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The knock resounded through the empty hallway.
“Come in! Unless you’re Beel in which case I don’t want to see your face for at least a week!”
A muffled ok and some shuffling ensued.
“You’re making the sad face aren’t you?”
“I’m sorry.”
Asmo ripped the door open:
“Oh, come in you big oaf! I’m still mad at you but I accept your apology.”
Beelzebub sniffed.
“Now now, don’t cry. Your eyes will swell and only I’m pretty enough to make that look work.”
“I really am sorry.”
Asmo sighed.
“I know. It’s just…I know you can’t help it. I know it’s silly and it’s just make up really. And, I hope you know you mean more to me than make-up.”
Another sniff, while big tears fell from wide purple eyes.
“Oh, stop, you’ll make me cry and I’ve just applied my eyeliner.”
Beelzebub nodded quietly.
Asmo sighed and reached for the tissue box on the vanity:
“Here.”
Beel’s eyes widened further.
“I don’t want you dripping all over my carpet. You can wipe your own nose can’t you?”
“Oh.”
Asmo cocked his head:
“Oh what?...What’s that?” he pointed to the hand behind Beelzebub’s back.
“I nearly forgot. It’s for you.”
The gift bag was beautifully decorated, with pink ribbons overflowing from the top.
Asmo blinked:
“What is it?”
Beelzebub just reached out the package. Asmo touched it carefully before looking inside.
He gingerly took every item out, eyes gaining more sparkle with every second.
“Oh…Beel!”
“I didn’t know what you would like…so I told the people at Majolish to bring up your most recent order and grab twice the foundation and the bag I ate…and I got you an extra perfume as well. It smelled really yummy.”
Asmo laughed.
“If I wear it promise not to eat me.”
Beelzebub nodded.
“I would never eat someone I love.”
Asmo smiled.
“Thank you, Beel. You really can’t help it! I’m so lovable aren’t I?! It’s ok, I love you too!”
It was then that Beel wrapped him up into a tight hug, then just as suddenly dropped him and collapsed to his knees.
“Beel, what’s wrong?”
A loud gurgle was all the answer he would get, while Beel paled even further.
“Can you…?”
Beel shook his head miserably.
Asmo patted his head.
“Hold on just a second”, dashing across the room he grabbed his luxurious rubbish bin and brought it to Beel.
“No.”
“What do you mean ‘no’? I’m not letting you ruin my carpet.”
Beel shook his head and tried to stand up.
“You can’t do that you’ll get worse!”
Beel shook his head again and began crawling towards the door.
“I’m not ruining more stuff you care about!” he managed to huff out, before he had to stop and close his eyes from the pain.
The door seemed so close, and was still so far. The bathroom was the other way. It seemed he was doomed to perpetually cause frustration to the ones he cared about.
“Beel…” Asmo’s voice was so soft that if he had been any further he would not have heard it. Gentle hands patted his head, then his back. Asmo’s face came into view.
“Silly.” The rubbish bin was under his nose again. It was then he noticed that a prettily decorated gift bag lined it. “I care about you more”. Soft lips pressed into his hair. “I’m not good with these things, but I can hug you if that would help?”
“Please.”
The soft whine was all he managed before the make-up he’d consumed decided to come up for good. Asmo’s arms wrapped around his waist, his breath warm between his shoulders, was making the entire painful ordeal that much more embarrassing, but he was grateful. Upset stomachs were the worst. He heaved until everything was gone, then finally released his death-grip on the rubbish bin, to rest his weight forward.
A water bottle entered his field of vision.
“Rinse. I’ve got a toothbrush and toothpaste ready too.”
“From your…friends who spend the night?”
Asmo sighed.
“Lucky for you I’m always prepared, isn’t it?”
Beel was silent, feeling like he’d said something wrong.
His hands felt oversized and twitchy but he managed to brush his teeth and rinse into the rubbish bin. Not one of his finer moments.
“You done?”
Beel nodded. The rubbish bin was removed, the rubbish disposed off in a poof of aromatherapy magic, and Asmo’s face came before him once more.
“Here.”
Gentle fingers wiped his brow, under his eyes. He hadn’t realised he had shed tears. Asmo was careful with him. Not uncertain…just…careful.
“I’m sorry.”
Asmo blinked. “What’s this?”
Beelzebub lowered his eyes.
