Just Checking Up! Part Thirty: A Series of Surprises!

Rip:

Laying next to Silks, our early session of fun had been euphoric. Snoring next to me, her fiery orange waves hitched my breath. Some shades of scarlet had blurred themselves into the vibrant waves, her ruby eyes and permanent Gothic makeup look with fangs waking up the hungry side of me every waking second. Hating that she didn’t find herself ethereal, her bump grew faster by the day. Holding the large swell, a grounding effect washed over me. Hoping to bound my soul to hers upon my death, our love could be eternal. Forgive myself for being such a hopeless romantic.

“Sacrifice yourself and your dream can come true, Rip.” Bookworth uttered cautiously in my bedside drawer, wood sliding against wood as it opened. “Does she want that? Would she want you to give up what humanity you have left?” Mattress springs creaked, an irked Silks pushing my hand off. Stomping off without a word, the beginnings of a tail caught my sharp eyes. Orange flames crackled over her head. Laughing softly to herself, her powers betrayed her abilities to hide her true emotions. Coming out in a striped black and white sweater and flowing scarlet skirt, ruby flushed my cheeks. Tucking it underneath her bump, a bunch of clothes hit my face, those flames fizzling out.

“If you want to join me, I can’t stop you. Nor can I not be selfish enough to not want it. How tell your father isn’t on me.” She choked out honestly, her genuine smile flashing on her quivering lips. “Hell, the grocery bill won’t be so big. Do you realize how hard it will be for me to see you die?” Standing stiffly while fussing with the slits of her skirt, her heavy breasts bounced a couple of time. Guilt ate at her but the thought of her being alone for an eternity would torture me. Tugging on a long-sleeved simple black t-shirt and thick winter coat, the damn jeans couldn’t get on fast enough. Dialing up my old man for me, the tremble on her hand spoke the opposite of her confidence. Slipping on a pair of heavy duty winter boots on the way out of the room, Avery and her were out the door before I could register what I had requested.

A solid fifteen minutes passed, a numb stare forcing me to focus on my winter boots was interrupted by an exhausted Silks. Stopping in front of me, her blackened fingernails hovered inches in front of my face. Curling my fingers around hers without question, one yank had me on my feet. Making our way to the backyard, snow crunched underneath every footfall. Hiking up the mountain,the darn cold didn’t seem to affect her. Nipping away at my exposed skin, a stunning sight stole away all the physical strife. A purple crystal cavern glittered in the afternoon sun, a broken grin haunting her lips. Guiding me, a wall of flames locked us in. Inky blood danced down her cheeks, her lips parting several times.

“What a place, right? Please sit.” She wept openly, her slender hands sitting me down on a smooth plane of slate gray. “Sorry if this hurts.” Rolling up her sleeves, a quiet fear hid underneath my assuring smirk upon those claws extending from her fingertips. Closing her eyes, a jam into my chest had her claws around my beating heart. Squeezing a couple time, a rough darkness swallowed me whole.

Sucking in a deep breath, raw hunger burned my throat. A catch of my reflection pleased me, ruby eyes peeking out of my usual hair style. Soaking in my surroundings, soft blood red tall grass swayed in front of us. Black water crashed behind us, a sickly gray sand crunching underneath my palms. Black fingernails further confirmed my success, fangs piercing my bottom lips shocked me. Flicking my ears around, pointed tips tickled the closest decaying building. Tracing my black lips, Silks sank down to my level, orange flames cast shadows across her face. Kissing my lips feverishly, her fingers danced along my bare chest. A crown over my phoenix tattoo captured my attention, her arms clinging around my waist with pure desperation. Wondering why a crown appeared, perhaps my old man stowed away a couple of secrets.

“Thank god you are okay! God knows what I would do without you!” She spluttered into my firm chest, her bump rubbing my abs. “Not sure what is up with the crown but Hell is your travelling agency. Listen to me blubbering.” Cupping her bloody cheeks, jet black blood plopped onto her face. Something about this felt so natural, the phoenix finding the king. Pecking away her bloody tears, any hunger began to fade. Guiding my fangs to her neck, her own fangs brushed against my tender flesh. Goosebumps popped up, our fangs bit through the first layer of skin at the same time. Gulping down what we needed, time stopped. Feeling closer than ever, true euphoria crashed through me. Releasing each other at the same time, our foreheads pressed together.

“No offense, you are so much sexier like this. Forgive my crudeness.” She sighed passionately, her lips licking off her meal. “Consider my heart yours, my demon king.” Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, our hearts threatened to beat. Grinning ear to ear at the same time, light returned to her eyes. A correct choice had been made, her eyes flitting over to the cool ocean. Kicking off her boots, sand spun around her as she jumped to her feet. Placing her hands on her hips, a spin stole my heart all over again. Her smile dropped, the crestfallen expression shattering my soul to pieces.

