This is 100% an excuse to write Odette and Clara as five year olds. I figured I might as well drag Vaggie into it.

I plan on making a secondary part to this with more interactions between Carmilla, Zest, and the kids. Probably gonna add the others too. If there's anything you'd specifically like to see just let me know and I'll try and add it in!

Enjoy~

"Nobody. Panic."

"The only one panickin' is you."

"And I have EVERY right to!" Lucifer said as he started to pace.

This was it. He'd fallen from Heaven, survived ten thousand years, even created a whole Hellish realm. And now, it was all coming to an end.

All because of the apple pie he made.

The pie in question was infused with a youth potion. He started with the base of the same one that kept Razzle and Dazzle adorable forever. It'd only taken a few tweaks. Now, this one would temporarily turn whoever consumed it into a child. It was selfish, but he just really wanted the chance to get a do-over with his daughter's childhood. Even if it was only for a short time.

What he hadn't planned on, though, was Charlie serving it at her little 'Thank-You-For-Helping-With-The-Extermination' party. After all, he only left the kitchen for five minutes! How was he supposed to know that she would take it? Let alone serve it to the others!

While he caught on quick enough to stop most of them from eating the dessert, three had still already consumed it. Vaggie, he could deal with. It might have been a little awkward, but the situation was handle-able.

Unfortunately for him, the other two were none other than Odette and Clara Carmine.

"Carmine's going to kill you." Husk snorted as he gazed at the three children that occupied the couch in front of them. Odette sat to the right, Clara in the middle, and Vaggie to the left. All three sat quietly, staring at the adults.

"She sure is." Angel agreed as he threw his arms around Husk, peeking over the gambler's head. "I gotta say though. They're pretty cute kids."

"Come on guys. Carmilla may be an Overlord, but she seems pretty reasonable? I'm sure she'll understand. It was an accident." Charlie said hopefully.

Lucifer halted his panic induced pacing long enough to stare evenly at his daughter. Unlike himself, his daughter barely knew anything of the top weapons dealer. "Charlie, honey. I've known her for a long time. This isn't something she's just going to look past."

He may be the King of Hell, but he'd witness firsthand the lengths Carmilla had gone to protect her daughters. It was something that he deeply respected. But the thought her wrath might be directed at him. Well, it terrified him.

"If you run now, you might make it out of the ring before she gets you." Alastor chuckled, fully amused with the situation at hand.

That was all it took before the pair began bickering back and forth.

"Mister?" Odette called out after a few minutes. The king stopped his verbal assault on the deer-like demon.

"Yes?"

"Where's my mama?"

Lucifer's eyes widened, trying to think of an excuse. He didn't want to risk upsetting the child. He was sure that doing so would come with its own set of consequences. "She's... doing stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Work stuff."

Red eyes narrowed suspiciously behind the large glasses. "Okay."

Frankly, she didn't like being alone with these people. They were loud and argued way too much. But her mama always said she was a big girl. And as a big girl, she didn't want to bother her mother at work. So, for now she would just have to wait. Crossing her arms with a huff, the blonde threw herself backwards, lying flat against the cushion of the couch.

Unlike her sister, Clara was less accepting of the answer. "How do you know? You didn't even call her!"

"Because I'm... an adult! I know everything!" Lucifer forced a laugh.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Alastar snarked. Lucifer spun on his heels, ready to put the lowly sinner in his place.

Clara rolled her eyes as the two adults started arguing again.

"Hey. What's a mama?" Vaggie leaned forwards, fixing her questioning gaze on Odette and Clara.

"A mama? Well, she's..." Odette furrowed her brows at the question, unsure how to answer. Pursing her lips, she stared at the light above her as she tried to think of how to explain it. "Someone who loves you! And takes care of you. And gives you hugs when you're sad."

"Oh!" Clara nearly shouted as she raised her hand into the air. With the other two's attention focused on her she lowered her hand but kept the large wide smile. "And chases the monsters away!"

"Don't you have a mama?"

Vaggie shook her head somberly. "No."

An unspoken conversation happened between the two small Carmines. Clara raised her eyebrow. Odette gave a single nod of her head. Turning back to Vaggie, Clara threw her small hands into the air excitedly. "You can share ours!"

"I can?" Vaggie timidly raised her gaze. She let her eye travel over the pair, uncertainly. From behind her sister, Odette nodded again.

"Yeah! Our mama's the bestest!"

"Do you think she'll like me?" Vaggie stared at a stain on the red couch. She never had a mother before. What if she didn't like her? Would she throw her out? Leave her all alone?

