Work Text:
"Once more, come on."
The voice of the blonde filled the room pleasently yet determined as the fourth-born was eyeing you full of expectation and you dropped your shoulders; it seemed like he was really putting all effort in tutoring you yet you had trouble to get the subject matters into your head. Frustrated you inhaled and stared down onto your notes.
Sitting next to you onto the bed Satan tilted his head and pointed at one of the graphics in your textbook. Both turquois eyes were narrowed slightly, observing you patiently but his voice had gotten firm: "I want you to start from the beginning." With a patience you hadn't dared to put past him the blonde leaned in and pointed at another graphic, raising his eyebrow. It showed a chart that caused you nightmares in the meanwhile the closer this test was about to be written.
There was barely an obligatory lecture course at RAD you had greater problems with. Of course, being out of school and university routine for so many years now made it hard to get used to daily studying again. But still you managed to keep up with everything, motivated by Satan and your own ambition.
Except for Curses and Hexes.
This one damned, awful lecture course where you were going to write a test about tomorrow. Intuitionally you got sick in the stomach thinking about it again. About your poor attempts to actually practice the either harmful or beneficial magic, not to be reminded of the complicated way of deliverances and incantations.
Or the rather sceptical, even sneering face of the professor whenever he picked his victim for presentation purpose to see yoiu failing over and over again. Satan had been close to losing it a few times during tutorial lessons which followed the lecture course but despite the likely intentional harassment there wasn't much he could do. Indeed, out of the many hearty and coorperative professors teaching at RAD, this one was practically famous for despising humans.
And as much as you appreciated the empathy of the fourth-born, you narrowed your eyes at the memory. Luke had advised you to talk to Diavolo, had indeed tried to push Satan to support you regarding this matter; as the one being in charge of you the blonde was supposed to sort out those kinds of problems after all. However you had negotiated, not wanting to involve Diavolo at this rate just because you weren't able to deal with the moods of your professor. As long as a demon didn't mean any harm to you -and that would not happen as long as Satan was looking after you- there was no reason to go to such lengths.
This all ran through your mind within seconds while looking up from your notes to meet Satan's eyes. Nodding encouraging he raised an eyebrow, shortly nibbling on his ballpoint and crossed his arms: "What are the significant differences between curses and hexes?"
"Curses are basically malign spells to harm, injure, delude or mislead someone else. They are relatively powerful, devastating if applied by an advanced spellbinder. However their incantations demand a lot of energy from the spellbinder who should take care of dealing with the toll the delivery of the curse puts on his body. Therefore it is not advisable for inexperienced spellbinders to focus on curses only", you practically recited the relevant paragraph in the textbook and replied Satan's look frowning. From the way he still eyed you expectant you probably forgot any important detail ...
Though Satan nodded and raised both corners of his mouth: "Go on", the blonde demanded calmly, observing insistent how you took a deep breath: "Meanwhile, hexes are considered useful, soothing spells that can be delivered on a way lighter base than curses. Therefore they make for good practice when using magic for the first time. Most hexes have decent impacts on various beings in many different ways but mainly, contradicted to curses, in positive modality for both, the spellbinder as well as the target."
Pausing shortly you actually took a breath -again the recitation had been this precisely as if you had gobbled up your textbook- before continuing: "Several hexes are known to ease the toll which is put on the body of the spellbinder after delivering a powerful curse. Being knowledgeable about hexes is essential for delivering most curses in the long term as their deliverance does not demand a greater amount of energy. Still, they are a form of magical spells and therefore should be applied thoughtful."
Satan had his head tilted to the other side and followed the summary with a thoughtful mien. After you had finished the blonde narrowed his intense gaze slightly: "Impressive. I missed the reciprocation of curses and hexes earlier but now I'm perfectly satisfied with your explanation. Mind the way of casting and delivering a spell."
Frowning you needed a second browsing your notes until finding the equal headwords, even framed by a bright green marker: "... to maintain control at all times by keeping up concentration and focusing on the deliverance of the spell –"
"And not going on daydreaming, how very correct."
You almost choked on your next words, intuitionally blushing and barely prevented yourself from puffing out your cheeks indignant before going on. Unfortunately, you couldn't even prove him wrong ...
