P.R.O.U.D: From the depths of Hell, part 2
Title: Proud: From the depths of Hell, part 2
Author: onthethruway01
Genre: het, AU, fantasy, angst
Pairing: Yoochun x Lilith
Length: 2 of?
Rating: PG-13?
A/N: this is the prequel to PROUD, my Yoosu fic. I’m writing this for myself, but comments are welcome.
Summary: Lilith, the half-angel, half-demon child of Satan falls in love with Yoochun, a lesser demon known for his prowess in the gladiatorial arena.
The never ending cycle continued; Lilith making the journey from the upper levels to the deep catacombs every day in an effort to win the heart of her true love. His name was Yoochun; a slender fighter who looked as if a strong wind could knock him over. But this wiry creature proved to be formidable in the ring. A crowd favorite, he was unusually beautiful for a demon; a fact that had not gone unnoticed by Satan’s daughter. He was wild and reckless; taking on much larger opponents to gain favor with the crowd. But he was always triumphant; his scars proudly displayed like a badge of honor. He seemed not to fear anything, least of all death. He was reckless, and full of bravado.
It drove her mad.
Often times he would reject her affection on purpose. He enjoyed goading her; his arrogance and disrespect eliciting an angered response.
“Filthy ditch dog,” she would call him as she stormed off in a huff; but the Devil’s daughter would return the next day, eyes swollen from weeping, lips full and pouty.
He adored her, but he would never admit it.
The Devil’s daughter could not watch the fights; she abhorred violence. Perhaps it was the angel in her that made her look away; the thought of her true love being ripped to shreds plaguing her fragile mind. She was fragile; delicate and small, her demonic features were softened due to her angelic blood line. But let there be no doubt as to with whom her allegiance lied; she was Satan’s child, and she was proud of it.
As she walked among the throng, they gave her a wide berth. No one dare look her in the eye. They all bowed and stepped aside; even the lowest of low knew that she commanded respect. It was the same day after day, and like clockwork, they all knew when to expect her.
But one day, while making her daily trek, something was amiss. The crowd seemed smaller to her and it was unusually quiet. No cheers could be heard from the arena; silence prevailed.
A shiver ran up her spine.
Yoochun.
She quickened her pace not caring if she knocked anyone over who stood in her way. Breathless she reached her destination and froze. The arena was empty. There was no one in the ring; fighters, trainers, and officials were nowhere to be seen.
With body shaking, she walked toward the simple hovel that Yoochun called home. The few creatures that milled about lowered their eyes as she staggered past them. They all seemed to know that something was wrong; something was very wrong.
The stout, sturdy demon who was always by Yoochun’s side stood in the door way, his shoulders slouched; head bowed.
He looked exhausted.
The one affectionately called “Toad” by his young companion looked as if he were going to cry.
Lilith slowly entered the hovel. Adjusting to the dark, she put a hand to her mouth to stifle her cries. Yoochun lay upon the floor; slender form wrapped in bandages; blood still seeping through wounds deep and terrible.
Her ditch dog was dying.
They all knew it. Their favored son would soon draw his last breath, and they all knew it. There would be no fights today; there would be no fights tomorrow. They would mourn him; something demon’s did, but was rarely spoken of. It was one of the few things they retained from their angelic ancestors; a sense of loss. They recognized the passing of their own kind. Not all of them felt sorrow, but when they did, it was evident. They would weep and wail and pay their last respects. Some, like Toad, would remember him until his own demise. Eventually Yoochun’s existence would fade from their memory and they would move on. But for now, they felt sadness; sadness and pity for the young fighter who always smiled and fought like a thing possessed. Even more so, they wept for the pretty little girl who loved him; the fragile woman-child who devoted every waking moment to catch a glimpse of her champion and the love of her life.
Lilith fell to the floor and wept.
A weak and low voice whispered in the darkness.
“Are you crying for me, your ditch dog?”
His breaths came short and staggered; slender frame trembling upon the floor.
“I love my ditch dog,” she answered, tears stinging her eyes.
Yoochun managed to crack a smile between painful gasps for air.
“You are a fool for loving me. What will you do when I am gone? Bond with some fat noble your father finds for you, no doubt.”
A spasm struck him and he coughed; a stabbing pain shooting through his body. He cried out; Lilith taking him in her arms and holding him gently.
“I will love you forever,” she exclaimed. “No one will take that away from me.”
Yoochun buried his head in the crook of her neck and inhaled her scent.
“You reek of angel,” he teased her; his sense of humor still intact; Lilith laughing despite her sorrow.
He moaned as he slumped backwards; eyes fluttering closed. She cradled his head and placed him gently upon the floor. His chest rose and fell quickly; small groans escaping his lips with every breath. Satan’s daughter lay next to him; gathering her love into her arms, she stroked his cheek.
“I will stay with you. I will keep you warm.”
Lilith leaned her head upon his chest; his heart beating frantically in her ear.
“My lover’s heart is strong. You will not die. I won’t allow it.”
Their solace was disturbed as Toad hurriedly entered the dwelling.
“Milady,” he called; Lilith turning to see what could have caused the older demon to interrupt their moment. She rose to her feet and took a deep breath as an intruder stood in the doorway.
A shadowy, imposing figure walked into the bower accompanied by two armed guards. Toad fell to the floor and cowered in fear as the Prince of Darkness stood before him.
“So this is the boy,” Satan exclaimed in a booming voice.
The Lord of the Flies sauntered over to the wounded fighter to get a better look.
“Don’t touch him father," she scolded her sire.
The Prince of Darkness chuckled.
“Such a pretty thing.”
Clawed hands reached out and lifted the dying demon’s chin.
Yoochun dared to narrow his eyes at the Devil.
“Look how he stares at me; you have balls, my son.”
The devil released him; Lilith returning to his side and cradling him once more.
She ran her fingers through Yoochun’s hair and brought his trembling body closer to her own, kissing him sweetly upon the lips.
Her father was not amused.
“Come girl,” he entreated her, “let your boy have some peace. He’s a warrior; he does not need your tears.”
Satan extended his arm and gestured for his daughter to take it. She shook her head in defiance.
“Take her,” he ordered his guards and they obeyed; Lilith struggling to hold on to Yoochun’s body.
“Yoochun,” she screamed as they dragged her away; “I beg you. Don’t leave me. Don’t go where I can’t follow.”
The Devil took one last look at Yoochun and smiled.
Before leaving the building, he stood before Toad who was still groveling on the floor.
“Get up man,” he ordered him.
Toad stood up; head and eyes lowered.
“How long have you known this boy?”
Toad cleared his throat.
“I found him in the catacombs when he could barely walk, Sire.”
Satan glanced at Yoochun. The fighter was still glaring at him.
“You trained him?”
Toad nodded vigorously.
“You did well.”
Toad bowed deeply as the Devil exited the bower; his booming voicing calling out to him in the black.
“See to your friend. See to him well.”
As the Prince of Darkness faded from view, Toad ran to Yoochun’s side.
“Did you see that? She defied him!”
Toad poured some water into a wooden cup. Scooping Yoochun into his strong arms, he brought the water to his friend’s lips. The wounded fighter took a small sip and coughed.
“She loves me; foolish girl”
The older demon sat in the darkness; the only sound the labored breaths of his young friend.
“I have something for you,” he whispered to Yoochun.
The young fighter sighed as a soft twisted braid of hair was placed in his hands.
“Sleep my son,” Toad spoke gently. “Sleep and dream of her, for I know, deep down in your heart, you love her too.”
“Thank you father,” a strained voice murmured into his neck; a single tear drop falling from delicate lashes.