Chapter Text
Grabbing a familiar set of robes from a closet made the devil lord sigh.
Satanick hadn't wanted to see or touch these robes ever again. Although was forced into keeping them by the person who had worn them. He hadn't understood why exactly, those robes held continous trauma, pain and suffering, although who was he to say no. It was not his trauma these robes carried. It was a set, A long black robe that had long sleeves and a zipper, to match was a set of black pants. Same color and material. They reeked of sweat in all honesty. The last time these had been worn was when his son was born or at least a little after. Ivlis had refused to wear anything else but those robes, long after the birth of their child as well. But then again, he was barely aware of anything back then.
Satanick sighed to himself once more and decide to wash the robes quickly. Most of what he was cleaning was the smell but he had also hopped that it would wash away what trauma that remained and was left over within the fabric.
The washing process didn't take long, for that he was grateful. Things needed to go much faster and yet he felt as if his world was slow whilst his heart remained fast. Although perhaps that was because of the anxiety that had filled him. Resulting in a gloomy day for his kingdom. He never expected to receive such news, it was not upsetting for him, in all honesty he was overjoyed by the news. Although who had given him the news was a terribly wreak to say the least after the adrenaline settled down. That excitement and happiness was washed away once the reality of the situation hit.
The devil lord made his way down the hall, trying to quicken his pace as he moved for what felt like a long while. Finally making it towards a specific door he paused. Should he knock..? That would be the respectful thing to do, he wasn't one to invade privacy typically, for his children at least. But the person on the other side of the door came to him for help. So things were far more heavy this time. Opening the door without the knock he was deciding on, there sat his son.
He was looking down at the floor, sitting so patiently. He almost looked like a doll from how still he was sitting. Clearly not even bothering to look up upon his father's entrance into the room.
"Licorice.." Satanick began to call out, walking towards the boy after shutting the door, attempting to make as little noise as possible. He set the robes he had been carrying onto the bed. Folded as nicely as he could, regardless of shaking hands.
He sat next to Licorice and set a hand onto his back. Either for comfort or to get his attention. Both were possibilities and it could have been a mix of both although neither of them could determine which one was supposed to be the main focus.
That didn't matter though, even with the simplest of touch, tears had begun to drip once more. Licorice had been crying, there was nothing hiding that sadly. The father rubbed his son's back to comfort him. He had worried a hug would be too much for the boy with such high emotions. Although Licorice had pulled the man into a hug, burying his head in his chest, clearly shaking.
Satanick sighed and hugged the boy back, stroking his raven hair for more possible comfort. Licorice was far from a young boy now but Satanick always did see him in such a manner. Even if he was a young man now after all these years. No words could come from either of them for quite some time. It also took a long while for the tears to calm down, Satanick had started to think Licorice wouldn't have any tears left in him to spill after so long. Part of him was correct on that whilst his son pulled away.
Sniffling continuously, Satanick's blazer had become soaked the moment all this started but he didn't mind.
"..What do I do.."
Finally.. at least some words again.
The father was more than relieved hearing something other than the sobs from the young man. Satanick sighed, unsure how to answer. They sat in silence for a long while, nothing could cut the heavy thickness in the air. "What.. do you want to do, Lico..?" He shook his head no with a frown. A way to state he was unsure what even his options even were. "Have you told Silhouette?" Licorice's eyes remained fixated onto the floor once more.
He started raising his hands to pull on his hair out of stress, luckily Satanick stopped him before this could start.
"Yes.. not mother though.." He said finally. The air still extremely thick. Both of them knew how Ivlis would react to this news. Realistically it would not go very well, it wouldn't have been because of Licorice either though. "He.. he will be so disappointed, father.." thinking more about how Ivlis could react feared Licorice further. He knew his mother never truly approved of the relationship. If he did.. Licorice would have gone to his mother for solace and comfort. He wanted him, he wanted his mother.. but that wasn't an option, or maybe it was.
All the demon knew is his father had been there and supportive. Even if it was in his usual annoying ways. Licorice began to shake, trying to remove his hands from his father's grasp. He was very similar to Ivlis with those harmful tendencies when stressed Satanick commented to himself with disappointment. Of course mentally only, he wouldn't dare say that in front of the boy. "Do I terminate this.." the man's father's eyes wided quickly.
