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Chapter Text

Hey all!

So as promised, and in light of the success of my Hazbin fanfic "Naga", I'm making a sequel! I'm super-proud of "Naga" and it's reception, so I felt like I needed to continue the story.

In this work, we'll be picking up where we left off in the last book. Pent and Niss have formed their own gang and are slowly taking over Henroin's turf. And as a result, Niss's dad ain't too pleased with it. I'm not the best with mob stuff, but I'll do my best.

I'm gonna include more Cherri and Angel in this one. Angel and Niss will be working on mending their relationship while Cherri is wary of Niss but trusts him to some degree. Gonna make some character development between the two.

Just like in "Naga" (and if you haven't read the tags), Pent is a trans male character. If you're confused, read the last book to help you out. As such, he has female biology and genitalia. He's also bi and a top, but likes to switch if it pleases his partner. So expect a LOT of fluff and smut.

Also, I made some unique power for Pentious. In addition to turning his tail into legs, he can also elongate parts of his body. I had the latter idea in my head for a while but it was too late to incorporate it into "Naga". Since Pent is biracial in this one (being of Indian and English descent), Pent is fluent in Hindi and English, but is learning Italian from Niss while the latter is picking up on Hindi. It turns Niss on when the snake speaks Hindi BTW 😚.

Before I forget, in this work, Arackniss’s real name is Dante while Pent’s is Rani.

For Niss, I'm making some unique powers for him, too. In addition to having a venomous bite (it causes the people he bites to hallucinate and get nauseous), Niss can turn invisible or blend in completely with his surroundings.

I'll try to post a new chapter when I can. Finally landed myself a job after months of COVID crazy, so when I can, I'll be working on writing projects. I pray you all are patient with me about it.

Enjoy, everyone!

-KQueen26

Chapter Text

The dark red sky of Hell dimmed the foreboding atmosphere that made up Pentagram City at night. In one of the many sketchy buildings in one of the many slums of the city, on the southwest edge, a group of demons clad were on patrol to make sure no one was after their product. The team on duty was walking through the warehouse to make sure there were no intruders, while the other group relaxed playing cards. The boss was due to come in in the morning to pick up the shipment of the Black Widow drug that had just arrived.

In the back door, a spider demon wearing black clothes and a black balaclava to conceal his face was picking the lock as he and four other black demons waited for him. The lock clicked and the door opened and they snuck in. Before arrival, they studied a blueprint they acquired of the warehouse and one of their own staked it out two days earlier. They know that teams of three are on patrol every hour, with one group making their rounds while the other stay and guard the product. If they can take out the guards, they can get the job done before the patrol returns.

Creeping their way through the warehouse, the leader pulled out a pistol with a silencer and aimed it at the guards. Shooting each of them, the intruders planted bombs around the drugs. Their orders were to infiltrate the warehouse where the Barones were keeping their latest batch of Black Widow and destroy it. Once done with the bombs, the leader set the timer on the primary detonator and the group crept back out the way they came. Just as the first patrol came back to switch off but they discovered the dead right there. But it was too late.

They were so busy trying to figure out what had happened, they did not notice the bombs until the countdown was complete. The entire building, along with everyone and everything in it, went up in flames. Henroin Barone's newest batch of his primary drug, one of the best sold in Hell, was obliterated along with a group of his men.

The intruders watched the inferno from a safe distance in another abandoned building. Mario took off his balaclava and pulled out his phone. Dialing a number on speed-dial, he said "It's done, boss."

* * *

Arackniss got the call from Mario as soon as the job was done. The Black Widow was destroyed and thanks to Pent's handiwork, the explosives were untraceable. It would take weeks for his father to realize who was responsible for the destruction.

"Good work, Mario." Niss said. "Get on outta there and back to the usual place. I'll meet up shortly."

Hanging up, Niss got out of his chair and went down the hallway. The plan was once the warehouse went kablooey, Mario and his troopers would meet with Niss at the Snake Eyes Lounge, a private club owned by a friend of Pent's. But before he left, he wanted to let Pent know where he was going. Knowing the serpent, he was tinkering away in his lab. So the spider went that way.

He and Pent had been together for almost six months. The serpent saved the spider after a drug deal went wrong and Niss was buried alive in the rubble of a building. Pent nursed him back to health and the two fell in love during this time. When he left his father's gang and formed his own, he made Pent his second-in-command. He loved Pent. He gave him the freedom he was denied a long time ago. They both shared each other's secrets, including Pent's identity as a trans man. Even after he found out, Niss never treated him different. He has seen his brother, but he wanted to dress like their mother and sister. That was different, but one thing he could admit, he loved Pent.

Arriving at the lab, Niss crept around until he found the snake at a worktable. He knew when his serpent was in the zone during one of his tinkering sessions, he was too focused on what he was doing to pay attention to what was going on around him. Hell, Niss could throw a party in here while that happened. Tiptoeing behind the snake, he waited until Pent was at a stopping point before he wrapped all six arms around the spider's waist. Pent didn't have his specialized corset on, Niss could feel his curves.

"Hmm, hello Nissy..." Pent says with a gentle hiss in his tone.

"Hey, Pent." Niss replied by kissing the snake's cheek. "I'm heading out for a little bit. Mario called."

"The operation was a success, I assume?"

"Yeah. We're meeting up at Snake Eyes to discuss it. I just wanted to let you know before I left. I know how you are."

Pent worried about Niss. That's how much the spider knew he cared.

He felt the snake turn around and his lips smashed against his. Pent tilted it to deepen the kiss and turned his tail into a pair of legs to wrap around the spider's waist. Niss was fighting the urge to take his boyfriend right there on the worktable, or right there on the stool the snake was sitting on. Before long, Pent broke the kiss.

"Give Scylla a hello for me."

"I will." Niss said. "I'll be home soon, Pent."

Chapter Text

Niss's black car pulled up in front of an ornate burgundy and black building looking like a speakeasy. The exterior walls were decorated with murals of snakes and lines of potted topiaries lined the outside. Pulling up to the front and handing his keys over to the valet, the black spider walked into the club. Much like the exterior, the interior was decorated with imagery and statues of snakes and serpents, with the stage resembling a cobra. Many of the lounge's patrons and employees were serpentine or reptilian demons, but there were a few different kinds frequenting the club. Snake Eyes is also known for being a private club, not everyone is allowed in.

At the bar, a female demon with grayish-black scales on her skin clad in a magenta dress made her way over to Niss. She had piercing grey eyes and black snakes for hair, akin to Medusa. It was Scylla, the lounge's owner and a friend of Pent's, so getting him and his crew, the Ragno Nero, inside wasn't too hard. Plus for Scylla, any friend of Pentious is a friend to her.

"Welcome, Arackniss." Scylla greeted, hugging him as he did. "I trust your ride was uneventful."

"Yeah. Is the rest of my crew here, Scylla?"

"Yes. Where's Pentious? I thought he'd be coming along, too."

"He's in his tinkering mood again. Once he starts, it takes an eternity to pry him away." Niss explained. "I'm going to spend some time with him later and we'll have our own celebration."

The lounge owner led him through the crowd and took him to one of the VIP lounges. There, the rest of the Ragno Nero were there chatting with each other, drinking, etc. A lot of them, like Niss and Mario, were dissenters from the Barones who sided with the don's disowned son while other members were gangbangers who wanted to make something of themselves. They all came to attention when they saw their boss come in.

"At ease, boys." Niss says, taking a seat. "You all have every reason to be happy. We just set back Henroin by six goddamn months." He took a glass of champagne and raised a toast. After taking a sip, he said "So, now that the Black Widow is gonna be set back some, we'll get a chance to push our new drug onto the streets."

Venom: A drug the Ragno Nero created that's twice as addictive as Black Widow. It made cocaine look like baby aspirin. Once they get it out onto the streets of Pentagram City, they'll blow the Barones out of the water by the end of the month. Niss was able to pull some strings and get one of his father's old distributors to work for him and develop his new drug.

"So, what's our next move, boss?" Mario asks.

"With Black Widow off the streets, we need to move to get Venom out there. By the time Pops is able to get his product up and running again, it'll be too late. Venom will have toppled his empire."

One of his men, Alberto looked around and asked "Where's Pent? If he's your consigliere, shouldn't he be here too?"

"Ya know him when he's in tinkering mode. He gets in the zone." Niss said. Even if they know of his relationship with Pent, he'd rather they not make mean remarks about him behind his back. "And besides, he's got his own business to run besides putting up with you chumps."

Everyone laughed at the joke as they continued drinking. Scylla must have hooked them up with some of the good stuff to celebrate their victory tonight. He hoped he doesn't overdo it on the bubbly tonight. He's got his own celebration planned tonight with Pent and he'd like to be sober for it.

* * *

Niss's car was parked in the garage of the Lair. Since Mario was too loaded to drive and he lives at the Lair with Pent and Niss, his boss drove him home. After clumsily getting him up the stairs to his own room and getting him to bed, Niss decided to go to his and Pent's room and see if his snake was there. It was pretty late, so odds are was that Pent had gotten himself down to bed. But knowing him, he wouldn't fall asleep until Niss was safe at home.

Arriving at the door, he turned ti slowly so he could peek inside. Pent was sitting up on his side of the four poster bed reading a book. He was wearing a red V-Neck sleep shirt and it looks like his black pajama pants. He didn't have on his corset, which hid his breasts and curves, or a binder to flatten his chest. Pent liked sleeping without either of them on. Even in the dim lighting, the snake looked so damn sexy.

Opening the door and closing it as he came in, Niss climbed onto the bed and kissed Pent. The snake straddled his spider's lap as they continued the kiss, their eyes locked onto each other as they took a moment to catch their breaths.

"Someone's happy to see me." Pent said with a smile.

"Ya know it, beautiful." Niss tells his boyfriend. "Big night and I think I'd like ta cap it off with you."

Niss slipped his boyfriend's shirt off and immediately got to work on his coat and shirt with one pair of hands while another pair slipped Pent's pants off. The snake undid Niss's slacks and got them off. They each cast their clothing aside until they were in their underwear. An erection tented the spider's and was starting to hurt. Sensing his boyfriend's urgency, Pent got his boxers off and his penis sprang out. Pent slipped his briefs off and tackled Niss. The two engaged in play wrestling until the spider won, straddling Pent's slender waist.

"There are so many ways I wanna do this with ya, Pent." Niss said, rubbing his boyfriend's cheek with his thumb. With one hand, he slipped a finger into the snake's entrance, eliciting a moan from "I could fuck ya this way." Slipping another finger in Pent, Niss continued. "Or I could get you on all fours and fuck you from behind as I played with your perfect tits." Pent moaned because of the second finger. "Hmm, guess you prefer that, bello."

Slipping his fingers out, Niss helped get Pent into the desired position and spread his legs out. The snake had eyes running up and down his body, so he was going to see his spider as he did this. As Pent steadied himself, he felt a pair of the spider's hands on his breasts while another pair was gripping his hips. With his extra eyes on his legs, Pent could see Niss line his cock up with the snake's already wet entrance.

"Go on, Nissy." Pent says with a seductive tone in his voice. "Get your pistol into me."

Grinning, Niss inserted himself in the snake, eliciting a moan from Pent as he did. The snake could feel himself being stretched out by his lover's big dick. He and Niss have been trying some new things since they've been together, but this one was definitely new. That didn't mean he didn't like it. As soon as he gave his boyfriend the signal, he felt his lover pull out halfway and then thrust back into him. As he continued thrusting, he was massaging and playing with Pent's breasts. They kept up the motion as they did, earning moans from each other.

"Oh, yah achchhee!" the snake exclaimed. He felt his boyfriend get bigger. Niss really loved it when his boyfriend spoke in Hindi.

"Sei vicino, amore?" Niss asks.

Pent was definitely feeling close, but he didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to give in first. "Due possono giocare a quel gioco, Nissy, e io non vado giù facilmente!" Pent says and grinds his ass against him.

With that in mind, Niss picked up the pace. He really felt close, but he didn't want to give in first. But he wasn't sure how long he was going to last in this state.

"Main lagabhag vahaan hoon, Pent." The spider tells his beloved. "Aap taiyaar hain?"

Within moments, they both found their release. Pent's arms gave out and soon he and he fell onto the bed with Niss still holding onto him. The couple laid there together, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies as they rode out the wave. The snake demon could feel their fluid dribbling down his inner thigh while Niss snuggled against his boyfriend's scaly body. After a while, he took his cock out, leaving a hollow feeling inside Pent, and turned his boyfriend around to face him. Pent's legs turned into his snake tail and he cuddled up next to his boyfriend.

"That was incredible, Nissy." Pent said.

The spider planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. You deserve the best."

"I know. I have you."

The two kissed on more time before Niss threw the blankets over them. Once covered up, they resumed kissing for a few more minutes. Once done, Pentious snuggled against his boyfriend's fluffy chest. It had become his new favorite pillow since they've been together. Niss liked it. Seeing his lover happy as they were getting down to sleep made him feel good about their relationship.

