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Long, wispy eyelashes swayed unhurriedly open, to reveal her tired brown eyes. Laura glared up at a white sectioned ceiling, unfamiliarly. At the moment, she wasn't able to process that she wasn't at home in her bed. This could have been a hallucination, as that theme was becoming increasingly common as of late. She could recall picturing her kindly Husband standing beside her, smiling as he usually did, and the thought in turn made her flash a small happy smirk. "Rob...ert..." She hummed raspily, her eyes closing again.

Spongebob sat nearby in a chair pressed against the far corner, keeping himself from being excitable. As much as he was glad she was okay, he still didn't want to startle her. "She's been going in and out for days now... I hope she'll wake up for good soon...." He stressed in silence, not showing it in his tone. He dropped his gaze to his hands, watching the fingers twitch nervously against his will. The man sighed, standing himself up to pace around the room. He swiped his hand down his brow and unshaven cheek, staring out the small window in the door of her hospital suite. Only the sound of her steady heartbeat could be heard despite the bustling employees outside the room. Lucius paced as well, with his tail swaying in tandem with the sound of her heart monitor.

The demon peered his lifeless eyes in her direction, studying her thin features at a crawling pace. Despite what conversations he had with his host regarding Laura, he still thought about hating her. The idea that she would replace Laurel but, be in love with someone else completely, tore his mind in half repeatedly. Lucius growled to himself, catching the attention of the yellow sponge.

"You're worried too, aren't you?" Spongebob asked, but his inner demon shook it's head. "NOT EVEN IN THE SLIGHTEST..." He fibbed. In truth, he cared a great deal, but he thought if he could convince himself that she is still torture from God, he would be able to let his feelings retreat.

Spongebob furrowed his brow, however he still kept his composure. "Why not..." he instead asked, rather firmly. Lucius stared out through his hosts eyes back at this woman, hoping she would give him the reason he needed to despise her. His glare pierced her from across the room, but she would never feel it, as much as he wished she would. However, the more he kept his gaze fixated on her, the more features he could distinguish as being uncomfortably familiar. In that same moment, he wondered what her skin smelt of, and how her lips tasted. Quickly, he shook his head from her sight. The guilt began to boil within him, as he already knew those answers. Her taste, her smell, both so sweet, he thought. His finger crept to his lips, still able to feel her there, biting him. Lucius' breath hitched in his throat as he continued to look at her. How she appeared now looked too much like Laurel. Far too much, he thought.

The devil paused, as he could picture his beloved in her place. Her beauty still captivating, even if it's just a hallucination. He couldn't bring himself to do it anymore. The black heart pounding in his chest fluttered from her radiance. The thought of her heart being stopped only brought up painful memories, and if it were done by his own hand? This epiphany finally made him realize that he would never forgive himself, and only suffer more. She was too pure.

Lucius jolted after hearing his twin speak up again, still engaging in his same question as before. His white eyes shifted about the room, before they landed back on her calm face. "UM..." He lost his words just looking upon her. Spongebob tilted his head, slightly confused. He could tell his demon's tone shifted, even through that spance of speechlessness. Lucius blinked, peeking at his trembling hands by his thighs. Seeing her like that, in so much pain, but with a smile on her face caused by the thoughts of seeing her loved ones, made him want to hold her in his arms and never let go. "IT'S... BECAUSE.... She's strong.... You of all people should know that, Joker..." He said, lowly, and with a lightened voice.

Just then, a small hum was distinguished from the other side of the room. She was waking up again. The man turned, face expressing hope. "Muhh.... Robert...?" She croaked, calling for her husband without truly knowing he was in the room. Her eyelids slowly lifted and fluttered, blinking the pain from the light away. Laura stared out across her room, seeing a television set on mute to her husband's favorite show, and trailed her sight to a chair with the imprint of someone who just stood up still visible. Immediately, she began to cry. These couldn't be real, she thought. He wasn't there, and he was never coming back. The heart monitor displayed an increase in beats as she covered her face and sobbed into her hands.

