Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer and Alastor sat on opposite sides of the loveseat. As far as they could be from each other.

Charlie had forced them to agree on a time to hang out once a week. Only for an hour but Lucifer felt like hours had already passed. He looked at the time, five minutes.

They didn't say anything to each other nor did they even look at each other. Alastor was staring off into space with a rigid posture and a tight smile. Both hands rested on top of his cane as the end dug into the carpet. Lucifer hunched over the arm of the loveseat. A frown on his face as he stared at the unlit fireplace.

They had to hang out in the lounge where everyone could see them. To make sure they didn't fight. More like to make sure Lucifer didn't hurt Alastor again.

This all started because of their last fight. Alastor had inquired about the pain of falling and Lucifer had almost killed him in rage. He stopped himself just short but it had even surprised him how he lost control.

He felt guilty about it but would never voice it. Alastor would just be an ass anyway.

Lucifer glanced sideways at Alastor and sighed.

“How are,” he cleared his throat. “How are your injuries?”

“You mean the ones you caused?” Alastor asked, snapping his head in Lucifer’s direction. He placed a hand on his chest with flourish. “I have a few scratches but nothing I can't handle.”

Right, Lucifer flinched and drummed his fingers on the loveseat’s arm. He had tried to heal Alastor but the deer had dissolved into shadow and refused his help.

They didn't speak again for the rest of the hour. When time was up, Alastor stood and left without a word.

Charlie wasn't going to be happy about this.

Alastor

Alastor sat, with perfect posture, as far away from Lucifer as he could on the loveseat. He needed time to react if the insipid king attacked him again.  It was all his fault that Alastor had to suffer through an hour of his company, what a waste of time.

Lucifer had tried to kill him over some silly joke about his fall from Heaven. He lacked manners and control. If the king wasn’t so weak of heart he'd have finished the job instead of stopping halfway. Alastor had healed from his injuries and he was determined to have his revenge. 

It was Charlie’s misguided idea that brought them here. She decided that they needed to spend some quality time together in order to get along. Repulsive, revolting, disgusting. It would be the worst hour of his life. Unfortunately, it would repeat every week. 

The simpleton was leaning over the arm of the loveseat, frowning and staring lifelessly at the fireplace. 

Neither of them spoke. Alastor rested his hands on the top of his cane and simply waited. The hour would be over soon enough. Charlie would give up this idea when it proved fruitless. 

The rest of the hotel gang hung out in the bar or lobby nearby. Likely to prevent them from fighting or just to spy on their progress.

Lucifer finally moved. He briefly glanced at Alastor then sighed.

“How are,” he cleared his throat. “How are your injuries?”

“You mean the ones you caused?” Alastor asked, snapping his head in Lucifer’s direction. He placed a hand on his chest with flourish. “I have a few scratches but nothing I can't handle.”

His smile widened when he noticed Lucifer flinch in response. The king frowned again and began to fidget more. His fingers drummed an irritating beat on the cushioned arm.

Alastor was relieved when their time was up and left quickly via his shadow.

Charlie

“They’re not talking,” Charlie glanced worriedly at her father and Alastor. “Maybe I should give them an icebreaker.”

“Babe,” Vaggie grabbed her arm to prevent her from standing from the barstool. “It’s only been a few minutes, maybe give it a few sessions before they have a conversation.”

“Yeah,” Angel laughed and sipped his cocktail. “Smiles is probably still pissed that Short King almost killed him.”

“Ok,” she took a deep breath and relaxed on the stool. “At least it doesn’t look like they’re going to hu-OMG!” Charlie squealed. “Dad’s saying something. They’re talking.”

Her dad peeled himself off the arm of the loveseat and glanced at Alastor before speaking. Alastor’s head snapped to him menacingly as he replied. Her dad flinched and looked away. She watched in disappointment as they lapsed into silence again.

“There’s gotta be a way to get them to talk,” she sighed with frustration.

“They’re both grown ass men,” Vaggie rolled her eyes but sent her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”

“Right,” she nodded and smiled back. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

Charlie grabbed her girlfriend’s hand and tried not to think about interfering in her dad’s business more than she already did.

Maybe they just needed a mutual activity to do together.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer wrote a list of neutral things to talk about. Things he was sure Alastor couldn't turn into a fight.

If only he wasn't so reluctant to start. Charlie really wanted them to get along so he had to put the effort in. At least he could say that he tried even if Alastor didn't.

They were in the same positions as last week.

Lucifer shifted his body so he leaned his back against the arm. One leg still dangled from the loveseat while he placed the other on the seat. Knee bent to keep it close to himself. He hugged his leg and placed his chin on his knee.

Instead of relying on the list, Lucifer decided to talk about something current first. The acid rain outside was particularly loud that day.

“So, um,” Lucifer started. “You know acid rain is exclusive to the Pride Ring?”

One of Alastor’s ears twitched and he turned his head to face the king. His smile was the same but his eyes narrowed.

“I had no idea,” he replied cheerfully.

They stared at each other for a while. It was clear Alastor was going to force him to do all the leg work.

“It wasn't originally like that,” Lucifer smiled, uneasily. “I made an apple orchard for the sinners. A nice area similar to Earth. It was well liked and the sinners even took care of it for me. But then Heaven,” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Found out about it and well now we have acid rain.”

“You must have been so upset,” Alastor laughed maniacally. “When you had to watch your subjects suffer because of your poor foresight.”

Lucifer shifted his body back to its original position, looking at the unlit fireplace. 

Well, it certainly hadn't been the first choice he made that had caused suffering. It had been hard on him though. He had finally accepted that he was in hell and would only see the wicked. He finally decided that he was going to make the most of it and maybe rehabilitate his people. It wouldn’t be like heaven but they could still have a decent life.

That apple orchard had only been the start. He hadn't told Alastor but he had started planting greenery everywhere. All of it died with the rain. And it was all his fault.

“Your pain is delightful,” Alastor commented happily.

Lucifer didn't even look his way. When time was thankfully up, he dissolved into red smoke.

Alastor

Alastor still had no intention in engaging in this farce. Lucifer was still staring at the fireplace, at least he wasn’t interested either.

Eventually, Lucifer moved to sit with his back against the armrest. He pulled one leg on the cushion and hugged it. He rested his chin on his knee and stared at Alastor with a fake smile.

“So, um,” Lucifer stammered. “You know acid rain is exclusive to the Pride Ring?”

Alastor turned his head to face him. He narrowed his eyes in warning. There was nothing worse than idle chit chat, especially about the weather.

“I had no idea,” he replied cheerfully. He allowed silence to reign, hoping it would be enough to deter the king. It wasn’t.

“It wasn't originally like that,” Lucifer continued with an uneasy smile. “I made an apple orchard for the sinners. A nice area similar to Earth. It was well liked and the sinners even took care of it for me. But then Heaven,” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Found out about it and well now we have acid rain.”

“You must have been so upset,” Alastor laughed maniacally. “When you had to watch your subjects suffer because of your poor foresight.”

He watched with delight as all light drained from the King’s face and he slowly shifted his position to look back at the fireplace. Alastor flashed a triumphant smile. The deeper Lucifer frowned the happier Alastor got.

“Your pain is delightful,” Alastor commented happily.

He expected a reply or a fight but received nothing. Lucifer had no reaction and as soon as time was up, he disappeared first. 

“Hey Alastor,” Charlie called from the lobby.

“What can I help you with, my dear,” he said with a cheerful tone and stood.

“How are things going with you and my dad?” She looked tense. Clearly she didn’t like what she’d seen from them so far.

“Delightful!” he responded.

“Do you think that maybe,” she twirled her fingers around each other. “You can try to be less mean?”

Were they listening to their conversations? Or was she assuming that Alastor was being the rude one?

“I will endeavor to be better,” he gave her a reassuring smile.

Charlie

Charlie fidgeted anxiously as she watched them ignore each other again. Eventually her dad turned to face Alastor and the conversation seemed to be going well but then Lucifer looked pained and turned back to the fireplace. He disappeared as soon as the time was up.

Ignoring Vaggie’s protests, Charlie approached the lounge.

“Hey Alastor,” Charlie called out to him.

“What can I help you with, my dear,” he replied cheerfully as he stood.

“How are things going with you and my dad?” She tried to ask nonchalantly.

“Delightful!” he responded with a huge grin.

“Do you think that maybe,” she twirled her fingers. “You can try to be less mean?”

Alastor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I will endeavor to be better,” he gave her a reassuring smile before disappearing.

“Do you think he was being sincere?” Charlie turned to ask her girlfriend.

“I’m sure things will get better between them,” Vaggie replied with a strained smile. “But just in case, why don’t we ask Husk to help your dad out?”

“That’s a great idea!” Charlie jumped up excitedly and grabbed her hands. “Maybe he knows what Alastor likes to talk about.”

Chapter Text

Lucifer

“So your radio show,” Lucifer plastered on a fake smile and began as soon as Alastor sat down. “Do you do that sporadically or do you have a schedule?”

When Alastor sat down, he resumed the same position as last time. Only his head faced Lucifer. Lucifer sat with his back to the arm again. Leaning forward to hug his leg but kept his head up.

“I suppose it's more sporadic now,” Alastor answered. “It used to be scheduled but I've found that I lack inspiration. The previous Overlord’s screams used to bring me so much joy.”

“Right,” Lucifer nodded, his smile twitched. At least he got Alastor talking. He owed Husk for the advice and knowledge. “I heard you wiped out most of the Overlords back in the day. Do you think you could do that again?”

“Are you asking for a deal?” Alastor’s ears twitched and a cruel grin spread further on his face.

“No, no,” Lucifer held his hands up defensively. “I just want to know how your power measures up to the other Overlord’s. If you decided to, could you kill them?”

“What an intriguing idea,” Alastor smirked at him. “But that's not as entertaining as it used to be.”

So he's not going to answer the question. Is that because he couldn't do it? Or was he really just bored?

“Hm, well, Charlie and the others told me all about that jambalaya you cooked,” Lucifer changed the subject. “They wanted to ask you to make it again but I guess they're just shy.”

“That was a delightful day,” Alastor stated with a genuine smile that turned malicious. “It was my first day joining the hotel. The beginning of our little adventure together.”

Lucifer’s fists clenched in anger. Alastor's smile widened at the display.

“I heard it was great,” Lucifer tried and failed to stay calm. The smile was tight on his face. In the end he turned away from him, dropping his other leg to the floor. “They would appreciate it if you cooked again.”

“Would you be partaking?” Alastor asked.

It was the first time Alastor had asked him a question and he wasn't sure how to answer. If he said yes, Alastor could refuse because he didn't want to cook for him. If he said no, then he might get offended and refuse. He decided to take a page from Alastor’s book and give a non answer.

“I don't eat,” he responded with a shrug.

“You ate those delightful pancakes last week,” Alastor tilted his head to the side.

Delightful? Had he liked the pancakes that Lucifer made? Alastor had taken a plate but ate silently and made no comments.

Lucifer felt his face get warm at the likely unintended compliment.

“I don't have to eat,” he clarified and crossed his arms.

“Perhaps, I’ll make it,” Alastor replied. “If everyone wanted my jambalaya.”

Lucifer could feel his intense stare. Did he seriously want Lucifer to ask him to make it? Would he actually say yes? He had a feeling this was going to end badly.

“You want that in writing?” Lucifer scoffed quietly, turning his head toward the fireplace.

Alastor used his cane to turn Lucifer’s head to face him. Alastor looked down at him with a condescending smile.

“You only have to ask nicely, your highness?” He dropped the radio tone.

Lucifer felt warmth in his cheeks as he clenched his teeth and fists. If he was going to do this, he would go all out.

“Alastor,” he relaxed his face and smiled kindly. “Would you please give us the honor of eating your delicious jambalaya?”

Alastor's smile widened in evil glee and his eyes looked pleased. Here comes the denial.

“Why of course, sire,” Alastor raised both his hands up happily. “It would be my absolute pleasure to make dinner for you.”

Everyone turned to look at them with surprise. All their conversations thus far had been quiet but everyone had heard that. Charlie shot them a hopeful look.

“I,” Lucifer wasn't sure how to respond. “I'll look forward to it.”

Fine, he would play by Alastor’s rules. As long as it made his daughter happy. He would do anything to see her smile.

Alastor

“So your radio show,” Lucifer plastered on a fake smile and began as soon as Alastor sat down. “Do you do that sporadically or do you have a schedule?”

It seemed like Lucifer wasn’t going to waste any time that day. He was back in that cowardly position, hugging his leg.

Alastor had considered it all week and decided to somewhat play along with their chats. If he didn’t immediately make Lucifer shut down then he could get a lot more insults in.

“I suppose it's more sporadic now,” Alastor answered. “It used to be scheduled but I've found that I lack inspiration. The previous Overlord’s screams used to bring me so much joy.”

“Right,” Lucifer nodded, his smile twitched. “I heard you wiped out most of the Overlords back in the day. Do you think you could do that again?”

“Are you asking for a deal?” Alastor’s ears twitched with excitement.

“No, no,” Lucifer held his hands up defensively. “I just want to know how your power measures up to the other Overlord’s. If you decided to, could you kill them?”

Did this mean the King of Hell couldn’t gauge power by simply feeling it? So that rumor was wrong. At the moment he was, unfortunately, not able to take down the current Overlords. 

“What an intriguing idea,” Alastor smirked at him. “But that's not as entertaining as it used to be.”

“Hm, well, Charlie and the others told me all about that jambalaya you cooked,” Lucifer suddenly changed the subject. “They wanted to ask you to make it again but I guess they're just shy.”

“That was a delightful day,” Alastor stated with a genuine smile that turned malicious. “It was my first day joining the hotel. The beginning of our little adventure together.”

Lucifer’s fists clenched in anger. Alastor's glee grew from his ire. 

“I heard it was great,” Lucifer tried and failed to stay calm. The smile was tight on his face. In the end he turned away from him, dropping his other leg to the floor. “They would appreciate it if you cooked again.”

“Would you be partaking?” Alastor asked.

Lucifer’s eyes turned vacant as he thought about his response. Alastor didn’t understand what was so hard about answering the question. It was a simple yes or no. 

“I don't eat,” he responded with a shrug.

“You ate those delightful pancakes last week,” Alastor tilted his head to the side.

Lucifer’s cheeks turned slightly gold.

“I don't have to eat,” he clarified and crossed his arms.

“Perhaps I’ll make it,” Alastor replied. “If everyone wanted my jambalaya.”

Alastor stared at him awaiting his response. He hadn’t decided yet whether to reject him or not. 

“You want that in writing?” Lucifer scoffed quietly, turning his head toward the fireplace.

Tired of waiting for an answer, Alastor used his cane to make Lucifer face him. He smiled condescendingly. 

“You only have to ask nicely, your highness?” He dropped the radio tone.

Lucifer's face turned an even brighter shade of gold. His embarrassment was lovely. His fists clenched and he gritted his teeth before speaking.

“Alastor,” he relaxed his face and smiled kindly. “Would you please give us the honor of eating your delicious jambalaya?”

Alastor smiled with glee as he contemplated his answer. If he rejected him then it would be fun now but if he accepted there was plenty of fun to have later.

“Why of course, sire,” Alastor raised both his hands up happily. “It would be my absolute pleasure to make dinner for you.”

The hotel gang looked over at Alastor’s loud announcement. Charlie looked delighted at the demon’s response. It was an added bonus that it would get her to leave him alone for a while.

“I,” Lucifer hesitated. “I'll look forward to it.”

Alastor was looking forward to it too.

Husker

Husk stood behind the bar and polished another glass as he watched his boss torture the King of Hell. It wasn’t real torture but one wouldn’t be able to tell the difference given the King’s face.

He’d done as Charlie had begged and got them talking at least. Hopefully Alastor wouldn’t figure it out at any point though.

Husk had been surprised that when he asked the King to join him for a drink he’d been more than happy to comply. It was clear he was lonely and wanted friends. It became even more clear when the King had asked him about Alastor and the things he liked. Husk hadn’t even needed to find a way to broach the subject.

He could tell there was more to it than simply trying to appease his daughter. The King actually felt guilty over what he did to Alastor. He was smart enough to deny it when asked but Husk could tell he was lying.

The King seemed to be struggling to keep his cool as the conversation progressed. He was just as surprised as the rest of them when he heard Alastor’s exclamation.

“Why of course, sire,” Alastor said loudly so that everyone could hear him. “It would be my absolute pleasure to make dinner for you.”

Charlie clapped both hands over her mouth to stop her excited exclamation.

“They’re being friendly,” she whispered giddily and violently shook Vaggie.

Whatever Alastor was up to, it was definitely a trap. He hoped the King was prepared for it.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer chopped whatever Alastor put in front of him. Since Alastor had agreed to make the jambalaya, Charlie thought it would be a good bonding activity for them. Vaggie sat in a kitchen chair watching them. Lucifer was getting a little annoyed at the babysitting.

“What are you doing?” Alastor glared down at the minced onion.

“You told me to cut and I did,” Lucifer responded defensively.

“Diced not minced,” he growled, looking at the other vegetables and noticed they were all the same. “What is wrong with you?”

“What’s the difference?” Lucifer looked at his work. “It’s still the same vegetables.”

“It’s not the same,” Alastor bent over to glare down at him. “Redo them.”

“Fuck no,” Lucifer glared up at him. “I already cut them, just use them.”

“Enough, both of you!” Vaggie cautiously approached them. “Alastor is the cook, can you please just do as he says, sir?”

Alastor gave him a triumphant look. Vaggie hated him just as much as Lucifer did, so the fact that she agreed with him stung.

“Fine,” he threw his hands up. “If you don’t tell me the difference, it’s not going to be right though.”

Lucifer tapped the counter and the vegetables reassembled themselves. Alastor cut the onion ‘properly’ to demonstrate.

“Be quick, I’ll need those soon,” he demanded.

When Alastor turned his back, Lucifer flipped him off and stuck out his tongue. He quickly went back to cutting when Vaggie laughed and Alastor turned to look at him again. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Once the veggies were diced, Lucifer started gathering dishes to clean them. He could just use magic but it gave him something to do and Alastor was unlikely to order him around when he was being productive. 

Lucifer was happy when dinner was finally ready. The dinner was only for the hotel staff and Angel Dust, who was kind of an employee but not really. Alastor made sure to serve Lucifer and sit next to him. He side eyed the cook before taking the first bite.

It was super spicy and it took everything in him not to cringe. No one else seemed to have a problem as they vigorously ate and complemented Alastor on the meal.

Lucifer glanced at Alastor’s mischievous smirk. It was definitely not just him being sensitive. The jerk had purposefully made his portion spicier on purpose. Lucifer would show him. He continued to eat despite it slowly destroying his taste buds. He didn’t even stop to drink water. He would never admit that it was delicious enough to warrant the heat.

By the end of the meal, his eyes were so watery he couldn’t even see anything. He could hear Alastor’s chuckle though.

Alastor

Vaggie’s glare at his back was starting to grate on his nerves. At least he wasn’t the only one to dislike their babysitter. Lucifer glanced at her with annoyance as well.

Charlie had decided that since he was cooking for them again that her father should help. She thought it would help them bond. Alastor hated having other people in the kitchen when he cooked. He only agreed because he got to boss the king around.

Alastor had given him the simple job of chopping up the vegetables. He couldn’t possibly mess that up. His eye twitched with irritation when he discovered that he had been wrong.

“What are you doing?” Alastor glared down at the minced onion.

“You told me to cut and I did,” Lucifer responded defensively.

“Diced not minced,” he growled, looking at the other vegetables and noticed they were all the same. “What is wrong with you?”

“What’s the difference?” the king looked at his work. “It’s still the same vegetables.”

“It’s not the same,” Alastor bent over to glare down at him. “Redo them.”

“Fuck no,” Lucifer glared up at him. “I already cut them, just use them.”

“Enough, both of you!” Vaggie cautiously approached them. “Alastor is the cook, can you please just do as he says, sir?”

Alastor gave him a triumphant look. Even Vaggie was on his side and he could tell it killed her on the inside. Lucifer looked a tad hurt and the demon did not take as much pleasure from the look as he thought he would.

“Fine,” he threw his hands up in defeat. “If you don’t tell me the difference, it’s not going to be right though.”

Lucifer tapped the counter and the vegetables reassembled themselves. Alastor slowly showed him how to dice an onion. If he couldn’t figure out the rest then the demon would just do it himself.

“Be quick, I’ll need those soon,” he demanded.

Alastor turned his back to Lucifer to check on the meal. His eyes narrowed when Vaggie giggled and he quickly turned back to Lucifer. He was cutting the vegetables but the suppressed smile and wide eyes made him suspicious. The king had definitely done something behind his back. He kept an eye on Lucifer to ensure he was cutting everything properly this time.

Once the king was finished with the vegetables, he went about cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes. He didn’t need anything else from Lucifer so he left the king alone.

He smirked as he added extra spices to a smaller pot. He made two portions last time so he could make his own spicier. He had enough for two people in the pot now, one for himself and one for Lucifer. He hoped the king would be unable to handle it.

Alastor was excited when the meal was ready. He made sure to serve Lucifer and sit next to him to enjoy the show. The king looked at him suspiciously but ate regardless.

His body stiffened slightly upon the first bite. His eyes frantically looked around the table at everyone’s normal reaction. They gave Alastor compliments but he hardly noticed as he watched Lucifer debate his next move.

Lucifer looked his way again and Alastor could feel the accusation from his gaze.

To Alastor’s surprise, Lucifer said nothing and continued to eat like nothing was wrong. The king’s face slowly started to turn golder after each bite. 

Alastor grinned at the silly face the king had. Everything on his face was gold; his eyes, cheeks and lips. He couldn’t even open his eyes by the last bite due to the amount of tears running down his face. Alastor had to admit that it was impressive he still finished his portion. Lucifer hadn’t even complained.

He chuckled as he finished his own dinner.

Vaggie

Vaggie watched the two powerful beings cook their dinner. She didn’t bother pretending like she was there for anything else other than to watch them. If something happened though, she knew she couldn’t stop them. No one in Hell could stop Lucifer.

Charlie had begged her though and she couldn’t tell her girlfriend no. Besides, Charlie had been so grateful that she promised to do something extra special before bed. Vaggie was so lost in her fantasy that she barely noticed when they started yelling at each other.

Were they seriously arguing about how the damn veggies were cut?

“Enough, both of you!” Vaggie carefully got between them. “Alastor is the cook, can you please just do as he says, sir?”

It killed her to take Alastor’s side but Charlie had said that anything related to cooking was Alastor’s call. She’d rather tell the Radio Demon where he could shove the vegetables, especially with that damn cocky grin.

Alastor demonstrated how he wanted them to be cut then turned his back. Lucifer wasted no time in flipping him off and sticking out his tongue. It was so childish compared to what he had done before that it made her laugh.

She’d never seen a seraphim act the way Lucifer did in private. Outside the hotel he maintained appearances but inside he acted like the average person. Vaggie completely understood where Charlie got her silly side from.

Alastor turned sharply to glare at Lucifer but he had already resumed cutting the onion. He didn’t even glance her way and kept his eye on the King for the duration of their time together.

She watched suspiciously as Alastor served Lucifer eagerly. He was clearly up to something but Charlie had assured her it was fine. 

Lucifer seemed uncomfortable for the entire meal and it took her until he was crying to figure out why. Alastor had made his portion spicier and Lucifer was eating it without complaint.

Vaggie stayed silent. It’s not like she could do anything about it at this point.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer was early that day. About 30 minutes early. He was tired. The damn sins and their dumb meeting had run long. Since he decided to care again, he'd been trying to get on the sins’ good sides. They used to be amicable but that had been centuries ago. Not long by Lucifer’s standards but long by theirs.

He dropped on the loveseat and rested his back against the arm rest, letting his legs spread across the seat. He leaned over the arm to crack his spine then lowered himself again. He rested his side into the back of the loveseat and closed his eyes. Maybe a short rest would feel nice.

It didn't. It never really did. He opened his eyes feeling more tired than when he closed them.

Alastor was sitting in the middle of his seat. His back was still straight but he looked relaxed. His smile was small and his eyes were closed. His ears weren't straight up, instead both tilted to the sides.

Had he seen Lucifer and decided to take a nap himself? This could be a sort of bonding thing. Napping together.

Asmodeus had once told him that there were people he’d have sex with but never sleep with. It was all about trust. Alastor must trust him to sleep with him or at least in proximity to him.

They had been fighting significantly less over the last few weeks. Maybe they were making progress after all. Charlie certainly seemed happy with them.

Lucifer checked the time and noted that they still had forty minutes left. He settled in and went back to sleep.

Alastor

When he arrived at the lounge he was surprised to find Lucifer sleeping. He was vulnerable and would be easy to attack. An unwise move on the king’s part but Alastor didn’t take advantage of it. He simply sat in the middle of the other loveseat cushion and rested his eyes. He didn’t fall asleep in Lucifer’s presence. 

Niffty

Niffty saw the sleeping pair and approached. She was shocked to find that Alastor was in a deep sleep. He must be really comfortable around the Ultimate Bad Boy. She was just about to climb onto the loveseat with them but Angel scooped her up and carried her away quickly. He promised her a new bottle of bleach if she stayed quiet.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer sat crossed legged on the center of his loveseat cushion. He was drawing an intricate pentagram. It was an idea he had dabbled in several times but had always given up halfway through. He didn't plan to give up this time though.

“Are you designing a new duck?” Alastor feigned interest in his duck hobby often. 

Lucifer knew he was just trying to get him excited so he could crush the idea. He’d yet to fall for the bait.

“No, I'm drawing,” Lucifer stilled his tongue. He closed the sketchbook and placed it against the arm. “It's nothing important.”

Alastor sat in the middle of his own cushion.

“It must be of great importance,” Alastor only turned his head to face him, the rest of his body facing forward as he assumed the usual position. His back ramrod straight as always. “If you're being so secretive.”

“Or maybe I'm just trying to be mysterious,” Lucifer smirked at him. “I'm a man of many mysteries, after all.”

“If one believes the rumors, I suppose,” Alastor chuckled. “I don't put stock in such trite information.”

Lucifer shrugged. “It really isn't interesting, just some work stuff.”

“What could an absconded king be working on?” Alastor’s grin widened with amusement. Well, what Lucifer thinks is amusement. Hard to tell.

“I didn't abandon Hell,” Lucifer glared at him. “I abandoned the sinners.”

“Pray tell, what's the difference?” Alastor tilted his head. His eyes showed menace.

Lucifer sighed and turned to partially face him. He let one foot drop to the floor while the other rested against the opposite knee, forming a triangle with his legs. He put his elbow on the back of the loveseat and rested his cheek in his palm.

“I didn't do much for Pentagram city but it’s hardly the only city in the Pride Ring, not to mention the other Rings,” Lucifer glared at him. “I have always maintained and ruled over the hell born creatures, they even like me. Well, except for the sins. It started to feel more like babysitting so I stopped talking to them for a while.”

“Aren't the sins the only ones who matter?” Alastor turned away to inspect his claws. “They are the most powerful beings in Hell, aside from the present company.”

Lucifer wondered if Alastor included himself as “present company.” He was pretty strong, how long would Alastor be able to hold out against a sin? It would be a bad idea to ever test out.

“Ah, they’re just annoyed with me,” Lucifer waved his free hand absentmindedly. “They'll get over it.”

They were silent for a while. Alastor stared at Husk at the bar. Lucifer simply looked at the stairs.

Lucifer didn't know what else to talk about. He couldn't find the dumb list he made and fuck if he could remember what he’d written. Maybe stories about the sins would be interesting.

“The sins were children when I first met them,” Lucifer started. “It was less of an age thing though. The stronger they became the bigger they grew. Eventually they learned to control their size.”

“They seem to have learned that better than you,” Alastor looked down at him with a superior smirk. 

Lucifer decided to ignore him.

“They were really cute but they were terrible,” Lucifer said through gritted teeth. “No control over their power. Constantly destroying everything. When they hit their teenage years, the rebellion was awful.”

“As bad as yours?” Alastor shot him an evil grin. He must really be out for blood today.

Lucifer’s clenched fist betrayed his annoyance.

“Mammon, the sin of Greed, was and is the worst,” Lucifer continued. “Always trying to take everyone else’s stuff. He even tried to take the Sloth Ring. He really thought I was just going to let that happen.”

Lucifer stopped talking. Their time was almost up. He was relieved as Alastor was exhausting to deal with. He'd have to find something else to talk about next week. Maybe he should ask Husk for more advice.

“What did you do?” Alastor looked at him with curiosity.

“Uh,” Lucifer blinked at him with confusion. “Well, time’s up so I guess you’ll have to wait for next week.”

The annoyed look Lucifer got was funny.

“Fine,” Alastor stood and dusted himself off. “It better be worth the wait.”

He disappeared into the shadows.

Lucifer wondered how Alastor would feel if he knew that he could track him through the shadow. He dissolved into shadow and to anyone else they'd think he was gone but Lucifer could still see him. He pretended not to. Didn't want to hurt Alastor's pride or maybe he was just waiting for the perfect time to ruin it.

Alastor lingered, waiting. For what, Lucifer didn't know. He disappeared into red smoke. He wasn't likely to get answers for it anyway.

Alastor

Lucifer always seemed to arrive early to their sessions. He was concentrating so hard on his sketchbook that he didn’t even notice Alastor's approach. What could he possibly be so focused on?

“Are you designing a new duck?” Alastor asked with feigned interest.

“No, I'm drawing,” Lucifer paused. He closed the sketchbook and placed it against the arm. “It's nothing important.”

Alastor’s curiosity only grew with that response.

“It must be of great importance,” Alastor only turned his head to face him as he sat down. He had perfect posture, as always. “If you're being so secretive.”

“Or maybe I'm just trying to be mysterious,” Lucifer smirked at him. “I'm a man of many mysteries, after all.”

“If one believes the rumors, I suppose,” Alastor chuckled. “I don't put stock in such trite information.”

Lucifer shrugged. “It really isn't interesting, just some work stuff.”

“What could an absconded king be working on?” Alastor’s grin widened with amusement.

“I didn't abandon Hell,” Lucifer glared at him. “I abandoned the sinners.”

“Pray tell, what's the difference?” Alastor tilted his head, his expression was one of menace. He would have to try to find out a different way. It didn’t seem Lucifer would share with him.

Lucifer sighed and turned to partially face him. He let one foot drop to the floor while the other rested against the opposite knee, forming a triangle with his legs. He put his elbow on the back of the loveseat and rested his cheek in his palm.

“I didn't do much for Pentagram city but it’s hardly the only city in the Pride Ring, not to mention the other Rings,” Lucifer glared. “I have always maintained and ruled over the hell born creatures, they even like me. Well, except for the sins. It started to feel more like babysitting so I stopped talking to them for a while.”

“Aren't the sins the only ones who matter?” Alastor turned away to inspect his claws. “They are the most powerful beings in Hell, aside from the present company.”

“Ah, they’re just annoyed with me,” Lucifer waved his free hand absentmindedly. “They'll get over it.”

They were silent for a while. Alastor stared at Husk at the bar. Lucifer simply looked at the stairs.

So far it had been on Lucifer to uphold the topic of conversation. He’d done such a good job that Alastor only had to worry about responding. He was unsure what to do now that they were both silent. The time went by faster when they talked.

“The sins were children when I first met them,” Lucifer said suddenly. “It was less of an age thing though. The stronger they became the bigger they grew. Eventually they learned to control their size.”

“They seem to have learned that better than you,” Alastor looked down at him with a superior smirk. 

“They were really cute but they were terrible,” Lucifer spoke through gritted teeth. “No control over their power. Constantly destroying everything. When they hit their teenage years, the rebellion was awful.”

“As bad as yours?” Alastor shot him an evil grin. Lucifer wasn’t raising to the jabs but he was reacting.

Lucifer’s clenched fists betrayed his annoyance.

“Mammon, the sin of Greed, was and is the worst,” Lucifer continued. “Always trying to take everyone else’s stuff. He even tried to take the Sloth Ring. He really thought I was just going to let that happen.”

Just as suddenly as he started, he stopped. Right when the story was getting interesting. Was he doing that on purpose?

Lucifer looked annoyed as he checked the clock. Their time neared the end.

“What did you do?” Alastor looked at him with curiosity.

“Uh,” Lucifer blinked at him with confusion. “Well, time’s up so I guess you’ll have to wait for next week.”

Alastor shot him an annoyed look. He didn’t like the amusement on Lucifer’s face. 

“Fine,” Alastor stood and dusted himself off. “It better be worth the wait.”

He retreated into his shadow but didn’t leave. He wanted to see what Lucifer planned to do next. Alastor hadn’t been able to get another look at that sketchbook yet.

Lucifer waited a few moments then disappeared into smoke with the sketchbook. So he wasn’t getting any hints this time.

Husk

Husk had the unfortunate duty of babysitting that day. Angel had to work while Charlie and Vaggie were trying out a new redemption exercise. Niffty was nearby cleaning but she wouldn’t be any help if something happened.

He wouldn’t be any help either but it’s not like he had anywhere else to be. Not only were they both much stronger than him and more reckless but Alastor owned him. All he had to do was order Husk to stand down and he would. Or worse to fight the King and he’d die before attempting that. He wasn’t dumb enough to fight the King of Hell.

He’d been there when the King had swiftly and easily attacked Alastor. One moment they were both standing there and the next Alastor was on the floor bleeding out.

Husk didn’t think it’d ever happen again though. It was strange to see but it seemed like they were sorta friends. Angel had called them frenemies. It was the closest description he could think of to describe their messed up relationship.

Neither of them looked upset to be in each other's presence anymore but they didn’t hang out outside of their scheduled time either. Alastor was usually around but the King preferred to stay in his room. He only came out when Charlie called him.

Lonely people tended to isolate themselves. Husk had originally thought that the King saw himself above everyone else but after chatting with him a few times, he could tell that the King simply didn’t know how to act around sinners. His awkwardness came off as reluctance but Husk was pretty good at reading people.

The only exception being Alastor. That man was an enigma that he didn’t want to solve. Husk wasn’t sure what he got out of all this but it almost seemed like he was becoming fond of the King. There was no way that was the case, he definitely had something terrible planned.

He hoped the King was ready for whatever it was.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

This time they kind of faced each other. Lucifer was in the same position as last time. Alastor had turned to face him about a quarter of the way. His whole body, not just his head.

“Lovely weather we’re having today,” Lucifer smirked at Alastor's annoyed expression. He may not be good at reading all his expressions but he knew when Alastor was annoyed at least. “Do you think Hell might freeze over?”

Alastor tilted his head slightly to the side. His ears twitched a few times with thought. He was clearly trying to find a way to bring up their last conversation without asking for it.

How cute, Lucifer thought with a fond smile then grimaced. No, Alastor could never be cute.

“Your memory leaves much to be desired,” Alastor finally spoke.

Lucifer waited for more but there wasn't anything. Alastor was just giving him an expectant look, like that was going to make him talk. Lucifer genuinely laughed at his antics.

Alastor’s ears drew back and he narrowed his eyes in annoyance, the smile tight on his face. Everyone was in the bar area today and they all looked over at them with surprise.

Lucifer tried to stop laughing, managing to calm it down to a giggle.

“Yes, I suppose my memory is rather terrible,” Lucifer was still grinning like an idiot. “Happens with age, I'm afraid.”

Alastor took a deep breath and released it with exaggerated exasperation. “You were supposed to finish the story about Greed taking over the Sloth Ring.”

“Ah, that's right!” he chuckled. “How could I forget? Silly me.”

Alastor’s eye twitched.

“Well Mammon came to my palace with Belphegor, sin of Sloth, in tow,” Lucifer said. “He made up some bullshit argument that Sloth should belong to Greed and that Belphegor wasn’t running her ring properly and only doing drugs. He’d do sooo much better. At the time, Belphegor wasn't as strong or power hungry as most of them. They are the very embodiment of their sin after all. Lust and Sloth were a little behind.”

Lucifer was surprised how interested Alastor seemed to be in the story. Did he expect Lucifer to be cruel or something?

“I told Mammon that if he ever tried to take over the territory of another sin again that I would prostrate him in the middle of the Greed Ring and eternally watch him burn with my very own specially made Hell fire,” Lucifer held out his hand and a small blue flame grew from his palm.

Alastor stared at the fire as if transfixed. His eyes widened with fascination.

“Anyway, he ran away with his tail between his legs,” Lucifer shook his hand to put out the fire. “I gave Belphegor a pep talk and she’s just as big a deal as all the others. Like I always knew she would be.”

Alastor stared at him expectantly.

“I know that it has an anticlimactic ending but that is the end,” Lucifer announced.

“I was simply surprised that you knew how to act like a King,” Alastor chuckled. 

“Yeah well,” Lucifer looked away. “It's not like I asked to be one. The title itself was just supposed to be another cruel joke.”

Fuck, that was self deprecating and in front of Alastor of all people. He was definitely going to use that against him later.

“Just another thing I'm good at,” Lucifer shrugged and mustered up his best smile. “I'm pretty much good at everything.”

“I would hope so,” Alastor stated with an unreadable smile. “You’ve certainly lived long enough.”

Lucifer was surprised that he hadn't latched onto his earlier comment. Maybe he hadn't noticed that it bothered him. No, this was Alastor, he would use his ammunition when necessary.

“Wanna hear a funny story?” Lucifer asked.

“I suppose we do have the time,” Alastor responded.

“So I'm just tending to my orchard,” Lucifer chuckled at the memory. “When I hear this loud roar. Like it made some of the sinners’ ears bleed, it was so loud. I flew over the palace and explored all over. I found, in my own damn basement, that the sins had summoned a fucking hydra. They were all bloodied and passed out from fighting the damn thing. It already had 8 heads. Like how didn't they figure out that slicing its head off wouldn't work. ‘Hmm let's see, it grew two new heads when we cut it. Let's do it again, surely this time it'll be different.’”

Alastor laughed, a genuine laugh. Lucifer forgot what he was talking about for a moment.

“Anyway, you gotta go for the heart in the body when fighting a hydra. I took it down and was about to rip out his heart when it gave me the saddest puppy dog eyes,” Lucifer imitated the face it made. Wide eyes, sparkling with unshed tears. “Poor thing was summoned against its will and attacked. So I told her she could stay if she was a good girl. Named her Lulu, after my theme park. That's where she lives now.”

Lucifer giggled.

“It's so funny,” he smiled wider. “Whenever the sins visit Lulu World they have to be on guard because she still attacks them. And they can kill her now but they really can't because she's my baby and I'd kill them for even the smallest scratch so they hide or let her chew on them for a while. One time I had to rescue Satan cause she just would not let go, he was there for a whole week.”

Lucifer threw his head back and laughed at the memory.

“No one even knew where he was,” he wiped away a tear. “He was covered in bite marks.”

Alastor had brought a hand to partially cover his mouth as he laughed. 

Once they calmed down they just stared at each other. The smiles on their faces were content and cheerful.

“Hey dad,” Charlie waved as she approached them. “Mind if I talk to you now that your hour is up?”

“Oh, is it?” Lucifer looked at the time. It was 10 minutes past. “Oh, that flew by today.”

“Indeed,” Alastor agreed and stood. “Until next week, sire.”

“Yeah,” Lucifer waved at him. “See you later.”

Alastor disappeared into the shadows but lingered. He “moved” within the shadow to be closer to Lucifer.

Charlie took the spot that Alastor had vacated.

“So you and Alastor are getting along better,” she smiled gleefully. “No more fighting or arguing. You both looked like you were enjoying yourselves.”

“Today was nice,” he nodded. “So, um, since we get along so well, how about we stop this? It just doesn't seem necessary now that we're buddy buddy.”

“Dad,” Charlie rolled her eyes. “I want more than for you two to get along. I want you to trust each other. Maybe even be friends.”

“You want me to trust him?” Lucifer’s question came out harsher than he intended. “Sweetie, you owe him a favor. He owns other people’s souls. I'm not sure I can trust someone like that.”

“Dad, he can change,” Charlie implored. “We all can.”

Lucifer grimaced and then sighed. A small smile crept its way onto his face.

“Ah, my sweet little girl,” Lucifer took her hands in his. “I can't guarantee that I'll trust him but maybe we can be friends. You know, do each other favors without the whole deal schtick.”

“Ok, as long as you give him a chance,” Charlie smiled at him. “If anyone can understand Alastor, I'm sure it would be you.”

She gave him a hug before leaving. Lucifer was left sitting there wondering why Charlie thought he would understand Alastor, of all people. Lucifer wasn't exactly good at relationships. Or maybe she was hoping Alastor would understand him.

Alastor was still lingering around.

He evaporated into smoke. Not like he would get an answer tonight.

Alastor

They both sat in the middle of their cushions. Lucifer was sitting in that same ridiculous position as last week. He was like a small child.

“Lovely weather we’re having today,” Lucifer’s smirk widened when Alastor shot him an annoyed look. “Do you think Hell might freeze over?”

Alastor tilted his head slightly to the side. The king clearly wanted him to ask for the story. He was not going to indulge Lucifer.

“Your memory leaves much to be desired,” Alastor settled on subtlety. 

He wasn’t expecting a genuine laugh from the king. Nor did he expect to become transfixed on Lucifer’s beautiful face. The way his eyes lit up with joy caused Alastor to freeze for a moment.

He quickly recovered and narrowed his eyes in annoyance, the smile tight on his face. The hotel gang in the bar area, all turned their attention to the glowing king beside him.

Lucifer tried to stifle his laugh and calm down. Alastor felt disappointed when he had managed to downgrade to giggling. 

“Yes, I suppose my memory is rather terrible,” Lucifer was still grinning like an idiot. “Happens with age, I'm afraid.”

Alastor berated himself for immediately missing the king’s laughing face. He decided to simply ask for the story to get the conversation moving.

He took a deep breath and released it with exaggerated exasperation. “You were supposed to finish the story about Greed taking over the Sloth Ring.”

“Ah, that's right!” he chuckled. “How could I forget? Silly me.”

Alastor’s eye twitched.

“Well Mammon came to my palace with Belphegor, sin of Sloth, in tow,” Lucifer said. “He made up some bullshit argument that Sloth should belong to Greed and that Belphegor wasn’t running her ring properly and only doing drugs. He’d do sooo much better. At the time, Belphegor wasn't as strong or power hungry as most of them. They are the very embodiment of their sin after all. Lust and Sloth were a little behind.”

It was hard to imagine the beginning of Hell. What must it have looked like? A barren wasteland perhaps or was Hell full of life similar to Earth before Hell spawn and sinners came along and ruined it. He was curious but he wasn’t going to ask any more questions. 

“I told Mammon that if he ever tried to take over the territory of another sin again that I would prostrate him in the middle of the Greed Ring and eternally watch him burn with my very own specially made Hell fire,” Lucifer held out his hand and a small blue flame grew from his palm.

Alastor stared at the fire with fascination. He’d never seen blue Hellfire before. Why did he feel the need to touch it? It was so beautiful that he felt like it wouldn’t burn him. 

“Anyway, he ran away with his tail between his legs,” Lucifer shook his hand to put out the fire. “I gave Belphegor a pep talk and she’s just as big a deal as all the others. Like I always knew she would be.”

Alastor stared at him expectantly. He imagined Lucifer following through on his threat. Would he have a cruel grin on his face or would he look grim? Would the king enjoy the eternal torture of a sin as much as Alastor enjoyed the eternal torture of those whose screams fill his radio show? He had a feeling that the threat was a bluff.

“I know that it has an anticlimactic ending but that is the end,” Lucifer announced, breaking him out of his own thoughts.

“I was simply surprised that you knew how to act like a King,” Alastor chuckled.

“Yeah well,” Lucifer looked away. “It's not like I asked to be one. The title itself was just supposed to be another cruel joke.”

Self deprecation was not something Alastor had expected the king to show. This information could prove useful in the right circumstances.  Lucifer tensed as he realized his mistake.

“Just another thing I'm good at,” Lucifer shrugged and smiled shakily. “I'm pretty much good at everything.”

“I would hope so,” Alastor stated with a small smile. “You’ve certainly lived long enough.”

Lucifer looked surprised, likely due to the fact that Alastor didn’t call him out on the previous statement. He would never be so predictable, now was not the time to use it.

“Wanna hear a funny story?” Lucifer asked.

“I suppose we do have the time,” Alastor responded.

“So I'm just tending to my orchard,” Lucifer started chuckling at his own story. “When I hear this loud roar. Like it made some of the sinners’ ears bleed, it was so loud. I flew over the palace and explored all over. I found, in my own damn basement, that the sins had summoned a fucking hydra. They were all bloodied and passed out from fighting the damn thing. It already had 8 heads. Like how didn't they figure out that slicing its head off wouldn't work. ‘Hmm let's see, it grew two new heads when we cut it. Let's do it again, surely this time it'll be different.’”

The joy on Lucifer’s face was infectious. It caused Alastor to genuinely laugh at his story. It didn’t help that the king was mocking others. He always enjoyed insulting people.

“Anyway, you gotta go for the heart in the body when fighting a hydra. I took it down and was about to rip out his heart when it gave me the saddest puppy dog eyes,” Lucifer’s eyes widened with sparkling unshed tears. “Poor thing was summoned against its will and attacked. So I told her she could stay if she was a good girl. Named her Lulu, after my theme park. That's where she lives now.”

Lucifer giggled before he could continue.

“It's so funny,” he smiled wider. “Whenever the sins visit Lulu World they have to be on guard because she still attacks them. And they can kill her now but they really can't because she's my baby and I'd kill them for even the smallest scratch so they hide or let her chew on them for a while. One time I had to rescue Satan cause she just would not let go, he was there for a whole week.”

Lucifer threw his head back and laughed at the memory. That expression caused Alastor’s heart to beat faster and his own face to relax into a real smile. 

“No one even knew where he was,” the king wiped away a tear. “He was covered in bite marks.”

Alastor had brought a hand to partially cover his mouth as he laughed. He didn’t want anyone to see his actual happiness. He didn’t want them to know that he found Lucifer’s stories enjoyable.

It took too much time for them to calm down. Alastor couldn’t help feeling elated when Lucifer was smiling.

“Hey dad,” Charlie waved as she interrupted them. “Mind if I talk to you now that your hour is up?”

“Oh, is it?” Lucifer looked at the clock. “Oh, that flew by today.”

“Indeed,” Alastor agreed and stood. “Until next week, sire.”

“Yeah,” Lucifer waved at him. “See you later.”

Alastor went into the shadows but lingered. What could Charlie want to talk to her father about?

Charlie took the spot that Alastor had vacated.

“So you and Alastor are getting along better,” she smiled gleefully. “No more fighting or arguing. You both looked like you were enjoying yourselves.”

“Today was nice,” he nodded. “So, um, since we get along so well, how about we stop this? It just doesn't seem necessary now that we're buddy buddy.”

Alastor couldn’t agree more. They were close enough.

“Dad,” Charlie rolled her eyes. “I want more than for you two to get along. I want you to trust each other. Maybe even be friends.”

“You want me to trust him?” Lucifer spat out the question harshly. “Sweetie, you owe him a favor. He owns other people’s souls. I'm not sure I can trust someone like that.”

He didn’t need the king’s trust, though the idea was intriguing.

“Dad, he can change,” Charlie implored. “We all can.”

Alastor almost laughed at that. There was no change and there was no redemption. They all had their one chance and now they were in Hell together. 

Lucifer grimaced and then sighed. A small smile crept its way onto his face.

“Ah, my sweet little girl,” Lucifer took her hands in his. “I can't guarantee that I'll trust him but maybe we can be friends. You know, do each other favors without the whole deal schtick.”

“Ok, as long as you give him a chance,” Charlie smiled at him. “If anyone can understand Alastor, I'm sure it would be you.”

No one would ever understand Alastor. No one really thought like he did. A curse for someone as smart and powerful as he.

She gave him a hug before leaving. Lucifer watched her go with a pensive expression. Eventually the king disappeared into red smoke.

Charlie

Charlie couldn’t stop grinning as she watched the two chatting. Actually chatting! They were both talking and laughing and neither of them were getting upset. Vaggie had been right, they did figure it out mostly on their own.

She was too curious for her own good though and decided to ask her father about their friendship. They were staring into each other’s eyes…almost affectionately. She waved away the thought.

“Hey dad,” Charlie waved as she approached them. “Mind if I talk to you now that your hour is up?”

“Oh, is it?” Lucifer looked at the clock. “Oh, that flew by today.”

“Indeed,” Alastor agreed and stood. “Until next week, sire.”

“Yeah,” Lucifer waved at him. “See you later.”

Charlie took his spot after Alastor disappeared.

“So you and Alastor are getting along better,” she smiled gleefully. “No more fighting or arguing. You both looked like you were enjoying yourselves.”

“Today was nice,” he agreed. “So, um, since we get along so well, how about we stop this? It just doesn't seem necessary now that we're buddy buddy.”

Charlie was a little disappointed to hear that. She felt like they could both use a friend. Alastor wasn’t afraid of him and her dad was strong enough to handle any of Alastor’s antics.

“Dad,” Charlie rolled her eyes. “I want more than for you two to get along. I want you to trust each other. Maybe even be friends.”

“You want me to trust him?” He spat out the question harshly. “Sweetie, you owe him a favor. He owns other people’s souls. I'm not sure I can trust someone like that.”

She felt uncomfortable at the reminder that she owed Alastor a favor but it was her only option at the time. Aside from that, she could tell that Alastor had grown softer lately.

“Dad, he can change,” Charlie implored. “We all can.”

Her dad grimaced and then sighed before a small smile graced his features.

“Ah, my sweet little girl,” he took her hands in his. “I can't guarantee that I'll trust him but maybe we can be friends. You know, do each other favors without the whole deal schtick.”

“Ok, as long as you give him a chance,” Charlie smiled at him. “If anyone can understand Alastor, I'm sure it would be you.”

Charlie knew there was more to Alastor than he portrayed but she felt like it would take someone with more experience to get him to talk. Her dad was awkward around people but he seemed almost comfortable with Alastor. There wasn’t really awkwardness between the two of them. They weren’t exactly friendly but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was though.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer leaned against the back of the loveseat and lowered his sketchbook onto his crossed legs. He closed his eyes and threw an arm over them. He'd been trying to figure out the correct symbols for the pentagram again. There just had to be a way to get it to work. He was so close and yet so far.

Maybe he should ask someone from the Goetia family. They were really good with spells and such. It would be annoying though, Paimon liked to make everything a big deal. Maybe he should ask one of his children instead.

With a sigh he lowered his arm and opened eyes and nearly jumped over the back of the loveseat.

Alastor was sitting on his side of the loveseat but on the edge closest to Lucifer. He was slightly bent over, looking at his sketchbook.

Lucifer belatedly covered the page with one hand. He couldn't even cover half the circle. He glared at Alastor.

“Nosy today, aren't we?” Lucifer flipped the book without looking away from the Alastor.

“I simply thought we could discuss your hard work,” Alastor’s smile grew slightly as he straightened his head.

“Can you even read it?” Lucifer asked.

“If you're so certain I can't read it then why bother hiding it?” Alastor responded smugly.

Lucifer’s glare intensified for a moment before he sighed and looked away.

“If you can understand it then don't tell anyone,” he commanded. “Or I'll make you regret it, sinner.”

“I can read parts of it,” Alastor admitted. “I don't know what you're trying to accomplish. Perhaps if I know, I can be of some help.”

“If you can't read it then you can't really help,” Lucifer stated and mumbled the second part. “Like I’d trust you.”

“Trust aside,” Alastor leaned back against the loveseat and placed his arm on either side of the back. “I can research what I don't know.”

Lucifer looked around the lobby. Everyone was down here again, hanging out at the bar. Lucifer was starting to suspect they found their forced time together funny.

“Fine,” Lucifer placed the sketchbook in his lap. Alastor immediately picked it up and scanned the circle. “I want to hear you promise you won't tell anyone.”

“I promise I won't say anything, your highness,” Alastor glanced at him for a moment before returning his gaze to the book. “So what are we trying to do?”

He knew he was going to regret this.

He scooted closer then looked at the others in the room again. Lucifer got onto his knees and got as close to the edge of his seat near Alastor as he could. Lucifer covered his mouth and whispered into Alastor’s awaiting ear.

“I'm trying to make a circle that can not only protect against the acid rain but turn the drops into water,” Lucifer informed. “I've been working on this off and on since, well, since the acid rain started.”

“Oh my,” Alastor’s grin widened until it practically split his face. “How amiable of you.”

“I just,” Lucifer hesitated. “I want Charlie to experience real rain.”

“It would be nice to see again,” Alastor’s smile shrank and looked normal for once. Well, other than the sharp yellow teeth.

“Do you want me to explain what I got so far?” Lucifer offered.

“Please do,” he nodded eagerly.

Lucifer stayed on his knees and whispered his explanations. Alastor was pretty smart and caught on quickly. By the time Lucifer was done, their time was up.

Alastor

Lucifer was sitting cross legged in the middle of his cushion when Alastor arrived. He was completely reclined on the back cushion, his head facing the ceiling. His arm was thrown over his eyes. The same sketchbook from before was on display for anyone to see between his legs.

Alastor took a seat and quickly scanned the page. It was a special pentagram but he wasn’t sure what its purpose was. He couldn’t even read half the symbols and the ones he could read didn’t make any sense together.

The king almost launched himself over the loveseat when he noticed Alastor’s presence. Lucifer tried to cover the page with his tiny hand as he glared at the demon.

“Nosy today, aren't we?” Lucifer flipped the book without looking away from him.

