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The radio blared in the car, Moxxie giving the radio station a withering glare before locking his eyes back on the road. Millie couldn’t help but smile when she saw it. The way the imps frown seemed to turn into a pout. Her gaze twisted to the windshield as night fell on Imp City. Flickering streetlight’s mixed with the pentagrams' crimson glow and the twin beams of car headlights. A cool breeze entered the car from open windows, and even the sounds of gunfire was distant. Overall, it was a good night. Her musings disappeared when she felt her phone vibrate on her hip, right beside her trusty old knife. She pulled the phone out to see the contact flashing on the screen.
“Who is it?” Moxxie asked, hands on the wheel as he pulled the car into a turn.
“It’s Blitz.” Millie replied, taking the call and putting the device to her ear. “Hey boss! Me an’ Mox are headin’ to the bar now.”
Blitzo’s voice was distorted, blaring music in the background. “Great! We’ll be a bit late, had to take a detour from the office.” There was some shouting in the background, and quickly followed by Blitzo’s own shouted retort. “Roads are fuckin packed right now…”
Millie smiled, unfazed by her boss's antics. “Alright boss, we’ll be there in…” She looked at Moxxie with an inquisitive glance. He responded curtly, eyes on the road. “Mox says ten minutes tops. Shouldn’t be too long.”
“Great, we’ll be there in maybe 20 minutes. Save our usual booth. We’re partying tonight. Drinks are on me!” Blitzo said.
“You got it boss!” Millie replied, the two imps sharing their goodbyes before leaving the call. She turned to Moxxie as she pocketed her phone. “Boss’ll be a bit late. Wants us to reserve our usual booth.”
Moxxie raised an eyebrow, looking both ways before driving through a green light. “The one by the window?”
“Looks like it.” Millie said, a wry grin following her as well.
Moxxie readjusted his new bowtie. A new purchase because of their most recent job. Millie herself sported a new choker, a simple black band that seemed to glimmer against her neck. Their most recent job had gone flawlessly, not to mention the assassins getting a hefty payout as well. Blitzo wanted to celebrate tonight. For once Moxxie and Millie were inclined to agree. Stolas’s rescue had been a recent affair. Successful through grit, luck, and sheer willpower alone. But neither imp hadn’t gone unscathed. Behind Moxxie’s bowtie there was still the ghost of a bruise from the snake imps chokehold. And Millie’s choker hid a laceration she’d gotten from her own axe. Moxxie kept glancing at the scar, lips thinning whenever he thought she wasn't looking.
His apprehension was starting to worry her.
The imp was pulled out of her musings when Moxxie pulled into a modest, partially filled parking lot. Those that couldn’t find a parking space, or were too lazy, simply parked on the sidewalk. Not like the police did anything about it anyway. Moxxie parked not too far away from the front of a bar. Neon orange light pulsed in the darkness of the night, a pint of beer stylized with a tail and horns sat above a door. Beside it was the stylized emblem of a mic. Between the symbols lay the bar's name in blocky glowing letters: Demonic Spirits.
Moxxie always said he liked the little wordplay, Millie thought it was a bit tacky. The rest of IMP couldn’t care less.
Moxxie turned off the car’s headlights and pulled the keys out of the ignition. The radio died in an echo, the engine cutting to silence as the imp stepped out of the car. He walked to the front of the car and opened up the passenger seat.
“After you milady,” he said with a flourish and a bow.
Millie couldn’t help but laugh at the lethal thespian's antics. “Why thank you.” She responded, stepping out of the car.
She stepped into the ambient heat of Imp City. A night breeze stole away any discomfort, though, leaving the imp refreshed as they walked to the front door of Demonic Spirits. A quick look into the barred window showed that the bar was already packed. As soon as they entered the sound of revelry washed over them. The sound of drinking demons, of laughing and intense conversation. A brawl had started off to the side as well, but that was the only thing out of place. The bar counter was crowded, imps of all shapes and sizes lounging around, not to mention a handful of hellhounds. Millie caught sight of a handful of succubi and incubi taking up a few booths near the bar’s window.
A space was left unoccupied, however. A lone mic stood alone on a small raised stage, behind it the sound system was blaring some local pop song. The mic reserved for public singing was left derelict. Millie turned her head towards the bar counter, Moxxie already pulling her towards it as they weaved their way through the mess of bodies and tables between them. A hellhound stood behind the bar counter. Grey furred, barrel chested, with an absent ear and a scarred muzzle, his intimidating appearance was counteracted by a generous grin and soft eyes. He was busy cleaning a glass with a rag that had seen better days.
