As they trudged out into the cold night air, Markus checked his phone. Half past midnight. No wonder he was so tired. Akane was unsteady on her feet, so he held her close to him, partly to help keep her upright, partly to allow her to share his warmth.
“Kuma-kun? What are you going to do? If that woman is going to continue to come after you, what will become of us?” Akane asked, her voice betraying her emotions.
“I don’t know. Like I said, I’ll talk to my boss tonight. He’s awake. I’m sure of it. I hope he will have an answer, or be able to handle it on his end. I’m sorry this has become complicated. I hope you can forgive me,” Markus said softly.
Hanako stopped the group and rounded on Markus. “Forgive you?! For what? All you’ve done since we met you is be kind and thoughtful, and now, protective. No, Barton-san. There will be no forgiveness for you, for there is nothing to forgive. That woman is who should beg for forgiveness. She dared to use your friends and loved ones to force you to do her bidding. That is contemptible behavior. It is proof that you have sound judgment that you refused and rebuked her.
“Now. I am cold, and would like to get into a warm bed. I am sure the rest of us will agree to that. Yūben'na, can you get us a taxi?” she asked.
“Yes, ojōsama. I can do that. For low cost, too. A moment,” Atsuki replied. He pulled out his phone and called a cab, and they all moved to the closest intersection.
The group were all huddled close to each other, with Markus in the middle. As the tallest by a couple of inches, he could see out into the street over the tops of everyone’s head, and as he was the warmest, it only made sense that he be the pillar about which they gathered.
Akane had her arms wrapped around him, her head pressed to his chest. She could feel his strong, steady heartbeat, and smiled happily. Her small hands slipped under his belt and pressed close to his flesh, keeping her fingers warm. She sighed contentedly and nuzzled Markus’ chest.
After a few minutes’ wait, Markus spied a cab coming down their street. “Taxi is here, everyone. I hope you all sleep well tonight. My hotel is just a block down the street. Let me know that you’ve gotten home safely, yeah? It’s been a weird day. Wonderful, but still weird,” he said.
Akane gripped him tighter, not wanting to separate from the large man’s warmth. “I don’t want to go, Markus,” she whispered, feeling the effects of the alcohol.
“I cannot make that decision for you, Akane. If you wish to stay with me tonight, you may. If not, you may go to your own apartment. My feelings won’t be hurt if you do. You should use your best judgment,” he murmured.
Akane pressed the side of her face to his chest. She truly didn’t want to separate from him. She looked up at him, her hair slightly obscuring her view of his eyes. “What would you do with me if I stayed?” she asked, searching his gray eyes.
Markus smiled softly. “You’ve been drinking, Akane. I cannot do anything more than hold you while we sleep. My honor will not permit it,” he said quietly.
Polite and respectful. And honorable. So few Japanese men, let alone Americans, understood that concept anymore. Akane sighed happily and nodded. “I will stay with you, Markus. Just for the evening,” Akane replied.
Markus kissed the top of her head, then leaned closer to her ear and murmured in a soft baritone, “The morning, however, is a different matter, entirely. But only if my Usagi-chan wishes.”
Akane colored and giggled softly. Biting her lower lip, she looked up and nodded.
A moment later, the cab pulled up, and Atsuki opened the door. “Kaito-san! Thank you for picking us up. It’s been a long night,” he said.
“Get in, ya pest. Oi! Big man! You coming, or what?” Kaito said with a friendly, if gruff, voice.
“My apologies, sir. My hotel is just a block down the street. I can walk. Thank you for the offer,” Markus said with a smile.
“Kouhai? Are you coming?” Hanako asked, a sly smile on her face.
Akane shook her head, then grabbed it as she stumbled. “Oh, wow. I shouldn’t do that. No, I will stay with Markus. I shall make certain he is safe tonight,” she said, as Markus gently placed an arm around her shoulder to steady her.
“You be good to her, Barton-san. I don’t want to have to find you and string you up by your thumbs!” Hanako said with a grin.
“I will. Have a good night, everyone!” Markus said with a wave, as the cab pulled out into the night.
Akane took Markus’ hand and smiled as she wobbled unsteadily. “I have my Kuma-kun aaaallll to myself, now,” she said with a mischievous grin.
