Love is working the entrance, and Death is standing over her like the overprotective grim reaper he is. He looks less thanenthused to be here, but I know he’d never complain, not when Love has put so much work into the event.
“There you are,” Love says cheerfully, handing us two name tags. “Here are your name tags. So many people came, Gloom!”
“It was a great idea, Love. You should be proud of yourself. I can’t imagine how many love matches will leave here tonight.”
The bubbly cupid bounces in her seat with excitement, and I catch Death’s small smile over his lover being so proud of herself.
Love hands us both two pink tickets. “You get two drinks free. After that, it’s a cash bar.”
“Thanks, Love.”
Death and Ladybird size each other up for a moment, and I grab my date by her waist and drag her through the balloon entryway as we make our way through the park.
Ladybird tosses both of our name tags in the trash.
“There’s no reason for anyone new to know our names. Plus, this dress is far too elegant to have a tacky name tag on it,” she says, and I have to stop myself from smiling. She’d probably hate to hear that she and my friend Death are far more alike than they realize.
Mors and her girlfriend, Juliet, who looks reluctant to approach us, walk over to our table.
“Mors, Juliet, this is my girlfriend, Ladybird,” I say proudly. Not even caring that we haven’t had that conversation. But nothing says we’re in a relationship like wearing an engraved cock cage, at least in my humble opinion.
Ladybird smiles and Juliet’s eyes go wide.
Mors doesn’t outstretch her hand, and neither does Ladybird.
“So you’re the hot, take no prisoners cupid Gloom won’t shut the fuck up about,” Mors says, and I smile proudly. It’s only fair she and Love have to hear my endless talk about my crushes.What’s the point of having friends if they don’t listen to you drone on about the people you like?
“That would be me, yes, and you’re his best friend,” Ladybird says, looking between Mors and Juliet.
“His in a relationship, very much a lesbian best friend, yes,” Mors confirms and Ladybird nods her head in approval.
I don’t know what it is about her possessiveness, but it does it for me. I feel myself getting the urge to get hard, and I breathe through it.
“Gloom, are you okay?” Juliet asks.
“He’s fine. A little too much pre-party champagne,” Ladybird says, covering for me.
“Where’s Head Cupid?” Juliet asks.
Suddenly, there’s a tapping on the microphone, making me smile as he stands at the podium, wearing his all pink suit and the black tie I got him.
“There he is,” I say proudly.
“It’s all making sense now,” Mors says, as our man confidently holds the microphone and begins his speech.
Itap the microphone, so ready to wrap up this part of the event so I can actually enjoy myself with Ladybird and Gloom. But this is part of my duties as Head Cupid.
I sigh, looking out at the crowd filled with different beings in the veil and wonder how much longer I can go on like this. Finding Gloom and realizing my feelings for Ladybird aren’t one-sided has made life better, but I still dread going to work some days.
It’s something I keep to myself. Ladybird is the only reason I’ve been able to go on as long as I have. Without her, I would have begged to be decommissioned years ago. But the cupids are depending on me, and there’s no one else vying for the job.
I take a deep breath, put on a smile, and speak into the microphone. “Welcome to Cupidale. We’re so pleased to have you here for the first ever Love in the Veil event. Before we begin, I would like to take a moment to thank Love, Ladybird, and Gloom. Without them, this event wouldn’t be taking place. Love started a chain reaction when she brought a reaper to the Love New Year last year, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
I look around the space, finding Ladybird and Gloom, who are both smiling and hanging on every word. It gives me more confidence as I look out at the swarm of black and pink.
“Life in the veil can be lonely, no matter what realm you’re in. This event is an effort to bridge that gap and create inter-veil friendships and more. We hope you enjoy the hospitality of Cupidale and find what you are looking for. Drink, eat, and may your heart always lead you in the right direction.”
The crowd claps and the DJ automatically plays some Earth pop song. I get offstage and hand over a pink ticket, grabbing a drink and then starting my beeline to my dates. But I’m stopped by an entity who matches my size.
