Chapter Text
In all his years working with the Devil, this was the first time he had seen something so unusual. Being a special night as this was, Dice was requested to be presentable and elegant. There was no need to stipulate it, however. Regardless of the event, King Dice would always look radiant.
Everyone told him he was born with natural beauty. And the truth was that many fell on his feet thanks to his charm and gorgeousness. God hadn’t given him money or a cradle of gold, but he gave him beauty; and that was a tool he used if it was necessary. But his charm and talents would be used in a peculiar way tonight. In this case, he’d be a host for a humble little wedding between two demons.
Anyone would see that strange, unusual and as a meaningless event; and even more knowing that the protagonists are creatures whose symbolism is the lack of love. Still, the reality in Inkwell always was stranger than fiction and expectations.
For this event, everyone will use one of the largest and most outstanding halls in the casino. It had a bar, some decorative balloons, signs with calligraphy that Dice didn't understand, but which he supposed were supporting words. Although he had been studying the demonic language and symbols for a while, he still wasn't very good at it.
And that wasn’t all, there were lots of tables for the guests, as well as their respective centerpieces. And what impressed him the most, was a good number of tables for the gifts and the wedding cake. Those present were so many that they already formed a pyramid reaching the ceiling.
Dice had brought a gift too, he hoped it’d please the couple.
Something representative of this were the purple tones. It wasn’t bad at all, in fact, he followed that same style himself, with his clothes, dark spots on his head and makeup on his eyelids.
For this small wedding, he was asked to sing a few songs and set the order of the events. Once they were preparing the dance floor for the married couple, it’d be his sign to rest.
But right now, after presenting the couple, Dice was enjoying the ceremony.
Instead of a priest or something closer to God, the demons obviously had another deity who would perform the marriage ceremony in hell.
His boss, the Devil, held his pitchfork in hand and officiated the ceremony. Stickler was there too, holding a document similar to the soul contracts his boss used. Being in this case a marriage certificate.
From the entrance, everyone saw how the couple was holding hands and made sure to walk together. According to Henchman, that symbolized solidarity and mutual support. That they should be together from begging and end.
To Dice it seemed a nice thought; to start the path together and finish it too. His smile would widen further upon hearing the couple's vows. Many demons in the crowd couldn't hold back the awww in their expressions. Most were genuinely happy for them or perhaps for the fact that a party of this magnitude hadn't happened in years, but they all cooperated to make this ceremony a normal event and one beautifully in its own way.
Even Dice dared to say it was livelier and more entertaining than a mortal party. There was music and entertainment provided by yours truly, as well as delicious banquets for all the guests. They had to feed all the demons, so the food had to be enough.
Seeing that they were preparing the dance floor for the couple, it was the sign to get some rest. Dice took a seat on a bar stool and the bar demon poured him a glass of the best wine. He even told him that the Devil had some vineyards in foreign lands, specifically, in those ones that were colonized by the Spanish people.
As he drank, a demon sat down next to him. Looking at him better, he realized it was Don, the groom.
The demons were different in shape and behavior, but the groom was small, with a pair of wings, a tail, little horns and a purple nose. He was obviously dressed for the occasion, with a formal suit and the same yellow gloves. Wendy, the bride, had a nice dress, but this one, instead of being white, was purple. Looking at her from afar, the die realized she was laughing and chatting with a group of demons while holding a glass of wine.
It seemed strange to see her husband away from her. But what Don would explain, was going to answer his doubt.
“Mr. King Dice, I wanted to thank you for coming to our wedding and being the host… My wife is a loyal fan of yours!… She records all your songs,” said Don with a wide smile, followed by a shyly laugh. Probably effect of so much drinking.
At least he was honest, alcohol was definitely like a truth serum.
“You're welcome… it was a nice ceremony, in fact, I hadn't felt so relaxed in one for a long time,”
“I'm glad you liked it! Actually, I was scared to ask you this favor, I was afraid that you would say no…”
The little demon guffawed and showed some hiccups, he was definitely drunk.
