"Wow, this is absolutely amazing," Kim said as she followed Diavolo through the front gate of the massive castle.

"Thank you, though I can't take credit for it. I simply live here after all," he answered as he led her to the double front doors.

"Then I'll thank you for keeping me safe on the way here," she retorted with a smile. "There were several close calls, I thought we'd never lose them all!"

"We were chased by several demons, weren't we?" he asked jovially. "Even a few incubi!" he gave a hearty laugh, opened the front door, and stepped aside so that she could enter first.

Her mouth gaped open at seeing the foyer, the elegance of the room had her speechless. The ivory pillars formed a perimeter of the circular room, each trimmed with golden accents. The walls were a rosy gold with a light bronze pattern that was barely noticeable, giving a feeling of opulence.

Are those skulls? she wondered at seeing the smaller accents, but strangely they added to the decor instead of taking away from it, as they were strategically placed- not what any human would think of as the decor for the demon lord.

"Kimberly!"

The shout had her turning quickly, and jumping behind Diavolo, his broadness giving her plenty of hiding room. She peeked out from his back to see Mammon and Levi running up the walk towards them.

"Stay there," Diavolo spoke to her quietly. "You'll be fine."

"Okay," she answered gratefully, especially seeing the strange look on both of demons' faces- almost like they were ecstatic to see her. It's a little unnerving.

"There ya are! You must have been so lonely without the Great Mammon by your side, weren't ya Kim?" he asked with a knowing smirk, his eyebrow wiggling up and down in a suggestive manner.

"I suppose I can let you stay in my room tonight, so that you'll be safe from all the crazy demons out there!" he added, holding out his hand to her, and completely ignoring the other two demons present.

"You think Kimberly's lonely without you?!" Levi countered, as he stepped in front of Mammon to get her attention, though he was covering his face with his arm, and looking away. "Don't make me laugh!"

His eyes flicked up to hers, then away again, as he cleared his throat. "I got a new manga today, and we could… uh… c-cuddle u-p like the normies do! And read it together!"

"What is happening?!" Kim murmured, though she was kind of wishing that this was real. Someone feeling lonely without her or maybe wanting to share manga and cuddle… It was like a dream.

It wasn't the type of man Jon was, she knew that, and had accepted that she didn't need the cuddles or the sweet words. There were compromises in relationships, and Jon's love language had nothing to do with physical touch- so she wouldn't force it.

They had a connection; a mutual respect and friendship that had turned to love, and that had been worth more to her than the romance.

However, every now and then a show of romance would make her feel wistful.

"They've been lured here by the pheromones," Diavolo said, sounding tired.

Right, she thought. The damned pheromones. "Diavolo, can you do something?" she asked him tightly.

He looked down at her, seeing the strain on her face, and was worried that she may be frightened of her roommates after this. "Of course, leave it to me," he said with a smile, wanting to reassure her.

His arms came forward and a flash of purplish light moved from his hands to the ground in front of them. There was a rumbling at their feet, Mammon and Levi stared down in shock.

"Huh?!" Levi exclaimed. "The ground's moving!"

"Noooo!"

The bricks became a wave that started fluctuating up and down, and though Mammon tried to run forward, the wave of the walkway carried the pair of them out of the gate, the metal closing tightly once they were outside of it.

"I'm sorry, but I thought it better to forcibly remove them from the castle. They won't be able to enter again without an invitation." She nodded, but Diavolo still worried about the look on her face.

"I hope you won't be scared of them after this," he said gently.

He would have said more, but she was shaking her head. "I feel bad for them," she said quietly. He gestured her inside, and noted that she continued to look around in awe as they went in.

"You feel bad for them?" he asked. "I imagine they all feel the same for you."

She didn't turn to look at him this time, just shook her head again. "I'm as safe as can be, thanks to you," she answered. "But they have pheromones messing with them, controlling them." She looked up at him now, looking resolute. "I'd like to stay away from everyone until this has worn off, please."

