Warning: This chapter contains a scene of the sexual nature. While not entirely explicit, I would still advise viewer discretion as it is still quite frank. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
…
It was beautiful.
Kayla stared out from the balcony of the Hell Royal castle, taking in the sights of a new world unknown to her mind, a world that should have made her writhe with disgust and terror. But she just couldn't deny it.
From the heights of the balcony she could see the entirety of the Capital city. The Bible stated that Hell was a lake of fire, a pit filled with torture and sorrow, filled with the tear of tooth and claw. That wasn't what she could see though. It was like looking over the landscape of New York, Los Angeles, or any other major city; just a constant backdrop of skyscrapers, clocktowers, and neon lights that screamed: "Welcome to Hell! Population: A Fuckton!" in streaming red bulbs.
She wasn't denying it was crude. Maybe that explained the shrewd behaviour of her boyfriend when he was younger.
But despite that, she couldn't stop looking. The massive pentagram in the hazy sky, the constant shadow of red mist, the strong scent of cheap liquor and smoke. Everything glowed with an unknown beauty that seemed impossible yet normal to the Christian girl; it was incredibly lucky that Kayla had grown so fond of red, because the whole area flickered with shades Kayla didn't even know existed for the beautiful colour. It was all centred by the golden gleam of neon, the lively chatter of laughter in the air, and the strong, loving arms that were wrapped around her shoulders.
Damian almost gulped at her silence, it wasn't giving him a pleasant feeling at all. He knew he should have denied his parents invitation! "Yeah…" Damian said with a weary sigh, "I know how it looks. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought you here, just give the word and I'll get us home." He said gently into Kayla's ear.
The girl chuckled and turned to him warmly. "Damey, it's fine." Kayla said, placing a hand over his arm, "Honestly, it's a wonderful view."
"You don't need to say that, Kay. I've lived here nearly all my life, I won't get upset."
"And you don't need to get upset, because I really do like it." The kangaroo said, pecking a warm kiss on his cheek.
Damian looked unconvinced, but he smiled at the loving contact. "Alright, but just say the word and I'll snap us back to the surface." He snapped his fingers comically. Kayla laughed and sunk into his embrace, her neck resting against his chest. Even if she did hate the view, nothing would kill the magic she felt when Damian held her like that.
"Duly noted." Kayla said, sighing into Damian's fur. "So what did you need, hun?"
Damian tensed, and a whispery breath purred in his throat. "Um, th-they're ready to meet you?" He murmured in a tone that seemed to curse its owner. His breaths became quick and his word became clumsy and drawled. "B-But you don't have to, I-I can easily just-"
Her hand fell on his snout pulling him closer to her cheek, she pressed her lips against his ear while his cheeks burned. "Damian, everything is just fine." She said, placing her other hand on his. "There's no need to worry. If you could handle my parents, I can handle yours." Kayla could feel a grin form on his snout. He'd been just like this when he, the Antichrist, had to meet her Christian parents, always so sensitive and quick to panic. It may have been unnecessary, but Kayla would be lying if she wasn't touched by his sensitivity. It just showed how much he wanted to be with her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Damian said hastily, "I mean, my dad is, you know, the devil after all."
Kayla broke out of his embrace and smirked at him. "I'm sure he couldn't be worse than you."
"Ha Ha." Damian rolled his eyes. "I'm being serious though! What if-"
"Damian!" Kayla snapped sternly, two firm hands grabbing his shoulders. The Demon flinched, and his eyes shot up wide. "Just take a deep breath!"
He followed her order immediately, inhaling and exhaling until he felt his chest muscles relax. The stern glare faltered behind a familiar loving smile and the kangaroo leaned forward to nuzzle his nose.
"Now, how about I meet them first, and then we'll see if we need to panic?" Kayla offered, her eyes melting into his. "And I'm sure we won't." Damian nodded softly, though he couldn't hide the anxious wilter in his form.
Truth be told, Kayla didn't exactly feel all that sure either. It wasn't the fact that Damian's parents were the living representations of sin, she dealt with that for a boyfriend, but it was how they took to her that left her nerves in knots. She couldn't see any die-hard reason why they would even dislike her, but who knew. Would they dislike the fact she wasn't a demon or that she was born on the surface? Hate that she wasn't of a higher status? These were vague possibilities, but still possibilities nonetheless. Still, Kayla knew these were only the worst of so many situations, and one thing was certainly clear: Even if they didn't like her, it meant nothing to Damian's feelings for her; he still loved her, and she still loved him, nothing would ever change that simple fact.
She smiled and took his hand, guiding him towards his bedroom door, "Come on, I'm sure it will be great." She piped, "If my parents accepted you, I know yours will be fine with me."
Damian agreed weakly, but it wasn't just his parents he was worried about…
…
"Um, what are the skulls for?" Kayla pointed to the display of horned decay hanging on the wall, trying to hold a strained smile.
Damian cringed as they advanced up the staircase, "M-My dad has a…strange sense for decoration." He said lightly, his arm linked with hers as she shifted closer to his side. The Kangaroo gave a forced laugh and looked down to her feet. Damian's heart sank deeper with every step towards the doors to the throne room, he felt sick and light headed and at any moment he felt like he was gonna throw up there and then. He honestly felt worse than when he was about to meet the parents he knew would have a problem with him. It wasn't that he was worried for his sake, but Kayla? He couldn't imagine what would happen in the next few minutes.