"Oh, come on, I'm not that evil," he said laughing. His mood passed on his companion.
Dice raised his glass in toast and the demon clinked his with some force. It was a relief that the liquid in each crystal returned to its correct place.
"For you two, until eternity," Dice said with a genuine smile.
"For you… and I hope you'll be with us forever," said the demon, starting to lose balance.
The poor fella had to lean on the bar to get his balance back.
Both Dice and the bar demon ended up laughing a bit at the scene. The party was far from over and the poor groom was already being affected by the alcohol.
Although Don admitted that he was already regaining his composure, Dice was not convinced, so he continued listening to what he had to say and hold him up so he wouldn´t fall.
“I know I’m condemned to hell, that I’ll never have paradise up there… but… she… I found paradise with her… just as I said in my vows… so, I do not regret the decisions that brought me to this place… as well as my wife...”
Dice smiled at that and couldn't agree more. Probably, if he were in his place, he would have expressed the same thing.
“You know… We are happy! And you… you are special… more than you imagine…”
By now, Dice wasn't paying so much attention into what he was saying. The alcohol made him talk nonsense.
However, what he said put Henchman and Stickler on alert, they kept somewhat nervous glances in their direction. The die hadn't noticed, though.
"He doesn't want you to know... but... he lo..."
Before he could say anything, the wife came up behind and threw herself at him. The demon was quick and caught her on his back. The newlywed couple couldn't hold back their urge to laugh.
“Mr. King Dice, forgive my husband, alcohol really affects him, but that can be fixed,”
The bride snapped her fingers and Dice watched in shock as an empty bottle of wine filled little by little. It was as if a good portion of wine had been taken out of Don. Afterward, the demon's red cheeks were gone, as well as his glassy eyes.
He looked around and still holding his wife.
“What happened?” He said confused.
He turned around and looked into the eyes of his partner, they were filled with pure joy.
“It's okay honey, you got a little bit drunk. Come on! It's time for our dance!”
“Huh? Oh! Yes! Let's go!” said the husband. Leaving a confused King Dice alone at the bar.
As the couple walked through the dance floor, the bride pinched her partner's arm.
“Darling, tell me you didn't say it,”
"Uh… I… I'm sorry dear, I almost did it…"
“You know we can't say it… we know how our master feels… but it's not up to us and he doesn't want Dice to know… not yet.”
The demon's ears fell almost in sorrow and regret, but this reaction changed immediately when he felt gentle lips kissing his. Even his tail stiffened with excitement.
Being in position, the music began to play and both, with the floor all for themselves, began to dance to the rhythm of their favorite song.
Sweet Madness
It's sweet madness
When we two get together
Sweet Madness
What else can it be? When you're close to me
I'm not responsible darling
Your lips willing are so thrilling
And each thrill lasts forever
Sweet Madness
Where I'm Mad and I'm glad
It's grand to grow mad with you
Dice watched the dance with a smile and the obvious love between them. Some demons that were around gave whistles, words of encouragement and some claps at witnessing impressive dancing moves.
Whoever saw this would never think that these were vile and despicable creatures, capable of ruining your life and taking you to a world of temptation and pain.
But they didn't represent all of that, not today. Right now, they were just a group of souls who, despite having a life doomed to hell, were celebrating and having fun.
That made him smile and be jealous at the same time.
King Dice wanted a bit of happiness, to be able to kiss the love of his life and hold his hand at any moment. But he could only settle for being one more lackey, with being everything perfect and useful for his special person, so he could notice and keep him nearby.
He wouldn't get a life full of romance, but at least he would be close to the person he cared about.
Don was right about something, Dice was special. His love for his boss really made him a very special mortal.
Why love the King of Hell? Why have so much hope on something that will never move forward?
Sometimes he asked himself that question. But he just couldn't control it, just thinking about the Devil was enough to make him go dumbfounded and dizzy, almost like he was consuming some drug. That wonderful feeling in his stomach and chest made him forget his fears and the reality. And actually, he loved living in that fantasy.
