Red lights of sin cast down on the body of a dirty demon. His skin was inspected with the Latin language, covered with a mysterious black stain; Some type of poison he'd coughed up on himself. His self destructive behavior had reached the point his body was trying to kill himself. He laid in the center of the pentagram painted on his black floor, dragging his hands across his body.

The door opened, letting bright light flood in from the hall. He covered his eyes with his hand to avoid seeing it. Sitting shirtless on the ground, he stayed quiet. He'd hoped his aid would just poke him and leave. It was usually that easy but today was a little different.

"You aren't alone." He mused in wonder when the scent of another hit his nose. Asher removed his hand from his face and sat up. "Oh, my..." He licked his long tongue across his pale lips, "Mmmh..." 

"Ryan, meet Asher, the homicidal sex addict. He'd fuck you, kill you, then fuck your dead body again." Shae said.

The maniac smiled widely, "You do have my number, don't you, Mr. Damion?" 

He cut to the chase, "Let's make this quick. I'm already behind schedule." 

"Aw, you're going to take this handsome man away from my sights so quickly?" He faked pouted. Asher slowly rose to his feet and stretched his arms out. He carefully stepped over to his aid, offering him his arm.

"What is all over you?" He groaned.

"Love and lust." He replied, then looked to Ryan, "Which should I give you?"

"I'm flattered, really, but you're not my type." He responded in monotone.

Shae used an alcohol pad to wipe away the dirt on his arm. He found the proper vein and injected his medication that kept him somewhat level headed. Typically they'd keep an IV in a patient that required their medicine through the bloodstream but Asher preferred the pain of a needle puncturing his skin every day. He relished in it. 

"Thank you, Shae." He spoke as the needle was removed from his arm. Asher stepped over to the other aid, noticing the new bruise on his neck. He frowned, "Oh, I see someone else has already gotten to play with you." Asher ghosted his fingertips over the injury. He leaned forward, whispering in Ryan's ear, "That's alright. I don't mind used toys."

That was enough to make Ryan push him away. Shoving a psychopath probably wasn't a good think but thankfully Asher didn't react negatively to it. In fact, he enjoyed getting pushed around by a handsome gentleman like Ryan.

"That's enough, Asher." Shae strongly stated.

He laughed, pointing to Ryan as he stepped backwards, "I'll get you yet."

"Let's get out of here." Ryan muttered and turned for the door.

"Goodbye." Asher sweetly said.

Shae shot him a glare as a silent way of saying that behavior was inappropriate. It did truly bother Asher though he wouldn't admit that. He didn't like the only person that gave even a tenth of a shit about him was disappointed in him. Shae shut the door behind him, leaving the demon to think about his actions.

"I'm sorry about him." He told Ryan.

He rubbed his sore neck, muttering, "That's okay. I'm normally the one victimizing others though. It's weird to be on the other side of things."

"Seeing a different perspective is one of the hardest things for beings, creatures or human, to handle. That's why denial has more strength than acceptance these days." He walked down a door, pulling his key card out again, "That's why I do appreciate Croc. He has no problem admitted who he is or confessing to who he's hurt."

"He wasn't always that way. He's changed more than you'd believe in the past few years." He replied.

"Hm, perhaps that is why I enjoy his character so much. He and I are similar in those regards." Shae walked into the room, letting Ryan shut the door behind him. "Good morning. I've brought a friend."

The room was pretty bare, considering he'd only been here a few days. Aside from the scratches on the walls, Croc had yet to make it his own. He sat in the corner of the room quietly. Looking up through his dreads, he seemed to be shocked. Ryan was expecting a much different reaction but he was thankful there was any emotion left in his friend.

"You're actually here." He said, "I thought they were fucking with me when they said you were here." 

"Trust me, I can't believe it either. Have they explained everything to you? About the six week treatment and all?" He asked.

Croc nodded, "Yeah, but it's also got to be six weeks of pure good behavior or else they'll make it longer. I don't know if I can keep myself leveled that long. I get anger when I'm away from Mike."

"I'm trying to work it out so he can come visit but there's a lot of complicated shit going on. He misses you a lot. He told me to tell you he loves you." 

He smiled softly, setting his hand on his chest, "I miss my baby. It figures, this is how shit would go. It's my own fault though."

"How do you figure?" Shae asked, handing him his medications.

"I've done so many bad things. I've got a lot of bad karma just waiting to come get me." Croc admitted, feeling the pain in his chest from being away from his mate.

