Vaggie

With his stomach full from breakfast and his soul warm from the drinks Husk served, Kevin excused himself from the bar. Next up would be to walk the perimeter of the hotel, check for any deficiencies then do a final walk-through of the lobby before going to visit with Charlie. Choosing to start from the back where the courtyard sat, he stepped through a pair of double doors that led to a small foyer that would then open up to the outside. Reaching the second set of large double doors, he pushed them open and stepped out into the warm, humid air and stopped short.

In the middle of the courtyard, Vaggie was moving in a rhythmic dance, her angelic spear in hand, practicing what appeared to be many of the same techniques he had seen and practiced himself with Lute up in Heaven while preparing for the execution.

As the doors behind him closed, they made a soft thumping sound, catching Vaggie's attention. The smile that appeared on her face was mirrored by Kevin as he took a few steps towards the middle of the courtyard while reaching up and drawing his halo sword out. "Care to spar?"

"Oh?" Vaggie's smile tightened into a challenging grin. "I would love to!" She flipped her spear to take up a defensive position with her hands holding the spear at a ten and four angle. "How's your inspection coming along?"

Cracking his neck and swishing his sword to point out to his side and angled down, he gripped the handle tightly while gauging Vaggie's feet, "For the most part, it's been good. Other than a few scares with Niffty, that is."

"Huh?"

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Kevin waved it off. "Never mind." He then cleared his throat and changed the topic. "We will need to replace the cameras in Alastor's hallway, though; they somehow were vandalized."

'Somehow' was said with unrefined sarcasm, and Vaggie nodded in understanding while tapping the end of her spear on the ground. "I will talk to Alastor and see about getting them replaced."

Shifting his stance, Kevin acknowledged the tap, "Already done. I made it quite clear that he's not to mess with my security measures and sent him out to buy new ones. He was rather amicable once I explained myself."

"He agreed? That easily?" Vaggie blinked in surprise.

Kevin took advantage of the slight distraction and charged, bringing his sword down at an angle that Vaggie had to quickly adjust to and block. While she was successful, it shifted her feet in a way that she nearly tripped and cursed as she found her footing, "Pésimo truco, Kevin!"

"Nunca dejes una ventaja sin aprovechar, Vaggie." Kevin jumped back, raising his sword up in front of him in preparation.

"You know Spanish?" Vaggie again looked surprised before twisting herself out of the way of a sudden jab Kevin took at her midsection. She used the shaft of her spear to knock his sword aside and jumped back. "Okay!" She laughed, "Lesson learned!"

"Learned a few languages in school and the service." Kevin nodded, then his tone turned serious. "In battle, you're going to face a lot of surprises, and if you let them distract you, you're gonna get hurt. You've got a good stance, and you're smooth and fluid, well trained. But even the slightest mistake can mean the difference between life and death."

"I was trained for a long time as an Exorcist Angel, Kevin, and fought in countless battles. I know what I'm doing." She hadn't been on the receiving end of training in a long time, and Kevin's remarks cut deeper than she'd realized. Gripping her spear tighter, she firmed up her stance and glared at him.

"Yet, you showed weakness the last time you participated in an execution of sinner souls." There was a slight mocking tone undercoating his words, and it stung her that he'd even bring up her past to begin with. Then he followed with a bitter reminder. "You lost your wings and an eye for it." Kevin stated as he moved slowly in a semicircle, watching Vaggie match him.

"Mercy isn't weakness!" Vaggie growled angrily, taken aback by Kevin's rudeness. Fueled by the rise of ire in her, she twisted suddenly and swung her spear, which clanged against Kevin's sword a little harder than he expected. He felt his wrist twist and had to put in a little effort to hold the sword at the right angle.

"Mercy can get you killed." Kevin performed a sweeping arc with his sword to drive her back enough so he could take up a defensive stance. He saw a flash of pain in her eye and followed up with a second point. "If you don't have the strength for it."

"Are you calling me weak?" The pain was flushing over her face, making her eye narrow and the tension in her body tremble.

"Do you think you were weak when you let Lute live?" Kevin challenged. "You had the high ground; she was trapped. One swipe and you could have eliminated her. But you didn't. Why?"

Vaggie's stance fumbled, but Kevin didn't attack; rather, he waited. She sighed, "I didn't want to kill anymore. I'd done enough of that shit. I wanted Lute to see us as more than monsters down here."