Kayla felt her nerves tense as well; years of religious fables were clawing back into her soul and ignited the primal fear that existed in all Christian minds. She was really about to meet the Devil himself and hope for his approval of her relationship with his son! It was such a preposterous situation for her, but she still remained determined.
They both came to a stop before the door, it loomed over them like a dark cloud, the only barrier between them and the possible conflict of their visit. Their arms tightened in their link and both simultaneously took a deep breath.
"You alright?" Damian said, looking over his girlfriend tenderly.
Kayla carried on flashing him her familiar optimistic grin, "Ready as I'll ever be."
Damian nodded swiftly and grabbed the door handle, it felt hot on his flesh. He felt his legs begin to tremble as, mustering all his will power, he opened the door, allowing a bright orange glow to bask over the dark stairwell as the pair entered the throne room.
"Ah," A deep, booming voice that seemed to come from all over the room bellowed, "So you finally decided to grace us with your appearance?"
Symbols transpired on the walls, like portals, each in familiar shapes that Kayla knew carried an image of Satanism. From the ceiling hung a chandelier made entirely of bones and glimmered with an orange fluorescence that shimmered all around the atmosphere. The room itself was the familiar red that Kayla recognised from all around the Castle décor, and actually Hell itself. But none of these things even mattered apart from the figures that stood like gargoyles near the great dark throne that towered at the other end of the room.
There he was, body made up of what seemed to be black energy that crackled and fizzed in its huge shape, while a large horned face glared out like a gorgon at the oncoming pair. At his side was a tall red jackal, leaning lazily into the black form that enveloped her like a robe. She wore a thin red crown that lay just above her burning orange eyes that stared with an air of slight disinterest. They sat together on the throne, awaiting their visitors with an air of superior threat.
From their stares alone, Kayla felt like she wanted the ground to swallow her up. It wasn't their appearance, what she was anticipating was far worse than what the couple actually looked like, but the atmosphere hung over them like the hood of an executioner and tightened around Kayla's breath like a noose.
Damian laughed half-heartedly, "Yeah, here I am!" He exclaimed, holding a pathetic attempt of excitement. "Hey, Dad. Hi, Mom. It's, uh, good to see you guys again."
The Queen rose a tired eyebrow, "Yes." She drawled in a sharp voice, "Nice indeed. A delight you accepted our invitation this time, baby, we were quite afraid you'd ignore us."
"Again!" The Devil finished with a growl.
Kayla looked over at Damian who know had a bead of sweat on his forehead. He averted his eyes from the girl as her tight frown screamed her words. They'd invited them before?! God, Damian had accidentally made it worse! What if they blamed her for it?
"W-Well…I'm here now." The Antichrist proclaimed, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Yes, you are." Lucifer said icily, his form spat out a fizz of energy as he leaned closer, his stare now on Kayla. "And it seems you've brought along an acquaintance. Step forward, child." He said it calmly, or what could be perceived as calm anyway, but it was still a clear order.
Kayla gulped quietly and forced herself to let go of Damian to step slightly closer to the Spirit.
"Oh, come dear, a bit closer, if you please." The Queen offered, her eyes examining Kayla like she was a sculpture. "We won't hurt you." The cold tone of her voice wasn't convincing.
Hastily, Kayla walked closer to the royalty, only stopping when she was at the bottom of the stairs to the throne. She could feel their eyes on her skin, could sense how they were already judging her, like it was a test that Kayla had come for unprepared. 'Don't show fear,' Her mind whispered, 'Be brave, be noble. Don't let it get to you.' Kayla felt that it was when she broke down sobbing from the stress that the test would be a failure. All she needed to do was keep calm.
She breathed in and out, straightened her posture, and whipped up bright eyes and a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you two." She said sweetly, "My name is Kayla." She remembered quickly how she was in front of royalty and bowed her head respectfully.
"Hmm," She heard the Queen murmur in a tone that resembled contentment, before she uttered a small laugh, "Such good manner."
The King grunted, but it displayed agreement, "And, more importantly, respect."
Kayla had to muster herself from grinning ear to ear.
Damian didn't try to hide it though. Normally it took him months to get such a positive response from either of his parents, nevermind them both at the same time. He burst forward, his hand finding Kayla's shoulder. She gladly returned the smile gleaming on her boyfriend's muzzle.
"This is who I was telling you guys about," Damian said, noticeably calmer and extremely happier. "I told you she was wonderful." Kayla giggled and linked her arm back with Damian's.
"She certainly is!" A new voice cut in from behind.
The couple turned behind them, and Damian's face filled with glee when a pink dress entered his sight. "Tenta!" He barely had time to say her name before the caretaker had rushed towards him and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a firm embrace. Kayla smiled at the sight, she had seen Tentadora many times on the surface, while at ZPA, and had quickly made a good impression on the nanny after she hadn't hesitated to share many stories of Damian's upbringing, mostly embarrassing stories of course.
