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Pip didn’t leave Hell often. After taking over for his parents he kept to the rules, following them as best he could, only leaving when his imps couldn’t handle a situation (or have a run in with an angel). Despite the roaring brimstone and demonic screams he found it quite peaceful. The days blurred together, sure, but he never minded.
However, there is one day a year he visits the town of South Park almost guaranteed.
Halloween night, every year the whole town erupts into a day long celebration. How could he miss an event celebrating demons such as himself? At least that’s how he justified breaking his own rules. He didn’t enjoy bending them in the slightest besides this one exception a year.
Damien however? That angel got on his every last nerve. Bending and breaking rules as he saw fit. It was an interesting dynamic they had, the devil being the one to demand order from an angel of all people. Especially one of his caliber? It was infuriating.
Pip sighed as he thought over all of this in his mind, another year, another chance to bump into his ex. In reality, he didn’t truly mind, but he is far too prideful to admit that. For a moment, he debated if he truly wanted to go this year.
In the end he opened a portal to the mortal realm, he needed a break anyhow.
Damien had already made himself known in town that day, long before Pip arrived on main street. Halloween night or not same angel, different cover story. He always had some bullshit excuse for visiting the mortal realm. It drove his head angel, Wendy, mad to no end (it was the one thing her and Pip could agree on).
The whole town was covered in spooky decor, getting ready for the party that night. Even with his usually sour mood towards the living, Pip couldn’t help but smile at the effort they put in.
Nonetheless he sauntered forward, his hooves clicking against the sidewalk. He made his way past a few businesses, Tom’s Rhinoplasty, Freeman’s Tacos, but paused seeing the photo dojo.
“Just a bit more to the left.” Said Stan, the grim reaper, as he helped Clyde put up a banner.
Clyde, the manticore, was up on the building’s roof covered in candy wrappers, glow in the dark spider rings, and pumpkin shaped confetti. He usually was a mess for most of Halloween and the day after, but Pip could never fault him for being so excited. He moved the banner as Stan instructed before noticing the demon watching them.
“PIP!” Practically yelled the big fluff ball as he hopped off the roof to greet one of his many friends. “Welcome back! Have you seen the decor so far? Think we knocked it out of the park this year!”
The demon couldn’t help but smile at the other’s enthusiasm. He chuckled, “I haven’t seen much yet, but it’s superb as expected. You usually ‘knock it out of the park’ anyhow, you know?”
Clyde’s expression practically lit up with a very wide grin, “Ohmygod thank you!! It’s just really important, you know? Helps everyone loosen up and-“
Stan interjected, “We still got more to do, big guy.”
“OH- Yeah, we should uh- get going, sorry!” Clyde turned to go with Stan, only looking back to say one more thing, “You’re gonna be at the party later, right?”
Pip had been planning to avoid it, Damien always made a point to go, but… Despite all the brimstone and imps at his disposal. All the power he personally possesses-
“I’ll be there.”
He couldn’t let one of his only friends down.
Pip, as promised, went to the party later that night at Tolkien-stein’s house. This year they managed to, just barely, talk his parents into hosting it. The bigger house only made the party itself far larger- Clyde had clearly outdone himself this year.
The house itself looked the part for sure. It’s usual pristine appearance instead made to look like a true haunted house with all its decor. Cobwebs, a small graveyard, and kids from around town acting as scares themselves.
Inside the atmosphere was lively as expected (and a tad chaotic with a good number drinking pretty heavily). Jimmy, the siren, had offered his services as DJ for another year. So, the music selection was pretty decent at least. And as expected Wendy and- Tweek? are doing their best to keep party goers from doing something stupid.
Pip should expect as much from Tweek despite being one of his imps. Usually he’d get onto him for it, but frankly he wasn’t in the mood. No need to add to the imp’s anxieties anyhow, it’s his day off as well. Either way he is supposed to be on a date tonight with the newest youth pastor in town. So? That’s got to be worth something at least.
