Disclaimer! This fanfiction will feature a crossover ship, in which Lilith Clawthorne is a part of. Since Lilith is confirmed to be asexual, and by extension speculated to be aromantic as well, many would probably be opposed to the idea of the character being in a romantic relationship, crossover one or otherwise, ergo I do not recommend the story for this specific target audience!

As for the rest of you, enjoy!

The story takes place closely to the end of the second season of The Owl house, hence the changes. It's a fanfiction, after all!

As you can probably tell, the title of the chapter is a reference to the song Belle, from Disney's Beauty and the beast.

Rated T for violence, language and adult themes.

Chapter 1: Behind that fair facade, he is rather odd

Centuries ago, in a dimension, called Mewni, a war arised. A war between two clans- monsters and mewmans. The two groups fought tooth and nail for the ownership of not only territory, but for food resources as well, especially corn. Mewni was known throughout the universe as a great supplier of corn.

Things got even more violent, when queen Solaria inherited the throne, succeeding her older brother Jushtin. Unlike the previous rulers, Solaria was out for blood, and blood only. She was the founder of the Solarian programme, which recruited volunteers to follow her in the war. With her sword-shaped magic wand, Solaria turned the warriors into vicious, indestructable killing machines. She went on a murderous rampage, an event, which history has memorized as the Great monster massacre.

No monster in Mewni was safe! Solaria cut their bodies piece by piece. "They are much happier this way!", she was proudly deceiving herself. However, there was a certain species of monsters, invincible to her magic- septarians. Tall lizard-like beings, capable of complete regeneration. Solaria couldn't even touch them, but that never stopped her from trying, though. Cases of dismembered septarians were common, and, though this was not lethal to them, it was still an agonizing expirience. Pain like no other!

Seth, leader of all septarians, has had enough of that woman's nonsense! He swore he would get rid of not just Solaria, but also of every single mewman in existence. The extinction of all mewman kind was his boldest dream.

Seth had his loyal general Grisly to help him. Grisly was, undoubtedly, the most fearsome septarian in existence. He was fearless, bloodthirsty and skilled. Some would even say he was insane. However, a gentle side was carefully hidden beneath that cruel and tough exterior, for Grisly was also known to be a very loving and proud husband to his beloved wife, and second-in-command, Yolanda.

Yolanda and Grisly were the perfect duo for fighting the mewman army and their allies. The two were bold, clever and, most importantly, deadly. Despite living in war times, the couple had everything they could ask for, except for one- a child. For months, they'd tried to conceive a baby, but with no success. And just like, when they were almost about to give up...Yolanda got pregnant.

9 months later, a healthy baby boy was born. He had his father's black hair and cyan skin, but eyes of gold, like his mother's. As odd as it may sound, they named him Toffee. If he could handle the name, he would handle anything.

Grisly and Yolanda loved their son deeply, and wanted the best future for him, but the war kept them worried sick about their child's safety. When Grisly got diagnosed with Mad dragon syndrome, things got worse for the whole family, as Grisly's occasional outbursts left a mark everywhere, not just on the house.

It happened, that Yolanda and Grisly left that world, when their son was only 7 years old. Seth took the boy in and raised him as his own son.

When Toffee was in his 20's, he was a favourite among the ladies, thanks to his good looks. After puberty was over, he not only cut off his hair, but he got taller and more muscular, while his voice got deeper.

One day, he was performing live on stage. Everyone was curious about how much little Toffee has grown, and there he was. A tall and broad-shouldered young man, singing and dancing on the stage smugly. Shirtless and barefoot, wearing only a pair of long black pants. Very obviously, he was comfortable with the stares he got.

Seth was watching the performance proudly. Some of the septarians, standing next to him could not help but congratulate him for raising the boy and also to comment on Toffee's...potential.

- Look at how handsome he's gotten!

- He looks just like his father, when he was that age.

- I think he's going to make someone a very happy lady some day.

He didn't. Instead, Toffee remained single for hundreds of years, mostly due to his new responsibilities as a soldier.

