Warning: This chapter has some anti-asshole vet parts. I mean no disrespect to those who have served. Only assholes.
It's the next morning when Arthur heads off to work, does Francis feel the power to head back to Hell. He smiles and snaps his fingers. A swirl of red surrounds him and he feels himself floating. He lands in his room. The red walls greet him. He snaps his fingers again and unleashes his wings. He spins in a circle, spreading the appendages wide. They've been hidden for a full day. He flaps them hard, making the room rumble with the wind. He chuckles to himself.
He waltzes down the hallway to the elevator up. He taps his foot impatiently. He needs to see the damage done to Hell himself. The workroom is bustling like usual when he enters. This time however, the workers are taking glances at him with worried looks. Francis sweeps into his office. Matthew and Gilbert are sitting in the chairs across from his desk waiting for him.
"So tell me," Francis says, striding into the room. Matthew jumps at the intrusion, then rolls his eyes. Gilbert snickers. The old King picks his feet up to rest against the desk. Matthew has white horns, pointing down to the ground, and thick white wings just passing his arm span. Gilbert has maroon horns curling up with points resting next to his eyes. His wings are large, smaller than Francis's by very little. Francis takes a seat, all ready for the damage result.
"A group of six war veterans are here, demanding to be sent to Heaven for defending their country." Matthew hands him a stack of files. His smile is strained. Francis reads the papers. The welcome rooms are in shambles. The war vets are younger and more wild, taking the cabinets and files and throwing them all over. The welcome demons can handle the mess, but it's a chore to have to pick up the papers over and over and over again. Francis doesn't care where the vets are from, he doesn't care who they fought. That's not what matters. They are unwilling to admit they've killed innocent people. They say the civilians were in disguise, disobeying orders to hold fire.
"Take me to them," Francis growls. His eyes are dark. Matthew can't hide his smirk. He's been dealing with these bozos for two days now, and finally, something will be done. He and Gilbert can hold off the veterans, but they can't get them to where they need to be.
"Ivan!" Francis calls out once they are out of his office. The tall demon is by his side in a flash of soot. Ivan is giggling. He hasn't stepped in, enjoying the misery of everyone in the welcome rooms. Francis wouldn't have wanted him to step in anyway. Ivan would take things too far. Matthew leads the way with Gilbert right beside him. Gilbert is smirking like crazy. There's a few distinguishable shouts from in front of them. A few seconds before they reach the main welcome room where Francis assumes the war vets are, another pair of footsteps falls in line with them. Francis glances to the side to see Kiku, a small sized demon whose wings are rather large, but frail. Kiku's short horns curl around his head and his tail flips back and forth. Kiku is the High Demon in charge of the solitary confinement branch of torture. His eyes are black, soulless, and completely unreadable.
Matthew opens the doors to the main welcome room with a sigh. Papers are scattered all over the floor. Six men, near their 30's are running about and pushing people, and demons, out of their way. Francis sighs, moving past Matthew. He snaps his fingers and a rush of air flows out shocking the bodies in the room. The lesser demon greeters freeze when they see it's Francis there. Their reaction may also be because he has three other demons with him who are the next most powerful.
"Welcome to Hell," Francis says, opening his arms wide. He approaches one of the veterans with a smile, just like Matthew taught him so many years ago. The vets close up together. They regard him coldly.
"I've heard you boys have been making a mess," He says giving them a twisted smile. He swoops over and picks up a few papers. He hands them off to a lesser demon. They scurry off to put them in their rightful place. One of the vets speak up.
"Who the fuck are you?" The boy spits. Francis makes a pouty face and tsks at him. He steps forward suddenly coming face to face with the boy.
"That's no way to speak to the one in charge now is it? Did your mother ever teach you manners?" He growls at the boy, gnashing his pointed teeth. He can feel the boy's fear, though he masks it with a brave face. Francis smiles again and steps back. He walks over to a desk and hoists himself up on it.
"Now," He starts, folding his hands and placing them on his lap. "What seems to be the problem gentlemen?" He uses the polite tone that has been beaten into his head. The vets scoff and a different one speaks up.
"We don't belong here." He says. The others nod.
"We're heroes, we deserve a hero's place in Heaven," Another one speaks up. The others shout out other affirmations. Francis nods mockingly, like he understands their plea. He flicks his wrist at the files Matthew had given him appear in his hands.
"Let's see here: killing innocent lives, torturing unarmed civilians, using their bodies as shields, and.." Francis glares at the words on the page. The vets start to protest.
"They were totally spies for-"
"They had guns hiding within their clothes-"
"We did it to protect ourselves-"
"We're heroes to our country-"
"Wrong," Francis cuts them off viciously. He smacks the files on the desk making a small echo in the room. The vets go silent. Francis's eyes are glowing dangerously as he regards the vets. He's sick of them messing with the flow he's worked hard to create within Hell. He approaches each of them, dishing out their punishment right then and there. He's read the notes on where they should go, it's only a matter of getting them there.
"You two, you used shock torture on the innocent lives, you will be sent to 50 years in physical torture." Francis nods to Ivan now. The large man is in front of the veterans in a puff of smoke. He giggles and grabs the men by the hair and drags them off. The other vets start to squabble at the screams of their friends. Francis continues.
"You made civilians crowd around you to save your own life. 50 years of solitary confinement." Francis steps back away from the man. Kiku puts his arms out with his hands open. The vet stares at him. Kiku looks to the man, and closes his hands sharply. The man's eyes go dark. He reaches out his hands and begins to scream. He can't see. Kiku waves the man on. Like a zombie, he follows.
"You two killed unarmed civilians for no reason other than you wanted to. You will be sent to the ghost rooms for 60 years to hear the voices of those you have killed." A loud cackle is heard and Gilbert lunges forward. He flaps his wings and grabs the collars of the two vets. He flies them off to the ghost rooms. Francis turns coldly to the last vet. He closes in on him.
"You took women for your own pleasure despite their cries to stop, then you did the same to their children. You sick fuck." Francis shoots out his hand to grab the man by the throat. He lifts him off the ground.
"Enternity in sexual displease," He snarls out. There's a cracking of knuckles and a dark chuckle. A large demon appears, rivaled only by Ivan in size. His wings are just a little less thick than Ivan's however. He steps forward and takes the vet by the throat as well. Francis releases them to Sadiq. The lumbering man throws the vet over his shoulder and tramples off with sharp laugh. Francis shakes his head to remove the violent glow in his eyes. Matthew pats his shoulder in a comforting way, as well as to tell him to get off the desk. Francis complies and leaves the welcome rooms just as Gilbert comes cackling back in.