"– to recite the incantation clearly and with confidence. Mumbled curses and hexes may not have the desired impact on the target, even worse, they can cause indescribable chaos the more powerful they are."
This time there was no cynical remark from the blonde as Satan twitched the corners of his mouth: "I'm not worried about unclear incantations, I witnessed often enough that you know how to make use of your tongue properly. But you have to work on keeping up your concentration. I reckon that this is the main problem why you're struggling to deliver magic up to now."
He was probably right; already earlier the blonde had pointed out how much of a dreamer you were. Things kept circling in your head on their own accord and as much as you tried to shove them away to actually focus on the topic –like Satan who now tested you on incantations for different curses and hexes– the most trivial details kept drawing your attention away. The comforting sound of his voice, the way his lips parted, the amazing turquois eyes of the fourth-born which had narrowed concentrated, the twitch of his features whenever he was waiting for you to answer, the rustling pages of the textbook ...
At some point the blonde was beaming contented and closed the book, clapping his hands once: "Excellent! Keeping all of that in mind you will be perfectly fine." You frowned slightly, observing how Satan just straightened up a little; was he actually proud of you? Gulping you bit your lips.
You would pull yourself together to pass this test tomorrow and to do him and his assistance justice with a good mark. Everyone should see how much his efforts were paying off eventually, coaching and tutoring you although Satan didn't get tired of assuring that he didn't mind at all.
"... and now after some hours of intensive studying, let's call it a day I would say. Leave your textbook and your notes be for today and turn in early. You'll need the rest."
Intuitionally you bit your lips and inhaled: "If you say so ... thank you so much for your help, Satan." Still the tense and the odd feeling in your belly thinking about tomorrow didn't vanish but the smile of the fourth-born let you momentarily forget about it. And Satan was actually right; if everything he just had gone through with you this afternoon was about to be a part of this test, there was no way you would not pass. This notion was consoling, and so was Satan's presence who was now about to stand up. Wordless at first you followed the blonde and came to stand in the doorframe; the corridor was deadly silent, most likely everyone else already entered their rooms.
"There's nothing to it, it's my task after all – apart from the fact that just now there's barely a more genial pastime than being around you." As intense as Satan's gaze replied yours, the soft, subtle blush spreading on his cheeks was impossible to miss. A gentle shiver ran down your spine and inevitably you stiffened inwardly; his cheeks reddening was still something you weren't used to observe as it offered a new side of him.
A side, different from his usual frigid self, having everything under control when it came to composure and most surroundings. The Avatar of Wrath, with whom nobody dared to mess. However this tiny little hint of insecurity made you aware of the fact that deep down inside Satan was vulnerable indeed, hidden behind his many masks.
And you almost wanted to reach out to him to hold his hand – did he have to go now? For some reason you wanted to fall sleep to the sound of his voice ...
Satan now tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, gazing down at you attentively. And maybe also curious: "What is it, Kätzchen?"
Looking up to him once more you frowned; the blush on his cheeks had ceased by now.
"... I was wondering if you could send me the next chapter of 'Inferno', I really – liked the last few recordings of you reading it." Although managing to bite onto your tongue just in time you were sure that the heat wandering up into your face betrayed you next to your pounding heartbeat. You knew in the meanwhile that a demon's senses were much sharper than those of humans. Could Satan figure out how much your heart was leaping into your throat under the intense gaze of the blonde?
"At least you enjoy it – it shocked me to realize you didn't know about Dante's Divine Comedy, it's a book everyone should have read at least once in life ..." At the expression of incomprehension that made his features twitch you barely resisted to roll your eyes: "How lucky I am for still having quite a few years of my life left to indulge in this book." The fourth-born replied your sarcasm with a quiet chuckle, then Satan narrowed his eyes.
"Here I can't disagree with you – however regarding your question, no. Apologies, I won't send you another chapter today."
You practically felt your mien sliding, staring, nearly glaring up to him likewise – in a stubborn pout as well as disappointed: "But I was so looking forward to it –"
"All I said is that I won't send it – who said that you weren't going to enjoy it elsewise?" Slowly the dreadful smirk crept into his features as Satan slightly raised both corners of his mouth and you couldn't help but puff out your cheeks. He couldn't check himself from teasing you and even worse, you always fell for it. Unthought distorting your face you snorted and gently jabbed the blonde, who now laughed shortly, in the ribs: "Funny, really! I haven't laughed like this in ages."
