Be careful making wishes in the dark
Can't be sure when they've hit the mark
And besides, in the mean time
I'm just dreaming of tearing you apart.
- My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark; Fall Out Boy

Chapter Seven: Sacrifices That Will Be Made

It's been a couple of weeks since Osomatsu reappeared in Choromatsu's life. It was kind of chaotic at first but they somehow managed to rekindle an old flame of friendship—or perhaps more?

And because it's been two years since their last meeting, the devil had been adamant about requesting the stories that he had missed amidst the goddess's development. Choromatsu reluctantly obliged, telling him some stories and adventures that he experienced. The goddess will slip some snark remark on the devil for the mischief of their race but Osomatsu easily diverts it into another topic.

Do not include things that has nothing to do with us, Osomatsu will tell him with an annoyed frown. What about this thing, though?, the devil would suggest and thus, the topic was already redirected before the goddess could protest.

"Hey, Osomatsu."

"Yes, darling?" The devil smiled happily at the goddess as he opened the buttons of his blue suit, looking directly at Choromatsu.

Darling? Choromatsu raised an eyebrow at the nickname. Since when did he allow him that? "Stop calling me that. I'm not, and will never be, your darling—"

"Aw, come on, Choromatsu." Osomatsu cut him off. "You will be. Soon." The devil winked at him, continuing at his task on hand, removing his blue coat. He left his white undershirt that was now drenched due to sweat caused by the mighty summer sun. It was awfully hot.

Choromatsu lightly blushed at the display. He's definitely not thinking about how Osomatsu's body flexed while he's moving around the place. No. Definitely not. He chose to just redirect his gaze to the trees on his right side. They're greener than usual, aren't they? He thought, distracting himself. "A-Anyway, would you like to meet a friend of mine?" He went back to the supposed track of the conversation.

"A friend? You want to introduce me to some friends—oh, wait." Osomatsu reiterated and a thought suddenly occurred in his mind. "D-Don't tell me...it's a heavenly creature?!" The devil shivered in thought. No. He didn't like the thought of dealing with another of their kind.

Of course, the goddess was a special case.

"No, not really." Choromatsu answered. "He's a human—a priest, to be exact. Don't worry. He knows you already."

"Know me? How—oh." Osomatsu suddenly grinned. "I never thought that you're telling stories about me to other people, Choromatsu." He snickered as he walked towards the direction of the goddess, wherein the latter flinched badly. Osomatsu stopped right in front of Choromatsu, grinning playfully as he spoke, "I never knew you still thought of me on my absence."

"N-No! I..." The goddess scoffed as he covered his burning cheeks. "I...I just happened to mention you and he expounded the subject! He's just insistent and interested about other races!"

"Sure sure. Whatever you say~" Osomatsu sang as he sat in front of Choromatsu. "What about him?"

"I told you, right? He's interested on how other races work. I think he'll be glad to meet you."

Osomatsu thought for a moment. A priest isn't really that bad, and this one seemed to be an ordinary one—not like his expectation that they can trap demons and shits like that. Priests are humans. And humans are not supposed to have powers, I guess? "It'll be fine as long as I don't go to his church, I think?" Yep, as long as he doesn't get exposed to any divine...stuffs.

"What about I bring him here? Oh, I think I'll bring another one more..." That altar boy that he and Jyushimatsu met when they were in training. He told them that he was under Karamatsu's care and was just wondering if he could...observe them while they were practicing the goddess's powers. He was such a sweet boy and was thirsty for knowledge as well—judging from all the questions that the altar boy had asked them that night. Jyushimatsu was so happy to answer his inquiries, almost lighting up when Todomatsu was taking up the newly-acquired knowledge to the things that he said he had read from Karamatsu's books. It was really a fun exchange of wisdom. "So, you're up?"

"Sure! When will I be meeting them?"

"Today? I'll be picking them up, I guess. I haven't talked to them for a while now, so I thought it would be a good chance."

"Well, that's fast." Osomatsu rubbed his index finger under his nose and grinned. "I'll be waiting here, then!"

Choromatsu frowned. "Are you sure you don't want to go with me?"

The devil nonchalantly waved him off. "No. I don't wanna risk anything. Besides, no one will be left here. I can guard it for you," he offered, pertaining to the river.

"Well, okay. That works, too." The goddess opened his wings, preparing for flight. "Stay here, okay?"

"Too afraid to lose me, eh?" Osomatsu teased. "If I ever get kidnapped by my kin, I'll make sure that I'll come back to you so don't worry~"

Choromatsu flashed a disgusted look on his face. "You're so dramatic."

"I'm serious, though."

"Whatever. I'm leaving."

"Take care, darling!"