"Oh, it's wonderful to see you again, baby, I thought you'd never visit again." The woman gleamed at Kayla, letting go of her tight assault on Damian's neck. "And, Kayla, how you've grown, darling? You look beautiful!"
"Thank you, Tentadora," Kayla beamed, "You look fantastic yourself."
A whiny grumble cut in, "That's just how she was designed. I wouldn't call it a wonder."
The trio shared a look of disgust. "Oh, hi Styx." Damian muttered, looking down at the blue demon boredly. Kayla unfortunately knew Styx as well, he'd rang Damian several times whining about something or other; and though Kayla didn't want to be rude, she really didn't want to hear his constant moaning anymore than she needed to.
She smiled thinly at him, "Hello Styx, you look well."
Styx huffed, "Well we both know that's a lie." His frown was as poisonous as always.
"Don't we all." Damian mumbled.
Styx glared at the Prince, before casting an unimpressed glance back at Kayla. "So, you're the poor soul who ended up with this hooligan." Damian laughed the insult off contemptuously, while Kayla smirked and pulled her boyfriend closer.
"Yep, poor me, right sweetie."
Damian grinned, "Hey, I'd say I'm the one who's suffering." Both chuckled warmly, earning a loving coo from Tenta and a sceptical grunt from Styx.
"Don't be rude, Pixie Styx!" Tentadora said, flirtatiously rubbing his head. "You could very well be talking to the next member of our family." Damian and Kayla felt their cheeks darken, the boy giving Tenta a pleading stare while Kayla giggled it off. Styx whipped away from another intrusion of his personal space, mumbling something incoherent under his breath.
A deep cough rattled around the room, startling the group into staring back at the King and Queen, both looking down with impatient stares. Tentadora and Styx both gulped and quickly slipped to the throne, bowing respectfully and standing like guards near the sides of the throne.
"Now we have the pleasantries disposed of," The Devil said, each word striking like a lightning bolt, "Shall we carry onto business."
"Darling, be patient." The Queen said, "The girl has shown manner, it is only required we return the favour." She didn't wait for the King to respond before turning to Kayla with inquisitive eyes. "Tell us, what is your employment, dear?"
"Oh, um, I'm a musician, ma'am." Kayla said, grateful for the effort the Queen seemed to be taking. "Vocalist."
The Queen raised a brow, "A bar singer?"
"Recording artist." Damian said swiftly, glancing at Kayla proudly. "An award winning, multi million selling, recording artist." Kayla blushed and kissed Damian's cheek, it always made her melt when he spoke so tenderly of her.
The Queen made a sound that carried impressment, "I regret to say that I have not heard your work, child, I'll have to see that I do." Kayla smiled and nodded thankfully at her.
Damian felt his throat tighten as he spoke up, "So… you guys are okay with this?"
His parents both shared a confused glance, "Is there a reason we shouldn't?" Lucifer said.
"Wh-I, no…"
"Do you care for this girl, Damian?" The mother said with a hint of softness.
Damian wasted no time, "More than you could imagine." He said, his arm wrapped around her waist lovingly.
The Queen nodded and turned to Kayla, "And you…Kayla. Do you reciprocate my son's feelings?"
Kayla's head dropped into Damian's shoulder, nuzzling into his jacket. "Without a shadow of a doubt."
The Queen smiled contently, and Lucifer shrugged irritably, like they were wasting his time. "Then what is the issue? You've found a Queen, that's all I care for, the rest is your concern."
"Indeed. The girl cares for you, that's all that matters here." The Queen finished.
It seemed like a tremendous weight was lifted off Damian's back; he couldn't stop himself from smiling, this was so much easier than he'd anticipated. This had actually been easier than when he met Kay's parents! He couldn't believe it, for twenty-six years it had seemed every decision he'd made had been a disappointment to his parents, not that he really cared that much, but this? This was the one thing he'd hoped his parents would accept, and they'd done it in a heartbeat. He turned, ready to kiss Kayla with incredible joy.
But her face stopped him. She stared at nowhere in particular, her mouth shaped in a perfect 'O', her eyes confused and comprehensive. Her throat started up and words gently slipped out, "D-Did you say, Queen?"
"Of course," Lucifer stated with an absent mind. "Naturally, when you marry my son, you will take over the throne of Hell's seven levels from me and my love."
"Was that not expected, my dear?" The Queen said it like it was an obvious idea.
And to be fair, it should have been. Both to Kayla and Damian.
Damian never cursed himself as much as he did right then. Why had he never thought of this? Of course, his parents wouldn't have cared who he'd chosen to love, all they'd wanted was a King and Queen. A Queen to take over ruling the miserable lands that had been his home. Damian was expected to bring Kayla into that? This blood line, this duty, that was his curse! And his parents wanted him to strip Kayla of the home she'd known all her life, for an endless bore of politics, rage, and torture.
"I-I presumed if we chose…to get married," She blushed heavily, "That we'd be living on the surface." Presumed? More like hoped. She'd wanted the approval of Damian's parents desperately, and the sights of Hell had certainly been oddly beautiful to her, but to live there? To rule over it as…a Queen?
This…This was far too much to take in from a couple of hours.