"What a pity – want me to change that?" Right in the next moment you hardly suppressed a squeal, suddenly finding yourself wrapped up in his embrace within split seconds without a chance to get away; wriggling, gasping, shivering ...
But instead of a notorious tickling assault the fourth-born freed you again, so you could catch your breath. And smiled, this time genuinely: "I go and get the book. Wait for me, Kätzchen, I will be back in a minute."
~
"It was rather simple though, don't you think?"
"Well, for I didn't really study, I couldn't complain ..."
"Ugh ... I'm just hoping the studying was worth it, I had to rush on my skin care ..."
"Lmao, not like anyone's interested in your skin care! I had to skip my weekly raid to prep for this test!"
Although having a good feeling afterwards actually, you went pale; you were supposed to get the results back today and not for the first time you wished that there was another topic to be discussed at the lunchbreak table. Right now Satan frowned and glanced to his right at the sight of your nearly untouched plate as the twins got up first, heading off to the seminar room. The others started following soon.
And you went weak at the knees while standing up as well, just randomly noticing how Mammon nagged on his nails before leaving the table. The white-haired second-born hadn't said a single word today, quite abnormal in contrast to his usual loud and noisy self. And well, probably he had way more reason to be worried than you ...
"You're trembling."
Meeting Satan's gaze at the sound of his somewhat neutral voice you caught a breath and kept the intense look of the blonde for a moment; both of you were left by the others by now. The play of colours in his eyes, turquois, blue and green was oddly soothing and without realizing it you relaxed little and observed the fourth-born nodding with a smile: "Calm down, will you. You've got no reason to be worried."
Fortunately his statement was accompanied by a smile, otherwise you would have had trouble to actually pay attention to his words. Eventually you took his hand on your way to the seminar room.
However right after entering you paused intuitionally; Diavolo was there, apparently in a talk with your professor who just now distorted his mien and pointed out to Satan and you. The dark ginger turned around immediately, one of his wide smiles spreading across his whole face as the future Demon King and president of the RAD student council took note of the both of you.
"There you are! I've already had a word with your professor, Satan – apologize, but there's an urgent matter I need to inform you about, next to hearing your monthly report concerning your exchange student in charge. I'm afraid this can't wait until our next meeting." Now the features of the dark redhead twitched softly and for a split second you reckoned that catching a glimpse of unusual seriousness in his golden eyes. Or was it just your imagination?
In any case it vanished just a moment later as the prince started to beam: "I already informed your professor about the inconvenience that you will be missing the seminar today. I'm pretty sure that you can catch up quickly on the materials." In contrary to Diavolo who still appeared to be quite enthusiastic, the fourth-born dropped his shoulders rather reluctant. And you softened inwardly; that light pressure of his hand around yours surely wasn't made up from your fantasy ...
"Fine ... if it really can't wait until the seminar is finished, then I guess it can't be helped." With an apologetic look towards you the blonde let go of your hand and tilted his head: "I'm sorry, Kätzchen. See you soon - I hope you're looking forward to be rewarded after getting back your results." A chuckle just answered your pretty bewildered blink as the blonde twitched both corners of his mouth. Diavolo joined in with a hearty laughter and blessed his human world exchange student with a contented look: "Or course you are! After all, you're doing great so far, we surely can expect great things from you!"
With that, the dark ginger gave you a last, encouraging look -"See you later!"- and took his leave, followed by the fourth-born. And you gulped, observing how the door closed behind them both and went over to your seat. Under the ungracious, narrowed eyes of your professor who now demanded silence.
"As I know exactly how eager all of you are to find out about your results of the latest test, I'm happy to announce that all of them are just set. However, and I have no shame to admit that, what I am absolutely not happy about is the general disastrous outcome of it. Something I would have expected from single ... individuals, unfortunately taking part in my seminar this year – but not from the most of my students." Now the devilish professor just rubbed his forehead which gave his usual dreadful appearance a tiny bit of a likeable impression. You in fact supressed a snort.
"Anyway, here they are." With that the little stack of papers lying onto his desk just howered through the room, on the way to their rightful writers while the one who had just charmed them adjusted his glasses.