He looked down to see the two imps, the hellhound breaking out into a grin. “M&M, nice seeing you two here! Got company or are you two drinking alone tonight?” The hellhound asked.
Moxxie hopped on a stool. “Yeah, the company’s coming to celebrate tonight Duncan. Is our usual booth free?”
Duncan placed the glass down beside a handful of others, raising his eyes over the din of demons to a booth close to the mic and the exit. “Booths free. Go ahead and hop in.” The hellhound grabbed a menu from the counter and gave it to the imp. “Got a few new items on the menu, you guys want your usual?”
Moxxie gave him a grateful nod. “Yeah, thanks Duncan.”
The hellhound gave the imp duo a brief nod. “Don’t mention it.”
Moxxie gave Millie the menu, the both of them weaving through the crowd until they got to their reserved booth. Moxxie hopped in first, Millie jumped in beside him as they both gave the menu a quick glance. They went over the options, talking about their meal for the night. Finger food mostly, but damn good. The new items didn't seem to disappoint either. Nothing particularly called out to them though. With neither of them too hungry, they turned towards the drinks section of the menu, looking over what was on offer.
Millie glanced back at the bartender while her husband looked down at the menu. “Duncan looked a bit better than last time, don’tcha think?” Millie asked idly as she looked down the menu.
“You mean after the last gang war? Yeah. Glad to see he pulled out of that intact.” Moxxie turned back to the bartender, seeing the hellhound laugh with a trio of imp brothers as he grabbed their empty pints to refill. “Well, mostly intact.” His hand subconsciously rose to his bowtie, rubbing the bruise underneath. He turned to his wife with a wry grin. “Think those scars boosted his ability to get a date?”
Millie rolled her eyes. “Definitely. Chicks dig scars hun, he’ll be fine.” The couple shared a giggle as they poured over the menu again.
“Thinkin’ of havin’ fun tonight Mox?” Millie asked, seeing the imp eyeing a rather fruity drink on the menu. One of his favorites.
“Hm…” Moxxie rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe, maybe not. I need to drive us home. How about you?”
Millie grinned and tapped a drink on the menu. Burnberry Ale, a Wrathian import. Known for its rich taste and its warm afterglow, not to mention its high alcohol content. Said to knock out a horse if you gave it enough.
It was Millie’s favorite.
“I’m goin’ all out tonight hon. Nothing says celebratin’ like drinkin’ a classic!”
Moxxie chuckled and nodded. “Alright hon. I’ll grab myself something light, but nothing more than that. Now I just need to ask Bl-” he was interrupted when his phone rang, and he took it out. He mouthed to Millie “Blitzo” before talking with their boss.
“Gonna grab our drinks hun, I’ll be right back.” Millie said, planting a kiss on her husband's cheek before getting up.
Moxxie smiled and reciprocated the kiss before returning his attention to his boss, their conversation blending into the bar's ambience as Millie stepped away from their booth. She wandered through the sea of demons as she made her way back to the bar. Duncan’s scarred smile coming in and out of view as she pushed through the press of bodies. Still, it wasn’t long before she was sitting on a stool and leaning on the bar’s countertop. Her chin rested on a propped up hand as she looked at the hellhound and his patrons. Duncan was busy taking a handful of orders, jotting things down quickly on a small notepad. They had both exchanged nods when she sat down though, he’d come over when he was ready.
Millie didn’t have to wait long. Duncan tapped the countertop to grab her attention. She turned to see Duncan leaning against the countertop with that friendly smile of his.
“What’ll it be? Food or drink?” The hellhound asked.
Millie smiled. “A Burnberry Ale for me, and a Sloth Sunset fer Moxxie.”
The hellhound was already busy pouring the drinks into a glass. The deep ochre of the Burnberry Ale contrasted with the peach fruity drink that was Sloth Sunset. Millie smiled at Duncan as she grabbed the drinks.
“Ya don’t mind startin’ a tab fer IMP do ya Duncan?” Millie asked as she took a sip of the Burnberry Ale. The alcohol was accented by the faint taste of vanilla and honey, going down smooth and leaving a pleasant aftertaste.
It had a kick though, enough to make her spine shiver in utter delight.
Duncan was already filling another handful of glasses. “No problem. Your boss got money this time or is Moxxie going to pay the tab again?”
“Our last gig was great Duncan, got paid a pretty soul. Blitz’ll pay, says it’s his treat.” Millie responded.
Duncan shrugged. “Eh, as good a promise as any from your boss. Alright. Tabs open.”