“I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings. I’m not sure why they’re hurt, but…they’re hurt and I’m sorry.”
Asmo blinked again, then sighed.
“Come on.” He stood up and reached an arm. Beelzebub shook his head.
“Can’t yet.”
“Well you can’t stay in my doorway like that”, he reached down and helped the bigger demon stand. “Better, now come to the bed.”
“That’s where you sleep.”
“I can sleep in your bed tonight.”
“You don’t like my bed. You said it’s too small and Belphie’s breathing ruins your REM cycle.” A pause. “What’s a REM cycle, by the way?”
“Beel, hush. Lie down or I will make you.”
Beel started, and laid down obediently.
“Good. Now rest! I’ll be fine for a night.”
“But…”
“What kind of demon do you think I am, to kick someone who is already down?”
“I didn’t…”
“You eat my make-up! You come and apologise like a prince character in a romance anime, you get sick in my room, and when I try to be nice you push me away and act like I’m a leper because I enjoy company!”
“Asmo…” The tears the shone in the other demon’s eyes made his heart clench. “Asmo…I’m sorry. I…that’s not what I meant.”
Asmo huffed:
“You are the one person, the one person apart from Solomon who looks at me as more than just Lust incarnate! You said you loved me…but you can’t trust me! What kind of messed up definition of love is that?”
Beel looked directly at the Avatar of Lust and mustered one word.
“Wrong.” He opened his arm, inviting closeness. “I…didn’t want to burden you more. I already ate your beloved make-up. I threw up in your room, and I know how sensitive you are with unpleasant smells. I didn’t want to also ruin your sleep.”
Asmo looked uncertain.
“Asmodeus is Asmodeus. I don’t care who you sleep with or don’t sleep with. I just never had someone whip out a tooth brush out of nowhere like that. It was like you were a magical hotel concierge. And…thank you for hugging me. You give the best hugs.”
There was a pause, and then:
“I do give the best hugs, don’t I?! I’m glad you feel better, Beel! Thank you.”
“I need to be thanking you. Would you like to sleep with me?”
Asmo’s face turned thunderous.
“The bed is big so you can have most of it, and I’ll be on this side.” Beel kept talking, then finally noticing Asmo’s reaction: “What?”
Asmo muttered something he couldn’t catch, but he didn’t seem so mad anymore.
“Thank you, Asmo. You are very kind and loving. I’m sorry more people don’t understand that.”
The demon sighed: “I think of everyone, Beel, you are the one who is least understood. And who bears the brunt of our anger a lot.”
“No, that’s Mammon.”
There was a quiet moment, then laughter overtook them:
“Definitely Mammon. You’re right.”
When the laughter naturally waned, Asmo turned on his side.
“There’s more to you too, you know. Your gluttony is one part, and it does make me frustrated on days like today, but you are good and pure. It’s easy to forget sometimes that you’re a demon. You’re still so steadfast and honest.”
“I’m not that great.”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
Beelzebub gulped.
“No…I’m…”
“Don’t be sorry. Just take the compliment. You are wonderful and the world would be a better place if people learned to be more like you.”
Beelzebub sniffed.
“Oh, don’t start that again.”
“You’re so kind, Asmo. Earlier when you hugged me I felt it too. You make people feel safe and loved. That’s your biggest power. That was always your biggest power. In that way, you are also much unchanged.”
“You’re making the sad face again.” Asmo narrowed his eyes and poked Beel’s cheek.
“I can’t help it. You’re so kind.”
“Oh, come here.”
Beel rolled obediently into Asmo’s arms and hid his face in the other’s hair.
“Tummy hurts?”
A sniff and a nod.
“There, there.” His other hand reached gently under the blanket, and under the tank top. “This ok?”
“You’re warm.”
“Nobody likes cold on their tummy when it’s sore.”
Beel nodded again, while Asmo’s fingers moved skilfully across his muscles.
“How’s that?”
“Better! You are amazing!”
“Massage is really magic.” He concentrated on his fingertips again, pushing and tugging at the taut muscles.
Beel hummed.
“Good?”
“ ‘s nice.”
Asmo laughed softly.
“Alright, good night then.”
“Good night. Love you.” He felt the softest pressure on his hair where Beel was nestling, and giggled.
He pressed his lips to the wisps of red hair on the other demon’s forehead.
“Love you too!”