I switched the noir overtones off for a short while. Something about putting my feet up with the odd group around me and filling myself up with fast food seemed to calm my entire being. Even the nervous David loosened up, and for all intents and purposes, there was nothing different between us and any other group of friends hanging out. I wasn't even going to ruin it now, with drab introspection. I was happy.

“I might literally explode.” Pearl sunk back into the couch and tried to adjust her leggings to allow more room for her stomach.

[Comparatively, I feel as though I could finish off all that remains.]

“Go for it,” I said, my eyes closed and head back. “Assuming the other two are done.”

“They haven’t been down here for half an hour, Eric. Have you been asleep?” Her feet swung around to rest across my lap. “They went up to look at Rodney’s gadgets. You should have seen the look on his face when I giggled.”

“Maybe a food coma,” I admitted. “Perhaps I needed a nap, too.”

“Been an exhausting day, really. First time in the Mids. We dueled really hard twice and got engaged. Oh, and the Blacksmith.”

I opened my eyes and pulled a face at her. “Full disclosure, since you’re about to be my demon-wife. There was a cost to the Blacksmith’s boon.”

“Asshole! I knew it couldn’t be that easy.” Pearl scowled at me. “What was it? Hopefully our first born, as that’s still not happening… I’m mostly sure.”

“Only mostly?”

[Don’t change the subject, Eric. What did the Blacksmith request?]

Personally, the fact that she wasn’t entirely convinced that we were unable to conceive was a more pressing matter. Maybe she was just saying that to get back at me for inviting danger into my life with these chance meetings with eldritch beings. I sighed and let the worries wash away.

“Once I fulfill my destiny, I will be unable to return to the mortal plane.”

“What the fuck, Eric?”

[Yes, Eric. What the fuck?]

I shrugged. “I figured I would be dying anyway and it wouldn’t really come up.”

“So keen to make me a widow already? I didn’t think you were that much of a selfish prick, Eric.”

“That’s not fair.” I squirmed beneath her legs pinning me to the soft couch. “I don’t even feel like I fit in… here in the mortal world. Not since becoming a Demon Hunter.”

Pearl groaned and rubbed at her eyes. “You’re lucky I’m so full of pizza that I can’t chase you around the house to beat some sense into you. How are you going to… living your life in Hell will slowly kill you.”

“I’ve never been immortal. I was born into this world slowly dying, like everyone else. At least I’d be with you, and maybe Wight?” My pact demon shrugged at this statement.

[I too hope to exist in some capacity beyond what fate has in store for us.]

“Eric…” She sighed and gave up half the battle. “What about Rodney?”

“He’s still young. He deserves a life without me traumatizing him to death. I’ve been through too much to ever be normal again. I think you know this.”

A glum smile was the only response. The Blank had already seen more than anyone should - but he was pretty grounded, considering. He deserved more from life than my mania and the horror of Hell. We both knew once we set ourselves against the Org his employment options will have dried up.

“How long do I have to get in shape for our wedding ceremony?” I changed the subject so that the mood didn’t crater down through the floor.

“Couple of hours.”

I stared blankly at her. “For real?”

[That is an insufficient amount of time for me to procure a tailored suit.]

Pearl rolled her eyes. “It’s nothing so formal. Battle gear would be fine, but I have something for you both for that. It’ll be in the Mids, and Frank hates going to the Mids.”

“When he said he would do me a favor if I ticked off his errand list, I was expecting a cooler gun or special attack.” I tilted my head and started getting nervous about seeing the demon again. “Rather than his daughter’s hand.”

“Am I not cooler than a new gun?” She pouted. “Being bound isn’t just a fancy vow to each other for romantic satisfaction. We become inseparable in both love and war. My father just needed to see that you were more than just a toy. Being bound to a human is a rarity.”

“In like a gross way?”

“Some would see it like that, sure.” She shrugged. “Humans are usually too weak to sustain it. Even with Mids demons - mortals just burn out and die in short order.”

“But I won’t?”

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t have pestered you about it if it would be detrimental. You might not feel it, with how isolated you are, but you’re possibly the most powerful human in the world. Top ten, for sure.”