"Laura..." Spongebob said softly, approaching her. "Robert.. I miss you so much... Unh.... I wish you were here right now... I... I want to hold you and kiss you again, and tell you how sorry I am... B-But you--!!" She couldn't contain all of her feelings as they came rushing out as a meloncholy scream as she spoke to what she believed was just a phantom of her imagination. "COME BACK TO ME!!! PLEASE!!" The woman cried with streams flowing from her cheek. Her head dropped into her hands, with thin bony fingers that clutched her temples and cradeled her eyes in her palms. Spongebob could no longer fight his urge to comfort her. Seeing her in this way broke his mind into shards containing many mixed emotions, but the loudest one by far was his need to feel her love again. He rushed to her side, pressing her face against his chest so she can hear his fluttering heartbeat, while his arms took no hesitation to wrap around her to pull her in closer.

Laura didn't seem to understand what was happening, as if she couldn't feel his presence for a moment. She only continued to sob into her hands.

The devil furrowed his brow, creating a solemn expression. He began to think to himself as she was entrapped in the arms of her Husband. 'HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED TO HER...?' He wondered, gazing over her drooped hair at her shoulder blade, which poked out of her skin more visibly than usual. 'CAN IT BE SHE BECAME SICK FROM NOT SEEING THE ONE SHE LOVED...?' He thought, recalling the story told by the old man from the snow. 'HEH...' The devil smiled, without wicked intention, but remorse. 'I THINK I KNOW THAT FEELING TOO...'

Laura squirmed in her husband's arms, bringing her hands to his chest, assumably to push him away. But, once she finally looked up, and saw his dampened face and red, moist eyes, she froze. This couldn't be true, but, his touch felt so real. He smiled down at her, with a worried expression in his brow, as he brought his hand to her cheek and wiped her tears away. "Hey, Baby... I'm back..." He spoke softly, not wanting to startle her more than she already seemed to be. "...Rob...ert...?" Laura whispered, with wide eyes. The shock faded a few moments after he nodded, and she didn't hesitate any longer before she brought him in for a long, tender kiss. She took him off guard, but he brought himself to kiss her back, puling her face in closer to deepen it. Spongebob sighed in relief, humming through her, as they'd both started tearing up again.

After a minute, she let go, gazing into his blushing face with as much happiness as she could muster. "Robert... I'm so happy to see you... I... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, I... I didn't think you would... would..." her words couldn't organize themselves in her head. Spongebob shook his head, kindly silencing her. "No, there's nothing you should feel sorry about. I did this to you. To us... It's all my fault..." He admitted, dropping his head in his shame. "I thought... if I ran away and divorced us, then... the guy in my head wouldn't be able to torture you anymore through me... I couldn't live with myself if I couldn't be with you... But..." He paused, staring at her face becoming curious. "Even though I asked him to kill me or leave, he wouldn't do it... because he wanted me to live... for your sake." Lucius blinked, unable to truly process what he said, but somehow subconsciously knowing what he meant. If he were actually his host, he'd want the one he loved to know he is alright too. Apparently, Spongebob could read his actions much better than he could read himself.

Laura, however wasn't convinced, and the Demon could see it. There was no way she would ever trust him. Not unless he could have a conversation with her, face to face. And he wanted her to know how much guilt he felt from all of this. He glanced at himself, gripping his hand, unsure if what he was about to ask would even work.

"...Robert.... Let me speak with her... Please... She must know the truth from my own lips..."

The man twitched a little, peering at his beloved wife. She could see he was becoming apprehensive about something. "What's the matter...?" She asked, and he squeezed her hand a little. "Um... Savage... Would like to speak with you..." Those words sent a tremor to climb down Laura's spine. She slowly shifted away from her husband, pressing her back to the pillow. Her fingers brushed over her belly before her hand rested on it. Lucius saw the action and closed his eyes. He could recognize the PTSD she was exhibiting, and could sense her fear building from the vibrations in the water around them. He cursed himself, turning away, but halted when he heard her speak up once more. "... Um... O... Ok..." She shivered, clutching the cloth under her fingers.

She was still afraid, there was no denying it. But even so, her thoughts converged into a sort of bravery. After all, if her husband could bring himself back to her, then surely she could do the same for him. If the monster chooses not to leave, then maybe she could learn to live with it. Robert seems to have been able to do it, and that gave her a hint of confidence. But her guard remained unpenetrable, which he could sense.