"Consider yourself lucky that I didn't grade you like if it would have been an actual exam ..."
Some of the others just caught their papers out of the air and at a short but high-pitched whistle you paused and turned around; Leviathan just stared at his paper with widened amberish eyes and closed them sighing, shoulders dropped and sank back into his chair. It seemed like he had barely managed to pass. Belphie however took close to zero note of his test after throwing a glance at it and just put the paper into his folder, keeping a straight face. The reason why wasn't hard to tell; how he managed to be such an outstanding student wasn't only a mystery to his brothers.
Beel and Asmo though ruffled their hair with quite a desperate face; while the stomach of the ginger protested against his results with a fearsome rumble, his next older brother moaned unrestrained, hiding his face in both hands. But they weren't the only ones; most students were either disappointed or indeed distraught about their marks.
At a sudden, loud exclaim you jerked almost frightened and bobbed your head around. In the next moment you frowned; the view of a triumphing Mammon right after they got back a test was something new and unexpected. A moment later you could be sure that you weren't the only one taken by surprise as Levi stared somewhat stunned at his next older brother: "... don't tell me, you actually passed this!"
"No way! He definately cheated!", Asmo commented and distorted his face while his brother now bared his fangs: "Shaddup! The Great Mammon doesn't need da cheat!" And while the fifth-born growled back anything pretty rude your heart had gone lighter; if even Mammon was able to pass this one ...
Satan had been right. You didn't need to worry.
Finally your own paper flapped chipper around your head and came to land right in front of you on the desk. After the very first glance, you frowned. There were crimson markings, an awful lot of markings; gulping you just went through the first few tasks and bit your lips. How come you had been so badly wrong about most answers? Had you been this terribly nervous that you couldn't concentrate properly?
Rubbing your forehead you spotted at least four wrong answers you should have known better about due to Satan's support. Probably the few right answers you could make out of all the bloody-red markings had filled you with false confidence. Eventually you didn't need to turn around your paper to have a look at the result; all of the numerous markings were proof enough of the fact that you definitely didn't get the required percentage to pass the test.
Little by little the perception sank in; you hadn't been a keener during schooldays and university years in the human world, nor were you now here in the Devildom. But until now you had managed to gain at least the points needed to pass the courses or seminars. Your fingers trembled as you turned around the paper.
17 percent. Way less than half of the required percentage to pass.
For quite a long moment you froze internally. What had he said, he hadn't even graded them like he was supposed to on their exams? How could you ever think of passing the semester exams when you couldn't even pass a simple test like this?
'... After all, you're doing great so far, we surely can expect great things from you!'
You didn't even dare to picture Diavolo's disbelieving mien once he found out about this. Not to speak about Lucifer, but the absolute worst was the notion of Satan. Him scolding you for your poor outcome was actually a desirable imagination; it was more likely that he would pull away from you for a while, maybe cold-shouldering you even until you were able to figure out a way how to make it up to him for wasting his precious time on you.
With a quick move you pressed one hand onto your lips to suppress a sob, a single tear running down your cheek was quickly followed by another one.
'I hope you're looking forward to be rewarded after getting back your results.'
The idea of his inexpressible disappointment was plainly painful, more so as he seemed to have been planning something. Maybe reading together, maybe playing piano for you, maybe going out on a walk, just the both of you ... now you were sure that you wouldn't get to see a hint of the fourth-born in the next days or even weeks.
Or even worse; the more you actually tried to pull yourself together, claiming peace of mind, the more dreadful pictures and thoughts kept popping into your head. It was your luck that nobody took note of you, everyone being too busy with discussing their results with each other.
Shortly before the end of the course you had managed to get yourself together again, wiping eyes and face. Together with most of the other students you left the room, wandering around RAD for quite some while and insecure about what to do. No matter if you got it out in an instant or tried to hide it, Satan would find out eventually.
And if the feeble result wouldn't be enough for him to get salty, the fact that you didn't tell him immediately would to its bit.
So, what was worse?
The twosome of Luke and another chummy human world exchange student eventually brought you back to reality from all of the brooding. And also back to the impressive atrium. Even though being an exchange student for about two months now, there were still parts of this ancient academy humans better didn't enter, at least not on their own.
