“Sir? Are you certain?” Death asked softly.

Amun nodded. “Why not? He will not be working for Chaos. Not directly, anyway. What he will be doing is providing candidates for Chaos to look at. That falls specifically into my territory, does it not?” he asked.

Death nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. “Yes, I see your point. So, what I’m understanding is that he will work for me alone for ninety days, and then begin making appointments for interviews for Chaos Agents? For a maximum of six hours?” Amun nodded. “For as long as he can handle the work?” Another nod. “What if Chaos gains enough agents for their needs?”

“Then he takes the poster down, and works for you alone. It’s that simple. Since he will be working with souls that have passed on, there is no need to worry about anyone freaking out and causing panic. They will accept or refuse as they will, and move on. Chaos cannot touch them for retaliation, nor can she harm Markus in any way, shape or form.

“Oh yes. That will be your punishment, by the way. You are now forbidden from retaliating against your agents or prospective agents. You are also forbidden from harming Markus or anyone close to him. And don’t think about setting up a butterfly effect, either. I’ll be watching. He is trying to help you. Don’t fuck with him. Understood?” he asked.

Chaos nodded, looking glum. “Yes, Sir. I will not harm Markus or anyone close to him,” she said quietly.

“And you, Death? Are you truly okay with this? Because if not, speak up, and we will go another route,” Amun said.

“No, I’m okay, Sir. Markus has made a choice, and while I’m not completely fond of it, it is his choice, and to be honest, it’s probably the best way to handle this whole mess, I think. I just worry for him. I do care for him, after all,” he replied.

Amun nodded. “Excellent. You two may go. I must speak with Markus alone, now. I’ll signal you when it is time, Death,” he said.

Markus watched Death and Chaos exit the office, then turned to Amun. “Yes? Have I done anything wrong?” he asked.

Amun sighed and moved to sit down at his desk. “Not at all, Markus. Those two have been a thorn in my side for a long while. Death is well-meaning, but a little too inflexible at times. Nature of the job, and all. Chaos, on the other hand? Too flexible almost all the time. They’ve been poaching from Death since the beginning of time. No, you may have helped end this little squabble between them. I am impressed. So!” he said, sitting up. Opening his hand with a flourish, a sheet of paper and pen appeared there. He handed it to Markus.

“There you will find a job offer, worded precisely the way you said, with an escape clause. I will not trap you into working for me forever. You are free to quit my employ at any time, with or without cause. The only way I’ll put you out on your rear is if you refuse to do the job. Also, anytime you request time off from Death, you will also get it from me. You start ninety days after your training period. Is this acceptable?” he asked.

Markus scanned the letter, nodding along with Amun’s description. When he got to the payment portion, he stopped and looked up. “Amun? What’s with this? It’s double what Death offered. I thought his offer was the standard offer? Aren’t I already being paid by Death as well?” he asked.

Amun nodded. “Shh. I make the rules, kid. I know there are problems on your world, and a little extra padding wouldn’t be amiss. Besides, doesn’t everyone want to live grand?” he asked, leaning back in his chair, his hands behind his head.

Markus took the pen and scribbled out the figure for payment, marking it down to the same that Lucifer had initially offered him, then signed the document. Handing it back to Amun, he said, “Not everyone wants to live grand, Sir. I just don’t want myself or my friends to struggle, is all.”

Amun chuckled. “So be it. Approved. However, I’m going to gift you a sum as my thanks for what you did here. No arguments. Ah, there you are, Death. He is ready. Thank you both!” Amun said with a grin.

Death nodded and put his arm around Markus’ shoulders. “Let’s go, my boy. Much to do,” he said with a smile as they stepped into the liminal space once more.

An indeterminate time later, they stepped out, and the doorway closed behind them. Markus looked up, trying to focus his eyes. When he finally could, he saw none other than Chaos herself in Death’s office.

“What’s going on? Lady Chaos? Why are you here?” Markus asked.

She stood in the center of the office, her hands behind her back as she stared at the floor. “Call me Morrigan, Markus. Outside the CEO’s office, please call me Morrigan. I just want to give you my sincere thanks and an apology. Your friends will never have to worry about my negative influence. I’m not saying they’ll win all their gambles and lotteries, but they won’t have any undue hardships. And you will not need to fear my hand. I’ve made the promise to the CEO, and this one I’ll try to keep,” she said.

Markus walked over to her and smiled. “I wish you had asked for my help and accepted the “No” in the beginning. This outcome, however, will likely be more beneficial to us all in the long run. Shall I put you in my phone as well? So I can get ahold of you and discuss things? I promise not to bother you much,” Markus said.

Morrigan nodded and smiled. “I’ll take my leave now, Lucifer. And you, Markus?” She leaned down, giving him a fantastic view down her dress, and murmured in his ear, “If you ever want to wrestle again, just let me know. I’d love to play with you.” She straightened and walked out of the office, leaving Markus and Lucifer alone.

“Well. That was certainly interesting. How much time has passed for Akane, Lucifer?” Markus asked, his voice unsteady.

Lucifer chuckled. “About an hour. She is still at Hanako’s. Markus, you have surprised me. I didn’t think you’d be able to surprise me yet again, but you did. Well done, my boy. Well fucking done,” he said, smiling broadly, clapping Markus on the shoulder. “Would you like to get something to eat?” he asked.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

*************

Markus sent a text to Akane.

We’re done here. I’m about three blocks from Ichikawa-san’s. Where should I go?