"Ti amo, Pent."

"Ti amo, Nissy.”

Chapter Text

"Cazzo!" Henroin swears as he threw the phone at the wall. His newest batch of Black Widow has literally gone up in smoke and sales were going to be more than behind. And he has a good idea who's responsible. "Fuckin' Arackniss..."

It was bad enough his eldest son had betrayed him, but now he has gone and started his own gang to challenge him. He even took half his mob, who wanted to defect from the Barones, into his gang. If the husky black-grey spider wasn't already dead, he would have had a stroke by now. He has disowned two sons, both for falling for men, and now he's got less than half of his gang. Now, his top drug has been blown to kingdom come.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in."

A red-skinned spider woman clad in a black suit walked in. She had darker red hair tied in a tight bun, black eyes with purple irises, and her usual stern look on her countenance. Gemma, Henroin's newest second-in-command. With the death of Giovanni D'Antonio, Henroin had to find a replacement. Although Henroin didn't want women in mob business, a contact of his recommended her because of her skill, dependability, and her resilience. Since becoming his new capo, she has sniffed out many would-be defectors and eliminated them and has kept all his foot soldiers in line. She's done a better job than Arackniss.

"Ah, Gemma. I could use some good news."

"I wish there were, Don." said she. Looking at the clipboard she was carrying, Gemma announced "Our newest batch of Black Widow's been completely obliterated. It will take us weeks to get the next one coming. Not only that, sales have begun to diminish."

"How come?"

"Some new drug that's hit the streets. Venom, I think it's called. It's already hitting clubs and streets this side of the Pentagram. I have a feeling the perpetrators are the developers of this new drug."

"No need to speculate, Gemma." Henroin tells her. "I know who did it. And if my son wants a war, I'll give him one."

"If you want, I can have my spies keep an eye out on him and the snake. I've been working on pinpointing Sir Pentious' hideouts and I think I have--"

"No need." the don tells her. "Let them have this. Let my son think he's won this fight. In the meantime, go to our distributors and get them back on their feet. We need to get Black Widow back out there. And once you've found all of Pentious' hideouts, report back to me."

"Yes sir." Gemma left the don's office and Henroin was left to think about his next move. If his son wants his turf, then the don is going to fight for it. He spent decades down in this inferno and has worked hard to get where he is today. No treacherous fag of a son of his was going to ruin it all for him now.

* * *

"So, was it you?" Angel Dust asked his brother, taking a sip of his coffee. "Did you blow Pops' drugs up?"

"I'm pleading the fifth, Anthony." Niss says.

Since they've been together, Pent has insisted that Niss try to make an effort to mend his relationship with his brother. Niss was uneasy about the idea, at first, but after much goading on the snake's part, Niss had started getting in touch with Angel more often. They hang out at this coffee shop Angel's boyfriend, the Radio Demon, recommended, and they just talk. Lately, Angel had been asking how things with Pentious were going. Niss trusted his brother, but not enough to reveal any intimate details about their relationship. And since Angel has been asking what it was like in bed with Pent, Niss has tried to dart past the subject as best he could.

"Word is you've got a new drug hitting the streets. Is that true?"

"Why? You want a hit?"

"No, I've been clean three weeks straight now." Angel says. "Since leaving Valentino and dating Al, I need to make some changes."

Niss smiled and sipped his own coffee. "How are things with the deer, anyway?"

"They've been good. I really think he's good for me. What about you? How's it going with the noodle?"

He knows what he wants to hear. He'd rather not tell his brother about his "celebration" last night. "Good. After I got the news, me and the boys went out for drinks. I drove Mario and me back to the Lair, and Pent and I kissed a little before we went to sleep." Since last night, Niss can't help but smile when he thinks about what might have been the best sex the black spider has ever had.

Angel have a knowing look and a wry smile. "I think you did more than 'kissing', Nissy." he teases. "Ya know, I think your anniversary is comin' up. Ya doin' anythin' special?"

"We've been talkin', but we haven't decided on anythin'." Niss said. "Ya got any ideas? Ones that don't involve sex?"

"Fifty-fifty chance on that one, brotha. But the non-sex idea I got would be takin' him out to dinner. What's that place you two hang out at? Snake Eyes? Think you could get a reservation?"

"I could, but what about a gift?"

"I'd say your dick, but you didn't want ideas like that. If ya know what he likes, try goin' with that."

Angel had a good point. Niss has spent enough time around Pent to know what his interests were. Matter of fact, he spent one day antiquing with the snake and noticed something interesting in one of the display cases.

"You wanna come with me real quick?"

* * *

"That's it." Niss says, pointing to a ring on display at the antique store he and Pent visited the other day. This shop, Relicks, was an antique store in Pent's territory that houses many antiques and vintage items. While window-shopping with his boyfriend one day, Niss noticed something caught Pent's eye. It was a gold ring fashioned in the style of a snake with blue and green gems on its back and two blue gems making up the eyes.

"You want to get a snake ring for your boyfriend?" Angel asks.

"You think it's no good?"

"No, it's a good ring, but my question is why?"

"Something Pent once told me." Niss explains to his brother. "Snake jewelry was popular in the Victorian Era, so Pent has been fascinated by it. And since he's a snake..."

"But you think he might like that ring?"

"Yeah. I mean, he likes stuff like this and I'd like this to be something special.

Pent has done a lot for the spider. More than he could ever repay him. And he'd like to show it to Pent. He wants to prove how much he really loved the serpent demon and how he appreciated him. He wouldn't have had the guts to leave his father if it hadn't been for the cobra kingpin. He have him a home, a new lease on life, everything.

"If ya think he'll like it, get it, Niss." Angel says. "I'm sure he'll like it."

"Thanks, Angel."

The two spider brothers went inside and Niss asked the shopkeeper about the ring in the window. After shelling out the money, he was able to buy the ring and they left the store. Niss walked his brother back to the hotel and he made his way home to the Lair. When he arrived, he saw his boyfriend wasn't around. An Egg Boi, 35, said he went out to visit Cherri. Going up to their room, Niss sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the small velvet box that had the ring in it.

Just six more days, Dante, he thought to himself. Six more days.

Chapter Text

"So," Cherri began. "Your anniversary is coming up. Anything special planned?"

"I'm considering a fancy Italian dinner, and I already got a gift for him." Pent says, looking through his friend's collection of vinyl records. Despite their reputation as rivals, Cherri Bomb is actually one of Pentious's closest friends. He trusted her enough to be comfortable in his own skin around her and tell her his secrets. She was a good listener and an even better friend. "We have been shooting ideas back and forth, but we haven't really settled on anything."

"What did you get him?"

Looking at one of the vinyls he picked out, Pent thought back to a conversation he and his boyfriend had a while back. Niss told him about a treasure box he had when he was a boy. It was an old metal box that he filled with his favorite things when eh was little. A button from a shirt his mother made him, a toy airplane, and a photo of him with his family (in happier times). Niss said he hid the box away in his childhood house years ago when his mother died, but he doubts it could still be there. Pent hired a group of imps who have access to the living world to locate and retrieve the box. Even though they were assassins, the amount of money the snake kingpin offered them was enough to sway them. And sure enough, they managed to retrieve Niss's treasure box.

"You think he'll be happy to see it again?" the cyclops asked.

"Of course. I'd want him to be happy."

That made his friend smile. "So, you planning anything else with him? Come on, Pent. Last time you smiled as much as you did today, it was because your spider spun some webs in you. So what happened? He rail ya? Doggy-style? He fucked your tits?"

Pent blushed and almost dropped the record he was holding before putting it back and backing away from the records. "I rue the day I loaned you my copy of the Kama Sutra, Cherri. Why does our sex life fascinate you so much, anyway?"

"Because up until Angie's brother came into your life, nothing interesting has happened to you since you landed here. You already told me what a dynamo he is in bed. So, what happened? He give you some love last night?"

"You know I don't like talking about what we do, Cherri." Pent said, taking a seat on the sofa. "And I know Niss doesn't do the same when his brother tries to pry."

"Well, at least give me a hint." Then an idea popped in her head. "You know what you should do? You should go down to Sinsations and get something to cap off your anniversary night."

Sinsations was a sex shop a few blocks away from Cherri's place. The cyclops would often brings Pent (reluctantly and in disguise) along to browse the shop. One time they were there, Cherri bought a strap-on and a dildo designed for reptilian demons for Pent as a gag. Even though Pent still kept it, he was uncomfortable visiting that place since.

"Why would I go there? You know how I feel about places like that." the snake asked.

"Come on, you noodle. You've been together six months. Don't ya want to make it special?"

"I think maybe sex is something to do for the one-year anniversary, don't you think? I don't want to do anything to make Niss uncomfortable or scare him."

"He ever done you wouldn't like?" Cherri asked.

No, he hasn't. Since they've been together, Niss hasn't done anything that made Pent uncomfortable and vice versa. The two have experimented on a few things, such as the events of the previous night, but they didn't do anything extreme. Pent wanted his boyfriend happy, and Niss wanted to do the same for him.

"Look, I get it. You two really care about each other and you'd want to do what you can to make each other happy. My advice, go with it. And as for that treasure box thing, I think he's gonna love it."

Pent gave a small smile. "Thanks, Cherri." Just six more days.

Chapter Text

The day of their anniversary arrived. Pent and Niss have been planning their own surprises all week and have been making arrangements for how they wanted tonight to go. Niss didn't want anything too fancy, so Pent had arranged for a dinner at the Lair. Since learning how to cook from Niss, a closeted culinary master, Pent made an Italian dinner for them (mainly because Niss didn't care for Victorian food). The snake wrapped up Niss's treasure box in dark red wrapping paper and tied it up with a yellow ribbon. His plan was once he and Niss were in the drawing room after dinner, he would give it to his boyfriend.

As he wanted to surprise his spider, the serpent got ready in his lab's washroom. The washroom had a sink, toilet, a shower used for decontamination or other uses, and had locker. Rather than wear a suit like usual, Pent changed it up for tonight by wearing a red dress that hugged his curves and dips with a V-neck that accentuated his breasts, black beads at the neckline, hem of the skirt, a black belt and black heels. Something Cherri talked him into doing. Even got lingerie for the occasion. Sex wasn't his primary plan, but he wanted to be more open-minded. It felt strange wearing a dress, or any other women's clothing, after so many years. Didn't even bother with makeup, which he never liked to begin with. This all felt strange. But Cherri was right. He should make these moments special for him and Niss.

Niss was upstairs combing his black hair as he put on the finishing touches. He wore a black dress shirt with a grey bowtie, vest, and grey slacks with a black belt. Looking at the vanity, he saw the velvet ring casket that had his gift to his boyfriend and put it in his vest's inner pocket. After checking himself once again, he thought about tonight. He and Pentious have been together for six months now and they were celebrating it tonight. A lot has happened since they've been together now, and as he went back and remembered what has happened since he came into Pent's afterlife, and he loved every minute of it. He loved that goofy snake. And he wanted to prove it to him tonight.

Going downstairs, Niss noticed his boyfriend leaning against the wall. The spider was surprised to see Pent like that. He may have a female body, but seeing Pent in a dress was new. When the serpentine demon noticed him, he went up to him and hugged him.

"You look good, Pent." Niss said, eyeing his boyfriend up and down, taking in the beautiful creature in front of him. Real good.

The snake chuckled and kissed the spider's cheek. "So do you. Shall we?"

The couple went into the dining room, took their seats, and dinner was served by the Egg Bois. They had pasta carbonara with manicotti and quiche. It was the best meal Niss has had in a very long time. Made him feel good about teaching his boyfriend how to cook. It reminded him of his mother's cooking. She was probably one of the best cooks he ever knew. After dinner, Pent and Niss retired to the drawing room. Pent had hid his gift behind a throw pillow on the sofa they were sitting on, and he planned it out. After a while of discussing how well dinner was, the serpent reached behind the pillow and presented his gift to his boyfriend.

"Aw, Pent." Niss says. "Ya didn't have to."

"I want to. I hope you like it."

The spider unwrapped the gift and when he saw what it was, his eyes widened. It was his treasure box from when he was a boy. He opened it and saw the contents were still inside. His toy plane, a button from his coat, a photo of his family, all of it was still there after decades.

"Jesus, Pent." A spellbound Niss said. "How did you get this?"

"I hired a group of imps with access to the living world to find it." the snake explained. "Usually, they kill people upstairs, but the amount of money I paid them was enough to convince them to locate your treasure box. The house you grew up in apparently is still standing. It's been in the walls where you hid it after all these decades."

A tear began to form in his eyes and he hugged his boyfriend in a tight embrace. "Oh, Pent. Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Nissy. Happy anniversary." Pent smiles and pats his boyfriend's back. The spider pulled back and reached into his vest's pocket, pulling out a small box.

"This is for you, Pent. Happy anniversary." the spider says, handing the small box to his lover.

