"Alrighty! We've made it!" Eve exclaimed, remarkably cheery as ever.

Not long after yesterday's get-together with Lucifer, Lilith, and Doomguy, Eve and Daisy, with their "Demon" companions in tow, headed for the location the Wretch suggested. Fortunately, Daisy was familiar with the area. It was a pretty large piece of real estate within Doom that the Demons never frequented for some reason. Her best guess as to why is because there wasn't anything worthwhile to either the mindless or thinking monsters.

Sure, there was some technology sprinkled throughout the locale, but for the most part, it was just a bunch of carefully carved stone architecture. Pretty much both of those things were so common in Doom you could barely walk anywhere without tripping over them. If Betruger or the Mother cared about that place at all, then they'd already be doing something with it and would've discovered the Wretch's belongings. So, as was the hope, it would be the perfect "base" for Eve and the rest to settle in.

It took an entire day (Hell) to reach the destination. Eve contacted Khan and Samuel again in the early hours of tomorrow. Luckily, much like her, neither the Creator nor the mechanical man required sleep.

"Were there any problems?" Samuel asked.

"Nope! The surrounding environments are as barren as here. The most we needed to keep an eye out for were the Screechers." Eve answered.

"Lost Souls, yes?" Khan assumed, wanting to be sure.

"Oh, right, sorry..." Eve apologized with a smile. "It'll take a while to remember what you all call the Demons. Please, be patient with me." She requested, acting as if she'd done something wrong.

"Eve, you're fine," Samuel assured her before getting back to business. "Now that you're ready to get to work, what are everyone's tasks on your end?" He inquired.

"Well, just as Wretch hoped, I can manipulate the rules of this area. Even as all of us walked in, I could feel it pulling at me. Not in a sentient or dangerous way, mind you. It's more like this place was designed to be controlled if that makes ANY sense. Like, a being of great power is meant to be here. So, I'll be busying myself with that. Daisy's going to stay here with me and keep a lookout since we are a bit more exposed than usual. Our friends will travel to the other havens we've used and retrieve our possessions. We'll also be sure to bring anything Wretch left behind that could be of use." Eve informed him.

"That all sounds good to me," Khan said, having no comment. "Samuel, your thoughts?" She asked.

"I'm the same. I'd love to learn more about the location you're in, but there'll be plenty of time for that once you've been rescued." Samuel answered.

"Oh! Since I'm going to be manipulating the flow of time here, I could use any spare moments when I need to contact you guys again to do a little investigating myself." Eve offered, wanting to be as helpful as she could despite being the one needing it.

"That's unnecessary, but I would be lying if I said I was against the idea," Samuel replied, making her laugh.

"It's no big deal, Samuel. Honest." Eve promised, glad to do what she could.

"Is there anything else we should discuss before we start describing your instructions? It'd be best to finish the pleasantries now since this will take us several hours." Khan inquired.

"Hmm..." Eve hummed while thinking. "...The only thing that comes to mind is Lucifer and Lilith. I'm amazed they're not here with you two. Knowing them, I've had this image in my mind where they've moved beds near the Helix Stones." She responded. Her description earned her a chuckle.

"If we had allowed that, it would've happened," Khan confirmed. "As for Lucifer and Lilith's absence, it was the most peculiar thing. They were waiting with us for your arrival at the haven, but then, a few hours later, Charlie appeared and requested they come with her. When questioned, all she would say is there was an urgent personal issue that Lucifer and Lilith needed to be included in." She shared.

"What about you and Samuel?" Eve asked, finding their exclusion noteworthy.

"It didn't involve us. Those were Charlie's words." Samuel answered. "However, I suspect that she's showing signs of her relation to Khan." He remarked.

"Oh? Do go on, Samuel." Khan invited, surprised yet curious to hear him expand upon that.

"There have been a number of moments where you did something that, while a gesture of kindness, was still issued with the intent of causing shock in the recipient to delight yourself with their reaction. Don't try to deny it." Samuel told her.

"Deny? Never. I just wanted to be sure that's what you were referring to." Khan replied, having no shame about her playful manipulations. "However, joking aside, you do make a valid observation. The way Charlie conducted herself was calm. Additionally, she assured us it wasn't anything dire. If the matter will interest us at all, then I'd rather remain ignorant until the proper time." She said.

"You do love surprises, don't you?" Samuel questioned, receiving a chortle.

"Guitly~" Khan responded. "But enough about me and my musings. We've got a lot to give Eve, so we best set ourselves to task!" She exclaimed with passion.


Nearby, In The Mess Hall...


If yesterday was like being in the principal's office, then today was equivalent to a trial. Nearly everyone Doomguy knew had gathered in the mess hall for this meeting. In fairness, not every expression held some amount of anger or annoyance. Those who simply stared did so with bewilderment and the desire to learn more.

However, the space marine wasn't alone in this sea of eyes. Angel Dust and Katie Killjoy were in the same boiling pot. As a unit, this trio had a LOT of explaining to do, and they were going to do it right now. Everyone had been given a fairly detailed summary, but they still needed each individual's perspective.

The only souls absent were the Wretch, Beelzebub, Vortex, Flynn, and Alastor. The Wretch's lack of presence made sense since he'd be with Verosika and Sonia. Plus, to be blunt, the man wouldn't care all too much about Doomguy's relationship developments beyond saying how happy he was for him.

Beelzebub and Vortex were the strangest absentees. Vega confirmed that they were in their quarters, but that's all he would say to respect their privacy. Charlie tried to get them to come to the door, but much like the AI, she didn't want to be intrusive or overstep. The Queen of Gluttony and her Hellhound lover would just have to be filled in later alongside the remaining two absences.

Flynn was still missing, but there wasn't a way to track him without his suit or PDA. You'd think the Carmines would be more alarmed or upset, but they've been fairly relaxed since their "chat" with Alastor. Regarding the Radio Demon's lack of appearance, Vega confirmed that he wasn't dead. However, he was being treated in the infirmary, even after so many hours. Of course, no one tried to get more information from the Carmines about that since they valued their well-being.

"Okay. We're ready," Charlie said, acting as the head of this meeting, which was probably for the best. Her skills with people made her an ideal mediator and speaker for the entire group. "All of us are on the same page regarding what happened yesterday. So, we'd you to be open with us about your emotions. We'd also like to know your thoughts about the larger relationship. If you think that's too personal, then you shouldn't have done what you did. The three of you have opened a BIG can of worms, and now you have to deal with it. No excuses or dodging. Lay it out for us." She stated as sternly as she could.

"Which of us goes first?" Angel Dust asked with a raised brow, looking at the other two.

"The only way to determine it is with a fair game of chance." Katie answered.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors." Doomguy typed. At last, the man was reunited with his helmet. He genuinely missed wearing it, and it helped with all the stares he was receiving.

With the method of selection decided, the trio quickly conducted a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. To the Spider Demon's horror, he was bested by both of his opponents.

"Seriously?! You each went with scissors?!" Angel Dust questioned, baffled by the outcome.

"Rock is so obvious with me that it hurts." Doomguy typed.