Choromatsu shot him a glare as he started flapping his bright, white wings behind him. "D-Don't go anywhere, okay?" He spouted as he began flying fast, leaving those words for Osomatsu to ponder about.

The devil smiled at that as he lied under the shade of a tree. Despite the hot atmosphere, the summer breeze was just nice.

"D-Don't go anywhere, okay?"

Damn. He can't remove the smile etched on his face right now. He tried to close his eyes but he was welcomed by the visage of a certain blushing goddess.

He chuckled. "Honestly, what am I gonna do to you, Choromatsu?"

________________________

"Choromatsu, you idiot!" The goddess muttered to himself as he flew at the vast summer sky. "That devil would surely take it the other way!"

But isn't that what I exactly meant?

"NO!" Choromatsu shouted into the bright clouds as he passed through those. A few meters away, he finally saw the huge cross that was impaled on the top of the church where Karamatsu was residing. He slowed down and prepared for landing.

Karamatsu was at the garden at the back of the church, sitting on the lone chair while holding his acoustic guitar and playing some familiar tunes. The priest began singing along with the music, closing his eyes in the process.

"Karamatsu!" A faint, shouting voice called him.

He shortly wondered who was that but he chose to ignore the faint call. Maybe I just misheard things.

"Oi, Karamatsu!" The faint voice grew louder and he suddenly felt a strong whip of wind. The priest opened his eyes and he finally saw the frowning goddess that was maybe the source of the voice.

"Choromatsu!" He stood up, carefully setting his guitar down. "It's been quite a while. What had caused you to visit me at this moment?"

"What a nice hobby you have there." Choromatsu commented, eyeing the instrument behind the priest.

Karamatsu sheepishly scratched his cheeks. "Ah, thank you."

"Well, anyway. I'm here for something that might be of your interest." The goddess started as he crossed his arms. "Remember that devil that I've told you before?"

"Of course, he's your friend, right? What about him?"

Choromatsu's breath slightly hitched. "N-Not exactly like that. Anyway!" The goddess coughed. "He's back on pestering me again and I thought that perhaps you'd like to meet him?"

"Oh!" Karamatsu exclaimed and grinned. "Of course! I will be more than glad to take that offer! Let me take my journals first." He began running towards the rooms. "I'll be quick!"

Choromatsu smiled as he looked around the garden. The trees are sturdy and really shady—just perfect for the weather. Several kinds of flowers are grown and their mixed sweet scent wafted in the air. It was a nice place. What about I grow some flowers near the river, too? Oh, and I'll make a flower bed! That'll be nice. Choromatsu thought as he plucked a flower from the bush, sniffing its wonderful scent.

"Sorry for waiting!" Karamatsu finally came back, carrying a small messenger bag on his shoulder. "Shall we go then?"

"Is Todomatsu here?" The goddess asked as he stood up.

"Todomatsu? You know him?"

"Hadn't he told you? He visited Jyushimatsu and me while we were training for my magic—saying that he would like to observe."

"Really?" the priest said. "Unfortunately, he's not here. It seems like he has other business to attend to."

Choromatsu nodded. "I see. Well, maybe next time—"

"Choromatsu nii-san!" A voice suddenly halted the goddess from speaking. Both of them whipped to see Todomatsu running towards them, fixing his beret in the process. "Let me go with you!"

"Todomatsu. I thought you aren't here! I'm sorry."

"It's all right, Karamatsu nii-san. I overheard your conversation a while ago and I'm interested to see this devil! Please? Let me?" He pleaded with his doe eyes.

"Well, of course!" Karamatsu cried. "Who am I to deprive you of knowledge, my dear brother?"

"It's fixed then. Let's go?" Choromatsu offered his hands to the both of them as he opened his wings.

"Wait, you're planning to take us on flight?" Karamatsu asked, slightly terrified.

"It's faster." Choromatsu shrugged. "Unless, you want to take a walk towards the river yourselves?"

"We'll take the offer. Right, nii-san?" Todomatsu smiled at the priest, obviously implying a message of approval.

"We're heavy!"

"That's not a problem with me. Come on. Let's go." Choromatsu grabbed the both of them and ungraciously carried them between his arms. He began flapping his wings despite the shivering figure beneath him.

And they left for flight.

__________________________

A few (agonizing, for Karamatsu) minutes later, the three of them arrived at the forest near that leads to the river. Choromatsu put the two down and he saw Karamatsu staggering in fear (a jetlag, perhaps?). Todomatsu chuckled at this and teased the priest about his weak and ungracious display.

"Are you done?" The goddess frowned at them. "He must be waiting."

"O-Of course! Let us make haste; we cannot make a special guest waiting." Karamatsu cried as he began treading fast inside the forest. Choromatsu and Todomatsu looked at each other and just sighed at the priest's antics. Both of them followed suit.