The snake opened it and saw a beautiful snake ring, like the one in Relicks. Letting out a small gasp, Pent smiled as his boyfriend placed it on his finger. "Thank you, Dante."

The spider pulled him in for a kiss. "You're very welcome, Rani." As they kissed, Niss lifted his boyfriend onto his lap and wrapped all six arms around the slender snake demon. After a while, the two broke the kiss and they looked at each other lovingly. Picking up his boyfriend bridal style, Niss led them upstairs and to their bedroom, their mouths colliding with each other as the door closed. Pent's back was pressed against the door as they made out. One of the spider's hands ran up and down his back until he found the zipper to his dress. The spider let out a light gasp as he felt cold air touch his back. Another pair of hands pushed down the straps of his dress, allowing Niss to see his boyfriend.

Pent was wearing a black plunge bra with red lace on the front with dark red straps. Niss always wondered how his lovely serpent was able to flatten his breasts because they were as big as his brother's chest floof. He watched as Pent slipped the dress off, letting the garment pool at the floor. In addition to the bra, Pent wore lacy dark red panties.

"How is someone like you so beautiful?" the spider asks, kissing his lips once again. He felt his lover's hand on his crotch, allowing him to feel his throbbing member through the fabric of his pants.

"I'm beautiful? I always thought that was you, my handsome spider." Pent teases as he fondled his boyfriend. As he did so, he guided him to their bed. He wasn't using his powers of mesmerization but the serpent had the spider in the palm of his hand. As soon as the back of Niss's thighs hit the edge of the bed, Pent pushed him down onto the mattress and climbed on top of him, straddling his lap as he continued fondling his boyfriend's cock through his pants and undoing his bowtie with his free hand. Once done with the bowtie, he started undoing his vest and shirt, revealing his taut abs.

Niss's erection was reaching painful limits. He knew it. Pent knew it. If he didn't get in this sexy snake soon, he might just lose it. His boyfriend began undoing his pants, pulling them off and his boxers. With his lower pair of arms, he pulled the snake's panties off and threw them aside, and took his bra off. He pulled Pent down and kissed him ravenously.

"Wanna do what we did the other night?" the spider asked in the sultriest voice he had ever said. "Me going from behind and filling you up?"

"Oh, I'd love that, Nissy." Pent says. "But, can we try something first."

"I don't see why not. What ya got in mind?"

Pent got off of him and walked over to his drawers. As he rifled through the drawer, he says "The only reason I even got this is because Cherri talked me into it."

Now Niss was curious. His eyes widened when he saw the thing in his boyfriend's hand. It was a strap-on harness with an odd-looking object in his other hand. "What the hell is that?"

"Something designed for serpentine demons." Pent explains. "Male snakes have a hemipenes, which is basically two penises."

"Don’t tell my brother. He’ll break up with Alastor if ya do."

"Cherri dragged me along with her to some sex shop and got me this as a joke. But after she brought it up, I've been considering."

"You're gonna peg me?"

Climbing back onto the bed, Pent had a more mischievous look on his face. "You could say that. One end will play with your pistol while the other goes in you. And while that happens, I'm going to suckle your member. When you hit your peak, I'm going to suck every last drop of you."

If his dick got any harder, Niss might burst right here and now. "Ya leave me in this state, I'll go nuts, Pent."

Pent chuckles and flips his boyfriend around so his cute ass was facing the snake. Putting on the harness and the dildo, Pent lined himself up with his boyfriend's hole. Lubing him up, Pent went into the spider. Niss let out a moan as one end of the hemi-dildo went into him while the other end was against his cock. Oddly enough, Niss realized that he was actually enjoying this. He's used to Pent riding him, but this new experience was an interesting one. As soon as he was sure it was okay to continue, the snake thrusted into him, pulled out halfway, and thrusted again.

They kept up a pendulous rhythm as Niss moaned in between thrusts.

"Hmm." Pent said in between thrusts. "You're enjoying this more than I thought you would."

"Just keep going, Pent!" Niss said, intensely.

Eyeing his boyfriend's cock, Pent elongated his neck and got down, giving his boyfriend's tip a kiss. The squeal the spider emitted made him giggle. Within moments, he was deepthroating his spider as he continued thrusting into him. This was one of the rare times that he was grateful snake demons like him did not have gag reflexes. His jaw even stretched out a little to accommodate the fleshy pillar inside his maw.

When his boyfriend came, Pent swallowed every last drop of his hot seed. After one last audible gulp, Pent released his spider's semi-erect cock and got out of his hole. Tossing the harness aside, he laid against Niss, listening to his gasps and feeling his breathing.

"Wow, Pent. I don't know why we didn't try that sooner." Niss said, turning to face him. Pressing the spider on his back, Niss climbed on top of him and lined his hard-again dick against his slick entrance. After what felt like five rounds of sex, both partners were spent. They laid side by side and gazed lovingly at each other.

"Happy anniversary, Nissy." Pent says.

Kissing his boyfriend's hand, specifically the one with his ring, the spider said "Happy anniversary, bello."

The two slept the best night either of them had in the longest time after that.

Chapter Text

Gemma sat at her desk in her office watching the security footage from the warehouse on her tablet. She must have been seen it fifteen times, but she felt like she couldn't get any concrete clues. She acknowledged what Henroin said when he said he knew who the culprits were, but she didn't find anything solid when she went to investigate the smoldering ruins of the warehouse. The security video didn't give her much to go on either. If the Ragni Nero were indeed behind it, then they clearly took a lot of time and effort to plan it.

"You're more clever than I thought, Niss." she says. "I could see why you were held in such high esteem."

Turning off the video, she placed her tablet on her desk and got out her phone. She texted her "fixer" if he got the intel she needed, and he said he wanted to meet up with her at the usual place. Getting her purse and locking the door to her office, Gemma left the Barone mansion and vanished in a puff of smoke. She teleported herself to some decrepit apartment building on the other side of Barone territory. It was a three-story building with boarded up and broken windows and a sign on the front door saying "CONDEMNED". She knew it was a front for her fixer's operation. Louie had been working for her since she landed in this eternal shit-hole. He was a skilled hacker, fence, and possibly the best information broker in Hell. She didn't know what he did to land himself down here, but she was glad he did.

Opening the door, the red spider woman walked through a dark hallway riddled with cobwebs and and dust. Gemma didn't know or care what the building was before Louie called it home, but it served as a good hideout. Only a few people know he calls this place home. The interior of this rathole was surely something. The top two floors had collapsed and the first floor was where the magic happened. On one end of the room was a cot with a nightstand that made up the "bedroom", on another end was a refrigerator and a card table and a sink AKA the kitchen, and the bathroom (which by some miracle works) was accessible through a door. In the middle of the room was an array of computer monitors with different things on the screens. Commanding them was Louie.

Louie was a dark purple-skinned demon with goat-like attributes such as horns and cloven hoofs for feet. He wore his usual black T-shirt with a demonic skull on it and cargo pants. He was shorter than the spider woman, but average height for a demon. Gemma is so light on her feet that he didn't even hear her come in. Of course he was expecting her, but he can never tell which direction she was gonna come from. He turned around and let out a startled cry.

"Jesus Christ, Gem!" he says, regaining his composure. "You know I hate it when ya do that."

"I know, but that's what makes it fun." she gave a coy smile. "Anyway, you said you wanted to see me."

The goat directed their attention to the main monitor. After Gemma called him in, he checked into the evidence the Barones collected to see if he could find something they missed. He tapped into security footage caught by cameras from nearby buildings, ran through the list of whatever was recovered from the ruins of the warehouse, and whatever else he needed to do. The minute he found a clue, he called Gemma.

"Now, the explosives used in blowing the warehouse up were untraceable, so odds are we won't be able to figure out who it was." said Louie. "Luckily, there was a traffic cam near the building, so I tapped it and found something that was caught on video a few days before that place went kablooey."

He pressed a button and the footage played. It was directed at the front portion of the warehouse in the middle of the day. Across the street, there was a figure sitting alone on a bench with his phone directly facing the front of the warehouse. The figure was a black-skinned demon covered head to toe in dark carmine clothing with a wide-brimmed hat. Gemma felt like she had seen the demon from somewhere before, but she couldn't figure out where. That and the fact that it appeared too far away to get a good look made it more difficult.

"Who was that?" Gemma asks.

"No clue. My facial recognition software still has a few bugs in it, so I can't get a positive ID." Louie replied. "As far as we know, that guy might have been staking it out so they could blow up all that Black Widow."

"As soon as you get that facial rec up and running let me know. Boss will want the son of a bitch behind this strung up like a duck in a Chinese restaurant. And did you get the other material I requested?"

The goat handed her a manilla envelope labeled "Giovanni" on it. Since Henroin didn't want her knowing anything about Giovanni, she decided to get her best hacker to find any and all information about him for her. With a satisfied smile, she placed it in her purse. "Good job, Louie. Let me know when you ID the spy."

"Got it."

As she left the dilapidated building, Gemma's phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her jacket. Much to her annoyance, another contact of hers wants to meet with her. While she does get her money's worth out of reaching out to Marty when she needs his help, the relationship they have is an odd one. And whenever she gets what she needs, he wants something out of her.

The red spider put her phone up, took a deep breath, and teleported to Marty's. Thank God she kept condoms in her purse.

* * *

"Happy?" Gemma asked, pulling her pants back up and scrounging for her bra and shirt.

"Always when it's you, darlin'." Marty, a slim black-skinned scorpion demon replied as he took a drag. "But you always act like you have to go right away? No harm in staying over for a bit."

"Well, if my boss doesn't hear from me soon, he'll send out a search party that'll rip the Pentagram apart looking for me." she says. Putting the rest of her clothes on and gathering her belongings, the female spider said "Now, I appreciate the intel and sex, but I really got to go."

The scorpion blew out a puff of smoke and said "Alright. But if your pretty little ass is ever in need, you know where to look."

Teleporting back to the Barone estate, Gemma went through her checklist of evidence trying to piece together who the perpetrators might be. She felt like she had a clue somewhere, but she couldn't figure out for sure. Hopefully, the info from Giovanni's records might be useful.

Walking through the mansion's halls, she thought back about her previous life. She was an assassin when she was alive. A honeypot capable of exploiting and killing her targets. She was brains and beauty all in one. But one day, she tried to get in the wrong man's pants. She should have known he was CIA, and he killed her. After landing in Hell, she did some freelance assassination for overlords, mob bosses, and kingpins. Eventually, a former client recommended her to the Barones. While she was less thrilled about being employed by a misogynistic pig of an arachnid like Henroin, being his new consigliere and assassin had its privileges. She sniffed out anyone wanting out of the gang and killed them and kept the others in line.

Going to her office, she opened the envelope and looked through the contents. It was mostly notes and photographs Giovanni took prior to getting offed by the cobra. The photos were more intriguing. Taken by his telescopic lensed camera, Giovanni got some photos of Arackniss making out with Pentious. The snake's body piqued Gemma's interest. He had curves, breasts, and more feminine attributes. And from what she could seed, Arackniss had a massive cock.

"Guess I found your weakness, Niss." said she. Now she needs a plan.

Chapter Text

Pent kept quiet about his stomachaches from Niss since yesterday morning. He didn't want his spider to worry. Lately, this was the latest symptom. He cleared the food, none of it was tainted or anything. Plus if it were food poisoning, Niss and the Egg Bois would have been sick too. He tried to go through all the possibilities in his head. He missed his period, but he just thought he just got the timing wrong. Then he thought about the number of times he and Niss had had sex. I can't be.

He did have female biology, plus the organs to go with it, but he couldn't be pregnant. It's rare for sinners to reproduce, considering they live in a place of hellfire and brimstone. Prior to Arackniss, Pent has had dalliances with men and women, but nothing came out of any of them. Plus, it wasn't impossible for him to be fertile. When he was alive, he had a son. That's proof he could bear, but could it still be possible in death? If the snake had enough foresight, he could have convinced his boyfriend to wear a condom.

Knowing that the mansion wasn't a safe place for secrets, with his boyfriend, the Ragno Nero, and several thousand egg demons running around, Pent called Cherri to meet up with him. Leaving the Lair in disguise, Pent met up with the cyclops at a drug store in her turf. He didn't give his friend all the details but Cherri could sense something was bothering him.

"Are you sure about this?" Cherri asks as she looked through shelves of take home pregnancy tests.

"Not one-hundred percent, but it's a possibility." the snake said. "Believe me Cherri, I've been down here long enough to think I've seen it all, but maybe it's possible. I mean, it's not like Niss and I are models of safe sex practices."

"No one here is." Cherri replied. "But even if you were pregnant, what would you and Niss even do with the kid? I mean, you two run a mob for crying out-loud."

"I know. But Niss doesn't know any of this and I don't want him to worry over nothing."

"And if it comes out positive, you want him to worry about it?" Cherri retorts. "Pent, this isn't the safest place for you to raise your kid. And would Niss even want it?"