He adored and admired every detail of the Devil: his past, his vision of the world, his strength, his proud and capricious attitude, his eyes widening and filling with illusion when he got countless of souls in his hand, his perfect way of making everyone paid the exact price for their sins, his tenacity against his father and that constant fight towards their family from heaven.
He admired that strength and wanted to be part of the reign he was creating. Although he wouldn’t live long enough to see his success, he wanted to be that bridge, a tool to reach his boss’s goals.
Dice’s goal was accomplishing the Devil's dream and, even if it took his whole life, he would give it to him without hesitation.
He loved him so much and accepted that there would be no a relationship; he accepted that his solace was this boss-employee relationship, he decided to be his right-hand man and understand that he could never be his.
Hearing him laugh, being there for him, even if it was the smallest thing, that was heaven for Dice.
He was a masochist, but his stubborn heart didn't care.
"You look tired... Why don't you go home?"
A voice was heard with some annoyance. As if it bothered him to make that suggestion.
King Dice turned around and saw his boss sitting at the bar next to him.
The Devil let out a huge yawn, to the point of showing his sharp teeth, then he ordered the same wine King was drinking.
"And miss all the fun? The dance floor will be ready very soon for us... And it's not like I have someone waiting for me at home,”
The Devil raised his eyebrow a little and his curiosity got the better of him, as a result, he decided to investigate deeper about it.
“You’re really loved in the isles… even mortals have come to my casino to give their souls in exchange for a whole day with you… I mean, there must be someone you really want,”
The Devil drank some of the wine, hoping it’d make him look calmer.
"Yes, there is someone," King Dice said bluntly.
At that moment something seemed to tense everything and everyone present in the place, but Dice was so busy in his pool of thoughts and drinking that he didn't even notice that a large number of demons were looking in their direction.
The tension in the Devil was so strong, that all the imps felt it too. Even the feeling was perceived by the biggest demons who remained locked in special chambers.
The bar imp coughed a bit and excused himself by saying that he had to clean some glasses.
“… But… he’ll never accept me… I’m nothing compared to him… I’ll never be his equal,”
The Devil made his hand into a fist and a groan escaped him at such argument. Both because he was not the one Dice was talking about and because that person didn’t give him the value he needed.
He wanted to say something, tried to improve Dice’s mood, but that would only send him into the arms of that disgusting being he was interested in. And the fact of giving that advice reflected that he was interested too or jealous.
An interest he couldn't show him yet.
Not that it was a lie, but it wasn't the right time. He had to suppress his desires and wait for his anger to decrease. He didn't dare to look at Dice and continue the topic. He would end up burning the place down if he found out more about that person Dice was talking about.
Something that helped to calm down his rage, were imaginary scenarios in which he tore to pieces that mortal who had captivated his lackey.
He didn't know who was, but it would be a great pleasure to destroy them with his bare hands.
He looked at the dance floor to clear his thoughts and saw Henchman taking the microphone, showing his usual joy and enthusiasm as always.
“All right guys, this song is dedicated to couples… take one and start dancing…” said the fat demon with that constipated voice. After that, he grabbed a vinyl record and placed it on the record player.
It was there when the Devil got an idea, even his ears became pointed just thinking about it. He looked at his darling die, still with the same thoughtful look and leaning on the bar. He wanted to change that mood, so he took all the courage to make a proposal.
"Well... the dance floor is ready... why don't you dance?" the Devil said as he got up from the chair and stood behind King.
"Boss, I don't have a partner," said Dice, looking into his eyes and smiling at him with some discouragement.
At that moment, the Devil reached out his hand to him in a sign of invitation. After that, he said something that impressed everyone present.
“I’ll have mercy on you my faithful lackey… feel honored that I chose you as my dance partner,”
The Devil's response caused him to drop his glass of wine on the bar table. His jaw also dropped in such pleasant surprise.
