How'd That Happen?

Chapter 5

"Hey Lilith, how ya been?" The demon with the heterochromic eyes asks in a scruffy, hispanic tone, bringing Lilith into a hug. They've got what looks to be fluffy, but fiery, red hair, one large horn that peaks out, and darkly mixed skin. They wear a black T-shirt with dark, blue-ripped jeans and a satchel across their chest.

"Not bad!" Lilith embraces the hug before pulling away. "Oh! I guess you guys haven't officially met yet." Lilith steps aside, and Lani comes into Nero's view. "This is Lani, one of the angels from the auction house."

It takes a moment for Lani to realize who she's looking at, but after a few seconds, her eyes widen in realization. With those eyes, she could never mistake them for another. The red and black eyes, the same ones that she looked back at when escaping the auction house, said, "It's you!" She couldn't take her eyes off them. Lani blinked multiple times to double-check that she wasn't hallucinating.

"Damn right, it is," they said with a smile. Lani runs up and gives Nero the biggest embrace she's ever given anyone.

"Thank you. I have no idea what I would have done if you weren't there." Nero looked down at Lani from where she was hugging them. They didn't exactly have many words to reply with, so instead, they slowly wrapped their arms around her and reciprocated the embrace.

Lilith clears her throat, reminding them both that she is still in the room. "Glad you guys hit it off, so we'll," she says sarcastically. Nero chuckles, and Lani takes her hands off of them.

"Really, you guys are the best!" She takes a step back, admiring the two, and they both give a genuine smile of appreciation.

.......

Lilith and Nero were downstairs in the kitchen, mapping out battle strategies on the table. "Where's the angel?" Nero asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Lani's upstairs, sleeping. She was so excited to get her stitches off that she ran out of energy," Lilith chuckles, "just like a child."

"Most of them act like children until they find out what's really out there."

She shrugs in response, "Just part of getting out of an ignorant situation."

"Does she know what she's doing once she's ready to leave?" they ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't think so," she mumbles. "Besides, I'm not sure I want her to go."

Nero takes a moment to stop placing maps on the table and look over at Lilith. "What do you mean?" It isn't until Lilith stays silent for another minute that Nero realizes what she means: "Oh, shit! You like her, don't you? No fucking way!"

Lilith glares at Nero. "You're damn right, there is no way! There's no way I'm falling in love—not after last time."

Nero walks over to Lilith, putting both hands on her shoulders. "Lilith, I have known you since the day you left the Garden of Eden. You can't hide shit from me, even if you want to. If you really like her, give her a chance."

"Look, it wouldn't matter anyway. I've only known her for two weeks. It's not like anyone can fall in love between two weeks." She crosses her arms.

"Sometimes love doesn't need to take a shit ton of time. If it is, then it is."

She tries to glare at them but ultimately breaks and chuckles, "Damnit Nero, I don't know what I would do without you."

"Damn right, you don't." The two share a laugh together like old friends would. Petite footsteps can be heard, and the next thing they know, Lani is walking into the kitchen in a soft, silky, red night gown that Lilith never uses but lets her borrow. She rubs her eye and yawns; God does that to make Lilith's cheeks red.