Abel
How could the death of their father split the family so much? They should all be banding together to support one another but instead they seem even more at each other's throats. The troublemakers constantly start fights over the stupidest things, the soft hearted of the family mumbling about living with a monster for so long, and a handful finding anything to ignore the situation and continue on like nothing has happened. They all would lose trust in Abel, Seth, and Aclima if they admitted to knowing the truth for far longer than the rest. The last thing they needed was a lit match like that to the gasoline Emily and Sara had set.
It's not like knowing that their father was essentially the sword of heaven made his death any more bearable. Aclima was on edge and snappy with everyone, especially the more soft of their siblings, her motherly facade crumbling as her more hot headed nature reared its head. Seth had disappeared into Adam's room and hadn't left which meant he hadn't been eating, apparently he had acted similarly when he witnessed their father's initial death. Abel didn't think it was healthy to shut down as much as Seth did or lash out like Aclima but he wasn't one to judge given the fact that he was drowning his sorrows in wine and hook ups.
Hook ups in heaven were a challenge especially for those who had a preference for the same sex, but Abel had met a few people he could rely on. Sadly today was not a day he could just stay in bed and forget the world around him. No, today Sara had called him for a meeting. For what he had no idea, she only ever talked to Adam, never him. So not wishing to upset the seraphim he heads to the grand hall. He probably should have dressed more appropriately but he can't bring himself to do much but dress in baggy clothes that dangle off his frame. He worries for a moment but hides it behind his confident mask as he steps into the meeting room.
Sara looks up from her chair, her eyes nearly piercing through him like an arrow making his false confidence falter near instantly. "Sit."
Not used to women bossing him around he stiffens for a moment before sitting in the chair across from her. "So, uh what's up Sara?"
"I need you to go down to hell and deliver the news, with your father… gone, his responsibilities fell to the oldest son. That being said, you are the new ambassador for heaven, and you are now responsible for finding a solution to hell's overpopulation." She left no room for argument as she spoke.
Abel blinks utterly confused by the crushing amount of responsibilities she just stacked on him without a second thought. "Wait, wait, wait, what news all hell already knows about Adam's death and why cant Emily or you be the ambassador you know more about this stuff than me? Besides, why do I have to find a solution to your problem?"
If looks could kill Sara would be murdering Abel right now. "You will inform Lucifer about Sir Pentious. Emily and I have different tasks to handle, and the humans are your descendants so they are your responsibility to find a solution to."
"Ya, no I don't have descendants. I died at like fourteen and didn't have any kids so none of those sinners are mine." Not that he'd want any seeing how stressed out they make people. "Still don't see why one of the powers or thrones can't be an ambassador, and what do you even want me to say about the snake dude?"
Sera narrows her eyes at him like he's the one being unreasonable. "By technicality they are your descendants, as for Pentious you will inform Lucifer that he has been sent to heaven for unknown reasons. Any other questions?"
He knew she didn't really want to answer him, all heaven born seemed like they hated questions. Ignorance is bliss, they say to shut everyone else up so he grits his teeth. "No."
She smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Good just tell me when you head off, oh you can bring your siblings or some of the guardian angels if you want."
"I'll keep that in mind." Abel leaves trying not to run but also get out as fast as he can. All heaven born make him uncomfortable but Sara most of all.
Able heads home fast, texting a few friends to come by his home for some stress relief. If Sara's gonna fuck him over like this at least he can get a good fuck while it happens. He didn't want these burdens, he hated his siblings relying on him to begin with but now it was like everyone thought he was the new dad. It sucked, everyone thought just because he was the oldest he knew all the answers but he sure as shit didn't.
He ignores the looks from the other angels as he stomps closer to home. One of the guys he texted flies up to him, he's one of the male guardian angels. With white, silver, and black coloring wearing the same military garb as the women but Adam never took the men into battle for some reason. Abel bets it was something to do with fragile masculinity, but it could be a joke reason like hell has no fury like a woman's wrath or some other weird shit. Not that he'd ever know the reason now. Guardian angels don't really have names so Abel gave him the name Lionis. He's a nosy guy but always eager to please. A few times he even asked if Able would consider trying to convince Adam to allow a few men in his army so he could see some bloodshed the women alway bragged about.