King Dice had lost all of his professionalism as a Casanova and heartbreaker. Now his clumsiness and nerves had control over his body.
"Bo-Boss... Are you sure? Don't you prefer someone else?”
That was true, in some events either in the casino or in the underworld, there were demons who had the privilege of dancing with the Devil. It was considered the highest honor, the fact that the King himself considered them for a dance session. Some of them were high ranking demons or quite valuable like Henchman.
“I want to dance with you… or maybe, are you rejecting me?” the Devil said while raising an eyebrow.
Almost as if that were the greatest of the offenses.
“No! Never! It's just... I'm impressed, that's all... It's the first time you want to dance with me,”
Dice couldn't believe this.
Was he dreaming? Or the alcohol was playing tricks on him?
He felt embarrassed because he acted like so many other girls he used to flirt with. Clumsy, with shame and lack of control in speech.
Whether it was a dream, a trick or a joke, Dice wanted to play along.
As a result, he held his boss's hand and the first thing he felt was warmth from it.
As the Devil led him to the dance floor, everything felt more and more real. The realization of this and the feeling of many gazes on them caused a blush on his cheeks.
Wherever he looked, he noticed how the couples from the dance floor were smiling at them, either out of courtesy, because they were happy to see them together or because they witnessed how the King of Hell was part of it.
Dice's cheeks turned rosier as he felt the Devil's strong hand touch his waist. He wouldn't be far behind; he’d touch his boss's waist and place his hand on his shoulder.
The fur was so soft, his fingers itched and wanted to touch more areas. He bit his lip realizing that he shouldn't cross that line. As much as his dancing fingers wanted it.
Then the song started and it was a sign for everyone to dance calmly.
You always hurt the one you love
The one you shouldn't hurt at all
You always take the sweetest rose
And crush it till the petals fall
You always break the kindest heart
With a hasty word you can't recall, so
If I broke your heart last night
It's because I love you most of all
The music had a romantic and kind of melancholic tone.
Taking a look around, both King and Dice noticed how some danced with some shame and laughed to lighten the atmosphere. However, the newlywed couple was quite the opposite. They were dancing body to body, with their eyes closed and enjoying each other's closeness.
Interestingly, the lyrics of the song reflected an apology to the beloved one. Dice didn’t matter the lyrics; however, the Devil was a different case. He felt the song was almost a calling for him. As if it described how his attempts of love through this millennia ended.
He didn't want to pay attention to it, to his bad luck the insistence of the song and the verses made it complicated. He only wanted to dance calmly with his precious die. Which helped a little, because when he exchanged glances with him, he was always received with a smile.
"You know boss, now that I think about it, why didn't you ever tell me about that? That in exchange for a day with me they’ll gave their souls… If it gave you a valuable one, I’d have accepted,” Dice said honestly.
The Devil's ears perked up and an impressive face appeared.
Then, he grumbled a bit and looked away.
The reality of why he didn't do that was because of the simple fact that Dice was his, although he didn't know it yet.
Those mortals made him want to throw up. He could smell the lust in each one of them from miles away. He was also able to see the perversion and fantasies they had with Dice like pictures. It took all the strength to smirk at them and tell that he couldn't agree to the offer, when in reality he wanted to crush them with his bare hands until he left a red puddle on the ground.
"Many were perverts, Dice. I protect my employees, and their souls weren't worth a penny... It wasn't worth getting you involved," said the Devil proudly.
"I believe you, and I know you care about us. If not, you wouldn't have given permission for this wedding," said the die and laughed a little.
Then, almost at the same time, both glanced discreetly at the married demons and noticed how they were now sharing kisses as they danced.
“I must say it takes guts to come to my throne and ask permission for this and for me to officiate their union… I admire that, besides, both of them have worked with me for more than 2 thousand years so… I think they deserve this,”
Dice couldn't contain his giggle. He had to put his hand on his lips to control it. Seeing that he always had small details towards them, possibly not very big for others, but they were the most wonderful thing in King's eyes.
