Loona continued soothing her new little human friend in her arms, as he cried after telling I.M.P about how his family went into witness protection without him after he was unfairly called a liability.

The three imps stood outside of the office discussing their options on how to help him out, but they were still heartbroken hearing his sobs and his story.

"Does anyone feel like I'm an asshole here, M&M?" asked Blitzø with a quiet sigh. "Because out of all our missions thus far, I... I don't think I feel pride on this one."

Millie was still in tears, blowing her nose with tissues.

"I always thought most humans were the real demons in his world." she choked. "But this one..."

"Hush now, honey." Moxxie then consoled his wife, wrapping her in his embrace. "You don't have to think that now."

"But still..."

"To think those humans would do that to such a young'un like him for a stupid reason, maybe none at all!" Blitzø said dramatically.

"So what do we do now?" asked Millie as she wiped her tears.

"Well, one thing's for sure, he... we can't let him stay here." replied her husband.

"WHAT?!"

"Moxxie! Why would you even suggest such a damn thing?!" exclaimed Millie. Her tears immediately dried up in shock.

"He said it himself, Millie!" Moxxie pointed his finger at Blitzø in defence, while he showed a look of offence. "Didn't I hear you whispering to Loona that not even mortal children can be seen down here?"

"That was before he brought tears to my eyes Moxx!" Blitzø snapped back. "And not a lot of people have been able to reach my heart like that in a first meet, so still, keep this to yourselves."

"You... have a heart?" Moxxie asked, tilting his head in confusion and sarcasm, before Millie softly slashed his back with the pointy end of her tail. "OW!"

"It's like you and Millie said, we may look like monsters but we aren't." continued Blitzø in sympathy.

"That's the thing. We don't know if anyone else in Hell could be." Moxxie protested once more.

"Fair, I'll give you that." the boss shrugged a little, before making a reluctant suggestion. "But what about what Millie suggested earlier? Maybe he could help us out with some sort of protection."

"You mean, Stolas?" asked Moxxie. "You actually think he should stay?"

Blitzø and Millie nodded together.

"He should, Moxxie!" she stormed out of the meeting room. "We can't just send Balin back out there like this."

"Of course not." replied Moxxie. "But no, Stolas, and then who else? Another overlord? Remember Alastor?"

A silence filled the room after the white-haired imp brought that up, and ended as he then spoke to Balin.

"Balin? Do you have any other family members back home?" he gently asked

"Ooh, that is a fair point." whispered Blitzø.

Balin looked at Moxxie from Loona's shoulder with his tear-stained cheeks as she still held him close.

"I do, but they're visiting my grandparents outside of town." he replied in a croaky voice. "And... I don't know..."

"You're afraid they'll be mad at you for leaving the foster home on your own. Aren't ya?" asked Blitzø.

"Yes." the boy replied in a sad sigh.

"Well, why don't we take you to them, or maybe back there?" asked Moxxie again. "I'm sure they'll take you..."

It was then Balin cut him off by turning his head away and planting it back into Loona's shoulder.

"I thought we were friends, Uncle Moxxie." his voice was muffled by her fur.

Hearing the kid say that in tears really sent a chill down Moxxie's spine.

"No, no, no, we are, buddy, come on..."

"UGH! Way to go, Moxx!" scolded Loona. "You saw how sad he was about this, he just went through escaping a foster home for Hell's sake!"

"I know, and... I'm sorry." said Moxxie. "It's just, demons know Hell's not the safest place too, Balin. You understand?"

Balin did, but he didn't answer though.

Moxxie looked at everyone in the building, especially the boy, and soon came up with another decision. He was worried about it still, but thought it was worth a shot, because of how his cohorts have admittedly fallen in love with this kid.

"Okay." he started. "I have another idea."

"Moxx..." Millie was about to touch his shoulder, until her husband stood up for himself.

"I've got this, Millie." he softly said to her, before going back to the boy in Loona's arms.

