Earn It

by Soleneus

Many want it, many more believe they deserve it, only some actually strive for it and few ever earn it. Charlie sets out to follow her dream with help from an unexpected source.

15. How You Like Me Now?

Track 15: How You Like Me Now? - The Heavy

Sera was glaring at him, but in that way women glared where they'd drill a hole into the back of a man's head, then look away in a huff when he glanced over, only to go back to glaring at him when he looked away.

Adam handed off a pamphlet to a new Winner and directed them towards the atrium, where a cherub would get them a seat, a snack and possibly a paper bag if they were hyperventilating. "It wasn't fuckin' on purpose!" He said, noticing a break in the line leading up to the gates, "I just wrote down not to forget, not what I wasn't supposed to forget, so all I remembered was not to forget but what I wasn't supposed to forget! It was an honest mistake, Sera, stop giving me that look!"

She hmphed. "It wouldn't be the first time you've forgotten an important event, Adam," she sniffed, "I assume you were too busy with your little project."

He gave her a flat look. "Oh right, because I definitely enjoy spending time in Hell. I'm the only one who can be down there for any real length of time, you know that. The fuck's got you so on edge?"

"Perhaps it is your swearing, which you know I don't like," Sera replied frostily, before sighing, "I apologize, Adam. I don't like the idea of Emily being away from Heaven for too long."

She expected he would shrug and accept her reasoning, he'd been doing so for a thousand years at this point; instead, Adam turned to look at her, golden eyes narrowed and searching. "…There's more to it than that," he said shrewdly, her eyes widening, "Emily's in Heavenly Territory and an Archangel on top of that; even Ministar, powerful as she is, would be ash if she tried anything…what's the real problem, Sera?"

Seraphiel wore an expression of surprise, her mouth slightly agape. "N-never you mind," she shook her head, plastering a smile on her face as a new pair of Winners, an elderly married couple who had died at the same time of natural causes hobbled up to her, jaws slack in amazement. "Welcome to Heaven!" She greeted them gently, laying her hands on their heads comfortingly before handing them a pamphlet, "Please, follow Mykael to orientation and read these, we'll explain everything."

A cherub with fluffy hair bid the two to follow him with a smile, practically bouncing around them as he chattered away.

"-but I posted Furries in SFW chats!" Another winner, this time a rather gangly, nerdy type in a Metallica t-shirt protested.

"Not cool dude, but not a sin," Adam shrugged, lightly slapping the nerd on the head with the pamphlet, "You won, bro, stop trying to make me send you to Hell. I know you did a lot of good shit, otherwise you wouldn't be here…" The nerd blushed, pulling the collar of his shirt up over his face, "If you wanna talk about it, there's shitloads of people, angels and all kinds, they'll listen. Maybe hit up Valhalla, too, Viking babes are the best."

"V-Viking babes?!" The nerd sputtered, letting a laughing Adam push him through the Gates.

Sera sighed, but couldn't help the fond smile tugging at her lips. "I wish you wouldn't call Michael's Sphere 'Valhalla.' I still can't believe that name stuck…"

Adam chuckled, "Well, if the shoe fits. Heh, Pete's been doing this job for so long I forgot how funny their faces are when they see the Gates for the first time. If we had cartoon physics, their eyes would pop right out of their heads."

Sera giggled, the pure sound making the nearby Winners involuntarily relax as it washed over them. "I-I remember Peter's face! He was so surprised-!"

"-He couldn't even say a thing, just babbling!" Adam added, leaning on the Gate as he laughed, "Especially when he found out about-"

"-His jaw dropped so far a Cherub could've fit in there!" Their shared mirth echoed through the Gate and farther down the road, and ironically the sight of two ten-foot tall angels laughing like idiots did more to relax the newly-dead Winners than the calm line and cherubs had before.

"Ah, Pete's a good one," the First Man chuckled, wiping his eyes on his sleeve, "Wish he'd take a real vacation, though. Like pulling Satan's teeth just getting him to take a day off, can't fuckin' imagine what it'd take for a week or a month. There's being a 'workaholic' and then there's us having to hand down a Heavenly Mandate to stop him from working continuous days and nights."

"Welcome to Heaven!" Sera handed a pamphlet to a new Winner, a very confused looking girl who couldn't have been more than ten, peering around at everything with wide eyes, "Follow the tiny angel, he'll show you where to go!"

"Thank you tiny angel, do you know where my mom is?" The little girl's question echoed back as she followed the Cherub.

"I still don't understand why that was made a mandate," the Archangel continued, "Peter loves greeting at the Gates, why should we force him to stop even for a night?"

"There's 'doing a job because you love it' and 'having a fetish' and Peter kinda rides that line, I mean, have you heard how many times he moans during his newest welcome song?" Adam shuddered, checking the time on his halo, "Oh hot damn, we've been doing this for hours. I kinda forgot how fulfilling it is, welcoming Winners. And we haven't even got to the best part, yet."

A small voice coughed behind them, and they turned to find a team of cherubs hovering in the Threshold. "Thank you for making Peter take a day off, Lady Sera, Lord Adam," the leader, Mykael, bowed with a smile, "The Night Shift is ready to take over. Enjoy orientation!"

"Thanks, little dudes," Adam offered the cherubs a fist bump each before heading down the corridor with Sera. He cast a look over the crystal and gold present in every part of the Gate, along with the well-hidden Holy Laser Gates, the Holy Spike Pits, the Holy Fifty-cal Turrets and of course, the Holy Phosphorus Sprayers. "I still say we should've gone more subtle with the new Gate. Marble maybe, blue rugs, some white oak chairs…not like a doctor's waiting room or anything, but you know, less ostentatious."

"It was agreed that a full-frontal display of what would be prohibitively expensive materials used as in something as simple as a building would be most effective at devaluing the new Winners to the thought of monetary compensation," Sera replied factually, "I believe Gabriel was quoted as saying 'when they literally walk on streets of gold, it sort of loses its luster,' or something to that effect…that being said, I do wish it was more…simple. Home-y." Her hand unconsciously flicked out, lightly squeezing Adam's before falling back to her side.

He hummed thoughtfully, opening the door to orientation for her with a grandiose bow before following her inside. There were hundreds of Winners sitting in comfortable seats, some holding on to each other, others tucked up in their chairs like frightened rabbits, though most bore the same wide-eyed dropped-jaw of confusion and awe. Every eye locked onto Adam and Sera as they stepped up to the front, and not just because they were taller than everyone there. The wings and robes were a big factor, but the sheer presence of the two was simply unearthly.

"What's up, peeps?" Adam grinned, seeing the Winners blink blankly at him, "Y'all read your pamphlets, right? So you know what's going on?" And the mix of nods, headshakes and sheepish looks, he chuckled, "Yeah, that's what I thought. You're gonna have a sh-" He glanced at Sera, who frowned minutely, "-a boatload of questions, and they'll all be answered. Metatron's Sphere, the Archivum Prismatica (if you're a nerd) or the Prismatic Archives have literally every event ever recorded and free access to them all. Except a few things, but those are 'man is not meant to know stuff' and they mean it. If you're looking for something specific, ask the Librarians and they'll gladly help you. And I mean it, too, expanding another's knowledge is their favorite thing, like, ever."

Sera smiled gently, making several of the Winners sigh and relax in their seats. "Heaven is quite a change from Earth and your method of arrival may not have been as peaceful as I would wish," one the Winners, a rabbit, had been running his hands over his chest repeatedly and looked up as she spoke, "When you wish to speak of it or of any regrets or issues of your life, in Raphael's Sphere of Healing, Panacea, there will always be time for you to come, an ear willing to listen, or comforting shoulder to cry on, or a warm pair of arms to hug."

"If you're lucky, it might be me," Adam chimed in with a chuckle, spreading his arms out, "Seriously though, this is Heaven. If there's something you need, you'll find it. In fact, let me explain…in song form!" He winked at Sera, noting the surprise on her face as the Cherubs lining the room pulled instruments from nowhere and began to play. "Hang up that jacket, take off those shoes, find a comfy spot and take a snooze, because…"

"You've…come home, you've come home, welcome, hello, shalom!" Despite his size, Adam danced down the front row, shaking hands,

"You passed the test, did your best, and now finally you can rest!" With a wave of his hand, the chairs became fluffy white clouds with a consistency somewhere between marshmallow and memory foam

"Learn a skill, seek some thrills!" The wall behind Sera became a screen, displaying smiling Winners learning how to make all sorts of things, from simple pottery to laser cannons, then different Winners competing against each other in games, "Heaven's yours, climb that hill!"

"Or take a chance, find romance!" He nudged the nerdy Winner from before with a wink, who ducked his head and blushed, "Everyone gets a second glance!" Adam winked at an older woman, who flushed pink.

"Take your time, learn to rhyme!" The Cherubs chimed in, playing their instruments and smiling as the Winners began to dance, some alone and some with others, "Or just don't, that's no crime!"

"It's your Reward, because you scored! Unless you want, never be bored!" Adam swept the ten-year old girl up in his arms and spun her around as she giggled.

"Yes you've come home, you've come home, hit the beach, try the foam!" He set her down and scooped up a handful of clouds, setting it on the head of a rather serious-looking businessman, giving him a 'do that would put Einstein to shame.

Sera's sweet voice rang out as she sang along, carrying a pair of teenagers around like children, "Because we care, we all share," she sent them sliding along the floor into the clouds that splashed up like bubbles, "Have some fun, that's a dare!"

"Build a manse, or just dance!" Adam Moonwalked down the center of the room, spinning with his wings tight to his back and thankfully, no crotch-grab, "Not a one would look askance! Hell, they'd probably join in! Would you?" He pointed at the old man and his wife, both wearing smiles that made them look decades younger.

"I used to cut quite a rug in my day," the old man said, grinning at the woman next to him, "I've got my foot back, I've got my wife…you bet your golden ass I could dance!"

"Charles!" His wife gasped, lightly slapping him on the arm.

Adam laughed and snapped his fingers, the old man finding shiny new tap shoes on his feet. "Show me!"

The old man leapt to his feet, shoes clicking and clacking to the beat as the Winners and the Cherubs began to cheer. Adam joined in, keeping time and even throwing in a few complex moves. As the old man danced, the years seemed to melt off of him, revealing a handsome man underneath in his prime. He laughed freely and pulled his wife, also young and fresh-faced into his arms and spun her around.

"Back to your prime, it's your time!" Adam danced back down the line, smiling as the once older woman slammed into him in a hug, "On Streets of Gold, there's no grime!"

"It's time to rest, you're the best!" Sera sang, scooping up several Winners in a massive hug, "Make a loving heart your family crest!"

"You've come home, you've come home, try some food from Ancient Rome!" Adam rode a wave of clouds, nearly twenty people riding on his chest and wings.

"Have no fear, now you're here!" Sera slid underneath Adam and picked him and his passengers up in her arms, "A new wonder, in every Sphere!"

Adam and Sera set them all down, smiling as they moved back to the head of the room. "Come what may, you're here to stay," he sang softly, reaching up to put his hand on the wall, "It's my honor to be the first to say…"

He shoved backwards and the wall opened up into a pair of doors, light shining in. Beyond, the Golden City sprawled out, a Paradise just in reach.