"I gambled. Scissors make sense because of my blades, but rock fits my blunt personality. I knew Will wouldn't choose rock because, as he's said, it was too obvious. That left figuring out what you'd do, and paper was the safest assumption." Katie explained.

With a sad sigh, the Spider Demon briefly hung his head in defeat. Afterward, he looked toward the crowd and readied himself to speak.

"For those of you who are most familiar with me, you know that I've not had the best life in Hell. That sounds a little stupid, but it's true. I thought I found something good here, but it turned out to be the next awful chapter of my shitty story. For the longest time, I thought I just deserved it. It seemed like every choice I ever made led me to these places. If the explanation wasn't that I was broken, then what else could it be?

I promise all of that has to do with why we're gathered here. It's context. Charlie wants us to express our emotions, but the only way we can do that is if we give you a little piece of the picture. However, that's all I needed to say about it. My life has always sucked; I felt like it was my fault, and it seemed like the only way I could be happy or deal with my crap was by getting high, drunk, and fucked all at once. But then, I met a sci-fi man from another reality.

I'm sorry to Katie if what I'm about to say is similar to what she'll tell you. It's just as true for me as it is for her. Will has been the BEST thing to EVER happen to me. Yet the main reason for that is because he likes me. There's no bullshit, expectations, etc. Plus, unlike people from my past who I thought loved me for who I was, Will legitimately does. Maybe love's too strong to use for his perspective, but that's how it feels from mine. Just having a SINGLE person who looks at all this and doesn't see something that needs fixing is amazing. Yes, I DO have issues I need to work on. I want to acknowledge that and clarify that they weren't what I was referring to. Strip away the pornstar, look past the addict, and what you'll find is a guy who's never felt right about himself. But Will does that for me. Or, maybe it's to me? Eh, you get what I'm saying.

Overall, I developed feelings for Will because he's decent, treated me right, and made me like myself again. Any improvements to my attitude or sense of self-worth are because of him. After hearing all of that, can you still be surprised that I'd fall for him?" Angel Dust stated, ending with a rhetorical question. Additionally, there was a toothy smile on his face.

A few seconds of silence went by to allow everyone to think about that. For those closest to the Spider Demon, such as Cherri and anyone from the hotel, they'd never seen him so honestly happy. There weren't constant references to sex or avoidances of truth. He showed his soul to the crowd, which was an impressive thing to see after so long.

"Angel, that was beautiful," Charlie commented with a smile. It was so hard for her to stay composed after hearing that since she was the biggest mushy sap in Hell. "However, you didn't say what your thoughts were on the relationship between you, Will, AND Katie." She pointed out.

"Yeah, because we haven't talked about it yet," Angel Dust revealed. "Before anyone freaks out, what I mean is that we've been focused on sorting our feelings first. Although, I will admit that I've told Rosie, who probably told Will, that I don't mind this arrangement. Sure, I only swing one way regarding my interests, but I do like spending time with Katie. As we've been around each other, I think we've gotten closer. Plus, I've seen for myself how much Will means to her. I wouldn't deprive someone of the same joy I'm getting. That'd be a MASSIVE dick move." Angel Dust explained.

Again, everyone was impressed by the emotional maturity the Spider Demon displayed. Even Doomguy and Katie looked at him with amazement. Fittingly, it was only when those two started staring that the Sinner became bashful, forcing him to avert his gaze.

"Hey, what're you doing?" Angel Dust questioned while turning his head. "My ass isn't the only one sitting here, so get to yapping already!" He exclaimed.

Upon hearing that, the space marine and Mantis Demon looked at one another. Immediately, the two threw out their hands to pick the next person to go. The first attempt was a draw as each went for paper. On the second go, a victor was decided.

"DAMN IT!" Katie shouted in anger. She stuck with paper because she hoped her opponent would go rock to try and trick her. Sadly, he was one step ahead in the battle of mental chess.

"Oof, tough break." Angel Dust said, knowing this wasn't easy for her.

The Mantis Demon briefly threw her head back. Just because Doomguy helped her to accept her feelings toward him with their makeout session yesterday didn't mean the rest of her struggles were gone. Being open to anyone other than the space marine or the Spider Demon was SO damn difficult for Katie. The only other person she was kinda okay with was Rosie since she comforted her yesterday and also got to witness the passionate lip-locking.

"Look, I'm not good at this shit yet. Bear with me." Katie began, returning her head to its normal position. Yet, she closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at anyone. "Angel's expressed much of what I would've. Will is important to me, okay? I can't be poetic in front of all of you. Heck, it's still hard to act like that with Will and Angel. This is all new to me. Some of you might be able to relate, regardless if you were once human or not. When you spend all of your life surrounded by self-interested monsters, you become one yourself to survive. Do I regret any of it? No. On Earth, it was a necessity. In Hell, it was the norm. I'm not going to apologize for being ruthless when it guaranteed no one would fuck with me. But...because of Will...I...I realize that I can pull back on that behavior. But again, it's NOT easy. You can't just rid yourself of the mindset that if you relax, even for a second, then you'll be dead or worse. It's going to take a lot of time before I can be the way I am around Will with everyone else. Yet, I can say right now that I like who I've become by being with him. Angel's also had an effect, but we need to spend more time together to know what kind of influence he'll have.

With all that out of the way, I'll now say how I feel about the full relationship. Angel already mentioned that he and I don't have any romantic or sexual interest in one another. I'm straight, and he's not. However, when I think about any moments that I could share with Will, the thought of Angel being there with us...makes...me..." She started getting quiet by the end. The poor woman had reached her limit. Everyone could see the rising heat in her cheeks and how tightly she was clenching her fists.

Suddenly, the Mantis Demon felt someone touch her hand. Opening her eyes, she found both Doomguy and Angel Dust looking her way with reassuring gazes. Admittedly, the space marine's was fairly hidden by the helmet. However, the strong yet gentle squeezing of her hand made up for that.

"...I like it," Katie said, returning her focus to the crowd. Impressively, she kept her eyes open. "That's the best you're going to get for now. I love Will, I enjoy Angel's company, and in general, my life has been improved by both of them. One more so than the other, but that's just due to the amount of time I've spent with Will. Give it a while, and you might see me and Angel acting friendly with one another. Emphasis on MIGHT. It's not like I'm trying to put on a show for you people." She told them.

"Aww, Katie, that was wonderful," Charlie cooed. The stern attitude she possessed at the start was gone by now, having lost to her normal self. "Okay, Will. It's your turn." She said.

Everyone knew there'd be a waiting period as Doomguy typed his statement. However, when the message was complete and shown to the crowd, it was revealed to be quite different from what had been shared thus far.

"So, before I say what I want to, I'd like to explain myself a little. Compared to Katie and Angel, I'm not as inexperienced in the relationship department. I wasn't a love guru or anything, but I still went on a fair amount of dates in my time before Doom entered the picture and fucked everything up. The reason this is important is because I can't really tell you how special it is to have them care about me in the way that they do. However, just so there's NO confusion, I'm not saying their feelings for me aren't special. I've just not had as rough of a past as Katie and Angel regarding the pre-Doom section. As a result, I'm not struggling with the idea of being appreciated and valued for the first time. Rather, it's me believing that I could have something like that again. But that's getting into a completely different subject from the one that's brought us all here this morning. So, if I can't say the same things as Katie and Angel, what can I tell you? Well, if you find it acceptable, I'll put into words what I think of each of them and why, despite my issues, I'm not burdened by fears of a relationship with either of them.

