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Dagon quickly hid the white feather she was holding when the door to her office suddenly opened, revealing a demon she didn't expect to see again for a while.
" Well well, back already ? Did you miss us ? " she asked.
" Yeah, you guessed it, " said Crowley. " What ? No hug to welcome me back ? " he added sarcastically.
" Ew, steps back. What the hell are you doing here ? I thought you refused to come back, that's what you said a few months ago, right ? "
" Well things change sometimes. I've just come to take up my new position. "
" What new position ? "
" Grand Duke of Hell, " he said, simply. " Before you get offended, Beelzebub offered me the job a while ago and I declined. But now, I've changed my mind. "
" And what about your precious angel ? If you take this job, you probably won't get to see him as much anymore. "
" Whatever, mine’s gone anyway, " he said dryly. " But with me in charge it will no longer be forbidden, for anyone, " his voice implied something.
Dagon narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. She didn't know yet if she could really trust him.
" Joshua Tree National Park, " said Crowley, simply.
Dagon looked at him strangely. " What ? "
" One of the most beautiful places on earth for stargazing, " he said. " She might like it. "
" Who ? "
" Michael, " he said.
" What do I care what she likes or doesn't like ? " she mumbled.
" Oh please. Everyone might have missed it but I saw your exchange of glances in the bookshop. "
" Bullshit, " she growled.
" To others. I have to say you have particular tastes but who am I to judge, there are three of us who have fallen into the trap. Welcome to the club of those who have fallen twice, " he said as he left before turning around at the last moment. " Oh and if you go, let your hair down, it will have its effect. "
" Get out ! " She threw the stapler that was on her desk at him, it hit the door which he had quickly closed before being touch, she could however hear him snickering in the hallway. " Moron... "
He then left her alone with her thoughts. How this idiot figured that out was beyond her. Was she really that indiscreet ? Maybe he was just trying to buy her support.
Dagon spent the next two or rather three hours in her office staring at her phone and tapping her finger on her desk. Should she do it ? Until now, their exchanges by telephone or their meetings were always professional. Although it seemed to have slowly slipped into something else. She pounded the surface of her desk in frustration with her fist before grabbing her phone to write the message quickly before she changed her mind and never did it.
Do you like stars ?
Yeah that sounded stupid. Michael would probably never answer that. And that's what she thought for a long hour before her phone displayed a notice.
Yes, why ?
Okay, the first step was done, what should she do now ? Invite her nicely ? No. Demand it ? Surely not.
Meet me at the Joshua Tree National Park, it's on Earth. I'll send you the coordinates.
It seemed more like a requirement but oh well, she tried anyway. If Michael didn't show up then she would have her answer, and wouldn't try anything again.
****
Dagon appeared in the middle of the park, the desert expanse was magnificent, especially at the end of the day. There was no one around and a light breeze was blowing, it seemed pretty good. She lowered her head to analyze herself for a moment and wondered if she wasn't too mismatched for a dat-... a meeting with a colleague. Her clothes were still the same and even though she was getting annoyed at herself for giving in to it, she took the pins out of her hair, letting them flow freely, she just wanted to look good.
She waited again, this angel really had the ability to make her nervous. Except that hours passed, night had fallen and still no Michael, no messages. Dagon had to face the facts, she wasn't coming, of course she wasn't coming... Why had she even listened to that snake in the first place. She was about to get up to leave when she was interrupted in her tracks.
" Is it important ? " a voice rang out.
Dagon found it ridiculous how she had reacted internally like an overexcited fangirl upon hearing that voice, luckily she had managed to keep a neutral expression. She gritted her teeth at the question anyway because of course there was nothing really important.
" Yes, " she said. " Sit down, " she added, patting the floor beside her which was actually a huge rock.
" That doesn't sound like work, " said the angel, who always remained at a distance.
" There's more to life than work, Michael. Come closer. "
" Maybe not in your life, " said Michael as she sat down.
" Taking a break won’t kill you, just enjoy it. You deserve it. "
" And what am I supposed to do ? " asked Michael, who was not used to doing anything and therefore did not know how to manage free time.
" Look, " Dagon told her, nodding toward the sky. " The stars are supposed to have a calming effect. Just try it. "
Michael listened to her advice, directing her gaze upwards. The view was truly magnificent, an expanse of dark blue sky without a shadow of a cloud and speckled with thousands of bright stars, the overall effect was stunning. She tried to clear her mind, something she had never actually tried to do before. Surprisingly she noticed after about ten minutes that she was more relaxed and calm, it was quite a pleasant feeling.
" Okay I admit it's quite beautiful, " said the angel.
" Told you. "
Suddenly a shooting star crossed the sky, leaving a silvery trail for a few seconds. Seeing that Dagon had not reacted, Michael took the initiative.
" Humans tend to make wishes when this happens, " she said.
" When what happens ? "
" When they see a shooting star, " specified the angel.
" Oh, sure. Another one of their stupid behaviors I suppose. "
" You don't believe it ? "
" I'm a demon Michael, I haven't believed in wishes for a long time. "
" I think I believe it, " said Michael.