"How about, if we took care of you until your parents get out?"

Everyone in the room were stunned to hear him suggest that with a smile, even Balin, as he looked out at him with a face of hope.

"It does take guts to survive out in that world, so as long as you wear a disguise of course, how could Hell be any different?" he continued. "I promise, we'll be there for you, as long as it takes. Does that sound like a good idea to you?"

"We all will, kiddo." added Loona, who showed the kid a warmer smile before showing Moxx a smirk. "Great plan this time, Uncle Fatty."

It was true Loona and Moxxie absolutely did not mix, but in that moment, it seemed like the only thing she hated more than him was his previous idea. While that was the case, she decided to give him a chance.

Of course, she still had her dignity, especially went it came to Moxxie, fatty or no.

Loona then put the kid down on his feet, only for him to wheeze in a little pain holding one of them.

"You okay, kid?" asked Moxxie in concern.

"Oooh right, dude." said Loona awkwardly. "My bad, I chased him to the point he sprained his ankle."

"Here kid, hold onto me." Moxxie offered his arm to help Balin stand up straight. "Hopefully that'll make it up to ya."

As Balin gratefully held onto his arm, Blitzø then knelt down to his level with a gentle smile on his face.

"So, how 'bout it sport? Do we have a deal?" he extended his hand to him in friendship.

All four demons stood around him smiling, even Loona, who gave him a slow nod in a happy-sad expression. So he decided to help her keep her promise of being a friend to him and shook her adopted dad's hand.

"I would be very happy to stay here, Blitzø." he politely replied.

His happy expression came back as the boy wrapped his arms around Blitzø for a hug, which surprised as he was, he returned with one arm.

"Alright then. Welcome to the I.M.P family, Balin." he declared.

Moxxie rubbed his soft brown hair as Millie cheered joining in on the hug. "Wow, his hair feels like a baby mouse." he said amongst the cuddling.

Loona just watched the scene unfold with her arms crossed but an intrigued smile on her face. Only one tear finally escaped her eye this time, but the fur on her face was able to hide it.

HALF an HOUR LATER...

Blitzø and Loona waited in the company van for M&M to lock up for the night, as Balin sat on her thighs with a sock-like ankle cast on his foot.

"So, you sure you wanna bunk at Loona's place?" Blitzø asked with a kind tone.

"Yes, Mr. Blitzø." replied Balin. "She saved my life. It's the least I can do."

As Loona blushed, Blitzø couldn't help but agree with him. ...And get used to be calling 'Mr.' every once in a while.

The boy started yawning like a baby and Loona noticed it.

"Awww. Are you getting tired?" she chuckled.

"No, no!" Balin tried to resist, but then yawned again. "OK. I guess I am."

"Ah, no shame in it, Bucky." Blitzø patted his head with the other hand on the steering wheel. "Probably bedtime for you anyway. You did have one helluva long night for a 7-year-old."

Moxxie and Millie then hopped in the back of the van having locked the building doors, and just as Blitzø then revved up the engine, he was about to turn on the radio when he got an idea.

"Hey Balin, I'mma play some tunes. Any requests?" he asked the boy.

"Gee, I don't know." pondered Balin.

"Well, what kind of music do you like?" asked Loona next.

Balin was about to answer, but then started to worry.

"Wait. These are demons."he said in his head. "Does that mean they don't like pop music? I've seen a few people like that back home."

He soon tried to cover it up so they wouldn't hate him for loving more than rock music all of a sudden.

"You know, just some rock n roll." he cleared his throat, before sweating a bit. "...And pop, soul, disco, R , and musical theatre?"

"Hey, what's the matter?" Millie asked with a concerned smile. "You think we don't like all those kinds of music?"

"Um, I just assumed... I'm sorry." he then shied away, not helping that he couldn't finish without being rude.

This kid was different from the lot of humans these demons faced indeed. He was a real sweetheart with a spotless kindness record.