Let's start with Angel. If I were to describe the man in one word, then I'd choose lively. Every moment spent in his company makes me feel good. My acceptance of a normal life being possible started with Angel. He's got limitless charm, is always funny, and can make even the most bleak situations better just by being himself. Yeah, Angel is VERY flirtatious and comfortable with his body. He has NO shame in showing it off or saying why everyone else should appreciate it. But that confidence and lack of reservation always help me to relax. When I'm with Angel, I simply enjoy the moment. The more I'm with him, the easier it gets to think about other things rather than hyper-fixate on Doom twenty-four-seven. Keep in mind, that's how I've felt about Angel BEFORE our relationship changed. So, take everything I've said, double it, and that pretty much puts you where my feelings currently are. Angel makes me want to live again. On top of that, he makes it seem possible rather than a dream that taunts me.

Next, we have Katie. For the sake of transparency, I'll admit that I liked her for her personality from the get-go. In a lot of ways, Katie reminds me of myself. She doesn't take shit from anyone, gets things done, and is typically the most competent person in the room. Before ANYONE here gets offended by that, I'm NOT referring to any of you. I'm referring to when Katie is in her natural environment. Be it as a reporter, PR manager, or the temporary overseer of Greed. She's fierce, passionate, strong-willed, and so much else that I love in a person.

But, getting more personal, she makes me like who I am. In Katie's eyes, I'm not just a Demon-killing war machine. Of course, that perception isn't unique to her, but it goes so much deeper. When we're together, Katie feels like she appreciates JUST me. Take away the guns, armor, and long history of violence, and she STILL has such a flattering opinion. When I think about the day Doom is finally dead, I see myself in whatever comes after with her. One of my favorite things to do, whenever possible, is just sit with Katie at the end of the day. Those moments are beyond valuable to me. Very few are equal, and even fewer surpass them. One that does is when I get to know Katie's softer sides. I honestly hope I get more opportunities as time passes. Having gotten to see them at all makes me feel like a lucky bastard. I'll forever be grateful that she trusts me enough to show those aspects, especially since I don't feel like I've done enough to deserve the privilege.

Then, there's Angel and Katie simultaneously. All I have to say is it's up to them. At the risk of sounding uncaring, it doesn't matter to me in the slightest. You're all familiar with what my expectations were by now. Doom and I would fight forever, or if it were to die, then I'd go down alongside it. The existence of allies was already mindblowing. Those allies becoming friends was shocking. But having ANY person, REGARDLESS of who they are, develop a love for me is INSANE. I will forever be indebted to Angel and Katie for taking a gamble on me as someone who can make them happy. So again, if both of them are fine with our relationship as it is, then so am I. Whether as two of my closest companions or potential lovers, Angel and Katie make me happier than I've been in a VERY long time. They're important to me, and I only hope that I never screw things up, which I'm not sure I won't. But hey, if they're willing to put up with me so far, then maybe they can be patient as I work to be the best version of myself that they deserve." Doomguy typed.

To ensure everyone could view the text, Vega considerately displayed it via a hologram projected by a drone in the room. Due to where he was seated, the space marine could see the reaction. Everyone was surprised at how detailed the man had been when it came to describing what he appreciated about the Spider and Mantis Demons. Yet, there were quite a few people who found the descriptions touching and sweet. To the shock of no one in the entirety of Creation, Charlie was the most apparent and abundant.

Funnily enough, referring back to Doomguy's position, he didn't see how those seated beside him were reacting. However, he wouldn't get the chance to check before-

"Will! What the Hell, man?!" Angel Dust questioned with a look of distress. "Why did Katie get two paragraphs?! What about the intimate moments we have?! AND WHAT ABOUT A FUTURE WITH ME?!" He rambled on, shouting by the end as the intensity of his emotions grew.

"Angel, calm down. I just typed what came to me right now. If you want me to say more about you, I don't-"

SMACK

"THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Katie yelled, having slapped his helmet. The woman looked as if she was about to pass out from heatstroke. "YOU CAN'T JUST SAY CRAZY SHIT LIKE THAT! YOU SEE US TOGETHER AFTER DOOM IS DEAD?! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! HOW FAR INTO THE FUTURE IS THAT?! ARE YOU HAVING FANTASIES OR SOMETHING?! DO YOU SEE US GETTING MARRIED?! HOW DEEP DOES YOUR MIND GO?!" She carried on, unable to control herself due to her mind exploding.

Instantly, the scene changed. The Spider and Mantis Demons assaulted the space marine with a verbal barrage. Each one kept asking questions and making comments about what had been typed. In reaction, Charlie hurried over to fulfill her duty as the mediator. Sadly, these two Sinners were likely to be at this for a while. At least that gave everyone else a chance to process that information.


Nearby, In The Wretch's Quarters...


A slightly different start to the day than usual. For the Wretch, Verosika, and Sonia, who've fallen into a comfortable routine, that was pretty interesting. Then again, the same could be said for the evening of yesterday. As it is also becoming standard, let's conduct a status report on the happenings of this trio.

Charlie arrived to get Sonia rather than wait for the Wretch or someone else to bring her. However, Charlie did so excitedly. She told the Wretch and Sonia that something BIG had happened and that only Khan would be able to watch her tonight. Although disappointed by Charlie's absence, Sonia remained eager and happy to be with Khan for the evening.

The Creator was still exploring the basics with the child. Simple Arcane manipulation was a good foundation before getting into anything more elaborate. The same could be said about the Wretch and Verosika. These two continued to focus on the latter's capacity for object manipulation. To each of their delights, the Succubus was able to make the plush toy move slightly, but there was still a way to go for complicated puppeteering.

Other than that, there wasn't much of note. Khan brought Sonia back, they all went to sleep, woke up, ate breakfast, you get the picture. But see, that's where things get interesting. As the morning meal was being readied, the Princess of Hell was at the door once again!

In addition to the early morning meeting in the mess hall, Charlie informed the Wretch and Verosika that there wouldn't be any training today. The gala was all set to go for tomorrow, with the only remaining tasks to be completed being prep work for everyone and to make the formal announcement to the public. All of the guests who'd be attending the event received their invitations, so they knew to be ready any day now. The Goetias only needed to contact the partygoers, and that matter would be finished.

Thus, we arrive at now. With no training planned for the day, the Wretch didn't need to leave so soon. Of course, this was wonderful for Sonia as it meant she got some extra time with her Papa. Yet, hilariously, the trio ended up just sitting on the couch. None of them had any ideas on how to spend this additional period of togetherness, so they simply enjoyed it along with some conversation.

"Papa," Sonia spoke, lightly kicking her legs that were BARELY making it off the cushion she sat on.

"Yes, Sonia?" Wretch reacted.

"What's going on?" Sonia asked.

"Could you be more specific?" Wretch requested.

"Why was Charlie so excited last night? And how come you're not leaving today?" Sonia clarified.

