A Light in the Dark Part Twenty: A Cup Shared Between Two Friends

Matty:

Standing over her deep grave, mixed emotions flashed in my eyes. Watching her coffin get lowered down, silent tears stained my cheeks. One of my pillars had been knocked down, my hands crumbling up the paper. Regardless of her new job, I couldn’t just call her or go to her house. How was that fair? Wait, how was Lily doing? Her major issue was the guilt eating her alive, my heart shattering for her. Lily embraced me from behind, her broken heart soaking my back. This had been her first kind mother figure in a long time and she was gone. My father hung in the back of the crowd, his body shaking. Derrick stepped up next to us with a bouquet of roses, a couple of petals floating into the air as he dropped them into her grave. The rest of the funeral faded in and out, a clear voice snapping me out of my trance. What did he want! He ditched me a freaking year ago and now he wants to talk to me. Screw him.

“Yo, Matty! I was wondering if we could hang out!” Dean called out, his onyx curls bouncing with each step. “Cool look. I was thinking about getting you a coffee.” Shaking my head at the word coffee, the image of my mother getting shot with an arrow flashed in my mind. Horror rounded my eyes, his hands holding my arms. Shaking me until I came back to reality, his emerald eyes dimmed with a deep concern. Lily had Selene in her right arm, her quiet smile did little to ease my nerves. Slightly bothered by him, something told besides her told me to explore what was going on.

“Go out with Dean. Take a break from all of this madness.” She assured me, my eyes noticing the lack of people around me. Taking in his cheap black suit, the idea did sound nice but annoying at the same time. Kissing me on the lips sweetly, she left me alone with Dean. Hugging me awkwardly, we hadn’t spoken for about a year and it showed. Stepping back, he spun his keys on his fingers. Following him awkwardly, he unlocked his worn onyx muscle car. Climbing into the passenger seat, life had gotten in the way. Pulling into the local coffee shop, the smell had my breaths growing shorter discreetly. Sitting by the window, he ordered a couple of drinks. Taking off my jacket, I hung it on the chair. Gazing out  the window, cars crunched by. Running my hand through my wild hair, he sat down across from me. What excuse was he going to throw my fucking way?

“I am sorry we didn’t talk for a year but it looks like a lot happened. Sorry for the loss. Your mom was the best.” He exclaimed with a nervous laugh, sliding me what smelled like hot chocolate. “Coffee seemed to trigger something so I switched it up.” Something seemed off, fresh scars lining his exposed skin. Narrowing my eyes in his direction, a secret rested underneath his smile. 

“What have you been up to? Don’t fucking lie. My patience is gone at the moment.” I demanded hotly, a long sigh escaped his lips. Pulling out a special forces badge he slid it over to me, the worn expression made sense. Sipping his hot chocolate, he tucked it back into his pocket. What the hell was that? Did he plan on killing me today?

“I am hunting the one called the Dark One. You look great as a demon.” He returned stiffly, a soft chuckle leaving my lips as I sniffed the hot chocolate. “I didn’t poison you. You aren’t on our list. I know your wife is the daughter of Lucifer and a living reaper. We like her because she takes care of the rotters. I would recruit her if you didn’t have the store. Maybe you could handle the area for me.” Stunned by his words, the fact we were being watched was alarming. Crushing my cup, the chocolate water spilled over my hand. Son of bitch!

“If that is the case, then why are you after the same guy?” I growled through gritted teeth, Dean cleaning up the mess I made. “I only want to live my life.” Leaning back in his chair, he took another sip. Rolling up his sleeve, three long angry scars greeted me. Guilt ate at me, his kind eyes falling back on me. 

“We don’t kill monsters unless they are a threat and you aren’t. That bastard killed my whole team.” He whispered darkly, hatred burning in his eyes. “I have a right to put him down! We will need your wife to throw his ass into Hell if I can’t do the job.” Dread bubbled in my gut, my feet pounding towards the bathroom. Locking the door behind me, hot vomit burned its way up my throat. Emptying my stomach’s contents, the color drained from my face, a clammy sweat drenching my skin. Flushing the toilet, the image staring back at me had me shocked. The black bags reminded me of how Lily looked generally, my bloodshot eyes speaking of a broken heart. Stepping out, Lily was in my seat with a sinister grin. Nursing a cup of tea, an oppressive tenseness rested between them. My father texted that he had Selene for the night, her grin scaring me. Approaching them cautiously, a rare look of hatred burned in her eyes. 

“How dare you say my name? If I help you, you will never hunt us down.” She offered with a low growl, her patience wearing thin. “I can kill him for you because you never will. I picked up a couple of his disciples coming our way. Maybe you could take care of it for me.” Boomer snarled at my friend, the other people staring at us. This was a pissing match, my palm slamming on the table. 

