At The Carmine Compound…..
"Is this really necessary?" Noctis asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice as he was pushed back gently into a chair.
Deep in Pentagram City, Noctis made his demanded visit to Carmilla Carmine after receiving a strongly chastised phone call for his absence of calling her periodically to keep her informed of his situation. Now he was under the scrutiny of the overlord who stood there in her private office with her arms crossed and a most unhappy expression, watching as he sat back in the reclining chair with his mouth wide open and a curious Odette using various tools to examine his new fangs.
"Honestly I'm okay with this," he mumbled to the best of his ability while the critical demoness held a dental mirror in his mouth. "Because today Charlie wanted to do a show and tell and Angel Dust thought showing his porno was a good idea."
"Hush." Carmilla ordered softly and turned to Clare who had just finished her own work of drawing blood from Noctis and containing it in five sparate vials.
Noctis didn't make another sound and laid deeper into the soft couch just as Odette noted what she could find about these fangs of his.
"Put them in the fridge." Carmilla ordered just as Clara finished her work and headed out of the room with a cooler holding in said vials
"Why my blood?" Noctis asked with a cocked brow, irritating Odette with by how he interrupted her examination of his fangs by looking.
"To better understand how different you are." Carmilla answered before pushing his head back down.
Noctis couldn't move at that point with her holding his head down with a firm press of the forehead. It didn't help him steer away from being curious about this examination, but he wouldn't argue when said overlord was still very irked over how he didn't call her about his change.
"How strange….." Odette retracted herself from the examination and jotted another note that piqued her mother with interest.
"What is?" Carmilla asked in a strongly firm tone.
Odette paused for a moment to collect the information she wrote and answered.
"The fangs are nothing I have read about before." She flipped through another page from the book she provided for herself and closely read over it during her continuation of explaining.
"No hollow tipping for venom, no serrations, smooth and sharp. No demon or animal I've read about has such a feature without special qualities. Yet they are clearly shaped of a serpent."
"Strange." Carmilla removed her hand from the man and puzzled her chin briefly, thinking in her years of experience if there was anything she might know.
"So are we finished?" Noctis asked as he stood up rubbing his jaw from the uncomfortable hold Odette had earlier on it.
Odette, stoic as usual, pressed a hand to his chest after she stood up and said firmly.
"No. Now we are going to begin a physical examination of your body."
He blinked at that answer before chuckling in response.
"I'm sorry. What?"
He waited for Odette to provide an explanation as she walked away to the nearest countertop and removed a pair of nylon gloves from her bag.
Now he caught on and began to sweat.
Carmilla could almost feel the nervousness radiating in Noxtis' expression when it clicked to him what she meant by a physical. In a way she found it an amusing moment of
unforeseen punishment for his lack of phone calls lately.
A smile formed with her smugness of seeing him shift so uncomfortable.
"Physical as in no clothes?" Noctis asked in embarrassment.
This was going to be a fun form of torture for the overlord as she forced herself to not laugh.
"Correct." Carmilla nodded as she took the blushing man by his hand and helped him out of his chair. "We need to make sure you don't have any other changes."
She crossed her arms and glared before adding to her statement.
"Considering you didn't call me about the fangs, so we will be doing the examination now."
Noctis hitched his breath and repeated what she said in his mind, his face becoming as red as a tomato.
It only got worse with how Odette started to show emotion underneath those glasses of hers, eagerness in making him suffer by putting on said gloves with a sadistic smile that he was almost certain could match Alastor.
His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates when she giggled darkly and snapped the gloves.
"OH HELL NO!"
Immediately he went to bolt for the door and make an escape, choosing to take the risk of being hunted again in the city. But to his unfortunate demise he found himself snared in the hands of his overlord friend that was quicker to step between him and the door with both hands ready to make the grab.
And he was so foolish enough to try and weave around her, only to stumble on his own two feet and struggle when she grabbed his biceps.
"Oh no you don't." Carmilla teased with much enjoyment of seeing him start to flail and protest loudly. "This is for your health. We need to be sure you are physically well. So be a good boy and let Odette examine you."
Clara in the meantime was on the floor laughing so hard she was in tears.
"Let me go! I refuse to get naked!" Noctis thrashed and struggled in the oversized hands of the overlord, but to his dismay the difference in strength was obvious between him and a demoness. "THIS IS A VIOLATION OF MY HUMAN RIGHTS!"
Suddenly he stopped and looked distantly with a confusing thought.
"Wait, I'm not human and I'm in hell, so do I even human rights or any rights at all?" He asked rhetorically.
Both Carmilla and Odette told him in unison anyway.
"No."
"FUCK!"
"Where shall we start?" Odette purred evilly and eyed the man up and down with a hungry gaze as he tried to reach for Carmilla's hands and bite his way to freedom.
But alas it was in vain.
"Let's be quick." Carmilla requested teasingly as she watched the horror in his eyes grow. "I have other plans for us today."