He didn't know how to answer her. He hadn't considered how Niss would feel about the baby. They never really discussed having kids, since they knew it wouldn't have been considered possible. And since he knew about Henroin's parenting, Pent wondered if Niss would even want to be a father after the shit his father put him through.

Looking through the shelves, Pent picked out the test he believed was suitable and asked Cherri to pay for it. While his friend was taking care of it, Pent hung out by the magazine rack with nothing but his own thoughts. Pondering on his friend's words, he wondered about if he were pregnant, what would that mean for him and Niss. They both run a gang, not a safe place to raise a child, and he wasn't sure if Niss would want the baby if he told him.

Pent wasn't sure if he could conceive again when he arrived here. When Niss came along, he never even considered the possibility. To him, it would be nice to be a parent again. Thoughts of his son Joseph swirled in his mind. Those memories were some of his happiest. He loved his son dearly. The day he died, his wife tried to drown him in a fountain out of a psychotic episode. Pent fought her off and saved their son, but accidentally killed her by slitting her throat with a trowel. The look on Joseph's face when he saw his mother die chilled Pent to the core. Unable to live with what he had done, Pent slit his own throat. His last thoughts were for Jospeh to forgive him. If he did get that chance again, Pent promised himself he would do better.

The snake was so lost in thought, he didn't even notice someone was behind him until he bumped into her. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry."

"It's okay." said the spider woman. She had red skin and darker red hair reaching up her mid-back clad in a black off the shoulder top, torn black jeans, and leather boots. "You alright?"

"Yes, I've got like a thousand things going on in my head."

Before he could continue, Cherri arrived and the two left the store together. Neither of them aware that Gemma was tailing them. Arriving at Cherri's place, Pent went to the bathroom to take the test. The best one Pent found was a two-pack, but not every pregnancy test is accurate, so if they one was positive and the other wasn't it would help alleviate the snake's worry. Once he had done what he needed to do, he just sat against Cherri's bed with her.

"How you feelin'?" Cherri asked him.

"Nervous. Then again, who wouldn't be?"

The cyclops wrapped an arm around his shoulder to comfort him. "So, assuming it's positive, how would you feel?"

Clutching his stomach, Pent said "Part of me would be happy. The other part of me worries about Niss's feelings."

"You two never talked about it? I mean if you did, we wouldn't have gotten the tests."

The serpent have a wry smile. "You know about Joseph. And Vivek. When the woman I married was infertile, my own valet agreed to conceive with me. I loved them both. Joseph was the happiest thing that came into my life. I would want to keep the child, but I don't know about Niss. His father mistreated him, alive and dead. I wouldn't know how he would take it."

"Pent, he loves you, right?" Cherri said. "You saved him from Henroin. He'd want you happy. But if this does come out positive, you gotta tell him."

On that note, Cherri went to check to see if the tests were down. Walking over to the sink where they sat, her red eye widened when she looked at the results. Pent didn't like that look, so he got up and went to see them for himself. Both sticks had the same result: Two pink lines. Pent was almost ready to vomit in the sink, but was able to keep it down. He just knelt by the sink with a plethora of emotions going through his head.

How was he going to tell Niss?

Chapter Text

At the Lair, Pent kept going through every possible scenario in his hand. Subconsciously resting a hand on his stomach and the pregnancy tests carefully resting in his breast pocket, the serpent wondered how Niss would take the news of his pregnancy. Technically, this shouldn't be possible since they were both Sinners, but the fact that Pent had reproductive organs didn't help out. He reflected on his talk with Cherri prior to see the pregnancy test. Even though they never talked about kids, he knew Niss loved him enough to want him to be happy and vice versa, so if it ever happened, would Niss want him to go through with it?

"Hey, Pent." a voice called from behind. The snake turned to see Mario. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Mario. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, Boss wants everyone to meet up later. Just that monthly report."

The snake raised an eyebrow. "I thought that wasn't until next week."

"It was, but Venom's been makin' a killin' on the streets. Plus we're getting more of Henroin's old turf. Niss wanted to hear the news."

"What time?"

"About 3:00." Mario replied. "You gonna be there?"

"I'm the consigliere, am I not? Of course." While he could trust Mario enough to tell him what was bothering him, he didn't want to as he felt Niss should be the first to know.

As Pent slithered off, he tried to form a plan in his mind about how to approach his boyfriend about his recent discovery. Waiting until after the meeting would probably be a better time to break the news, but how would he tell him?

With prying mobsters around the Lair right now, it would be difficult for him to think. Stepping outside, the snake decided to take a walk to help him clear his head and figure out how to break the news. Turning the corner, he saw the red spider woman from the drug store leaning against a telephone pole taking a smoke. Pent slithered faster to avoid the secondhand smoke. Something he has to do given his current state.

As he continued down the street, he realized the spider woman was tailing him. Eyes running up and down his body, hard to sneak up on him. Who was she and what did she want?

Ducking into an alley, Pent waited until she came close to confront her. He didn't want to get into a fistfight since he didn't want the baby harmed. He hoped to try and talk to her. Sensing someone approaching, the snake peered around the corner to see her coming. Coming out of hiding, he opened his mouth to speak, only to be knocked back into the wall and gagged by the spider woman, who injects him with a syringe of some kind.

* * *

"Has anyone seen Pent?" Niss asks his men, looking around the conference room. All his capos had arrived except for his consigliere: Sir Pentious. It wasn't like his boyfriend/consigliere to not show up, especially with news of Venom making such a splash. Since hitting the streets of Hell, Venom has become one of the city's more popular drugs, making Black Widow and Valentino's Smut look like baby aspirin.

"I saw him an hour ago." Mario says. "He said he'd be here."

Everyone else in the room said they each saw Pent at different times that day. One of them said he saw Pent go out for a walk, but hasn't seen him since. If Pent went out for a walk, he either was held up or lost track of time. Niss noticed that something felt off about Pent when he came home. He wasn't his usual happy, vivacious self. He seemed rather distracted. His thoughts were distracted by his phone buzzing.

Reading the caller ID as Pent's the black spider answered "Pent, where the hell are ya? The meeting--"

"Arackniss, I presume?" a female voice spoke on the other end.

"The fuck are ya and where's Pent?"

"The name is Gemma, firstly. And secondly, Pentious is indisposed at the moment. I got to say, I thought your father was being paranoid when he said you and your gang were responsible for the Black Widow destruction, but it looks like he was right. Anyway, I would like to propose a deal..."

Chapter Text

Pent groaned as he woke up. As he came to, he found himself in some decrepit-looking room in an equally decrepit-looking building. He was tied up to a chair and his only source of light was a lighting fixture that hung overhead. The door creaked open and the red spider walked in. This time, she was dressed in a dark suit and her hair was tied up in a bun.

"Finally." she smirks. "You're awake."

"Do you have any idea who I am, you whore?" Pent hisses, donning his more reputable persona. "I am Sir Pentious! And I'll let you know I have friends in high places who won't let this sstand."

"If you mean your spider boyfriend, he's already aware I have you." Gemma explained. Getting closer, she leaned down until she was eye-level with the snake. "And if he values you two, he better get his ass down here."

"You two?" Pent's eyes widened when he realized what she meant. He watched as she removed the pregnancy tests from her coat pocket and waved it in his face before setting it on the table beside them.

"I didn't know about this when I nabbed you, but as I see it, I've got all the leverage against Arackniss if he comes with an army. You and Junior are more valuable to me alive. So for now, until this plays out, I'm not doing anything to you."

* * *

Niss kept calling his brother's phone until he finally got an answer. Apparently, his phone died and he lost his charger. After explaining the situation, Angel was more than willing to join the action. And if he's in, it won't be long before Cherri gets the news and comes along. Gemma's orders were to come without any mob interference. Since Cherri and Angel aren't in his gang, they don't count as "mob interference". All that bitch had to say was she took Pent and that sent him over the edge.

He had heard of Gemma from one of his foot soldiers. Word was getting around that Henroin got a new consigliere/assassin and from what his sources told him, Gemma was ten times more dangerous than Niss. She was a freelancer before she got in the mob and had a reputation for being calculating, crafty, and not one to back down from a fight or take fools, and is a master with weapons.

Arriving at the address Gemma provided, Arackniss went inside while Angel and Cherri scouted for another way in to rescue Pent while he talks with her. Although she said she wanted to talk, Niss couldn't help but feel like Gemma had something up her sleeve. Going through the corridor of the rickety building, he found a light at the end of the hall. Opening the door, he found a red spider woman sitting in a chair at a card table.

"You Gemma?"

"I am. And you must be Arackniss. Heard a lot about you. All good of course." She gestures to the chair across from her and the black spider takes his seat.

"Where's Pent?"

"He's fine, at the moment. And in case you ask, your father has no idea what's going on here. None of the Barones are here. This is between you and me."

"Why?" Niss asked. The longer her fishes for answers from her, the sooner the cavalry can find his boyfriend. "I've never seen ya a day in my life, so why you goin' through all this for me?"

"Because you and I both want that old codger out of the game. When your father hired me, he treated me like some two-bit broad. He didn't take me seriously until he saw me shoot a cheating gun dealer in the dick and head. I worked my ass of to become his consigliere, but he still treats me like nothing. He's nothing more than a ." Niss could not argue with her about that. "That's why I want you. You've been here with him a long, long time. You know all his strengths and weaknesses, so I want you to tell me so I can take over."

Niss raised an eyebrow. "You run the mob?"

Meanwhile, Angel and Cherri crept through the building looking for Pentious. Niss was keeping his abductor busy by chatting with her, which hopefully would give them enough time to find the snake. So far, they haven't found him in any of the rooms they searched. They don't know how long until Niss can keep her distracted and . Not to mention, there was no guards or anything else here.

Angel opens a door and peered inside. Pent was tied up to a chair inside and when he saw his friend and Angel, he lit up.

"Keep it down." Angel says to the snake as he untied him. "We'll get ya outta here, but you need to be quiet."

"Where's Nissy?" the serpent asked.

"Keeping your kidnapper busy." Cherri answered. "Speaking of which, does she have guards with her? Anyone from the Barones?"

"No."

Angel's eyes darted to something on the table. He picked up the pregnancy tests and his eyes grew as big as saucers. Cherri tells him they'll talk about it later and they snuck out of the room and through the hallway. Meanwhile, Niss was still listening to Gemma's tirade. As much as he'd like to get back at Henroin for all the shit he ever put him through, there's no way in Hell he would help her, especially since she kidnapped his boyfriend.

"You really think I'd help you overthrow my Pops?" Niss says. "I may hate him, but I wouldn't sic my worst enemy on him. How could you even think that?"

"Because you were nothing but the loyal son before your father disowned you. And for what? Sleeping with a trans snake with a bloated ego? If I were you, I'd give that shitty son of a bitch what he truly deserves. And if you help me, I'll let you back in the Barones as my second-in-command."

"I got my own gang and we're doing a great job." the black spider argued. "And I'd rather run out in the middle of an Extermination than go back after all those decades of mind-fucking torture."

"Agreed." Gemma says. "And I know you got someone getting your boyfriend out, and they should be out of here by now. So on that note, I bid you adieu, Arackniss." As she got up, she turned to the door behind her. "But know this, next time our paths cross, I might not be willing to negotiate." She walked out, leaving Niss alone.

The black spider exited the building and went to the car he had waiting for when they got Pent back. Instead, he found Angel waiting around. He had a concerned look on his face about something.

"Where's Pent?" he asked.

"Cherri took him back to the Lair." his brother explained. "He's fine. That bitch didn't do anythin' to him." Putting a hand in one pocket, Angel says "Dante, I think there's somethin' ya need to know."

* * *

Niss was staring at the tests in his hand as he walked up the stairs to his and Pent's room. Angel showed them to him when and the black spider didn't know what to think. He knew that Pent was biologically female, but he was also a Sinner. No way they should be able to conceive. Then again, this is Hell. Anything can happen. As he continued to think, he wondered how long his boyfriend knew about this. Could he have just found out? Did he find out yesterday?

Before he knew it, he made it to the door to his and Pent's room. Putting the tests in his pocket, Niss gathered himself as he opened the door. Pent was sitting on the bed and when he saw his boyfriend, he slithered over and pulled him in for a big hug.

"Nissy!" said Pent, almost misty-eyed. "I'm so happy to see you again!"

"Same here, ya noodle." Niss reciprocated.

"That witch didn't do anything to you, did she? What did she even want?"

"Apparently, she kidnapped you to get me so I could tell her how to take down Pops. I wouldn't talk. She let us all go." His magenta-colored eyes moved down to Pent's abdomen. "Pent, I gotta ask ya somethin'. Is it true?"

"What is?"

The spider pulled the sticks out of his pocket and showed them to his boyfriend. Pent let out a shaky sigh as he saw them, one hand touching his stomach.