Spongebob pecked his wife's cheek with his lips before standing, and stepping towards the far edge of the room, as was instructed by his inner Demon. He looked back at her one last time before nodding. Laura trembled, as she felt the room suddenly decrease in temperature. The light above him flickered, and framed his terrifying stature as his body continued to expand. The clothing ripped and tore from the seams, but still hung off of him enough to keep him covered. Lucius peeked at his clawed hands, before turning his daunting glare to the woman, who didn't dare to look at him. He sighed, causing her to flinch, but nevertheless remain calm. She didn't scream, or try to run. But then again, she might have been too weak to do any of that anyway.

"LAURA..." He began, and she perked her ear at her name being spoken from this creature. She still didn't like the fact that he knew it. "I... DON'T REALLY KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS... BECAUSE IT IS QUITE STRANGE TO BE IN THIS SITUATION, FOR THE BOTH OF US I'M SURE." He fixated his white eyes to her hands, which were fidgeting in her lap. "HOWEVER, I CAN'T LIE TO MYSELF ANY LONGER WHEN I SAY I HATE YOU, BECAUSE, THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH AT ALL... IT'S QUITE A DISTANCE FROM IT, REALLY. AND... I MUST ADMIT THAT I FEEL TERRIBLY SORRY FOR THE THINGS I'VE DONE TO YOU. I KNEW THAT YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THAT TREATMENT, AND I WAS ACTING OUT OF HATRED FOR MY OWN SELF, NOT FOR YOU..." Laura stayed quiet, meekly listening as he talked.

"I AM THE DEVIL. THE ONE AND ONLY. AND IT HAS BEEN SAID IN MANY ACCOUNTS AND TALES THAT I AM A BEAST OF TERROR AND A SLAYER OF THE WICKED, WHICH, FEELS VERY CONTRADICTORY IF YOU ASK ME." He chuckled, but the pink woman didn't even crack a smile. Lucius cleared his throat, and continued. "BUT, I HAVE ANGELIC BLOOD INSIDE OF ME SOMEWHERE... IN FACT... I WASN'T ALWAYS THIS TERRIBLE, AND I THINK THAT MIGHT BE THE REASON WHY I..." He stopped, displaying a look of recollection as he dazed off into space. "I WAS AN INNOCENT CHILD... BUT MY FATHER SAW THAT AS GULLIBLE, AND SO I WAS PUNISHED. ABUSED. BROKEN... UNTIL I DIDN'T HAVE AN OUNCE LEFT IN ME..."

Laura turned her head towards him, now curious. "Neptune did that to you...?"

The demon looked to her and shook his head. "NEPTUNE IS NOT MY FATHER, BUT... HE IS A DISTANT RELATIVE, I SUPPOSE." Laura's intrigue began to show through as she sat up to better listen. "Who is your father then? If you're the Devil, and the supposed son of God, then how isn't it our God, King Neptune?" "OH, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CLEAR... MY APOLOGIES..." He scratched the back of his head, preparing for his explaination. "MY FATHER... WAS THE DEVIL ORIGINALLY. I AM THE SON OF SATAN, BUT YOU WOULD KNOW HIM AS LUCIFER, THE LIGHT BRINGER... AND I GUESS THAT LIGHT IS TRULY THE FLAMES OF HELL. IT'S UNCLEAR... BUT GOD, THE ALMIGHTY ONE, IS MY GRANDFATHER, WHILE YOUR KINGS AND QUEENS ARE HIS CHILDREN SENT TO GOVERN AND JUDGE IN HIS STEAD BEFORE YOU ENTER MY KINGDOM, OR HIS..." Laura shook her head, surprised to hear such things about the afterlife which she had never considered. "So... If Hell is where you belong, then... Why did you come here? Just to... torture me? To torture my family?" Lucius smirked at such a notion unintentionally, but frowned again shortly after.

"TRUST ME, LAURA, YOU'RE NOT AS SPECIAL AS YOU MIGHT THINK. BUT THAT'S NOT TO INSULT YOU, I'D LIKE TO BE CLEAR... I'M HERE AS A CURSE. A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD." She blinked, now in confusion. Her small hands gripped the sheets as he looked through her. "What... were you punished for...?" She didn't really want to know, but at the same time it was interesting. The demon took a step back, shifting his glare to the ground which was glossy enough to display his reflection. His brows formed a deep, angry ridge, staring back at the face that contained the features of Lucifer in disgust. "BECAUSE I ATE SATAN ALIVE UNTIL I WAS SATISFIED."

