For Whom the Belle Tolls

by Jaysea Lynn

“He’s not ready to be judged yet?” Lily asked. “Yes and no. He’s received his file, and he’s selected his method of Judgment, but he’s waiting for his wife.” Siedah smiled. “It was their third lifetime together. Their stories are beautiful ones. Powerful. Sometimes heartbreaking.”

It seemed that the years of practice keeping her face neutral, even while reading toe-curling smut in public, had paid off.

Romantic love, or the lack of it, didn’t make a person better or worse at their core.

“She’s dating a soul from the Summerland, and said that a lot of mortal women used bats as protection, so you might be familiar with it.”

Lol

If there had been a pamphlet for Karen Identification, the soul would have been Exhibit A. The Prime Karen. The audacity to which all others could only aspire.

Going to Hell. Going to Hell. Going to Hell. Joke’s on you, I did it and rather enjoyed myself.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest had meant there were a few things in abundance, one of which had been rain. Another had been coffee.

that perfectly describes growing up in the PNW

“You’re safe,” Lily said. Sharkie’s blue eyes brimmed with tears. “You’re safe, Sharkie.” Sharkie ran through the doorway and wrapped her arms around Lily’s hips, burying her face into her stomach with a sob.

Luci: I might have spread the word about Sharkie a bit. Bel is rather annoyed with me. How is she?

Gregorith: We’ll be ready for the ones who hurt her. Swell sharks have bio-fluorescent properties that let their skin glow green in the dark.

The conclusion she’d come to as a child was that because dealing with her emotions was such an unsavory prospect, her emotional needs were best ignored.

my heart breaks :(

“And what if I want to come home?” Lily turned around, tugging off the oven mitts and meeting her eyes. “Then I’ll come get you and bring you home.” When Sharkie held out her pinkie, Lily was already halfway there.

“What are you doing?” Sharkie asked. They froze, the world rushing back in. Sunlight. Couch. Birds. Morning. Kid in a shark onesie home from a field trip. They locked eyes. Busted. I think? “Staring contest,” Lily said, proud that her voice sounded even and nonchalant. Bel’s eyes crinkled and gleamed with new mischief. “I’m winning,” he said without looking away. “Why are you lying down though?” Sharkie sounded skeptical.

Omg lmaooooooo

Sharkie yelled down the hallway, “Stop arguing with Carl! It doesn’t like it!”

lmao good ol Carl

“Are you okay? You’re really red,” Sharkie asked, glancing between her and Bel. “Is she okay?” “Yeah, I think she’s just protective of her books. Isn’t that right?” He couldn’t have looked smugger if he tried. “You got it. Take good care of them, please.” Think of me while you read certain scenes.

Lily grinned at him just as Lucifer glanced their way and did a double take, reaching over to smack Gregorith’s arm in excitement. “Don’t look now, but I think Lucifer just realized we were naughty in the bathroom.” She nodded at them.

Lmao I love Lucifer's giddy excitement

Where Lucifer seemed almost childish with glee, Gregorith remained reserved, a raised eyebrow his only outward reaction.

They lay side by side, mud soaking into their backs, staring up into the rain and making shapes with their fingers against the gray backdrop of the sky.

“Why didn’t my mom love me enough to stay?” Barely audible. A lifetime of pain in those words. Lily’s soul ached.

this hurt me deep into my core

“I’m fine, I’m just tired and want Lily to fuss over me.” He winked at her and stood, leaning dramatically against the doorway. Sharkie’s face lit up with understanding before she schooled her face into a mask of seriousness and turned to Lily. “I think Bel needs fussing,” she said with the gravity of a doctor in a hospital drama delivering bad news. Sharkie gestured to where Bel was blinking pathetically. “Look at him.”

“Moura!” she yelled, breaking away from Lily’s side to sprint towards the demons and the line of souls. “Krun! Guys! I’m growing!” The resulting cheer from every single demon wouldn’t have sounded out of place in a sports stadium.

“Honestly, Lily, if I dumped too much on you at the party, or if you feel like we’re moving too fast, we’ll slow down. We can figure it out, but I want us to try. Please, just—” “I love you.”

“I really appreciate your patience, Lev. I’ll write you up a basic report on the Hellp Desk as soon as possible, how about that?” she offered, slowly closing the door. Just before it shut completely, Lev sighed. “Make it double-spaced, please.”

Bel sat up with a pained wheeze and stared at her. “Are you… Lily, are you blackmailing me into resting by putting me into sexile?”

As she processed, it struck her that before, where she would have gotten overwhelmed and frustrated with herself for having strong emotions, she was now able to acknowledge, accept, and work with her feelings. Her feelings weren’t too big or inconvenient or ugly. They just were, and she wasn’t afraid of them anymore.

growth <3