Once his laughter had subsided, he looked at Markus and nodded. “Do you think she will accept, son? I’d hate to go through the entire thing, only for her to refuse and have to have her memory adjusted. Trust me, that takes more than I am willing to do. Especially with you humans.”

Markus looked over at Lucifer. “Would my memory have been altered had I refused your offer?”

Lucifer nodded. “The details of it, yes. All you would recall is that you were interviewed for a high-stakes job, and felt the stress would be too much. That and the meal. You’d remember the meal, of course. You would have only the pertinent details changed.”

Markus nodded and thought for a few moments. “I think she would agree. She seems to be comfortable with people and is simply kind.”

Amun smiled. “Well, we definitely need more of that in the world. I shall speak to Karma. See what they have to say in the matter. Who knows? They may already have been contemplating her as a candidate.”

“Really? That would be cool. A whole family brought up in this world.” Markus gave Amun a lopsided grin.

“Did you not tell him, Death?”

“Tell me what?”

Lucifer stared at the ground. With no answer forthcoming, Markus walked over to Lucifer and gently laid a hand on his bicep.

“Lucifer? Dude, you gotta talk to me. What is it that you haven’t told me?” Markus’ voice was soft and kind.

Lucifer looked up, his face red. “Markus. My dear boy. I seem to have omitted one facet of the consequences of your employment.” He sighed heavily, causing the air to smell faintly of wood smoke.

“You have been rendered permanently sterile. You shall never know what it is like to have children.”

Markus let his arm drop. “I’m…what?” he whispered.

“Forgive me, Markus. In my haste to see you off on your new adventure in life, I failed to mention it. In all my research on you, I never once saw any evidence that you had ever even desired children. And I had been collecting information for literal years.” Lucifer’s voice was soft.

Markus looked over at Amun. “Permanently?”

“I’m afraid so. Even were we to release you right now, you still cannot father a child.”

It was Markus’ turn to sigh heavily. “Well, I suppose I’ll simply have to live with it, then. While it would have been nice to have had that information up front, I don’t think it would have had too strong a bearing on my choice.” He looked back to Lucifer, whose head was still hanging in shame. “Lucifer Morningstar.”

Lucifer flinched slightly at the tone Markus used. Still, he looked up, facing his employee. “Yes?”

“I forgive you for this oversight. I don’t think it was malicious nor manipulative. You aren’t human, and things like that wouldn’t be a high item on your radar. I am still happy to call you my employer, and friend, if you can allow that.” He extended his right hand.

Amun smiled softly, and shook his head in mirth as he crossed his arms. Lucifer shook Markus’ hand warmly and smiled.

“Thank you, Markus. I do hope this doesn’t happen again. Not for you or anyone else.”

“Just another thing to keep in mind about us.” Markus turned to Amun, who had carefully stilled his expression to one of neutrality. “Amun, does this mean Akane wouldn’t ever get pregnant, if she took the job?”

“Correct, son. I’ll speak with Karma regarding her in a bit. Was there anything else?”

“Would I be allowed to speak with her regarding the opportunity once she has had her interview?”

“I don’t see why not,” Amun replied with a shrug. “I could even see if Karma would be willing to have you sit in. Unseen, of course.”

“Yeah, that might be best. If I happen to be her reason for refusal, it would be best if she could hear it directly from me.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Powers are allowed to set their own rules and requirements for their interviews. For a time, Chaos wanted their applicant to fight them.” Amun waved and walked out the door at the rear of Lucifer’s office.

“So… Where do we go from here, Lucifer?”

“Well, I’d say you go back to your hotel for the rest of the night and sleep. Do you think you can open a door there?” Lucifer smirked and watched Markus’ reaction.

Markus scoffed. “I think so. If I can open a door here, and you tell me it’s not normal? I think I can go to my hotel.”

“By all means, then. Just don’t make a habit of opening my door randomly. Even we Powers enjoy our privacy.” Lucifer extended an inviting hand to his door.

Markus closed his eyes and focused on his hotel room, envisioning it in detail as fine as he could, then opened the door to find it just as he had imagined. Turning to Lucifer, he smiled. “Good night, boss!” he exclaimed and shut the door behind him.

Lucifer shook his head in wonder and sat in his chair. That man would likely never fail to amaze him. Perhaps he could one day… No. That thought ought never be entertained.

Death was always a necessity.

******

Markus awoke bright and early the next morning, feeling like he had slept for centuries. He stretched and checked his phone. No messages, so he sent one to Genkai, trying to see what the Brothers were up to.

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Hey bro. Hope you’re doing well. You guys doing anything today? I’m leaving in a couple of days, and was hoping to make some good memories with good friends.

About an hour later, after he had gotten out of the shower and brushed his teeth, he had a reply.

Atsu is working today, but Yama-chan and I are free! Would you like to meet up?

Markus smiled and did a search for breakfast places around town. Eh. It was cliche, but it would do.

Meet me at the McDonald’s down the street. I’ll treat you to breakfast.

