Barbatos's heart

The Next Day

Barbatos woke up in a daze and with a major hangover. He felt a presence in his bed and panicked 'What happened? What's going on??' He thought to himself as he turned around. Then he saw her, tangled in the sheets completely naked, pure white feathery wings out, looking absolutely heavenly. He gasped out loud remembering last night. Michael, the demonus, Elaina coming to his room, saying he loved her, the sex... 'Oh goodness, the sex..... Did I take advantage of Elaina? Did I cross a line? Was she ready? Was I???' His mind kept racing. This was not what he intended. He wanted to take this slow, he wanted to talk to Elaina about his past. Answer every question she had but then he could feel the horror she was feeling talking to her father last night. He drank...a lot... He thought she would never forgive him, but here she was in his bed after a night of absolute bliss, At least that's how he remembered it. Hopefully, Elaina felt the same.

Lost in his own mind, he hadn't even noticed that Elaina had awoken and was now facing him with a soft expression. "Good morning handsome." She whispered, bringing him back into reality. "O-oh! G-good morning Elaina..." He stammered as he blushed and tried to keep himself covered under the sheets. Elaina laughed and kissed him gently on the lips. Barbatos instantly relaxed under her touch and smiled as she pulled away. "I am so sorry Elaina. I should have told you... everything. I should not have closed you off. I should have welcomed you. I should not have hidden my life from you. I realize now, that I do love you. I wanted to fight it, but the more time I spent with you, the more I realized how much joy you bring to my life. I never want to lose that!" He poured his heart out. Elaina looked at him in absolute awe as he finally opened up to her and fully accepted it. Maybe last night was exactly what he needed. Granted he was drunk, but this morning was the beginning of something. A step forward in their relationship for the better.

Michael coming made them stronger, however, they still had to deal with talking about the past. Elaina still had her questions and Barbatos knew this. "So...  Do you want to get dressed and go for a walk?" Barbatos asked nervously. Elaina nodded and they proceeded to prep for their long talk.

As they entered the garden Barbatos linked arms with Elaina and led her to the gazebo overlooking the lake. He sat up straight and looked Elaina in the eyes. "Whatever you want to know. I will answer honestly. You have my full cooperation." Elaina thought for a moment, looking into the distance. Finally, after a few silent moments, she looked at Barbatos and asked "Do you regret it all? Do you regret the banquet murders? Do you regret the pain you caused?" "Yes." Barbatos was quick to answer. "It plagues me, it gives me nightmares from time to time. I wake up trembling and sweating, terrified that I will relapse and go back to my feral nature. It has been hundreds of years since I had changed for the better, but I am always afraid Diavolo's father will come back and break me again. I know it is not possible, at least I do not think it is, but still..." He faltered.

"Do you still do it" Elaina shot him another question. "Yes. BUT it's not the same!" He hastily pointed out. "It is rarer now. Only those who are truly damned get punished. What I mean is... Everyone who enters Devildom from the human world is damned, but only the ones who really deserve it get tortured. Murderers, rapists, the likes." He avoided Elaina's gaze as he spoke, thinking she wouldn't like what she heard. "I guess someone has to do it" she sighed, looking out onto the lake. He tilted his head and his lips parted in surprise. It shocked him to hear that from her, but she was right. It had to be done. "I am not the same man I used to be Elaina, and you will never have to worry about seeing him. He is gone. I would never do anything that would hurt you. I would never do anything that would compromise our love. " Barbatos assured her. She smiled brightly hearing him say that. "I know! I love you, Batey."

He reached out and cupped her face with his hand when a servant ran up to them, he was huffing as if he just sprinted to find the couple. "Alexi, what is it?" Barbatos ordered. The male looked at them realizing he ruined a moment but spoke up "Lord Diavolo and The Angel Michael request your presence immediately." He gulped. "Go Elaina, it's fine. I will wait here." Barbatos vowed. "Sir, they want you both," Alexi explained. Elaina looked over at Barbatos, who seemed to be completely frozen in place, she could feel the chills coming off him and could see the hairs on his arms stand on end. She placed her hand in his. "Did they say why, Alexi?" She asked politely. He shook his head sadly. "Thank you, You are dismissed. You can let them know we will be there to join them." She added.