Nowadays, Toffee's life was more difficult than ever, in spite of the fact that the war had ended. With his busy schedule, he had to be more creative with his plans to spend enough time with his family. He was not about to give up, though. He lived by the motto "If there's a will, there's a way!".

Today, he was at the retirement home to check on the retired veterans. In Septarsis, retirement was a rare occurence, due to the dominating species' longevity. Old age was not a requirement to retire. Dementia, diseases or genetic problems, on the other hand, were more than likely to lead to this. There were also cases of septarians retiring due their personal choice.

During his visit, he paid special attention to the supplies of the facility. The residents, much to his annoyance, though, were feeling loquacious.

- Long time no see, Toffee!- Mr. Clawthorn, a former militsioner, spoke.- Look how much you've grown! To think you were only a baby the last time I saw you.

That "last time" was actually 2 months ago.

- I see he still has dementia.- Toffee commented.

- Cut him some slack, boy!- a woman scolded him.- Besides, we wanna talk about something more exciting.

- Yeah, lad! Do you have a special someone in your life already?

- Are you even dating someone?

This again! Toffee has been tormented with questions like these ever since his teenage years. So, his brain found comfort in checking whether the air conditioner was functioning properly.

- Tell us, boy!- a woman raised her voice.- Are you shy or something?

- Toffee shy? That is an oxymoron.

- He has a lovely voice.- a blind woman joined.- It must belong to a very nice-looking man, I'm sure!

- Mihriban is right!- the blind woman's friend agreed.- How come such a handsome and successful young man is still single?

- What about the kids? Don't they deserve a mother?

- Ladies and gentlemen!- Toffee decided to break the tension. It was getting so thick, he could cut it with a knife.- This is none of your concerns! I am single by choice, not incapacity.

- Come on, lad!- Claudius Clawthorn spoke.- We're just looking after you. We've known you since the crib, after all.

Unbeknownst to the denizens of Mewni, there was another dimension, where magic was a vital source of power for the local population. The Boiling isles, located in the Demon realm, was a country, inhabited mostly by witches and demons, as the dominating species.

In one of the many houses, resided a simple family of witches- the Clawthornes. The family, consisted of Dell Clawthorne, a former palisman woodcarver, his wife Gwendolyn, a beastkeeper, their eldest daughter Lilith, a curator in a museum and their palismen.

Today, was another uneventful day at the Clawthorne residence. Like every day, Lilith was back from work, holding a gift basket in her hands. Her white raven-like palisman, found comfort in sitting at the top of the basket, enjoying being carried around by his mistress.

- Welcome home, Sweat flea!- her mother Gwendolyn greeted her at the door.

- Let me take that for you!- her father Dell offered to take the cargo, in order to ease his daughter.

- No, father!- Lilith declined her father's kind offer. Dell has had pretty weak hands, ever since the attack, and Lilith did not want to make him carry too much.- I can take care of it. It's not even heavy.

- Lilith!- Dell said more sternly.- I insist!- he looked her straight into the eyes.

Feeling somewhat intimidated, Lilith agreed to let her father handle the basket and put it on the table.

- Come join us for dinner, dear!- Gwendolyn said.- Tell us all about your day!

The Clawthornes sat on the family table, eating Gwendolyn's famous soup. The palismen were eating from their bowls, on the ground.

- So - Gwendolyn started a conversation.- another basket, eh?

- Yes.- Lilith sighed.- Another one. It got some spider candy in there. Thought you and father might want some. But I had to reject the poor guy.

- I hope you didn't hurt his feelings too much!- Dell joined.

- I was just honest, and told him I am not interested. He said that he understands and wishes me the best of luck. Hence, the basket.

- Lilith, dear!- her mother sounded concerned.- How long do you plan to keep this up?

- Mother, I told you already. I am just not interested. It's really as simple as that.

- It's not that we don't support you- Dell spoke.- but we just want you to be happy.

- But I am not unhappy!

- Lilith- Dell disagreed.- you are not happy. You have been away from that tyrant Belos for so long, you have a new job at the museum, you've reconciled with your sister after 3 decades, you're learning how to better handle the curse, and yet you still act like that's not enough for you.