Markus got a reply in the affirmative, then caught the next bus. He let his mind wander to the possibility of not having to keep the particulars of his job a secret from Akane.

He could get up, and the pair of them could do whatever they had on their agenda for the day, go to work, then come home and continue to enjoy each other’s company. It certainly sounded idyllic. Markus knew, however, that such things rarely were. He knew that arguments and disagreements happened, even when you truly loved someone.

As they should. No relationship was perfect. He’d been through enough of them to have learned that particular lesson. He’d also witnessed his parents go through their own issues. No, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they’d have their off days. Hopefully, they’d both be mature enough to discuss them like rational people.

As the bus stopped in front of McD’s, Markus paid his fare and left. Walking in, he spied his friends entering from the other side.

Yamamoto raised a hand in greeting. “Markus! How fortunate. Neither of us have to wait for the other. Are you ready to eat?”

Markus nodded and the trio ordered food and chatted away the morning. Afterwards, they toured the local sights, each man leading Markus to different hidden beauties in their hometown. Markus took in the sights, locking the experience away in his mind and heart. Enjoying time with friends was precious, and all the more so now that he knew he’d outlive them many times over.

Eventually, Genkai and Yamamoto had taken Markus to nearly every quaint little shop and sight they knew of, and had even discovered some new favorites along the way. Making the excuse of needing to rest, the duo went home and Markus, seeing that it was nearing one, decided to walk to Kitscho.

He messaged Akane to let her know he was on his way there, and to his delight, found that she was going to be leaving in a few minutes. He convinced her to wait for him, and the pair caught the bus to her apartment together.

“How did you know I’d be getting off work this early?”

“Lucky guess, I suppose. I would assume you will want to relax as much as possible when you get home, yes?”

Akane nodded and they spent the rest of the ride in comfortable silence, with Akane falling asleep on his shoulder halfway there.

Markus gently nudged his girlfriend when they neared her stop, and they got off, walking the rest of the way. They talked briefly, Markus letting her direct the conversation as she wished. She simply seemed too tired for much else.

After a few minutes, they arrived at her home, and she mechanically gathered the mail, and the pair headed inside.

“I’m going to get a shower. While I would love for you to join me, I think I need a few minutes to myself. I apologize.”

Markus smiled and kissed her hand. “Not at all. You take all the time you need. I will wait for you on the couch.”

Akane giggled softly and left. A few moments later, Markus heard the sound of running water, and decided to pass the time by reading some news on his phone.

Twenty minutes later, Akane emerged, clad in only a towel. “Much better! Now to go through my mail.” She sat and leaned against Markus, who lazily rested his arm across her shoulders. She briefly scanned each piece of mail, tossing it into one of two growing piles on her coffee table, until she came to a somewhat larger piece that seemed to have been handwritten.

Curious, she sat up, tearing the envelope open carefully on the side.

“What have you got there?”

“I’m not sure. Give me a moment.” Akane slid the message out of the envelope, her fingers lingering over the feel of the paper.

Opening it, she read it aloud:

Ikeda-san:

I would like to discuss a business opportunity with you at your earliest convenience. The sooner the better. Please message ######## with a time and date, or with “I Refuse”.

Seraphi

There was no other side to the paper, and no other information. Confused, she looked over at Markus.

“What in the world is this? Do you think I should throw it out?”

“I wouldn’t be so hasty. What’s the harm in hearing them out? This whole last week has been one of surprises and chances, you know.” Markus gently nudged her with his shoulder.

She looked up at him and smiled. She had definitely had a week of intense events and pleasant surprises. “You’re right. I may as well press my luck. Will you be there, just in case something crazy happens?” Her eyes were hopeful.

“As long as it’s either tonight or tomorrow. I leave Thursday morning.”

“Then let’s put this to the test. I’ll tell them I wish to meet tonight.” She grinned, feeling like she could finally do anything, now that she had someone by her side. Hanako was an amazing sister, but nothing quite compared to having a partner to support you in your endeavors.

Markus chuffed a laugh. “Okay. Sounds good. Let’s roll the dice!”

Akane sent a message, receiving a reply within seconds. “They agreed! They told me to meet them at the Aeon Mall food court, Sakura building in an hour and a half. Said they’d be wearing geta and a green fur hat. Huh. Okay, then. That’s weird, but it would stand out, I suppose. Would you go ahead and go there? Find a place to sit where you can see everything?”

Markus nodded and smiled. “Absolutely.” He leaned in, snaking a hand under her towel to caress her tender side, kissing her deeply.

“You’re evil,” she panted. “I love it.”

Markus stood and bowed with a smirk. “I aim to please. I will see you in a little while. Love you.”

“I love you too, Markus,” Akane said, leaning back, allowing her towel to fall open in the process.

Markus swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. “I should go before I find myself unable to do so,” he said in a voice thick with longing.

Akane nodded slowly, standing up and walking to her room in the nude. “See you soon,” she called back.

Markus left, shaking his head. That woman would be the death of him. He just knew it.