Markus chuckled. “That you do, Usagi-chan. However, you are unsteady. Climb on. I will carry you,” he said, squatting to the ground.
Akane giggled and climbed onto his broad back, wrapping her arms around his neck gently. Markus hooked his hands under her thighs and stood, adjusting himself to the added weight.
“There we go. Now we are off!” he said with a smile, as he started towards his hotel.
A few minutes later, they were at his door, and Markus fished the key from his pocket. He unlocked the door, and stepped into the dark room. He shucked his boots at the genkan, then gently pulled Akane’s off, as well.
As he set her shoes beside his, he was struck by how much smaller they were. He wasn’t a massive man, but he was a big one. He shook his head and walked to the bed, and sat down.
Reluctantly, Akane let go of him, falling to her side on the bed. “Finally alone with you. Come to bed, Kuma-kun. I want you to hold me,” she slurred.
Markus chuckled good-naturedly. “In a moment, Usagi-chan. I must call my boss. Remember? The unpleasant woman?” Markus reminded her.
Akane grunted a reply, and got up. She stripped off her coat, and stumbled to the bathroom. Markus took the time to step outside, and “call” Lucifer.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Once outside, he turned towards his door, concentrated on his office, and opened it, to find the inside of his hotel room to be Somewhere Else.
He looked around, recognizing the stark, white walls and broad wooden desk. Smiling, he opened his door, finding the halls as they were when he first visited.
“Lucifer!” he called out, hearing his voice echo down the hallway.
“Lucifer! I need you!” he called again.
Far down the hall, he heard a door creak open, and a familiar voice call back from a distance. “Markus? Markus, is that you? How did you get here, my boy? Hold on, I’m on my way.”
Markus began pacing up and down the hallway, worry etched into his face. After a moment, Lucifer came into view. When he saw Markus’ face, he hurried to his side.
“Your office. Now.”
Markus jogged to his office and entered, Lucifer on his heels. As he watched Markus continue to pace, his nostrils flaring, Lucifer reached out and took his newest associate by the shoulders and spun him to look into his face.
“Talk to me. I cannot help if you do not open your mouth. I see you are upset and concerned, but what it is, I do not know,” his manager said gently.
Staring into Lucifer’s green eyes, Markus softened somewhat. “The Morrigan.”
Lucifer’s face grew stormy at the mention of the name. “Her,” he rumbled.
“Yeah. Her. Do you know what she did tonight?” Markus asked, a nervous energy vibrating through him. “I’ll tell you. She tried to recruit me in her guise of Badb. I refuse to be an agent of Chaos, Lucifer. I refused her kindly, and she chose to attack my friends. Starting with Akane,” he continued.
“Fuck. What did you do?” Lucifer asked.
“I didn’t allow it, that’s what. Before her claws could rake down on her, I tackled the bitch and put her on the ground,” Markus said, heat suffusing his entire being as he remembered the scene.
“Markus, you didn’t.”
“I did,” he said vehemently. “And I told her that if she ever attempted something like that again, I would find a way to kill her. And I will, Lucifer. I don’t care if I die trying, I will not allow anyone to fuck with my friends and loved ones,” he said passionately.
Lucifer straightened and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Putting aside for the moment that you threatened to destroy the embodiment of fucking Chaos, what else has happened? And how did you get here? You’re not asleep. You shouldn’t be capable of getting here, yet. How?”
“I needed to get in contact with you, and this was the only way I thought possible. As to what else has happened? A few things. Somehow, I think I ushered a dolphin off to her final rest, a massive crow landed on my shoulder and fucking spoke to me, oh, and Takeda-san says ‘Hi’, by the way,” Markus said, crossing his arms.
“Takeda-san? Oh. Oh. He’s the reason I put that rule in place to begin with. The one about not working with another ‘manager’. And it was Chaos that took him,” Lucifer sighed heavily. “How did he look?”
“What? He looked like a fucking ghost, man. Why?” Markus asked.
“Because that tells me how much she’s taken from him. Anyone else see him?” Lucifer pressed.
“No. Just me. He warned me about her. About this entire enterprise, really. I didn’t see any fine print in the contract, Lucifer. What is it that I do not know?” Markus asked, balling his fists.