"Where would you get that fantasy?" The king chuckled roughly, it made Kayla extremely uneasy. "My son is the heir to the Hell Royal throne, of course he is expected to take over from me as its ruler."
Kayla struggled to form any sounds, "B-But-"
"There are no other candidates to take over, I'd presume you know the fundamentality's of a monarchy, little one?" He continued to laugh at the idea.
The Queen raised a hand, hushing her husband. "My dear child, I fail to see the issue here. Why wouldn't you want to become so much more than a surface walker? This is an opportunity for you to become something incredible."
The unknowing sting of an insult pierced Kayla, she wanted to raise her voice. Speak of her own family, her own friends, but a nameless authority choked her words and left her silent. But this meant she could hear the quiet growl beside her.
Damian started forward, placing Kayla behind him protectively. "So, what, being from the surface means she's below us?" The question was rhetorical, but the burning gaze ushered his parents to answer him. He could take any insults from them, but to Kayla?
No way would he allow that? She'd stood up to her parents, if was time for him to do the same.
Tenta and Styx gave each other a worried glance, they knew perfectly well what Damian was like when he was angry. They'd raised him after all.
The Queen seemed like she wanted to change her past words slightly, but her husband cut in. "Is that not obvious?" Damian felt his teeth clench. "That is why it is such a blessing that she has been given the chance to mix with our blood. She should be privileged."
"Privileged!" Damian exclaimed, stepping even closer. "For what? Your boring existence? Don't make me laugh!" His eyes began to burn.
"Watch your tone, young man!" Lucifer ordered, his great form looming towards his son. "Do not forget who you are speaking to!" Energy began to bubble in his chest.
When he was young, Damian would have shrunk into his knees at any sudden raise in his father's voice. But he wasn't a kid anymore.
"You're my dad," Damian smirked dangerously, "I'm an adult now, which means I can talk to you how I damn well please." Everyone in the room was taken aback, Kayla most of all. How on Earth Damian could stand up to this towering beast when he shrank away from her Dad's insults just a few weeks earlier, she did not know.
"Damian, be civil!" His mother snapped, "We are only asking what you should have already realised?"
"Well I didn't," Damian shrugged, "I'm an idiot, boo hoo for me. You get the reaction now, deal with it."
"Silence this insolence!" The Devil roared. "You were raised for this path! This is your natural duty!"
"This was your duty, Dad! How many damn times do I have to spell it out for you?" Damian spat, "I told you, I hate this place. Does the fact I went to ZPA, and how I've been living on the surface for five months now not explain that?!"
The Devil growled, his black form began to bubble and gleam a bloody red. "I knew letting you roam among those surface walkers was a mistake!" He turned to Tenta and Styx with a burning glare. "Do you see what you two have caused? Look at the imbalance that has erupted because of your soft hearts!" The duo shivered and stepped away from their raging master, seething and scowling deeply at them. Kayla looked on in horror, the weight of the atmosphere breaking her down.
Before anyone could blink, within the slip of a shadow, Damian had placed himself between his Dad and his caretakers, his arms out protectively. "Leave them alone! What they did was the best thing that ever happened to me!"
Lucifer hissed, "The surface has rifted you from your true life. Your destiny is to rule this world!"
"I don't want to be the damn King of this god forsaken place!"
"I am not concerned with your interests."
"And I'm not interested in yours!" Damian growled, his eyes as red as his fathers' flesh, "I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing it for her. I will not make her live like this!" Kayla's mouth dropped, her face fearful, and a guilty pain stinging in her stomach.
The Devil boiled and grew to a staggering size, until Damian was staring up sixty feet of his extremely pissed off Dad. "YOU WILL DO WHATEVER I TELL YOU TO!" The power in his bellow caused the ground to shake, and every person fell to their feet from his pure fury.
Except the Demon now floating right in front of his fathers' face, his expression a perfect mirror of the Devils rage. "NOT UNLESS YOU FUCKING MAKE ME!"
"STOP!"
The Demon's turned to the voice. Kayla stood trembling, staring pleadingly at the two, tears streaming down her cheeks. "P-Please, stop this…" She squeaked, rubbing her eyes to no avail. Damian felt his eyes return to normal as he floated to the ground, concern set like stone. "I-I don't want y-you guys to fight over this, o-over…" Even the Devil seemed to calm down, returning to his throne beside his wife who stared at the girl with complete awe. Kayla coughed back a sob and turned, "I'm s-sorry." She ran out of the throne room, her cries echoing as she disappeared.
Damian swiftly followed her, "Kay! Wait" He ignored the demands of his father, he had more important things to tend to.
…
She'd immediately buried her face in the pillow, soaking it with her tears, it seemed it wouldn't stop as the soft fabric muffled her cries.
Kayla felt her stomach toss and turn, she let out a ragged breath before covering her face with an arm. What was she doing here? She felt like she was to blame for the brutal argument that had erupted, they wouldn't have been like that if she, a surface walker, wasn't with Damian. The boy was part of a royal family, of course he would have taken over for his family's sake, and now it looked like she was getting in the way of all that.
Was she a burden for Damian?
She knew he loved her deeply, but would it be best if he didn't? He'd have his family at least.