All of pentagram city heard his girlish scream.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER...
"I hate you all." Noctis grumbled with a glare that could bore holes into walls, standing at a mirror and seeing himself in a new outfit.
"Oh don't be such child." Carmilla teased as she adjusted a new coat she picked out earlier during the week, fitting it on the man that was still blushing from the violation of his body.
"Why did you get this for me?" He asked curiously, though the animosity of being examined was still there as Carmilla worked on the collar of the shirt next.
"Because—" she paused long enough to huff in annoyance of his long hair before taking a brush to it. "You're a naive boy that was claimed by the princess and her guard. You have responsibilities."
She took the man by surprise with that confusing statement— not that he could ask when she forcefully spun him around and fixed more of his attire.
"And since I'm invested in you I won't take any chances of being made a fool. So today you are going to be learning some etiquette by having a lunch date with me."
"Lunch date?" He asked quizzically with concerns.
A rush of doubt and worries came over him as he thought about the idea of a lunch date with Carmilla. The first was his fear of Charlie and Vaggie seeing something or finding out from someone that he would be on a date with an overlord that wouldn't take no for an answer.
Throbbing was an understatement to how fast his heart accelerated when he imagined the heartbreak from them and the disdain the others would give him should he follow through.
His expression became controlled panic at the imagery of seeing Charlie in tears before running away with Vaggie, realizing this relationship wasn't as far fetched as he had thought.
He had genuine feelings for both girls and was scared of losing them to something as simple as a lunch date.
She nodded told him firmly. "You are the princess' lover after all, so you must be somewhat of a gentleman when that naive girl has to do some of her royal duties in the near future."
His eyes widened suddenly as he realized what Carmilla was going to do with him, whilst she smirked fondly and a bit mischievously at how much he would have to learn.
"Oh thank god." He sighed in deep relief and pressed a hand over where his heart is. "I thought you meant like an actual date."
Carmilla rolled her eyes at his foolish assumption and punished him with a flick to the forehead.
"You are so ignorant sometimes."
Noctis flinched at the blunt pain he received and frowned while rubbing his forehead.
"I didn't know what you meant so I panicked." he exclaimed.
"Well stop." She ordered in a commanding tone. "It is a simple lunch date to make you a gentleman—" she huffed at his assumption. "Besides, you're far too young and inexperienced for a woman of my caliber."
"Can't argue with that." He shrugged truthfully as she stepped back and grinned at her own handiwork.
"There now. Looking like a proper gentleman." She praised despite of his need to look at himself and mutter with dislike.
"I feel like a jackass." He said honestly.
Carmilla narrowed her eyes distastefully and frowned before gripping his shoulders to draw his attention in their reflections.
"You look handsome, not a jackass. And none of that foul language young man." She added insult to injury by giving a firm smack at the back of his head after chastising.
Noctis went to protest but felt her hands suddenly improve his posture in a forced manner, trapped in both her standards and being given a stern lesson in how he should be.
He felt he was being mothered as she told him what for in standing like a man. In the meantime though he was a display of humor for Clara sitting at her mother's desk and watching as the manhandling continued.
She grinned from ear to ear at how her mother was acting so much of herself rather than the overlord everyone had come to fear over the years. It was so refreshing to see that underneath her mother still existed that maternal instinct she hid away for so many years.
"And stand up straight. You're a man so walk like one. And bring back your shoulders so you don't slouch. And above all, maintain a strong presence in how you walk. This is hell so be dominant because you already know weakness can lead to death or far worse."
Noctis groaned and wondered desperately in his own mind when this torture would cease, whilst Odette returned from the other room with her phone pressed to her ear.
"The reservation is in 30 minutes, mother."
"Good." Carmilla finally stopped which gave the man a moment to breathe. "Now Noctis, I expect you to not behave like those morons at that hotel Charlie allows residence."
"Hey they're not—" he froze in the reflection at seeing her hardened stare that reeked of malice.
"Do. You. Understand?" She asked dangerously with crossed arms, sounding akin to a most annoyed principal ready to give punishment.
Noctis couldn't find any sensible reason to defy her nor anything to say as he absorbed in his memory that look. He shivered involuntarily and realized just fast this woman can go from kind to dangerous.
"She's more scary than when Vaggie is mad. I better just play along."
"Yes ma'am."
And just like that his compliance earned him a more motherly demeanor from the overlord now smiling as the girls held back their giggling.
"Good boy." She praised and snapped her fingers, pointing at the door. "Now my coat is on the rack there. Fetch it."
Noctis sighed and marched his way to retrieve said coat of black fur. He retrieved it without being problematic and returned to hold it out for the demoness who grimaced at his gesture.
"What are you doing?" She asked in a less friendly tone.
He blinked at the change in her and answered truthfully.
"You said to fetch your coat I did."
