pls pls pls devil’s minion x short!fem!witch!reader I BEGGGGG
hello!! thank you so much for this request! i did a a good amount of research for this one, i hope you enjoy!!
note: mentions/descriptions of witchcraft practices, daniel is legitimately toxic, armand is a single mom with two badass kids (and is also a little toxic), reader is stressed and needs a drink, rather fluffy and fun near the end, though!
"Hey, Danny, can you pass me that incense really quick? " You currently had your hands full with setting up your alter. The offerings were purposefully stacked, each object having a distinct meaning in the pursuit of appeasing your God.
Daniel obliged, albeit with an air of curiousity. It had been persistent despite your growing annoyance and late night explanations about your practice of choice.
It seemed like no matter how much time you dedicated to answering his many, many questions, there always seemed to be more.
Armand was the exact opposite. From his place on the couch in your living room, he was quietly tapping away on his iPad. You could sense he was listening to each exchange you and Daniel had, but you opted to allow him to think that he was more mysterious than he was.
He never had many questions for you, outside of asking what items you required to continue your worship. From crystals, to candles, even the more niche items like what you required for rituals, you were always able to rely on Armand to get whatever you needed with minimal resistance.
Unlike Daniel and his blatant ogling.
As you were putting your incense away, you felt him eyeing your movements. You sighed, dramatically flaring your nostrils before turning to him.
"What do you want now, Daniel Molloy? "
He grinned, "Ooh, using the full name, are we? " He perched his elbow on your head, making your eyes widen. Unfortunately, your height was always a source of entertainment for him and endless irritation for you.
"I'd like to watch you do that ritual you were talking about this morning, " He continued. "And before you get all riled up, I just wanna say straight up, " He crosses his heart theatrically. "I won't be an asshole. You won't even know I'm there. "
"No. "
Daniel tilted his head down to look at you. One would think that the expression you had on your face told him exactly why.
"Why not? " He said with faux-innocence.
"Because! " You exclaimed, pushing his elbow off of your head, but he put it right back. You tried twice more, but failed.
"I just don't feel comfortable doing my spells in front of people, okay? Stop asking, you're really starting to piss me off. " You hoped that now he finally got the hint.
At first, you were hopeful. He lifted his arm from your head, and put his hands up in surrender. As he walked back, you turned your attention to your crystals. You picked a couple you thought were necessary for tonight, right as you heard Daniel speak.
"Not even if I'm in a different room, just listening? "
You slammed your hands on the armrests of your chair, spinning around to where Daniel sat next to Armand on the couch.
"Armand. " You said sternly. "Get your fledgling! " You stared at his face until he finally met your gaze. His golden eyes were filled with confusion. You flit your eyes in Daniel's direction, who was now currently scrolling on his phone with not a care in the world.
Armand turned to look at Daniel.
"Beloved. "
"Hm? "
"You may think that you are free to poke and prod to gain whatever knowledge you seek, but that is not the case at all. " His face minutely altered, almsot doll-like in nature. "It's best to respect that not everything needs to be stared in the face to acknowledge its existence. "
"Hey, I'm not saying what she does isn't real. I'm just a little curious- "
"Just say nosy. You're nosy, Daniel. "
He smacked his lips before continuing, "All I'm asking is to see my girlfriend in action. Is that a crime? " He was asking Armand, but you felt like it was your place to respond. Unfortunately, Armand had a habit of saying what you thought before you.
"It is not. But that does not grant you the right to break her boundaries in favor of your wants, Daniel. "
You sighed, pinching your brows. "Thanks, Armand, but I really don't need you to speak for me. I can do that just fine by myself. "
Armand looked like he disagreed, but kept his mouth shut. Daniel was unreadable, but had finally stopped scrolling. You pointed at him.
"You. Drop it. " You moved your finger to point at Armand. "Thank you for backing me up. But please refrain from reading my thoughts to do so, okay? "
You turned your attention once more to your items, focusing on writing in your journal for your intentions in your ritual tonight. You didn't notice the way Daniel's annoyance spiked. But Armand did, and he quickly tugged Daniel by his curls before returning to his iPad. That set Daniel hissing, but otherwise he got the hint.
The slam of the door ten minutes later following Daniel's departure didn't make you or Armand flinch. You sighed.
"He'll get over it, dear. You'll see, there's no need to feel guilty for establishing a boundary. "
"Armand, what did I just say about reading my mind? "
—
You were starting to get worried. It was day three of Daniel's petty tantrum, and there was no sign of him returning. You had asked Armand if he sensed his fledging, considering the severed psychic connection didn’t allow for direct communication, but he came up empty-handed.
You paced in your bedroom, Armand already in bed, iPad still in hand. You were starting to bite your nails when you finally spoke.
"I think I'm gonna do a finding spell to figure out where he is. Maybe not now, my amber's not properly charged. " You nibbled your thumb. "I'll go ahead and get it so I can use it tomorrow. " You rushed out of the room, asking Armand as you left,
"It's a full moon tonight, right, Armand? "
Tap tap tap, "Yes, darling, I'm sure of it. " He responded.
You returned, amber in hand, setting it on your dresser alongside your many other crystals. You made sure to leave the curtains open just a tad, to allow a trickle of moonlight to wash over the gems.
Satisfied at the sight and a glimmer of hope in your eyes, you settled under the covers next to Armand. The side of the bed where Daniel slept next to you was extra cold without his stupid, solid frame teasing you as you tried to fall asleep.
