But that’s the thing about Ladybird. When you’re someone she cares about, she cares with her whole being.
Mors’ lips twitch and she nods her head. “Something tells me Gloom will fit in more in Cupidale than he ever did in Purgatory. As long as he doesn’t start missing poker nights or gods forbid start wearing pink. No offense,” she says, looking at my pink suit.
I tug on the black tie he bought me. “None taken.”
Gloom comes back to the table, a big smile on his face. “Holy shit, I just met Krampus. He has fucking hooves for feet. Kinda hot though.” I blink at him and he laughs. “Nowhere near as hot as you.”
“Thanks?” I reply.
“You’re welcome,” Gloom says with a smirk.
“How much longer do we need to stay, Love?” Death asks his girlfriend and she sighs.
“I know it’s not as fun as the Love New Year, considering no one is fucking in the middle of the park. But just look at all the possible matches! I mean, some of the cupids aren’t mingling as much as I’d like. But we’ve got to see it play out,” Love tells him.
Death sighs, and leans against the table, probably disassociating from the life he found himself in and his eyes widen.
“Fucking Mortem is here?” he asks Love.
“Why wouldn’t I invite your boss? He’s really kind of nice.”
“Mortem is not nice, Love,” Death hisses.
“Oh, ignore him. Mortem is a decent boss. He just used to be a bit of a hard ass back in the day,” Gloom says.
“I think hard ass is too nice of a term,” I say, and Death looks at me like we finally have something in common.
“There’s no fucking way he falls for a cupid,” Death says and Gloom clicks his tongue.
“Wanna bet on it?”
“Terms?” Death says.
“Mortem dates a cupid and you have to wear a pink outfit. Mortem doesn’t date a cupid and I won’t bother Love for an entire week and you can have her all to yourself,” Gloom suggests.
Death ponders it, looking down at his cupid and back over to his boss.
“Deal,” the large reaper agrees and they shake hands.
Gloom grins. “If you’ll all excuse me, I’ve got a little cupid I need to speak to,” he says and Death glares at him.
Immediately I know which cupid he has in mind.
“Stupid bet, honey. You’re gonna look cute in pink,” she tells him.
Ladybird tugs on my sleeve, and I bend down so my ear is pressed against her lips.
“This has been great and all, but if I have to sit through one more casual conversation, I might just implode,” she says softly.
“Excuse us, we’re going to hit the dance floor,” I tell our guests and they nod, while Gloom tracks down Candy to plot his matchmaking.
“Gloom’s a better cupid than me,” Ladybird says as I hold her hips while we dance.
“I don’t know, I think you’re a pretty spectacular cupid,” I tell her.
“You just want to get laid tonight,” she jests, and I smile down at her.
“I am a man. But being a cupid isn’t one thing. No one could do your job as good as you, Birdie.”