“I simply thought we could discuss your hard work,” Alastor’s smile grew slightly as he straightened his head.

“Can you even read it?” Lucifer gave him a disbelieving look.

“If you're so certain I can't read it then why bother hiding it?” Alastor responded smugly. He hated that he couldn’t read it.

Lucifer’s glare intensified for a moment before he sighed and looked away, pathetically.

“If you can understand it then don't tell anyone,” he threatened. “Or I'll make you regret it, sinner.”

“I can read parts of it,” Alastor decided to admit. “I don't know what you're trying to accomplish. Perhaps if I know, I can be of some help.”

“If you can't read it then you can't really help,” Lucifer stated and mumbled the second part. “Like I’d trust you.”

“Trust aside,” Alastor leaned back against the loveseat and placed his arm on either side of the back. The very picture of nonchalance. “I can research what I don't know.”

Lucifer looked around the room. He gazed at the other’s in the lobby. They were always present for their sessions.

“Fine,” Lucifer dropped the book into the demon’s lap. Alastor immediately picked it up and examined the circle. “I want to hear you promise you won't tell anyone.”

“I promise I won't say anything, your highness,” Alastor glanced at him for a moment before returning his gaze to the book. “So what are we trying to do?”

Lucifer looked regretful before he moved closer. He eyed the others again before eventually getting on his knees and scooting uncomfortably close to Alastor. The king covered his mouth and talked softly into the demon’s ear.

“I'm trying to make a circle that can not only protect against the acid rain but turn the drops into water,” Lucifer informed. “I've been working on this off and on since, well, since the acid rain started.”

“Oh my,” Alastor’s grin widened until it practically split his face. “How amiable of you.”

“I just,” Lucifer hesitated. “I want Charlie to experience real rain.”

“It would be nice to see again,” Alastor’s smile shrank as he fondly remembered feeling raindrops on his skin.

“Do you want me to explain what I got so far?” Lucifer offered.

“Please do.”

Lucifer stayed on his knees and whispered his explanations. Now that he knew what the king was trying to accomplish the symbols made more sense. Lucifer’s explanations were simple and easy to understand.

Angel Dust

Angel only showed up in the lobby to watch the show. It was always entertaining to watch the two strongest beings in the hotel argue like normal sinners. All their infinite power and they chose words to hurt each other.

Well, except for that one time Short King tried to kill Smiles.

They didn’t fight anymore but it was becoming entertaining in a different way. Angel was excellent at reading body language and, boy, did those two scream with it. He wasn’t sure when the shift had happened but it was clear they were falling for each other. Sexually, if not romantically but Angel would bet on both.

He didn’t start them but there were even a few sparse rumors going around that they were fucking. He could tell they weren’t but it was likely to happen soon.

The almighty King of Hell falling for a scumbag Overlord. For someone that looked down on sinners, he really chose the worst of the worst. Not that it mattered to Angel in the least. He just wanted to enjoy their silly show.

He raised a brow when Short King got on his knees to whisper something into Smiles’ ear. They were looking over a sketchpad while chatting. They seemed like they were enjoying themselves. Maybe it was their weird way of flirting.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer and Alastor sat close together on the loveseat. Still separated by the edge of their respective cushions. Both their heads tilted towards each other as they stared at the pentagram on the sketchbook between them. They'd been like that for half their time. They hadn’t even said a word to each other, both deep in their own thoughts.

Lucifer was beginning to think it was impossible. Maybe he should just settle for the protection spell after all. He already had it made. It was turning the acid into water that was the problem.

“Hmm, I'm afraid I can't be much help after all,” Alastor admitted suddenly with a sigh.

“Oh?” Lucifer shot him an annoyed look. “Too tough for you?”

“I was unable to locate texts with Angelic script,” Alastor clarified. “I fear they don't exist in Hell.”

Lucifer had made sure to confiscate anything with angelic script. Nothing good would come out of anyone in Hell using them. He wasn't about to let a sinner read them either.

“I have a meeting with a Goetia prince tomorrow anyway,” Lucifer tapped the sketchbook and it disappeared. “They're pretty good with spells.”

Stolas was the only demon prince that didn't care for formalities and agreed to skip them. He was in charge of prophecies and such so maybe a good start.

“Goetia prince?” Alastor inquired.

“Oh yeah,” Lucifer blinked at him with realization. “I forgot you sinners don't actually know anything about Hell.”

Alastor narrowed his eyes at him.

“Ranking wise, I believe they are probably stronger than you Overlords but weaker than the sins,” Lucifer mused. “They don't fight too often though so you could probably kill one, you know, with Angelic steel.”

“Are they from your lineage?” Alastor asked.

“Hm? No,” Lucifer shook his head. “Similar to the sins, they kinda just manifested in Hell. They have interesting abilities and make useful assistants. They are considered demon royalty. As long as they handle the paperwork I don't care what they call themselves.”

“So they’re the ones who actually run hell?” Alastor smirked down at him.

“Kinda, I guess,” Lucifer sighed. “It's complicated. I mostly have them protect Earth and keep an eye on Heaven. And obviously the paperwork. I mean each Ring is run by a sin so they don't actually rule anyone.”

“Eloquently spoken,” Alastor drawled. 

Lucifer shrugged and shot him an annoyed glare.

“I heard Stolas is smart,” Lucifer stood and stretched. “I'm hopeful that he'll be able to help. Or at least tell me if it’s possible. Well, see you next week.”

Lucifer waved as he disappeared into smoke.

Alastor

Alastor had spent the past week researching all the symbols that Lucifer had used for the circle. The king had made a very elegant pentagram, he had to admit to himself reluctantly. It was more frustrating that there was nothing he could do that would be helpful. He was unable to uncover angelic texts and without them, he wouldn’t be able to assist.

The demon tried to think of anything outside of angelic script that could progress the pentagram but was unable to find anything.

“Hmm, I'm afraid I can't be much help after all,” Alastor admitted with a sigh.

Alastor shifted away from the king. They had been sitting much too close for too much time. Though they stayed on their respective sides of the loveseat.

“Oh?” Lucifer shot him an annoyed look. “Too tough for you?”

“I was unable to locate texts with Angelic script,” Alastor clarified. “I fear they don't exist in Hell.”

Lucifer probably had some. Perhaps he’d offer them up in exchange for assistance.

“I have a meeting with a Goetia prince tomorrow anyway,” Lucifer tapped the sketchbook and it disappeared. “They're pretty good with spells.”

A prince? Did Lucifer have more children?

“Goetia prince?” Alastor asked.

“Oh yeah,” Lucifer blinked at him with realization. “I forgot you sinners don't actually know anything about Hell.”

Alastor narrowed his eyes at him with annoyance. He knew enough about Hell to not only survive but thrive.

“Ranking wise, I believe they are probably stronger than you Overlords but weaker than the sins,” Lucifer mused. “They don't fight too often though so you could probably kill one, you know, with Angelic steel.”

“Are they from your lineage?” Alastor inquired.

“Hm? No,” Lucifer shook his head. “Similar to the sins, they kinda just manifested in Hell. They have interesting abilities and make useful assistants. They are considered demon royalty. As long as they handle the paperwork I don't care what they call themselves.”

“So they’re the ones who actually run hell?” Alastor smirked down at him. He couldn’t stop himself from taking jabs at the king every once in a while.

“Kinda, I guess,” Lucifer sighed, clearly unaffected. “It's complicated. I mostly have them protect Earth and keep an eye on Heaven. And obviously the paperwork. I mean each Ring is run by a sin so they don't actually rule anyone.”

“Eloquently spoken,” Alastor drawled. They wouldn’t be useful as pawns then.

Lucifer shrugged and shot him an annoyed glare.

“I heard Stolas is smart,” Lucifer stood and stretched. “I'm hopeful that he'll be able to help. Or at least tell me if it’s possible. Well, see you next week.”

Lucifer waved as he disappeared into smoke.

Alastor stared at the empty space with surprise. The king didn’t normally leave so quickly.

Vaggie

Vaggie watched the two silently stare at Lucifer’s sketchbook. She didn’t know what was on it and she couldn’t even guess what they were up to. They were sitting way too close together and it was making her uncomfortable.

She was starting to get worried that Alastor switched his sights from Charlie to the King of Hell. Making a deal with him would put everyone in Hell in danger. She only hoped Lucifer wouldn’t fall for his tricks or get cornered like Charlie was.

“I give it another month before they’re fucking,” Angel made a lewd gesture with his hands. “I mean, come on, look at the tension.”

“Hah,” Husk huffed. “It’s never going to happen. The boss doesn’t like flesh that way.”

“Well, Short King heals fast, don’t he?” Angel smirked at their disgusted expressions. “I’m just saying, maybe he’d let Smiles have a taste.”

“Ew, please stop talking about my dad like that,” Charlie covered her ears with a blush.

“If that’s enough to embarrass you then you should stay away from the rumors,” Angel waved his hand with a laugh.

“Rumors?” Vaggies inquired. “What rumors?”

“You don’t want to know,” Husk was quick to reply.

“Try me,” she demanded.

“There’s a few rumors that those two are already fucking,” Angel smirked again. “I’ll spare you the kinks.”

“EW! NO!” Charlie shouted. “They’re just friends…kinda.”

“Just telling you what I heard,” he shrugged. “But look at them. Don’t they look like a couple.”

“A couple of idiots,” Vaggie mumbled and crossed her arms.

“Friends have secrets and do stuff together all the time,” Charlie said but was biting her lip anxiously. “That doesn’t mean there’s anything there…right?”

“Like I said,” Husk picked up a glass to clean. “Never gonna happen.”

Charlie didn’t look reassured though. Maybe it would be best to find out before anything escalated. She could only imagine the power Alastor would get from seducing the King of Hell. The thought made her shudder.

Stolas

The King of Hell was coming to his home! Tomorrow!

Stolas wasn’t nearly ready for that. He’d stayed up for days reading new and old textbooks. His Majesty hadn’t specified what he wanted other than to ask a few questions about magic. He needed to be able to answer any question that came from the King. He couldn’t afford to mess up this encounter.

He really needed Blitz to bring him his Grimoire too. If he didn’t have it and Lucifer wanted or needed it for something, he’d be dead. He could not allow that to happen.

He should make sure they served his Majesty's favorite snacks and drink too. He really couldn’t afford to mess this up.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer hovered in the air as he took a deep breath and used his power to level the ground behind the hotel. He made sure to leave the sides steep so sinners couldn’t climb up the back. He added a fence to prevent anyone from accidently falling off too.

Alastor had suggested making an outdoor area to go with their rain pentagram. Worst case scenario, they’d still be able to protect it against the weather.

It had been easy to get Charlie’s permission. She looked so happy that they wanted to work on a joint project for the hotel. Angel Dust was chosen as their babysitter this time. He lounged in a chair near the hotel.

Lucifer pulled a tiny radio from his pocket.

“How’s it look down there?” he asked. “Do we need more space?”

“I believe it would be best to round out the sides so that everything is on one circular platform,” Alastor responded to him. “We can even plant some bushes around the hotel as well.”

“I’m on it,” he put the radio back in his pocket and did as suggested. 

He saw Alastor instructing his shadow creatures. They were marking off areas that were going to be the pool and several gazebos. The gazebos would be huge and able to accommodate outdoor activities, such as meditation, yoga or light sparing.

“We good now?” he asked the radio.

“It is sufficient for now,” Alastor replied. “We can always add more later.”

“Alright,” Lucifer started doing loopy loops in the air. “Do you want to get started on the marked areas?”

“Start with the pool,” he demanded.

Lucifer rolled his eyes and created the pool. Normally a pool in Hell was a terrible idea because the water would be boiling but they had decided to make a pool that was always cool. The sinners would be able to cool off on a hot day. The entire outdoor area would be cooled so they could enjoy it in peace. The fence was part of the pentagram that powered it.

“~All done~” he sang into the radio. “You’re being too slow.”

“Not all of us can create things from nothing,” Alastor growled at him. “I’m almost done with the gazebo layout. Give me a few minutes.”

“I can help,” he offered.

There was no response and Lucifer decided to simply fly around. He felt the most free when he was in the air. He smiled mischievously when he spotted Alastor down below. He could just scoop him up and take him for a ride. He might have done that if Alastor didn’t hate being touched. His eyes went to Angel Dust but he was worried Angel would like it too much.

“The placement of the gazebos are ready,” he heard from the radio.

Lucifer finger gunned the gazebos into existence.

“How’s that look?” he asked the tiny radio.

“Perfect,” Alastor sounded smug. “I do nothing less. Now come down so we can plan out the garden.”

“Yes, sir,” Lucifer said sarcastically and flew down. He hid his wings as he landed.

He approached the table Alastor had with the blueprint. Angel was already there.

“I’m thinking we should have a bunch of fruit trees,” Lucifer suggested as he approached. “Fresh fruit all year round.”

“Apples?” Angel asked coyly.

“Well, yeah, but also peaches,” Lucifer shrugged. “Charlie loves peaches.”

“We could have several different groves,” Alastor marked the blueprint. “We’ll want bushes and flowers as well.”

“I love roses,” Lucifer pointed to a spot near the back. “Let’s plant them over there.”

Alastor and Angel raised a brow at him.

“Oh come on, how romantic would it be to walk among the rose bushes,” he closed his eyes and smiled. “Stealing kisses and holding hands.”

“Fucking,” Angel laughed at Lucifer frown. “That’s what’s gonna happen.”

“I guess that’s true,” he sighed with disappointment. “We should still add them though.”

“We could line the entire back fence with roses,” Alastor stated. “The thorns would make it difficult to get in.”

“Hah,” Lucifer laughed. “Deadly and pretty.”

He’d never admit it outloud but planning the outdoor area with Alastor was fun. Alastor took his suggestions seriously even when they were impractical. They didn’t all get implemented but Alastor at least told him why it wouldn’t work instead of just dismissing him.

Alastor

Alastor felt proud that Lucifer allowed him to be in charge of their joint project. He thought they would be constantly arguing but the king conceded to his ideas. He was even asking the demon what he should do next. Even if it was his own idea, he hadn’t expected Lucifer to listen so well.

They had asked Charlie to allow them to work on a joint project instead of talking on the loveseat that week. She had agreed enthusiastically since they were bonding and helping the hotel.

Alastor had suggested to Lucifer that they make an outdoor area to go with the rain pentagram they were working on. It would be a good way to attract more sinners and to show off their capabilities. Not that many sinners messed with them now that the King of Hell lived in the building.

He tried to refocus on the blueprints on the table but Lucifer was making it difficult. His wings were majestic and eye-catching. Alastor couldn’t help but stare as he flew around leveling the ground for their project. 

“How’s it look down there?” Lucifer asked. “Do we need more space?”

Alastor had provided him with a little radio that connected directly to his staff so they could talk to each other.

“I believe it would be best to round out the sides so that everything is on one circular platform,” Alastor responded to him. “We can even plant some bushes around the hotel as well.”

“I’m on it,” he replied.

Alastor didn’t really care but he needed to give the king something to do. He’d never admit that Lucifer was distracting him.

The demon instructed his shadow creatures to mark off the areas for the pool and several gazebos. The gazebos would be huge and able to accommodate outdoor activities, such as meditation, yoga or light sparing. These were requests from Charlie and Vaggie.

“We good now?” Lucifer asked.

“It is sufficient for now,” Alastor replied. “We can always add more later.”

“Alright,” Lucifer was flying around aimlessly. “Do you want to get started on the marked areas?”

“Start with the pool,” he demanded.

The king was quick to make the pool. It was going to be a perpetually cool pool so that sinners could relax from the heat. It would be the only pool in Hell, as the water would boil anywhere else. Lucifer had used the fence to create a pentagram to keep the area around the hotel cool as well.

Alastor got distracted again as his gaze returned to Lucifer.

“~All done~” the king sang. “You’re being too slow.”

“Not all of us can create things from nothing,” Alastor growled at him. He was frustrated with himself for falling behind. “I’m almost done with the gazebo layout. Give me a few minutes.”

“I can help,” he offered but Alastor ignored him.

Lucifer started flying aimlessly again as he waited for instructions. He was so graceful in the air. Alastor wondered what it would be like to fly so freely. 

His minions let him know they were done.

“The placement of the gazebos are ready,” he said to his staff.

Lucifer easily and quickly created the gazebos.

“How’s that look?” he asked.

“Perfect,” Alastor replied smugly. “I do nothing less. Now come down so we can plan out the garden.”

“Yes, sir,” Lucifer said sarcastically and dove directly downward. Just watching had Alastor’s stomach sink. He hid those beautiful wings before landing.

“You’re gonna burn a hole into him,” Angel smirked when Alastor’s head snapped to him. He’d forgotten about their babysitter.

He was unable to respond as Lucifer had joined them.

“I’m thinking we should have a bunch of fruit trees,” Lucifer suggested as he approached. “Fresh fruit all year round.”

“Apples?” Angel asked coyly, as if he hadn’t just provoked the demon.

“Well, yeah, but also peaches,” Lucifer shrugged. “Charlie loves peaches.”

“We could have several different groves,” Alastor marked the blueprint. “We’ll want bushes and flowers as well.”

“I love roses,” Lucifer pointed to a spot near the back. “Let’s plant them over there.”

Alastor and Angel raised a brow at him. He should have guessed that Lucifer was a romantic fool.

“Oh come on, how romantic would it be to walk among the rose bushes,” he closed his eyes and smiled. “Stealing kisses and holding hands.”

“Fucking,” Angel laughed at Lucifer frown. “That’s what’s gonna happen.”

Alastor flinched at the visual. He’d prefer if sinners did that in their own rooms.

“I guess that’s true,” Lucifer sighed with disappointment. “We should still add them though.”

Alastor decided that he should allow the roses since the king really wanted them. Did Lucifer plan to take a romantic partner through the roses? He shook the thought away.

“We could line the entire back fence with roses,” Alastor stated. “The thorns would make it difficult to get in.”

“Hah,” Lucifer laughed. “Deadly and pretty.”

The king’s laugh never failed to lighten his mood.

Angel Dust

Angel was having the time of his life watching these two schmucks. Smiles kept getting distracted by Short King and the awed expressions he made were hilarious. He didn’t dare laugh though, not if he wanted to remain unharmed.

Two things became apparent during his observations that day. One: Smiles was falling hard. Two: Short King wasn’t falling at all.

He’d been able to chat with Short King for a bit and he was friendlier than Angel had expected. Really friendly. So him being nice to Smiles wasn’t due to some weird affection but because that’s just how he was. He never would have expected him to be like his daughter.

Smiles on the other hand was trying his best to impress Short King. He had interrupted their idle chat by making demands of Short King and glared at Angel before setting off to work.

Jealousy at its finest. It would humble Smiles to fall for someone that didn’t like him. He could only imagine the fight they’d likely have if Smiles got rejected.

Angel had started to feel off whenever he was with Smiles lately. Husk was a lot less tight lipped now that they’d faced certain death together. It wasn’t like he couldn’t believe Smiles would do those things, because Angel knew he would, but knowing that he did them to Husk was hard to deal with. Enjoying his mild suffering was the best revenge he could manage.

Angel got up to approach the table that Smiles was at when he noticed Short King flying down. Smiles was being too obvious with his staring again. Angel couldn’t help but mess with him a little. Short King would protect him if something went wrong.

“You’re gonna burn a hole into him,” Angel smirked at Smiles’ reaction

He kept his mouth shut though since Short King was within earshot.

“I’m thinking we should have a bunch of fruit trees,” he suggested as he approached. “Fresh fruit all year round.”

“Apples?” Angel asked coyly as he ignored Smiles’ death stare.

“Well, yeah, but also peaches,” Lucifer shrugged. “Charlie loves peaches.”

“We could have several different groves,” Alastor marked the blueprint. “We’ll want bushes and flowers as well.”

“I love roses,” Lucifer pointed to a spot near the back. “Let’s plant them over there.”

Alastor and Angel raised a brow at him. Was Short King planning to get a new romantic partner? Maybe he was wrong about his feelings after all.

“Oh come on, how romantic would it be to walk among the rose bushes,” he closed his eyes and smiled. “Stealing kisses and holding hands.”

“Fucking,” Angel laughed. “That’s what’s gonna happen.”

They both looked unhappy about his suggestion.

“I guess that’s true,” Lucifer sighed with disappointment. “We should still add them though.”

“We could line the entire back fence with roses,” Alastor stated. “The thorns would make it difficult to get in.”

“Hah,” Lucifer laughed. “Deadly and pretty.”

Short King’s laugh felt nice to hear.

Angel should warn Charlie about Smiles’ obvious interest. She’d been in such denial that these two could get together. It would be hilarious if they did though.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

They sat close again but they didn't touch. Alastor had one arm resting on the back of the loveseat above Lucifer’s head. Alastor's other hand was resting on the seat. His body was somewhat turned toward Lucifer.

Lucifer sat with his back against the loveseat, his head completely turned to look up at Alastor. His hands rested in his lap.

They had already discussed the boring topics of the pentagram and his conversation with Stolas. The owl had wanted to look into it before providing a response. No date set on when that would be. At least he looked excited about it.

“So I had a meeting with the sins the other day,” Lucifer was already chuckling. “Belphegor and Beelzebub were fighting about drugs again. Belphegor talks so slowly though.” Lucifer ran his palms down his face to accentuate his frown. “I complained to Satan and Mammon that the argument was going to last forever. Mammon told me to stop bitching. He seriously said that to me, like bitch, I will do all the bitching I fucking want.”

Alastor already looked amused.

“As the argument goes on,” Lucifer has to pause for a moment to contain his giggle fit. “I slowly release helium into the room and listen as their voices raise in pitch. I kept a neutral face and they all glared at me but continued the meeting in the highest voices. It was so funny. Then at the end when I spoke I had a perfectly normal tone. You should have seen their faces.”

Alastor and Lucifer laughed loudly. Their heads were close together so they wouldn't be overheard. Charlie and the others had been casually moving closer to try to hear what they were talking about lately. Alastor had suggested keeping them in the dark because it would be entertaining. Lucifer didn't see the harm so he agreed.

“They were so mad,” Lucifer giggled. “Here look at the texts.”

He pulled out his phone and showed Alastor the group chat the sins were in.

“Those are some very creative death threats,” Alastor chuckled. 

“Yeah,” Lucifer wiped a tear from his eye. “Feel free to steal them.”

“I believe I can make my own commentary,” Alastor huffed and pressed a hand to his chest.

“I'm impressed with what I've heard thus far,” Lucifer turned away for a moment to pocket his phone.

He recoiled slightly when he turned back as Alastor’s face was a mere inch from his. 

“And what have you heard?” Alastor asked, an unreadable but tight grin on his face.

“I saw you deal with those loan sharks and watched the video with Adam,” Lucifer produced a genuine smile. He braced his hands on either side of his hips. “I have to say, you're probably the scariest sinner I've ever seen. Sometimes your grin even sends chills down my spine. Though I'll deny that if you ever tell anyone.”

“Oh, can I at least know which expression it is?” Alastor smiled innocently.

“Hah no,” Lucifer laughed softly, his smile softening. “It would stop working if you overused it anyway.”

“Fair point,” Alastor’s grin returned to his relaxed state. “I'll just have to change it up.”

“Don't be bad,” Lucifer said teasingly.

“Dad!” Charlie nearly shouted. Her smile looked strained. “Sorry to bother you. I was waiting for you two to finish but then you went over your time and it's getting kinda late.”

Lucifer looked at the time. They went over by nearly an hour.

“Sorry kiddo,” he gave her a sheepish grin. “Looks like we were having too much fun.”

“I look forward to next week,” Alastor bowed his head slightly before dissolving into shadow. Not that he actually left. Did he just like to see what happens after he ‘leaves’?

“So dad,” Charlie sat next to him, her smile still strained. “What's up?”

She was being awkward. He wondered what she wanted to talk about.

He noted that Angel, Husk and Vaggie had followed and were lounging in the different seats available.

“Not much,” Lucifer shrugged. He was getting nervous. Did she know about the rain pentagram? Had Alastor said anything? He glared down at Alastor’s shadow for a moment before looking at her. “What’s up with you? We've both been so busy, I feel like we don't talk enough. I see more of Alastor than you lately.”

It was clear where she got her nervous talking from. Whatever this talk was going to turn into, it was going to be awkward.

“Everything is going great,” she released a whoosh of air. “You and Alastor have been helping out a lot. I mean, that new outdoor area is looking nice. Can't wait to see when it's done.”

“Yep, happy to help,” Lucifer scratched his head. Where was this conversation heading? What did he do wrong? “You know, Alastor was the one who thought of that.”

“Yeah, speaking of Alastor,” Charlie wrung her hands. “How are you guys doing? You seem to be getting along really well.”

Oh, she was just worried about their progress. It had been a few months since this started.

“Things have been going great lately,” he replied with a genuine smile. “Honestly, it was pretty rocky at first but we don't even insult each other anymore. Well, Alastor’s still a tease but he doesn't do it to piss me off anymore.”

Lucifer waved his hand with a chuckle.

“He's pretty clever,” Lucifer complemented. “I’ve really been looking forward to our hang outs lately.”

“That's great!” Charlie replied, excitedly. “It's good that you two are becoming friends .”

Charlie had put a weird emphasis on the word ‘friends.’ He decided not to address it.

“Yep, friends,” he agreed.

Everyone was giving him a strange look. He decided to just ignore it. If it was important they would tell him eventually, right?

Alastor

They were sitting closer than what Alastor would have liked but he was willing to suffer a bit to make others uncomfortable. He had one arm slung over the back of the loveseat while his other was on the seat next to him. He graced Lucifer with a bit more attention by turning slighting to face him.

Lucifer was completely relaxed against the back cushion and fully turned his head toward Alastor.

They had already discussed the boring topics of the pentagram and the king’s conversation with Stolas. He was going to do more research before getting back to Lucifer.

“So I had a meeting with the sins the other day,” Lucifer was already chuckling. It made Alastor feel lightheaded. “Belphegor and Beelzebub were fighting about drugs again. Belphegor talks so slowly though.” Lucifer ran his palms down his face to accentuate his frown. “I complained to Satan and Mammon that the argument was going to last forever. Mammon told me to stop bitching. He seriously said that to me, like bitch, I will do all the bitching I fucking want.”

Alastor knew the king enjoyed his silly harmless pranks. It was cute how excited he got.

“As the argument goes on,” Lucifer has to pause for a moment to contain his giggles. “I slowly release helium into the room and listen as their voices raise in pitch. I kept a neutral face and they all glared at me and continued the meeting in the highest voices. It was so funny. Then at the end when I spoke I had a perfectly normal tone. You should have seen their faces.”

They laughed loudly together, Alastor making sure everyone in the lobby could hear him. Their heads were close together so they wouldn't be overhead by others. It was the demon’s idea. Though he disliked being so close to another, it annoyed him more that Charlie and her rabble were trying to spy on their conversations. Lucifer seemed amused by the idea and had agreed.

“They were so mad,” Lucifer giggled. “Here look at the texts.”

He pulled out his phone and showed Alastor the group chat the sins were in.

“Those are very creative death threats,” Alastor chuckled. 

“Yeah,” Lucifer wiped a tear from his eye. “Feel free to steal them.”

“I believe I can make my own commentary,” Alastor huffed, slightly offended.

“I'm impressed with what I've heard thus far,” Lucifer turned away for a moment to pocket his phone.

Alastor’s eyes narrowed as he watched the king’s movements. What could he have possibly seen? He moved closer and was rewarded when Lucifer flinched back at his proximity. 

“And what have you heard?” Alastor asked.

“I saw you deal with those loan sharks and watched the video with Adam,” Lucifer smiled brightly. Alastor hated to admit that it made him happy to see. “I have to say, you're probably the scariest sinner I've ever seen. Sometimes your grin even sends chills down my spine. Though I'll deny that if you ever tell anyone.”

“Oh, can I at least know which expression it is?” Alastor smiled innocently. The King of Hell itself found him to be scary. He couldn’t think of a better compliment. 

“Hah no,” Lucifer laughed softly, his smile softening. “It would stop working if you overused it anyway.”

“Fair point,” Alastor’s grin relaxed. He was too giddy to care about being denied. “I'll just have to change it up.”

“Don't be bad,” Lucifer said teasingly, forked tongue sticking out slightly between closed lips.

“Dad!” Charlie nearly shouted. Her smile looked strained. “Sorry to bother you. I was waiting for you two to finish but then you went over your time and it's getting kinda late.”

Alastor was appalled at himself for losing track of time. They had gone over their session by nearly an hour. He wouldn’t let it show though.

“Sorry kiddo,” Lucifer gave her a sheepish grin. “Looks like we were having too much fun.”

“I look forward to next week,” Alastor was surprised by the honesty of that statement. He retreated into the shadows but stuck around to spy.

He noted that Angel, Husk and Vaggie were trying to look casual as they picked seats to listen in.

“So dad,” Charlie sat next to him, her smile still strained. “What's up?”

“Not much,” Lucifer shrugged nervously. The king glared directly at Alastor’s shadow for a moment. Could Lucifer see him? “What’s up with you? We've both been so busy, I feel like we don't talk enough. I see more of Alastor than you lately.”

Charlie clearly got her nervous talking from Lucifer. They were both so painful to listen to sometimes.

“Everything is going great,” she released a whoosh of air. “You and Alastor have been helping out a lot. I mean, that new outdoor area is looking nice. Can't wait to see when it's done.”

“Yep, happy to help,” Lucifer scratched his head. “You know, Alastor was the one who thought of that.”

“Yeah, speaking of Alastor,” Charlie wrung her hands. “How are you guys doing? You seem to be getting along really well.”

Lucifer seemed to have relaxed at the question.

“Things have been going great lately,” he smiled brightly. “Honestly, it was pretty rocky at first but we don't even insult each other anymore. Well, Alastor’s still a tease but he doesn't do it to piss me off anymore.”

Lucifer waved his hand with a chuckle.

“He's pretty clever,” Lucifer complemented. “I’ve really been looking forward to our hang outs lately.”

Alastor felt something stir in his chest at the compliments. It made him uncomfortable.

“That's great!” Charlie replied, excitedly. “It's good that you two are becoming friends .”

Charlie had put a strange emphasis on the word ‘friends.’ Did she realize that Alastor was acting? Was Lucifer acting too? No, the king read like a book. He clearly enjoyed the demon’s attention.

“Yep, friends,” he agreed, still grinning like a fool.

Why was the hotel gang acting so strange? He would need to look into this.

Charlie

“What if the rumors are true?” Charlie picked at her nails anxiously. “I mean look how they’re sitting and all week they’ve cut their conversations short whenever any of us get close.”

“Babe, relax,” Vaggie took her hands and squeezed comfortably. “There’s no way that your dad would date Alastor. Not to mention that Alastor is too narcissistic to like anyone but himself. Right? Guys?”

Vaggie gave them a look that said to jump in.

“I don’t know, they’ve been kinda cozy lately,” Angel looked up from his phone with a smirk. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were shaking up.”

Husk stared at the pair thoughtfully. Her dad was giggling about something while Alastor’s smile showed interest.

“I’ve never seen the boss act that way before,” his eyes narrowed. “I think he’s up to something.”

“Very helpful,” Vaggie growled disapprovingly.

“Ugh, what am I supposed to do?” Charlie threw herself onto the bar. “I don’t want to get in the way of my dad’s happiness but Alastor? Alastor the Radio Demon? Of all people he could choose. I mean, I like Alastor and he’s been so helpful for the hotel but I don’t want him to be my step-dad.”

“I don’t want him to be a king,” Husk mumbled but shut his mouth at Vaggie’s glare.

“Hun, listen,” she rubbed her girlfriend’s back. “Even if they are dating, which I’m positive they are not, but even if they are then… I’m sure it’s not a big deal.” Vaggie grimaced and changed tactics. “Look at your dad’s hand. He’s still wearing his wedding ring. Don’t you think he’d be respectful enough to remove it before dating someone new.”

Charlie lifted her head with relief.

“Yes,” all the tension left her body. “You’re so right. Though I’m not happy he’s still pining after mom but they are just friends. That’s such a relief.”

All their heads snapped to the two strongest beings in the hotel when they started laughing.

They look so happy together, Charlie thought. Maybe she was overeacting or maybe not but she couldn’t interfere with her dad’s relationship when he smiled like that. He’d started smiling way more lately and they were actually reaching his eyes. It’d been years since she’d seen him like that.

But he also shouldn’t be keeping it a secret. It wasn’t good for Alastor’s redemption nor was it good for their relationship.

Without a second thought she made her way over to them.

“Don't be bad,” her dad said quietly with his tongue protruding from his mouth. He only did that when he was teasing.

“Dad!” Charlie nearly shouted from shock then tried to smile normally. “Sorry to bother you. I was waiting for you two to finish but then you went over your time and it's getting kinda late.”

They both checked the time and seemed surprised.

“Sorry kiddo,” her dad gave her a sheepish grin. “Looks like we were having too much fun.”

“I look forward to next week,” Alastor stood with a sly smile and retreated into his shadow.

“So dad,” Charlie took Alastor’s vacated seat as she tried to decide how to ask about their relationship. “What's up?”

“Not much,” her dad shrugged nervously. “What’s up with you? We've both been so busy, I feel like we don't talk enough. I see more of Alastor than you lately.”

Why was he so nervous? Was it because he was lying to her? She needed to steer this conversation in the right direction.

“Everything is going great,” she released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “You and Alastor have been helping out a lot. I mean, that new outdoor area is looking nice. Can't wait to see when it's done.”

“Yep, happy to help,” Lucifer scratched his head. “You know, Alastor was the one who thought of that.”

“Yeah, speaking of Alastor,” Charlie clasped her hands together. “How are you guys doing? You seem to be getting along really well.”

Her dad gave her a questioning look before relaxing.

“Things have been going great lately,” he smiled brightly. “Honestly, it was pretty rocky at first but we don't even insult each other anymore. Well, Alastor’s still a tease but he doesn't do it to piss me off anymore.”

He waved his hand with a chuckle.

“He's pretty clever,” her dad complemented. “I’ve really been looking forward to our hang outs lately.”

This wasn’t getting her anywhere. She should try a more direct approach.

“That's great!” Charlie replied, excitedly. “It's good that you two are becoming friends .”

Her dad didn’t react to the emphasis she put on the word ‘friends’. Maybe they were just friends or maybe he caught on and was hiding it better.

“Yep, friends,” he agreed with a grin.

That really wasn’t helpful.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

“It's your turn to talk,” Lucifer announced as soon as Alastor sat down next to him.

He was sitting crossed legged but his whole body was facing Alastor. His elbows were on his knees while his head rested on the back of his entwined fingers.

“Hmm, anything in particular?” Alastor asked as he leaned back on the loveseat and spread one arm along the back near Lucifer. The other rested in his own lap. He turned his torso to face him.

“I always start the conversation so it's your turn,” Lucifer lightly poked him on the chest.

He knew Alastor preferred not to be touched so they usually kept their distance but Lucifer couldn't help himself today. He had made sure to keep it feather light.

“Hmm,” he closed his eyes for a moment to think. “Did you enjoy the gumbo? You worked late that day so I wasn't able to see your reaction.”

“It was delicious,” Lucifer grimaced. And hot as fuck, he added in his head. He had known before eating it that his mouth would be on fire. 

Lucifer recalled that he’d pulled the same prank as with the jambalaya. The gumbo that Alastor had delivered to his room had been no different.

Lucifer reluctantly smiled at Alastor’s mischievous look.

“Don't look so smug,” Lucifer huffed. “It was obviously extremely spicy.”

“You knew and still ate it?” Alastor tilted his head to the side.

“Like I said,” Lucifer shrugged and glanced to the side with a blush. “It was delicious.”

“I'm happy you love my dear mother’s recipe,” Alastor’s expression turned fond. 

“What’s it like to have a mother?” Lucifer's eyes widened as he realized what he'd asked. He laughed nervously. “No nevermind, that's a dumb question. It's obvious your mother taught you how to cook, but what about baking?”

Alastor's eyes narrowed then he raised a brow. He donned a neutral smile as he answered.

“She loved to bake and I have learned a thing or two,” he responded in his normally cheerful voice. “Did you have anything particular in mind? As for your other question, I'm unsure how to answer. Other than the power, I don't think it'd be much different than your father.”

Lucifer quickly sat back and lifted his face to the ceiling. His hands gripped his thighs painfully. He looked between his hands then up at Alastor’s face a few times. His gaze settled on his hands.

“Parents are different for mortals,” he eventually said. “When I was created, I knew how to care for myself and what I was capable of. Humans are born knowing nothing and being able to do nothing but cry. Someone has to take care of you, feed you, teach you how to live. I had a lot to learn when raising Charlie. It always made me wonder what it would be like to have to rely on someone else to take care of me. How would I feel for the person who would do that?”

“I can say from experience that it depends on the parent,” Alastor faced forward and glared at the cocktail table. “My father was a terrible man, he did not take care of us but my mother was a loving woman. She was strict and her lessons were harsh but she did everything to keep me safe and fed.”

Lucifer still didn't understand, maybe he never would. Lilith hadn't known either. Similar to him, she just existed one day, knowing how to care for herself.

This is why he felt like a terrible father. Charlie probably felt like Alastor did, there was some kind of bond that she felt towards himself and Lilith but he didn't know what that felt like. He didn't know what she was feeling. Was it similar to how he felt about her? He loved her so much but he wasn't sure how to best express that to her.

“I guess that's something you have to experience to understand,” Lucifer sighed, dejectly as he laid back until his neck hit the arm of the loveseat. He kept his legs crossed.

“I admit I'm not the best when it comes to feelings,” Alastor gave him a comforting smile. “Perhaps you should ask someone else.”

“Hmm,” Lucifer grunted, eyes on the ceiling. “Can you make peach cobbler?”

“Pardon?” Alastor blinked at him in confusion.

“You asked if I had anything in mind for dessert,” Lucifer used his palms to sit up excitedly. “Can you please make me a peach cobbler?”

“Would you like that tonight?” Alastor smiled wearily at him. 

“Yes, please!” He shouted, throwing his hands up.

With a shake of his head, Alastor stood and walked to the kitchen. Lucifer jumped up and eagerly followed him. He told Lucifer tidbits about his mother as he prepared the cobbler.

It was the best dessert he’d ever eaten.

Alastor

Alastor’s investigation turned out to be entertaining. It seemed like the sinners in the hotel were spreading rumors that he and the King of Hell were lovers. Charlie and her rabble even believed such silly gossip. 

He was proud of his acting skills, maybe he could even fool Lucifer into believing they were friends. It was easy enough and the benefits would be endless. It helped that the demon did enjoy seeing the king smile. He seemed to be smiling more often around the hotel or maybe it was because that smile was directed at Alastor more often.

“It's your turn to talk,” Lucifer suddenly announced as Alastor sat down next to him.

He was sitting crossed legged but his whole body was facing Alastor. His elbows were on his knees while his head rested on the back of his entwined fingers.

“Hmm, anything in particular?” Alastor asked as he leaned back on the loveseat and spread one arm along the back near Lucifer. The other rested in his own lap. He turned his torso to face him. He didn’t have anything interesting to share.

“I always start the conversation so it's your turn,” Lucifer lightly poked him on the chest.

Lucifer seemed to know of his touch aversion but for some reason the demon didn’t mind that day.

“Hmm,” he closed his eyes to think. “Did you enjoy the gumbo? You worked late that day so I wasn't able to see your reaction.”

Similar to the jambalaya, it was made to be especially spicy. He would have loved to watch Lucifer stuff his face despite the pain and tears.

“It was delicious,” the king grimaced at first. 

Eventually, Lucifer reluctantly smiled at Alastor’s mischievous look.

“Don't look so smug,” he huffed. “It was obviously extremely spicy.”

“You knew and still ate it?” Alastor tilted his head to the side. He had assumed Lucifer would simply toss it. The demon thought he had only eaten it the first time due to his daughter.

“Like I said,” Lucifer shrugged and glanced to the side with a blush. “It was delicious.”

“I'm happy you love my dear mother’s recipe,” Alastor’s expression turned fond. Not even the King of Hell could resist his mother’s recipe. The thought made him feel light headed even though there was a tightness in his chest.

“What’s it like to have a mother?” Lucifer's eyes widened in panic and he laughed nervously before quickly trying to backpedal. “No nevermind, that's a dumb question. It's obvious your mother taught you how to cook, but what about baking?”

Alastor squinted as he tried to think of a real answer to give Lucifer. He wasn’t very good at articulating his feelings, he didn’t always understand them in himself or others. He fixed his expression and decided to answer his second question first.

“She loved to bake and I have learned a thing or two,” he responded in his normally cheerful voice. “Did you have anything particular in mind? As for your other question, I'm unsure how to answer. Other than the power, I don't think it'd be much different than your father.”

Lucifer quickly sat back and lifted his face to the ceiling. His knuckles turned whiter as he gripped his own thighs. He looked down at his hands then up at Alastor’s face a few times. His gaze settled on his hands.

“Parents are different for mortals,” he eventually said. “When I was created, I knew how to care for myself and what I was capable of. Humans are born knowing nothing and being able to do nothing but cry. Someone has to take care of you, feed you, teach you how to live. I had a lot to learn when raising Charlie. It always made me wonder what it would be like to have to rely on someone else to take care of me. How would I feel for the person who would do that?”

“I can say from experience that it depends on the parent,” Alastor faced forward and glared at the cocktail table. “My father was a terrible man, he did not take care of us but my mother was a loving woman. She was strict and her lessons were harsh but she did everything to keep me safe and fed.”

Alastor didn’t know why he spoke of his father to the king. The words had come out of him before he had even thought about it.

Lucifer looked upset and conflicted. The demon didn’t like seeing that look on his face.

“I guess that's something you have to experience to understand,” Lucifer sighed, dejectly as he laid back until his neck hit the arm of the loveseat. He kept his legs crossed.

“I admit I'm not the best when it comes to feelings,” Alastor tried to give him a comforting smile, though he was unsure why he did. “Perhaps you should ask someone else.”

“Hmm,” Lucifer grunted, eyes on the ceiling. “Can you make peach cobbler?”

“Parden?” Alastor blinked at him in confusion.

“You asked if I had anything in mind for dessert,” Lucifer used his palms to sit up excitedly. “Can you please make me a peach cobbler?”

The king had shifted gears so quickly that it left Alastor floundering to catch up. He wanted to see Lucifer smile again.

“Would you like that tonight?” Alastor smiled wearily at him. 

“Yes, please!” He shouted, throwing his hands up.

With a shake of his head, Alastor stood and walked to the kitchen. Lucifer jumped up and eagerly followed him. Alastor decided it wouldn’t do any harm to share some tips and tricks his mother had taught him as he prepared the cobbler.

Lucifer’s delighted smile as he ate the dessert was so breathtaking that Alastor had almost passed out upon seeing it.

Husker

Husk was alone at the bar again watching those two chat. He raised a brow when the King poked Alastor’s chest and nothing negative happened in return. Charlie had begged him to figure out if they were dating but he wasn’t sure how to do that without gaining Alastor’s ire.

Despite the numerous rumors, Husk didn’t believe they were dating. The King was not very subtle when asked anything but he was sure that Alastor was playing the long con. He was working his way up to something. Perhaps he was trying to court the King and gain the power that was associated with it.

He knew Alastor wasn’t responsible for the rumors, at least. He would never tolerate being called the King’s lapdog. Some sinners were even audacious enough to say that Alastor bent over and took it from the King just for power. Husk would never spread rumors about any Overlord, he didn’t need that kind of attention.

Husk waited until the two were out of sight before carefully following them to the kitchen. He pressed an ear up to the door and listened to the casual conversation they were having. 

His brow furrowed and his mouth opened in surprise that Alastor was talking about this mother. Mentioning something was his mother’s recipe wasn’t odd but he was actually telling the King tidbits about his life as a human with his mother. 

Maybe they were dating.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

“So where are we going?” Lucifer asked as he followed Alastor down the hill, away from the hotel.

“A little cafe I frequent in Cannibal Town,” Alastor replied, swinging his cane happily.

Alastor had gotten permission from Charlie to take their hang out session outside the hotel for this week. It was a bit exciting, Lucifer didn’t go into town often or ever.

Around the hotel, Lucifer didn't bother with his coat, cane or hat but outside he had to keep up his role as king. It would keep the hotel safer that way.

They walked next to each other down the street. The residents were already freaking out at the sight of him. Lighting themselves on fire, throwing themselves down sewers, etc. Whatever it took to get away from him.

He disliked the display, it was just annoying. He missed the days when he was among the other seraphim, they were mostly equals and didn't fear each other. He wanted to be treated like a normal person sometimes, not some great fearful God.

Alastor had never feared him, even when Lucifer had almost killed him. He was pissier at that time but he didn't show fear. Treated him the same way. The other residents, other than his daughter, were still a little weary around him. They might get over it with time. He tried to be silly around the hotel so they would feel more comfortable, at least.

“Are cafes open this late?” Lucifer wondered.

“It is tonight,” Alastor glanced at a sinner that took a picture of them. The phone burst into flames.

Cannibal Town was nicer at least. They were stared at but people didn't kill themselves over his presence. Maybe he should hang around here more often. Hopefully he could find a vegetarian place. He was not about to trust any meat here.

Alastor opened the door for him. Lucifer was surprised that the hostess didn't freak out. She simply led them to a private-ish table.

Lucifer looked over the menu. It was mostly pastries and tea. He wasn't a huge fan of tea. He preferred hot chocolate. He was fine with chocolate or strawberry milk too. He knew those were choices unfit for a king.

“I recommend the Earl Grey tea,” Alastor stated.

“I'll order that then,” Lucifer responded. At least he didn't need to pick one now. “The chocolate croissant sounds divine.”

When the waitress came back, Alastor ordered for both of them. They sat in silence for a bit. Lucifer hadn't thought about it before, but he was sure this was weird. Or maybe this is what normal friends do. He hadn't had any friends in a long time. Or ever. 

The other seraphim had been his family. The sins were more like his nieces and nephews. Lilith was his wife. The Goetia family were only colleagues.

“Oh! Stolas got back to me,” Lucifer smiled happily. “He said it was definitely possible and that we’re really close. He just needs to reference some angelic texts to finish the pentagram.”

“Excellent,” Alastor clapped his hands together. “We can begin the garden once it's implemented.”

“I have so many ideas for the garden,” Lucifer said excitedly. “We can even have a swing.”

“Doesn't swinging lose its appeal when you can fly?” Alastor asked.

The waitress came back and began placing various fancy containers on the table. She placed a metal rack in the center of the table then a kettle on top.

“I'll handle it from here,” Alastor dismissed her.

Alastor began fiddling with the pot. Lucifer wasn't really paying attention.

“It's different,” Lucifer shrugged. “Like running vs walking. How about next week we go flying?”

“I prefer to stay on the ground,” Alastor smirked at Lucifer’s disappointment.

“Your loss,” Lucifer stuck his forked tongue out at him.

The waitress returned and paused for a moment before placing the croissant in front of Lucifer. She left quickly.

Lucifer didn't waste any time eating his croissant. It practically melted in his mouth.

“So good,” he moaned in delight.

Alastor spilled the tea he was pouring. He glared at the mess like it was at fault. Lucifer used a bit of divine power to clean it up. Alastor raised a brow at him. 

Lucifer merely shrugged. It was easier to do that than use a napkin.

“Milk, cream, sugar?” Alastor offered.

“Yes, no, yes,” Lucifer answered.

Alastor made his tea and stirred it before placing the saucer in front of him.

Lucifer picked up the cup and sipped. He made a pleased noise.

“That's really good,” he took a longer sip. “Thanks.”

“Of course, your highness,” Alastor sipped his own tea.

“Call me Lucifer,” he blushed slightly and looked at the table.

“As you wish,” Alastor smirked at him. “Lucifer.”

He felt a shiver run down his spine.

“Alastor!” A woman’s voice called out.

“Rosie!” He responded just as enthusiastically. He stood to hug her.

Lucifer’s eyes widened in surprise. Alastor had friends? It made him feel a little pathetic that the cannibalistic serial killer had more friends than him. There'd also been that woman with the loan sharks, Wimzy.

He should probably stand too. Though he was a king so it wasn't actually necessary. But Alastor might get offended on her behalf. Hadn’t Charlie also mentioned a Rosie? Best to just stand then.

Lucifer stood as they finished their hug. If Alastor didn't introduce them then he would just look like an idiot.

“Rosie, this is the King of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar,” Alastor introduced. “Lucifer, this is Rosie, the most powerful Overlord this side of the Pentagram.”

She offered her hand.

“Charmed,” Lucifer accepted her hand and bent down to kiss the back of it.

“Oh my, what a charmer,” she gushed. “I can see where your daughter gets her lovely looks.”

“Would you like to join us, Rosie?” Alastor offered. 

“Oh no, I couldn't possibly intrude on your date,” she chuckled. “I just wanted to say hi. It was nice to meet you, your highness. Have a lovely night.”

She waved as she walked away. 

Lucifer sat back down. A date? That was a funny thought. He looked at the table again then at his companion who was still staring after his friend. Did Alastor like her? 

Alastor sat down but had a tight smile on his face. Lucifer wasn't really sure how to restore the amiable mood. He just sipped his tea and ate his croissant happily. He hummed a jolly tune.

When their gazes locked, Lucifer gave him a reassuring smile.

That seemed to make things worse. Alastor looked even more rigid than before. After their tea was finished, he requested that they portal back. Lucifer did it without a word.

As soon as they were back at the hotel. Alastor dissipated into his shadow and he actually left this time.

Alastor

“So where are we going?” Lucifer asked as he followed Alastor down the hill, away from the hotel.

“A little cafe I frequent in Cannibal Town,” Alastor replied, swinging his cane happily. The rumors of their exploits were getting worse around the hotel. Charlie was snooping around him more often too so he decided their session could be held in the privacy of his favorite cafe. It would at least be relaxing.

Getting permission to go alone was difficult. He wasn’t sure if it was because she wanted to spy or because she was afraid her father might try to kill him again. The demon disliked both prospects. He eventually stated that it would be an excellent trust exercise and she relented, still very reluctant. Alastor wouldn’t be surprised if someone tried to follow them.

Lucifer was completely dressed up today. He stood tall and walked like the king he was. He rarely did that at the hotel. He usually dressed down and slouched when he walked. Lucifer was cautious of the public eye, he noted.

They walked next to each other down the street. The usual sight of the residents lighting themselves on fire, throwing themselves down sewers, etc. was comforting. The king looked around at the sinners’ actions with disgust.

“Are cafes open this late?” Lucifer asked.

“It is tonight,” Alastor answered and noticed that a sinner took a picture of them. His phone burst into flames before the demon could do anything. Lucifer seemed to have a worse effect on phones than he did. He wondered if the king would share his secret. 

Lucifer’s mood seemed to lift when they entered Cannibal Town. The demon had to admit that even he breathed easier here.

Alastor opened the door for the king and the hostess led them to a semi-private table that Alastor had reserved.

Lucifer examined the menu but he didn’t look overly impressed with the selection. Alastor thought this would be a good place since they had a lot of sweets. Perhaps he didn’t know what to order, he had been holed up in the palace for a long time.

“I recommend the Earl Grey tea,” Alastor offered.

“I'll order that then,” Lucifer responded and his shoulders lowered as he relaxed. “The chocolate croissant sounds divine.”

When the waitress came back, Alastor ordered for both of them. They sat in silence for a bit. Lucifer seemed lost in his own thoughts and the demon wasn’t interested in interrupting them. The king’s mood seemed to slowly drop the more he thought before he suddenly perked back up.

“Oh! Stolas got back to me,” Lucifer smiled happily. “He said it was definitely possible and that we’re really close. He just needs to reference some angelic texts to finish the pentagram.”

“Excellent,” Alastor clapped his hands together. “We can begin the garden once it's implemented.”

“I have so many ideas for the garden,” Lucifer said excitedly. “We can even have a swing.”

“Doesn't swinging lose its appeal when you can fly?” Alastor asked.

The waitress returned to place a few containers on the table. They had cream, milk, and sugar. She placed a small metal burner on the table and the kettle on top. The staff knew that Alastor liked to make his own tea. She then placed a small teapot in front of him with the tea leaves they ordered. 

“I'll handle it from here,” Alastor dismissed her.

The demon found comfort in the familiar process of brewing tea. 

“It's different,” Lucifer shrugged and continued the conversation like it wasn’t interrupted. “Like running vs walking. How about next week we go flying?”

“I prefer to stay on the ground,” Alastor smirked at Lucifer’s disappointment.

“Your loss,” Lucifer stuck his forked tongue out at him.

The waitress entered and paused to stare at Lucifer’s slim tongue. One glare from Alastor had her recover. She quickly served the croissant and left. 

Lucifer descended on the pastry like it was his last meal.

“So good,” the king moaned in delight.

Alastor stared as Lucifer’s face lit up. There was a slight golden flush to his cheeks and his lips upturned slightly. The demon felt his heart skip a beat when he moaned. 

He flinched when he noticed that he was spilling the tea. How shameful of him. He glared at the mess that he had caused. Before he could call the waitress, he saw a golden glow and then the tea was gone. Alastor looked up at the king with surprise. Surely he hadn’t used his divine power to clean up a small mess.

Lucifer merely shrugged at him like it was no big deal. It probably wasn’t a big deal. Sometimes Alastor forgot that the king was the most powerful being in all of Hell. The way he looked and acted made it easy to forget the kind of power Lucifer wielded. For the first time, the thought didn’t irk the demon like it usually would.

