Chapter Text
Lucifer couldn't help an excited giggle as picked up the book he was going to read for storytime today. Clifford The Big Red Dog. Lucifer remembered reading this series to Charlie when she was young.
Lucifer adored reading to the kids. It was his favorite part of the week. He looked forward to it. He checked his watch.
2:50pm.
He should head over to the kids section and start getting ready.
He quickly walked to the children's area and took a seat on the cushioned bench at the reading corner. He sighed fondly as he watched the children excitedly look for their next favorite book. He recognized a few of these faces.
There was a young girl and her slightly older brother who both loved the Percy Jackson series.
There was a group of four friends who were into Warrior Cats.
There was a shy boy who didn't read books himself, but was always there for storytime.
Lucifer had a weakness for children. He wished he could have another kid himself, but his wife was gone and he was too nervous to try dating again. Besides, it was unlikely he could get another woman pregnant again. Not in his 40s.
God, how pathetic was that? He was 43 and he still stuttered when he had to talk to other adults. He's had this problem since he was old enough to speak, what is wrong with him? He's never been good at talking to people.
His family and teachers growing up had described him as shy and quiet. But he wasn't just shy, he was downright terrified of human beings. He was scared of basic social interaction. He never got good at speaking.
Somehow that wall he hid behind broke when it came to kids.
He smiled warmly as children started gathering around for storytime, sitting on the carpet in front of Lucifer. He pushed his glasses up, finding his voice with ease as the children looked at him with eager eyes. “Hello, everyone!” He greeted, his voice gentle and warm. Charlie had called it his “Reading Voice,” and he supposed she was right.
He noticed a new face in the group. A girl, maybe seven or eight years old. She had short red hair and wide eyes. Lucifer hoped she would like the story.
“Would anyone like to take a guess at what book we’re reading today?” He asked, holding the book to his chest and his arms covering it so the kids couldn't see.
A few hands raised up.
“Jack?” Lucifer pointed at a boy.
“Dog-Man!”
“Sadly no, but it is related to a dog!” Lucifer said.
“Ooh! Ooh!” The new girl raised her hand.
“Yes, what's your name?” Lucifer asked.
“Nancy!” The girl answered. “Is it Clifford the Big Red Dog?” She asked.
“Bingo!” Lucifer revealed the book with a smile. His eyes caught on something. More like someone.
He nearly dropped the book and ran out of the room.
The handsome stranger Lucifer had a crush on was standing nearby, pretending to browse the non-fiction kids books. He would glance at Lucifer every now and then.
Lucifer cleared his throat, hoping he wasn't blushing too much. “Ahem… a-alright, let's get started then!”
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Alastor was surprised when he heard Lucifer’s voice for the first time.
The blonde’s voice sounded deeper than he expected. However, it was also warm, soft, and pleasant. A perfect voice for reading aloud to children.
Alastor was impressed with how easily the man spoke to the kids. It was like second nature to him.
His heart warmed at his interaction with Nancy, or as he nicknamed her, Niffty. He tried not to laugh at Lucifer’s nervous realization that not just the kids were watching. He pretended to be busy looking for books for Nancy.
While he pretended to look at the shelves, he listened to Lucifer tell the story. He read with so much passion and care, even doing voices for individual characters and making big movements to reenact things that happened in the book. He did his best to make a simple story as entertaining as possible for the kids.
It was adorable.
By the time the story was over, Alastor wasn't even trying to pretend he wasn't watching. He’d given that up halfway through. Lucifer’s reading was too distracting to even pretend to ignore.
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Lucifer had gotten so immersed in his storytelling that he’d forgotten Alastor was nearby. When the story concluded, he closed the book. “The End!”
The kids clapped and giggled and thanked him for the story.
Lucifer smiled warmly, a soft laugh escaping him. “Thank you all for coming and listening! I’m looking forward to reading to you all again next time!” He couldn't help the way his heart swelled and the way he giggled happily when a couple of kids came up and hugged him to thank him for the story.
“Thank you, Mr. Morningstar!” The kids said before excitedly running off.
The new girl, Nancy, hurried up to him. “Mr. Morningstar! You should read my favorite story next time!”
Lucifer smiled at her. “Oh? And what's your favorite story?”
“The old lady who swallowed a fly!” Nancy said excitedly.
Lucifer’s expression shifted slightly. He laughed nervously. That story never sat right with him. “Oh! Well… that's certainly an interesting story!” He rubbed his neck sheepishly. “I’ll consider it!”
Nancy bounced on her toes happily. She hurried over to Alastor and told him about how much she liked storytime.
Lucifer quickly averted his eyes away from the handsome man. He picked up the book and stood up. He fixed the pillows and stuffed animals on the bench he was sitting on.
Alastor walked over, holding Nancy in his arms. “What a wonderful story, Mr. Morningstar.”
Lucifer’s face flushed that familiar shade of pink. He stared at his boots and gave a little nod.
“My niece liked it very much. I hope you won't mind another child being added to your usual storytime roster.” Alastor continued.
Lucifer looked up at him, but avoided looking at his eyes. He looked at Nancy and smiled at her. “I won't mind at all.” He replied. His voice was incredibly soft, if not for the quiet of the bookstore it would have been hardly audible.
Nancy giggled and kicked her feet.
Alastor smiled fondly at her and then at Lucifer, causing the blonde man to blush further and avert his eyes to the floor again.
“Um. I… I need to… put the book away…” Lucifer said shyly. He quickly turned and walked away to put the book he read in its respective place.
Nancy smiled widely at her uncle. “I like Mr. Morningstar!”
Alastor smiled at her, looking over her shoulder at Lucifer putting the book away.
“I do too.”