Carmilla sighed and turned away with reluctant knowing this was going to be a journey in making the man into someone that could maintain a bit of manners and decency in around higher-ups.
"You are to hold it out so I don't have to put it on myself."
Noctis blinked at that simple demand and went along with holding said coat out with a lack of understanding.
Patience was definitely key for this little adventure as Carmilla stepped back and dressed her arms through before facing Noctis with a content gaze.
"Lesson one: Always dress the lady with her coat."
He nodded, which eased her irritation a little.
"Good, now give your arm."
Noctis wasn't sure what she meant and felt awkward as he extended it to Carmilla. Then again he couldn't understand the point of such closeness when he never went on a date in his entire life. He was a pariah back on earth and just a worker that was taken advantage of by all forms of people, even by those who showed faux interest just to get discounts on his old work.
Even the women…..
"You don't know do you?" Carmilla asked, seeing easily how uncertain he was holding his arm out.
"No I don't." He answered truthfully with shame evident in his eyes. "I've never been on a date."
Even the cold heart she bear as an overlord cracked a little at his somber admission. Pathetic it was to Carmilla for Noctis to not just be inexperienced but completely new something as simple as a date, but even she couldn't hide taking pity on him for being so unknown.
"Here," she took said arm and adjusted him before holding onto it. "This is how it's done."
Noctis nodded and remained still as Clara pulled out her phone and took a picture. Of course he flinched at the camera flash before his motion of leaving was forced by Carmilla walking them out of the room.
"Why did she take a picture?" He asked while looking back.
Carmilla couldn't restrain her mischievous nature but for the sake of his well-being she handed him a phone and answered.
"Clara is going to post it on Voxstagram so everyone knows not to come near you in public."
He looked uncertain behind the reasoning of being handed her phone until the danger behind said picture dawned to him.
He made a hasty speed dial and prayed for a peaceful answer on the other end as they left the compound and entered her limo.
Unfortunately...
"Carmilla what are—"
"Vaggie it's me." Noctis interrupted her nervously before the limo started moving.
"NOCTIS!"
He flinched at the screech in her voice.
"Vaggie just listen. I am—"
"WHY IN THE FUCK IS THERE A PICTURE OF YOU WITH CARMILLA ON VOXSTAGRAM AND IT SAYS LUNCH DATE!?"
Carmilla only smirked proudly and took the phone from the scared man as Vaggie was in a rage that could make most shiver.
Noctis gulped thickly knowing he was about to be in a world of trouble.
"Hello Vaggie," she purred her words teasingly and enjoyed the fear from Noctis. "I suppose you want an explanation."
"YOU'RE FUCKING RIGHT I DO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH OUR BOYFRIEND!?"
Carmilla was having too much fun with this.
"Just a simple lunch date since he blatantly ignored calling me about his new fangs, so he will be accompanying me for lunch."
"WHY!?"
"Because—" she leaned back in her seat and crossed her legs. "A little teaching from me about the finer points of being claimed could some good. And since he is claimed by not just you but the princess he must learn some mannerisms."
"What the hell do you mean by—"
"He will be returned intact and unharmed." She spoke those words with a taunt in her voice. "Enjoy the rest of your day seething with wonder where he is."
She hung up on the spear user going into a screaming fury.
Noctis had only one thought going on in his head at that point.
"I'm so dead…."
A few minutes later…..
Noctis rushed around the limo and opened the door after it came to a stop. Going by what he was told to do and burning it in his memory, he extended his hand and helped Carmilla out of the vehicle with various demons around the streets scowling still wanting that 10,000 souls Vox offered online for his capture.
However, none of them dared to take even a single step forward when the overlord stepped out and wore the same coldness she gave to anyone that was a hindrance in her life.
She glared slowly with calculation and assessed while forcefully taking Noctis closer to her side by holding his arm tightly.
"Come along." She ordered in a ginger tone that didn't match her expression.
Noctis wasn't going to argue anyway when his mind was clouded with various scenes of Vaggie finding ways to kill him. Silently he opened the door for Carmilla and followed her closely inaide with the host already waiting for them.
"What is this place?" He asked while looking around, eyes wide with wonder like a child.
"Good afternoon Madame." The host, a strangely well-kept shark demon, bowed to Carmila as she pulled Noctis' attention back. "Your table is ready for you and your guest."
"Good. Take us." She ordered sharply.
Without a hitch the host gestured the overlord and the man to follow through the arrangement of tables with upper class demons and even nobles leering Noctis with a mix of whispers.
"Is that the human?"
"Why does he have fangs?"
"What a disgusting creature…."
"Hush Stella."
"Assholes." Noctis muttered before they reached their table on the balcony floor.
"Noctis." Carmilla stood there and waited for him to do the next step. "A gentleman pulls the chair out."
Noctis raised an eyebrow at her implication yet complied with helping her seat at the table after removing her coat for her.
"Good boy."
"So why are you doing this again?" He asked before the host summoned a waiter that immediately gazed at him and scoffed quietly.
