Disclaimer I do not own Hazbin hotel/helluva boss series, and I am not making any money by writing this story. Hope everyone that reads this enjoys it.
thoughts will be in italics
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Paimon had a growing headache as his frustration grew alongside his impatience and his anger. Bael was screwing with him, and he was not amused with his fellow king. He had been trying to get a meeting with Lucifer for the last few months and that asshole had been diverting or blocking his missives. Bael was a petty king as while he was technically the leader of the Goetic kings none of the other kings really liked or respected him. Bael had it out the worst for Paimon due to how close they were in power and rank even though Paimon had been born after Bael who saw it as an afront to have such a young demon be so close to him in any form and in petty revenge always made life difficult for Paimon and the other kings when it came to them doing their job of keeping hell somewhat functional. It was funny how those petty attempts at retribution only made the others respect him less and in turn Bael just tried to make them even more miserable.

"I wish I could just rip his head from his neck, but he would eventually just pull himself back together and the few days of peace and quiet wouldn't be worth the hassle of the destruction our fight would cause nor the chaos of his legions running rampant until he pulls himself back together. What do you think Heckle? Any ideas to get him off my back for a while?" Paimon asked his butler, an imp that had been in his employ for a while.

"I wouldn't dare presume to think I could give you an idea you couldn't come up with yourself sir, but I do think I have a few ideas on how to keep lord Bael preoccupied while you try to complete your business. I know a few of the imps under his employment and could quite easily convince them to drug him for a bit and then completely disorganise his library of grimoires. If they leave him in his library, he will simply think he did it himself in a drunken stupor leaving you free to do as you please while he is stuck reorganizing his library."

Paimon smiled quite happy at the idea. Grimoires were quite important, not really to the kings but to their children and the lesser demon lords under the banners of the kings those books were extremely necessary. They helped make sure spells were not forgotten, that those beneath a king could do a specific job if the king was not available at any point in time and some were even crafted by lucifer himself for the Goetia and it would be seen as a great insult if those books were not in good condition if the man ever came around to visit or check up on them to make sure they were doing their job, not that Lucifer really did that anymore. The man hadn't left his home in nearly a century by this point.

"Heckle how long have you been in my employ?"

"About fifty years sir. I was a new hired shortly after the time one of your children tried to kill you by blowing up one of your palaces while you were inside of it." Paimon frowned as he recalled that act of stupidity when one of his broods had thought to try and usurp him. It had been quite an enjoyable site seeing the fear and terror on their face when he walked out of the ruins unharmed. The foolish boy was still petrified buried in the depths of Leviathan's ring, where the pressure would always be crushing him yet the stone shell that was now his body would never break nor let him die. The rest of his siblings Paimon had simply torn apart in front of the others who had been smart enough not to try to make sure they got the message not to try such a stupid act. If Paimon was honest he had been more annoyed at the destruction of his palace than the assassination attempt though that had been annoying due to how pathetic and simple it had been. It was insulting how little effort his children had put into trying to kill him.

Heckle was still a good employee to have around as Paimon recalled how another of his brood had tried to kill the imp once due to him refusing to follow their orders. Heckle had gotten the better of them and instead they had fallen into the very trap they had set for him. The inability to kill Heckle had made them look weak in the eyes of their siblings who eventually had killed them a few weeks later. So many of my children lack common sense. I give them all the tools they need and the wealth and power to make something of themselves and they squander it. What does it say about my broods that I know imps more intelligent and capable than them.

"It is done my lord."

Paimon was pulled from his musings as Heckle informed him that Bael would not be bothering him as he had set up the distraction. "I also got into contact with lord Marbas and set up an appointment for you. Your headaches have been getting worse and Marbas is likely the only one that can help alleviate them while making sure you don't end up in a drug induced stupor and just a reminder, but you have a meeting with lord Vine next week on decrypting one of your grimoires." Heckle bowed as he stepped out of his lord's room to go get him lunch. He paused for a moment as he recalled something he almost forgot. "Before I forget my lord you have an appointment with your son Stolas later. Should I prepare an extra plate for him, or will this be a short meeting?"

Paimon simply grabbed the entire bottle of headache medicine he had been taking and gulped it down in one go. His workload had been increasing rapidly and he wasn't happy with that fact. The reason he even bothered still having children after all these millennia was the fact that they took off a massive amount of his workload. He used to be able to go for years without any risk of falling behind but now he was in meeting every other week and having to deal with Bael every other week when he used to be able to avoid the asshole for at least a year most of the time. Taking all his medicine now would be a pain to deal with once he stopped feeling the positive effects, but he needed to cut the edge off of his day or he wouldn't be able to sweet talk Marbas into giving him the good stuff to deal with his recent medical issues. Paimon would've blamed one of his children finally managing to make a poison that could affect him, but he knew better. The future was in chaos and rapidly changing on a dime as if someone had decided to have fate decided by a roulette wheel inside of a tornado.