"Abel~" The angel drawls hovering over his shoulder. "What's got heaven's favorite victim so worked up?"
Abel doesn't want to bother explaining things so he responds with a generic answer. "Too much, Lionis, way too much."
Abel's nonresponse makes the other angel laugh. "Well let's hope I can ease some tension for you then.~"
They get to the house greeted by the other two guys Abel called over, sitting at the doorstep. One is a mortal soul, Haden, he used to be a priest in life, he's a shy guy but years of celibacy made him an eager lover. Being mortal meant they were related however distantly which usually weirded out people so he tended to avoid them as partners but Haden didn't seem to care. The other was an Archangel named something Abel couldn't comprehend how to say so he called them Archie. How he managed to seduce a heavenborn above even his father's station he doesn't know. The angel was stoic and stiff not really understanding mortal's whims but happy to participate in almost everything.
"Great you're all here, come on, my room is upstairs." Abel says unlocking the door and leading them into the house.
"Y-your place is very lovely, but what about your father? I thought he disapproved of your lifestyle." Haden says walking close and trying to keep his nervousness controlled.
Abel is quiet for a second returning the judgemental stares of his siblings with glares. "He's… He's not here right now."
"It must be a special occasion for you to bring us to your home." Archie says his voice has a weird echo to it like a choir is speaking instead of just him.
"Special, sure, let's go with that." Abel lets the conversation die as they head to his room.
Once in his room Abel wastes no time locking the door swiftly and practically tossing the two smaller angels onto his bed. He rubs up against the front of Archie then tilts his head up to stick his tongue out to catch the archangel's mouth. The man responds by sliding his hands under Abel's shirt, with the higher angel's help he strips off the garment. Returning his attention to the other two he purposely drops to the floor crawling towards the bed like a pampered cat.
"Straight to the action, huh? This is why I love your kind." Lionis comments quickly removing his uniform.
Haden gives the guardian an annoyed look but doesn't voice any argument as he carefully unbuttons his top and folds it carefully placing it on the ground. Abel positions himself between Lionis's legs, his mouth opens above his pants trying to excite the member through the cloth. The mask hiding the angel's face begins glitching as his legs start to bounce slightly. Eager as ever he places a hand in Abel's hair as the other runs along the bone of his wing. Abel uses his teeth to find the zipper and pull it down, things like this are practically second nature after years of honing his skills.
Behind him he hears Archie move before he feels his hands stroke down his sides, soon followed by his tongue licking up his spine. One of Abel's hands grabs Haden's thigh pulling him closer to squish against Lionis, the mortal soul shifts allowing Abel to begin undoing his clothes. Abel contines pulling down Lionis's undergarments with his teeth seeing the shaft spring up as he does. Archie hooks his fingers on Abel's waist band slowly pulling down his pants. The slight etching of a headache pulses from the scar on his temple, but he ignores it to trace his tongue up the length in front of him.
"Mmh, that's right, take care of daddy." Lionis says as Abel's lips wrap around his pride.
The mention of a dad triggers the last memory of his father. The stunted look in Adam's eyes as a knife cuts through his torso and gold blood pouring from the wound. Abel's teeth sink into skin almost immediately, followed by a loud shout and someone shoving him to the floor. This agitates his headache as his vision turns black with pain shooting from the scar. Blinking out the blackness and the ringing of his ears dissipate he sees a figure above him. They look angry just like Cain when… The memory of Cain standing over him rock in his hand and the pure rage in his eyes further disorientates him. Abel's breathing speeds up as fear and adrenaline shoot through his veins, the fear paralyzes him in place as the adrenaline causes him to shake. The figure steps towards him causing Abel to bring his hands up to protect his skull.
Tears pool in his eyes as he screams out words. "NO! Please don't kill me Cain!"
The figure pauses confused. "...What?"
Two other figures approach and Abel curls up hoping his body may survive whatever beating they wish to enact. Silently he begs his family to save him, wishing to call for his parents despite knowing they can't respond even if he calls out. His breathing turns erratic making him try and gasp down breaths which only intensifies his panic. The figures are talking but his mind doesn't comprend as it only hears his own pulse in his ears. Something grabs him trying to pull him from his ball-like state, he screams kicking and shoving the person desperate to not be hurt again.