"I can't comment on the first half of your question, but I can on the second. Tomorrow, there's going to be a big event that I must attend. The point of it is to better my relationship with the public. My past and intentions have been well-established by now, but the best way to further dispel any doubts is to give the people a chance to examine me themselves. There will also be festivities, but sadly, you can't come. It would cause quite a ruckus if you did." Wretch answered, hoping she wouldn't be upset.

"Would it be like when I met the others?" Sonia guessed.

"Yes, but even larger in scale." Wretch confirmed.

"..." Sonia spent a second thinking about that. "...Yup! I don't wanna go!" She decided, making her Mama chuckle.

"Too noisy, right?" Verosika assumed, receiving a nod.

"I liked meeting everyone, but it was loud and a little scary. So, I'm good." Sonia said, now making her Mama laugh. "Will Uncle Fizzy be here?" She inquired, wondering who would stay with her.

"No, but your Mama will. She's not going, either." Wretch revealed, which made her gasp.

"What?!" Sonia questioned in utter disbelief. "You won't take Mama?!" She went on.

"Easy, squirt. It's not like that," Verosika quickly interjected. "I'm staying here for the same reasons you are. It'll be noisy and crowded. That's not my scene." She informed her.

Upon hearing that, the child turned and looked at her Mama with the purest expression of confusion.

"But Mama, you sing for people!" Sonia exclaimed. "I've heard your songs! You've played them for me!" She reminded her.

Now, it was the Wretch's turn to look at Verosika. However, his face conveyed intrigue. While he did enjoy her music, from what had been shared, it was NOT appropriate for a child.

"Hey, both of you, stop looking at me like that," Verosika ordered, pointing her finger at each one. "Sonia, I WAS a singer. My career's dead by now. Wretch, the songs she's heard are NOT the same ones you've listened to. Come on, give me a LITTLE more credit." She explained.

"Why don't you want to sing anymore, Mama?" Sonia inquired.

"...It's...messy..." Verosika sighed, closing her eyes. "Plain and simple, kid, I did something that's ruined any chances of me staying in the limelight. I've also got a LOT of crap I'm still sorting out. I just don't feel right being around too many faces these days. But even if I did, no one would want me around, anyway." She replied.

The air became slightly tense afterward. The child turned to look at her Papa, fearing that she made her Mama sad. Fortunately, he had plenty of experience being an emotional anchor by now.

"I'm going to make an announcement tomorrow," Wretch began, earning Verosika's attention. "I'm going to tell everyone who will listen that you and I have been with each other ever since the penance. I'll also inform the masses how much we've done and how I feel about you. It'd be impossible for anyone to think negatively of you after that. I'm sure of it." He decided.

There were two different reactions. Sonia was excited and overjoyed. Verosika was horrified.

"That's a great idea, Papa!" Sonia exclaimed, supportive of the plan. "Right, Mama?" She asked.

"..." Verosika looked away with a saddened expression. "...Wretch...you...shouldn't tell anyone about us..." She answered, surprising them both.

"What? Why, Mama?" Sonia inquired, unsure of what was wrong.

"Because, Sonia, the thing I did that put me where I am now involved your Papa. I made him do something horrible, and everyone saw it. As if that weren't bad enough, the reasons for WHY I did it became public knowledge. I was fueled solely by a desire to get revenge on someone who hurt me, even if the result would be minimal. Simply put, I was a bitch. So, if your Papa reveals that he's been with me, it would cause problems. Some could say that I'm taking advantage of his trust, while others would question his character and true motives. Slowly, things are changing for the better throughout Hell. But not enough change has happened yet to prevent a decent number of folks from considering the idea that your Papa is keeping me like a slave or something equally sinister. It's just better for him to focus on himself and leave me out of the conversation entirely." Verosika explained.

The child wanted to protest, but she couldn't. She wanted to ask more questions, but she wouldn't. Immense pain and regret could be seen in the Succubus's face. Even for someone so young and uninformed, Sonia understood that she should let it end there. However, she wasn't the only one present.

"I don't care," Wretch said, folding his arms and closing his eyes. "If people are going to allow their imaginations to dictate their opinions, then they don't matter. I will not allow the existence of fools to prevent me from sharing our relationship. You are a beautiful person, Verosika. Just as you've always told me that I should be proud of myself, I feel the same about you. A single lapse in judgment should not define you for the rest of your life. Besides, as we've discussed previously, you were being given an opportunity to make the person who hurt you face the consequences for their actions. Anyone who acts as if they wouldn't be enticed by the same chance is a liar." He told her.

"Wretch! Don't be stupid!" Verosika exclaimed with a glare. "Our relationship isn't worth damaging your public image! You've done so much and have worked harder than anyone else! You can't let me-"

The Succubus stopped talking. Almost immediately, the former Demon looked at her with a shocked expression. Yet, what truly sent a shiver through her body was a noticeable sadness.

"...Verosika..." Wretch whispered with widened eyes. "What...is the value of our relationship to you? Is it so little that you'd believe it lesser than my reputation? Would you be willing to act as though we are strangers if ever confronted? Do you expect ME to behave the same way? To pretend that all we have been through hasn't happened? That you and I are nothing to each other?" He asked.

The reason for so many questions was the rising anxiety in the former Demon's soul. Sadly, Verosika was in the same boat. She didn't mean for this to be the direction the conversation went! Hastily, her mind worked to determine the best possible damage control! She needed to-

"No!" Sonia interjected, going so far as to stand on her cushion. "Mama doesn't think like that at all! She loves you, Papa!" She declared.

The room got quiet. The Succubus looked at the child in terror. No, surely not! This couldn't be how her feelings were revealed!

"I love her too, Sonia," Wretch replied, almost making Verosika's heart explode. "I care about her deeply, just as she does me. Your Mama is one of the most important people in my life, and I'd do anything to make her feel appreciated. By now, we're like family." He said.

...Ooooooooh. Thank KHAN! The former Demon interpreted that in a different way. Now, Verosika could easily take control of the situation and the narrative. Unfortunately, due to her initial surprise, her reaction time wasn't as quick as the child's.

"No, Papa!" Sonia responded, stomping one of her feet. "Mama LOVES you! Not like how you love me! She wants to kiss you and do other stuff! It's THAT kind of love!" She specified.

The current time is 8:01 a.m. This is important information since it's the exact moment Verosika Mayday died. The cause of death was an inexplainable sudden shutdown of her mind. Her body was found slumped on the couch, with her limbs sprawling in every direction.

The Wretch was also at the scene during the time of death. He didn't move to do anything as he likely didn't notice the Succubus's soul leave her body. His mind stopped working as well, as it couldn't process the information it had just received. That brings the total number of corpses up to two.

Sonia, the child of both individuals, was left standing between them on the family sofa. As each of her parents did nothing, she proceeded to poke them with her finger in the hope of getting a reaction. When nothing came from that, she hurried out of the room and went elsewhere.


Nearby, In Beelzebub & Vortex's Quarters...


Beelzebub was cozy. She felt warm, safe, and comfortable lying on top of something sturdy yet soft. As the Queen of Gluttony snuggled whatever this was, she felt something tighten around her. It was also warm, sturdy, and soft.

...

...

...

"Vortex?..." Beelzebub guessed as she awoke, accompanied by a yawn.