"I--" he stammered. "I've been trying to figure out how to tell you. Then she took me."

"So, it's true? You're pregnant?"

The snake gave a sad nod. "Cherri and I got the tests this morning and I took them at her home. I spent all day trying to figure out how to tell you. It is rare for Sinners to reproduce, but I've been here long enough to think I've seen it all." Pent looked at his boyfriend, whose eyes were still fixed to his belly. "If you don't want the baby, then maybe I can give it up. I could--"

Suddenly, the snake felt six arms wrap around him and he looked at Niss. "You keep on surprisin' me, don't ya, Pent?"

"You're happy?"

The spider placed a hand on Pent's abdomen, making the snake gasp lightly, and said "This is our kid, why wouldn't I be?"

"You mean it?"

Another hand was fiddling with the snake's ring while he slid the hand on his stomach around his waist. "Pent, Anthony and I were treated like shit by Pops. One day when we were boys, we promised ourselves that if either of us ever got the chance to actually be a dad, we try to be betta than him. And since this baby's ours, I'm happy. Especially with you, bello."

Tears started to form in the corners of the snake's eyes. "Niss, I love you so much. Thank you!"

The spider kissed his cheek. "I love you, Rani." He then bent down to get face-level with his boyfriend's stomach. "E ti amo, mio bambino." The couple then held each other in deep embrace, lips connected while they each rested a hand over Pent's abdomen, to the life forming within; the result of their love. In his mind, Niss promised himself that he would always be there for his child and his boyfriend, the mother of his child. Be there to love them and protect them.

Chapter Text

That evening, Gemma was called into Henroin's office. She wasn't sure what it was about, but something gave her the impression it was serious. Entering the don's office, she was greeted with a stern command to take her seat. It was serious. The back of the boss's chair was facing her as he looked out the window to the city. As soon as the red female spider sat down in the leather chair, Henroin turned to face her. He always had a stern look on his face, but that one, Gemma could sense she was in trouble.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" she said, trying to keep herself composed.

"Yes, I did, Gemma." Henroin said. "You been up to anythin' lately? Other than investigatin' the Black Widow destruction?"

"I think I've figured out who the culprit is, Don Barone. And rest assured, I'me preparing to make the next move against--"

"I know what you did." Henroin interrupts. "You knew it was Arackniss and the Ragno Nero, even though I already made that clear to you he was indeed responsible. Not only that, you abducted Sir Pentious."

"How did--?"

"I have my ways. Now, why did you do it?"

"I only kidnapped Pentious to lure Arackniss in to get him to confess." she defended herself. "Once I got what I needed, I let them go."

"And?" Did he do it or not?"

Gemma took a deep breath. "He did."

The mob boss leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. "Next time you decide somethin' like this, you should consult me. You're my capo, Gemma. You're lucky I ain't layin' into ya like I would every other screwup I call in here. But next time, you talk to me first, Gemma."

"Understood."

As soon as she was dismissed, Gemma fumed over the reprimand. When she takes over, she won't let any other man in this gang treat her the way Henroin does her. He's lucky she didn't just blast his dick off. Arackniss had his chance to help her bring him down, but why wouldn't he? He has every reason in Hell to want that old fucker dead. He exiled his loyal son and vilified him.

Of course, she knew, Arackniss had other things on his mind now.

As Henroin sat at his desk and looked out into the city, he began to wonder what Niss's next move was. Sales of Black Widow are tanking and he's losing more and more of his turf as the Ragno Nero begin creeping in. He's losing control and Arackniss was to blame.

"You will pay for your treachery, Arackniss." he said to the void.

* * *
A month later

Pent lay there on the chair as the doctor placed the scanner on his belly. The kingpin's doctor recommended an obstetrician for him and they made an appointment for a sonogram. The doctor, Salazar, was a lizard demon with dark green skin and yellow eyes clad in a lab coat, black shirt, and navy slacks. He had green claws on his hands and feet and despite his menacing appearance, he was a gentle and capable doctor.

Niss sat by his boyfriend, holding the snake's hand as they watched the image on the screen. After a few moments, they found the blotch on screen and the couple saw their baby. It looked serpentine, like it's mother, with a tail and itty-bitty arms. The heartbeat was loud and clear to the three.

"From the look of things, I'd say it's a healthy baby." the lizard obstetrician tells them. "And based on the appearance, it's a little snake like mama." Suddenly, the doctor picked up something else and it appeared onscreen. "Hmm."

"What is it?" Niss asks.

"Well, it looks like you've got what the obstetrician business would say a two-for-one deal."

Pent's eyes widened. "What do you mean? It's twins?"

"It would appear so. I'm picking up two heartbeats in here and the other ankle-biter decided to come out of hiding. As far as the sex, it's a little early to tell. But I can assure you, they're both healthy little things."

Niss's eyes were transfixed on the screen. Those were his children. HE knew the sonogram was a reminder of how real it was, but this. He was happy. He looked at his serpentine lover, who was also looking at the sonogram. Judging from the look on his face, Pent was just as happy. He turned to look at his boyfriend and asked if he was alright.

"I'm happy, Pent." the spider says, kissing the top of the snake's head. "What about you? Think you can handle two babies at once?"

"Have you seen the Egg Bois? I think I can manage. Plus, I did have a child when I was alive. But what about you? Can you handle twins?"

"I grew up with twins as my younger siblings. I know a few tricks." Niss said. He planted another kiss on his lover's head and looked at the sonogram once more. Those were his children on there. His and Pent's. Niss can't remember the last time he felt this happy.

Chapter Text

Niss stepped out of the car and he and Mario went inside the supposedly abandoned building. Jared, the top distributor of Venom, invited him over to his lab to check out the latest batch of Venom. With the drug's success, they had to get multiple labs in the city to get it sent out faster. It's been two months since it hit the streets, but Venom has become one of the top drugs in not only Pentagram City, but also all Hell. Pent would have joined him on this excursion, but Niss was worried about exposing his pregnant boyfriend to the drugs, so he asked his capo Mario to accompany him. Mario was fresh out of things to do, so he was more than willing to tag along with his boss.

Jared, an indigo-colored newt demon was inside and he happily greeted them. "Ah, Arackniss! I'm glad you could make it."

"Good to see ya, Jared." the black spider said. "So, how's the Venom batch doin'?"

"Goin' good." the newt says. "Lemme show you." As they walked down the hallway, Jared turned to face the mob boss "By the way, I heard about you and Pentious. Congrats."

"How did you find out?" Niss asked, suspicious.

"Two of your guys were chatting about it when they came to pick up some Venom. I overheard them."

It did not take long for the other members of the Ragno Nero to learn about Pent's pregnancy. They already knew that their boss and his consigliere were dating, but hearing that they were expecting kids had become their key gossip piece. Niss could trust them not to blab to others, but he wishes they didn't say a word of it to their distributors. Fortunately for him, Jared was the kind of guy with tight lips and a tighter ass (not literally). He can take his job seriously and keep quiet about sensitive information.

Arriving at the lab, Niss found himself in a large laboratory with beakers, cases of cold medicine, and people working on the newest batch of Venom. In the far corner was a storeroom where they were keeping packages of Venom ready to be sent out to dealers and distributors all over town. According to Jarred, this latest batch was due to be shipped out by the end of the week.

"All in all, we're doin' real good, Niss." said the newt. "We sell the stuff at two-hundred bucks a pop, by Saturday, we make more than twenty-thousand. Even more at month's end. Hell, sales of Venom are sending drugs like Black Widow in the tank. But I guess you knew that."

"Yep. I get reports on Venom sales each week. I gotta say, we're really rollin' in the money." Niss said. "So, anything special about this batch?"

“What do ya mean?"

"I mean, Venom is the same as Black Widow, except it sends ya into a bigger state of euphoria than ecstasy and is more potent than crack. But, I wonder if there's something else to it. Some drugs get spiked with somethin' else to make it more potent or popular. Drugs like that end up killin' others."

"Nothin' here." Jared said. "I oversee the production of Venom. If any of this stuff got tampered with, I'd know. Other than that, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"I think we're good." Niss says. "Get this stuff out there. I'll see ya next week, Jared."

As the newt showed his guests out, Mario asked him "Why were ya so concerned about the drugs bein' tampered with? Doesn't seem like ya, Niss."

"My family has a history of overdoses. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I believe Jared when he said he makes sure nothing is messed with here, but sometimes, I worry."

* * *

As soon as they arrived in the Lair, Niss left Mario to his own devices while he went to look for Pent. One of the eggs said that the snake was in his study. Niss knocked on the door to the study, but when no one answered, he went in. Pent's study was styled in the Victorian, much like the rest of the Lair, with dark red wallpaper, hardwood floors covered with yellow rugs, and dark colored Victorian furniture. In front of a large set of windows was Pent's desk and black leather chair. On one side was a dark red sofa with a mahogany coffee table in front of it with an armchair on each side.

Pent was at the sofa and it looks like he fell asleep. He was curled up to the side, his tail hanging off the arm of the couch. The coffee table in front of him was covered with books and paper with names written on them like "Regina" or Vincent". Looking at one of the books, Niss realized they were baby names. His boyfriend must have been trying to settle on some names for their twins, only to tucker himself out. His magenta eyes darted to his lover's abdomen. Pent was already starting to show. It wasn't a big bump, rather small, but it made the spider happy to see it. Further proof that this was real. Soon enough, the serpent began to stir.

"Hello, Nissy." said he, seeing his boyfriend.

"Hey Pent. You can go back to sleep, I'll let ya be."

"Or maybe you could join us."

The spider raised an eyebrow. "'Us'?"

Pent coyly rubbed his baby bump and Niss understood what he meant. Sitting beside his lover and their children, Niss planted a kiss on the snake's head.

“How did it go?”

“Good.” Niss replied. “A new batch is ready to go and will be out on the streets by this weekend.” He then looked at the mess of lists on the coffe table. “And it looks like you’ve been busy too, Pent.”

“Yes, but I haven’t picked out any yet.” The snake replied. “It’s so hard to choose.”

Niss took one of the lists and looked at it. It was split into two columns: boy and girl, and Niss noticed that each name was similar. Julian and Julianna, Reginald and Regina, Samuel and Samantha, etc. Other names were either Italian or Hindi in origin.

“Any particular reason why you have gender-bent names, love?”

Pent rubbed his stomach. “I just wondered if one or both of the babies would be like me. I was born a girl and later brought up as a man. I didn’t have much voice at the time, what with my twin brother dying, but I accepted it. I really believe I’m male. If one of the babies is born one gender and realizes they’re another, I’ll accept them. I’d even pick out the name to help with the transition.”

His boyfriend placed a hand on the bump, over his children within the serpent, and said “I would, too. I would love them for who they are, Pent. Just like I love you.”

The couple then kissed as they both rested a hand on the two lives forming within Pent. They promised they would love and care for their children for the rest of their lives. As they continued cuddling, they drifted off into a nap.

Chapter Text

Henroin listens to the vacuous bitch better known as Katie Killjoy as she was doing a segment on the Channel 666 News about what he already knew: Black Widow sales are in the toilet, the Barones are losing more territory as they all wind up with the Ragno Nero, yada yada yada. As he was listening, the husky black-grey spider was stewing in his anger.

"With Venom sales skyrocketing and the Ragno Nero taking Pentagram City by storm, it looks like the newest gang on the block has the edge." Katie says, that shit-eating grin still on her face. "I'd say Henroin Barone is about to face retirement."

Henroin shuts off the TV and left the den. All his gang members were at home, save Gemma who was working late, so the old don was alone with no one else but his thoughts. His son was knocking him down and he hated it. No one tells him he's out of the game, especially the likes of Katie Killjoy. Of course, how was he going to prove it?

The door knocked and Gemma entered. "Anything else I need to do before I go?"

"Nah, that's all, Gemma. Go home, get some rest." Henroin said, waving his hand dismissively. As she left, Henroin went back to pondering. Arackniss was taking over Barone territory faster than the sinking of the Titanic. If this was his son's revenge, he was doing a good job. Half his men joined Niss's gang and business has been tanking for the elder spider.

He needs to send a message to his son. Something that will shake that traitor to his core. But where to look?
Then it dawned on him.

Opening a file cabinet, Henroin looked up the photos Giovanni took of Niss with that disgraceful snake. It disgusted the father to see his elder son do such things with another man, or one with female biology claiming to be male. When Anthony came out to him, he almost beat the boy to death. Then he ran away. All these years, before and after dying and landing in Hell, Henroin saw Niss as the good son, the loyal one.

Then Pent came into his life and took him from his father. Arackniss betrayed him for that kingpin. He lives with him doing God knows what in that gaudy mansion, and based on what his sources told him, became his consigliere since the Ragno Nero started. Pent has his son completely under his control. Henroin needs to remind Pentious that his son is his, and what happens to those who cross Henroin Barone.

