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Watching from the bottom step you peer into the underground tomb, watching, listening for any signs of the beast on prowl. You see the three headed canine in the far back, sprawled out on their side.
Maybe Cerberus was asleep? The sound of gentle snores what echoed whispers through the tomb, it would have been cute if the dog didn’t try to kill you several times. You didn’t blame Cerberus too much, after all they were just following their beloved masters orders. Though it still didn’t ease your nerves.
Lucifer asked a rare favor of you and of course you happily agreed before knowing what he wanted. Rosey cheeks and all, ready to assist him anyway you can, until he told you to feed Cerberus. He always gently scolds you for agreeing to terms before you knew what they were and you’re starting to think he’s right. How foolish of you.
You look once more at the furball and cautiously stepped off the final step and into the tomb. How did Cerberus not hear you coming down the stairs? You were practically stumbling down the stairs as you tripped over your slippers. The dog surely heard you, but didn’t care enough perhaps?
But either way Cerberus needed to be fed.
Softly muttering your spell, you summoned three large dishes. Dishes you’re not sure you’ve ever seen housed on the property. The saucer chiming against the concrete floor briefly until it was set down all the way.
You admire the dinner. Different arrays of colorful foods, most of them you can’t remember their names and only the taste. It looked like a well-balanced meal, and you jokingly wondered if Lucifer ever fed his bothers something so pretty.
Lucifer was definitely the type to treat his dog like his own child. A dog mom. You’re grinning ear to ear as you think about Lucifer referring to Cerberus as his ‘fur kid’. Which would never happen, but a laughable thought, nonetheless. He wouldn’t baby his dog, probably would be the strict parent. Yeah definitely—
Warm breath against your head and a jingle of metal pulls you out of your thoughts. You finally notice the shadow that looms over you and hear, feel the dog sniff the top of your head. The three heads taking turns to smell you.
Hopefully they didn’t mistake you for their meal.
Turning your head slowly you’re met with a brisk huff of air, and you flinch as Cerberus nose or rather, noses take curious sniffs. He backs up to look at you fully. You stare at him, and he stares back, unblinking. Clearly at attention.
Surely your significant other wouldn’t let you get eaten alive. Right?
“Hello, Cerberus.” For lack of words, you greet them, and your heart almost gives out. Not out of fear, but pure adoration. Cerberus tilted their heads each going a different side, lolling them back and forth as they study you. And you can’t help but gush how cute it was under your breath.
“Your dinner is ready.” You speak with more confidence and motion towards the three dishes. Cerberus walks past you no problem, one of their heads sniffing you again as they pass by you. It tickles.
The dog digs into their meal and you can hear the wet snapping of their mouths as they do. And instead of leaving you watch the giant dog. Cerberus’ tail swishing back and forth, clearly enjoying its food and it was your turn to tilt your head.
Okay you get it. You can see why Lucifer loves this fire breathing mutt.
Big boy. Big dog. Dogs are animals and animals are cute. You love animals. Therefore, you love dogs. And this was a giant dog.
Your phone buzzes in your pocket and you take it out. You see the chat ‘The Attic Club “Sandwich”’ popping up. It’s Belphie.
Belphie: Where are you?
I’m feeding Cerberus.
Belphie: Good luck with that.
Beel: Do you need help?
I’m okay, I’ll be up in a bit.
They send okay stickers, and you check the time before shoving your phone back into your pocket. It’s not that late, surely you can stay and watch the big doggie. Cerberus didn’t seem to mind your presence at the moment, and it’s been a long time since you’ve met an animal that doesn’t kill you at first sight.
Cerberus finished their meal, and it turns around, but quickly catches the sight of its tail and turns not once. Not twice. But three times to chase their tail before it turns the attention back to you.
Dog is a dog. Weather it is a golden retriever, or a hellhound. Urge to pet dog is strong. Cue the cutesy talk you used on dogs back in the human realm. You’re not sure how Cerberus will respond but it was second nature to you. Besides you survived the wrath of Belphegor and Lucifer. Death by dog doesn’t seem too bad.
“Hey~!” You’re voice light and airy. The golden eyes staring at you, tilting their heads while slowly approaching you. You’re having second thoughts as Cerberus crouches close to the ground, staring at you intently. You try calling out to them again.
“Hey~! Who’s a good boy?” The dog stands up straight at an alarming rate and unblinkingly stares at you. You swallow hard and continue.
“You are Cerberus! You’re a good boy!” The dog immediately runs in you direction, the nails clicking against the concrete and the vibrations causing you to stumble. You look up and the dog is practically diving at you. It’s all too quick and you shut your eyes and cross your arms to shield your face, but all you felt was vibrations from the initial pounce.
You stare bewildered at the sight in front of you. Cerberus is bowing towards you. Tail wagging excessively, happy wiggles, and their mouths open with their tongue lolling out as they pant excitingly. Their nails tapping away as they paw at you playfully, bursts of tiny flames puffing out as they jump side to side.
“You. Are. So. Cute! What a good boy!!” Cerberus jumps around in a circle before returning back into a playful stance, giving you side eyes as their tail wagged and swish their head side to side. Their tail creating a cool breeze as they pant and jump.
“Who’s a good boy?! Who’s a good boy? You are Cerberus—Oof!” Cerberus head bumps you in the chest. Each head arguing with one another as the take turns pressing their forehead against you. Each bump making you stumble back until you fall back onto your bottom.
Cerberus lays their center head onto your lap and the others on either side of you, whimpering, bumping your shoulders for attention. You spread your arms out and lay your head down on the middle head, using your hands and face to pet three of them at the same time.
“So cute! Such a good boy!” Cerberus’ fur soft and silky, clearly well taken care of. You rub your face into the dogs forehead, and they smelt of what you can only describe as pine needle like. Puffs of fire are sputtered out by Cerberus, but it doesn’t burn. It feels comforting, like the soft steam after a nice well deserved warm shower.
You’re too engrossed in the warmth of the adorable pooch you don’t hear the quick footfalls down the stairs. And when you hear your name is said the second time, quite urgently, is only when you look back. Though Cerberus pushes you once again and you’re now flat on your back watching as Lucifer had slowly settled close by.
Lucifer stares and watches as his loyal dog sheepishly rubs their face onto your body, meekly wagging their tail with eyes closed happily as they see him.
“Hey Luci. I love your dog.” You grin stupidly at him as you lay on the ground. Your hands petting whatever patch of fur your fingers can glide on. Lucifer sighs and takes a knee besides you.
“You really never fail to surprise me.” Cerberus crawls over you a little bit to meet Lucifer. With a sigh Lucifer stroked Cerberus’ heads and gives you a lopsided smile to which you returned.
You definitely will volunteer to take care of this precious pupper in the future.