"Osomatsu, we're here—huh? Where is he?" Choromatsu looked around the surroundings but no signs of the devil anywhere. He arched an eyebrow. This was what he meant by stay. Stubborn devil.

He paced around the place more, still irked at Osomatsu's supposed prank. Good grief. He never learns, does he? "Hey, Osomatsu. Go out already."

Still no answer.

What's happening?

"What's wrong, Choromatsu?" Karamatsu put a hand on the goddess's shoulder for him to calm down since he had been walking around for a few minutes already. "Hey, calm down."

"Osomatsu!" The goddess shouted with all his might. "Stop hiding! This is not funny! You're making us wait! I swear if this is one of your pranks again I'll punish you with my magic, you hear me?! Oi, Osomatsu!"

"Choromatsu nii-san, calm down—"

"How will I?!" Choromatsu faced them, his tears threatening to fall down. "He's the best at this—he's always pranking me! It obviously irritates me!" He choked back a sob as he turned around. "Osomatsu, I swear to God, if you're not coming out this very moment, I'll drown you!" He shouted again, his voice quivering.

"S..Such violence." Karamatsu muttered.

"Oh God. I'm sorry, Karamatsu and Todomatsu. It seems like he's persistent about this prank and he's not coming out soon." The goddess shakily laughed. "I'll just search for him first, o-okay?"

"Let us help." Karamatsu nodded at Todomatsu. "Three heads are better than one. Let's go." The priest ran towards the forest with Todomatsu and began yelling the devil's name.

Choromatsu stayed at the river, still shouting threats that he surely didn't mean. His heart thumped loudly inside his chest that it hurt badly.

Please, where are you? Choromatsu bit his lip as he hold back his tears again. "Osomatsu!"

A howl suddenly startled him.

He whipped around to see a local animal that he had been playing with when he was a child—he suddenly remembered. It had a blue piece of clothing between its teeth and Choromatsu's nervousness rose up to new heights. He reached for the fabric and the animal let go of it.

It's Osomatsu's.
It's definitely his.

And much to Choromatsu's horror, the blue coat was stained with something red.

"B-Blood. O-Oh...m-my God." The goddess's tears fell down again, parching the blue coat. "O-Osoma...tsu." He whispered between deprived breaths.

He felt his knees touch the ground as he gripped the fabric tighter—tight as how his chest felt at the moment. I-It can't be...Osomatsu.

The last thing he heard was the frantic voices of Karamatsu and Todomatsu calling his name.

And his vision suddenly went black.
_______________________

The first thing that Choromatsu saw was a pink and white cloth that was worn by the altar boy above him and the dark night sky behind the latter. He grunted—obviously surprising Todomatsu.

"Choromatsu nii-san! You're finally awake!" Todomatsu smiled as he pat the head of the goddess beneath him. "You've been out for a few hours already. Karamatsu nii-san needed to go already so he told me to stay here and wait for you to wake up. How are you feeling?"

"Where's Osomatsu?"

The altar boy frowned as he helped the goddess up. "I'm afraid he's really not here."

"He left again, didn't he?" Choromatsu laughed bitterly—mind still slightly hazed from his slumber.

"Left? Do you think someone would leave this behind, all tattered and stained with blood, without a reason?" Todomatsu spat. "I don't think so."

Choromatsu's eyes widened.

"Too afraid to lose me, eh?" Osomatsu teased. "If I ever get kidnapped by my kin, I'll make sure that I'll come back to you so don't worry~"

"He's kidnapped." Choromatsu whispered.

"What?" Todomatsu asked.

"He's kidnapped! By his brethren!" The goddess exclaimed, shaking the guy in front of him. "What else do you think it is?!"

"Oh. That does make a sense."

"Oh God." Choromatsu panicked, his hands rising to his head—literally squeezing it for ideas. "What am I going to do?"

"Devils." Todomatsu chuckled. "Tougo finally sensed him, huh. Poor Osomatsu nii-san~"

"What are you saying? Nii-san? You know Osomatsu?"

Todomatsu playfully clamped his mouth in his hands, faking a shocked expression. "Oh, I slipped. I wasn't supposed to say that! My, my. What a careless person I am." He chuckled.

Choromatsu stood up and backed away slowly. He sensed something bad.

Something really bad.

"Oh~ you're scared? Don't be!" Todomatsu slowly walked towards him. "I'm a nice person—oh, wait. Let me rephrase that." Todomatsu grinned as he snapped his fingers. His white robe was slowly replaced by a pink, frilly dress and his beret was now a pink pointed hat. His wooden staff appeared in front of him and he quickly reached for it. His pink pupils were looking smugly at the goddess as he took another step forward to the latter's direction. "I'm a nice witch!"

"W-Witch?" Choromatsu repeated. "B-But you're... You serve for the church right?!" He asked, horrified by the fact that has unveiled in front of him.