"WEL-COME HOOOOOME!"

Adam and Sera bowed as the Winners rushed past, smiling, laughing and chatting as they spilled into the streets of Heaven like a class of curious kids. The Cherubs cheered and raced after them, ready to help.

The First Man and The Archangel stood next to each other, her leaning on him, watching the newly-arrived Winners with a bright, joyous smile. "…I didn't think you'd sing," she admitted, wrapping an arm around his waist as he rested his cheek on her hair, "Well, perhaps that noise you call 'rock' but not that. Hm…it reminds me why I love you so."

Adam blinked, pulling away slightly to give her a surprised look. "…You still do?"

Sera stared at him, aghast. "What…what do you mean, still?" Her tone was one of horror, "I…I never stopped! What…could ever make you think that?!" Her voice had risen in volume and pitch, now drawing attention for the Winners around the exit.

Adam took her hand and teleported them away to a bluff that overlooked Valhalla. "I mean, the fuck was I supposed to think?" He shrugged sharply, "Used to be a week wouldn't go by without you stopping by for a meal or a conversation or a cuddle, but fuck, Sera! It's been nearly two-thousand years since you last 'had need of me' and most times all you do is tell me off for swearing! Most days…you can barely meet my eyes…" He slumped, the brief surge of energy fading. "…People fall out of love, it happens…what else was I supposed to think?"

"I don't like your swearing," Sera replied softly. Adam threw his hands up in frustration, and she reached out to grab his arm, turning him to face her, "It's crass, and crude and inelegant…" She swallowed thickly, laying a hand on his chest, feeling his heart thundering against his ribs, "It belies the noble heart within, Adam. You were meant to be the King of Man, even if you never took the title. It reminds me…of my shame."

Adam grimaced, his pupils becoming white for a second, "The Horror of Heaven, right?" He whispered, looking down and refusing to meet her eyes, "I know what I am, Sera. A-"

She grabbed his chin, smothering his lips. A tear ran down her cheek, composed of pure, liquid light. "Horrified for you, Adam," she insisted with a little sob, "Not of you, of what you had to become…of what you had to do to survive…never you."

He squinted at her. "…If it's not me," his eyebrows quirked in disbelief, "Then what are you ashamed of?"

"I…" Sera bowed her head in sorrow, "Before the Great Culling, I promised I would help you remember who you are beneath…I would help you remove your mask…and then you became The Eradicator. You swore your oath. And no matter what I tried that damned mask just…slipped through my fingers. And damn it all, I…" She sobbed, clutching at his robe, "I gave up. I just stood back and watched you change, watched that mask become you…and I was too ashamed to try again."

It was Adam's turn to cup her cheeks and lift her head, kissing her firmly to swallow her self-recriminations. "I knew what I was doing, Sera," he murmured, "I knew that pulling on that mask would change me. I'm the only one who could wear it, so I did. So I have. If there's any blame to be had, it's on the situation."

"…But you aren't wearing it now," Sera murmured, clasping his hands, "You wore it everywhere, for everything for millenia and yet, here you are…" Despite her words, she didn't seem much happier.

"…That's a bad thing?" Adam asked softly.

"No," she answered, leaning forward to touch their foreheads together, "My heart leaps with joy, seeing you bereft of horns, that demonic face and that damned mask…but I had nothing to do with it. Someone succeeded where I failed…I gave up for nothing. And I…I am jealous. Envious. Whichever is more apropos. You are more yourself, and…not because of me."

He tilted his head, a bit confused. "'More myself?'" He echoed, "I'm not that different…right?"

Sera gave him a very dry look. "You smile more often, you laugh more freely, you actually showed up today. Even a year ago, you would've forgotten and sent Lute in your place. Like you did last time."

Adam balked at the thought. "What?! No, I wouldn't do that…" He cast his mind back and frowned, "I did do that. Dammit."

She cupped his cheek and kissed him gently, wrapping her wings around him. "You are happier, First Harmony. You even speak of Sinners as if they were friends, as if you were fond of them…I simply wish I was the catalyst, the reason you have begun to emerge from your masks. If this short time apart has taught me anything…it is that I need you more than I thought, Adam. I have a need of you, and I always will."

He embraced her firmly, pressing against her body as they kissed, her lips soft and insistent as she lightly tugged at his collar. "…Here?" He asked, with a teasing smile.

Sera tilted her head in thought, then stripped his robe from him and cast it onto the grass, and pushed him down. "Yes," she said simply, and kissed him again.

…

"You gotta be shittin' me," Angel Dust gaped at the forest around them, mismatched eyes wide, "This is Eden? It's so…plain."

"Plain?" Charlie blinked, looking at the spider sinner incredulously, waving a hand at the ever-moving nature around them. "This?"

"Mortal minds can't comprehend Eden as it was," Emily interjected, wearing an incredibly sad expression, "You're probably seeing some variation of a forest that feels somewhat familiar, right?"

"…Yeah," Husk answered, moving his hat to scratch his head, "How'd you know?"

"Those who weren't there see the same thing; those like us, though," the Seraph gestured at herself and Charlie, "Can see it…almost how it was. Reality was…a lot more malleable, then."

The hooded figure knelt next to a young Adam, the First Man holding the First Snake in his hands, the snake he'd just Created. "Oh, Adam," they murmured, their voice carrying despite the noise of nature. They reached out like they wanted to cradle his face, and Charlie had the sudden violent urge to run up and wrest them away.

"Don't worry, Mister Snake! I'll make you a mate soon enough, and you can make all the little snakes you want!" The snake bobbed its head like it understood, and Adam giggled. It was such an innocent sound the Sinners had a hard reconciling it with the Adam they knew. The young Adam gasped delightedly, "I know someone who'd love to meet you!"

Then he looked down at the ground. "Do you know where Luciel is?" The grass rippled and the branches swayed, all in one direction. "Thank you!"

Adam gracefully rose to his feet, the snake winding down his arm and around his waist like a belt, and the First Man giggled again. "Snake hug!" He pumped his fists, and then took off.

He raced through the forest like it was flat ground, jumping over roots and mantling over branches that seemed to snatch at his waist length, silky black hair that shimmered with every color.

"Goddamn, he's fast," Husk muttered, swaying a little.

"Hey, I thought they didn't wear clothes in Eden?" Angel asked, somewhat disappointed.

"It's censored so weirdoes can't look at them when they're young and naked," Emily replied, giving Angel Dust an arch look. "Weirdos like you."

"Yeah, I got that."

Adam burst from the depths of the forest, whatever method they were using to follow him making the grass practically blur as he ran. Ahead of him was a tree, large with shady branches and bundles of fruit, but there were many different kinds; oranges growing next to pears and bananas, pineapples hanging next to pomegranates, and more still that looked like planets and galaxies and some that simply defied explanation.

At the base of the tree was an angel, holding a miniature galaxy in his hand that he was poking experimentally. Adam grinned and lowered himself, picking up even more speed.

"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy-Lucy-Lucy-Lucy-" He chanted, gaining volume. The angel jumped and looked in the opposite direction of Adam, confusion on his face, spotted cheeks dipping into a frown. "LUCY!"

Adam slammed into the angel with force that would've powderized a regular human but merely took the breath from the angel, who Adam had picked up and was swinging around like a combination of best friend and sack of rocks.

The angel laughed, hugging the First Man around the neck. "Hello to you too, Adam!" He replied, and Charlie's eyes bulged. She recognized that voice, young as it was.

"Good morning, Lucy!" Adam cheered, hugging the much smaller angel like a stuffed animal, Lucy freely returning the affection. "I've got something to show you!"

The First Man set the angel down, and they got a good look at the smaller of the two. He was short, a little over five foot, with golden blonde hair slicked back and a resting expression of knowing smugness, though it was friendly. He was handsome in a youthful way, too, with a blue spot on each cheek like he was permanently blushing. He was wearing an impeccably tailored suit, white with gold buttons and a sky blue inner lining and a mantle of black velvet around his shoulders, dotted with stars and galaxies.

"Is it this cute little guy?" Lucy, better known as Charlie's dad, Lucifer, said as he peered at the snake coiled around Adam's waist, who was peering right back, tongue flicking out to scent the air. "Hello, and what are you?"

Charlie giggled slightly hysterically, realizing that her father's height put him almost exactly at crotch height to Adam, and with the snake reaching out, it looked very much like Lucifer was talking (and now scratching) to something far lewder.

"He's a snake!" Adam unwound the snake and held him out proudly, "First I made a beaver and a pecker and a swallow but then I had an idea! And I'll explain…In song form!"

He set the snake on the ground and skipped away from it, turning back and getting low to the ground. "He's a snake, he's a snake, he's a slithery, slithery snake! They crawl on the ground, 'cause that's how they get around!"

The snake slithered towards him, bobbing his head in time to the song.

"And they unhinge their jaw, and they're always just so aww!" Adam jumped to his feet as the snake wound its way around his ankle and started up his leg, settling around his waist again, "And all they do is hug! Yeah!"

Lucy chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "That wasn't a very good song, Adam," he muttered, "Enthusiastic, though!"

"I'm just so excited!" Adam skipped up to the much shorter angel, sitting down with his back against the tree, "It's been a very good day so far, and even better now that you're here!" He grinned at the angel, nearly bouncing in place from sheer energy.

The angel sat a little higher up on the tree so that their shoulders were touching, leaning against the First Man, the snake slowly winding its way around their necks and looping them together. Lucy stroked the snake, his eyebrows shooting up. "Oh, I thought he'd be slimy," he mused.

"Nope, smooth," Adam said proudly, grinning as he started scratching his nails behind the snake's head, "Watch this, watch this!" He giggled as the snake yawned, the top of its head almost bending backwards to touch its back. "So cute!"

"It is adorable," Luciel agreed, running his hands along the snake, "I don't see any spikes, so I'm guessing it uses some method for hunting?"

"Mhm," the First Man nodded, "They're really quiet and can smell really good and can see heat, so they can sneak up on prey…and crush them to death in their coils." He chuckled menacingly, then brightened. "Death by hug!"

"Doesn't sound too bad, but maybe it needs something else? Some…venom, maybe? Fangs," Lucy held his fingers in front of his mouth, "Something to make the prey less bitey when it's getting hugged?"

Adam slumped. "Aww…but I wanted a creature that could only hug…" He looked so disappointed that even Alastor was seized by the disquieting urge to comfort him, but he then straightened with a smile, "Yeah, let's make some with fangs and venom! You're so smart, Lucy."

Lucy grinned in satisfaction, looking rather smug. "That's right, buddy," he tousled Adam's hair fondly, "What's this other thing you made, a beaver?" Their eyes met and something passed between them. "…Oh you used a platypus tail-"

Adam pressed a finger to his lips and shushed him with a giggle, "We aren't supposed to talk about that, remember?"

"Oh, right," they shared a secretive look and a laugh.

"So what've you been doing, Lucy?" The First Man asked curiously, "Something amazing, I bet!"

Luciel blinked hard, an anxious look flashing over his face. "That's right! I was building a whole new series of planets and worlds, decorated with nebulae and stars!" He held up a hand and grandly swept it before them as if painting a picture, "I call it…the Andromeda Galaxy!"

