(Y/N) and I were curled up in bed when the unexpected happened: my phone rang. A myriad of thoughts ran through my head as I left bed to find it, tucked away in my pants.

It was an unspoken taboo to bother one of my kind when we were working during a contract, so it was likely either very important or someone being exceptionally rude. Surely the end of days wasn't upon us? Was I being called home, to join the war?

Terror gripped me when I saw who it was. The Dark Lord himself was calling! I felt a tight ball of dread form in my belly as I answered the phone.

Andy: ' Greetings, my liege-lord."

Chris: 'Uh, hello Andy.' There was a brief pause. 'Say, any chance you have some free time available to talk?'

What? I was confused and still a bit panicked. Had he changed his mind about being merciful concerning the utterly botched execution of my contract?

Andy: 'For you, great one, I shall eternally be available-'

Chris: '-No, Andy, I really mean that. I'd like to drop by to talk, but I don't want to interrupt anything.'

My bewilderment grew. I ran a hand through my hair and decided to be a bit bolder.

Andy: 'If I may, is this regarding my illness? Or perhaps my failures-'

Chris: '-Andy, you haven't failed! There are just a few things we need to talk about. It's about your future, and your mark.'

I was silent for a moment. Could it be that the Lord of the Underworld had taken a personal interest in my obsession with (Y/N)? Would he try and sway me to part from her?

Andy: 'My lord, I will not leave her. I cannot. It would be suicide, I crave nothing but-'

Chris: '-I know, I'm not going to try and get between you two. I'm trying to help. So, when would be a good time?'

I thought about how much I wanted (Y/N) to be immortal, so we would never be parted. Perhaps I could convince him to help me.

Andy: 'If the matter is truly not pressing, (Y/N) returns to her workplace on Monday. Until then, she has taken vacation time off to spend with me.'

I fidgeted, nervous. Had I gone too far, implying to the Dark Lord that he should wait upon my convenience?

Chris: 'So can I come by Monday, around noon?'

I could scarcely believe I was being asked for permission to visit! My eyes bugged out.

Andy: 'My lord, I am your servant. It is very kind of you to offer to postpone the matter until then. I humbly accept your proposal, if you are so willing-

Chris: '-No problem! See you then, buddy!'

And then he hung up. 'Buddy?' I stared at my phone. What was going on; what had just happened?!?

I looked up to find (Y/N) looking earnestly at me. "Did Satan just call you on the phone?"

There was no need to worry her. I did my best to pass it off as a trifling matter. "Indeed, that was my Creator. He simply wishes to drop by, to discuss a few things. We made an appointment for Monday."

I hesitated after climbing back into (Y/N)'s bed, suddenly realizing the situation was quite unusual. Perhaps (Y/N) was disturbed or uneasy with his presence? "Does having the Dark Lord in your apartment bother you, my sweet? I'm afraid I cannot leave-"

(Y/N) shook her head and giggled at me. "It's not something I ever anticipated, but it's fine, so long as he doesn't do any fucked up shit. And he seemed pretty well-behaved yesterday."

Visions of some of the most horrifying things my Father had done went through my mind. "Uhm, yes. I don't imagine he has any cause to be upset with you. He's not, in essence, an unreasonable man."

I grinned down at her. "It pleases me that you are so broad-minded, my lady. Where others would cower in fear, or react with repugnance, you have been most flexible and understanding."

She shrugged. "Hey, who am I to judge? It's not as though I know the whole story."

I nodded. Indeed she didn't. I thought for a moment. "Perhaps it can be summarized most succinctly by the saying that there is no light without darkness. But there's another aspect: there is light even within the dark, and dark within the light."

I watched (Y/N) nod, accepting my explanation. It made the strange feelings in my chest grow even stronger. If I had not already completed my transformation, I would have to ask the Morning Star on Monday if I was, in truth, becoming a woman.