Barbatos's heart

Part 8: The Answer

Elaina squealed and hugged him tightly. The contact made Barbatos feel like he was going to melt. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad for him to follow his heart... As unused as it had been for so long.

Elaina released Barbatos from the hug with a huge grin on her face. She was about to say something when there was a quick knock at the door and Lucifer opened it. "Elaina... Oh, sorry. I see you're not alone." he observed as he looked at Barbatos sitting awfully close to her... 'Too close' he noted. "Asmo told me your dress was clean and I was coming to return you to the party." He claimed. The truth was that when Asmo confessed that he left Elaina alone with Barbatos, it made Lucifer angry. He didn't want her alone with any man, even his friends.

"Oh, alright. Sure. Thank you for helping me Barbatos!" Elaina smirked. Barbatos was confused, what did she mean? Elaina saw that Barbatos was embarrassed when Lucifer found the two of them so close together. "You had an eyelash in your eye?" Barbatos heard Lucifer laugh. "Yeah! It was a real pain. Asmo just did my make-up, I was trying not to mess it up so Barbatos offered to help get it out." She turned her head to wink at Barbatos as they left the room. He smiled and silently thanked Elaina for helping him get out of that gracefully. ' she doesn't seem so bad, I guess' he noted. His heart thumped harder...

----

Back in the ballroom, Elaina was asked to dance with multiple partners. Mostly her cousins, Simeon, and Luke but also Diavolo and a few other important demons. Barbatos was finally able to enjoy the party and was standing by the bar watching Elaina skillfully make her way around the dance floor. 'She is really a beautiful sight.' He thought. He was lost watching her movements. "Ahem!" Diavolo startled him out of his trance. "Whatcha doin'..." He jested. Barbatos sighed "Are you having fun tormenting me in my misery" Barbatos sassed. "Whoa, Barbatos... I didn't mean to offend you." Diavolo apologized, smirking.

The music stopped and Elaina made her way over to the bar to get a much-needed rest. "Diavolo, can I please take a break? I've felt like I've danced with every guy here." She whined as she gulped down a glass of ice water. "Not every guy!" Diavolo insinuated, pushing Barbatos forward. Barbatos's eyes widened and he glared at Diavolo in shock and anger. Diavolo laughed and walked away cheerfully. The orchestra started playing a slow concerto, "...Uuhh... M-m-may I h-have this d-dance?" Barbatos stuttered nervously. Elaina smiled and extended her hand to Barbatos. "I would be delighted." She chirped. He took her hand in his, raised it to his lips, and pressed a light kiss on it as he bowed. Elaina blushed. He kept the hand he kissed in his own and awkwardly placed his other hand on her waist. They floated around the dance floor gracefully. Barbatos was surprised that he could still remember how to waltz properly, it had been many years since he had danced with anyone. He was proud that even in his nervous state, he was able to pull it off and it felt amazing.

The brothers watched with various emotions. Lucifer, Mammon, and Levi watched with disdain, protective of their cousin. Satan and Belphie found it funny, mainly because Lucifer didn't like it. Asmo and Beel thought it was adorable. They thought they looked cute together and they seemed to be really connecting. When the music stopped Barbatos bowed gracefully and parted for Elaina to take a new partner, but she didn't. She followed him back to the bar. "I'm done dancing" she groaned tiredly. "I just want to rest." She kicked off her shoes. Barbatos laughed warmly as he pulled out a bar chair for her to sit on, and poured her a drink.

**Timeskip to House of Lamentation**

"Soooo," Asmo sang "you and Barbatos seemed to hit it off tonight! What's that about?" He asked as he plopped down onto the couch in the living room. "Yes... I would like to know what that's about also..." Lucifer deadpanned. Elaina felt nervous, all of her cousins were staring at her curiously. "Is it really a big deal?" She questioned. "He's nice and charming." Lucifer rolled his eyes. "Well, he's a butler. He's supposed to be nice, but he was acting weird tonight. Do you know anything about that?" He prodded. "I don't know! Asmo asked me the same thing. I asked him but he didn't give me a clear answer. He just seemed nervous and clumsy around me. Although..." Elaina faltered. "Although what?" Lucifer stressed.

"Well, when we bumped into each other and I met his gaze, I felt funny, and then I felt it again when I grabbed his hand in the suite, but stronger." Lucifer mulled over what she had described to him. "What do you mean you felt funny." He challenged. "Well," Elaina started shyly "when I looked into his eyes everything stopped, and then when I touched him I felt like my chest was going to burst and a shock went through me and I got goosebumps. It was like love at first sight. Does that even exist?"

Lucifer's eyes widened and Asmo let out a little "oooh~". Elaina and the other brothers all looked at them, confused. "What? What does that mean?" She asked anxiously. Lucifer scowled, stormed out of the living room, and slammed the front door shut as he left the house. Everyone looked at Asmo now, eyes wide "It looks like our little flower has found her soul mate." He chimed. The room gasped.