“Milk, cream, sugar?” Alastor offered.

“Yes, no, yes,” Lucifer answered.

Alastor made his tea and stirred it before placing the saucer in front of him.

The noise Lucifer made was music to Alastor’s ears.

“That's really good,” the king took a longer sip. “Thanks.”

“Of course, your highness,” Alastor sipped his own tea. He felt pride swell in his chest at the compliment.

“Call me Lucifer,” he blushed slightly and looked at the table.

Alastor didn’t let his shock show at the request. Warmth spread throughout his body, he was unsure what that indicated.

“As you wish,” Alastor smirked at him. “Lucifer.”

The king’s face turned into a darker shade of gold.

“Alastor!” He heard a familiar voice call out to him.

“Rosie!” He responded just as enthusiastically as he stood to hug her.

Lucifer stood as they finished their hug. Alastor was pleased that the king respected Rosie enough to stand up and greet her. 

“Rosie, this is the King of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar,” Alastor introduced. “Lucifer, this is Rosie, the most powerful Overlord this side of the Pentagram.”

She offered her hand.

“Charmed,” Lucifer accepted her hand and bent down to kiss the back of it.

Alastor’s teeth clenched as an unpleasant tug pulled at his chest.

“Oh my, what a charmer,” she gushed. “I can see where your daughter gets her lovely looks.”

“Would you like to join us, Rosie?” Alastor offered as he ignored the new feeling.

“Oh no, I couldn't possibly intrude on your date,” she chuckled. “I just wanted to say hi. It was nice to meet you, your highness. Have a lovely night.”

She waved as she walked away. 

A date? Surely Rosie knew him better than that. What a strange thing for her to say.

Alastor realized he was still staring after her and returned to his seat. The king resumed eating and drinking.

Were the rumors from the hotel leaking out into the public? Or had their walk instigated their own rumors? Why was Rosie even here? The cafe wasn’t usually open this late and it didn’t seem like she had purchased anything. He didn’t understand why sinner’s thought they were dating? Did Lucifer think this was a date?

Alastor looked up and locked gazes with the king, Lucifer smiled softly at him.

They needed to leave. He couldn’t allow rumors like this to go uncheck. It was funny around the hotel but not out in public. If the other Overlord’s believed such a rumor it could cause problems for him. It would be even worse if Lucifer thought they were dating. He’d been angry enough to almost kill the demon once, he didn’t want to experience it a second time.

When it was apparent that the king was done, Alastor requested they return through a portal. It wouldn’t do for more sinners to see them together. The faster the demon could get back the faster he could start looking into these rumors and how they started. And, more importantly, how to end them.

Eden

Eden roused from her nap and took in the red sky above her. She looked around excitedly since she hadn’t been out for a long time.

The cheerful voice of her creator caused warmth to spread through her tiny body as she hugged the hat tighter and wished it was her creator instead. She’d yet to inform him of her awakened status. She only had the energy to leave her slumber when her creator was happy. She wanted to ensure she’d stay awake this time before informing her creator of her presence.

There had been a few heartbreaking times when he saw her moving around for a brief moment of happiness only for her to fall back asleep quickly. Her creator knew why she slept and blamed himself for his depression and she couldn’t bear for him to be hurt over her again.

Eden watched her creator’s friend make him something. She was ever grateful to this new friend of his. She was only awake now because of him. The moment her eyes opened, she left the hat in search of her creator. He was sitting next to this fellow laughing and she’d nearly cried to see it.

Another being brought a sweet smelling treat to her creator and Eden practically drooled for it. Much like her creator, she didn’t have to eat but she loved sweets.

Nothing would ever compare to the apples in her garden though. The garden her creator had made just for her to slither around in and play. She remembered those days fondly. Her creator would change his form and slither around with her. They used to race and explore together before sharing a sweet apple.

Eden waited for her time to strike. Her creator was oblivious and it would only take a moment for her to reach down to take a piece. He would never notice.

She only felt a little guilty for stealing his food but if he wasn’t willing to share then he shouldn’t have created her this way.

Her first memory was the bright smile of her creator. He exclaimed that he had successfully created life. The first of the Seraphim to create life.

He showed her off to the other Seraphim but they didn’t like it. They didn’t like her.

Her creator’s creator, the Leader, was different. He had made himself smaller to marvel at her. He pet her head and lightly scratched her scales.

“Why did you create a being with a finite life?” the Leader had asked.

“Everything we create eventually crumbles,” her creator had answered excitedly. “It grows and changes and then it breaks and becomes something new. Eden was an egg that hatched into a little snake. She’s going to grow and change and it’s going to be beautiful.”

Her creator had frowned.

“We don’t grow, nor do we change,” he had continued thoughtfully. “No matter what we do, we are perpetually the same but Eden… Eden has so much potential.”

The Leader had taken her into his huge palm and smiled at her.

“Keep her safe while I think on your words,” he had returned her to her creator. “Let’s watch as she changes.”

That’s when her garden had been created. She had spent her mortal life there until the day that she could no longer move freely. Her creator had been so upset. It was the first time any of the Seraphim had ever cried, and over a mortal creature like her no less.

“Do you want me to preserve her life, my child?” the Leader had asked gently.

“We both knew this would happen,” he cried. “Eden lived every moment of her life to the fullest. She lived such a beautiful life…. Dad, are we really living?”

There was no reply.

“Do we really have any purpose?” he had questioned. “We fly around, we create things that die, and we laugh but… Is that it? Is there any point to all this? Is this all my existence is going to be? Why do I feel like Eden’s the lucky one? Is immortality bad?”

Her creator did not get his answers but she got her wish. She had been at peace with passing, as her creator said, she lived a good life. But she did not have the heart to abandon him. So she made a wish and the Leader granted it for her.

Immortality.

Her scales had turned gold as she was infused with her creator’s essence. She would only live as long as him. Should he parish, so would she.

Eden saw her chance when they were both distracted and quickly lowered herself to take a chunk of the pastry from her creator’s hands. She pulled up her haul and ate it happily on the brim of his hat.

Her creator may have qualms with immortality but she did not mind it. As long as she got to spend it with the person she loved.

And was able to steal his treats.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Alastor was worse than when they started hanging. He gave short responses and preferred to stare at the wall until time was up.

Maybe he was just having a bad week.

Alastor

Alastor gritted his teeth so hard it almost felt like they would break. He stared at the wall as Lucifer talked to him. He wasn’t paying attention and gave simple answers. 

The rumors had started because of this farce. Alastor had only agreed to this because Vaggie had talked Charlie into threatening to throw the demon out of the hotel if he wasn’t willing to cooperate. He could only assume that she did the same to her father at least, he would have loved to see Lucifer’s tormented face.

There was no way to stop the rumors, he’d have to let them die down naturally but that wasn’t likely to happen anytime soon either. Lucifer was the most well known and feared entity in all of hell. He could just exist somewhere and it’d be all over the papers. The only place that he seemed safe was the hotel and now that was no longer true. 

It wouldn’t be so bad if the rumors didn’t depict Alastor as Lucifer’s new dog. They believed that the demon was rolling over to gain the king’s attention and power. No one believed that they were actually lovers, only that this was a grab for power. Alastor couldn’t say he hadn’t considered it and it’s not like it wasn’t a possibility still but he would never lie down and expose himself for power.

He didn’t care what the common sinner thought of their relationship but if the other Overlords suspected that he was Lucifer’s dog they may decide to dispose of him. As much as he believed he could survive against them one-on-one, trying to take more than one at a time would be the end of him. Especially since he wasn’t actually benefiting from this relationship with Lucifer.

Husker

Husk knew that Alastor had finally heard the rumors. It had only been a matter of time but it confirmed his theory that Alastor wasn’t controlling them at least.

The poor King was trying so hard to talk to Alastor. Up to the very second that their session was over. This didn’t look good for their ‘friendship’.

The King started out fine, just chatting like nothing was wrong but as  time went on the more frantic he became. He looked extremely anxious when Alastor disappeared.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Alastor had been avoiding him for the last two weeks. When he entered a room, Alastor would immediately leave it. Their outside project had grown neglected as well. The pentagram was completed but Lucifer wanted to show it to Alastor before implementing it.

Lucifer’s heart ached. He rubbed his chest but it didn't dull the pain. He simply resolved to try harder.

Alastor

Alastor had avoided Lucifer for the last two weeks but the rumors were still going strong. A new rumor was even stating that they were having a lovers quarrel. He’d even asked Rosie for advice and she had told the demon to start dating Lucifer for real to gain the power he’d need to protect himself. It wasn’t a bad suggestion but considering that the king still wore his wedding ring, it was likely a fruitless effort. 

He made the mistake of glancing at Lucifer before he left and felt like he'd been punched in the stomach with the king’s downtrodden look. Lucifer rubbed his chest in despair and looked to be on the verge of tears. Did he actually think they were friends?

Angel Dust

Angel felt bad about his earlier thoughts of wanting Smiles to suffer a bit. Things had grown tense and awkward around the hotel now that he was avoiding Short King. Vaggie was keeping Charlie distracted so she wouldn’t notice but it was only a matter of time.

Husk let them know that Smiles was aware about the rumors and was upset with them but going out of his way for both of them to suffer seemed like a bit much. He didn’t enjoy seeing them both so sad, even if Smiles did deserve it, Short King definitely didn’t.

If they weren’t so much stronger than him, he’d go over there and force them to make up. All they could do was wait and hope that Short King could get Smiles’ head out of his ass.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer sat on the back of the loveseat. His legs propped up on the arm. He played his violin. Happy upbeat songs to help lift the mood. Maybe Alastor would appreciate a private show.

He didn't. Alastor sat and said nothing.

Lucifer didn't know what else to do. Lilith had done the same thing to him. She’d started putting space between them and no matter how hard Lucifer tried to close the gap, it always widened. Like he had just been making it worse. He didn't have the heart to be rejected like that again. To put in effort for a relationship that was doomed to fail. Why could he never get it right? What was his problem?

Alastor

Lucifer was perched like a bird on the back of the loveseat. His feet were planted on the armrest as he delicately played the violin. There was a small smile on his face as he played an upbeat song. 

Alastor sat quietly and listened to the music. He didn’t think about the rumors. He didn’t think about how to solve them. He didn’t even think about how to protect himself from the Overlords. He didn’t think of anything as he enjoyed Lucifer’s concert.

Vaggie

Keeping Charlie from noticing the strained relationship between her father and Alastor was turning into a full time job and there was only so many times she could seduce her girlfriend before she figured it out.

“Why don’t we return to our room for a bit?” Vaggie suggested with her best ‘come hither’ smile.

“I just want to make sure Alastor and my dad are still meeting up,” Charlie headed for the stairs. “They’ve been a little weird lately.”

Vaggie lunged forward to grab her wrist.

“I kinda already asked the guys to watch them today,” she tried not to let the panic show on her face. “I, um, I bought something special for you.”

“Oh,” Charlie blushed and smiled coyly. “I guess no one would bother us right now.”

She was going to have to thank Angel later for giving her that sexy bunny costume in case she needed to distract Charlie. She just didn’t want him to know she actually wore it.

As Charlie dragged her back to their room, she glared in the direction of the lobby and hoped those two idiots would just make up already. If it hadn’t involved Charlie’s dad, she would have put them at spear point until they shook hands and were normal again.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer was in the same position. He played complex songs so he didn't have to think about anything else. He hadn’t bothered even looking Alastor’s way.

Alastor

Lucifer was in the same position as he played the violin. This time he played complex songs and he hadn’t bothered looking up as Alastor joined him. He looked despondent as he played.

Alastor openly watched him play. The graceful way his fingers danced along the strings and the flourish he moved the bow with. He truly was the most beautiful creature in all of existence. Captivating anyone that looked upon him.

Alastor’s chest tightened as he watched.

Charlie

Charlie couldn’t believe she’d missed the fight between her dad and Alastor. Nor could she believe that she hadn’t noticed their diminishing relationship over the past few weeks. Her own girlfriend used her body as a distraction so she wouldn’t notice.

She stood by the bar and watched her father wallow in anguish as he played his violin. It reminded her of when her mother had started to ignore him. She had watched him try so hard to appease her and regain her attention. She had silently cheered for him to succeed.

Charlie didn’t want to watch this happen again but she felt as helpless now as she did back then. She didn’t know what to do or even why they weren’t talking. It had something to do with the rumors but that didn’t explain why they were fighting especially because they were both clearly miserable.

Alastor stared at her father like he was the only being in existence that mattered. Any qualms that she still had about them being together were crushed in that moment.

It was clear that they made each other happy and who was she to take that from them. She had to fix this.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer played melancholy songs this time. To match his mood. He was mourning their dead friendship. He had been starting to feel like he could trust Alastor. Probably better this way. How could he ever trust another sinner? They always choose betrayal in the end. 

Well, they still weren't fighting or arguing so at least Charlie would be happy.

Lucifer couldn't believe he ruined another relationship. Maybe he deserved to be alone.

Alastor

The sorrowful songs Lucifer played caused the demon’s chest to squeeze even more in pain. Rosie had told him he was feeling guilty. The demon hadn’t done anything wrong, why should he feel guilty? He’d never even felt guilt in his life let alone after his death. 

The guilt only grew worse the longer he listened to the king play. Not the guilt, the nameless pain. The nameless pain only grew worse.

Vaggie

“Babe, let them handle it on their own,” Vaggie pleaded, she’d been at this for a while. “It’s obvious they aren;t going to kill each other.”

Charlie had been obsessing on how to fix them all week and had barely slept a wink.

“Look, I just think if we can get them to talk it out, that it’ll fix everything,” she pointed to her conspiracy board full of inane ideas. “Angel suggested we trap them in a big jar and then they have to talk to each other to escape.”

“As…interesting as that idea is,” Vaggie said gently. “They’re both powerful entities that can handle their own problems. So let’s just step away and let them handle it.”

“No!” Charlie turned demonic for a moment as she shouted. “I can fix this! I can fix them!”

Vaggie stared at her girlfriend in shock. Charlie had never yelled at her before.

“Sorry, no, I’m so sorry,” she deflated and reached out shakily.

“It’s alright,” Vaggie took her hands without hesitation.

“I just-I’ve seen this before,” she whispered sadly. “My mom did the same thing and dad struggled to gain forgiveness or maybe just for her attention and I watched it destroy him, Vaggie.” Charlie hugged her when she started crying. “I watched the light fade from his eyes. I watched him isolate himself and I couldn’t do anything.”

“It’s ok, hun, I’m sorry,” Vaggie rubbed her back soothingly. “I didn’t realize but, you know, that’s not your fault, right?”

“I know,” she nodded. “But I can do something about it now. I mean, I got them to be friends in the first place.”

“Let me go get those slackers,” Vaggie pulled away with a smile and wiped the tears from Charlie’s face. “I’m sure we can come up with something together.”

“That’s a great idea!” Charlie immediately brightened up. “It’ll be good bonding time too.”

Vaggie chuckled as she left to get Husk and Angel. She really hoped they could come up with something.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer was in his room. He'd slipped a note under Alastor’s door to let him know he was busy that week.

Thankfully, it wasn't a lie. Asmodeus had acquired a bag full of cursed items and gave them to Lucifer. He liked to destroy them promptly to prevent any unfortunate accidents.

He was on the last one, the strongest one. He’d already been at it for an hour. It was close to breaking, he just had to maintain the shield around it so that the explosion wouldn't cause damage.

Full concentration. He held the orb tightly between his palms.

He heard a slam on his desk and nearly jumped out of his own skin. His spell almost faltered.

He glanced up to see Charlie in front of his desk with a reluctant Alastor close behind her.

Shit, he turned his attention back to the cursed item. He'd almost let it slip again.

“Hey Charlie,” he smiled nervously. “Now's not a good time. Can you give me an hour or so?”

“Dad, this is important,” Charlie pleaded. “You and Alastor have been weird for weeks. I don't know what happened but you two need to work it out.”

“Now is a really bad time,” Lucifer was slowly losing control of the magic. “I'm doing something very important.”

“You can work on your ducks later,” she slammed her hands against his desk again. Her demonic form slipped out for a second.

No, concentrate. He couldn’t respond to her. His focus returned to the cursed object. Just fucking break already.

“You promised me that you'd at least become friends,” she shouted. “Why are you sabotaging that now?”

Lucifer began to sweat and his breathing became labored. He definitely should have started with this one. He hadn't known the objects’ strengths though. He might actually lose to the cursed object.

“Charlie!’ he yelled urgently. “Get out of my room!”

They both looked at him with surprise. Charlie’s expression turned to hurt.

“No, that's not what-” Lucifer heard a crack.

Shit.

He tossed the cursed object behind him as he leapt over the desk. Lucifer grabbed both their heads and forced them into his chest as he spread his wings to surround them. He was in the middle of casting a protective spell when the object exploded.

He felt sharp pains in his back and wings. He shuddered to imagine what would have happened to Charlie and Alastor. He released them to survey the damage.

He had put a barrier around his room to keep things out and in. The rest of the hotel would be fine. His room was completely ruined though. Nothing was left in the space, save for them.

“That could have been worse,” he chuckled awkwardly, trying to lighten the mood.

No response.

He turned but they were both gone.

That was weird. Oh no, he realized. The curse was affecting him. This cursed item made one relieve their regrets. He was going to be stuck for a few hours.

There's nothing the orb could show him that he hadn't already relived in his own head.

It started with the fall, his apple orchard, Lilith’s distance, Charlie leaving, Lilith's disappearance, his years of depression. He was numb to all of this. He'd tortured himself with it all thousands of times already. He expected it to repeat but then Alastor and Charlie showed up.

“You're a pathetic excuse for a worm, let alone a king,” Alastor growled at him.

“He's right,” Charlie sighed in disappointment. “You couldn't even maintain one friend.”

“No! That wasn't my fault,” Lucifer shouted, panic gradually building. “I did my best. He's the one that pulled away.”

“Did it occur to you that your best wasn't good enough,” Alastor snarled. “That you're not good enough.”

Tears threatened to fall from his eyes as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. What? He was just a sinner. Why did Lucifer care about his opinion? Why did those words hurt so much?

“I am good enough!” Lucifer yelled helplessly. “I didn't do anything wrong!”

Their tea time replayed as Lucifer watched from a third person perspective.

“You could have done something,” Alastor mocked him. “You allowed me to suffer. You could have consoled me. You could have even asked what was wrong. But you simply sat there and waited for the problem to go away on its own. Like you always do.”

“You’re not even real,” he pointed at him accusingly.

“Perhaps not,” Alastor smirked. “But your guilt is.”

“I can’t believe I thought you'd make a good friend,” Charlie turned her back on him. “When you don't even make a good father.”

Lucifer fell to his hands and knees as tears streamed down his face.

“I did my best,” he whispered, then shouted. “I did my best! Why isn't that ever good enough?”

He was silent for a few moments.

“Why am I never good enough?” His fists clenched against the ground. “I let everyone down and they all left me in the end. Why do I even bother anymore?”

He collapsed to the ground and wrapped his arms around himself.

“I was a worthless seraphim, a worthless husband and a worthless father,” he sighed and curled up even more. “Why did I think I could be anything more than a worthless friend?”

He felt a falling sensation. Was it finally repeating? He knew this was just a dream but he was a fool to think the curse wouldn't affect him. His regrets weighed heavily on him all the time. But having them shoved in his face was so much worse.

He felt like he was slammed back into his body. He gasped and shot up. Nausea caused his head to spin and he clutched it.

“Dad!” Charlie shouted and hugged him. “Are you ok? I'm so sorry. I should have just listened.”

“No, no honey it's my fault,” he hugged her back and closed his eyes. He was still dizzy. “I shouldn’t have been doing something so dangerous in the hotel. I'm sorry, and it won't happen again. I’ll be more careful.”

“What even was that?” Vaggie asked. “I've never seen anything take out a seraphim like that.”

Lucifer reached up to rub the tiredness from his eyes. He flinched when he felt the tears and snot on his face. Charlie handed him a wet wipe. He quickly cleaned himself up.

He looked around and saw that he was laying in the middle of an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. Was that a swamp? Tacky. 

Charlie was kneeling next to him on the bed while Vaggie stood off to the side.

“Cursed object,” he answered, exasperated. “That one makes you relive your biggest regrets in life. I destroy them when I find them, you know, to protect the humans on Earth and such.”

“That explains the crying,” Vaggie stated.

Alastor was in the room, Lucifer realized. Hidden in shadows.

“Dad, you're not worthless,” Charlie hugged him again. “I'm sorry I put so much pressure on you.”

“What?” He hugged her back with a shocked expression.

“You started talking in your sleep at the end,” Charlie hugged him tighter. “I didn't understand all of it, but I'm not mom. I'm not going to leave you.”

Lucifer’s tears welled up again and he hugged Charlie tighter. “Thank you.”

They held each other and cried for a while. Even Vaggie teared up at the display.

“So how’s my room look?” Lucifer conjured two handkerchiefs. He used one to wipe his tears while Charlie took the other.

“Uhhh,” Charlie grimaced.

Lucifer laughed at her expression.

“I can just stay at the palace until it's fixed,” Lucifer stated. “I should probably make sure the curse dissipates too. Ugh.”

He flopped down on the bed. He realized that his wings were still out but he was too lazy to put them away.

“I don't want to do anything,” he admitted, tiredly. 

Charlie giggled at that.

“Why don't you just stay here and rest?” She suggested. “Deal with it tomorrow?”

“That sounds wonderful,” he chuckled.

Alastor

Alastor reluctantly followed Charlie to her father’s room. Lucifer had left the demon a note that stated he’d be too busy to attend their session that day. When Charlie had angrily showed up at his door, he realized that the king had not told her the same. 

“You two are going to make up and go back to being friends,” she ended her lecture. Alastor hadn’t listened to a single word of it. He could guess most of what she’d said anyway.

He was once again tempted to use the favor she owned him to get out of this ordeal but that felt like a waste.

Charlie knocked and waited impatiently, shifting her weight from foot to foot. After a few moments of no response, she simply unlocked the door and strode in.

This was the first time Alastor had been in Lucifer’s room but he didn’t have time to admire it when Charlie slammed her hands on her father’s desk.

Lucifer looked up, startled, then returned his gaze to the yellow orb in his palms. He was clearly trying to concentrate his magic on it.

“Hey Charlie,” he smiled nervously. “Now's not a good time. Can you give me an hour or so?”

“Dad, this is important,” Charlie pleaded. “You and Alastor have been weird for weeks. I don't know what happened but you two need to work it out.”

“Now is a really bad time,” Lucifer bit his lip and seemed to redouble his effort to focus. “I'm doing something very important.”

“You can work on your ducks later,” she slammed her hands against his desk again. Her demonic form slipped out for a second.

Lucifer didn’t respond and seemed to focus all his attention on the orb in his hands. Was it really a rubber duck? Hadn’t he said he made those without magic?

“You promised me that you'd at least become friends,” Charlie shouted. “Why are you sabotaging that now?”

Lucifer began to sweat and his breathing became labored. He started to look panicked as he glared at the orb.

“Charlie!’ he yelled urgently. “Get out of my room!”

Alastor blinked at him in surprise. He hasn’t realized the king would ever say such harsh words to his own daughter. 

“No, that's not what-” Lucifer paused as full blown fear showed on his face.

The king tossed the orb behind him as he leapt over the desk. He pulled both of them into his embrace and surrounded them with his white wings. Lucifer started to chant something when an ear splitting explosion cut through the air. 

Lucifer’s body jerked and he made a pained noise before he went slack and he almost fell to the ground. Charlie caught him in time but he was out cold. 

“Lucifer!” Alastor grasped his face in a panic. “He’s not breathing. Does he need to breathe?”

“No, he doesn’t,” Charlie looked at her father’s body with silent horror. “What have I done?”

One of them needed to get their shit together and do something. Fortunately, Alastor’s mind was quick to recover but his hands were still shaking. He checked Lucifer’s body and noted that it was already healing the wounds on his back and wings. 

“Charlie, dear,” Alastor sighed with relief. “He’s healing. I think he’ll be fine.”

“What the hell happened here?” Vaggie shouted as she entered the room, spear first. “What did you do, Alastor?”

“It’s my fault,” Charlie started sobbing as she pulled her father closer. “Why didn’t I just listen to him? I should have just left it alone.”

Vaggie ran over and put her spear down to check on Lucifer. 

“His wounds are all healed up,” she stated. “We should lay him down somewhere.”

“I’ll take him to my room,” Alastor leaned forward to scoop him up and disappeared into his shadows. He gently placed Lucifer on the bed and used his magic to open the door so Vaggie and Charlie could easily enter. He rearranged the king’s wings so they laid flat.

The girls fussed over Lucifer for a while, unsure what to do. Would he ever wake up? Alastor felt so useless.

“He’s crying?” Vaggie leaned forward to touch the tears but Alastor grasped her hand.

“It’s rude to touch someone when they’re asleep,” he smirked at her annoyance. He wasn’t sure why he stopped her. 

“No! That wasn’t my fault,” Lucifer mumbled. His face scrunched up in pain as more tears leaked from his eyes. He mumbled something else but it was incomprehensible.

“Um, Alastor,” Charlie grimaced. “I know this is your room but could you leave? Please? I don’t think dad would want you to see him like this.”

It was a reasonable request. Completely reasonable. Alastor wanted to refuse, not because it was his room but because he wanted to be here for-. 

He looked down at the king’s face as realization dawned on him.

He wanted to be here for Lucifer. He was worried about the angel. How could he leave when his friend was in pain. But Charlie was right, Lucifer wouldn’t want him to be here.

“I understand,” Alastor smiled at her before dissolving into the shadows. He didn’t leave but it would give them some peace of mind.

“I am good enough!” Lucifer shouted. “I didn’t do anything wrong!”

The angel sobbed loudly and his body began to shake. His face further contorted in pain.

“I did my best! Why isn't that ever good enough?” Lucifer’s body slumped but his tears intensified. After a few moments of no movement he spoke. “Why am I never good enough?”

There was more unintelligible mumbling. A few words could be understood, “Everyone” and “left me” then more sobbing. What could he be dreaming of? His fall perhaps?

Alastor disliked watching Lucifer suffer when he wasn’t that one that caused it.

“I was a worthless seraphim, a worthless husband and a worthless father,” Lucifer took a shaky breath. “Why did I think I could be anything more than a worthless friend?”

Alastor felt like he’d been speared through the chest. Was Lucifer dreaming about him? The demon reflected on his and Lucifer’s behavior the last few weeks and realized that Lucifer had been trying to maintain their friendship. Lucifer was actually willing to be friends with a sinner like Alastor.

Lucifer’s entire body suddenly jerked. He gasped and quickly sat up in bed. He clutched his head with a disoriented moan.

“Dad!” Charlie shouted and hugged him. “Are you ok? I'm so sorry. I should have just listened.”

“No, no honey it's my fault,” he hugged her back. He was recovering quickly. “I shouldn’t have been doing something so dangerous in the hotel. I'm sorry, and it won't happen again. I’ll be more careful.”

“What even was that?” Vaggie asked. “I've never seen anything take out a seraphim like that.”

Lucifer started to rub his face and recoiled when he felt the tears and snot. He looked at his hand in disgust. Charlie handed him something to clean his face. Once he was done he looked around the room then refocused on the girls.

Charlie was kneeling on the bed next to him while Vaggie decided to stay on her feet near the footboard. 

“Cursed object,” Lucifer answered, exasperated. “That one makes you relive your biggest regrets in life. I destroy them when I find them, you know, to protect the humans on Earth and such.”

“That explains the crying,” Vaggie stated.

“Dad, you're not worthless,” Charlie hugged him again. “I'm sorry I put so much pressure on you.”

“What?” He hugged her back, his eyes wide with shock.

“You started talking in your sleep at the end,” Charlie hugged him tighter. “I didn't understand all of it, but I'm not mom. I'm not going to leave you.”

Lucifer started to cry again as he hugged his daughter. “Thank you.”

They both were hugging and crying for a while, even Vaggie had tears in her eyes. Alastor felt relieved about Lucifer waking up. The demon needed to resolve the rumor problem so they could be normal friends again. Their version of normal, which included insulting each other, or as Lucifer phrased it, teasing each other.

“So how’s my room look?” Lucifer conjured two handkerchiefs. He used one to wipe his tears while Charlie took the other.

“Ugh,” Charlie grimaced.

Alastor couldn’t even recall what state the room had been in when he left.

Lucifer’s laughter distracted him and eased some of the guilt he was feeling.

“I can just stay at the palace until it's fixed,” Lucifer stated. “I should probably make sure the curse dissipates too. Ugh.”

Lucifer threw himself backward on the bed.

“I don't want to do anything,” he admitted, tiredly. 

Charlie giggled at that.

“Why don't you just stay here and rest?” She suggested. “Deal with it tomorrow?”

“That sounds wonderful,” he chuckled.

Alastor decided he could just sleep in his radio tower in the meantime.

Charlie

Charlie watched her father sleep talk sadly. She’d finally decided she was just going to confront them with a little force to get them to at least speak to each other but that had backfired. Her dad had been trying to do something important and now his room was ruined and he had passed out from protecting her. What if he never woke up?

She shook the thought as she listened to his sad words. She had no idea he thought of himself like that. That he thought he failed her as a father. He hadn’t been perfect but even then she knew he was trying his best.

He never let her see his real struggle but she could always tell something was wrong.

Charlie was relieved when her dad finally woke up. He allowed her to comfort him and they both started crying again. She knew he wanted to protect her but she wanted to protect him too.

She was surprised when he admitted he didn’t want to deal with anything since he usually tried to take care of things right away. It almost made her laugh. Her dad had always felt out of reach to her. He could handle or do anything and nothing could slow him down. 

It felt very human of him to complain and lay back down. She hoped he acted like this more often in front of her.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer arrived an hour early and began to play his violin. Today’s theme was himself. He played songs that were inspired by his name. How the humans viewed him. He figured he could use a pick me up.

The curse hadn’t dissipated from his room so he’d been stuck in the swamp room all week. He was actually starting to enjoy the ambient noises of the bugs and frogs and whatever else lived in a swamp.

He tried to get Charlie to let him out of the weekly meeting but she insisted that this time would be different. She had spoken to Alastor and he wasn’t allowed to ignore him anymore. Lucifer felt worse that Alastor had to be forced to not only endure his company but to interact with him now.

Sinners were frequenting the bar and lobby more often. Lucifer had noticed the influx was when he started playing the violin. Which was why he started early. He hoped that more people would get used to being around him. Maybe he could make friends other than Alastor. If they were even still friends. Or if they had ever been friends.

No one came into the lounge to talk to Lucifer. They only stayed in the bar or lobby. Some of them did start dancing though.

Lucifer smiled. He was happy that he could cause joy for someone.

Alastor was thirty minutes early. He sat down, not on his side of the loveseat but on Lucifer’s side. His back was ramrod straight. His body was merely an inch away from touching Lucifer’s outstretched leg. 

Lucifer didn’t acknowledge him, just kept playing his piece. 

After their time had officially started, Lucifer couldn’t take it anymore. He stopped playing mid note and let his arms sag a bit at his sides. He had to be mindful of the instrument.

His gaze landed on the back of Alastor’s head.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

Alastor’s head snapped back to look at him with surprise. Their eyes locked.

“I’m,” Lucifer took a deep breath and released it. “I’m not used to meeting new people. Most of the people I talk to, I’ve known since the beginning of Hell. I know everything about them and I don’t have to figure them out at all.” 

Lucifer looked away, into the unlit fireplace. He probably knew the fireplace better than he knew Alastor.

“I noticed that you were upset about something at the cafe and I didn’t say anything,” Lucifer continued. “The least I could have done was ask you about it. I’m sorry, I know I’m a bad friend. I’ll try harder.”

He turned back to Alastor but he just had a blank face. As blank as you could get and still be smiling like a maniac.

Lucifer sat up straight and continued the song from the very note he had cut off. Alastor stared at him but he kept his gaze on the bar. Once the song was over, Lucifer changed to the most complicated song he knew. He didn’t want to think anymore. Just focus on the music. He was so focused that he almost missed what Alastor said.

“I’m sorry.”

The music screeched to a halt. It sounded worse than most of the feedback Alastor put out. Lucifer noticed some of the sinners covering their ears from the noise. 

He looked at Alastor but he had turned his head to look forward. There was a light dusting of red on his cheeks. Everyone turned toward Lucifer when he laughed.

“I’m sorry, Alastor,” he couldn’t stop himself. “I’m not laughing at you.”

His laughter started to turn into sobs as tears threatened to pour from his eyes. He didn’t want to cry in front of everyone. 

Alastor shot up from his seat and blocked the sinners’ view of Lucifer. He grabbed Lucifer’s shoulders and they both dissolved into shadow. They reappeared in Lucifer’s temporary room. He would have tumbled to the floor if Alastor wasn’t holding him.

Alastor held Lucifer tightly against his chest. Lucifer dropped his instrument and grabbed two handfuls of the back of Alastor’s coat. He trembled as he cried in his friend’s arms.

Alastor

Alastor was aware that Lucifer arrived early. He was also aware that more sinners had been showing up in the lobby and bar due to Lucifer’s performances. He wanted to join the angel early as well but he still wasn’t sure what to say. 

Charlie had pulled him aside and asked him what the problem was earlier that week. Alastor had asked her opinion on the rumors and if Lucifer had said anything about them.

She suspected that Lucifer didn’t know about them. He didn’t usually go out into Pentagram City and the hotel gang hadn’t said anything to him about it. As for her thoughts, it didn’t matter what other sinners said about them and if any Overlord wanted to challenge Alastor then the demon could always count on them for backup.

Alastor was touched by her offer, not that he would ever take it. He’d survived this far on his own wit and he would continue to do so. 

Eventually, he walked over to Lucifer before their normal time and sat on Lucifer’s side of the loveseat. They had never voiced it but they had definitely drawn an invisible line between the cushions. 

Lucifer only had one foot on the armrest this time. The other was on the seat cushion that Alastor just sat on. If he leaned to the side, they’d be touching.

The angel didn’t acknowledge him nor stop playing. Alastor was still unsure what to say. He didn’t want to bring up the rumors if Lucifer didn’t know about them.

When their session officially started, Lucifer stopped mid note. 

“I’m sorry,” he spoke softly.

Alastor whipped around to look at him with surprise. What could the angel possibly be sorry for?

“I’m,” Lucifer took a deep breath and released it. “I’m not used to meeting new people. Most of the people I talk to, I’ve known since the beginning of Hell. I know everything about them and I don’t have to figure them out at all.” 

Lucifer looked away, into the unlit fireplace.

“I noticed that you were upset about something at the cafe and I didn’t say anything,” he continued. “The least I could have done was ask you about it. I’m sorry, I know I’m a bad friend. I’ll try harder.”

The angel turned back to look at Alastor but he still wasn’t sure what to say. He could just accept the apology and move on but that felt wrong. He didn’t want to do that to a friend. He wanted to treat Lucifer like a real friend, not someone he was friendly with because of their power. An actual friend that he could trust. Why did he want that?

Lucifer sat up straight and continued the song from the very note he had cut off. Alastor couldn’t tear his gaze away. Why did Lucifer invoke unfamiliar feelings in him? Or any feelings at all? Was it because he was an angel?

“I’m sorry,” Alastor breathed out and quickly turned away to look at the bar.

The music screeched to a halt and caused everyone, even Alastor, to flinch. Several sinners had to cover their ears. 

Alastor was pleasantly surprised to hear Lucifer’s laugh. Even if it was confusing, it was nice to hear.

“I’m sorry, Alastor,” he bit his lip to try to calm down. “I’m not laughing at you.”

The musical laughter changed into a sob. When Alastor turned to look at him, Lucifer looked close to tears. He quickly stood as the other sinners began to approach to get a better look at the action. He stood between them and Lucifer then decided it would be best just to leave. 

Alastor took them back to his room with his shadow. He was careful to pull Lucifer into his embrace so he wouldn’t fall to the floor upon arrival. The pain in the demon’s chest lightened at the contact and he held the angel tighter.

Lucifer dropped his instrument and grabbed two handfuls of the back of Alastor’s coat. His body shook slightly from his silent sobs. Alastor couldn’t help the tears that fell down his own face at watching Lucifer release his pain.

Charlie

Charlie stood on a barstool in an attempt to look over the crowd. They were all there because of the rumors and to listen to her dad play. Vaggie had offered to clear the lobby but that felt too obvious and she didn’t want to draw more attention to their relationship.

They were just sitting next to each other silently despite her telling Alastor to talk to her dad. Charlie looked down at Vaggie for a moment and flinched when the violin screeched. By the time she looked up again, all she saw was Alastor’s back before they both disappeared into his shadow.

Charlie jumped down to try to follow them but Angel stopped her.

“Ah, maybe just leave them alone,” he suggested.

“But what if they’re fighting again?” she looked around anxiously. “They disappeared so suddenly.”

“My money is on makeup-sex,” he smirked and raised a brow suggestively. “Did you see the way Alastor grabbed him?”

“I agree with Angel,” Husk huffed in disgust. “Leave them be for now.”

Charlie grimaced and tried to banish thoughts of them doing anything from her head. She really needed a distraction now that Angel had cursed her with that image.

“You did a good job, babe,” Vaggie took her hands. “I bet they’ll be back to normal in no time.”

She smiled at her girlfriend happily.

“I really hope so.”

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer wasn’t sitting on the loveseat this time. Instead, he was sitting on top of the very same piano that Alastor had used to crush him. They were going to make music together this week. 

They had spent most of the week together rebuilding Lucifer’s room. It was completed for the most part. The ducks he’d made would be forever lost though. Alastor had silently watched him mourn but still had judgy eyes.

Lucifer’s mind wandered to their hug the previous week and he blushed. They had hugged each other for who knows how long. After they had somewhat parted, Lucifer realized that Alastor had cried too. He still smiled though, it was admirable. 

He’d also found out that he had been crashing in Alastor’s room all week. They had made a compromise to share the bed. It was big enough for both of them, without them ever having to touch. It had been years since Lucifer had gotten such good sleep.

Lucifer jerked when the piano began to make noise.

“Lost in thought?” Alastor smirked at him. “Lucifer.”

He looked away with a blush. Alastor always said his name like it was something special.

“Any requests tonight?” Lucifer asked as he readied his violin. “I can play anything.”

“Whatever your heart desires,” Alastor adjusted himself on the seat.

“There’s a lot of nosy sinners tonight,” Lucifer noted with slight annoyance. “Let’s play something they can dance to.”

“I don’t see why we should reward them,” Alastor shot them a sinister glare.

“Oh, it's not a reward,” Lucifer chuckled darkly. He conjured some sheet music for Alastor.

As they played together and the sinners danced, Charlie had the most wonderful idea. This was a good chance for the sinners to get to know each other. She forced them to dance with people outside their own friend groups. There were stepped on toes, arguments and fights breaking out. All stopped by Vaggie and no one was allowed to leave. 

Lucifer couldn’t help but watch Alastor the entire time. The delightfully cruel grin he donned when he realized what Lucifer’s plan was. The way his ears twitched in excitement was so cute. He still didn’t know what upset Alastor all those weeks ago but he was happy now and that’s all that mattered to Lucifer. 

They played well over their hour. Charlie had even been able to dance with a few sinners, to Vaggie’s chagrin.

Alastor

Alastor had decided to somewhat take Rosie’s suggestion in regards to the rumors. He wasn’t planning to date Lucifer but being friends with him should provide some protection. The angel’s friendship was also something he wanted, he may not know why he wanted it, but he did. Alastor had always taken what he wanted before, why not now?

As old as he was, Lucifer knew how to keep the boredom at bay. They had spent most of the week together and it had flown by quickly. The reconstruction of Lucifer’s room had taken the longest but their joint garden project had gotten neglected and needed some touching up as well. 

Alastor had also been tired of sleeping in his radio tower and he asked Lucifer for his bed back. The angel negotiated for half the bed since his room had still been a wreck. It was the first time he had ever slept with someone and the experience hadn’t been unpleasant. 

Lucifer looked deep in thought as he mindlessly kicked his legs on top of the tall piano. He jerked when Alastor played a few keys. 

“Lost in thought?” Alastor smirked at him. “Lucifer.”

The angel looked away with a blush. It always seemed to please him when Alastor called him by name. 

“Any requests tonight?” Lucifer asked as he readied his violin. “I can play anything.”

“Whatever your heart desires,” Alastor adjusted himself on the seat.

“There’s a lot of nosy sinners tonight,” Lucifer noted with annoyance. “Let’s play some stuff they can dance to.”

“I don’t see why we should reward them,” Alastor shot them a murderous glare.

“Oh, it's not a reward,” Lucifer chuckled. He conjured some sheet music for the demon.

As they played, the sinners did begin to dance which made him wonder why Lucifer had said it wouldn’t be a reward. It wasn’t until Charlie involved herself that he finally understood. She made everyone uncomfortable by forcing them to dance with each other. They were ungraceful buffoons and stepped on or bumped into each other constantly. Vaggie had to break up a few fights and stop those that tried to leave.

Lucifer’s pranks may be harmless but they were still entertaining.

Husker

Husk watched the other sinners dance horribly while the King and Alastor played together. They kept glancing at each other while the other wasn't looking.

“They are so obvious,” Angel laughed. “I was kidding about the makeup sex last week but I'm starting to think I was right.”

“Something is going on between them,” Husk reluctantly agreed. “It's hard to imagine the boss actually liking someone though.”

“You think it's a power move?” Angel lifted his glass to indicate he wanted more. “Charlie already owes him a favor. You think he's trying to get one from Short King?”

“If he wanted a favor he would have been nice from the beginning,” Husk mused and refilled his glass. “If those two actually become a couple it would upset the other Overlords, which would make it difficult for the hotel.”

“Fuck, I didn't even consider that,” he grimaced. “Do you think Val will try to use me?”

“Maybe,” Husk shrugged. “Not sure how they'll handle the power balance. Maybe this is why they want to keep it a secret.”

Angel was looking at his drink disdainfully.

“Hey,” Husk reached over the bar to grasp his shoulder. “Whatever happens, I'm here for you.”

They smiled softly at each other.

“Short King would never let anything happen to the hotel,” Angel placed a hand on top of Husk’s. “I'm sure things will be ok.”

“We already survived one impossible feat,” he chuckled. “What's another one?”

Husk really hoped those two had some sort of contingency plan cause they were not hiding their relationship well.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer had gotten permission from Charlie to have their hang out session in his recently rebuilt room. He had to do a lot of research for this one too. Lucifer knew the music and dances of humans and even the centuries they were in but he didn’t know the decades. He had to research not only when Alastor was alive, his best guess was the beginning of the 1900s to the 1920s at least, but also what was popular at the time. 

Alastor hated technology past his time. So his best bet was to play music on the phonograph. It felt too weird to try to use a radio since he was the radio demon. He had a feeling that Alastor would criticize him so the phonograph was the safest option.

Lucifer wanted to dance. He felt like Alastor was the only person who wouldn’t freak out on him if asked. Excluding Charlie, of course. Even if Alastor rejected his dance offer, they could listen to music and drink tea. Or hot chocolate in Lucifer’s case.

A knock on his door took him out of his thoughts. He used magic to open it and was surprised that Charlie stood there.

“Hi, dad,” she closed the door behind her. “I just wanted to see what you were up to today.”

“Just a little music and drinks,” he replied. “Look, I even got a phonograph. That's his time period, right?”

“Yeah, dad,” she giggled. “You couldn't do this downstairs?”

“Well,” he hesitated. “People keep staring at us. Even when it's not a day we hang out. Just chatting in the hallway and they stop to stare.”

“Oh, I didn't realize,” she gasped. “That's why you kept asking to stop the scheduled hangouts.”

“Yeah, we’re friends now,” he twirled his hands around each other. “We can figure out the whole hanging out thing on our own.”

“Ok dad,” she nodded. “Just let me know so I don’t bother you guys.”

“Yeah, no problem,” he hugged her. “Did you, um, want to join us?”

“No!” she shouted quickly and recoiled. 

That was a bit much, Lucifer thought.

“I mean,” she smiled nervously. “Vaggie wants to make dinner together.”

“Alright,” Lucifer returned the nervous smile. “Well, you shouldn’t make her wait.”

“Right,” she headed for the door. “See you later, dad.”

“Bye, honey,” he walked her out.

When he opened the door, Alastor was about to knock.

“Good evening,” he greeted. “Oh Charlie, dear! Are you joining us?”

“No,” she crossed her arms to form an x shape as she walked past him. “Vaggie and I have a thing, byeeeeeee.”

Charlie power walked away like she was trying to escape. They watched until she disappeared down the stairs.

“That was weird, right?” Lucifer asked.

“That was odd,” Alastor agreed and walked past Lucifer into the room.

He closed the door and used magic to start the music. 

“Oooh, excellent choice,” Alastor admired the phonograph.

Lucifer stood close behind him. He put one foot forward and held out one hand. Ready to ask for dance. What if he didn’t turn around?

He thanked his lucky stars that Alastor turned and noticed him.

“Oh my,” he made his cane disappear and took Lucifer’s hand. “I would love to.”

He pulled Lucifer toward him to spin him a few times then dipped him. Making what he wanted clear.

“You can lead,” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “You could've just asked.”

“That's not as entertaining,” he led them into a waltz. “And I got to see how nimble my king is.”

They danced peacefully for a few songs.

Alastor was smiling off into space. Thinking about something or maybe not thinking of anything at all. He looked relaxed at least.

“I never ended up asking,” Lucifer looked up at him.

Alastor’s ears perked up as he looked down.

“What happened at the cafe that made you so distant?” He asked. “Did I do something?”

“You did nothing wrong,” Alastor looked away and hesitated. “What would you do, if I choose not to answer? Would you find out for yourself?”

“I guess that depends on you,” Lucifer replied. “Do you want me to find out for myself or did you not want me to know at all?”

Alastor stayed quiet for a while and eventually stopped dancing. They just stood there holding each other.

“I would prefer it if you didn't know,” Alastor answered, almost reluctantly.

“Ok, I'll leave it be then,” Lucifer tilted his head to the side. “Next time though, just let me know if something upset you instead of ignoring me.”

“I believe I can manage that,” Alastor started leading again.

Lucifer smiled up at him, joy making his heart leap.

Alastor

Alastor was relieved that they would be in private for their next session. The other sinners were always staring at them. They learned the hard way that they couldn’t take photos of the King of Hell but they could commit the details to memory or modify it however they saw fit. He was simply tired of it.

Rosie kept him up to date on the latest rumors. The quick turn they took was amusing. It went from Alastor being Lucifer’s dog to Lucifer being Alastor’s dog. It didn’t matter which way it went though, the threat of the other Overlords was still present. He still didn’t want the angel to find out about them, it would likely only upset him. Lucifer had already suffered enough.

Alastor raised his hand to knock and was surprised when Lucifer’s door opened before he made contact. It seemed like Lucifer was walking Charlie out.

“Good evening,” he greeted. “Oh Charlie, dear! Are you joining us?”

“No,” she crossed her arms to form an x shape as she walked past him. “Vaggie and I have a thing, byeeeeeee.”

Charlie power walked away like she was trying to escape. They watched together until she disappeared down the stairs.

“That was weird, right?” Lucifer asked.

“That was odd,” Alastor agreed and walked past Lucifer into the room.

Despite Alastor’s insistence to her, she believed the rumors that they were secretly dating. She likely didn’t want to intrude on their evening or watch her father flirt.

“Oooh, excellent choice,” Alastor admired the phonograph. The sound came out so clearly, this phonograph was definitely well made.

When Alastor turned, Lucifer was waiting behind him with an outstretched arm, a clear invitation to dance. 

“Oh my,” he dismissed his cane. “I would love to.”

The demon pulled Lucifer toward him to spin him a few times then dipped him. He was surprised that the angel elegantly fell into step with him. 

“You can lead,” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “You could've just asked.”

“That's not as entertaining,” Alastor led them into a waltz. “I got to see how nimble my king is.”

They danced peacefully for a few songs.

Alastor simply enjoyed the music. He knew every song that played. Lucifer had put in considerable effort to match the demon’s taste. He wondered how long it took the angel to set this up. 

“I never ended up asking,” Lucifer started.

Alastor looked down to meet his eyes.

“What happened at the cafe that made you so distant?” The angel asked. “Did I do something?”

“You did nothing wrong,” Alastor looked away and hesitated. He figured that Lucifer would inquire about it eventually but he had hoped the angel would forget. “What would you do, if I choose not to answer? Would you find out for yourself?”

“I guess that depends on you,” Lucifer replied. “Do you want me to find out for myself or did you not want me to know at all?”

Alastor stayed quiet for a while and eventually stopped dancing. They just stood there holding each other. 

Would it be better for Lucifer to know about the rumors? It's not like either of them could do anything about it. The current rumors were also very negative about the angel. Sinners thought that because he was open to the radio demon that he would be easy to get into bed. He’d tell Lucifer when the rumors calmed down or changed, no need to upset him now.

“I would prefer it, if you didn't know,” Alastor answered.

“Ok, I'll leave it be then,” Lucifer tilted his head to the side. “Next time though, just let me know if something upset you instead of ignoring me.”

“I believe I can manage that,” Alastor started leading again. He was mildly surprised that the angel had agreed so easily.

Alastor felt all his tension and anxiety melt away with Lucifer’s warm smile.

Charlie

Charlie could not walk away fast enough. She just wanted to check up on her dad before their scheduled time. It's not like she didn't trust him at this point. 

She had been surprised when she entered the room. The lights were dimmed and the fireplace had been roaring. There was a cart with various sweets, meats and drinks. He had even set up a phonograph. Her dad had set a very romantic mood. There was no way Alastor wouldn't swoon when he saw it.

Maybe it was best that they plan their own dates rather than sit in the lounge together. She may be accepting of their relationship but that didn't mean she wanted to watch them flirt. Or touch. Or even kiss.

She needed to find Vaggie and look up cute videos to get her mind off it.

A new thought ran across her imagination and she cringed. She needed to stop listening to Angel.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer flew around the small football field and ensured everything was ready for the game. He was in the form of a tiny bird and wore a referee shirt and matching tophat. Alastor and Charlie were the coaches for the opposing teams.

Once he was sure everything was in its proper place, he flew down and landed on one of Alastor’s antlers. It was technically touching him and Lucifer usually tried to avoid that but it was a tempting perch. No one would approach him if he was on top of the radio demon. The fact that Alastor didn’t immediately shoo him away filled him with relief. 

Alastor had removed his jacket and pulled his hair back into a ponytail. It made him more dazzling than usual. 

Lucifer preened his wings while he waited.

“Lucifer, let’s make a deal,” Alastor said as he held a finger up to Lucifer.

He carefully grabbed the finger with one claw before hopping over completely. Alastor slowly lowered him to eye level.

“Shouldn’t you be prepping your team?” Lucifer asked with a head tilt.

“I’ve already given instruction,” Alastor raised his hand to gently scratch the bird’s neck. “I realize your daughter is on the other team. I simply want to even out the playing field.”

“Oh?” Lucifer smirked. “You think I’m going to cheat on my daughter’s behalf?”

“I know you will,” his fingers gently patted the bird’s back. “I have fresh ingredients to make a delicious apple pie. If you allow us to cheat as much as Charlie’s team then I’ll save you a slice.”

Lucifer’s feathers puffed up in anger and his wings swatted Alastor’s hand away.

“I’m not going to let you or anyone cheat,” he glared and pointed an accusing wing at him. “Charlie would never allow that on her team.”

“Charlie can only control the sinners so much,” Alastor chuckled. “I made sure to pick out the sweetest of apples.”

Alastor slowly reached for him again and smoothed the puffed out feathers.

“Hmm, fine,” Lucifer agreed. “If they cheat I will let you get away with some stuff but keep it lowkey. If it’s too obvious I have to call it out.”

“Deal?” Alastor held out one finger to the tiny bird.

“If we make a deal then everyone will see it,” Lucifer shook his head with a chuckle. “We’ll just have to trust each other.”

“I suppose so,” he sighed and held Lucifer against his chest. He continued to pet him absentmindedly. 

Lucifer flew off when Charlie signaled that they were ready. He watched the action of the flag football game from above. The main cheater on Charlie’s team was Husk. Alastor’s team was actually playing clean, Alastor himself on the other hand used his shadow to trip a few sinners. Neither of which were big enough for him to call out, besides he wanted that pie.

He used his magic to take a bunch of pictures with his phone. They could use this light hearted game as an advertisement later. He made sure to get a few of Alastor as well, for personal purposes. He doubted he’d ever see him sans jacket with his hair up again. It could make good blackmail.

Every time there was a break, Lucifer would return to Alastor’s antler or hand. Depending on what Alastor would offer. He would hold Lucifer close to his chest to pet him. A few sinners were brave enough to approach Alastor and asked Lucifer if they could pet him too but he turned them down and Alastor’s menacing grin sent them running off. 

During the last break, Alastor held him up to face level again. Lucifer was laying in the palm of his hand.

“I will give you the whole apple pie, if you allow me to get away with one last thing,” Alastor scratched his neck again.

“I better get this pie after the game,” Lucifer countered, his feathers slightly puffing up again.

“As soon as the game is over, I will take you to the kitchen and prepare your pie,” Alastor promised.

“Ok but it still can’t be obvious,” Lucifer agreed.

Alastor just gave him an amused smile and hugged him gently.

