hellicious | Riverview IC Inbox

There, there, my love. Just lie down and try to get some sleep.

[He had an idea, one that may or may not cause her any relief, but with a little shifting around and the sound of rustling feathers, one of his wings spread over her, the other folded against his back as he lay on his side. He engulfed her as much as he could in white, fingers smoothing over her hair.]

I'd like to see it get through this, mm?

[A piece of pure divinity? It might not do anything at all, but it might keep her blocked off enough that she could get a good night's rest.]

[She hears the rustling before she sees the flash of white and the brilliant shimmer of his feathers stretching over her. The part of her that's upset at him wants to tell him to keep his wings to himself, but the part of her that wants his comfort and that assurance that they were partners and would get through this made her sink into that warmth.

She's quiet for a little while, shifting every now and then to get more comfortable. And probably because her head is still overworking. Her voice is tired when she speaks.]

You know how you asked me to let you know when I'm upset with you? This is me letting you know I'm upset with you.

[He'd been about to ask her if she was lying on something, her fidgeting noticeable enough the he kept waiting for her to settle. Then she spoke and he stilled, the wing around her lifting up as he looked curiously down at her.]

You are? Would... do you not want me to do this?

[He was, of course, confused.]

It's not about your wings.

[She reaches out to gently pull his wing back down over her, body turning onto its side so she could face him better.]

I'm a little disappointed by your attitude about people who might need help, is all. It seems really dismissive. I feel like you're not usually like that when we go on regular cases together.

[Even if their regular cases were more of a thrill and enjoyment factor for him, he wouldn't dismiss a murderer for their crimes because the victim was stupid.]

[He gave her a blank look for a moment, worried about letting his actual feelings show before he realized that was a little too close to a lie for his comfort. The look then turned sardonic, and he couldn't help the mocking smile he gave her.]

Of course I am. You just generally seem to put a different spin on how I'm taking things than what's the fact of it. I'm condescending at best to most of them. They're strangers, love. I don't care about them, not nearly as much as I do about you.

Right. So when it's a human going around killing people, they need to be punished. But it's fine if it's a god or higher being because us humans are stupid sheep. Got it.

[He may not be able to help the mocking smile, but she's not really interested in seeing it. So she turns onto her side to face the other way.]

Forget I said anything, then, Lucifer. I'll handle it on my own if I have to.

What? No, that's not what I said at all. Why are you twisting everything to the wort possible meaning of it?

[She turned away from him and he scowled, even if he didn't pull his wing away, he was still scowling down at her.]

Now you're just trying to be upset with me. That's not fair.

I'm not trying to be upset with you at all. I'm upset with you because you're saying things that are upsetting me. But by all means, if I'm misinterpreting you, then tell me.

[She can practically feel his scowl on the back of her head and feels her own irritation swelling up, but she keeps her voice level.]

You said that people who choose to do dangerous things in the name of a deity are not my problem. And when I said that I don't view it as them 'choosing' to do these things because they're being manipulated, you said that if they're too weak-willed to stop themselves from being controlled, then that makes them stupid. To me, that comes across as you thinking they deserve what they get because they're not as strong-willed or are more easily swayed. There's a difference between not intervening with strangers because you're not personally invested and actively thinking they're not worth the effort anyhow.

Most of them aren't worth the effort. You're too... bloody hell. Gracious in how you see others, Detective. If someone is easily swayed over something because they have no personal convictions, it's one thing to the next. Like an addict. You can force them to clean up because you feel it's best for them, but if they don't have any cause or conviction of their own, any reason to want to not do what they're doing, they'll either go back to it or find something new to get lost into.

Besides, I never said any such thing about them being forced into it. If something truly is capable of mentally forcing someone to do their bidding, well... that's the antithesis of free will, and I'm not for that. But there are many in this world and every other out there that are open to suggestion, and those ones, Detective, cannot be saved outside of their own wanting. No matter how much your heart bleeds for them, they are their own worst enemies.

[He was still huffy, still scowling, still tucking his wing over her and not understanding how they'd gone from tender cuddles to petty bickering.]

And while I'd agree with you that I'm not responsible for someone else's choices, I feel like we're talking about two different things. Like I said before, I'm talking about people who are being beckoned out and don't have a choice. About something that's more powerful than them. I'd like to believe I'm pretty strong-willed and independent myself, but even I'm having a lot of weird feelings from all of this.

