving a smile. "I could use the opinion."

"Sure, if you want." Danny gave him a short shrug and stepped closer to him. Randy gave a smile before feeding him a bite, making sure it was cooled off.

"What do you think? I'm playing around with the seasonings, today."

He watched Danny mull it over before shrugging again. "It's okay."

"Any advice, then?" Mm, how to get Danny to talk about his feelings…

"Hey, uh, Danny?" Josh again, already? "I know you were… in other places. We're doing this unit right now in my History class about Hebrew History, and, well… You're an angel. Kind of. Think you can help?"

There was a flicker of amusement, but mostly more of those dark feelings stirred. "I'm not as old you think I am, you'd be better off asking Randy." Maybe this was something to do with how Danny hadn't really had much of a choice in his past.

"I mean, you're definitely older than I am, and you probably know more about the Bible and stuff, and most of this focus is on biblical events, and, uh… You seem fun to work with?" Josh could sometimes pick up feelings, too, but Randy was starting to think it was stronger than he first thought if Josh was acting so nervous.

Danny shook his head, one shoulder giving a half-shrug. "I'm only seven hundred years old, you'd be better to ask Randy. He's a thousand years older than me."

"Dude…" Josh stared at Danny with wide eyes, looking like he wasn't sure where to go from there. "You're ancient- You have to help me now. You're probably full of ancient wisdom while Pops is full of dementia!"

"Sorry. I wasn't really around for much. I was born 'in a time of peace.'"

"Josh," Randy sighed, "I am not full of…" He paused. "What were we talking about, again?"

"You're not funny," Josh frowned, Randy easily seeing he was trying not to laugh. "Seriously, Danny, please? Pretty please?"

"You can try, but there won't be much for me to help with." Where had their sweet Danny gone that loved nothing more than to help someone with whatever he could?

"Don't worry, you'll be plenty of help," Josh grinned, Randy having a bad feeling about that. When Josh had it in his mind to do something, he didn't stop until he did it. It seemed like this time he was intent on befriending Danny. "So, Hebrew History?"

"Sure." At least some of the darker emotion seemed to be lifting. Maybe the kids would be good for Danny.

It seemed to look that way throughout lunch and the next few hours, Josh badgering Danny with question after question and story after story, seeming to delight in all the attention as much as Danny was. Randy had a feeling they would get along, but he was glad to see it was better than he even expected. Danny was even starting to smile and thank god that the envy was fading. Randy didn't think he'd be able to really handle it if Danny ended up an envious demon. But it was when Andrew came into the kitchen, still talking to Jake that he felt it. Oh no.

"Hey, Andy, want to help us with this problem real quick?" As soon as Danny asked Andrew was going over to look at what they were working on, Randy trying not to groan as he felt everything turn to greed. Jake was at his side in a second, tail snapping and twisting in the air.

"Randy," he hissed softly, doing his best to not attract attention. "What the fuck."

"I know, I know, it's- It's different," Randy said quickly, dragging Jake over to the stove and speaking as softly as he dared. "I don't know why it switched, either."

"Andrew told me, but I didn't believe- Why the fuck does he suddenly feel like a greed demon?"

"I don't know, but I would appreciate it if you would just think calm thoughts, because I'm fucking panicking."

"Maybe it's different since you're all trying to fuck anything that moves-"

"Randy? Hey, you okay? You think you can remember some of this?"

"Hm?" Randy startled, looking over to Danny. "Ah, I'm fine. What did you need me to remember?"

"Well, there's this question Josh has got, and I can't remember hearing about anything, but it seems like it's right in your time frame. Maybe you can help us?"

"Oh, sure." Wait. This was just Danny wanted. He was greedy for their attention, but… He was smiling so sweetly and really, was Randy supposed to resist?

"Randy," Jake nearly growled beside him. "We're talking."

"Yes- Right. Yes, we are. We are talking." But… But Danny. "And I will get right back to you after I help them very quickly with their question." At least Danny's emotions were feeling a lot better. And if he gave just a little, they wouldn't fall down the wayside, again!

Besides, Jake could be fine by himself for a few minutes, so, really, it was fine. Josh was looking between him and Jake, though, slowly standing up. "Hey, while you guys try to figure this question out, I wanted to show Jake a picture I took the other day."

"Well, hey, have you got any other questions? That one was more of a Randy question, but the others taught me plenty about our history!"

"Oh, uh, yeah, we got like a whole packet on this unit we're supposed to do." Josh was startled enough to start reaching for the packet and Randy knew this was probably going to end in bloodshed, soon enough. Maybe the girls could help.

"No, hey, Josh, what was it you wanted to show me," Jake asked quickly, and Randy saw the way he barely kept himself from glowering at Danny.

"Oh, uh, yeah- Right- Stacy! It's on Stacy's phone!" Josh jumped up, smiling at Danny brightly. "I'll be right back, but I've been wanting to show this to him for a while, but I'll be right back, okay?" Before Danny could respond, Josh was running off to the living room, waving for Jake to follow. Jake smirked at Danny before prancing off to follow Josh. Randy watched Danny start to frown and okay. Right. Danny was greedy, right now. They needed a distraction.

"Hey, Stacy," Randy called, raising his voice, "Do you want to come learn inaccurate history about religion?"

"I'm always up for a religious debate!" There was a snort of laughter from Andrew, the man playing with Danny's hair and starting to distract him from where Josh had run off. Right. They could handle greed - temporarily, at least. Randy just prayed to the higher powers that Danny didn't fall for greed. Two greed demons would be a nightmare.

"I'll go get Josh in a few moments," Andrew added, finding a spot on Danny's head that had the angel giving a little croon.

Danny didn't much respond, just leaning into the touch while Annie came in to stand beside him. "What's wrong with him?"

"You know how you like it when we play with your hair?" Randy asked, ruffling the girl's hair. "So does Danny."

"But that's a weird sound," she pointed out. "You don't make weird sounds like that!"

"No, but that's because we're demons," Andrew explained, giving a quiet laugh. "We purr, but angels typically make these types of sounds."

"But how come you make different sounds?"

"Oh, please don't get him started, sweetie," Randy said, pulling Annie into his arms. "We'll never hear the end of it if you do."

"End of what?"

"Oh, well, actually, there's a few different reasons that angels and demons make different sounds." As expected, Danny perked up at the chance to explain something science-y. Josh was like a mix of Danny and Andrew and Danny hadn't even been here. At least he was carving his own space into their lives.