V / VI / ????

DARK RAIN CLOUDS gathered in the night sky, obscuring the Moon and its magnificence. The cool wind blew smoothly through the air, causing the leaves in the trees to rustle like a snake.

"This is a bad idea, we should cancel." Wheezy coaxed with a somewhat rough voice.

The Devil rolled his eyes, "Relax, it'll be fine." he shrugged, placing a cigarette to his lips and inhaling. Smoke curled upwards from the end of his cigarette.

The two men relaxed outside of the casino, each smoking their thoughts away.

"It fucking won't."
The smoke multiplied as Mr.Wheezy lit up his cigar.

"What makes you say that?"

"Everything?"

"Smart response it must have taken you a long time to come up with it." The Devil chuckled.

Mr.Wheezy huffed, inhaling from his cigar once again. The smoke flew up.
"You harebrained imbecile." He insulted.

"Looks like you've been cracking open a dictionary," The Devil cocked an eyebrow and smirked, "have you been hanging out with Dice or something?"

Deep thunder echoed through the air, and tiny droplets of water fell from the sky.

Blup!

A clear drop fell onto the Devil's nose, startling him slightly.

Wheezy sighed and opened the door of the casino, waiting for the Devil to go in. "With the way you look at each other, I'd say y'all have been hanging out."

Lucifer walked the door and raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" He questioned as he started to walk through the casino, his employee coming behind him.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw King Dice at the Casino's bar next to Cuphead, taking two cocktails off of his plate.

"I mean, come on, you've seen the way his eyes light up when you walk in the room."

"I'm assuming those aren't your words, you ain't that poetic."

Mr Wheezy groaned "You're missing the point dipshit."

"If you're hinting at him and I liking each other romantically, then you are mistaken and a dumbass." The Devil argued. "We're just colleagues."

"Are you shitting me? He looks at you like you are his entire world."

Before the Devil could react to the statement, King Dice made his way to them and smirked. "Wheezy, Boss, fancy seeing you here," he cocked an eyebrow "Not working, as usual."

The Devil chuckled, his cheeks beginning to heat up under his fur.

Mr.Wheezy huffed. "It's late, there's no work anymore for me."

King Dice grabbed the man's hands and placed the two cocktails in them. "Great! Then be a dearie and go give these to the lady over there, won't you?" He gestured to a table at the opposite side of the casino.

Mr.Wheezy gazed at the boss, receiving a nod in return. "Goddamnit" he mumbled under his breath, leaving the two men alone as he stepped away.

Their eyes met and the atmosphere thickened; the Devil's heart beat faster. He could barely believe how much Wheezy's remarks affected him.

He looks at you like you are his entire world.

This sentence echoed in his head; he couldn't believe It.
The Devil cleared his throat, "Well Dice, I suppose you would like to talk?"

The man's lips formed into a smile; a sincere one. "Precisely, Boss. I would like to discuss tonight's, ehrm, sleepover if we shall call it that." He stammered.

"Go on."

"The casino is quite spacious but the only bedrooms are yours and mine and I am not keen on letting anyone slumber in mine." King Dice expressed clearly, squinting his eyes. His eyes seemed to fade to a greenish colour.

"Well, there are lots of drawers for the Cupbrothers," The Devil started, "and, to my displeasure, Wheezy's and Chips can go in my room."

King Dice chuckled and took a step forward, leaning in. "Okay, and then what about you?" He raised an eyebrow, "Where shall you rest, oh King of Hell?" Sarcasm seeped into his smug voice.

The Devil's mind went blank, but not because he didn't know where he could sleep; he didn't know if he should sleep in that place.
In that bed.
With this man.
The man who stared so intensely into his eyes, finding good even in someone long rotten.
He who gazed into his yellow eyes searching for a soul; but not
displeased to find none.

"I hadn't thought about that." He lied. Oh, how he HAD thought about it.

King Dice sighed and leaned even closer, his eyes softened. "I have- stay with me for the night." He whispered.
"I don't bite."