"Duh! You have totally cool wings!"

"O-okay!" A spark of excitement forming in her eye. "But how are we going to call her?"

The three fell silent, each trying to think of a way to get ahold of the woman. After a few moments, Clara made a noise. Raising her tiny fist a few inches, she let it fall against her flat palm with a soft smack. "What about Papa?"

"Good idea!" Odette sat up instantly. Lifting her small hand up towards her head. The small fuzzy black spider that blended with her headband crawled onto her hand. Moving it towards her, she held the arachnid only inches away from her face. "We wanna talk to Papa." The spider bobbed up and down with acknowledgement. The children watched as four of the spider's black eyes shifted to green. "Papa, this weird guy said mama's busy and we wanna go home. Can you come get us?"

Clara leaned over the back of the couch, watching as the tall form rose from an inky black shadow. Throwing her arms out excitedly, she smiled up at the Spider Demon. "Papa!"

All eyes shifted to the newcomer. Instantly, the room fell silent. Husk and Angel took a couple steps back from the Overlord. Charlie offered an awkward smile and wave. Lucifer and Alastor stood frozen in their positions of holding each other's collars.

"This is Papa?" Vaggie questioned, wide eye staring up at Zestial.

"Yeah!" Clara stood proudly with her hands on her hips, chin raised in the air. "Papa, meet our new sister!"

"Don't tell mama though." Odette added. "It's a surprise!"

Zestial stared down at the children with an unreadable expression. His green eyes shifted between the childlike form of his adopted daughters. Raising his gaze to the rest of the room's inhabitants, he straightened himself as he addressed his sole suspect.

"Alastor." The haunting voice called out as he glowered at the Radio Demon. "What hast thou done?"

"It wasn't me, Zestial." Alastor said quickly as he finally released his hold on Lucifer. He gestured to the King of Hell. There were only a select few he might possibly consider taking the blame for. And the Fallen Angel certainly didn't make the list. "You see, our illustrious king is to thank for this little situation."

"I can explain." Lucifer sighed.

Zestial moved around to take a seat. Before he could even get comfortable, Odette tucked herself against his side. Clara tugged Vaggie along as the pair settled themselves on his lap. Zestial wound his hands around the trio, keeping them secure in their positions while Lucifer relayed the events.

"So, yeah. Once it wears off, they'll be back to normal. I'd like to hold off on telling Carmilla-"

"I think it's a little late for that, Big Man." Angel said from his position by the window. A white blur streaked up the hill of the hotel. "She's already here."

Lucifer slowly turned towards the Overlord that occupied the couch. In one hand, Zestial held his phone. The other that kept the children in place poked away at the screen. "How could you, Zestial?"

"Did'st thou presume I would'st not enlighten her of the situation at hand?" Zestial shrugged, lifting his top eyes from the device in his hands.

"I'm your king! A little loyalty would have been NICE."

Content that he'd done his duty, he tucked the phone away in his suit pocket. "I doth relish my existence. Therefore, refusing to inform Carmilla 'twas never an option."

"You could have just waited until after I fixed it!"

"Remember, your highness; he's the one that's gotta go home to her." Husk chuckled. He, like most of Pentagram City, held his own speculations on the bond between the eldest surviving Overlords. Though, in his time, the pair never revealed the true nature of their relationship. But having both small Carmines refer to him as their father confirmed his suspicions.

Zestial didn't bother to dismiss the sinner's accusations. Lucifer and Alastor already knew of the relationship between the two Overlords. Should any of the other inhabitants so much as think about using that information against him, he'd silence them before they could.

Everyone's attention snapped to the door as it swung open violently.

"Don't freak out!" Lucifer held his hands out.

"Mama!" The Carmine daughters choired happily as Carmilla walked further into the room. Ruby red eyes moved from the girls in his lap, to Zestial's own green, before settling on Lucifer.

"What have you done to my daughters?" Carmilla continued to stalk towards the King of Hell. Her eyes piercing into his very soul.

"It was an accident!"

Charlie held her hands up as she stepped in front of her father. "I'm sure it's fixable. Right, Dad?"

"Yeah! It's totally temporary. One hundred percent!" The blonde nodded vigorously from his spot behind the princess.

"How long is 'temporary'?"

"It should only last between twenty-four hours and, at the latest, a month?"

"A MONTH?!"

"At the latest!"

Carmilla's eye twitched at the information. Their entire way of life was about to be uprooted for an unforeseen amount of time. In the morning emails needed to be sent to the more trustful employees to divvy up the day-to-day work the girls handled. Switching any up-and-coming meetings was an easy task.