The person forces him into a hug ignoring his fighting and their feminine voice starts to calm him. "Shh, shh, it's okay, you're safe, it's only me, your sister Aclima."
She gently calms him like a mother soothing a crying baby, holding him close so he knows he's safe. After a while her coaxing allows him to regain control of his breathing, slowly relaxing in her grasp. His fear clouded mind starts to clear, letting him understand where he was and who's around him. Aclima is holding him, and the other angel's are looking at him with a mix of pity and concern. He hates this, the constant panic attacks, the fear that shoots up his spine when voices raise, the countless migraines that remind him of his death, the nightmares that wake him in cold sweats. When will he stop being helpless? When will he truly be safe if even angels can die?
Aclima told the other angels to leave, and after some time Abel is calm enough to stop gripping her like a lifeline. "Doing better?"
"Oh just peachy." Abel's normal snark is back in full as he gets up from the floor.
"Heh, I'm guessing the fuck away the pain idea didn't work like you hoped." Aclima smirks handing him a bottle of water
"More like daddy kinks and recent deaths don't mix, especially with my normal headaches." Abel chugs the water wishing it to change into wine instead.
"I have no idea what that means but okay." She checks his appearance again, still worried about him but the feeling dissipates. "So what did Sara want?"
Abel chuckles, a laugh born of uncertainty. "To pick up where dad left off. Go to hell and find solutions to a never ending problem… oh and tell them about that pathetic snake dude."
Aclima's shoulder slump as if the responsibility was literal weight. "That fucking… A month of silence and now she wants to shove everything at us? So what are we going to do?"
Abel thinks for a long moment. "I… I think all of the family should have a say in this, not just me or the three of us. Could you get our siblings together in the dining hall?"
"All but Seth, he's still stuck up in dad's room and won't come out no matter what I do. The rest will at least still eat even if the dinner table has felt more like a war trench at the moment." She informs him.
"I'll get Seth, you focus on keeping our siblings from slaughtering each other." He starts heading out before stopping and pulling Aclima into a hug, he takes her for granted so much but she is really the one who keeps the family together. "I don't say this a lot but I do love you sis and I don't thank you enough for helping me."
He can feel her smile in the crook of his neck as she gives him a sharp smack on the back. "Yeah, yeah if you really wanted to show your love you'd take over cooking one of these days."
"Do you want the house to burn down?" He jokes making Aclima give him a good natured glare as they go their separate ways.
Abel heads up to the penthouse, the elevator pings as he arrives. There's no locks or anything barring the children from going in, Adam had just told them not to and they obeyed. The level is a mess of dirty dishes, clothes, and who knows what else. The living room is full of instruments that seem to be used more recently than any electronic, judging by the dust on the TV screen. The kitchen is full of junk foods, and a bunch of ribs that are now likely out of date. Not finding Seth he heads further into the place checking doors to see the many different rooms, eventually finding the bedroom with the brother he's searching for.
Seth is laying on Adam's bed staring up at the ceiling which has a large mural of Adam in what he assumes to be in Eden. The room appears untouched like the others except the bed which has been made probably by Seth. Stepping closer he notices the spare mask Adam had placed on the pillows and under Seth is one of Adam's robes. Like a flat substitute for their father as a few gold feathers are arranged like wings on the bed. Seth himself has a blank stare focused on the mural with their fathers face. His eyes are red from the dried tears covering his cheeks, and the dark circles under his eyes suggest a lack of sleep.
"Sethy?" Abel calls, momentarily wondering if he sleeps with his eyes open.
"The fuck you want manwhore?" Seth's harsh tone surprises Abel, he's never been this outright hostile.
Abel carefully sits on the bed reaching his hand out for Seth, who only rolls away from him. "You haven't eaten in days, or left this room I assume. We're worried about you."
"You mean Aclima is worried, you selfish prick." Seth grunts out.
"Me? Selfish? Never." Abel tries to joke but it doesn't affect Seth's mood like he thought. "Okay, yeah, your right Aclima sent me to try and get you out of here."
Seth doesn't respond so Abel continues. "I met with Sara today." Not even a twitch. "She wants me to do dads job now that he's… gone, but I can't do that alone. I mean you know me, I'll just mess everything up if I make all the decisions by myself."
Seth grips his arms but refuses to look at Abel. "He's really dead huh?" His voice is nearly a whisper.