Millie said her thanks as she hopped off the stool she’d been sitting on. The trip back to the booth was uneventful, the country gal imp bobbing and weaving through the crowd to get to the booth where her darling delight waited. Just as she rounded the bend, though, she was roughly shoved aside by a gang of imps pushing towards the bar from the entrance. Millie gasped, drinks spilling against her front.
“Agh! Fuckin! What gives!” She shouted at the imps pushing through the entrance. They didn’t even look back to register her presence.
She sighed, soaking wet and returning to the booth with a grimace. The abnormally strong smell of alcohol pulled Moxxie’s attention away from his phone.
“Millie! What happened!?” He grabbed a handful of napkins from the side of the booth, immediately moving to help her clean the mess. Napkins were pressed against alcohol soaked skin and damp clothing before being thrown to the wayside.
“Just got jostled around comin’ back from the bar. It’s fine, I’ll just grab more drinks…” She grumbled, looking down at her now ruined top.
“Oh Millie…” Moxxie almost seemed to pout, helping the imp as best he could.
Millie smiled wanly at her husband. “Is Blitz still on the phone?” Moxxie nodded. “You don’t mind me talkin’ to him do you?” She was given the phone, and was graced to hear her boss babying Loona in the background.
“Hey Blitz, it’s Millie. Are ya comin’ in the company van?” She asked.
“Yeah I’m bringing the van. Came here straight from work. Why?”
“You didn’t clean up the back did you?” She asked.
Blitzo barked out a laugh. “Hell no, we both know I’d have your husband do that.”
“Good, I need to grab a new top from our spare uniforms.”
Blitzo turned a corner, the sound of the van’s tires screeching in the background. “No prob, I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”
“Thanks Blitz.” Millie said before giving the phone back to Moxxie.
She looked down at her now ruined top. Even her choker seemed to be soaked in alcohol, the smell strong enough to sting her nose. Great way to start the evenin’... She sighed and got to drying her shirt as best she could with the napkins, waiting for Blitzo to arrive.
~~~ ~~~
Blitzo and Loona entered the bar before long, new top in tow. Millie gave him her thanks as she went to the bathroom to change. Moxxie watched her leave, a frown on his face as she walked away.
“Alright Mox, get us any drinks yet?” Blitzo asked, his tail flicking idly behind him as he looked through the bar’s menu.
“No sir.” Moxxie responded distractedly.
Blitzo raised an eyebrow at his employee and friend, the imp staring forlornly at the bathrooms. “She’ll be fine Mox, I doubt a ruined top will ruin her night.”
Moxxie rubbed at his bowtie before turning back to his boss. “I know. It’s just… The job was pretty stressful, even if the pay was great. I just want to have a nice time tonight with my wife and relax, that’s all.”
Blitzo took a moment to respond, turning to Loona to see if she wanted anything from the menu. The hellhound idly picked some fries to snack on, Blitzo agreed and doubled the order. His agitated, flicking tail showed he was listening though. When he turned around it was with a forlorn expression. His spines slowly rose from his back as he leaned forward on the booth’s table.
“She’ll be fine Moxxie, You two took on Striker, spilled alcohol won’t do shit against her.” Moxxie seemed to stiffen at the name, a sole hand balling up into a fist. Blitzo grimaced too, thinking about his feathered paramour still in the hospital… Blitzo leaned back, eyes wandering towards Duncan at the bar. “Cmon, let's grab something to drink. After the bullshit I dealt with getting here I’d better be wasted by the time we leave tonight.”
Moxxie smiled ruefully but shook his head. “No thanks sir, I’m driving us back home tonight. I shouldn’t drink too much.”
Loona looked up from her phone. “Fuckin lightweight…” She mumbled, turning to Blitzo. “Let's go, I want to get wasted.”
Blitzo turned to Moxxie with a frown. “You need to lighten up. Come on! Just one drink. That’s it,” he said.
Moxxie looked deadpan at his employer. His shoulders tensed as he weighed his options. Moxxie sighed and nodded, hopping off the booth seat and turning towards the bar. Blitzo let out a victorious cry and quickly hopped out of the booth. He followed beside the imp as they made their way towards the bar, weaving through imps and hellhounds as they went. Loona texted Blitzo her order, and the imp committed it to memory. Moxxie and Blitzo hopped onto two vacant stools when they got to the bar, waiting to catch Duncan’s attention.
The hellhound gave Blitzo a quick nod but gave Moxxie a double take while he was busy serving out a few drinks to a group of imps. When he strolled to their little corner of the bar he gave Moxxie an inquisitive look.
“Millie’s got your drink Moxxie.” He stated.
