I figured it was so if either partner ended up in the hospital the other would be able to visit and make medical decisions. I’m sure there are other spousal privileges that a piece of paper grants but I don’t know offhand what they might be.

That is so cute I’m taking a screenshot so I can pull it up and look at it while I’m working. This way I’ll remember the feeling of joy as they try to crush my spirit.

Thank you so much!

I absolutely agree! I was thinking of Death from the Discworld series when I wrote this. All children know that monsters are real, so it’s easy enough to be honest.

Phesteaus blinked his four eyes slowly at the creature. It couldn’t see him of course, but he heard its heartbeat slow from it’s fluttering pace. Phesteaus was never human, but even hell has cable these days. Human spawn were not supposed to sleep on a concrete floor. They were not supposed to be bruised. They were not supposed to become more afraid when the light turned on.

The demon had excellent hearing. There were many humans in this building. A swarm of them were in a large open space, bustling about and packing something. Little worker bees. More voices in another area of the building, laughing and cursing and complaining about how they were going to get what they were owed, one way or another. Phesteaus focused on them. They were responsible for his charge’s predicament.

The demon stepped back into the darkness, merging with the shadows on the wall. His shadow oozed out of the room and onto the ceiling. Fluorescent lights flickered and burst as he neared them. The building revealed itself to be a warehouse. The scent of the busy bees below were a mild distraction and he discarded them from his mind for now. He had the scent of the ones with the foulest souls. He would visit them later.

The voices grew louder as Phesteaus approached the heavy metal door that separated him from his quarry. The foul stench of rotting souls made the demon grin, thin cracked lips spreading over hundreds of sharp teeth.

Perhaps this is why the favor was called in, Phesteaus mused. The angel never did like getting his hands dirty.

When he opened the door the lights in the room burst with a shower of sparks. The humans cursed and grabbed their phones, illuminating the monster as it shifted back from the shadows. He towered over the humans, knees and back bent to fit in the room. When they began to shout and fire their weapons, a membrane slid over his eyes and Phesteaus shot forward towards the closest human. Soon enough the curses and gunfire turned into screams and the crunching of bone and flesh.

The workers below were gone, scared away by whatever was happening to their employers. The demon was pleased with how his turn as a guardian was going. It wasn’t until he opened the door to the room holding the child that he realized he hadn’t turn incorporeal again.

The child was crying, shaking in a corner of the room. Phesteaus blinked his eyes slowly at the child again and crooked a finger in their direction.

Come little mortal, they can not harm you ever again.

The child just kept crying. The demon tilted his head in thought, and then smiled - teeth covered this time. His form began to twist and shrink, fur growing from the molten cracks on his skin. Falling forward as his limbs contorted and his hands and feet turned to paws.

A black cat stretched where the demon once stood. He padded over to the shocked child and climbed into their lap. The child’s hands automatically went to the cat’s fur and began to pet him softly.

Come child, it is time for you to go home.

The child shakily stood, clutching the cat to their chest.

“Are you a monster?” The child whispered.

Yes, child. I eat monsters that prey on children. Are you a monster?

“No, mister.”

I could tell. You have a kind, young soul. You need not worry child, you are safe from me.

“Okay.” The child hesitated before looking into the cat’s yellow eyes and asking “can I go home now? I really want my mommy and daddy.”

Yes child. Close your eyes.

The child’s eyes closed and the cat’s eyes glowed as the shadows in the room enveloped the child and the cat. When the shadows unwrapped themselves from the pair they were on a sidewalk, outside of an apartment complex. The demon told the child to open their eyes and the child gaped and spun to look at their surroundings.

“Momma! Momma!” The child shouted and cried, still holding the cat as they began running up the exterior apartment stairs. A door opened up and a disheveled pair of adults ran out. The group hugged and cried and Phesteaus wiggled free and to the ground. It was very sweet and sappy and the demon was tempted to cough up a hair ball in protest.

Still, a few years as a guardian to this child wouldn’t be too bad, and there was plenty of corruption on the surface to entertain himself with. Phesteaus was going to enjoy his time on earth and perhaps investigate this “TSA” he’d heard so much about. Best favor repayment ever.

(Long time lurker, first time writer so I hope this is alright! Also, couldn’t remember how to bold so just imagine it where you think it should be.)

I really like it, I’m just a bit confused about the last bit. Did his book use his name and a different one for the lover? Is Michelle her sister? His sister??? So many possibilities!