I wasn’t too sure how I felt about that. Certainly, I didn’t feel like I deserved such an accolade. Just a man doing his job that fell into some stolen power, or something. Even knowing that I took the destiny of my son to save the mortal plane… there wasn’t in a bone in my body that considered myself great or worthy enough to be a hero.

Too disjointed from normal life to consider myself their savior, really. I was a Demon Hunter, and I would kill all demons. Simple and unattainable.

“Am I really even human anymore?” I asked nobody in particular.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

[If anything, Eric, you are peak human.]

Pearl nodded her agreement. “You have all this power within you that feels alien, I’m sure. But… a refrigerator is still as such whether you fill it with cheese and leftovers, or… plastic explosives, right?”

“I see what you mean.” And I did - that wasn’t just an empty platitude to move the conversation along. “Do I have to give a speech or anything?”

She smiled. “No. Like I said, it’s quite informal… more about intent than ceremony. I pushed him to do it in the Mids so that Rodney could watch, and Wight could be present.”

[That is remarkably sweet of you, the Pearl.]

With a raised eyebrow, she turned her head to look at the bird-demon sitting in the solo chair. “When I am bound to Eric, will you drop the ‘the’ when you refer to me?”

Wight held a quizzical look for a moment as a clawed hand came up to hold his beak in thought.

[Do I do that? I hadn’t noticed.]

I felt like I could sit here and chat with the pair for hours. Perhaps I would? We were doing as we had agreed. Living and enjoying life in the brief moment where something untoward wasn’t looming in the corner, threatening to darken our little picnic.

The Mids had been both underwhelming and exciting at the same time. A place that felt so comfortable and familiar that made the acceptance of the Blacksmith’s curse seem reasonable. Assuming I still lived, I could see us living in Hell. Rent out a little office and Wight and I would become detectives who shot first and asked questions after. Then shot again.

While Pearl and Wight tried to work on his odd speech pattern, my mind drifted. Some comfort. The shore had receded, way off to the horizon. We’d enjoy the empty plane of wet sand, the rocks and shells exposed to the sun. The ache at the back of my head knew the tidal wave was coming, but I’d ignore it until it was no longer an option.

----------------------------------------

I stood in the basement and rolled my neck out. Stressed and nervous. In my usual outfit, but now with a waistcoat beneath the long leather jacket. It suited me, and was a slight step up from just a dark silk shirt. Over to my side, Wight was twiddling his thumbs, a mirror of my internal turmoil. He also wore a waistcoat and had a similar leather cowboy hat to my own.

Our eyes went over to the stairs as Rodney and David came down.

“Oh, you didn’t need to get all washed up and smart for little ol’ me.” I grinned at the pair now in fresh clothing.

“Got the cheese sweats.” He waved his hand to shoo my aspersions away. “Also, don’t be a dick just because you’re nervous.”

“That obvious?”

“I’ve known you too long, Eric.” He sunk down onto his chair to get his devices ready. “Which is only a few months? But I can tell.”

Fair on all accounts. My eyes went up to David, who was still standing and looking out of sorts. Perhaps I had offended him with my insinuations. Before I had the chance to open my mouth to fit my feet in again, he awkwardly found his tongue.

“Ah, Church would probably have some strong words about… all this.” He gestured vaguely at our preparations for me to become bound to a demon. “I’m not even sure how I feel about it… but I’m also happy for you? I was taught demons are nothing but evil monsters that seek to ruin and corrupt humanity… but Pearl has all but eroded away at that fact.”

[What about me, the… ‘not the’ David?]

He pulled a face as he looked at the bird-demon now dressed like a cowboy. “You are… pleasant.”

[I appreciate your honesty.]

I smiled. “Thanks, David. You saved my life and were willing to give me a chance against those in the Church that would have killed me. You’re a part of the puzzle.”

“Puzzling is putting it lightly,” Rodney murmured to himself as blue light illuminated his face.

A flash of pink illuminated us as Pearl appeared in the basement in full battle gear. She crossed her arms and glared. “What, you expected me to saunter down the stairs in a ballgown?”

“You look dazzling,” I said as I stepped up and drew her in for a kiss. It melted away her put-on ire immediately.