" Of course you do. It doesn't work for us. "
The brunette rolled her eyes. " Do you need to be rude ? "
Dagon closed her eyes before sighing. " Excuse me, I had a bad week. That's why I needed a break. "
" Is it... so complicated ? " asked Michael, curious about how life in hell was, she realized she had never asked the question. Obviously, questions were dangerous for her.
" My job ? Well, between managing new arrivals and there are some every day. Torturing some of them, for information or just because that's the punishment they were given. Managing conflicts between demons who challenge each other on stupid things to see who is the best or those who come to ask stupid things and of course there is almost never a break. Yes it's boring. "
" I didn't think. "
" And add to that the organization of each report for each mission, small or large. "
" You have to do this too ? "
" Lord of the files, you know. "
" Oh, yes. "
" And then I honestly prefer to do it myself, the rare times I haven't done it it's been a fiasco. "
" Are you really that good ? " Michael almost teased her.
" Oh I'm the best at organizing, even you couldn't compete. "
" You seem very confident. "
" But I am, darling. "
The angel looked at Dagon, ignoring the nickname, and saw that she was looking towards the sky, or rather vaguely towards the sky as if she... didn't really appreciate her observation ? Her gaze seemed fixed, as if she was looking into the void instead of at the stars.
" Dagon ? " Michael called after her, having just thought of something.
" Hmm ? "
" You... can see the stars, can't you ? "
Dagon looked at her for a moment, seeming to analyze her face. " Of course, why this question ? "
Michael then pointed to a cluster of stars above their heads. " Do you know this constellation ? "
" Ursa Minor. "
Michael turned her head away to look at where Ursa Minor actually was, which was more than visible before looking back at her and frowning. Was the demon lying to her or did she really not know the constellations ? Which was quite surprising for a former Dominion.
" Do you really see the stars ? " The angel's voice was calmer.
" Yes, " the redhead's voice, on the other hand, seemed less certain.
" Are you lying to me ? "
Dagon still looked straight ahead. " Yes, " she replied.
Michael didn't answer, to be honest she wasn't sure how to react to this information. Why lie about it ?
Dagon breathed, lowering her head. " I messed up, didn't I ? "
" Messed up ? " asked the brunette. " Messed up what ? "
The Duke felt herself thinking quickly before answering. " Nothing. "
Michael narrowed her eyes, unconvinced by her answer. " But I don't understand, why did you ask me to come here to look at the stars if you can't see them ? "
" You, you can, " said the redhead.
" But you don't enjoy it. "
Dagon looked at Michael intensely. " I enjoyed it, no need to look at the stars to admire something shiny, " she spoke much more honestly than she had intended. " Not that it's really comparable. "
Michael shared her gaze for a moment and seemed to take the hint, she gave a quick smile, like an involuntary spasm.
" So you suggested this for me ? "
" Eh, yeah... " admitted the demon, looking ahead again.
The brunette felt herself blush at this confession. " It seems like you're courting me, " she said half seriously.
" Tss, you're dreaming, " Dagon said with a dry laugh and turning her head away. " Ridiculous... "
" As you say, " whispered the angel.
Barely ten seconds passed before Dagon spoke again. " Can I ? "
" What ? "
" Court you, " continued Dagon, still not daring to look at her.
Damn, why did she do it that way.
Michael let out a small laugh at that sentence, thinking it was a joke, that would have been just the demon's style.
" Well, I'm glad it makes you laugh, " Dagon said with a pouting expression.
The brunette quickly wiped her smile away when she saw that the duke wasn't joking at all and was even about to get up.
" Just forget about it. "
" Wait, " the angel grabbed her arm. " Do you really mean that ? "
" No, of course not, I ask that of all the angels I meet. "
" Stop your sarcasm, Dagon. "
The demon rolled her eyes. " Of course I meant that, but oh well since it's that funny... "
" I'm sorry, I thought you were joking, you do this all the time. It's not always easy to tell the difference. "
" It's gonna be my fault now... "
" No no I never said that, " said the angel. " I apologize, really. "
" You can really be idiot sometimes. "
" Hey, I don't allow you, " said Michael.
" I allow myself, " replied Dagon before crossing her arms. " ...You still haven't answered me... "
Michael thought about it for a moment, should she ? Could she ? Sure Dagon was very interesting and they got along surprisingly well but this was a whole other level, she had never dared to think about more but was also sure she would regret it if she missed out. It was crazy... really crazy. Not wanting to be silent any longer, she grabbed her hand, unclenching her arms, to squeeze it before answering in an uncertain voice, this was new to her after all.
" You can. "
There, it was too late to turn back now.
The redhead seemed to relax upon hearing this and even regain some confidence. " Good, " she said simply. " Very good. " She squeezed Michael's hand tightly, she didn't want to let go now.
" So you like me, " said the angel. " Why tell me now ? "
" You accepted my courtship, that means you like me too. "
" I never said otherwise. "
" You- " Dagon felt her heart skip a beat. Hearing it out loud made it all the more real and she truly felt like she was dreaming. " Since when ? "
" I'm pretty sure I asked first. "
" Are you doing this to me ? "
" Yes, I think so, " smiled the brunette.
