OLD LOVE AND HATE.

Chapter 18: Healing Process

•_______King Dice POV________•
9 o'clock a.m.

I rest my body onto the back of the Devil as he teleports us back at the casino. I weakly brush his fur with my hand, feeling the roughness and the nots in it, but I don't really care 'cause at least I got to rest on something soft now.

I half-open my left eye to see the surroundings, the other hurts too much to even try.

The main floor looks empty and a bit dusty, as if they didn't open the casino in my absence.
I can peak a bit of the crew dripping some bills on some liquors at the last table down the room, instead of laughter, they are looking at their own drink, savouring it quietly.

-You old Jacks, I need you over here- My throughs roams somewhere else as Boss calls the imps. -Take him into his room and try to heal him the best possible. Savvy?- He ordered as he laid me to the floor.
I softly grunt at the pain of my body as the imps move me into my room. After all I think i lost some weight in the meantime, easier for the 6 of them to carry.

After I made my way inside my room and touched the sheets of my bed, I fell asleep. Finally some rest for a poor fella like me.

•______Mr.Wheezy P.O.V______•

We are all seated down, it's like been a week and a half since Dice was gone. Valentino made it all about themselves and how about we were stubborn to close the casino because, I quote: "I am better than King Dice, I'm older and way more goodlookin' " And shit like that.

Like, I know i was a bastard towards KD but  there is something fishy about this fella. And if he had done something to the man I.. like. He is going to pay my and my Boss's rage.

As I sip my shot of liquor, Pirouletta taps my shoulder to look up and there he is.
We try not to stare much as I can obviously see the anger that Boss has, but what i saw on Dice, wasn't very nice.

We all looked at each others.  A part of us happy that our manager came back, the other.. was concerned for all the blood that he left on the pavement.
I make my way to stand up but the Big Boss stopped me. - He is not well yet, Wheezy. Let him rest. - He looked at me, whispering those words as he placed his hand on my shoulder guiding me down onto my seat.

- What happen'd to him? It ain't normal to see my best o' friends bloody- I angrily ask, looking right into the Big furry eyes. I despise him.
-If I'd arrived a bit later, maybe he wouldn't be just beaten up. Maybe even bopped.- The Devil was serious. Sometimes he forgot that his crew were just mortals. Which I guess that made him consider the pain Dice must be suffering and suffered. Something we all were scared about.
- So now, calm down as he is in right hands, at home, with us- This was the first time I had ever heard him say "home" as in the Casino. Maybe there's something that makes him care about us.

- Ye, thanks...Boss.- I simply say, I only want to see Dice fine.

•______3rd person POV_______•
Time passes. 11:15 am of the day after.

The sun is up from quite some time, the bed is itchy but comfortable enough for King Dice.
After such peaceful sleep and all, he turned around by his side and stood up slowly. His body was aching, covered in bandages and pomade. It took King Dice by surprise, as he searched his body for more details, but he relaxed knowing it would be the first part of healing.

He puts on a descent shirt and pants, succeeding to go in the bathroom to make his face presentable for the other peers.
He then makes his way out of the room, weakly but better and knocks at his Boss's door.

*knock knock..knock..knock knock*

His usual knock.
-Oh hell no-
Devil opened the door with a hint of worry in his eyes. -What are ya doing here? You should be resting-  He eyed Dice to see if his condition was better or if he was faking.
-You ain't working today, rest while you can.- He ended the conversation with a finger indicating back to King Dice's room.

-But Boss, the show must go ok, right?...We've been close for a while... i read the newspaper- King Dice tried to convince the Devil into opening the casino even if he wasn't in his best state.
-Plus people miss coming here and suffer, and i miss watching them, c'mon you need vitality around you- Dice tried to humor the sentence -Can't be here all alone all the time, maybe find a gal?- King smiled at the big Demon before him.

The Boss softly growled in disbelief, and shook his head. -Fine, but before we open up, let's discuss over the business that we have to fix. Alright my Manager?- The Devil smirked inviting the die inside the office. The Healing process would be slow but efficient, just like when the cups destroyed them.

Valentino saw the scene from afar, disgusted and shocked. He had to do something before the things would get too far.
But for now he would be undercover and leave the Dice alone, because the Casino needed him or otherwise it would go bankrupt.

-Let's see how much you can resist, King of Hearts-