Tale From The Afterlife - a Helluva Boss Fan Story

Chapter 21. Bonds Beyond Words

Loona and Vergil are now at home. With Loona sitting down on the couch, while Vergil is resting his head on her lap. Right now, they're just surfing between the channels - sadly there doesn't seem to be anything to watch at the moment. Occasionally, Loona just scratches Vergil behind the ears, and in response, Vergil wags his tail in a very excited manner.

Loona: How you like them apples? Since you like to rub me behind the ears so much.

Vergil just giggles, like a goof as he then just looks at Loona, having the two lock eyes with each other.

Vergil: Guilty as charged. But you just look cute when I do it.

Loona: Watch it wolfie. You're lucky I'm in a good mood right now.

Vergil: Luck has nothing to do with it, Loonie. It's all about my irresistible charm.

Loona raises her eyebrow and gives Vergil a sarcastic look.

Loona: I'd say mildly tolerable

Vergil does a dramatic gasp, holding his chest where his heart is

Vergil: Loonie ... right in the heart

In the most dramatic voice he can muster. Loona just rolls her eyes, though a smirk can be seen slowly creeping up. Vergil just giggles as he still isn't sure how it all comes to him.

Loona: You're lucky you're cute, otherwise I would've kicked your ass for pestering me so much.

Vergil: Looks like I got my winning combo

Loona: What - annoyance and stubbornness?

Vergil, instead of giving an answer, he just puts his hands in a doggy begging position and pulls out the puppy eyes, making him look as cute as possible. In response Loona just starts rubbing the man's belly, making the two giggle like idiots at the goof Vergil's being

After a bit of laughing they stay quiet for a few seconds to catch their breath, then Loona starts talking again

Loona: Heh, listen, thanks again for the help back there.

Loona: It means alot to have someone else to talk to about ... that.

Vergil: Don't mention it. Like I said, I'm sure you would've told me ... eventually.

Loona: In all honesty, I didn't want to say at first as I didn't think it was necessary.

Vergil: We've only known each other for less than a week. This stuff is only for people that you REALLY really trust.

Loona: You just keep surprising me with how accepting you are of things, you know that?

Vergil: Sympathy was something that I was repeatedly punished for by higher command. The fact I just couldn't dehumanize the enemy got on several generals' nerves.

Loona: They only wanted you to follow orders, right?

Vergil nods a few times

Vergil: Good soldiers follow orders, Wise soldiers know when it's gone too far.

Loona: And I'm guessing they didn't want wise soldiers.

Vergil: Wise soldiers were actively silenced.

Loona: Why would they do all this?

Vergil: An agenda had to be pushed. Plus, most of the details I have actively suppressed.

Loona: For the better really.

There's a pause for a few seconds. Loona then just thinks to herself for the next minute or two. Vergil is confused as to what she is about to say, but doesn't say anything. After said minute, Loona then just takes a deep breath.

Loona: Vergil, you know of that nightmare right? The one ... with the angels.

Vergil quickly gets his head off her lap and then sits next to her as he didn't think it would be appropriate to talk about that while he was on her lap. The she-hound definitely appreciates that he's taking this as seriously as he does.

Vergil: Yeah ... what about it?

Loona: You know of that little hound right? The child in front of the two adults?

Vergil: Was that you, Loonie?

Loona looks at the distance for a few seconds before nodding. Vergil responds by hugging her. She hugs him back, not saying anything out loud, but in her thoughts, she's thanking him repeatedly.

Loona: This was during the annual extermination years ago. Me and my parents were caught as hostages by these two monstrosities. One pretty much wanted to end it quickly, while the other one ...

Vergil: Wanted to do ... what he did in the dream.

Loona: Yeah

Vergil keeps hugging Loona tightly, wanting to reassure her that he's here to help her. Loona looks at Vergil and just nuzzles into his chest. His curiosity getting the better of him, Vergil asks her a question.

Vergil: How did you ... escape them?

Loona: I didn't ... they just left. They thought that Hell itself would finish me off.

Vergil: Yet here you are, alive and well.

Loona: Alive - yes, well - debatable.

Vergil: I know, but hey. You trust me enough to share the baggage.

Loona: Just talking about it doesn't really change anything.

Vergil: No, but it helps us move on. Be better people in the future.

Loona closes her eyes, with tears dropping onto Vergil's fur. Vergil just holds her not, wanting to let her go now. Not after what she just revealed. As the white wolf hugs the female hound, he can hear her ready herself to talk and then stopping herself. The male hound keeps quiet, not wanting to force her to reveal anything. After a few more seconds of silence, she finally decides to let it out.

Loona: If it weren't for Blitz, I wouldn't be here now.

Vergil: hm?

Loona: If it weren't for him, I would've died forgotten

Vergil: What are you talking about?

