Barbatos's heart

Trouble Starts

Elaina got some scones and tea together for Aurelia and was about to head to her temporary room. The two girls were pretty much inseparable now that there were certain rules set in place such as a curfew. Elaina didn't necessarily have to follow those rules, however Barbatos did toughen up as well. Wendy and Hazel weren't allowed to go to baby playdates anymore and Elaina wasn't allowed to leave the house without Barbatos.

She was very flustered at first but she decided it would be okay since there was clearly something going on. She just wanted to know what it was and what it had to do with her. Obviously, the attack on Aurelia was terrifying and they were told it was just jealous demons but she had never had any type of uneasiness or safety issues herself. She was suspicious. If Barbatos felt that Elaina was also in trouble, then it had to be something else and she was going to find out.

All of that would need to wait though. Right now she needed to see her friend. "Beel, do you want to watch Hazel and Wendy today? Maybe get some swim time in?" Elaina asked. "Ssshure" Beel slurped as he downed the last of the stew she has made for him. "Great! Thanks so much." Elaina smile as she passed Hazel over to him. She got their things together and sent them off to the House of Lamentation.

She walked down the long corridor to Aurelia's bedroom, wondering how she was going to get to the bottom of the situation at hand. She decided it be best if she didn't tell Aurelia what she was planning. Diavolo seemed to have more of a temper these days and she didn't want Aurelia on the wrong side of it.  She wasn't afraid, however. Barbatos made it quite clear that if Diavolo snapped at her, they would have major issues. She was surprised that the two of them had that discussion and that it had gone so well, without a fight. Sometimes it paid off to have an overprotective husband.

"Hello, lovely!" Elaina beamed as she walked into the bedroom. It was darker than usual in there. Aurelia always adjusted the lights to fit her mood. Elaina guessed she was feeling down. "Hey, I brought scones. Barbatos made them fresh this morning." Aurelia just looked at Elaina with a sad look on her face. "What's wrong?" - "Diavolo ditched me again. Said he had meetings all day and wouldn't be back until late." Aurelia sighed. That had been the 3rd time this week that he had done that to her. They were supposed to have a movie night but it always seemed to get pushed back day after day. "Well, how about we watch a movie tonight? We could invite Asmo!" Elaina suggested. "I guess what would be okay." Aurelia agreed.

Elaina dialed Asmo and he rushed over to be with his girls. Aurelia picked a rom-com from the human world to watch. Normally, Diavolo didn't care for them but Elaina and Asmo liked them. Maybe this was better. She was tired of being disappointed. "This is great!" Asmo laughed. "It's everything I love in one movie. Comedy, drama, fashion, makeovers, and drag." Elaina was glad that they were able to take Aurelia's mind off of everything that was happening the last few days. She convinced Asmo to bring over his nail kit and face masks so they could have a nice traditional slumber party.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Later that nice Diavolo arrived back at the castle. He had a long exhausting meeting with the nobles and he was pretty angry with the results. His father's trail went cold and there was nothing to go on, however, Barbatos kept filtering threats that kept coming to the student council office at RAD. Most were about him pledging his love and loyalty to a human and how much of a disgrace he was as a Prince. He knew it was from his father's followers. They seemed to be more active as of late, and it made sense.

All he wanted to do was get home and see if he could catch Aurelia awake, but his dreams were dashed when the meeting went on longer than expected. There were some opinions in the Noble's Court that seemed to clash. He trudged his way to Aurelia's room and opened the door. The TV was still on but he saw Elaina, Asmo, and Aurelia all snuggled in blankets around the room. There were pizza boxes and popcorn scattered and what looked like spa stuff across the table. He was happy Aurelia had friends like them. He disappointed her far too often anymore and he was feeling extremely guilty. He called for Barbatos to collect his wife and woke Asmo up so he could go to the spare room next to Aurelia's. Diavolo just wanted to be alone and snuggled up to the love of his life.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Elaina woke up in her bedroom the next day. She was confused about how she had gotten back there. "Good morning, my darling," Barbatos mumbled into the pillow. He had one eye open and a small smile on his face. His hair was disheveled and he seemed to still be in his uniform. He looked so attractive with messy morning hair. "G-good morning...? How did I get here?" Elaina asked. "Oh, Diavolo told me to come and get you last night." - "Oh, and why are you still in your uniform?" She added. "Because that meeting was ridiculously long and I was... so tired." He yawned. Elaina giggled at her sleepy husband. She liked when he was that way. No formality to him at all. "Well, you rest up. I have to go pick up the girls." She went to stand but Barbatos grabbed her arm. "Wait, I have to go with you. Give me 15 minutes and we will head out." Elaina tutted in disapproval. "Barbatos, I don't like this one bit! I'm an adult and I don't need a babysitter." She snapped. Barbatos's eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry darling, but I just want you to be safe." - "From what? No one is threatening us... Are they?" - "No. Not right now, but that could change. This issue is a bit difficult, trust me." He whispered. "And what situation is that? I have a feeling whatever is going on is much bigger than you are letting on. You and Diavolo are constantly going to meetings and disappearing! I miss my husband. The girls miss their father! They have been spending more time with my cousins than you. We need you! I need you. Please...tell me what's going on." Elaina pleaded.

Barbatos sighed and put his arms around his wife. "Lainey... It's just something from our past dredged up again. You know Diavolo and I have our enemies. Indeed, the threat is not to me or my family right now, but that could change. I would rather have you all safe with me now than have something happen to you in the future. It's preventative." He kissed her cheek. That did make sense. It was no secret that Barbatos wasn't exactly the nicest demon in Devildom and Diavolo was the prince. Still, she wished she could take a walk without Barbatos less than an arm's length away. "Okay. I understand. Please get ready so we can get the girls." She smiled weakly.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

A dark and empty dungeon. Barbatos stood there, in the one place he hated the most. The memories of his past drowning him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath hoping that the memory would fade, but it was the opposite. When he opened his eyes again the prisons were no longer empty. He looked around and gasped in horror. They were filled with everyone he cares about. Lucifer, his brothers, Diavolo, Elaina, and even his little girls who were crying against their mother. "Why have you done this to us" Elaina cried. "No, Elaina... I-I..." He couldn't speak. He was so upset. "Daddy... Help me!" Wendy wept.

Tears were now streaming down his face as he looked at them all. Their eyes were tear-stained and their hair was a mess. Elaina looked pale and weak, the way she did when Hazel was born. They were skinny and sickly. "You did this to us Barbatos!" It was Diavolo who spoke up. He walked protectively over to Barbatos's family and shielded them in his wings. "You locked us up in here. You did this to them, to all of us! You traitor!" Diavolo seethed. "No! I would never! I would never do this to you!" He cried. "You did. You have betrayed us all..."

"No, NO!!" Barbatos woke up in a cold sweat. He looked around the room and tried to calm himself. He looked over to Elaina and then to the cribs. Would his family really be okay? Was This a dream or a vision of the future?