halo 'n horns [klance au]

35. Encounter pt. 2

Lance

I jolted upright, reinforcing my invisibility just in case it was a Midworlder. But I knew right away that the man wasn't mortal. Framed by the setting sun, he stood a few meters away, black eyes on me. His slick, black hair was smoothed back, away from his face and he was incredibly handsome.

Wearing a dark button-down and charcoal-black slacks, accompanied by a wool trenchcoat that hung over his shoulders, I knew immediately who he was. Fear sparked in my veins, but an eerie calmness also radiated from the man.

I bowed my head- what else are you supposed to do to greet Mister?

"Little angel," he said softly in a thick accent that I couldn't place, "mourning is in my jurisdiction, as is my son. I thought that angels were supposed to be happy, loving, carefree."

My mouth was dry and my wings were flopped uselessly to my sides. Thankfully, Mister relieved me of the embarrassment: "Stand."

I did so and he stepped forward, catching my chin in between his gloved fingers and examining my face. I almost wanted to jerk out of his grip, but my gut told me that that could have serious consequences.

"You're a fine young man," he muttered letting me go, "but I still don't understand why my son would choose you."

I didn't say anything. Mister seemed to have a habit of answering his own queries.

"But I understand your pain, little one. I am the king of it, after all." He grinned wickedly. "I mourned the same way when your mother left me. I begged, even." He scoffed at the memory. "But some people just aren't meant to be together."

I swallowed.

"Is Keith alright?" I asked quietly, not making eye contact with Mister.

Mister sighed. "He's infuriatingly insistent about completing the Trials. I knew that the Twins shouldn't have shown him that goddamn prophecy. But hopefully, I'll be able to change his mind."

Trials? Prophecy? I didn't have the slightest clue to what Mister was talking about, but I was too tense to ask.

Mister squinted at me. "Your aura is tinged, you know. It's because you love him."

"I know."

He sighed: a deep, tired sound that made me shiver. "There's no truer proof than that," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

My wings rubbed together anxiously like a cricket, but I kept my face smooth and calm. Mister seemed unpredictable at the very least- I didn't know what would or could upset him.

Mister suddenly looked at me sharply, monitoring my expression as he spoke, "What does your mother think about all of this?"

I blinked. I hadn't expected him to ask about Mother.

"She's worried about me. She doesn't want me to get hurt."

Mister nodded slowly, his dark eyes holding no obvious emotion. He was as smooth and slick as silk and yet seemed so easily irritated.

"That's right, you could get hurt," he purred. "Why keep at it? Fragile angels shouldn't be trifling with devils. Your brothers know that."

"I'm sure you know that it was a devil who started the lie that my brothers cheated on the Twins," I replied smoothly. I respected Mister, but I wouldn't let him walk all over me. I could take care of myself.

He seemed taken aback by my confidence, but his face slid into a smirk again. "Fiesty little angel," he chuckled, "I love messing with you."

I crossed my arms over my chest, determined.

"Yes, yes, I keep forgetting that you know Lotor too. He's home safe now and shouldn't be splitting up any more relationships." He paused, "But, oops, you and Keith have already broken up."

The remark stung, but I reminded myself that this was the man who raised Keith- he must have some good somewhere in that black, dead heart.

"I'll remind you that you were the one who sent Keith up to the Midworld in the first place. You knew that he'd get an angel guard and you knew that angels are required to love everything. Why are you so surprised that a devil may want to return those feelings?" I was talking loudly, boldly, but I didn't care. I needed to get to Keith.

Mister's face contorted with fury. "You don't need to remind me, foolish one," he sneered. "Devils can't love- I was never worried. But now he wants to love. That's what worries me."

I felt my heart beat faster. Keith wanted to love?

Mister scowled at my chest and I knew that he could hear my heartbeat.

"Keith can make his own decisions. Why are you trying to stop him?"

The King of Darkness sighed again. "You obviously haven't read the prophesy, little angel. If Keith leaves, so do the Twins, and I'm all alone again. I need my devils."

I wrinkled my nose. "That's selfish," I said bluntly.

"I'm the king of selfishness, angel," Mister replied. But something flashed through his expression. I hoped it was remorse.

"Can't you have more kids?"

"You sound like your mother."

"Good."

"You're not good enough for my son."

"You think I don't know that?"

"You'd never make him happy."

"I already have."

"It will never work."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take."

"Then you're stupid."

"And you're afraid."

Mister and I stared at each other, breathing heavily. I clenched and unclenched my fists, anger burbling inside my heart.

Not wanting to let him win, I spoke quickly. "I love Keith. If he loves me and you're holding him back, the blame falls on you, not him."

I took off for home without another word. 

...

ahhhh i split this up into two chapters bc it was getting a little too long haha sorry 'bout that <3

qotd: if i take a shoe, put a sock on top of it, and then put a shoe on top of that, is it a sandwich?? nonono im just kidding (sort of). what's one of your new years resolutions if you have one? 

aotd: to stop having ramen for brunch on sundays

te amo <3