[She didn't know how it came to this either; she certainly hadn't meant for it to. She sighs and turns back onto her side again, so she can face him.]

I don't want to fight.

I don't want to fight either. I just... well, I think maybe I'm just not seeing it from your perspective. For me, there's never been anything that can make you do something you truly don't want. Dad's a prick, but even He usually only moves the pieces where He wants them. Any time I've heard anyone say they had no control over their own actions, it's always been a lie. 'The Devil made me do it'. Do you know how many monstrous humans have used that as an excuse? As if I stood behind them, making them do anything? Even Malcolm's actions were his own, albeit a little twisted from his little visit downstairs. He chose to try to... woo me, as it were. The notion that anyone with free will, something Dad gave to all of you, could truly be made to do something against your own better judgement, against that will...

[He lifted a hand, gesture trailing off.]

I haven't seen that before. I'm not entirely sure I believe it possible.

You were worried about me not having free will for awhile there.

[It's stated softly, without any judgment or barb. His explanation has a more thoughtful look crossing her features, understanding slowly taking the place of irritation.]

Look, I don't know what's going on for sure. Maybe you're right. But I also know that a month ago, I never thought any of this could be possible. Alternate worlds and whatnot. So I wouldn't put it past the universe to throw out something that neither of us have ever seen before.

Well, yes. I mean, it's not every day Dad decides to get so... hands on with His favorite toys.

[That was different, Chloe. Huff huff. That was God, capital G. Not these little 'gods' running around playing at being the creators of their own realities. If there was anyone who could strip someone's free will away, it was the being that gave it to them in the first place. As someone who'd suffered under that for billions of years, he felt he had a front row seat to just what his Father was capable of. Making one tiny little miracle human have feelings she couldn't control around the First of the Fallen.... well. Well.]

You may be right. You may not be. If you're managing to refrain from being drawn out, I can't say I have much faith that it doesn't just take more than the sort of iron constitution that could resist my charms.

[That last bit said with a little tongue in cheek, even if he still thought it was true.]

Charm's one way to put it, I guess.

[A soft snort, followed by her curling closer against him, cuddling under the sanctuary of his wing. She's still not sure she holds the same perspective as him, but she feels she at least understands it more now. Where he's coming from. Less him being uncaring and more just being tired of eons of others blaming him for their own screwups. She can understand that, in a small way.]

If there is something out there...

[She trails off, something like a question there that she lets hang.]

[He looks down at her, lifting a hand to smooth over dark blonde hair, curling the ends around his fingers.]

Then if you wind up being an ass enough to go out to look for it, you'll have me to come along and keep you from making too many rash decisions.

You're telling me not to make rash decisions? Now I've heard everything.

[She rests in the space of his arms and wing, though, appearing more content than before.]

I wouldn't want to go out there without you, anyhow.

When it concerns you and your safety, I find myself feeling more... prudent.

But thank you. And if... if something does wind up drawing you out against your will, try to let me know. Somehow. I'll come find you.

You mean pray to the Devil instead of whatever other deity is out there?

I'm still an angel, love. Before I had Maze take care of my wings, I could hear quiet prayers murmured to me from human lips -- or angelic ones. I've got them back now, and while I don't expect it to be... I don't expect much, if there's a chance- if you find yourself in a position to need to try it, I'd rather you try than not.

Mm. Of course I would. Who else would I call on?

[It's really not even a question. While she may not be someone who prays, she certainly believes in him. He would come to her if she needed him.]

I'm less worried about me and more about everyone else.

[There was a small roll of his eyes.]

Don't go telling anyone else that. I'd rather keep my thoughts open to you alone. Last thing I need is a barrage of prayers.

Please. As if I have anyone to tell, anyhow. And even if I did, most of them would probably be skeptical at the concept of who they'd be praying to.

Still. The less who know, the better.

Alright, alright. I'll keep your little secret.

[She brushed one of her hands against his wing, tracing her fingertips over the inside of him, where she suspected he was particularly sensitive.]

This feels nice.

[She suspected correctly, and the touch had a shivering sound going through his wings, along with a physical shimmy as he cleared his throat and gave her a look.]

Keep that up, love, and you're not going to be getting much rest.

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