“She got bumped into, lost her grip and, well…” Moxxie looked back towards the bathrooms. “Wardrobe accident. We may need refills. Burnberry Ale and Sloth Sunset.” Moxxie was fishing through his wallet for some spare souls but Duncan stopped him.
“No need. Millie already started a tab for you and the company.” He placed down two glasses before turning towards Blitzo with a critical eye. “You’re going to pay this time right?”
Blitzo grinned cockily. “Damn right I am. Flawless gig and fatass paycheck, we’re partying tonight!”
Duncan huffed as he moved to take the glasses, but Blitzo grabbed them first. He grinned at the hellhound.
“What’s the strongest drink in here?” Blitzo asked.
Duncan’s eyes moved straight towards a drink at the edge of the bar. His eyes immediately fell onto an expensive vintage from Gluttony. The golden glass bottle was fashioned into a stylized honeycomb, with the Sin’s trademark bumblebee logo on the label. In flowing letters was the drink's humble name: “Queen’s Honey.”
Blitzo grinned.
Moxxie frowned.
Blitzo turned to his employee. “Come on Mo-”
“Sir, no.” Moxxie interrupted him firmly, his deadpan face unamused. “I’m only here for a light buzz, nothing more.”
Duncan wasn’t listening though, already returning with the bottle in hand. He fumbled underneath the bar counter, taking out a shot glass and placing it beside the strong drink. The hellhound turned his eyes towards the two imps. Blitzo was trying to convince the thespian to take a sip of Beelzebubs famous drink, and the imp was refusing to budge. Duncan sighed as he grabbed a taller glass and filled it with some Sloth Sunset. He slammed the drink down on the table between Moxxie and Blitzo, grabbing the attention of both. He gave a mollifying grin as he grabbed the shot glass and filled it with Queen’s Honey.
“While I don’t usually get in the business of my customers, you need to lighten up Mox.” The hellhound tapped the shot glass with a finger. The glass rang dully, the gold liquid within quaking. “One shot. That’s it. If you don’t like it, well… You’ve got your Sloth Sunset right there.” He nodded towards the other drink.
Moxxie grimaced. “I… I shouldn’t.” He tried to protest, but his hand slowly inched closer to the shot glass. “But it wouldn’t hurt…” He frowned.
Blitzo turned to Duncan. A hand reached out palm down on the bar, underneath the imps hand a handful of souls poked out. The imp mouthed “thanks” before turning back towards his old friend.
“Come on Mox, you know Mill’s worries whenever you bitch like this. Take a load off.”
Moxxie looked at the drink one more time, consternation causing him to grimace. He didn’t know what it was that made him take the drink. Was it his worry for his wife that wouldn’t go away? Or was it a rare, daring impulse? He didn’t really know. He felt the cool glass in his hand, saw his distorted reflection in the golden liquid. Bottoms up… Moxxie put the glass to his lips, took the drink, and felt the world become fluffy and fuzzy…
~~~ ~~~
Millie was returning from outside. Her new top glimmered under the flickering light of the bars front, not to mention the warm glow coming from the windows. She now wore a tightfitting shirt with the logo of one of her favorite Wrathian bands. Having changed in the bathroom and thrown her now alcohol soaked choker and crop top in the car, she walked back to the booth and heard the sound of revelry. She could hear Blitzo amidst the din of voices and the press of bodies, the imp reminiscing on their exploits during their most recent gig. The pale light in the corner of the booth was probably Loona on her phone too. But there was a rare sound amidst it all. A high pitched blend of hiccup and giggle. Wait a minute… Millie frowned, her slow steps turning into a jog as she weaved through the crowded bar towards the booth.
When she got to the booth there was a sight seldom seen. Moxxie seemed to wobble in his seat, a look of calm euphoria giving him a permanently dopey grin. He blinked slowly, one eyelid closing before the other, or rapidly as if to blink something away. As he listened to Blitzo talk, he started to lean forward a bit too much. His head bobbed too close to the table, and he quickly overcorrected. His head snapped back on the booths backrest with little care, a dull thud coming from the wood behind as he accidentally slammed his head back against it. Millie raised an eyebrow before turning to Blitzo.
“What did ya do to Mox?” She asked.
Blitzo was caught mid sentence, turning to Millie. “Oh, we got him a shot of Queen’s Honey to get him to lighten up.”
Millie turned to Moxxie, concern written on her face. “How’re you doin’ hon?”
Moxxie slowly turned to her. “Millie!!!” He slurred before focusing on her. His oddly blinking eyes narrowed and he leaned forward, as if trying to get a good look at her. “W-Wait… You’re not… You’re not Millie…” He mumbled, straightening up against the backrest of the booth with a confused expression.