The hostile spectres of lower ranking demons were luring everywhere.
~
"... You can't be serious!"
Diavolo just paused at my somewhat appaled words and blinked at me, then he sighed: "I'm afraid I am, Satan. There is no way I can reject their request to pay the Devildom and RAD a visit as they wish. You know, neither of them get down here often."
How fortunate ... I barely suppressed a snort, eyes narrowed. Indeed, out of most witches I got to know, these two rather rarely got the idea of a trip down to the Devildom. And I had no shame to let everyone know that I wasn't sad about it in the least. The less I got in contact with them both, the better it was for me ... for my brothers, for anyone close to me although I knew that it had to happen at some point. At the next notion I suppressed a shiver.
If they found out about –
Maybe it was my frozen mien which made Diavolo frown as the dark ginger stepped closer, lying a hand onto my shoulder; apparently he took a guess of what was going on in my mind: "If this is going to assure you, no one will lay a finger on any of the exchange students, be they demons, witches or whichever creatures. Not as long as I'm here and your brothers will surely agree with me on that."
I knew, he was right. I knew, Diavolo would do anything to ensure the safety of every human world exchange student, every exchange student in fact. Being put in charge of one of them of course meant to fill in for this role in the first place – however regarding these two witches I couldn't hope to shield my protégé on my own ...
My report concerning them was rather short though detailed enough to provide a satisfying inside about how our newest human world exchange student was doing. After I had finished, Diavolo raised an eyebrow and nodded: "I see ... well, if it is going to take them some time to settle down, there's nothing bad about that in fact. At some point you'll fully gain their trust and have them opening up to you eventually."
I shortly nodded though dropped my shoulders in a sigh: "I suppose you're right ..."
By now we were leaving the Assembly Hall and made our way upstairs to the ground floor of the main structure. I noticed how Diavolo narrowed his amberish eyes, both corners of his mouth wandering upwards in a smile: "I was told about an interesting dialogue at Café Lament some while ago. I hope you didn't consider giving over your responsibility regarding your protégé to someone else?"
Reaching the head of the massive staircase I paused shortly as two students appeared in my sight of vision; while Diavolo's beloved started to beam and ran over to threw their arms around the future Demon King with a wide beam, they stayed behind rather sheepish. Nothing unusual to me right now but I had to admit that pairing's unrestrained enthusiasm right in front of me got me slightly jealous.
And a bit nostalgic. In this very moment I didn't mind the idea of having a certain someone reacting to my presence like this ...
"Anyway, we should go back soon – Barbatos is surely waiting for us already." With that Diavolo's potential spouse took his hand and immediately distracted the dark ginger. Whether due to their sudden demur or the look both shared in a split second, I couldn't tell. Turning around to them seemingly avoiding eye contact to me I dropped my shoulders and sighed, lowering my voice. Whatever happened, it had affected them highly but in the meanwhile I was used to their stubborn moods.
"... you wouldn't happen to wish sharing the reason for your little walk through the abandoned parts of the structure with me?" By now I was looking forward again, nodding over to Diavolo and his attendant who took their leave. And I couldn't miss the look both exchange students from the human world exchanged.
Now that it was just us both, able to fully concentrate on my protégé I got them trembling again. And closed my eyes for a second. Of course I would stay calm, whatever it was I got to hear about. After an audible gulp I got their voice, still they seemingly found themselves unable to look at me for some reason: "How do you know?" They bit their lips and now glanced aloft to me.
I inhaled and refrained from something cynical just in time: "You're carrying around the aura of spectres, so it isn't hard to tell where you have been." Taking a deeper breath I got my features twitching on their own accord. Irritated, I couldn't deny that. They was yet toying around with their life so carelessly.
"Every demon, every being in fact has its own characteristical aura, the more hostile, the stronger. And I never thought I would see it that way but regarding your ... aversion to actually talk openly to me I can consider myself lucky therefore." As much as I succeeded to keep my voice calm, I found myself unable to suppress my frustration; probably, to imagine the worst case, they wouldn't even consider telling me if any witch or demon had applied a curse on them, trying to work it out on their own. So damn pigheaded.
Or even prideful.