"Ooooh," Adam said, suitably awed, "…What's an 'Andromeda?'"

Lucy's eyes darted around. He swept his hand again, "…I don't know!" He revealed grandly, "I'll make something up later. Let me tell you about all I got up to-"

"Ugh, boring," the hooded figure grunted, tapping an invisible interface that made fast forwarded, the angel and the first man suddenly buzzing with movement as the former continued to talk and talk, the latter making awed noises and listening attentively, occasionally asking questions. Then at one point Adam reached up to a branch that bent down, retrieving some fruit that made Lucy blush, and the figure paused and rewound. "What's this?"

"-and that's why this Gas Giant is named 'Uriel!'" The angel finished, making Adam burst into laughter, the noise so rich and sweet it made the Sinners shudder and Emily smile sadly. Lucy opened his mouth to continue but coughed into his hand.

"Ah, I knew that you'd get thirsty eventually," the First Man nodded, tapping the trunk of the Fruit Tree with his knuckles, a branch lowering down to let him grab a pair of fruits from it, presenting one to the angel with a shy smile, "Besides the Snake and the other animals, I also created this, too."

Lucy took one, tilting his head curiously as he examined the fruit; it was a soft greenish-yellow and oblong from the side, but almost resembled a five-pointed star from the front. He split the skin with his thumb and bit into it, his eyes widening for a second. "Ooh, it's good!" He said, taking another bite, "What do you call this? I have an idea, if you don't already have a name."

"Well it's sweet and tangy and refreshing, plus it looks like a star…" Adam looked away shyly, stroking the snake, "I know we aren't supposed to name stuff after angels or ourselves, but…I was thinking of you when I made it. I call it a starfruit."

The future Lucifer looked at the First Man, agog. And then a big golden blush covered his cheeks as the angel stammered, stumbling over his words.

"…Sweet Jesus, Adam and Lucifer were bros," Angel Dust realized, an amazed expression on his face that swiftly turned to dread, "Shit, that explains so much about why Wing Daddy hates him so badly. Your dad broke the Bro Code, Charlie."

"The what?" Charlie asked confusedly.

"The Bro Code," Husk, Pentious and Alastor nodded understandingly, "One of the biggest rules: don't fuck your bro's girl. Only thing worse is his sister, then his mom, and then his girl all at once. Once that's broken, well…"

"…Spare me," the hooded figure grumbled, fast forwarding again.

The First Man and the angel leaned against each other, the former describing something, when the sky seemed to pulse with light and a deep tone reverberated throughout the ground.

As they looked up, it was only then that Charlie and the Sinners realized that there was no sun. "What…?" Husk breathed, "Where's the damned sun?"

"The sun's there, but it hadn't really been shaped into what it is today," Emily explained simply, as if the changing of a celestial body was as simple as changing clothes, "It was more just Light than anything else…though, specifically speaking that Light up there is the Light of Heaven. The sun was a replacement."

Before they could ask for further clarification, the memory continued.

"Oh, it's time for chores!" Adam cheered, carefully unlooping the snake around their necks and jumping to his feet. "Time for me to go, Lucy! I'll see you at dinner!"

"B-but Adam, I didn't get to tell you about this blue sun I made!" Lucy protested, pouting in disappointment, standing up and reaching out.

"Tell me after dinner!" Adam chirped brightly, "You know I love listening to you talk, but I don't want you to lose your voice or get bored of me! Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing anymore, you know? Or…treating yourself all the time is a good way to turn a treat into a trial, maybe."

"O-oh…" the angel slumped, dropping his hands, "…Where did that come from?"

"My brain!" The First Man said cheerfully, waving as he turned and ran into the forest. "Bye Lucy!"

"Bye…Adam," Lucy sighed, rubbing his neck. He was completely caught off-guard when Adam came sprinting back, picking the angel up into another massive hug and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "W-wha-?"

"Love you, Lucy!" Adam giggled, squeezing the angel and setting him down before running again, "Goodbye for real this time!"

He raced through the forest, long black hair trailing behind him like a streamer as he ran, agilely hopping over a giant brown bear as he went, which roared in his direction.

"If you don't want your nap interrupted, maybe sleep somewhere a guy can't stumble on you, like a cave!" Adam called back with a laugh.

He continued to run, slowing to a stop as he passed by a rather small, plain tree that unlike the other flora, sat completely still. Apples hung from the branches, but they were a dark, uninviting red…almost like blood, but darker still. He stopped, eyeing the fruits with distrust, before smiling as he bent down and patted one of the roots. "Hello, Roo! How are you?"

There was no response.

Adam nodded and started running, "Okay, bye!" As he went, he cupped his hands around his mouth, "I'm gonna be late, can you help me?"

Despite seemingly not calling to anything, a large pine tree ahead of him obligingly bent down, allowing him to jump onto the topmost branches before it launched him like a catapult, sending the first man flying through the air. "Thank you!" He shouted back, and the tree waved in response.

Adam flew through the air, arms outstretched without a care in the world, idly flapping his arms as he raced through the sky at terminal velocity. There was a sharp cry at his side and he smiled at a hawk flying next to him. "Hi, Mister Hawk! How are you and your mate getting along?"

The hawk shrieked.

"Wow, that's a lot of eggs!"

Another shriek.

"You do what to get them to fly?!" Before the bird could answer, Adam glanced down and found what looked like a farm, neat rows of fruit bushes and trees next to vegetable patches. "Oh, here's me! Bye, Mister Hawk!"

Adam tucked his arms and dove like a black-haired missile and even through the memory, the wind whipping around his head was deafening but still he grinned. As he approached the ground, tucked and flipped, a leg outstretched as he hit the descent of a hill and slid down over the grass. At the bottom of the hill stood a woman, her long white hair ending just below her rear as she looked out over the farm, unaware of The Man heading straight for her.

"Lily-Lily-Lily-LilyLilyLilyLILY!"

The woman started and spun around, her light purple eyes widening in surprise just as Adam scooped her up in his arms and spun her around, their diametric hair circling them. She laughed as he giggled and nuzzled her neck, her arms tight around his shoulders. "Hello to you too, Adam!" She said, bouncing lightly as he set her down before cupping his cheeks and pulling him in for a deep, loving kiss, humming happily as he returned it.

Charlie felt something like a rock or a knot somewhere between her heart and her stomach. The sheer happiness practically radiating from the two was wonderful…except that she knew how it ended. The question was…who's fault was it? The man she had feelings for? Or her absent mother?

She didn't look forward to finding out.

"I missed you, Lily," he murmured, running his hands through her hair.

"You saw me just hours ago," she replied, smiling up at him.

"I could be in your presence for hours and never tire," Adam said, kissing her one more time and stepping back, allowing the watchers to get a good look at Lilith, future Queen of Hell.

She was almost as tall as Adam, though about a head shorter. Her hair was longer than his and a subtle off-white that, like his, shifted through every color as she moved. She was, in a word, bodacious, curvy and attractive in such a way that even Angel felt compelled to lick his lips, but there was firm muscle underneath her soft curves. Her face was heart-shaped and noble, with slim eyebrows and eyes that carried a constant, half-lidded smolder and pink lips curved into a slight smile.

"And yet you sleep next to me at night," she pointed out with a laugh.

Adam frowned at himself. "…Oh, I guess you're right," he muttered, rubbing his cheek sheepishly, before perking up. "That just means you're comfortable, Lily!"

"As are you, Adam," she said, turning to look at the farm with a deep sigh, "And now we have to do these…tedious chores. Why couldn't we Create these to just pick themselves? How is that fair?"

"Well they aren't exactly alive," the First Man pointed out, rubbing his hands together gleefully, "Besides, we get to dig them out, wash them off, get the blood pumping and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of our labors! We worked hard to grow these, and later we'll eat them for dinner! What's not to love about that?"

"Toiling in the dirt…it's beneath us," Lilith complained, scowling as Adam began to pluck carrots from the ground with a practiced hand, leaving neat little holes in the ground. Well, they looked like carrots, but were a sharp purple color. "We're meant for more than this, Adam! Instead we're stuck in the Garden, playing in the dirt, creating creatures…don't you agree?"

"Nope!" Adam chirped, missing the flash of disbelief on her face focused as he was on his work, "I mean yeah, when the time comes, we'll be the King and Queen of Earth and all Mankind but that sounds like…a lot of work," he shuddered, "But it's not like Earth is ready yet, and neither are we!"

"Then when?" She asked sharply, crossing her arms, "Why do the angels get to decide we are ready? What gives them the right?"

"Lilith…" Adam gave her a concerned look over his shoulder, "The Angels made us…I think. They're older than we are, smarter, wiser…they know things we can't comprehend. And they're our friends. They love us! Why shouldn't we listen to them?"

Lilith scowled down at the ground like a scolded child. "…It's still beneath us," she muttered resentfully, "Getting dirt under my nails, and in…places…ugh."

"Lily," he shook his head with a smile, "How can it be 'beneath us?' We're made of dirt. We're not dirt anymore, but it's where we came from. And besides, if we never get dirty, there's no need to wash each other, is there?" He gave her a grin and waggled his eyebrows.

Lilith blushed, rubbing her arms. "I…suppose there's that," she allowed, sighing as she bent over a row and began to pick, a look of distaste on her face the whole time. Eventually, not even halfway through, she stopped. "I…have an idea!" She announced.

Adam, already nearly done, looked up at her. "What is it, Lily?"

"You're so much faster than me, Adam," she began, sending him a smoldering look, "And your fingers delve so deep, too! Mine are longer and more delicate…perhaps I should follow as you pick? I'll gather the crops as you go and bundle them, and we can plant the new seeds together!"

His eyes narrowed. "Lily, we're supposed to do our chores equally," he started slowly, "Pick, bundle, then plant."

"But Adam…" Lilith pouted, her eyes wide, "We aren't equal! We're different. You're so much stronger than I, but I'm better with the bundling…"

Adam gave her a searching look. "Will you enjoy our chores more that way?" he asked softly. At her nod, he brightened. "Okay then! Come on Lily, let's work!"

Husk sighed. "Nice to know women pulling the 'I'm a delicate flower' card is literally a timeless classic," he rolled his eyes and took a pull of his flask, "How much you wanna bet she does the whole, 'oh you're so strong, there's no way I could carry all this heavy stuff by myself!' card next?"

"Hey," Charlie said warningly, "That's still my mom. I don't think she'd do that, I mean, she's got muscle tone! And I've never had anyone else carry heavy stuff for me, that had to come from somewhere!"

Angel and Husk traded looks. "Charlie, hun, you're stronger than everyone here except maybe the Archangel," the former pornstar pointed out, and even Alastor nodded grudgingly. "And you never go shopping; which, as the guy with four arms who'd inevitably be the one to carry all your shit, thank you."

The hooded figure said nothing as they fast-forwarded again, though a bit slower than before. They got to watch a montage of Adam and Lilith working together, him pulling the vegetables from the ground, her gathering them in her arms and dropping seeds into the new holes and once she had an armful, the First Woman would pull a thread of iridescent white hair from her head and tie the plants into bundles, setting them aside.