Kayla began to sob again, she didn't like what she had summoned in her mind. She adored Damian, she didn't want to lose him. But she needed to think of his relationship with his family; family was forever. At the end of the day, he could find another…
Another flood of cries slid down her cheeks as the she heard a knock on the door. "Kay?" A familiar gentle voice called, "Are you alright?"
Kayla inhaled deeply, wiping her eyes as she heard the door open. Damian stood, a warm, sad smile on his muzzle as he neared the bed, sitting on the end of the black duvet, a hand extended towards her. Kayla smiled weakly, taking it warily, allowing herself to be pulled into sitting next to the Demon.
"Things got a bit heated there, didn't it?" Damian snickered, his fingers wrapping around hers. "I'm sorry I yelled, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Oh…Damey, you didn't scare me. It wasn't you at all." Kayla said, still clearing her eyes from the water stains.
Damian sighed in relief, "So, what happened?" He said with unease.
Kayla was silent, staring down at her feet, unable to face the one she loved. Damian's grip was gentle but firm, holding her with a promise of security. She sniffed and warily looked to Damian, "Damian, I d-don't want to cause a r-rift between you and your family."
"What?" Damian felt stung, "What are you talking about?"
"I-I can't be the one who breaks up your family." Kayla said, her voice on the verge of tears. "I don't want you to fight with them for my sake."
Damian couldn't believe what he was hearing! Had she blamed herself for his argument with his dad? "Kay, that was their fault, you didn't do anything wrong!" His other hand fell on her cheek, wiping away any stray tears. "Besides, you fought with your family for me, what's wrong with me doing the same?"
"Not like…that." Kayla muttered, allowing her face to sink into his touch. "I'm not royalty, Dame, I don't want you to suffer because I'm not the right one for you." She felt his touch switch to her shoulder; his eyes were as solid as marble and his thin frown communicated a rare sincerity.
"I don't give a damn about 'royalty' or 'rightful paths' or any other crap my Dad says. All I cared about in that room was you."
"But your-"
"But nothing, Kay." Damian said firmly, "I don't want to subject you to any of," His arms flew around the room, pointing to the balcony. "That! You don't deserve that kind of life."
"Damian, I-I really don't mind." She didn't even buy her own voice.
Damian knew she was lying. "Really, so you want to become the Queen of Hell? You want to live down here for the rest of your life?" He was pressing but gentle about it.
Kayla stammered, unable to even think, "I-I-"
"If you do I'll go straight to my parents and I'll tell them. So, do you?" It was laying all his cards on the table but Damian wasn't even gambling, he knew what she'd say.
Kayla looked back down at her feet, she couldn't do it. "N-No."
"Good," Damian said, his hands left to slide across both her cheeks. "Cause' neither do I."
"Huh?" Kayla looked back up at him, shock filling her face.
"Kayla, ever since I was a kid I've had my life pathed out for me. What I should learn, where I should study, where I was allowed to go; my parents have never willingly wanted me to do anything on my own accord. The only reason I went to ZPA in the first place was because Tenta and Styx allowed it," He pulled her closer to him, making sure every word was set like concrete. "If they hadn't have done that, I don't know where I'd be but I sure as Hell know that I'd be so much lonelier without you there. The only thing I care about is you, not some stupid throne, I love you."
Damian wiped away a stray tear that slid down Kayla's cheek, her eyes passionate and amiable with a love that was only for him. She smiled affectionately and pressed her lips against his, savouring his taste, allowing him to mix with her. It was so funny when she thought back on how much he scared her in ZPA, she just loved this boy so much. She was surprised when Damian cut away for a split second, a wide grin on his face.
"Come out of hiding, I'm right here beside you." He sang in his wonderful tone.
Kayla wasted no time, "And I'll stay there as long as you let me."
Their voices collided in a glorious passion, "Because you matter to me. I promise you do, you, you matter to. You matter to me." Their foreheads met each other, a sensual adoration all around them as they shared themselves.
"I love you too," Kayla whispered, lifting his chin to place her lips back on his. He sank back onto the bed, holding onto her back as she peppered his cheeks, nose, and lips with her soft kisses. Her mouth finally rested back on his, sliding herself into his mouth, intertwined as they mutually expressed craving desire. The conflict surrounding them was invisible to their ardour, unable to penetrate through the heavy devotion.
Kayla's lips left Damian's and she sat up on his chest, staring down with a half-lidded glance of sensuality. Damian stared back, pure adoration shining in his gaze. It was entirely possible they could share the same thoughts as they both immediately decided on the core image fuelling their bodies. They were both tasting the Apple of Eden, and they would not give up on it now, not when the taste was still lingering in their senses.
They gave in to primal desire.
Damian rose, wrapping his arms back around Kayla's frame, kissing Kayla again. Her hands shifted on his back, massaging his shoulder blades until she found the edge of his jacket. She pulled it off him slowly, not breaking the contact of their lips. Soon his shirt followed suit, being thrown into the clumsy pile. With a loving smile Damian snapped his fingers and the lock of a door snapped through the air.
Then the natural spark began to crackle.
Every touch on their bodies was a ripple effect, sending waves throughout their systems. Damian held Kayla gently, as he always did, sliding under the covers with her, his fingers grasping her soft hair while her lips brushed his neck. Kayla sank into the soft duvet, her body coming alight with every tender grasp he made on her hips.