Shae knelt down beside him, "I'm going to check your heart rate. It's been unusually low." There was a moment of silence while he held the stethoscope to Croc's chest. He sighed, "It's getting lower. I'll have to have Dr. Angel come visit you if he's able."

"It's because it's broken, you know. That mark on his chest connects him to his boyfriend." Ryan said.

He pulled down the collar of his shirt, revealing something similar burned into his collarbone. "I know. I suffered from the same condition when Yuki and I were living in different realms for awhile. It is for the best to have his boyfriend come visit, but that's not my call to make. It's the doctor's." 

"I've met your doctor. He's a very smart man. I think he'll take good care of you." Ryan reassured him.

"Yeah," He muttered, "Seems like it. Nothin' will fix me but him though."

"I'll... Work on it. Don't worry." He softly smiled, "I gotta get back to work."

Croc nodded tiredly, "I'm gonna try to sleep. Emphases on try."

Shae held the door open for Ryan as the two walked out. Three years ago, he could've never imagined feeling back for a demon, let alone Croc of all fucking people. The way he's knocked Kuza around in the past, all Ryan used to feel for him was loathing. When he took a closer look though, he could see, despite how sick their relationship was, they truly loved each other. 

Croc was an angry creature and Kuza was someone who couldn't live without the pain. The two needed each other like air. Though he'd witnessed Beau be polite and intelligent, he wasn't too sure how he fared when it came to generosity. Ryan was worried, in all honesty, that the doctor wouldn't allow Kuza to visit for whatever reason. 

"Beau does not like to allow visitors for his patients." Shae said, confirming his fear. "But," He clicked his tongue, "Everyone has a weak side. The others are right. You're a very handsome gentleman. I understand you're straight but it may be to your advantage to exploit your devilish good looks."

Ryan sighed, "Wouldn't be the first time I've had to kiss a dude to get my way."

He raised his eyebrow, "Oh? Do tell."

"Another time. Besides, I thought you had a busy schedule today?" 

"Unfortunately, I do. I've got a little free time to go spend with my love. Then I need to begin preparations. Apparently we have an important guest visiting tonight, which means everything has to be in pristine condition."

"Jasper didn't say who it was?" He asked.

"No," Shae replied sadly, "But he was very serious about this going smoothly." 

"Well, if there's anything I can help with, let me know." 

"I suggest you go check on your youngest nephew. He's such a good sport about using his abilities to help but I know it does upset him." He said.

Ryan lowered his head as he thought, "A gift is a curse."

| | |

The lights were all off in the clinic, save one small lamp burning in Sebastian's office. Remington had already headed home, being that it was his turn to make dinner and he wanted to stop by the market before it closed. The time seemed to pass fast for the other two brothers while they cleaned and closed up for the night.

Emerson plucked his coat off the rack near the door. As he pulled it on, he walked towards the doorway of his brother's office. "Are you almost done?" He asked.

"Close." Sebastian responded, "What'd you care anyhow? You're not even going home."

"I'm still not to fond of you being caught out there all alone so late. I do have to go, I'm already running behind, but please don't stay here too much longer." He said.

He sighed, "I'll be fine. You're the one who should be worrying about safety."

"I am quite worried. I have a terrible feeling something bad is in the air, but," He turned the rings on his hand nervously, "I just can't place it."

Sebastian glanced over his shoulder at his brother, "I'll be fine. You better get going already. Safe travels, brother."

Hesitantly, he mirrored his response, "Yes, safe travels, brother." 

Emerson checked his pocket watch, realizing the time had gotten further away from him than he'd known. He rushed out of the office, hurrying down the dark cobblestone street. His shadow disappeared into the mist that consumed the distance. They worked and lived in a rather safe neighborhood. Sebastian had no idea what his brother was so worried about. 

After a half hour had passed, he'd finally finished his work for the night. He closed his patient log, storing the feather pen he'd used away. Sebastian stood from his desk, pushing the chair back. As he turned around, he breath caught in his throat to see he wasn't alone. No one can ever sneak up on an elf. Almost no one, that is.

"Hello, Sebastian. It's been awhile." The shadow in his doorway said.

His hand rested on his desk as he slyly searched for a weapon of sorts. "Not long enough." He grabbed the knife fashioned for opening letters and lodged it towards the door frame.

The creature did not flinch as he caught the item in his hand. A sinister laugh rolled over his tongue while he turned the knife in his hand. It'd been a gift from Ricky for their generosity. Seeing the Cerulli family crest on that blade only deepened the creature's evil smile.