She also needed to speak to Zestial. If an issue arose that required her presence, she would require his assistance in keeping an eye on the children. She'd rather have that conversation prior, so as to not make him feel obligated to do it.

"Mama!" Odette wiggled free from Zestial's grasp. Running to the Weapons Overlord she tugged on the end of her mother's skirt.

"Yes, mijita?" Carmilla leaned down, scooping the blonde into her arms.

"Can we go home now?" Odette asked as she rested her head against her mother's chest.

"Wait! Before we go!" Clara announced from her position on Zestial's lap. Throwing her arms out, she showed off the third child. "This is our new sister, Vaggie!"

Carmilla arched her eyebrow at her youngest's exclamation. "New sister?"

"Yeah! She's never had a mama before! And since you're the bestest mama, we thought we'd share?"

"And she's got totally cool wings! We can keep her, right?"

Carmilla hesitated. She hadn't spent much time with Vaggie. The only interactions they'd had were the training session and discussion of payment for the use of her weapons.

But in the end, all it took was the hopeful expression in the girl's eye.

Gracefully she squatted down, balancing on the tips of her shoes. Holding out the arm that didn't hold Odette, Carmilla offered a reassuring smile motioning her closer. Vaggie smiled at the warm invitation, practically throwing herself at the weapons dealer. Securing the girl against her side, Carmilla resumed her standing position.

"I believe little Clara's thoughts are correct. Certainly, it would be safer if they all stayed together." Alastor reasoned.

"Awe, is Mr. Fancy Talk Creepy Voice afraid of a little kid?" Angel snickered. It was obvious that the thought of having a child around made the Radio Demon uncomfortable. Angel sensed the demon's discomfort the second he noticed their presence.

"Of course not!" Alastor tried to keep the sneer out of his voice. The last thing he wanted was to dignify Angel's ridiculous idea with a response. "It's only reasonable that Carmilla should take her. After all, who better to protect a child, than the best mother in Pride!"

"You were the only one I trusted to keep Charlie." Lucifer shrugged.

"And, of course, we'll help however we can!" Charlie gestured to the other hotel residents. "Isn't that right, guys?"

"Oh hell no. I ain't no damn babysitter." Husk grumbled, lifting the beer to his mouth.

"I assure you. Husker is more than happy to help." Alastor narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly at the gambler.

"Whatever. I'm not changing any diapers." Husk muttered knowing all too well it was futile to argue with the demon who owned his soul.

Angel put a comforting hand on his arm. "They're like five, babe. They don't need diapers. Besides. I'm great with kids!"

Carmilla appreciated their offers. She really did. However, absolutely none of them would be left alone with her children.

"I appreciate the offers. I shall send word if your assistance is required. For now, we will take our leave."

Zestial rose from his seat. Settling Clara in his arms he moved to stand behind Carmilla. Placing his free hand on her lower back, he teleported them to the Carmine mansion.

Once within the safety of their home, the Overlords placed the girls on the floor. Her daughters wasted no time, latching onto Vaggie's arms as they began the tour of their home.

"What am I going to do? This is a disaster." Carmilla muttered as she pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stem the impending headache.

Pride was dangerous enough as an adult. While being in Hell wasn't ideal for anyone, her girls had long since adapted to the hellish environment. While she always worried about their safety (she was their mother, no matter thier age she wouldn't stop) she took comfort in the fact that her girls were more than capable of defending themselves. They knew the innerworkings. How deals were made. They were able to handle themselves in a fight.

But now, they were just children.

Now that they weren't able to protect themselves, the targets on their backs were exponentially larger. Sinners might try to trick them into making a deal. Not to mention some might even use them to get to her. Surely there were some that weren't above attacking-

"My soul. I implore thee. Breathe." Zestial sensed the impending swarm of thoughts. Wrapping her up in his arms, he lifted her from the ground. Instinctively, Carmilla wrapped her legs around his waist. Resting her head against his neck, she took a few deep breaths. Zestial cupped her face with his free hand, softly running his thumb across her cheek. "I assure thee. No harm shalt come to the girls. I shalt remain alongside thee until the effects have dissipated."

"Thank you, amor." Carmilla leaned forwards, resting her forehead against his own. Letting her eyes flutter shut she simply basked in the comfort his presence brought her.

Until a loud crash echoed upstairs followed by the sound of the girls shouting.

"It's going to be a long month." Carmilla sighed.

"Indeed."