This mere notion made me freeze inwardly, on the spot I focused on suppressing my temper. For hell's sake, they weren't my brother! A quite gasp next to me made me aware of the light pulse I sent out subconsciously and immediately I held my breath, reaching out to them: "It's – alright, I'm sorry, I ... I didn't mean to startle you ..."
A sniff was heard right after a sigh slipped my lips; they had been withdrawing a few steps, pretty eyes widened before stepping closer again. My shoulders dropped, some of my tension went by as they took my hand.
"... I was lost in thoughts and didn't pay attention to where I was going ... Luke helped me getting back to the known floors." Still they couldn't face me, shoulders dropped while their eyes focused on the ground beneath their feet. This gloomy mood reminded me more of Leviathan once my brother was practically longing to drown himself in self-pity. I momentarily frowned at the comparison before they won back my attention: "I was lucky that he was near."
We had left the campus, following our way back to the dorm and I kept quiet, pondering. I avoided asking them for the reason why my protégé got lost wandering through parts of the academy they weren't supposed to explore on their own. Maybe I was -naively- hoping, they would enlighten me by themselves. Yet they held my hand and out of the corners of my eyes I got how they rubbed their nose: "... how was the meeting actually?"
Finally they turned around to look at me, still quite sheepish. I decided to grin and bear it, distorting my face slightly pensive. At some point there would be a better time to worry about the upcoming visit of witches ...
"In hindsight it was nothing special but obviously Diavolo was dying to hear about your progress since my last report." I chuckled slightly, both corners of my mouth twitching – at least until I recognized their frozen face. What was that now? As if they had noticed my frown as a sign of realization my attendant gasped and stared straight ahead, blushing deeply.
And I was once again shortly before resigning; would I ever make sense out of this human?
"How about the test actually? You got back the results, didn't you?"
What was actually meant as me trying to keep up our talk, seemingly dropped a heavy brick. But how was I supposed to know? Perplex I just got how my protégé suddenly squeezed their eyes and inhaled deeply but the sob yet escaped their lips audible before they were able to suppress it. Hell, what was the matter? Still I was too surprised to get nervous or even agitated. With another blink at them I struggled to decide whether to demand clarification or hold back.
It clearly didn't go the way they wanted, and sorting out the possible reasons for their sudden unease didn't take much time. But a bad mark? Really? With a frown I just recalled the evening before the test where they had left me impressed, seemingly feeling confident about the subject. So what had happened?
Finally my attendant appeared to make up their mind, a tear rolling down their cheek: "... yes ... we did." I caught another sniff and tilted my head. Frowning about the actual reason of this attitude; as if a few points meant the end of the world: "You know, getting hundred percent in a test like this is unlikely manageable – unless you're Belphie", I added with a snort and smirked wryly: "It's no shame, if you didn't score up to the upper fourth –"
"I didn't even pass!"
For a split second I paused internally, blinking. And then frowning at next while my human struggled with another sob. Probably I didn't even need to word my question as my whole mien must have shown my incomprehension: "But – what? ... just why ... how – wait a second." Abruptly I came to stand and tilted my head at them. As outrageous as it was learning about the feeble result, it was one thing – another one was them drenching in tears by now: "... I'm sorry", they laboured themselves to speak between a few sobs and rubbed their forehead: "... I knew I wouldn't – make it up to one hundred percent, but ... I was sure that I would – pass at least."
I observed how another tear rolled down their cheek while they sniffed and rubbed their nose. Raising an eyebrow I licked my lips and reached out to them hesitantly. I wasn't yet quite sure what I actually tried to achieve, however my protégé took the decision from me and put their arms around me. This move as such was that unexpected that I took another second to realize what had just happened before responding the hug, slightly tightening my grip around them.
And exhaled. Still their body trembled little, I got them sniffing quietly, arms cramped around me. With a sigh I bit my lips; I didn't feel as helpless as before, recalling similar situations but still incredible awkward.
"Still, this is all you're worrying about now? A single bad mark?" My voice kept as calm as it was possible, I hardly refrained from anything sarcastic; in the meanwhile I knew too well how they dealt with it: "You can make up for it at another time – what is the big deal crying over spilled milk? It won't change anything, so calm down."
I had just ended my sentence as they raised their head aloft to me. Those beautiful eyes still twinkled although at least there weren't any more tears running down their face. However regret and remorse, and quite a lot of both: "... I wanted to do my best, for all those hours when you were helping me out would be worth it ..."