" You're just cruel with me. "
" It's not cruel, I'm just asking. Come on, tell me. "
" Hmm, a few years since it's been this... strong, I guess. "
" Since the failure of Armageddon, right ? "
The demon nodded. " When I saw you coming on the day of the trial, it's been a long time, everything came back to me and... yeah I fell hard again. "
" Again ? What do you mean again ? "
" I liked you before too, " admitted Dagon.
" Before what ? "
" Before before, you know. "
" When you were... "
" Yeah. "
" Well, that's unexpected. We didn't even work in the same sector. "
" Ok I was pathetically admiring you from afar. You were so... majestic, uh you still are of course don't get me wrong. Always so perfect and adored... "
" And you refused to stop creating new aquatic species, which is why there are so many of them. "
" How do you know that ? "
" Because it was me that your superiors came to complain to. "
" Ah, " said Dagon. " Yet I was able to keep most of them. "
" I may have given you a lot of leeway. "
" You did ? "
" I did. "
" So you're the one who refused me the lion shark... "
" Dagon, that thing was too dangerous. "
" Come on, there's a lot of dangerous things in the ocean. "
" Teeth or poison, you had to choose, not both. "
" Pff, " muttered the redhead. " They were beautiful. "
" There, you'll get over it, " said Michael, trying to get her hand back just so she could settle back in properly.
" No, I'm keeping this, " said the demon, tightening her hand, still holding her as close as possible with their shoulders pressed together before finally daring to lay her head there.
Michael almost wanted to make a joke about the redhead's obvious possessiveness but restrained herself. Three shooting stars crossed the sky in a row and she couldn't help it, she wasn't sure if it would work for a demon unfortunately but she could at least try.
I wish she could see the stars again, Michael thought as she closed her eyes.
She didn't know if at that moment she was talking more to the stars or to God, she really hoped that at least one of the two would listen. Several long minutes passed and as feared, it didn't seem to work, it was surely too "minor" a request to be granted. So she thought of something else.
" Look at me, " said Michael.
" Why ? " Dagon asked looking at her before the angel delicately placed her other hand over her eyes. " What are you doing ? "
" Wait and see, " continued Michael.
" I don't see much at the moment. "
" Shh. "
Dagon grumbled, clearly not used to having someone take care of her but she obeyed nonetheless.
Michael performed her miracle, spending more time than necessary to make sure it had the best possible chance of working. Two minutes was a long time for a miracle but neither of them could complain, they just enjoyed more of the moment they shared. The brunette removed her hand.
" Look at the sky, " she said.
" Michael... "
" Look at the sky, " repeated the angel.
The redhead does it and... It glues her to the spot. It was so beautiful, this vision she hadn't seen for millennia, finally within her reach again. And the more she looked, the more she recognized the stars and then the constellations they formed, laughing inwardly when she saw that she had been masterfully mistaken with Ursa Minor.
She looked at Michael with bright eyes. " Did you... "
The angel gave a slight smile, glad it worked. " That way, the next time you will be able to appreciate it more. "
" So do you agree to see each other again ? "
" Of course, " confirmed the brunette. " It seems to me that you have a little project planned. But it's only if you want. "
Dagon nodded instinctively. " Of course I want. Although it seems more like a crusade than a little project in my mind. "
Michael seemed slightly hesitant about her next move, clearly not used to this sort of thing but took the initiative anyway. She leaned towards the demon to place a hand on her cheek before placing a soft kiss on her other cheek. Dagon felt her heart race at this.
" Too early ? "
Are you fucking kidding me I'm literally holding myself back from jumping on you right now !! thought Dagon.
" No, " she replied simply. " You don't want to do it again ? I'm not sure I felt it right. "
The angel smiled. " You wouldn’t want to get tired of it before... it starts, would you ? "
Before it starts... before it starts !? Get tired of it ? How ? thought Dagon.
" How do you expect me to get tired of it ? " she said.
Michael gave her an amused look.
" I said it out loud, didn't I ? "
" I'm afraid so, " said Michael, nodding, brushing some red hair out of her face. " I really like your hair like that. "
" Michael, I'm not sure I can take any more nice words without breaking down right now. "
" Okay okay I'll shut up, " the angel backed away. " I wouldn't want to disturb you. "
" You bet, you love it. "
" Maybe a little, " the brunette said before losing her peaceful expression and looking up at the sky and then at Dagon with a guilty look. She was called back.
The demon understood. " Do you really have to ? " she asked.
" Sorry but yes, " said Michael. " I wouldn't want anyone to come after me. "
" Who would dare to challenge you... "
" I don't want you to get into trouble, " said the angel, grabbing her face and kissing her temple.
" Hmm... Don't you want to try again lower down ? "
" Patience, " said Michael before getting up. " Thank you for this night. It was very appreciable. "
" When can we meet again ? "
" Just write me, okay ? And we meet here ? "
" I can do that. "
Dagon watched her walk away as her hand automatically moved to her temple, feeling like the feeling of lips against her skin was still there. Perhaps she could consider her thoughts about wishes.