Ladybird

Smiling, happy cupids pass me as I storm off to my apartment.

My feelings are conflicted as I go over every detail of the night. Gloom was easily the biggest highlight. He was eager to please, enthusiastic, and undoubtedly into me. I thought Cupiō was too, and then he froze up, like he was making a mistake.

Like I was a mistake.

He kissed me and then it's like he realized that this wasn't what he wanted, that I'm not good enough.

Why would he want more? He's Head Cupid. He demands respect from everyone in the realm. Of course, he wouldn't want to get involved with me, or a reaper for that matter.

There's a pang of guilt for leaving Gloom high and dry like that, like I'm no better than Cupiō in that regard, but there's no fucking way I'm going back into that restaurant. I'll just have to make it up to him somehow.

Gloom is much more suited for me, anyway.

That thought makes more guilt and an uneasy feeling churn in my stomach. Maybe it's because I know it's a lie. I selfishly want them both and think we could fit together so well.

Haven't I been a patient enough cupid? Stranded in this realm where I don't fit in, loveless and lonely for so long?

It's not that Gloom isn't enough, he's more than enough, and I barely know him. It's just anytime I picture myself happy, Cupiō is a part of that.

Maybe I could be better. I could try to fit in with the cupids more. Maybe that would make him see that I'm worthy enough to be his partner.

I sigh, pressing the code in for my building, one of my nails breaking in the process.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I hiss out as the buzzer beeps, letting me know I haven't put in the right code. "Fuck you," I shout out at the buzzer like a lunatic.

"Birdie," Cupiō's deep familiar voice says from behind me, and I rest my head against the cool glass door.

"What?" I snap.

"Tell her what I told you," Gloom says in a low tone, which makes me turn around.

Gloom is smiling, and Cupiō looks like he'd rather be just about anywhere than here.

"I wanted to ask if you and Gloom would be my dates to the Love in the Veil party," Cupiō says, his dark pink gaze not leaving mine.

"You what?" I respond, not sure I'm hearing him correctly.

Cupiō shuffles his feet and looks down before looking back up at me. Is he nervous?

"I haven't been with someone in a long time, Birdie. Back at the restaurant was a bit much for me. It's not that I didn't want it or I didn't like it. It was just too much too soon. I'd like to spend more time with you and Gloom, take things slower."

Gloom rubs Cupiō's back, and I find it to be extremely precious.

"You told him to say those things?" I ask, looking at Gloom.

"No, Ladybird, I didn't. Is it that hard to believe that a man who hasn't been in a relationship in a few decades?—"

"Centuries," Cupiō interrupts, and both Gloom and I stare at him for a moment.

"He likes you, I like you. He's just out of practice. Cut the hot, old cupid some slack," Gloom says, and I sigh.

I look over at the reaper, my affections growing for him every time he speaks. Could this sarcastic, sexy, little misfit really be the glue that we need to make this work?

"And you?" I ask the reaper.

"Oh, baby, I've never wanted two oblivious gorgeous cupids more in my life."

I straighten my posture and look at the two of them.

"Fine, you can both be my dates."

Gloom smiles, while Cupiō looks shocked.

"Truly?" Cupiō asks, and I nod my head.

"Then it's a date," Gloom exclaims happily, his hand sliding down Cupiō's back where he grabs his harness.

We all stand in front of my building for a long moment, none of us knowing where to go from here.

"I'll see you at work tomorrow," I tell Cupiō and he nods his head and Gloom looks a little put out. "Maybe we could do dinner tomorrow night at one of our places. All three of us."

"How do I get to your realm?" Gloom asks.

Cupiō pulls out a pocket watch and hands it to Gloom. "If you want to enter the realm, open this and say the word amare. You'll automatically be portalled into my home."

Gloom holds the pocket watch in awe for a moment and then glances back up at Cupiō.

"Wait, so you're telling me you could have made it easier for Death and Mors to get into the realm all this time?"

"I'm not interested in Death or Mors," Cupiō says, which makes Gloom grin with satisfaction.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow night," Gloom says with a quick wink before portalling back to his realm, leaving me and Cupiō alone as the bright pink sun sets.

"You promise me this is just about taking things slow?"

He takes a few steps closer to me, his large hand grabbing mine and inspecting my broken nail.

"I've been interested in you for a long time. I want to do things the right way."

"So, what you're saying is, you're old-fashioned?"

"Not in all things, no. But something this important? I plan on taking my time, Birdie," he says softly, raising my hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

He kisses my hand one more time before putting his hands in his pockets and walking back to his estate.

I head into work with a little more pep in my step and a little less hatred for all the happy fuckers that pass me on my way there.

This is new and unusual. I get a few odd looks, and I realize it's because I'm casually smiling while I walk down the street.

It's silly. Surely having my crush solidified and finding Gloom couldn't make this much of a difference in how I feel about the world around me. But it does.

The flowers seem brighter, everyone seems a little more tolerable, and for the first time in a long time I have something to look forward to.

I swipe my badge at the entrance of our building, and Cookie gives me a look like I've grown heads.

"Good morning, Cookie."

She points at herself. "Me? Good morning to me?"

"Yes, do you want me to take it back?" I reply sharply, and she shakes her head.

"No… good morning to you too, Ladybird," she says, her mouth agape as I push the elevator button.

I look down at my nail; I fixed it last night, but it looks like shit. I'll have to go to the salon before the event in a few days to get a new set.

When I enter the elevator, my mood completely shifts when I see Eros there looking downtrodden.

Fuck.

The last thing I need is for him to come sauntering in here and ruining everything Cupiō and I have been working toward.

"What are you doing here?" I snap at him.

"I'm here to see my father. Is that a problem?"

The elevator doors shut behind me, and I push the emergency button, holding the elevator. I spin on my heel and corner the disrespectful little shit. Not that Eros is little. He's the same size as his father, only in stature. He could never measure up to the man his father is.

"You know what? Yes. It is a fucking problem. If you think you're just going to stroll in here and break your father's heart again, then yes, it's a problem. I thought you were with some ghost?"

"I am," he says quickly.

"Then why are you here?"

"I want my father to make me into a ghost too," he replies, shocking the hell out of me.

I sputter for a moment and shake my head. "No."

"No, what?"

"No, you can't ask him to do that. It would destroy him."

The large cupid reaches around me, causing the elevator to continue its ascension to my office.

"It's none of your business. If anyone should get not belonging here, it should be you," he says and my heart sinks for a moment, ugly insecurities rearing their head. The elevator opens, and he pushes past me, getting to his father's office door before I can.

"He's not here yet," I complain, trying to get in his way.

"I'll wait," Eros says, pushing past me.

I'm about to rush to my desk and get security to get him out of here when the elevator chimes and Cupiō comes strolling into the office with two coffees in hand. The smile he had on his face falls as he looks at the two of us.

"Eros?" he questions.

"Father." Eros clears his throat and glares at me. "I'd like to talk to you."

Cupiō nods his head, barely noting my existence, putting my coffee on my desk and leading his son into his office.

So much for having a great day today. If this is what I get for telling Cookie good morning, I'm never speaking to her again.

I sit at my desk and wait for the inevitable. Whatever happiness Cupiō was working toward is surely about to be ripped away by his selfish, immature son.