Laura placed her hand over her mouth. She couldn't fathom the idea of eating another person, even if that person was the ruler of Hell. But, the more she thought about what he was saying, the more she could piece together what he was talking about. "And... You got cursed... for doing your job, then?" She asked, where Lucius turned his head back to her, looking slightly confused. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" "Well.. you punish the wicked, right? And you were a good child... but he... Lucifer raised you to be as cruel as he wanted you to be, by abuse, whereas... he became evil by his own will... to be wicked just because he wanted to, not because God made him evil." Lucius became surprised by her grasp on the way she seemed to know what kind of person his father was. "And that means that... You're not wicked, are you?" She looked at his face, able to see her husband's kind smile flash over his lips before it disappeared back into his shocked expression. "HOW... WOULD YOU KNOW THAT...?" He asked, finding himself now intrigued by her interpretation. "Because, Robert said you wouldn't let him die... for my sake... that shows you care how he feels... and I think I can see that now... It's starting to make sense to me." Laura shut her still tired eyes, bringing a hand to her heart. "I'M NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS EVER MENTIONED THIS TO YOU, BUT... YOU'RE QUITE BRIGHT. NOT MANY COULD EVEN HOPE TO UNDERSTAND THE AFFAIRS OF CELESTIAL BEINGS, BUT YOU SEEM TO HAVE A GOOD GRIP ON SOMETHING THAT ISN'T FULLY INVOLVED IN YOUR OWN REALITY..." Honestly, he was impressed. No woman he'd ever met came to surprise him like that since Laurel's time.

"SINCE I MUST STAY A PART OF ROBERT IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM ALIVE, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO MAKE OUR TIME LESS... AWKWARD? I WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU... I'D DO ANYTHING YOU WANT..." Laura looked back at him, tilting her head. "...Anything?" Lucius nodded, approaching her cautiously. She insinctively whinced when he became within the distance to touch, but shook her head clear. "My children... They mean the world to me, and my husband... I'd like you to get along with them." He nodded without hesitating. "DONE. WHAT ELSE?" She paused in thought. "Um... If you get angry for any reason, please don't get near anyone... I... I don't--" "I UNDERSTAND. I WILL HIDE MYSELF WITHIN YOUR HUSBAND'S MIND... BUT... THERE WILL BE NO GUARANTEE THAT MY ANGER WILL NOT AFFECT HIS HEALTH IN SOME WAY... MEANING, HE MIGHT GET ILL FOR SOME TIME UNTIL I CALM MYSELF." Laura didn't want her huband to get sick, but knew the consequences would probably be much more dire if not. "Thanks for the heads up... Um... By the way..." She started, having the Devil perk up in attention. "I don't mean to sound rude or... anything... But... Why can't you leave my husband?"

Lucius's tail waved behind him, knowing the fact he can't leave would make it's way into a question eventually. All he could hope is that the reason wouldn't scare her too much. He nodded, and spoke up, "MY BLOOD... IS LIKE POISON TO MORTAL CREATURES. ALL OF MY OTHER HOSTS HAVE PERISHED BY THE CONTACT OF IT TO THEIR BRAIN... BUT THAT IS HOW MY POSSESSION WORKS, UNFORTUNATELY. SINCE MY BLOOD FLOWS THROUGH HIS MIND TO GIVE HIM A SORT OF SECOND CONSCIENCE, IF I LEAVE, I WILL TAKE IT ALL BACK WITH ME. THE SHOCK WILL CAUSE A CARDIAC ARREST AND CUT OFF FUNCTIONALITY TO THE LUNGS AND NERVOUS SYSTEM... AND, I KNOW THAT IS TERRIBLE, BUT WE'RE STUCK WITH EACH OTHER FOR ETERNITY..."

Laura nodded in understanding. She knew how strong her husband is. If he trusted him, then so would she, at least, for now. Certainty was still out of her reach, and that was something the Demon had to realize. She won't forget what he did until she could get to know him more and ask questions.

"What was your name, again?" Laura wondered, and Lucius slowly looked at her. He thought about entrusting her with his name, just so he could hear her voice whisper it. But he knew better. Coming from any woman that wasn't Laurel, he'd only feel guilty, like he was cheating on her, or deliberately trying to forget her. He never wanted her to think that way, even if she was no longer in this world. He feared her soul would disappear, and so he kept holding on and hoped that he would one day see her again. He turned his eyes to hers, and spoke clearly.

"...SAVAGE."