He grasped onto the pillow behind the face he was meeting, bit by bit straining the fabric as intimacy deepened and his kisses soon made her way down her belly, Each kiss was a whirlwind, making Kayla's stomach dance. She breathed in tightly, her hands kneading Damian's skull, a fresh wind rippling her chest with anticipation.
His lips met hers.
Kayla lost thought of her upper body.
It carried on like that for a minute. His lips flowing, her gasps rising like clouds. It felt like she was floating, soaring in the atmosphere. A sweet contentment submerging her mind, her thoughts like dust in the breeze. Damian's lips moved like a river, smooth patterns along the Nile, fluttering along the land while rushing through the creek. He breathed her in, the sweetness numbing his senses.
Damian stopped himself before she could finish. A decision they both consented. He made his way upwards, his eyes never leaving hers; Kayla stared into his beautiful flame red pupils until they were inches away from her face, his arms slack next to her cheeks. He kissed her again, softy so she knew how much he loved her before they made the connection. The gentle return of her kiss was a whisper of approval. The wick could be lighted.
A spasm of a muscle.
Red met yellow.
The stinging exhales.
A rush of glorious perfection.
Their movements were gentle and natural, sinking into each other in a rhythmic nuance. Kayla held onto him while he pressed against her, their bodies in a complete circuit. Desire built like a fountain. The timbre of their hips slowed, savouring every second that passed, holding onto every breath shared. But it couldn't last long, they both knew that. They moved their mouths against each other again, lips mimicking their bodies until they progressed as one singular form.
Closer…
Closer.
A sharp delight overtook them.
They gasped and shook, eyes closing as they sank into the pillows beneath them. They looked at each other as they settled into the covers, nothing but pure adoration binding them. Nothing but themselves mattered in their moment. Damian pulled Kayla towards him, her hand linking with his as her head rested on his chest. Their breaths were in synchronisation as they rested together, both tired and mesmerised.
Damian pulled the cover over them, his arm holding the girl to his bod, fingers twirling through her fur. He kissed her head, exhaling deeply. "Still worried." He said, making Kayla giggle and snuggle into his chest.
"Less so."
They both shared a smile and relaxed into the bed, their warmth keeping their thoughts dazzling until they hadn't even realised they'd fallen asleep.
…
*Knock*Knock*
The kangaroo hazily woke up, her cheek was still enticed on Damian's shoulder. Yawning, she softly rose, smiling at her still asleep boyfriend, snoring softly into his arm. Then the knocks came again, short and impatient, Damian stirred slightly but he did not wake, while Kayla looked towards the door warily.
"Damian." A smooth, unemotional voice stated, muffled by the door. The Queen. "Baby, are you there?" Kayla glanced back at Damian, he showed no signs of waking up anytime soon. She cringed, she really didn't want to leave his side, especially if it was to meet his, presumably fuming, parents. But the knocking persisted, and Kayla felt compelled to answer, more for the sake of Damian, his parents probably blame her more, it would be better if they were angry at her.
She took a deep breath and slowly moved towards the door, covering herself with one of Damian's gowns she found on his dresser. "H-He's asleep." Kayla said, inches from the door.
"Oh, Kayla." The Queen sounded slightly relieved. "You're just who I wanted to see. Open the door, would you, dear? I'd like to have a talk with you."
Talk? That didn't sound good. What else could she do though? It was her castle after all. With a gulp she opened the door by a crack. The orange gleam of the Queen's stare met her gaze and she gulped, her face held absolutely no emotion and the normal thin frown was still present on her lips.
Kayla stepped outside, closing the door behind her gently. "Wh-What can I do for you, your majesty?"
The Queen rose a brow. "Are you alright, child?" She said with a hint of concern.
"Oh, um, yes. I-I'm fine."
"Really?" The woman frowned, unconvinced. "Because, just an hour ago, you had fled my throne room crying." Kayla blushed and attempted a weak laugh.
"Oh, right, I'm s-sorry about that."
"Whatever for?" The Queen said with obvious distaste. "I saw no wrong on your behalf. The exchange was simply on the fault of my husband and son." She said it like she was speaking to a stupid person, but that was somehow oddly positive for Kayla.
Kayla drew back in shock, "W-What? You don't blame me for Damian wanting to leave?"
The Queen's eyes narrowed, "Kayla, my son has never wished to remain here." She said, "Ever since he was small he's wished to live on the surface, that is no fault of yours." Kayla smiled joyfully, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.
"Oh, thank God." Kayla breathed, "I was worried you were mad at me."
The Queen shrugged, "Anger isn't becoming of a Queen, they should remain calm in the face of any unease." A slight smile crept on her lips. "Something my husband has yet to learn." Kayla genuinely laughed at that remark.
"However, that does bring me to another, more pressing, matter."
The smile was smacked of Kayla's face. She tensed. Here it came.
The Queen's frown softened, her ember eyes flickering gently. "Tell me Kayla, how is your life on the surface?"
Kayla looked to the Queen swiftly, the question taking her by surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Parents, friends, general necessities; would you see them as desirable in your life?"
