He Makes Me Happy (Shyan Fanfic)

Power And Greed

"Welcome back," The receptionist said as she saw Shane and Ricky approach the desk. Her friendly smile hadn't changed at all since the last time they were there. Shane remembered when they first hired her, which brought a sense of nostalgia. "I just need to see some authorization-"

"No, you don't" Ricky reached over the counter and grabbed the keys that were sitting next to her. "Thanks, doll face" He said with a wink. Ricky had never been one to ask for permission.

"Sorry about him" Shane whispered, before jogging to keep up with Ricky. "Can you try not being an asshole for once?"

"Why would I do that? My way is much faster" Ricky twirled the keys in his hands. Shane sighed, knowing the argument was futile. They walked to their office, Shane's movements were automatic as if it were second nature. He hated how much he was able to fall back into the familiar rhythm of his past. 

Some people waved as they passed, others cowered in fear. But no one dared to speak a word. Ricky smiled at the ones who just stared in disbelief, he loved how by just being there he was already striking fear into their hearts. 

"It is good to be back" Ricky said, unlocking the door and stepping through the threshold with his arms spread out. 

Everything was exactly the same. The room was huge with a wide-open ceiling and windows that lined every wall. Their two desks sat on opposite sides of the room but they faced each other. Wood so dark it was almost black lined the floors which clashed nicely with the dark red paint. All the little trinkets they had acquired over the years were on their desk, still untouched after all these years. 

This chapter of Shane's life that he never intended on even thinking about again was now staring him in the face, beckoning for him to accept his fate. It's only for one month, he reminded himself. That's all he had to get through. Regardless if he made the decision to stay in Hell or stay in the overworld, he swore he wouldn't work for Bite and Bark. 

A box sat on Shane's desk. Ricky raised a curious eyebrow as Shane inspected the gift suspiciously. It was wrapped in pink paper and tied with a red bow, glitter surrounded the present.

"Does someone have a secret admirer?" Ricky teased, taking a seat in his leather chair. Shane shook the box, but it gave no insight. 

"Only one way to find out" Shane tore open the paper and peering into the box. Inside was a heart. Not a fake one. Not a dead one either, but a beating, bleeding heart. 

Ricky noticed Shane's eyes go wide. "What is it?" 

Shane's face contorted into disgust as he slowly put the box down. The heart was still pulsating as if mocking him. Ricky became more worried and came to Shane's side. If he had to guess, he would say it was someone's sick idea of a welcome back gift. 

"Weird..." Ricky whispered. "Who do you think it was? Freddy?"

The name sent shivers down Shane's spine, but he wouldn't allow it to have too much of an effect on him. Before the horrible memories of him could infect his mind, Shane put the lid back on the box and stepped away from it. Freddy was someone he was seeing for a bit, but they stopped seeing each other after Shane refused to put a label on them. 

Freddy didn't really appreciate this, to say the least. He became borderline obsessed, he would follow Shane around, send letters almost every day. It became so bad Shane and Ricky decided to move. It was entirely possible the Freddy had found out Shane was coming back to Bite and Bark and decided to send him a gift. 

"It doesn't matter" Shane shook his head. He was desensitized from being squeamish to blood so that wasn't what was making him nauseous. What a wonderful welcome gift. 

"Ah, there you two are!" Robert said, coming into their office. "You look like you've seen a ghost," He told Shane. "Nevermind that, welcome back!" Robert spoke rapidly with no regard for Shane or Ricky's answers. 

Without taking a pause, he continued. "Ricky, your going to work as an assassin again" Ricky smiled at the news. "And Shane, congratulations, you're the boss"

"The boss?" Shane asked, disbelieving. "Very funny, what am I really doing?"

"I'm serious," Robert said, placing his hand on Shane's shoulder. "I'm getting too old for this, your in charge"

"Of everything?" There was no way. He had to be joking.

"Yes" he's lying

"For real?" this can't be happening

"Yes" shit.

He must have zoned out because when he started paying attention again, they were in a completely different room. 

"What's going on?" Shane asked, looking around to see a huge curtain and hearing the distant murmur of hundreds of voices. Ricky was by his side, of course. 

Before Ricky could answer him, he heard Robert's voice speak from outside the curtain. It seemed like they were backstage to some sort of show, awaiting their turn to perform. 

"Hello everyone, I'm here to welcome the new head of our company" Robert announced. Shane got deja vu thinking back to when he pretended to be the CEO in his youth. Now it was happening for real. "This might come as a surprise to some of you, but please allow me to welcome... Shane Madej!" Ricky pushed Shane towards the small opening in the curtain, and suddenly he was thrust into the eyes of the public. 

Some gasped, some cheered with glee, others were completely shellshocked. They all assumed he was dead, or at the very least gone for good. A few brave souls dared to scowl silently as cameras flashed. Robert put his hand on Shane's shoulder as he stared wide-eyed at the huge crowd. 

"Hello?" Shane said with uncertainty, earning him a wave of praise from the crowd. It was as if they didn't believe it was really him until he had spoken. He smiled, a part of him missed this aspect of his old life. 

"Just one more thing" Robert added, gesturing for someone to hand him something. It looked like a large stamp, but the design was glowing red. Before Shane could fully piece together what was happening, Robert pressed the firey hot metal onto Shane's neck. 

He sucked in air through his teeth, hissing in pain but not allowing a scream to escape his throat. Robert left it there for a few seconds before removing the burning metal. 

"What the fuck?" Shane asked, moving his hand toward the burn. 

"Sorry, new policy" Robert explained simply. No one other than Shane could hear him because the crowd was still going batshit. 

"You could have warned me" Shane smiled, still feeling the sensation on the metal on his neck. 

"Then it wouldn't be as fun" Robert joked as they walked off the stage. 

"Ugh, Ryan's going to kill me" Shane said nonchalantly as they joined Ricky's side again. Shane still had his hand over the burn because the pain was subsiding yet. It would fade soon enough because higher-level demons were known for their quick healing abilities, but that didn't mean the mark would be completely gone. 

Ricky felt a jolt of jealousy at the name but didn't let his expression portray that. Whether he liked it or not, Ryan was still a big part of Shane's life right now. Of course, that would change very soon if all goes according to plan.