* * *

She drove through the streets of Pentagram and it wasn't long before she made it home. Parking the car in the parking garage by her building, Gemma made it to her apartment and unlocked her door and went inside. Placing her purse and keys on the table by the door, the spider woman kicked off her shoes and ambled through her apartment until she got to her room. She wasn't hungry. Henroin had the decency to have a cooked meal sent up to her office since he knew she would be working late. She thought it was ironic how much of a gentleman he could be.

Even though she makes more money than anyone in Hell could imagine, Gemma lived simply in a studio apartment with her bed near the back, a TV and stand across from it, a kitchenette with a refrigerator, and one utility closet. Her bathroom was just off to the side. She didn't like to spend frivolously. Collapsing on the bed, Gemma pondered her current situation. She watched the news report in her office and she knew when she saw Henroin that he was far from pleased with the way things were going. At least when she's in charge, she might turn things around. Of course, since Arackniss refused to help her, she needs to do something.

She already knew Arackniss was screwing the snake he calls his boyfriend/consigliere/mother of his child. She can use that to her advantage. Of course, Pentious was more valuable to her alive than dead. She may have been a hired killer, but she would never harm someone carrying a baby. Now if she wanted to stick it to Niss, she would just tell Henroin what she knows about Pent's pregnancy, but knowing him, he'd just kill them both.

Niss rejected her proposal to join forces, to take Henroin down. If she became the Barones' new leader, she would welcome him back into his old gang with open arms and make him her consigliere. But no, he would rather run his own mob operating in the home of his serpentine lover. Well, Gemma is not the kind of girl to take "no" for an answer. Let alone, let something like this slide.

She is going to take down the elder and younger Barones one way or another. Even if she has to hold a gun to their heads.

Chapter Text

A couple months have passed and things were just about as normal as they could be at the Lair and within the Ragno Nero. Business has been booming for his gang as Niss has began taking territories once belonging to the Barones. Niss couldn't be much happier with how successful his gang was. He also couldn't be much happier than he was around Pent. The serpent's pregnancy was moving along very well, with his bump getting bigger each day. The spider was happy to see it. Doctor Salazar had been doing checkups on the regular and has been assuring the couple that the twins were developing as they should.

Wanting to take a stroll, Niss went to look for Pent to let him know what he was doing. He already informed Mario and he said he could run things while he was out. Knowing Pent, he was tinkering in the lab again. Since finding out he was pregnant, Pent has been taking it easy with his inventions so that he wouldn't put any pressure on himself or the babies. Angel has been coming by to visit, sometimes with Alastor, to see how the mommy-to-be was every now and then. Niss was getting excited at the prospect. He finally gets to be called a dad.

Pent was sure enjoying himself over the matter, Niss knew that much. He's been wearing his binder less and more bras (as they'll be put to use once the babies come), and isn't using the specialized corset to mask his curves so as to not harm the babies. Then again, everyone in the gang knows about Pent's "situation" anyway, so he didn't really have to hide it from them. He enjoyed showing off his bump. He was proud of it.

Finding Pent in the lab, he tiptoed quietly behind the snake and wrapped all three pairs of arms around him. Pent tensed up but relaxed when he saw it was his boyfriend, who gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm gonna go for a walk. Ya okay by yourself?" the spider asked.

Rubbing his abdomen, Pent said "We are. I know Mario's hanging around the Lair, seeing as he already lives with us, plus my Egg Bois are running around the mansion. I'll be fine. You be careful."

"I will." Niss said as he gave him one last kiss before leaving.

Walking out the front door and past the ornate gate, Niss went down the street and took the opportunity to enjoy some rare moments of peace and quiet. The street was literally crawling with ever scum of the Earth that ever fell down here, but the spider was used to it. Pent lived in what constituted as a classier neighborhood in this side of the Pentagram, but even the most high-end places have their dark sides. A block away from the Lair was a park. It had a large green space with cobblestone pathways and lush trees (lush as Hell goes), a fountain in the center, and iron fences surrounding the property. Niss liked it. Going down these walkways and past the trees, the spider is able to find a semblance of peace in this inferno of suffering. And then that moment was ruined.

His magenta eyes caught Gemma sitting on a bench, reading a book. Rather than the black garb he saw her wear before, she was instead wearing blue jeans, a burgundy top that accented her cleavage, and her hair was tied in a loose ponytail.

"How'd you know I'd be here?" he asked her.

"I have my ways. This park is closest to your boyfriend's home, so I guessed you'd be here." she replied, closing the book. Patting to the vacant side of the bench, as if to beckon him, she says "Your father doesn't know I'm here. I just needed to talk to you."

He sat beside her, but Niss was still suspicious of her intentions. "If ya think I'm gonna help ya take down Pops, I already told ya I won't do it. Ya haven't worked with him as long as I have to know it's suicide to even think it."

And I thought you'd be more openminded than your father, she thought. "I thought you'd be willing to help. I mean, what has your father ever done for you? You were his top assassin, his enforcer. Fuck, you were his second-in-command. And he disowns you for fucking a man. How can you let that slide?"

"Bein' with Pent has changed me. He proved to me that I don't need Pops anymore. He took me in after I almost died in a deal gone wrong. He cares about me. He's all I need in my afterlife now."

Smirking, Gemma said "Considering you knocked up that noodle, I'd say he needs you now more than ever."

Niss was resisting the urge to reach in for his gun and shoot this bitch right here and now. Knowing what she said, Gemma asks "What do you think your father will do when he finds out your boyfriend is pregnant? You think he'll forgive you and accept you since he'll be a grandfather? Or will he kill both Pent and the baby? I'm betting on the latter. Moreover, will you be able to protect them?"

"If you tell him--"

"I won't." said she. "Believe it or not, I need both Pent and the kid alive. More leverage. So, I won't tell Henroin about Pentious's pregnancy, but know my offer still stands, Arackniss. And I'd decide sooner than later."

As she walked away, Niss pondered her words. If his father found out about Pent being pregnant, he would kill both him and the twins. He can't let that happen. Once she was gone, the spider ran through the park to get back to the Lair. He hoped she wasn't a diversion.

* * *

Pent reached a stopping point with his DNA project to enhance the Egg Bois and put his tools away before he left the lab. Since learning of his pregnancy, the serpent has been trying to ease off with his work. It wasn't a good idea to overexert oneself when with child. He had been sticking to simple projects, some tinkering, and when he was tired, he either took a break or decided to just stop for the day. Right now, Pent wanted to curl up in bed and read The Jungle Book.

Slithering through the hall, he heard the phone ring and picked up the candlestick telephone closest to his location. "Hello?"

"Pentious?" an all-too familiar male voice spoke on the other end of the line, making the snake nervous just by speaking.

"What do you want, Henroin?"

"Is Arackniss home? I need ta talk to him."

"I'm not going to answer that. And even if he was home, why would I let him speak with you? What do you really want?"

After a brief moment of silence, Henroin said "If you think you can keep my son from me, you're a bigger crackpot than I thought you were, Pentious."

"I refuse to be addressed in such a derisive tone, sir. And last I heard, Niss isn't your son anymore. You disowned him."

"I had to. You seduced him and stole him from me. Convinced him to start his own gang to rival his own family's. If anyone's to blame for his disgrace, it's you. And know this, Pentious: you won't be able to protect him for long. One day, I'm going to get you. I won't say when, I won't tell you how, but you won't see it coming." The line ended right there.

Pent hung up and already he felt like he was going to throw up. Clutching his stomach, Pent worried not only for his safety, but his boyfriend's and their children. He feared what the mob boss would do to him if he found out he was pregnant. Would he kill them? His thoughts were interrupted when he heard footsteps running up the stairs. Niss showed up and he ran up to the serpent, embracing him.

"I ran into Gemma in the park." said the spider.

"Your father just called."

Chapter Text

That evening, the couple wasn't really sure what to think. Gemma offered Niss another chance at offing Henroin. Henroin called Pent and threatened him. Neither of them knew what to say about it. Niss was worried about what Gemma said about not being able to protect Pent and the babies from his father if he finds out about the serpent's pregnancy. Pent was just as afraid. If Henroin found out, he won't hesitate to kill both him and his unborn children. They didn't tell anyone else about their encounters, as they felt it better to handle it on their own, but they agreed to tell those closest to them including Angel, Mario, and Cherri.

That night, the couple got ready for bed. Niss was in the bathroom doing his bedtime rituals while Pent was in bed, reading to pass the time until his boyfriend came out. Rinsing his mouth, Niss looked at his reflection. He still had that worried look on his face. Despite his upbeat optimism, Pent was just as worried as he was. And despite what he says, the snake was not an expert at hiding it.

Done with his teeth, the spider exited the bathroom, turned the light off, and walked over to their bed. Pent put his book away when he felt his boyfriend's weight near him.

"Are you alright, Niss?"

"I'm fine." he lied. Pent knew he wasn't fine.

"Darling, you can't keep it bottled up forever. We both need to talk."

He didn't want to sleep on it, but his boyfriend was right. "I'm scared, Pent."

"About what?"

"About you, the babies, everything." the spider explained. Scooching closer so he was by his boyfriend, Niss wrapped one arm around the serpent's shoulder. "Gemma had a good point. Pops has ta go, but I don't have the stones ta finally do it. If he finds out about you and... I can't lose ya both. I lost too much in life and death, I don't wanna lose you, too."

Niss felt one of Pent's hands cup his cheek and touch his forehead against his. "You won't, Nissy. Henroin will never find out about our children. As for Gemma, she's intent of killing him and taking over the Barones. Once she's done with him, who do you think might be next?"

"Me?"

Pent nodded. "You did turn her down twice. Something tells me she won't take 'no' for an answer for a third time. She may end up coming after you when she's done with Henroin." Looking down at his baby bump, the snake asks "Do you really think she won't tell him about this?"

"She says she's got more leverage with you and the kids in one piece. That part's true. And seein' that she let ya go when she kidnapped ya, I'd say she values their lives over Pops." Placing one of his lower hands on Pent's abdomen, Niss continued "I don't care what she says. I'm gonna keep you safe. All of you." Pulling his boyfriend in for a kiss, the couple felt the twins inside the snake move around for the first time. For Pent, it was an odd sensation and a happy one. For Niss, it was something to be proud of. Those were his children in there. This was a sign they were in the womb and they were happy to see him.

"Lively, aren't they?" Pent quipped, placing a hand on his abdomen.

"Just like you, gorgeous." Niss kissed his boyfriend's cheek, eyes still locked on the bump. "So, whatcha hopin' for? I know they're twins, but are you expectin' at least one of them to be a boy or a girl?"

"I don't really care about gender. I mean, look at me. But what about you, Nissy?"

Niss took a deep breath. "I hope we get at least one girl. Someone who won't have ta worry about bein' a mobster. Someone who can live her life. Growin' up in the mob, both Anthony and I were groomed to be Pops's successors. When Anthony was kicked out, it was just me. Molly wasn't involved at all because she was a girl. And Pops treated her like a princess growin' up. He really loved her. You woulda liked her, too. If we get two girls, I'll be happy with it."

Pent kissed his boyfriend's forehead. "Just five more months. Then you'll get to see them."

As he held onto his boyfriend, Niss looked at his boyfriend's free hand and saw the ring. Pent has worn it since their anniversary, even while they were in bed. For Niss, it might have just been an engagement ring. Once Henroin was gone, he would marry Pent. He wanted this new life with his boyfriend. He'd want to raise their children together. Hell, he would even give up his gang if it meant having to spend his eternity with Pent. Niss kissed his boyfriend goodnight and the two went to sleep, with one of the spider's lower hands still on the lives forming within the serpent.

Chapter Text

Henroin looks over the dossier his spies had accrued some time after the snake rescued Arackniss from the building collapse. The mob boss hoped to find something he can use against his treacherous son and the piece of shit he seems to call his lover. So far, nothing in the last four months. Pentious hasn't been seen in months. Out of character for the bombastic kingpin who usually unleashes his crazy inventions on Pentagram City. His sources told him that the snake was Arackniss's second-in-command of the Ragno Nero, but why was he out of the public eye all of a sudden?

Going over the pictures, he saw some photos of Pentious with his son (which made his blood boil), but that was really it. Despite being such an attention whore, Pent did not seem to enjoy the paparazzi. There are almost no pictures of the snake by himself. Photos of just Arackniss feature with members of his gang, dealers for his new drug, or just himself. He was getting a headache from all the information he had been going through, hoping to find a way to sink his traitor of a son's ship.

Putting the dossier down and leaning back in his seat, Henroin pondered over his situation. There has to be something he can use against Arackniss. There just had to be. And he knew Pentious was the key to it.

There was a knock on the door and Gemma entered the room, carrying two mugs in her primary hands. Handing him one, she says "Everything all set for your meeting with your capos tonight?"

"Whatever I have left." said the older spider. "A lot of them either quit or joined other gangs, including the Ragno Nero. I don't know what to do anymore, Gemma."

"Please tell me you didn't watch anymore of that Killjoy bitch." she moaned, sipping her coffee. "I don't watch the news because of her."

