In A Way (Millie Mingle Post)

[ninefunerals]

It wasn't a surprise to anyone who knew Moxxie and Millie that they were really, really into each other. Huddled together, flirting over lunch breaks, even full-on shoving each other's tongues down their respective throats was within the realm of ordinary... as much as particularly envious bosses pretended to be disgusted by it.

But for the past two months, Millie and Moxxie had taken to finding any available space to spend some quality time: Supply closets, the office bathroom... and, well, on occasion in the meeting room or the break room in the open. They couldn't help themselves. They would giggle quietly and go about their way if caught, because by all accounts, that's "just what M+M did".

The truth, however, lay in quiet, private conversations over coffee. Because of Blitz's... tendency to pry, the two imps had formed a little system of wordless communication on the topic: Moxxie would send an inquisitive look to his wife some mornings, she would shake her head with an 'oh well' smile, and they would hold hands and quietly promise to keep going. They were okay. Things like this take a little while for some.

But Millie had her limits. The last couple of weeks had her practically face down and fast asleep during meetings, if not leaning on her husband while passively watching the chaos of her boss going about his business over the next mission or what other hare-brained scheme he'd come up with. The normally perky Millie was a little more subdued, offering polite applause or a cheer when needed. ...Because the boys needed her, no matter how tired she was feeling lately.

Maybe they'd been trying too often, and she was getting worn out. But... would Mox feel down if she'd asked to take a break? Nobody liked havin' a raw roll in the hay with a pile of sleepy muck.

Oh well. Something to think about. For now, she had some errands to run and she could just have an early bedtime for a few days, and she'll be good as new.

Comments

[lonelysmiles]

Despite his fearsome reputation, Alastor still periodically had to do very normal demon things. Like grocery shopping. And whenever possible, he'd do that at a farmer's market near wherever he was currently staying. Fresh food straight from Wrath was so much better that the "fresh" offerings at some chain supermarket.

He was looking over his list, humming to himself and paying vague attention to people leaping out of his way. These farmer's markets knew him though they still feared him: Best to let him do his shopping and leave as quickly as possible in their eyes.

[ninefunerals]

Where else can you get the good-good? The Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch had a stand there bi-weekly, one of Millie's brothers manning the stand and offering a variety of cuts of meat, fruits and vegetables. Jack-o-lanterns, however, were the hot seller among everything else and, well, 'tis the season.

She was just catching up when she caught sight of the Sinner. Though her brother look concerned, Millie laughed and waved a hand dismissively.

"He's fiiiine. Watch." She jogged on over, waving a hand.

"Howdy, Al! Stockin' up the fridge?"

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor looked up from his list, smile broadening. "Ah, Miss Millie! Pleasure to see you, sweetheart! How have you been?"

His nose twitched at an unfamiliar scent hanging around her. Huh. What was that...?

[ninefunerals]

"Oh, I've been just fine. I was just catchin' up with my little brother, checkin' how things are goin' down in Wrath- my family's stand's up this week!"

She folded her arms behind her back.

"So what's shakin'? We're still goin' through that coffee you sent over, by the way. Even Moxxie admits it's real damn good, and that's a lot comin' from him!"

[lonelysmiles]

"Wonderful! I'm glad he's enjoying it! I'm quite the snob when it comes to coffee beans as well, honestly."

His nose twitched again. What was that --

Oh. Oh!

"Though I'd suggest you cut back yourself given the circumstances. Congratulations, my dear!"

[ninefunerals]

Millie laughed in delight. "You said it, not me!"

But he was definitely testing something in the air. She didn't blame him, maybe it was the cider being pressed down the way, or maybe those savory pies by the slice he was pickin' up on-

"...Theee... what now? I mean, I don't drink as much coffee as Mox does. I think I learned my lesson after seein' you in the office givin' off enough energy to power a city block."

[lonelysmiles]

"On the little one, of course!"

Alastor practically bounced on his toes.

"Apologies if it was supposed to be a surprise, but I'm afraid my nose picked up on it! Took me a moment to place the source of the scent!"

[ohcrumbs]

When they weren't working on the part of the plan that involved making a baby, Moxxie has been THRILLED to work on preparations. It felt amazing to organize stuff, even if for now he was keeping stuff in an accounting book instead of proper journal so that it was too boring for Blitzø to want to be nosy and look through. Budgeting (their savings are perfectly in tune for this, even with the business' unreliable income), planning for the space, studying infant care and pregnancy, study study study.

He hasn't been so busy in years! It's been a huge breath of fresh air. So busy, so normal, and so exciting.

And oh, Millie, the light of his life - she's been so excited and so into it and WOW she will be so incredible and amazing and gorgeous as a mother and they'll raise their little one with so much love and kindness.

It's no surprise he's happy to pick up more chores - it'll be a big help for his lovely wife in the future after all - and tonight he is working on a ravioli lasagna, lovingly cooked in a skillet to get the edges extra crispy. Once Millie's home, hopefully getting greeted by the smell of the sizzle and the oregano will bring a hungry smile to her face.