"Aw, it's okay buddy. Just because we're demons doesn't mean we can't appreciate the rest of the arts." sympathised Moxxie.

"As long as you don't 'just' listen to musical theatre. Like Moxxie does." Loona smirked evilly at said imp with a giggle. "HEY!"

"Yeah honey-bunny, we got all tons of songs of different genres, especially from your world too." added Millie. "So what do ya wanna play?"

The kid then pondered some more until he got an idea.

"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! I got one!"

The I.M.P all giggled a bit at the kiddo's cute energy, as Blitzø handed him his phone so he could search up and play one of his favourite songs:

SONG: "IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW" by McFLY

The gang listened to the song closely on the radio and immediately took a liking when the lead singer started singing this incredible Celine Dion cover.

As the pre-chorus started, Blitzø then started driving to drop everyone off, starting with Loona and the kid.

Throughout the whole song, Blitzø banged his head to the beat, Millie stuck her head out the window like a dog feeling the night-air, and Moxxie thought this was the best male vocal he had ever heard.

While Loona, on the other hand, she had her eyes glued to the boy as he did with her, each showing a very warm smile.

She started stroking the boy's hair like a soft comb and often times rubbed her snout against his button nose, and suddenly gave him a soft kiss or two on each cheek.

This motherly affection lasted until the song was over, when ironically, Blitzø pulled up dangerously at the curb of Loona's apartment.

The window rolled down to then show Balin yawning again, this time with him nestled into Loona's belly fur, his head nearly able to fit in her breast.

"Alright Moxx, scoot your ass up front so these two pups can be left alone for the night." smiled Blitzø.

"Uhh, right away sir!" Moxxie reacted with lightning speed in case Loona would attack her adopted dad again.

He quickly tried to take his seatbelt off and opened the door, when Millie grabbed him and calmed down, turning his attention to the hellhound still stroking Balin's sleepy head.

"Heh, heh, heh." chuckled Moxxie awkwardly. "Sorry Mills, force of habit."

"See y'all tomorrow!" Millie waved goodbye, before cooing to Balin. "And that means you too, baby."

Millie leaned closer to the boy to give him another hug and kiss, before he hopped out of the car with Loona.

"Good night, Loonie.' said Blitzø.

"Guys, WAIT!" Before he could drive off, Loona quickly stopped them.

Feeling nervous, she said: "...Thanks. Again." before showing a small smile to them.

Blitzø then gave a thumbs-up as he drove Millie and Moxxie home next.

Loona soon turned her attention to the tired boy still in her arms, and giggled. "You're so cute when you're tired, you know?"

She then took a sniff of the boy, which made him giggle a bit.

"You wanna take a bath before bed?" she asked. "Gotta get some blood outta my fur, anyways."

"Yes please, Loona." said the boy softly.

As Loona walked back into the apartment, she looked around the street shadily to see if there were no other demons in sight. She was still petrified that she'd be caught dead holding a human child in her arms, even if she was like a new mother to him.

IN LOONA'S APARTMENT...

Loona was now right next to the tub in the bathroom giving Balin a clean, using a blood-smelling shampoo for his hair and a milk-bottle flavoured bar of soap for his body.

The boy was so relaxed by this bath, he played with the bubbles that floated on the water towards him.

He would gently grab some in his hands while Loona continued washing him then blow it up in the air surrounding the tub.

Sometimes, she would cheekily blow them away before he could and quickly kept on washing, making him laugh and say "Loona!" causing her to chuckle.

As she was almost done, Loona then saw the boy's cheeks were bright-red.

"What's wrong? First time getting bathed by a hellhound?" she giggled before pulling him out of the tub. "A 'MAN-EATING' hellhound?"

Loona playfully opened her mouth, showing her sharp teeth as if she was about to take a bite of him.

"Ah, no! Please don't eat me!" he playfully exclaimed, making them both laugh.