Francis closes himself in his room. He takes a deep breath. His body feels heavy, like something is calling to him. He lets the red mist swirl around him and take him back to Arthur's apartment. He appears on the couch just as the human is opening the door to the room. Francis smiles at him. Arthur smiles too, but his expression slips. He drops his things and takes a cautious seat next to the demon.
"Are you alright?" Arthur places a hand to Francis's forehead. The demon laughs at the concern. He doesn't get sick anymore. He sneaks his arms around the human to pull him close. Arthur 'eeps' at being suddenly tugged closer to the demon. Francis smirks.
"Just some misunderstanding new resident trouble is all," He tells his human. Arthur grumbles at being too close to the demon, but cuddles into his chest anyway. Francis holds him and tells him what happened since he's been gone. Arthur apologizes a few times for taking him away from his duties but Frances assures him it's no big deal. This situation is handled.
"You were right though," Arthur says rolling off the couch. He stands to go to his dropped briefcase. Francis 'hmms' in question. Arthur shrugs.
"I guess some people do deserve to go to hell," He swivels on his heel and heads into the kitchen area. Francis smiles after him. Arthur isn't a pushover, far from it. He tells Francis when he's being annoying, something most demons are afraid to do. Francis enjoys the easiness of seeing Arthur around. He's sure Arthur likes having someone to come home to as well. This is how they fall into an easy schedule.
Every morning Francis sees Arthur off to work with a wicked smirk while the human just scoffs at him. As soon as he's gone, the demon returns to Hell to take care of his business. He can do his work at the apartment but doing paperwork in his office just feels more natural. Plus, his edits and orders can be fulfilled right away. He can feel Arthur heading back to his home at the end of the human day being contracted to him. He takes his leave of his office and barricades himself in his room. He lets the mist consume him and take him away.
He makes food for Arthur when it gets close to the human's feeding time. They stay up and talk about random things. Francis tries to recall his childhood for Arthur's curiosity, though he can't get details right since it's been around 500 years since he was human. He does tell of his time in Heaven some more. Arthur takes it all in with an excited expression. Francis gets him to open up more about his life as well, though it is not as extensive as the demon's. At night Francis waits for Arthur to fall asleep before reading the human's books and maybe looking over some spare papers from work.
Francis can't entirely believe how much he really likes spending time with Arthur. The spitfire human doesn't take his crap and pushes him away when he does something ridiculous. They act like they have been friends for years with the way they talk to each other. Francis enjoys the human's simple air, not to say Arthur is dumb, because he's not. Arthur is very intellectual, telling Francis about all the myths and magic things he's learned about. Francis can't help but smile at the way Arthur's eyes sparkle with life as he talks.
It's the middle of his month long stay now. Arthur is used to the demon in his house and Francis is used to the human. He's just slightly annoyed that he's waiting for Arthur to come to him with an advance. He likes the human, that is obvious to him. What is not obvious to him is why now, of all times, does he have feelings for someone? It's just a simple crush, he would know, he's guided children through the same feelings. It still bugs him. Arthur is nothing like the kind of person Francis thought he would harbor feelings for. Yet, he can see exactly why someone like Arthur would catch his attention. He doesn't give in and is not afraid to tell Francis what he's feeling. Arthur is a fresh of breath air in his own right.
"Welcome home~" Francis coos when the human appears in the doorway. Arthur huffs with a smile. He drops his briefcase like he's done everyday before and saddles up next to the demon. He pulls his legs up to hug them to his chest.
"How was your day today?" Arthur asks, making simple conversation they are both used to. Francis leans back in the couch and the simpleness of it all. He tells about how they are adding new rooms to every branch of torture with the way humans are moving downhill. Arthur scowls at the floor but doesn't comment on it. After some prodding, the human tells about his day at work. Some customers came in with complaints of a product they put out. He had to call the manufacturer and get a recall on the items as well as settle the anger of the customers. Arthur runs his hands through his hair. Francis gets an idea.
He pushes Arthur forward some so he's sitting on the edge of the couch. The human questions his actions, but shuts his mouth when Francis moves his hands skillfully over the knots in Arthur's shoulders. Francis reminds himself not to use any powers to remove tension. It would ruin all his natural progress. Arthur lets out tiny moans as the demon's hands work his back. It relaxes him greatly. It's been so long since he's had contact like this. When Francis can't feel any more knots he stops. Arthur immediately flops against his shoulder.
"Thank you," The human mumbles out. Francis chuckles and kisses his forehead. Arthur scowls but doesn't say anything. They sit together in silence. Francis pulls Arthur up when the human's stomach growls demanding food. He hums aloud in the kitchen as he makes food. Just like every night before, Arthur tells him how wonderful the cooking is.
"I'm going to miss this," He whispers at his half empty plate. Francis catches the sad tone though. He leans in front of Arthur. They lock eyes.
"A month is barely any time at all," Francis smiles at him. Arthur sighs and muster up a smile. After the food is gone, Arthur washes the dishes. He jogs back to his room ahead of Francis. When the demon gets there, Arthur is tapping away at his computer. A song starts to play and Francis smirks. He takes Arthur's hands immediately. He twirls the human around the room like he's done so before. Arthur smiles and laughs and Francis gets lost in his eyes again.
Arthur yawns. He stretches his arms up and flops into the couch. Even after helping the human set up the rest of his house and unpack boxes, Arthur still prefers his couch to sleep on. Francis sits on the edge and runs a hand through the soft locks. A bitter part of him hopes that the softness doesn't change once Arthur goes to Hell. The same bitter part nags at his brain about taking this human to Hell. Arthur is nice, a very decent business man, and overall doesn't deserve the pain of Hell. Francis can't stop the stream of resentment from coursing through him. He wants Arthur to be happy, but he doesn't want him to leave him either.
Francis will have to leave in the next week or two. He can't stick around because he wants to. If he stays any longer than what he depicted in the beginning, the demons will question him and the angels might come into play. He doesn't want any of the featherheads near Arthur. He bites his tongue. Arthur will most likely be a soul debated over. If he's good enough, his soul will outweigh the deal, and he can break his contract to go to Heaven. Francis knows he could never ask Arthur to fall for him. He could never ask Arthur to love him enough.
He remembers talking to Gilbert about this situation as well, long before he met Arthur. Gilbert broke many things when he told of the guilt and the pain he felt from taking Matthew away from the light of Heaven. Matthew didn't belong in the underground of Hell. Gilbert hated himself for doing that to Matthew, no matter how many times the young Fallen Angel told him it was worth all the pain. Francis knows he wouldn't be able to handle that. Arthur won't even like him enough. He would let the human go.