Upon awakening, the Sin of Gluttony's vision was blurry. With her upper arms, she rubbed her eyes to remove the watery obstruction. Sure enough, there was a burly Hellhound beneath her.

However, Beelzebub made another discovery. A blanket was covering both her and her Boyfriend. Since no drugs were used the night prior, her memory wasn't hazy. Even so, she had no recollection of her or Vortex doing this.

Right then, that's when it clicked. The Queen of Gluttony rapidly turned her head this way and that. She didn't find what she was looking for, but she did discover a suspicious piece of paper on the coffee table.

"To whichever one of you wakes up first, don't worry, I've not disappeared again. Well, in a grander sense, at least. I didn't want to bother you more than I have by making you deal with Carmilla and the girls alongside me. So, I've gone ahead to their quarters to wait for them. Thanks to both of you, I feel sure of myself and what I'm about to do for the first time in a long while. Please, don't feel compelled to rush in after me. Unless you hear violent screaming, at which point I may need someone to keep Carmilla from killing me with her legs. But that shouldn't happen...I think. Anyway, see you guys when the dust settles. Again, thanks for everything." - Flynn Taggart.

"...Heh..." Beelzebub chuckled, setting the paper back down on the table. "Good luck, Flynn," She whispered before returning to slumber. Unlike previous times, she wasn't worried about the soldier. Last night's vibe session was REALLY productive. The Queen of Gluttony had faith in him.


Nearby, At The Carmines' Quarters...


The meeting ended a few minutes ago. Angel Dust and Katie had lost all composure and were unable to calm themselves. Doomguy, Charlie, Rosie, Nifty, and Vagatha took on the responsibility of caring for those two. Everyone else departed to get ready for the day ahead and talk about what had been learned.

Party prep was the name of the game. People needed to get their outfits selected, choose dancing partners (for those who weren't in a relationship), and invite anyone they wanted to the gala. Oh! Regarding Lucifer and Lilith specifically, they were headed to Heaven to FINALLY inform Michael, Sera, Emily, and Deerie about everything. Yeah, those two weren't coming back for the rest of the day.

Focusing back on the Carmines, they were doing the same as everyone else with ONE additional task. After the women were prepared for today, they were going to turn Hell upside down in search of Flynn Taggart. Vega couldn't help them since the soldier was off the grid. So, it fell onto their capable shoulders and hands to drag that man back here and give him a stern talking to!

"Where is he?..." Clara groaned, throwing her head back in frustration.

"I'm starting to feel uneasy..." Odette admitted, deep in thought. "What is Flynn planning? What could require a whole day and night?" She wondered aloud.

"Don't worry. When we find Flynn, he's going to sit down and walk us through EVERYTHING." Carmilla promised with intense determination.

A few seconds later, the trio arrived at their dwelling. When the door was opened, they were greeted by darkness.

"The heck?" Clara reacted. "Who turned off the lights?" She asked.

"..." Carmilla squinted. If her instincts were correct, she knew what was going on here.

The Sisters watched their Mother slowly reach beyond the doorway. Near the entrance, the switch that controlled the primary lighting was flipped. With a click, the space was illuminated. Yup. The Overlord was spot on.

"Hi," Flynn greeted the Carmines with a small wave. He was sitting at their dining table.

Clara and Odette started squinting like Carmilla. Each of the Sinners stared at the man without reacting in the SLIGHTEST. They wanted to see what the soldier would do next. One mistake is all it took to turn this scene into a warzone.

"I'm not here to apologize. That'd be pointless. All I want to do is propose something to the three of you. If you don't like the idea, then I am at your mercy. No arguments, debates, or backtalk. It is my sincere belief that once you hear what I've come to offer, you'll understand why I disappeared yesterday." Flynn stated.

Diplomatic. Smart. The man played it fairly neutral while still giving the women control. The Carmines crossed the threshold, closed the door behind them, and locked it for good measure. Then, all three Sinners came to the dining table and sat down.

"Thank you," Flynn said, wanting to show his gratitude. "You three are important to me. If there's one thing I hope I've done a good enough job of communicating, it's that. However, for reasons that all of you know, it's hard for me not to fear that I will ruin everything. No amount of kind words from anyone, including you three, can rid me of these horrible anxieties. Yet, I think I've figured out why. I'm a man of action. Sitting around and talking about stuff just isn't my style. I'm not trying to be funny when I say that, just so we're clear. What I mean is that it's easier to convince me of something through doing rather than listening.

That brings us to my idea. I think what we all need is dedicated time with each other. Not a few hours with the social schedule or something similar. We divide an entire day as evenly as we can for me to be with each of you. Naturally, you ladies call the shots. I will do ANYTHING because I'm happy so long as I'm with one of you.

Additionally, I encourage you to force me out of my comfort zone. Don't hold back. The point of this experience isn't just to better our bonds but also to get me to accept that I'm capable of having something like this. You three have done so much to help me view myself as more than a war dog with not much going on upstairs. I just need a full, unrestrained day of exposure to that. When I say there aren't any limits, I truly mean it.

To end with, I'd like to address any uncertainty before you speak. You might wonder why it took me being alone all day to come up with something so seemingly simple. Don't worry, I'm not about to retread old ground. Yet, the truth is basic, so I'm sorry if I disappoint you. I just want to do this right. That's it. My problems and other factors weren't the cause in this instance. Well, not entirely, at least. It's not fair to make you guys worry or be burdened with fixing me and whatnot. I hope that doing this will get the ball rolling for good, sort of like pushing a boulder down a mountain. No more complications, awkwardness, and general nonsense from me in particular. From here on out, it's all of us together for as long as you're willing to have me around. That's the goal." Flynn told them.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

"There's a problem," Carmilla began, being the first to reply. "Our schedule is set in stone. Today, everyone is getting ready for the gala, which is tomorrow. Then, alongside our training, the time for Eve's rescue and the meeting with Betruger and the Mother is nearly here. What you've put forward is good, but our timetable doesn't allow it for now. That's one of the reasons we came up with the social plan for you. It's the most time that could be squeezed in with anyone." She said.

"..." Flynn hanged his head and sighed. The poor man's self-esteem issues made him accept defeat immediately.

"Hey, keep your chin up," Clara ordered with a smile. "Every plan goes through several drafts before it's perfect. We'd know all about that." She said.

"Multiple reworks won't be required," Odette started. "The solution is obvious. Today is being spent on preparations for tomorrow. Flynn still needs to get a lot done if he's to be ready for the gala. Yet, the same applies to us as well. Each person at this table needs to select the proper attire, choose the order in which we dance together, and do a few other things. Fortunately, we've already spent a day prior to now providing Flynn with more clothing options. But those were mainly just concepts for when things finally calmed down in the future. Thus, the only path to take is to spend all of today with him as he tries on whatever outfits we create. We'll be able to make them near instantly in the workshop, so there won't be any waiting." She stated.

"..." Flynn's eyes were wide, and his back was stiff. "...All...three...of you?..." He questioned.

"Mhm," Odette confirmed with an amused smirk. Simultaneously, her sibling and Mother adorned the same look.