"You saw the same thing I did, it'd be hard to survive that many stab wounds." Abel touches his scar remembering the many hits he took before dying.
"...but if anyone could survive it would be dad, right?" Seth turns enough to see his brother in the corner of his eye, a desperate look on his face.
Abel ponders whether he should feed into a hope that will most likely hurt his brother worse in the long run, but he can't crush that hope with the pleading eyes boring into him. "I mean, dad has always been stubborn. If anyone could defy death it'd be him."
Seth springs up. "I KNEW IT!" His shout is followed by grabbing Abel's shoulders. "I knew I wasn't the only one who thought dad could still be alive!"
Grabbing Seth's arms he tries to mitigate his brother's mood. "Could and is aren't the same thing, we don't know anything until we see a body. For now we need a plan and I do mean we, the whole family needs to talk. So will you please come down stairs?"
Seth is very hesitant to leave but nods. Following Abel down to the dining room where they see the rest of their siblings already sitting at the table. The air is tense, some will want to start a war with hell, others will want to find peace. The final say will be Abel's but he will hear all the ideas his siblings have before making that decision. Sitting at the head of the table in the same spot that was once their father's, he begins the family meeting.
Adam
Since Charlie had disappeared to gather supplies Adam decided if he was going to start farming again he was going to emulate his younger self best he could. He didn't have the leather tunic he used to but he could always try to modify some of the spare clothes around the hotel. Finding some tight fitting leggings and a t-shirt he could use as under clothes then hunted for something actually durable in the hotel. Apparently tunics went out of style in favor of overalls but Adam didn't trust something that came fashionably dirty and ripped so he grabbed a weird black leather dress to cut into a tunic.
Being a bit lost where the demons kept things he walks over to the least annoying demon, Husker. "Hey, where do you guys keep the needles and thread?"
The cat-bird man looks up from the glass he's cleaning confused. "What do you need them for?"
"Making myself some clothes, obviously." Adam answers which just perplexes the bartender more.
"Hehehe here you go~" A small feminine voice says behind him.
Turning around he sees Niffty with a smile plastered on her face and a small box in her hand. The sight of her makes him jump involuntarily before he realizes she isn't trying to stab him again. Hesitantly he reaches for the box seeing different threads and needles through the clear lid. She does that spine chilling laugh again then walks off like nothing happened.
"Okay is she always like that or is it just with me?" He asks Husker.
"Yeah she's been like that for as long as I've known her, I think she likes how you react though." Husker clarifies.
"Oh, great." He can't hide the sarcasm but she did give him what he wanted so he goes to the couch to start modifying the dress.
He starts by cutting down the sides, splitting the dress into two halves then he cuts off the sleeves and the lower parts of the dress so it will be down to his knees. He turns the excess material into strips then sews the strips together, making two long cords. He makes holes along the sides of the dress, lacing the cords through the holes so the halves are again combined. Tossing the makeshift tunic over his lighter clothes he pulls the cords to tighten it before tying the ends. It's a bit different from the one he made from deer or sheep's hide so long ago but it should be fit for hard labor. With appropriate clothes made he only has to wait on Charlie who should be back any second now.
He notices Angel Dust looking at him but ignores the man not wanting to hear his teasing. Adam's mind drifts back to what he and Lucifer did last night now that he has nothing to occupy his immediate focus. Does he regret sleeping with Lucifer? Did he enjoy the experience? What does this mean going forward? As well as other questions swirl in his mind, the answers of which don't come easy. One question that pops into his head feels like ice water is pouring down on him before his questions turn darker. Will sleeping with a man make him unable to return to heaven? It's a sin afterall, one he wasn't permitted like the executions. What if he's unable to return to heaven what will happen to him? Will he turn into a fallen like Vaggie or the seven deadly sins if he remains in hell much longer? What if-
Lucifer snaps his finger in front of Adam's face. "Hello? Are you there? Charlie just got back so we can start up your farming plan."
"Mhn!" Adam bolts up startling Lucifer. "W-well let's get going then!"
His emotions are fighting with each other, anger, awkwardness, fear, and disgust taking the forefront as the questions still go unanswered. Yet a part of him is oddly happy to see Lucifer and has hope that maybe they can actually become friends again or… NOPE, NO, HELL NO last night was just two sad divorced dads comforting each other, a one time thing nothing more. Adam stomps outside looking for the princess and finds her not far out of the hotel talking to some goat dude holding a bag of fertilizer over his shoulder.