Once they were done they moved on to the berry bushes, where another conversation was had, where Lilith reasoned Adam into weaving their hair together into a sort of bag. He would shake the bushes and she would hold the bag underneath to catch the ripe berries as they fell. After that came the fruit on the trees, where Lilith sat on Adam's shoulders, plucking the various fruits from the branches and dropping them into the bag he carried.

And after all that, they gathered the various bundles and bags and carried them to a cave, where they stored their goods. To Charlie's dismay, Lilith had, in fact, pulled the card Husk had mentioned and carried far less than what Adam did.

Then, they moved to a nearby pond. Adam had just dunked his head underwater while Lilith peeled a bundle of moss from a stone, moving up behind him-

CENSORED

Their vision turned black. "Oh come on!" The hooded figure cried, "I wanted to see that!"

"Pervert," Emily muttered, and Charlie nodded in agreement. She had no desire to watch the young version of her mom and the man she wanted fuck in a pond.

"Aw, man," Angel murmured, shrugging unrepentantly as the Archangel and the Princess of Hell glared at him. "I mean, come on, it's two almost literally perfect lookin' people goin' at it, that prolly counts as art or somethin'!" The other Sinners nodded in agreement. "Plus, you know…hot."

The blackness faded as the hooded figure sighed and jumped ahead. "…Oh."

Adam and Lilith were walking hand-in-hand in the forest, when a light flashed in front of them and the Archangel from one of Adam's other memories appeared. Unlike the two humans, she looked exactly the same. "Sera!" The First Man shouted joyfully, running forward to hug the angel ecstatically, missing the flash of anxiety from The First Woman, "I missed you!"

"And I, you, First Harmony," Sera replied, kissing Adam on the forehead. Her expression became one of disappointment as she turned to Lilith. "Second Harmony…I know what you did. You are supposed to handle your chores equally. You are not the Queen of those Hive insects, you are human and you are supposed to work as one."

"But…" Lilith pouted, "The work got done, didn't it? And Adam was happy to do things my way, and we got them done faster!" She looked to Adam for support, "Isn't that right?"

Adam squinted up to the sky. "…I suppose we are done earlier than normal," he nodded, only for Sera to lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Adam, you did more work than she did, you carried more and worked harder than you were supposed to. This was not fair to you," She explained patiently, before giving Lilith a stern frown. "The chores you were to do have been reset, Lilith, and you will complete them as instructed."

The First Woman slumped on herself, arms crossed. She peered at Adam from under the fringe of her white hair. "Adam-"

"-He is not to be involved," Sera interjected, holding a hand up to stop Adam from speaking. "Go now."

The First Man looked between the Archangel and the First Woman, jaw working soundlessly. Finally, he ducked his head. "…Okay," he shrugged sadly, "Sorry, Lily-"

Lilith spun on her heel and stomped off, a thunderous frown on her brow and eyes wet as she went, passing directly through Charlie.

As she disappeared into the forest, Adam turned to the Angel. "But Sera!" He protested, "Lilith was right, everything was done faster! It made her happy when I followed her ideas! We had fun with our chores, what…what did I do wrong?" He gave her a soulful look, eyes wide and pleading.

"Oh, Adam," Sera sighed, enfolding the First Man in her arms, "Your chores are meant to teach you the value of hard work, you understand this. Lilith…does not, but she must. W-when the time comes, and you must leave to rule the Earth, you will start with…nothing," with his face buried in her robes, he couldn't see the grief on her face as she spoke, "You must find, plant and tend your food without the help of Eden or Nature. Both of you. If Lilith doesn't know how, what will happen should you become h-hurt, or sick or…"

"…She would be in danger," Adam concluded, sighing, "I understand."

"Oh…" The hooded figure murmured.

"When you have children and a Kingdom to rule, her skills at leading and organizing will be invaluable, as will your tenacity. You will…complete each other, and rule as you should," the Archangel bit her lip, eyes sad as she ran a hand through Adam's hair, "Until such a time, you must both work hard and learn as much as you can. Okay, Adam?"

"Okay, I understand," he withdrew from her embrace, wiping his face on his arm and giving her a bright smile, "Thank you for explaining this to me. I love you, Sera."

"And I love you, Adam," Sera replied, kissing his forehead, "Now, walk with me and-"

"Bitch," the figure muttered as they fast-forwarded again, "None of that, no thank you."

Emily growled, hands clenched into fists as eyes opened on her arms, wings and on her chest, all glaring at the figure. Charlie put a hand on her shoulder and shook her head cautiously. The Archangel visibly swallowed her anger, the extra eyes blinking out. Nifty poked at her own chest as if another eye would pop out if she glared hard enough.

Alastor subtly adjusted his bowtie, glaring over his shoulder at Angel, Husk and Pentious ducking behind him, tapping his cane meaningfully.

The memory continued, showing Adam attempting to sneak back into the Farm, only for Sera to teleport next to him, shaking her head and pulling him away.

"He tried…" The figure said, lowering their head. Then they continued.

It was now nighttime. Adam was approaching a cave, the floor lined with soft moss and rushes. Deeper inside, her back to the entrance, was Lilith, her head resting on a primitive pillow. "Lily?" Adam asked softly, "Are you awake? You weren't at dinner, so I…" He sat down a short distance away from her, setting a plate of cooked vegetables nearby. "I bet you're hungry. Working hard builds the appetite, and I bet it would be satisfying to…uh, satisfy it."

"…Why didn't you help me?" Lilith asked quietly, accusingly, "Aren't we supposed to be equals, partners in all things?"

"Yeah, of course, Lily-"

"Then why did you take her side?!" The First Woman sat up and faced the First Man, a scowl on her beautiful features, "You're my Mate, not hers! You're supposed to defend me!"

"I-Lily, I did-"

"Then where were you?" She glared at him, crossing her arms, "You were with her, weren't you?"

Adam swallowed, nonplussed. "Well, y-yes, I tried to-"

"Then why?"

He sighed, rubbing his cheek, "Sera said-"

"Oh, 'Sera said!'" Lilith echoed mockingly, "Well, whatever she said, I'm sure it was ever-so important! Instead of spending time with me, you'd rather spend time with her, right?"

"N-no, Lily-"

She huffed and flopped back down, turning her back to him. "I want to be alone, Adam," she growled, "Go spend time with whoever, I don't care. Maybe they'll stroke your hair and call you a good boy?"

Adam sighed deeply. "We aren't pets, Lilith. The Garden teaches us, and we have to learn our lessons before we leave. I…" He paused, seeing as she had pulled the pillow over her head, "…Okay, Lily. I'll leave you alone. When you want to talk, I'll listen." He stood up, padding away softly, sadness written on his face as he looked back at her from the mouth of the cave. "…I love you, Lily." When she didn't respond, he walked away.

He missed Lilith reaching behind her, hand searching for him.

"I don't know what to do, Mister Snake," Adam said, petting the snake as it curled around his arm. "I don't know why Lily doesn't like it here, not as much as I do. Luciel, too. They both say we're meant for bigger things, greater things, but…" He threw his hand up, "Lucy paints the stars in the sky! Lily and I Create Life! One day, we'll Rule all of Earth, how much bigger and greater can you get?" He shook his head. "I just don't get why they see this place as some sort of…prison."

Adam looked up at the sky, biting his lip. "I guess…maybe I would like to see what's beyond the Garden, see the worlds Lucy made, and Earth…" The hooded figure gasped sharply as Adam snapped his fingers in realization, "That's it! Me, Lily and Lucy…we sneak out! Just for a little bit, just to see what's out there! They'll get to explore, I'll get to keep them safe, and when we've seen everything we want to, we can come right back! Maybe being away from the Garden for a time will make them appreciate it more?"

The snake looked at him, tongue flicking out.

"You're right, Mister Snake," Adam nodded, "Outside of the Garden is dangerous and scary, so we should be prepared. I'll…dry some food…or a lot of food, hide it somewhere, with something to carry it in and when it's ready, I'll surprise them! Though…" He looked up at the night sky, "Earth won't be very exciting until it settles…"

The Sinners looked up and gasped. What they thought had been the Moon, if super-sized, was actually…Earth. The continents visible on the planet were closer together, the landmass itself colored in white, gray and black, the oceans a sickly gray-green.

"…I just hope it doesn't take very long."

The figure collapsed to their knees, pausing the memory. "Oh, Adam…" They whimpered, tears hitting the ground in front of them, "You wanted to…surprise…leave…you…" They began to sob into their hands.

Charlie gave Emily a concerned look, who shrugged back helplessly before tilting her head at the young, frozen Adam. "I didn't know he wanted to leave," she murmured, playing with her sleeve, "Well, with…them, but still. The things people do for…love."

The figure slowly stopped crying, wiping their face on their sleeve. "I don't want to see this," they muttered, tapping the interface, "But…I need to." They pressed forward.

Charlie, Emily and the Sinners watched in horrified fascination as the First Relationship began to break down in front of them. The distance between Adam and Lilith grew, the humans seeking company with the Angels instead of each other; he went for Sera, and she went for Luciel.

"I just don't know why," Adam whimpered miserably, leaning against Sera's shoulder, "I've been trying to listen to Lily, to be there for her, but…it's like she doesn't like me anymore…maybe I should make her something?"

"Perhaps, Adam…"

And then the memory skipped forward again as Adam spoke to various angels, animals and even plants, asking them for small pieces that he then took and turned into thread somehow, weaving the threads into the beginnings of a blanket.

Charlie saw what he was making, and felt her stomach plummet through the floor.

It was hard to tell how many days and nights passed, but eventually the blanket was ready. It was a thick thing, somewhere between wool and cotton, with esoteric shapes along the edge and pattern of Earth and what must've been the Garden in the middle. "There we go, all done!" Adam hugged the blanket, rubbing his face against it, "Soft, hardy…we can cuddle under it, or use it as a shelter…it'll be perfect to take with us when we explore!" He pulled a few of his hairs from his head and wove them into it, "This will make things better, I'm sure of it!"

The hooded figure sobbed, and Charlie felt bile in her throat.

Adam rolled the blanket up and skipped through the forest, humming happily as he went. His joy faded as he found Lilith, sitting and talking with Luciel, the two of them sitting very close together. "…Lily?" He asked, making the two blondes look up at him, "Can I talk to you?" He gave the angel a small smile, "Alone, please."

"No, I don't think so," Lilith replied flatly, "I trust Luciel. You can say what you want to me. What is it, Adam?"

The First Man licked his lips, holding out the blanket, "I made you a gift," he said, "I know…things haven't been…harmonious-"

"And who's fault is that?" Luciel asked pointedly, a smug smirk on his face.

Adam frowned at him. "I thought maybe this would help. It's a blanket!" He perked up, smiling as he started to explain the various functions, only to be interrupted.

"Oh, that's not too bad," Luciel nodded condescendingly, tapping his chin in thought before snapping his fingers. Another blanket, this one larger, more advanced with golden threading and patterns of stars and galaxies on white thread appeared on the grass next to them, "Look Lilith, I made one, too! Isn't this nicer than Adam's?"

