Believe.

9.

((Sloth forces Wrath to accept the horrifying reality of being known and also makes him confront his feelings. Aka: this chapters a bit emotional))

Wrath was ready to knock someone out.

He hated parties. He hated snobby people and he hated feeling crowded.

But still, he was a lord, he had to make an appearance.

He wondered if Marisol would be there, if she'd be invited...he hoped so. He liked the human, she was...comforting almost. She had the cutest smile and a nose that wrinkled while she did so. And she'd given him a name, a proper name.

He wondered if she'd wear a dress. Honestly, she could wear a potato sack and she'd look gorgeous but the thought of her in a flowy red gown made heat rise in Wrath's cheeks.

"You're in your head again"

Wrath looked up, looking over at his brother, fellow Lord and Sin, Sloth.

Sloth was not looking at Wrath, the man looking almost bored as he read through a book. Wrath rolled his eyes,

"So what if I am?"

"It's never good when you are Wrath"

"Name me one time"

Sloth finally looked up, just raising an eyebrow at his brother. With the dark bags under his eyes, sleep messed hair and frown, he really matched the exhausted mom sibling stereotype.

Wrath stared back at Sloth before wrinkling his nose, "Y'know what? Never mind, I don't wanna hear what you have to say about that"

Sloth chuckles, looking back to his book. Wrath looking back out the window.

It's quiet between the two brothers for a moment before Sloth breaks it again.

"So? What's wrong?"

"Beg your pardon?"

Sloth doesn't look up this time as he responds,

"You know, what's wrong? What's up? How are you? What are your thoughts?...Would you prefer it in another language? I know plenty"

"Y'don't gotta be a smart ass" Wrath grumbles and Sloth looks amused at that, side eyeing Wrath and his amused look fades,

"Now, for real Wrath. What is wrong? Is it the party?"

"...Somewhat" Wrath said, nodding. Sloth looks intrigued,

"Somewhat?...Oh" Sloth looks like he's had an epiphany, "it's the human, isn't it?"

Wrath doesn't say anything but he can't meet his brothers eye in a way that definitely gives him away.

Sloth sighs, "Wrath, you need to-"

"Don't Sloth"

"Wrath" Sloth said, more firm this time. He even closes his book, placing it down to stand and stare at Wrath, "You need to stop this, this...repressing every emotion other than anger"

"Are you really telling the Sin of Wrath he can't be angry?"

"I am not saying that, I am telling the Sin of Wrath he needs to stop being emotionally repressed" Sloth said, sighing,
"Tell her how you feel Wrath"

"Absolutely not"

"Wrath-"

"No, Sloth" Wrath said, swallowing heavily, "you were the first sibling I had by my side, the one I can go to for advice but I am afraid I cannot take it on this"

"And why not?" Sloth demanded, "What's stopping you?"

Wrath felt his rage start to boil over, "What's stopping me?! Let's start with the fact that I'm Wrath, I've hurt people Sloth! Even accidentally! I...She deserves better, someone who controls their damn temper and isn't a demon"

"Then become better!" Sloth snaps, "You love her, yes?"

"...Yes" Wrath admits after a small moment of silence that feels as though it stretches eternity.

Sloth sighs, heading over to Wrath, "You big hopeless brute" he says in a voice so fond that Wrath can't even be angry at the name, "You like her, you are a good man under all that fear and anger..."

"But I'm a demon" Wrath says softly, his voice cracking and its such a rare moment that Sloth nods,

"A Sin, yes...we were the first seven created by our father" Sloth says softly back, "you are our eldest brother, a burden already on your shoulders piled by so much more...Wrath, it's a balance. Sin cannot exist without Virtue and Virtue cannot exist without Sin."

Wrath takes a shuddery breath, Sloth pats Wrath's shoulder,

"At least let her know...yes?"

"...is this your polite way of asking me to pull my head out of my ass?"

"Yes it is" Sloth said in the same kind voice, "I am so glad after millennium, you understand my tones finally"

Wrath chuckles, "Where would I be without you six?"

"Dead" Sloth deadpans.

Wrath doesn't doubt it.

"I'd better go find her...Pride took her to see The Queen, she should be done"

"Remember what I said" Sloth says firmly and Wrath nods,

"I will...definitely keep it in mind"

"Good, now, go find your girlfriend, I will be in my chair"

Before Wrath can protest the use of the word Girlfriend, Sloth has already most likely tuned Wrath out and is now reading in his chair again.

Sighing, Wrath leaves the library and heads to find Marisol, Sloth's words stewing in his head.