Lucifer flew off again and watched as Alastor’s shadow untied the shoelaces for all members of Charlie’s team. That wasn’t obvious at all, he thought with a small smile. He really wanted that pie though. The peach cobbler had been heavenly, he could only imagine what the apple pie would taste like. Alastor knew how to play him like a fiddle.

The play started and almost all of Charlie’s team collapsed from untied shoelaces. Lucifer couldn’t help but laugh as they toppled over while Alastor’s team scored. Charlie gestured for Lucifer to fly down as she approached Alastor. She looked annoyed. Lucifer landed in Alastor’s awaiting hands.

“Dad, you’re not going to call that?” she demanded in a sweet tone.

“I would love to sweetie but I didn’t see when it happened or even who did it,” Lucifer tilted his head innocently. “Did you see anything?”

“No,” her shoulders slumped.

“That’s bullshit!” Vaggie yelled. “Our entire team just happened to forget to tie their shoes. Obviously Alastor had something to do with it.”

“I can’t penalize him if I don’t know it was him,” Lucifer tried not to smirk.

“Are you seriously taking Alastor’s side right now?” Vaggie demanded as she gestured toward Alastor.

“Of course not,” he shook his head vigorously. “It just wouldn’t be fair to falsely accuse.”

Vaggie threw her hands up and walked away.

“I guess we’ll end the game there,” Charlie grimaced and chased after her. He felt a little guilty for lying to her.

After a bit of cleanup, Lucifer returned to Alastor’s hands.

“To the kitchen,” Lucifer demanded.

“Why don’t you change back and we can walk,” Alastor suggested but held Lucifer against his chest anyway.

“You promised to take me to the kitchen and make me an apple pie,” Lucifer relaxed completely against him. “I expect to be carried for all my hard work.”

“And what a splendid liar you make,” Alastor chuckled.

“I fucking knew it,” Vaggie shouted from behind them.

Charlie jumped out in front of them.

“Dad, did you seriously sell me out for an apple pie?” she demanded with annoyance.

“Uuuh, Alastor, quick, into the shadows,” Lucifer commanded, he pushed his small body frantically against Alastor’s chest.

Alastor laughed maniacally as he did as instructed.

“As per our deal, your special pie,” Alastor placed the whole pie tin in front of Lucifer.

Everyone else got a single slice from the other pies Alastor had baked as an apology.

“It better not be special like your jambalaya,” Lucifer teased.

“Hmm maybe,” Alastor replied cryptically.

“You know,” Angel said around a forkful. “I understand why Lucifer would betray his daughter for this pie.”

“I didn’t betray her,” Lucifer huffed. “Both sides were cheating anyway.”

Without waiting another moment, Lucifer took a bite of his own pie and moaned delightfully. He took another bite and moaned again.

“This is so good,” he complimented.

Alastor slapped Angel’s fork away from Lucifer’s pie.

“Ah ah,” he smirked. “I made a promise. A special pie, only for Lucifer.”

“This pie is almost good enough to sell my soul for,” Lucifer joked.

“I will have to try harder next time then,” Alastor replied.

“Please do,” Lucifer grinned up at him happily.

Alastor

Alastor looked around in awe at the football field and stadium that Lucifer had constructed that morning. Charlie wanted to play a fun game of flag football in the garden but Lucifer didn’t want to ruin the flowers so he made a new area for it.

In anticipation of the heat, Alastor had removed his jacket and wore his hair up but it seemed that Lucifer had already put up the cooling spell. He briefly wondered what it would be like to make anything the mind could conceive before brushing it off.

Everyone that wanted to participate in the game had to draw lots to see what position they would hold. The only exception was Lucifer, who Charlie made the referee so he could still participate and to keep the game balanced. Everyone in Hell could go up against Lucifer and he’d still win. Charlie had drawn the lot for the coach position and Alastor had threatened the other poor sinner that drew it as well. Everyone else drew for different positions on the field.

He had already instructed his team to play fair and that he would allow no cheating from them. Since Lucifer was the referee, it would be difficult to get anything past him. Alastor’s intention was to bribe him instead. He couldn’t allow them to cheat when he knew he could do it better.

Lucifer would likely let his daughter’s team get away with murder. He would simply level the playing field. He just needed a way to get Lucifer to approach him. Alastor would go to the angel but he was in the form of a small bird and flying around, doing last minute checks on everything. He considered bird feed but he suspected that might offend Lucifer. He’d have to try that another day.

To Alastor’s surprise and delight, Lucifer landed on one of his antlers. He would have thought Lucifer would prefer to be with his daughter. Perhaps it was because his antler was similar to a branch or he simply wanted to be high up.

Alastor felt Lucifer move and shift though he was unsure what the little bird was doing.

“Lucifer, let’s make a deal,” Alastor said and offered Lucifer his finger to perch on.

He felt one small claw grab his finger before Lucifer shifted his weight and held on tightly with both claws. Alastor was careful to lower him to eye level. 

Lucifer’s top feathers were a similar color to his hair while the inner feathers were red. His face was still white with his red cheeks. He wore a referee shirt with a matching tophat. Alastor would never say it outloud but Lucifer was absolutely adorable in this form.

“Shouldn’t you be prepping your team?” Lucifer asked with a cute head tilt.

“I’ve already given instruction,” Alastor couldn’t resist scratching the bird’s neck. The angel leaned into the touch. “I realize your daughter is on the other team. I simply want to even out the playing field.”

“Oh?” Lucifer smirked. “You think I’m going to cheat on my daughter’s behalf?”

“I know you will,” his fingers gently patted Lucifer's back. He felt the tiny body relax from his ministrations. “I have fresh ingredients to make a delicious apple pie. If you allow us to cheat as much as Charlie’s team then I’ll save you a slice.”

Lucifer’s feathers puffed up and he swatted the demon’s hand away in anger. Alastor resisted the urge to laugh, he was just too cute.

“I’m not going to let you or anyone cheat,” he glared and pointed an accusing wing at him. “Charlie would never allow that on her team.”

“Charlie can only control the sinners so much,” Alastor released a soft chuckle. “I made sure to pick out the sweetest of apples.”

Alastor cautiously touched Lucifer again. When he wasn’t rejected, he began to smooth out the puffy feathers. They were so soft.

“Hmm, fine,” Lucifer agreed, almost too easily. “If they cheat I will let you get away with some stuff but keep it lowkey. If it’s too obvious I have to call it out.”

“Deal?” Alastor held out one finger to the tiny bird.

“If we make a deal then everyone will see it,” Lucifer shook his head with a chuckle. “We’ll just have to trust each other.”

“I suppose so,” he sighed. He couldn’t argue with Lucifer’s logic, trust was hard to come by in Hell but it was low stakes. Alastor held the tiny bird against his chest when he noticed the other sinners staring at them. He pet Lucifer until Charlie signaled the start of the game.

Lucifer was quick to take to the skies and watch the sinners from up above. Would Lucifer be upset if he compared the angel to god? Likely, that would also have to wait for another time.

True to his word, Lucifer didn’t call out Alastor’s shadow. It roamed the field and tripped sinners strategically. He could see some of the dirty tricks Husk was pulling on Charlie’s side and was pleased that his own team was still playing fair.

Alastor was surprised that Lucifer would return to him for every break. At first landing on his antler but then landing on his palm if Alastor held it out for him. He cradled Lucifer to his chest and felt a pleasant warmth each time the bird relaxed against him. Alastor felt his own tension ease as he petted the small bird. 

A few sinners bravely approached Alastor despite the glares he sent their way. They’d ask if they could pet Lucifer. The angel politely declined but when they tried to insist Alastor would allow some of his power to leak out and frighten them away.

It didn’t take long for Alastor to realize that Lucifer chose to be with him because other sinners were too scared to approach. If he was with Charlie, he’d have to turn down a lot more sinners and his daughter might have even convinced him to allow the petting. 

Lucifer trusted him for protection. Even for something so small, Alastor couldn’t help but feel prideful. Only he was allowed to not only hold but to pet Lucifer. 

During the final break, Alastor decided to enact his master plan. He raised Lucifer to eye level again. He blinked his eyes tiredly as he looked at the demon. Had he almost fallen asleep?

“I will give you the whole apple pie, if you allow me to get away with one last thing,” Alastor scratched his neck to butter him up.

“I better get this pie after the game,” Lucifer countered, his feathers slightly puffing up again.

“As soon as the game is over, I will take you to the kitchen and prepare your pie,” Alastor promised.

“Ok but it still can’t be obvious,” Lucifer agreed.

Alastor just gave him an amused smile and hugged him gently. He looked so precious when his feathers were puffy.

Lucifer flew off once all the players were in position. Alastor used his shadow to untie all the shoelaces of the opposing team. It was obvious but the demon could tell how much Lucifer wanted that pie. He’d likely come up with something to cover it up.

Alastor laughed in delight as all the players on Charlie’s team toppled over themselves. Without missing a beat, his own team continued to play until they scored.

Charlie gave him a slightly annoyed look as she waltzed over to him. She made a gesture to the sky and Lucifer flew down. Alastor offered his palm and was delighted when Lucifer landed on it without hesitation. 

“Dad, you’re not going to call that?” she demanded in a sweet tone.

“I would love to sweetie but I didn’t see when it happened or even who did it,” Lucifer tilted his head innocently. “Did you see anything?”

Lucifer was not a very good liar.

“No,” her shoulders slumped. She was too kind to accuse him without proof.

“That’s bullshit!” Vaggie yelled. “Our entire team just happened to forget to tie their shoes. Obviously Alastor had something to do with it.”

“I can’t penalize him if I don’t know it was him,” Lucifer's smile twitched as he tried not to smirk.

“Are you seriously taking Alastor’s side right now?” Vaggie demanded as she gestured toward the demon.

“Of course not,” he shook his tiny bird head vigorously. “It just wouldn’t be fair to falsely accuse.”

Vaggie threw her hands up and walked away.

“I guess we’ll end the game there,” Charlie grimaced and chased after her.

Lucifer flew off to perform some quick cleanup then returned to Alastor’s hands.

“To the kitchen,” Lucifer demanded.

“Why don’t you change back and we can walk,” Alastor suggested but held Lucifer against his chest anyway. He didn’t actually want to let go but he wanted Lucifer to admit his desire to be carried.

“You promised to take me to the kitchen and make me an apple pie,” Lucifer relaxed completely against him. “I expect to be carried for all my hard work.”

“And what a splendid liar you make,” Alastor chuckled.

“I fucking knew it,” Vaggie shouted from behind them.

Charlie jumped out in front of them.

“Dad, did you seriously sell me out for an apple pie?” she demanded with annoyance.

“Uuuh, Alastor, quick, into the shadows,” Lucifer commanded, he pushed his small body frantically against Alastor’s chest.

Alastor laughed maniacally as he did as instructed.

“As per our deal, your special pie,” Alastor placed an entire pie tin in front of Lucifer.

He had anticipated getting caught and had made a few pies so that everyone could have a slice. It was easier than apologizing.

“It better not be special like your jambalaya,” Lucifer teased.

“Hmm maybe,” Alastor replied cryptically.

“You know,” Angel said around a forkful. “I understand why Lucifer would betray his daughter for this pie.”

“I didn’t betray her,” Lucifer huffed. “Both sides were cheating anyway.”

Lucifer was quick to descend on his pie. He moaned happily with each bite.

“This is so good,” he complimented.

Alastor noticed that Angel was trying to steal Lucifer’s pie when the angel wasn’t looking. He easily slapped the fork away.

“Ah ah,” he smirked. “I made a promise. A special pie, only for Lucifer.”

“This pie is almost good enough to sell my soul for,” Lucifer joked.

“I will have to try harder next time then,” Alastor replied.

“Please do,” Lucifer grinned up at him happily.

The rumors were going to be so much worse later and Alastor found that he did not care. As long as Lucifer was smiling.

Vaggie

Vaggie didn’t grouch when she noticed Alastor’s shadow on the field since Husk and a few others were cheating too. The king was likely letting it go since they were small interferences that would just interrupt the game. It was supposed to be for fun after all.

But she couldn’t hold it in when the entire team, including her, toppled over from untied shoelaces. It was just too obvious and yet Lucifer didn't do anything.

Charlie ended up calling for a meeting and Vaggie approached as the King was defending Alastor. She knew they were all buddy-buddy now but to pick the Radio Demon over his own daughter.

“That’s bullshit!” Vaggie screamed. “Our entire team just happened to forget to tie their shoes. Obviously Alastor had something to do with it.”

“I can’t penalize him if I don’t know it was him,” the King was attempting not to smirk.

“Are you seriously taking Alastor’s side right now?” she demanded, hoping that reminding him that he was going against his daughter would get his head out of his ass.

“Of course not,” he shook his head. “It just wouldn’t be fair to falsely accuse.”

Vaggie threw her hands up in frustration and walked away. Maybe she needed to look into their relationship more closely. She hid the bleachers and watched those two idiots closely.

“Vaggie, I know you’re upset,” Charlie crouched to join her. “But it’s just a game and everyone was having fun.”

“Doesn’t it worry you that he picked Alastor over you?” Vaggie asked with a serious tone. “Even if it is just a game, he should always put you first.”

“I’m sure there’s some explanation for that,” her girlfriend deflated and chewed her bottom lip.

“Shh, they’re passing by,” Vaggie turned her head and cupped her ear so she could hear them better.

“You promised to take me to the kitchen and make me an apple pie,” the King demanded. “I expect to be carried for all my hard work.”

“And what a splendid liar you make,” Alastor chuckled.

He threw them under the bus for a fucking apple pie!

“I fucking knew it,” Vaggie shouted and she jump out from behind the bleacher.

“Dad, did you seriously sell me out for an apple pie?” Charlie glared at them angrily as she jumped out on the other side of them.

She hadn’t thought that her girlfriend would get that upset. Her demonic features distracted her from her true target.

Alastor laughed hysterically as he took Lucifer into the shadows to escape.

Fuck!

Vaggie ate her pie slice begrudgingly and hated the thought that maybe it was worth losing for. She still thought they should take Alastor’s win from him but Charlie let it go when Alastor presented her a second slice. The bastard knew how to handle the two Morningstars too well.

It should be illegal how delicious the pie was. She wondered if she could get a second slice by complaining.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

It was finally happening. The clouds were gathering and threatening to pour acid rain all over the city. Lucifer briefly felt bad for the other inhabitants but pushed it aside as he stared out the window. He was bouncing with excitement.

It had taken a few days but they got the rain pentagram working. They’d simply been waiting for the next acid rainstorm. He planned to drag Charlie outside to play. Maybe Alastor too. He wondered how angry Alastor would get at being wet. Maybe he would look like a wet cat.

His excitement dimmed when he remembered that Alastor was out and about doing whatever. Lucifer hoped he’d return soon so they could show off their teamwork together. Charlie was happier when they worked on things together. Or maybe Alastor was just better at talking to Charlie than he was. The thought didn’t irk him as much as it used to.

Lucifer waited about twenty minutes after the rain started to grab Charlie and only then because she was about to return to her room with Vaggie. They were saying goodnight to Husk, Angel and Niffty in the bar.

“Has anyone seen Alastor?” He asked hopefully and was disappointed when they shook their heads. “We really wanted to show you this together but I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Did you two work on something else together?” Charlie asked with an excited smile.

The outside area had been a huge success. Everyone in the hotel loved it and some came to seek redemption just so they could use the facilities.

“Yes!” Lucifer matched her excitement. “I never would have finished it without Alastor.”

He took Charlie’s hand to lead her outside, everyone else followed cautiously behind them. The awning over the front door protected them from the onslaught of rain.

“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow,” Charlie smiled nervously. “It’s supposed to be sunny.”

“I can only show it off when it rains,” Lucifer dragged her to the very edge and they looked down the hill together. He was hoping to see a devilish smirk in the twilight.

“It’s not dangerous, right?” Vaggie grabbed Charlie’s other hand like she would wrench her back if something bad happened.

“Can’t be any safer,” Lucifer smiled then his expression turned contemplative. “Well, I guess you could slide down the hill by accident but I’m sure it’ll be fine.” He waved his hand nonchalantly.

“I hope you don’t plan to show off our work alone,” Alastor suddenly materialized next to him. A smug smile on his face.

“Alastor!” Lucifer smiled happily and released Charlie to face him. “Perfect timing as always.”

“I knew you’d be impatient so I had to rush to get back,” Alastor gave him a questioning look as Lucifer almost touched him with his palms.

“Glad you can make it,” Lucifer’s smile turned roguish as he used a small amount of power to shove Alastor into the rain first. He stumbled backward then slipped on mud and landed on his butt with a splat.

Lucifer was only able to get out one “hah” before he noticed a tentacle wrap around his leg. “Well shit,” his leg was pulled and he was dragged on his back through the mud. He sat up with a grimace.

They glared at each other for a few moments before they both started laughing hysterically.

“Look at your ears,” Lucifer fell backwards into the mud again as he laughed and clutched his stomach. “You look like a wet dog.”

“At least I’m not rolling around in the mud like a pig,” Alastor snapped and stood, only to slip again and land on his hands and knees.

“Oink oink,” Lucifer transformed into a pig. “Now I look natural.”

“It’s… not acid,” Charlie exclaimed with wonder. “It’s water.”

“Holy shit,” Angel walked out completely and looked up.

Lucifer changed back and carefully stood up. He leaned down to help Alastor steady himself. It reminded him of a baby deer learning to walk.

Everyone in their group was standing under the rain and looking around with awe.

“I’ve tried for centuries to make this for you,” Lucifer returned to Charlie and grabbed her hands. “I always wanted you to see real rain. Alastor, being as nosy as he is, found out during one of our hangouts and decided to help me.” Lucifer brought one finger up to his lips. “I asked him to keep it a secret so I could surprise you.”

“Is that what you guys were always whispering about?” Vaggie held her hands out to catch the raindrops. 

“Maybe,” Alastor piped up before he could answer. “It was definitely one of the things we discussed.”

“Dad, Alastor, this is amazing!” Charlie shouted and spun around while looking up. “Is this for all of Pentagram City?”

Lucifer grimaced. “Uh noooo, the pentagram ends after the fence.”

“Anything beyond that is the usual acid,” Alastor continued. “Considering how long it took us to make the pentagram around the hotel, it would be difficult to cover the entire city.”

“Just another reason why sinners should seek redemption,” Lucifer added. “We have to add it to the amenities list.”

“Oooh what if we make a pamphlet,” Charlie started jumping in place. “Vaggie, let’s get started on that after.”

“An excellent idea,” Alastor agreed.

Lucifer felt the collar of his shirt being tugged back before something cold and slimy slid down his back. Alastor had shoved mud down his shirt.

Alastor laughed loudly as he tried to escape but Lucifer snapped and a small avalanche of mud fell from the sky on him. His teeth clenched in anger and disgust. He grabbed a glob of mud and launched it at Lucifer, who was too busy laughing to dodge it. It splattered on the side of his face.

“This is war!” Lucifer declared and prepared himself for a long battle with which there would never be a winner.

Alastor

Alastor rushed through the streets of Pentagram City, trying to get back to the hotel quickly. He already knew that Lucifer would not wait for him to show off their work. It wouldn’t be malicious, Lucifer was just impatient. He preferred instant gratification. 

They had spent the majority of the week together working on the garden. Lucifer had informed him that the rain pentagram was done and they spent a few days drawing it. There had been a few setbacks but they eventually got it to work. Lucifer had looked so proud and excited when it was completed.

Another reason for rushing was that Alastor was not ready to travel in the acid rain. There had been no indication that it would rain that day so he’d gone out without an umbrella. Normally that would not be a problem and he’d just stay the night in the city but he wanted to get home so they could show off their rain pentagram together.

It was twilight and the shadows were long. He should be able to travel through them long enough to not get burned. He was still twenty minutes from the hotel as the rain started. He felt a few drops burn him occasionally but nothing he couldn’t quickly heal.

He was relieved when he saw the hotel gang just emerge from the hotel as he reached the base of the hill. He was finally safe from the acid. He used his shadow to travel the rest of the way up.

“Can’t be any safer,” Lucifer smiled then his expression turned contemplative. “Well, I guess you could slide down the hill by accident but I’m sure it’ll be fine.” He waved his hand nonchalantly.

“I hope you don’t plan to show off our work alone,” Alastor smiled smugly as he materialized behind the angel. 

“Alastor!” Lucifer smiled happily and released Charlie to face him. “Perfect timing as always.”

“I knew you’d be impatient so I had to rush to get back,” Alastor stated then gave Lucifer’s hands a questioning look. The angel’s palms hovered near him but didn’t touch.

“Glad you can make it,” Lucifer’s smile turned roguish as Alastor felt power emanating from the angel’s palms. He was forced backward and his foot slipped. The mud splashed everywhere when he landed on his bottom. His pants were soaked and cold.

In retaliation, Alastor wrapped a tentacle around Lucifer’s ankle while he laughed and tugged. The angel was only able to let out “Well shit” before getting dragged on his back through the mud. He sat up with a grimace.

Their eyes locked as they glared at each other. Their lips twitched a few times before they both started laughing hysterically.

“Look at your ears,” Lucifer fell backwards into the mud again as he laughed and clutched his stomach. “You look like a wet dog.”

“At least I’m not rolling around in the mud like a pig,” Alastor snapped and stood, only to slip again and land on his hands and knees.

“Oink oink,” Lucifer transformed into a pig. “Now I look natural.”

As natural as a white pig with red cheeks could look.

“It’s… not acid,” Charlie exclaimed with wonder. “It’s water.”

“Holy shit,” Angel walked out completely and looked up.

Lucifer changed back and stood with little difficulty. He had even leaned down to help Alastor up. He supposed being short was an advantage for the angel. His center of gravity was lower and made it easier to balance. 

Everyone in their group was standing under the rain and looking around with awe.

“I’ve tried for centuries to make this for you,” Lucifer returned to Charlie and grabbed her hands. “I always wanted you to see real rain. Alastor, being as nosy as he is, found out during one of our hangouts and decided to help me.” Lucifer brought one finger up to his lips. “I asked him to keep it a secret so I could surprise you.”

“Is that what you guys were always whispering about?” Vaggie held her hands out to catch the raindrops. 

“Maybe,” Alastor smirked at her. “It was definitely one of the things we discussed.”

Vaggie glared back at him.

“Dad, Alastor, this is amazing!” Charlie shouted and spun around while looking up. “Is this for all of Pentagram City?”

Lucifer grimaced. “Uh noooo, the pentagram ends after the fence.”

“Anything beyond that is the usual acid,” Alastor continued. “Considering how long it took us to make the pentagram around the hotel, it would be difficult to cover the entire city.”

“Just another reason why sinners should seek redemption,” Lucifer added. “We have to add it to the amenities list.”

“Oooh what if we make a pamphlet,” Charlie started jumping in place. “Vaggie, let’s get started on that after.”

“An excellent idea,” Alastor agreed.

While Lucifer was distracted by his daughter, Alastor collected some mud with a tentacle. He quickly pulled the angel’s shirt collar backward and shoved what he could down his back. Alastor laughed as he made a hasty retreat before Lucifer could retaliate. Unfortunately, he hadn’t anticipated that Lucifer would simply conjure mud above him to rain down in globs.

Lucifer was too busy laughing to notice him grabbing a glob and throwing it at him. It hit him directly on the cheek and he blinked owlishly before shouting.

“This is war!” Lucifer declared.

Alastor had little time to prepare for the onslaught that the angel threw his way. He didn’t plan to lose this fight, though he was sure there wouldn’t be a winner.

Niffty

Niffty ran around the battlefield and pelted everyone with mud balls, as Alastor had instructed her. Most of the sinners staying at the hotel had come out to join them. It was absolute madness and she cackled with glee with every direct hit.

Occasionally, she got hit but it didn’t matter to her as she used the mud to her maneuvering advantage. She only had to be careful to avoid the dead zone. That’s where the ultimate bad boy and Alastor were locked in combat.

The King was using his wings to fly around Alastor’s tendrils to get close and nail him with mud balls. He couldn’t dodge all the mud that Alastor was slinging his way though. They were both equally covered in mud and anyone that dared to approach was buried immediately. The fight was exciting to watch!

Chapter Text

Lucifer

“Do you think you two could share the loveseat?” Charlie gave them a pleading look.

“It's a loveseat, sweetie,” Lucifer gave her a strained smile. He didn't want to say no but he really didn't want to sit so close to anyone. “It only fits two people.”

Charlie planned a movie night. They had brought all the seating into the lounge and arranged it. They had even put down pillows and blankets in case people wanted to sit on the floor.

Lucifer had shown up early to help and to claim their usual loveseat.

“Dad, you two are skinny enough to fit on one seat,” she rationalized. 

“We can share the loveseat,” Alastor talked over Lucifer and shot him a sickly sweet smile. “Let's be considerate of the other residents.”

Lucifer frowned and glared at Alastor.

“Did you get possessed?” he asked sarcastically. 

“Great, thanks Al,” Charlie smiled, waved and walked away.

“Ugh, I get the arm,” Lucifer stated. “You, move over here.”

They were both on either side of the loveseat.

“I’m quite comfortable,” Alastor smirked at him. He patted the spot next to him.

“You're a jerk,” Lucifer looked away and crossed his arms petulantly.

“Lucifer,” Alastor said his name slowly. “Please sit next to me.”

He sighed and got up. Without looking at Alastor he sat down next to him. Alastor had an arm above Lucifer. They were close but not touching.

Alastor was smiling triumphantly.

Lucifer stole the bucket of kettle corn Alastor was holding and conjured up a soda. Something about movies made him crave both. He left them floating in the air in front of him. He liked the idea of going to a theater but because it's Hell they were all porn related. He had one in the palace but it just felt empty by himself. He wasn’t about to let random sinners in the palace either.

He glanced at Alastor. Lucifer wondered what he would do if he had access to the palace. Probably something bad.

Angel and Husk ended up next to them. It would have been tight if Angel wasn’t practically sitting in Husk’s lap. When had those two gotten so close? Angel still occasionally brushed against Lucifer. His fur was really soft.

“Do you condition your fur or something?” he asked curiously. “It’s so soft.”

“You should feel my chest fluff,” Angel laughed. “I have some good products I could recommend, if you’re interested.”

“Nah, this is all I got,” Lucifer gestured to his head. “Can I touch your chest fluff?”

“You can touch me wherever you want, short king,” Angel ran his hands through his hair suggestively while his second set of hands ran down his body and he puffed out his chest.

Lucifer reached up to run his hand through the fluff but a loud burst of radio static stopped him for a moment. It was so quick Lucifer was left wondering if he’d heard it at all. Angel’s and Husk’s confused faces mirrored his own. He shrugged and touched the fluff.

“Holy shit,” Lucifer’s eyes widened as he squeezed the fluff. “I’ve never felt anything so soft.”

“Yeah,” Angel swallowed nervously. “Thanks.”

That seemed weird, he thought as he pulled away. Had he made it awkward?

Lucifer got distracted when the lights turned off. Movie time, he thought. He was excited to watch a movie with a group. He liked being unnoticeable in a crowd. 

Alastor crossed his legs, one leg hovering over Lucifer’s knees. It kinda reminded him of a safety rail at his theme park.

As the movie started, Lucifer leaned fully back and munched on his kettle corn. He was still a little tense being so close to two sinners but he tried to ignore it.

He coughed to hide the displeased noise he involuntarily made. This was Lilith’s favorite movie, he’d seen it a million times with her. It was an enemy to lovers, romcom. It wasn’t a bad movie but he hadn’t wanted to think about Lilith.

Lucifer glanced down at his wedding ring as the opening played. He wasn’t sad about Lilith leaving him anymore, he was just lonely. They had been together for so long that he forgot how to be by himself. He wondered if he had ever really been by himself. Before Lilith, he’d always been around the other Seraphim. Even if they had undermined his ideas, they were still there for him.

He was pulled from his thoughts when Alastor whispered into his ear.

“This is the perfect opportunity for her to kill him,” he said so quietly that Lucifer had to strain to hear him.

Lucifer tried to giggle quietly. He shoved kettle corn in his mouth to help.

“He should have just let her fall and be done with it,” Alastor said with annoyance at a different scene.

“Some people don’t think of murder as a way to get rid of someone,” Lucifer turned and replied in his ear. Alastor had to bend over comically to accommodate.

“That’s true, most people aren’t intelligent,” Alastor agreed with a single nod.

Lucifer laughed this time. He put a hand against his mouth to stifle it.

After the fifth outburst, Charlie turned to look at them. It was too dark to read her expression but he felt like he was in trouble.

“Stop making me laugh,” Lucifer growled. “You’re going to get me in trouble.” 

Lucifer knew he’d messed up when Alastor gave him a mischievous smirk.

Alastor practically lived in his ear after that. Taking any opportunity to make a joke. Lucifer did a good job at first but he eventually hit the threshold where anything that was said to him was funny. He was constantly giggling and a few people had shushed him. 

Lucifer had tried to scoot away to make it harder for Alastor to bother him but the clever deer had grabbed him by the shoulder to move him closer, their sides now touching. Lucifer’s mouth and stomach were hurting with how hard he was trying to hold it in.

Eventually, he just put his hand on Alastor’s mouth and pushed him away. Alastor’s indignant noise only caused Lucifer to laugh more. Charlie had turned around again to look at him. He smiled apologetically and waved.

Charlie waved back. Maybe she wasn’t mad at him.

Alastor stopped harassing him after that. They simply watched the movie in silence, though it did take a bit for Lucifer to calm down. He felt like his funny nerves were fried.

It got to the part where the two were falling in love when Alastor leaned down again.

“Is that how love truly feels?” He sounded genuinely curious.

“Maybe for some people,” Lucifer shrugged. “My love for Lilith didn’t feel like that.”

“Pardon?” Alastor was so shocked that he said it at normal volume.

“Shh,” Lucifer hushed him. “We got along and became friends but after we fell together, we stayed together. Only the two of us would ever understand that pain. It just made sense and we got along perfectly. It wasn’t the passionate love that’s in movies but it was still love.”

Alastor didn’t speak for a while. His eyes were on the movie but he wasn’t watching.

“How do you feel about me, platonically?” He eventually asked.

Alastor didn't lean forward for Lucifer to whisper in his ear. He stared at Lucifer’s expression expectantly.

Lucifer smiled and his cheeks felt warm. His heart skipped a beat before he spoke.

“Well, I wouldn’t call it love yet,” he replied. “But I think you're pretty close.”

It was similar to how he felt about Lilith and yet so very different at the same time.

Alastor’s genuinely happy smile was breathtaking. It almost looked unnatural.

Alastor leaned back down to whisper in his ear. “I feel the same.”

Lucifer’s smile turned shy as his face got hotter. He watched as Alastor threaded their fingers together. They held hands for the rest of the movie.

He rubbed his stomach when it felt like he’d gotten a cramp.

That night Lucifer returned to his own room. Even after his room had been finished he still slept in Alastor’s room. It was nice not to be alone and Alastor hadn’t kicked him out so Lucifer assumed he enjoyed it too.

He lit the fireplace with his own hell fire. The dark room was bathed in the blue flame. Lucifer was seated in an armchair with his legs tucked underneath him. A mug of cocoa in one hand.

Lucifer thought about Lilith. He hadn't allowed himself to do so in a while. It always made him depressed. He couldn't help himself that night though, the movie just had too many memories of her. He thought of all their happy memories together. All the things they accomplished together. Raising Charlie together.

And now they were apart. The thought used to make him feel lonely. Now it just left him empty. 

He stared at the ring for a while before slipping it off. Maybe getting rid of the reminder would help him move on. Maybe he wouldn’t get depressed so easily. It couldn’t hurt to try.

It was time for him to learn how to live each day on his own anyway.

Alastor

“Do you think you two could share the loveseat?” Charlie gave them a pleading look.

“It's a loveseat, sweetie,” Lucifer gave her a strained smile, clearly not wanting to deny her but also not willing to give in. “It only fits two people.”

Charlie arranged a movie night for the hotel. They had brought in all the seating into the lounge and arranged it haphazardly. It would have been set up better if Alastor had helped but he’d been busy making kettle corn for the residents. There were blankets and pillows on the ground for sinners to sit on. Surely, there was enough room for everyone.

“Dad, you two are skinny enough to fit on one seat,” she rationalized. 

The demon saw his opportunity to test something. 

“We can share the loveseat,” Alastor talked over Lucifer. “Let's be considerate of the other residents.”

Lucifer frowned and glared at him.

“Did you get possessed?” the angel asked sarcastically. 

“Great, thanks Al,” Charlie smiled, waved and walked away before Lucifer could protest further.

“Ugh, I get the arm,” Lucifer stated. “You, move over here.”

They were both on either side of the loveseat.

“I’m quite comfortable,” Alastor smirked at him. He patted the spot next to him in invitation.

“You're a jerk,” Lucifer looked away and crossed his arms petulantly.

“Lucifer,” Alastor said his name slowly. “Please sit next to me.”

He knew the angel wouldn’t deny him when he used his name and ‘please’ for the same request. Since he rarely said them the angel was weak to the words.

Lucifer sighed and got up. Without looking at Alastor he sat down next to him. The demon had an arm above him. They were close but not touching. Not exactly what Alastor wanted but he could work his way to it. 

He smiled triumphantly to annoy the angel.

Lucifer stole his bucket of kettle corn, it wasn’t a big loss since he was going to give it to the angel anyway. He also manifested a soda and allowed both to float in front of him. Such great power like his was used for the most trivial things. Alastor couldn’t even begrudge him because he’d likely use them the same way. He would just do more with them as well.

Lucifer glanced at the demon with an unreadable expression. Alastor had once been foolish enough to believe he could read the angel like a book. What he had realized was that Lucifer’s emotions were more complex than that. Though he was easily readable, Lucifer would use some emotions to hide what he was truly feeling. It was a clever trick to make people believe they knew what he was thinking. Alastor liked the challenge of deciphering his expressions.

Alastor had forced Husk to take the available seat with Angel Dust following after him. His eye twitched at how close Angel was to Lucifer. He could see the tension in Lucifer’s body. 

“Do you condition your fur or something?” Lucifer asked Angel curiously. “It’s so soft.”

“You should feel my chest fluff,” Angel laughed. “I have some good products I could recommend, if you’re interested.”

“Nah, this is all I got,” Lucifer gestured to his head with a small smile. “Can I touch your chest fluff?”

“You can touch me wherever you want, short king,” Angel ran his hands through his hair suggestively while his second set of hands ran down his body and he puffed out his chest.

Alastor watched as Lucifer reached forward. The demon’s plan was to initiate casual physical contact between them. He’d been wanting to hold Lucifer again after their hug, the dancing, and the bird cuddling but the angel always seemed just out of reach. Why would Lucifer so casually touch Angel Dust but not Alastor? He had to quickly reign in the radio interference that he accidentally released in anger. 

“Holy shit,” Lucifer’s eyes widened as he squeezed the fluff. “I’ve never felt anything so soft.”

Alastor glared angrily at the contact, his teeth clenched tightly.

“Yeah,” Angel swallowed nervously. “Thanks.”

Husk pulled Angel closer to him at Alastor’s look.

Alastor faced forward to watch the movie as the lights dimmed. If Lucifer liked soft things then maybe the demon could allow him to touch his deer ears. They twitched in displeasure at the thought. He glanced at Angel’s chest fluff. Alastor had chest fur too, perhaps with some grooming he could turn the coarse fur into something soft like Angel’s. Maybe then Lucifer would willingly touch him. The angel always seemed so cautious around him. 

Alastor crossed his legs, one leg hovering over Lucifer’s knees. The demon regretted making Lucifer move. He could have pinned the angel between himself and the armrest.

Lucifer leaned back and ate his kettle corn but he was still a little tense. He suddenly coughed and looked even more uncomfortable as the movie played. Not for the first time, Alastor wished he could sense the angel’s emotions instead of guessing. It was only fun to decipher if he could confirm his suspicions. 

Alastor’s eyes widened in realization when Lucifer glanced down at his wedding ring. At first he looked empty but the longer he stared the more depressed he looked. Why was Lucifer thinking about his wife now? Was it because of the romantic movie?

Alastor leaned down to whisper in the angel’s ear.

“This is the perfect opportunity for her to kill him,” he said quietly, breaking Lucifer out of his thoughts. 

The angel shook as he tried to suppress his giggles, unsuccessfully. He shoved kettle corn in his mouth to muffle the noise.

“He should have just let her fall and be done with it,” Alastor said with annoyance at a different scene.

“Some people don’t think of murder as a way to get rid of someone,” Lucifer turned and replied in his ear. Alastor had to bend over uncomfortably to accommodate.

“That’s true, most people aren’t intelligent,” Alastor agreed with a single nod.

Lucifer laughed this time. He put a hand against his mouth to stifle it.

Alastor smiled gleefully that he had gotten Lucifer to stop thinking about his estranged wife. 

After the fifth outburst, Charlie turned to look at them. She was grinning happily at their antics. She probably liked the idea of having another parent or maybe she just liked seeing her father laugh.

“Stop making me laugh,” Lucifer growled. “You’re going to get me in trouble.” 

Alastor smirked at the angel’s misunderstanding. 

Alastor took every opportunity to provide funny commentary. Lucifer was hard to crack at first but after a while he simply laughed at anything. They’d been shushed several times but Alastor didn’t care. None of them were brave enough to do anything about it. 

Angel and Husk kept side eyeing them but a quick menacing glare had them looking forward. 

Lucifer had tried to move closer to Angel but Alastor was quick to reach out and grab his shoulder to pull him back until their sides touched. He was worried that Lucifer would shrug him off or be uncomfortable with the contact but it didn’t seem to bother him at all. He barely struggled to try to get away. 

The angel’s small hand pressed against Alastor’s mouth to push him away. The demon made a displeased noise that caused Lucifer to start laughing again. Charlie turned once more, her eyes sparkling this time when they landed on the pair. 

Lucifer smiled and waved at her, which she returned before facing forward.

Alastor decided to stop pestering him since he got what he wanted. Confirmation that Lucifer doesn’t dislike the demon’s physical contact. Lucifer slowly relaxed against his side and Alastor still had an arm around him. 

They watched the movie to the climax when the characters confessed their love for each other passionately. Love had always confused him. He had always wondered why he never felt that explosive feeling of love.

“Is that how love truly feels?” Alastor couldn’t help but ask.

“Maybe for some people,” Lucifer shrugged. “My love for Lilith didn’t feel like that.”

“Pardon?” Alastor was so shocked that he said it at normal volume. The way Charlie told the story, they had been madly in love.

“Shh,” Lucifer hushed him. “We got along and became friends but after we fell together, we stayed together. Only the two of us would ever understand that pain. It just made sense and we got along perfectly. It wasn’t the passionate love that’s in movies but it was still love.”

The pain of falling. Isn’t that how this friendship started? Because Alastor had asked about the angel’s fall. If he asked about it now, would Lucifer still try to kill him? The demon wondered if Lucifer would ever tell him about it and if he could understand how much it had truly hurt. Enough that being mocked about it caused him to fly into an unprecedented rage.

“How do you feel about me, platonically?” Alastor eventually asked.

He stared down at Lucifer, the demon wanted to see his expression when he answered.

The angel blushed and gave him a small smile. 

“Well, I wouldn’t call it love yet,” he replied. “But I think you're pretty close.”

Alastor felt a real smile form on his face at the response. A warm feeling blossomed in his chest and spread throughout his body.

Alastor leaned back down to whisper in his ear. “I feel the same.”

Lucifer smiled as his blush deepened. The angel relaxed his hand and spread his digits when Alastor threaded their fingers together. They stayed like that for the rest of the movie.

Angel Dust

Angel was excited that Husk agreed to sit with him on the floor. He’d grumbled at first but was happy they’d picked a spot away from the other sinners.

They were both less than thrilled when Smiles’ shadow dropped a note in Husker’s lap. He grumbled but opened the note then crushed it in his fist.

He heaved a heavy sigh as he stood.

“Sorry,” he looked down apologetically. “I have to sit somewhere else.”

“Where?” Angel asked with confusion.

Husk gestured to Smiles’ and Short King’s loveseat.

“I think we can squeeze four people in there,” Angel stood and stretched with a smirk.

Husk grimaced but didn’t protest as they made their way over. Angel had to practically sit in Husk’s lap so they could all fit but he didn’t mind. This was even better than what he had planned.

Angel wanted a real relationship with Husk. Not one that was just sex either. He wanted to romance the old cat. It was a first for him so he was struggling.

“Do you condition your fur or something?” Short King suddenly asked him. “It’s so soft.”

“You should feel my chest fluff,” Angel laughed with pride. “I have some good products I could recommend, if you’re interested.”

“Nah, this is all I got,” Lucifer gestured to his head with a small smile. “Can I touch your chest fluff?”

“You can touch me wherever you want, Short King,” Angel ran his hands through his hair suggestively while his second set of hands ran down his body and he puffed out his chest.

Normally, Angel wouldn’t let just anyone touch his chest fluff, without paying, but this was Charlie’s dad and the King of Hell. The small angel hardly had to ask for anything. He watched Short King reach forward then cringed when radio interference filled the air. Smiles was glaring murderously at his chest where Short King was groping him.

“Holy shit,” Short King exclaimed, oblivious to the demon behind him. “I’ve never felt anything so soft.”

Smiles’ teeth clinked together with rage.

“Yeah,” Angel swallowed nervously. “Thanks.”

Husk pulled him completely onto his lap when Smiles’ glare intensified.

After his heart stopped racing he noticed that those two were flirting. He was absolutely shocked and Husk mirrored his expression. They’d been careful so far but were being extremely obvious now. Angel’s heart skipped anytime someone shushed them, he really didn’t want to see Smiles’ reaction.

Angel breathed a little easier when Smiles’ pulled Short King closer to him. He couldn’t make out what they were chatting about anyway. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Well, I wouldn’t call it love yet,” Short King said. “But I think you're pretty close.”

They both tensed up at those words and were unable to hear Smiles’ response but he looked pleased. Short King blushed slightly with a giddy expression.

‘HOLY FUCKING SHIT!’ Angel’s expression screamed at Husk.

The two strongest beings in the hotel were casually holding hands during a romantic movie. He really needed to let Vaggie know they were definitely dating. There was no question about it anymore.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

The week had been hectic and anxiety inducing. Everyone was staring at him more than usual. How did everyone immediately notice that he wasn't wearing his ring?

Lucifer was glad he spent most of the week outside with Alastor. The garden was coming out really well. Thanks to a little divine intervention, the flowers and trees were growing quickly. 

He hummed softly to calm his nerves as he tuned his violin.

Charlie wanted to do another dance night. There had been a vote and everyone wanted Lucifer and Alastor to play together again. They had agreed, it was always fun to make music together.

Sinners were already gathering in the ballroom. Some pretended not to stare while others blatantly stared.

Lucifer wondered if maybe he shouldn’t be perched on the edge of the tall piano. It made it easier for people to look at him. He would never admit it aloud but he liked sitting high. It made him feel tall. Free.

When Alastor arrived they decided on music and began playing together.

Lucifer mostly watched Alastor. How he bit his tongue in concentration. Or how elegantly his fingers danced along the piano. Their eyes occasionally met and they’d smile at each other.

After a few songs Lucifer changed positions. He laid on his back. His face hung upside down, he was about at face level with Alastor.

“Are you going to be able to play like that?” Alastor asked with amusement.

“Wanna make a bet?” Lucifer smirked.

“What would be the terms?” Alastor’s eyes lit up with interest.

“If I play the next song perfectly,” Lucifer paused in thought. “Then you have to plan a special dinner next week as our hangout.”

“And if you don't?” Alastor asked.

“I'll take you to dinner at my palace,” Lucifer stated.

“The next three songs,” he held up three fingers.

“Deal,” Lucifer smiled.

Alastor’s grin widened evilly.

Lucifer knew what he was getting into. He knew Alastor would mess with him. They hadn't made any rules against it. So he wasn't surprised when Alastor's tentacles grabbed him. He allowed it and continued to play. He had no problem no matter how much they constricted. He used his divine power for any that went for the violin.

“Gonna have to try harder than that,” Lucifer smirked as he started the next song.

Alastor narrowed his eyes. He didn't have much in his arsenal other than the tentacles, it seemed. Lucifer was a little disappointed.

They were nearing the end of the third song, when Alastor suddenly stood up and leaned forward.

A note screeched from the violin as Alastor kissed him. It was just a peck on the lips.

Lucifer shot up into a sitting position. He rubbed his stomach as it tightened. 

“You son of a-” Lucifer looked over his shoulder to glare at him. “That was the last note, you sneaky bastard.”

Alastor grinned at him victoriously.

Had that been his plan all along? Was he just trying to lower Lucifer’s guard so he wouldn't see that coming? That smug smile certainly suggested so.

Lucifer tried and failed to maintain his glare. Eventually the smile won out and he chuckled.

“I can't remember the last time I lost a bet,” Lucifer kicked his feet happily. “Any dinner requests?”

Alastor began the next song without Lucifer.

“Surprise me,” he responded cheerfully.

“Sure sure,” Lucifer laid along the top of the piano. “My ears are still ringing, so I'm taking a break.”

“No one likes a sore loser,” Alastor teased.

“Then don't like me,” Lucifer folded his arms under his head and closed his eyes.

Alastor

Alastor had been disappointed the previous week when Lucifer had decided to return to his own room that night. They’d been sleeping together even after Lucifer’s room had been fixed. When the angel appeared before him the next day, sans the wedding ring, Alastor understood why. Something about that movie reminded him of Lilith and it seemed like Lucifer had enough of thinking about her. 

Lucifer avoided other people as much as possible and used Alastor as a physical shield more than once to keep people from staring at him. They had all noticed his ring was missing and rumors around the two of them grew even worse. There was even one going around that Alastor was going to replace Lilith as a sovereign of Hell. Alastor was pleased with that rumor, though it was a dangerous one. 

That week Charlie had arranged an official dance event. This time with teachers to demonstrate proper dances.

Alastor arrived on time as always. Lucifer was already perched on top of the piano pretending not to be self conscious about the stares. The angel reminded him of a bird when he sat on tall objects. His head and eyes always seemed to be darting around, taking in his surroundings. 

Once he sat down he exchanged a quick nod of greeting with Lucifer before they began. Alastor enjoyed playing music together. It was like they were creating a tapestry of sound. 

After a few songs Lucifer bit his lip and smirked to himself. He changed positions so that his head hung over the side of the piano. They were almost eye to eye, Lucifer’s eyes being slightly higher. 

“Are you going to be able to play like that?” Alastor asked with amusement. Only Lucifer would try to challenge himself like this.

“Wanna make a bet?” Lucifer smirked.

“What would be the terms?” Alastor felt his heart race with excitement. A bet with the King of Hell was probably the closest he’d ever come to a deal. Knowing the angel, the stakes wouldn’t be high.

“If I play the next song perfectly,” Lucifer paused in thought. “Then you have to plan a special dinner next week as our hangout.”

“And if you don't?” Alastor prompted.

“I'll take you to dinner at my palace,” Lucifer stated.

A chance to see the palace vs planning a simple dinner. Either, the angel was confident he'd win or it wasn’t a big deal for him. It was also possible that Lucifer wanted to show off the palace.

“The next three songs,” Alastor countered. The only way to win this was to catch Lucifer off guard, like he’d done with his apology.

“Deal,” Lucifer smiled gleefully.

Alastor felt his grin turn wicked. They maintained eye contact over the whole ordeal. It was clear that Lucifer was challenging the demon to cause him to mess up. 

He summoned his tentacles and had them restrict his movements. The less mobile he was the better his chances at succeeding. Lucifer didn’t seem to mind the tentacles at all. He only destroyed the ones that tried to touch the violin. Usually it hurt when his tentacles were attacked like that but he didn’t feel anything when Lucifer did it.

“Gonna have to try harder than that,” Lucifer mocked him as he started the next song.

Alastor narrowed his eyes. His victory against the angel was going to taste so sweet. He started to feel antsy as the end of the third song neared. He would surprise him at the last second. He wanted to see the angel’s smug face right before Alastor stole the victory. 

Lucifer’s lips curled on his face, thinking that he was about to win. Alastor stopped playing and quickly stood. The angel instinctively tried to move away but was tied down by the tentacles. He’d only meant to kiss him on the cheek but Lucifer had turned his head and their lips lightly pressed against each other. 

Alastor had never enjoyed the screech of a violin more than in that moment. He jerked away as Lucifer shot up, easily dispelling his restraints. His chest tightened as he realized that the angel might actually get angry with him.

“You son of a-” Lucifer looked over his shoulder to glare at him. “That was the last note, you sneaky bastard.”

Alastor grinned at him victoriously. Lucifer wasn’t angry but he was trying so hard to stay mad. He watched the angel’s face change from faux anger to reluctant joy. He started to chuckle once he gave into the smile.

“I can't remember the last time I lost a bet,” Lucifer kicked his feet happily. “Any dinner requests?”

Alastor began the next song without the angel. His victory tasted so much better than he could have ever imagined. Was it because of Lucifer’s infectious joy?

“Surprise me,” the demon responded cheerfully.

“Sure sure,” Lucifer laid along the top of the piano. “My ears are still ringing, so I'm taking a break.”

“No one likes a sore loser,” Alastor teased, not caring at all about it.

“Then don't like me,” Lucifer folded his arms under his head.

Charlie

“Angel was right,” Vaggie watched the two lovebirds staring at each other as they played. “They’re not even hiding it anymore.”

“I don’t know,” Charlie clasped her hands in front of her anxiously. “I just asked Alastor and he said they were only friends. He said the rumors aren’t true.”

They had decided to take a break from dancing to watch her dad and Alastor. They had spent a lot of time together that week and her dad was practically hiding from everyone since he took off his ring.

“He took off his ring,” Vaggie stated. “I’m still in shock over that and then what Angel and Husk said also confirms it.”

“Why would Alastor lie when they’re being so obvious?” Charlie asked and bit her cheek. “Maybe it’s just a series of misunderstandings.”

“Have you asked your dad yet?” her girlfriend asked.

“I’m worried he’ll freak out,” she shook her head. “I’m happy he’s over mom at least.”

They watched as her dad hung upside down over the edge of the piano and continued to play despite Alastor’s tendrils converging on him. 

“Oh my god,” Charlie covered her mouth in shock when they kissed. “Maybe this is how Alastor is confessing his feelings.” She grabbed Vaggie’s arm and shook her.

Her dad bolted upright then started kicking his feet merrily. They were both so nonchalant it was hard to tell if that actually happened.

Everyone in the ballroom was in the same state of shock as she was. They had all stopped dancing to stare at the two performers.

And neither her dad nor Alastor even noticed!

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Another busy week flew by. Lucifer wasn't able to see much of the hotel let alone Alastor. He had to get the palace ready for a visitor and figure out what Alastor liked to eat.

He knew Alastor loved venison but did he prefer it rotted or cooked. Maybe both. Deer in Hell tasted different than the ones on Earth though. Lucifer had to do a bunch of menial labor for Asmodeus so he could get his hands on a live deer and a bottle of whisky from the 1920s. Fresh meat was always best. Unless Alastor preferred it rotting. 

He was going to try the venison cooked first. As a human there was no way he ate rotting deer and didn't get sick. Just gross. Maybe if he made dinner again he could try rotting. For Alastor, he was definitely not going to eat that.

Lucifer had planned a seven course meal. It was the palace after all. He had intended to cook it himself originally but that would take too long and he wanted to eat with Alastor. He borrowed a chef from Beelzebub to prepare everything. She was more reasonable than Asmodeus, at least. He just had to help her find and break into Belphagor’s drug stash. Which he later denied knowing anything about.

Once the palace was set up and the chef was situated, he opened a portal back to the hotel.

He frowned at the occupied bar. Charlie and her friend’s were huddled together and scrolling through their phones with panicked expressions. That did not bode well for his night. Their expressions shifted to grimaces and looks of disgust as he approached.

“What's wrong?” Lucifer asked and all eyes turned to him.

“Um, nothing to worry about, dad,” Charlie was quick to approach him. “Just some gossip.”

“You read gossip?” He tilted his head. “I thought you didn't like that sorta thing.”

“I usually don't but it's about a friend and well, I just want to help,” her smile was strained.

“Oh,” he smiled happily. “You're such a sweetheart. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No,” she answered quickly and threw her palms up like she would physically stop him. “I mean, you and Al are going out tonight. I don't want to interrupt your evening.”

“We can always reschedule,” he stated.

“No, it's,” she took a breath to calm down. “It's not that big a deal. If I don't have it resolved by tomorrow, I'll let you know.”

“Alright, kiddo,” he hugged her. “I'm always here if you need me.”

She squeezed him a bit harder than usual. “I know, dad.”

“Lucifer, Charlie,” Alastor greeted them as he appeared from a shadow.

“Hi, Al,” she waved at him as she passed by to return to the bar.

“Alastor,” Lucifer greeted him louder than he intended. “Ready for a special night? Not just anyone can enter the palace, after all.”

“I'll follow your lead,” Alastor returned his smile.

Lucifer started with a quick tour of the palace. He didn't show him the fancy rooms, just the ones Lucifer liked. There was the family room where he and Charlie used to play. The library where he and Lilith would read. His workroom was next. It was kinda sad now that all the ducks were gone. He even showed him Charlie’s old bedroom.

“This is Hamilton,” Lucifer pointed to the rubber duck on the nightstand next to Charlie’s old bed. “It's the only duck Charlie and I made together. He’s a real troublemaker.”

Lucifer picked up the duck and looked at him fondly. Alastor inspected him from afar.