"Ooh, it's pretty…and soft, too!" Lilith nodded, sitting next to the angel, their thighs touching as she ran her hands over the surface, "Don't you think this one's better, Adam?"

Adam gaped at them, his outstretched hands falling in front of him. "I…" He gulped, eyes wide and wet.

"It's better, right buddy?" Luciel asked leadingly, "Come feel it, I bet it's way softer than that one."

"It is better, Luciel, I agree," the First Woman nodded again, turning back to Adam, "Right, Adam?"

The First Man looked between them, hurt clear on his face. "…I spent a lot of time gathering the materials, threading them together. I got hair and wings and fur and parts from every plant and animal we Created, separately and apart, I made these designs to symbolize-"

"-ooh, sounds itchy," the angel interjected with a theatrical shudder, "If you needed some help, Adam, you could've just asked me!" He gave Lilith a nudge, "Wouldn't be the first time he's needed my help-"

"-Don't you have some stars to make?" Adam asked flatly, his face almost blank, "Somewhere far away from here?"

"Adam!" The First Woman snapped, "Don't be rude to Luciel!"

The First Man gave her an incredulous look. "He-I…" His jaw clenched as he stared at them. "Is that what you want me to say?" He asked softly, "I poured my heart into this gift, to show you how much I love you and everything we've done. Would it really make you happy for me to say his is better, the one he made by snapping his fingers and willing it into existence instead of actually working on it?"

Lilith glanced away, face uncertain.

"I mean, yeah," the angel nodded smugly.

"…Fine," Adam said, simply and flatly, "Your blanket's better, Luciel. Superficial and vacuous, but sure, it's pretty."

"Adam…" Lilith warned softly.

"Ooh, big words, Adam," Luciel grinned sharply, "Do you actually know what those words mean, or are you gonna ask Sera to explain once you leave us alone?"

Adam swallowed thickly, his eyes shiny with moisture. "…I just wanted to give you this, Lilith," he murmured, letting the blanket drop to the ground, "And I did. I know when I'm…not wanted."

"About time," the angel nodded, shooing the First Man away, "Go see if one of the other angels will give you a treat for being such a good boy."

The First Man turned and began to walk away, then stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "I know what those words mean, Luciel," he said softly, "I learned them from you."

The angel sat up, frowning. "And what's that supposed to mean?!"

Adam said nothing and walked away, his face crumpling as he silently began to cry.

Behind him, Lilith reached out and grabbed the rolled-up blanket, pressing it to her nose and breathing it in, smiling softly. It was marred by an expression of anxiety and uncertainty.

Charlie moaned, her stomach like a bottomless pit, but she couldn't look away. Emily's face wore nothing approaching a smile, but sorrow and realization. The Sinners weren't much better off. Whatever their feelings for or toward Adam, seeing what had once been a loving relationship collapse in on itself was not fun.

The hooded figure groaned into their hands. "No, no, no," they were mumbling, "No, why?"

Later, Adam sat by himself in a clearing, the snake wrapped around his neck and shoulders in a comforting hug, its tongue flicking against his cheek. "I don't know," he muttered, sniffling, "I thought it would help, but…it just…I made things worse, and I didn't mean to…" Adam scrubbed his face with the back of his hand, "I…maybe because…I've been hiding? Hiding things, even a surprise, that's bad, right?"

The snake rubbed against his cheek.

"I think…I'll just tell them about leaving for a bit, show them the food and stuff I've got, maybe we can…" He sighed, "I don't know if I want to be out there with them like this, though. Maybe…I'll just tell them and lay it all out. Yeah, I'll do that."

The figure moaned, a sound of pure despair.

Adam had just gotten to his feet when…something happened.

…one…

…wha…

…done…

…What…

…Done…

What have…

…you Done…

…What Have You…

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

It wasn't a voice or a sound but a force that swept through everything, the shadows becoming darker, the world becoming less dreamy, less malleable, less…safe.

Adam stumbled and collapsed to his knees, vomiting onto the grass. "Wh-what?" He mumbled shakily, spitting, "What did I…do?" His eyes rolled and he blinked, trying to focus before his face twisted in pain, a hand rising to touch his chest, "My…heart…I…Lily?"

"Oh no…" Angel Dust whispered, covering his eyes with his hands, "I can't watch…"

"Where's…Lily?" Adam slurred, the grass remaining utterly still. "F-fine, I'll find her myself…" He stumbled to his feet, the world tilting underneath him, the grass trying to entangle his legs, "Stoppit! Stop…Lily?"

He walked through the trees like a drunk, swaying with every step and yet he soldiered on, using the trees to prop himself up. As he went, he could hear voices. Shouting. Screaming that seemed to echo throughout the trees and the grass.

"H-hold on, Lily," Adam pushed forward, nearly collapsing against a tree, and looked around the trunk.

All of the Archangels were there, standing in a semi-circle around…Luciel and Lilith. But the Angel, the Painter of the Stars…was naked. And Lilith…was crouched on the ground, the blanket he made wrapped around her, her eyes wide with fear.

"-not allowed, you knew this!" Sera hissed, "And still, you commit this…this sacrilege?!" Her eyes blazed, multiple more glaring at the two on her wings, body and face, her halo casting her features in stark white, practically snarling with rage. "And you, Lilith, you…whore."

Lilith opened her mouth to speak, only to swallow her words as every eye of every angel turned to her.

"I trusted you!" Seraphiel shouted, the air shaking around her, "We all trusted you! And you…you did this! To Adam-!" She straightened, eyes wide as she looked at Gabriel, "Find Adam, keep him away from this, he can't…" her jaw dropped in horror as the First Man stumbled up behind Luciel and Lilith, his eyes glazed and skin pale.

"W-what's goin' on?" He mumbled, sweat dotting his forehead, "L-Lucy? Lily? I…you…mated?" He gestured almost drunkenly at the two of them, then at himself, "But…Lily's my mate…we were…made for each other?"

Luciel raised his hands, shame and anxiety paired with desperation on his face. "Adam, buddy, this…it isn't what it looks like!" He protested, and another wave of something rushed through the air.

"You dare?!" Metatron roared, each of his eyes with many, many more pupils glaring at the angel, "You dare speak…falsehood here?!"

Adam blinked in disbelief. "Things…can be false?" He asked, mostly to himself, hand coming up to clutch his head.

"Adam, listen-!" Luciel reached out to grab Adam by the shoulders, only for the Snake to wrap around his wrist before there was a blur and Sera stood away from them, the First Man halfway hidden behind her, the serpent dangling from Lucy's arm in a vain attempt to crush it.

"Don't you dare speak to him! Not after what you've done!" Sera raged, "You've poisoned it! Everything! You…Created Concepts…" Her eyes narrowed, "You both did. Is that why you've committed such heresy? Power? Was Painting the Stars not enough for you? Was the First Man and dominion over Earth not enough for you?!"

"Whore." Jophiel murmured, her face composed but her jewel-like eyes flashing rapidly through colors.

"A-Adam, please," Lilith wept, her eyes red, "I-I didn't mean for this to happen, I-!"

"Betrayer," Michael spoke.

"Traitor." Uriel growled.

"Liar." Gabriel said.

"Breaker." Raphael snarled.

"For what you have done…" The Archangels spoke as one, looming over the two, Adam swaying on the spot, his eyes wide and confused.

"Wait, please!" Luciel begged, "Just let me explain!"

"There is but one punishment."

"Adam, please!" Lilith pleaded, reaching towards the First Man, "Help me!"

"Exile."

"S-stop! Please, I can-"

"Until such time as you have atoned."

"Adam, I love you! Please, this was a mistake, please stop them!" The First Woman cried.

"YOU WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN EDEN AGAIN."

The Archangels pointed at the two and they became screaming balls of gray light that were flung into the sky, their cries echoing.

Adam finally collapsed and vomited again, Sera instantly kneeling by his side. "W-wha…Sera…what's…happen-" Something washed over everything and Adam convulsed.

"We need to leave!" Gabriel called urgently, racing over to grab Sera's arm, "We can't stay here, the Concepts are settling into Reality!"

"No! I can't leave him like this!" Sera cried, reaching for Adam even as Michael grabbed her around the waist, "Adam!"

"S-Sera…? Why…leaving?"

"Our presence is only making it worse, we must leave now!" Metatron shouted, vanishing in a beam of light.

"Adam, no!" Sera struggled even as the other Archangels vanished one-by-one. "Adam!"

And then she too vanished.

Adam was alone.

"I don't…understand…" He pushed himself up to his knees, "Lily…Lucy? What did-"

A wave of darkness washed over the ground, rippling up through Adam's body, his skin stretching and distorting like worms had crawled underneath.

LIES.

His ears began to bleed, pupils dilated and trembling. "That Which Is False, Presented As True."

Another wave.

INFIDELITY.

Tears of crimson dripped down his cheeks. "That Which Was True, Made False." His voice was flat and dead.

BETRAYAL.

Blood ran from the corners of his mouth. "Trust, Twisted." His body trembled and shook, foam on his lips.

Then the waves of darkness ceased. Adam's eyes rolled up into his head, and he collapsed onto the grass in an unmoving heap.

"That's why…" Charlie murmured as the memory faded, the hooded figure sobbing again, "Adam didn't defend them…because he couldn't. He…they…" Her eyes burned as she recalled the blanket her mother had hidden under, the blanket Adam had made.

"I…Holy shit," Husk breathed, massaging his temples, "What was that? I'm no doctor, but that looked like an aneurysm…on steroids."

"It was Concepts, settling into Reality and becoming part of it," Emily explained sadly, her sorrow-filled eyes fixed on the unconscious memory of Adam, "Imagine what you would be like, living in a world with no concept of color. Not black and white, but no color whatsoever. Then imagine what it would feel like to live your entire life like that, and then…see every color, all at once. Now imagine that happening…three times, one after the other."

Pentious hissed sympathetically, unconsciously rubbing one of his eyes. "That sounds quite…painful," he said quietly.

"It really is a good thing the Archangels left," the young Archangel continued with a half-shrug, "Not all Concepts apply to Angels, but especially those like me. If they'd stayed, even just Sera…there would've been no saving him. His soul would've dissolved under the pressure."

Charlie bit her lip, a tear running down her cheek. She wanted to say something, anything…The History of Hell had been told to her, she'd read it so many times she could recite it from memory, but what she'd just seen…the book hadn't described anything like it. She was already painfully aware that some or maybe all of it was false…but the proof right in front of her was no comfort. "That blanket…" She murmured, "I…I've seen it before."

"What?" Angel Dust looked up, eyes wide, "Where?"

The Princess swallowed thickly. "…On my bed, back in the room I grew up in," she admitted, wincing as Emily and the Sinners looked at her in surprise and dismay, "I was…swaddled, in it."

"…Sweet, Salty Christ," the spider murmured.

The memory came back as Adam groaned, his eyes flickering open, dried blood sticking his face to the grass. "What…what happened?" He mumbled, slowly sitting up and clutching his head, "I…was…Lily? Lucy?" He called, voice tremulous and unsure.

There was no answer. The trees and the grass sat perfectly still.

Adam was alone.

