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Sickness wasn’t entirely removed from the Devildom, but a demon’s illness was often influenced by the mana of the universe rather than of the body. In this manner, many demons could go on for years, centuries perhaps, without knowing the strife of the diseases that plagued the dimension they called home.
Yet, when one did arrive it would quickly spread. Given that they were such a rarity, it was hard to recall how to treat them effectively, but as with most things it’s rather difficult for death to claim a demon’s soul.
Even still, when Lucifer first felt the chill of the Cold Snap creep into his blood his first thought was of his brothers. Who would panic first? Could there be somewhere they could rest in safety until it passed? Was there some chance that Satan might have come across something in his daily studies in the library that could aid him where his own memory lacked?
Then he thought of you.
If all of them succumbed to its effects and were frozen where they stood, what would that do to you? Being so still, cold, and lifeless…
At least you would have the angels and Solomon at your side to comfort you and keep you safe until they recovered, whether it be in a few days or…
Perish the thought if it’d last longer.
To make matters worse, it became clear that even angels were affected when they dwelled in the Devildom. He should’ve expected as much, given their affinity with the same mana that altered realities beyond human imagining, even further than Solomon could reach. Though, could one really consider him human at this point? He seemed so lost now. Caught between humanity and something more.
Him being affected by the Cold Snap as well was a pleasant surprise in some regard. If Fate favored him, maybe the sorcerer would remain frozen for centuries more after he and his brothers were released.
The first waves of panic from his brothers awoke feelings he’d really prefer to keep locked away, feelings of failure and inadequacy. There had to be something he could do. If not to stave off the cold, perhaps he could draw its influence to himself. Freeze only himself to protect them and Lord Diavolo until it passed…
He’d been reflecting on the numerous spells and curses he’d memorized since the fall, but before he could begin to experiment or act, you stepped forward with your own plan.
Your own simple, foolish, and entirely human plan.
Just as you’d become a light in their home, now you were like a steady burning torch shining with the warmth of comfort and love. The human capacity for compassion truly was a sight to behold, and the way you dutifully gave everyone attention and soothed their worries was inspiring.
It almost reminded him of his life in the Celestial Realm, though at the time he wouldn’t call what he felt then any sort of peace or serenity. It was more a simpleness of existence, nothing more and nothing less. How could one truly be happy if one had never felt sorrow?
Being around you brought a warmth to his soul more often than he’d cared to admit. It’d give him time to reflect and step outside himself to see things as more than they were. He’d hated these moments before, the weight of guilt and shame always on his mind no matter how often his brothers would comfort him or express they had no regrets.
He should’ve been the only one exiled, not them.
It was painful at times, to see what they had become, who they were now. He felt responsible for bringing about their fall with his own arrogance.
So was it any wonder that it felt wrong to see redemption shining in your eyes, even if it was a fleeting feeling?
You always looked at him with an honest expression, sometimes distrusting and sometimes admiration. It was almost amusing to see how you thought of him so clearly written on your face, and yet you still spoke to him as plainly as you dared.
Humans could be so fascinating, how could they make him feel such strange new emotions? He’d thought he’d understood himself so well after eons passed, but since your arrival he found himself questioning once more.
The first signs of you shivering made his chest ache, and the guilt rose again. You’d spoken to him earlier, and chased the cold away but he could still feel the mana rising once more, searching for a weak spot in his soul to grasp.
So human souls could be affected too then, if exposed to too much or exerting too much effort trying to energize others.
It’d be cruel to ask you for your aid now. As strong as you were, you were still only human.
His family was safe and stable, and Diavolo had returned to the castle with Barbatos so once again his thought of only risking himself crossed his mind.
Without a second thought he shrugged off his coat and draped it over your shoulders, then suggested Levi find a movie to set up in the living room so they could all surround you and keep you warm. Keep you safe.
When asked if he’d be joining, he simply shook his head and walked out to return to his room, feeling the first touches of frost kiss his fingertips.
The loss of feeling crept further up his arm with every step, and he hugged his arm to his chest despite knowing the gesture would be meaningless.
It’d taken hold of his soul once more, seeping in and blending with his aura, feeding itself as his blood began to freeze.
He managed to open the door to his room and step inside before cursing under his breath and kicking it shut. The chill was spreading rapidly now, first so sharp and painfully cold before his arm felt numb and dead at his side.
Curses.
What curses could he use?
Numb the pain.
He rolled his sleeve up, checking his left arm and sickening at the deathly gray of his skin rising now just above the elbow. He had to work quickly, before it reached his heart and immobilized him.
He stumbled back onto the bed, tracing runes on his arm and murmuring in the language of many and none, wincing as they etched into his skin and staved the rising chill.
For now.
Internal fire.
A torturous curse that ignited the blood within, but in this moment it might be useful.
He drew runes down his arm with two fingers, whispering as heat burned wherever he touched.
But the curse had no effect. He should’ve expected, but the disappointment still weakened his soul’s resilience and the frigid chill sank its fangs into his leg, injecting its icy venom into his thigh and immobilizing him further.