"Francis?" He jumps a little at the soft call of his name. He blinks down at Arthur. The human looks unsure, confused. Arthur slowly reaches a hand up to hold the one Francis has in his hair. Francis doesn't move. Now he's confused.
"Will you.." Arthur bites his lip and doesn't complete his request. He grumbles and wiggles around to turn his back to Francis.
"Nevermind." Francis raises an eyebrow at him. A slow smile slips onto his face. He twists in his seat to lay down next to the human. Arthur's breathing hitches when Francis snuggles up to him, wrapping his arms around his waist. Francis nuzzles his head into Arthur's soft hair.
"Git," Is all he receives in response. Arthur is more relaxed now, comfortable in the hold around him. Francis lays next to him the whole night, awake and alert. He listens to Arthur's breathing as he sleep. He doesn't want to let the human go and the thought annoys him. Mostly because he knows he's going to have to. He tugs Arthur closer. The human lets out a soft moan at being jostled. Francis clenches his jaw. He feels stupid. This is probably how Gilbert felt when he met Matthew. How could he like someone so easily? How could he do that? Where in the world did this person come from to make him lose his mind?
After all the years of flirting in his human life, and tempting people as an incubus, this is where he finds someone he wants to spend time with. Some lonely depressed hard working human has managed to get in his head. Francis nuzzles Arthur. It's going to be Hell when he has to leave.
The next few days pass in a blur, and Francis can feel the contract coming to an end like a rope hanging by a thread. Ready to snap. He doesn't return to Hell that day. He can do paperwork later. Arthur has left for work already. Seemingly unaware that he won't see Francis again. This human knows more about him than most ever have. Arthur is open with him and carefree and nice. Francis rakes a hand through his hair, causing his scalp to bleed. He can't be possessive. Not now. He will not force anything.
He spent the rest of the nights holding Arthur while he slept. Some nights he would play with the human's hair, other times rubs small circles on his back. If he felt particularly risky, he would kiss Arthur's forehead as he fell asleep. He feels so stupid. Arthur trusts him. It kills him.
He makes a special dinner that night, extensive and exquisite. Something that reminds him of Arthur. It's the same meal he made the first night he cooked, just better prepared. He wonders if he should tell Arthur how he feels, or if he should just let it slide and forget about it. He's leaning towards the latter. He can't subject this human to any pain. He will just slip away at midnight.
"Ugh what a day," Arthur grumbles as he slouches against the door. Francis smirks at him from his seat on the counter. The human removes his tie and throws his briefcase down. He sniffs the air.
"Food smells great," Arthur muses, taking a seat at the table. Francis hums in thanks. He pokes at the food, making sure it's cooking right. Arthur goes off about his day, telling how his superior called him and chewed him out about a shipment that came in wrong. Arthur had spent the whole day trying to fix the issue and only managed to get it resolved just at the time he usually goes home.
"Oh poor you," Francis teases, smirking over his shoulder at the human. Arthur rolls his eyes and glares. Francis laughs and dances his way over to him. He kisses Arthur's temple. The human pushes him off. Francis serves dinner, this time, he's eating as well. Food sticks out in his mind, and he wants to remember Arthur, even if it's worthless and already effortless.
"Francis?" The demon looks up from his book. Arthur was in the kitchen washing the dishes from dinner, and Francis stole away to calm himself and his spiking emotions. Arthur leans against the doorway now, wringing his hands together. Francis puts the book down.
"When are you supposed to be.. Leaving.. Me?" Arthur stammers out. Francis clenches his jaw and does his best to keep his face neutral.
"Midnight." He says simply. Arthur's breathing catches. He glances to the floor, stilling playing with his fingers. Francis stands to be in front of him.
"Do you have to go?" Francis knows that if he had a heartbeat it would be pounding. He reaches up a hand to lift Arthur's head. He gazes down at those hopeful green eyes.
"I can't stay," he whispers. Arthur tries hard to swallow his hurt. Francis pulls him tight in a hug. Arthur starts to cry. After a straight month of having a roommate and a friend to come home to, after so long of being alone, it's got to be painful to be on your own once more. Francis stays strong. Arthur is just upset to lose his friend. Normally he might enjoy someone's misery, but he caused this to an innocent soul. He bites his tongue.
"I'll see you again though right?" Francis manages to keep his expression neutral when Arthur pulls back to look at him. It doesn't work. He smiles sadly and shakes his head. He can't stay in Arthur's life. Not like this. It will call too much attention to the human. Arthur scowls and rubs at his face to remove his tears.
"But you're the King! Can't you.. Bend rules or something?" Arthur pushes him back and rubs more furiously at his face. He glowers at Francis. The demon holds up his hands in surrender. If he wanted to stay with Arthur longer, he would have to grant permission to almost every upper level demon to enter earth as they please. Only few higher up demons can go to earth for odd ended missions and training exercises. If he did stay with Arthur, without granting access to the living world, the demons would be in uprising. By his silence, Arthur gets his answer.
"So you're just going to leave me?" Arthur sputters out. He's glaring hard. Francis sighs. He runs a hand through his hair, fingering at the scabs he made.
"Arthur-"
"Don't you 'Arthur' me! Do you know how much this sucks?" Francis flashes forward to stand nose to nose with the human. Arthur gasps harshly.
"I went through a hundred years of torture. Trust me. I know how much this sucks." He whispers darkly. This is one of his fears come to life. Having to leave the one he likes. Arthur gulps. Francis steps back once he recognizes the fear in the human's eyes. He doesn't want to hurt Arthur.
"Do you care?" Arthur says softly. Francis pauses. Arthur's green eyes are looking at him with so much hurt. This is the moment he didn't want to happen. He cares. He cares a lot more than a demon should. He wants to pull Arthur close and take him for all he has. But he can't. He wants Arthur to live a happy full life without daydreaming about a demon. He can't have Arthur thinking of him when he goes on. He doesn't want Arthur to chose him over Heaven. He knows how happy it would make him, but the pain is not something he wants for Arthur.
"No."
"Liar." Arthur takes his turn to step forward. He pushes at Francis's shoulders making the demon stumble back. Francis bites his tongue. He doesn't want to hurt the human. Arthur pushes at his shoulders again.