Description
Long, wispy eyelashes swayed unhurriedly open, to reveal her tired brown eyes. Laura glared up at a white sectioned ceiling, unfamiliarly. At the moment, she wasn't able to process that she wasn't at home in her bed. This could have been a hallucination, as that theme was becoming increasingly common as of late. She could recall picturing her kindly Husband standing beside her, smiling as he usually did, and the thought in turn made her flash a small happy smirk. "Rob...ert..." She hummed raspily, her eyes closing again.

Spongebob sat nearby in a chair pressed against the far corner, keeping himself from being excitable. As much as he was glad she was okay, he still didn't want to startle her. "She's been going in and out for days now... I hope she'll wake up for good soon...." He stressed in silence, not showing it in his tone. He dropped his gaze to his hands, watching the fingers twitch nervously against his will. The man sighed, standing himself up to pace around the room. He swiped his hand down his brow and unshaven cheek, staring out the small window in the door of her hospital suite. Only the sound of her steady heartbeat could be heard despite the bustling employees outside the room. Lucius paced as well, with his tail swaying in tandem with the sound of her heart monitor.

The demon peered his lifeless eyes in her direction, studying her thin features at a crawling pace. Despite what conversations he had with his host regarding Laura, he still thought about hating her. The idea that she would replace Laurel but, be in love with someone else completely, tore his mind in half repeatedly. Lucius growled to himself, catching the attention of the yellow sponge.

"You're worried too, aren't you?" Spongebob asked, but his inner demon shook it's head. "NOT EVEN IN THE SLIGHTEST..." He fibbed. In truth, he cared a great deal, but he thought if he could convince himself that she is still torture from God, he would be able to let his feelings retreat.

Spongebob furrowed his brow, however he still kept his composure. "Why not..." he instead asked, rather firmly. Lucius stared out through his hosts eyes back at this woman, hoping she would give him the reason he needed to despise her. His glare pierced her from across the room, but she would never feel it, as much as he wished she would. However, the more he kept his gaze fixated on her, the more features he could distinguish as being uncomfortably familiar. In that same moment, he wondered what her skin smelt of, and how her lips tasted. Quickly, he shook his head from her sight. The guilt began to boil within him, as he already knew those answers. Her taste, her smell, both so sweet, he thought. His finger crept to his lips, still able to feel her there, biting him. Lucius' breath hitched in his throat as he continued to look at her. How she appeared now looked too much like Laurel. Far too much, he thought.

The devil paused, as he could picture his beloved in her place. Her beauty still captivating, even if it's just a hallucination. He couldn't bring himself to do it anymore. The black heart pounding in his chest fluttered from her radiance. The thought of her heart being stopped only brought up painful memories, and if it were done by his own hand? This epiphany finally made him realize that he would never forgive himself, and only suffer more. She was too pure.

Lucius jolted after hearing his twin speak up again, still engaging in his same question as before. His white eyes shifted about the room, before they landed back on her calm face. "UM..." He lost his words just looking upon her. Spongebob tilted his head, slightly confused. He could tell his demon's tone shifted, even through that spance of speechlessness. Lucius blinked, peeking at his trembling hands by his thighs. Seeing her like that, in so much pain, but with a smile on her face caused by the thoughts of seeing her loved ones, made him want to hold her in his arms and never let go. "IT'S... BECAUSE.... She's strong.... You of all people should know that, Joker..." He said, lowly, and with a lightened voice.

Just then, a small hum was distinguished from the other side of the room. She was waking up again. The man turned, face expressing hope. "Muhh.... Robert...?" She croaked, calling for her husband without truly knowing he was in the room. Her eyelids slowly lifted and fluttered, blinking the pain from the light away. Laura stared out across her room, seeing a television set on mute to her husband's favorite show, and trailed her sight to a chair with the imprint of someone who just stood up still visible. Immediately, she began to cry. These couldn't be real, she thought. He wasn't there, and he was never coming back. The heart monitor displayed an increase in beats as she covered her face and sobbed into her hands.