Thankfully he had enough self-conteol to focus on the overlord that raised her hand to silence him.
"Conversation starts after the first order is made." She instructed in a matter of fact tone before narrowing her eyes at his side. "And remove your elbows from the table."
"Oh. Sorry." He quipped.
Her smile returned before she looked to the waiter.
"We will start with a Bloodhaven Chardonnay and the razorhog pork bites."
"Including him?" The waiter rolled his eyes.
Carmilla raised an eyebrow at the waiter's disrespect and decided to a little more authority.
"Yes, including my date, who happens to be Princess Morningstar's claimed one."
Noctis was surprised that the waiter stiffened and could have sworn he gulped thickly during Carmilla's continued warning.
"So I suggest you be kind to my friend here or you might find yourself in the presence of a very angry princess that is quite smitten with her lover."
"Right away! My apologies to you both!" The waiter shifted to Noctis and bowed before leaving in haste.
Noctis couldn't believe what he just witnessed and barely restrained a grin at the waiter's fear, but for the sake of learning he stay the curve of his lips.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Carmilla nodded slightly with content at his gratitude. "Now we can start conversation while we look over our menus and wait to order. And what you witnessed is just a perk you'll come to use."
"Right." He chuckled nervously and cleared his throat before reading. "So again, why are you doing this?"
"I am invested in you," she paused to flip the laminated page. "And I don't want you making a fool of yourself because that will put bad imagery on me."
"Oh…" he sound disheartened to know it was merely business.
"Also I do have some care for you, and I wish for you to succeed when you are to be introduced to Charlie's toysl lifestyle."
"Introduced?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow. "But I thought the hotel—"
"No." She closed her menu and set it down to speak directly with an unrelenting stare. "Charlie is avoiding her duties as a princess and leaves them for her father to deal with."
"Wait, really?" He set his menu down as well, invested now in the conversation.
"Yes. She is very pampered by her father but carries an awkward relationship due to circumstances I'm sure she will let you know."
"So why then am I doing all this?" He gestured to inaide of the restaurant.
Carmilla sighed at his short-sighted thinking and decided simplicity was the best card to play for him to learn.
"When you are able to go in public with Charlie and Vaggie, do you want to be an embarrassment?"
"No ma'am." He shook his head, finally catching on.
"Good. Now you are starting to understand that as her claimed one you have the responsibility of looking good for her."
"Even if I'm just the hotel handyman?" He tilted his head, his eyes perplexed with deep thinking while she nodded.
"Yes, even as the hotel's handyman. Many will look at you and judge even when they have no right to do so."
"But Charlie doesn't care that—"
"But Lucifer does." Her tone darkened with her expression the waiter made his return. "You will meet him one day. And when that happens you will need to make a good impression."
"Oh now I get it." Finally his brain was clicking together what she was trying to teach. "You're trying to make me more..... appropriate to others, especially her dad."
She smirked.
"I knew you had some common sense in that pretty head of yours."
Noctis gave her an annoyed look as the waiter set down their drinks and appetizer, offering the bottle as well before taking out a pen and notepad.
"And what would our esteemed guests like for their main dish?" He asked in a more professional tone.
The time shifts an hour later through the entire setting of dining in mild conversation about his learning of being a gentleman. There was however some playful banter from Carmilla after she relaxed a little and taught him more softly about how his etiquette at a table should be. Noctis couldn't deny this was the most normal of things he had done in his life and found it intoxicating.
Sadly though the sound of laughter was halted by the caller I.D. of Vaggie demanding the return of him to Hazbin Hotel.
Her persistent possessiveness became vexing for Carmilla as she paid the bill.
"I must admit you are stronger than most men, Noctis. For none of them would have the patience to handle her attitude."
"She's not bad at all." Noctis countered casually while the overlord looked distantly to the stage being played with a strong symphony. "She's just protective ever since her and Charlie—"
"Tell me—" she blocked out his broken response with a peculiar thought that made her grin remain. "Do you dance?"
"Dance?"
He was a bit embarrased at the idea and looked with her to the few couples, but eagerness was not in his strong suit like her with that inkling indication of her desire.
He looked away and said shamefully. "I've never danced with anyone."
Without warning at those words came the same hand that once held his broken form in the city, stealing a gasp of surprise from the him as he was taken by his own hand and pulled away from the table and stanced before the slightly eager demon.
"Then you shall learn here and now." She declared before making him blush at the guidance of where he was meant to hold her. "You never know when you might need to share one with your girls."
"My—woah!"
Noctis was forced to sway and spin roughly with Carmilla, given nothing but the stumbling of his feet that had her laughing quietly amongst the euphoric symphony that drowned his mind with concern.
"Relax your body," she tightened his hand on her waist before gripping his right shoulder. "And follow mine with grace. Let yourself flow."
"Flow?" He stuttered nervously and became unsure of himself while taking a few breaths.
