Chapter Text
Simeon stood in the foyer of Purgatory Hall. Brimming with energy and exhaustion in equal parts.
Luke had long since run off ahead to put away his things. The visit to the Celestial Realm had been comfortable, though returning to the Devildom certainly felt far more like coming home.
Nonetheless, the trip had come and gone, and with it came what had the potential to be the worst souvenir in any of the three realms.
Seven bangles sat heavy in his bag. Michael had presented them just before Simeon had returned to the Devildom.
“It’ll be good fun, I promise. All you need to do is get them to wear it!”
It wasn’t an offer nor a suggestion.
It was an order.
Simeon shook his head, grabbing his suitcase to finally make a move to his bedroom. The thoughts unfortunately followed him.
A depiction of their past selves, it was an enticing concept for anyone, surely. For Simeon, it was a temptation akin to original Sin.
He had aided in the deeds that led to his brothers’ Fall. He had no right to miss those days.
He couldn’t decide whether the stinging in his chest was because Michael had been right, he did want to see his brothers as Angels again or the exact opposite, because he certainly wanted to feel disgusted.
His foresight had done nothing. Spirits chose to taunt him with visions of meaningless things, rather than his biggest concern.
Simeon passed by Luke’s room, then Solomon’s and stopped before his own.
Wait. Solomon!
He glanced at his own door, before walking over to Solomon’s and knocking firmly.
“Coming!” Solomon shouted, accompanied by mild crashing. Typical fare for the wizard. Moments later, he swung the door open, shooting Simeon a smile. “Simeon! Welcome home! I didn’t hear you guys come in.” Splotches of pink dust covered his clothes, with a large splattering on his cheek.
“I’m home,” Simeon said, returning the smile. “I hate to trouble you, but I need a favor. May I come in?” He wiped Solomon’s cheek, clearing it of whatever experiment had gone wrong.
Solomon eyed him oddly, but nodded. “Of course, I’m always happy to help you, Simeon!” He stepped aside, allowing the angel in before closing the door.
True to Simeon’s guesses, Solomon’s desk was coated in the same pink dust with red and white dust having seemingly remained unmixed in large patches. Simeon set his bags on the floor and pulled the bangles out, each still in an elegant sheer bag.
“Souvenirs?” Solomon asked, crouching down and peering at them.
“Not quite,” Simeon said. “I was given these by Michael.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Exactly. He was very insistent on me giving them to the brothers.” Simeon frowned at the bangles again. “He claimed they project an angelic form and encourage righteous behavior. Neither is all that awful on its own, but Michael is not often one to be trusted.”
“After the stories I’ve heard from Asmodeus and Mammon? I don’t blame you,” Solomon scoffed. He picked up a bangle, raising it up against the light, eyes bright with scientific curiosity.
“I can’t really go against Michael, even through inaction.” Simeon explained, “Regardless of our true physical strength, he is above me in status. I’d rather have not even brought these back at all, if I could have.”
“I am curious to see how they’d turn out,” Solomon admitted, “but I share the same sentiments. It would hurt them far more than any amusement we’d get out of it.” Solomon set down the bangle, fully sitting on the floor and looking at Simeon. “So, why did you show them to me exactly?”
“Are those the ones Michael gave you?”
Luke’s voice piped up as the small angel rushed from the door to Simeon’s side.
“Luke,” Simeon greeted, only barely resisting a sigh. He loved Luke, really, but now was not the moment for him to be around. “They are. I want Solomon to make sure they’re safe.”
“Why would Michael give you something dangerous?” Luke asked, eyes widening with concern.
Simeon sighed, reaching over to ruffle Luke’s hair. “Michael’s a very confusing man, so we can’t be sure, even if we want to trust him.”
Luke frowned at him, glancing at the bangles. “I guess it’s kind of weird. I don’t think he’d wanna hurt anyone though!”
Solomon nodded along, smiling at Luke. “You’re such an optimist, Luke.”
“That’s not a bad thing, is it?”
“Not at all,” Solomon assured, “In fact, I think your hope is one of your best traits.”
Simeon smiled at the two, taking a moment to relish in the affection he had for his two sons.
“I would like it if you could examine these bangles on a more arcanic level. Discover exactly what spells are on it. I’d like to be able to make my decisions with full knowledge of the situation.”
“Even if that decision is just to do what you’ve been forced to?” Solomon said.
“Even then,” Simeon nodded, “At the very least, maybe I can find plausible deniability by accidentally feeding them to Cerberus.”
“I understand, I’d be happy to help.” Solomon pulled himself up, dusting off nonexistent dirt. “Then, I’ll be off to the castle.”
“The castle?”
“Yep! Barbatos and Lord Diavolo have given me access to a laboratory space there, so I can’t blow up Purgatory Hall. By accident or on purpose.” He gestured to the mess on his desk, “I’ve been restricting myself to only small experiments when I’m here.”
Solomon moved towards a cabinet, pulling out a medium-sized purple bag. “This is a soothing satchel,” he explained upon Simeon’s curious look. “It doesn’t nullify magic, but it mutes it, so, if these are some kind of timed spell, they shouldn’t go off while in here.”
Simeon oohed appropriately, not even hesitating before teasing. “I imagine you’ve gotten plenty of mileage out of such a device.”
Solomon flushed, avoiding eye contact as he stuffed the bangles away. “Awful, Simeon. You’re utterly awful!”
“He’s not wrong,” Luke supplied helpfully, earning a playful glare from the human.
Simeon laughed, feeling far lighter from just one moment. “Thank you, I try my best.”