The next words struck me. Wasting my time with tutoring them? It took me some effort to remain calm but I succeeded. Probably I was relieved that they had managed to calm down themselves in the meanwhile. Or maybe subconsciously I was glad that I got told what was going on in their mind. I still needed to get to know them a lot better and was grateful for every bit of an insight they actually offered to me. Might unused to people going after them.
Well, how bad for them that I could be quite stubborn as well. After pulling back they also let go of me and let me take their hand. Gently but somewhat resolute, while they wiped over their face: "So, you're not mad?"
By now I figured that presenting them with light amusement could be considered as safe. I chuckled quietly and frowned, shaking my head: "Think about it, Kätzchen, what would I gain from losing it now? Nothing to make it any better." The barely noticeable sarcastic undertone in my voice faded when I faced them matter-of-factly and nodded.
"Let's get home and have a clearer look at the disaster after calming down again. I'd like this idea."
My intuition was rarely wrong. And anyhow I sensed that before the evening was over we would solve the mystery about this very first inconcievable bad result.
~
Two cups of Bufo Egg Milk Tea later you were at least able to throw another glance at your paper together with Satan. And the longer you kept staring at a few peculiar and obviously wrong answers, the more you became suspicious; was that actually your paper?
Still, your name was resplendent on the upper part of the front. But was that really everything? Now that you weren't that emotionally wrecked anymore, your fingertips felt a soft tingle each time when touching the paper. By now you knew that it was due to magic traces after objects were affected by any sort of spells. Though - why would anyone ensorcell your paper?
Just a second later you frowned and shook your head. Of course you sensed magic, after all the tutor had casted a spell on all papers, so that they would fly to each of their student. The thought just ran through your mind as Satan reached out: "Hand it over to me." His voice was gentle but earnest. And though the question for the reason why was on the tip of your tongue, you kept your mouth shut and handed the paper on to the blonde.
In the meanwhile you had learned not to question him once Satan got that serious look in his turquois eyes.
Whose features starting twitching in a portentous way you didn't like at all, eyes narrowing dangerously. And although he seemed calm to the outside you didn't miss how he gritted his teeth. Intuitionally you tensed until Satan got up abruptly, knocking over his chair backwards and took your upper arm. With a gasp you almost stumbled over your own feet as the fourth-born dragged you up and behind him mercilessly. To where were you going? And, even more important, what was it that had made him so mad? His tight grip was painful and angry and it took him the whole way upstairs to take a single note of you, appalled and complaining.
The two of you had reached the upper floor and yet the step of the fourth-born was quite harsh. When you passed the twin's room door and this of Asmo, you finally dared to open your mouth, snapping out of the little shock he put you under: "What's up, Satan? Who are you looking for? And would you PLEASE -", and now you raised your voice irritated, "mind to let me go?! You're hurting me!"
Still Satan didn't react but your aggravation infected him greatly; he tensed even more, his aura rose dangerously. A few pulses emanated from him like a fury breeze.
He didn't bother to knock at Mammon's door asking politely for entrance like he surely would have done usually – indeed the blonde flung the door open, entering with you in tow, throwing quiet a few nasty cusses and practically jumped at his older brother.
Who had tried to dodge the blonde until he fell from his couch with a groan, completely surprised: "SATAN, whaddya – YA CAN'T SIMPLY WALTZ IN HERE LIKE YA WANT! - Already heard abou' knockin' -?"
"SHUT YOUR MUG, MAMMON!" Immediately the white-haired second-born fell silent as you flinched and blinked back and forth between the siblings, utterly confused. The blonde had managed to take a deeper breath, but he was trembling in anger: "... I knew, you'd do anything to avoid being punished for failing a test once again. But I had no clue, you'd go to these lengths!"
At next you couldn't help but widen your eyes as Satan set the nightmare with all those crimson markings right under his brother's nose: "Recognise it, by any chance!?"
Mammon's first impulse -and you couldn't blame him- was to bat the paper away. However, something in his azure eyes twinkled, they had widened in shock: "What the – what's up with ya, Satan?! Calm down, will ya?" The white-haired second born gestured his younger brother to relax, at once however Mammon had tensed remarkably.