"Yes, flow with my movements." she gave that motherly voice again. "Dancing is good practice for you, helps you build confidence which you clearly need."
Noctis wanted to deny with every fiber of his heart about needing confidence, but like all moments of togetherness with Carmilla he found himself hypnotized to an inner peace he never felt before.
One step, then two, and another, his feet starting to match the slow routine they shared under the darkness of Ozzie's restaurant. He started to feel lighter and more relaxed with it just being them on the balcony.
He felt a bit of pride for this, even though it was a forced action by the overlord.
Nevertheless, he was having fun.
"Well would you look at that," she gave a tease of his footing before guiding his hand to spin her. "Seems you're not as hopeless as you appear to be."
"Hey!" He exclaimed quietly and frowned as her playfulness showed in their movement.
Carmilla had to force herself not to laugh some more as the dance came to an end with embarrassing Noctis a little by arching him back in her arm.
"Now the next time you can do this with them, or with me if you wish to learn more."
"There's more ?" He asked after being stood back up straight.
"Oh so much more." She replied truthfully and patted his cheek. "Now I believe it's time you return home. I believe I've enraged your one-eyed lover long enough."
With that reminder came the dread of realizing he was in so much trouble.
Noctis could only gulp and say outloud. "I'm so freaking dead."
A few minutes later in the limo…..
"So did you learn today?" Carmilla asjed in the midst of watching the world roll by through her window.
"Yeah," Noctis admitted with a touch of enthusiasm. "I did actually and it was fun. I've never done something like this before."
"Good," she smirked into her own reflection. "Then you know what to do when the time comes for spending moments like these with the princess and her guard."
Noctis couldn't agree any harder with the overlord as the limo rounded the next corner. But by a stroke of luck his view locked onto a familiar face exiting her own limousine and looking up to the building she came to visit.
"Charlie?"
"Hmm?" Carmilla responded and followed his gaze to the princess, her eyes narrowing in disgust at said building. "What is she doing there?"
"There?" Noctis turned to her questioningly.
"Driver, stop!" Carmilla ordered abruptly.
Said limo halted and both of them exited to see her going up the steps, though Carmilla was but more adamant for the truth when she yanked Noctis out of said limo.
"What is this place ?" Noctis asked, watching various demons in inappropriate attire go in and out of the front doors.
Carmilla have no answer and strutted aggressively to the princess' who went inside.
"Ms.Carmine?" Noctis waited for her to speak but grew with concern at how they marched inside just as Charlie took an elevator.
"Valentino's studio." Carmilla answered with disgust. "I suggest you find out why she is here."
Noctis' eyes widened before tidal wave of dark thoughts came to mind, his concern now a racing fear that Charlie was doing something behind his back with the worst demon he encountered.
Was she about to make a deal?
Was she going to cheat on him?
He picked up his speed and marched with Carmilla into the next elevator and passed the secretary that tried to stop then until she snapped her gaze dangerously.
The ride up was met with silence but Carmilla could see without trouble the uncertainty Noctis expressed in the glare he locked onto the doors. He was determined to find out what the hell Charlie was doing and get the truth out of her.
"Calm yourself." She offered a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "One instance of witnessing goes not dictate what she may be up too. This is why we are following her."
Noctis only nodded and stepped out of the elevator, his eyes locked onto the one door at the end of the hallway that carried shouting.
Before he could rush the door he was grabbed again by Carmilla and spun to face her scrutinizing words of advice while pressed to the wall.
"Calm down right now. You're letting your emotions cloud you."
"But she's—"
He was silenced by the gentle press of her finger, his mind burning with anger-fueling images of Charlie doing the unthinkable. It wasn't as simple as the overlord had made it out, not when the one who claimed him had cracked his uncertainty about having feelings and earned his.
"Calm down." Carmilla ordered this time.
Noctis could see he wasn't going to get anywhere with arguing and took a few breaths as she stepped back with that cold intensity.
"Better?"
"Yeah." He exhaled deeply and nodded.
Carmilla wasn't believing that he had gained control of his emotions but took it for its best before taking him to said door that had muffled shouting of Valentino coming from inside.
Noctis braced himself for the worst and stepped inside to the cruel ferocity of the porn overlord manhandling Angel Dust so hard he threw him to the bed.
"All right!" He was spitting with anger as Noctis stepped away from Carmilla to see the bruising on Angel Dust, completely focused in to where he didn't see Charlie building up with anger. "GET YOUR ASSES BACK ON SET AND WE ARE TAKING THIS FROM THE TOP!"
"Angel?" Noctis kneeled down to check the whimpering spider demon as Charlie gave her input with every intention of confronting Valentino.
"What makes you think you can treat him like that!?"
Before Noctis could check the bruises though, Angel Dust shot off the bed and and slid between Charlie and Valentino.
"CHARLIE! JUST STOP!" He snapped at the princess that was now frozen with hurt.
