The Space Between Words

Author's note: This is a slightly alternate version of the events between Episode 7 and Episode 8.

I love these characters and I honestly think they're actually weathering some of the issues of growing up better than most actual older folks, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and letting them talk things out.

There is implied Bean/Elfo (per canon) and some vaguely implied Luci/Elfo. Also some potential for Bean/Elfo/Luci if you squint.

-

He still didn't full understand what had happened. If it had actually happened at all. The Bliss had done a number on him... he felt like he'd been picked up and shaken wildly until he couldn't even tell which end of him was up anymore.

Somewhere along the way he stumbled and fell. Bean picked him up easily - so easily - in her strong arms. He was slung across her shoulder, insensate by this point, or very nearly so. If he'd been merely drunk, the bouncing would have made him nauseated, but instead it was almost comforting in its rhythm.

Elfo wasn't sure when they'd reached the castle. There were already big blank gaps in his memory, and he could vaguely register Luci being there. His voice rang out "Goddamn, you two are fucked up..." and then Elfo fell down a long, long distance and hit something soft and white beneath him that swallowed him up.

The rest of the world vanished in a haze.

-

Elfo wasn't entirely sure where he was when he woke up. It felt like his head should be pounding, like the gap in his memory could be explainable by an overabundance of booze. But no... there was just a confusing sort of emptiness, some flashes of things he wasn't sure was real, and a gnawing hunger in his belly.

As he pushed himself upright he realized he was on a pillow on the floor beside Bean's bed. It didn't really answer a lot of his questions. Standing, he could see Bean on the bed, sprawled and snoring faintly. Luci was curled up on her pillow but he stirred as Elfo's gaze fell across him, his eyes open and dark with a smug knowledge that made Elfo a little afraid for some reason.

"Sleep well?" The demon asked, stretching long and catlike. Every limb, then every toe. Lithe as a shadow.

"Um." Elfo had a feeling this was some kind of trap, but he wasn't sure what kind. "I guess so."

"Hmm." And even that small, noncommittal voice had a hit of mockery to it. "You sure seemed comfy last night."

"Last night." Elfo repeated, not sure he wanted to know. But at the same time... well... he really wanted to know. Luci chuckled in his demon way, a sound that vibrated across Elfo's frayed nerve endings. Instead of replying and catching Elfo up on the source of his mirth, he hopped down from the bed to land on the pillow beside the elf. Then one more leap to land on the floor. Despite the thump, Bean didn't awaken, still sleeping off the drugs in her system.

Luci pattered toward the doorway, leaving Elfo frustrated and confused in his wake. It was only when the demon glanced back at him in that knowing way, that Elfo was finally compelled to follow him.

Out in the hallway, Luci didn't seem inclined to go further, just swaying his tail smugly as Elfo joined him. "Look at you, Romeo." Luci gave a soft laugh. "You and Bean had some fun last night, huh?"

Last night? Yes... he did seem to recall something before the drug had really kicked in -

Let me do it next time

He wasn't sure though. Surely it had all be some weird Bliss-induced hallucination? He stared at Luci in dismay, not sure whether to be happy at the demon's insinuations or further worried. "What do you mean?" He asked, because somehow stupid questions were his whole thing right now.