The Devil could be someone with little patience or a changeable and dangerous temper, but he cared about them. In his peculiar way.
Dice felt so dizzy next to him. Still, he wanted this dance to never end. And also, this closeness gave him wonderful liberties; such as breathe, carefully, that black fur that he loved so much. The only thing he regretted was not having him closer to enjoy it for hours.
By instinct and movement, they both brought their bodies more intimately together. Not caring, the two were carried away by the music and their warm closeness. Both even closed their eyes to enjoy it more. That allowed them to imagine a new environment, to imagine that there was no one else, just the two of them.
Dice even wondered, what would it be like if he married the Devil.
Would they dance like this? Would they walk hand in hand and get their marriage certificate? Would the demons congratulate them with the same impetus? Could he hold the love of his life in a more intimate way?
It’d never happen, but it didn't hurt anyone to think about it.
None of them wanted to know anything else, they just wanted to feel the touch, the breaths and the laughter when one of them accidentally stepped on the other.
The moment was small, but nice.
When the Devil opened his eyes, he realized that all his imps and demons were looking at them. He was going to let out a growl as a warning, but instead, he preferred to vent the matter.
"Everyone is looking at us…" said in a low voice, but enough for his dance partner to hear it.
"Perhaps because you are devilishly handsome... They must be thinking, why is the Devil dancing with a mortal?" expressed Dice close to his pointed ear.
By that time, the die's heart was beating a thousand miles an hour.
There were always compliments between the two during so many years of work, but this was the first time that he confessed something in a moment as special and intimate as this dance.
But he couldn't hide the feelings anymore. Whatever he had to go through, he would accept them with courage.
“Oh Dice… And what if is the opposite? What if you are the one they’re looking at?”
At that moment, and about to end the song, the Devil rested his hand on the face of his faithful lackey. He didn't stop there; he took advantage of the this and slid one of his fingers on those rosy cheeks that he loved so much.
Dice's face was shocked.
It couldn't be true.
Whether it was a joke, a lie or an entertainment, his stubborn heart begged him not to stop these attentions, it implored him to let the situation flow and do what he wanted the most.
The Devil, on the other hand, had a strong desire to make him his, right here and in front of everyone. He needed to leave a mark on him that would show that he belongs to him, that whoever dared to touch him would receive a torture worse than death and, above all, that the person Dice loved would understand that he already had someone else courting him.
It was for that very reason that the King of Hell approached Dice inches from his lips. Just one move and he could savor them with pleasure. However, something stopped him. It was the same weight that he carried since he understood his feelings, the same words and phrases that ran through his head whenever he wanted to express his love.
“You’ll doom him…”
"He deserves someone better than you."
"You can't even go out in public. What kind of life is that?"
“He will suffer by your side… Do you want that?”
"He was put on this earth to be happy... You can't give him that..."
The voices went on and on, and the desired to kiss him was vanishing. In the end, he looked up at Dice's face once more. He looked at that white face full of illusion and hope. He didn't want to disappoint him, so he leaned in and kissed his cheek.
“You danced very well, my Dice… I hope I can share more with you.” said the Devil. Then, he left the dance floor.
Once far away from Dice, he invoked his golden pitchfork and with a hit to the ground, he disappeared in a smoke bomb.
Dice was shocked, but very happy, he brushed his fingers on his cheek where those sweet lips had kissed him. He couldn't help but smile happily and make a fist close to his chest. He had to touch that area because his heart wanted to jump out.
The song lasted about three minutes, but they were the slowest and most beautiful of his entire life. He felt so ecstatic over what had just happened, that he wouldn't be able to keep himself under control with such emotion.
He decided to say goodbye to the couple and head home, after all, he had already been at the event for a while and helped with what he had been asked.
The couple, unable to do more, gave him a sympathetic smile and said goodbye to him, but not before giving him a large slice of cake. He left the casino and headed to the city park.