The Devil gasped silently; his breath cut sharp.
"I don't bite"
The Blood rushed through his veins, his skin began to warm up. He could not bring himself to gaze into the man's eyes, nor speak. The man's head slowly tilted downwards.

Dice stepped backwards, raised the Devil's chin and met his eyes, before strolling away confidently.

And so, Lucifer was left there standing, as the storm commenced outside the casino and in his heart.

As the night grew darker, the casino grew emptier, and soon, even the employees left the building to go and rest in their homes. Meanwhile, the rain fell heavily and in great quantity, bringing a few thunders alongside it every once in a while.

The crew now sat at one of the tables together, all but the Devil who found himself in his office.

Mugman stared at the tired expressions on Mr. Wheezy and Chips who just desired to go home.

Cuphead, who was seated beside him, swung his legs, eating some crisps contently.

Meanwhile, King Dice sipped on a martini, seemingly unbothered.

"Where's Boss?" Chips asked, lighting a cigarette.

King Dice placed his glass on top of the table and stood up, "In his office, he'll be here momentarily." the man walked up and behind the nearby bar stand. He inquired  "You all want anything?", as he began making himself another Martini glass.

"Bring some Vodka, Dicey!" Yelled Cuphead excitedly who appeared to be frankly enjoying this evening.

Soon, the Devil stepped out of his office and idly made his way to the table, sitting on one of the chairs. His eyes darted across the room to the bar and the figure in purple standing there. His head felt fuzzy each time he thought about the words his right-hand man whispered to him. There was something so sensual about them, so inviting; so loving.

"Devs!" Greeted the Cup with a toothy grin.

Lucifer rolled his eyes, "Mugman, were you particularly bored today to ask for all of us to stay here? Or are you abandonment issues having some fun?" He snarkily giggled.

The mug, who ignored the mention of abandonment issues, laughed. "It's for our own good." He stated Simply.

Mr.Wheezy chuckled, "Oh, okay then, Mr. The-earth-will-end-tomorrow."

The thunder powerfully struck outside the casino, causing shivers to run down Wheezy's spine, his eyes going wide.

The men began to crack up and laugh at the Cigar's reaction and the irony of the situation.

"The world is ending, ain't it now, Wheezy?" The Devil grinned, all he received in return was a grumble from the man he spoke with.

Clink! Clak!

The glass clinked as they were positioned on the table by a gloved hand.

Lucifer gazed upwards and found soft cat eyes staring into his own.

King Dice had come back with Vodka and Gin, balancing the bottles on his arms before also placing them on the table. He took a seat and sighed, grabbing something from his arm and slowly pushing it to the Devil's hands. It was a glass filled with one of the most intense wines in the entirety of hell; It had enough alcohol to kill any mortal who dared bring the crimson liquid up to their feeble, weak lips.

The men cheered and each grabbed some liquid to drown in, clinking their glasses together and drinking afterwards. Their voices echoed in the empty casino.

"So, what are we doing tonight?" Questioned Chips with uncertainty in his voice as he stared at the liquid in his crystal glass. Grey smoke from the cigarette in his other hand curled upwards to Cuphead's face who coughed at the smell and huffed. Cuphead was a big drinker, yet never brought a cigarette or cigar up to his porcelain lips; he found the smell to be disgusting.

The Rain fell heavily outside.

Mugman said, "Did any of you ever have an actual sleepover?"

The employees and their boss glanced at each other in amusement.

"Most of our childhoods were filled with murder, I don't think we've ever had the chance to truly be ordinary children." Stated Wheezy with an almost uneasy voice.

And so the Cupbrothers glimpsed at each other, their eyes lit up.

Cuphead fumed excitedly "Neither did we!"

And so, a game of Truth or Dare was arranged, even if deemed stupid by Mr.Wheezy who still participated in the end.

"So, Chips! Truth or Dare?" Asked Mugman.

The man thought for a moment, taking a glance at Wheezy Who shrugged slightly.

"Dare! C'mon, don't hold back!"