"Adam! Hey, meet Enoch, he is the nice man who sold us the seeds, and tools. He even offered to teach us the proper way to grow plants that only grow in hell." Charlie introduces the man who does a double take when he sees Adam approach.
"Yeah, yeah whatever, where are we starting the garden." Adam dismisses the man without a second thought, wanting to numb his senses with labor rather than acknowledge his own turmoil.
Charlie smiles brightly. "Oh right this way the tools and seeds are already there." The goat man sizes Adam up before disregarding the disrespect and following Charlie.
Charlie leads Adam to the back of the hotel, behind him the other hotel residents follow as well. It's not a lot of land to work with but it is more than enough for the current amount of hotel residents. Lots of tools are piled up so Adam grabs a spade knowing he'll have to till the ground before they can start planting anything. Charlie is talking to the group showing them the seeds they will use but Adam just goes straight to work stabbing the spade into the ground and dragging it to mark out the area and rows.
"Uh Adam what are you doing?" Vaggie apparently doesn't understand the basics of farming judging by her tone.
Adam scoffs. "What's it fucking look like, I'm preping the ground. What, do you think you can just stick a seed in the ground and it will grow?"
Hearing silence he turns to look at the group. Adam realizes those guilty and nervous glances mean that, yes, they did in fact think that. The goat guy who was helping Charlie explain the differences in seeds smirks at the collective embarrassment. It appears that Adam is going to have to hold everyone's hand with learning how to farm. Letting out a heavy sigh he turns back to the tools picking them up and handing them to each person he thinks will do a good job with them.
Standing in front of them like the general he was, he starts explaining. "Alright, first Lucifer, Husker, Vaggie and I will till the field. Then Angel Dust, and Cherri will spread out the fertilizer. We'll till that again to make the dirt good and soft as well as healthy. Next Niffty will dig small plots for all the seeds and Charlie will plant the seeds with the goat guys help for specifications. And finally Alastor will water them all. Got it, or do you wanna bitch about something?"
Lucifer blinks a bit confused by the orders. "You know I could just use magic and get this tilled a lot fas-"
"NO!" Adam cuts him off leaning down to be face to face and jabs him in the chest. "Magic is cheating, you think I had magic when I started? No I fucking didn't, I slaved away on a half starved stomach before I even started to see something sprout. If you want redemption you better fucking slave away just like I did or just give up now."
"I didn't realize this was something you cared so much about Adam, we'll be happy to do it your way!" Charlie speaks as if moved by Adam's word, she smiles full of determination. "Alright guys let's get started."
With the princess's support the others follow Adam's leadership, who has to listen to everyone complain about being tired after only a few minutes, or correct how people are doing things often. At times he gets so annoyed with the whining he starts cursing in his native Hebrew which confuses those around him. Unsurprisingly Adam does a majority of the work, his arms straining with pain by the end of it. He's far more winded than he remembers in his younger days probably due to his own laziness over the past millennium. Taking a break while the seeds are planted he looks to see what they're actually planting. Some are familiar, others less so but one confuses him.
"So you're named after a plant Angel Dust?" He asks, looking at the seed packet trying to figure out what the fruit or vegetable might taste like.
Angel looks at him then notices the packet in his hands and chuckles. "Ya my striper name is a drug. I didn't realize we had the seeds for it though."
A drug, so not food which is a tad disappointing he thinks. There's a weird look in Angel's eyes when staring at the seeds, something like starvation mixed with hesitance. "Striper name? Your real name isn't Angel Dust?"
"Wait, you thought my real name was Angel Dust? Seriously?" Angel's wide eyes show surprise.
"I mean yeah, it's what everyone calls you so I thought it was your actual name." Adam retorts.
Before Angel can continue the conversation the goat guy runs up snatching the seeds out of Adam's hands. "That's not for your guys!" He nervously stashing the seeds in his pocket and bolting away just as fast as he appeared leaving the two stunned.
"Weird guy… Oh looks like Charlie is finished." Angel says, switching Adams' attention back to the garden.