Loona: I was raised in a shelter.

Vergil: What?

Loona: A shelter ... for stray hounds. For people to buy.

Vergil just keeps quiet for like a good minute and then asks

Vergil: Loonie, are we really seen as pets here?

Loona pauses herself, before nodding once again. It appears that hellhounds themselves are seen as pretty much the bottom rung of the social ladder. Of course, while this doesn't technically apply to Vergil as he's a sinner, he is indistinguishable from the local hellborne hounds. This comes as a great shock to Vergil, to a point where he just blanks out. It's to a point where he needed a minute ... or 10 just to process it. But he's snapped back to reality when Loona begins talking again.

Loona: Blitz ... was probably the only other person to show me some kind of compassion since I was put in that damn prison. Do you know how much it hurts ... to see the others get adopted before me?

Vergil: When ... gulp ... when did blitz adopt you?

Loona: When I was ... 17.

The tragic information just keeps on piling up and up, it's to a point where Vergil's eyes start welling up, hearing what Loona has gone through. Loona then just looks at the sad Vergil and feels guilty about sharing her backstory.

Loona: Sorry. I shouldn't have said any–

But Vergil, not thinking about anything right now, just hugs her once again and, carelessly, summons his wings to wrap around her. Loona gets taken once again by surprise as she also did not know he had wings. But before she could even say anything, Vergil pipes up!

Vergil: Loona, I will keep you safe. Trust me when I say, you can tell me whatever you want. I know Blitz is also here to help you. On the night of the nightmare, when I went in to help you, he was at the door Loonie.

Loona: W-What?

Vergil: When the two of us were arguing, he was there Loonie, sitting at the door, listening to us. He wanted to make sure I didn't do anything.


To Loona, this comes as an absolute shocker, as she's only seen the Blitz that makes jokes and is annoying. However she rarely sees the side of Blitz that is truly serious and compassionate. The two sit in this position for about 10-15 more minutes before the hug separates.

Vergil: Oh, I'm sorry about the wings, I'll put them away now.

However before Vergil could make them disappear once again, Loona holds his hands, stopping him in his tracks.

Loona: No, keep them out. The energy they give out.

Though Vergil cuts her before she could explain herself

Vergil: hm?

Loona: It makes me feel secure.

Vergil: You're ... not terrified by them? Given how similar they looked to the angel ones

Loona: Similar, yes. But yours ... They feel like a shield. Makes one feel safe, you know.

Vergil: If you want to feel safer, I can help with your condition.

But as he proceeds to bite into his thumb to draw blood, Loona holds the wolf's snout shut, confusing Vergil a bit.

Loona: No need, Vergil. It's already under control.

Vergil: ...

Loona: I'm almost cured anyway, so I don't see the need. But if it gets worse, I'll tell you, don't worry.

Vergil thinks for a second and then nods, putting away his hand and that's also when Loona frees his snout.

Loona: I'm assuming you tested your blood on someone already.

Vergil: The female clerk from earlier.

Loona: Why? She doesn't deserve healing. Not after what she did.

Vergil: Oh I beat her senseless first. Well my clone did, but I retain the memories from the stuff I summon.

Loona: Good, she deserved THAT.

Vergil: She did indeed.

And not 5 seconds after the conflict was resolved, Vergil's stomach started growling. Loona smirks at Vergil and then just pulls out her phone and clicks on the "Bee's Eats" app on her phone. She was getting hungry as well anyway. She was planning on getting drive-through, but after what happened, it just slipped her mind.

Loona: What do ya want, big guy?

Vergil: Burgers. They satisfying.

Loona: Any burgers in particular?

Vergil: What is there on the menu?

As he looks through the available burgers and decides on a "Howlin' Hellfire Burger" - Grilled Cajun-seasoned chicken breast topped with pepper jack cheese, sautéed onions, and a spicy habanero mayo. Then comes the menu options and wow, the sizes pretty much range from small to Beelze's recommended (SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER sized). He decides on a medium chili fries and drink.

Loona looks at him a little surprised.

Loona: Didn't know you were this hungry?

Vergil: What you talking about?

Loona: Hehehehe, you'll see.

That was kinda weird as interestingly, the app itself doesn't show the portion size itself in terms of weight. Given Loona's comment, he now was just a bit concerned. Witnessing that concerned look on his face, Loona just rubs Vergil behind the ears once again to calm him down. Vergil gives her a look, but Loona gives him an innocent look. As a response Vergil boops her on the nose.

As she's rubbing the wolf behind the ears, she chooses for herself the "Cerberus's Luscious Bark Burger" - Angus beef patty topped with smoky bacon, cheddar cheese, and a tangy barbecue sauce. Garnished with crispy lettuce and pickles. For the menu option she chooses the small fries and drink.