"I…Of course." Kayla said it straight away, "I grew up there, I love my family! Doesn't everyone?"
"No." The Queen said plainly, "Not everyone does." She backed away from the kangaroo, not breaking her gaze. Kayla said nothing, sensing an unknown dread take hold. "That's the difference between you and me."
"Excuse me?"
The Queen chuckled, "Perhaps that's why I cannot understand your reasoning for wanting to stay on that dreadful world." Her tone was unemotional, but her eyes communicated a sense of pain that made Kayla twitch uncomfortably. "Your family clearly love you; mine, well," She paused, then she sighed, bestial willpower keeping secrets hidden away. "Let me just say, they made my decision to take my place here much easier."
It was vague, but Kayla felt like she understood. Her sympathy grew for the mysterious royal.
Kayla was about to say something else, but the Queen rose with a familiar unhealthy security. "Don't mind it." She ordered, staring back at the girl uncaringly. "I only care for my son, you can do what you like." Kayla again felt initial joy, but the Queen immediately frowned, "But my husband, his mind is not so easily shaken."
Kayla sank back dejectedly, "I could tell."
The Queen began to walk away, "I'd plead you understand him. He has known nothing but the sinful side of your world, obviously his kind are not normally accepted in your world." She didn't look back, leaving the conversation as mysteriously anticlimactic as it had started. "I bid you well, child."
"Y-Yeah, thank you very much."
Kayla leaned against the door. Yep, she could understand that, she was guilty of it after all, so long ago. But she still knew that Damian was able to be accepted, even by her, even by her parents. Why couldn't other demons be accepted also?
Wait.
Why couldn't they?
Kayla felt her smile strike as quickly as her idea had.
She rushed back into the room, jumping onto her sleeping boyfriend like a kid on Christmas day. The Demon shrieked, throwing his eyes shooting wide in terrified shock, his grunts cut off by Kayla's excited cries. "Damey! Damey! Wake up!"
Damian pushed the rippling duvet off his face, staring at the girl intensely, "K-Kayla, what are you doing?" The girl grinned, pressing her hands on his shoulders, making the Demon's face burn.
"I have an idea."
…
The Hell royals sat on their thrones apprehensively. They had been informed several minutes ago that their son wished to speak with them directly, and of course they had agreed, though for different reasons. Lucifer wore a deep scowl, still furious from his exchange with his son, he expected nothing but an apology for his son's former insolence, as well as a peaceful promise for a transition of power. The Queen however, wore a calm smile, eager for whatever it was her son had to say, as long as he was happy, she'd get by.
Tenta and Styx wore tired frowns, unhappy for being woken so late and hoping to return soon to bed. Preferably without another heated screaming contest.
Damian and Kayla stood before the throne, holding onto each other as they always had. Damian fidgeted nervously, looking to Kayla for help; she nodded at him with a trusting smile, patting his shoulder tenderly.
Damian gulped and took a step towards his parents. "Uh, so, thanks for coming here, guys."
"Oh, Baby." The Queen said with blank love. "It's no bother."
"Yes," The Devil said sarcastically, "I'd hate for us to leave on bad terms."
The Antichrist chuckled softly, "Yeah. I guess." He looked his father bravely in the eyes, "I've been thinking about what you said and." He took a deep breath, "Me and Kayla have agreed to take over the throne."
The King smirked in satisfaction while the Queen's eyes widened. "Oh…good." She said, her voice was soft and noticeably surprised, but it was again overpowered by her husband.
"Excellent, I forgive you son, now we can forget the-"
"But," The Devil's face dropped in shock, his son stared him down, a deep grin on his face. "We have a few conditions."
"CONDITIONS?!" The devil roared, "Why you little-" He was hushed when his wife's hand rose in the air, she cast him a glare that silenced the room before she turned to Damian with an expecting smile.
"Do tell?"
Damian smiled back at his mother before looking back to his Dad, "We want to rule from the surface."
"Hm?" The Queen's brow rose inquisitively, but her hand kept her husband silent. "What do you mean?"
"I know what you two think of the surface, how they hate our kind and want nothing but us to die." He laughed sadly, "I thought the same thing for a while. But," He ushered Kayla closer to him, she gladly obliged, linking her arm with him. "Look at me. Look at us. If I, the damn Antichrist, can find acceptance on the surface, why couldn't the rest of us?"
"What does this have to do with our throne?" The Devil demanded.
Damian simply continued to smile, "When me and Kayla take over, we want to take over a Hell is co-existing with the Surface."
Both parents were silent, slowly accepting what had just been said. Then Lucifer's scowl returned, "What nonsense is this?" He spat, "Co-existence? There can be no such thing!"
Damian shrugged his father off, "Well, that's our dream. That's what we want to be a part of." He gazed over at his girlfriend who clung to him lovingly, "No more hatred, no more fear. We want to see a world that we can be proud of."
The Devil scoffed, "You say it is a dream, and that is all it contends to be. Nothing but an empty fantasy."
Damian pulled Kayla closer to him, "This girl was scared of me, for years, and all I ever dreamed was that she'd love me back." He pressed his lips against her forehead and stared defensively at his father, "If that doesn't make me believe dreams can come true, nothing will." Kayla wrapped her arms around him and leant on his chest. She looked up to the scowling Devil and offered a hopeful beam.
