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"It isn't often that I meet one of your kind playing butler."
Kevin's hand freezes on the door handle as that silky smooth voice reaches his ear. He already knows who he's going to find once he turns, so he takes his time – slides the key into the lock, turns, waits for the click. Each action deliberate and patient, like he has time. Like his nerves aren't on fire.
"I don't believe this is the room you've been assigned." He speaks matter-of-factly as he carries the fresh sheets over to the closet, folding them with unerring precision. If there is one thing Dantalion and the rest are good for, it's teaching him to keep his peace while pestered by demons.
Sebastian moves behind him almost soundlessly, slipping a hand under his arm and taking a firm hold of his chin. He tilts his head closer to himself, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Don't be like that, now. If I wanted to hurt William, I would've already done so. I'm behaving, aren't I~?"
What is it with demons and their utter disregard for personal space? Kevin carries on as though he isn't being tenderly caressed by a demon, not bothering to even try to break free. That could get mistaken for aggression way too easily. "Indeed, how kind of you. Would you like a reward for that? Though I'm afraid we are out of dog treats."
He almost expects the demon to get offended but Sebastian actually chuckles before stepping back, allowing him to continue his work relatively unmolested. Still, he can feel those piercing eyes boring into the back of his head. Silence stretches between them until his laundry basket is empty and he heads for the door again.
Only then does the demon speak, casual as though nothing of importance is going on. "I've been wondering," and there is that presence that makes the hair on the back of his neck stand on ends, even despite all his millennia of dealing with demons, "who you were, and why you might be willing to take such a humiliating assignment. I figured maybe you were so weak you simply had no choice. But..."
Kevin sighs. He doesn't have time to play games to satisfy a demon's curiosity – not when he is still the only proper staff in the house. He finally turns to face their guest, crossing his arms over his chest. "Does your master know you consider your assignment beneath you? Or is your comment just supposed to get a rise out of me?"
"Oh but our situations are quite different." Sebastian's eyes are glowing that crimson red reminiscent of blood and wine and the sweetest forbidden fruit, his shadow stretching until it's taken over most of the room. "My master knows what I am. His restrictions are merely a challenge for me."
His smirk makes Kevin uncomfortable but he doesn't show weakness. Doing so would be as good as letting him win. Demons truly are such foul beasts... He narrows his eyes, not letting the shadows take any more of a hold in the mansion. "In other words, this whole contract is nothing but bread and circuses to you. Seeing as I am part of neither, I struggle to see why you insist on bothering me."
The demon stalks closer to him again, caging him against the door with a strong hand. His other comes up to tilt Kevin's chin up, meeting his eyes with a cocky grin. "I still find that better than a fool putting on a charade for nothing. Or were you that desperate to get away from Michael?"
Kevin's frown grows sharper, not quite pleased with the implications. But Sebastian doesn't seem bothered – quite the opposite, if anything. His face draws closer, lips almost ghosting a touch over Kevin's, his voice a low rumble. "I may not have a confessional to preside over anymore but should you need a little punishment, I could grant it to you all the same. Would that make you feel better about what you're doing, Uriel?"
He refuses to give the demon the satisfaction of seeing just how tempting that offer is. As the one responsible for punishing mortal sins, he's seen more than his fair share of pain – and the relieved atonement it can bring. But there is no way it could ever be enough for him. He doesn't doubt that Sebastian knows. There is no way he's uncovered his identity but hasn't heard of the time he invaded Hell all by his lonesome, all to look for one particular soul. The offer is little more than mockery of his former status.
"I like that look on you, Uriel," Sebastian releases his face, holding a finger to his lips, "stay just like that and there will be no problems between us. I might even keep you company when you get too lonely again in a few short decades."
And then he is gone, like he was never there in the first place. Kevin finally allows himself to release the breath he didn't even know he was holding. William is safe, he reminds himself. While he cannot fully understand why, he knows he trusts Sebastian's words. The demon has no interest in William, at least not for as long as his own contract is in place. As for what happens after that...
Looking at the back of his own hand, at the holy arrow gently glowing there when he focuses his powers, he knows he doesn't have much to worry about. Demons who can resist his power can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Demons whose maw he wouldn't reach into to protect William don't exist. And nothing else matters.