Fate/Satan - 14 (Patreon)

A/N: I know it's been a bit since I actually adhered to my 4 chapters a week schedule in favour of posting new chapters almost regularly on here, but I really needed the little break. I'll mostly be posting doubly over the course of the next week to stock up, and make up the difference. Thank you for your patience, and my apologies if it was inconvenient.

-

Groggily rubbing her eyes as she sat up, Sakura found her strange saviour sitting at the small table under the window across from her bed, engrossed in some old, leatherbound tome with a hand on his chin. The morning sunlight made his pale features shimmer faintly, drowning in his dark robes where it could not find skin.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Oh? Are you awake?"

She nodded shyly, recalling last night's episode.

If he noticed, he didn't speak on it. He simply inclined his head toward the table. She'd been so taken that she failed to notice the breakfast already waiting for her. The sheer number of dishes made her feel nervous.

Fried eggs, and toast with a side of bacon. Steamed rice, a steaming miso soup with tofu in it, a sweet omelette and dried seaweed. There were even dumplings and steamed buns lying on the side.

"I was beginning to worry if the miso soup and the steamed buns would wage war upon each other if left idle any longer." He said amusedly, returning his attention to the book, "I admit, that too might be interesting."

Pft-

Sakura pushed down an unwilling smile.

Western, Japanese and Chinese food all together.

She slowly left her bed, pulling her loosened shirt over her shoulder and fastening the buttons that had come undone tossing and turning in bed. Then, she smoothed out the ends twice and thrice just to be sure.

"Um..."

"You may sit where you please."

Sakura stole a glance at his empty lap.

B-Bad Sakura.

With a slight blush, she settled in the empty chair across from the Prince of Hell. Her eyes quietly passed over all the dishes he'd set up for her.

It was all still too surreal for her to believe.

And, even if she stepped past that, did she really deserve-

A finger poked her cheek. She raised her head. Beelzebub had reached across the table. His face remained inexpressive, but there was a sorry attempt of a smile across it. To her, that was the kindest expression in the world then.

"I am not some desperate creation of your mind." He pushed the book close and leaned back, "You are free. Now, become gluttonous as I, partake of the world at your leisure. I shall see to whoever intrudes upon that right."

Sakura's lips trembled, "W...What should I call you?"

"The Great Deceiver. The Lord of Flies. The Dark God of the Pit. Satan. Beelzebub. Have your pick."

Those names were too cruel to someone who reached out for her hand when no one would.

She didn't know where she found the courage.

"But those are too-"

"Oh well enough. I prefer Beelzebub." He waved a hand in dismissal, "Do eat. We have a long day ahead."

Long day?

Wait... school. She was probably late for school already. If she didn't show, senpai would worry-

Let him.

"Your elder sister has already left. Her departure was unexpectedly prickly. I do believe she was terrified of facing you. Give her some time."

Quietly, Sakura began eating, and though her vision grew blurry, she didn't stop. 

-

As Sakura ate, the Prince of Hell pondered over the greatest problem he faced.

Girls like expensive shopping, right?

Beelzebub secretly went through the magazine he'd hidden inside the dusty old book he'd found in Rin's basement to larp as a well-learned gentleman. Sadly, there was little help in there, save for some outdated health tips, news and the most random short stories.

He was about as experienced with these things as any other weeb.

To begin with, she was the one who messed it all up.

He was earnestly planning on adopting her to spoil her rotten. That was still the plan. It was just a little harder to think of her that way after he unwittingly glimpsed heaven last night. He knew her actions came from a place of trauma that could make the Devil (himself) shy away.

No wonder I wanted to take my father's throne though.

"What do you desire most?"

He raised his head.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she ate.

Why is she crying again?!

His one saving grace was that Medea had not dared to short him on his demands, or attempted some sort of deception. She'd lain at his feet an assortment of raw precious stones, bars of gold and fine jewellery, even yen bills he could only assume she robbed from some bank in the city.

There would be no shortage of wealth with which to spoil Sakura.

"I... don't want to go back." She managed, wiping her eyes with her sleeves.

In answer, Beelzebub rose to his feet and rested his palm atop her head, staring down inexpressively.

"You shall not."

-

"Sir, um-"

"I demand everything that fits this one within this store. Do you deny me, wilful daughter of Adam?"

Sakura watched the exchange quietly, feeling no small amount of confusion. Satan himself was standing outside some expensive store waving around a fist, arguing with a young woman too flustered to even speak. She kept apologising and bowing profusely to no avail.

"Do words not register? Did your parents fail so miserably at educating you about norms? I must have words with them if so."

The lady gave Sakura a pitiful look, lips trembling.

Sakura turned to Rider. The lady did the same.

"M-Miss, can you please um-... maybe, talk to your husband. He can't possibly mean to buy..."

"I desire all for I am the Lord of Gluttony."

The tall servant had changed into a black polo neck top and navy jeans, though the strap around her eyes still brought some attention. Thankfully, most of that attention was diverted to the Prince of Hell she was accompanying. 

Medusa only blushed faintly and averted her gaze, hands pressed together over her stomach.

"I'm not..."

It would be lying if Sakura said she felt no embarrassment at all. Two ancient beings were taking so much care to look after her, more than anyone in her life even. More than that, they really were behaving like some kind of dysfunctional rich family.

This isn't even the first store he's done this at.

Every single time she'd had to insist on a few choice items lest he really make the mistake of spending such incredible amounts on someone like her. 

Sakura closed her eyes and resolved herself once more.

I need to stop him from wasting so much.

-

Stupid Satan.

"Why isn't he here with me instead?"

Rin stomped through the empty school hallway with a frown.

Vacant classrooms lined either side, and she was confident it was too late for even the after school club members to be hanging around. She'd purposely volunteered for after class duty, cleaning up with the help of a handy bit of magecraft after she scared off the goody two shoes that tried to help her out with no ulterior motives at all.

She called on her servant afterward, but apparently, the Prince of Hell was too busy eating ice cream with her little sister.

After all he said, all it took was her sister coming in for him to divert all his attention to her.

He hadn't even offered her anything like that!

"Ugh," Rin massaged her temple, rounding the corner to come up against the stairs leading to the rooftop. "I'm being a horrible person."

At least he was willing to look after Sakura when she didn't even have the guts to face her after... He was even doing her a favour actually, giving her time to gather herself before she had to inevitably face what she'd let transpire right under her nose.

Her feet briskly carried her up the steps.

"It's fine. I'm just making sure the school is secure."

She was in no real danger.

But, maybe it would be reassuring to have someone with her like... maybe the servant she summoned!

Gritting her teeth, Rin Tohsaka slapped herself on the cheeks at the already open door. It gave way with the slightest push, swinging open with a loud bang against the wall. The air before her felt... wrong, like something was out of place.

"Since when do I need someone to protect me?"

The command seals on the back of her palm shimmered faintly, and a phantom itch sprawled over her hand. She brought them together just as realisation struck.

Servant.

"I think ya might, lass."

Rin’s face tightened.

-

Hope you enjoyed.

Please do comment what you thought so I can get my dopamine hit and know how I did.