"Is something wrong, Flynn?" Clara playfully challenged, leaning forward on the table. "I thought you said we could do whatever we wanted~" She teased.

"Y-Yeah...alone..." Flynn corrected her, nervous beyond description. "But...all three of you...that's...a lot..." He commented.

"Well, it's a good thing you're used to being at a disadvantage regarding numbers," Carmilla remarked, resting her head on her hands as she propped her arms on the table. "If you can fend off Doom by yourself, surely the three of us won't be too difficult." She reasoned.

As the soldier looked at each woman's face, he only saw the purest joy in what was to come. Once more, the man lowered his head. He knew this was well-deserved, but that didn't make it any less harrowing. Carmines, please, go easy...


Elsewhere, In The Mess Hall...


Things were calm again. Angel Dust's fur was no longer standing up straight, thus making him look like a puffball. Katie busied herself with an entire pitcher of water. She wasn't repeatedly pouring the liquid into a glass and then drinking it. That woman was chugging the full container to help cool her heated self.

Doomguy, Charlie, Vagatha, Nifty, and Rosie were still there. The Goetias and Olivia would've also been present, but each had to leave for different reasons. The former needed to contact all of the guests for the gala, while the latter felt it important to inform Khan and Samuel of what had been shared yesterday and this morning.

"Are we okay?" Charlie asked with a sympathetic smile, speaking to each of the stressed-out Sinners.

"..." Angel Dust was pouting and averting his gaze. He even crossed his arms to emphasize his displeasure.

"Angel, what's wrong?" Vagatha inquired with an amused smile.

"...I...made an ass out of myself..." Angel grumbled, feeling shame from his actions for once.

"So? That's nothing new!" Nifty exclaimed. She REALLY meant that to be comforting, but the chances of it succeeding were too slim.

"Gee, thanks, Nif. You're a doll." Angel Dust replied, followed by a sigh.

"Maybe you need something to drink like Katie?" Rosie suggested. "Usually, a nice iced tea helps me clear my head." She shared.

"Ah~"

That was Katie. She breathed a contentful sigh as she finished the last of the water. Admittedly, Doomguy was impressed by her guzzling prowess.

"I'd take her advice," Katie told him, setting the pitcher down on a nearby table. "I'm feeling WAY better now." She added.

"I'm amazed you didn't pass out," Vagatha confessed, making her chuckle.

"Getting flustered's not much different from being pissed. I've been through WAY too many workplaces filled with dumbasses to let boiling blood knock me out." Katie responded. "However, no one is going to bring up ANYTHING that I shouted." She said before turning to face the space marine. "Especially YOU. I don't want ANY commentary from you, regardless if it's vocal or not!" She ordered.

"Mam, yes, mam." Doomguy typed, which made her smile.

"About that..." Vagatha began, folding her arms. "How do you feel, Will? Do you think you'll start talking more?" She asked.

Oh, yeah. The space marine had spoken. You know, amidst all the relationship and love-related craziness, that had slipped the mind a little. That's not to say everyone magically forgot, only that it was pushed away from priority status until someone brought it up, which the Moth Demon did.

However, Doomguy's fingers wouldn't move. The lack of motion didn't stem from a refusal to answer the question. Understandably, he wasn't sure how he felt about speaking. The only reason it was so easy yesterday was because he'd been chatting for hours with Octavia and Daisy separately. But once aware of what he had done, the man clammed up again.

"Will," Charlie spoke while stepping forward. She extended a hand and placed it carefully on his forearm. "I know we made a big stink about it, but that was due to our shock. Would we love to hear your voice more? YES. I'm not going to pretend like that isn't exciting and a HUGE milestone for you. However, no one is going to pressure you. We understand that the circumstances weren't normal, which caused you to react differently. If the only people you feel safe or comfortable with speaking to are Angel, Katie, Octavia, and Rosie, then that's alright." She assured him.

"What about Daisy?" Angel Dust questioned, confused by her exclusion.

"Well, duh. Daisy's so obvious that I didn't think it should be mentioned," Charlie explained with an eye roll, wanting to be a little sassy.

The space marine remained still. Right now, there was a tug-of-war happening inside his head. As it went on, his PDA was squeezed. Part of the struggle was self-aimed frustration. You talked yesterday without even thinking about it. Do it again, asshole!

"Hey," Katie spoke, getting him to look at her. "Listen to Charlie. Don't force yourself to do anything, even if you might want to." She advised.

Looking at the others, Doomguy only found comforting smiles. No one was going to blame him for needing more time. Heck, even if it took years for it to feel normal again, that was fine. The poor bastard had spent centuries locked in a coffin and left to stew in his rage. The LEAST he deserved was a fraction of that for the sake of recovery.

Yet, to the group's surprise, the space marine set down his PDA. Then, he reached up and removed his helmet.

"...I...want...to try..." Doomguy whispered, looking at the floor. "I...don't know...how...or...where to start...I...need help...otherwise...it won't get better...please...help me..." He requested.

With his head bowed, the space marine hoped to present himself as humble as possible. It wasn't easy for the man to acknowledge he couldn't handle EVERYTHING alone. Demons? Done deal. Doom? Pfft, no problem. Making your way back from the abyss? Even now, Doomguy felt uneasy about the chances of success.

Fortunately, before those pesky doubts could worsen, the Princess of Hell intervened. She put her hands on the space marine's face and raised it so they could look into each other's eyes.

"Fun fact: I have a hard time saying no," Charlie admitted with a smile, wanting to lighten the mood. "Even if we weren't friends, Will, I'd still make it my mission to help you. But since we are friends and I care about you immensely, that means you're not going to be free of me for the foreseeable future." She said.

"Hey!" Angel Dust exclaimed, butting his way into the conversation. "Will and I already agreed to help each other LONG before now. Sorry, Charlie, but you're going to have to sit this one out." He told her. Amazingly, the reaction to that statement wouldn't come from the Princess of Hell.

"Excuse me!" Nifty sternly interjected with her hands on her hips. "You might be Will's Boyfriend now, but that doesn't give you special rights! We care about him, too!" She argued.

"Now, now, everyone," Rosie said, taking control. "Let's not make this about us, okay? William has asked for help. If he wanted it from someone specific, then he would've given a name." She reasoned. "Right, William?" She inquired.

"...Yeah..." Doomguy confirmed, trying his best to keep the words coming.

"See? That settles it." Rosie decided with a satisfied smile. "William's not going to cause friction between us by leaving anyone out. We'll work together to help him feel better about speaking regularly again." She stated. "Of course, should any of you have objections that aren't biased, please share them so we can hold a discussion." She requested.

The Spider Demon wanted to speak up, but he also didn't want to force pointless conflict. With another pout, he looked away and silently agreed.

"Wonderful," Rosie said, happy to see there wouldn't be any discourse. "Now then, since we're talking about what we should do for William, I'd like to suggest that we help him get ready for tomorrow." She proposed.

Quickly, Doomguy raised his hand. What he wanted to say was too much for him verbally.

"The Goetias have REALLY wanted to do that for me. I'm not saying I don't want your guys' help, only that I don't want to upset them. If possible, could we wait for them to finish their business and then tackle that as a larger group?" Doomguy typed.