As he walked through the vegetation, he was unable to hear the frustrated growls of some imps and demons.
"Ugh, I can't believe it didn't work…the atmosphere was perfect," the groom said as he ate a delicious slice of the wedding cake.
"It's obvious that they love each other... Why don't they just confess it?" Said another imp as he took a sip from a glass of wine.
“It's Henchman’s fault! You always hurt the one you love?! Of all the songs, did you choose that one?” expressed this time an angry female demon.
The plump demon, overwhelmed by the guilt of the comment and with his face covered by his hands, ended up venting the peculiar dilemma he was in with the songs.
“I had no choice! It was that one or the one about how much is that doggie in the window!” Henchman said desperately.
If his colleague's theory was true, he had ruined his master's life. He was never going to forgive himself for this.
“Love is a double-edged sword and the boss knows it… he is the leader and owner of a business, sometimes love shouldn’t come into these matters…” Stickler said as he moved his long index finger and approached the group who discussed the dilemma.
Even so, his argument didn't make everyone's ears perk up, they all looked droopy and more so because they could feel a bit of his master's anxiety deep in the underworld.
"Today is simply not the time," the green demon continued. “Yes, it will happen, but not tonight… Not until our boss dares to cross that line… Oh… which reminds me, all of you lost a bet… you said the boss would confess at the wedding party…”
Stickler stretched out his hand to ask for the money that half of the demons owed him.
If Henchman felt bad about picking the wrong songs, he felt worse now having to give money to the auditor from hell.
"Oh golly… everyone… give Stickler the money," Henchman ordered, completely defeated and depressed.
They could be tricky, greedy and with a gift to convince you to sin and be selfish, but they did have a word when they talked about deals or bets.
A clear example was how several demons, even the biggest ones, lined up in front of Stickler and gave him the money.
Unfortunately, not everyone was happy about it.
"I don't want to give you my money…" Don said without letting go of his bill.
"In that case, you can help me count all the souls captured until now,” said the green demon with the same serious grin.
“Forget it, here, it's yours,”
"Thank you very much gentlemen, now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go to a special place and buy notebooks for my accounting... there's a wonderful mortal store that sells them,"
Stickler saved the large amount of bills in a bag.
It seemed that he knew he’d be the winner of this bet.
Although they lost this time and didn’t see his master next to the mortal he longed for, they had the hope that, at each dawn, there was another chance.
And of all, Henchman was the one who felt more devoted.
Maybe he could help them in some way.
He only hoped to find out soon.
***
The breeze was cold, to the point that his clothing wasn’t enough to cover him. In those moments, he was already missing the Devil’s warm hand.
But the weather didn’t matter to him. That didn’t stop him for dancing and humming the tune that both danced.
He couldn’t contain the enormous happiness and the joy of sharing something so beautiful with the person he loved.
It gave him hope.
A chance of future moments with him, to express his love with kisses and gentle touches, to be able to simply close his eyes, hold him and never let go.
He was wonderful, the Devil is wonderful.
The only thing he regretted was the fact that he hadn't danced longer.
In the end, he didn't want to ruin his good mood. He wanted to smiled and enjoy the life on the streets near his apartment. There were many civilians drinking on some corners, others were singing in public and some couples were taking a romantic walk at that time of the night.
But what caught his attention were some human soldiers.
A few weeks ago, he had seen them prowling around the islands. As if they were looking something or someone. The truth is, King didn't like the idea of having them here, even more knowing that they’re at war with another country.
Inkwell was pressured to choose a side. Despite that many of the locals were somewhat foolish, they made the wise decision and didn’t get involved in the matter.
He hoped those soldiers wouldn't get the isles into trouble.
Once inside the complex, he went up to the third floor and got inside his apartment.
"I'm home…" said with a smile.
He locked the entrance, left the cake on the table and opened the windows of his home.
