Work Text:
SCENE: VINNIE’S BOAT, NIGHT.
Max appears at the door with champagne bottle.
MAX: Nice work Vinnie. I told my father all about it, and now everyone knows what a great job you and your fellas did getting that other family out of our territory.
VINNIE takes champagne glasses out of cabinet, MAX opens bottle and pours.
MAX: Nobody’s gonna be able to say you made your way to the top because of me, babe. You got this with your own hard work.
VINNIE and MAX toast. VINNIE takes glasses, sets them aside, embraces MAX.
VINNIE: I don’t even care about making it to the top, as long as you’re with me.
VINNIE kisses MAX. Fade to black.
THE END
“I think I liked the other ending better. It was sexier.” Beel declared after reading the script update.
Satan cleared his throat loudly and inclined his head towards Luke.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot. Right. OK. This ending is good.”
“I still don’t get it. What are they even talking about?” Luke asked you.
“So, if two people are dating and one is a decision-maker in an organization, a lot of people assume that the other person would never get promotions or recognition if they weren’t dating that person. So Vinnie has to work extra hard to show that he’s not a rising star in the crime family only because he’s going out with the boss’ kid.”
“I guess that’s a human world thing? I don’t think it happens in the celestial realm.”
Looks were exchanged among the brothers over Luke’s head, but nobody felt it was appropriate to set him straight. Now or ever. When he grew up in a few hundred years, he’d understand.
After some rehearsal, Levi managed to get into character and kiss you, and with that scene in the can (as it were) he was ready to edit. In fact, he was so excited to use the new software Diavolo had generously bought that he forgot all about how nervous the kiss scene had made him. He didn’t even flinch when you touched him to point out where you thought things should be added or cut.
That was really nice, because you liked being able to touch him without making him nervous.
_________
When “Hell’s Godfather” won the Devildom Film Festival’s Short Film Contest, Levi forgot all about tripping over his words during the director interviews. He didn’t have to be “in character” to show his enthusiasm and hug his cast members. Except Satan, of course, who snarled at him as he approached, but allowed Levi to give him a pat on the back.
Everyone gathered at the House of Lamentation after the awards to celebrate. When talk turned from what everyone had liked best to how they would do it the next time, Levi declared that he was exhausted from the stress and was going to his room.
You excused yourself and raced to catch up with him before he closed himself away.
“Hey. Wanna hang out?”
“W…well…I guess if it’s just you.”
Out of habit, you sat in your usual beanbag chair and took the controller he handed you. Without headsets, you could both hear the sounds from downstairs dying down, goodbyes being said, and the footsteps of the brothers going to their rooms. The house was almost silent when Levi paused the game.
“I’m sorry I put you through all that, you know.”
“Put me through what, Levi?”
“You know, the whole…r…ro…romance thing in the script.”
His blush, as usual, was completely adorable.
“I didn’t mind it in the least.”
“You don’t have to say that to make me feel better. But I guess that kissing cool mobster Vinnie was better than kissing yucky otaku Levi.”
Before he could tell what was coming, you’d scooted over next to him and surprised him with a kiss.
“Whooooaah! What was that about?”
“I like kissing yucky otaku Levi. I don’t find it yucky in the least.”
He laughed nervously. “OK, Max.”
“Hey!” you retorted, hands on hips, glaring sternly. “I’m not in character here. This is me.” You picked up his hand and held it against your cheek. “It’s me, telling you that I like kissing you.”
“Is this like that episode of ‘Friend of My Sister’s Friend Who Used to be a Mermaid,’ where she pretends to like the main character so she can get close to the main character’s girlfriend? Like, are you hoping that I’ll let you kiss one of my brothers in the next film if you butter me up? Because, it’s like the opposite of that, and I’ll be pretty angry if that’s what you’re doing, because I like you and if you do that I’ll like you even more and I won’t let you kiss anyone else!”
“Levi, right now you’re making Mammon sound like a genius.”
He was momentarily struck dumb, then realized he’d just been insulted.
“Harsh,” he muttered.
You cupped his cheek and forced him to face you.
“Did you not even listen to what I said? I like you too, Levi. In fact, I love you. But if you’re going to act like you don’t want me to feel that way, I’m just going to have to leave you alone from now on.”
He grabbed your hand before you could pull it away.
“Don’t.”
The look in his eyes said a lot of things he hadn’t, but you wanted to hear him say them.
“Don’t what, Levi?”
He gulped and closed his eyes. You’d give him as much time as he needed to gather up the courage to say the words you wanted to hear him say.
“Don’t leave. Don’t leave me…alone. You’re the only one I like having around all the time.”
You didn’t look away. You were waiting for the rest, and he knew it.
“I…I…I love you, OK? There, I said it. Whew. Is that what you wanted?”
His eyebrows shot up further into his bangs when he saw your conniving grin.
“I don’t think I heard that, Levi. What did you say?”
First, he growled. Then he took your head between his hands. Then…he kissed you. Hard. Breathless from all that, he said “I. Love. You.” There was no mistaking it.
“Mmmm. Now doesn’t that feel better?”
He rolled off his beanbag and on top of you, pinning you to the floor. He finally laughed.
“You’re so mean sometimes. I like that about you.”
“Well, if you’re gonna make my life difficult…”
Levi pondered briefly. “Want to finish the game?”
You struggled against him, punching him even though the effort was futile. “No, you stupid demon. I want to do more kissing!”
He looked worried. “Um, if you make me do that, I might want to do more, so, uh, you’d better be ready!”
“Promise?” you asked. He nodded. “Then LET THE KISSING COMMENCE!”
There was no more gaming that night…