She looked me in the eye as her hands gripped at my face. “I know I’ve been pushing for this, but this is actually a huge deal for me as well. There’s no greater declaration of love than having your souls bound together. I’m literally shaking.”

Souls.

“Then I’d best tie you down before you change your mind and run off.” I grinned and ran my fingers through the side of her silver-white hair.

“Idiot. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.” She closed her eyes and pressed her nose against mine. “Save that kind of thinking for later, though.”

“Got the co-ordinates locked in,” Rodney called from the side.

Pearl sighed. “We should get going then. I don’t have the best relationship with my father, but I am his favorite daughter. That said, if we make him wait, then he might just kill you.”

“Joy.” I rolled my eyes and gestured to Wight. “You ready, pal?”

[I never thought I would get to see you bind your soul, Eric. I am so proud.]

Souls.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I took a deep breath in and out. Was I really ready? Even with the echoes of something bouncing about in my mind, I wanted nothing more than this. Org would pale at the thought, but they knew nothing.

The green light of the portal washed over us and, with murmured goodbyes, we stepped through. My brain struggled to hold on to the details, if I was honest. Even my first marriage with Melissa hadn’t gotten me so apprehensive.

Vertigo subsided, and I found myself in a rather plain looking hall. Modestly sized and little in the way of defining feature other than the large demon sitting on a wide throne-like chair in front of me.

//Connected but… hard to pick up who you’re standing in front of? Fuzzy.

“Frank.” I nodded my head.

“Lantern,” he replied.

A flash and Pearl appeared, just as Wight pooled in beside me.

“Father,” she said.

“Pearl,” he replied with a nod.

Wight said nothing, but the powerful demon tilted his head. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Wight. You are certainly an interesting entity.”

[Thank you, the Frank. I am in awe of your presence.]

An odd amount of reverence from my pact demon, that I didn’t fully buy. Frank was powerful, sure, but that didn’t seem like something that Wight would bend the knee for.

Perhaps Frank saw it too - as he grunted. “Let us keep this short, as I feel the stickiness of the Mids clinging to my form already. Eric Redd. You have ascended beyond the normal restraints of mortal trappings. A fated being who has earned not only my favor, but the heart of my daughter.”

I nodded slowly, unsure if I was supposed to prepare anything poetic to say.

“The fact that you have no issue with my presence now is proof that you are growing beyond what I had envisioned.” He raised an eyebrow. “Even so, a soul binding ritual is not something given lightly. Without your strength or the favor and sacrifice of my daughter, this would be an impossibility.”

Souls.

Sacrifice? I shot a glance toward Pearl, but she was statuesque, and I could read nothing from her.

Frank held up his hand. “Once you have both declared your intent, I will make it happen.”

Warmth, as Pearl held my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine. “Eric, I wish for us to be bound, so that we may spend our lives in love, rising above any conflict that comes our way.”

“I know that with you beside me, I can accomplish anything,” I replied. “I love you with all that I am, Pearl, and would spend eternity with you if it were possible.”

Frank grunted again and then stood from his chair. Easily ten feet or so tall, he was an imposing figure… even before his wings started to unfurl.

“Then I shall grant you the blessing. May your days be innumerous, and your enemies crushed to dust beneath your boots.” He clapped his hands together and a wave of energy billowed through the hall.

Pearl’s hand squeezed mine tighter, and I reciprocated as I wasn’t too sure what else I should be expecting.

“With the formalities out of the way…” Frank rolled his shoulders out. “I wish you both luck for what is soon to come to pass… and I say that in earnest.” With one last nod, he vanished in a cloud of energy.

//Congratulations, I think?

My demon-wife squealed with joy and wrapped herself around me, the happiness radiating from her as if she was aflame. I felt happy too, but…

It wasn’t that I really felt any different. Even the thoughts that this was a long-con to grasp at something within me failed to gain any purchase in my mind. Instead, I stood and stared at the blank wall while Pearl smothered me with affection.

A realization in my mind, as if the process of us binding had drawn the curtains away from a window long shuttered off. Now I was blinded by the light, and the truth burned away at my eyes.

Souls. Everything up until this point had been about souls.