"Yes. You had the strength to show mercy." Kevin nodded. "It's a strength that only the strongest can wield, Vaggie, and it's a strength we have to defend at all times. You're not weak, but mercy is a luxury, one that, without strength, will kill us in an instant." He sighed softly. "We cannot let our guard down for anyone or anything, or we'll end up dead. You are well trained—very well trained—but even those who are masters at their craft are still learning something new every day. Even with all my skills, intelligence, and experience, Hell has shown me I'm back on the bottom rung, and I have a great many things to learn, myself."

Vaggie looked at him differently. She contemplated his words and, after a moment, nodded. "I mistook your challenge as playful. Something anyone could do and have hidden intentions. Lesson is learned." Vaggie let her shoulders drop. She saw what he did and respected it. It still stung at times what had happened to her, being ripped apart by Lute and left to die, but it made for a good lesson.

Charlie had saved her in more ways than she would ever be able to repay the princess, and now she saw Kevin planned to do the same, and her heart beat just a little faster. She offered him a slight bow of her head but kept her eyes locked on him. "Thank you."

Kevin nodded and relaxed his stance. Flicking his sword, he made it shrink to his halo and placed it on his head. "I'm sorry for what I said, but I needed to poke you and show you that rushing in with emotion can get you killed. Cassie taught that to Charlie before she faced Rygen, and it was the only thing that saved her life and mine."

"I remember the story." Rubbing her arm, she smiled softly. "I appreciate your lesson, honestly. It just… I just didn't expect you to hit so hard."

"If I went easy or warned you, I'd never get a real response out of you, a real reaction."

"I won't argue that." Vaggie let out a small laugh. "We were brutal in our training up in Heaven."

"I know, and good. Because we have those around us with masks on all the time, Vaggie. I don't want us to be tense and untrusting to a point of endless contention, but we can't get complacent, either."

The way he said it made Vaggie realize something. "You didn't expect to see me out here."

"No. I'd planned to walk the perimeter. Why?"

"You saw me, and you immediately turned this into a lesson." Vaggie set her spear down and stepped up to the taller angel and looked up at his eyes. "Is this going to be your thing with me? Keeping me on my toes?"

Reaching with his fingers, Kevin tucked a few strands of Vaggie's hair back behind her ear and decided to fluster her with a tease, "Precisely as we agreed. On your toes, not on your back."

Vaggie's cheeks flushed, signaling that he had successfully retaliated against her earlier tease. There was an unspoken moment between them when it became clear that this was going to become a recurring theme in their relationship. A game of seeing how they could fluster each other. Mentally, Vaggie knew she was ahead, two-to-one. Stepping back, she shook her head with a smirk. "I see you're becoming comfortable very quickly." She paused and sighed softly, "And I honestly can't tell you how much I'm glad of that. I was worried."

"I know." Kevin nodded. "I promised you. No hesitation, no fear. And that's going to include a few small teases with you. I want you to know I am fond of you for all you've done to protect Charlie and how much you love her." In that moment, rather than wait to ask Charlie, he wanted to show Vaggie that he was going to be as honest with her as he could be, and that included wanting to know more about her. "I was wondering, though." He shifted his voice to a curious, somewhat vulnerable tone.

Vaggie caught it easily. "Yeah?"

"I know Charlie. Very well. We had over six months together on Earth and fell in love." He started with a quick setup, then dove in, "But, I've known… well, of you for a month. This morning? It was more intimate than I'd expected, and I can't lie, Vaggie, the trust you're showing me is more than I can grasp. I said I wouldn't hold back with Charlie, and that's true, and what we're going to be feels special, but… I want to know you more." Amazing how one can face death without hesitation, but something like this had him flustered. "So, I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me, just the two of us, sometime in the future, so we can get to know each other properly."

He saw Vaggie's eye widen just a hair as a soft blush swam over her cheeks before she caught herself and stood up straighter. Her look turned serious, and she narrowed her gaze at him. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yes." Kevin said quickly, maybe a little louder than he'd intended.

"I…" Vaggie shifted her fingers through her hair. "I mean… well, yes. Of course. I actually think that's a good idea." A wisp of a smile formed on the edge of her lips. "And Charlie would probably insist on it, knowing her, if she didn't already have an exercise planned out for us."

"Trust exercises?" Kevin remembered what Charlie had said about the day that she'd insisted Vaggie take charge of activities.