"All those lingering touches and those kind looks? All for nothing? Liar!" Arthur pounds at his chest. Francis takes a step back and braces himself against the hits. It's true. He's lying. Arthur wants to believe he cares. He can't though. He can't. Arthur stops hitting him, gripping at Francis's shirt. He rests his head against the demon's chest. He gasps out, choking back tears he doesn't want to cry. Francis doesn't hold him. He turns his face towards the ceiling, holding back his hurt.
"Please don't tell me I mean nothing to you." Arthur pleads. Francis closes his eyes tight. He can't hurt Arthur. He groans aloud and wraps his arms tight around the human. He buries his head into Arthur's neck. Arthur holds him back. They stand like that. Francis doesn't want to lie. He wants Arthur all for his own, but he can't have him.
"I can't Arthur. Please understand that I can't." Arthur hisses when Francis digs his nails too tight into his skin. Francis pulls away sharply. He glares at the ground. Arthur rubs at his arms. He moves back to stand right in front of Francis. He puts their foreheads together. Neither of them talk. Words are useless now. It will get them nowhere. Francis gulps. He can feel it now. The threads of the contract snapping one by one. He glances at the human clock in the corner of the room. So close. Arthur pulls back to look up at him. Once more, Francis is caught off guard by his green eyes. Arthur grits his teeth and pushes forward. The kiss only lasts a second.
Francis is dragged back. Slipping through the earth just like he had nearly 300 years ago when he fell from Heaven. He thinks it's strange, how he feels just like that once again. He lands with a thud on his bed in the deepest level of Hell. He blinks at the ground above him, a deep concave in his chest. He skips the rest of his work that day. He can handle it tomorrow. He won't be able to focus with the human on his mind. He unfurls his wings underneath him. They curl around him like a bat. He digs his palms into his eyes. For the first time in years, Francis screams. It shakes the room and quiets all around him. Just one yell, and he feels better. It's all he needs.
He can't see Arthur in his mind. The contract is officially severed. He feels so stupid and so weak. How could he let himself lose his mind over a human that he only knew for a month? He flaps off the bed and hits the wall a few times. He changes his mind and heads to work. Anything to distract him from those stupid green eyes. He stomps into the workroom. The lesser demons avoid him. His anger and foul mood is obvious. He drops into his desk chair. He almost pities the people whose files he is looking over.
"You're fucking stupid ain't ya?" Francis tenses up at the voice. Gilbert is standing in his doorway with his arms crossed and a mischievous smirk on his face. Francis glares at him. He is not in the mood for Gilbert's teasing remarks and chaotic vibe. That doesn't stop the demon from swaggering into the office more and making himself comfortable in the chair across from Francis. He kicks his legs up to place his feet on the desk.
"Tell me all about it~" Gilbert coos. His smirk only grows when Francis grits his teeth. He tries to return his focus to his paperwork. This however, is a bad idea. Gilbert's smirk falls. He doesn't like being ignored. He flaps his wings once to stand on the desk and glare down at Francis, his red eyes glowing dangerously.
"Do not make me ask again," He commands. Francis glares up at him. They've been in this position before. Francis challenged Gilbert much like this. It's tense between them now. Francis has ripped his papers in two. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He hears Gilbert drop from the desk and retake his seat. The last thing Francis needs right now is to use up all his strength.
"Yes, I am stupid." Francis admits. He runs a hand through his hair as he glances at Gilbert. The old King's smirk is back on his face. Francis resigns to his fate. He leans back in his chair and pulls at his hair.
"That shouldn't have happened," He mumbles. Gilbert lets out a bark of laughter.
"Well no shit!" Gilbert pushes off the ground, kicking his legs up in enjoyment. Francis groans.
"You think I planned Mattie? Fuck no," Gilbert scoffs, putting his feet back on the ground. The old King stands and paces around the room. Francis groans again, dropping his head to bang it on the desk. Gilbert snickers at him.
"I don't want him to ruin his life for me," Francis says quietly. Gilbert's steps stop. This is a feeling the old King knows well. He let out a yell exactly the same as the one Francis did when he found out Matthew dropped. He didn't want it. As much as he would have liked Matthew with him, he didn't want the boy to give up his life in Heaven. Not for the pain and destruction of Hell. It's Gilbert's biggest regret. No matter how many times Matthew tells him he's happy.
"Well hopefully he's not as stupid as you," Gilbert snorts and breezes out of the office. Francis can only hope Arthur is smarter. He seals up the papers he ripped in half and continues on with his otherworldly life. He tries hard to forget those eyes, and that laugh, and those hands pushing his face away.
It's ten years later when Francis makes a run to the surface. One of the succubus is going on a test run and he's supervising, seeing the one she's trying to seduce is a very famous politician. She's going to cause a scandal. It's going to be fun. Francis takes a detour though when he has a moment. He slips through the shadows to the small town Arthur lives in. He's chilling a tree when he spots his human. Arthur is more grown up now. He fits into his suits nicely, a scowl on his face as he looks at his watch. Francis blends into the shade of the leaves when the human passes underneath him. He knows it's stupid to keep tabs on his once upon a time summoner, but he wants to see him. He follows Arthur for as long as he can. He sees him working his job, a higher position than before, and politely handling customers and other business purposes.
Just before he heads back to his actual job, Francis finds Arthur's apartment. It's barely different. Same blank walls and same blanket on the couch. Francis twirls his wrist, a black rose appears in his hand with a deep red ribbon tied around the horribly thorny stem. He places the rose on the couch and vanishes just as the door opens. He spends the rest of the weekend with the succubus, distracting himself in her body and her shenanigans. The politician is successfully seduced, and the scandals are underway. They disappear back into the underground.
He continues on with his duties. He makes new plans and changes the way the work room is run. Gilbert still makes fun of him. They get into one fight. It hadn't been a challenge since Gilbert didn't explicitly say so when he lunged at Francis, but the old King lost anyway. He focuses on the pain of those who deserve it. He dabbles in his old jobs, making sure they are all running they way they should. He spends some time training new recruits as well. He listens to screams of agony. He spends a month in solitary confinement for his own sanity.
He travels to the living world once again ten years after he left the rose for Arthur. He hated himself for doing it. He shouldn't be giving the human hope, but he wanted to let Arthur know that he did think of him. As wrong as it is. He leads a few boys down the path of stripping with temptations of women and money. He leaves them in capable hands after convincing them to go through a show together. They really would make a great team. After they collect their earnings, Francis slips away.
He hides in a tree just like last time. He spots Arthur sitting at an outdoor café by himself. He's wearing a plain white t-shirt and blue jeans. Francis wants to hold him. He watches as Arthur orders tea and sips it slowly. Francis holds down his urge to go and talk to him or worse, make Arthur look his way. He leans up against the tree and just watches. When a man approaches Arthur, Francis's blood boils. He could recognize the angelic face of Alfred anywhere. He glares down as the two have a simple lunch together.