He left the impression of someone who was caught red-handed. Now you gulped with a frown: "However unlikely it sounds to me – do YOU have anything to do with me failing this test?"
Mammon's features twitched hectically, the facial expression of the white-haired was an absolute chaos. As he couldn't bring himself to a response right away, Satan did another step closer, his aura pulsing angrily and letting the expensive interior of his brother tremble; even the Demonio 666 on the upper floor did a little hop: "ANSWER THEM!"
Now you reacted quicker and stepped over, hugging the fourth-born tightly from behind. It worked immediately, on the spot Satan relaxed little and snuggled into your embrace. This was when you found eye contact to Mammon, raising a brow.
And finally the second-born dropped his shoulders, looking aloft to both of you with a pleading face: "I ... ya see, I couldn't fail this one. Lucifer would've killed me – but with ma lovey's birthday comin' up, I had to go and find the perfect gift. I had no time for studyin'."
For a single moment you felt sorry for the white-haired. His sweetheart meant the world to him and you had yet to experience how hard and effortful it would be to find a fitting gift for the most important person to you in all three worlds. But when Mammon opened his mouth again, pointing out at you, the tune of his voice changed: "An' ya got great marks throughou' the semester, a single bad one's not hurtin', right? Since you're no part of the studen' council an' just an exchange student -"
He had said something wrong; at Mammon's last words the blonde lost his patience: "JUST AN EXCHANGE STUDENT? JUST A LOWLY HUMAN? IS IT THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO SAY?!" Suddenly the blonde rose in your embrace, transforming into his demon stage at another wave of angry pulses: "I'M GOING TO TEAR YOUR LIMBS OFF ONE BY ONE, YOU LOWLY SCUMBAG -"
"Satan!" Your exclaim was more than audible, appalled yet determined. Still the perception of Mammon using a spell to seemingly interchange their answers left you bewildered, but Satan losing it within these walls was to avoid at all costs. The feeling of his devilish aura lingering and thickening the air made you shiver however you did your best to swallow the shock, snuggling into his feathery boa: "I want to go to somewhere else, please. Come on."
Likely it was the sound of your voice that made him calm down again under a few breathless gasps. His boa dispersed, just like the rest of his demonic appearance until Satan had returned to his usual form. He was still tensed and still Mammon earned himself a death glare but eventually Satan nodded and took your hand, leaning in on you with his cheeks flushed. That he had given into his irritation to the point of transforming in your presence clearly embarrassed him.
Right at the door you turned around to the shivering mess on the floor which was Mammon: "... and I really thought, it was my fault. Satan took hours of tutoring me, I didn't even think of anyone being so ruthless to misuse my results to his advantage. Anybody, maybe. But not you, Mammon."
The azure eyes of the white-haired widened again, this time understanding and distraught. Of course he hadn't thought of what it would cause you. Because the second-born wasn't known for thinking afar. "Please -", was the last thing you got by him before his door closed.
Leaving a trembling Mammon behind you went upstairs, entering Satan's room on the second floor. The usual chaos of book piles and tomes lying criss-cross on the floor while here and then one of his magic books lazily flapped around.
With a sigh the fourth-born sank onto his bed, pulling onto your hand for you to sit down next to him: "... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go this far ... but right in this moment I had your face in front of my inner eye when we walked home -"
"Shhh ..." Immediately you reached out to cup his face so Satan had to look at you. His cheeks were yet flushed: "It's alright, nobody got hurt and you checked yourself right in time. You can be proud of yourself."
Shortly you leaned your forehead on to his, staying like this for a moment. When you pulled back, his blush had ceased and the blonde smiled: "Because of you. You were with me." Softly he pecked your lips and leaned back, exhaling. Still the fourth-born seemed tensed, dropping his shoulders in frustration.
"I clearly imagined this afternoon to turn out completely different ... actually I wanted us to relax and enjoy a nice evening together ..." From the way he pouted it seemed like the incident with Mammon thoroughly soiled his mood. You took a few seconds of contemplating and biting your lips until something popped into your head. Usually you didn't mind this stuff all too much – however if it could help to distract him ... "Why don't we watch a few videos at first? I found a new channel on Deviltube I wanted to show you, its cat videos are really cute."