Mugman put his fingers to his porcelain chin and squinted his eyes, reflecting on potential dares, when suddenly his smile widened.
"I dare you," he smirked, "to fight with me!"

Cuphead cocked an eyebrow, confused and amused by, usually rational, Mugman's request.

Thunder once again echoed outside.

"With swords, I say! I shall beat you with the swiftness of Prince Achilles and the power of lord Ajax!" Mugman stated loudly, hopping on top of the table and gesturing towards the cowboy.

"Mugman what the fuck?" Cackled Me.Wheezy, glancing at Chips, trying to catch his friend's expression.

But the man had turned his head towards the Devil, receiving a nod. And so Chips stood up from his seat as shiny, metal swords conjured out of thin air in both of his hands.
Gazing at Mugman he threw one of the weapons at him and stepped backwards towards a better-unobstructed space in the casino.

Mugman messily caught the sword, almost letting it fall. With his left hand, he held the weapon's leather grip, jumping off of the table and walking towards his coworker, stopping at a safe distance.
He took a minute to analyze the beauty of the sword; running his gloved fingers along the sharp edge of the blade, the metal was shiny and metallic silver while the metal grip was wrapped by a thick sheet of brown leather. Sharp spade designs were engraved on the leather.

"For the duel to commence, we shall set the rules; this duel dare not harm either of us nor is to slaughter our goal. Whoever disarmes the other first is the victor." Seriousness seeped into the cowboy's voice, sounding nearly threatening through his Texan accent.

Silence filled the casino, only interrupted by the thundering and the rain outside. No one dared to speak. The Devil and his employees eyeing both of them like madlads, unsure of what might happen.

Mugman huffed, a cold look forming on his face. The grip he had on the sword tightened and you could almost hear his heart beat twice as fast as normal. The boy took a step forward and gulped, perhaps regretting so confidently exclaiming those words before.

Stance wide and body lowered, the sword was held roughly between the cowboy's hands.

His eyes glanced at the Devil, raising an eyebrow.
Immediately Lucifer cleared his throat and raised his hand.
"I hereby now declare the duel between Chips Bettingam and Mugman to have started! May the best swordsman win." He declared with a deep voice, a grin appearing on his face.

Without hesitation, Chips lunged towards Mugman, sure in his strength.

The boy gasped under his breath, retreating rapidly. He held up his sword, trying to disarm his opponent with rapid swinging.

Nonetheless, with a simple thrust, the man sent Mugman's sword flying onto the floor while the boy almost stumbled down himself. He carefully pointed the tip of the sword at his opponent's nose.

"You're seriously out of luck, Achilles betrayed you, hasn't he?" Chips taunted as he lowered his weapon. He took a step onward and whispered "Or perhaps you have used his name in vain although you understood you would have lost, Mugman?"
He spoke with the serpent's tongue.
Sly, vicious and convincing was his tone.

Mugman's disappointment-filled eyes stared Wide Open into Chips', the Electric Yellow and obsidian black mixing. The boy's heavy breath suddenly hitched as he felt a burning pain on the Palm of his left hand. He broke Eye contact and glanced at his gloved hand now stained crimson as the skin underneath bled. Chips had played sleazy and hurt Mugman even when he promised not to.

Chips had inexplicably cut underneath the glove and the Palm of the boy's hand. But when? When did the Blade have the time to cut the flesh without the glove? How has It gotten under the fabric? And when was Mugman distracted enough to not notice?

Perhaps this is what happened when you toyed with Life and escaped death's embrace; the pain in your hand shall be silenced until death has a hold on your whole arm.

Mugman sighed as he hid the injured hand behind his back for no one should notice Chips' unloyalness.
The cowboy stepped back and walked away, the sword in his hand vanishing in thin air. The mug glanced over where his sword had fallen beforehand, and surely enough It had disappeared as well. The cries of Achilles' echoed in Mugman's head, the crystal-like tears staining the hero's stone cheeks and dripping into the mug's head.