“I know why our symbol bears a crown but you won’t like the explanation. Don’t hate your father, he doesn’t know either.” She explained sweetly, her hands folding across her skirt. “The King of Hell is your father. Blame your monster of a mother. She couldn’t carry a child, so she made a deal with the bastard. Do with that what you will. Sorry for lying about not knowing. Ever since I became a demon, there was a hint of demonic energy in your soul. Please don’t hate me!” Crying intense tears of black blood, her confession had her legs nearly giving out. Too stunned to speak, her needs came first. Hoisting myself to my bare feet, her body collapsed into my arms. No anger burned in my heart, a secret like this burying her in the sand. Soaking my shoulder with a flurry of honest apologies, that momster betrayed my family once more. Then again, would I have ever been born? Flipping between guilt and sorrow, my old man’s smile shone bright within my heart. Lifting up her chin with my finger, my own negative emotions staining my features didn’t matter.

“So what!” I chirped brightly, surprise rounding her stunning eyes. “That man will always be my father. Not some freak down here, the dumb ass sperm donor. How could I have ended up with you if she never did that? At least it all clicks. I wonder if Avery is part demon.” Averting her gaze, a grimace planted itself on her lips.

“Most people don’t know that until puberty.” She sniffled without an ounce of relief, her thumbs wiping away my natural dark emotions. “Knowing my parents are demons and running the show tortures me to fucking death. Ears and arms will be open for you on my end, my demon king. How do we get back? With Avery, I would still love him the same.” Visibly wondering how I could see the bright side of things, her dark past prevented that. Clutching her close to my chest, my father’s door opened up in front of us. Carrying her across the threshold, his knowing smile met mine.

“Snooping around revealed it all. Do you still feel like I am your father?” He asked bluntly, hurt dimming his eyes. Sally Sue rubbing his back in one of her sweaters and jeans. “Hell be damned if I never had you in my life. Looking pretty rock and roll by the way.” Clinging to me more, water splashed onto the floor before I could answer. Shivering in my arms, the wear and tear of birth showed on her face for the first time. Sally Sue rushed off to set up a bedroom for the next chapter of my life, all eyes brightening at the same time.

“Before we enter this next stage, you need to know that you will always be my dad. No royal demon blood will stop that. Okay! Get that in your thick skull. That bitch can burn in Hell but at the same time I am so jovial that you got to raise me. Don’t worry about any of that bullshit! Are you ready to be a grandfather to demon children?” I returned through a wall of bloody tears, his grin growing bigger with pure bliss. Scratching the back of his neck, his red and black plaid shirt looked nice with his new jeans. Shifting uncomfortably, the words struggled to come as Avery skidded into view.

“Demon or not, those little rugrats have the best grandfather in the world. No one will harm them with me around, kiddo. Family will always be what you are and what they are to me.” He thundered proudly, his hand ruffling Avery’s hair. “How about that, Sport! You are about to be a big brother! Call up Mavis. She is going to want to be here. Lord knows that we need her help in the aftercare.” Bouncing off in his skeleton sweater and black jeans, his air hug was all I needed. A gunshot in the distance ended the moment, her claws digging into my back.

“Come on out, little Mouse!” Her father’s voice called out from a far distance, Silks whimpering into my ear. “Time to get some payback for that little slice into your mother’s throat! Are you down for one of our hunts?” Lowering her into my father’s arms, his brows furrowed. Gathering my wits, Silks pleaded with me not to go. Today was my turn to protect her, a potential murder resting on my hands.

“Give birth to our little kiddos. I have this idiot.” I promised her with my real smile, her head nodding through a gritted smile. “Count on me to be back. Don’t worry about me.” Brushing my lips against the top of her head, Sally Sue bellowed for me to whisk her away upstairs. Wishing her good luck, dread bubbled in my gut. Tugging on a pair of dress boots and a burgundy shirt, that should be attention grabbing enough. Bursting from my home, Avery waved from the front door. Assuring him with a wave, a gust of wind refused to bite my exposed skin. Picking up speed, determination drew a wicked grin across my fury filled features. No one hunted down my family! Not now, not ever! Shutting my eyes for a moment, his rotten aura reeked of death. Someone died and rose from death as a damn demon, the conclusion proving to be rather unsettling. A bullet whistled by my head, a couple of my fingers catching it. Sniffing it, burned flesh sickened me. Electricity laced it, his final execution had been dealt. Plucking my phone from my pocket, article after article was wondering where his body was. Tucking it back into my pocket, a flick sent the bullet in his general direction.