“Pardon?” Millie’s lips thinned, turning a critical eye to her husband.
“M-Millie came in with this beautiful choker and her usual top…” Moxxie pantomimed pointing at his chest. “A c-cute crop top with gold buttons… A-And stuff…” He blinked slowly, looked at her again, and shook her head. “N-Not Millie…” The next statement was more a mumble than a remark.
Loona was nursing a glass of cheap beer, hiding behind her phone as she listened in. A smirk on her face betrayed her interest though, her shoulders quaking slightly as she tried to keep from laughing.
Blitzo grinned wider. “Oh this is rich.” Before Millie could say anything Blitzo put his hand on Millie’s shoulder. “Nah Moxxie, Millie said she had to leave early, remember? This is uh… Minnie! An old friend from Wrath! She-”
Moxxie grew more confused as he turned to Blitzo. He stopped Blitzo with an outstretched hand. “W-Wait! Wait! Wait a minute…” He blinked at Millie, then Blitzo. “You have friends…?”
Blitzo recoiled at the statement, enough for Loona to burst out in laughter at the look of utter betrayal from her father. Millie couldn’t help but join in when she saw Moxxie’s drunk grin spread wider. The drunk imp knew what he was saying. He just didn’t have a filter anymore.
“Of course I have friends dammit!” Blitzo snapped as he tried to save face. He then turned to Millie with a cruel grin. “In fact… Minnie here’s had eyes on you for a while now.”
Moxxie raised an eyebrow at the statement. She moved to protest, to say that Blitzo was just spinning a cruel joke, but movement from Moxxie caught her vision. She turned to look at her now thoroughly wasted husband. He seemed… Calm, relaxed. A rarity due to the stress of their work, not to mention saving Stolas. She couldn’t think of the last time she saw him so carefree. She turned to Blitzo with a withering stare before letting out a sigh. Might as well go along with this joke, see where the night goes.
She looked at Moxxie with a smile, extending a hand. “Yep! Old friends! I hired Blitz here for a hit a few years ago, before he started going up to the land of the livin’. Blitz’s told me you’re one hell of a sniper.”
Moxxie blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. He grabbed his Sloth Sunset and took a sip from the tall glass. “Yeah… I shoot for the company…” He made a finger gun and fired it in front of him. “I’m also the quarter… The quarterma… The quart… The armorer and accountant. What about you M-Minnie? What do you do?”
Millie thought for a moment. “I’m a… Freelancer. Doing jobs all across the rings. Up in Pride fer a vacation, though.”
“Freelancer? Neat. Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Moxxie gave her a quick smile before scooting into the far corner of the booth, giving her space to sit.
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Millie responded as she took the seat.
Millie took a seat, arms folded in front of her as she looked up at Blitzo’s eager grin. She didn’t exactly know what her boss wanted to get out of this, but she would play along for now. Besides, Moxxie seemed happy, and she wasn’t going to leave without being at least somewhat drunk by the end of the night. Speaking of drinks, her eyes inevitably fell on the sole unattended glass on the table. A deep umber liquid almost frothing to the top. Moxxie looked at the drink too, grabbing the glass and putting it in front of the young imp.
“I got another round of drinks for me and my wife Millie. S-She had an accident you see. But since she went home…” He seemed to pout when he said so, nursing his drink in hand. He took a quick sip of his own fruity cocktail before continuing. “It’s Burnberry Ale if you want to get… Drinky, Minnie! I can’t stomach it but my wife likes her drinks with a strong fuckin KICK .” He giggled before taking another quick sip of his drink, setting it on a napkin reused as a coaster.
“It’s one of mah favorites.” Millie said. “Yer wife’s got a good taste in drinks,” she said, gauging his response.
It was immediate. “She definitely does,” he said. “She’s got good taste in a lot of things, not to mention how sweet she is! Sweeter than this drink.” He smiled dreamily, swirling his drink in its glass. “Oh Satan I love that woman…” He mumbled before taking another sip.
Blitzo groaned, head dropping into his hands in second hand embarrassment. Loona was visibly trying not to gag and failing spectacularly.
“Mil- Minnie, change the subject. I can't take all this sappy shit while sober.” Loona protested.
Millie giggled, then turned to Moxxie. “So you’re all assassins? Do ya have any good stories?” She asked.
Blitzo chimed in, taking a sip from his own drink before pushing in. “Hell yeah Mox, why don’t you tell her about the hit on that crime lord!”