Paimon himself had felt the changes early on after the events of whatever Heaven did in the Pride ring but it had been Stolas who had informed him of just how bad things seemed to be before the headaches really started to hit. Stolas had called informing him of the grimoire he had been gifted going blank all of a sudden. It hadn't bothered Paimon all the much at the time but after a few thousand calls to the rest of his children just to make sure he learned rather quickly just how bad the problem was with books going blank or in the process of going blank as he called. If not for Stolas calling those cowards that are his siblings would've waited years before even thinking about contacting me. While the runt of his siblings Stolas is the only one that seems to take the job, he was given seriously. In many ways considering how soft Stolas was Paimon actually considered it a miracle the boy had survived to marry and work on producing an heir of his own. Then again maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise as with how soft he was considered, especially by Goetia standards no one really saw him as a threat in any manner. It was considered odd how even after so long in his marriage where everyone could see how unhappy both partners were neither had tried to kill each other or hire a killer yet. Paimon would never admit it, but he had a level of pride and respect in Stolas. He didn't make waves even if many mocked him for his softness and lack of ability to play the game even though Paimon knew Stolas could trap many of his siblings in contracts if he ever felt like it. The boy has a flair for contracts and paperwork that could give Mammon a run for his money. If even half of his siblings could even partially as proactive as he is my job would be so much easier even with this mess going on in the pages of fate.

"Yes, Heckle set out another plate for Stolas. I will be having quite a chat with him. Also make sure we are not disturbed by anyone of a rank equal to or lower than Stolas, I don't need any of my children trying to spy or interrupt this meeting." The imp gave a curt nod in acknowledgement as he left to complete his duties. I should reward him for his service and having to deal with the wastes of space that most of my children are.

Paimon gave a harsh smile as he took note of Stolas arriving at the palace. While he did appreciate all the work his son was doing, he also knew unfortunately he would soon be placing an even greater burden on his shoulders because Paimon knew he would have to be dealing with the upper ranks of demon governance soon and wouldn't be able to handle his lesser duties for a while.

"Father. It is an honour to be in your presence but why did you call for me? I know this seems to be a time of unknown disturbances but would not one of my elder siblings be better to help you with your work? I am one of the youngest of your brood and lack much of the experience and wisdom you may be seeking." It was easy to see that Stolas was not very comfortable and looking to avoid the situation he had found himself in, not that Paimon would allow him to get out of this.

"You sell yourself short Stolas. You have been doing an adequate job with the work I have been giving you, especially compared to the majority of your siblings. Now come inside and sit down, I have had quite the lunch prepared for our meeting and I'm sure you would hate for me to have gone through all the trouble?" It was a statement more than a question as both knew Paimon had no real hand in preparing the food, but it was a polite way of saying Stolas had no choice in the matters to be discussed.

The conversation stared off smoothly enough as they ate with Paimon asking question after question about the grimoire and the how Stolas' dreams had been. Stolas in turn gave as good a recollection of his prophetic dreams as he could despite them making even less sense than usual and talked about the current state his grimoire was in and how it would more often than not rewrite itself or remain blank for days. Paimon nodded and listened with rapt attention while making a face as if he was deep in thought about decision he was on the cusp of making, eventually raising a single finger to silence Stolas. "I will be off on business for a while Stolas. I assume you have taken note of how things have gone off the rails in hell since Heaven's act against the sinners?" Stolas nodded not knowing if he should speak or not. "Well, I'll be stuck in meetings with the various princes and upper ranks of nobility. The kings have been put on notice by the sins as lord Lucifer is indisposed of at the moment and thus, we are needed to make sure hell stays in order. With this job I have been given someone else must take the reins of my legions."

Stolas was unsure of what he was hearing and was sure his father was making a joke but the look on Paimon's face told him that the man was being serious. Paimon took out an ornate grimoire and handed it over to Stolas. "While I am gone you will be acting as my voice, my right hand and with my authority. Heckle will answer any questions you may have if you feel unsure of anything and will make sure you will be provided my schedule." Paimon didn't even wait for Stolas to accept the offer though it was more a command as there was no way Stolas could've refused Paimon. "My staff have already began moving your things to my palace and informed your wife of the move. Oh, and Stolas do not embarrass me or make me think that giving you this chance was a mistake. That would be extremely unfortune… Ok, good, good, the special medicine you'll need is in my study, Heckle will give you the key and the antidotes you'll need for when your brothers and sisters learn of this is in the kitchen, make sure only my staff handle them as they know well enough which of your siblings enjoy to use specific poisons or curse. Good luck Stolas don't fail me." Paimon gave a cheery goodbye as he disappeared in a puff of black smoke while Stolas simply was frozen in horror wondering what in the seven rings he was going to do now. That feeling of horror was muffled by a sense of calm and relief as he felt a prick in his shoulder taking note of a well-dressed imp with an empty needle in hand. "Your father informed me you may have needed this after your meeting. Be assured I will be working to the best of my ability to make sure you succeed in this task my lord." Stolas merely gave the imp a weak thumbs up as he tried to simply enjoy the melo feeling of calm the drugs were giving him as he understood just how complicated his life was going to get.