"Angel what are you talking—"
"Charlie leave!" He grabbed her hand roughly and dragged her away from the situation as Carmilla stood in the back, watching more intently on Noctis' reaction. "I didn't want you to come here! I already asked you to leave and you didn't listen! You made things worse!"
"Hey dont snap at her!" Noctis raised his voice at Angel, stepping between him and Charlie protectively. "She just wanted to—"
A collective gasp radiated the room after Noctis stumbled back and was caught in Charlie's arms, holding his chin in shock from where Angel had just struck him with a fist.
Not even the princess could find a reason for what Angel just did, but the look of horror she gave said enough.
Carmilla didn't take that kindly and wanted to intervene in the swiftest way possible, but her position as overlord prevented her from any confrontation in the domain of her colleagues.
Begrudgingly she clenched her fists and stayed in place as Valentino grinned smugly at her.
"And you!" Angel wasn't done, targeting the angrily disbelieving man. "I don't know why you're here or what the fuck makes you think you can get in my face but you better back the fuck up now!"
"What the hell is your problem!?" Noctis stood straight back up and didn't listen, getting right in Angel's face. "Charlie was just—"
"I don't need her help or yours!" Angel screamed furiously, jabbing a finger in Noctis' chest, glistening with unshed tears for his hidden agenda of being cruel. "I don't need some spoiled princess and her fucking loser handyman fuck boy getting in my business! This is my life! Now get the fuck out!"
Noctis was in complete silence, unable to comprehend this heart breaking side of Angel while Charlie clung to his arm and stuttered brokenly.
"Angel…..we…..I…..I'm….." Charlie looked back to the smug Valentino and realized how badly she messed up.
"You really think I'm that?" Noctis asked quietly, looking away from the spider demon with a shattered perspective.
"Yeah I do!" Angel looked in the opposite direction, flickering with regret. "You're just a loser who got tossed at Charlie's feet. You're a fucking nobody that got lucky."
He pointed at the door again. "Now get the fuck out and let me finish my work."
Nothing was said after that, not even a whimper from Charlie as she saw how hurt Noctis was by their bruised friend. In the end they both headed for the exit with her holding onto Noctis' arm and seeing the anger radiate in his eyes.
Carmilla wasn't far behind but maintaining a dangerous glare at Valentino.
"You're more than nothing. You're everything to Vaggie and me." She whispered before grabbing the doorknob, hoping her words would help Noctis.
She opened it and was ready to leave, but something stopped her at that moment, a stillness that confused her when the man she adored refused to take another step.
"Noctis?"
Carmilla was even curious as Noctis slowly looked back to Angel Dust, surprising both women with the faint glow in his amber eyes that narrowed.
"Angel…." He called out softly, yet somehow dangerously while the electrical system in the studio began to flicker.
Cameras sparked, lights popping and even Valentino feeling a powerful presence coming from the man as he wrapped Charlie around his arm protectively.
Angel Dust went to glare back but found himself shaken by this sudden change coming from Noctis, whilst Carmilla took out her phone and logged these anomalies in a text to Odette.
"Noct?" Angel took a step back, showing mild fear at this unseen part of him.
"Nobody, somebody, I don't care what I am. I already know I'm not human to begin with and it's hard as is." He declared with a powerful calmness underneath his narrowed eyes. "But understand that I don't give a shit anymore and that punch is the only one you'll ever get. So the next time you snap at my girlfriend I will cave your fucking skull in. And don't ever touch me again you filthy spider slut."
The tension in those words couldn't be described after how venenously Noctis called the flinching demon such a cruel name, but one thing was for certain and it broke Charlie's heart…..
A broken friendship between her boyfriend and the spider.
Noctis fully turned this time, moving his attention from the hurt demon to the curiously grinning porn overlord.
"And as for you."
"What about me baby?" Valentino purred mockingly with a lazy hold of his pistol, posturing sexily to mock the man. "You wanting to join in our fun?"
"Noctis?" Charlie whispered worriedly as she felt his fists tighten so hard his knuckles popped.
Something was different about Noctis this time and it stirred a bit of fear in Charlie that her boyfriend was showing not just a need to protect her but a powerful dominance as the room continued to flicker under this strange power nobody was understanding.
Carmilla on the other hand stood there and smirked with pride for the man showing that underneath all his flaws there was something of a gentleman inside him, the very thing she was teaching him today.
It excited her to see this side that reeked of certainty and aggression as Noctis made a declaration to Valentino.
"If I see one more bruise on Angel Dust—" the bulbs in the room exploded, darkening the studio with the camera crew yelping. "I will fucking kill you."
What came next was the collective panic of the lights going out that shook even Carmilla into a perplexed state. Noctis growled directly at the abusive overlord, but rather than something of normality it was animalistic, deep, maybe otherworldly, and it radiated from his throat.
As if he was acting like an animal.