He gazed back for a moment, thinking again that this human was destroying all of their expectations of her.

"Of course," he said, nodding towards the stairs. "This way."

They were both silent as she followed the prince through the castle, though she had a thought about never complaining about the size of the House of Lamentation again.

Eventually the prince stopped in front of a door, opening it for her and gesturing her inside. Walking in, Kim was impressed by the huge twelve-foot ceilings, complete with chandeliers, architecture on the walls, and lights everywhere.

There was a king-sized bed with a curtained canopy at the far end of the room, a seating area with couch, two armchairs, and an ottoman table in between. The room, the furniture and linens were all in shades of charcoal and mist, with accents of red of rugs and pillows.

It could have seemed dreary with that color palette, but it was cozy and most importantly felt isolated and safe from the rest of the castle. She hadn't heard a peep and wondered if there were any demons that helped Diavolo besides Barbatos.

"They'll all go back to… normal, right?" she asked quietly.

"Yes of course," Diavolo said gently. "Demons aren't defeated this easily," he quipped.

He stopped his chuckling, seeing the surprised look on her face. "What?" he asked, his head tilting in confusion.

"I… I heard something," she admitted. "About some that are trying to defeat you. Dissenters."

"Oh?" he asked, becoming serious. He held out his hand to indicate that she should sit, and he seated himself on the couch across the table from her.

"I'm assuming they targeted me in order to disgrace those that are protecting me," she said, trying to come up with the right words. "But I can't understand why."

"There are those that are unhappy with the changes that I've made," he said, choosing his own words carefully. "Demons and humans have a dreadful history," he continued. "In fact, most demons view humans as … well…"

"Bugs?" she suggested.

"You don't seem surprised…" he answered with a frown. "I made it clear that you humans were to be treated with respect."

"It's not that," she assured him. "More a feeling than anything," she lied. "But surely it would be easier with a female that can protect herself, like Solomon can?"

"Easier, perhaps," he agreed, seeing the frown bloom on her face. "But not nearly as rewarding," he added, happy that the frown melted away in a hopeful glance. "For all of our existence, any dealings with humans has involved sorcerers or witches- those that seek something from us- whether it be power, wealth, or the like."

His gaze was direct, and Kim couldn't even think of looking away. "But never before have we had dealings with a human simply to understand each other. And we still wouldn't, without you, Kimberly."

"Uh," she looked away, a little embarrassed. "My friends call me Kim," she offered.

He lit up, there was no other way to describe it, and she had to smile. "And you would like me to do the same?" he asked. "Though Kimberly is such a beautiful name."

She gaped at him, she couldn't help it. He chuckled at her expression. "Surely, you have been told that before."

"Never," she answered honestly, looking wistful again. "I suppose the pheromones affected you slightly after all."

He laughed again, though she could tell he was amused, and not laughing at her.

"You say the cutest things," he said as he sat back in the couch, smiling at her as she goggled back. "However, you really shouldn't encourage me. I haven't been slightly affected- I'm at the limits of my self-control."

"What?" she asked, alarmed.

"Not to worry," he said calmly. "I may at the limits, but I am fully in control. I've been thinking that I'd like to lock you away and keep you to myself for all eternity," he smiled at the look on her face. "However, I know I can't do that. I know it is the pheromones, and besides that, you need your freedom."

As she thought about it, Kim realized that Diavolo had seemed stiff throughout the whole ordeal, and she realized that he had put up with a lot, to keep her safe.

"Is there anything I can do to make it easier for you?" she asked. She looked at him nervously, and he found himself surprised yet again.

"Honestly, just being nearby has helped," he explained. "That's why I've sent everyone else away. Being near enough to feel the pheromones but not near you is what is really painful."

Nodding, she was resolute in helping however she could in thanks for his help to her. She moved to the nearby end table, grabbing the chess board that sat there. She placed it on the table in front of him and sat next to him on the couch.