Then when the price comes out on the phone, Vergil sees it and it's pretty much counted up to the same price as he saw on a lot of the items on the fruit and vegetable aisle.

Vergil: 70 bucks?! And that's the cheaper option?!

Loona: Yep. It's about the same price as most of the items in the stores.

Vergil: Who buys from there anyway?

Loona: Only the rich bitches, most come for either the medicine or to steal.

That now kinda explains the warzone he saw in there. Sucks that many have to resort to stealing just to get food on their plates. That however wasn't the end of it, as there was an additional automatically calculated 10 percent added labor tip and finally a 30 , 40 and 50 percent tip option, with a no tip option unavailable. Vergil is just flabbergasted that such stuff has to be added for, apparently no actual reason.

As Loona chooses the 30 percent tip button, the food is teleported to the table, pretty much instantaneously. Vergil is surprised but Loona goes to open up her order. As Vergil opens up his, it turns out that the medium that the male wolf had chosen was equivalent to a large in the living world. Thankfully, Vergil had a large appetite as he was pretty much eating for two, literally. Turns out, he has to eat larger portions of food to keep himself well fed and therefore his healing blood working at max capacity.

The two hounds make a cheers clink with their burgers and then just dig in. As Vergil and Loona delved into their sizable burgers, the room was filled with the delightful aroma of grilled meat and savory toppings. The first bite of the "Howlin' Hellfire Burger" sent a burst of Cajun spice through Vergil's senses, making him appreciate the demonic twist on earthly flavors. Loona, savoring the "Cerberus's Luscious Bark Burger," couldn't help but smile at the perfect blend of smoky bacon, cheddar, and tangy barbecue sauce.

Loona glances as Vergil, amused that he's eating the meal as if he hasn't eaten food in forever.

Loona: hehehehe, slow down there. You're not in a race, you can savor the taste.

As Vergil pauses as he's about to bite, his mouth is still wide open.

Vergil: Old habits ain't that easy to get rid of. Not to mention, the dragon is absolutely ravenous.

Loona chuckles and takes a thoughtful bite of her burger.

The small talk continues as they share stories about their favorite food, both from the living world and Hell. Amidst the banter, Loona notices Vergil's gaze occasionally drifting to her food. She smirks, realizing his curiosity.

Loona: Want a bite? It's divine.

Vergil: Heh, nah I want you to enjoy your food.

But Loona, wanting to mess around with the wolf, decides to break a piece off the burger and tries to catch Vergil's attention via rapid whistles. Vergil was locked in on the piece that Loona was waving around and when she tossed it lightly, the white wolf grabbed it with his mouth. Loona just laughs like a goof, with Vergil giving her a sheepish smile. As he starts eating it, his eyes widen.

Vergil: Wow, this tastes amazing.

Loona: Food can be expensive here, yeah. But it sure as fuck tastes good.

They continue to enjoy their meal, and Loona leans back, studying Vergil.

Loona: So ... care to share?

Vergil: hm?

Loona: Most memorable meal you had, in the living world I mean.

Vergil: Ah ... well, most of the time it was MREs.

Loona: ??

Vergil: Meal Ready-to-Eat. Military Rations. Though I certainly do remember like WAY back during school days there was that one shop. Best pizza I have ever had. Sure, it was simple pepperoni, but man, the old lady knew how to cook.

As the two finish their burgers, Loona decides to mix her own fries into Vergil's chili ones to make a share portion between the two of them. Vergil was on board as he wasn't sure how he could've eaten all of it on his own. The spiciness of the side adds another layer to the dining experience, eliciting occasional laughs.

With a content sigh, Loona puts the cardboard packaging of the food back into the bag it came in, feeling the pleasant weight of a good meal.

Loona: Not bad. Maybe I'll let you choose the next meal.

Vergil, leaning back with a satisfied expression, grins.

Vergil: I'll make sure it's devilishly good.

Their laughter fills the room as they enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and better company. They spend their time until night time either scrolling through the TV channels, finding people on social media to talk shit about, cracking jokes among other things. Loona definitely appreciates that Vergil stayed with them, as usually when Blitz was gone to do the deed with the royal owl, she was left to her own devices and it was hauntingly quiet.

When it came time to hit the sack, Vergil was pretty much knocked out cold on the couch, letting Loona sleep in the bed. However, after a bit of thinking, she decides, instead of sleeping in her room, the only bedroom in the house, the fem-hound decides to lay on Vergil's chest. The white wolf wakes up for a second to see what Loona is doing, but decides to pretend like he was asleep the entire time. Also, wanting to keep her warm, he decides to once again summon his right wing and uses it to cover the two like a blanket. There doesn't seem to be any nightmares at least this night as they were able to sleep soundly, not dreaming about anything, which was definitely the most preferable scenario, compared to seeing the others' trauma and being unable to do anything about it.