How long has Alfred been talking to Arthur? How long as this pretty boy bastard been speaking with his human? He knows it's Alfred, no human has eyes that sky blue or makes people turn their heads and smile without some otherworldly ability. He makes the glass in Alfred's hand break. He vanishes before the angel can spot him. Back in the underground, Francis picks a fight with Gilbert on purpose to get the shit beat out of him. He spends half a year being tortured by Ivan. He needs to get his head in the right spot, and the vicious High Demon of Torture is all too happy to help.
Francis forgets Arthur as best he can. Every time he thinks of those green eyes he calls a sex demon in training to relieve him of his tension. If he ever gets the urge to run his fingers through that soft hair, he puts himself in solitary confinement. He doesn't want to keep his thoughts on Arthur. The more he does, the more he's going to want Arthur with him. The man deserves to go to Heaven with the life he's living. Francis has no right to take that life for his own selfish reasons.
It's been twenty years since he last saw Arthur.
There's a knock on his office door. He sighs and looks up as Matthew comes in. The demon is grimacing. That alone tells him it's not good news. He groans.
"The angels wish to speak with you," Matthew's tone is clipped. Francis gives a strained smile. He stands from his desk and walks to the elevator at the end of the office. The other demons stop to watch as he enters the contraption that will lead him to the Gates of Heaven. Hell's elevator only goes so far up. Francis can take this one just barely to the surface, then another one all the way to the top. He's joined in the elevator by Lukas. Hell's best lawyer is a cold demon with eyes like ice. His wings are not as big, barely the same size as his arm span, but strong. Some of the toughest wings in the underground. His horns break off into four prongs atop his head.
"What are we dealing with today?" Francis grumbles dragging his hand across his face. Lukas pulls papers out of nowhere. He thumbs through them absent mindedly.
"Simple soul debate. Though, this one may be taken from us," Lukas's tone never changes, it's neutral and unwavering. Francis never saw Lukas in action as a human, but he has seen the lawyer work his way up the ladder to get his position, and keep more souls in Hell until their time is up. They step off the underground elevator and into the upper one. Clouds no longer hold their bodies being too full of sin, but the angels made due. They would rather have two or three demons up in Heaven over two or three angels in Hell. The demons don't care. Angels can't hurt them that badly.
The trip up to Heaven is longer than Francis would have liked. He's dealt with agonizingly long waits before but that doesn't mean he likes to. The gates open with a soft ding. He and Lukas take careful steps up to the stone room where the angels and the soul to be debated are waiting. He comes to this room maybe once every 30 or so years. It's a small stone room with light spewing in from every corner. He's not excited to see Alfred again. He shakes his head violently to remove the memory of the last time he saw the sunspot. He doesn't need those negative thoughts now. He puts on a collected smile and pushes open the stone door.
He and Lukas do not speak as they take their seats at the end of the room. There are two angels seated across from them. Francis finds it easier to smile at the foul look Alfred is giving him. Since his 'promotion' Alfred's wings have grown in size, rivaling Francis. The white fluffy feathers have a gold tint now. The angel next to him is one Francis has seen often. Natalia, a very strong angel that deals with rogue demons who have overstepped their boundaries in the living world. Her long white hair flows slightly in the breeze. Her wings are long as well, though her tips are black.
"Morning~" Francis drawls out. He snickers at the discomfort from Alfred. Natalia just looks away, seemingly bored with the whole ordeal already. They don't have to sit long. A door opens from the side of the room. Alfred and Natalia both stand in respect to the passed person. An angel with black hair enters the room, his wing base is solid gold. Francis raises an eyebrow. If they brought in the soul see-er into the room, this is going to be a very controversial soul. Francis keeps smiling as Arthur enters the room soon after.
The poor human is placed at the table. He's fidgeting with his fingers, old age suits him well. He's a bit wrinkled around the mouth, proof of all the frowning he has done. France's notes his age. Arthur couldn't have been more than 70 at his death. He will admit to being curious to how the human died. He smiles at the human, his pointed teeth showing. Arthur rubs his eyes to get used to the brightness of the room. He gasps when he sees Alfred. Francis will also admit to being annoyed that Arthur hadn't seen him first.
"You!" Arthur exclaims. He blinks wide eyed at the High Archangel. Alfred smiles softly at him. Francis hasn't taken his eyes off the human. His voice is just a hint deeper now. His eyes however, are no less green and captivating.
"Hello again Arthur," Alfred greets the human. Francis grits his teeth a little. He doesn't like the sweet tone in the angel's voice.
"You.. You're an angel!" Arthur covers his mouth with his hand. Alfred smiles sheepishly at him. There's a brief explanation of who he is to the human. Francis clenches his fist, he doesn't like to be ignored.
"We are here to debate your soul. It seems you have made a deal with a demon. We are hear to win you over." Natalia interjects his purpose for being in the room. Arthur leans forward in rapt attention to her words. Francis thinks just for a second that Arthur hasn't changed. The human furrows his brows in thought, further proving Francis right.
"If.. You're here to debate my soul.. Then that means.." Arthur sits up straighter. He spins in his seat to finally focus his eyes on Francis. The King of Hell has his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands. He smirks wildly at the shock in Arthur's face.
"Francis," The human breathes out. Francis snickers. The corners of Arthur's mouth twitch up into a smile.
"Let's get down to business yes?" Lukas interrupts the reunion. Francis doesn't remove his smile from Arthur though. Neither does the human from him. Papers are placed on the table to look over.
"Let's start with who he made a deal with." Natalia's clipped tone echos in the room. Arthur jumps at her words. Francis fights off the urge to laugh again. Lukas raises his eyebrows when he catches the name of the demon who Arthur contracted.
"Interesting," He mutters out. It's one of the few times Francis has heard a difference in Lukas's tone. He dare say the lawyer is amused. Arthur fidgets in his seat. Alfred glares at Francis from across the table.
"How did this happen? You don't have a summoning circle." Alfred hisses at him. Francis shrugs like he didn't drop from Heaven. He has always had one, it just hadn't been used until a very adventurous magic enthusiast discovered it.
"I kind of.. Made it.." Arthur admits, twirling a lock of hair between his fingers. Francis wonders if it's still as soft. Alfred bristles.
"You made a deal with the King of Hell.. on accident?" Yao, the soul see-er exclaims in disbelief. Arthur shrinks in on himself.