"Ha ha, are you trying to tease me?" he asked her, though he reached for the chess board to turn it for their current seating. "That's rather naughty." He looked her in the eye now, starting to enjoy the flush on her cheeks.

"Being closer will ease the sensation, right?" she questioned, though it sounded more like a demand.

"That," he agreed, "and getting my mind off of its thoughts. We could play a few games of chess, and then perhaps some poker?" he suggested. She nodded, and he smiled broadly.

"Thank you, Kimberly. By tomorrow morning we should be back to normal, just in time for the retreat," he told her. "I'm sure the brothers will be glad to see you again."

"Kimberly!"

The three pacted brothers turned at the shout, seeing the human had descended the stairs, and the small angel was running over to her. He threw his arms around her waist and squeezed in a desperate hug.

"Hey! What's the big idea, hugging Kimberly like that?!" Mammon shouted, as he started to move to them.

Without warning, a group of six dark shapes converged on the pair, covering them.

"Wh-what is going on?!" Luke cried in dismay as he scuttled backwards. "You have… demons! All over you!"

Mammon, Beel and Levi all stopped from running to her at hearing her giggles.

"Ah, at first we thought we were dealing with the remnants of the lunatic pudding incident from yesterday," Diavolo spoke up in answer to Lucifer's questioning look. "The little D's have become quite enamored with Kimberly."

"But you said the effects have worn off, Diavolo," Kimberly laughed loudly as a little D of pride snuggled up in the crook of her neck. "That tickles!"

Seeing that had Lucifer's spine straight as a rail. "What did you just call him?!" he demanded.

"Oh, I told her she could be less formal in front of the council," Diavolo said happily, as he walked over to help extract the smaller demons from his guest. Though he couldn't blame them. She had cuddled and cooed each of them earlier that morning, and it seemed they wanted more attention. He made note to try to give more affection to his Little D's in the future.

Once freed, Kimberly looked over at Luke, and held her hands out for a hug, which he ran to happily.

"I'm SO, SO happy that you're all right!" Luke's muffled voice carried to the demons that were nearby. "You could have been hurt- or worse! And it was all my fault!"

"Hey, I said not to blame yourself, didn't I?" she stepped back from the hug and looked down at his sad face.

"I know, but I've still been beside myself with worry until I could see that you were really safe and sound!"

"Like she'd lie about that!" Mammon muttered in disgust.

"Ugh. Normies," Levi mumbled.

"It's fine, now stop blaming yourself, Luke," Kim told him.

Luke beamed up at her. "You're not a human are you?" he asked, and she goggled at him. "You're really an angel in disguise is that it?"

"So I heard that Simeon and Diavolo met and came up with a solution for both parties," Solomon whispered to Satan as Kimberly and Luke continued to talk loudly. "Is that true?"

"Yes," Satan replied, craftily. "Though Lucifer doesn't seem happy about it."

"Well!" Diavolo clapped his hands together. "Now that we're all here, let's talk about how this retreat will work. Barbatos?"

"Of course my lord," Barbatos replied, stepping forward. "The aim of this retreat is for demons, angels and humans to intermingle, so as to gain a better understanding of the others."

"I know plenty of ways to intermingle," Asmodeus said in a sultry voice, his hand resting on Solomon's shoulder.

"Yeah, like having a pillow fight!" Mammon interjected.

"So, we'll lay out the basic itinerary," Barbatos continued.

"ROTFLMAOOOOOO!" Levi said from behind Mammon as he sulked at being ignored.

"We'll begin by taking your belongings to your rooms, where we have split you into various groups. Then we will have a tour of the Demon Lord's Castle, where you'll have a chance to learn about Devildom history."

Kim lit up at that, wondering if the brothers had thought to pack a notebook for her. She looked around, thinking that maybe they didn't pack anything for her, when she caught Lucifer's glare, as he pointed forward.

She turned around, and started listening to Barbatos again. "And on the third day, Kimberly and Solomon will be preparing food from the human realm for lunch."