"Bro that was awesome!" Yelled Cuphead, grinning at his brother while clapping his hands excitedly. He had always been impressed by the art of combat, as was Mugman. And collecting the souls of the debitors' was surely an intriguing way to start practising how to fight and survive, even if with powers, It was much different.

Wheezy gazed at Chips who shifted back in his chair next to him, a smirk on his face.

Thunder roared outside and lightning struck.

"This was intense, now wasn't It?" Chuckled the Devil at King Dice, the man only responding with a hum as the man sipped on his martini-filled glass. His usually sparkling eyes seemed disinterested, almost tired. Lucifer raised an eyebrow, concerned for his dearest friend. A sigh left his lips as he took a sip of his wine, the red liquid dripping from the corners of his mouth, staining his lips red.

Mugman sat down next to Cuphead, laughing nervously as the stinging on his hand became stronger, for now, all he could do was rest It on his lap and pray for his friends not to notice.

"Well, I suspect It is my turn, ain't It?" Said Chips, eyeing the group. "I Say, Cuphead, Truth or dare?"

The Cup's eyes almost lit up, excited for his turn. "Dare!" He shouts, grinning brightly.

The cowboy thought for a moment until he raised an eyebrow. "I dare you, to take five shots for each of us, excluding you." He smirked.

"Ha! Easy!"

"Not so fast," interrupted Chips, "I am choosing the Alcohol."

King Dice rolled his eyes; Cuphead would collapse by the tenth shot if it was as powerful as the cowboy hinted. He slowly lifted his drink to his lips once again, whining as he realized it was empty.

Cuphead raised an eyebrow. "Name my poison!" He spat confidently. The cup was known for being able to swallow a ton of liquor at once, yet only with weaker booze.

Chips Bettingam glanced at Dice, "Moonshine, and as strong as possible, Kingsley."

Without missing a beat, King Dice stood up from his seat stormed off towards the bar stand and disappeared into the kitchen, shutting the door behind him.

WHAM!
It then squeaked like an injured mouse.

The Devil growled lowly, staring directly at the cowboy. His eyebrows furrowed deeply. "Bettingam, we talked about this, haven't we?" He scowled.

The man tilted his hat lightly and shrugged.

"What's wrong with Kingsley, if I may ask?" Muttered Mugman, rubbing his injured hand.

Mr.Wheezy squinted his eyes, a frown on his lips "Yeah, what's this about, Chips?"

"Oh uhm, it's just, y'know, past stuff." He stammered, his breath hitching.

The man came back, a Moonshine-filled bottle in one hand and two shots glasses in the other. He placed them down on the table and sat down, still carrying one of the shot glasses. "Pour the goddamn Moonshine, Boss." He huffed, meanwhile, Lucifer poured both Cuphead and his right-hand man a shot of good ol' moonshine.

"Dice, Truth or dare?" Asked Cuphead, ready to swallow his alcohol.

"Truth, too much action and bullshit recently, y'know?"

"How did you meet the Devil?"

Satan's tail wagged merrily, wrapping around his wine glass and downing the Crimson liquid. He loved hearing the story, it filled him with joy. Plus, his right-hand man's storytelling skills and butter-smooth voice delighted him like honey satisfied the bee.

"And don't leave out shit, we want to know everything!" Cuphead grinned and took his first shot, already refilling his cup.

"Oh, you want the full backstory?" The man in purple snickered, "I don't know, it's quite a private matter." he bit his lip lightly.

"C'mon sir King Dice! It is intriguing after all!" Tried to convince Mugman.

The man in purple glanced over to his boss, receiving a shrug in return.

A quick laugh escaped King Dice's lips. "Alright, listen clear and listen up," he uttered, "Our paths crossed when I was eight, yet ultimately intertwined once I was ten.."

And so the crew members propped up or shifted in their chairs, filling their cups with booze and lighting their cigars and cigarettes, keen on listening to the man whose voice so charming would tell a tale so grim.
And again struck the thunder, marking the beginning of the story.

TO BE CONTINUED
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