"B-but, I was…and they were…" He cast his eyes about, as if the Archangels and Lilith were about to jump out from behind a tree. He looked up, and saw a pair of what looked like meteors burning their way towards Earth. "Lily…Lucy…S-Sera? Gabriel? Jophiel? Uriel? Michael? Metatron?! Raphael?!"

His voice had risen to a desperate shout, but there was no answer.

Adam was alone.

"Someone, please…" Adam looked up at Earth, tears running down the dried blood on his cheeks, "…What did I do wrong?"

And the memory paused. "Oh, Adam," the hooded figure murmured, reaching out as if to cup his cheeks, "I never knew…I should've-"

"Alright, that's it," Emily growled, stomping forward, letting the illusions hiding them from view fade, "Who are you, and how do you have access to-!"

The figure shot up and spun around with a gasp. "END!" They shouted, swiping a hand.

Before the world faded away, Charlie could've sworn she saw purple eyes under that hood.

…

Charlie sat up with a gasp, her eyes snapping open. They were in the library of The Happy Hotel, her hotel. She looked around at the Sinners sitting up in their chairs, rubbing their heads and groaning. Her eyes found the crystal that contained Immaculara, and everything she'd seen within.

Charlie pitched forward and threw up on the carpet. A warm hand rubbed her back, a glass of water pushed towards her face. "M'fine," she moaned, the hotel already cleaning itself up, rinsing her mouth with the water, "Thanks, Va-" She looked up and realized it wasn't her girlfriend, it was Emily comforting her.

"Sorry about that, viewing a prism for the first time can leave you kinda dizzy," she said sheepishly.

"Yeah…" Charlie checked her ring and gaped at the time, "It's only been two hours? It felt way longer than that!"

"The prisms project the memories directly into your head and thoughts move a lot faster," the Archangel answered, pressing her fingertips together and making the prism vanish in a flash of light, "I hope this was an illuminating experience for all of you, but there's something I've been putting off that I need to do. Keep doing what you've been doing, guys! I believe in you!"

Emily gave them all a bright smile, gave Charlie a hug and ruffled Nifty's hair, then opened a portal and stepped through.

"You know, everything we just saw," Husk started, fidgeting with his flask, "I can't help but notice that all of those things, all of them combined…that was barely a fraction of Adam's life. I think…I'm not sure I want to know the rest."

"Makes you wonder about his mental state, doesn't it?" Alastor pointed out, an odd mix of cheerful and thoughtful, "Why, if I had to say, I'd imagine he isn't quite sane at all."

"Yeah, but that's you saying that," Angel pointed out, his hands on his temples.

"And you're an asshole," Pentious added, his hat on the table as he looked at the scales on his arm.

"My point exactly," the Radio demon said simply, tapping his cane on the ground.

"…I need a drink," the bartender muttered, standing up from the table. "Charlie…are you alright? Hearing about it is one thing, seeing it…"

The Princess gave them a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, lying badly, "I just…I'd like some time to myself…"

"If you're sure," he said, patting her on the shoulder.

Eventually, Charlie was alone. She moved into one of the chairs by the fire, one she'd shared with Adam, and curled up in it. She tried to ping the First Man.

Message blocked. Dickmaster is set to Do Not Disturb.

She sighed, pulling the ring off and trying something she hadn't before; a one-way video call. With a flick of her wrist, the ring flew in front of her and expanded, almost like a portal. On the other side, she could see Adam standing at the Pearly Gates, welcoming new people into Heaven with a smile, though the Archangel next to him kept glaring at him when he wasn't looking.

Charlie smiled, watching Adam pick up an older woman and give her a hug. She settled into her chair and watched the First Man in the current day, scars and bags and all, her stomach settling and her heart warming. Eventually her eyes fluttered shut and she fell asleep. The ring collapsed in on itself and fell, bouncing off of the carpet and back onto her finger.

…

Adam extricated himself from Sera's arms, smiling as she groaned in dismay and reached for him. "Sorry, Sera," he whispered, kissing her hand, "I'd love to stay, you know that, but my Ladies would pitch a fit me being in Heaven and not seeing them."

"I know…" She sighed, stroking his knuckles, "I will cherish your fading warmth and the time we've spent together…" She smiled and swept her blanket aside, revealing her nude form, "And hope you hurry back. Come Sunday, I will have a need of you…throughout the night, and into the morning."

Adam swept his eyes over her body, drinking in the drying sweat, the subtle teeth marks where he'd lost himself and bitten into her dark skin to her pleasured gasps, and the light golden flush to her skin as even after the hours they'd spent together, she was still willing and wanting. He pressed himself against her, sinking into the softness of her body as he pressed his lips to hers, running a hand down the back of her neck and along her spine, between her wings and resting on the curve of her hip.

"Tempting," he growled into her lips, before sighing and nuzzling her cheek, "I love you, Sera."

"And I love you, Adam," Sera smiled softly as they shared a look. He stroked her hair one last time then stepped back and vanished.

Most times Adam was in Heaven, even at his laziest, he still tended to fly. As he'd said before, flying was one of the best things about having wings and Hell wasn't very conducive to a nice, peaceful flight. There was something he needed to do, however.

Adam appeared inside of his home, the Eradicator's compound, letting his hand brush over the familiar stonework. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. "Ladies!" He called a greeting.

"ADAM!"

It was always a pleasant experience, being dog piled by fifty-three women, especially when Lute forwent her usual cold front and dove in with the rest. Adam wrapped as many as he could in his arms and many more in his wings, kissing and nuzzling whoever managed to wriggle to the front as they peppered smooches on his cheeks.

"Yes, I missed you too, of course I did," he replied, sitting up as Pansy managed to shove Hinata off him and claim a spot on his arm, her white and purple hair tickling his chin, "You needy bitches do this every time I walk in the door," he said fondly, nuzzling Left behind her ear as the angel giggled.

"Well maybe you should stop leaving, then," Solemn chirped impishly, hugging him around the waist.

"If only babes, if only," he sighed, his good mood fading a bit. Sensing the change in his mood, his beautiful battle babes withdrew and let him take a seat, flocking around him sprawled on couches, chairs, beanbags and each other. Pansy remained glued to his side, Lute standing next to him with her arms crossed. "…Alright, there's something I've got to tell you, and it won't be fun to hear…but you know I'll always be honest with you, because I love you, ladies."

"We love you too, Adam," they replied, smiling softly.

"Is this about Sera?!" Freya squealed, cupping her cheeks as she grinned, almost bouncing in place, "I knew you two would get back together!"

"Fuckin' A, sister," Ficus, who's lap Freya was occupying, muttered and worked a pinky in her ear, "Volume control."

Adam gave them a dry look. "I knew I felt you watching us, Freya," he said, reaching over to pat her golden head, "Bet you were giving everyone else a play-by-play, too."

She nodded unrepentantly. "I loved the song, too!"

"Me too," Cardamon nodded stately, legs crossed like a queen holding court.

"Could've used a bit more guitar, I think," Heck added, brushing her red hair back.

"You say that about every song," Gladii pointed out, bracketed by the twins Right and Left but not by Twins, who wasn't twins but had a singularly spectacular pair of twins herself.

"No, not about me and Sera, though I'm definitely gonna share the fuckin' details later!" The angels whooped excitedly, trading high-fives. Adam sighed, licking his lips. "No…it's about…something else. I…I have caught feelings for…Charlotte Morningstar. Charlie. I…she's told me she likes me, and…I like her. A lot."

His eyes had dropped to his lap, and he slowly looked up at the gathered Eradicators.

"God-dammit!" Rebel shouted, flinging her hands into the air and jabbing a finger at Adam, "You couldn't have waited until Sunday?! I was about to make these bitches do the dishes for a year!"

"Oh come on!" Pansy cried, wrapping her arms around Adam's neck and attempting to shake him, "I had you down for Hate-Fucking the Traitor and turning her back to our side with the Mastery of your Dick!"

Adam blinked, looking around at the angels incredulously, seeing them ribbing each other good-naturedly and trading slips of paper. "…What?"

"How do you think I feel?" Australia asked, soft voice carrying throughout the room, "I had Adam and Alastor down for a 'Deer and Hunter Roleplay.'"

The First Man shuddered. "What?!" He turned and shoved his face into Pansy's tits and rubbed his cheeks against them just to scrub the thought out of his head. "The Fuck, Australia?! He's a cannibal, I wouldn't stick my dick anywhere near those teeth!"

"Damn right!" Several Eradicators cheered.

The angel who had a continent named after her merely smiled mysteriously. "You never know…"

"No," Adam said firmly, before slumping a little, "I…girls, were you betting on this?"

The angels traded fond, exasperated looks. "No shit, Adam," Ficus replied with a shrug and a smile, "It's you. You got lost at sea once and came back with a mermaid on each arm and their father trying to get you to become the King. And, well, we all know you like the crazy ones."

Every single angel nodded in agreement. They were living proof of that.

The First Man sighed, hugging Pansy and letting his cheek rest on her head. "Yeah, but this is Hell, and Charlie is…you all know who she fucking is, what she is…"

"Yeah, she's fucking nuts," Ubel gave him an incredulous shrug, "One and one make two."

Adam wasn't sure what to say. "…Who bet on Charlie, then?"

Rebel raised a hand, as did Bastille, Sanguinara, The Devourer of Blood, Ficus, Gladii and Heck. There was a shuffling of paper as several slips were handed to Lute; at Adam's expression, she smiled slightly. "I was the only one who had you down as admitting it before the concert," her eyes softened, "You've always loved quickly, Song of My Heart."

"Know me better than I know myself," he murmured, reaching over to take her hand. The angels gave wistful sighs, watching them with smiles.

"So!" Freya clapped her hands excitedly, "When do we get to meet her properly? It's been so long since we've run The Gauntlet on a new girl! There was…her," her eyes narrowed and several Eradicators hissed, "But that bitch never even tried. Before that was Devo, and she barely got halfway through!"

"Tisn't my fault, I was not prepared!" Devo cried dramatically, waving a hand and nearly spilling her screaming-silver-skull goblet of Divine Sanguine Wine (apple and pomegranate juice) all over Yari's lap, "Thy foul sisters of mine knew I was reeling from Immaculara!"

"Yeah, that's why The Gauntlet comes after, dipshit," Heck pointed out, smirking as she licked her lips, "I wanna know too, when are we getting our hands on The Princess?"

Adam pulled himself away from a whining Pansy who started kissing his neck instead, rolling his eyes in thought. "Uh…you…won't? She's with Vaggie, they're girlfriends." He refrained from telling them about the troubles Charlie had confided in him, it wasn't their business.

The angels stared at him. "WHAT?!" Hinata cried shrilly, "That-she would rather be with that…that traitor than with you?! Is she stupid?!"

"Hey…"

"Alright, that means Adam/Nifty is still in the running!" Geist shouted triumphantly, giving Rebel the finger, "Eat it, bitch!"

"Say what?!" Adam recoiled.

"Nah, it's Chadam all the way!" Heck called back, cracking her knuckles with a grin.

"Keekink!" Gladii cheered gleefully.

"Fools, the Hunter and Hunted roleplay is still on the field," Australia threw her head back with a laugh.