“He looks remarkably similar to all the other ducks,” he smirked at Lucifer’s frown.

Lucifer put Hamilton back on the nightstand.

“I like Hamilton more than you anyway,” he stood straighter and walked out of the room indignantly.

Alastor followed after.

Lucifer forgot how long dinner took when you did seven courses. It had been a few centuries since his last fancy dinner. Alastor seemed amused by all the flair. 

Alastor still wasn’t much of a talker and Lucifer hadn’t done anything during the week to talk about. Nothing interesting anyway. The silence they fell in as they listened to the live music wasn’t uncomfortable though. It was nice to simply enjoy each other’s company.

Once the main course was served, Lucifer began talking.

“I got the deer straight from Earth, alive, of course,” Lucifer explained. “I heard that meat is better the fresher it is but I know that you eat Hell deer rotted so I wasn’t sure how you wanted it cooked.”

“This is from Earth?” Alastor looked at the venison with renewed interest. “How were you able to acquire something from Earth?”

“Asmodeus has crystals that allow one to open a portal to Earth,” Lucifer responded. “Don’t bother trying to get one, he keeps a strict lock on those. Have to be careful with that kind of power.”

Alastor ate his venison with a pleased hum.

Lucifer enjoyed Alastor’s smile more than he enjoyed the rest of dinner. Which was saying something because the last two courses were dessert related.

“I don’t want to offend but,” Alastor looked around the elaborate dining room. “I much prefer the design of our hotel than here.”

“Yeah, well,” Lucifer scratched the back of his head nervously. “I made this place more for Lily than anything. Once I lost my ability to dream, I wasn’t able to create like I used to.”

“You created the hotel,” he countered.

“Under Charlie’s instruction.”

“What about your ducks?” he asked.

“I helped create the cosmos,” he looked at the table sadly. “I created planets and stars and constellations. I made whole galaxies. And now I make ducks. Lots of ducks.”

That’s what his true angelic form used to look like. A big golden bird with six wings. After his fall his true form had twisted and changed to match the demons he resided over. No longer the beautiful creature that roamed the skies freely, instead he was a chained monster.

Lucifer looked up when he felt a hand settle on his.

“How about our garden?” Alastor gave him a soft smile. “You designed most of it yourself.”

“That’s true,” he nodded slowly then got more excited. “I did design a lot of it! Everyone loves it so far too. I see the sinners taking walks out there all the time.”

Lucifer turned his palm up to lace their fingers.

“If I could do that then maybe I can still make a difference, even if Heaven doesn’t listen,” Lucifer smiled. “Maybe I can make Hell a better place to live.”

“Someone’s starting to sound like Charlie,” Alastor sipped his wine. “Or perhaps you’re starting to sound like yourself again.”

Lucifer blushed at that.

“You know I, uh, got some whisky made in the 1920s,” Lucifer gestured for a servant to bring the bottle. “I heard three fingers of rye turns you into a kitten.”

Alastor laughed at that and it was a beautiful sound.

Alastor

The week went by slowly and torturously. More sinners wanted to enter the hotel without actually staying. They were only there for the rumors.

Their kiss had even made it into the headlines of the newspapers. It was good that Lucifer seemed to be spending all his time in another Ring or at the palace. He was very busy trying to prepare for their dinner.

Alastor’s face grew hot at the thought, the angel was putting so much effort into this night. The demon hadn’t planned on putting even half of the same amount of effort if he lost and somehow he knew that Lucifer wouldn’t have cared.

“Charlie, a word please,” Alastor requested as he passed by her in the lobby.

They met in the kitchen, Vaggie followed behind her and leaned against the door to ensure no one could get in. Alastor only shot her a passing glance before deciding that it was fine if she was there.

“What’s up, Al?” she smiled up at him tiredly. Their influx of guests was taking its toll on her.

“I would like to cash in my favor,” he stated as he tilted his neck at an impossible angle.

Both women tensed up at his words. Vaggie’s face hardened in anger while Charlie looked worried.

“Relax,” he rolled his eyes and straightened. “It’s nothing difficult and it’s in everyone’s best interest.”

“What do you want?” Vaggie approached him with her angelic spear.

He looked at her spear with annoyance before returning his gaze to Charlie. She had seemed to recover enough to put on a brave face.

“What do I need to do?” she asked determinedly.

“I need your help to protect your father,” he said and relished their surprised faces. 

He would have toyed with them more but he needed her to get it under control before Lucifer returned to the hotel for their dinner.

“I thought these rumors would calm down but they are getting out of control,” Alastor growled angrily. “A lot of the sinners showing up lately are only here for a show or to see if they can seduce your father.”

They both grimaced with disgust.

“Rosie informed me that the rumors are worse ‘on the internet’ and as that technology is beneath me, I need you to do something about it,” he pointed to Charlie with his cane. “Of course, we will not be telling Lucifer about this.”

“What do you want me to do about it?” Charlie pulled out her phone to look at something. “I can’t control what people put out.”

“I already informed Husker that he is to help you,” Alastor glowered at the tiny picture box. “I need you to keep Lucifer from seeing or hearing these rumors. Well, I must prepare for dinner, tata.”

Alastor used his shadow to get behind them but paused as he placed a hand against the door.

“Ah and please do keep the more lecherous sinners away from your father,” Alastor gritted his teeth as green light poured off him. He tilted his head again as his eyes turned to dials. His voice became distorted from his radio static “ Or I’ll eat them .”

Once they were both sufficiently terrified, he returned to normal and left the kitchen. He knew he could never convince Charlie to turn anyone away so he had to settle for a mild threat.

He didn’t have anything to prepare before the dinner but he didn’t want to wait around in the lobby until Lucifer returned. He wouldn’t provide a show for those cretins.

Once their scheduled time grew closer he used his shadow to arrive at the lobby. Lucifer was already there and chatting with Charlie. She looked nervous, already cracking under the pressure.

“Lucifer, Charlie,” Alastor greeted them as he appeared from his shadow.

“Hi, Al,” Charlie waved at him as she passed by.

“Alastor,” Lucifer greeted him loudly, clearly excited. “Ready for a special night? Not just anyone can enter the palace, after all.”

“I'll follow your lead,” Alastor returned his smile, he didn’t show it but he was equally excited.

Lucifer started with a quick tour of the palace. It was an unusual tour, he skipped a lot of the big elegant rooms and showed him the more usable rooms. A small family room where he spent most of his time with Charlie. An enormous library that he’d spent hours reading with Lilith in. Lucifer’s workroom felt empty and devoid of joy, the happy paintings on the wall made it more miserable. 

Was the workroom where he’d spent most of his time until he joined them at the hotel? He’d been isolated for so long, no wonder he had a hard time talking to anyone.

Their last stop was Charlie’s old bedroom. It looked like a rainbow had thrown up in there. Everything was brightly colored and it was hard to determine if they were still in Hell or if the doorway led to a different dimension. The windows didn’t show the real outside, it depicted a scenery of flowery fields. 

“This is Hamilton,” Lucifer proudly pointed to the rubber duck on the nightstand. “It's the only duck Charlie and I made together. He’s a real troublemaker.”

Alastor watched Lucifer pick the toy up and gaze at it fondly. After a quick inspection the demon determined that it was just like any other duck.

“He looks remarkably similar to all the other ducks,” Alastor smirked at Lucifer’s frown.

Lucifer put Hamilton back on the nightstand with a huff.

“I like Hamilton more than you anyway,” the angel stood straighter and walked out of the room.

Alastor ran his fingers over the duck then turned to follow.

Lucifer was uncharacteristically silent as the courses were served. He fidgeted impatiently as they listened to live music. A small band of imps played beautifully. Alastor smiled and once again appreciated the work that Lucifer had put into this dinner.

“I got the deer straight from Earth, alive, of course,” Lucifer broke the silence once the main course was served. “I heard that meat is better the fresher it is but I know that you eat Hell deer rotted so I wasn’t sure how you wanted it cooked.”

“This is from Earth?” Alastor stared at the venison with awe. “How were you able to acquire something from Earth?”

The demon was already planning his own dinner to present to Lucifer at a later time. Since the angel didn’t have to eat he wondered if he should simply make a lot of dessert.

“Asmodeus has crystals that allow one to open a portal to Earth,” Lucifer responded. “Don’t bother trying to get one, he keeps a strict lock on those. Have to be careful with that kind of power.”

Alastor wasn’t interested in returning to Earth but it was good to know. 

The demon smiled happily as he ate. He couldn’t remember eating a finer piece of venison. Lucifer stared at him the entire time as he ate his own piece slowly. 

Alastor returned his stare when the dessert dishes were brought out. He always looked his happiest when eating a good dessert. 

“I don’t want to offend but,” Alastor looked around the elegant dining room. The decor left a lot to be desired. Was this why Lucifer had only shown the rooms he frequented? “I much prefer the design of our hotel than here.”

“Yeah, well,” Lucifer scratched the back of his head with a vacant look. “I made this place more for Lily than anything. Once I lost my ability to dream, I wasn’t able to create like I used to.”

Lucifer looked down sadly.

“You created the hotel,” Alastor stated, trying to cheer him up.

“Under Charlie’s instruction,” he looked up and mumbled.

“What about your ducks?” the demon asked.

“I helped create the cosmos,” Lucifer announced, then looked down again. “I created planets and stars and constellations. I made whole galaxies. And now I make ducks. Lots of ducks.”

The longer Lucifer stared at the table the worse his expression got. Alastor wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t used to cheering people up, usually he purposely made it worse. The demon placed his hand on top of Lucifer’s. Their eyes locked.

“How about our garden?” Alastor smiled softly at him. “You designed most of it yourself.”

“That’s true,” he nodded slowly then suddenly grew excited. “I did design a lot of it! Everyone loves it so far too. I see the sinners taking walks out there all the time.”

Lucifer turned his palm up to lace their fingers.

“If I could do that then maybe I can still make a difference, even if Heaven doesn’t listen,” Lucifer smiled. “Maybe I can make Hell a better place to live.”

“Someone’s starting to sound like Charlie,” Alastor sipped his wine. “Or perhaps you’re starting to sound like yourself again.”

Lucifer’s face turned into a lovely shade of gold.

“You know I, uh, got some whisky made in the 1920s,” Lucifer gestured to a servant. “I heard three fingers of rye turns you into a kitten.”

Alastor laughed at that. He already felt like a kitten around the angel.

Charlie

Once her dad and Alastor were gone, Charlie rejoined the others at the bar.

“How the hell does Alastor expect us to do anything about this?” Vaggie slammed her head against the bar. “It’s not like we control the internet.”

“We have to figure something out,” Charlie rubbed her girlfriend’s back soothingly. “He used his favor so it must mean a lot to him.”

They all fell silent as that sunk in. Alastor had used his favor, that he had worked so hard to get, to help her dad. He didn’t even want to let her dad find out about it either.

“Fine,” Vaggie sat up with disgust. “But if I see one more drawing of them having sex, I’m bleaching my eyes.”

“Don’t refresh the feed,” Angel zoomed in on something on his phone. “Unless you want to see Alastor with a horse cock. Damn, that’s well drawn.”

“Velvette controls social media,” Husk shuddered and put down his phone. “Maybe we can offer her something in exchange for just deleting everything in the tag. It’s not a permanent solution but it should satisfy your deal.”

“Angel, do you know what we could offer her?” Vaggie turned toward him to ask.

He seemed really distracted by what he was staring at.

“Hm? Oh!” he lifted his gaze. “I’ve never spoken to her so I have no idea. Listen to this,” he giggled. “People are getting into fights over if Short King has a belly button.”

“Why would they care?” Vaggie shook her head.

“They’ll fight over anything,” he shrugged. “Hehehe.”

He was typing furiously.

“What are you doing?” Charlie asked worriedly.

“Fanning the flames,” he smiled triumphantly. “I told them I saw Short King shirtless and he does have a belly button.”

“Why would you do that?” Vaggie asked through clenched teeth.

“Cause it’s funny,” Angel smirked. “This guy called me a pervert. Ugh, I’m a porn star, of course, I’m a pervert. Get better insults.”

“You’re done helping,” Husk reached over the bar and snatched his phone. “Hm?” He looked down at the phone thoughtfully. “If we can get enough people to report the post, maybe it will be taken down.”

“Rosie!” Charlie perked up. “We can bring her a gift and ask her people to report those posts. Maybe we can even sic Susan on the tag.”

“That’s the best we got and I’m not looking at it anymore,” Vaggie stood. “Let’s go find her a good gift.”

Hamilton

Hamilton waited until the deer sinner turned his back before flying into his pocket. The sinner had pet him so gently and Lucifer clearly cared for him, so he decided to make him his new carrier. He could sense that they were going to have so much fun together, anything was better than the palace anyway.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

“Deplorable,” Alastor gave him a disgusted look. “I can’t believe you dragged me here for this.”

“I asked you,” Lucifer looked at the full-length mirror to inspect his outfit. He was wearing blue floral shorts with a yellow shirt and a plaid jacket. “The clerk said this would look great on me.”

“I should devour them for their bad taste,” Alastor growled. “Or perhaps bad manners.”

“No devouring people,” Lucifer huffed and went back into the changing room. “Unless they attack you first.”

“When you asked me to help you shop for clothes, I had assumed we would be looking at suits,” Alastor complained.

“The residents at the hotel are still afraid of me,” Lucifer removed the shirt. “I want to fit in better and make some friends.”

“I’m your friend,” Alastor retorted.

“I want to be able to make more friends,” Lucifer pulled on a blue shirt with a big yellow duck on it. “You know, be friendly.”

“Overrated.”

Lucifer ignored him as he put on purple pants and a matching purple hat. He slipped the plaid jacket back on.

“Tada,” he came out of the changing room with splayed arms. 

Three sets of eyes turned to look at him. Two with disgust and one with surprise. The surprise quickly turned to disgust.

“That bad, huh?” he mumbled and went to the mirror. It wasn’t great. “Maybe we should try a different store.”

Through the mirror, he saw Alastor summon his tentacles. He was glaring at a guy with a TV head. The pigtail girl was trying to take a picture of Lucifer but her phone caught on fire.

He turned to return to the changing room. On his way back he stopped between the TV guy and Alastor.

“If you’re going to fight, at least go outside,” he sighed. “I don’t want to clean up after either of you.”

“Of course, your majesty,” the TV guy glared at him.

“No problem, Lucifer,” Alastor reached out to push Lucifer’s hair back. “Must you find every shirt in the store with a duck on it?”

“What’s the point of wearing regular clothes if I can’t have ducks on them,” he pushed Alastor’s hand away before walking back to the changing room. 

Yellow pants and a white shirt with a duck on it. With the red plaid jacket. Lucifer had a good feeling about this one.

When he left the changing room, they were in each other’s faces.

“Alastor, you’re supposed to be helping me,” Lucifer crossed his arms and glared. “Eyes over here.”

“I would love to tell you that your outfit is atrocious but I find that I’m rather busy at the moment,” Alastor didn’t look away from his staring contest.

“I was better off asking Charlie,” Lucifer mumbled and went back to the mirror. It didn’t look bad.

“Oh, hell no, grandpa,” the girl growled at him and shoved something into his hands. “Put this on.”

He looked at the clothes in his hands. It couldn’t be any worse than what the clerk had picked.

Lucifer quickly changed and returned to the mirror. It was a simple outfit. Black jeans and a dark blue shirt. The breast pocket had a little duck on it.

“Oh,” he said delightfully. “This is exactly what I wanted.”

“Shut up,” she shoved more clothes at him. “Of course it is.”

He tried on the different outfits she had given him and they all had a small duck somewhere on them.

Alastor and the TV guy had disappeared at some point.

“These clothes don’t have tags,” he noted after he changed back into his normal wear.

“That's because they didn’t come from this shithole,” she glared down at him. “I made them.”

“Oh, how much do you want for them then?” he tilted his head.

“I want you to fix my fucking phone,” she held out the broken device.

“Deal,” he shrugged and tapped the phone. The cracks mended and the fire damage faded. “Just don’t take another picture of me. It’ll break.”

“No shit,” she immediately started tapping on her phone. “If you need more clothing advice, you can find me online.”

“Yeah, I don’t know how to do that,” he replied honestly.

“Of course you don’t,” she sighed. “Give me your phone, old man.”

He complied, mostly out of curiosity.

She made him an account and friended herself. She also gave a quick guide on how to use the app.

“Get it now, grandpa?” she rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, straight forward enough,” he scrolled through her posts.

Wow, she wrote mean things about him very quickly. Clearly she didn't fear him.

They stood next to each other in silence for a bit.

“Wanna get some ice cream?” Lucifer offered. “I'll treat.”

“Sure,” she shrugged, not looking away from her phone.

She led them to a nearby shop. Lucifer saw Alastor and the TV guy fighting as they walked. He was sure Alastor could find him when they were done.

The girl made him wait until she took a picture before she let him eat his banana split.

“So, what's your name?” Lucifer asked as he took a big spoonful. Should he have introduced himself first or was that too pompous?

“Velvette,” her eyes were glued to her phone as she slowly ate her ice cream cone.

“Are you an Overlord?” He inquired.

“Yes.”

She was just like Alastor, barely contributing to a conversation. He supposed that it was probably because she didn't want to talk.

He took out his phone to take a selfie with her. She noticed and struck a cute pose behind him.

“You should put a filter on that and post it,” she said absentmindedly.

“Filter?” He gave her a confused look.

That got him another eye roll and a new tutorial.

She put some ice cream stickers on the picture then selected a sparkly filter. She posted it to his account and gave his phone back.

That seemed like a lot of work for just one picture. Lucifer noted that comments were coming in quickly so he put the phone away. Maybe he'd read them if he got bored.

“Those dickheads are taking too long,” Velvette grumbled as she finished her ice cream.

Lucifer hummed in agreement as he took another bite. He closed his eyes and smiled. This was a really good banana split.

When he opened his eyes, Velvette was giving him a stunned look. She blinked and looked away, a slight flush on her face.

“You'd make a good model,” she commented. “If you didn't make phones burst into flames.”

“That would be an occupational hazard,” he chuckled.

Alastor used his tentacles to carry him over to the ice cream shop. He was still a little elongated, his eyes were dials and his teeth glowed as he spoke.

“ I hope you're not bothering my King ,” he glared down at Velvette.

She pretended to give him an unafraid glare but Lucifer could see her hands shake. So she was afraid of Alastor but not him.

“Whatever,” she stood with flourish. “Where's Vox?”

“He ran off to lick his wounds,” Alastor shrank and started to return to normal.

She huffed and turned to leave.

“Bye, Grandpa,” she called over her shoulder as she walked away.

“Bye,” he waved, then realized she couldn't see it.

Alastor glared at her for a bit before looking at Lucifer.

“Are we done with shopping?” He asked with a head tilt.

“Yeah,” Lucifer finished his ice cream. “Something else you wanted to do?”

“There's a new butcher in Cannibal Town,” Alastor picked up Lucifer’s container. “I always check out the new places. Never know when I could find a new favorite.”

Alastor threw out the container as Lucifer stood. They walked in silence to Cannibal Town. Lucifer tried not to grimace when they passed by an unlucky sinner being eaten. Once they got to the shop Lucifer paused.

He realized what a butcher in Cannibal Town would sell. He really didn't want to see that.

“I'll wait out here,” Lucifer crossed his arms and leaned against the building. “Take your time.”

“Very well,” Alastor pinched his cheek. “Don't wander off.”

Alastor had been a lot more physically affectionate since they held hands during the movie.

It started gradually. Alastor would fix his hair or suit. Sometimes just a brush of skin when they sat near each other. When they were out and about Alastor would place a hand on his back to guide him. Sometimes Alastor would even give him a sideways hug. In bed they even held hands as they drifted off to sleep.

Lucifer was still cautious because he could tell Alastor hated touch. Which made it all the weirder that Alastor was touching him more lately. Lucifer still avoided it if Alastor hadn't started it first. He never initiated contact but he didn't reject it either.

He felt like he should reciprocate but Alastor liked to be in complete control over any situation. If Lucifer started randomly touching him then it might ruin the balance of their friendship. Besides, Alastor wasn't shy, he'd ask if he wanted something.

“Hey there, your highness,” a sinner placed a hand against the wall above Lucifer’s head and leaned down. “Looking for some company?”

The bull sinner smirked in an attempt to be sexy. 

“Nope,” Lucifer inspected his nails to further demonstrate his disinterest.

“Me and my friends can show you a good time,” he leaned down into Lucifer's face. “Even better than that scrawny radio demon.”

Lucifer frowned at him with disgust.

“Leave while I'm being nice,” Lucifer let his horns appear and his eyes shift colors.

The sinner had the audacity to laugh. Lucifer was absolutely stunned. Two sinners in a row were unafraid of him, was it a coincidence? Was it because he showed Adam mercy? Lucifer didn't like to make shows of power but this sinner was asking for it.

His claws grew sharper and he swiped but before he could make contact a hand grabbed his wrist.

“A king such as yourself shouldn’t touch such a filthy thing,” Alastor said while lowering Lucifer’s hand. A tentacle wrapped around the sinner to keep him in place.

“Am I just supposed to let this sinner disrespect me?” He glowered at Alastor.

“Of course not,” Alastor's voice grew staticy and his eyes turned to dials. His smile widened as his limbs grew and turned gangly. The hand around Lucifer’s wrist turned into claws but still held him gently. “I already have his friends.”

Alastor used his tentacles to drag out three more sinners. They were already begging for mercy.

“You can't kill them,” Lucifer stated. “It'll upset Charlie.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t want that,” Alastor replied with a head tilt.

“Slightly maim them,” he suggested. “Make it so they can’t run very easily.”

“I understand, your Highness,” Alastor’s grin widened with cruelty as he released him and approached the sinners. Their screams were loud.

Alastor had once told him that the cannibals targeted people who looked out of place in Cannibal Town. These guys definitely weren’t from the area. They either survived thus far because they were in a group or strong enough to be avoided. Lucifer was sure that if they couldn’t run then the cannibals would take care of the rest. It was a fucked up way to keep Charlie from being upset at him if she found out.

Lucifer felt a little guilty.

Cannibals descended on the bodies as soon as Alastor turned away. The screams were louder than before but not as loud as the tearing of raw flesh. Lucifer hadn’t anticipated the cannibals attacking so quickly. He felt sick watching the carnage before him.

He turned from the scene and quickly walked away. He needed to find a quiet place to gag and maybe vomit. Lucifer found an alley to double over in and gagged. He tried not to think about the scene he just left. He focused on breathing.

Two hands gently rubbed his shoulders and then his back.

“I hadn’t realized you had such a weak stomach,” Alastor chuckled. “Is that why you didn’t want to go into the shop with me?”

“I didn’t think they would be so fast,” Lucifer’s body was still shaking but he straightened his back.

“Does it bother you that much?” Alastor didn’t sound amused anymore. Was he upset?

Lucifer tried to turn around to look at him but Alastor has wrapped his arms around Lucifer’s torso.

“It’s not,” he had to swallow before continuing. “It’s not the meat. They eat it raw.”

Lucifer clutched his stomach and gagged again.

“I’ve eaten undercooked meat by accident before,” he had to pause to make sure he wasn’t going to gag again. “They just tear it apart and eat it uncooked. Oh, the texture.”

Alastor squeezed him tighter but stayed quiet for a bit.

“Is that why you always leave the room before I eat breakfast?” amusement was in his tone again.

“Oh god, don’t remind me about the deer,” Lucifer rubbed his face.

He remembered the first time they had spent the night together. Lucifer had wanted to have breakfast together but then he saw the dead rotting deer on the table and had made an excuse to leave and vomited in his own bathroom. Thankfully, the bathroom had still been intact. He learned to leave before Alastor had breakfast.

Alastor laughed as he started gagging again.

Alastor

Alastor had a conundrum. When they had returned from the palace last week and he went to hang his jacket he noticed a bulge in his pocket. Curious, he reached in and found none other than Hamilton, the little rubber duck from Charlie’s room. Alastor hadn’t taken the small toy and Lucifer had left the room before him so he was unsure how it ended up in his pocket.

He had decided to leave it in his jacket pocket and deal with it when Lucifer wasn’t in his room. At the time the angel was already making himself comfortable in the bed.

Unfortunately, Alastor had forgotten about it until they left for their outing that afternoon. The damn thing was still in his pocket. He didn’t have time to think about it now either as Lucifer walked out of the changing room.

“Deplorable,” Alastor gave him a disgusted look. “I can’t believe you dragged me here for this.”

“I asked you,” Lucifer looked at the full-length mirror to inspect his outfit. He was wearing blue floral shorts with a yellow shirt and a plaid jacket. “The clerk said this would look great on me.”

“I should devour them for their bad taste,” the demon growled. “Or perhaps bad manners.”

“No devouring people,” Lucifer huffed and went back into the changing room. “Unless they attack you first.”

“When you asked me to help you shop for clothes, I had assumed we would be looking at suits,” the demon complained. He felt like he’d been tricked.

“The residents at the hotel are still afraid of me,” the angel shouted. “I want to fit in better and make some friends.”

“I’m your friend,” Alastor retorted. The angel didn’t need to make friends with those deplorable imbeciles. Especially the ones that were lusting after him.

“I want to be able to make more friends,” Lucifer said. “You know, be friendly.”

“Overrated,” he grumbled and scanned the store. He could pick better clothes than that clerk.

Vox entered the store and beelined for him. Alastor rolled his eyes. Just another problem he had to deal with. He’d already had to scare off a few sinners that were trying to flirt with Lucifer.

They stood a few feet apart and glared at each other. Velvette had followed behind him but she didn’t bother looking up from her phone.

“Tada,” the angel came out of the changing room with splayed arms. 

Making sure to keep Vox and Velvet within his sight he turned slightly to look at the hideous outfit. He turned back to his staring contest just to look away from it.

“That bad, huh?” Lucifer mumbled and went to the mirror. “Maybe we should try a different store.”

Vox began to channel electricity so he summoned his tentacles, ready for the unavoidable fight.

Lucifer stopped next to them and glared between them.

“If you’re going to fight, at least go outside,” he sighed. “I don’t want to clean up after either of you.”

“Of course, your majesty,” Vox glared at him, causing anger to boil under Alastor’s skin.

“No problem, Lucifer,” he reached out to pat the angel’s hair reassuringly and glanced at his shirt with irritation. “Must you find every shirt in the store with a duck on it?”

“What’s the point of wearing regular clothes if I can’t have ducks on them,” he pushed Alastor’s hand away before walking back to the changing room. 

After the door closed Vox moved closer to get into his face. They were nose to screen now.

“Alastor, you’re supposed to be helping me,” Lucifer crossed his arms and glared. “Eyes over here.”

“I would love to tell you that your outfit is atrocious but I find that I’m rather busy at the moment,” Alastor stated.

“I was better off asking Charlie,” the angel mumbled.

“Oh, hell no, grandpa,” Velvette growled at him. “Put this on.”

Alastor almost looked away to see what she was up to but stopped when he saw Vox try to jab at him. Lucifer could take care of himself, the demon had to remind himself.

“Oh,” the angel said delightfully. “This is exactly what I wanted.”

“Shut up,” Velvet responded, rudely. “Of course it is.”

Alastor would have to teach her a lesson later. The demon moved and grabbed Vox to drag him from the store. He was tired of their standstill. It was time for a fight. He’d been very aggravated lately and he could use a punching bag.

Alastor had seen Lucifer walk in this direction with Velvette. He stayed in his slightly bigger form and used his tentacles to hold him up so he could have a better view. He spotted the two of them at an ice cream shop, he should have guessed. 

“ I hope you're not bothering my King ,” he growled as he lowered himself.

Fear shot across her face before she covered it up with a glare. Her shaking hands betrayed her.

“Whatever,” she stood with flourish. “Where's Vox?”

“He ran off to lick his wounds,” Alastor shrank and started to return to normal.

She huffed and turned to leave.

“Bye, Grandpa,” she called over her shoulder as she walked away.

Alastor wanted to kill her but Lucifer seemed to like her.

“Bye,” he waved with a smile.

The demon glared at her for a while before he turned to face Lucifer. He only hoped the angel hadn’t made friends with one of his enemies.

“Are we done with shopping?” He asked with a head tilt.

“Yeah,” Lucifer finished his ice cream. “Something else you wanted to do?”

“There's a new butcher in Cannibal Town,” Alastor picked up Lucifer’s container. “I always check out the new places. Never know when I could find a new favorite.”

Alastor threw out the container as Lucifer stood. They walked in silence to Cannibal Town. The angel looked away when he caught sight of a sinner being eaten. 

Lucifer paused outside the shop and bit his lip in thought. 

“I'll wait out here,” Lucifer crossed his arms and leaned against the building. “Take your time.”

“Very well,” Alastor pinched his cheek. “Don't wander off.”

Like you did with Velvette, he added in his head as he entered the shop alone. He looked at the selection. Nothing in Hell would ever compare to the venison Lucifer had provided. He wondered how he could convince Lucifer to get him more. As he was about to order, he noticed the angel being accosted and moved before he even thought about it.

These sinners were getting bolder.

When he made it outside, Lucifer had let some of his demonic form out and was about to strike the laughing sinner. Alastor grabbed his wrist before he could make contact and was surprised that the angel had actually stopped. He didn’t want to let Lucifer stain his hands with their disgusting blood.

“A king such as yourself shouldn’t touch such a filthy thing,” Alastor said while lowering Lucifer’s hand. He noticed a few sinners peeking around the building at their friend and captured them all with his tentacles. Perhaps this was a good time to send a warning.

“Am I just supposed to let this sinner disrespect me?” Lucifer glowered at the demon.

“Of course not,” Alastor's voice grew staticy and his eyes turned to dials. His smile widened as his limbs grew and turned gangly. He ensured his grip on Lucifer’s wrist was still gentle. “I already have his friends.”

Alastor dragged the other sinners out in the open. Their cries for mercy were delightful. 

“You can't kill them,” Lucifer stated. “It'll upset Charlie.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t want that,” Alastor replied with a head tilt.

“Slightly maim them,” he suggested. “Make it so they can’t run very easily.”

“I understand, your Highness,” Alastor’s grin widened with cruelty as he released the angel and approached the sinners. 

Lucifer could be cruel and devious when he wanted to be. They wouldn’t kill the sinners themselves but crippling them would make them easy prey for the cannibals. He already saw them approaching, waiting for a chance to get their meat. Once he turned away they wasted no time in descending. As the angel had once said, meat was better when it was fresh.

Lucifer grimaced at the scene and quickly turned and walked away. Once he located an ally he ducked in and doubled over gagging. The angel forced himself to breathe.

Alastor rubbed his shoulders then moved down to his back. He relaxed under the demon’s touch.

At first, Lucifer had tensed up whenever the demon touched him, before slowly relaxing again. The angel had gotten used to it the more Alastor touched him. He started with simple and casual touches. Even in bed they began to hold hands while sleeping. Lucifer would never initiate contact but he did reciprocate at least. 

“I hadn’t realized you had such a weak stomach,” Alastor chuckled. “Is that why you didn’t want to go into the shop with me?”

“I didn’t think they would be so fast,” Lucifer’s body was still shaking but he straightened his back.

“Does it bother you that much?” Alastor inquired. He’d noted that Lucifer always looked away when a sinner was being devoured but he simply thought the angel found the sight grotesque. Was it the cannibalism that bothered him? It disappointed Alastor to think about.

Lucifer tried to turn around to look at the demon but he quickly wrapped his arms around the angel to prevent him from turning. He didn’t want to see the disgusted look on his face.

“It’s not,” Lucifer swallowed before continuing. “It’s not the meat. They eat it raw.”

The angel clutched his stomach and gagged again.

“I’ve eaten undercooked meat by accident before,” he paused. “They just tear it apart and eat it uncooked. Oh, the texture.”

Alastor squeezed him tighter and thought back to Lucifer’s quick retreats whenever he was about to eat breakfast. The angel always made up an excuse and left before they could eat breakfast together.

“Is that why you always leave the room before I eat breakfast?” the demon smirked with amusement.

“Oh god, don’t remind me about the deer,” Lucifer rubbed his face.

Alastor couldn’t help but laugh as the angel started gagging again, clearly remembering the deer.

Velvette

Velvette followed Vox down the street as they looked for his crush and their new boyfriend. She didn’t care but Vox promised to convince Valentino to go on vacation for the week and she really needed a break from him. They were both annoying.

They entered a tacky store and Vox beelined for the Radio Demon. He was simply standing there amongst the ugly clothes.

She only looked up in surprise as the King of Hell emerged from the dressing room in the worst outfit she’d ever seen. Disgust quickly replaced the surprise and she tried to take a picture for her social, but her phone burst into flames. She had heard rumors that taking a picture of the King could do that but she didn’t believe them.

He returned to the dressing room as she tried to figure out what to do. She didn’t want to get a new phone but maybe she could convince him to fix it. He had endless magic so he could probably do it. He seemed to detest the outfits that clearly a blind person had picked out for him and he liked ducks. She could work with that.

“Oh, hell no, grandpa,” She growled at him. “Put this on.”

She was surprised he did so without complaint.

“Oh,” he said delightedly. “This is exactly what I wanted.”

“Shut up,” Velvette responded. “Of course it is.”

“These clothes don’t have tags,” he stated when he returned to his normal outfit.

“That's because they didn’t come from this shithole,” she stated snarkily. “I made them.”

“Oh, how much do you want for them then?” he asked.

“I want you to fix my fucking phone,” she held out the broken device.

“Deal,” he shrugged and tapped the phone. “Just don’t take another picture of me. It’ll break.”

Velvette stared in disbelief as the phone mended itself.

“No shit,” she live posted about her experience with the King of Hell. “If you need more clothing advice, you can find me online.”

It would boost her status if he wore her clothes.

“Yeah, I don’t know how to do that,” he shrugged.

“Of course you don’t,” she sighed. “Give me your phone, old man.”

She was surprised again that he simply handed it over. Vox was going to be pissed if he found out she didn’t take advantage of this moment but she was not risking her life to try to find something useful on it.

“Get it now, grandpa?” she rolled her eyes but was pleased to be his first friend. That was definitely going to get her attention.

“Yeah, straight forward enough,” he looked through some posts.

They were silent for a few moments.

“Wanna get some ice cream?” the King offered. “I'll treat.”

“Sure,” she shrugged, not looking away from her phone as she typed out that the King of Hell was buying her ice cream.

He didn’t seem to know where to go so she led him to a nearby shop. She took a picture of their ice cream to post.

“So, what's your name?” he asked.

“Velvette,” she didn’t bother looking up as she ate.

“Are you an Overlord?”

“Yes.”

The king pulled out his own phone to take a selfie and she was not wasting this opportunity. She poised cutely behind him.

“You should put a filter on that and post it,” she suggested.

“Filter?” He gave her a confused look.

What’s with all these old men not knowing how to use modern tech? She showed him how to use stickers and filters before posting the picture herself. She had to make sure people saw it.

“Those dickheads are taking too long,” Velvette grumbled as she finished her ice cream cone.

The King hummed softly in agreement as he continued to eat. She looked up and felt spellbound by his contented smile. It was broken when he opened his eyes. She blinked a few times as she looked away.

“You'd make a good model,” she commented. “If you didn't make phones burst into flames.”

“That would be an occupational hazard,” he chuckled.

Velvette was still reeling over the King’s stunning face when the Radio Demon found them.

“ I hope you're not bothering my King ,” he glared down at her.

Velvette felt immediate fear but tapped it down with a glare. She felt her hands shake but hoped they wouldn’t notice.

“Whatever,” she stood with flourish. “Where's Vox?”

“He ran off to lick his wounds,” Alastor shrank and started to return to normal.

She huffed and turned to leave. She needed to get the Hell away from those two. She felt it would be bad for her health otherwise.

“Bye, grandpa,” she called over her shoulder as she walked away.

She was going to make Vox pay for ditching her. If the King of Hell had been dangerous she would have been screwed. Dick!

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer had spent the better part of the week hanging out with Velvette. She had messaged him about a few outfits that she wanted him to try and it had turned into a photoshoot when he got there. Nothing major, just a few pictures for his social media. He got to pick what he posted. The only camera that could take his picture was in own phone anyway. Velvette would pick the stickers, filters and whatever else she wanted.

“Do you read the comments on your pics?” Velvette asked as she scrolled on her phone.

“Should I?” he responded. He sat next to her, lounging on one of the couches in her studio.

She always dismissed her assistants when he arrived so they were alone.

“No,” she answered. “I have one more outfit for you. If you tell anyone I made it though I will destroy your account.”

“You want a pinkie promise?” he stood with a smirk.

“Just shut it, grandpa,” she changed his outfit with a wave of a finger. She started calling him grandpa more than old man now at least.

“I love it!” he shouted. His eyes were large and sparkly. “This is so perfect.”

“Only you would like something so ugly,” she mumbled and went back to her phone.

Lucifer twirled in front of the mirror. It was a yellow nightgown that ended just beyond his knees. The hood had a duck face and the long sleeves were wings. It also came with knee length orange socks that looked like duck feet.

He flapped his wings in the mirror.

“This is officially my favorite outfit,” he announced and twirled again. It even had a tail. “It's so soft.”

“The radio demon is on his way up,” Velvette stated. “You should get ready to leave.”

“Oh, Alastor’s early,” Lucifer smirked in the mirror. “He’ll hate this outfit. I’m going to pretend like I’m going to wear it for our dinner.”

“Don’t make him too angry,” she chuckled. “He already hates you coming here.”

“It's because of that TV guy,” Lucifer shrugged. “They have some sort of rivalry.”

“He didn’t tell you?” Velvette asked, disinterestedly.

“I didn’t ask,” Lucifer went to wait by the entry door. He wanted to be the first thing Alastor saw.

Lucifer swung the door open as soon as he heard a knock. Alastor’s eyes widened to a comical degree and his smile grew tight. It almost looked like he was about to frown. He must really hate the outfit. 

Lucifer smiled radiantly and spun for him. When he finished the full 360 turn, he splayed his arms wide.

“Do you love it?” he asked gleefully. 

“Please tell me you’re not wearing that outfit to dinner,” Alastor’s eye twitched several times.

“Why? You don’t like it?” Lucifer gave him a fake sad expression.

“It's adorable,” he said through gritted teeth. “But I was hoping for a more formal dinner.”

“Who wouldn’t let me in though?” Lucifer’s grin widened more when Alastor’s ears twitched and his horns grew slightly bigger. “Ok ok, I’ll change.”

Lucifer snapped his fingers to change into his normal outfit.

“Bye, Velvette!” he waved at her.

“See ya later,” she looked up from her phone briefly to wave back.

Lucifer opened a portal back to the hotel. Alastor didn't want to tell him where they were going and the less time they spent in the V’s building the better.

As soon as the portal closed, Alastor blindfolded him.

“You want it to be that big of a surprise?” Lucifer chuckled. “You better not lead me into a wall or something.”

“I would never,” Alastor replied as he spun Lucifer in circles. “Wait here for a moment, I'll be back soon.”

Lucifer didn't like that. Being alone in Alastor's room with a blindfold. Well, probably alone, for all he knew Alastor could still be around.

He crossed his arms and leaned most of his weight on one foot. He tapped the other foot impatiently.

Why couldn't he have been blindfolded after Alastor returned? Probably to annoy him.

Lucifer sighed and shifted feet and thought over the past week.

He'd been posting more stuff on his social media account. Mostly hotel stuff. Like the garden and the pool. He finally got a few swings set up. He even posted pictures of the flag football game he had taken. He knew they would come in handy.

People were chatting with him more as well. Though some only seemed to want to flirt with him. Alastor usually had a talk with them and it ended. Lucifer always tried to handle it himself but he insisted on butting in.

“Ah, the perfect picture of impatience,” Alastor chuckled and grabbed his hands.

“Where did you even go?” Lucifer threaded their fingers together so he couldn't get away. “Can we go now? I'm really curious what the big surprise is.”

Lucifer was getting excited. It must be really fun if Alastor enjoyed keeping him in suspense.

“You can remove the blindfold,” Alastor stated.

They must have traveled via shadow. Though he was certain Alastor could only make short trips with it.

He released one of Alastor's hands to pull the blindfold off.

“Surprise!”

Lucifer blinked a few times then smiled brightly.

Everyone was gathered in the ballroom and there was a sign that said happy birthday. Well, this really was a surprise, he didn't think it was his birthday. Not that he knew the day off the top of his head.

“Happy Birthday, dad,” Charlie ran up to hug him.

He released Alastor's hand to hug her back.

“Thank you, sweetie,” Lucifer hugged her tighter. “I've never had a surprise party before.”

Or a birthday party.

“We didn't really know the day so we just picked one,” she released him with a bright smile.

“Maybe I can figure that out one day,” Lucifer chuckled. “I'd have to figure out how it works with the modern day calendar though.”

“You can figure it out later,” Charlie pulled him along. “Let’s start this party with a dance.”

He tried to dance with Charlie. He was more into ballroom dances than freeform. By the looks of it, Charlie wasn't any better. His smile was bright enough to light the room as they stumbled together though.

When the music turned into a slow dance, he led her into it. They used to dance when she was little but she hadn't been any good then. She was looking at her feet this time but she was better.

“Hmm, we should have danced more when you were little,” he chuckled. “Maybe you'd be able to look at me.”

“I just don't want to step on your feet,” she sighed and looked up with a small smile. “You've been so helpful lately to the hotel and I just want to make today special.”

“Charlie you could break my leg and it'd still be the best day of my life,” he laughed when she made a distraught face. “I've never celebrated my creation before.”

“Not even with the other seraphim?” she asked.

“Hmm, before humans were created or I guess before we seraphim had any real responsibilities,” he started. “Everyday was like a celebration. We played, we created, we were always together. Everything changed so suddenly with Eden.”

“Sounds like it was a rough time,” Charlie gave him a worried look.

He realized that he was frowning and quickly changed it to a smile.

“Time changes everything,” he spun her. “Have to find the happiness where you can get it.”

Charlie smiled at him. “I'm glad you feel that way.”

Vaggie came to claim her girlfriend for the next dance. Immediately after Charlie stepped away, a shadow replaced her. Alastor took hold of his hand and waist to continue the dance.

“Someone was eager for a dance,” Lucifer stuck out his forked tongue.

“Everyone here only knows how to flounder about,” Alastor pulled him closer. “No real talent. Even Charlie danced far better with you than her current partner.”

Lucifer glanced over and winced when Charlie stumbled and almost knocked both herself and Vaggie over.

“Well, it is easier when you have a good lead,” Lucifer complemented himself. “Like right now, I can be a little lazy because you’re doing so well.”

Alastor smiled proudly. “Happy to serve.”

As each song passed, Alastor escalated their performance until everyone had stopped dancing just to watch the two of them. The grace and ease in which they moved was breathtaking. As the song ended, Alastor lifted Lucifer’s leg and dipped him. Lucifer hooked his leg on Alastor’s thigh and flung one hand out as he was lowered; the other arm was wrapped around Alastor’s neck. Their faces were so close they were almost touching.

If this had been a romantic movie, this is where they would have kissed.

“Wow, who’re you trying to impress?” Lucifer noticed how close his head was to the floor.

“Why you, of course,” Alastor's smile softened. “No one else would be worth it.”

Lucifer laughed as Alastor slowly raised him to a standing position. They held eye contact the entire ascent and even after. The hand Alastor had on his back pressed them flush together. Lucifer’s arms were still wrapped around Alastor’s neck. 

His stomach fluttered uncomfortably. It had been happening more often lately. He should give himself a proper examination. After the party, of course.

“I'm done dancing,” Lucifer moved away and stretched his arms. “Oooh, a snack table, you want anything?”

“Allow me to accompany you,” Alastor followed behind him.

Lucifer weaved around the people who were still staring. He'd gotten used to it at this point, so it no longer bothered him. Well, it bothered him a little.

He forgot about it as he grabbed a candy apple. The table was full of desserts.

“No real food?” Lucifer bent a little forward as he bit into the apple so the crumbs wouldn't fall on him. “Hmm, that's good.”

“You prefer sweets,” Alastor twirled the stick of one of the candy apples but didn't pick it up.

“I'm not the only one here,” Lucifer ate a piece of fudge.

“You're the only one that matters,” Alastor replied then sneered as his gaze raked over the room.

Anyone who was staring immediately looked away.

“So how much of this was Charlie’s idea?” Lucifer took another bite of his apple and perused his options on the table. “And how much was yours?”

“The party was Charlie’s idea,” he answered. “Angel suggested a Birthday party. I merely helped with the details.”

“Like the food and the music,” Lucifer picked up a mini cheesecake cupcake to inspect. It looked so cute. “That phonograph looks awfully familiar.”

“Yes, I borrowed it,” Alastor inspected his cane. “It’s much better than mine. The music comes out clearer.”

“Why don’t you keep it then,” Lucifer shrugged with a smile. “You’ll use it more than me.”

“I believe you have it backwards,” he said with a chuckle. “Shouldn’t you be receiving gifts on your birthday?”

“Well then, where’s my present?” Lucifer stood on his tiptoes to try to get into Alastor’s face but was a few inches too short. Maybe he should get taller shoes.

He ate the cheesecake while he waited for an answer.

Alastor lowered his head to close the distance between them and get into Lucifer’s face.

“You’ll have to wait until after the party,” he smirked evilly. “And we both know how patient you are.”

“Might as well wait until tomorrow at that rate,” Lucifer leaned back to look for his next snack. He finished off his apple while he searched.

Alastor took the stick from him.

“You know the last gift I ever got was from Charlie,” Lucifer smiled fondly. “She was still little. She painted a rock to look like a duck. She wanted to help me with my collection. So cute. Maybe I should grab it from the palace to decorate my room.”

“I’m sure Charlie would love to see it again,” Alastor replied.

Lucifer glanced to the side to look at Alastor. He was alternating between watching Lucifer and glaring at the crowd. He often did that when they were in crowded areas. Lucifer appreciated it since people were accosting him more often. It was likely due to the pictures he posted online. They helped the hotel but for some reason people thought he was desperate. None of his pictures were even that sexy.

Lucifer picked up a mini sponge cake with whipped cream on top. He turned to Alastor with a smirk.

“Open up,” he raised the sponge cake until it was almost touching Alastor’s teeth. 

He glared at the offending food then at Lucifer. He wasn’t much for sweets.

Before Lucifer could threaten him, Alastor opened his mouth and ate the cake. He sucked on the tips of Lucifer’s fingers as he pulled away. He licked his teeth after swallowing.

“It tastes better when you feed me,” Alastor said in a low voice.

The uncomfortable feeling in his stomach tightened, almost painfully. His whole body started to feel warm. It took him a moment to lower his arm and another to look away from Alastor. That was definitely weird. He hadn’t expected Alastor to actually eat the cake. He wasn’t going to do that again.

He grabbed another sponge cake and popped it into his own mouth.

“That is pretty good,” Lucifer hummed his appreciation. “Chocolate strawberries!”

After the party, Lucifer returned to his own room alone. He’d gotten a few gifts that he wanted to put away before going to bed.

Vaggie had gotten him an angelic sword; Angel a collar and leash; Husk gave him apple brandy; Niffty gave him a roach ring(at least it was dead); Charlie had gotten him a huge duck plushie to snuggle with. He was pretty sure Alastor would draw a line at the duck so he left it on his own bed. He left the rest of the stuff on his desk. He would put it away later, he really wanted to see what Alastor got him.

He waved his hand to change into his new duck pjs before teleporting to Alastor’s room.

Alastor didn’t notice him immediately. He was wearing his usual red cotton pajamas, the shirt was only buttoned up halfway. Alastor had said lately his chest was too hot to button it all the way. He was already under the covers but propped up with some pillows against the headboard. He flipped to the next page in his book.

Lucifer ran up and jumped onto the bed to make it bounce. Alastor gave him an annoyed look, which turned into irritation when he noticed the duck outfit. He eye twitched a few times.

Lucifer crawled over to him then sat on his haunches when he was right next to Alastor.

“Alright, where’s my gift?” Lucifer demanded. 

“Since you asked so kindly,” Alastor slowly set down his book and grabbed a box from the bedside table. He placed the box in Lucifer’s waiting hand.

It was a red rectangular box with golden designs that had Lucifer’s initials on top. He opened the box and the gold velvet lining contained two cufflinks. They were little ducks with black bow ties and white tophats. Upon closer inspection, the top hats had a tiny apple and snake on it.

Lucifer’s eyes widened and sparkled with happiness. He bit his lip as he didn’t know how to show how much he appreciated the gift. There were no words.

He closed the box and set it on the bed beside him. He hesitated a moment before he jumped onto Alastor excitedly. He wrapped his arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. It was the first time Lucifer had ever initiated contact but he felt it was the only way to express his gratitude.

Lucifer was too short and his face touched Alastor’s chest fur. He couldn’t help but bury his face when he felt how soft it was. Angel’s chest fluff was nothing compared to this. His may have been soft but Alastor’s was silky.

“I love it so much!” Lucifer still felt like it wasn’t enough but wasn’t sure what else to do. “I’m going to wear them all the time!”

He pulled away from Alastor a bit and reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

“Thank you!” Lucifer flashed a radiant smile. “Thank you so much!”

He only regretted it for a moment. It was the most physical contact they’d had yet but Alastor didn’t push him away or voice his displeasure.

Alastor’s hands had settled on Lucifer’s hips during the surprise hug. He squeezed them hard. Lucifer felt his insides twist and tighten more than usual. He really needed to look into that.

“Ah,” Lucifer complained. “Not so hard, that stings.”

Alastor let up on his grip then slid his hands to Lucifer’s lower back to hug him.

“I’m glad you love it,” Alastor’s voice sounded scratchy and rough.

Lucifer laid awake in bed long after Alastor had fallen asleep. He felt anxious and antsy. He wanted to do something but he wasn’t sure what. He carefully left Alastor’s arms to climb out of bed and looked out the window. The only thing in the sky other than the pentagram was Heaven. Not much to look at. He wished he could see the stars again.

An idea hit him. It wasn’t the vastness he had before but there was space in the sky. He could just create his own stars. And why stop at stars? He could make constellations and galaxies.

He looked back at Alastor’s sleeping face. He felt guilty for leaving but it’s not like he was getting any sleep anyway.

Lucifer teleported to the roof then set flight for the outermost barrier of Hell. Once he hit the limit, he began to create. He kept it small so he would have space for more and so as not to disturb Hell’s landscape. It has been a while so he started with stars. Once he had made a few constellations he began to make a galaxy. 

He made the galaxy red and gold, similar to the colors of the box Alastor had gifted him. He chuckled at the thought of Alastor’s reaction if he gave him the galaxy. About halfway through, Lucifer began to feel tired but he pushed on. It was the first time since his fall that he felt the strong urge to create, he wasn’t going to waste it. 

Lucifer realized that he was no longer in his humanoid form right before he finished. He was in his true form, his original form. A golden bird with 6 wings. The only differences from before was that the tips of his wings and tail were red and his talons were now a dark gray. He felt right again. He hadn’t been able to achieve this form after his fall. He always thought it had to do with his chains. Maybe it had been his state of mind.

After the galaxy was completed, Lucifer lazily drifted back down to the hotel. He was tired as he hadn’t used so much power in centuries. He focused again when he got close to the hotel. He would need to land and reassemble his human form.

With a deep breath he changed his form. The radiant light faded slowly until all that was left was his human body. He carefully landed but stumbled and fell backward. Lucifer had ended up on his back on top of the hotel. He looked up at the sky and saw his galaxy. 

The red and gold intermingled perfectly. It looked like a calculated mess. He smiled as his eyes drifted shut. It was his own calculated mess.

Alastor

Lucifer had spent most of the week with Velvette. One of Alastor’s enemies. The V’s had to be planning something. Of all the sinners in Hell, Lucifer just had to make friends with one of the V’s.

Alastor growled as he watched his minions set up the ballroom for Lucifer’s surprise birthday party.

The angel was there even now. He was posting pictures online for all sinners to see. Charlie had shown him some of them. They weren’t sexual but the comments were. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like Lucifer read the comments. Velvette was deleting the worst of it, according to Charlie and Angel anyway.

Fortunately, it seemed that his pictures were bringing in more sincere sinners as well as more vile ones. Everyone in the hotel was already aware what would happen if they carelessly approached Lucifer. Alastor had eaten more than a few of them to get his point across.

“Al, is everything ready?” Charlie ran up to him with a clipboard.

“I have set up the phonograph,” he pointed to the table with the record player. “Angel and Husk are almost done with the decorations. I just started setting up the snack table.”

His minions were bringing in the food as they spoke.

“Thanks for all the work you did,” Charlie smiled then saw the selection. “Is it all dessert?”

“Lucifer prefers desserts,” Alastor inspected his claws proudly. “I spent hours selecting the best ones.”

“Great,” her smile was forced. “Dad will love it. Shouldn’t you go get him?”

“Ah, how time flies,” he smiled at her and summoned his cane. “I shall be back soon.”

He disappeared into his shadow and reappeared outside the hotel. He leisurely walked over to the V’s building. Alastor was ready for a fight even though Lucifer had assured him that it would not be a problem. Velvette had told him that Vox would be out at the time anyway. He very much doubted that but he went anyway. He couldn’t allow Lucifer to miss his own party after all.

Someone greeted him upon arrival and escorted him to Velvette’s room. They left him at the door.

The door swung open as soon as he knocked and he froze upon seeing the angel. He was wearing a yellow duck gown with orange pants that resembled duck feet. The hood of the gown had a duck face on it.