“Enough! I don’t why you feel threatened by each other but this has to stop. We can all work together.” I chastised them venomously, both of them shrinking back. “Her point is fair. We will never be on that list, right?” Nodding his head, her expression softened. Rising to her feet, her attitude towards him was brisk at best. Impatience rested in the way she stood, her hands resting on her hips. 

“I want him dead too. I am covered in scars because of him. Maybe if you want my help with the rotters, a bit of money would be nice.” She retorted sarcastically, finishing up her tea. “If we want to spare these lovely people, we had better draw the monsters into the woods.” Turning to leave, he slid a contract in her direction. Picking it up, her eyes scanned the words. Playing with his cup, his lips pressed into a thin line. 

“We have been trying to find you to pay you. We don’t even require proof.” He explained calmly, an apologetic smile dawning on her face. “If you sign that you will never be on our list but an agent for the area. The doors seem to find you, yes?” Pulling a pen from her pocket, the tip danced across the line.

“Fantastic, let’s play.” She chirped cheerfully, feeling for her scythe. “Meet you in the forest.” Disappearing while erasing everyone else’s memories, we ran out to the car. Speeding through the streets, Victoria floated next to Lily. Boomer sat on her lap, inky bubbles floating around her. Someone wasn’t happy, her arms folding across her chest. Smoothing out her onyx cotton dress, today was going to relieve some of her frustration. Parking roughly, Dean shivered next to me. 

“She’s scary.” He mumbled under his breath, the poor guy not knowing the half of it. Getting out, storm clouds rumbled in the sky, a heavy rain soaking us. Rising to her feet, a sharp whistle escaped her lips. Three black masses burst from the ground around her, her foot pushing off the stump. Landing on a branch, the creaks were masked by the thunder as they crashed after her. Running underneath them, Toby popped up next to me. Tossing me the ingredients for an invisible cage, Dean glanced back at me as I skidded to a stop. Hoping that this didn't land me on their list, my magic was stronger than my fighting.

“Back me up while I contain the damage.” I ordered sharply, his gun locked and loaded. “Be the friend I met in high school.” Getting on my knees, time ticked as I mashed the ingredients together. Ice crept underneath us, his bullets bouncing off the fourth disciple. His shadowy body flew closer to us, my free hand tossing him a blessed blade. Try this, my dear friend. Trust returned with his next actions, my desire for him to stick around had me smiling softly to myself. Dropping his empty gun, sparks drifted aimlessly with every clash against its claws. Finishing up the ingredients, my finger shook as I drew the circle. My finger tip danced to create the necessary symbols, cutting my palm. Dripping my blood around the circle, the symbols glowed to life. Black iron bars burst from the ground, the metal groaning into a cage that overtook the whole forest. Stabbing the monster in the heart, its body decayed to ash. Huffing with a twitching grin, he had never come close to one of them. Rising to my feet, he watched in wonder at my cut sealing shut. No words needed to be said, our dress shoes pounded towards the light show in the distance. Tripping into a horror show, a bloodied Lily cracked her nose back into place. The three disciples were mere piles of ash, the Dark One circling her. Holding him back, the look in her eyes told me that she had a plan. A chill ran up our spines, his eyes falling on us. Crying out for us to run, his claws were heading for Dean’s neck. Knocking him into the loose dirt, his claw slid through her chest. Choking on her blood, a terrified Dean shivered underneath him. Swiping the blessed weapon in his hand, black smoke curled off of her palm the moment it made contact. Slamming it into his left eye, shrill shrieks tainted the air. Kicking him into a nearby tree, her trembling hand cupped her shoulder. Standing over Dean, the message was clear that he would never be able to kill the Dark One. My brow twitched at her next words, my Lily proving to be the same

“I am sorry about my rude behavior but I can’t have you dying today. Luckily, he missed my lungs.” She apologized kindly, noting his stained shirt. “I will take care of that stain for you.” Tossing her a healing potion, she downed it. The wound sealed shut, her scythe spinning in her palm. Swinging the point towards his neck, a wave of his hand sent her flying into a nearby tree. Bark fell on her head as she slid down, Toby tossing me a blessed bomb. Turning towards Dean, I needed him to do something. 