There was a pause, where they heard a growl, and Kim turned to find the source, only to see everyone looking at Beel.

"Mmm, human world cooking, just the thought is making me hungry…" he said.

"Yes, well, let's get to room assignments," Barbatos continued.

Mammon stood there, no longer pumped about this retreat. He was being ignored, not only by his brothers and Barbatos, which he was used to, but also by his human! It was enough to make anyone feel slighted.

He was sure that she'd make it up to him later, in fact he was sure that she'd be bunking with him. His mind conjured all sorts of scenes, from the mildly comforting to the downright racy, until he heard his name- followed by Satan's and Solomon's.

"Huh?!" he grunted, trying to figure out what he had missed. He could see that everyone was adjusting themselves into differing groups than where they had been, Satan and Solomon were now on his right. Beel, Levi and the chihuahua were on their right, and Kimberly was to his left- standing next to the angel Simeon, and "ASMO?!"

"What?" his brother turned to look at him in question, and Mammon grabbed his sleeve to pull him closer, and further away from Kimberly.

"Uh, switch rooms with me," Mammon demanded.

"...What?" Asmo asked, giving him a dirty look, and wiping off his sleeve, though Mammon could see there was nothing there. "Why should I?"

"Because… uh… " he glanced over to his two roommates. "Well, you're in a pact with Solomon right? I mean, he kinda looks like he snores or somethin' but you're obviously okay with that. And Satan… probably has stinky feet."

He could practically feel the animosity from behind him, but he didn't care. He needed this.

"Well, that's awfully rude," Solomon said disdainfully. "And isn't true at all, is it Asmo?"

"Nope," Asmo agreed smiling at Mammon.

"My feet DO NOT smell either," Satan replied, and they could all hear the barely tethered wrath in his voice. He took a breath, and reined it in. "What's so great about Asmo's roo-"

He cut himself off, as he could see exactly what - or rather who- was what was so great about the other room. "Ah, I see. You just want to be in Kimberly's room, is that it?"

Mammon turned, his face incredulous. "Wha?" Are you nuts?" he hissed. "No of c-course not! Why would I want to share a room with Kimberly?! I mean… a human?!

"I was just doing you a favor! Human stench rubs off on ya in your sleep! I was just lookin' out for my little brother, that's all! You should be grateful, no honored!"

"Wow, you're trying so hard that no one could believe that," Levi muttered.

"I see," Asmodeus smiled, and turned to look behind him at the human that was currently in discussion with the angel next to her. "So that's why, is it? Well, the answer is no."

"Why NOT?!" Mammon growled.

"It could be because I enjoy seeing that bitter, frustrated look on your face," Asmo replied cheekily. He stepped forward, giving his brother a wicked smile, punching his power into his gaze. "Or it could be," he said quietly, "that I want to see what all the fuss is about."

He looked at Mammon's burning glare, and smirked, flouncing back to where his new roommates stood. "Oh Kimberly!" he sang. "Let's take our things up to our room, shall we?" he asked. "I brought along a bag for you!"

"Oh, thank you Asmo, you're a lifesaver!" Kimberly replied happily accepting the bag. She could see his two large cases, and asked, "Do you need help?"

"Aren't you just the sweetest?" Asmo cooed, giving his older brother one more smirk before moving into the castle with the human, the angel following behind them.

Mammon glared, knowing that he wouldn't correct Asmo. He wasn't going to actually tell Kimberly that he had thought to pack her bag for her. He wouldn't be able to deny what his brothers kept accusing him of if he did.

But he really did NOT enjoy seeing Asmo getting praise from his human. Not one bit.

"Are you alright?"

Kim looked over to see Solomon standing next to her. She looked around quickly to make sure no one else was nearby, but it seemed that everyone else present was talking about Luke's outburst over his roommates.

"Is Asmodeus... always like that?" she asked him.

"Like what?" he smiled.