“Cooking in the chair wasn’t enough for your sins!” I taunted sadistically, a cock of my head lending me a bit closer to his exact location. “Time for them to never find your damn body!” Sprinting deeper into the towering forest behind my old man’s home, his footfalls tracked mine. A flash of navy darted between trees, the prey taking the bait. Bookworth popped up in my palms, the corner of his front cover ripping open my latest scar. Letters swirled around us, the trees shifting into an abandoned fiery orange marble castle. Locking the bastard in with me, bullets ricocheted off cracking walls

“Consider this a wedding gift from me, this lovely crumble of mess can officially become your vacation. Hide here when you can’t get back the very second you push your magic too far.” He sang warmly, a duck behind a thick steel door creating an annoying song. “Silks accepted who you were, didn’t she?” Tucking him under my arm, our eyes met in a brotherly manner.

“She dealt the final blow to make it happen.” I informed his serenely, his blink becoming rapid through utter disbelief. “Don’t give me that. Of course, she would. Silks’ heart might as well be gold. So what if I am the son or descendant of the King of Hell. She sees me for me. Help me cook this guy, alright?” Flapping his pages once, an agreement had been reached. Attaching a temporary leather strap to his binding, a drop over my head had him on by my side hands free. A shivering Avery crept out of the shadows, his hands clinging to his sweater. August floated behind him, his hand resting on his head.

“Seems our future prince found his way into Hell.” Bookworth pointed out sympathetically, the corner of his cover waving. “Puberty will wake up what protects him down in this horrible place. Avery, are you doing satisfactory? I have a spell for you.” Throwing himself off of my shoulder, distraction would become my role. Landing in his hands, relief showed in his eyes. Flipping open to a spell, eagerness illuminated his eyes. Learning brightened his mood, Bookworth teaching him whenever he could. Plucking special chalk from his pocket, symbols twirled to life in a triple layer circle. Cutting his palm on the corner of a piece of marble, a slam of his palm woke them up. Spinning underneath him, shrill shrieks echoed on the other side. A blast of ash shot out from the crack, a proud Avery grinned ear to ear with his sleeve pressed against his nostril. Coughing from the ash, his kind eyes darted over to mine. Hoping he would accept me as I stood, the parent part me fumed at his recklessness. Hell, every cell of me was so fucking proud of him.

“Next time be careful and try to stay home. Thank you for helping me out, buddy.” I commented awkwardly, his connection always being better with Silks. “I love you more than life itself. Sorry for being selfish for a moment and becoming what you f-” Smashing into my legs, more of those damn messy tears dribbled off of my chin. Clinging to me through my sobs, his heart was as golden as my queen’s.

“Shut up!” He cried into my legs, tears or blood soaking my jeans. “Demon blood doesn’t change what we have! You will always be my father!” A happy pause hung in the air, his wet eyes meeting mine, my knees giving out on me. Burying him in a bear hug, his heart beating would be all I needed in this fucking moment.

“Good because I will always fucking love you.” I confessed in a fatherly tone, his cheek pressing against mine. “Don’t ever forget that. Shit, we should get b-” The thick door flew over my head, my body swallowing his. An older version of me sauntered in, his jet black waves floating around his shoulders, his bat embroidered scarlet suit complimenting the walls. Ruby eyes lingered on the annoyance simmering in mine, his gloved hand running through his wild waves. No anger existed, just a bit of curiosity shutting down any level of annoyance.

“Hello, son. My name is Shalvont, the king of Hell! Nice to meet you. Shall we begin what that witch didn’t permit?” He offered sincerely, his height and build matching mine a little too closely. “Those twins are coming, aren’t they? Who is this little guy? Is this a potential grandson? What a spell? Too bad I was going to torture him for all of his sins until you pulled that, my dear Avery.” Curling his inky lips into a trusting smile, his fangs glinted in the blood red moonlight. Alarm returned, strong eyes looking past me.

“Such power in a boy. No wonder that fucking cult desired to hide you away. Do you think it was a coincidence that Silks found you?” He continued warmly, his matching friendly smirk never leaving his lips. “That special demon has been on my radar, not in the bad way. Someone like her can replace me should anything happen. Here I am yapping!” Clapping his hands, the walls of my old man’s cabin greeted us. Releasing Avery, screams bounced down the hall. Lingering awkwardly, my old man smiled before offering him a cup of tea. Avery bounded up to Shalvont, his open hand causing him to ball equally as dark blood. Whispering a word of assurance, both my old man and him whisked him away to the living room. Crashing up to the spare bedroom, a sweaty Silks cheered up at the sight of me. Clutching my hand, wavy clumps clung to her forehead through every violent contraction. Sally Sue worked calmly next to me, her proud smile heating up my soul. Words faded in and out, two cries piercing the air. Pulling me close to her face, her lips smashed into mine roughly. Biting my bottom lip, gulps revived her enough to barely stay awake. Releasing me, her eyelids fluttered before exhaustion stole her away. Stress wore at me, a whole new chapter beginning. Placing one boy and one girl into my elbows, two heads of fiery orange waves kidnapped my heart. Ruby eyes twinkled with love, jet black lips and pointy ears flicked into sweet smiles. Sally Sue excused herself, Silks snoring away. Rocking back and forth, the flames of hope seared bright within me.