Now for Valentino the idea of a challenge would always excite him, arouse his very soul to the wanting of breaking someone down and molding them into his twisted fantasies. He relished turning anyone into a slave for his work, but this side of Noctis had his wings quivering while Charlie found the courage to step into his view and grasp his face.
"What the fuck." Valentino gasped, covering his eyes from the falling shards of his light bulbs.
"Noctis look at me." She whispered desperately, hearing this animal inside the man she adored. "Please look at me."
Noctis flickered with some sense of the touch on his cheeks and gazed at Charlie, his glow dissipating with the growl whilst the room was back to normal.
"Interesting." Carmilla quietly puzzled with glee at this new clue.
Noctis calmed down and realized to his own surprise he had shown more mysterious power to what he truly is. But there was that same scared look in Charlie's eyes that riddled his heart with guilt as he recognized that his poor impulse made it harder to ignore how different he was.
"Please baby, no more."
He felt the desperation in those words and inhaled the deepest breath his body could hold before calming down.
"I'm fine." He exhaled.
Charlie's lips curved weakly into the best smile she could muster after seeing the softness in his eyes return.
"There's my guy." She praised while petting his cheek, feeling it was safe to let herself be his anchor after that beffudling display of his unknown power.
Noctis leaned into the touch and chuckled quietly, his anger erased by her tenderness that could melt the coldest hearts before Carmilla touched their shoulders to grab their attention.
"It's time to leave." She suggested and pushed them out, leaving no room for argument and ruining the moment.
It was understandable though as Noctis and Charlie walked hand in hand with the overlord looking back to the door that was being slowly closed by a regretful Angel Dust. The stay was overwelcomed already and she didn't want to risk another second of giving Valentino the chance to call Vox and cause trouble.
"Noctis, are you okay?" Charlie asked after they reached the elevator.
He nodded but felt bewildered and a little tired all of a sudden, bags under his eyes showing quickly while Carmilla pressed a button.
"Yeah just tired all of a sudden." He admitted.
A few minutes of silence passed before the three of them reached outside and Noctis was guided by Carmilla to Charlie's limo and set inside.
Once he was put in his seat, Carmilla turned her attention to Charlie and closed the door before she could get inside. A hostility was given to said princess after Carmilla thrusted a finger at her in warning.
"I'm warning you now, any other strange symptoms that I'm not informed of will have consequences."
"Consequences?" Charlie looked defeated already from Angel Dust and showed what concern she could.
"Yes." Carmilla told the princess sharply and gestured back to the studio. "That little display of Noctis wasn't for his own health, it's clearly obvious he reacted to protecting you and that stupid spider whore you call a friend!"
Charlie didn't understand what the overlord meant as she walked away to her limousine with not a shred of patience left in her. Her mind was so jarred from her failure of helping Angel Dust it took her a minute to finally understand what the woman mesnt as she got in her vehicle and sped off.
The weird power from Noctis, as strange as it may be, was from his own anger and protectiveness.
He was angry for her safety and Angel's, hence the threat he made to Angel Dust and especially Valentino.
She climbed into the limo and closed the door before tapping the egg boys to drive them home, her emotions burning with more need for the man that sat away with a hard glare to his own reflection in the window.
Silence echoed between the two with Charlie having nothing particular to say after that horrible encounter as she wringed her hands, wondering if it was okay to even get close.
"I'm sorry Charlie." He finally spoke and turned to her. "I know I showed up there abruptly but I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?" She asked. She didn't know why he had to apologize and was unsure if it would be with good reason.
Noctis sighed and to her reassurance scooted right next to her before telling his reason.
"When Carmilla and I saw you go into that studio, when she told me what it was, I assumed the worst and got scared to the assumption you were going to cheat."
Charlie gasped with an amount of care and hurt that Noctis had never seen before. She took his hands in her grip and kissed both with haste before pleading to him.
"No. Never. I would never cheat on you or Vaggie! I just wanted to help Angel!"
She looked harder into his eyes for the understanding she needed to remove her own fear of losing him to doubt in their relationship.
She couldn't fathom the idea of hurting either of her lovers and desperately waited for him to see that truth.
"I know." He replied, putting her mind at ease.
Charlie smiled at this and felt her heart go calm just before the urge to clarify where she stood in their relationship took over.
She stood up in the limo and adjusted herself to sitting in his lap and made to pressing her hands on his chest.
Noctis found himself unable to remove the princess and remained silent underneath the tender gaze she was giving, effectively grabbing his full attention.
"You belong to us and we belong to you. I wouldn't dare thinking of cheat on you or Vaggie."
The Princess of Hell didn't give Noctis the chance to speak or react after those words escaped her. Confidently she grabbed his face and poured herself into this moment with their first kiss and held on tightly to the strange taste that came from it.
Sadly it was from his lunch but it didn't stop her from having their.
Her eyes widened in shock though when Noctis did the opposite of when Vaggie kissed him. She felt his hands grab her waist and a quick adjustment came afterward to where she was straddling with the same kiss going on.