Moxxie grinned. “Oh that was a shot!!! Alright, lemme tell you about one of the best shots of my career…”
Moxxie and Blitzo both began recounting jobs to Millie. Some she had been on, others early on in their career when she wasn’t present. Most of these stories she already knew, dredging up pleasant memories. She didn’t know if it was reminiscing or the drink, but she felt a comfortable warmth begin to spread through her chest as she talked with her boss and husband about old times. The fact that she was impersonating a “friend” of Blitzo’s had slowly begun to slip her mind as the night wandered on. Loona for the most part stayed to the wayside, interjecting a few stories of her own when prompted. Most of the responses were clipped though, the hellhound simply intent on enjoying her drink and the ambient noise of the bar.
It wasn’t long before the rest of IMP began to feel the buzz of alcohol flowing through their systems. Blitzo became louder, more raucous. Loona’s stoic veneer slowly began to give way as she smiled at an occasional memory or laughed aloud at a stupid joke. Even Millie felt her worries slipping away through the dim haze of the Burnberry Ale. Topics shifted from old hits IMP took, to jobs and hobbies. Moxxie laughed and smiled. Truly smiled, without the tension in his eyes when he looked at her, or sadness when he saw his boss. The imp seemed happy for the first time in a long time, and as a result the mood became infectious. Drinks were bought from Duncan at an alarmingly quick rate, their tab rising higher and higher as the night wore on.
“What…” Moxxie hiccuped before continuing. “What do you do for fun Minnie?” He asked, pulling Millie out of her reverie.
“W-What?” Millie sputtered, her eyes refocusing on her husband. She hadn’t realized she nodded off, Loona and Blitzo both looking at her expectantly.
“What do you do for fun?” Moxxie asked, the glass that held his umpteenth Sloth Sunset empty.
“Well… A few high intensity sports, like the pain games back in Wrath.” Millie answered.
Moxxie looked up with sudden interest. “The pain games!!! I played them once…” He scowled and raised the glass to his mouth. His eyes widened in surprise when all he saw was the glass’s empty base. “But I l-like watching the games more… Well don’t leave me hanging! Tell me some s-stories!”
He pushed his empty glass out of the way before leaning against the table. He gave Millie his undivided attention, even if his goofy smile and unfocused eyes made it seem otherwise. In the background a handful of hellhounds began to crowd around the mic, singing a popular pop song on the sound system. The heavy bass and thundering drums were an ample backdrop to the tale she began to weave.
She had to be careful, to tell a story that Moxxie hadn’t heard before about her exploits down in Wrath. She was surprised to find it harder than she thought.
“Well… There was this one time in Wrath, one of the first times I entered the games…”
She told them a story of one of her first pain games, one where she even competed against Sallie May. Outright brawls and feats of strength mixed in with trials of endurance and pain. From wrestling and marksmanship to dangerous obstacle courses and tug of war with feral animals present, she enraptured the rest of IMP with a tale of blood and victory. Moxxie was the perfect audience. Gasping at tense moments and cheering at her triumphs. Blitzo and Loona were a bit more subdued in their enthusiasm, but they listened. Blitzo with his unwavering stare, and Loona’s ear flicking at points of conflict in her story. By the time she had finished the quick little tale the song the hellhounds had sung had ended, the group stepping off the stage to fall back into the crowd.
“Anything else you like to do?” Blitzo asked, pointing his thumb at the now vacant mic. His head tilted towards Moxxie as well, the offer plain as day.
“Well… I also like to sing.” Millie said.
Moxxie smiled. “Really? W-Well… I don’t want to toot my own horn but I h-have a few music awards…” Moxxie wobbled as he stood up, surprised to find the booth’s table keeping him from standing. “T-The mic is currently unused. Are you up for a duet by chance?” He asked, turning towards the now vacant mic on the raised stage.
Millie looked at her drunk, cherished husband, and smiled. “Sure!”
Walking up to the mic and the sound system wasn't hard. It seemed like the rest of the bar was more intent on drowning in drink than singing to a crowd of drunken demons. Millie picked a sappy song, Moxxie grinning when he saw what she chose. It was a delightfully quick song, a favorite for the demons and sinners that cherished genuine intimacy. Amidst the din of talking demons and the burning lights that illuminated the stage two imps leaned on each other, hands outstretched on a sole mic. Lilting piano notes swirled with the backdrop of guitar and drums. As the instrumental began to flower, so did the couple, their voices weaving a song of love and adoration into the humble bar.
Somewhere out there
Beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me
And loving me tonight
Millie started first, her southern drawl an exotic accent that swirled away from the mic. A high pitched voice that warmed the heart, dredging up thoughts of hearth and home. As verses soared through the air the instruments carried her performance along, until it came time for her paramour to sing his part.