Armand finally set his iPad to the side in favor of offering his arms to hold you. You hestitated before settling into his arms. Your stature made it easy for him to spoon and coddle you. One of your favorite pastimes (and Armand's as well, you suspect) was spending hours in his embrace. The way his fingertips traced your features over and over, memorizing each mole, freckle, scar, or otherwise distinct characteristic was reverent. He made you feel so loved, his unblinking stare unnerving to most, but something you found to be especially intimate.
You sighed into his neck, inhaling his scent before saying, "Maybe I could've told him I was fine with describing it instead of flat out rejecting him. "
Armand's hands found the back of your head, stroking it as he hummed, "But were you fine with it? He has been especially demanding as of late. "
You half-heartedly shrugged, "I know he doesn't mean any harm. It's just…this is an important part of me. And I appreciate how interested and nonjudgmental you both are, but it just gets to a point, y'know? " You nuzzled his chest, and you smiled at how that must've startled him, at least based on the way his movements halted before continuing.
"There are still things I don't feel comfortable sharing, at least not yet. You've always been good about understanding, why can't Danny? Is it cause of the age difference? " You muttered, sleep beginning to overtake you, but not entirely.
Armand sighed, "Daniel has always been exceptional at pushing boundaries. He views it as an act of love, the way he endlessly pokes and prods to learn more about you. "
You snorted before Armand continued.
"I truly do not think that his journalistic instinct will ever be hindered. If anything, it has only grown in intensity since his turning. " At the sound of your eyes rolling, he began rubbing your shoulders, instantly making you melt.
"But I have a feeling that he will see the error of his ways and allow you to continue your craft in peace. " He finished.
You made a noise somewhere between a scoff and a hum, "Psh, yeah, right. The day that happens will be the day Hell freezes over. Or the day he admits he was wrong. Both of which will never happens. " It was the last thing you remember saying before finally passing out due to Armand's magic touch.
"You never know, darling. You never know. "
—
You woke up still in Armand's arms, but you felt something else pressed against your back. You lifted your head to look behind you as far as you could.
It was Daniel. He was in his classic sleepwear combo, an old t-shirt of his from the 90's and a pair of comfortable pants. If you didn’t know any better you would think that he was just another old man. But his lack of blood circulation and piercing yellow eyes said otherwise.
You loosened yourself from Armand's hold to face Daniel. You stared at his sleeping face, the rise and fall of his chest moreso instinctual than necessary for survival.
You poked his face. He twitched, but didn't stir.
"Daniel. " You whispered. Nothing, not even a stutter of his breath.
"Daniel, wake the fuck up or I swear I'll push you off this bed. "
Golden pupils met your furious gaze. You felt your heart rate steadily increase. The sight of Daniel carefree and relaxed in your bed after you were ready to start chasing him made your rage steadily ramp in intensity.
"Where have you been. " You said, voice still drowsy despite your best efforts to sound stern.
"Out thinking. " He responded quietly.
"About what? I hope it's about what you plan on doing to make up for making me worried sick. "
Surprisingly, he looked rather..remorseful? It was strangely sincere, so unlike the unabashedly humorous way Daniel often navigated scenarios like these. He kept his eyes down, and propped himself up on his elbow. You stared at him like he was an extraterrestrial, and he spoke softly.
"I don't want you to think that I'm just using you for entertainment. That's not why I'm with you. " You blinked, searching for any hint of this taking a sarcastic tone, but found none.
"I shouldn't have pushed for you to reveal everything about being a witch right away, that was…stupid isn't even the right word. More like ignorant and entitled. "
You wanted to interject and say that was already his default way of existing, but you held your tongue. His other hand found your cheek and began to rub.
"I won't up and leave like that again. I promise. " He leaned down to press a kiss to your forehead before laying back down. You blinked a few times.
"Danny, was that your attempt at an apology? "
He didn't respond, but the light smirk on his face told you all you needed to know. You scoffed.
"That was the shittiest apology I've ever heard in my life. I would say I can't believe it, but I guess now I can! " You shook your head in disbelief.
"I'm gonna go back to sleep and when I wake up, you better have something good up your sleeve. "
Daniel didn't respond, but you thought you heard him whisper 'okay, short stack' before you angrily turned and buried your face in Armand's chest.
Armand opened his eyes right as Daniel rubbed a hand over his face. They ensured you were unconscious before either spoke.
"Shame on you for preparing such a subpar apology for our beautiful partner, Daniel. " Armand whispered. Daniel quickly whispered loudly.
"You were the one who helped me with that 'subpar apology', don't even start trying to blame this square on me! "
"Hush, Daniel. Lest you wish to make her morning even worse than it already is. " Armand traced his fingers against your spine, reveling in your subconcious shiver.
"Well I don't intend to be hexed, not today, not ever. " Daniel responded before flinging the blanket off of his body and getting up.
"What are you planning, Daniel? " Armand questioned.
"Homemade food always puts her in a good mood. Maybe that and a workshopped apology will put me back in her good graces, too. " Daniel said before heading to the kitchen.
Armand looked down at you, so still and innocent.
It was a miracle you hadn't hexed either of them, he thought as the sound of Daniel's ruckus caused you to flinch awake and groan.
author’s note: i truly hope i have properly represented the witch community and their practices! if there is anything at all that has been misconstrued, please let me know!! a huge thanks to @lestattdelioncourtt for providing me with info regarding witchcraft!! thank you so much for reading!