- I told your father about that party in Eda's house. You seemed upset there.

- It was just a rough day!- Lilith wanted to end this conversation as soon as possible.- But I'm fine now.

- Are you sure?- Gwendolyn asked.

- Heart attack sure.- her daughter confirmed.- Besides, a relationship will not fix everything.

- You won't be lonely.- Gwendolyn suggested.- You never knew you needed Hooty in your life, and know you can't imagine being separated from him for too long.

- That's different!

- Lilith! What your mother is trying to say is...don't be afraid, dear!

- I am not.- Lilith insisted. She could feel the pressure in her entire body.

Gwendolyn was not about to give up, though.

- Sweetie! Let's be honest here! You're almost 50. You'll be going to menopause very soon.

- Your mother has a pretty good point there. We're not getting any younger either. What if you never get pregnant? And with that curse...making you age faster.

Vomit! Lilith hated herself for not being able to hold it anymore.

She stood up, holding her chin erected and looked at her parents straight in their eyes.

- Mother! Father! Although, I understand your concern, when I get married...if I get married...if I start a family...that's entirely up to me...and me ONLY! I'm calling it a day and I'll be off to my bedroom!- she turned around.- Have a nice evening...mother and father!

It's been 20 minutes, since Toffee'd left the retirement home. The residents could not help but ponder about the young king's status as a single man, despite his efforts to convince them he lacked the necessity of a relationship.

- Seriously- the blind lady Mihriban said.- what's up with the boy? He's a nice guy...a little pig-headed, but nice. And yet, he is either always working or always reading.

After the work day was over, Toffee decided to get the kids, so the three of them could go home together. His path was not a soundless one, though. While walking, he could clearly hear the not so quiet whispers the monsters around him were exchanging between each other. He could hear very clearly, that he was the main topic of discussion.

- There he goes! All alone!

- Probably going to take the kids. He's gotten so soft, ever since he became a father.

- Now there are far more non-septarians here than ever. It pisses me off!

- Still rather tasty! No wonder, he's named after a candy!

- Look at that butt!

- He's too odd for my taste. He's always working.

- Or reading.

Toffee decided that enough was enough! Suddenly, he turned around, facing the passengers, and tapped his foot loud and clear, making sure everyone could hear him.

The passengers all gathered in a line like soldiers and saluted him.

- To the rear!- Toffee activated his skills as a general. They obeyed without hesitation.- March!

And they all scattered, like nothing happened. These regular civilians just performed military commands to perfecton. It was quite satisfying to watch.

8 PM. Lilith was in bed, but couldn't fall asleep. Her mind was occupied by thoughts about what happened at dinner. She shouldn't have been so harsh on her parents! Her palisman could sense her insecurities and snuggled right next to her.

Lilith heard the slow creak of the door, as it was being opened by someone- it was her father.

- Lily?- Dell asked quietly, checking if whether she was asleep or not.

- It's okay, dad.

Dell made his way to Lilith's bed. Lilith moved to the side a little, making enough space for her father to sit on.

- Lilith, look! I'm sorry about us pressuring you!

- No, I should be apologizing right now. I know you are just worried.- Lilith took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself.- You were right! Sometimes, even I get too lonely. It's just that...I never needed a relationship before and I still don't feel the need now.- the blue-haired witch looked at Dell's scarred face and shaking hand, and was reminded of that time when her father got his eye permanently damaged, because of the curse she gave Eda.- Besides...who would ever want someone as...broken as me.

Dell noticed the direction of Lilith's eyes and immediately knew for the reason for her sadness.

- It's been decades, witchlet!- he gently took his daughter's hand.- Also...you never know. You have no idea how happy I was when your mother got pregnant for the very first time. 9 months later...there she was. I was holding a beautiful little girl in my arms. The feeling...it was...extraordinary. 2 years later, when Edalyn was born...I felt it again. Bottom line.- Dell carressed his daughter's cheek.- Do whatever you want with your life, Sweat flea, but trust me, when I say that if you ever change your opinion...you won't regret it!- he kissed her nose.