It briefly reminded him that he still hadn’t figured out how to return that damn rubber duck to the palace.

Lucifer smiled radiantly and spun. There was a tail on the back. He splayed his arms out when he faced the demon again.

“Do you love it?” he asked gleefully. 

“Please tell me you’re not wearing that outfit to dinner,” Alastor’s eye twitched several times. He grew more irritated the more he thought of what the sinners would say and do if they saw him in that outfit.

“Why? You don’t like it?” Lucifer gave him a fake sad expression.

“It's adorable,” he said through gritted teeth. “But I was hoping for a more formal dinner.”

“Who wouldn’t let me in though?” Lucifer’s grin widened.

Alastor had to bite his lip to keep himself grounded. Those sinners would love to see him in that outfit. He looked so cute and vulnerable in it. He could imagine their vile thoughts. Alastor would never let anyone else see him in this outfit. Ever!

“Ok ok, I’ll change,” Lucifer snapped his fingers to change into his normal outfit.

The demon had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

“Bye, Velvette!” the angel waved at her.

“See ya later,” she looked up from her phone briefly to wave back.

Lucifer opened a portal back to the hotel and they left. Alastor pulled a blindfold from his pocket and covered the angel’s eyes as soon as they were back in the room.

“You want it to be that big of a surprise?” Lucifer chuckled. “You better not lead me into a wall or something.”

“I would never,” Alastor replied as he spun Lucifer in circles. “Wait here for a moment, I'll be back soon.”

Alastor used his shadow to go to the ballroom. He let everyone know that Lucifer was coming and made final checks with Charlie to ensure everything was set up.

The sight that greeted him when he returned was one of pure impatience. Lucifer had all his weight on one foot as he tapped the other. His arms were crossed and he looked to be deep in thought.

“Ah, the perfect picture of impatience,” Alastor chuckled and grabbed his hands.

“Where did you even go?” Lucifer frowned and threaded their fingers together. “Can we go now? I'm really curious what the big surprise is.”

The demon used his shadow to take them to the ballroom.

“You can remove the blindfold,” Alastor stated.

Lucifer released one of his hands to pull the blindfold off.

“Surprise!”

Lucifer blinked a few times then smiled brightly.

“Happy Birthday, dad,” Charlie ran up to hug him.

Alastor retreated once Lucifer released his hand to hug his daughter. She pulled him onto the dance floor. The demon just had to wait for his moment.

Both the Morningstars were terrible dancers. It looked like they were flailing around next to each other. It would be merciful for everyone if he changed it to a waltz or something that Lucifer knew how to dance to. 

Lucifer grabbed his daughter and took the lead. Alastor admired that the angel had mastered leading and following. Charlie was doing her best to keep up as she stared at their feet. Eventually, she looked up. They were both smiling. 

Alastor felt warmth spread through his chest again. An unknown but pleasant feeling.

When Vaggie went over to ask Charlie for a dance, Alastor used his shadow to grab hold of Lucifer. He was not going to let another sinner even have the opportunity to ask for a dance.

“Someone was eager for a dance,” Lucifer stuck his forked tongue out causing several sinners around them to stare. The angel was too beautiful for his own good.

“Everyone here only knows how to flounder about,” Alastor pulled him closer to narrow his view. “No real talent. Even Charlie danced far better with you than her current partner.”

Lucifer glanced over and winced when Charlie stumbled and almost knocked both herself and Vaggie over.

“Well, it is easier when you have a good lead,” Lucifer complemented himself. “Like right now, I can be a little lazy because you’re doing so well.”

Alastor smiled proudly. “Happy to serve.”

As each song passed, a new sinner would try to approach them to ask for a dance. Alastor would spin them away into the next dance or glare murderously at them. Lucifer was having too much fun to notice. He kept up with Alastor as he escalated their performance, showing the other sinners the level of skill they required to ask the King of Hell for a dance.

Everyone stopped dancing to watch the two of them move together. Lucifer was graceful and breathtaking. As the song ended, Alastor lifted Lucifer’s leg and dipped him. Lucifer hooked his leg on Alastor’s thigh and flung one hand out as he was lowered; the other arm was wrapped around Alastor’s neck. Their faces were so close they were almost touching.

Alastor almost closed the distance between them.

“Wow, who’re you trying to impress?” Lucifer chuckled breathlessly.

“Why you, of course,” Alastor's smile softened. “No one else would be worth it.”

Lucifer laughed and the demon felt his heart skip a beat. Alastor stared into his eyes as he lifted the angel back into a standing position. He held Lucifer flush against him as they simply held each other. Alastor had a suspicion on what he was feeling but he needed time to fully grasp it.

“I'm done dancing,” Lucifer suddenly announced and released him to stretch. “Oooh, a snack table, you want anything?”

“Allow me to accompany you,” Alastor followed behind him.

Lucifer weaved through the crowd with ease. His eyes immediately landed on a candy apple. He picked it up excitedly as he scanned the tables.

“No real food?” Lucifer bent forward slightly to bite into the apple. “Hmm, that's good.”

“You prefer sweets,” Alastor nervously twirled the stick of one of the candy apples but didn't pick it up. Did Lucifer want more traditional food?

“I'm not the only one here,” Lucifer shoved a piece of fudge into his mouth.

“You're the only one that matters,” Alastor replied then sneered as his gaze raked over the room.

Anyone that was staring immediately looked away. Lucifer didn’t even flinch, he had grown used to Alastor randomly displaying hostility, he even looked like he appreciated it sometimes. Now was one of those instances.

“So how much of this was Charlie’s idea?” Lucifer bit his apple as he looked for a new snack. “And how much was yours?”

“The party was Charlie’s idea,” he answered. “Angel suggested a Birthday party. I merely helped with the details.”

“Like the food and the music,” Lucifer lifted a mini cheesecake to inspect. “That phonograph looks awfully familiar.”

“Yes, I borrowed it,” he inspected his cane. He hoped Lucifer wouldn’t be upset that Alastor had gone into his room without permission. “It’s much better than mine. The music comes out clearer.”

“Why don’t you keep it then,” Lucifer shrugged with a smile. “You’ll use it more than me.”

He was surprised and flustered at the sudden gift.

“I believe you have it backwards,” he said with a chuckle. “Shouldn’t you be receiving gifts on your birthday?”

“Well then, where’s my present?” Lucifer entered the demon’s personal space and stood on his tiptoes to bring their faces closer. The angel seemed miffed that they weren’t face to face.

He ate the cheesecake as he waited for an answer. 

Alastor bent down until he was in Lucifer’s face.

“You’ll have to wait until after the party,” he smirked evilly. “And we both know how patient you are.”

“Might as well wait until tomorrow at that rate,” Lucifer lowered himself and finished off his apple.

Alastor took the stick from him and disposed of it.

“You know the last gift I ever got was from Charlie,” Lucifer smiled fondly. “She was still little. She painted a rock to look like a duck. She wanted to help me with my collection. So cute. Maybe I should grab it from the palace to decorate my room.”

“I’m sure Charlie would love to see it again,” Alastor replied.

Lucifer glanced between the snack table and Alastor. The demon was busy trying to intimidate the rest of the room so they wouldn’t bother the angel. It may be a celebration for Lucifer but they weren’t allowed to talk to him. Especially the ones who only wanted to flirt with him, which was most of them.

Lucifer smirked mischievously as he picked up a cake with whipped cream. He shoved it in Alastor’s face.

“Open up,” he almost pressed it into the demon’s teeth. 

Alastor glared at the snack then glanced at Lucifer’s face. He opened his mouth and ate the confection, making sure to lightly lick his fingers in the process. He swallowed and licked his teeth to try to hide his grimace. It was too sweet but not as sweet as Lucifer’s dumbfounded face.

“It tastes better when you feed me,” Alastor said in a low voice.

Lucifer stood wide eyed and frozen. It took everything in Alastor to maintain a normal smile instead of laughing. The angel’s face started to turn gold and then he lowered his arm. His movements were wooden as he looked away from Alastor and grabbed another cake to shove into his own mouth. 

“That is pretty good,” Lucifer hummed his appreciation. “Chocolate strawberries!”

Alastor had settled under the covers but was propped up against the headboard so he could read. The bed suddenly bounced when Lucifer jumped onto it. The demon looked up to give him an annoyed look that turned to irritation when he saw the duck outfit. He’d hoped to see the last of it in the V’s building. He felt his eye twitch repeatedly. 

Lucifer crawled over to him and stopped a few inches away. He sat on his calves and held out his hand impatiently. 

“Alright, where’s my gift?” the angel demanded. 

“Since you asked so kindly,” Alastor made a show of slowly setting his book down and grabbing a box from the bedside table. He placed the box in Lucifer’s waiting hand.

It was a red rectangular box with golden designs that had Lucifer’s initials on top. Inside sitting on velvet lining were two cufflinks. They were little ducks that had Lucifer’s bowtie and tophat.

Lucifer’s eyes widened and sparkled with happiness. He bit his lip and practically vibrated with joy. Alastor smiled at his reaction, he hadn’t looked like that with his other gifts. 

Alastor grew confused when Lucifer set the box down and looked up at him with hesitation. He had expected the angel to want to try them on.

Lucifer suddenly jumped on him and hugged him tightly. The first time the angel had ever touched him first. Alastor’s hands automatically went to his hips. Lucifer leaned his head forward and buried his face into the demon’s chest fur. 

He’d been leaving his shirt partially unbuttoned in hopes that Lucifer would want to touch his fur like he had for Angel Dust. It hadn’t worked though and he regretted wasting Rosie’s time on softening the fur until that moment.

“I love it so much!” Lucifer’s voice was slightly muffled by his fur. “I’m going to wear them all the time!”

The angel pulled away from Alastor and pecked him on the cheek.

“Thank you!” Lucifer flashed a radiant smile. “Thank you so much!”

Alastor didn’t have any words as his heart raced. This was one of the happiest moments of his life. He was holding a radiant Lucifer in his arms and he had been the cause of that smile. He squeezed the angel’s hips subconsciously as he felt warmth spread through his chest. 

“Ah,” Lucifer complained. “Not so hard, that stings.”

Alastor released his grip and moved his hand to the angel’s lower back.

“I’m glad you love them,” Alastor’s voice felt scratchy and rough.

He was in love with Lucifer, he realized. He had never felt this way before but he was sure it was romantic love. He’d have to confirm with Rosie later.

For the first time, Alastor fell asleep holding his angel in his arms. A sincere smile graced his features.

Velvette

Velvette watched the King leave with his lover. They were cute together, she thought as she scrolled through Lucifer’s latest posts. She deleted the more illicit pictures and sent out warnings to those posting it. He may not look at them but she was going to be damned if he blamed her for their existence. She also didn’t like seeing them.

She wondered how crazy the posts would be if she managed to get the King to wear a skimpy outfit. That’ll have to wait for another day.

Charlie

“And yet they both still deny being together,” Vaggie scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Charlie stumbled and almost knocked them both over.

“Sorry,” she grimaced. “Maybe we should call that dance instructor back.”

“Why not ask your dad?” Vaggie giggled at her girlfriend’s antics. “Or hell, even Alastor?”

“Those two are busy,” Charlie looked up and smiled as her father laughed. “I think someone as old fashioned as Alastor is courting him. So maybe they’re not together yet.”

Vaggie’s eyes narrowed in disgust at the two as Alastor dipped her father so low his head almost touched the floor. For a moment it looked like they would kiss again but her father said something before Alastor pulled them back up.

“That looks like courtship to me,” Charlie gushed happily. “Look how happy they are.”

“Yeah, sure,” she sighed.

“If I learn how to dance properly then maybe I can dip you that low,” Charlie purred in her ear.

“...I’ll call the dance instructor,” Vaggie offered breathlessly.

???

He was awoken by a light tug. A tug he hadn’t felt in centuries. He sat up in his bed and summoned a mirror. It instantly changed to show him what he desired.

The fallen angel.

He blinked in surprise as the mirror depicted Lucifer creating; stars, planets, and even constellations. He hadn’t created anything since his fall. None of the seraphim had. They all lost their spark the moment he had fallen. They no longer created, they simply maintained.

He touched the mirror lovingly as he watched Lucifer’s brilliant smile. Even from this distance he still felt the effect. Anyone that laid eyes upon Lucifer’s smiling face felt a surge of happiness. It was his greatest power.

He desperately missed that smile. He desperately missed Lucifer.

The fallen angel was creating a galaxy, red and gold. Was it to represent his two halves, angel and demon? He watched with his own smile as the small angel worked.

He chuckled when Lucifer assumed his true form. A beautiful golden bird but it seemed his form had changed somewhat. His claws were dark gray while the tips of his wings and tail were red.

Leave it to Lucifer to be the first immortal being to change and grow. He was always a marvel. He should have been an inspiration to the other seraphim instead of being cast out.

The angel flew down and landed on top of a building where a red deer sinner went to greet him. Lucifer passed out and the sinner panicked over him. He took the small angel in his arms and dissolved into the shadow. The mirror was black for a moment before showing a room that broke up into a bayou.

His focus was on the bed, however, where the sinner hugged Lucifer and cried. The sinner felt helpless to do anything for the angel.

His eyes widened when he realized that the red part of the galaxy was supposed to represent that sinner. He felt a pang of guilt and decided to cheat. He sent a bit of his own power to Lucifer so he’d recover faster. No one would notice such a small amount.

He dismissed the mirror into a flurry of multicolored sparks and went back to sleep.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer was grounded for the week. 

Well, not really but Alastor had been angry at him and said he'd forgive Lucifer faster if he stayed at the hotel. Lucifer had complied since he felt guilty about disappearing for two days and accidentally causing a Hell wide panic.

Making that galaxy and exhausting all his angelic power had taken two whole days. His true form had shown radiantly and caused all of Pentagram City to think they were under attack by Heaven while their king was absent. Charlie and her friends had assumed the worst and thought he was captured or dead.

To further put salt in the wound, specifically Alastor's wound, he had been the first to go to the roof to defend the hotel and had found Lucifer passed out and vulnerable on the ground in his duck gown. Alastor connected the pieces pretty quickly but had still been worried about him.

It had only taken a few hours of sleep for Lucifer to regain all his power. He had woken in Alastor’s tight embrace. After a long lecture, Lucifer had gone to apologize to his daughter. He'd held her while she cried with relief.

So there he was, waiting for Alastor in his bed, like he had for the entire week. He finally remembered to examine himself at least. Those little flutters in his stomach were caused by his fluctuating divinity. It was also likely the reason why he’d been so antsy. It was a good thing he had the urge to create or that would have been an uncomfortable couple of days.

The only question left was, why were his powers fluctuating? It wasn’t enough to affect anything he did but it was occasionally uncomfortable.

Oh well, he thought. It always passed with time.

The urge to create, surprisingly, didn’t leave him though. He may or may not have snuck out to put a few more stars in the sky. He was sure no one would notice.

Showing off his creation was a bit bitter sweet. Everyone liked it but the panic had kinda ruined it a bit for everyone. Everyone except Alastor. They went outside to the garden every night to stargaze together. They wouldn’t be able to do it that day though. They actually had plans. 

Charlie wanted to have dinner with her hotel friends. Alastor had, oh so graciously, volunteered them for cooking. Lucifer had agreed to make the dessert and help with prep and clean up.

“It seems you had a productive day of rest,” Alastor smirked down at him.

“Oh, you’re back,” Lucifer blinked up at him. He’d been so engrossed in thought he hadn’t noticed. He rolled to his side to face Alastor. “I already told you that I was fully recovered after a few hours of rest.”

“You don’t seem as energetic as usual,” Alastor offered a hand to help him out of bed. “You’ve been sluggish.”

Lucifer accepted it subconsciously. 

“I just feel really relaxed,” Lucifer released his hand after standing up to fully stretch. He felt several pops throughout his body. “You know, I just feel like I don’t have to be on high alert for once. Just let my hair down.”

They made their way to the door and out to the lobby.

“You make me feel safe,” Lucifer smiled at him. “I can be unrestrainedly me, and you’ll tell me if I’m too annoying or bothering you. I don’t have to overthink it with you.”

“Quite the compliment from the King of Hell himself,” Alastor held the kitchen door open for him and mockingly bowed. 

Lucifer held his head high and walked like the sovereign he was. He knew it looked silly in the jeans and form fitting blue shirt he was wearing. The few sinners in the kitchen watched their interaction closely. Since they no longer had a set time and place to meet, they started to stare more blatantly.

Alastor’s glare caused them to look away.

“Alright, bellhop,” he grinned when the glare turned to him. “What should I do first?”

Alastor’s smirk told him that perhaps he should have waited on the teasing. He had Lucifer running all over the kitchen several times over to grab things he’s forgotten to get out. He’d ‘accidentally’ make messes that he asked Lucifer to clean. 

“You’re such a pain,” Lucifer growled as he bumped his hip into Alastor while cleaning up yet another mess. 

He could have just used his powers to clean the whole kitchen but Charlie had him on this new exercise to understand the common sinner. She didn’t want him to use his power for things like this. She wanted him to do it like any normal mortal would. She thought it would lead him to understand and feel closer to the sinners. Alastor made him regret agreeing to it.

“Be patient, Lucifer,” Alastor chuckled. “Accidents happen.”

“Just don’t make my portion outrageously spicy this time,” Lucifer growled. “Or I’ll steal yours.”

“What makes you think that I eat anything less spicy?” Alastor shot him an amused smile.

“You seriously eat it that hot?” Lucifer almost yelled.

“Indeed,” he nodded as he grabbed the mixer to make mashed potatoes.

Lucifer simply watched him in disbelief. His expression faded to a fond smile as he simply took in Alastor’s appearance. He’d removed his jacket and had the sleeves of his shirt neatly folded to the elbow. He used a black apron to protect his clothes. A small smile graced his features and he hummed softly to himself. It was hard to hear over the blender. Alastor closed his eyes and appeared to be reminiscing in happier memories. Probably of his mother.

Lucifer took out his phone and took a picture of him. Since he was facing the counter Lucifer was only able to get a side profile. He used a rosy filter and a chef’s hat sticker on Alastor’s head. With a satisfied smile, he made it his phone’s background. Even though they spent so much time together, it was still rare to see Alastor look so serene and happy. 

He moved back to his own station and prepared his apple fritters. They were mostly done, just a few final touches and they would be ready for the oven. He planned to put them in while everyone was being served so they’d be fresh and warm. 

“Oh, how clumsy of me,” Alastor stated in false remorse. “I spilled the gravy all over the floor.”

The fond smile turned into a frustrated frown as he went to fetch the mop. He was going to add extra sugar to Alastor’s pastry. 

Lucifer chickened out at the last moment and he was glad he did. Alastor let out the most delighted moan when he took a bite of the fritter. Angel had dropped his pastry back on the plate in surprise. The whole table just stared at him in shock.

“That was passable,” Alastor didn’t show an ounce of embarrassment as he smirked at Lucifer.

“Passable?” Lucifer looked at him with smug excitement. “Can’t wait to hear you when you’re absolutely delighted then.”

A light blush graced Alastor’s features as he took another bite and ignored Lucifer. He couldn’t help but watch Alastor slowly eat the pastry. He clearly wanted to devour the whole thing quickly.

“Uh, dad,” Charlie hesitantly called out to him.

“Yes, sweetie,” he turned the full attention of his smile toward her.

“I was just wondering,” she started then stopped. “Um, I noticed- We noticed that you haven’t been wearing your wedding ring the last few weeks.”

Lucifer’s smile waned a bit as he looked down at his empty finger before he looked back up at her.

“Are you seeing someone?” she asked. “Or do you want to talk about why you took the ring off?”

Was she simply worried about him? It has been a few weeks since he had actually taken it off. Why hadn’t she said something sooner?

“I’m not seeing anyone,” his smile turned strained. “If you want to talk about it though, maybe we can do so in private.”

“Oh, come on, dad,” she gave him a reassuring smile. “We’re all family now. We’re just worried about you.”

He looked over at Alastor to see if he’d known about this prior but he looked just as confused.

“Family,” he said pensively as he looked around the rest of the table. They all gave him reassuring smiles.

A happy feeling burst inside his chest and he smiled brightly at them. A family. He was part of a family again. It reminded him of his days with the other seraphim. They were always together, how they played or shared their fears with each other. They had always been there for each other until…. Until they weren’t.

His smile quickly faded and his eyelids lowered with sorrow. He seemed to shrink into his seat.

The seraphim had been there for him with the good times but the moment he’d made his first mistake they had kicked him into the pit. Lilith had been the same. He tried so hard to make a life with her, a happy life but she left him too. All he had left was Charlie and even then she had only called him because she needed something.

“Lucifer!”

Lucifer blinked a few times and realized someone was shaking him gently. His gaze shifted from the plate in front of him to the hands on his bicep, then he followed them up to Alastor’s worried expression. He shook off the rest of the fog in his head and took a deep breath. He didn’t need to breathe but it felt relaxing to do.

When was the last time that he spiraled like that? He didn’t count the cursed object either. 

Alastor didn’t release his grip and Lucifer belatedly realized that Charlie was holding one of his hands. He squeezed her hand and shot her what he hoped was a reassuring look.

“Sorry, I spaced out,” he rubbed his head with his free hand and smiled awkwardly. “What were we talking about again?”

“Um, your ring,” Charlie replied hesitantly.

“Oh, right,” Lucifer looked at their joint hands where the ring would have been. His gaze shifted around the table at all the worried looks everyone was giving him.

This time was different, he assured himself. These people had already seen the good and the bad of him. They already knew about his mistakes. He was the reason they were even down here.

“During movie night, you played one of Lilith’s favorites,” Lucifer gently removed Alastor’s hands from him and smiled at him gratefully. “I couldn’t help but think of her the whole movie and for the first time, I didn’t want to remember her. I didn’t want to be trapped in those memories, I wanted to make new memories.”

Lucifer summoned the ring in the palm of his free hand and looked at it.

“I created and enchanted two rings together. This ring is bound to Lilith’s. If either one is broken the other will follow suit,” Lucifer held it up between two fingers. “If one of us dies the rings will cease to exist as well. It’s the only reason I know she’s alive.”

He opened Charlie’s hand and placed the ring on her palm.

“I’ve worn it all this time in hopes that Lilith would wear hers again, even if just for a moment,” Lucifer sighed. “When we both wear the rings, we can feel each other’s very souls. I would be able to find her anywhere as long as she’s wearing it.”

There were a few moments of silence. Lucifer lit the fireplace with his own blue flames. He stood and pulled Charlie over to it as he spoke.

“I accepted a long time ago that Lilith was not coming back to me but feeling her presence was always a comfort,” he admitted. “I know she only wore the ring after you two left because if anything happened to her she wanted me to protect you.”

He cupped her face and pulled her down to kiss her forehead. Charlie clutched the ring to her chest.

“She took off the ring before she disappeared and I’ve continued to wear it, not for comfort, but for you,” he gave her a dejected smile. “I wanted to find her for you but I think it's time we give up that hope that we’ll ever see her again.”

Charlie looked devastated but understanding of his words.

He may not have been close to Charlie before but he had called her at least once a month to check up on her. Lilith hadn’t even spoken to their daughter in almost eight years.

“I don’t want to think about her anymore and even if she did come back, I could never forgive her for hurting you like this,” he grabbed her hands. “I am choosing to move on but that doesn’t mean you have to. Why don’t you keep the ring? You’ll still be able to feel her soul if you wear it.”

“But,” Charlie started crying.

“My hellfire can destroy the ring,” Lucifer wiped her tears. “You don’t have to do it now, but if you ever-”

Charlie pulled from his grasp and chucked the ring into the fireplace.

“Charlie,” Lucifer pulled her into a hug. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she hugged him tightly. “If she wants to see me then she can find me herself.”

Together, they watched the ring melt in the fireplace.

How does Lilith feel now that the ring is gone, he thought to himself but decided not to voice it out loud. Lucifer felt relieved, did she share that feeling?

Alastor

Lucifer still didn’t seem like he’d completely recovered after resting for an entire week. He was still sluggish and he wasn’t as quick to respond to conversation. He had passed out after spending two days using up his divine power to create a galaxy. 

Alastor had woken up alone the day after Lucifer’s party. He had a bad feeling about that since his angel usually waited for him to wake up before getting out of bed.

He had rushed through his morning routine and searched for Lucifer but couldn’t find him. As the rest of the hotel residents began to stir, he asked them if they had seen his angel but to no avail.

Lucifer had been gone for nearly two days when a giant golden bird had appeared in the sky. It seemed to just be flying around aimlessly. It looked like something from Heaven. 

Charlie had called a meeting to discuss what it could mean. Lucifer would never disappear without letting them know unless there was an emergency and he didn’t have time. As much as they hated to admit it, Lucifer was either severely injured or dead.

Alastor had clenched his fist so hard that his claws had pierced through his palm.

The demon had been the first to get to the roof when they saw the bird descending. It hadn’t felt malicious and the closer it got the more beautiful it looked. Just before landing the bird condensed into a human body and all that was left was Lucifer. He stumbled and fell backward. He smiled up at the sky before passing out.

Alastor didn’t know what to do. How does one take care of a seraphim? He had taken Lucifer to their room and simply held him. His angel seemed disoriented when he woke but that didn’t stop Alastor from getting upset with him.

Lucifer had the decency to look guilty. He’d been surprised at how much time had passed too. Alastor couldn’t stay mad at him after Lucifer spoke to Charlie. His angel had looked like he was going to die of guilt.

Despite the panic it had caused, Alastor had to admit that Lucifer’s work was beautiful. The red and gold intermingled chaotically. It was the representation of Lucifer’s angelic and demonic sides mixing together. The galaxy suited his angel perfectly.

Lucifer had quietly rested in their bed all week to repent. Waiting for Alastor to return so they could stargaze together. The demon was still worried though. Were these long term effects of draining himself? Why was his angel so slow?

He hadn’t even noticed that Alastor returned. Normally he’d know right away but he was still laying on the bed, completely oblivious.

“It seems you had a productive day of rest,” Alastor smirked down at him.

“Oh, you’re back,” Lucifer blinked up at him and slowly rolled to his side to face him. “I already told you that I was fully recovered after a few hours of rest.”

“You don’t seem as energetic as usual,” Alastor offered a hand to help him out of bed. “You’ve been sluggish.”

Lucifer grasped his hand as soon as it was offered. 

“I just feel really relaxed,” Lucifer let him go and stretched. “You know, I just feel like I don’t have to be on high alert for once. Just let my hair down.”

They walked out of the room together and headed for the lobby.

“You make me feel safe,” Lucifer smiled at him. “I can be unrestrainedly me, and you’ll tell me if I’m too annoying or bothering you. I don’t have to overthink it with you.”

“Quite the compliment from the King of Hell himself,” Alastor held the kitchen door open for him and mockingly bowed. 

Lucifer held his head high and walked like the sovereign he was. He held his head a bit too high and looked more like he was staring at the ceiling. 

Several sinners turned to stare at them as they entered. They looked away when Alastor glared at them.

“Alright, bellhop,” his angel grinned at him. “What should I do first?”

Alastor smirked down at him. He may have forgiven Lucifer for his disappearing act but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t get his revenge. He purposely forgot ingredients or tools to force Lucifer to walk all over the kitchen and fetch them. He made the occasional mess to watch him clean up too.

Charlie had convinced her father to act like a normal mortal. He only did it occasionally and he usually just picked random days to comply. Alastor had convinced him it would be a good day to do it. He had to do everything manually without the use of his power.

“You’re such a pain,” Lucifer growled and bumped into Alastor’s hip to move him. He cleaned up the latest mess with a rag. He looked regretful. 

“Be patient, Lucifer,” Alastor chuckled. “Accidents happen.”

“Just don’t make my portion outrageously spicy this time,” Lucifer growled. “Or I’ll steal yours.”

“What makes you think that I eat anything less spicy?” Alastor grinned down at him with amusement.

“You seriously eat it that hot?” Lucifer almost yelled.

“Indeed,” he nodded as he grabbed the mixer to make mashed potatoes.

Alastor smiled to himself as he turned on the mixer. Cooking often reminded him of his mother, especially when he used her recipes. His mother and Lucifer would have loved each other. She’d make him all the sweets he could ever dream of and she would happily feed him. He could only imagine what the kitchen would look and smell like afterward, probably Heaven.

Lucifer went back to working on his dessert. He had conjured up a pink frilly apron that had a picture of a rubber duck and the words “the cook” underneath. He seemed deep in thought as he put the finishing touches on the pastries.

“Oh, how clumsy of me,” Alastor acted dramatically remorseful. “I spilled the gravy all over the floor.”

Lucifer’s smile quickly dropped into a frown as he sighed and walked away. He came back with a mop to clean up the mess. Alastor smiled at him innocently.

Lucifer stared at Alastor intently as he took a bite of the apple fritter. The demon was so surprised that he let out a loud moan of pleasure. Did his angel purposely make it less sweet for him? 

“That was passable,” Alastor declared with a smirk.

“Passable?” Lucifer said with smug excitement. “Can’t wait to hear you when you’re absolutely delighted then.”

Alastor felt his face warm at Lucifer’s constant stare. He tried to ignore him as he continued to eat the pastry.

“Uh, dad,” Charlie hesitantly called out to him.

“Yes, sweetie,” Lucifer finally looked away from him to smile at his daughter. 

“I was just wondering,” she started then stopped. “Um, I noticed- We noticed that you haven’t been wearing your wedding ring the last few weeks.”

Lucifer’s smile shrunk as he looked down at his finger then back up.

Alastor closed his mouth in surprise. No one had informed him that they were going to ask about that. Was this dinner just an intervention of sorts? He’d been curious about the ring as well but it never seemed like the right time to ask.

“Are you seeing someone?” she asked. “Or do you want to talk about why you took the ring off?”

“I’m not seeing anyone,” Lucifer’s smile turned strained. “If you want to talk about it though, maybe we can do so in private.”

“Oh, come on, dad,” she gave him a reassuring smile. “We’re all family now. We’re just worried about you.”

Lucifer quickly glanced at Alastor before his gaze roamed the rest of the room.

“Family,” he said in a monotone voice, as if the word was foreign to him. He looked at the table in thought.

For a short moment, his face lit up happily as he seemed to mull over the idea. Just as quickly, the smile faded and his expression looked devoid of life. Charlie got up to grab his hand but he didn’t respond. He wasn’t even breathing.

Alastor stood and touched his face, no response.

“Lucifer,” he said normally, still no response. Alastor grabbed his angel’s arm and squeezed. “Lucifer.”

Lucifer’s head lolled to the side.

“Lucifer!” he shouted and began to shake him.

His angel blinked and took a deep breath. He looked disoriented as his gaze moved from the table to his arm to Alastor’s face. His eyes still looked glazed. Lucifer shook his head and seemed to completely recover after a moment. He took another deep breath before speaking.

“Sorry, I spaced out,” Lucifer rubbed his head and smiled awkwardly. “What were we talking about again?”

Alastor exchanged a quick look with Charlie before she responded.

“Um, your ring,” she replied hesitantly.

“Oh, right,” Lucifer looked down at their joint hands with a blank expression.

His angel nodded to himself.

“During movie night, you played one of Lilith’s favorites,” Lucifer gently removed Alastor’s hands from him with a grateful smile. “I couldn’t help but think of her the whole movie and for the first time, I didn’t want to remember her. I didn’t want to be trapped in those memories, I wanted to make new memories.”

Lucifer opened his free hand to reveal the wedding ring.

“I created and enchanted two rings together. This ring is bound to Lilith’s. If either one is broken the other will follow suit,” Lucifer held it up between two fingers. “If one of us dies the rings will cease to exist as well. It’s the only reason I know she’s alive.”

He opened Charlie’s hand and placed the ring on her palm.

“I’ve worn it all this time in hopes that Lilith would wear hers again, even if just for a moment,” Lucifer sighed. “When we both wear the rings, we can feel each other’s very souls. I would be able to find her anywhere as long as she’s wearing it.”

Lucifer paused as his words sunk in. The fireplace lit up with his angel’s blue hellfire as he stood and pulled his daughter over to it.

Alastor glanced at Vaggie, Angel and Husk. They were all standing and moved a bit closer. The demon decided to stay in place. This was Lucifer’s moment with Charlie. They shouldn’t interfere.

“I accepted a long time ago that Lilith was not coming back to me but feeling her presence was always a confort,” he admitted. “I know she only wore the ring after you two left because if anything happened to her she wanted me to protect you.”

Lucifer cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead. Charlie was trying her best not to cry as she clenched her fist against her chest.

“She took off the ring before she disappeared and I’ve continued to wear it, not for comfort, but for you,” he smiled, dejectedly. “I wanted to find her for you but I think it's time we give up that hope that we’ll ever see her again.”

Charlie gave him a devastated look then looked down in understanding.

“I don’t want to think about her anymore and even if she did come back, I could never forgive her for hurting you like this,” he grabbed her hands. “I am choosing to move on but that doesn’t mean you have to. Why don’t you keep the ring? You’ll still be able to feel her soul if you wear it.”

“But,” Charlie started crying.

“My hellfire can destroy the ring,” Lucifer wiped her tears. “You don’t have to do it now, but if you ever-”

Charlie quickly pulled away from Lucifer to throw the ring into the fire.

“Charlie,” this angel pulled her into a hug. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she hugged him tightly. “If she wants to see me then she can find me herself.”

As the ring melted, so did the tension in Lucifer’s body.

Alastor held Lucifer as he fell asleep. He’d done it most nights since his angel’s birthday party but that night felt different. Lucifer had been emotionally drained and clung to Alastor tightly until he finally drifted to sleep. 

He’d learned a lot at the dinner, about the ring and about Lucifer himself. His angel’s devotion to Charlie ran much deeper than he knew. He also did not pine after Lilith anymore, but then why did he look at his empty finger sadly sometimes? If he didn’t miss Lilith, then what? Maybe Alastor should give him a new ring to think about. That might be too much too soon. Perhaps he could convince Charlie to give him one.

If anything, Alastor wanted a ring like Lilith’s. What did Lucifer’s soul feel like? Would they be able to sense each other’s feelings? There would be less misunderstandings between them if they could.

There was a chance that Lucifer returned his feelings. They were already close, they were closer to each other than anyone else. It would be best to bide his time for now. They had a lot of time together anyway and Lucifer was in his bed. As long as he kept his angel happy, he was sure that Lucifer would love him one day.

Charlie

Charlie numbly washed the dishes as she replayed the dinner in her head. She had just wanted them to admit they were dating. She asked Alastor again and he denied it again . Vaggie had finally convinced her to just ask her dad but she never would have expected their talk to turn so serious.

Her mom… She remembered the day clearly when she had taken Charlie from the palace. Away from her dad. He didn’t visit but he called once a month.

Charlie had always hoped they would make things work, especially since her mom still wore her ring. If only she had known the real significance of it.

Her expression brightened when she thought about getting rings with Vaggie. To always know where her girlfriend was and vice versa. She could understand why her dad would make something like that.

If her mom ever showed up again, she’d be upset but would ultimately choose to forgive her. She could understand why her dad wouldn’t and didn’t begrudge him for it. Seven years probably wasn’t even a lot to her mom. Does she realize that so much time has passed?

She shook her head and refocused. She’d finally asked her dad if he was dating someone and he denied it. He looked really sincere too. He wasn’t a very good liar which meant that they weren’t together.

That just made everything more confusing. They acted like lovers would. Did they have feelings for each other and not realize? Or maybe they were both pining for the other and were too afraid to make the first move?

Charlie dried the last dish and put it away. Whatever it was, she would not interfere. They were both already so very happy together. If they ever stopped being happy then she would intervene but since they seemed perfectly fine as they were then she'd leave it be.

Now she needed to focus on the romance between Angel and Husk. They both seemed to be struggling around each other and she wanted to help bring them together. She was pretty sure the main problem was Valentino. She couldn’t do anything about the deal but maybe she could take a page from Alastor’s book and trick him into giving up Angel’s soul.

She smiled to herself as she left the kitchen to return to her room. Vaggie said she needed to prepare something special for tonight so she couldn’t help with the clean up. Charlie was super excited to see what it was.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer cursed himself for the thousandth time that week. If only he had just kept a better track of the days or had taken his fluctuating divinity more seriously. It was almost time for the angel’s yearly molt. His emotional and physical being had been all over the place the last few weeks. He’d been too distracted by hotel activities and Alastor.

All of Alastor's observations of his health made more sense now.

He couldn’t believe it had taken until his wings started to get sensitive for him to even notice. Unfortunately for him, Lucifer usually got extremely horny during his molt. It hadn’t always been like that and now he had confirmation that he was the outlier.

All seraphim had been created with wings and they had all molted at the same time. When he was with the others, molts had been painful. According to Vaggie everyone else, including her, were still like that.

Lucifer had embarrassedly confessed to her that after his fall he got aroused instead of feeling pain. He only told her just in case it happened to her too. Maybe it was just another punishment caused by Hell. Or maybe he turned into a slight masochist after the pain from his fall.

He still had a few days until it started and he already prepared his hotel room for it. He thought about going back to the palace for it but he was worried about Vaggie. If she needed advice or help with her wings the least he could do is try to be there for her.

Her's would likely only last a week or two at most. Lucifer’s always lasted at least three weeks, sometimes four. Most seraphim were the same.

His body was already sore and he'd been even more sluggish for the past week. Alastor had been pestering him about it for weeks already.

“What did you and Vaggie discuss today?” Alastor asked, nonchalantly. He was standing next to the bed looking down at Lucifer.

“Oh, you mean at our secret meeting that no one was supposed to know about?” Lucifer looked up from his book to glare at Alastor with annoyance. He had noticed Alastor spying on him lately but he thought he covered his tracks.

Lucifer was lounging on the bed in his blue pajamas. He'd hardly left the bed all week. Mostly just showering and seeing if his daughter needed anything. Sometimes he would just text her.

“Luci,” Alastor whispered directly in his ear as he materialized from the shadows on the bed next to him.

Lucifer fell out of bed when he jerked away. He landed on his back with his legs still on the bed.

“Ah,” Lucifer bit his lip to quiet his moan. Damn wings.

Alastor peered over the bed with an innocent smile. He rested his chin on his crossed arms as he looked down at Lucifer.

Lucifer pulled his legs down and sat up. His breathing was labored and his shoulders ached. He couldn’t even rub his back because it was too sensitive. Maybe he didn’t have a few days. Getting up felt like too much effort. He should definitely return to his own room tonight.

“Lucifer,” Alastor touched his head. “Are you in pain?”

“Yes? No,” he sighed. “It’s complicated.”

He leaned his head against the side of the mattress.

“Do you want help getting up?” Alastor played with his hair.

“No,” Lucifer leaned into the touch. “I’m going to be busy the next couple of weeks, starting tomorrow. I think I should head back to my room tonight.”

“Do you trust me so little?” Alastor’s smile and eyes looked sad as he scratched Lucifer’s scalp gently.

“It’s not about trust,” Lucifer looked away. “It’s embarrassing.”

It’s why he’d had a secret meeting with Vaggie, not even Charlie had known. Since they were angels the molt would affect them both. He mostly just wanted to make sure she had all the tools ready for preening and a big bag to stuff the feathers into. In Heaven, it probably wasn’t a big deal to let them fly free but their feathers contained divine power and could be dangerous in the wrong hands. They needed to be disposed of properly.

“So you’re going to ignore me for a few weeks without reason,” Alastor retracted his hand. “Awfully rude.” 

“Fine, but you can’t tell anyone,” Lucifer chuckled. That was as close to pouting as Alastor got. 

“I promise,” he chirped happily, kicking his legs.

Lucifer stood on shaky legs, he used the bed to help himself up. Alastor moved over so he could sit. Lucifer had already asked Alastor a few days prior to be careful not to touch him. Alastor had continually asked why but complied. 

“My wings are going to start molting and it makes me tired,” Lucifer looked out at the swamp. “I’m going to spend the next three to four weeks locked up in my room and either sleeping or grooming. Vaggie is going through the same thing but hers should only be a week.”

“That doesn’t seem like a big deal,” Alastor stated. “Why not just spend it here? I can even take care of you.”

“I’ll have to leave my wings out all the time and they’re sensitive,” Lucifer shook his head then looked at Alastor. “I can’t risk them being touched.”

“I promise not to touch them,” Alastor smirked at him. “I’ve done well with the request thus far.”

“They’re big and bulky,” he tried a different excuse. “There won’t be enough room on the bed for us both.”

“If it becomes a problem, I can sleep on the couch,” Alastor offered helpfully.

“It’s a pain and I don’t want to waste your time,” Lucifer stated.

“If it’s so difficult then all the more reason to let me assist,” he countered. “It’s no trouble at all.”

He couldn’t think up another excuse. Not one that wouldn’t be easily resolved. He just needed something. Anything would work.

“It makes me horny,” Lucifer blurted with frustration then covered his mouth and blushed. He hadn’t meant to say the truth. He scrambled out of bed. “I think I’ll just go back to my room now.”

Alastor grabbed his hand before he could disappear. Lucifer didn’t turn to face him.

“Even when you touch them?”

Lucifer nodded.

“I’ll be careful,” Alastor tugged his hand gently.

“I’m going to,” Lucifer stopped and started again. “I have to take care of more than just my wings.”

“I understand,” he gave another tug and Lucifer got back into bed.

Alastor

Lucifer’s health rapidly deteriorated during the week. He stayed in bed most days, only getting up to bathe and help Charlie with anything that was quick and easy. 

He’d stopped telling Alastor that he was fine, but he also wouldn’t confide in the problem. His angel told him it wasn’t a big deal and that it would pass with time. He also asked the demon not to touch him for a while. Lucifer looked like he was in pain, sore at the least. Alastor couldn’t determine what the problem was.

Alastor had spied on him the past few days and discovered that he had a secret meeting with Vaggie that even Charlie didn’t know about. Unfortunately, he was unable to eavesdrop.

“What did you and Vaggie discuss today?” Alastor asked nonchalantly as he stared down at his angel.

“Oh, you mean at our secret meeting that no one was supposed to know about?” Lucifer looked up from his book to glare at Alastor. He was lounging on the bed in his blue duck pajamas.

Alastor used his shadow to materialize next to Lucifer on the bed.

“Luci,” he whispered in his ear and grinned when his angel jerked away from him. Lucifer fell out of bed and landed on his back with his feet straight up.

“Ah,” Lucifer breathed out quietly then bit his lip.

Alastor peered over the bed with an innocent smile. He rested his chin on his crossed arms as he looked down at Lucifer. He’d been trying all week to get his angel to talk about the problem. Even if he couldn’t help, he could at least comfort him.

Lucifer pulled his legs down and sat up with a slight wince. The smallest activity would cause his breaths to become labored. 

“Lucifer,” Alastor touched his head. “Are you in pain?”

“Yes? No,” he sighed. “It’s complicated.”

His angel pressed his cheek into the side of the mattress.

“Do you want help getting up?” Alastor played with his hair. Lucifer’s hair was soft and no one ever touched it, not even Charlie.

“No,” Lucifer leaned into the touch. “I’m going to be busy the next couple of weeks, starting tomorrow. I think I should head back to my room tonight.”

“Do you trust me so little?” Alastor tried not to let his dejection show as he scratched his angel’s head.

“It’s not about trust,” Lucifer looked away. “It’s embarrassing.”

“So you’re going to ignore me for a few weeks without reason,” Alastor retracted his hand. “Awfully rude.”

Alastor inwardly flinched when he remembered that he’d done the same to Lucifer a few months prior. He hadn’t even given his angel a warning.

“Fine, but you can’t tell anyone,” Lucifer chuckled. He didn’t roll his eyes but it was implied.

“I promise,” Alastor chirped happily, kicking his legs. All his hard work was finally paying off.

Lucifer stood on shaky legs, he used the bed to help himself up. Alastor wanted to assist him but with the no touching rule that would be difficult. Instead, he moved over to allow his angel to sit.

“My wings are going to start molting and it makes me tired,” Lucifer looked out at the bayou. “I’m going to spend the next three to four weeks locked up in my room and either sleeping or grooming. Vaggie is going through the same thing but hers should only be a week.”

“That doesn’t seem like a big deal,” Alastor stated. “Why not just spend it here? I can even take care of you.”

Having Lucifer all to himself for a few weeks sounded exciting.

“I’ll have to leave my wings out all the time and they’re sensitive,” Lucifer shook his head then looked at Alastor. “I can’t risk them being touched.”

“I promise not to touch them,” Alastor smirked at him. “I’ve done well with the request thus far.”

“They’re big and bulky,” it was clear that Lucifer was fishing for excuses. “There won’t be enough room on the bed for us both.”

“If it becomes a problem, I can sleep on the couch,” Alastor offered helpfully.

“It’s a pain and I don’t want to waste your time,” Lucifer stated.

“If it’s so difficult then all the more reason to let me assist,” he countered. “It’s no trouble at all.”

Lucifer tried to think up another excuse but seemed to come up short. What could he possibly be hiding? Lucifer had stated that the experience was embarrassing but there had been nothing to be ashamed of thus far. 

“It makes me horny,” Lucifer blurted with frustration then covered his mouth and blushed. He scrambled out of bed to escape. “I think I’ll just go back to my room now.”

Alastor lunged forward to grab his hand but Lucifer didn’t turn to face him. He wanted to tease his angel and laugh but he could tell this was very stressful for him. 

“Even when you touch them?”

Lucifer nodded.

“I’ll be careful,” Alastor tugged his hand gently, trying to get him back into bed.

“I’m going to,” Lucifer paused. “I have to take care of more than just my wings.”

“I understand,” he gave another tug and Lucifer relented, joining him on the bed.

Vaggie

Vaggie sat cross legged on her bed and stared at the bag and brush on her bed. She’d forgotten about her molt since she hadn’t had wings in years. She had been feeling off the last few days but she brushed it off as stress.

At least until the King had requested a secret meeting that she wasn’t even allowed to tell Charlie about. She’d been worried at first since the King didn’t really talk to anyone except his daughter and Alastor.

They met in his bedroom and he sealed the door before asking after her health then mentioning the molt. She’d been surprised how worried he was for her considering everything. She’d lied to his daughter and slaughtered his people but he was just concerned about her. 

He even told her a secret in case the same thing happened to her. He no longer felt pain during his molt, it was pleasure instead. Though he had mentioned sometimes it got so bad it turned to pain. His entire head had turned gold from the admission.

The King, she shook her head. He had asked her to call him by name. They were the only two fallen and Lucifer wanted her to over prepare. He’d given her all kinds of ointments and different brushes of various sizes and bristles.

Lucifer was planning to spend the entirety of his in his room and he invited her to come see him if there was any trouble. The other Seraphim usually worked from home for five weeks while they went through it. Mostly only emergency situations or things that only they could do.

He had told her to let Charlie know they had that chat. He just wanted to talk to her alone first and he didn’t want to tell Charlie about the pleasure thing. Vaggie didn’t plan to tell her that either, not unless she asked.

Vaggie picked up the brush from the bed, the others were in a box next to the bed, and started grooming her wings. She grimaced and tossed it before reaching over to grab another. She should find a brush that worked best for her before she needed it. 

She smiled softly to herself as she realized where Charlie had gotten her kindness. Lucifer must have just been jaded by the years of isolation and neglect. Maybe after all this was over, she could try to spend more time with him.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

That year's molt was the worst one yet. Lucifer’s whole body felt like it was on fire and his wings were sensitive to everything, even if they rubbed against each other. No amount of masturbation helped so Lucifer stopped trying on the first day. Brushing and preening were impossible too. Alastor had barely left his side the entire time but he wasn’t able to help much. Though his presence was comforting.

Lucifer laid on his stomach with his wings fully extended. The largest pair fell slightly off the bed. Alastor really had ended up on the couch all week.

“I know you said only intercourse calmed you down before,” Alastor stood to the side of the bed. “But perhaps you’ll feel better when your wings are cleaned.”

“I can’t,” Lucifer clutched the pillow harder. “My hands shake too much.”

“Allow me to clean them,” Alastor offered. “I’ll start with the smaller ones.”

Lucifer hadn’t allowed Alastor to touch him at all. He was afraid he’d lose control of himself. If that happened then no one could stop him.

“What if I hurt you?” he mumbled into the pillow.

“I’m not glass,” Alastor chuckled. “Besides if that doesn’t work, then we’ll just have to have sex.”

“What?” Lucifer quickly pushed himself up to fully look at Alastor.

He looked completely sincere. 

“That’s too far,” Lucifer’s arms gave out from under him. “It’s only two more weeks. That’s nothing to me.”

His body shuddered from the movement. 

“I don’t want to see you suffer,” Alastor sighed and tilted his head.

“Aren’t you a sadist?” Lucifer joked to change the subject. “You like suffering.”

“Not yours,” he replied softly. 

Lucifer stared at him for a while with surprise. Those two words left him speechless.

“Ok,” Lucifer buried his face into the pillow again. “You can touch them.”

Alastor didn’t waste time, he started at the base of his smallest wing and worked his way out.

Lucifer tried not to move. His other wings stiffened and twitched as his hips pressed down into the mattress. He drooled into the pillow and pierced it with his claws. His whole body and mind were only focused on Alastor’s hands. Lucifer had to sink his teeth into his own arm to remind himself not to move.

He whimpered and moaned Alastor’s name repeatedly.

When Alastor finished the first wing, he tried to move away but Lucifer reacted faster. He sat up and grabbed Alastor, throwing him onto the bed where the shredded pillow laid. The insides dispersed. Lucifer climbed on top of him and clawed open Alastor’s shirt.

“Plan B then,” Alastor smirked and grabbed Lucifer’s hips.

Lucifer buried his face into Alastor’s chest and snuck his hands under Alastor’s arms to sink his claws into his  shoulders to hold him closer. Lucifer’s body relaxed on top of him. His legs rested between Alastor’s. Lucifer’s wings spread out on the bed again as they cuddled.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Lucifer let out a shuddering breath and felt it move throughout his body.

“I never thought you would,” Alastor ran one hand through Lucifer’s hair.

Alastor

Alastor did have to sleep on his couch all week. Lucifer’s wings were enormous and took up the entirety of the bed. The two largest ones even fell off the bed. 

The molt had started the next day and Alastor pushed back and rescheduled all of his plans to stay with his angel. Lucifer was struggling all week.

“I know you said only intercourse calmed you down before,” Alastor watched over him from the side of the bed. “But perhaps you’ll feel better when your wings are cleaned.”

Lucifer had tried and failed to groom himself many times throughout the week but had given up and just laid there waiting for time to pass.

“I can’t,” his angel clutched the pillow harder. “My hands shake too much.”

“Allow me to clean them,” Alastor offered. “I’ll start with the smaller ones.”

Lucifer hadn’t allowed the demon to touch him all week. He always looked worried when Alastor approached him.

“What if I hurt you?” he mumbled into the pillow.

“I’m not glass,” Alastor chuckled and spoke the next sentence casually. “Besides if that doesn’t work, then we’ll just have to have sex.”

“What?” Lucifer looked at him with alarm as he jerked upward, lifting the upper half of his body off the bed.

Alastor gave him a reassuring smile. 

“That’s too far,” Lucifer bounced on the bed when his arms gave out. “It’s only two more weeks. That’s nothing to me.”

His body shuddered from the movement and he clutched the pillow harder. 

“I don’t want to see you suffer,” Alastor sighed and tilted his head.

“Aren’t you a sadist?” Lucifer joked. “You like suffering.”

“Not yours,” he replied honestly. 

Lucifer looked at him for a while with surprise.

“Ok,” Lucifer buried his face into the pillow. “You can touch them.”

Alastor moved quickly so his angel wouldn’t change his mind. He worked methodically to clean the first wing.

Lucifer’s body shuddered and twitched with each brush. The other wings stiffened and occasionally flicked upward. One of the middle wings moved backward and almost hit Alastor in the face. Lucifer arched his back, causing Alastor to lose his focus for one moment. The sound of fabric tearing filled the air along with Alastor’s name.

Lucifer whimpered and moaned Alastor’s name repeatedly. The demon glanced down when he felt his pants tighten. He blinked in surprise at his hard member. That was a first for him but he couldn’t focus on that now. He needed to take care of his angel.

Once the first wing was completed, Alastor was going to start the other small wing but Lucifer had seized him and tossed him into the middle of the bed. Pillow fluff flew through the air when he landed. Lucifer clawed open the demon’s shirt.

“Plan B then,” Alastor smirked and grabbed Lucifer’s hips. He was confident that he could satisfy his angel. 

Unexpectedly, Lucifer only laid on top of him. He buried his face into Alastor’s chest fur and let out a sigh of relief. Lucifer curled his arms around Alastor’s back to sink his claws into his shoulders. Lucifer’s body relaxed on top of him, his angel’s hard length pressed against his stomach. His wings resumed their original positions as they cuddled.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Lucifer breathed with a shudder.

“I never thought you would,” Alastor smiled and ran a hand through his angel’s hair to comfort him. Whatever made him comfortable.

Charlie

Charlie breathed a small sigh of relief when Vaggie finally fell asleep. She covered her beautiful little angel with a blanket before she slipped on a robe to start cleaning up. Feathers were scattered throughout the entire room and she knew it would take forever to clean up but Vaggie had told her that it was important that they didn’t miss a single one.

It had been such a long time since she’d seen her dad premolt that she forgot he went through that each year. Vaggie told her that they had discussed it at length and he helped her prepare as much as possible and that if they needed anything he’d be in his room dealing with his.