Somewhere out there
Someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another
In that big somewhere out there
Moxxie knew a great many things, but two things he knew very, very well: guns, and music. His expertise came now as he sang an octave lower than the other imp on the stage. His voice a deep tenor to accentuate his partner's higher pitch. It wasn’t long before the two joined their duet, voices entwining with an instrumental that pulled at the heart and made those listening yearn for something more.
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
The music swelled, and so did their singing. The two imps harmonizing to a song they’ve sung behind closed doors countless times, accompanied by Moxxie’s guitar of course. Demons were turning their heads towards the couple now, lyrics of love so far away pulling them out of their drunken stupor.
Somewhere out there
If love can see us through
Then we'll be together
Somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
They repeated the last half of the lyrics, swaying to the tempo of the song. They may have swayed because of their drinks too, but at that moment neither imp seemed to care. They ended the song to raucous applause. Their drunken singing was better than most, that much was hard to deny. Even if the song wasn’t exactly popular. The duo stumbled back towards the booth with giddy smiles and drunken giggling.
“T-That was fun! You’re a g-good singer Minnie.” Moxxie said as he stumbled back into the booth.
Millie was giggling the whole time, clutching his shoulder as she sat down on the booth too. “You’re not too bad yerself.” She responded.
Blitzo clapped their backs at a damn good performance before looking at the mic with an appraising glance, madness in his eyes. “Fuck it. Hey Loona, you want to sing with daddy?”
Loona looked at her father with a mortified expression. “No way! I’m not going up there!”
Blitzo pouted, but seeing his daughter refuse to budge he simply hopped off his booth with a smirk. “No problem, I’ll have the rest of the bar sing with me instead.” Blitzo quickly hopped onto the stage. He grabbed the mic, grinning wildly under stages lights. “Enough of that sappy shit, you all ready to rock!?” The response was a shouted cry as Blitzo quickly picked a song, the bar devolving into chaos.
Through blaring, deafening music, and the muffled senses of people thoroughly drunk, Millie simply rested her head on Moxxie’s shoulder and enjoyed the rest of the night.
~~~ ~~~
The water she drank washed away some of the alcohol in her system. The world came into a bit more focus as she blinked away the fuzziness. The demons singing in the bar were muffled as Blitzo and Loona leaned on the bar’s window outside. The hellhound was puffing on a cigarette, deft fingers toying with her lighter. Blitzo was pushing his hands roughly into coat and pants pockets, looking for his keys. Moxxie was already stumbling towards the parking lot, keys clutched numbly in his hands. Millie held his hand firmly though, keeping him from the road. She wasn’t confident he could drive in his drunken stupor. While his giddy smile and dopey attitude was endearing and adorable, she’d rather not see how well he could drive when he couldn’t see straight.
“Aha! Found it!” Blitzo roared. “Come on, I parked next to you guys.” He immediately started walking through the parking lot.
Loona took one hard puff of her cigarette, blowing out the smoke and flicking some ash onto the ground before pushing herself away from the front of the bar. She joined her father a moment later, walking towards the company van to go home.
“Alright Mox, let’s get goin’. It’s pretty late,” she said.
He gave her the barest nod, and they both walked towards their car. Moxxie wobbled as he walked, more than once leaning on Millie for support as they followed Blitzo and Loona. When they rounded the bend they saw the company van right next to their car. Blitzo was busy checking a few things in the back of the van while Loona continued to smoke by the front passenger seat. Millie stepped to the driver's seat of her and Moxxie’s car, waving away Loona’s smoke.
“Alright Mox, give me the keys. Let’s head home.”
Moxxie was staring at her with a curious look. “I-I’m sorry? You’re lovely and b-beautiful but I can’t. I-I’m married remember?”
Millie looked at her husband, confused. Even Loona gave the imp a befuddled glance. “What?”
Moxxie leaned on the car’s hood, fumbling with the car keys as he unlocked the doors. “I can't! I-I’m married to someone else. She m-means the world to me. While my time with you has been… Dreamy… I can’t go home with you Minnie.”
It took Millie a moment to process what she heard. When she did she felt her heart melt. “Oh darlin'…”
Moxxie stumbled towards the driver seat, fumbling to open the door. “I-I can drive you home if you’d l-like… W-Where do you live?” He mumbled.
“Moxxie, no…” Millie took the imps keys from his hands, standing him up and watching him wobble. She looked up to Loona pleadingly, the hellhound raising an eyebrow.