"No! Not at all!" Rosie replied with a smile. "That'll give all of us time to get ready. I should head back home and let my people know I haven't gone off somewhere with you." She teased in her usual playful way.

"Oh, true!" Nifty exclaimed with a widened eye, referring to each person's preparations. "I need to go talk to someone! I'll see you all in a bit!" She informed them.

FWOOSH

In a blink, the redheaded speedster was gone. For a moment, everyone wondered who she was going to see. But that curiosity didn't last long since it made sense for Husk or Alastor to be the answer.

"Should we reconvene here?" Vagatha asked, pointing to the mess hall floor.

"Sure. It's as good a place as any." Doomguy typed.

With that sorted, Rosie, Charlie, and Vagatha left the room to take care of their tasks. Now, it was only two Sinners and a space marine.

"...So..." Katie spoke, getting both men to look at her. "...How'd...it happen?..." She inquired.

"..." The men stared at her in silence. Before long, one of them said something. "Do you think we're telepathic?" Angel Dust questioned, unsure of how she expected them to know what she was referring to.

"...The...first...kiss..." Katie grumbled. Despite having mauled the space marine yesterday, she was endearingly bashful about the subject matter.

"Oh," Angel Dust reacted. Yeah, it made sense for her to think about that since she and Rosie were absent when it was discussed with the others. "Uh, it's a little tough for me to give all the details, so sorry about that in advance. Basically, when Will was in Heaven, he ran into someone I know. That person and I have a history, and things got awkward from there. When we got back to Hell, we talked about it. Well, it was mainly me venting, but you get the point. As you've said in the past, it's just so nice having someone like Will who doesn't mind hearing us go off about our bullshit. Yet, after we got done doing it that day in the hotel, we started teasing each other to lighten the mood. One thing led to another, and I kissed him to really drive home how important he was to me. I couldn't help myself." He shared.

Interestingly, the Mantis Demon's face conveyed confusion. There was a part of that information that stuck out to her.

"...Was...it family related?" Katie asked, quickly raising one of her hands. "I don't need details, just a yes or no." She specified, not wanting to cause trouble.

"Yeah. It was family stuff," Angel Dust answered with a sad smile.

Now, the Mantis Demon's expression became contemplative. She considered the next words she spoke VERY carefully.

"...I'm...going to make a request..." Katie announced while rising from her seat. Afterward, she moved to stand before the Spider Demon. "I know you wouldn't, but I still need you to promise that you're not going to be a smartass when you hear it." She stated.

"...Uh...sure..." Angel Dust agreed. Both he and Doomguy were perplexed by this development.

"At the gala, before the night is over, would...you...dance with...me?..." Katie requested, shutting her eyes tightly by the end.

...

...

...

"Was that not the plan?" Angel Dust questioned, making her open her eyes immediately. "I swear I'm not cracking a joke!" He swiftly exclaimed, waving his hands wildly. "It's just there's going to be MULTIPLE dances before we each get a turn with Will, ya know? The only other person I wanted to dance with was Cherri if she was up for it. Besides her and you, I'm gonna take it easy so I can go all out with Will." He explained.

"...You...You already wanted to?..." Katie inquired, shocked by this revelation.

"Mhm. You're only comfortable being yourself with me and Will, so to ensure you have a good time like us, I was going to dance with you." Angel Dust said with a smile. "You know, if you were okay with it, which you seem to be since you asked." He added.

"Y-Yeah!" Katie responded. She surprised herself with how enthusiastic that sounded. "I mean, as I mentioned earlier, you and I need to spend more time together anyway. Sharing a dance at the gala will be a good opportunity for that. And then, maybe, you know, after a while and some more stuff, you...could...talk to me about your past. I'd...like to try and help too...if I'm able..." She told him.

Briefly, all emotion in the Spider Demon's face went away. His mantis counterpart was trying her best to better their relationship so she could assist him with his issues. Upon realizing this, Angel Dust gained a toothy grin. Then, he stood up, which made Katie nervous about what he would-

THUMP

"Aw, Katie," Angel Dust cooed, hugging her with all of his arms. "Deep down, you're just a big old cinnamon roll, ain't ya?" He asked.

"H-Hey!" Katie exclaimed, blushing again. "Smartass! This is smartass behavior!" She scolded.

"Nu-uh~" Angel Dust responded while shaking his head. "This is a reaction of affection. You've shown genuine concern for me, so I want to give you a big old hug~" He carried on, squeezing her more.

"W-Will!" Katie called out, looking at the space marine. "Get this asshole off of me! I take back everything I said! He can stand in the fucking corner during the gala for all I care!" She declared.

"Nah, you're just saying that to try and make me release ya." Angel Dust argued, squeezing her even more. "Come on, enjoy the hug." He urged.

During all of this, Doomguy watched in amused silence. The pair of Sinners would continue to go back and forth for a while. If this was a preview of how things would be for the trio moving forward, then the future looked even better than it already did.


Nearby, In The Wretch's Quarters...


...

...

...

Everything came back. Sight, sound, smell, and touch. The Wretch's surroundings became clear as his mind restored itself. For an unknown period, all perceptions of the world went blank, as did any cognitive function.

Slowly, the former Demon raised his hands and started opening and closing them repeatedly. All seemed as it should be, so there weren't any physical issues to worry about. But before he could begin to work through his memories to understand what had transpired, someone nearby spoke.

"Oh, Wretch, glad to see you're with us again," Asmodeus said with a warm smile. He was sitting in a chair that was close to the couch.

"...Asmodeus?..." Wretch questioned, blinking his eyes several times. The old thinker upstairs was still coming online. "I...I don't...when did...I..." He stammered, trying to get his thoughts in order.

"It's okay, I'll explain everything," Asmodeus promised, which helped the Wretch to relax. "Fizzy and I were in our room getting our outfits selected for the gala. Then, out of nowhere, Sonia starts beating on our front door while asking for help. Naturally, we let her in, and she goes off telling us about what had happene." He stated.

Instantly, everything clicked. The conversation on the couch and what came after. The shock that was so powerful it made the former Demon disassociate from reality. Now, it all started sinking in.

"Wretch, talk to me, buddy." Asmodeus instructed, seeing his friend's eyes widen again.

"...I...I...I don't know where to start..." Wretch admitted, looking at his lap.

"Take it slow," Asmodeus advised.

"...There's...no mistake, right? Sonia didn't make a bold assumption." Wretch asked.

"Nope. Sorry, Wretch." Asmodeus answered, expecting his hope for this to be a big misunderstanding.

"..." Wretch needed a second to accept that. "How...many know?" He inquired.

"Well, it WAS just me, but now Fizzy knows too." Asmodeus replied. "Trust me, it wasn't easy calming both of them down when Sonia was already out of sorts." He added with a chuckle.

"Where are they? Shouldn't they be here?" Wretch questioned.

"Fizzy and Sonia are looking after Verosika in your bedroom. When we got here, we saw her slumped on the couch like she was melting while you were sitting up straight like a statue. I carried V into the bedroom, they stayed with her, and I came back to sit with you." Asmodeus explained.

"Thank you, Asmodeus. I appreciate-"

"Nope," Asmodeus interrupted him with a shake of his head. "Wretch, you don't need to thank me. You know Fizzy and I are here for you whenever something big happens." He said.