"It's not that." said he. "I'm losin' territory, Black Widow's in the shitter, and now I'm losin' my own guys. I'm not sure I can keep it up any longer."

"You've been here how many decades again, and now you want to thrown in the towel? It can't be that bad, sir."

"Tell that to the latest numbers." said he, showing her a piece of paper with a chart on it, one that was going south like Sherman. It was the latest report on Black Widow, and it was more than clear that sales were going to the Ninth Circle it was so bad. Gemma could feign optimism all she wanted to try and cheer that grumpy old fart up, but it would be in vain.

"I need to talk with him, Gemma." Henroin tells her. "I can't take anymore of this and I need to see him, face to face."

Taking a seat in the chair in front of his desk, Gemma asked "Are you proposing a sit-down?"

"There any other option? I need to make a truce with him, maybe even a partnership. I can't forgive him for what he did, but I'm desperate."

"I believe that part." Gemma took another sip of her coffee. "But will he come?"

"He'd be a terrible guest if he didn't. I want him and Pentious there, as well as their gang. No need for violence, all talk. I just want to end this nonsense with him."

"I'll make the arrangements." she says. "I'll call him and--"

"No. I'll tell him myself. Thank you Gemma."

As she went down the hall, Gemma thought about what she had just learned from the boss. She was going to have to move up her plans faster than she thought she would. Back in his office, Henroin dialed the number to the Lair.

* * *

Laying in bed, Niss was roused from his sleep when his phone rang from his nightstand. Looking at the caller ID, he groaned in annoyance and worry. "What do ya want, Pops?"

"Did I wake you, son? Sorry. I wanted to call because I want a sit-down."

"A what?"

"A sit-down. I may not forgive you for betraying me and the family, but I want to put an end to things now. I'm even going to propose a partnership with ya. I want you, Pentious, and the rest of your gang here at Barone Manor tomorrow evenin' so we can talk."

Looking at Pent, who was sound asleep beside him, Niss was worried about this. The old bastard had already threatened his boyfriend, but if he sees Pent with a baby bump, he'll hit the roof. But knowing Pent, he always has a plan of some kind.

"Fine. We'll be there." Niss hung up and put his phone back on his nightstand. Looking at his snake, Niss gave him a kiss and tried to get back to sleep.

Chapter Text

"You sure this will work?" Pent asked the Radio Demon, looking at the red pendant the deer gave him.

"Absolutely, my good fellow." Alastor says. "This glamour charm will mask your gravid appearance from the others, as long as you keep it on." He helped put the necklace on the snake and the charm worked its magic. The snake's baby bump disappeared, as well as Pent's other female traits such as his breasts.

"Thank you, Alastor." Pent says.

While the deer continued giving the cobra instructions on the charm, Niss and Angel discussed the nature of Henroin's request for a sit-down. The brothers know their father well enough to know he wants something. And with the Ragno Nero putting the Barones out of business, they can only assume that their father either wants a truce or this is all a trap.

"Ya know ya can't trust him, Dante." said Angel. "Once a prick, always a prick, even if he's our father."

"You're right, but I can't avoid him forever. And even if he wants to talk, what does he want to say?"

The brothers looked in Pent's direction and even though he still had the glamour charm on, they felt as if they could still see Pent's baby bump. All of them feared what Henroin could do to him if he found out about Pent's pregnancy. With Henroin requesting Pent's presence at this meeting, they needed to cover all the bases to make sure he doesn't know a thing about it.

"Promise me you'll take care of your noodle over there." Angel said to his brother. "If Pops hurts him or the babies, I'll kill him."

"You an' me both, Tony."

* * *

Mario pulled the car with Pent and Niss up to the front of the Barone mansion. The others were following them and the couple were trying to steel themselves for whatever they were about to face inside. During the ride, Pent said the babies were moving around inside but had finally settled down. He still had four months left, so they shouldn't be ready to come out yet. Once he parked the car, Mario opened the back passenger door and the mob boss and his second-in-command exited the car. The rest of the Ragno Nero followed suit as they approached the front door.

Led to the conference room, the Ragno Nero took their seats as they locked eyes with members of the Barones. It felt strange for Niss to be back in his old crew like this, and judging from the way they were looking at him, they weren't too happy to see him. Henroin's seat was empty which means he wasn't here yet. Niss knew the routine. Henroin would show up as soon as he was told everyone had arrived. It was the same thing in death as it was in life.

Niss took his seat at the far end of the long table. Pent stood to his right while Mario stood to his left. The rest of the Ragno Nero stood against the walls. The main door opened and Henroin entered, Gemma behind him, and he took his seat while his consigliere stood to his right. Niss and Pent were worried about Gemma being here. Would she spill the beans about Pent's pregnancy to him?

"Thank you for meeting with me." the elder spider greeted the younger. "I suppose you're wondering why I called this meeting."

"I grew up in the mob, Pops. I know the drill. But yeah, I do wanna know what this is all about."

"As you and your men are no doubt aware, the Ragno Nero are putting the Barones out of business." Henroin began. "Sales of Venom are skyrocketing, you're gaining more territory, including ones that once belonged to us, and there's that recent news report on 666. Katie Killjoy says you're putting me up for retirement. Now, I understand that this is all purely outta revenge for me kicking you out, Arackniss--"

"It isn't." Niss interjected. "Besides, even if it was, it wasn't anythin' ya didn't deserve."

"Let me finish." said his father, saying it in the manner of a father scolding a petulant child. "I called you and your gang to this sit-down so we could talk things out. Arackniss, I don't want to lose you like Anthony." Eyeing Pent, who kept a cool head as he did, he turned back to his son and said "And despite what has happened, I want to put this all behind us and welcome you back into the Barones, your true family."

"We were never a real family, dead or alive. Besides, I don't need you anymore, Pops. My gang's a better one than yours any day. We adapted to the way the world is now. You never did. That's why you're failing."

He could practically see his father seething with anger at that statement. At Gemma's insistence, she had tea served to all the attendees. Pent and Niss were reluctant to drink, but still accepted the drinks regardless. Niss told Pent some of his father's tactics whenever he would invite an enemy to meetings like this.

Taking a sip of his tea, Henroin said "So, that snake of yours has you under his thumb, doesn't he? Figures. First he steals you from me, now he's played mind games with ya."

"I did no such thing, Henroin." the cobra defended. "Your son spent decades under your boot and had decided he didn't want to live that way anymore. As a father, you should expect that when your children reach a certain age, they no longer want to live under their parents' rule. Nissy has been ready to leave for a very long time."

"What would you know about fathers an' children?" Henroin says, getting up from his seat. "You never had kids a day in your afterlife."

Before Pent could say another word, one of the Barones got on his knees, foaming at the mouth as he did. Within moments, he was dead. One by one, more Barones were dropping dead until it was Henroin's turn. Arackniss could do nothing except watch it unfold. They were poisoned.

Gemma walked over to Henroin, chuckling as she did, and says to him "Not how you expected to go, isn't it?" Henroin died looking at her with unadulterated anger.

"You didn't." a horrified Niss said to her.

"You wouldn't." was her response. Taking Henroin's chair, Gemma snaps her fingers and female demons entered the room. As they surrounded their guests, the red spider woman announces "In light of recent events, I think we'll be taking on new territory and you can have what was once your old family's. My crew, the Black Widows, will leave you be but know we won't allow you to take our turf."

"How do we know we can trust you?" Pent said.

"You've seen me in action, Pentious. I kidnapped you and let you go, I kept your situation a secret from Henroin, and as you said, that old codger refused to adapt. Now, we will. Ladies, please show our guests out."

* * *

At the Lair, Niss was still processing what had happened. His father was dead. The Barones were gone. Gemma has formed her own gang and took over what was once his father's. He couldn't believe it. Granted, Henroin had it coming a long time, but not like this. Poisoned by his own second-in-command. At least he died a second death without knowing about Pent's pregnancy. That was a huge relief.

"Nissy?" Pent's voice got his attention. He didn't have the glamour charm on anymore, so his bump was visible. Slithering beside his boyfriend, Pent took a seat next to him on the sofa and asked "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, just thinkin'." said the spider. "I can't believe he's really gone. It seems so unreal."

"I can't believe it either. Do you think Gemma will keep her word and not come after us?"

"Considerin' she never told Pops about the twins, I'd say yes. Besides, she said Pops never treated her like an equal, so this was her final revenge against him. As for her new gang, let's hope she meant it when she said they'll leave us alone."

As he felt his boyfriend touch one of his hands, Niss reciprocated and rubbed his abdomen. At least now, they can raise their babies without worry.

Chapter Text

I can't believe this is happening, thought the serpent as he and Niss stood outside the chapel. The day after Henroin was killed, Niss proposed to him. Of course, Pent accepted without hesitation, as he would want to be with his lover for the rest of eternity. Niss wanted them to be married before the babies were born, but couldn't get through with it with his father still on this Hell. Now that he was gone, nothing could keep them apart anymore. And so, the couple went to the nearest chapel, and were now waiting their turn with Cherri, Mario, and Angel, their witnesses to this union, sitting beside them.

"Hey, you okay?" Niss asked his boyfriend.

"Yeah, just nervous." Pent said. "I can't believe we're doing this."

"You better not be getting cold feet, Penny." Cherri says. "I didn't tag along with ya for nothing."

"I'm not. I'm happy we're doing this." Pent said, holding his future husband's hand. Clutching his abdomen, the snake rubbed it fondly with a proud smile on his face. His babies were going to be here in a few months. He couldn't wait.

Soon enough, their turn came. Pent and Niss stood at the altar before the minister officiating this ceremony. They exchanged rings, said their vows (Pent's being more sappy than Niss's), and soon were pronounced spouses. Afterwards, their friends took them out to dinner to celebrate. Angel have a toast to the newlyweds and made a few playful jabs at his brother, who just took them.

Returning home, Niss cuddled his new husband in the parlor, embracing both him and their babies as he kissed Pent. It was fair to say that this was the happiest Niss had felt in ages. Different from when he held Anthony and Molly for the first time when they were babies. Different from when he first met Pent. For the first time, in life and death, Arackniss was truly happy. His eyes began to shed tears of happiness.

"Nissy?" Pent's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Why are you crying?"

"It's nothin', Pent." the spider said, wiping them away. "They're happy tears. I love you so much, Rani."

The cobra kissed his cheek. "And I love you, Dante."

* * *
A month later

Arackniss walked into the drawing room and found it stuffed to the gills with baby stuff. He knew that some of his crew's lady friends were throwing a baby shower for Pent, but he didn't think he'd get so many gifts. Then again, they are expecting twins, so he guessed it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. There were a wide variety of baby clothes, furniture, etc. Niss knew Cherri had arranged for the party, so while the shower went on, he went with Mario, Angel, and Alastor at their favorite cafe, then they just went to the Hazbin hotel and hung out there for a while.

Walking through the drawing room, Niss found Cherri coming down the hall. The cyclops waved at him and said "Hey, there you are. Y'all have fun?"

"We did." Niss said. "Anthony and Alastor took us to that hotel they've been stayin' at after we were done with the cafe." Looking at the baby stuff, the spider said "And it looks like you all had more fun than we did."

"Yeah. Who knew mob chicks could be so fun? Pent had a good time, too. I just took him upstairs. He was a little worn out by the time it ended. You can head on up to see him if you want."

"Sure thing. And thanks for all this, Cherri."

"No problem."

As he went up the stairs to their bedroom, Niss pondered about things. It'll be a couple of months before the twins come. Thinking about them made him wonder what he should do once their in his life. Would he still be a mob boss?

No. If there was anything his childhood had taught him, it was that a mob boss was a shitty father. He wouldn't want to put his children through the same things his own father did to him and his siblings when they were alive. When he and his brother were boys, they promised each other if either of them had the chance to have kids of their own, they would not only be there for them all the way through, but they would be better fathers than Henroin. Since finding out about Pent's pregnancy, Niss has taken it very seriously. So much so, he considered stepping down as don. Question is, who would take over for him?

Entering their room, the spider found Pent sitting on the bed looking at a wrapped present, almost like he was analyzing it. Even though he had a good time at the baby shower, he looked a little on the perturbed side.

"Pent?" Niss said, drawing his husband's attention. "You okay?"

"I am, Nissy. Just deep in thought."

"I can see that." he said, sitting beside him. "Whatcha got there?"

"Read the gift tag."

Looking at the tag on the present, Niss saw a logo of a black spider with a red skull on the abdomen. The sigil of the Black Widows. Gemma sent this gift. No wonder Pent seemed apprehensive.

"I got it X-rayed, so it is not a bomb." Pent explains. "I had it tested for anything such as anthrax or other poisons. It's clean. I'm just worried about what's in it."