"Laura..." Spongebob said softly, approaching her. "Robert.. I miss you so much... Unh.... I wish you were here right now... I... I want to hold you and kiss you again, and tell you how sorry I am... B-But you--!!" She couldn't contain all of her feelings as they came rushing out as a meloncholy scream as she spoke to what she believed was just a phantom of her imagination. "COME BACK TO ME!!! PLEASE!!" The woman cried with streams flowing from her cheek. Her head dropped into her hands, with thin bony fingers that clutched her temples and cradeled her eyes in her palms. Spongebob could no longer fight his urge to comfort her. Seeing her in this way broke his mind into shards containing many mixed emotions, but the loudest one by far was his need to feel her love again. He rushed to her side, pressing her face against his chest so she can hear his fluttering heartbeat, while his arms took no hesitation to wrap around her to pull her in closer.

Laura didn't seem to understand what was happening, as if she couldn't feel his presence for a moment. She only continued to sob into her hands.

The devil furrowed his brow, creating a solemn expression. He began to think to himself as she was entrapped in the arms of her Husband. 'HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED TO HER...?' He wondered, gazing over her drooped hair at her shoulder blade, which poked out of her skin more visibly than usual. 'CAN IT BE SHE BECAME SICK FROM NOT SEEING THE ONE SHE LOVED...?' He thought, recalling the story told by the old man from the snow. 'HEH...' The devil smiled, without wicked intention, but remorse. 'I THINK I KNOW THAT FEELING TOO...'

Laura squirmed in her husband's arms, bringing her hands to his chest, assumably to push him away. But, once she finally looked up, and saw his dampened face and red, moist eyes, she froze. This couldn't be true, but, his touch felt so real. He smiled down at her, with a worried expression in his brow, as he brought his hand to her cheek and wiped her tears away. "Hey, Baby... I'm back..." He spoke softly, not wanting to startle her more than she already seemed to be. "...Rob...ert...?" Laura whispered, with wide eyes. The shock faded a few moments after he nodded, and she didn't hesitate any longer before she brought him in for a long, tender kiss. She took him off guard, but he brought himself to kiss her back, puling her face in closer to deepen it. Spongebob sighed in relief, humming through her, as they'd both started tearing up again.

After a minute, she let go, gazing into his blushing face with as much happiness as she could muster. "Robert... I'm so happy to see you... I... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, I... I didn't think you would... would..." her words couldn't organize themselves in her head. Spongebob shook his head, kindly silencing her. "No, there's nothing you should feel sorry about. I did this to you. To us... It's all my fault..." He admitted, dropping his head in his shame. "I thought... if I ran away and divorced us, then... the guy in my head wouldn't be able to torture you anymore through me... I couldn't live with myself if I couldn't be with you... But..." He paused, staring at her face becoming curious. "Even though I asked him to kill me or leave, he wouldn't do it... because he wanted me to live... for your sake." Lucius blinked, unable to truly process what he said, but somehow subconsciously knowing what he meant. If he were actually his host, he'd want the one he loved to know he is alright too. Apparently, Spongebob could read his actions much better than he could read himself.

Laura, however wasn't convinced, and the Demon could see it. There was no way she would ever trust him. Not unless he could have a conversation with her, face to face. And he wanted her to know how much guilt he felt from all of this. He glanced at himself, gripping his hand, unsure if what he was about to ask would even work.

"...Robert.... Let me speak with her... Please... She must know the truth from my own lips..."

The man twitched a little, peering at his beloved wife. She could see he was becoming apprehensive about something. "What's the matter...?" She asked, and he squeezed her hand a little. "Um... Savage... Would like to speak with you..." Those words sent a tremor to climb down Laura's spine. She slowly shifted away from her husband, pressing her back to the pillow. Her fingers brushed over her belly before her hand rested on it. Lucius saw the action and closed his eyes. He could recognize the PTSD she was exhibiting, and could sense her fear building from the vibrations in the water around them. He cursed himself, turning away, but halted when he heard her speak up once more. "... Um... O... Ok..." She shivered, clutching the cloth under her fingers.

She was still afraid, there was no denying it. But even so, her thoughts converged into a sort of bravery. After all, if her husband could bring himself back to her, then surely she could do the same for him. If the monster chooses not to leave, then maybe she could learn to live with it. Robert seems to have been able to do it, and that gave her a hint of confidence. But her guard remained unpenetrable, which he could sense.