"What?!"

"Fuck off, we all know the OTP is Adam/Sera!" Freya gleefully splashed gas on the fire.

"Adam," Pansy pulled Adam's chin down to look into her wide, pleading eyes, "It's almost my birthday, you know? I know you can Turn the Traitor! Do it for me, please?"

Sanguinara darted in and picked Pansy up, throwing her into the developing scrum of angelic beauties with a shout of, "Imbecile! GuitarPrincess all the way!" And then jumped in.

Lute tugged on his wing, pulling Adam away from the main room where several angels wrestled on the floor, clothes already flying off as the others cheered and hooted, someone beginning to construct a wrestling pit full of jell-o, as was standard. "Wha-Lute?" He blinked, reaching back towards the Eradicators, "Hey, it's turning into a full-on clusterfuck, you know how those end!"

"Of course, and I enjoy them greatly," Lute nodded stoically, leading him down the hall to His Room, which was different from Their Room, "But someone has already claimed you for themselves this night."

"Ah," Adam settled and followed her, clasping her hand in his. "…Lute?" He began quietly, "Are you…disappointed?"

His oldest companion sighed, turning to face him outside of his room. "No, Adam," she shook her head, "In fact, I'm glad I still understand your heart. I…simply hope for her sake that this isn't some sort of scheme. If she hurts you…" Lute bit her lip, letting her hand rest on his chest.

"You don't have to worry about Charlie's honesty," he said softly, "But I understand, my love." He picked her up under the arms, holding her up to his level with her back pressed against the wall, and kissed her firmly.

"Don't tempt me," Lute moaned into his ear, her fingers on the nape of his neck, "Go see to your visitor, Song of My Heart. I will see you tomorrow night."

Adam set her back down with one last smooch, stroking her cheek before stepping into his room. "Hello?"

A pair of arms wrapped around his neck from behind, a sweet, familiar scent hitting his nose just before her voice reached his ears. "Adam!" Emily greeted with a joyous squeal, hugging him from between his wings, "I missed you!"

"I missed you too," he murmured, pulling her around to embrace her properly then setting her on the floor, "So, you've 'claimed' me for the night, then? How'd you manage that?"

The youngest Archangel looked up at him pleadingly, eyes large and almost tearful as she held up a flower. "…Please?" She asked softly.

"Fuckin' ow, that makes sense," he clutched at his heart as she giggled, plucking the flower from her hand and tucking it behind her ear, "So what's up, Emi-phim?"

Emily looked up at him, her smiling fading slightly. "Do you remember that night, when you told us about the hotel?"

"Yeah. You want to get some more dodo and hit up the beach again?" He grinned, "See the continuing adventures of the Milk Maiden? Or-"

"No, w-well, yes," she bobbed her head, "Of course I'd love to spend more time with you, but that wasn't what I…" She shook her head and glared up at him, "I'm talking about afterwards. I heard you, you know?"

Adam's expression became blank, his hands unconsciously half-curling. "Heard what?"

"You tucked me in, brushed my hair…" She reached out to take his hands, her fingers so small compared to his, "…I said I love you." Emily glanced up at him, "And you said…you weren't worthy of it."

The First Man tried not to grimace; he hadn't realized he'd said it aloud. "So?" He offered bluntly.

She blinked. "'So?'" She echoed, surprisingly a scowl on her face, "Who said that to you? Who's been telling you that you aren't w-worthy of my love?"

Adam pulled his hands from hers and crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. His eyes were guarded. "What would you do if I told you, hm, Emi-phim?"

Emily squinted at him, hands balling into fists as her dark blue eyes glimmered with anger, "I…I would kick their ass!" She declared, punching her palm and nodding, "No one talks to you like that, Adam! No one."

Despite himself, his lips twitched. Even angry, she's the cutest thing in Heaven.

"It was me," he said simply, "I said it. Or told it. However that goes."

Her hands fell to her sides, eyes wide. "Y-you did? Why…why would you say that?"

Adam's wings lay limply on the floor, looking down and away from the Seraph. "…Because it's true," he said with a shrug.

Emily huffed, spinning away from him sharply, reaching up to tug on her white-blue locks. "You…you…" She sniffled, sounding near tears. Adam winced, expression resigned.

Then she spun back around and kicked him squarely in the shin.

"Ow!" Adam yelped, hopping on one foot as he clutched his throbbing leg, "Why does this hurt so much-?"

Emily ducked down, lashing out with her foot to hook around his ankle and yanking it out from under him, sending the First Man to the floor on his back. The air rushed from his lungs and before he could take a breath, she jumped onto his stomach, seized him by the collar and kissed him, hard.

It didn't surprise Adam that her lips tasted sweet. Not quite airy or sugary as a marshmallow, but sweet all the same. The surprising part was when she dug her small fingers into his jaw, his lips opening in a gasp before she slipped her tongue between them to plunder his mouth. Her moist muscle met his, curling around it in an embrace before pulling their locked tongues into her maw, her lips smacking as she sucked on it.

She pulled back from him with an almost comical pop, salvia trailing from her chin, her eyes bright and fierce even as her cheeks were flushed with gold. "You don't get to say whether you deserve it or not, Adam," she whispered, pecking his lips, "My heart is mine, and I'll give it who I want…and I want you. I have…for a long time."

He gulped, heart thundering in his chest, his hands engulfing her waist, hips and rear. "I…Emily, I-"

"Do you remember when we met?" She cut across, trailing her hand down his cheek as a fond smile curled her lips.

"Y-yeah…" Adam blinked, "I was…there when you were born, Emily, doesn't that make this w-"

Emily swallowed his words with her tongue and lips, pressing against him as if to meld them into one. "I'm not human," she murmured, nuzzling his nose with hers, "I existed and was aware for far longer than I've had a shape, Adam…do you remember what happened?"

More Than Two-Hundred Years Ago…

Adam idly scratched his ear, trying to clear the ringing from it after Sera had practically shouted at him point-blank, yanking on one of the horns of his mask and almost ripping it off of his head until he'd discarded it. "Fuckin' A, tryin' to break my goddamn neck or something…" He muttered, resisting the urge to tug his collar up to hide his face. He'd worn the mask for so long it felt like his real face, especially since he didn't need to take it off to eat.

Sleeping with horns was a bitch though.

"Shush, Adam!" Sera shot sharply, glaring, "A new Archangel is about to be born! Cease your swearing, this is a momentous occasion!" The other Archangels nodded, their eyes fixed on the Arch before them.

"…uptight cunts," he murmured, yawning and blinking as he too looked ahead.

In the center of Heaven, rising as two golden spires that curled around each other was a feature that the Angels sometimes called The Empyrean, The Arch and several other things. The tips of the spires twined around, almost forming into the shape of a heart…and at the center of that heart was Light. Pure Light, the Radiance of Heaven, the Holy Heart of Harmony. A ball of light that beats like a heart, each pulse singing pure notes of Song that made the heart swell. The Archangels sang wordless hymns and despite the brightness stared directly into the light.

The Heart was beating faster and faster, the Light flashing through colors unimaginable, the Song reaching a crescendo and shining so brightly that Adam had to cover his eyes.

The Archangels gasped in joy and Adam looked up, peering between his fingers.

There was an Angel standing before the heart, her hands folded over her chest and a peaceful expression on her face. She was almost as tall as Sera but not quite, almost as curvy as Sera but not quite, her features softer and gentler than the First Seraph. Her wings, six in number, were spread, holding her aloft from the ground, and a simple white halo hung over her blue-white hair.

"Hello, newest Archangel," Sera greeted softly, stepping forward with her arms spread, "Welcome to Heaven. We are so profoundly glad to meet you. What is your name?"

The newest Archangel gently floated down before them, but slowly turned away from Sera and the Seraphim as they had stepped forward. She faced towards Adam, who was loitering uneasily in the back, a void in his stomach despite the momentous occasion. And then her feet touched the ground.

Her eyelids snapped open, and their eyes met. They were dark blue, with no pupils and light blue sclera, shining with pure happiness as her cheeks crinkled in a wide, ecstatic smile. She skipped over to Adam, grabbed both of his hands and said, "Hello! I'm Emiphiel, and I'm here to bring you joy!"

He looked down at her, pure surprise on his face, his jaw working soundlessly. "…Sup, bitch?" He said with a small grin, lips trembling as she held his hands.

"ADAM!" Sera shouted, eyes opening on her wings and chest.

Emily giggled, a pure and gentle sound, smiling up at the First Man. "You're funny, Adam," she said, "I like you!"

"The moment our eyes met…despite your smile, I could feel the void in your heart," Emily murmured, pressing her hand to Adam's chest, her eyes glittering with emotion, "I knew what I was made for. To bring Joy to the World, to Winners in Heaven, the People on Earth…and you, Adam. From the moment we touched, though I didn't know the words at the time…I fell in love with you."

"Emily…" Questions raced around his skull, colliding with each other in a cacophony.

"I didn't know what I felt at first, so I just tried to be around you," she continued, looping her arms around his neck and kissing him, "But then there were duties, and responsibilities, and just all these things I needed to learn…and you…you were avoiding me…"

"Not you, specifically," Adam assured gently, "Just…everyone who wasn't an Eradicator."

She pecked his lips. "I know, but at the time…when I finally figured out what I felt, I didn't know how to say it, or when…I was afraid. Afraid you'd only see me as…Emily, the Small Angel, or worse…that you might reject me," she shrugged, her eyes wet, "I'm the Angel of Joy, not Courage."

He stroked her hair and down between her wings, getting a quiet groan from the Seraph. "…What changed?"

"You came to a meeting after E-Day, and you weren't wearing your mask," Emily murmured, the pads of her fingers brushing the stubble on his cheek, "And then…you volunteered to spend a year…in Hell." She pressed a finger to his lips, "I know you're the only one who can spend that long in Hell…being down there for just three hours, in the hotel, even…ugh."

"It's just a year, Emily," he said.

"I know, it's barely more than a blink, but…even these past weeks without you here…it's not the same," she buried her face in his neck, "I miss you…so much. Every day. I…I couldn't stand back and just not say anything…actually, that night on the beach, I meant to tell you…" She cupped his cheeks and pressed her lips to his, subtly shifting against him, their noses brushing. "I'm not waiting any more, Adam. One more second is too long."

Adam gulped at the intensity shining in her eyes even as she pulled at his robe, grinding into his lap insistently. "Emily…" He breathed, threading his fingers through her hair, gasping as he began to stiffen.

She paused, feeling his length between her thighs. Then she licked her lips and attacked his, his robe becoming mist as she pulled it off and cast it aside, hands stroking his bare shoulders.

"Emily…"

She pulled his hand down so that it was cupping her rear, breath hitching as he clumsily began to massage.

"E-Emily."

"I'm not stopping," she whispered, practically tearing her robe off and nearly shredding his cassock, the stiffness of her nipples poking at his chest.

"Emily!" Adam managed, getting a grip on her hair and pulling her away, looking down at her, faces flushed. "You're small."

She blinked and looked down at herself, giggling at the difference in size between the two of them, shifting her leg to allow his erection to spring up between them. "Yeah, that definitely wouldn't fit, I kinda forgot…" She shrugged and closed her eyes.