"Well.. Sort of. Yes?" Arthur glances up to the angels. When their faces stay stuck in shock, Arthur turns to Francis. The King of Hell has to take his eyes off the human. He knows his expression is giving away too much feeling, but he doesn't care. Arthur gives him a shy smile.
"Sort of?" Alfred asks. He's losing his patient tone. Though Lukas doesn't show much emotions, both demons feel a rush of enjoyment at the High Archangel's anger.
"Well, he said that, summoning him was harder on me, so that paid for his existence. I however, made a separate for sure deal with him." Francis raises an eyebrow at the professional voice Arthur has gained over his years of work. When the human folds his hands on the table, Francis can't help but notice the lack of ring on his finger. Alfred rubs at his temples. Lukas cracks a smile.
"So he belongs to us." The lawyer purrs out. The angels freeze up. Arthur looks between them all.
"Not entirely," Natalia says. For the first time, Francis tears his eyes away from Arthur to glare at Natalia. The angel doesn't flinch under his gaze.
"His soul is pure still," She informs them. Francis grits his teeth. He goes back to staring at Arthur. The human stares right back. Natalia continues on with all the good deeds Arthur has done. The business man has worked his way up the ranks with honesty and good work. He has donated majority of his earning to orphanages and homeless shelters because he wanted to. His soul is ripe with purity. Francis is prepared to let him go.
"That doesn't change the fact he still made a deal with a demon. He willingly gave up his soul in return for a wish that has already been fulfilled." Lukas points out, tapping a paper in front of him harshly. Arthur turns away from Francis now. He gazes sadly at the table. Francis bites his tongue. While he wants Arthur to be with him, he knows he will have a happier life in Heaven.
"While the wish may have been fulfilled, was it sealed?" Natalia's voice makes Francis go cold. His seal is a kiss. Arthur refused. Alfred smiles condescendingly at him.
"The seal was a kiss correct? With your incubus nature?" Lukas asks aloud. Francis can hear his tone. He knows he's going to lose. Francis doesn't care.
"I did kiss him." Arthur says, snapping his head up to Natalia. She raises an eyebrow at his outburst. Yao clears his throat awkwardly. He beckons Arthur to him. The human stands cautiously.
"What I'm about to do is look back into your life to the exact moment the seal happened. I need you to think of that moment as clear as you can." Arthur nods to his instructions. Yao raises his hands to the sides of Arthur's head. It's silent. It's a minute of tension. Yao drops his hands and Arthur stumbles back. Francis is out of his seat with a hefty snap of his wings. The angels jolt, but Francis catches Arthur before he falls to the ground. The human catches his breath. Francis helps him stand again. Arthur clings to his shoulders like a lifeline.
"The end date of the contract was when exactly?" Yao asks. The soul see-er has a finger to his mouth in thought. Arthur glances at him but refuses to let go of Francis when Alfred holds out a hand to him.
"30 days after the full 2, I believe." Arthur glances down at the outstretched hand of the angel. Francis smirks and holds the human closer at the glare Alfred is giving him.
"Contract was sealed one second after the date set. It is not binding." Yao says, a slight proud tone in his voice. Lukas stands and moves to pick up his papers. Alfred smirks at him in victory. Francis only has eyes for Arthur. He takes the human's face in his hands. Before his eyes, Arthur grows younger, the age he wishes to be seen, the same age he was when he summoned Francis.
"Please Arthur please stay in Heaven, please I'm begging you." Francis clenches his teeth. Arthur had been smiling when he started talking, thinking that Francis would ask him to stay with him anyway. His smile drops when he processes Francis's request. The human begins to shake his head.
"You must stay here Arthur please you do not belong in Hell." Francis closes his eyes tight, not caring that his voice is cracking, not caring how desperate he really is. The angels are frozen at the sight of the King breaking down. Lukas has left him already.
"You.. You don't mean that." Arthur whispers to him. Francis shakes his head now. He needs to convince Arthur Heaven is for him. He doesn't wish the pain of Hell on him.
"I don't want you there. I don't want you." The words feel like barbed wire in his throat. He does want Arthur with him, but in Hell? No. He ignores the pain in Arthur's face. His grip on the human betraying his words. Arthur shakes his head.
"No. No you came back for me. I found your rose. You came back." Arthur pulls at him, trying to bring him close. Francis takes a deep breath and pushes the human back into the angels. He schools his voice into the dark tone learned from being King.
"No. I lied. I played you like all the others. I don't want you." Arthur screams. Francis falls. This is the second time he's dropped from Heaven. For a moment he thinks this time is more painful. The pain in Arthur's voice and the hurt on his face. When he gets back to Hell. He puts himself in another half year of physical torture by Ivan. It helps him forget. Gilbert is the most understanding, but he's too mean spirited to give full consolation. Matthew does it for him. Francis throws himself into work.
He refuses to sleep for that gives him time to think. He works in every section of Hell. He tortures and perfects his techniques with Ivan's guidance. He relearns how to work solitary confinement with Kiku. He does try not to work in the sexual displeasure rooms. He mostly enjoys the screams of the prisoners that hurt those around them. It makes him smile. He trains the sex demons mostly. He refuses to go to the human world though. He has his reasons. He greets a few hundred people to Hell. Helps the welcomers when someone gets a little too wild. He finds it funny when people say they don't belong there. If Heaven wanted them, they'd be there. Probably.
It's been 46 years since he's seen Arthur. He will not deny thinking about the human, now angel. He no longer punishes himself roughly for his thoughts. If he finds himself thinking too much he simply picks a sex demon to occupy his mind. It works long enough to keep him remotely sane. As sane as one can be when they are in charge of Hell. He's rifling through some documents when a yell sounds out. It's a scream, getting closer and closer. A boom sounds out and wind rushes through the office space throwing papers everywhere. He stands from his desk to head towards the door, ready to fight whatever foe that has entered his domain. A few demons are flying his way.
"Fallen!" One demon yells. She rushes forward and skids to a stop, losing her balance in her effort and rolling on the ground. She jumps to her feet in front of Francis. He gives her a puzzled look.
"Fallen," she breathes out. "An angel has fallen." Francis glares in the direction of the doors. A group of demons burst through, Matthew in the lead. They are carrying a body in their hands. Gilbert is at his side in seconds. Francis is the last of the fallen to appear, and when he did, he took Gilbert's position. They are both a little wary. Matthew stops in front of him. He gives a pained smile and Francis can feel his breathing catch. Matthew steps back and the demons drop the angel down at his feet. Their wings are small, just like Matthew's. They are now featherless and black. The angel coughs and tries to sit up onto their knees. Francis grits his teeth. The angel's hair is now a dark red in color. The angel pushes up with a grunt. Francis can't breathe. Arthur looks up to him, with the same green eyes as always.
