He's hiding something from me.
Studying that devilish smile over Sene as he vanished from Eden, my gaze was pulled towards the little fluff monsters opening their eyes. It was strange caring for kids, especially babies who'd wake up at random times to cry and then fall asleep.
It was rather silly. As a god, I clean up poop like a damn mortal. And for some reason, I'm happy to do it.
Iza looked up at me, her beady red eyes blinking blankly. She cooed, and I nodded.
"I agree. Daddy is hiding something. What do you think it is?"
Vesyrn cooed, answering my question for his big sis, grabbing at me with a silly smile.
"Well, there was a second in the cave of the prime evils, I don't know. Sene tried to hide it, but I sensed his intent on that strange crack. He felt Something. I know he did. But for some reason, he hid it."
"mmmmaaaaa," Iza mumbled.
I nodded. "Well. That's just it. We are alone. We left Eve behind. So she can't be the reason for his silence. That little shit is hiding something from me. What do you think it is?"
Looking at their exposed belly, warm to the touch, I smiled as I poked them. " Gods, my babies are just so cute. Iza is going to have so many suitors and Ves… I want you to give Mama all the grandbabies."
Nibbling at their cheeks as they cried laughter. I smiled before feeding them, a little surprise by how hungry they were as we enjoyed Eden. It was all so soothing here.
It truly is a wonder… Why did The One allow Lucifer into Eden? Adam and Eve were akin to a newborn compared to Lucifer. Their sin was inevitable.
So why?
"It seemed so cruel… But I'm taking this realm as my own: Eden can be Sene's and mine's getaway spot. How'd you two like that?" I gave Iza a kiss, gently burping the two milk monsters as they tired themselves out, making odd noises and pulling at each others fatty limbs and cheeks, falling asleep after about an hour.
"I'm the best mama bird!" I started grinning as the two slept. Still… my thoughts were pulled once more to the crack.
The crack was born in Tenebras Realm. Arsene bringing up a threesome is also interesting. Especially since it's Tenebrae, of all people. Not the other whores he's fucking. Tenebrae. Tenebrae.
My lips perked up as thoughts… dark, haunting thoughts burdened my mind.
It wasn't a new woman. No. He'd have bragged or have been open about it. At least to some extent. No… it's something more.
Arsene isn't trying to hurt me like before, like I hurt him. This feels different. I wonder…
Suddenly, as I clung tightly to my children, a dazzling pillar of starry light suddenly materialized before us. My heart raced with fear and uncertainty as I hesitated, unsure if it was indeed Arsene on the other side. The light flickered and danced, creating a shimmering mist that obscured our vision. I braced myself, ready to leap away at a moment's notice. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the pillar of light began to fade, and a wave of relief washed over me as Sene, accompanied by three others, filled my eyes.
"Beach House bitches! Let's go!" Aurelia shouted, her eyes swaying towards me as she lifted another snow-haired infant a little bigger than her palm. It was like a little Zariel, with big eyes and a poopy butt. "I got one, too!" she exclaimed, the elation across her face nearly infectious.
I lifted Ves similarly, showcasing my baby just the same, as we laughed.
Aurelia giggled. "Hiya Lili! How ya been?!"
Taken back by both their arrivals, I shrugged, "Absolutely amazing! Being a mama is awesome! I kind of wish it was easier to produce, though."
"Tell me about it." Aurelia agreed, glancing over at Zariel drooling away like a damn fool.
Sene looked at me gloatingly, ignorant that I knew perfection of such a level could not be compared to what he saw when creating the realm of Paragon. I wanted to lose… no, I needed to lose. Baiting Sene was well worth the effort. He needed to believe I would detest the idea of sleeping with Tene. I do, but it could be fun. Sene, however, doesn't need to be aware of that just yet.
"Don't smile at me. You got lucky," I told him, but his spry laughter left me furious. Bastard, just wait until I find out your stupid secret.
Sene grabbed an arm around his brother's shoulder as he suddenly glanced at Aurelia. "How active is my brother?"
"Active?" Aurelia said.
"Sex."
"Ah…" Aurelia tilted her head. "Well, he's curious, that's for sure."
I'd heard as much before, though Aurelia didn't go into much detail. Even now, she didn't say much about it, claiming Zariel was a rather private man.
Arsene seemed to brood thinking about it and asked, "He ever had a threesome?"
Aurelia nearly dropped her son, laughing so hard she fell to her knee and then to her stomach, stirring the kids awake.
Sene looked at me, but all I could do was shrug.
"There was a time I touched Dumb-Dumb here, and he just threw up. All over me. You really think he'll touch another woman!" Aurelia laughed, her face so flushed she looked like a red tomato.
Zariel seemed to return to himself, his awareness keeping up with the conversation while his subconscious studied Eden.
"In my defense," he said, "I don't like people touching me. That includes you." He brushed Sene's arm off. "God knows the type of abyssal germs you are carrying."
But Arsene didn't care, hugging his little brother. Going as far as to kiss his cheek, to the silver devil's annoyance. "Bro, I know you love me!"
"Fuck off!"
"Brooooo!"
"Arsene, you bastard fuck off!!!"
Sene laughed, dancing away as Zariel nearly blasted him away with a gust of Astral Force. However, a fool could see Zariel held no sort of disgust in his action. He even looked happy.
He really loved him, eh?
Glancing down at Iza and Ves, staring at their father, I couldn't help but hope those two had the same relationship as Arsene and Zariel.