"Well, looks like you're good." she said before putting him down.

As she showered up next with the curtains closed, the boy then brushed his teeth. Luckily, he brought his own toothpaste and toothbrush in his backpack, where he would soon get his PJs.

Loona finished her shower after a few minutes, then dried her hair and fur, then put on her PJ top, a purple tank-top with a wolf howling at the moonlight on it.

"Alright little buddy, you ready for bed?" she asked, before seeing Balin in his PJs.

His PJs were a silky pair of shorts, and a plain white t-shirt that had a cheeseburger and the words 'I'm Lovin' It!' written on it.

"You look cute in those PJs, Balin." Loona smiled.

Having never experienced this happy feeling before, she just shrugged it off as she lead him to her room.

Yes, she wanted him to sleep with her tonight.

Being the first to lay down on the bed, Loona patted on a free spot for Balin to lie down on.

The boy felt rather nervous being allowed to sleep and snuggle up to someone as beautiful and sexy as Loona the hellhound, but he moved slowly towards her until she picked him up and laid him next to her, making him laugh a smile back on his face.

"So, did you enjoy your first night in Hell?" she asked with a smile too.

"Honestly, I did." he replied innocently. "And I have you to thank for it."

"I'm glad to hear." said Loona. "But remember, it's still not exactly a cool place from time to time, so if you have any problems, you can always count on me to help."

"Yes Loona. I mean, I feel the most comfortable around you anyway." the boy said with slight melancholy. "Even if it is the first time."

"Oh, Balin. Darling." she rubbed his cheek in sympathy. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, I've always loved dogs, but had a discomfort with some. Even with our old puppy." he explained. "But you're different. Other than being a doggy-like demon, that looks like a human. But I understand if you want to know what it's like taking care of me. So I promise to love it the way it is, the way I love you. F-For saving me, that is."

Loona chuckled mid-speech and at the end as well, still showing a smile at Balin's innocence and rubbing his cheek with her soft paw.

"Well thank you. I love how understanding you are." Loona replied. "I know I'm different from the doggies in your world, and that I'm a little short-tempered at times, including to the IMP gang. But I still care about them at times. Blitzø, Millie, Moxxie, and now you. Look at you, you're so brave, polite, and adorable. So 'I' promise, never to treat you how I did back on Earth. I'll take care of you and I'll love you every single day. Do you understand?"

Moved by those words, Balin gave Loona a simple nod as he soon wrapped his arms around her furry body for a good-night hug.

"Thank you, Loona."

Loona then returned the hug smiling at the kid. "You're welcome, sweetie."

The two stayed in this embrace, not letting go. It wasn't normally like Loona to make a new friend like this out of the blue, let alone a poor human child. But supposedly, Loona still had her days in the sun.

She soon yawned bearing her razor-sharp teeth. "Alright, time to sleep."

The wolf-like hellhound put her phone on her bedside table to let it charge, turned off the bedroom lamp, and then wrapped her fluffy tail around Balin as his blanket to keep his body toastier throughout the night.

"Good night, little Balin." she whispered giving him a kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."

Balin snuggled into the warmth and softness of her tail with his arms still around her.

And then... it happened. The boy whispered:

"I... I love you... M-Mommy."

Loona then gasped and widened her eyes hearing what words came out of Balin's mouth. She wanted to think he was probably saying that out of tiredness, as he got his first real bedroom sleep in a long time.

But in her mind, she thought he meant it.

So smiling at him once again, she leaned close to him and gave him a lick good night on each cheek, before pulling up her own blanket for herself.

And the two peacefully fell asleep in each other's arms for at least the rest of the whole evening.

A/N: I'd just like to say a big thank you for all the love and support this story has been receiving so far. I cannot wait to begin the adventures of I.M.P and little Balin Johnson in this story and on this site.

As always, make sure to leave a review or PM if you like it so far. Really appreciate it.

See y'all in the next chapter.