"OUT," Gilbert barks suddenly. He's snarling and twisting in circles. The lesser demons are frightened, scattering immediately at the violence of their old King. Matthew is the only one who stays. Francis drops to his knees in front of Arthur. Tears well up in his eyes. He's so conflicted. He has been dying to see his once upon a time summoner. To see him, broken and fallen in the deepest parts of Hell however, breaks him in two. So this is what Gilbert felt when Matthew came to him. Arthur flops back to the ground. Francis lunges forward. He cradles Arthur's head in his lap. He runs his fingers through the angel's hair. It's still just as soft. He closes his eyes tight.
"He has to go through punishment just like the rest of us," Gilbert's voice is cold. Francis nods. He knows. He looks up to Matthew.
"How long were you in torture for?" Gilbert tenses at the question. He wraps his arms around Matthew's waist and buries his head into his neck. Matthew takes a deep breath.
"I believe I was in the ghost rooms for 10 years, every other major torture for a year, training on and off for the next few years after that." Gilbert holds him tighter. Francis understand why. To put the one he had fallen in love with through that kind of pain is torture on it's own.
"He will be put through the same then." Francis nods, trying to get his head wrapped around the fact Arthur is really in his arms once more. He removes himself from the floor. The demon in charge of ghost rooms, Feliks, comes forward when called. He takes the angel, now demon, in his arms and to his own special ghost room. Francis decides he can't handle anymore work today. He hides himself in his room and screams into his pillows. The last thing he wants is to put Arthur through this pain. There's no turning back now. You can't crawl your way back into Heaven.
He doesn't see Arthur. He does wander the endless hallways of Hell. He sits in on a few torture sessions and listens to the screams of the residents. If he's being honest, he is searching for Arthur's room. He knows he won't find it. He doesn't want to either. Not really. If he finds the room where Arthur's screams come from, he's going to want to stop the torture. That can't happen though. He's playing favorites enough by lessening the sentence. Some of the lower demons are miffed by his actions, just as they were when Gilbert punished Matthew. How come the angel gets off easy? They thoroughly enjoyed the pain Francis experienced. He drags his nails across the wall.
He holds off from finding Arthur. Mostly because he can't. He explores the training grounds. Arthur should be in his first year of training now. He wonders where his little summoner went. When he does spot Arthur in the welcome room training grounds, he hides in the ceiling to watch. Arthur still looks as young as he chose to be when he went to Heaven. His dirty blonde hair is now blood red with short black horns sticking out, more pointed than others. Francis can see him smiling, some of his teeth are pointed. His wings are the same as Matthew's, on the smaller side, but thick. His eyes still the alarming green. Francis can't help but feel relieved that his eye color hasn't changed.
He scowls as he watches. Arthur is shrinking in on himself. He can do the job instructed to him, but he grimaces as he does. He's too soft. Francis pulls at his lip. Having Arthur work with humans might be too much. He is a good person after all. Working as a floating manager though might work. Arthur is good at the job he's tasked, but he wants to let the humans off easy. They can't have that. The people sent here, are in here for a reason. Francis steals away and asks Matthew how Arthur is handling himself.
"Oh very well I think, he seemed to know me," Matthew smirks at him. Francis rolls his eyes.
"I may have mentioned you while I was contracted to him." He informs. He hops off the ground and floats on his stomach. Matthew sighs and puts files back into the cabinet.
"He does not like punishing people, a menial task job will do him nicely though," Francis nods. He knows that much as well. He slips away in the shadows back to his office. Sooner or later, Arthur will be sent to the workspace for a year to see how he handles mindless ends of paperwork. Being a businessman might help him. Francis catches a lucky break though. The next place Arthur is sent for training is the incubus area. Francis sneaks in on him while he trains. He remembers learning how to do all the things Arthur is working on. The subtle glances and the deep voice tones that entrance humans with weaker wills. He bites his lip in excitement. Arthur can perform the mild tricks easily. His angel nature making him stronger and more adept to handling the trials of Hell.
He drops down from his perch and steps forward. He places a hand to his mouth to cover his smirk. Some of the demons in training notice him as he struts to Heracles, the High Demon in charge of training. The large man has large wings as well, though thin. They are nearly see through. His horns are long, curling down near the back of his neck. Heracles yawns, waving lazily to Francis.
"After.. Night. Maybe, sir." The demons rubs at his face. Francis smiles in response. He doesn't know why Heracles always seems tired, but he does his job right. All the demons in training are now looking his direction. Francis however, only has eyes for Arthur. The Fallen Angel is now regarding him with a blank expression. The King smirks his way and blows out a puff of air. The weaker demons moan, holding themselves tighter. The stronger ones, like Arthur, shudder. Francis snickers. He holds out his hand. Arthur steps forward like he was born to. When he finally has Arthur close to him. He makes them vanish.
It's been a while since he's taken someone to his room. He held off for Arthur. He always thought of him and his green eyes when he did take someone for his own. He holds Arthur's hands tightly and guides him back towards the bed. Arthur holds him still though, stopping their movements. It's quiet between them. Francis is twitching. He wants to hold Arthur tight. He's waited so long to do so. He doesn't get the chance since Arthur rips his hands away and pushes the King back. Francis flops onto the bed with an oof. Arthur is fuming. His red hair catches fire.
"You bloody bastard!" The lower demon yells. Francis can't help it. He smiles. He's missed Arthur so much. Arthur paces around the room, starting fires beneath his feet.
"When you said I had to go through torture I didn't think you meant all of it," Arthur hisses at him, a puff of smoke leaving his mouth. Francis sits up and crosses his legs. He spreads his wings wide behind him. He's excited by Arthur's anger.
"Yes, well that was when you were just human, then you became an angel." Francis points out. He sticks his tongue out slightly. Arthur growls, turning a sharp glare to him.
"Why didn't you want me to be with you from the beginning?" Arthur barks out. He stomps forward to stand in front of Francis. The King reaches out his hands and takes Arthur's balled firsts. He massages them to get them to release their tension. Arthur takes a deep breath and lets Francis calm him. His hair extinguishes.
"I never wanted Hell for you. I never wanted this pain for you," Francis places his head against Arthur's hands. He hates himself for hurting the one who managed to be his one. Arthur kneels down to face Francis. He lifts his hands and holds the King's face between them.