After that, he approached the shelf that he had in the living room. On it, there was a flower vase and an empty plate. In the middle of those, was a music box and a black and white photograph of young twins. They were just like Dice, but one was a boy and the other one a girl. Both children were looking at the camera smiling, with the best clothes they could get in those years; some pieces of it were hand-stitched or with some patches of other fabric that resembled them.
Despite the poverty that Dice lived with besides his little siblings, he managed to grant them what was necessary so that sadness would be far from his childish faces.
Something peculiar about that photo, for any stranger seeing it for the first time, was that it was torn. Anyone could notice that someone else was in the photo, just behind the kids; but the only thing that could be seen was the stomach and pectoral, the face was impossible to see.
He walked over to that picture and placed the wedding cake on the empty plate.
“Minnie… Sammy… I hope you like it… it's the best cake in the world, you two must be tired of fruit already,”
Dice sat down on the sofa and took off his shoes and purple jacket, then looked at the photo.
“You know? I danced with him! He’s the special man I always tell you about,”
Dice lay down on the long sofa, one arm resting on his stomach and the other stretching. He kept his eyes closed and wanted to come back to that moment and remember his paradise and happiness.
He repeated the scenes over and over again to never forget them.
“I was... happy... I... when we were together, I literally forgot everything... I forgot I was just another mortal, about my job... but, I felt safe, as if our ranks didn't matter... I didn't want to get away from those arms… Do you think he felt the same?”
He touched his cheek again and it turned pink. Unfortunately, his anxiety began to take control over his thoughts. Showing scenarios that hadn’t happened and were worrying him in seconds.
They were also a reminder of what his reality represented.
It was okay for him to live in that pink bubble, but he had to understand that something beyond it would never happen.
The most possible things to happen, were his boss rejecting him, making fun of him or throwing him away once he was useless. The last one was an obvious thing to happen; he’d get old and wouldn’t be efficient in the casino. His blessing beauty would vanish and he knew it, but Dice was on good terms with that. At least he had the comfort of looking proudly at all the efforts made alongside the being he loved.
If the day came when he had to die, he wanted it to be in the Devil's arms. And also, his final wish would be to give his soul to him.
He started to shake his head and decided not to ruin his evening.
“I'm afraid to tell him... talking about love and the Devil himself is not something simple, you know?... What would you advise me to do? Do you two think I should tell him how I feel?” Dice said as he sat down on the couch.
His only response was the silence of his apartment and the distant jazz music and laughter.
“I miss you…”
He missed those laughs, those little bodies climbing into bed beside him, his teaching sessions about sewing clothes or when they used to go to the beach and caught what they could. There was a time he and his little siblings caught five lobsters near the harbor. They had a feast that day and even joked around acting like the wealthy people of Inkwell, mimic and making fun of them.
Now, with his job at the casino, money was not an issue. Unfortunately, during his youth that was the opposite, especially with parents who wasted it with nonsense. Dice couldn't stand by as he listened to his brother and sister’s hunger. It was for that same reason that he worked at one of the mines and as a worker in some constructions; all in an attempt to save money and get food and some toys.
There were days when he didn’t eat anything, he was lucky that some colleagues at his work were kind enough to sharing their lunch with him.
Porkrind always fed him when he was hungry at work. Dice laughed as he remembered the adorable excuses his friend made when he shared his food. He said it was annoying to hear his hungry growls or that the lunch wasn’t good.
That was his past, events that he couldn't change now, but from which, he made sure to learn and not repeat again.
He got up from the sofa and got near the photo. Then, he kissed two of his fingers and touch the picture.
“I'll see you tomorrow little darlings…”
Dice left the living room humming the same song playing during their dance. Then, he went to the bathroom to remove the makeup from his face and dots.
Without further ado, he put on his pajamas, closed the window to avoid the cold breeze, and went to bed. He closed his eyes and implored to experience the most beautiful dream: another dance with the Devil.
Because that moved any mortal, the hope of something wonderful. Something so simple as that, was enough to cope with the world’s cruelty.