Spongebob pecked his wife's cheek with his lips before standing, and stepping towards the far edge of the room, as was instructed by his inner Demon. He looked back at her one last time before nodding. Laura trembled, as she felt the room suddenly decrease in temperature. The light above him flickered, and framed his terrifying stature as his body continued to expand. The clothing ripped and tore from the seams, but still hung off of him enough to keep him covered. Lucius peeked at his clawed hands, before turning his daunting glare to the woman, who didn't dare to look at him. He sighed, causing her to flinch, but nevertheless remain calm. She didn't scream, or try to run. But then again, she might have been too weak to do any of that anyway.

"LAURA..." He began, and she perked her ear at her name being spoken from this creature. She still didn't like the fact that he knew it. "I... DON'T REALLY KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS... BECAUSE IT IS QUITE STRANGE TO BE IN THIS SITUATION, FOR THE BOTH OF US I'M SURE." He fixated his white eyes to her hands, which were fidgeting in her lap. "HOWEVER, I CAN'T LIE TO MYSELF ANY LONGER WHEN I SAY I HATE YOU, BECAUSE, THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH AT ALL... IT'S QUITE A DISTANCE FROM IT, REALLY. AND... I MUST ADMIT THAT I FEEL TERRIBLY SORRY FOR THE THINGS I'VE DONE TO YOU. I KNEW THAT YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THAT TREATMENT, AND I WAS ACTING OUT OF HATRED FOR MY OWN SELF, NOT FOR YOU..." Laura stayed quiet, meekly listening as he talked.

"I AM THE DEVIL. THE ONE AND ONLY. AND IT HAS BEEN SAID IN MANY ACCOUNTS AND TALES THAT I AM A BEAST OF TERROR AND A SLAYER OF THE WICKED, WHICH, FEELS VERY CONTRADICTORY IF YOU ASK ME." He chuckled, but the pink woman didn't even crack a smile. Lucius cleared his throat, and continued. "BUT, I HAVE ANGELIC BLOOD INSIDE OF ME SOMEWHERE... IN FACT... I WASN'T ALWAYS THIS TERRIBLE, AND I THINK THAT MIGHT BE THE REASON WHY I..." He stopped, displaying a look of recollection as he dazed off into space. "I WAS AN INNOCENT CHILD... BUT MY FATHER SAW THAT AS GULLIBLE, AND SO I WAS PUNISHED. ABUSED. BROKEN... UNTIL I DIDN'T HAVE AN OUNCE LEFT IN ME..."

Laura turned her head towards him, now curious. "Neptune did that to you...?"

The demon looked to her and shook his head. "NEPTUNE IS NOT MY FATHER, BUT... HE IS A DISTANT RELATIVE, I SUPPOSE." Laura's intrigue began to show through as she sat up to better listen. "Who is your father then? If you're the Devil, and the supposed son of God, then how isn't it our God, King Neptune?" "OH, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CLEAR... MY APOLOGIES..." He scratched the back of his head, preparing for his explaination. "MY FATHER... WAS THE DEVIL ORIGINALLY. I AM THE SON OF SATAN, BUT YOU WOULD KNOW HIM AS LUCIFER, THE LIGHT BRINGER... AND I GUESS THAT LIGHT IS TRULY THE FLAMES OF HELL. IT'S UNCLEAR... BUT GOD, THE ALMIGHTY ONE, IS MY GRANDFATHER, WHILE YOUR KINGS AND QUEENS ARE HIS CHILDREN SENT TO GOVERN AND JUDGE IN HIS STEAD BEFORE YOU ENTER MY KINGDOM, OR HIS..." Laura shook her head, surprised to hear such things about the afterlife which she had never considered. "So... If Hell is where you belong, then... Why did you come here? Just to... torture me? To torture my family?" Lucius smirked at such a notion unintentionally, but frowned again shortly after.

"TRUST ME, LAURA, YOU'RE NOT AS SPECIAL AS YOU MIGHT THINK. BUT THAT'S NOT TO INSULT YOU, I'D LIKE TO BE CLEAR... I'M HERE AS A CURSE. A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD." She blinked, now in confusion. Her small hands gripped the sheets as he looked through her. "What... were you punished for...?" She didn't really want to know, but at the same time it was interesting. The demon took a step back, shifting his glare to the ground which was glossy enough to display his reflection. His brows formed a deep, angry ridge, staring back at the face that contained the features of Lucifer in disgust. "BECAUSE I ATE SATAN ALIVE UNTIL I WAS SATISFIED."