[ninefunerals]

The accounting book was brilliant, really. Perfectly boring. When things go as planned, there wasn't going to be a whole lot of time to hide it from the guy, but... they were sure they wanted to have something for themselves first. At least for a little while.

Millie knew her husband. When the books started appearing, when precious charts and plans started materializing, she couldn't help but watch Moxxie have his own distinct, unique 'glow'... this was an imp in his element, and there wasn't a doubt in her mind that he'd take to this like a horse to the prairie. You know. So long as she could reel him back when he went a little too overboard and stressed himself out.

What a day, though... after a weird encounter with Alastor at the farmer's market, she took a detour and picked up a little box that she hid away in a plastic bag alongside a spare tube of toothpaste and a few little snacks; nothing wrong with a few candies for the extra brain blast powered by a touch of sugar. It was easy enough to hide everything alongside the bag of her finds from the farmer's market.

She hopped up to the top of the stairwell, unlocked the door, and headed on in. Perhaps it was the running around she did today, or the... possibility... but her hunger had turned into something ravenous. There was everything about the warm aroma of tomatoes and herbs that made the body think it hadn't eaten in days, the cheese a comfy 'icing' on top.

"Mox-mox, I'm home...! Oh, that smells so goood...!" Never in her life did she ever just butter him up when it came to this man's cooking. He was a wizard.

"Need an extra hand with anything?"

[ohcrumbs]

"Millie~!" Moxxie cheered at seeing her home, just as enthralled as he always was. And puffing up like a proud pigeon at her excitement towards his cooking. "Only one little thing left - the ever-important taste-test," he announced, gently spooning out the sauce with the wooden spoon and blowing it cool enough to taste. It had to be perfect for her and he was damn sure he got it perfect.

[ninefunerals]

"I think I can manage that for ya!"

She stepped closer and set the paper bag aside. Taste-testing was serious business and she was positively here for it. Now, let's see...

Millie had a sip. Her heart flew, but she would keep everything neutral and play up the professionalism. She whirled her hand aloft at the wrist in a circle, as if trying to quietly pontificate...

Before she gave a double thumbs up and a nod.

"Comfy, delightful, and exactly what a lady needs after runnin' around on errands all afternoon." Then she reached out and framed his face, the smile playful.

"...My compliments to the chef." She hadn't seen him all day. With a kiss, she recharged her poor, flagging batteries.

[ohcrumbs]

"Compliments received and with that, we'll get this spooned up for the lady," he bowed happily before returning the kiss, full of affection and longing and every drop of appreciation he had for his wonderful angel of death.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but a necessary evil to retrieve a bowl and ladle to get a nice spoonful of the savory skillet feast. And the final garnish, some fresh, fragrant basil torn right over the top and perfectly presented to Millie with a spoon.

"Didja have a nice run down to Wrath, Millie? How's your brother?"

[ninefunerals]

She accepted the bowl with thanks and went to get seated at the table. She'll wait for him to join her before touching anything.

"Oh, he's great! He says 'hi'. He's really taken with runnin' the stand at the market. We can barely keep up with the demand for pumpkins, so they might try doublin' up on the patch next growing season." Soon a spoonful and... fuck. That's really good altogether. The crispy edges really make it, too.

"But I grabbed some eggs and a little this n' that for the soup stock experiments, especially with the weather coolin' down all over. ...And with a certain somebody sneakin' into our fridge for snacks. May as well arm ourselves with stuff that can be made in big batches, right?" She shrugged, but her mind wandered to the little drug store bag hidden away...

"Oh... and I bumped into Alastor, too. Y'know, I should be shocked that he peeks at farmer's markets, but considering how much of a gourmet he was in Reverein, I can't really say much surprises me about him any more."

[grointothebust]

Blitzø was right about one thing: Ozzie was a hypocrite. Go tout about how meaningless and gross love is while being so affectionate and loving around Fizz was total bullshit. Twice, now, was it used against him, and he's fucking sick of it. Sick of lying to himself and others, sick of people trying to weaponize what's in his heart...never again. He took it all back and maybe someone else will try and fuck with him because of it. Let them try.

But first, he's gotta own up to doing the same.

So he followed up on that train of thought and asked Blitzø about how he can reach out to M&M. That the imp knew where they lived was fine. Their schedules, when they sleep and the pegging? A bit more than what he needed. And one or two of those he knew about. There's a knock on their door, with the rooster clearing his throat and removing his hat, holding it in his hands. This is not going to be pretty, but he needs to set things right.

[ninefunerals]

"...I'll get it, hon!"

She had to wonder if it was a surprise visit from her family after sharing the news. It would be like them to drop in, but she hoped they could have given her a call or something first to prep dinner, refreshments or something.

