Chapter Text
The stars seemed to burn into his eyes as he kneeled next to the fallen angel. The Devildom moon shone bright tonight, as if heralding this tragedy, and cast a pretty glow on her broken body.
“You must help her,” the black-haired brother said. The armour he wore was battered, bearing great marks of war and battles: long dark gashes as if lashes from a whip, and numerous jagged holes littered the entirety of his breastplate. Dark hair cascaded in tangles down to his shoulders, greased and roughened. “Only then will I swear the oath.”
Diavolo nodded solemnly, meeting eyes with Barbatos. Lilith’s breath was slowing, bloodied lips parted, eyes fixed upon the many constellations of Devildom. “This shall not be known by any but us three.”
Lucifer conceded, pressing his lips to his sister’s forehead. “Your life shall not end here, Lilith. You can live now. Truly live now.”
Ichor littered the grass beneath, shimmering celestial blood that steadily soaked the leg of Diavolo’s dark pants. He inhaled deeply, breathing in the sharp tang of torn flowers, grief, and death.
“Barbatos,” he called, “arrange lodgings for Lucifer and his family. Make sure to provide them with all they might need. When they’re comfortable, set up a meeting with father.”
“Yes, my lord.” Barbatos bowed, turning to pick his way through the weeping grounds.
Diavolo met Lucifer’s eyes. His pale face was dirtied, blood splattering his lips and brows, cheeks scraped, and eyes falling apart with anguish. He did not look the haughty angel he’d attended with so long ago. He seemed an entirely different man, beaten and battered. Diavolo almost felt guilt for his asks of him. Eternity was an awful lot of time.
“Do it,” Lucifer murmured, hand tightening around his sister’s. Tears ringed his dark lashes, carving a path down his cheeks. “ Do it. ”
An image of another came to him: similar bloody hands and dripping anguish. He had been a silent spectator then. This time he hoped to prove of some worth. This time he hoped to help lessen the pain.