He tried to soften them but remained much harder than most things. Even if Satanick was good at masking most of his emotions and thoughts this situation was truly testing his abilities. "I.. that- is up to you. You should to talk to Silhouette if you decide that." Satanick did his best to keep his voice as calm as possible. This was Licorice's decision to make, however he didn't want his son to make a rash decision while emotions were high. Licorice nodded with that worry lingering and threatening to consume him. His father was right.. this is his decision but he needed to think things through properly.
They remained in silence for a long while again until Satanick got an idea. He took a deep breath in and began to speak. "You can stay here until.." Licorice looked up and into Satanick's eyes. His eyes were red from the crying prior to being able to find words. "That way your Mama won't find out.. and you know Silhouette is always welcome here." Mama.. Satanick had always called Ivlis' that, no matter how old Licorice was. It made Licorice glad on that extra half his father had added. It was just hard to realize this was still happening.
It had already been one and a half months but he had just found out recently. It was stressful. Silhouette had found out first, and then Etihw and Kcalb. All of them overjoyed.. Silhouette and Etihw showing it far more than Kcalb but even Licorice could see a smile on the older devil's face.
Once the joy has calmed down even a little, Licorice had headed to his father's castle to make the announcement. He hadn't truly realized how much his life was going to change until getting to the castle. Perhaps that was the adrenaline from excitement everyone else felt.
But.. how was he supposed to feel?
Of course the demon wanted to go to his mother, and tell him everything. However, Ivlis wasn't fond about details of Licorice's relationship with his enemies' son. His father on the other hand seemed to figure out things quite quickly. It only made sense to go to him with this news. Licorice and Satanick had a strained relationship, there was no doubt about that. It had gotten better.. it was getting better. The devil promised his son not to say a word to his mother from the start and from there, that father-son bond grew closer overtime.
Satanick had been in his office dealing with affairs he had no interest in until someone entered the room. Envi had told him Licorice was there to visit and talk apparently. Being left alone Licorice dropped the news immediately. Within seconds he was being inspected and looked over. Satanick was no doctor but he knew what to look for in this case. Licorice was clearly scared as realization settled in. Satanick had brought him to his room and went to grab something to calm the boy down. That damn robe. He really did hate that thing but maybe it would help.
And that's where they were now..
Satanick turned his head away and sighed. He looked at the robes, slight disgust was consuming him. Remembering all the things he had done to the boy's poor mother all those years ago in those exact robes. He grabbed them and put them on his lap, turning back to Licorice with a nervous look. "Your Mama wore these a lot, especially before you were born.." The devil started, dull eyes looked back at him. The boy was clearly losing himself and probably had been since he'd gotten there. "You want me to wear what mother wore?" Satanick stammered for a moment. "I- well- I know you love your mama it would make you feel close.. and if we go through with this you may not see him for a while."
Licorice looked saddened by the news regardless that he knew it was very true. If he stayed with his father until the baby was born, he wouldn't see his mother for a few months. Little did he know he would not see his mother for about a year.. even if Ivlis saw him countless times. Licorice could only just bring himself to nod as he grabbed the robes. A loud sigh escaping his mouth. "Lec will be by for weekly check-ins. I'll make sure he doesn't tell a single soul." Licorice nodded again. This was all too much for him to think about right now. He wanted to sleep.. he thought that would help. "I.. want to take a nap, Father.." the words started to feel distant as Licorice spoke.
He didn't understand why his father's words and even his own felt so far away. Satanick nodded, forcing a smile at the boy. "Do you need me to stay?" Licorice shook his head no. Sighing, the devil lord gave his son another hug, a tight one before backing away to the door. "If you need anything, get me, okay?"
The boy nodded once more before the door shut. He could see the worried expression on his father's face but the man was understanding luckily. Taking off the clothing he had been wearing, Licorice stared at his body in the mirror. Disgust and nausea filled him. Quickly looking away from the mirror he slipped the robes onto his body.. they were warm. It was comforting. Blinking slowly the boy got back into bed.
Getting under as many covers as possible.
Closing his eyes tightly until ultimately falling asleep for quite a long time, blissfully unaware of what he would wake up too.