“Go cover her with your body.” I snapped sharply, her limp body not moving. Panic twisted my features, Toby dropping a thick blanket over my head as Dean smashed into her body. Noting his body blocking shielding her from any light, it was time to unleash chaos. Tearing the top off with my teeth, one throw had the bomb flying into the air. Hiding underneath the blanket, a bright light lit up the sky. Waiting until the light died down, torched trees greeted my numb expression. Silent tears streamed down my cheeks, the Dark One was nowhere to be seen. Struggling to my feet, Dean lifted Lily off of the ground. Inky blood poured from the corner of her mouth, several poisoned blades quivering in her body. Every breath grew shorter, my heart seconds from beating out of my chest. The torched remains doubled, a root almost tripping me. Lucifer caught me, his eyes narrowing in Dean’s direction. Now wasn't a time to fight, damn it!

“What are you doing holding my daughter? Give her to me now before I k-” He hissed darkly, his threat ending as he laid her in his arms. Apologizing meekly, he bowed in his direction. Struggling to keep his composure, the look in his eyes spoke the horror movie he had put himself in. 

“She saved me.” He stammered oddly, Lucifer pulling out the blades from her body. “I can’t believe she saved me.” Cutting his palm with his fang, her father poured his blood into her mouth. Inky energy swirled around her body, her wounds sealing shut. Clutching her close to his chest, his moody expression met the shaking Dean. Please don't kill him, I prayed to myself.

“Of course she did. Why wouldn’t she? You treated her like shit and she still stepped up. For months, she has been doing your fucking job in those dark freaking places. I have watched her sanity slip bit by bit so you idiots can keep walking around.” He snarled bitterly, Dean bowing again. “Treat her right or I will burn your soul in Hell. Is that understood!” Dusting a bit of dust off of his fine scarlet suit, his attention fell on me. His expression softened, his free hand patting my shoulder. 

“Sorry for your loss, kid. I heard that Life is keeping her happy. I am going to take her to the store where we will clean up her wounds. Meet you there, boys.” He continued warmly, disappearing in a swirl of black smoke. Walking to the car, the seats creaked as we crashed into our seats. Too numb to speak, his lips parted several times. Plucking up the courage, his hand settled on the stain on his button up shirt. Confused by today's events, it was all understandable.

“That can’t be the same Lily that I used to know.” He choked out with a twitching brow, my head not doing much better. “When did she become a hero?” Rolling my eyes, his trust for her had developed the moment she saved his dumb ass. Choosing not to answer, the radio saved us from a painfully silent car ride to the store. Toby shifted uncomfortably in the back, his fingers playing with a ball of light. Squeaking into the parking spot, the bell rang as we entered. An exhausted Lily had Selene in her arms, new bruises catching my eyes. Grimacing as our daughter fed, Lucifer set a cup of tea in front of her. Fretting over her, his efforts were met with a weak smile. 

“My head hurts.” She moaned while massaging her forehead. “What did he hit me with? One minute I was conscious but then I woke up here.” Letting out a sigh, his hand cupped hers. Tucking her wet hair behind her ear, they fell into a deep conversation. Excusing myself, a pot of coffee was needed. Entering the kitchen, my father had a pot ready. Yanking me into a bear hug, today’s event hit me harder than earlier. Staring out the window at the late afternoon sun, his hand patted my back. 

“I miss your mother.” He spoke quietly, passing me the coffee mugs. “I can help you with your store whenever you need. I love you, Matty.” Coming back out, Victoria hovered behind her. Holding her from behind, Boomer took his spot on her feet. Smiling softly to myself, this was what my wife needed. Taking our place at the table, Dean accepted a cup of coffee graciously. Apologizing profusely to Lily, one wave of her hand shut it down. Passing Selene to Lucifer, his features lightened. Derrick knocked on the door, the bell ringing as he entered with a bag of sandwiches. 

“You all looked like you needed some food in you. I made a variety of cold cut subs.” He announced with the warmth we needed, the wrappers crinkling as he lay them on the empty platter on the table. Fixing his suit, Lily pulled up a chair for him. Thanking her as he sat down, the two of them chatted pleasantly. Helping him cut up the sandwiches, the energy lightened with his golden aura. Settling into a nice meal, tears welled up in his eyes at Lily letting him hold Selene. Their relationship had been strained but was improving by the day, my heart fluttering at her natural beauty in the moment. Accepting her role, her real smile never left her face. My mother would have loved to see this, the depression returning with a vengeance. Slipping into a numb state, her body sitting on my lap snapped me back to reality. Cupping my face, her tender kiss had my heart skipping a beat. Basking in her warmth, Selene cooed in Derrick’s arms. Telling stories about my mother, my father had the spotlight. Laughter filled the air, tears of joy slid down my cheeks. The full moon lit up the shop, everyone but Dean leaving. Asking if he needed a place to stay, his apprehension spoke volumes. Offering the couch in my living room, his face lit up. Having my friend back in my life with him knowing my secrets gave me the hope I needed. Praying that my mother was doing alright, time would heal my wound.