Vaggie chuckled, "Something like that." Her smile slimmed along her lips. "But yes, Kevin, a date sounds wonderful."

With his shoulders easing, Kevin suggested. "You pick the day and place, but I'd love to get a tour of the Pride Ring, if that would be okay?"

"That works, but don't wait on me for that. Charlie may want to take you out before then, and she has easier access to all the realms than I do."

"I'm intrigued, but sinners are resigned to the Pride Ring, and I want to get a feel for Pentagram City. The more I know, the more I can help."

"That strategic mind never shuts down, does it?" Folding her arms, Vaggie gave what passed for a wink at him.

"No, never." Kevin laughed lightly. "And on top of that, I'd love for us to talk more about this power dynamic you think the three of us could have."

"Deal." Vaggie nodded, but then a teasing smile of her own crossed her face. "But while a date later on sounds good, that's just us going out to chat." She narrowed her eyes playfully. "So, I wanna know: Are you eager for tonight?"

Now it was Kevin's turn for his face to flush, but his answer was somber and serious, "Yes. Very much yes. I have missed her so much, Vaggie. I swear, I will cherish her with all my heart, and I will never be able to fully express how much I appreciate you for this."

Cutting the space between them, Vaggie wrapped her arms around Kevin, giving him a tight squeeze. "You already have. You're loyal, honest, and quite chivalrous. You risked your life for Charlie more than once, and you were willing to leave without a fight if I had asked you to do so. But I told Charlie last night that I want to give this a chance because I see something truly special in you. I want her to be happy, Kevin, more than anything else in this world, and I know we can both do that for her."

Kevin bent back, took Vaggie's chin in his hand, and lifted it so her face was looking at his. He bent and kissed her softly on the forehead before pressing his own to hers, and he heard a catch of her breath. It was how Kevin showed his love for Charlie, and here he was, sharing it with her. He spoke in a gentle tone, barely audible above a whisper. "And it matters more than anything to me as well, Vaggie. Thank you."

They held the posture for a moment before she moved to step back. "You are welcome, Kevin Angelus Collins." She wiped the corner of her eye. "Now! It seems I have to shoo you off yet again. I don't want to keep you from completing your rounds so you can go spend some time with Charlie one-on-one. When I'm done here, I'm going to go see Carmilla Carmine and do some training with her. I told Charlie I'd probably spend the night there."

"Spend the night?" Kevin paused, his features creasing with worry. "Are you… uncomfortable being in the hotel tonight? Knowing Charlie and I will be together?"

"Charlie gave the impression she was thinking the same thing when I told her my plans," Vaggie acknowledged. "I'm disappearing from the hotel on the very first night you're going to make love to our girlfriend, and I can definitely see how it looks." She then shook her head. "But I swear to you, I'm fine. Carmilla told me that when time permitted, I should come visit, and she'd share more of her secrets with me. I haven't had a chance since the battle and rebuild. I'm simply using my free time effectively. Plus, I'll get to do some personal shopping; maybe pick up something to surprise Charlie with tomorrow night."

She saw Kevin nod, but there was still trepidation in his eyes. She sighed, "You promised me you'd be all in, remember? No questions, right?"

"I know, I know, but I respect you too much to just say, 'Okay, have a fun night at your friends while I have sex with Charlie.'" Uncharacteristically, Kevin kicked at the dirt in frustration. Taking the word of a woman who was willingly opening up her relationship with Charlie to include him wasn't exactly a simple task. No matter how much she insisted.

Vaggie blinked at that, pursed her lips together, and hummed. "I mean, when you put it that way, I can see why you're nervous." Pinching her nose and whispering too low for Kevin to hear, Vaggie drew in a breath and spoke softly, "But I'm not jealous. I should be, right? I should be fucking insane that I'm letting my girlfriend fuck someone else. But everything I told you last night, this morning, and right now is true. And do you know why?"

"Why?" Kevin gave her a look past his nose, inspecting her.

She smirked at him and his curious eyes. Closing the small distance between them, she laid her palm against his chest. "Because you—Kevin Angelus Collins—Saved. Her. Life. Twice." Poking him with each word to drive her point home, she held her finger against his heart after the last. "And you literally died so you could come back here and do it again. You have earned my trust and my friendship. And you have earned your right to call yourself Charlie's boyfriend. So, please. Again! Get over this and love Charlie the way I love her. All in, remember?"