"I really just can't get a read on him," she answered, frowning. "Going on about sharing everything with each other and getting to see him in all his glory…" she met eyes with him desperately. "We're not really having to like, change in front of each other, right?!"

He shrugged. "You could always use the bathroom," he suggested. "Modesty isn't exactly a trait you'd find most demons having."

"Ugh," she groaned. "The way he's talking, we're going to be sharing the bathroom, and taking baths together!" she hissed at him. "I can't do that, Solomon!"

"All right, I'll talk to him," Solomon shook his head as he laughed. "Nobody quite understands like another human," he teased.

"You don't know how true that is," she muttered.

"What aren't you telling me?" he asked, serious now.

"Nothing, really. It just struck me as odd; the way Simeon just agrees to everything. I thought angels and demons would be… I don't know, more like Luke and Lucifer I guess."

"What, natural enemies?" he asked, and she nodded. "Well, I can understand why it would feel that way. But in all reality, that's exactly what they are trying to avoid with this program."

"Huh, I hadn't thought of that," she admitted. "I was only thinking of the human element, not what it would mean for angel and demon relations."

"Well, I wouldn't worry," Solomon said, giving her a pat on the shoulder. "You have an angel in your room who would be more than happy to help protect your modesty."

"You make me sound like a total prude," she mumbled. "And I'm not, not really. It's just…"

"Your husband wouldn't like it, I understand," he finished for her.

She nodded, but internally wondered if that were really true. He had yet to answer the phone a single time when she called. She could only hope that nothing was wrong with him- that it had to be the connection wasn't working.

"Asmo can be a lot to handle, yes, but he isn't a monster," Solomon said, then laughed at his own words. "I suppose that's strange to say about a demon, isn't it?"

"Maybe a little," she giggled.

"What I meant was, in terms of what humans refer to as monsters," he continued. "Asmo can be quite touchy-feely, but he wouldn't do something against your will- probably."

"Probably?" she asked, looking up at him to see if he was teasing her.

"Well, he is a demon after all," he said, shrugging. "Just don't say anything that would make him feel challenged, like he's not the most beautiful thing in the universe."

He took in her stricken look and realized she had already done just that. "Well, then just stick close to Simeon, okay?" he offered. "He'll just be trying to prove you wrong, that's all."

"Okay," she answered, wondering why she hadn't just agreed with Asmo.

It's simple Kimberly, she berated herself. The Avatar of Lust asks if anyone could possibly not love him, and you say, no way, of course not!

"Looks like everyone is here!" Diavolo boomed from the staircase, as he swept into the foyer, Lucifer in tow.

"Kimberly!"

Kim found her arms full of Little D yet again, this time just one of them. "Hi number two," she replied, patting his head.

"Why are there all these little demons?!" Luke cried.

"He looks yummy," Beel said as he stepped closer.

Kim automatically tightened her hold on the small demon, giving Beel a narrowed look. "Don't even think about it, Beel," she said in a chiding tone.

"Sorry, I'm hungry," he murmured.

"We just had breakfast," Satan sighed.

"What is that little punk doing here?!" Mammon demanded, seeing the way the creature was cuddled into his human's chest like it was the happiest creature in the Devildom.

"Ah, apparently Barbatos has some council business to attend to, so I asked Little D number two here to be our tour guide today."

"Yes," Lucifer agreed with a smile. "MUCH more helpful than another number two I know."

"Huh? Whaddya mean?" Mammon asked, perplexed.

"Sometimes I'm envious of how simple minded he is," Levi muttered as he shook his head.

"You must know a lot about the castle in order to be our tour guide," Kim said to number two, even as she gave Lucifer a side eye. She didn't feel comfortable giving him the dirty look she wanted to.

"Yes! Because the history of the Demon Lord's castle is history of the Devildom itself!" Number two replied. "Just take this portrait here!"

"Who is it?" she asked curiously.

She could hear all of the snorts of laughter and scorn behind her but chose to ignore them.