A few minutes later, she responded.

I’m at my place. I’m just across the street from hers! Come see me?

Markus smiled and replied in the affirmative and started walking. Once he spied what he thought was her unit, he messaged her again to let her know he was outside.

Akane stuck her head out of her window. “Over here!” She quickly closed the window again, as it was cold outside. She still couldn’t understand how he was comfortable without a coat.

Markus jogged over to her apartment, and waited for her to open the door. Once she did, he was surprised by her outfit. She had showered and changed in the time it took for him to attend the meeting, and was currently wearing an extremely long, rather baggy shirt and apparently little else. It fit her like an oversized dress.

He stepped in, and once Akane had shut the door behind him, she pulled him in for a long, deep kiss. Only when the kiss was broken, did she allow him to remove his boots.

“Tell me everything, Kuma-kun. Did it go well?” she asked, leading him inside.

Once his boots were off, Markus stepped inside and sat at the table. “It went well, actually. In exchange for that woman to never bother the people I love again, the owner of the company has brokered an agreement with her that I will create an advertisement flier for her. Nothing that will take up too much of my time, just a little work. I will also be placed under the owner’s purview, as well as Lucifer’s. As a result, my pay rate has also gone up. For as long as the advertisement is up, anyway. The owner also said he had authorized a gift for me. I should check on that,” he said, taking his phone out.

Once he had logged into his bank account, his jaw dropped. He looked over at Akane, who had busied herself with getting drinks. Quickly, he regained his composure, and shook his head free of the shock. Akane came to the table and set a glass of what smelled like mango juice in front of him. She took up the seat opposite him and smiled.

“Well? Has whatever the owner given you come in?” she asked, taking a drink.

Markus nodded. “Let’s just say I won’t have to worry about funds while I’m in training. In fact, would you like to go get something to eat later tonight?”

Akane frowned slightly. “I cannot. I must work tomorrow. And the next four days. I will, however, have off the day before you leave. And that day, as well. Please forgive me, Markus,” she said, bowing her head.

Markus laid his open hand on the table, and Akane placed hers in it. “There is nothing to apologize for. How could you have known you’d meet me? No, please don’t worry. If you’d rather, we can simply sit here and watch movies or anime or whatever for the rest of the night, yes?”

Akane brightened at the suggestion, and nodded. Without letting his hand go, she picked up her drink and led him to the couch. She opened a cabinet which was filled with DVD and BluRay cases and simply said, “Pick.”

Markus set his drink down on the low table and squatted in front of the cabinet, reading the titles as best he could. After a moment, he pulled a pair of cases out and gave Akane a sidelong glance.

“I know what these two are, Usagi-chan. We will discuss these a little later,” he said with a grin and a wink. Her embarrassment was simply adorable. “However, I think I’m in the mood for Ippo. What about you?”

Akane nodded, absent-mindedly chewing on a fingernail. “Ippo is always good. Makunochi is cute!” she said.

“Then let’s do that!” Markus said with a grin. Handing her the case, he sat on the couch and got comfortable.

Akane set herself to the task of getting the TV and player ready, then turned to look at Markus.

“This will not do. I don’t think I’ll be comfortable there. Let’s fix that,” she said, grabbing his leg and stretching him out on the couch. She then took her seat in between his legs and snuggled up to his chest, handing him the remote. “The control is yours, Kuma-kun. Do as you will,” she said, caressing his fuzzy cheek.

“As you say, Usagi-chan,” he murmured softly in her ear, snaking an arm around her soft middle, delighting in her shivers. He clicked the play button and the pair of them settled in for a night of good shows and good teasing.

************

A few hours and several heavy make-out sessions later, Akane looked over at her clock. It was nearing ten PM. She was worked up and incredibly turned on by the large, soft, bear of a man she had in her home. “Dammit. I need to get myself to bed soon, Kuma-kun. I wish this night could last forever,” she lamented.

“But then we would have nothing to look forward to, Usagi-chan. All days end, eventually. This one is no different. I would love nothing more than to stay here, kissing and loving on you until the end of time, but you have work tomorrow. There is always tomorrow night, or if you are unable, there is still the entirety of the day before I leave,” he replied, running his fingers through her dark hair.

Akane leaned into the sensation, relishing the feeling of his warm hand on her head. “We will see about tomorrow. Please don’t be upset if I cannot?” she asked.

Markus chuckled. “You’re worth waiting a lifetime for, Akane. Simple as that,” he replied.

Akane wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his neck. “I love you, Markus. I look forward to the day we can come home to each other. For now, I think you should return to your hotel while the bus is running,” she said softly into his ear.

Markus shuddered, realizing what she was trying to do. They’d made a commitment, and he would do his best to stick to it. He leaned back, looking her in the eyes, memorizing her soft face, the sight of her gently biting her lower lip, and leaned in to kiss her softly.

“Then I should take my leave, shouldn’t I?” he asked softly. She nodded sadly.

Cradling her in his arms he stood and carried her with him to the genkan, where he put his boots back on. As he stood, he trailed a hand up her soft tummy, gently grasping her hip, and pulled her in for a final kiss. “I will see you as soon as your schedule permits it, my love. Say the word, and I will return,” he said.

Akane nodded and opened the door, letting him go out into the night. Once the door was closed, she leaned her back against it, shivering in the delightful memory of the night they’d just spent together.

Perhaps it was time to watch one of those two DVD’s he had mentioned earlier…