(no subject)

[apocryphalwords.livejournal.com]

Date: December 25, 1999
Setting: Tadfield Manor, Lobby
Status: Private - Beelzebub, Adam (complete)
Summary: Beelzebub and Adam speak.



His hand ticked by his side; he kept it from rising to his lips. Tongue slid out, tasting strawberry, and he gave a grin that was more tainted by sin than not.

This was where he would find the Antichrist. Lucifer's whelp, gone astray. The idea of the little snot defecting made his stomach turn, he could hardly believe, but he would see it for himself, then.

This darkness that shrouded him; he walked in it, breathed it in, welcoming. There was no reluctance in his manner, no hidden joy in his heart at the prospect of escaping Hell into the Antichrist's protection. But he would see, he would see. Lucifer was his master, Lucifer and the game he played the only passions in his bleak, chaotic existence. He reveled in it.

Teeth worrying at his lips, he placed his pale arms on the front desk and waited for the omniscent brat to notice he was there.

Comments

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam felt odd. His face was warm and he had a bit of a headache, which was strange because he never got sick. He didn't attribute it to Pestilence's influence, nor to the fact that he'd stayed up all night just staring at the Christmas tree. It took a while, but he eventually pinned it down to a malicious presence that seemed to be waiting for him downstairs.

Not particularly looking forward to this encounter, especially on Christmas Day, Adam took his time getting ready. He dressed a little more carefully than usual and walked to the lobby with a more measured tread. Once he felt as composed as he could, he moved forward.

"Beelzebub," he said by way of greeting.

[apocryphalwords.livejournal.com]

Beelzebub's lip twitched up in the Antichrist's presence, a half-curled sneer that he aborted when he caught sight of the child.

The Destroyer of Worlds was, predictably, the spitting image of dear old dad. Beelzebub loyalty to Lucifer was fierce, but he could understand that, with all the Antichrist's hefty power, why the boy would want to be independent of his father. Both of them were headstrong arses, to say they had one thing similar.

And if it came down to the worst of situations, Beelzebub was an opportunist.

"Adam," he said, flatly, in reply.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam sighed in frustration. He hadn't expected the demon to make this easy, but he was still disappointed.

"Yes. You wanted to see me about somethin'?"

[apocryphalwords.livejournal.com]

"I think you know why I'm here."

To spy. He would let all he gleaned spill from his tongue like wine from a dead drunkard's throat into Lucifer's graceful hands. His teeth were impeccably straight and white when he pulled his lips back in a parody of a grin.

"You're neutral, Antichrist. Adam. You give harbor to any who abide by your little rules, yes?"

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Narrowing his eyes, Adam took in the dark form before him. This might be his most dangerous conversation yet and he needed to tread carefully. He knew well that anything he said or otherwise revealed to this demon would be shared with Lucifer within hours.

"I am neutral, although you knew that already. And I give harbor to anyone who wants it. What little rules are you referrin' to?"

[apocryphalwords.livejournal.com]

"I should say that I do want it, then, and dance around your rules with pretty, pretty words," Beelzebub murmured, finger tapping his jaw. "Promise that I'll play nice with all the other kiddies."

He stepped up to the Antichrist and tilted his head to look the boy in the eye, squinting like the child was a horse or a dog being inspected on show. Circling. "How strong are you, Antichrist? I've seen numbers and pictures and heard rumors, but is it true you could," he breathed near Adam's ear, testing his limits, testing the Antichrist's patience, "hold my hand in check?"

Giving a little shiver, he stepped away from the Antichrist. He never had a nose for danger, but he would hardly prosper from pushing their interaction into violence. Hated being so close to someone, but it was so thrilling to see them respond.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam stood very still as Beelzebub looked at him. When he'd finished he spoke in a measured tone.

"I expect that you do want to stay and you can say it however you want. You're welcome to so long as you don't hurt anybody."

He looked directly into the demon's face, blue eyes flashing, but his voice remained level.

"And in my realm I can stop you from doin' anythin' I like, but out of courtesy, I generally won't. I'm not my father, Beelzebub, but you don't wanna cross me either."

[apocryphalwords.livejournal.com]

"I like your spirit, little one," Beelzebub murmured to himself, weighing the implied threat in the undertones of the Antichrist's turn of phrase. It made him quiver a bit in excitement, to be so close to such a lovely font of power. So young and vibrant and nigh untried.

"I can follow your rules." Like a well-trained dog.

His fingers jerked against his thigh, curling in the loose fabric of his pale trousers, wanting to touch that serene face to see how the child would react.

Was terrified that Adam might not recoil.

The thought of contact with flesh made him burn in unpleasant ways; a smothering phobia.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"That's fine then," said Adam coolly, picking up on the strange undercurrent that ran between the two of them. He assumed it must have something to do with the fact that the demon served his real father.

"Was there anythin' else you needed? If you're lookin' for a room or somethin' you'll need to talk to the marquis. And if you need information, I'm sure that one of the demons that are here will be able to provide it for you."

[apocryphalwords.livejournal.com]

Beelzebub danced his fingers lightly across his abdomen, eyelashes fluttering half-closed. Smiling, humming, weighing his options. Lucifer's son had the same intensity to his eyes as his father.

Not thinking about Adam's eyes on him. No.

He flicked his tongue across his lips. Once. Twice. Glistening pale pink and sweet strawberry.

"As you say, child, as you say," he purred.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Feeling slightly disconcerted at Beelzebub's odd behaviour, Adam nodded sharply.

"All right then. I'll prob'ly see you later."

And he headed back to his room, careful not to walk too quickly.