Ashlin groan, falling onto the sofa while Kure ran around the house, Cleus sat beside her with a smile. She thought for a moment before a frown was place on teasing lips.
"I've never really heard your story, Cleus" his eyebrows frown.
"What do you mean, Ash?" she placed a finger to chin, tapping as though in thought.
"Well, your history is blurry to me" he smiled sourly.
"Well... you know I was an angel, once" he released a strained breath, "When in Heaven, I had my most fond memories and she.... she was always there. Everyday she'll visit me with a warm smile while other stunned me. She wasn't an angel like us but, still she had power. I had gathered the courage to speak with God but it was too late, she had already been sent to Earth" he gazed down sadly, "I remember always watching her from above with a proud smile as she refused to submit to her male counterpart. God on the other hand, he was not pleased about it and when she refused his command. Lily was cast out into the void, desert of Earth. She wondered helpless for many years cultivating and growing, not only her power but, also knowledge"
"By Lily, you don't mean Lilith, do you?" he nodded head still bent.
"She first repented, unable to cope with Earth's conditions, at the time. After some time misery grew in her heart and soon swallowed her. Lily was cursed never to sow an offspring, so she resorted into crafting them"
"Like, Cerberus?" he nodded.
"Though her blood ran through their veins they bore no resemblance to her until.... one of her children ran away and devoured a human infant. It was so able to transform into human form. Lily was against the idea but her children would sneak away kidnapping and devouring newborns. When Lily had realized it was already too late, God sent angels to confront her. Though she denied the charges laid against her, she was still held accountable. I had gotten swirled up in the rebellion in Heaven and was cast down, cursed to never have purty or innocence. Lily had stood up against Heaven yet her soul at the time, remained pure"
"How did she become the first Demon queen?" Ashlin asked confused.
"She was attacked and badly wounded by angels and I brought her along with her children to Hell. I knew, even in Heaven, the demon king held her heart and they decided to commit the ultimate sin, love each other. Though, I was cast aside in her heart, I wasn't sad because Lily tried her best to make me feel loved" small droplets glisten in the afternoon sun peaking in through the window.
Ashlin's heart tug at his heart breaking story but she realized he hadn't told her, his true history. She shrugged it away, knowing that part of his life has weighted heavily on him for many centuries and Cleus needed to let it out.
"So, you were in love with Layton and Lucan's mother?" Ashlin couldn't stop herself from asking this question.
"Yeah" he admitted softly.
"Why are you friends with them, grandpa?" she stifled a laugh.
"The same reason Lily didn't return my love; I was what humans call a pre-teen at the time"
"Ooh"
Cleus pulled Ashlin causing her to fall onto his lap. He held her tightly restraining her movements as he stared into those void eyes.
"Cleus, wh- what are you doing?" Ashlin started to blush as Cleus face was mere inches from her own.
He released her, allowing Ashlin to stand, "No need to get flustered, I was only admiring the veiw" this caused her blush to worsen.
"Though it's a nice view you should be careful, you wouldn't want to get injured in the process of admiring it" the atmosphere grew deadly cold instantly as Lucan walked into the livingroom.
"Awww don't be mean Luc" Cleus teased in a feminine tone.
Lucan's jaw visibly clenched as he glared at the blonde male.
"Calm down, I was only teasing her" Cleus sighed, "No need to turn grumpy" he got up, walking out.
Lucan turned his stone gaze to Ashlin who stood still, raking through her thoughts for something to say but nothing seemed appropriate. His footsteps echoed as he approached her slowly eyes gluing her there. He reached over grasping her chin bringing her head to eyes level, he pressed his lips aggressively against her in a harsh kiss. Lucan stole all oxygen from Ashlin's lungs, her eyes watered as her lungs burnt from lack of air. She pound weakly on his chest but he refused to comply. Ashlin's limps grew weak, vision grew blurred before Lucan released her. Weak body ready itself for the floor's embrace but Lucan scooped her up into his arms.
"You're mine, my arms are the only ones meant to hold you" she simply nodded against his chest unable to argue with him.
Ashlin had drifted into sleep in Lucan's arms, he sat down placing her on his lap. He admired his lover as she slept, Lucan was unable to protect her from the harsh obstacles ahead nor could he prepare her for the decisions she would, have to make. All her could offer her was this momentary comfort and it saddens him to know she will never be able to live as she desires.
"It's always surprising to realize how much you actually love her" Cleus spoke from the kitchen doorway, "It's harsh fate, you've finally found love again, but you can protect or help her. I found someone who doesn't care if my touch turns the entire universe to ash and decay, as long as I save her from a boring day"
"What can we do?" Lucan asked desperate for any solution.
"Stand beside her no matter how agonizing the loss may become and make the harsh decision her tender heart can't" Cleus looked over at the asleep female, "I knew there was no way she was a real angel" he smile as Lucan smirked.
"She is too innocent, naive, loving, foolishly brave and thinks too uniquely to be an angel" each word was said with love and admiration as slender fingers remove stray hair from her face.