Chapter Text
After teleporting to a quiet street, Lucifer Morningstar approached Dream's new apartment and rang the doorbell. They marveled at how Dream had managed to make his residence appear as if it was from a century ago. The door looked like it had been taken out of a fantasy movie; where had Dream found such an antique-looking piece?
It wasn't long before they heard footsteps. When a slim figure in a black T-shirt and black pants opened the door, they couldn't help but smile.
A couple of hours ago, Lucifer had burned a piece of paper with Morpheus's name on it, inviting him to meet. Despite no longer holding the title of monarchs of their respective realms, they still felt as if they were visiting a different realm. A certain level of formality remained.
"Hello, Morpheus." Lucifer caught themself before calling him "Sweet Morpheus," realizing it was too flirtatious for a King.
"Greetings, Lightbringer." Morpheus gestured to invite them in. "What has brought you here?"
"I have not seen the interior of your residence since you purchased it. I'm curious about how you have decorated your place and have come here with an appreciation for your artistic talent."
Immediately, Lucifer felt a little embarrassed by their words. What had they just said? They meant to invite him to dinner...
"The decorations aren't completely finished yet. The human way took longer," Dream gestured to the floor where a large chandelier and other packages were sitting.
Lucifer wanted to ask why not hire an electrician, but decided to say nothing. This was Morpheus, after all. He had pridefully built and maintained a whole realm for eons and had no idea how to make life easier with money. Speaking of money, Dream had found a job and saved up the down payment for the apartment fairly quickly. Compared to Lucifer's penthouse in the most expensive district of London, Dream's apartment in this quiet neighborhood was modest yet neat. However, whoever suggested that job to him must be condemned.
"My workshop is finished though," Dream said with a small smile of pride.
"May I see it?" Lucifer asked with excitement.
On the wall hung a few paintings of modern buildings in various cultural styles, accompanied by the calligraphy of an ancient Chinese poem. In one corner, a half-done sculpture of an abstract concept stood. An old phonograph played pipe organ music, adding to the atmosphere of the room.
A hodgepodge of items spanned a wide range of time and space, creating a space that was uniquely Dream's own.
In the center of the room, there was a large canvas with an oil painting of a landscape. A sun rose above the mountain, illuminating the mild purple sky. Even the mountains themselves were purple, and Lucifer figured it must be the Dreaming in its early days.
Two figures walked side by side in a beautiful meadow, one dressed in white and the other in black. The meadow was filled with vibrant flowers of all colors, with tall grasses swaying in the gentle breeze. Lucifer's attention was drawn back to the painting as they noticed that the details of the figures had not yet been completed, but the white figure had wings.
"Is this me?" Lucifer asked, pointing at the white figure.
"The day we first met. We just watched the first sunrise of the Dreaming together," Morpheus replied. "You inspired me."
"And we were walking to the place that later became your palace." Of all the things Dream could have chosen to draw, he had chosen this...
"I have been thinking lately, about the things between us," Dream said, looking directly into Lucifer's eyes. His starry gaze was tender but distant.
Lucifer's breath hitched. For all these years, they had been beaten by the Creator twice and confined in Hell, but they still saw themself as invulnerable. However, Morpheus was able to stir up emotions in them that they had never allowed themselves to feel. For the first time in their very existence, they felt that they could be hurt, and it was excruciating.
As Lucifer lost themself in their old memories, Morpheus added more details to the two figures on the canvas.
A young Dream glanced at the angel beside him through the corner of his eyes, a small smile on his face. The angel beside him fell into their own thoughts.
Lucifer tilted their head and asked carefully, "What were you thinking then? I mean, you in the painting."
"The way you walked was breathtaking," Dream said matter-of-factly. "I was trying to imitate you."
"I wasn't aware," Lucifer blinked. "I must have been thinking about something else."
"I know," Dream sighed. "Samael was all about responsibilities and ambitions."
"Ambitions?" Lucifer lifted an eyebrow. "Angels aren't supposed to have ambitions."
"You were always different," Dream held their gaze.
"I thought you disapproved of my revolution," Lucifer said, breaking eye contact and beginning to pace the room.
"It was misguided. But we should save that discussion for another time," Dream replied. The room was filled with the sound of the pipe organ music, which stopped a few seconds later. Dream cleared his throat. "Lucifer, I loved you when I was younger."
Lucifer's heart skipped a beat. Morpheus was well-known for his forthrightness, yet it was still shocking that he had leaped directly to the subject that Lucifer couldn't even find words to describe.
"Loved..." Lucifer repeated, pacing towards the Chinese poem on the wall and reading, "' if only time could stop at the moment when we first met.' Interesting. And what about now?"
"It's complicated," Dream replied softly. "We have been enemies as long as we were friends."
Lucifer sharply turned back, and strode toward Dream. "But dreams sometimes do come true." Morpheus listened with a thoughtful expression as they continued, "Dream, I find you quite...attractive. I want you to desire to see me. When you need something, come to me."
Dream was about to respond, but suddenly, Lucifer's gaze shifted toward the painting of the Dreaming, and they began to examine it with renewed interest. "I know a restaurant that sells good sushi. I think you may like it. Do you want to have dinner with me? …to celebrate the completion of your new painting of…the first sunrise in Dreaming?"
Dream watched them with a slight hint of amusement. "Very well."
As they walked past the living room, Lucifer stopped and gestured to the chandelier on the ground and then at the ceiling. "I'm coming back tomorrow to get this thing installed. You need some light at night."
To Lucifer's surprise, Dream chuckled, even though it was just a fleeting moment. "Thank you. I'm very curious to see how you'll do it, Lightbringer."
"You'll see," Lucifer said, smiling conspiratorially at Dream.
The next day, Lucifer Morningstar would bring in the best electricians in town and watch Dream put the finishing touches on the sunrise painting.
Notes:
【1】The Chinese poem Lucifer read is "人生若只如初见" by 纳兰性德.
【2】"Morpheus's painting" (Commission artist Kana7o)
