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It took both hands to lift the huge door knocker on the heavy wooden door of the castle that Diavolo called home. You slam it back down once, twice, three times, the heavy cast iron causing a loud booming noise that echoed in the quiet evening air, vibrating through your hands with each peal.
You didn’t usually have to knock when you visited the castle, then again you didn’t usually visit alone. The invitation had expressly advised that it was only for you, and although you have a niggle in the back of your mind that something is a little strange, you are also acutely aware that strange things happen all the time in the Devildom, and you are just kind of used to it by now.
From behind the door you hear a few faint steps, heel on tile muffled by the wooden barrier. There’s a slide and click as key turns in the lock and latches are lifted, and then a crack of light spills out onto the porch on which you stand, as the door slowly creaks open.
Barbatos greets you with a friendly smile, still professional and in keeping with his butler status, but a little softer as he recognises you as a friend. It is a little strange, you notice, that he is in his demon form, his wing like horns protruding from his deep green hair, split tail glistening and swaying gently behind him.
“Good evening, Barbatos” You smile “Is everything okay?”
“Good evening, and yes thank you. I hope that your journey was a safe one. Please do step inside”.
You follow his lead, as Barbatos takes a couple of steps backwards, opening the door fully to allow you entrance.
“So… why the demon form, Barb?” You ask casually once you are over the threshold and the door is closed behind you with much less sound than you would have anticipated. You know behind closed doors, Barbatos can let his guard down, just a little, and be a friend rather than a butler, although admittedly the difference is subtle.
And it doesn’t even phase you at all, just a small human chatting to a demon in full form like it’s a perfectly normal thing to you. But what is normal even anyway? You know that Barb wouldn’t hurt you, whatever form he currently presents in.
“Oh this” He responds, as if he hadn’t really even noticed “I was just about to gather some ingredients for Master Diavolo’s fairy wing tea, when he returns home later”
“Fairy wing tea? That sounds interesting… which ingredients do you need? Do you want me to help gather them?” It never ceases to amaze you that there are still foods and drinks in the Devildom that you have still not heard of after all this time. And the word “Fairy” strikes you as particularly strange, fairies not being something that you would have thought to find in this realm.
“Well I have most of the ingredients, but we do still need the main one… the fairy wings themselves”.
“Ummm… real fairy wings?” You blink confused, but you know you shouldn’t be surprised by now. Barbatos laughs lightly, a smile in his emerald eyes.
“This way, follow me and I’ll show you”
It’s a short journey, and one that takes you to parts of the castle you have never seen before. The dining room, through the kitchens and servants quarters, up a spiral staircase which leads to a series of long corridors. It’s interesting to you, seeing Barbatos gracefully glide down hallways that are clearly familiar to him, even though by this point you have no idea at all where you are, in these labyrinthine hallways.
Eventually the hallway ends at a large wooden door, which Barbatos opens, stepping back and gesturing for you to step through in front of him. You shoot him a nervous look, and he smiles pleasantly.
“It’s perfectly safe, don’t worry”
You step through the door and it leads outside to a small garden, high hedges casting shadows, the lighting ambient and dim in the rising moonlight, ornate flower beds with many different types of flowers. And the very air itself seems to sparkle, like millions of fireflies in a rainbow of colours, magical shimmering lending a surreal aura to the entire space.
As you take in this beautiful sight, you feel the gentle touch of a hand on your lower back, as
Barbatos stands behind you. You startle slightly, but not enough to break contact, glancing up at the demon butler, who is looking back with a glint in his eye that you could swear hadn’t been there before.
“Barb… what’s going on?”
“I am sorry, please forgive me” He speaks with sincerity as always “The truth is that I have been desiring some alone time with you for a long while, and I was hoping that you would grant me a small moment for us to enjoy each other’s company in private.”
“Of course I will, Barb”, you laugh gently “It’s not like we haven’t spent time together before. Remember the time we went to the sweets festival and…”
“Sadly you misunderstand” Barbatos interrupts “Let me explain another way”.
And before you can register what is even happening, the butler is in front of you, lifting your chin delicately with a white gloved hand, as he leans forward and kisses you ever so lightly on the lips, lingering for a moment before stepping back with a sigh.
“Do you think me terribly inappropriate?” He asks quietly “I’m sorry if I overstepped a boundary, I just could not help but find out. I have been crazy about you for quite some time now”.
Barbartos’ eyes search yours, waiting for your answer. An answer you give by wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him once more, a little firmer than the first, lips opening to invite his tongue. He wastes no time in reciprocating, his soft gloved hands on your face to hold you, deepening the kiss as his tail sweeps around your back to pull you closer to him.
You hadn’t told him before, but you had felt the same way about Barbatos for the longest time, and the fact that you are now kissing him in some kind of secret garden, is the biggest thrill. It almost feels like a dream. His kiss is passionate but soft, and he tastes faintly of tea, pleasant and sweet. You could happily stay here forever, so it is a slight disappointment when he pulls away, a light blush across his cheeks.
“I like you too, Barb” you admit, and the smile that spreads across his face warms your heart. “Should we go and fetch those ingredients now?”
“Yes… yes, of course” He replies, offering his arm to you. You slip your arm through his, and together you walk the path through the magical garden. It is then that you realise, every sparkling speck that is floating through the air, is a tiny little figure with wings. Thousands of tiny fairies flutter around you, you stare at them in wonder.
Barbatos leads you through to the far end of the garden where, well hidden, there is a loveseat, surrounded by candles, a low table on top of which sits a canteen and ornate tea set. Gesturing at you to sit, you do, and he seats himself next to you.
“May I pour you some tea?” He asks, you nod in affirmation and he begins to set up service.
“Barb? What about the fairy wings… for the tea?”. Barbatos turns to you and smiles.
“Apologies, that was merely a ruse to get you here. I hope that doesn’t spoil the mood at all. There is no such thing as fairy wing tea, I was just hoping it would pique your curiosity”
You aren’t as shocked as you could be by this admission, truthfully you are glad that he went to so much trouble, and the setting is so romantic. You are just happy to be here. But one more question came to mind.
“So, why are you in demon form?”
Barbatos turns to you, his lips forming a devious grin, his eyes much darker than just a moment ago. And when he speaks his answer, his voice is much more sinister and cold.
“My dear… because I have seen what is to happen next. But trust me, you are going to love it”