Laura placed her hand over her mouth. She couldn't fathom the idea of eating another person, even if that person was the ruler of Hell. But, the more she thought about what he was saying, the more she could piece together what he was talking about. "And... You got cursed... for doing your job, then?" She asked, where Lucius turned his head back to her, looking slightly confused. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" "Well.. you punish the wicked, right? And you were a good child... but he... Lucifer raised you to be as cruel as he wanted you to be, by abuse, whereas... he became evil by his own will... to be wicked just because he wanted to, not because God made him evil." Lucius became surprised by her grasp on the way she seemed to know what kind of person his father was. "And that means that... You're not wicked, are you?" She looked at his face, able to see her husband's kind smile flash over his lips before it disappeared back into his shocked expression. "HOW... WOULD YOU KNOW THAT...?" He asked, finding himself now intrigued by her interpretation. "Because, Robert said you wouldn't let him die... for my sake... that shows you care how he feels... and I think I can see that now... It's starting to make sense to me." Laura shut her still tired eyes, bringing a hand to her heart. "I'M NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS EVER MENTIONED THIS TO YOU, BUT... YOU'RE QUITE BRIGHT. NOT MANY COULD EVEN HOPE TO UNDERSTAND THE AFFAIRS OF CELESTIAL BEINGS, BUT YOU SEEM TO HAVE A GOOD GRIP ON SOMETHING THAT ISN'T FULLY INVOLVED IN YOUR OWN REALITY..." Honestly, he was impressed. No woman he'd ever met came to surprise him like that since Laurel's time.

"SINCE I MUST STAY A PART OF ROBERT IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM ALIVE, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO MAKE OUR TIME LESS... AWKWARD? I WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU... I'D DO ANYTHING YOU WANT..." Laura looked back at him, tilting her head. "...Anything?" Lucius nodded, approaching her cautiously. She insinctively whinced when he became within the distance to touch, but shook her head clear. "My children... They mean the world to me, and my husband... I'd like you to get along with them." He nodded without hesitating. "DONE. WHAT ELSE?" She paused in thought. "Um... If you get angry for any reason, please don't get near anyone... I... I don't--" "I UNDERSTAND. I WILL HIDE MYSELF WITHIN YOUR HUSBAND'S MIND... BUT... THERE WILL BE NO GUARANTEE THAT MY ANGER WILL NOT AFFECT HIS HEALTH IN SOME WAY... MEANING, HE MIGHT GET ILL FOR SOME TIME UNTIL I CALM MYSELF." Laura didn't want her huband to get sick, but knew the consequences would probably be much more dire if not. "Thanks for the heads up... Um... By the way..." She started, having the Devil perk up in attention. "I don't mean to sound rude or... anything... But... Why can't you leave my husband?"

Lucius's tail waved behind him, knowing the fact he can't leave would make it's way into a question eventually. All he could hope is that the reason wouldn't scare her too much. He nodded, and spoke up, "MY BLOOD... IS LIKE POISON TO MORTAL CREATURES. ALL OF MY OTHER HOSTS HAVE PERISHED BY THE CONTACT OF IT TO THEIR BRAIN... BUT THAT IS HOW MY POSSESSION WORKS, UNFORTUNATELY. SINCE MY BLOOD FLOWS THROUGH HIS MIND TO GIVE HIM A SORT OF SECOND CONSCIENCE, IF I LEAVE, I WILL TAKE IT ALL BACK WITH ME. THE SHOCK WILL CAUSE A CARDIAC ARREST AND CUT OFF FUNCTIONALITY TO THE LUNGS AND NERVOUS SYSTEM... AND, I KNOW THAT IS TERRIBLE, BUT WE'RE STUCK WITH EACH OTHER FOR ETERNITY..."

Laura nodded in understanding. She knew how strong her husband is. If he trusted him, then so would she, at least, for now. Certainty was still out of her reach, and that was something the Demon had to realize. She won't forget what he did until she could get to know him more and ask questions.

"What was your name, again?" Laura wondered, and Lucius slowly looked at her. He thought about entrusting her with his name, just so he could hear her voice whisper it. But he knew better. Coming from any woman that wasn't Laurel, he'd only feel guilty, like he was cheating on her, or deliberately trying to forget her. He never wanted her to think that way, even if she was no longer in this world. He feared her soul would disappear, and so he kept holding on and hoped that he would one day see her again. He turned his eyes to hers, and spoke clearly.

"...SAVAGE."