Page 26 of Hellfire & Bowties
“I guess it’s just not happening today,” Oren said, pointing between the two of them.
Luc’s eyes flashed, and he growled softly. “I’m locking us into my room tonight. If anyone interrupts, I’ll end them.”
It was a promise and a threat all wrapped up in one pretty package.
“The ending seems like a bit of overkill. I’m sure, like… a week of torture would deliver the same message,” Oren suggested sweetly.
Luc eyed him for a second before nodding. “Whatever you want, hon.”
The power of that sentence made Oren a little weak-kneed. The devil was telling him he could have whatever he wanted. Biblically, he should have been concerned about that, but all he wanted to do was kick his feet and scream into his pillow.
“Well I did want to ride you, but since that’s not in the cards, how about we actually do some work in here?” Oren asked, watching Luc’s eyes flash with satisfaction. He understood how people could get drunk on power, but he pushed it all aside, not wanting to start something else and tempt their luck. He turned his back to Luc and gestured at the cluttered space. “So, like… okay… tell me what the vision is here.”
“What do you mean?” Luc asked, pointing a claw toward the mess on his floor. “Just for it not to be like that.”
“Yes, I get that.” Oren turned to look at Luc again. “But do you want it to look pretty and tidy, or do you want a system that will help you be more productive?”
“Um…” Luc brought his claw up to scratch through the thick hair on his head, and Oren wanted to swoon. Just a bit. He also wanted to dive his fingers in there and pull.
Work.
They were working.
“If it’s the first, it’s just a matter of picking up and putting away neatly on shelves. Which you need more of, by the way,” Oren said. “If it’s the second, we’ll have to sit down and talk about what your job entails, how you do it right now, and what would help you do it better and faster.”
“That second one sounds amazing,” Luc admitted, looking a little bit overwhelmed. He was taking in the state of his office, an embarrassed-looking frown wrinkling his forehead. For the ruler of Hell, he looked entirely too cute. “I swear I used to have this place under control, but the world’s been going crazy. We don’t get enough funds to hire and train more demons, hatchings are slow, and the increase in the human population is insane to keep up with. You guys breed like rabbits. Devil or not, there’s only one me, and I can’t really handle all of it.”
Oren nodded along sympathetically, knowing full well what it was like to be overworked in an understaffed workplace. It was a nightmare he didn’t wish on anyone. If he could help while he was here, he’d be happy to.
“Okay.” He clapped his hands. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna optimize your work system.”
He walked over to Luc’s chair and rolled it into the middle of the room as best as he could with both the weight of Luc in it and the amount of stuff strewn everywhere. He spun it around so Luc was facing him, noticing for the first time how Luc’s huge wings were tucked against his back and hanging over the edges slightly, and his tail was squished to one side.
Oren wanted to touch so badly.
His mind flipped through the images of the night before, when Luc had wrapped him up in his leathery wings to comfort him. Oren couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so safe. Instead of afraid, all he’d felt was protected. As if Luc stood between him and every shadow and scary sound that reached him. As if Luc was his shield against the world Oren didn’t belong to.
Oren wanted to give something back. He wanted to let Luc know he appreciated it. And he also… he wanted to show him he wasn’t just some small thing Luc had to protect. He could pull his weight. He could be useful, and he could help while he was there.
He hopped over to Luc’s desk, grabbing his clipboard, some paper, and a pen, then came back, clambering onto Luc’s lap and perching there.
“Comfy, hon?” Luc sounded amused.
Oren wiggled a little to make sure he was in the best position. “Yup,” he said once he was satisfied. He placed the clipboard on his knees. “Okay. What kind of information do you have here… everywhere?”
“There’s loads,” Luc said, laying a hot hand on his thigh. “We have your general layout and magic info. Descriptions of each level and circle, how it operates, who runs it, and who is working there. Torture methods used, with brief descriptions and specialists in each one.”
Oren noted it all down on his paper. He’d had no idea running Hell was so complex… logistically speaking.
“Got it,” he said, studiously ignoring therubbingLuc was doing on his inner thigh.
“Then you have your sinner files,” Luc continued, eyes fixed on his ministrations. “Personal info, cause of death, list of sins, level and demon in charge of assignment, assessment results, torture method assigned, and any complaints they choose to file over their stay, as well as how they’re resolved.”
“People can complain?” Oren asked, squirming a little as the touches got higher.
“Sure.” Luc used his thumb claw to run along the inner seam of Oren’s pants. “If people think they’re being treated worse than others in the same group, if they feel their torture method isn’tsuitable, or they don’t mesh well with their assigned demon, they can file a complaint. We have forms for that. Somewhere.”
Luc finally looked up, hand halting as he searched the room helplessly for where they might be. Oren smiled and patted the hand between his legs.