Later, Charlie had received a text letting her know about the molt and that he’d be spending it in Alastor’s room. She had known that he stayed in Alastor’s room while his was being fixed but it shocked her that he was comfortable enough to stay there during his molt. Even more so because he was going to let Alastor take care of him.

The only person who had been allowed in the same room as him was her mother. She knew her dad said they weren’t together but this was really past the point of denial, especially since he was likely going through something similar to Vaggie.

Don’t think about it, she reprimanded herself.

Charlie felt guilty about it but there was a small kernel of doubt in her heart. If Alastor’s intentions were bad then she was confident her dad could stop him but he was vulnerable during his molt. Alastor could actually hurt him and her dad knew that.

She glanced at the bed with her sleeping angel and sighed. She had to trust her father’s judgement because she did not want to leave Vaggie alone. She was sure everything would be fine. She just needed to have hope.

…

And maybe a magic vacuum that was silent to help clean up the feathers. She'd have to ask her dad to make that for next year.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

It had taken a few days and a lot of pillows but Alastor was eventually able to preen all of Lucifer’s wings. He had even been able to give Lucifer a back massage. He felt much better than the previous week. 

Alastor on the other hand had looked worse for wear. He’d barely eaten throughout the two weeks and Lucifer kept using him as a pillow. The pillow part wasn’t bad until Lucifer started sinking his claws in. It was difficult for Alastor to get any sleep. Though he was aware of what he was doing, he wasn’t able to stop.

“Alastor, why don’t you go eat and take a nap in my room,” Lucifer’s voice was muffled by Alastor’s chest fluff.

“I would love to but you're still clinging to me,” Alastor chuckled. “That makes it hard to leave.”

“You can turn into a shadow,” he argued.

“Let me clarify,” Alastor whispered. “That makes it hard to want to leave.”

Lucifer chuckled and held him tighter. “I don’t want to let go.”

“Then don’t,” Alastor was absentmindedly rubbing circles on Lucifer’s back, just under his last pair of wings. 

They fell into a comfortable silence.

Lucifer hadn’t slept for the past two weeks, his body was too amped up and jittery. Alastor had offered to have sex more than once but Lucifer had declined each time. He didn’t think he could handle it emotionally after everything was said and done.

“How’s Vaggie?” Lucifer asked.

“She said your advice helped,” Alastor responded. He had left the room for a bit that morning. “She’s back to normal. She was worried about you but I assured her you were in capable hands.”

“And a soft chest,” Lucifer smirked.

Alastor didn’t respond for a few minutes.

“Is it softer than Angel’s?” he eventually asked.

“Yes,” Lucifer replied without hesitation. “So much softer. It’s almost like silk.”

“Let’s go on an outing when you’re better,” Alastor pressed his lips against the top of his head.

“We should have a picnic in the garden,” Lucifer suggested. “I’ve always wanted to do that. You know, the rose’s were budding the last time I saw them. They should bloom soon.”

“Excellent choice.”

Alastor

Alastor was exhausted but satisfied. It had taken a few days and a lot of replacement pillows but Lucifer’s wings were groomed. He had even been able to massage his angel’s back to help him relax. He seemed in significantly less pain afterward.

Eating and sleeping had been difficult. Lucifer couldn’t sleep due to the stress and usually wanted all of Alastor’s attention. The demon was reluctant to deny him. 

“Alastor, why don’t you go eat and take a nap in my room,” Lucifer’s voice was muffled by Alastor’s chest fur.

“I would love to but you're still clinging to me,” the demon chuckled. “That makes it hard to leave.”

“You can turn into a shadow,” he argued.

“Let me clarify,” Alastor whispered. “That makes it hard to want to leave.”

Lucifer chuckled and held him tighter. “I don’t want to let go.”

“Then don’t,” Alastor was absentmindedly rubbing circles on Lucifer’s back, just under his last pair of wings. 

They fell into a comfortable silence, Alastor was starting to doze off.

“How’s Vaggie?” Lucifer asked, bringing him back to attention.

“She said your advice helped,” Alastor responded. He’d been able to leave the room long enough to grab coffee and a snack. “She’s back to normal. She was worried about you but I assured her you were in capable hands.”

They were all worried about Lucifer. It seemed they thought Alastor was capable of holding him hostage or some such nonsense.

“And a soft chest,” his angel stated.

Alastor was caught off guard and was unable to speak for a few minutes.

“Is it softer than Angel’s?” he asked as his face grew warm.

“Yes,” Lucifer replied without hesitation. “So much softer. It’s almost like silk.”

The demon smiled proudly. 

“Let’s go on an outing when you’re better,” Alastor pressed his lips to the top of his angel’s head.

“We should have a picnic in the garden,” Lucifer suggested. “I’ve always wanted to do that. You know, the rose’s were budding the last time I saw them. They should bloom soon.”

“Excellent choice.”

Alastor already began to plan the outing in his head, he knew the perfect spot for them.

Vaggie

“What do you mean your dad doesn’t want to see you?” Vaggie demanded. “That sounds like bullshit.”

“But Alastor said-” Charlie started.

“I wouldn’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth,” she interrupted. “We should go check on him. What if he’s in danger?”

“I know you’re worried,” she grabbed her girlfriend’s shoulders. “I’m worried too but this was dad’s choice. He trusts Alastor to take care of him, so I will too.”

“I agree with Charlie,” Angel piped up from the bar. “I mean, did you get a load of Smiles?” He threw his head back and laughed. “I think Short King is being rough on him.”

“The boss did look worse for wear,” Husk agreed. “I don’t know what’s going on but I’m sure his Majesty can look after himself. Or manage some sort of signal.”

Alastor did have heavy bags under his eyes and couldn’t even walk in a straight line but that didn’t mean he was innocent.

“What if he looks like that because he’s trying to keep Lucifer contained,” Vaggie glared at the stairs. “What if he’s plunking him bald?”

“Vaggie,” Charlie shushed her. “Not here.”

“Sorry,” she covered her mouth in shock. “I lost myself.”

“Ok, now you two gotta spill,” Angel raised a brow. “What the hell is going on with Short King?”

“Not here,” Charlie repeated and gestured for them to follow.

Once they were safely in their bedroom she sighed.

“You guys can never talk about this,” she pleaded with her eyes until they both nodded seriously. She explained the situation, leaving out the horny part, and why they were worried about her dad.

“Oh, shit,” Angel breathed. “And he’s staying in Smiles’ room for this? That’s crazy.”

Husk just stared straight ahead in shock.

“I don’t know what to do,” Charlie sat on her bed looking defeated. “I want to trust them both but I can’t help being worried about them.”

“We can’t let Alastor do anything bad to him,” Vaggie sighed and sat next to her girlfriend. “But Lucifer enchanted the room so only Alastor can enter.”

“I-I think it’ll be ok,” Husk said to everyone’s surprise. “The boss has been really different lately. I think he does care about the King. It should be over in a week or two, right? Let’s wait it out and see. Maybe your dad will let you visit next week.”

“I guess that’s the best we can do for now,” Charlie nodded.

“That and harass Alastor whenever he comes out,” Vaggie supplied. “Everyone ask him how Lucifer is when you see him.”

They all nodded in agreement.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer laid on the blanket with his wings spread out. He was using Alastor's lap as a pillow. His hands were folded together on his belly. He was still in the middle of his molt but Alastor had assured him that no one would bother them and that he would ensure every shed feather was picked up. Alastor was detail oriented so Lucifer had agreed without much argument. 

Alastor was currently giving him a scalp massage.

This would be a relaxing evening if Lucifer wasn’t still rock hard and uncomfortably warm. He had taken care of himself before leaving but it didn’t help. He was pretty sure it wasn’t going to end until next week since a lot of his feathers had yet to completely grow in. 

Another week spent in bed with Alastor, well, it actually didn't sound so bad.

“Thank you,” Lucifer shifted his gaze from the red sky to Alastor. “It feels nice to be able to go out during my molt.”

Alastor’s eyes were half lidded and his expression was soft as he stared down at Lucifer.

“My pleasure.”

Lucifer’s eyelids lowered as their gazes locked. Alastor had changed so much since they first met. At least with how he treated their little family at the hotel. He was sincere and he helped more without even joking about deals anymore. He was still the cold sadistic overlord but underneath he also had a kind and caring soul. Humans were so very complicated.

Lucifer reached up and cupped one of Alastor’s cheeks with his hand. Alastor leaned into the touch. His radio static almost sounded like a purr.

“Lucifer, is our friendship special to you?” Alastor asked tentatively.

He wanted to make a joke but the other’s expression was a bit vulnerable.

“Of course it is,” Lucifer lowered his hand. “You're very special to me.”

Alastor just smiled at that and looked up at the sky. His gaze drifted to the red and gold galaxy. Lucifer had added a few more stars and constellations before the molt. He was thinking about making a galaxy for Charlie next. 

Alastor’s hand moved from Lucifer’s head to the back of his neck as he stretched out his wings. They were starting to feel stiff. Lucifer yawned and closed his eyes. He was tired but not enough to sleep.

“How does it feel to be able to create something from nothing?” Alastor suddenly asked.

“Hmm, I don’t really know how to describe it,” Lucifer answered after giving it a few moments of thought. “I could show you how it feels.”

Alastor’s hands paused then he moved them to frame Lucifer’s chin and cheeks. When Lucifer opened his eyes, Alastor was right above him staring with intense interest.

Lucifer gently pushed him away and sat up. He carefully turned to face Alastor and kneeled, sitting on his feet. He ignored the shudder that ran through his body when his wings brushed against each other. His stomach tightened but he took a breath to relax it.

Alastor changed positions to copy him. 

Lucifer held out his hands, palms up. Alastor placed his hands on top gingerly.

“Now what should we make together?” Lucifer asked as he rubbed Alastor’s knuckles with his thumbs. “Whatever your heart desires.”

“I could use a new cane,” Alastor replied after a few minutes of consideration. “The one I have now is insufficient.”

“Alright, now close your eyes and envision what you want,” Lucifer watched as Alastor did as instructed. “Focus on the energy coming from my hands. Use it to make what you desire. You are designing this alone, you’re shaping it and creating something. I am merely providing the tools.”

Alastor’s eyes squeezed tighter in concentration. His smile tightened a bit and Lucifer felt the cane forming between their joint hands. He was impressed Alastor picked up on it so quickly. It had taken Lilith a few tries and more coaxing.

“Don’t forget to picture what you need it to do and how it should function,” Lucifer said softly.

When it was almost completed, Lucifer added a little storage of divine energy. If Alastor was ever gravely injured, it would be able to heal him. A sudden burst of green and gold light emanated from the creation and covered the garden when it was done.

The warmth of creation spread throughout his body and made his heart race.

Alastor opened his eyes and inspected the cane between their hands. It was red with gold accents. The mic was made from angelic steel. In retrospect, Lucifer probably should have held back a little more. He decided that it would probably be ok. Alastor didn’t look malicious at the moment as he stared at the cane in wonder.

“I made this?” he breathed out, almost silently.

“You created this,” Lucifer corrected and he released Alastor’s hands and took the cane with him. “It’s very sturdy and well constructed, this one won’t break as easily as the last one.”

He ran a hand down the cane then presented it to Alastor.

“Congratulations on your first creation.”

Alastor took the cane and continued to stare in awe.

“Does it always feel like that?” he finally looked up at Lucifer.

“The very best part of creation,” Lucifer smiled. “It always feels different. No creation will ever feel the same. Even if you make another cane.”

Lucifer struggled to stay upright. He had to use a hand to catch himself. During the process, his breath had become labored and he was starting to have a harder time concentrating. Creation always left him feeling excited and mixed with his hormones it had intensified his arousal.

Alastor poofed away his new cane and reached for Lucifer. He pulled Lucifer into his arms to hold him up. Lucifer dropped his head onto Alastor’s chest and dug his claws into his shoulders. His body heat increased and he felt his erection twitch.

“Alastor,” he moaned.

“We're too far for my shadow,” Alastor hummed in thought. “I assume you can't focus enough to create a portal.”

The only thing Lucifer could do was curl up more on Alastor’s lap.

“I'll take care of you,” Alastor smirked mischievously.

He pushed Lucifer off his lap and onto his back on the blanket. Lucifer looked around frantically but all he saw were rose bushes, petals bright red and in full bloom.

“No one will see us,” Alastor said in a soothing voice as he climbed over Lucifer, pushing his legs apart. His hands landed directly on Lucifer’s wings.

“You're playing with fire,” Lucifer groaned and arched his back. He fisted his hands in the blanket above his own head, not trusting himself to touch Alastor.

“It's good that we're immune to burns,” Alastor slowly unbuttoned Lucifer's night shirt. He leaned down to kiss each new exposed section of chest.

“Alastor,” Lucifer growled a warning when Alastor licked his nipple. “Just touch me, I’m already so close.”

“Your patience always astounds me,” Alastor chuckled as he dipped his hand into Lucifer’s pants, releasing his throbbing member.

Lucifer’s body stiffened while his wings twitched erratically. Alastor swallowed Lucifer whole, tongue twisting around his cock as he descended.

“Alastor!” Lucifer shouted, his claws ripping the blanket and digging into the ground as he came. He laid there panting as his body continued to shudder and his wings twitched rapidly.  His vision grew blurry and his eyelids felt heavy. He blinked to refocus but his eyes didn’t open again.

Alastor

Alastor stared up at the sky, looking at the beautiful galaxy that Lucifer created. It was red and gold, mixed together in a frenzy. He had looked at it a lot since it was created and Lucifer had only done it on a whim. His power was incomprehensible. Alastor often wondered what it would be like to create things like that. Create something out of thin air with just a thought. 

He looked down at his angel, head resting on his lap, wings spread across their picnic blanket, hands folded over his own stomach. If he wasn’t so tense he would look like the perfect picture of relaxation.

Alastor looked back up as he continued to massage Lucifer’s head.

“Thank you,” Lucifer suddenly spoke. “It feels nice to be able to go out during my molt.”

Alastor looked down to smile at him with half lidded eyes.

“My pleasure,” the demon responded happily.

Lucifer’s eyelids lowered as their gazes locked. Alastor felt like his angel was looking at his very soul. It made him wonder again, what would Lucifer’s soul feel like? He still hadn’t come up with a way to ask about sharing their souls with each other. Maybe the picnic was a good time to bring it up.

Alastor leaned into Lucifer’s hand when his angel cupped his face.

“Lucifer, is our friendship special to you?” Alastor asked.

“Of course it is,” Lucifer lowered his hand. “You're very special to me.”

Alastor looked up again as he debated his next move. Lucifer’s opinion of him was favorable. It might be a good time to ask.

As Lucifer stretched out his wings, Alastor moved his hands to massage the back of his neck. His angel was looking stiff and tired. Lucifer closed his eyes with a sigh.

“How does it feel to be able to create something from nothing?” Alastor inquired.

“Hmm, I don’t really know how to describe it,” Lucifer answered after giving it a few moments of thought. “I could show you how it feels.”

Alastor’s hands paused then he moved them to frame Lucifer’s chin and cheeks. He leaned forward to stare directly into Lucifer’s eyes when they opened.

Lucifer gently pushed him away and sat up. He turned so they were facing each other and sat back on his haunches. A shudder ran through his angel’s body as he settled.

Alastor mirrored his position. 

Lucifer held up his palms in the space between them. Alastor placed his hands on top.

“Now what should we make together?” Lucifer asked as he rubbed Alastor’s knuckles with his thumbs. “Whatever your heart desires.”

“I could use a new cane,” Alastor replied after a few minutes of consideration. “The one I have now is insufficient.”

“Alright, now close your eyes and envision what you want,” Lucifer instructed. “Focus on the energy coming from my hands. Use it to make what you desire. You are designing this alone, you’re shaping it and creating something. I am merely providing the tools.”

Alastor’s eyes squeezed tighter in concentration. His smile tightened as he felt something forming between their palms. The sensation was incredible, the power felt warm and inviting. Like a hug from his mother but stronger. It was all too much and not enough.

“Don’t forget to picture what you need it to do and how it should function,” Lucifer said softly.

The demon refocused on what attributes his original cane had. He wanted it to be stronger so it wouldn’t break against someone like Adam. A longer range for his abilities. He took all the energy that Lucifer offered him and used it to form the new cane, making sure to add his own energy in the process.

Alastor opened his eyes and inspected the cane he had just created. It was red with gold accents. The mic was made from angelic steel. Underneath the mic was a small carving of an apple. Had Lucifer added that?

He stared at the cane in wonder. He had made this, maybe not with his own power but with his own thoughts and ambitions. It was truly a feeling one could not describe. Did it always feel like this or was it better because he had created this with Lucifer?

“I made this?” he breathed out, almost silently.

“You created this,” Lucifer stated and pulled the cane away to look it over. “It’s very sturdy and well constructed, this one won’t break as easily as the last one.”

His angel ran a hand down the cane before presenting it to him. 

“Congratulations on your first creation.”

Alastor barely registered taking the cane as he relished in the feeling of creation. Now he could understand why Lucifer was upset about being unable to dream. Unable to create something just for fun. 

“Does it always feel like that?” he finally looked up at his angel.

“The very best part of creation,” Lucifer smiled. “It always feels different. No creation will ever feel the same. Even if you make another cane.”

Lucifer suddenly fell to one side and caught himself with a hand. His breathing was labored and his eyes became unfocused. It looked like that was his limit for this day’s outing.

Alastor dissipated his cane into shadows so he could steady Lucifer. He pulled his angel closer and Lucifer dropped his head against the demon’s chest. Claws dug into his shoulders as Lucifer pulled him closer.

“Alastor,” his angel moaned.

Lucifer must be feeling overstimulated by their joint creation, Alastor thought. He should get his angel back to their room and give him some privacy. Maybe Lucifer would allow the demon to help this time. 

“We're too far for my shadow,” Alastor hummed in thought. “I assume you can't focus enough to create a portal.”

Lucifer only curled up more on his lap.

“I'll take care of you,” Alastor smirked mischievously. 

The demon pushed Lucifer backward onto the blanket. His angel looked around frantically but didn’t fight him nor protest.

“No one will see us,” Alastor said in a soothing voice as he spread Lucifer’s legs. He leaned forward and placed his hands on his angel’s wings.

“You're playing with fire,” Lucifer groaned and arched his back as he fisted the blanket above his head.

“It's good that we're immune to burns,” Alastor joked as he slowly undid the buttons on Lucifer’s shirt. He wanted to give his angel plenty of time to refuse. When he heard nothing, Alastor leaned down to taste his skin. Licking his way down with each undone button.

“Alastor,” Lucifer growled when Alastor licked his nipple. “Just touch me, I’m already so close.”

“Your patience always astounds me,” Alastor chuckled as he dipped his hand into Lucifer’s pants, releasing his throbbing member. He was planning to have so much fun with this, he couldn’t wait to hear Lucifer beg for him.

His angel’s body stiffened and his wings twitched when the demon touched him. Alastor swallowed Lucifer whole, tongue twisting around his cock as he descended.

“Alastor!” Lucifer shouted as he came down the demon’s throat.

Alastor’s eyes watered slightly at the unexpected liquid as he swallowed. By the time he sat up, Lucifer was fast asleep. He supposed he could wait to make his angel beg.

He smiled warmly at Lucifer’s relaxed form.

Angel Dust

Angel had invited Husk to the garden for a walk. He silently thanked Short King for the romantic rose bushes. He was making slow progress but it was still progress. Husk responded to his flirtations but shied away when things got a little heated.

They were almost to the rose bushes when they were stopped by Alastor’s dark green barrier.

“That’s strange,” Husk touched the barrier. “Isn’t the boss supposed to be taking care of the King? Why would he set up a barrier?”

Before Angel could reply, two heavy energies assaulted them. A mixture of green and gold permeated the air for a moment before disappearing. It took them both a few moments to recover.

“Oh fuck,” Angel whispered as he shared a worried look with Husk. “Did those two just make a deal?”

“We need to tell Charlie,” Husk turned on his heel and started walking away quickly.

Angel was on his heels when Husk’s ears twitched and he dragged the taller man behind a tree.

Smiles appeared from his shadow a few feet from where they had been. In his arms was Short King wrapped up in a blanket and he looked terrible. His skin looked gray and there were heavy bags under his closed eyes. He was completely motionless in Smiles’ arms, even his hair seemed lifeless.

Smiles looked down at the sleeping angel affectionately as he walked toward the hotel. After a few more moments his shadow swallowed them both.

They exchanged disturbed glances before sprinting back to the hotel.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer was still feeling some of the effects of his molt. A number of his feathers were being stubborn but his wings were no longer sensitive at least. They were as sore as the rest of his body though and hiding them was not an option.

Alastor had insisted that Lucifer should wait until he was fully recovered before leaving the room. At the time, it had made sense but as Lucifer looked around he knew he was going to go stir crazy. He'd already been in Alastor's room for five weeks with the only outing being the picnic they had. He'd read all the books Alastor owned and explored the swamp. There was nothing else for him to do.

He blushed at the thought of the picnic. Afterward, when he’d awoken in Alastor’s bed, he came to regret their actions. They should have just returned to the room instead of that. Or Lucifer could have done it himself, after sending Alastor away. He was never going to get the feel of Alastor's mouth on him out of his mind.

It had been so hot and slick. He shook his head to dispel the thought.

Lucifer decided to visit his daughter. Walking around the hotel shouldn't be too bad. As long as he stayed inside it should be fine. He left Alastor’s room and made his way to the lobby. Charlie and Vaggie were explaining their exercise for the day. Angel, Husk and Nifty were sitting on the sofa across from them.

“Charlie!” Lucifer shouted excitedly.

“Dad!” She responded in kind and ran up to hug him. “Your wings are out.”

They were folded behind him, as small as he could make them.

“Yeah, they need to breathe,” he released her and pulled Vaggie into a hug next. “It’s nice to be able to walk around again.”

“I’m glad you’re ok,” Charlie smiled wider. “Do you want to join our exercise?”

“Of course,” he responded, throwing his hands up. “As long as it doesn’t involve leaving the hotel.”

“We’re just talking today,” Vaggie stated. “Take a seat anywhere.”

Lucifer plopped down on the armchair and leaned over the arm to look at them.

“So we are just going to go in a circle and talk about a fun or happy or exciting event that happened to us recently,” Charlie announced. “For me, I went out yesterday and five whole people asked me about the hotel. Ok dad, why don’t you go next? Didn’t you go on a picnic last week, how did that go?”

Lucifer’s smile turned nervous. He felt like he was being put on the spot.

“Oh, um,” he blushed. “It was nice, I got to see the rose bushes I planted in bloom. The garden came out really beautiful. I think next week I’ll install a few more swings. I was thinking wooden swings or maybe more like a bench swing.”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea,” Charlie swung her arms happily. “What about Alastor? Did he have fun?”

She was clearly fishing for information but Lucifer wasn’t sure what she wanted to know. There was no way she could know about the blowjob, right? Or maybe it was the cane? It would be best to come clean about the cane.

“Yeah, we had a great time together,” he scratched his head and looked away for a moment. “Well, maybe I shouldn’t have done this but, um.”

Everyone was staring at him with wide captivated eyes.

“We, uh, we made,” Lucifer blushed. “I let Alastor experience the feeling of creation.”

“That sounds kinky,” Angel sat up excitedly. “I need more details.”

“No! No, nothing like that,” Lucifer frowned a bit. “We made Alastor’s new cane together. It’s kinda deadly but I’m sure he’ll be responsible with it… Probably.” 

“Oh, yeah,” Vaggie said. “I was wondering where he got something like that. You made it for him?”

“It’s more accurate to say we created it together,” Lucifer responded. “I let him use my divine power to craft it. He designed it himself though.”

“Wow, like when we made Hamilton,” Charlie pressed hand to her mouth. “Oh, he must have loved the feeling of creation. I’m kinda jealous, you don’t do that often.”

“Let’s make something else together later,” Lucifer offered.

“Oh my god, yes!” Charlie jumped up excitedly. “Can Vaggie help?”

“Sure,” Lucifer nodded. 

“Ok, we got off topic so I’m just going to ask,” Angel rolled his eyes. “What the fuck was with the green and gold light? Did you make a deal with Smiles? Why did you look like death in the garden last week? And why wouldn't you let anyone visit you all month? Not even Charlie.”

“You saw me?” Lucifer shouted.

“Yeah, you were rolled up in a blanket like a joint,” Husk replied with an eyebrow raise.

Alastor hadn’t told him that they’d been seen. Nor did he tell him that anyone was trying to visit him. It didn’t sound like they knew about the blowjob at least. That shouldn't be part of his worries, he dismissed the thought again.

“Alright, in order,” Lucifer took a deep breath. “The green and gold light was the cane. It was our combined power that made it. We’ve never made an official deal with each other. I haven’t been in tip top shape all month and creating the cane took a lot out of me so I passed out. What was the last one again?”

“I came to visit you a few times,” Charlie looked down then back up. “But Alastor said you didn’t want to see anyone.”

Alastor had told him that everyone was doing well but he never mentioned visitors.

“Oh, hm, Alastor didn’t tell me anyone wanted to see me,” he responded sheepishly. “I’m sorry, kiddo, but he probably made the right choice. I wouldn’t want you to see me like that. If there’s a next time though, I’ll make time for you.”

“It’s ok, dad,” Charlie reached for his hand. “I’m just glad you’re ok.”

“I’m fine.” Lucifer squeezed her hand and smiled. “Alastor took great care of me.”

“I’m always happy to be of service,” Alastor appeared from the shadows in front of the chair.

Both Morningstars jumped and let go of each other from Alastor’s sudden appearance.

“Oh, hey Alastor,” Lucifer looked at the arm of the chair nervously. “How was your outing?”

He only felt a little guilty for leaving the room.

“It went well, except that I rushed through my tea time with my dear friend in order to hurry back to care for my little angel,” Alastor said with quiet menace.

“Oh, well, you didn’t have to rush on my account,” Lucifer looked up at him then looked away. He was really pissed.

“Was it not you , who said you would die of loneliness?” 

“Ah, damn, that's what I forgot to do,” Lucifer slapped his forehead with a laugh and faced him. “I meant to leave a skeleton in the bed.”

Lucifer’s laughter died off as the radio static grew louder while Alastor somehow grew stiller.

“You know, Charlie,” Lucifer turned to face her with a tight smile. “Today has been great but I think I should rest now.”

She tried to hide a giggle behind her hand.

“Alright, dad,” she waved at him. “Goodnight.”

Before he could respond Alastor scooped him up, Lucifer would deny that he squeaked, and teleported them with his shadow.

The next thing he knew he was being thrown on the bed and Alastor was laying on top of him. Alastor’s face was buried in his chest and Lucifer widened his legs so Alastor's body could fit comfortably between them. Alastor wrapped his arms around Lucifer’s torso.

After adjusting the pillows behind himself, Lucifer reached down to play with Alastor's hair. Usually Alastor would have stopped him so since he didn't get a protest, he started massaging at the base of his head and worked his way up. Lucifer spread his wings and covered both their bodies.

Alastor must be really tired, Lucifer thought. Maybe he shouldn't have gone out of the room so he could have rested sooner. Now he felt really guilty.

“I'm sorry,” he said quietly but there was no reply.

Alastor was already asleep.

Lucifer continued to massage his head until he got to the ears. He touched them gently and they twitched a few times.

So cute, he thought as he rubbed them. Alastor’s ears were so much softer than anything Lucifer had ever touched before.

Lucifer manifested his phone and angled it above them. He closed his eyes and relaxed before taking a few pictures. They all looked great so he returned it to the nightstand.

He liked taking pictures while Alastor was unaware. He felt like they were more natural that way.

Lucifer hugged him closer then kissed the top of his head. He felt a heavy weight on his chest that wasn’t Alastor. Sometimes it felt like his chest was just going to pop but it was also pleasant. He knew it was because he was happy to just be with Alastor.

Alastor

Alastor tried not to yawn as Rosie talked about her month. They hadn’t seen each other since before Lucifer’s molt started. He was still exhausted from taking care of his angel. Although Lucifer was better and no longer sensitive, he was still weak.

“She brought him over and we fixed him up to eat,” Rosie covered her mouth as she laughed.

Alastor laughed belatedly as he processed the joke.

“How are you, honey?” Rosie asked and sipped her tea. “Are the rumors still giving you trouble? You look dreadful.”

“The rumors have been no issue,” Alastor sipped his own tea, hoping it would wake him up. “Charlie and her team have kept the worst of the ‘online’ rumors at bay and Lucifer just seems completely oblivious. Like he’s ignoring it on purpose.”

“And how is Lucifer?” she inquired. “Rumor has it that a certain radio demon locked him up in a gilded cage. No one’s seen him for weeks.”

“Lucifer is doing wonderfully,” Alastor beamed. “He’s been busy with some royal business. The Sins are always bothering him for this and that.”

Rosie was his trusted friend but if anyone found out about Lucifer’s yearly molt, it could cause problems later. It was best to keep that information within the confines of the hotel.

“I suppose you haven’t told him how you felt since he’s been so busy,” she guessed correctly with a smile.

“That is true,” Alastor confirmed. “But I do believe a slow approach is in order. After all, we have eternity.”

“Yes, but do you want to wait an eternity,” she rolled her eyes with mirth. “Do you have a plan for the big day itself?”

Alastor thought about their last date in the rose garden and how happy Lucifer had been. Then he recalled Lucifer’s words about holding hands and stealing kisses amongst the roses. Perhaps that would be the perfect place to confess.

“He’s very fond of the rose garden but I have yet to make any solid plans,” he answered. “I am open to suggestions.”

Rosie happily helped him plan the perfect date for a confession. Now he just needed to plan how to get there.

Alastor wasn’t surprised when he returned to an empty room. Lucifer had agreed to stay in the room until his molt was completely over but he looked bored right before the demon left. His angel likely went to find Charlie.

He used his shadow to quickly locate Charlie in the lounge with the rest of her rabble. He arrived in time to see a touching moment between parent and child. They were holding hands and looking at each other lovingly.

“I’m fine,” Lucifer squeezed her hand and smiled. “Alastor took great care of me.”

“I’m always happy to be of service,” Alastor appeared from the shadows in front of Lucifer. He was sitting sideways on an armchair.

Both Morningstars jumped and let go of each other from Alastor’s sudden appearance. He was too tired to enjoy their surprised faces.

“Oh, hey Alastor,” Lucifer greeted him nervously, he stared intently at the arm of his chair. “How was your outing?”

His angel looked guilty but was trying to play it off.

“It went well, except that I rushed through my tea time with my dear friend in order to hurry back to care for my little angel,” Alastor teased with quiet menace.

“Oh, well, you didn’t have to rush on my account,” Lucifer glanced at him then looked away quickly.

“Was it not you , who said you would die of loneliness?” 

“Ah, damn, that's what I forgot to do,” Lucifer slapped his forehead with a laugh and faced him. “I meant to leave a skeleton in the bed.”

Lucifer’s laughter died off as the radio static grew louder.

“You know, Charlie,” Lucifer turned to face her with a tight smile. “Today has been great but I think I should rest now.”

She tried to hide a giggle behind her hand.

“Alright, dad,” she waved at him. “Goodnight.”

Alastor quickly scooped him up and transported them back to their room. He tossed his tiny angel onto the bed and climbed on top of him. It was his turn to be the pillow so that Alastor would finally get some sleep. The demon rested his head on Lucifer’s chest and encircled his torso with his lanky arms.

Lucifer shifted a bit under him as Alastor closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Charlie

Charlie’s dad had finally come out of Alastor’s room. No matter how adamant she’d been Alastor still refused to let her see him. She’d gotten really worried about what Husk and Angel had seen in the garden too, but he was now joining them in the lounge for their exercise.

They had been discussing about how to get into Alastor’s room but she had a whole host of exercises they could do instead. She picked one that she thought would lead them in the right direction to get answers from her dad.

“So we are just going to go in a circle and talk about a fun or happy or exciting event that happened to us recently,” she announced. “For me, I went out yesterday and five whole people asked me about the hotel. Ok dad, why don’t you go next? Didn’t you go on a picnic last week, how did that go?”

Her dad looked startled for a moment before his expression turned nervous.

“Oh, um,” he blushed. “It was nice, I got to see the rose bushes I planted in bloom. The garden came out really beautiful. I think next week I’ll install a few more swings. I was thinking wooden swings or maybe more like a bench swing.”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea,” Charlie swung her arms anxiously. “What about Alastor? Did he have fun?”

She hoped he would bring up the possible deal they made on his own but she would push until she got answers. Now that she was free from her deal with Alastor, she didn’t want to worry about her dad.

“Yeah, we had a great time together,” he scratched his head and looked away for a moment. “Well, maybe I shouldn’t have done this but, um…”

Charlie got excited as it seemed her plan was working.

“We, uh, we made,” her dad blushed again. “I let Alastor experience the feeling of creation.”

Charlie blinked in shock.

“That sounds kinky,” Angel sat up excitedly. “I need more details.”

“No! No, nothing like that,” he frowned slightly. “We made Alastor’s new cane together. It’s kinda deadly but I’m sure he’ll be responsible with it… Probably.” 

“Oh, yeah,” Vaggie said. “I was wondering where he got something like that. You made it for him?”

“It’s more accurate to say we created it together,” Lucifer responded. “I let him use my divine power to craft it. He designed it himself though.”

“Wow, like when we made Hamilton,” Charlie pressed hand to her mouth as she recalled the memory. “Oh, he must have loved the feeling of creation. I’m kinda jealous, you don’t do that often.”

She was a little jealous. They had only done that once together and he never tried to do it again.

“Let’s make something else together later,” her dad offered.

“Oh my god, yes!” Charlie jumped up elatedly. “Can Vaggie help?”

“Sure,” he nodded with a small smile.

“Ok, we got off topic so I’m just going to ask,” Angel interrupted with an eye roll. “What the fuck was with the green and gold light? Did you make a deal with Smiles? Why did you look like death in the garden last week? And why wouldn't you let anyone visit you all month? Not even Charlie.”

“You saw me?” Lucifer shouted, his eyes nearly bugged out.

“Yeah, you were rolled up in a blanket like a joint,” Husk supplied.

Charlie worried her lip nervous as her dad contemplated his answer. She really hoped they were all wrong about the deal. She really didn’t want Alastor taking advantage of him.

“Alright, in order,” he took a deep breath. “The green and gold light was the cane. It was our combined power that made it. We’ve never made an official deal with each other. I haven’t been in tip top shape all month and creating the cane took a lot out of me so I passed out. What was the last one again?”

“I came to visit you a few times,” Charlie looked down sadly then back up. “But Alastor said you didn’t want to see anyone.”

“Oh, hm, Alastor didn’t tell me anyone wanted to see me,” her dad responded sheepishly. “I’m sorry, kiddo, but he probably made the right choice. I wouldn’t want you to see me like that. If there’s a next time though, I’ll make time for you.”

She felt relief wash over her at the confession. It was one thing that Alastor had lied to them but another if her dad had actually wanted to reject her. She also decided to forgive Alastor for lying since her dad said he made a good call. That meant that Alastor really did care about her dad.

“It’s ok, dad,” Charlie reached for his hand. “I’m just glad you’re ok.”

“I’m fine.” Lucifer squeezed her hand reassuringly and smiled. “Alastor took great care of me.”

“I’m always happy to be of service,” Alastor appeared from the shadows in front of her dad.

Both Morningstars jumped and let go of each other from Alastor’s sudden appearance.

“Oh, hey Alastor,” Lucifer looked at the arm of the chair nervously. “How was your outing?”

“It went well, except that I rushed through my tea time with my dear friend in order to hurry back to care for my little angel,” Alastor said with quiet menace.

Charlie nearly gasped at that pet name but she couldn’t stop her giddy smile.

“Oh, well, you didn’t have to rush on my account,” Lucifer looked up at him then looked away. 

He did look really irritated.

“Was it not you , who said you would die of loneliness?” 

“Ah, damn, that's what I forgot to do,” Lucifer slapped his forehead with a laugh and faced him. “I meant to leave a skeleton in the bed.”

Charlie smiled softly as her dad’s laughter died out. It was so obvious that they cared about each other that she felt silly for doubting Alastor. He’d taken care of her dad during a difficult time and hadn’t asked for anything in return. There was no way Alastor had known about creation to ask, which meant her dad had offered. She decided to trust them both a little more from then on.

“You know, Charlie,” Lucifer turned to face her with a tight smile. “Today has been great but I think I should rest now.”

She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop from giggling.

“Alright, dad,” she waved at him. “Goodnight.”

Alastor wasted no time in scooping him up and teleporting away. The only sound was a small squeak her father made.

“That’s such a relief,” Charlie collapsed on the chair her dad vacated. “I think it’s safe to say that Alastor isn’t going to hurt him.”

“At least for now,” Vaggie crossed her arms and leaned against the side of the chair. “We should still keep an eye on them.”

“You really think we can trust him with that cane?” Angel asked. “Even Short King didn’t seem confident.”

“Ah, shit,” Charlie covered her eyes with a hand. “One thing at a time.”

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer yawned again as he continued to write the long winded contract at the hotel bar. He glanced occasionally at Fizzarolli, who was jumping around and juggling. He sometimes broke out into song, there was a decent crowd from the hotel watching him.

Even Charlie was clapping along to his song. From the sounds of it, most of the lyrics were “fuck you.” It just had to be about Mammon.

Alastor made a beeline for Lucifer when he entered the hotel. He kept glancing at the entertainment in confusion.

He sat on the barstool right next to him. Their legs pressed against each other.

“I wasn't aware we had an activity today,” he gave Fizzi a pointed look.

“We didn't,” Lucifer glanced up to shoot him a greeting smile before going back to work. “He's with me. I told him to entertain himself while I finish this contract.”

“He certainly seems….. energetic,” Alastor replied.

“Hm,” Lucifer was more focused on writing than listening. He'd already been at this for hours after a rigorous fight with two sins. 

Trying to stop a fight was much harder than winning a fight. Not to mention the repairs afterward.

Mammon and Asmodeus were always at odds but for them to go all out over an imp was surprising. Lucifer glanced at Fizzi again. Well, he was cute and talented.

“Lulu!” Fizzi bounced over and landed on Lucifer's back. “Oof, so sturdy.”

Lucifer hadn't moved an inch when Fizzi landed on him. He continued to work undisturbed.

“Are you done yet? I'm booooorrrrreeeed,” Fizzi’s mechanical arms wrapped around his chest several times and squeezed. He placed his chin on Lucifer’s shoulder.

“I'm almost done, Fizzi,” Lucifer poked him on the nose with his pen. “Then we can go.”

“Ugh,” Fizzi wrapped his legs around Lucifer’s stomach. “Like ten minutes?”

“Yeah,” Lucifer absentmindedly responded. “More like five, if you stop bothering me.”

Lucifer only had two pages left. He ignored everything to focus. The sooner he got this done the sooner this whole ordeal would be over. He was so focused he began to hear white noise. It grew in volume until Lucifer realized it was radio static. 

He looked up in time to grab one of Alastor’s tentacles. It was aimed at Fizzi’s waist, not fatal for a sinner but detrimental for an imp.

Alastor looked pissed. He hadn’t gotten bigger but his eyes were dials and a menacing green emanated off him.

“Shit,” Fizzi shook and tightened his arms around Lucifer. “I was only messing around.”

Within the blink of an eye, Alastor returned to normal as if nothing had happened. Fizzi was still shaking and his breathing was heavy. 

“As was I,” Alastor’s grin was cruel. “Perhaps the joke was too much for you.”

Lucifer looked between the two of them before sighing. He wasn’t sure what was happening but he couldn’t stay in the lobby anymore.

“I’m just going to finish this in my room,” he grabbed his stack of papers and opened a portal. “I’ll see you guys later.”

He retreated quickly before anyone could say anything. He wasn’t in the mood for a conversation.

“That guy’s insane,” Fizzi said once the portal was closed. “I was only teasing him.”

“Well, he is an Overlord,” Lucifer sat at his desk. “They don’t take kindly to being messed with.”

“Ugh,” Fizzi released him and sat on the desk. “You would be fucking an Overlord.”

“We’re not fucking,” Lucifer responded as he started writing again. Only a paragraph left.

“You’ve been dating for months now and you still haven’t fucked?” Fizzi laughed. “What are you waiting for? Marriage?”

“We’re not dating,” Lucifer rectified. One sentence. “We’re just friends.”

“Well, you better make sure he’s on the same page,” he crossed his arms. “He was so jealous he tried to kill me.”

“Alastor doesn't like people like that,” Lucifer put the pen down. “And to be fair, he probably thought you were a sinner. It would have hurt but you would have been fine.”

“You’re either in denial or you’re blind,” Fizzi laughed. “Are we done, can I sign and go home?”

“You should read it first,” Lucifer handed him the large stack of papers. “But take it home to read. I’m sure Ozzie can take care of you for a day.”

“Nope,” Fizzie grabbed the pen and signed his name on the last page. “You got yourself a deal, Lulu.”

“Ok fine, here take this bracelet,” Lucifer quickly created one. “It’ll let you teleport to and from Lulu World. Ozzie can help you set up the home teleport.”

“Thank you so much!” Fizzi gave him a hug and rubbed their cheeks together. “Now send me home. I want to see Ozzie!”

Lucifer opened a portal to Asmodeus’ house. As soon as Fizzi was through he closed it. He knew what kind of reunion those two would have.

He looked down at the contract and signed it himself. It was Fizzi’s new work contract. He would work at Lulu World from now on and receive Lucifer’s protection. He also got paid by the show. A good deal for both of them.

Lucifer changed into his duck gown and threw himself on the bed. A long day of work needed a good nap. There was a knock on his door just as his eyes closed. He could hear the radio static.

“Come in,” he shouted as he rolled to his side and cuddled his duck toy.

Alastor entered via shadow. He paused for a moment upon seeing Lucifer in bed. His eyes quickly scanned the room.

“Is your ‘friend’,” he growled. “Still here?”

“Nope,” Lucifer yawned. “I'm going to take a nap. So if you want something, hurry and ask.”

He felt the bed dip as Alastor used his shadow to move above him. He still looked mad but he didn't say anything.

“You can stay if you want,” Lucifer hugged his toy tighter and closed his eyes.

“Is he special to you too?”

Lucifer’s eyes shot open and he looked at Alastor. Fizzi’s words played through his mind. Did Alastor like him?

Alastor’s hands clenched the bed sheets on either side of Lucifer’s head. He was glaring but his smile seemed unsure. Alastor's ears were pulled back in distress.

“No,” Lucifer released his duck toy and moved to his back to cup Alastor's face. “I was just doing one of the sins a favor.”

“You’re a king,” Alastor huffed. “You shouldn't let random people cling to you.”

Lucifer chuckled and pulled Alastor down. He rubbed his face into Alastor’s chest as he settled next to him. Alastor wrapped his arms around him. One played with his hair while the other traced the curve of his spine.

He was too tired to judge Alastor’s feelings. He’d have to figure it out later.

“I'll keep that in mind,” Lucifer yawned. “I’m sleeping now.”

Alastor

Alastor returned to the hotel and was surprised to find the lobby full of sinners. There seemed to be a clown bouncing around and singing. No one had informed him of any special events to occur today. Was that sinner just trying to show off?

He spotted Lucifer hunched over by the bar and went over to him. Alastor sat on the barstool next to him and pressed their legs together.

“I wasn't aware we had an activity today,” he gave the clown a pointed look.

“We didn't,” Lucifer glanced up to smile at the demon before going back to his paperwork. “He's with me. I told him to entertain himself while I finish this contract.”

“He certainly seems….. energetic,” Alastor replied. Who was he to Lucifer? And why hadn’t Lucifer mentioned him before? Lucifer didn’t usually divulge his work as king, perhaps it had something to do with that.

“Hm,” Lucifer made a noise but was clearly not listening. 

Alastor ordered a drink and watched the show with disgust. It was tacky and unoriginal.

“Lulu!” The clown bounced over and landed on Lucifer's back. “Oof, so sturdy.”

Lucifer continued his work as if nothing happened. Alastor’s grin almost turned into a scowl. Thinly veiled rage burned under his skin.

“Are you done yet? I'm booooorrrrreeeed,” the clown complained loudly as he wrapped his arms around Lucifer’s chest several times and squeezed. He placed his chin on Lucifer’s shoulder.

Alastor’s eyes twitched as he decided the best way to maul this sinner. The veil became thinner.

“I'm almost done, Fizzi,” Lucifer poked him on the nose with his pen. “Then we can go.”

“Ugh,” Fizzi wrapped his legs around Lucifer’s stomach. “Like ten minutes?”

“Yeah,” Lucifer absentmindedly responded. “More like five, if you stop bothering me.”

Lucifer clearly didn’t have a problem with the clown clinging to him. He usually didn’t let random people touch him. So he had to know this clown on some personal level. Who was he and why was he here? Where were they going to go after this? Would Lucifer invite him along?

The clown glanced at Alastor then smirked at him. He affectionately rubbed his face against Lucifer’s head, just behind the ear. Lucifer didn’t even react to it. One of the clown’s hands felt up his angel’s bicep. The demon felt his heart palpitate with anger and he fisted his hands to stop them from shaking.

Alastor’s smile tightened as he tilted his head and his iris’ were replaced by radio dials. Green emanated off him and he summoned a tentacle to severely damage the clown sinner. A wound that would take a lot of time to heal and be very painful. 

Lucifer’s eyes snapped up in time to catch the appendage. 

“Shit,” the clown cowered and tightened his arms around Lucifer. “I was only messing around.”

Alastor returned to normal and donned a menacing smile.

“As was I,” he grinned cruelly. “Perhaps the joke was too much for you.”

Lucifer looked between them with a sigh.

“I’m just going to finish this in my room,” he announced as he grabbed his paperwork and opened a portal. “I’ll see you guys later.”

Fizzi stuck his tongue out at Alastor as the portal closed.

The demon sat there for a few moments as he contemplated how he was going to dispose of that sinner. He could decide that later. They went to Lucifer’s room. Together. Alone. He couldn’t allow that. 

Alastor downed his drink and disappeared into his shadow. He reappeared in front of Lucifer’s bedroom door. He listened for a moment before knocking.

“Come in,” Lucifer shouted.

Alastor used his shadow to enter and noticed that Lucifer was on his bed, already dressed in his favorite duck pajamas. He looked around for the clown. 

“Is your ‘friend’,” the demon growled. “Still here?”

“Nope,” Lucifer yawned. “I'm going to take a nap. So if you want something, hurry and ask.”

Alastor used his shadow to appear above Lucifer, caging him on the bed.

“You can stay if you want,” Lucifer hugged his duck toy tighter as he closed his eyes.

“Is he special to you too?” Alastor demanded. 

Lucifer’s eyes shot open to look at Alastor with slight confusion.

Alastor clenched the bedsheets by Lucifer’s head as he awaited an answer. Had he been foolish to think he had all eternity to confess his feelings? His teeth clenched in anxiety and worry.

“No,” Lucifer released his duck toy and rolled to his back to cup Alastor's face. “I was just doing one of the sins a favor.”

“You’re a king,” Alastor huffed with relief. “You shouldn't let random people cling to you.”

Lucifer chuckled and pulled Alastor down. Alastor felt himself relax as Lucifer rubbed his face into the demon’s chest. He wrapped his arms around his angel to pull him close. One played with his hair where the clown had touched him while the other traced his spine. His anger was quickly replaced with tranquility. 

“I'll keep that in mind,” Lucifer yawned. “I’m sleeping now.”

Alastor smiled and pressed his face into Lucifer’s hair. He should proceed quickly and mark his angel so no one would approach him with impure intentions again. He wanted Lucifer to be his and he wanted everyone to know it.

Fizzarolli

Fizzi only relaxed after the portal closed behind them, leaving him safely in Ozzie’s foyer. He’d been terrified when the King of Hell had shown up and easily threw both Mammon and Ozzie on their asses. They had both refused to tell the King why they were fighting and Ozzie shot him a look and placed a finger against his lips to silently shush him.

Mammon had gotten angry with their punishment and told Lucifer everything. He tried to sell the story like he was the one that was being fucked over. Ozzie tried to butt in and they ended up talking over each other until the King had told them both to shut it.

Fizzi couldn’t breath when the King had slung him over his shoulder and told them both to finish cleaning their mess on their own. He had thought he was going to be punished for causing problems, that’s what usually happened to imps even when it wasn’t their fault.

Lucifer had flown them high up to above the ring and asked him what actually happened. He’d been hesitant at first but eventually spilled the whole truth. He was too scared to lie to with those red glowing eyes and his mancing glare. He was expecting some form of punishment but the King had simply offered him a job with reasonable terms.

When he agreed, Lucifer, as he’d insisted he be called, took him to that hotel and told him to entertain himself while he wrote up the contract. He’d paced at first thinking about Ozzie and how he didn’t know that Fizzi was ok. He had no way to contact his lover either. 

He hadn’t wanted to bother Lucifer but he asked for something to juggle to get his mind off it. He conjured it quickly and kept working. Fizzi asked for more things and put on an impromptu performance for the gathering sinners. It was something to do at least.

But Fizzi just wanted to go home.

Messing the easily recognizable King's boyfriend seemed like a good pastime but now he felt like he had a target on his back. Overlords were considered dangerous even to the Ars Goetia.

What he didn’t understand was why Lucifer was trying to keep it a secret. Everyone in Hell knew he had a new lover and the Sins were concerned what that would mean for their future. Not only did Lucifer suddenly come back to start ruling but now he had a boyfriend. Things were changing and not all of them were good. 

He needed to find and tell Ozzie about him being an Overlord. That was definitely not a good thing. If he gave control to another sinner there might even be a rebellion. According to what he heard from Ozzie, Lilith had been a heartless ruler that cared little for the day to day and only concerned herself with the sinners instead of the rest of Hell. It was better than Lucifer, who did nothing though.

“Fizzi!” his lover shouted as Fizzi entered the office.

Ozzie had been pacing worriedly but was now running over to scoop him up.

“Ozzie!” he exclaimed and hugged him tightly.

First things first, they were so going to have sex.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Lucifer hummed happily as he listened to the monopoly game unfold in the lounge. He was laying on his back with his head resting on Alastor’s thigh. His hands were folded over his stomach. Alastor ran one hand through his hair while Angel yelled at him again over some minor issue.

Lucifer wasn’t listening since he was already out of the game. Alastor had bankrupted him very quickly. He never did understand the concept of money. He owned a theme park and it made a lot of money but he didn't know how to strategically buy and sell things. Alastor had easily realized his weakness and exploited it.

Lucifer hadn’t felt like learning the game anyway so he was grateful for the excuse. The only real contender left at the moment was Angel. Charlie, Vaggie and Husk were slowly losing their money. The only reason Angel was even still a contender was because he was cheating. Lucifer decided not to say anything since Alastor hadn't caught on.

His humming turned into soft singing as the arguing quieted down. It was an ancient song, a lullaby his father used to sing to the seraphim when they were first created. When the song ended, Lucifer opened his eyes to check the progress of the game. Everyone was staring at him with wide eyes.

“What?” Lucifer asked.

“Your voice is beautiful,” Angel gasped.

“Dad, I don't think I've ever heard you sing like that before,” Charlie smiled. “It was lovely.”

“I used to sing that song to you all the time,” Lucifer used his hands to show how tiny Charlie had been. “As a baby, you always had a hard time sleeping.”

“What era is that song from?” Alastor asked. “I don’t even recognize the language.”

Lucifer met Alastor’s gaze and blushed slightly. Alastor’s smile was gentle and lit up his face.

“The era didn’t really have a name,” he replied. “The beginning, I suppose, dad used to sing it to us all the time. I remember him singing it as he created me.”

Vaggie dropped the tiny thimble. “You remember being created?”

“Yeah,” he nodded as he sat up with his back facing them. Lucifer looked out the window as he recalled the memory. “It felt like I had always existed but then I was suddenly given consciousness. When I talked to the other’s about it, none of them felt that way though. They all said that they just didn’t exist one moment and did the next.”

Lucifer pushed himself with one hand to spin around and face them. He crossed his legs and put his elbows on his knees to hold up his head.

“I never really understood why I was different,” Lucifer tilted his head and rolled his eyes. “Dad would just smile mysteriously when I asked.”

“I’m sorry, dad?” Husk’s eyes widened suddenly. “As in God?”

“Yeah,” Lucifer smiled for a moment as he remembered his father. His expression changed to a sad smile then a frown when he remembered his father’s involvement in his fall. Lucifer suddenly smiled again, though not as bright as before. “You know, dad and even us seraphim don’t have genders. Sera made the whole thing up when she created Adam and Lilith. She gave them the ability to have their own children, it was such a weird concept at the time.”

“Does that make you a ken doll down there?” Angel raised a brow and looked at Lucifer’s crotch.

Lucifer laughed at that.

“Not anymore,” he giggled. “But yes, my first attempt at a human body was pretty much a ken doll.”

Charlie’s eyes widened excitedly. “What did your first human form look like? Is it similar to how you look now?”

“I guess it’s pretty similar,” Lucifer mused, trying to remember what it looked like. “This form got corrupted when I fell, like my true form did. I was a big golden bird but now there’s some red mixed in and my talons are gray and sharper.”

“I wish I could see it,” Charlie had stars in her eyes from whatever she was imagining.

“Alright, give me a moment,” he stood up. “I can give you an idea of what it looked like.”

Lucifer closed his eyes and concentrated. His skin had been a similar color to Lilith’s and his hair had been shoulder length. His face was slimmer and his eyelashes were longer. His eyes had been white with golden iris’. He didn’t have the two red circles on his cheeks at the time. His body grew more feminine. He also changed his outfit to a billowy robe with golden embroidery at the bottom and on the ends of the sleeves.

