Neon bleeds into puddles. I walk. Charlie stalks beside me like a crown with legs.
Charlie: I can't believe you let that jerkoff live.
Y/N: He's harmless.
Charlie: Valentino deserved worse. I wanted worse. You don't get to decide mercy in my city.
I keep my pace even. Burden's easier when you don't rush it.
Y/N: What happened to "our" city?
Charlie: Don't get cute with me, Y/N.
She flares. Horns brighter, posture taller, all demon princess posture and tantrum energy. Bossy. Spoiled. Dangerous in the way that thinks consequences are optional. This ain't the Charlie I know.
Y/N: We're wasting our time. Just leave it.
Charlie: No.
We turn a corner. The street narrows, noise drops. A knot of little imps and hellspawn runts circle a figure slumped against a wall. They throw pebbles. Laughter like broken glass.
Kid1: Dance, moth!
Kid2: Cough louder!
The figure looks up. Torn coat. Eyes still mean.
Valentino.
I stop. Charlie stops because I did. The kids don't notice us yet.
Charlie: ...That him?
Y/N: What's left of him.
I step forward.
Y/N: Go home.
They turn. See me. Piss their pants.
Kid1: I-I-I-I-It's—
I take another step. My shadow swallows their game.
Y/N: Now.
They scatter. Shoes slapping. Courage evaporates fast when it isn't fed.
Valentino tries to stand. Fails. Snarls instead.
Valentino: You! You did this!
Y/N: You did this to yourself.
He spits. Misses. Good effort.
Valentino: I'll crawl back. I always do. You can't beat me twice.
Charlie's aura spikes. She takes a step. Princess with an executioner's smile.
Charlie: I can.
I raise a hand.
Y/N: Charlie.
She glares. I meet it. I've met worse.
Y/N: (to Valentino) Haven't I told you to disappear?
Valentino's eyes flicker. Recognition crawls in. Fear follows.
Valentino: You think it's that easy? I've got nothing left to my name! Can't even afford a cab ride...
I crouch to his level. Keep my voice level. The street listens.
Y/N: Then sell your kidney. Or your lung. I don't care what you do, I want you gone.
Silence stretches. Valentino's shoulders sag. Fury leaks out, replaced by survival.
Valentino: You fucking monster. Just slit my throat already. Let me die with dignity!
Charlie watches him like a glass about to shatter.
YOU ARE READING
Madness: DxD
FanfictionEvery time I close my eyes, I see a flash of the past. Sometimes, I see the battlefield with bodies at every step, and smoke from artillery fire everywhere you looked. Sometimes I see friends, Odin, Michael, and even Azazel. But most of the time, I...