They both looked at each other and the serpent began untying they red ribbon and ripping the yellow wrapping paper up. Opening the box, they found two rattles, one red and the other black, two yellow baby blankets, one of which was a darker shade than the other blanket, and a note from Gemma. Niss took it out and read it. Congratulations! Think of this as a peace offering from me. Gemma.

"They are darling." Pent said, looking at the blankets.

"They are, Pent." Niss replied with a smile. It looks like Gemma was going to keep her word after all.

* * *

It had been a few weeks and Niss has had a lot on his mind. Not just the babies, but his future in the Ragno Nero altogether. When he and Angel made their promises of fatherhood, that also included giving up the mob. Thing is, he never thought once about leaving the mob. How could he? He was born and raised a gangster. It was all he ever knew. He became his father's top sniper and second-in-command, until recently anyway. He also had to deal with decades of gaslighting and abuse on Henroin's part.

Pent opened his eyes to it all. Not only did he fall in love with the spider, he saved him from his father. He owed the cobra more than he could ever repay. Now he's having their children. So for Arackniss, what's he going to do now?

Walking to the kitchen to get something to drink, Niss found Mario over at the kitchen island making a sandwich. He smiled when he noticed Niss come in.

"Hey, Niss." said he. "Want me to make ya something?"

"Nah, I'm just gettin' some water." he replied, getting a glass from the cupboard. As he poured some water from the tap, he looked over at Mario for a moment then back to his water to keep it from overflowing. He's been there since the Ragno Nero began. Hell, it was his idea to start their own gang to begin with. Since leaving the Barones and joining Niss, he has become his chief capo. Months prior to joining the Ragno Nero, he had just arrived in Hell and was the newest addition to his father's gang. Niss had to show him the ropes. The kid trusted and looked up to Niss. Made sense why he joined him. Maybe he could be the new boss.

"Rio, can I talk to you for a second?"

Mario set his sandwich down on his plate and said "What's up? Did Pent like those onesies my girlfriend have ya? Celia said ya’d like them."

Taking a seat across from his friend, Niss began “We did, but that’s not what this is about. With the twins comin’ soon, I’ve been doin’ sow thinkin’. I’m considerin’ steppin’ down as Don the Ragno Nero.”

”What?” Mario says. “You’re really quittin’? But this whole thing was your dream!”

”I might operate from behind the scenes, but officially, I won’t be running the gang anymore. After some thought, I was considerin’ if maybe you’d like to take my place.”

Mario was speechless. Was he offering him the job? “You serious? I mean, of course, but why me?”

”Well, it was your idea to start our own gang to begin with. Plus, you’ve been a good friend to me since you landed down here. A good friend to Pent, too.”

”Well, he gave me a roof over my head after your dad busted ya. Of course I owe him. But, why are you giving it all up? I think you can handle bein’ a dad and runnin’ a gang.”

”That’s just it.” Niss said. “Pops wasn’t exactly the model of a good father. He was a killer, a drunk. He’d beat Ma when he was in a bad mood, and me and Anthony when he couldn’t find her. He threw my brother out because he liked guys. He turned me into a murderer for the mob.

”One day, Pops was screamin’ at Ma about somethin’, I don’t remember what, and I was in our room trying to keep my younger siblings from cryin’. As we were riding out the storm, Anthony and I talked. We talked about what we wanted to do when we were older, if we could escape the mob. When we talked about havin’ kids, we made a deal with each other: if either of us had the chance to become dads, we’d do everything we could to be the best we could be for our kids. That included leaving the mob.”

”Damn.” That was all Mario could really say. “So, you wanna do right by your kids. I can respect that, man.”

”Thanks for listening. So, you think you can handle runnin’ the Ragno Nero?”

”Yeah. I’ve been able to do it when you or Pent weren’t available. I could do it.”

Niss smiled. “I’ll make the announcement after the babies are born. In the meantime, we’ll go about business as usual and you’ll be doin’ most of the overseeing.”

”Got it, boss.” Mario said, hugging his friend.

As the two arachnids left the kitchen, Niss went to the lab to check on his husband. Peering through the slightly ajar door, he saw his serpent writing notes at his desk. He had been working less so he wouldn’t overdo himself, and most of what he had been doing was write notes and blueprints for his inventions. Pent took a moment and rubbed his growing belly. Niss smiled and walked away. He was going to be a father soon. Just a little while longer.

Chapter Text

A few months passed and Pent was getting closer towards his due date. He had been taking it easy since then, as he's been getting tired much easier lately. His belly has been growing each day and he was beginning to look like his airship. Despite Niss's reassurances, Pent still fat. However, the snake was able to still keep his physique and his husband made quips at how his tits were still perfect. The babies should be here soon. He was excited, as was his husband.

The serpent was in the newly-decorated nursery, looking around room before stopping at the two cribs placed side by side. The room was once an old study of the inventor's, but it hadn't been used in ages. Since it was closer to his and Niss's room, he thought it would be a good place for the babies. The room still had the red wallpaper, but it was a more lighter shade, almost salmon in color. The dark-colored wood floor was covered with red carpeting and had Victorian-styled furniture, including the cribs where the babies would sleep. There were stuffed toys on one shelf and one each in each crib. The one on the left had a little devil doll inside with black buttons for eyes while the one on the right had a spider dolly. Pent picked it up and just looked at it lovingly.

"Pent?" Niss's voice called out. The cobra turned to see his husband standing at the door way. He smiled when he saw him. "How ya doin'?"

"I'm fine, Nissy." Pent said, placing the toy spider back where he found it. "I still can't believe how soon it's going to be."

Niss went behind him and wrapped his arms around his husband's waist, feeling his babies inside, and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Believe it."

Pent's smile waned a little. "I heard you're planning to quit the Ragno Nero."

"Who told ya?"

“One of the Egg Bois overheard you talking to Mario. If it's because of the twins, you don't need to abandon--"

Niss turned him around and cupped the serpent's cheeks. "I told ya how my brother and I promised each other if we had kids, we do anythin’ to do right by them. That includes leaving the mob if we could. I want to be the best dad our kids could ever have. Rani, you saved me from a fate worse than a second death: Life with the man who made my life Hell. Our babies were the result of our love. You're my new family, and I'd want to spend my eternity with all three of you."

Tears began to form at the corner's of Pent's eyes. "You know the sappy speeches are my thing, Nissy." The two kissed each other and they left the nursery together. One of the spider's lower hands held onto his beloved's abdomen, wanting to feel his children within.

* * *

The Next Morning

The snake woke up feeling very strange. For a month, he had been feeling groggier than usual and had been staying in bed longer. Of course, the babies would want him to get up each morning. He looked and saw Niss wasn't in bed with him, so he probably went downstairs to get them breakfast. As he got on his feet, he slipped on his robe over his pajamas and left their room. As he went down the stairs, he felt a sharp ache in his chest. He leaned against the railing for a minute or two, but got back up and continued down the stairs.

Arriving at the kitchen, he found Niss assembling their breakfast as the Egg Bois and Mario were cleaning up the pans. Seeing his husband, Niss smiled and greeted him.

"Morning, Nissy, Mario." Pent says.

"I was hoping to surprise ya, Pent. We made breakfast."

"Thank you."

As the couple went to the dining room, Pent felt a sharp twang, only this time it came from his abdomen. Looking down, he saw a puddle there. His eyes widened as he realized what had happened. "Niss?!"

The spider saw the puddle, sat the tray of food on the table, and took his husband. "Mario, call Dr. Salazar!"

As soon as the doctor was called, Niss called his brother (who subsequently called Cherri), and he arrived with Alastor as soon as they could. Dr. Salazar arrived before Angel and the Radio Demon did and rushed to the drawing room, the closest room Niss could get Pent to when his water broke. Niss sat him on the floor and propped him up with pillows. Dr. Salazar had brought the equipment he needed and told Niss and the others to wait outside until he said they could come in. Niss and the group were out in the foyer as they waited it out. In the distance they could hear Pent's agonized screams as it happened.

Sitting on the steps of the grand staircase, Niss listened to his boyfriend's screaming with worry. In the back of his mind, he knew Pent had given birth when he was alive, so it shouldn't be any different now. But he faintly remembered how difficult his mother's pregnancy was with Anthony and Molly. She almost died giving birth to them. He was just worried about his husband.

Seeing his brother fretting, Angel went over and sat beside him. "Hey, you okay?"

”I think we both know the answer to that, Anthony.” said the elder brother to the younger. “I’m really worried about Pent. I know he had a kid before, but what if it’s too much? Ma almost died givin’ birth ta you and Molls. I don’t want--”

”Not anotha word, Niss.” Angel says. “Look, Pent’s been down here longer than you or me. He’s been fucked up more times than I can count and has been able to get back up. I’ve seen Al summon a fuck-ton of Voodoo tentacles and destroy his airship. I don’t think childbirth will kill him.”

Four hours passed before they heard a baby’s distant cry. Niss smiled a little, knowing his first child had come. Minutes later, another baby cried. After a while, Dr. Salazar came out and the black spider ran up to him.

”Are Pent and the babies okay?” he asked.

”They are.” the doctor answered, rubbing his hands with a rag. “Arackniss, I’m happy to announce you have two little girls.”

Niss couldn’t believe it. He has two daughters. Cherri was cooing at hearing this while Mario, Angel and Alastor were congratulating him.

Salazar allowed the immediate family to go see them, so Niss went into the drawing room with Angel. When he saw them, Niss just froze.

His serpent was laying there on a makeshift cot, propped up with pillows and a blanket covering his lower half as he held two swaddles close to his chest in each arm. Pent looked happy and exhausted at once. His eyes looked weary but his smile was a happy one.

”Nissy?” Pent’s voice snapped him back to reality. His husband moved closer to his left side and he looked at their daughters. The one on the left was smooth and scaly with a cobra hood and four arms. She was black and yellow with red eyes running up and down her body, just like her mommy. The one on the right was a spider demon just like her daddy, with black fluff covering her from head to toe, four arms and four legs. They were gosh-darn adorable.

”They’re beautiful, Pent.” said Niss, gently rubbing the cheek of his baby snake.

”Of course they are. They’re our children.

As Niss held the newborn on the left, he felt a maelstrom of emotions, all positive of course. Happiness, pride, immense joy. It was more than he could have ever hoped for.

“So, have ya picked any names?” Angel asks, looking at one of his nieces.

”Well, I thought of naming one of them Francesca.” Niss said. “Or Francesco.”

”I like that. What about you, Pent? Got any favorites?”

”I considered Manjula.” the snake replied. “I thought giving one an Indian name.”

”I love it.” Niss says. Francesca, the serpentine newborn held her daddy’s finger and made him smile. As the babies returned to their mother, Niss leaned down to kiss his cheek. “I love you, Rani.” Eyeing his daughters, he says “And I love you, my bambinas.”

Chapter Text

* * *A Month Later* * *

Pent's limo rolled up to the front of the Hazbin Hotel and the couple got out, with the cobra carrying their little angels. Angel called wanting to introduce the Hazbin staff to his new nieces and as soon as Niss and Pent were sure Francesca and Manjula were strong enough to handle an outing, they decided to come over. Pent loaded the girls in there baby carriage and he and his husband went inside. Coming inside, the group was greeted by the Hazbin staff and Angel.

The girls were gushing over the twins, who were dressed as cute as they could be, while the guys were chatting with Niss. Angel and Alastor had been telling the others about the babies and the Hazbins have been excited to see them ever since. Angel was especially proud of being an uncle as much as Cherri was proud of being an honorary aunt.

Within a month of their arrival, Pent and Niss got to watch their daughters' personalities blossom. Francesca, the elder twin, was a charming serpentine demon akin to her mother, but she was relatively calm for a baby. She seemed more like her daddy, being the quiet and level-headed twin, but when you got her into it, she could be a little live-wire. She bore more resemblance to her mother, with the lower half being a snake's tail with red eyes up and down her body, and a cobra hood which was now tied in a ponytail with a cute yellow ribbon, red eyes and a toothy smile. Unlike her mother, she had four arms instead of two, which was probably something she got from her father. Francesca also inherited her father’s camouflage technique.

Manjula, on the other hand, was the most vivacious of the twins. A spider demoness with red eyes jeweling her body like her mother's and sister's, she has four arms and four legs, and had inherited her mother’s hypnotic abilities and certain spider traits like shooting webs out of her hands.

All in all, the twins were adorable in every way possible. And Pent and their uncle couldn’t resist dolling them up in the cutest outfits they could concoct. Niss was more than proud of his daughters. After all, they were his children.

After a fun-filled day at the hotel, the family returned to the Lair. When Niss went to check on his husband, he found him in the nursery getting Francesca and Manjula to bed. The snake had one of the babies cradled to his chest, gently rocking her and the other baby curled up in his tail as he sang a lullaby. As the two drifted off to sleep, Pent placed his daughters in their respective cribs.

Exiting the nursery with his husband, Pent gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You doing good?”

”Ya know it, beautiful.” the spider said, kissing his husband for what felt like hours. This was where he belonged. This was his home. This was his family.