"Are you happy though? With me here?" Arthur gulps, looking up at him with worried eyes. Francis lets out a strangled laugh. He holds Arthur's face in his own hands and pushes their foreheads together.
"More than the world," Francis breathes out. He is happier than life that Arthur is with him. He's been hurting over not having him close. He just hates himself for taking Arthur down. Arthur steps up and pushes Francis back onto the bed. He smirks down at him.
"Then please, don't hurt yourself more because of it. I chose to be here." Arthur leans down and kisses him quickly. Francis can feel his breathing stop. These past years wanting and hoping, and now Arthur is finally here with him. He pushes up to pin Arthur to the bed beneath him. Arthur gives him a smile that is downright devilish. Francis chuckles.
"You're beautiful," He says. Arthur puffs up in a blush. He scoffs and pushes away Francis's face. It's such a simple action, but it makes Francis feel like he is in Heaven. He nuzzles into Arthur's shoulder, causing the other demon to laugh loudly.
"What did you do in the clouds?" Francis asks, kissing up Arthur's neck. He's done playing games, but he is curious. Arthur is mewling for him and there is no way he's letting this go now.
"New wave management," Arthur moans out, clawing at Francis's back. Francis sinks his teeth into Arthur's shoulder, relishing in the delicious sounds his love is making. He can regret Arthur falling for him later, right now, he's going to take pleasure in him. With Arthur's body now stronger to handle Hell, it's easier to ravish him like he wants to. He leaves scratches and bite marks all over Arthur's skin, claiming him for his own. Arthur returns the favor, much to Francis's enjoyment.
Francis opens his eyes to the red room around him. There are a few screams off in the distance that further wake him. He groans and stretches out his arms as best he can with Arthur still dozing on top of him. He unfurls his wings to wrap around them, curling Arthur closer. He runs his finger's through the red hair, still soft as a summer breeze. He slips out of bed leaving Arthur to sleep by himself. His love will be ready soon enough. The King makes his way up to the workroom. He leaves his office door open. It's been 10 years since Arthur completed his training.
"Morning Sir," Francis smiles up at Ivan. The demon enters with a soft knock to the door. He sweeps into the room and hands Francis a file.
"Oh? He wishes to change rooms?" Francis raises an eyebrow at the request. One of their well known masochistic demons, who has been under Ivan's.. Care. For a few decades is wishing to change rooms to a newbie torturer. He taps his pen to his lips.
"What are you asking of me?" Francis drops the file to his desk. He folds his hands and rests his chin on them. Ivan is smiling sweetly down at him.
"I wish to break them both sir," Ivan giggles. His eyes brighten at the idea of pain. Francis's smile falls. There's a hidden reason here.
"Ivan," His tone is sharp. Francis's eyes are flashing darkly. Ivan's sweet façade snaps. His eyes widen, and but he's still smiling. It's a twisted glint in his eyes now.
"He belongs to me. He's my favorite toy." Ivan is tense now. He's clenching and unclenching his fists. The corners of his mouth are twitching like he can't figure out how to feel. Francis keeps himself calm. He's dealt with Ivan's rage before, caused it once or twice as well. Ivan scratches at his arms, the chain marks melding into a physical form in his hands. Ivan twists the metal links.
"He's mine." Ivan says again, his voice strained. Francis stands. He takes the file in his hands and holds it back out to Ivan. The High Demon gives out a strained giggle, his smile finally falling off his face. His normal violet eyes are turning red. He throws his chains to the ground. The loud clang shocks the lower demons working outside.
"Ivan," Francis warns. Ivan tears at his hair, his laughter increasing. Francis solves the issues by punching Ivan in the face. It's a quick hit, short enough to bring Ivan back to reality. The chains slither back onto his arms.
"I can not keep a demon where they do not wish to be." He says coldly. Ivan whimpers. He pulls at the ends of his scarf.
"That one is my favorite.." He mumbles. Francis sighs. He snaps his fingers to make the file disappear to the newbie torturer. If a demon wishes to be in a better place for themselves, they are given the opportunity to do so. Lower level demons are given chances often.
"Ivan you have plenty more to torture," Francis tries to reassure him. Ivan stops twitching. He results to scowling at the ground.
"Da, I just lost my head for a second." Ivan scratches his nails through his hair. Francis can faintly make out thin lines of blood appearing over Ivan's marks. Ivan takes a deep breath, shakes his head lightly, then his sweet smile is back. He nods once politely to Francis and makes his way out of the office area.
"Ivan," Francis calls just before the torturer exits. Ivan pauses in the doorway with his hand on the edge. He glances back at the King. Francis raises his wings just a little higher.
"If I hear that you're forcing that demon to stay with you, I'll put you in solitary." His tone may have been light, but the threat behind it is heavy. Ivan blinks once, then smiles in understanding. Francis waves to him as he leaves. He takes a deep breath, he really didn't want to have to deal with snapped Ivan today. Or any day. Ever.
"Good morning sir, I have your daily reports," Francis stretches up his arms and wings. He flaps once to lift himself off the ground and onto his desk. He crosses his legs as Arthur comes closer with a stack of files. Arthur is wearing his standard black suit, his wings folded close behind him. His horns have grown in his stay, longer and sharper, pointing up to the sky on the side of his head. They fit him nicely. Francis holds out his hand for the upcoming work. Arthur is professional, like he barely knows Francis in the work zone. When he gets close enough, Francis smacks the papers out his hands. Before Arthur can scold him, Francis flips his wings around them. He pulls Arthur close and kisses him hard.
"I'm not picking those up for you," Arthur deadpans. Francis laughs and nuzzles Arthur's neck. The management demon huffs but pets the King's hair. He untangles himself from Francis's arms. He's got jobs to do. Just as Francis predicted, Arthur couldn't handle welcoming residents. He died of laughter when he heard that Arthur wanted to put someone through torture for only a year, max. Arthur puffed and huffed when Francis had to remind him this is Hell. So they moved him to a lackey job around the office. He delivers papers, helps clean tools when they are dirty, and in general is there when a torture area is in short supply. He spends most his time in the work space, with Francis.
At the end of every day, Francis waits in his office for Arthur to finish his own job. They dance their way around the office towards the elevator and Francis's room. The King couldn't be happier. He's expressed his guilt and pain for putting Arthur through Hell's rooms, but Arthur kisses him and tells him it's okay now. He kisses away the bad thoughts. Francis lets him. The best part, even in the deepest parts of Hell, Arthur is more than happy to be with him.
AN: Thank you for reading the second story in the Demon Trilogy. I hope you enjoyed.