His line of thought was quickly interrupted by someone catching his eyes. Of course, Damien is here. As again per usual the angel is putting on a show for party goers, shifting into his true form to impress guests. Despite how showy he is it’s surprising he never bothered with a costume, instead flaunting his status as an angel. Pretentious as all h-
“Are you ok?”
Pip jumped, and turned on his hooves to see who spoke to him. It was Clyde, and he looked pretty worried.
“You’ve been staring out the back door for a while now. Is the party too much? You don’t have to stay you kn-“
The demon’s sour expression quickly changed into a soft smile at Clyde. A truly genuine one to boot, he always appreciated the manticore checking on him like this.
“I’m alright! Just…” His gaze darted to Damien for a moment. “…I have a lot on my mind is all.”
Clyde followed Pip’s line of sight, his expression grew further concerned. “Still thinking about Damien?…”
Pip was still all too prideful to admit it verbally. Thus all he did was nod silently, his gaze moving to the floor.
Clyde’s expression only grew sadder- that is until suddenly his face lit up yet again, and his tail practically became a blur. He leaned down to whisper something, an idea, to Pip.
“…Are you sure? You really don’t have to do that for me? You put so much effort into this…”He said nervously tapping a hoof on the floor.
“Absolutely! Look look.” The manticore gently reached for one of Pip’s hands to comfort him. His paws were so much larger than the demon had realized.
“You’re my friend just as much as everyone else here. If you’re not having a good time, then I didn’t do my job as host. C’mon, I was thinking of heading out for a bit anyway. Er-“
He scratched the back of his head, “If you want to?…”
After a minute of considering it, Pip agreed to go with Clyde’s idea.
Clyde figured some fresh air, away from the festive chaos, could help a lot. Just something to get Pip away from the party and his mind off of Damien.
After chatting briefly they agreed to make their way to the playground. Maybe get a chance to see the costumes the younger kids picked out this year too! Pip apparently never stayed long enough to see that normally.
As they sat down he couldn’t help notice Pip staring up at the night sky.
“Do you like stargazing?”
“Hm?” Pip glanced at Clyde then back up at the sky, “In a way. There aren’t any stars in Hell. Thus I… Try to appreciate it while I’m up here.”
Clyde nodded along listening intently. There aren’t any stars in Hell, he thought to himself. That gave him an idea, clearly based on his expression, but- He’ll do that in a bit. For now they were enjoying the quieter atmosphere. Minus the screaming kids occasionally anyhow.
After they spent some time in the park, Clyde insisted on Pip staying just a little bit longer.
“I have something to give you.”
He said taking Pip back to his house. The demon had no clue what the manticore was up to, but nonetheless he decided to go with his request. He did make the point he needed to head home after this however.
Once they arrived at his house, Clyde asked Pip to wait outside his room. The demon hesitantly obliged still not sure what this was about until-
Clyde handed him a small bag. “Here. I- uh thought this might brighten your day- er night! Just a lil bit...” He said fidgeting with his paws.
Pip turned the gift in his hands to read the packaging, “…Glow in the dark stars?”
“Yeah! I got them for my room, but!” Clyde’s tail started to wag again, lightly thumping on the door frame. “I thought you might appreciate them and all.”
Before the demon could reply, Clyde pulled him in for a hug. It caught Pip off guard, but he nonetheless returned the kind gesture. He appreciated it, and the gift, truly (even if he wouldn’t say it aloud).
Eventually, Clyde pulled away from the hug to wish Pip a safe trip home. There’s a small part of him that wants to stay even longer. However… he has tasks to attend to. He waved goodbye to his friend as he stepped through the portal to head home.
Once there, Pip didn’t waste any time putting up those stars. Just their mere presence made his days just a little brighter- He chuckled looking at them, working just as his friend intended.
Maybe, just maybe, he might visit him another day.