Blitzo closed the back of the van, the suspension rocking as he walked to the imps and his daughter. “What’s going on?”
“Ya don’t mind drivin’ him home do ya?” Millie asked. “We took the joke too far boss, Moxxie still hasn’t realized I’m Millie…”
Blitzo’s confident smile cracked, concern flooding him as he saw the swaying form of his dear friend. “Shit… He’s pretty wasted isn’t he…” He turned to Millie. “Yeah, I got this. Hold on.” He turned to Moxxie. “Hey Mox, you don’t mind riding with us tonight? Minnie will drop your car off back at the house. We need to run a few errands before we drop you off though.”
Moxxie looked at his boss and shook his head in protest. Blitzo was already opening the side door though, Loona ushering the imp into the backseat. Loona grabbed the keys from the drunk imps hands and gave it to Millie.
“We’ll bring him home for you safe and sound.” She said before getting into the front passenger seat of the van.
“Thanks Loona.” Millie said, opening the car and hopping into the driver’s seat.
She watched the van leave for a moment before pushing the keys into the ignition, feeling the car rumble to life. Headlights illuminated the parking lot in front of her, she sighed and adjusted the driver seat before beginning the journey home. It didn't take long for her to reach her apartment. The streets weren't as packed during the day, even if Imp City's night life was still thriving and healthy. When she entered her apartment she quickly readied herself for bed. A quick shower and a change of clothes had her in a nightgown, lounging on her couch and watching the television as she sharpened her knife. A quick look at the nearby clock showed it was late. Very late. But considering how much everyone drank she doubted anyone would be heading to work on time tomorrow. The doorbell rang dimly in the apartment, and she quickly stood up. She placed her knife on the living room table before opening the door. Moxxie leaned on Blitzo, dopey face drooping with fatigue.
“I got your man right here Mills.” Blitzo waited for Millie to open the door all the way before handing Moxxie off to her.
She grunted as Moxxie fell into her arms.
“Millie!!!” The thespian drawled, peppering her with kisses. “I missed you at the bar…” he said in a bemoaned whisper.
Millie giggled, ignoring the smell of alcohol on her husbands breath. She turned to Blitzo. “I got him from here, thanks boss.”
Blitzo nodded. “Don’t mention it. Me and Loona are heading back home now. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
They exchanged goodbyes as Millie pulled Moxxie into the bedroom and adjoining bathroom. Moxxie moved to get himself ready for bed. A quick shower, brushing his teeth, and cleaning his face before pulling on some pajamas and lumbering towards the bed. Millie was reading a book as she waited for him to finish up. When he joined her on their bed she couldn’t tell if he was stumbling because he was still drunk or just tired. He collapsed onto the bed, snuggling up to Millie with a smile on his face. Millie reached for the bedside table, turning off the light and putting the book down. The pentagram above shined its dim light into the bedroom, dispelling some of the darkness that now surrounded them.
“Hey Millie?” Moxxie’s voice rose from the darkness beside her.
Millie turned to face him. “Yes hun?”
His hand settled on her cheek, a thumb circling crimson skin. In the light of the pentagram the thespians eyes seemed to glow gold. Those same eyes seemed to be filled with sorrow. His hand trailed down from her cheek to her neck, to the nick of her axe only recently healed. It was the newest slash of white against her skin, a new weave in her tapestry of scars. But they both knew this was different. If that axe was thrown just a little differently… If Striker had decided to finish the job rather than gloat…
“Moxxie, what’s wrong?” Millie asked, placing her hand over her husbands.
“I’m scared…” Moxxie whispered. “I almost lost you. I… I don’t know what I’d do if you’re gone…”
Millie looked into her husband's eyes, seeing her own solemn face reflected in his golden orbs filled with sorrow. “Me too hon, but I won’t let that happen, and you won’t either…” Her hand slid towards his own neck, brushing against the slowly healing bruises. “I’m scared too. But I won’t let it put me down.”
Moxxie looked into her eyes, searching for the resolve he needed. After what felt like an eternity he found it, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against hers. Their horns clicked as they made contact.
“You’re right… Thanks…” He smiled and kissed her briefly on the lips. A love tap, nothing more. “I love you Millie, more than you know. Goodnight.” The imp turned around, away from the pentagram's dim light.
Millie pulled him closer, spooning him in the darkness of the room. “I love you too Mox.” She whispered. She pulled the blanket over them both, its warmth guiding them both to sleep.
When they awoke Moxxie had no recollection of the night before. Didn’t remember the bar, or their conversation, complaining only of a raging headache. But Millie would remember this night. Her husband's fears, and her husband's devotion, for the rest of her days.