Overall it looks fine, he doesn't know if the plants will grow without a sun but apparently they have considering there is an agriculture in hell. As Alastor watters the crops Adam heads back around to the front of the hotel knowing he'll need another shower before he can sleep. Most others have a similar idea as his, following like ducklings and talking among themselves. Once in the lobby they see a green puff of smoke along with the jingle of cash, before the sin of greed appears.
Mammon looks around for a second then spots Adam rushing him with a bone crushing hug. "Ah there's my precious little brand baby! Ready to head home?"
"HUH?! I thought you said I had a week? It's only been five days." Adam shoves the sin, struggling in the demon's grasp before he's released.
Mammon laughs so loud it echoes off the walls. "You asked for a week but never specified which type of week so I chose a business week."
"YOU LITTLE-" Adam cuts himself off as he sees Mammon's eyes narrow and smile shift into a frown.
Mammon pinches his cheeks as a warning for his outburst. "Aww, are ya pissy heaven didn't answer your calls or some shit? Well too bad, go gather your stuff, your schedule is already booked for the next three months."
Begrudgingly Adam does as ordered while Mammon talks to Lucifer and Charlie. Gathering his clothes and guitar he returns since he doesn't really have much he can call his own. Returning he notices a robotic version of him hovering over Mammon's shoulder. It's in a far more jester-like outfit than him, it's weird to see something look so close to him acting like Mammon isn't a monster. Seeing Adam return, Mammon cuts the conversation with Lucifer short, pulling Adam into his side. Adam waves goodbye to everyone before Mammon teleports them down to Greed.
Enoch
First the princess of hell shows up at his store looking for gardening equipment and seeds, then when he gets there he meets Adam of all people, and now he sees the angel disappear with Mammon presumably back to the greed ring. He thought his dad was just on one of his crazy rants again but nope, he owes his brother Lizpha a twenty now. Placing all the unused equipment into the back of his truck he drives back home, he'll bill the princess later for the stuff she used. The lavish home looks like a storm bunker from the outside but that's part of the point.
Inside he sees Cainan his mother and Maac his sister sitting at the table, he tosses the angel dust seeds on the counter. "Stop storing your stuff with mine at the store, a customer found it when I wasn't looking."
Maac takes the pack and stores it away in her purse. Not paying attention to him and returning to talking with their mother. Rolling his eyes he moves to the fridge grabbing two beers, and heading to his father's office. Through the door he can hear the man screaming at someone, probably on the phone but he opens the door anyway. He sees Cain his father almost fully in his demon form, horns longer than normal and branching off, fur covering all of his skin, finger holding the phone are now just bones, fire spewing out of the scars on his arms, wings that look like torn flesh protruding from his back, and the telltale bleeding mark of Cain glowing on his forehead.
"Dad." Enoch says unphased by the terrifying creature in front of him.
Cain stops mid scream looking at his son, his eyes soften upon seeing him and his voice changes to a sweet one. "One sec sweety."
Enoch walks to the desk, placing a beer down and opening his own. On the desk is many piles of paperwork of plans in progress, then he spots the thing he's after a cigar box. Picking one out he cuts the end off then lights it with the flames of his fathers arms. Kicking his legs up on the desk he waits for Cain to finish his call as he puffs away at the nicotine.
"I have to go right now but if you don't pick up next time I call, I will tear your lungs out through your back and hang you on my wall as some decorative blood eagle." Cain hangs up the phone smoothing back his hair and receding into his normal form with a sigh.
"You'll never guess who I met today~" Enoch says, leaning his head back to see his father.
"Oh, and who did you meet my little king?" Cain asks sweet as always, picking up the beer brought to him.
"Grandpa." Enoch sips his drink hiding a smile as he sees his father freeze.
"Y-you met Adam? So you went to that Hazbin Hotel, after I told you and your siblings to stay away from it." Cain is angry but he won't hurt his kids, a fact that the children love to exploit.
Enoch waves his hand in the air. "Relax pops! I was there for a job, apparently gramps got that whole place interested in farming, just before his master decided to show up and drag him deeper into hell."
"He's back in greed?" Cain asks, drinking in the information.
"Far as I know, yeah. Figured you'd love to stay updated on the guy, anyway I still got shit to do today thanks for the cig." Enoch waves leaving the room to let his father do what he wants with the news and returning to his store.