Chapter Text
Lute knows Adam, even better than he knows himself. She can recognize a mental health dip when it starts.
Adam has been more lethargic, sleeping longer without meaning to. He's been spending more time picking at meals than eating. He's been isolating himself, whether intentionally or not.
So, Lute has gathered all the demon scum of the hotel to do something about it.
“Why the fuck are we here?” The traitor asks.
Despite Lute choosing to stay with Adam while he redeems himself, she does not get along with anyone. Nifty shares her love of stabbing, but that's it.
“Yeah, no offense, but we don't like you,” The spider-whore comments.
“Something is wrong with Adam.”
Charlie—god she hates her—frowns in worry. The others quiet down, namely Husk and Angel. Lute has no idea how, but they've managed to befriend Adam. Alastor and Nifty remain neutral, but join Vaggie in holding grudges.
Speaking of, the traitor rolls her eyes. “What isn't wrong with that guy?”
Lute generously allows her head to stay attached to her body. She spins the—not stolen—whiteboard around to reveal her plans.
“Operation..KADIN?” The bar-cat asks incredulously.
“Kick Adam's depression in the nuts,” She explains.
“Ah! The first man isn't immune to such things?” The cannibal deer asks jovially.
Lute clenches her teeth and once again decides not to kill. “He's been sleeping more, eating less, and not playing music. I know a depressive episode when I see one.” She's known Adam for millennia. She can tell when he's not himself.
“What the hell do you expect us to do about it?” The traitor snarks.
Lute has done a lot for Adam. She puts up with his brattiness, she does his paperwork for him, she hid it when he stole a slushie machine, she sacrificed her arm for him. She'd do anything to keep him safe, keep him happy.
So, now, Lute sets her pride aside. “I need your help. Left unchecked, Adam will continue to deteriorate. He could easily fall to…bad habits.”
Charlie covers her mouth, her eyes wetting. “What are you saying..?”
“Currently, Adam is harming himself unconsciously. But, possibly, he could start doing it purposefully,” Lute says solemnly. She feels terrible, like she's breaking Adam's trust. Usually she has Michael, the girls, Emily, and Saint Peter. But down here? She only has demon scum to help her best friend.
The princess bursts into tears. “That's terrible! We have to help him!”
The noise is grating, but Vaggie quickly calms her.
“Good. Now, here's the battle plan.”
It's midday when the brainstorming finally ends. They all have their tasks. Lute almost feels proud of how quickly she organized a group of sinners. Then she eyes Nifty. Most of the sinners.
Adam groans, rubbing his eyes as he walks downstairs. “What's goin' on?”
Lute power kicks the whiteboard out of the window.
Adam blinks at her, before leaving it at, “Okay..”
“We were just doing another activity. I know you aren't feeling well, so we didn't want to wake you.” Charlie says sincerely.
Lute cringes when she realizes the princess isn't wrong. She's done an activity for the bitch.
Adam smiles weakly. “I'm all good, Charmander. You don't gotta worry about me.” His voice is lacking his usual bolster.
“I'm always worried about you, baby,” The spider flirts.
Lute growls, but Adam laughs. He seems to enjoy those types of jokes, for whatever reason.
“Sir! Please follow me for lunch,” She orders.
“It's lunch already?” He asks while following.
She can only hope the others follow through. Looking over at Adam, who has begun rambling about something, she really prays. That protectiveness she was created with flares.
Every angel is created with an express purpose. She's the oldest exorcist, but that doesn't mean that's hers. Lute takes her role of watching over Adam seriously. It's the only purpose she's ever known.
Chapter Text
When Lute first told Charlie of Adam's struggles with his mental health, she was more than ready to help. Adam is one of her people, now. It's her job to assist in pulling him out of his depression.
Besides, she has experience. She's been taking care of her father since her mom left, after all.
What worries her the most is what Lute said about him..harming himself.
She gave away no details, but it isn't hard to guess the implications. Charlie wasn't even aware angels /could/ self-harm in any way.
How Adam was doing it is beside the point, why he was doing it is the only thing that matters.
To her knowledge, Charlie has never met someone who hurt themselves physically before. (She ignores how Husk drinks himself to death and the way Angel Dust abuses his body and how sometimes Vaggie will press her fist too hard over her empty eye-socket—)
The only thing that helped her father out of his depressive funks was—
“Arts and crafts!”
Adam stares blankly at her. He can't even muster a sarcastic comment.
Her grin falters for a moment. She tries not to let it show, but Adam is much more perceptive than people think.
He tries for a grin back, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Despite that, it's a sign he's trying, and Charlie will take that.
Discovering Adam's love for art was a turning point for the two of them. She had found him stealing paint and canvases from the arts and crafts room. He seemed rather embarrassed, and nearly stuttered through his explanation.
Nowadays, he has free-reign over the room, and a few of his painting are even hung around the hotel.
Lute had mentioned that Adam hadn't been particularly artistic recently. Hopefully, a little encouragement will get his creative motivation back.
Charlie tries to make conversation. She's working on another friendship bracelet—she's beyond pleased to see Adam is still wearing his—while Adam paints. The first man isn't feeling very conversational, only responding in hums or grunts. Still, it's an effort that Charlie appreciates.
A glance over makes Charlie grin.
Adam's work is always beautiful. She's said time and time again that he has real talent. His response is usually along the lines of, "I'm Adam and I'm awesome at everything."
Still, he could never hide the flush on his cheeks from the compliments.
The painting today consists of much darker colors. Deep blues and grays. A clear reflection of Adam’s mood.
That’s not what she wants! This is supposed to distract him from his depression. It’s supposed to make him feel better.
That means, it’s onto Phase Two: Talk Therapy.
Adam has, admittedly, never been receptive to talking about his feelings. Everything is hidden under layers of fake confidence, sexual innuendos, and lots of robes.
Still, it’s worth a shot, isn’t it?
“So..Adam,” Charlie starts.
Adam barely acknowledges her, focusing on painting. His eyes very briefly flicker up.
“How are you feeling lately?” She asks.
Adam sighs a bit. He gives her a look, raising one dramatic eyebrow.
“I’m fine, Charmander. Can you just chill?”
She frowns, but puffs out her chest. “Adam, I’m worried about you. You’re just..not as lively as usual. Most of your time is spent in your room doing nothing. You’re not even playing music anymore.”
His body sags, the exhaustion suddenly clear on his face. One of his hands scrubs at his face, as if he could wipe away the bags.
“I’m really fine. It’s just—…it’ll pass. You don’t have to worry so much,” He says.
Then, he drops his brush into the water cup. He stands and walks away before Charlie can say another thing.
This time, she deflates.
Why won’t Adam just talk to her? Isn’t there trust there? She really thought they were getting closer.
With a huff, she starts to clean up the mess. It’s no use letting the paint dry out, even if she’s upset.
She stops when she sees Adam’s messy painting. Not for the first time, it speaks deep down to her soul.
It’s a portrait of a boy. Darkness creeps around the edges, threatening to swallow him whole. But, one of his eyes is glowing, a star in his socket pushing the darkness back.
XDPersona on Chapter 2 Sat 06 Sep 2025 06:32PM UTC
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Your_Denis on Chapter 2 Sat 06 Sep 2025 06:40PM UTC
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