With a shuddering breath, Kevin bowed his head. "I do, but like you said this morning, we may stumble while figuring this out."

"Yes. And I just caught you."

Another sigh, and Kevin nodded solemnly. "Thank you."

"We're family now, Kevin." Vaggie lifted on her toes and brushed her lips against his cheek. "And I'm all in on that part."

"Station accepted." Kevin chuckled lightly, then glanced at her as she reclined on her heels. "When do you plan to head out?"

"After lunch. I can smell Cherri's cooking from here. No way I'm passing up whatever it is she's got planned."

Kevin laughed, "I ate while she was cooking; I agree, it's going to be interesting."

Vaggie cracked her neck. "Be a nice change from having food brought in by Gore-Dash every day of the rebuild. Now, is there anything else you need before I send you on your way?"

"Actually, yes." Given the emotional turmoil of the past few moments, Kevin chose not to discuss the offer Alastor had made with him. Instead, to lighten the mood, he opted to ask about another thought he'd had earlier in the morning. Rotating his neck and closing his eyes, he drew out his large white wings, feeling them unfold from behind his back, and bent them forward in presentation. "Is there any way to dye angel wings? They stand out being this bright, and I'd like to be a little less conspicuous when I have them out. I know your wings are more grey with black compared to most angels in Heaven."

"Exorcist wings are a bit of a different design for the express purpose of fighting. Our feathers are smaller and less likely to be dislodged. I'm not certain why our color tones differ, but I believe it's possible. You could also armor them. I've seen some High Angels do that before."

Immediately, Kevin felt a jab of regret thinking about his friend, Eryn. She was a heavenborn given life to judge false prophets, and they had become fast friends after his arrival in heaven. It was Eryn who had infused a bit of her soul into Kevin's halo so that he could create weapons and shields merely by thought. It had touched him that she put such trust and faith in him, despite the fact that he had to hide his reasons for leading the exorcist army to hell. He viewed her much like he did Cassie. She was kin, a sister, and he also knew he had been judged by her and excommunicated to hell, probably at the forced command of the Seraphim who went by Sera. He knew because of the change in his powers. He still had them, but they were no longer blessed by Heaven's grace. It was subtle, but it was also very painful, emotionally. It meant he had to retrain himself and not let some, especially Alastor, see any weakness in him.

Vaggie noticed he'd gone silent. "Kevin?"

"Sorry." He shook his head. "I was remembering a friend up in Heaven. She adorned her wings in armor, took on the grace of a raven, and was very beautiful. Eryn was one of the few, along with Emily, that I had any social time with outside of my duties and meditation."

"I knew Eryn." Vaggie said, "She was my mentor when I joined the exorcist army. Much more attuned to proper training and was firm but fair. A far step above Lute. I have missed her at times, myself."

"Many steps." Kevin smirked, "And a worthy angel if there ever was one. But to answer you? I don't know if I want to adorn my wings in armor. I am one of the fastest fliers I've ever seen in Heaven and need to stay streamlined. Even dye will change things a little, but I need to blend in more here."

"Let's try a spa night for our date night, then. We'll dye your wings, get our nails done, the whole shebang." Vaggie grinned, winking with the tease.

"Dear lord!" Kevin shook his head and took three steps back, folded his wings back in, and turned towards his next destination. "I've opened the floodgates. I'm out of here!"

Vaggie burst out laughing as Kevin stalked off playfully, but she called after him with an affectionate tone, "Kevin?"

He turned, eyebrows raised, and smiled, "Yes?"

Vaggie smiled warmly and said, "I'm fond of you."

Kevin bowed his head slightly, acknowledging what it meant and the promises it held, and shared the same tone: "And I'm fond of you, too, Vaggie." But he had to add in a playful tone, "Looking forward to that night you mentioned."

He saw her face flush purple with that, and knowing he got her back for earlier that morning, he turned and moved off out of sight, but he caught Vaggie's frustrated humor, "¡Estás demasiado ansioso!"

Two-two now. She was going to have to step up her game.

Translation of the Spanish lines.

Pésimo truco, Kevin. - Terrible trick, Kevin.

Nunca dejes una ventaja sin aprovechar, Vaggie. - Never leave an advantage untapped, Vaggie.

Estás demasiado ansioso - You're too eager!