“Dammit!”
He worked quickly, using a sealing curse to keep it from rising higher. There had to be something else he could try. Something else. What else?
A gentle knock at his door startled him, and he held his frozen limb close to his chest, leaning over to conceal it.
“What is it?”
“Lucifer?”
His heart clenched at the sound of your voice. You should be in the living room with the others. What were you doing?
He said nothing, so you spoke again.
“I um, I wanted to return your coat. I feel much better now.”
You can’t see him like this.
“Leave it at the door.”
“O-Oh, are you sure? It seems too nice to just drop it on the—“
“Just leave it, I’ll pick it up later.” he said, speaking in his rushed and stern tone to silence you.
But… as always, you weren’t so easily deterred.
“Okay, well… Levi got the projector set up in the living room and everyone’s trying to settle on a movie.” You chuckled a little, “Might take some time, but I wanted to see if you’d join us?”
“No thank you, I don’t have much interest in what movie they might choose to watch.” He said, wincing and cursing under his breath as he lost feeling in his other hand.
“Are you… are you sure?”
The doorknob started to turn and he tried to stand, but failed, his leg locking him in position.
“Don’t come in, I—“
You rolled your eyes, still wearing his coat with the sleeves reaching well past your fingertips. “C’mon Lucifer, it’ll be fun! We don’t always have time to…”
He hunched over further, trying to hide his state but your expression gave your concern away before you could speak.
“Lucifer are…” You rushed to his side, “Are you okay?! What’s- I thought it went away!”
He shook his head once, “It’s nothing, I have it under control now.”
Your lips pursed and you looked him over, “You’ve cursed yourself and don’t look like you can move anymore. How is that under control?”
He scowled, not finding that question worth a response.
You sighed and took off his coat, reaching to drape it around his shoulders.
“You always do this…” you muttered under your breath.
“Do what?” The question slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it, forever indignant when someone dared act as if they understood him.
You put your hands on his shoulders and look him in the eyes, unafraid.
“Put too much responsibility on your shoulders. Suffer in silence. Refuse to admit you need help.”
“I’m not—“
You smiled, but there was a sadness in your eyes as you cupped his cheek.
“Why?” you asked softly, caressing his cheek.
“I’d ask if you’re afraid of letting others in… but it’s clear to see how much you love your family…”
He tensed, feeling trapped, though not from the cold. Your touch was always so gentle and warm, something he never felt he deserved to enjoy and yet couldn’t help wishing for more.
“You’re also so powerful… so it can’t be a fear of weakness…”
Your other hand followed along his shoulder, rubbing down his arm in an effort to soothe.
“Do you… not trust others? Or maybe…”
You leaned in closer, and he leaned back, feeling his heart race the more you spoke.
“You don’t trust yourself?”
He swallowed, gazing into the eyes of a human who saw more of him than he’d ever cared to reveal.
“Or,” he countered, keeping his voice level and tone neutral despite the rising turmoil in his soul, “have you considered I have no need of such things? I’m entirely capable of—“
You sighed, frustrated and took full advantage of his weakened state to push him backward into the bed. Then you knelt beside him, cupping his cheek once more and caressing him with a… loving gesture.
“Lucifer…” you said, expression softening as you looked down at him, “your brothers need you.”
“I’m aware.”
“Diavolo needs you.”
“Yes,” he sighed, “I know.”
“I need you.”
He felt warmth rise and looked away.
“Lucifer,” you said again, even more gently, “I need you to be okay.”
“I am okay,” he said quietly, reaching up to hold your arm. The chill was… not as severe now. He could feel his fingers starting to respond again, and held your wrist loosely. Still, he couldn’t look you in the eyes and focused internally on releasing the curses he’d placed on himself.
You hummed softly, ever patient, and caressed his cheek again.
“Don’t you need me too?”
His grip on your arm tightened for a moment, heat rising higher.
“I…”
He couldn’t answer that. To need you would mean your life wouldn’t belong to you anymore.
It’d belong to him.
“Demons are always so stubborn,” you mused, motioning to remove your hand but he held it against his cheek.
“Stay with me.” he said, worded like an order but spoken like a request. “Just a little longer.”
You smiled and leaned over him until he finally met your gaze.
“What was it you said? If I chose you, I’d belong to you and only you, right?”
You closed your eyes, caressing his cheek again with the lightest touch.
“I think I’d like that… to belong to you, Lucifer. I want you to need me as much as I need you.”
He scoffed, turning to brush his lips to your inner wrist, “You’re only trying to sound sentimental to keep me from freezing. You should know that once you belong to me, there’s no going back. You’d be mine forever.”
“I know.” you said just as easily, leaning down to kiss his forehead, “Just say you need me, and I’ll be there~”
Need you… a human.
After everything… to fall in love with a human…
It was…
So…
He reached up to hold the back of your head, lifting his chin and guiding you to meet him for a kiss.
He’d already fallen once.
What kind of demon would he be if he wasn’t willing to sin again?