"I know people could accept other Demons if they could accept him as well." Kayla said, "Sir, I was a devout Christian, but I still love your son. I can't see why others couldn't do the same."
It looked like a bullet had ripped through Lucifer's chest, the shock on his face was impenetrable. "Christian?" He inquired. Kayla nodded, and embraced Damian harder to prove her point. For a moment, it looked like Lucifer would be softened, but his disbelief still returned with a hazy cough.
"Lunacy." Lucifer growled. "Absolute Lunacy. I tell you this idea is-"
"Intriguing." His wife finished.
Everyone in the room turned to the Queen; Lucifer's mouth hung open while Damian and Kayla looked up with hopeful gapes. The Queen sank into her throne, a broad smile on her face. "A Christian falling for my son?" The Queen exclaimed with a grin, "Why this could actually work if such things are possible now."
Lucifer began to cough and splutter, "N-Narissa?! You can't be serious?"
"Why not, my darling?" The Queen said, looking to her husband smugly. "This girl is a well-established member of the surface community. If this 'dream' of theirs comes into tuition, our kingdom could be expanded beyond belief."
"I-It can't-"
"Her highness isn't lying, Sire." Tentadora piped in with an intrusive grin, "She truly is respected on the surface for her skills, she could easily spread the demonic image in an unbelievably positive light."
"Plus, it would be good for our borders." Styx said, rubbing his chin in thought, "Not to mention trade and peace deals that could easily strengthen the kingdom."
Damian was in shock! If Styx was sticking up for him, it must have been a damn good idea.
Lucifer looked at the opposition from all sides and began to sweat. "Th-This is simply an assumption that the idea would work! We have no proof that it would."
Kayla burst forward, "Twenty years. If we can't establish peace in twenty years' time, me and Damian will accept your wish and rule Hell from down here." She wasn't taking a gamble. She knew they could do it. Damian smiled at the proposition in agreement, having already decided this with Kayla beforehand.
Narissa shrugged, "I can wait that long. I find it reasonable." She looked to her shaking husband, daring him to disagree. "So, my darling, what do you say?"
Lucifer drew away from his wife in shock, staring at her, his son, and then his most trusted employee's, all looking at him with an opposition solely focused on him. It didn't make sense. He was a living immortal! He was the absolute power in this world!
So why was he shaking?
The weight of the decision closed in on him, every eager eye staring him down, sweat bubbled down his brow and his eye began to twitch.
Then he rose with an infuriated grunt, "FINE! Do as you wish!" He yelled, his form beginning to fade away. "I tire of this conversation! I'm going back to my chambers!"
Then he transported away, leaving nothing but a thin black steam of smoke.
His wife grinned and rose from her throne, approaching the still shocked couple. "It seems you two have got your wish," The Queen said, her voice as stoic as ever. "I'd suggest you keep your promise."
Two pairs of arms enveloped her.
"Thank you, mommy!" Her son babbled, an impossibly wide grin on his muzzle. "Thank you so so so so much!"
His girlfriend also cried like a toddler, "Thank you, your majesty. Thank you!"
The Queen blushed, gently puling their hands from her. She stepped away with a weak cough. "N-No need for thanks. Just make sure you visit often, okay, Baby? Not just for the holidays."
"I promise, mom." Damian said wiping his eyes vigorously.
Narissa nodded, turning to face Kayla who looked back with a grateful cheer. "And you…take care of my son. Agreed?" She smiled softly.
Kayla giggled, "With pleasure."
Narissa smiled and turned away, "I have to see to my husband, I wish you both good night." She said, walking out of the throne room, nose still in the air, but unable to hide the smile on her face.
Damian and Kayla looked at each other and immediately embraced. "We did it, Kay." He said, fingers stroking her neck. "We actually did it. We won over my parents."
"Not quite." Kayla giggled, "It seemed more like broken pressure from your dad."
"Ah, who cares?" Damian laughed, kissing her cheek.
"Oh, I'm so proud of you two!" Tenta said, rushing to the two with awed grin. "What a wonderful dream! I know you'll make it come true."
"Let's hope." Styx said, approaching with a blank gaze. "We did risk our lives on it practically." He looked to Damian seriously, "Make sure you follow through with this plan of yours, young man!"
Damian chuckled, "Styx, for the first time ever, you don't need to ask me twice."
Styx nodded gravely, but a trace of a smile came up for a split second. He looked over to Kayla with a hint of appreciation, "You see to it he makes good on this deal, okay. After all, it is your future on the line as well."
Kayla grasped Damian's hand, feeling his warmth flicker all over her body, and returned the loving smile he offered her. She looked back to Styx with a gentle smile.
"As long as he's there," She said, leaning back on Damian's shoulder, "Our future's going to be just fine."
…
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. The next 'Unexpected' won't be for a while now, I'm going to work on my OC based story 'Hell Divine' in the meantime. I will come back to this story eventually, but not for a while now. But I hope you enjoyed the longest chapter I've ever written PERIOD.
Kalum16, Signing off!
Characters belong to Vivienne Medrano.