She had expected the man to be surprised when Vaggie did it, but no complaint came during the slow tasting of his mouth.
"I know." He whispered to her lips.
"Good." She whispered back to his before it became too much. "And Noctis?"
"Yes." He waited eagerly to continue their connection.
To his dismay she pulled away and cringed a little before covering her nose.
"Your breath smells really bad."
And just like that he was mortified that his own breath just ruined their intimate connection.
"What did you eat?" She remained straddled to Noctis but waved her free hand to knock away the smell of his breath.
"Razorhog steak." He answered quietly with barely parted lips and a blush across his cheeks , hoping she wouldn't smell it more.
"Well before we kiss again I expect you to brush your teeth."
Later that evening in the bedroom.
"Vaggie I'm not comfortable." Noctis stated firmly to the still mildly irritated spear user, peering down at her and attempting to adjust himself in the bed.
Tonight was his misfortune though with Vaggie sitting in his lap and not budging an inch while they watched tv.
Even after explaining the entire situation to her and Charlie, Noctis was still in the doghouse for his visit with Carmilla and with how he suddenly had a lunch date with her. Said explanation was thourough after Angel Dust and Charlie made amends and went to bed, but jealousy was a cruel feeling that had the spear user gripping his hands and keeping them pressed to her thighs while Charlie took her own comfort in leaning on his side.
"You left early during the exercises, visited Carmilla, then had a lunch date." Vaggie growled quietly through grit teeth, focusing her entire form into watching television rather than beating on the man. "You're lucky I haven't kicked your ass."
"She also taught me how to dance." Noctis added like a fool and got ounched in his thigh. "OUCH!"
"Good. I hope it hurt." She hissed with a dark smile.
"I said I was sorry." He whined and tried find reason with a simple kiss to her head, but she leaned away with an effective press of her hand to his mouth.
A notion that Charlie took as an invitation to his affection.
"How did max do today?" Charlie asked Vaggie before stealing that same kiss from Noctis after she turned his attention.
Vaggie cringed at the horrid memory of the sleeping pup on the bed, shuddering to the last past of her day as a babysitter for the hellhound that yelped most of the time. There was no peace of mind for her today after Charlie had left her alone to watch over the hellhound during her visit to Valentino's studio.
"There was so much poop..."
A shared laugh from Noctis and Charlie echoed in the bedroom.
"Anyway," Vaggie huffed and sat back against his chest. "So new power huh?"
The laughter died out immediately as the peace on the bedroom filled with intense thinking and concern for the man who was the most disturbed by this update about himself.
"Yeah," Noctis sighed and leaned back against the headboard.
He weaved his thoughts around today's development and looked up to the ceiling with yet another deep desire to figure out who or what he is. Eventually he found himself laying down completely and smothered by the girls and sharing the same pondering thought.
"I don't think it was a power. I think it was a sign."
"A sign?" Vaggie said questioningly while rolling on his chest to face him.
"What kind of sign?" Charlie asjed, watching with Vaggie the hard thinking Noctis had going on in his head.
The next thing they knew there was a knock at the door and a familiar voice that spoke softly, as if unready to face what was to come.
"Guys are you awake?."
"Angel?" Charlie was surprised and hopped out of bed to confront the spider demon while Noctis sat up with Vaggie still in his lap.
Charlie swung the door open wondering what would have the nervous demon coming to them when she and him made amends already.
"Is something wrong?"
Angel Dust looked down at her for a brief second and then at Noctis. Guilt was evident in his expression as he saw how irritated Noctis looked at just the sight of him. His narrowed eyes and unforgiving posture with Vaggie didn't help with Angel Dust speaking what was on his mind.
"I just.... I need to talk to Noctis."
Noctis didn't say a word and hopped out of bed after setting Vaggie aside, carrying himself with a cold stride that had Charlie nervous as she stepped aside.
Angel Dust knew this wasn't going to be an easy conversation and braced himself for the harshness that was justifiably deserved for his actions.
"Listen Noctis...I..."
The pain of rejection came faster and harder than he expected, not in a form of words or even some form of painful physical contact. Rather than the usual Angel Dust would always get, Noctis grabbed the door and slammed it in his face without saying a word, stunning the spider and both girls.
"Noctis…." Charlie watched as he walked back and crawled into the bed for the last time tonight.
He was still grudging over it all.
"Leave it be babe." Vaggie told her before finding her spot on Noctis. "Maybe they can talk tomorrow."
Charlie hesitated but joined them and took her spot on the man as well, but she was so very unsure of the two boys making amends.
While on the other side of the door stood a broken hearted and quietly sobbing Angel Dust against the wall, his mind repeating to the same thought he gave himself.
The one friend he thought he had truly ....now as judgmental of him as the others and just as disgusted of him.
"He thinks I'm a slut, just like everyone else...."