Her body grew, swelling and shifting slightly as it did until she was much larger; she was still smaller than Adam, but the difference was about a head of height and not four feet and change.

Emily gasped as his hand dug into her cheek now that his hand wasn't dwarfing it, throwing her head back as she ground her core against him. Adam dipped his head, kissing at the junction of her neck and shoulder, letting his lips dance on the swell of her breasts. She reached between them to wrap a hand around his length, then the other. Her hands were almost sinfully soft and smooth, his arousal twitching as she slowly stroked up and down.

"I…I heard about foreplay, all the things you and I can do with our mouths," she murmured, peering up at him through her thick lashes, tongue darting out to wet her lips as she worked her palm against his tip, "I really wanna find out what those are like…but…"

Then she got up from his lap and stepped towards his bed, leaning down to plant her hands on the blanket, her delectable rear pointed in his direction.

"I can't wait any longer, Adam," she whimpered, reaching between her thighs to spread her lips gleaming with moisture. Such a lewd display from the usually innocent Joy-Bringer…only enhanced by her shy smile and pleading eyes, "Please…become one with me, join your voice with mine…"

Adam pushed himself up, slowly approaching Emily as he reached out to lay his hands on her back, his fingers lightly digging into her hips. He felt her tremble, heard her gasp sharply, and saw her wings stiffen and stretch. "Emily…"

"I'm sure, Adam," she said softly, smiling back at him, "Just…gently, please? I've never done…anything."

His eyebrows quirked. "…Anything? Not even…"

"Touched myself, no," Emily shook her head, "Even when I really wanted to…I wanted to feel you first, even more. So please…"

"As you wish," he murmured, taking himself in hand and pressing his tip to her weeping lips…and pushing in.

Emily shook and trembled, her skin taut across her shoulders. "Oh…oh, Adam…" She grasped at the blanket as he sank deeper into her, her walls gripping him like a vice of softest velvet, so heated it seemed as if they would melt together.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck, one hand holding her waist as he plunged into her, deeply, slowly, the other running up along her back, his fingers massaging where her wings met her skin. "Relax, Emily," he whispered, his breath running ragged, "I won't hurt you, I promise…"

She threw her head back as his head brushed against a certain spot, a strangled squeak escaping her throat. Despite their actions, she was smiling brightly as she looked back at him over her shoulder. "I know you won't hurt me," she mumbled, shuddering as he sank deeper into her, "I'm just…savoring this. Savoring you." She bucked her hips and he lurched forward, a chorused moan coming from the couple.

It took all of his self-control not to bury himself as far as he would go, each second of increasing pleasure a measure of agony until finally, wonderfully…he was inside of her, completely. "E-Emily," he gasped, feeling her clench and ripple around him, his pelvis pressing into her rear.

"We did it…" She whispered, leaning back to rest her head on his shoulder, a tear rolling down her cheek, "W-we are one…" She kissed him gently, "Don't stop, Adam, please…"

Delicious friction sparked throughout his body as he pulled back, her core grasping at him, trying to pull him back in, and welcoming him eagerly as he returned. Slowly, gently, he thrust into her, pressing his lips to her neck, her cheek, her jaw, her shoulder and her lips, her wings fluttering with every penetration, a hand sliding up along her stomach, slick with sweat and heaving for breath, lightly cupping a breast to tug and roll her nipple in his calloused fingers.

The quiet claps of flesh meeting flesh echoed shortly, joining the melody of moans and sharp breaths, and despite his desire, Adam kept himself in check. He loved her slowly, gently…tenderly.

Emily jolted, clamping down around him as her muscles flexed, a long, keening wail parting her lips before she slumped onto the bed, wings twitching as a flood of pleasure rocked her body. Her orgasm spilled from within, drenching his arousal and spilling from between them, and he grit his teeth, slowing to a stop.

She groaned in disappointment as he withdrew his length from her and didn't resist as he rolled her over, arms hanging limply while he picked her up. Emily mewled as his wings wrapped around them, her own cocooning them both as he lay her on her back, nestling between her legs and looming over her. He laid her down on the bed, covering her body with his, and drove himself inside of her.

Dark blue eyes peered up into gold, glittering with love and fulfillment, her lips parted in a gasping smile, arms wrapped around his neck. Adam kissed her, pressing down on her, his weight and warmth like the perfect blanket, her legs snaking around his waist, ankles locking to press him deeper, tongues embracing between parted lips. His hips rocked, drawing gasps and sighs from her that he drank like wine, her heart pounding in time to his, her sweat-slicked palms gliding up his back.

Emily bucked, eyelids fluttering. "Adam…" she whimpered needily, "I'm…again…please…with me…" He reached for her hand, their fingers parting and entwining as he kissed along her throat, nibbling under her jaw before seeking her lips, and lost himself in her welcoming depths, groaning her name as he found his release.

"It's…so warm," she whispered in wonder, reaching down to stroke her belly, his length still fully buried inside of her, "I'm so…full. This feeling…I love it, Adam," she held him tighter as he tried to roll off, settling atop her.

They lay together, sweat cooling in their cocoon of wings, caressing heated skin. "…Emily?" He asked softly, and she opened her eyes to find him peering at her as if she were the most wonderful, beautiful thing in all of Creation. "…How did you know? Even I didn't."

Emily smiled and stroked his cheek. "Even though it rarely showed on your face, or mask…every time our eyes met, during a meeting, or at an event, or even when we randomly met…" her hand trailed down his neck and rested on his chest, "Your heart would leap with joy. I could feel it every time…and every time, my love for you deepened."

Adam sighed, deeply and strongly, relaxing in her embrace. "I love you, Emily. I know-"

"-If you say something about not being worthy, I'm going to smack you," she teased, kissing him deeply, "You have my heart, Adam. I won't be taking it back. And I won't allow you to lose it, either."

He stared at her, a fond, resigned smile on his lips. "…Lose your virginity and suddenly you get all demanding," he murmured, running a hand through her hair.

She blushed, despite the fact he was still fully buried inside of her. "I mean it," she said, "I've heard from Lute that you can be…insatiable," she shuddered and bit her lip as he twitched in her, "I'm sorry I can't handle more than this…but we'll work on it. Eventually, I will satiate you, and we will spend all day and night in bed…if you want, you can-"

"-No," Adam muttered, cupping her cheek, "I don't want to leave your arms…and I want to keep looking at you. I love your eyes, Emily."

"I love your eyes, too," Emily whispered, and kissed him softly.

They lay together, still connected and entwined, cocooned in wings, and slept peacefully.

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A/N: (message from the future: the version of this story on AO3 is up to chapter 20, and chapters 21 and 22 are on my p-atreon)

Hoo boy, this was a long one, wasn't it? First you got Adam and Sera rekindling their relationship, even got a new song out of it! I mean, it's just 'Be Our Guest' with different words, but some of those words were hard to come up with! Plus a little world-building for Heaven and the 'Spheres' and getting to see more of what Adam (not the Head Eradicator) used to be like and might even be returning to.

Oh boy, ten thousand years is a long time to get traumatized, isn't it?

Also bringing up again that angels, Archangels especially aren't and never were human, and thus don't completely mesh. Man, things are complicated sometimes, eh. Almost like things are rarely ever surface level, eh.

And then…Eden. It's my take on it, and I figured being basically where everything was created, it's like a super-malleable place where literally everything is alive and even to some degree sentient, though let's not debate about whether or not the grass is like, actually alive or anything. Yikes. Basically though, it was like reality, but extra. Things were at a 12/10.

It's also my take on Eden Adam, and as I said last chapter, I don't like the whole 'he's been exactly the same since he was created' shit, that's just not how humans or linear time work. He was The First Human, which for me means he's just as vulnerable to the faults and benefits of it, if not more so for being the first. The source. So he was basically a big golden retriever of a man with real himbo energy, though that doesn't make him stupid.

That being said, it also brings up one of my big, driving questions for the plot: "What turns a good man cruel?"

Oh boy, I wonder who the hooded figure with that unique eye color who seemed surprised to see things from Adam's point of view was.

And…Lucifer. Luciel. Oh man, there's a lot to unpack there, but that's for later. He broke the Bro Code. For Heresy such as this, no punishment is too great. But why did he do it?

Man, doesn't suck to realize your parents are people, too? With all the good and bad that entails. Too real bro.

And Lilith…once upon a time, they were happy, with each other and with Eden. But for some people, that just isn't enough. It only takes until they lose it all to realize what they really had. Sometimes those forward-thinkers are looking so far ahead they forget to live in the present.

Women, eh.

And it looks like Sera might've had some complicated feelings for a long time. Yikes. Plus, there was my take on the whole 'different-but-equal' thing, I mean, it's almost like people are…different, or that some are more skilled in some fields than others, and that by working together they fill in each other's gaps? *gasp* It's almost like…balance is a thing!

And the big ol' twist: Adam was planning to leave, if only temporarily, just to satisfy Lilith and Lucifer's wanderlust. But in relationships, communication is key…which led to…

Then there was the scene and let me tell you, that was hard to write. Is it a good thing or a bad thing that writing someone being betrayed like that made me almost physically ill? Like, my gut was clenched so tight I thought I was going to throw up for a bit there.

I really hope that 'What have you done' part translates over to ao3 and ff, I spent a while trying to figure that out. Basically, imagine if All of Reality was shouting at the same time.

Similar thing with the Concepts, as all of reality basically realized those concepts and they became…well, real.

By the way, what happened to the Snake?

Snake? Snake?! Snaaaaaaaaake!

And yeah, there's definitely going to be some future scenes with Sera, I promise.

And finally, Adam admits it. He's got it for Charlie, and he's got it bad. But his babes, his badass battle bitches…they have his back. They're also shippers. Fuck are they fun to write. They know their man, and they accept him. If only everyone had that…

And yes, I'm definitely going to have Lute come in more often.

And finally, we get to one of three scenes I thought needed to be done: Emily confesses to Adam, and they make sweet, sweet love. I haven't written smut in a while, and I definitely wanted the first time in this fic to be memorable and important, hence the lack of Sera/Adam smut. But yeah, the Joybringer, here to bring joy to one who needs it most, love at first sight…it's nice, not writing angst all the time.

Also, apologies if I'm a little rusty, it's been a while since I've written smut.

It also didn't last all that long, relatively, because Emily was a virgin in every sense and also the word count is…well, quite high. There's more to come though.

Heh.

Big thanks, as always, to NSG for being the Man. Why not check out his stuff and tell him I sent you?

Another big thanks to all the peeps in the discord, my own and FMC.

And a big thanks to you, for reading through this long, long ass chapter. Might want to break it up into chunks over the day, or just read it through in one go if you've got the time. However you do it, thanks for doing it. If you liked it, leave a comment or a review and all that stuff, and remember to stay hydrated!

Stay Awesome!

~Soleneus

P.S.: Good god this is a long-ass chapter. I remember vividly why I started writing much, much smaller chapters, but I just couldn't help it. It all had to come out in the same chapter, or not at all, and here it is.

Man, I'm really looking forward to Fall. How about you?

Stay Awesome Some More.

~still Soleneus