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Paimon was looking at the stars from a portal he had conjured, letting out a sigh as he gazed at the cosmos above. Something about seeing the endless space above was comforting for the old Goetia king. Since creation’s dawn he had seen stars form and fall, so many possibilities forming in each moment. Prophecies that have been predicted by the stars themselves allow structure in his existence.
Yet, after everything that had happened, he wasn’t sure that stars could have predicted what happened with his youngest son.
Finding love in a common imp? Challenging the status quo (which in hindsight should have changed a long time ago)? And Lucifer returning during his family’s darkest hour like his namesake of the Morningstar? So much has challenged the Goetia King’s perceptions on everything he had known…but was that really a bad thing?
Paimon shut his eyes as he heard a portal opening behind him. “Hello again…”
Lucifer smiled as he walked up to his friend, looking up at the stars above. “You know, it never mattered where I saw them. The stars always looked incredible…” he began softly.
“Indeed,” the taller king nodded slowly, glancing down at him. “You’re a little early. I take it things are getting a bit too chaotic at your daughter’s hotel?”
“Oh Lords you have no idea!” Lucifer laughed, waving his hand a bit. “Charlie’s friends are great–aside from one fluffy eared jerkface…” he muttered under his breath, making Paimon chuckle. “But we’ve really made the new place shine…even after all that happened…”
“That…would explain some things…” Paimon mused, flinching at the apologetic look on Lucifer’s face. “I-I didn’t mean to have it come out like that–”
“I’m sorry, old friend…” Lucifer whispered, using his wings to fly to his level. “When Charlie called me that day to tell her about the Hazbin Hotel, I jumped at the chance to see her even when I wasn’t feeling 100% yet. I thought…if I could reconnect with Charlie, maybe I could start to see you and the Sins again. The visit was…strange and I still don’t quite get what she’s doing but…I want to support her now. Protect her because–”
“Because of Queen Lilith’s disappearance,” Paimon finished, cupping Lucifer’s face. “I can only imagine what that must’ve been like for you…”
The shorter king put his hand on top of Paimon’s, kissing his palm before looking up at him with tired eyes. “I just felt so…helpless. Lilith could be in danger or worse because I couldn’t get it together and be the king Hell needs.”
“You gave the Goetia a home when we fell. You brought order to a chaotic wasteland and allowed the Sins to be themselves,” Paimon told him, bumping his forehead against the smaller man. “You are so much more capable than you think you are. I wish you could see how I see you through my eyes.”
Lucifer smiled sadly, looking at his masked face. “Maybe if I talked to you first when things went up shit creek, things wouldn’t have gone all topsy-turvy,” he mused.
“I sometimes wonder if you could’ve helped me when I was at my lowest,” the king confessed, giving him a quick peck before smiling. “But I am so grateful you’re here now.”
Lucifer wrapped his arms around Paimon’s neck, giving him feather-light kisses before holding him. He had missed this closeness…feeling wanted and being able to give the love he felt inside back. His one true love was and always will be Lilith but there were…understandings that they had when it came to intimacy. Lilith didn’t mind sharing Lucifer as long as she knew who it was her husband was with.
She even allowed bedsharing with the Goetia king on nights when they both needed it.
Paimon wasn’t someone that fell in love easily which raised a problem when he was expected to create heirs for the Goetia family. He had a fondness for his previous wives and of course loved his children but he hadn’t felt the same spark he had for Lucifer until he met his wife Selene. Selene understood him on a deep level while loving him for him, not his status. She was bright, funny, compassionate, and very beautiful.
He felt genuinely happy with her…which made her duties to protect the stars from going out all the more heartbreaking for the king.
At least for now they had each other.
“So…have you arranged Satan and Mammon’s punishment yet?” Paimon asked, changing the subject for the moment.
“Well I’m still fixing things up to get them settled for that but honestly? I’m still shocked at how…dickish they became in my absence,” Lucifer admitted, letting go as his eyes narrowed. “Mammon’s one thing since he’s always been a bit of an ass but I thought his caring for Charlie showed he had some common sense. But Satan?!”
“I must admit it was frustrating seeing that muscle-headed buffoon strutting around as if he were on your level,” the owl king nodded, his voice tight thinking of how much he wanted to scream it was Lucifer, not him.
“To play devil’s advocate for one moment,” Lucifer chimed in before smirking at the pun, “I do understand someone had to take charge while I was gone. But to think he would use THAT spell for hellborns and a then-former Goetia prince. Doesn’t he know how dangerous that is? He’s damned lucky I stepped in when I did or that could’ve ended in disaster.”
“In more than just causing immeasurable pain to my son and his companions, yes?” Paimon guessed.
Lucifer nodded solemnly as he summoned a magical diagram of the Seven Rings…with two more faded ones on the bottom. “While his spell wasn’t complete, using that much magic weakened the borders of Sloth. I’ll need to work with Belphegor to restore them.”
Paimon examined them before his eyes widened, looking at his fellow king in horror. “Do you think it is enough to–?”
“For now things are stable…but I’m seeing more of ‘Her’ eyes every day,” Lucifer frowned. “I know Hell was her domain first but even the worst Sinners are saints compared to that…monster.”
Paimon placed a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder, understanding his concerns. “I will admit, when I saw the incantation Satan was starting, I wanted to slap him for even pulling such a stunt,” he confessed, shadows swirling around him. “The very idea he used something like that for something so trivial. And now Hell’s safety is at risk from more than just the Heavenborn.”
“I’ll try to contain this as best I can before anything happens,” Lucifer promised, looking up at his tall friend. “But if things start going squirrely–”
Paimon chuckled as he offered his hand to him. “I’ll be by your side when that day comes,” he reassured him. “I may be a Goetia King…but I will always be loyal to you.”
“And I appreciate that greatly,” Lucifer smiled, leaning against his shoulder. But even with the comfort his friend gave him, the King of Pride couldn't help but worry. How much of that disaster of a second trial was seen by Her? What if Her influence has snuck through and caused the borders of the final two Rings of Hell to be broken through? The Goetia were powerful as were the Sins but would that be enough against what She had in store?
In all his existence, even before his banishment from Heaven, there was one thing they all knew.
Beware of Roo.
[END]