"It isn't as though Kimberly would know," Simeon chided them.

"This is the Great Demon King himself!" Number two exclaimed.

"Oh really?" Kim asked, stepping up to take a closer look. "I guess I can see the resemblance," she told Diavolo. Maybe when Diavolo is frowning, she thought.

"Oh, that's right," Luke said as he came closer to stand next to her. "I had forgotten what he looked like."

"You did?" she asked surprised, as she wondered how Luke would even know him.

"Well, the last time I saw him was over a thousand years ago, at a ceremony," Luke defended. He stopped at the look on her face as she gaped at him. "What?"

"A… a thousand years ago?" she asked, looking him over again.

"It can be hard for the human mind to think in such eternal ways," Solomon explained, and had the others nodding in understanding at her shock.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "It's so hard to even fathom…"

"But true," Diavolo added. "I haven't seen my father in several hundred years myself."

"What about that crown there?" Solomon asked, pointing to item on a pedestal next to the painting. "Is that the demon king's?"

"Hmmm…" number two looked around the pedestal. "Maybe it is?" he suggested.

"Actually," Lucifer spoke up. "It belonged to the former demon king."

"He's right," Diavolo confirmed.

"Wow, Lucifer really knows his stuff," Asmodeus said as he buffed his nails on his shirt, looking bored. "So where is the painting of me?" he asked.

"Let's keep going, shall we?" Number two suggested to Kimberly.

She followed after him, ignoring the grumbling behind her. This was her chance to get some real information on her temporary home!

"Ugh, that was the longest, most boring tour ever!" Satan scowled.

"You only say that because Lucifer ended up speaking most of the time," Solomon replied. He and his two demon roommates were standing in the foyer, waiting for the rest of them. "Though I suppose it was mostly for Kim's benefit anyway."

"Why'da keep calling her that?" Mammon asked, his eyes narrowed behind his glasses. Solomon supposed to most demons and humans he would look frightening, but he had no such thoughts.

He chose to ignore him, knowing he was trying to bait him into an argument. Mammon's mood had gone from bad to worse at seeing that he couldn't get Kim to pay him any attention throughout that tour, he thought.

He heard Mammon grumble something rude under his breath and decided to pay him back in kind. "You know Satan," he spoke up loudly, seeing that Levi and Beel were joining them as well. "I didn't realize that the Devildom was so wealthy."

"What do you mean?" Satan asked, uncertain at the change of topic, and what the sorcerer meant by that.

"Well, Kim was just telling me the other day that she was constantly finding grimm in the oddest places," he said, giving Mammon a smile, though his eyes were more menacing. "Not only that, but apparently she's won a couple of contests, and doesn't even remember entering them."

His smile grew as the three demons turned to look at Mammon knowingly. "She was so happy, thinking that she didn't need to get a job right away after all."

He stood there, as Levi and Beel teased Mammon about proof that he liked the human after all, otherwise why would she be blessed with his gift of fortune, and Satan turned to him.

"Sometimes you remind me more of a demon than a human, Solomon," Satan said, his smile wicked. "You can be quite devious."

"Why thank you," he replied.

"It wasn't a compliment, but take it as you like," Satan responded.

Solomon was biding his time, and waited until the others were joining them before he made his way to Mammon.

He looked up as Solomon approached, and glared daggers at him. "What the hell was that for?!" he growled at the human.

"Tit for tat," Solomon answered. "It would be wise to remember that my hearing is better than most humans." He turned, looking for his friend- and seeing her- made to go in her direction. "Oh, and Mammon?" he looked over his shoulder. "We gave each other pet names," he said as a final parting shot.

Mammon glowered. He had just about had enough of this whole retreat, so he decided to forgo the good behavior and make it worthwhile.

"Hey Satan," he said, walking up to his younger brother. "I was thinking, there must be a crazy library in here somewhere, right? Lots of old books and other stuff, yeah?"