“Oh my god, you’re so cute,” Charlie gushed as she jumped up and down.

“Close enough,” Lucifer opened his eyes and did a spin. “Ta da.”

“You were even shorter,” Angel chuckled.

They all crowded around him, except for Alastor who stood staring from a distance. Some of the other residents, who were hanging out in the lounge, also just stared.

“Wait, are those tits?” Angel’s eyes widened as he bent over for a better look. “More like a barbie doll then.”

“I preferred Lilith’s form over Adam’s,” Lucifer shrugged. “Oh yeah, the wings.”

Lucifer let his wings out. They were still white but the inner feathers were gold instead of red.

“Your hands weren’t gray before?” Vaggie asked.

“No, that happened when I fell,” Lucifer looked at his arms and mumbled sadly. “Burned by hellfire.”

Everyone grew quiet and Lucifer realized he’d said that outloud.

“You know, cherubs were based on this appearance,” he squeezed his own cheeks to make them look chubbier.

That got them chuckling at least.

“Alastor,” Lucifer made his way over and spun when he was only a few feet away. “What do you think? Adorable, right?”

“Indeed,” Alastor agreed as he cupped Lucifer’s cheeks. 

Warmth spread through Lucifer's face as their eyes met. Alastor's grin turned into a smirk as he pinched Lucifer’s cheeks, hard.

“Ow, hey,” Lucifer pulled away and rubbed his face. “You could've just said you didn't like it.”

“I think you're absolutely adorable,” Alastor chuckled. “Though if you get any shorter you might cease to exist.”

“Maybe I should stay this way if you like it so much,” Lucifer shot him an annoyed look.

Alastor’s eye twitched.

“We finishing the game?” Lucifer nonchalantly asked and pointed to the board.

They returned to their positions around the board. Lucifer hid his wings and laid on his stomach supporting his head with his hands. He kicked his bare feet as he watched them play. His robe rolled up a bit.

Lucifer tried to pay attention to the game but it was too confusing. Angel cheating was the only real entertainment, he wondered how no one noticed when he blatantly took money from the bank.

As the ruthless game continued, more mortals entered the lounge. The room was filling surprisingly fast since it was just past noon. They took Charlie's lead and started to play their own games.

“Your Highness,” someone called softly.

Lucifer turned his body slightly to look up.

“Uh, hi,” he replied awkwardly. 

She reminded him of a succubus.

“We’re going to play Twister, if you want to join us,” she gestured behind her. Her friend’s looked similar to her. 

“Oh, um,” he hesitated. It was the first time someone had invited him to something nonsexual. “Sorry, I promised to spend the day with my daughter.”

“It’s a quick game,” she replied. “Just one round wouldn’t take long.”

A warm hand covered the entire small of his back causing him to jolt slightly.

“It’s rather rude to invite someone to a game when they’re already playing one,” Alastor’s tone sounded nice but the underlying static said otherwise. “Run along.”

She stood her ground and opened his mouth to protest but froze when she saw Alastor’s neck unhinge as his smile widened cruelly. She mumbled a quick “ok” and scurried away.

Lucifer flushed when Alastor moved a hand to his hip to pull him closer. The hand returned to his back and stayed. 

He had to chase Fizzi’s words out of his mind. Alastor wasn’t acting any different than normal, it was all just in his head. He needed to stop feeling so self conscious about it.

A few more mortals asked if he wanted to play a game with them and Alastor chased them away before Lucifer could form a response. Alastor looked about ready to start devouring them. Each time he pulled Lucifer closer until he was pressed against Alastor’s side.

“You might as well just pull him into your lap at this point,” Angel snickered. “Maybe they’d get the message then.”

“An excellent idea,” Alastor’s ears perked up.

Lucifer rolled his eyes then huffed in surprise when a tendril lifted him by the waist. He was dropped gracelessly into Alastor’s lap as he wrapped his arms around Lucifer’s torso. He had to quickly fix his robes when they rode up. There wasn’t anything to see but that didn’t mean he wanted to expose himself.

“I don’t think that was necessary,” Lucifer shifted to a better position on top of Alastor’s loosely crossed legs. He situated himself in the center with his legs hanging over one of Alastor’s thighs.

“Maybe now we won't be disturbed as much,” Alastor replied confidently.

Lucifer felt his face warm the longer he sat there, he probably resembled a lightbulb. Everyone was openly staring now, at least before they were only getting side eyes. A few of them even risked their phones to try to get a picture of the King of Hell in his angelic form sitting on the Radio Demon’s lap. Lucifer wondered if they should add sights only seen in person and incredible gossip opportunities to the amenities list.

Thankfully the game ended soon after that. Angel landed on Community Chest and he had to pay taxes on all houses and hotels, which ruined him. Then Husk landed on Boardwalk, which Alastor owned and he threw in the towel. Vaggie landed on Chance and was sent straight to Boardwalk. Then Charlie just gave up. It would have been quite impressive if Alastor hadn’t cheated. Lucifer hadn’t called out Angel so he didn’t call out Alastor either.

Alastor

Alastor was too distracted by the humming angel in his lap to take the monopoly game too seriously. He still didn’t plan on losing though. Lucifer hadn’t known how to play and Alastor was the only one evil enough to take advantage of him. He went bankrupt laughably quick. 

Angel Dust was yelling at him about some slight but he wasn’t listening. He was sure Angel was cheating anyway, he just couldn’t figure out how. Lucifer proved to be an excellent distraction.

He’d never heard his angel humming before. The tune sounded ethereally familiar but he couldn’t place the song. The humming turned into singing as Angel quieted down. Alastor didn’t recognize the words nor the language his angel was singing. It sounded like a gentle lullaby. Everyone stopped playing to simply stare at Lucifer.

When the song ended, Lucifer opened his eyes to look at the board.

“What?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Your voice is beautiful,” Angel gasped.

“Dad, I don't think I've ever heard you sing like that before,” Charlie smiled. “It was lovely.”

“I used to sing that song to you all the time,” Lucifer used his hands to show how tiny Charlie had been. “As a baby, you always had a hard time sleeping.”

“What era is that song from?” Alastor asked. “I don’t even recognize the language.”

Lucifer met Alastor’s gaze with a light blush.

“The era didn’t really have a name,” he replied. “The beginning, I suppose, dad used to sing it to us all the time. I remember him singing it as he created me.”

Vaggie dropped the tiny thimble. “You remember being created?”

“Yeah,” he nodded as he sat up. His back facing them. Lucifer stared out the window as he spoke. “It felt like I had always existed but then I was suddenly given consciousness. When I talked to the other’s about it, none of them felt that way though. They all said that they just didn’t exist one moment and did the next.”

Lucifer spun himself around to face them again, an unreadable expression on his face. He crossed his legs and put his elbows on his knees to hold up his head. If he had been human, that position would ruin his back.

“I never really understood why I was different,” Lucifer tilted his head. “Dad would just smile mysteriously when I asked.”

“I’m sorry, dad?” Husk’s eyes widened suddenly. “As in God?”

“Yeah,” Lucifer smiled for a moment then frowned. The smile returned but not as brightly. “You know, dad and even us seraphim don’t have genders. Sera made the whole thing up when she created Adam and Lilith. She gave them the ability to have their own children, it was such a weird concept at the time.”

Lucifer’s expressions always shifted rapidly when he thought about Heaven and the other seraphim. The memories seemed to conflict, making him both happy and sad.

“Does that make you a ken doll down there?” Angel raised a brow and looked at Lucifer’s crotch.

Lucifer laughed at that and Alastor’s eye twitched. He tapped down his rising anger. Angel was just curious, he wasn’t hitting on Lucifer.

“Not anymore,” he giggled. “But yes, my first attempt at a human body was pretty much a ken doll.”

Charlie’s eyes widened excitedly. “What did your first human form look like? Is it similar to how you look now?”

“I guess it’s pretty similar,” Lucifer mused. “This form got corrupted when I fell, like my true form did. I was a big golden bird but now there’s some red mixed in and my talons are gray and sharper.”

Alastor recalled watching Lucifer fly around as the golden bird. Though at the time he thought it was going to attack them.

“I wish I could see it,” Charlie gave him a starry eyed look.

“Alright, give me a moment,” Lucifer stood up. “I can give you an idea of what it looked like.”

Alastor had no interest in seeing his original form. He liked the one Lucifer currently had. It fit the King of Hell, though he could stand to be taller but not taller than himself, of course.

Lucifer’s body glowed white as he changed his form. When the light died down, Alastor had to blink a few times to regain his train of thought. His angel looked so pure and innocent in his original form. It made Alastor want to corrupt him. He glared at the other sinners in the room, they likely had the same thought.

Lucifer’s skin was tan and his hair was longer. He still didn’t have a nose and the red dots on his face were gone as well. His irises were golden instead of red and his body seemed to curve differently, it was hard to tell with the billowy robe. The robe was white with gold embroidery on the end of the sleeves and hem. 

“Oh my god, you’re so cute,” Charlie gushed as she jumped up and down.

“Close enough,” Lucifer opened his eyes and did a spin. “Ta da.”

“You were even shorter,” Angel chuckled.

Alastor stayed back as they crowded around Lucifer. He was keeping an eye on the other sinners.

“Wait, are those tits?” Angel’s eyes widened as he bent over for a better look. “More like a barbie doll then.”

Alastor bit his lip to keep from using his shadow to throw Angel across the room.

“I preferred Lilith’s form over Adam’s,” Lucifer shrugged. “Oh yeah, the wings.”

Lucifer released his wings. They were still white but the inner feathers were golden. 

“Your hands weren’t gray before?” Vaggie asked.

“No, that happened when I fell,” Lucifer looked down and mumbled sadly. “Burned by hellfire.”

Alastor’s eyes widened at that. Lucifer could get hurt. He could get scarred. Hellfire seemed dangerous to all beings.

“You know, cherubs were based on this appearance,” Lucifer squeezed his cheeks to make himself look cuter and to lighten the mood. A few people chuckled at that.

“Alastor,” Lucifer ran over to him and did a spin as he did. “What do you think? Adorable, right?”

“Indeed,” Alastor agreed as he cupped Lucifer’s cheeks. He wanted to ruin this pure being.

Instead, he pinched Lucifer’s cheeks with an insolent smile.

“Ow, hey,” Lucifer pulled away and rubbed his face. “You could've just said you didn't like it.”

“I think you're absolutely adorable,” Alastor chuckled. “Though if you get any shorter you might cease to exist.”

“Maybe I should stay this way if you like it so much,” Lucifer shot him an annoyed look.

Alastor’s eye twitched. He did not want the other sinners to see his angel like this.

“We finishing the game?” Lucifer nonchalantly asked and pointed to the board.

Alastor planned out a new strategy so he could end the game quickly but immediately forgot it as Lucifer hid his wings and laid down on his stomach. He lifted his bare feet up and kicked them back and forth merrily. The motion caused his robe to ride up slightly, exposing porcelain thighs. The demon had to resist the urge to cover Lucifer up.

A cough caused Alastor to tear his eyes away from Lucifer. Angel smirked at him as he held out the dice. Right, the game. He needed to end it quickly.

More sinners entered the lounge as time passed. They pretended to play board games but were side-eyeing his angel. He might need to eat a few more sinners before the night was through. 

“Your Highness,” a sinner bravely addressed him.

Lucifer turned slightly to look up at her with boredom.

“Uh, hi,” he replied awkwardly. 

She was wearing a scant amount of clothing.

“We’re going to play Twister, if you want to join us,” she gestured behind her.

Lucifer playing Twister in that robe. Alastor growled softly at the thought of his body pressed against another.

“Oh, um,” several emotions played across Lucifer’s face as he mulled it over. “Sorry, I promised to spend the day with my daughter.”

“It’s a quick game,” she replied. “Just one round wouldn’t take long.”

Alastor pressed a hand against Lucifer’s lower back in case he decided to join them.

“It’s rather rude to invite someone to a game when they’re already playing one,” Alastor kept his tone polite but used his static as a warning. “Run along.”

The sinner put on a brave face and looked like she was about to protest. Alastor allowed his head to loll to the side as his smile promised death. She lost her nerve and ran off. He would do something about her later.

Lucifer stiffened slightly as Alastor pulled him closer. He hoped the proximity would deter the other sinners from approaching. He kept a hand on Lucifer’s back simply because he could. Let them spread rumors about that.

A few more sinners decided to brave Alastor’s murderous stare and radio static to ask Lucifer to play games with them. He didn’t even give Lucifer a chance to respond as he rejected all of them and added them to his list. He pulled Lucifer closer with each new request until they were flush but it didn’t seem to be working.

“You might as well just pull him into your lap at this point,” Angel snickered. “Maybe they’d get the message then.”

“An excellent idea,” Alastor’s ears perked up. That would certainly send the correct message.

Lucifer rolled his eyes then squeaked in surprise as Alastor lifted him with one of his tendrils. He squirmed a bit too much and freed himself from the tendril but still landed on Alastor’s lap, albeit awkwardly. He quickly encircled Lucifer’s torso with his arms to keep his angel from escaping but Lucifer seemed more interested in fixing his robes than standing.

“I don’t think that was necessary,” Lucifer grumbled as he shifted to a better position on top of him.

Alastor had his legs crossed at the ankles, giving his smaller than usual angel enough space to settle comfortably. Lucifer’s short legs dangled over the demon’s thigh.

“Maybe now we won't be disturbed as much,” Alastor replied confidently.

Lucifer stared at the game board intently but Alastor could see his ears and neck turn a darker gold as the game went on. He was growing tenser and seemed to be subconsciously pressing himself closer to the demon. Lucifer did not care about the sinners' opinions of him but he hated being watched.

Alastor decided it was time to end this game for his angel. He enchanted the dice and cards so that Angel landed on Community Chest and drew the card that forced him to pay taxes on all his hotels and houses. No amount of cheating could help with that and he went bankrupt. Alastor forced Husk to land on Boardward to finish him next. Alastor didn’t do anything to Vaggie but she was unlucky enough to land on Chance and ended up going straight to Boardwalk. Charlie decided to fold since she knew she couldn’t win.

Lucifer looked relieved when the game was finally over.

Angel Dust

Angel silently chuckled as he stole money from the bank while Smiles was staring at the angel in his lap. He was going off about some technicality and everyone was ignoring him, which worked in his favor. Short King should play games with them all the time.

He was humming some song and Angel lowered his voice to listen but then he started singing and he felt transfixed by the song. Angel broke free from the spell when Short King stopped singing to look at the board.

“What?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Your voice is beautiful,” Angel couldn’t help but utter.

“Dad, I don't think I've ever heard you sing like that before,” Charlie smiled. “It was lovely.”

“I used to sing that song to you all the time,” Short King stated. “As a baby, you always had a hard time sleeping.”

While all eyes were on him, Angel took some money from the bank.

“What era is that song from?” Smiles asked. “I don’t even recognize the language.”

They were staring at each other like lovebirds again.

“The era didn’t really have a name,” he replied with a light blush. “The beginning, I suppose, dad used to sing it to us all the time. I remember him singing it as he created me.”

Vaggie dropped the tiny thimble. “You remember being created?”

“Yeah,” Short King sat up and Angel couldn’t help taking from the bank again. “It felt like I had always existed but then I was suddenly given consciousness. When I talked to the other’s about it, none of them felt that way though. They all said that they just didn’t exist one moment and did the next.”

Short King swiveled to face them again and slumped forward.

“I never really understood why I was different,” he tilted his head thoughfully. “Dad would just smile mysteriously when I asked.”

“I’m sorry, dad?” Husk’s eyes widened suddenly. “As in God?”

“Yeah,” Shork King smiled and what a perfect opportunity to steal again. “You know, dad and even us seraphim don’t have genders. Sera made the whole thing up when she created Adam and Lilith. She gave them the ability to have their own children, it was such a weird concept at the time.”

“Does that make you a ken doll down there?” Angel raised a brow and looked at the angel’s crotch. He felt satisfied when Smiles’ eye twitched.

“Not anymore,” he giggled. “But yes, my first attempt at a human body was pretty much a ken doll.”

Charlie’s eyes widened excitedly. “What did your first human form look like? Is it similar to how you look now?”

“I guess it’s pretty similar,” Short King mused. “This form got corrupted when I fell, like my true form did. I was a big golden bird but now there’s some red mixed in and my talons are gray and sharper.”

Angel remembered the bird terrorizing Pentagram City.

“I wish I could see it,” Charlie gave him a starry eyed look.

“Alright, give me a moment,” Short King stood up. “I can give you an idea of what it looked like.”

Smiles was staring so intensely at Short King that Angel started rifling through the Chance cards to pick out a favorable one for himself. By the time he looked back up the transformation was done and Angel’s eyes bugged out at the innocent appearance. 

“Oh my god, you’re so cute,” Charlie gushed as she jumped up and down.

“Close enough,” Short King opened his eyes and did a spin. “Ta da.”

They all got up to approach him for a better look, except for Smiles.

“You were even shorter,” Angel chuckled. “Wait, are those tits? More like a barbie doll then.”

“I preferred Lilith’s form over Adam’s,” Short King shrugged. “Oh yeah, the wings.”

Angel was once again stunned with the wings.

“Your hands weren’t gray before?” Vaggie asked.

“No, that happened when I fell,” Lucifer looked down and mumbled sadly. “Burned by hellfire… You know, cherubs were based on this appearance.”

Short King squeezed his cheeks and said in a lighter tone.

“Alastor,” he ran over to him and did a spin as he did. “What do you think? Adorable, right?”

“Indeed,” Smiles’ cupped his cheeks before his expression darkened and he pinched them.

“Ow, hey,” Short King grumbled. “You could've just said you didn't like it.”

“I think you're absolutely adorable,” Smiles chuckled. “Though if you get any shorter you might cease to exist.”

“Maybe I should stay this way if you like it so much,” Short King shot him an annoyed look. “We finishing the game?”

Smiles had a calculating gleam to his eye for a few moments before Short King laid down and started kicking his legs. There was not a thought between those eyes anymore. Angel coughed to get Smiles’ attention so they could continue the game. He even offered the dice to him with an amused smirk.

The lounge started to get crowded with other sinners and it was obvious they were here to see Short King in his angelic form. A few even had the guts to ask him to play games with them while Smiles was giving them the death glare. No, those eyes promised something worse than death. It got to the point where Short King was pressed against Smiles’ side.

“You might as well just pull him into your lap at this point,” Angel suggested sarcastically. “Maybe they’d get the message then.”

“An excellent idea,” Alastor’s ears perked up.

Angel was honestly surprised that Smiles’ took his suggestion and placed Short King in his lap. He didn’t even try to escape but settled in and relaxed between Smiles’ legs.

“I don’t think that was necessary,” Lucifer grumbled.

“Maybe now we won't be disturbed as much,” Alastor replied confidently.

The game didn’t last much longer. Smiles’ definitely cheated but he had no idea how and he doubted Short King would call him out on it.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

“Need some help Short King?” Angel offered as he walked into the kitchen and noticed Lucifer stretching up on his tiptoes to reach for the cookies on a high shelf.

“The trick with being short,” Lucifer started and paused as his surroundings suddenly changed.

He’d been summoned, he realized as he took in the gray room.

“Who the fuck?” Lucifer growled and lowered himself back onto his heels as he looked around.

It was a boring board room with floor to ceiling windows against one wall behind a whiteboard. The one leading the meeting was a woman in sharp angelic heels with equally sharp white hair.

He was standing on a gray metal table. He didn’t recognize most of the room’s inhabitants except for Rosie, Velvette and Alastor. He recalled that Alastor had lamented earlier in the day about attending another Overlord meeting.

Lucifer looked down at the floor where Alastor and that annoying TV demon were frozen and staring up at him in surprise. Alastor was straddling him, one arm outstretched trying to grab something from the TV demon’s hand. The TV demon seemed to be playing keep away with said item. He had a foot shoved into Alastor’s abdomen.

His eyes zeroed in on the item in question.

“Oh, you little bastard,” he sighed and lowered himself so he was sitting on the table's edge. He snapped twice with his right hand then held it out, palm up. “Come here and I might forgive you.”

Lucifer had to bite his lip to prevent his laughter when Alastor confusedly placed his hand on top. He couldn’t embarrass his friend in a room with the most powerful beings in Pentagram City but it was precious that Alastor thought he was talking to him. He closed his hand around Alastor’s fingers then held up his other hand.

“You too, asshole,” Lucifer gestured to the item in the TV demon’s grip.

The TV demon glared at him indignantly.

“Quack,” the rubber duck he had a death grip on, slipped through his fingers and flew up to land in Lucifer’s palm.

“Good to see you, Hamilton,” Lucifer grinned cheerfully then tighten the grip of both his hands as it turned malicious. “So which one of you is in trouble today, hm?”

It was a rhetorical question but Alastor looked panicked and was clearly thinking of his response.

“No matter,” he shrugged and looked into the duck’s eyes. They flashed red briefly as he absorbed its memories. He released Alastor and glared at Hamilton. “What am I to do with you, my mischievous little duck?”

“Quack,” he defended himself. The palace is so boring that even you left.

“You are the most powerful artifact in Hell,” he scolded and scratched the duck’s head. “You can’t just randomly roam Pentagram City.”

“Quack,” Hamilton huffed sassily. I had an escort.

“And yet here I am,” Lucifer snorted derisively. “The least you could’ve done is stay with him if you’re going to argue that.”

“Quack,” he turned his back to Lucifer. My carrier was in danger.

“It’s like arguing with a child,” he rubbed his forehead in frustration.

“I apologize for interrupting,” Alastor interjected. Both he and Vox were now standing. “I’d like to vouch for my innocence.”

“I know,” Lucifer smiled softly at him. “Hamilton is a bratty little bird that doesn’t know how to stay still.” He growled and returned his glare at said duck. “And he’s had several weeks worth of fun and is now headed back to the palace.”

“Quack,” Hamilton begged desperately. Why can’t I stay with Alastor? You like and want to protect him. I can sense it. He’s always visiting new places and he’s strong. I’ll be more careful.

“You literally just summoned me for a small altercation,” Lucifer shook his head. “Neither of them are even hurt. I don’t want to get pulled into all of Alastor’s disagreements, especially when I’m in the middle of something.”

Not that he was doing anything important at that moment. Though Angel would probably eat all his cookies again.

“Quack,” he let a single tear drop fall from his eye. I can’t stand being in the palace anymore.

Lucifer knew he was being manipulated and he hated that it was working.

“You were summoned because of my fight?” Alastor asked, regaining Lucifer’s attention.

“Hm? Yes,” Lucifer looked up at him. “Hamilton hopped into your pocket and deemed you his new carrier. He’s designed to summon me if he perceives that his carrier is in danger. Before you get upset, I made him for Charlie when she was young. He errs on the side of caution.”

Alastor had looked like he was about to argue the danger of the situation but relaxed with Lucifer’s explanation.

“I’m heading back to the hotel,” Lucifer hopped off the table. “Want a ride?”

“Your Majesty?” The woman running the meeting called to him.

He turned to face her and took note of what was written on the whiteboard.

“Are you aware that no new souls have arrived in Hell the past few weeks?” she asked cautiously.

“Is that so? What a shame,” Lucifer spoke sarcastically. “I suppose that’s a problem for your continued power struggle, hm?” He smiled cheekily.

Lucifer had changed where the new arrivals appeared. He’d made a new city that Paimon was in charge of. He wanted to give the new mortals a shot at survival without immediately selling their souls. He wasn’t sure when he’d put them in Pentagram City, if he ever did, but they were all made aware of his daughter’s hotel. Some of Charlie’s residents were new arrivals. The others were living somewhat peaceful and normal lives in the new city. He couldn’t remember what Paimon had named it.

“What are you planning?” she gripped the end of the table hard enough to crack it.

It was clearly a question they were all wondering. Everyone in the room other than Velvette and Alastor glared at him. Lucifer didn’t know what to do with them. He respected that they had fought their way up in a lawless system and organized it to their benefit. The problem was that it was to their sole benefit. 

Killing them would be a waste of time, new ones would just take their place. He also didn’t want to kill Alastor, Velvette, or Rosie. He couldn’t just kill some of them. His only other idea was to slowly bleed them dry but that could take centuries and he had other problems to deal with.

The biggest being the actual overpopulation in Hell. It wasn’t a problem now but eventually the pride ring wouldn’t be able to contain all the mortals. He wasn’t sure he’d have time to govern all of Hell and the mortals.

“I’m planning to take your control,” he answered simply. “I will no longer sit back and watch my people suffer. Not by the hands of Heaven and not by you Overlords.” Lucifer smiled cruelly. “Enjoy your power while it lasts.”

He turned on his heel and opened a portal. Lucifer walked through and paused to look back at Alastor who only shook his head. He shrugged and let the portal close behind him.

Lucifer smiled proudly to himself. That had been a kickass response.

Alastor

Alastor stared unseeing as Carmilla went over the previous meeting information about the new arrivals. It had been a few weeks since anyone new had arrived in hell and considering there used to be thousands per hour it was a strange occurrence. It must have something to do with Lucifer but he hadn’t said anything and they had a silent agreement not to meddle in each other’s business.

She had been hosting weekly meetings since it all started but they clearly weren’t getting anywhere in the investigation. Vox had scoured the whole city but had come up empty handed. They were trying to come up with solutions but Alastor didn’t care. The new microphone Lucifer had gifted him was much stronger than all the sinners he had on a leash put together.

Alastor had even bigger problems than the dwindling power pool. The one currently plaguing him was in the shape of a rubber duck, Hamilton. Lucifer had mentioned that he and Charlie had made the duck together so it was clearly significant to him.

He toyed with the duck absentmindedly in his hand. He never squeezed it though. Lucifer made his ducks with different abilities. It would be his luck if this one also shot fire. Or the resounding squeak would anger Carmilla. As tempting as that would be, he didn’t want to be left out of the meetings. He wanted to know when they found the missing sinners.

The problem was he didn’t know how it’d ended up in his coat. Or how it kept ending up in his coat. He put it in his sock drawer but then later found it in his pocket. He tried a few different places and even locked it in a box but it always ended up on his person. The only explanation he could think of was that Lucifer was trying to prank him. It was harmless enough but it had been weeks and his angel hadn’t even hinted at knowing about the duck.

It would have to be a problem for another day, he decided. He finally had everything ready to confess. His minions were setting up a nice picnic in the rose garden at that moment. He had planned everything meticulously; the food, the music, his speech. He was confident that Lucifer would respond positively. Even if Lucifer hadn’t considered him a romantic partner before, he’d certainly lean toward it after their date.

Alastor was so lost in thought that he barely noticed the duck leaving his grasp. His head turned sharply and his fist clenched at the smirk he got from Vox. The tech demon held the duck up in triumph and waved it, taunting him to try to take it back.

Prank or not, he couldn’t lose something that belonged to Lucifer.

Alastor lunged and even though he caught Vox by surprise, he was still fast enough to move it away. With a snarl he grabbed Vox and they struggled against each other for a moment before they both ended up on the floor with Alastor on top. He held one of Vox’s arms against the floor while he reached for the toy with the other. Vox tried to kick him off with one foot.

“Who the fuck?” Lucifer growled.

Both their heads snapped up to see his angel standing on the table and looking around with annoyance. They froze as Lucifer’s eyes settled on them with an unimpressed look.

“Oh, you little bastard,” he sighed and lowered himself so his feet dangled over the table’s edge as he sat. He snapped twice with his right hand then held it out, palm up. “Come here and I might forgive you.”

Alastor blinked at him in shock. He must have seen the rubber duck and came to the conclusion that Alastor had taken it. Perhaps if he complied then Lucifer would believe him when he explained the strange circumstance. 

Without getting up, Alastor placed his hand in Lucifer’s.

That didn’t seem to be the right choice. Lucifer looked at him with amusement and he bit his lip to stop them from twitching. He closed his hand around Alastor's, only confusing him further. Lucifer lifted his other hand out toward Vox.

“You too, asshole,” Lucifer gestured at his rival.

Vox glared at him indignantly.

“Quack,” Hamilton wiggled free of Vox’s hand and flew to Lucifer’s awaiting palm.

Alastor clenched his teeth when he realized that he’d been talking to the duck earlier.

“Good to see you, Hamilton,” Lucifer grinned cheerfully then tighten the grip of both his hands as it turned malicious. “So which one of you is in trouble today, hm?”

Fuck, Alastor thought. He needed to explain properly before the duck could. It would likely throw him under the bus.

“No matter,” Lucifer shrugged and looked into the duck’s eyes. Both Lucifer’s and Hamilton’s eyes glowed red for a moment. He released Alastor and glared at Hamilton. “What am I to do with you, my mischievous little duck?”

“Quack,” Hamilton responded.

“You are the most powerful artifact in Hell,” his angel scolded and scratched the duck’s head. “You can’t just randomly roam Pentagram City.”

“Quack.”

Was Lucifer really conversing with the toy?

“And yet here I am,” Lucifer snorted derisively. “The least you could’ve done is stay with him if you’re going to argue that.”

He wasn’t just talking to the toy, he was arguing with it.

“Quack.”

Alastor stood and dusted himself off.

“It’s like arguing with a child,” Lucifer rubbed his forehead in frustration.

“I apologize for interrupting,” Alastor interjected. “I’d like to vouch for my innocence.”

“I know,” Lucifer smiled softly at him. “Hamilton is a bratty little bird that doesn’t know how to stay still.” He growled and returned his glare to the duck. “And he’s had several weeks worth of fun and is now headed back to the palace.”

“Quack.”

“You literally just summoned me for a small altercation,” Lucifer shook his head. “Neither of them are even hurt. I don’t want to get pulled into all of Alastor’s disagreements, especially when I’m in the middle of something.”

“Quack,” a small tear escaped its eye.

Hamilton had the ability to summon Lucifer? He had been carelessly carrying around such a dangerously powerful object the entire time.

“You were summoned because of my fight?” Alastor asked in disbelief.

“Hm? Yes,” Lucifer looked up at him. “Hamilton hopped into your pocket and deemed you his new carrier. He’s designed to summon me if he perceives that his carrier is in danger.”

Alastor’s eyes narrowed angrily. He hadn’t been in danger. It was barely even a fight. More of a scuffle really.

“Before you get upset,” Lucifer quickly added. “I made him for Charlie when she was young. He errs on the side of caution.”

He was satisfied with that response. He would not be seen as weak.

“I’m heading back to the hotel,” Lucifer hopped off the table. “Want a ride?”

“Your Majesty?” Carmilla called out before Alastor could decline.

Lucifer turned to face her with a bored expression.

“Are you aware that no new souls have arrived in Hell the past few weeks?” she asked cautiously.

“Is that so? What a shame,” Lucifer spoke sarcastically. “I suppose that’s a problem for your continued power struggle, hm?” He smiled cheekily.

So Lucifer had been the cause of the missing sinners. He was probably either trying to protect them or convert them to his daughter’s cause. They did have a boost in sinners the last few weeks. Some of them were too afraid to even leave the hotel. It wasn’t nearly enough to account for all the missing sinners though.

“What are you planning?” Carmilla gripped the end of the table hard enough to crack it.

Lucifer didn’t answer right away. He seemed to be mulling the question over with an unreadable expression. He had never seen Lucifer act this way before. He was usually fidgety and nervous or all smiles and laughs. Was he only like that at the hotel or around someone he trusted? Was this how he acted as king? It was both respectable and yet disturbing. He didn’t want this attitude pointed at him.

“I’m planning to take your control,” Lucifer answered simply. There was no malice and no threat. He stated it like a fact. “I will no longer sit back and watch my people suffer. Not by the hands of Heaven and not by you Overlords.” Lucifer smiled cruelly. “Enjoy your power while it lasts.”

Alastor’s eyes widened as he realized that Lucifer was addressing all of them. He planned to knock them all down and take their power. He planned to be the only ruler in Pentagram City.

Lucifer turned and opened a portal to the hotel lobby. He paused after entering and looked back at Alastor questioningly. It took him a moment to realize that Lucifer was trying to gauge if he was going to follow. He shook his head and Lucifer closed the portal behind him.

“Alastor, did you know about this?” Carmilla demanded angrily.

“As if I would stand by and let someone take anything from me,” he inspected his claws in a bored fashion. “It seems we all have preparations to make.”

Without another word, Alastor made for the door. It didn’t matter what they did or even if they teamed up together. Lucifer would still easily take what he wanted. Alastor either needed to find a new source of power or think of a way to get Lucifer to make a deal with him. 

He no longer had Charlie’s favor to use.

Angel Dust

Angel blinked in surprise when Short King disappeared mid-sentence. He shrugged, walked over to the cabinet and took the box of cookies before heading back to his room. Short King always bought the good stuff.

Hamilton

Hamilton was having the time of his life after sneaking away into Alastor’s pocket. It had been a long time since anyone had visited the palace so when the tall sinner had turned his back, Hamilton had flown into his pocket without hesitation. He knew it would be his only chance.

Alastor was so much fun too. He was always traveling and doing new things. Hamilton had seen so much of Pentagram City and he knew there was more out there to explore. He loved Alastor and wanted to stay with him forever.

He was even enjoying this meeting with interesting looking people.

Alastor was absentmindedly fiddling with him in one hand. Twisting and turning him this way and that. Hamilton relaxed a bit too much and didn’t realize until it was too late that he was being snatched away by the flat screened sinner.

That was ok, he thought. Alastor would get him back.

Alastor tackled the other sinner and they struggled and fought. It made Hamilton uncomfortable to watch. He needed to summon Lucifer but if he did then his fun would all be over. On the other hand his carrier was in danger.

A foot collided with Alastor’s stomach and Hamilton reacted reflexively. 

“Who the fuck?” Lucifer growled.

Hamilton tried to squeeze further into the blue sinner's hand but Lucifer saw him anyway.

“Oh, you little bastard,” Lucifer sighed and sat with his palm up. “Come here and I might forgive you.”

Alastor reacted before Hamilton could and placed his hand in Lucifer’s.

“You too, asshole,” Lucifer gestured to him again.

“Quack,” he struggled for only a moment before leaving the sinner's grip and landing on Lucifer’s palm.

“Good to see you, Hamilton,” Lucifer grinned cheerfully then turned to malicious. “So which one of you is in trouble today, hm?”

He knew better than to lie.

“No matter,” he shrugged and Hamilton felt him look through his memories. “What am I to do with you, my mischievous little duck?”

“Quack,” he defended himself. The palace is so boring that even you left.

He couldn’t go back to that prison. He wouldn’t.

“You are the most powerful artifact in Hell,” he scolded and scratched the duck’s head. “You can’t just randomly roam Pentagram City.”

“Quack,” Hamilton huffed sassily. I had an escort.

He needed to convince Lucifer to let him be free.

“And yet here I am,” Lucifer snorted derisively. “The least you could’ve done is stay with him if you’re going to argue that.”

“Quack,” he turned his back to Lucifer. My carrier was in danger.

“It’s like arguing with a child,” he rubbed his forehead in frustration.

“I apologize for interrupting,” Alastor interjected. “I’d like to vouch for my innocence.”

“I know,” Lucifer smiled softly at him. “Hamilton is a bratty little bird that doesn’t know how to stay still.” He growled and returned his glare at said duck. “And he’s had several weeks worth of fun and is now headed back to the palace.”

Even being with Lucifer was better than returning to the palace.

“Quack,” Hamilton begged desperately. Why can’t I stay with Alastor? You like and want to protect him. I can sense it. He’s always visiting new places and he’s strong. I’ll be more careful.

“You literally just summoned me for a small altercation,” Lucifer shook his head. “Neither of them are even hurt. I don’t want to get pulled into all of Alastor’s disagreements, especially when I’m in the middle of something.”

“Quack,” he let a single tear drop fall from his eye. I can’t stand being in the palace anymore.

Lucifer had always been weak to Charlie’s tears.

“You were summoned because of my fight?” Alastor asked, regaining Lucifer’s attention.

“Hm? Yes,” Lucifer looked up at him. “Hamilton hopped into your pocket and deemed you his new carrier. He’s designed to summon me if he perceives that his carrier is in danger. Before you get upset, I made him for Charlie when she was young. He errs on the side of caution.”

Hamilton couldn’t breath, he really didn’t want to return to the palace.

“I’m heading back to the hotel,” Lucifer hopped off the table. “Want a ride?”

The hotel! As in, not the palace! Had his pleading worked? Could he finally escape that prison? He needed to be good so Lucifer would keep him around. He could be a very good duck.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Alastor started to avoid him again. They hadn’t slept together since the meeting either. He had told Lucifer that they should take time for themselves. Alastor had to be upset about what he said at the meeting. How could he be so thoughtless?

So far they have kept their personal and professional lives separate from each other. It was for the best since Lucifer didn’t want to know what Alastor got up to. He also didn’t want to give Alastor any indication of where the hierarchy of Hell was headed. Mostly because he still needed to figure that out.

Lucifer felt lonely, laying on his back in his own bed while staring at the ceiling. So much for his resolve to be independent. All he really did was attach himself to Alastor, like he’d attached himself to Lilith. He was so pathetic. 

He’d hung out with the hotel family a few times during the week but everyone was so busy with work. Anything Charlie assigned him was done too quickly. 

Sometimes he played with Hamilton but the duck grew bored of his company fast. They’d both been in the palace too long. He allowed Hamilton to traverse the inside of the hotel. He was never to leave it but he could do as he pleased inside. He seemed to have grown fond of Niffty.

He looked over at his workstation with a sigh. He didn’t even feel like making ducks anymore. 

When was Alastor going to talk to him again? 

Lucifer shot up in bed angrily. No, he wasn’t going to pine after Alastor like he had pined after Lilith. He was going to learn how to exist comfortably by himself. To be happy with just himself. He’d never done it before but like Charlie said, anyone can change.

He started with a walk in the garden. He examined his work carefully and blushed when he came to the spot where he and Alastor had held their picnic. A jolt shot through his body at the memory.

Maybe he should find a temporary bed partner. It had been a while since he’d gone to a club and had a fun night. Turned off his brain and just lost himself in someone else’s body. 

He located the farthest bench in the garden and sat down. He began to swing gently as he tried to recall the last time he’d had sex. Definitely before he’d started living at the hotel. Normally he’d just go down to Lust and find the first attractive and willing partner for a quickie but he didn’t want a quickie this time.

Lucifer sighed. He was probably the only being in Hell that wanted intimacy with his sex. To whisper sweet compliments to each other rather than shout obscenities. He wanted to be held, gently kissed, and be told that someone cared for him. That was unrealistic, he’d just have to settle for bondage like everyone else in Hell.

He closed his eyes and laughed at his own dumb joke. He may not be able to make everyone happy but at least he could make himself smile sometimes.

“My, what a serene picture this would make.”

Lucifer’s eyes shot open and his expression changed to one of pure happiness when he heard Alastor’s voice. He resisted the urge to jump into Alastor’s arms and talk his ear off about his week.

Be independent, he reminded himself. Alastor was allowed to have time to himself. Had to give him his space.

“Hey, Alastor,” Lucifer waved but continued to swing. “What brings you out here?”

“Charlie sent me to find you,” he replied. “She said that you looked rather glum today.”

At least he’d hidden it well for the past week.

“I’m fine,” Lucifer smiled. “Just a little bored really. I was thinking of taking a short trip to a different ring to have a little fun.”

“I see, do make sure to tell Charlie before you go,” Alastor’s smile was tight. “It’s too bad I can’t join you.”

“Do you want to?” Lucifer stopped swinging and asked before he could think.

“My answer is moot since it’s impossible,” Alastor approached and ran a hand through Lucifer’s hair.

He melted at the touch and threw his ideas of being independent out the window. He could always try again next time.

“What if I told you it was possible?” Lucifer sighed happily.

“Where would we go?” Alastor asked instead of answering.

He can be such a pain, Lucifer thought as he rolled his eyes. He shouldn’t take him to Lust and he felt like the cowboy aesthetic of Wrath would be boring to him. Greed was trashy on a good day. Gluttony would probably be the best choice but not even the Hellborn were into cannibalism. 

“Lulu World?” Lucifer’s eyes lit up at the idea. “We could take everyone for a nice day out.”

“I’m not very fond of theme parks,” Alastor responded and retracted his hand. “And someone has to stay and keep an eye on the hotel.”

“Oh yeah, that’s true,” Lucifer stood with a stretch and started walking away from Alastor. His chest felt like it was being squeezed from the rejection. His brain was crawling out the damn window to desperately grasp the independent idea back. 

Alastor caught up to him easily with his long strides.

“Shall I inform everyone of the outing?” he offered.

“Hm,” Lucifer was confused for a moment. “Oh, no, that’s fine. It was only a passing thought since it seemed like you wanted to go. I’m just going to stick to my original plan then.”

“I’d be willing to go for something more entertaining,” Alastor stated. “What was your original plan?”

Lucifer blushed and looked away. “Just going to a club, maybe, I hadn’t solidified that idea either. Nothing you’d be interested in.”

“I love a good jazz club,” Alastor supplied.

“Let me see if I can find one,” Lucifer pulled out his phone with a smile. Maybe they could be independent together.

Lucifer huffed as he dropped the drunk man onto his bed. Alastor giggled gleefully.

Independent together was the dumbest thought he’d ever had.

Alastor had stuck to him all night long. Lucifer barely had time to flirt let alone have a quickie. He looked down at the red faced man and chuckled softly. He’d still had a lot of fun though. He’d never realized that Alastor could party like that. He pounded down drinks and danced perfectly. He was even able to keep up with the hellborn. The drinks were stronger outside of Pentagram City too.

With a snap, Lucifer changed Alastor into his normal red pajamas. Or at least something similar to his normal pajamas. There might be a duck on the collar. And sleeves…. And the waistband of the pants. The price to pay for getting drunk.

Once Alastor was tucked in, Lucifer tried to leave. Two hands grabbed his wrist to stop him. Alastor looked like he leaped partially out of bed to grab him.

“Where are you going?” his ears were drawn back and he looked upset. “I missed you.”

The question was on the tip of his tongue but Lucifer decided to bite his lip instead. Alastor hadn’t wanted to tell him why he needed space but he might answer while drunk. It was wrong to take advantage of that.

“I’ll stay until you fall asleep,” he responded and pushed Alastor back down by the shoulders.

Alastor wiggled out of his hold and grabbed Lucifer around the waist to pull him on the bed. Lucifer ended up awkwardly splayed on top of him. He was tipsy so regaining his balance took longer than he liked. It didn’t help that Alastor was holding him with both his arms and legs in an anaconda grip.

“Sleep with me tonight,” Alastor whined. “Don’t leave.”

“Go to sleep,” Lucifer sighed and relaxed on top of him. He was a bit diagonal and some of Alastor’s bones dug into his body.

Alastor poked Lucifer in the eye trying to undo some of his shirt buttons.

“What are you doing?” Lucifer moved his head to avoid another poke.

“You like my chest fur,” he mumbled. “I always make sure it's soft for you.”

“You do?” Lucifer tried to sit up to look at him but Alastor reeled him back in.

“Rosie helped,” Alastor said slowly, he was almost asleep.

Alastor’s body went completely slack and Lucifer easily slid out from his arms. He tucked him back in and sighed. Hopefully, Alastor would let him sleep with him again the next day, when he was sober.

Lucifer sat on the edge of the bed, his legs dangled off the side and his palms were planted behind him so he could lean back slightly. He turned his head to look down at Alastor’s peaceful face. His lips were slightly curled up even in his sleep.

He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. It was too dark in the room to see much.

“I really can’t deny my feelings for you anymore,” Lucifer softly admitted out loud.

Every single time Alastor interrupted his flirting, he felt relieved. Alastor had given him one hundred percent of his attention that night and Lucifer had felt drugged on it. 

Lucifer had been ignoring it for much longer than he’d like to admit. Refusing to acknowledge it as anything more than just friendship. He'd been too scared and he felt like he’d been right to be cautious.

Alastor had clearly been jealous and possessive a few weeks prior. If they had started dating they likely would have broken up after the overlord meeting. Today was the first day that Alastor didn’t avoid him since then. Who's to say Alastor will talk to him after he actually does something about the overlords.

They could never work together, he thought sadly. Lucifer needed to be a king and the overlords were in his way. Alastor would leave him one day because of that. Until then, Lucifer would cherish their friendship. If he allowed any more, he might break when it was all over.

Lucifer placed a gentle kiss on Alastor’s cheek before he stood to leave. 

It felt so different from what he had with Lilith but then the feeling reminded him of creation. It didn’t matter how many people you loved, it always felt different. 

“Goodnight, Alastor,” he whispered. “I love you.”

Alastor

Alastor couldn’t sleep. He laid in bed all night tossing and turning and missing his angel. When he had returned to the hotel after the meeting with no plan in place, Alastor had asked for some space. He just needed time to come up with a plan and having Lucifer around could be a problem. He also wanted to be able to investigate Lucifer’s actions further.

The week had been long and he’d come up with nothing. Lucifer was apparently good at keeping things hidden when he wanted. He had searched high and low for where the new sinners could go. He’d even briefly entertained the idea that maybe they were going to the palace but there was no movement within. 

He regretted sending Lucifer away. It took everything in him not to beg Lucifer to come back to bed. He’d also been subconsciously avoiding Lucifer all week. He was worried that his angel would be able to tell what he was doing with one glance.

Everyday he’d pick up his cane and wonder if he should just talk to Lucifer about it. They were friends, maybe he had something planned for him to keep his power. He was the protector and facility manager of his daughter’s hotel. Lucifer would never leave him weak. Perhaps that was what the cane was for in the end. He looked down at it fondly.

Yes, he was going to find Lucifer.

Alastor was on his way to the kitchen when Charlie stopped him.

“Hey, Al,” she greeted him cheerfully then frowned. “Are you doing ok?”

“Perfectly fine, my dear,” he smiled back at her. He could smile but there was no hiding the bags under his eyes.

“You know, dad was looking upset today too,” Charlie grimaced. “Did you two fight?”

“Not at all,” he answered. “I’m afraid we’ve barely spoken all week, so I have no idea what's wrong.”

“Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t fight,” she looked relieved. “Do you think you could talk to him then? He always seems to open up with you?”

“I’d be happy to,” Alastor nodded. “Do you know where he wandered off to?”

“I saw him head toward the garden,” Charlie pointed behind her. “I never knew he liked flowers so much. Anyway, I have to go, Vaggie has a surprise for me.”

“Have a good evening,” he patted her on the head as she passed.

Alastor was determined to fix their relationship. It would be so much easier if he knew what Lucifer was thinking.

He found his angel swinging and smiling to himself. He didn’t seem down at all. Alastor felt like he was the only one that suffered throughout the week. Had Lucifer not missed him?

“My, what a serene picture this would make,” Alastor said.

Lucifer’s eyes shot open and he smiled at the demon happily. He felt relieved to see such a positive reaction. The tightness in his chest lessened. 

“Hey, Alastor,” Lucifer waved but continued to swing. “What brings you out here?”

“Charlie sent me to find you,” he replied. “She said that you looked rather glum today.”

“I’m fine,” Lucifer smiled. “Just a little bored really. I was thinking of taking a short trip to a different ring to have a little fun.”

“I see, do make sure to tell Charlie before you go,” Alastor gritted his teeth. He couldn’t invite himself along for that and there was nothing in Pentagram City that could compare to the other rings. “It’s too bad I can’t join you.”

That didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to keep him in the city.

“Do you want to?” Lucifer stopped swinging as he asked.

“My answer is moot since it’s impossible,” Alastor couldn’t stop himself from touching Lucifer’s hair.

His angel leaned into the touch and hummed contentedly.

“What if I told you it was possible?” Lucifer sighed happily.

The possibilities would be endless. They could go anywhere in Hell. He could go with Lucifer anywhere he went. Maybe he could join Lucifer for a sins meeting. The havoc they could wrought would be entertaining.

“Where would we go?” Alastor asked instead of answering.

Lucifer rolled his eyes with amusement as he thought.

“Lulu World?” Lucifer’s eyes lit up at the idea. “We could take everyone for a nice day out.”

“I’m not very fond of theme parks,” Alastor responded and retracted his hand. “And someone has to stay and keep an eye on the hotel.”

They might not be together but Lucifer spending time with his daughter would definitely put him in a better mood. Alastor hated to admit it but he’d probably be happier with her than with the demon.

“Oh yeah, that’s true,” Lucifer stood with a stretch and started walking away from Alastor. It almost seemed like he was trying to run away.

Alastor caught up to him easily with his long strides.

“Shall I inform everyone of the outing?” he offered.

“Hm,” Lucifer looked confused. “Oh, no, that’s fine. It was only a passing thought since it seemed like you wanted to go. I’m just going to stick to my original plan then.”

“I’d be willing to go for something more entertaining,” Alastor stated. “What was your original plan?”

It was unusual for Lucifer to pass up spending time with his daughter. Maybe he could still tag along.

Lucifer blushed and looked away. “Just going to a club, maybe, I hadn’t solidified that idea either. Nothing you’d be interested in.”

“I love a good jazz club,” Alastor offered simply. 

“Let me see if I can find one,” Lucifer pulled out his phone with a smile.

Alastor giggled as Lucifer dropped him on the bed. Going to a different Ring had been exhilarating. He’d never noticed before but he could feel the chain that kept him in Pentagram city. Lucifer had simply removed it so they could leave and he’d yet to put it back on too.

The night had started well, they danced and drank. The drinks were harder than he was used to. Lucifer had tried more than a few times to wander off with some stranger he was flirting with. Alastor had promised not to use his powers so he’d acted clingy instead. Sticking to Lucifer so he couldn’t talk to anyone else.

It was satisfying to annoy Lucifer and keep the hellborn away.

Lucifer was taking care of him right now too. It was nice to be close again and that night was so fun. His angel tucked him in but then he pulled away. He wasn’t leaving, was he?

Alastor lunged out of bed to grab ahold of his hand in both of his own.

“Where are you going?” he whined. “I missed you.”

“I’ll stay until you fall asleep,” he responded and pushed Alastor back down by the shoulders.

That meant he’d leave in the end. He had to make Lucifer stay. He shifted and grabbed his angel by the waist to pull him onto the bed. When he tried to raise, Alastor wrapped his arms and legs around him in a tight hold. Lucifer would have to give up eventually. 

“Sleep with me tonight,” Alastor begged. “Don’t leave.”

“Go to sleep,” Lucifer sighed and relaxed on top of him.

Victory was his! He had to keep Lucifer interested in sleeping with him though. He tried to unbutton his shirt so Lucifer could touch his chest fur. He missed a few times and touched something squishy. It was Lucifer’s eye.

“What are you doing?” Lucifer moved his head to avoid another poke.

“You like my chest fur,” he mumbled. “I always make sure it's soft for you.”

“You do?” Lucifer tried to escape so Alastor wrapped his arms around him again.

“Rosie helped,” Alastor said slowly, his eyes kept drifting shut on their own.

Charlie

It was so obvious that they were fighting again and there was nothing she could do. Her dad had just told her that Alastor wanted some space. Vaggie wanted them to figure it out for once but how could she when they were both upset.

Especially since her dad wasn’t smiling as brightly as before. Even with her mom, he’d never smiled like that. She never would have imagined when meeting the Radio Demon that he’d bring such light into her life.

She had to do something! She couldn’t let this go on for weeks again. Now she just had to figure out what.

Chapter Text

Lucifer

Alastor did not invite him back into bed.

Lucifer missed the relaxation of sleep. He'd grown too accustomed to another body again so he couldn’t sleep well on his own. Instead he'd go make more stars and planets or play music in the ballroom until sunrise.

That night he played the piano. 

“Hey, dad,” Charlie said from directly behind him.

Lucifer jumped and almost fell out of his seat.

“Oh, sorry,” she grimaced and tried to catch him.

“It’s fine,” he laughed and moved over. He patted the bench next to him. “It’s a little early for you to be up, everything ok?”

“I actually wanted to ask you that,” she bit her lip and looked down then back into his eyes. “You and Alastor seemed to drift apart and now he’s practically glued to you but you still seem down.”

Alastor had been following him around all week. When Alastor decided to retire he would give Lucifer a tight hug before heading to his room but never invited him to tag along. Lucifer had desperately wanted to follow.

“I’m just confused,” Lucifer answered with a sigh. “A few weeks ago he said he needed space and then last week we went to a jazz club and we had a really good time. Like you said he’s been glued to me all week but he still won’t let me sleep with him again.”

“You two are sleeping together?” Charlie asked slowly. “Since when?”

“Hm,” Lucifer squinted as he tried to remember. “Remember when he avoided me for a few weeks? It was after we made up. My room was still a wreck so, yeah, we just both enjoyed it.”

Charlie looked away from him for a moment then turned back.

“Did you make him mad or something?” she inquired with a small smile.

“I think I did but when I tried to bring it up he avoided the topic,” Lucifer shrugged. “So I just have to wait it out. I know he misses me, at least. He told me when he was drunk.”

They both stared at the piano keys silently for a while.

“Have you asked him to let you sleep with him?” Charlie continued to stare at the keys. A light blush on her face.

“You think that’ll work?” Lucifer closed his eyes halfway. “What if he rejects me? Ah no, nevermind. I’ll try that. Thanks, sweetie.”

“If he rejects you, then we can have a sleepover in your room,” Charlie suggested. “We can invite everyone.”

Lucifer smiled at her excitement. He really hoped Alastor didn’t say no now.