"Even so, I will always be grateful," Wretch responded, able to smile now.

"Heh, I know." Asmodeus acknowledged. "But enough of that for now. We need to get as much talking done as we can before Verosika snaps back to herself as you did. So, where do you want to start?" He asked.

"..." Wretch's smile faded as he gave that question serious consideration. "...I...I don't need to be told WHY Verosika would have such feelings. I may not know much about personal relationships, but I am aware of the amount of time we've spent together and what our interactions and conversations have meant. That is to say that I value Verosika a great deal as she does me. Yet, I would've NEVER considered our relationship to be something so intimate. Yes, we have done intimate things with one another, such as sharing the same bed. However, Verosika has been steadily recovering from the turmoil she faced after the penance. She's also been confronting the cause of that strife, and I've been fortunate enough to help her along with many others. What this culminates to is that my perception of my role in this relationship was a trusted friend and ally. Similar to Charlie, Vagatha, or Nifty, I became someone who Verosika felt safe around. That's the main reason for my lack of imagination regarding the potential of what we have. I just didn't view myself as being THAT significant, but not because of my past self-worth problems." He answered.

"Hmm..." Asmodeus hummed, lightly tapping his index finger on the arm of his chair. "...Wretch, I think there's more to it than that," He said, now leaning forward. "As an experiment, let's remove Verosika from the picture. What are your thoughts about having a future with someone? Just the concept of a loving relationship." He inquired.

"..." Like before, Wretch spent a moment to contemplate his reply. "...We've touched on this in the past. I never imagined myself with any companions once Doom was defeated. I'd spend eternity atoning for my Sins and the misery they wrought. Should the time ever come when I fulfilled my responsibility to all of Creation, I would then find a quiet spot to isolate myself. I never thought anyone would view me as worthwhile enough to keep around. Yet, amazingly, that good fortune found me. But I still didn't have any grand visions of the future. Even after you, Fizzarolli, and Beelzebub made it clear that we'd remain in frequent contact, I pictured a future spent in solitude. However, it wasn't for the same reasons I previously had. I just assumed that would be the conclusion of my efforts. I've never dreamed or wondered what a relationship of that nature would be like because it didn't seem possible. After all, who would love me when there are far better options out there?" He told him.

The King of Lust had to resist the urge to explore that question. He needed to keep the focus on the current kerfuffle of Verosika's feelings being revealed.

"Okay. But now that you've learned the true extent of Verosika's perception of you, what is your reaction?" Asmodeus asked.

"To be honest, I'm not sure..." Wretch began, folding his arms. "Obviously, the initial reveal rendered me temporarily comatose. But with a clear head, as I consider what Verosika loving me implies, I find it hard to imagine the possible changes to our current relationship. I already mentioned how we do things most couples would. Yes, the context of that would be altered a bit, but otherwise nothing major. Although it may sound silly, I'd appreciate it if you could enlighten me, Asmodeus. If Verosika and I were to advance our relationship to this stage, what would the differences be?" He said, ending with an inquiry.

"Well, the simplest change would be greater displays of attraction and affection. The both of you are used to bodily contact by now, but you've never kissed one another. Not even a harmless little smooch on the cheek." Asmodeus replied.

Immediately, the former Demon's face became intensely serious. The King of Lust had to stifle a chuckle because the change in expression was so sudden.

"...I can't picture it," Wretch admitted, maintaining his furrowed brow of focus. "The idea that Verosika would kiss me doesn't seem possible. Our hugs and other forms of physical contact have been to help her with her emotional instability. So, be it in a romantic or non-romantic scenario, it's fairly easy to form that image in my mind by comparison." He stated.

"Really? You can't see it at all?" Asmodeus questioned, impressed by that.

"Verosika's never displayed that behavior around me. I know she's a Succubus and has had such interactions with others during her work as a Lustful Hellspawn, but with me, I can only envision our quiet moments on a couch or in bed. The notion of more being added to the mix is-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Before either man could react to that scream, a RAMBUNCTIOUS commotion was heard coming from the bedroom. In under ten seconds following the outburst, the bedroom door was flung open, and a PANICKED Verosika Mayday was seen standing in the doorway.

"WRETCH!" Verosika yelled as she rushed over and grabbed him by the shoulders. "THERE'S BEEN A MISTAKE! A MISUNDERSTANDING! DON'T LISTEN TO ANYTHING! FORGET EVERYTHING! SONIA'S A CHILD! WHAT DOES SHE KNOW?! WHAT DOES ASMODEUS KNOW?! WHAT DOES ANYBODY KNOW?! NOTHING'S DIFFERENT! NOTHING'S CHANGED! EVERYTHING IS-"

Before I describe what stopped the Succubus's rambling, let me inform you of the larger scene. After Verosika exploded from the bedroom, Fizzarolli and Sonia were quick to give chase. By the time she latched onto the Wretch, the others were getting ready to intervene. But then, this happened:

Without hesitation, the former Demon leaned forward and kissed the Succubus. The lip-locking was short but still long enough to be considered a legitimate kiss. Asmodeus, Fizzarolli, and Sonia felt their jaws loosen as they would've NEVER expected him to do something like that! But hey, if you think they're shocked, wanna know what happened to Verosika?

Nothing. At least, that's what it was like from the Succubus's perspective. For the second time that day, not long after the initial incident, her mind was GONE. As for her body, it went limp. Well, except for the tail. That particular appendage stiffened and pointed straight outward like an arrow.

"Huh, so that's what it would be like," Wretch commented as he pulled away. Did...Did he...do that as a test?! "I must say, it's rather enjoyable. I can understand why it's such a common display of love." He said, acting as if he didn't just do something that was BATSHIT INSANE.

...

...

...

THUD

Verosika collapsed like a house of cards knocked over by a bowling ball. Quickly, the others ran to check on her, but they also ensured to react to what the fuck the former Demon just did.

"WRETCH?! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!" Asmodeus shouted, still utterly flabbergasted.

"...Was that inappropriate?" Wretch questioned, unsure of what the fuss was about. "I thought Verosika loved me? That was true, wasn't it?" He added.

"YEAH! BUT...I...YOU...WHY ARE YOU SO CASUAL ABOUT THIS?!" Fizzarolli yelled. He was in the same emotional state as his Boyfriend.

"Why aren't you?" Wretch countered. "I've seen you and Asmodeus do FAR more flirtatious things with one another during our breakfasts." He reminded him.

Both the King of Lust and the Imp stared in disbelief at the former Demon. However, once again, Verosika needed to be taken care of. So, those two swiftly lifted her from the ground and hurried her into the bedroom, leaving Sonia alone with her Papa.

"What do you make of all this?" Wretch asked, being completely serious.

"..." Sonia, no longer surprised by these events, took a moment to think about that. "...I think Mama's a mess." She answered, causing him to laugh.

"Oh? And what about me?" Wretch inquired.

In response, the child could only shrug. Her Papa wasn't as much of an emotional paint splatter as her Mama, but that didn't mean she understood him any better. Seeing that made the former Demon let loose another chortle. It would seem that his portion of the day will be spent on more than just basic party preparation.