"You know what? I can help you get Osomatsu nii-san back." He smiled sweetly.

"What are you saying? He's a devil, he can't possibly be hurt by his own kind, righ—"

"Choromatsu nii-san, for fuck's sake, stop playing dumb!" Todomatsu sneered. "Do you think Osomatsu will be pampered in Hell after all the things he had done? Oh, you don't know the rules of Hell, do you? Well, let me tell you his offenses...

"Numerous cases of mischief against other devils. Plenty of attempted rebellion against the King. Intervention with the collecting of souls. And last but not the least—" Todomatsu smirked at the goddess "—interaction with an opposite race; a goddess, at that!" He laughed hysterically at Choromatsu's dumbfounded visage. "Aren't you aware that he literally did some shitty stuffs just to see you again? How sweet of him, right?"

"N-No...He can't possibly..." It's my fault? That he's... He looked at the bloodstained blue coat of the devil. He's probably tortured...

"I can help you, if that's what you wish." The witch took another step forward, now face to face with the goddess. "You can save him, you know?" Todomatsu whispered at Choromatsu's ear. "All it takes is a deal with me—under my conditions, and you can see him again. A good choice, wouldn't you think?"

Choromatsu shivered at the witch's words. Wicked and evil—but so tempting.

He wants to save Osomatsu.

But knowing how Todomatsu had managed to hide his real identity from the church scares him.

Why was he caring about that devil anyway? He had a simple life after Osomatsu left him that night. He was at peace. He fulfilled his duty faithfully. He had a simple life...

A simple, monochromatic life that Osomatsu had managed to spice up.

And he knows that he can't turn his back to the devil even if he wanted to—perhaps it was a childish fixation.

God, forgive me.

"What's the exchange of your help?" His emerald pupils met Todomatsu's pink.

The witch was quite shocked but smiled widely at the question. "Good riddance, you made me nervous for a moment there." He chuckled as he stepped back, setting some space between them. "I thought you're turning my offer down—and that's not good because I know that you will tell Karamatsu nii-san about this—which will be one of my conditions.

"You are to be quiet about this matter. Keep. Your. Mouth. Shut." Todomatsu smiled. "No one in this mortal world shall know that I am a witch, especially Karamatsu nii-san."

"What are you planning to do with him? Why are you lying to him? I thought you adored him!"

"You have no idea, Choromatsu." Todomatsu just deadpanned. "As for my plans, of course I will not disclose it to you; that's just plain stupid, right? And I'm definitely not stupid."

Choromatsu was shut at that. "Is that all?"

"Of course not." The witch arched an eyebrow at him. "Do you think this will be an easy task for me that I will be only requesting for your silence?" Todomatsu shook his head disapprovingly. "How naïve. It makes me sick."

"Then what is it?!"

"Remember those nights that I've been here when you were with the angel? I've been observing—and been practicing on my own, specifically healing. And you know what? I can't get it!" He sighed exasperatedly. "That's why I want your healing powers—"

"No!" The goddess retorted. "Why would I give it to you and why would you want it?"

"Osomatsu nii-san, you poor little devil." Todomatsu sighed dramatically as he talked into the night sky. "Are you imprisoned? After what Tougo might have done to you—hit you with a blunt weapon, peeled your skin slowly, stabbed you many times but still alive and suffering—I wonder if you're alright?"

"Stop!" Choromatsu covered his ears, refusing to hear more. Horrific images of a tortured Osomatsu flashed inside his mind and his breathing suddenly got heavy again. No, stop.

"Choromatsu nii-san! I never knew you're so stubborn!" Todomatsu shrieked in annoyance. "Let's cut to the chase already! The more you delay this negotiation, the more Osomatsu nii-san might suffer, you know? Use your reasoning!"

Silence loomed over the both of them—just the two of them standing under the starless night sky. The evening breeze blew on their direction, revealing a pair of senile emerald eyes.

"I...I'll do it," came a small response.

"I knew it." The witch smiled. "You can't resist that sweet little devil. Well then, this deal is sealed, I guess?"

Choromatsu clutched his robe nervously as he deeply breathed. There's no turning back. He faced the witch and firmly spoke:

"Yes. You have a deal."

_____________________

A/N: Sorry for the late update--again QwQ

I'm thinking of changing update days to Saturday. What do you think?

Oh, this is the longest chapter I've written yet and I'm honestly surprised. Haha.

I wanted to continue more but I think the word count is already intimidating (roughly 3300 words o.o)

Comment your thoughts about the chapter? I love reading comments ♥

You can always talk to me on Twitter @eyprilklaris! :3c

Until next time~!

(I noticed I haven't been posting A/Ns here on Wattpad XD but I do it on AO3 lol)