“There was none, Markus. Everything is as I told you. No more, no less. It took me a couple thousand years to convince the CEO that it was necessary. Humans would rebel if we kept the “ownership clause” intact. You really are some of the most unique beings in the universe, you know. Takeda was one of the last to fall victim to it. In fact, it’s because of him that it is gone, and the whole serving two masters rule is in place. Chaos is not one to give up easily. However, since it has decided to target my employees, I think the CEO, Chaos and myself will be having a meeting soon. You’ll be invited, but you don’t have to be there. I am the aggrieved party, therefore I must be in attendance. You were operating on instinct, interpretation of rules, and your heart. All can be forgiven due to that.
“Now. Is there anything else I need to know about?” Lucifer asked with a soft smile.
“Well… Akane is in my room. She’s been drinking, though,” Markus said, his face coloring.
“Well! Should be a happy ending, after all! I knew you’d hit it off,” Lucifer said happily.
“Nah. Like I said, she’s been drinking. I won’t take advantage of her. I’ll wait until morning, when she has her wits about her,” Markus said with a lopsided smile.
“Good man! I do so love to see a wholesome spirit. Have I smoothed out your concerns?” Lucifer asked, clasping his hands behind his back.
“I think so, sir. I’m sorry for causing a ruckus. I was just…” he trailed off.
“Terrified. You were terrified, Markus, and rightly so. You threatened a Primal force. It doesn’t matter that you simply cannot affect it, you had the nerve to do so. That was rather stupid of you,” Lucifer said, leveling a finger at Markus’ chest.
Markus looked down, feeling his flesh warm up. “Yeah. Kinda dumb. She did say she was turned on by it, though. A little kinky,” he said.
Lucifer snorted and sputtered a laugh. “My boy, you have no idea. Anyway, if you ever need to get in contact with me, simply send a text to my name. Go ahead. Try it,” he said.
Markus pulled out his phone, noting that he somehow had a perfect signal. He typed Lucifer’s name into his text app, and sent a message that said “This is Markus. Hi!”. A vibration sounded in Lucifer’s pocket a moment later.
“And there we are. I’ll reply once you get back to your hotel, and you’ll have a way to contact me. Anything else?” Lucifer asked.
“Well… Do you have any advice for me?” Markus asked sheepishly.
Lucifer laughed. “Don’t go around threatening Chaos. Seriously, though? You’re doing just fine. I would suggest you tell your new girlfriend that you’re leaving next week sooner, rather than later. Tomorrow, if possible. She needs to know that, okay?” he finished.
“Already planning to. And now, I suppose I’ll go back to my room. Akane is probably worried about me, if she’s even awake. Jeez, I hope she’s not a heavy drinker,” he replied.
“Don’t worry. She isn’t. A drinker, that is. Not like your uncle was, anyway. You needn’t worry on that score. Now, off with you, son. Go romance her!” Lucifer said with a grin, clapping the young man on the shoulder.
Markus smiled and walked back the the door. “Thanks, Lucifer. For everything,” he said, and opened the door-
-to find himself once again outside his hotel room. He opened his door again to hear the bathroom door open, and saw Akane walk out clad in only a towel, her hair plastered to her head.
“Kuma-kun! Get a shower. You’ve been sweating. And then, maybe I can make you sweat some more,” she slurred happily.
Markus smiled and shook his head as he locked the door. He tried desperately to put the image of Akane in a towel out of his mind. Failing, he nodded and agreed. “Sure. I’ll get a shower. Should do me some good,” he said, heading toward the bathroom, as Akane draped a blanket over herself.
*************
Lucifer ground his teeth as he stalked back to his office. Fucking Chaos. How dare it meddle in his affairs again. And to threaten and attempt to attack his newest employee? This could not stand.
As he walked, his suit strained at the seams as his body began filling it out. Slowly, each stitch popped free of its binding as more and more of his form took shape. His footfalls became heavier and heavier with each step as his feet burst from the leather shoes that had quickly become far too small to contain him.
As he opened his office door with a taloned hand, he began to compose a message to the CEO, demanding an audience.
This could not stand. Not again.