Her smile was light, eyes bright when she answered the door-

Cooled.

She'd seen social media all but explode about the publicity of his relationship with Fizzarolli- and good for them, really, they needed to cut the crap- but she never expected to see the King of Lust in person.

"...Your Highness." The tone, also cool, but her expression was neutral, tinged with a hint of disapproval. She'd perfected this from mama and daddy.

"To what do we owe the pleasure...?"

[ohcrumbs]

"Highness? Oh, crumbs--!" Moxxie squawked from the other room, scrambling to the door and frantically adjusting his waistcoat and bowtie to look presentable.

He, too, is a little upset to see which 'highness' has paid a visit. Oh double crumbs. Moxxie furrowed his brows and hurried to the door beside Millie, fretting already, hoping this wouldn't be a whole problem. "S-sir, I mean, your highness, I really did say it was fine about the refund, you don't need to come here to resolve the dispute--"

[grointothebust]

Yeah, he deserved that, Ozzie will admit it. The last time he saw the two of them involved kicking them out. After they assaulted Fizz. After the two of them mocked Moxxie's love for his wife. And embarrassed Blitzø. And Stolas.

...Wow that night sucked, now that he thinks about it.

"The refund itself is the easy part. I'd...like to talk about that night, if this isn't a bad time. Independent of the refund."

[ninefunerals]

She turned and her expression softened, warmed when she lay a hand to Moxxie's shoulder. She took a big breath, and let it out slowly. Easy, now... they've faced some pretty big things together.

Millie continued to stroke his back as she turned, and she was a master of juggling- the look to Asmodeus was one of mild suspicion.

"I think you made that night's message pretty clear, King Ozzie." But she looked quietly back to her husband.

He was the one that deserved the apology. Whether he wanted to talk was entirely up to Moxxie. She would support whatever he decided.

[ohcrumbs]

Moxxie meets Millie's expression, wordlessly understanding what she was meaning at him. Still...

"Um, sir... highness, I mean," Moxxie starts, though he trails off. It uh... was a little bit... scary. It was scary that this Sin came to their private home to talk about the time he humiliated them and banned them from his establishment. "What exactly... are you wanting to talk about with us, sir?"

Shop Talk [Occurring in early November]

[ninefunerals]

Something bugged her... and it absolutely wasn't the fact that she was finally free of sick-y Hell. She felt blissful that she didn't need to sneak off to be ill, and Moxxie had been a rock-star about backing her up.

No, what bugged her was the abundantly polite decline of an invite to the office party. Alastor could be seen at IMP a lot before, but... stopped at some point. Then he started his break and didn't want to be around at all.

It put a weight in poor Millie's heart. But it also put something of an itch in her horns. Something was up, and she never ever liked being kept in the dark about things.

She knocked on the door to Blitz's office in case he was taking a call. If he wasn't...

"Hey B, you have a minute?"

[helluvaboss]

The aforementioned boss seems busy on his phone - so not busy at all. He clicks it off and wiggles his fingers at Millie. "Not too busy for you! What's up, Millie-Billie?"

[ninefunerals]

Given the all clear, Millie all but bounced in, getting the door closed with her tail. Rather then taking a seat in any old chair, she opted for the desk top and crossed one leg over the other. The imp brushed down her shirt a little lower. The subtle little changes here and there in her wardrobe could keep things secret a little longer.

Oof. But crossing her legs like this was a tiny bit uncomfortable. She kept it sly and changed her mind on the body language. "Well, I was thinkin' about what we might be doin' once Krampus starts gettin' ready to visit all the kiddies in Hell. We've got a few new stockings to fill in this time and everything! We doin' this thang in the office again this year? I found myself wondering when we start gettin' everything out of storage."

It was one of her favorite activities, okay? She loved putting lights on the lemon tree. Keeps away the whores, but festively.

[helluvaboss]

"Oh you fucking BET, I'm gonna take a shit ton of the stuff from Stolas' place too since half of it the staff ain't gonna use and this place is gonna be RITZY. We'll look so fucking festive! I got stockings for all four of us, too - don't tell Moxxie, his is a special surprise."

[ninefunerals]

"My lips are sealed!" She made the motion to boot. But the idea of borrowing some things from the manor would be pretty cool too, save a few bucks.

"We'll get stuff out of storage next week and go over it, then." Let's see, that covered them, the kids...

"Food's covered, too. I just wish my original suggestion panned out..." She scratched her head.

"See, I fixed on askin' Alastor if he wanted to come, bring some dishes n' all. He's a Hell of a cook, y'know? But he was... he's been..." She paused.

"...I dunno. Really lonely...?"

[helluvaboss]

"I heard he's been on a huge tear through Pride too? Guess he misses the other place. People didn't shit themselves when he showed up there," Blitzø speculated with a shrug. "He got to be a hero and shit. You and Moxx were out already, but the guy almost died protecting that place. He probably misses it. Not like he has a family here to miss."