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"Idiot!" Alastor roared, grabbing Lucifer’s jacket and lifting him into the air to his height. “Why must I spend my time cleaning up after your messes?”
Lucifer’s eyes flitted to the smashed windows and splintering wood, sinner’s blood freshly dripping from the wood, bar and furniture scattered around. Smashed bottles and glasses littered the floor, an audible crunch with every step. Furniture was torn and flipped, clothes and limbs dangling from the chandelier. “Ha well… I thought it… maybe I shouldn’t- Wait why am I apologising, this is your job!” Lucifer retorted and jabbing his finger into Alastor’s chest, the unwarranted touch causing radio static to screech from the red haired demon’s eyes.
“It is my job to help ensure the hotel runs smoothly and any maintenance work, whilst satisfying your daughter’s frivolous requests… not to clean up after a massacre because someone is an incapable buffoon!” Alastor snapped, he could feel the antlers on his head extending. “Honestly! Telling sinners there is free liquor here is a recipe for disaster! Truly a boondoggle! What were you expecting?”
“Alastor please, dad was just trying to help.” Charlie pleaded. “He didn’t mean to cause any harm, right dad?” Charlie asked, looking at Lucifer for agreement.
“Exactly! I’m trying to help the hotel get more guests. Why don’t you just run along and play janitor, that is your job after all isn’t it? I think there’s a toilet on the second floor that could use your special talents.” Lucifer snided back with a smirk, trying to peel Alastor’s hands from his lapels. “You did wash your hands after doing the last one right?” He added, glancing down at Alastor’s hands gripping his jacket.
“I suppose you’re right, I certainly know vermin when I see it.” Alastor chided, narrowing his eyes. He suddenly released his grip on Lucifer as his more demonic traits rescinded, his permanent smile morphing into a chastising smirk. “After all, some of us have places in this hotel and some of us just… don’t belong here I guess.” He chuckled quietly to himself, wiping his hands on his jacket after touching Lucifer.
Lucifer tried to hide the stumble when he was unceremoniously dropped, trying to turn it into a flourished spin but appearing somewhere between a toddlers dance and an imitation of a duck… so he concluded he stuck the landing.
Lucifer readjusted his hat and coat as he glared back at Alastor, why did this damn sinner know just where to emotionally claw at people? He felt his chest tighten at the statement. “Anyway, I thought blood dripping off the walls would be right up your alley… bog… whatever. Thought you liked carnage.”
“So much so you think I’d lick it off the floor? How about you do it, you’re so much closer to the floor than I.” Alastor chuckled, spinning his microphone and grinning proudly. Ah, short jokes, how original, Lucifer rolled his eyes.
“Dad… maybe you should help clean this mess?” Charlie ventured hopefully. “I mean Alastor is right… a little bit… just a smidge… like 1%... your fault.” Nervously rubbing the back of her neck with an awkward laugh.
Lucifer baulked at his daughter, he refused to look at Alastor, determined not to acknowledge the prideful righteous smirk he knew would be plastered on Alastor’s face after Charlie’s comment.
“Wha-?! You just agreed I was only trying to help!” Lucifer whined.
“Yea, but ya were also on the bar shoutin’ ‘shots shots shots’ too.” Angel Dust laughed from where he sat on the wrecked bar.
“Yeah… maybe that didn’t help…” Charlie muttered, sighing and blowing a stray hair from her face.
“Funny, I swear I remember you offering body shots off the bar as well.” Lucifer accused, shooting Angel a glare.
“Hey I was jus’ tryna welcome our new guests.” Angel responded, readjusting his chest fluff before blinking innocently. “Like Charlie always says, ‘good manners is a part of good morals’”.
Lucifer started a rebuttal but was silenced by Charlie’s screech as she ran over to Angel Dust, throwing her arms around him. “You remembered!” She cried, clinging tightly to him and sobbing proudly into Angel’s chest fluff. Angel smiled and gently patted her head.
“Fine fine fine I’ll-” Lucifer started, but was cut short by Alastor.
“In fact, I think this would be a wonderful exercise in accountability, don’t you Charlie?” Alastor asked as he placed his hand on Charlie’s shoulder to get her attention. “I mean if Lucifer himself can apologise and clean up his mess without using magic, what a truly inspirational sight!”
“Without magic?!”
“What a great idea Alastor!” Charlie cheered, bouncing excitedly on her heels. “What do you think dad?” Her eyes alight with excitement smiling brightly at her father.
“I… without magic, I mean what’s the point? Surely there’s more important things I could be doing sweetie.” Lucifer desperately tried persuading her, smiling warmly.
“Oh I can’t think of a single useful thing you could possibly do sir.” Alastor thorned. Lucifer swore he could see Alastor’s smile straining widely at Lucifer’s misfortune, so much so it probably hurt. “No no no, I think this calls for some good old fashioned elbow grease, actions speak louder than words after all.” Alastor threw his hands out with dramatic flair. Lucifer could almost see the disdain and sarcasm oozing from him.
“Dad?” Charlie asked her eyes alight with hope.
“I… yes ok.” Lucifer could never bring himself to refuse his daughter anything with that look. “But I have no idea how to rebuild a wall or fix windows, it’ll take days!”
“Well just cleaning the floor then? We can do the repair by magic, just the cleaning by hand! Couple of hours max. ” Charlie compromised with a bright smile.
“I could stay and supervise.” Alastor offered grinning. “As you said this is my job after all. To make sure all goes well.”
He knew Alastor would take great joy in watching Lucifer on his knees scrubbing the floor before him. Lucifer growled, he wasn’t sure he could keep himself from finally beating the red sinner if was forced to be left alone with him for a couple of hours, forced to take orders.
“Actually Alastor I wanted to talk to you about some renovations.” Charlie interjected.
“Certainly my dear.” Alastor gave a small bow and with a final backwards sneer followed Charlie out of the lobby.
Lucifer thanked his father for the mercy of not having Alastor lord over him, even if he was a little hurt his little girl didn’t consider asking his opinion on any changes in the hotel. He sighed and left to find the maid, unsure where they kept the brooms and mops. What was her name, Ninny?… Minnie?… Nathan?
As he passed the bar Angel Dust leaned over and whispered to him. “By the way, it was Al who threw the first punch. Some guy asked to do a body shot off him and pinched his ass.”
Lucifer felt his horns beginning to rise from his head as his vision went red. That lying conniving little fucki-! Angel cackled and leapt off the bar putting two of his arms around the King of Hell with a genuine smile. “C’mon short king, I’ll help ya get this cleaned up”.
“Oh… thanks Angel”. Lucifer’s demonic form returned to normal and smiling gratefully back at Angel.
—
Lucifer sat at the repaired bar and was deep in conversation about the intricate lore surrounding his rubber ducks fantasy novel that he had invented to Husk who wasn’t even pretending to be interested, but he was on shift for another two hours so he couldn’t escape. Husk had only asked if he could move the rubber duck off the bar so he could wipe it down.
“You see, every duck is a duck but not every rubber duck is rubber. And don’t even get me started on the duckie dimensions! Are you getting this?” Lucifer asked with probing eyes.
“Mhm…” Husk grunted nonchalantly.
“Oh well since you asked!” Lucifer continued and began a tirade regarding the duckie dimensions. Husk grumbled and continued staring at the dark spot on the bar as his concentration faded in and out of the one-sided conversation. Considering this was all fantasy Lucifer seemed to be getting very passionate about it…. Maybe passionate wasn’t the right word… Oh there was definitely some unresolved trauma in there.
Lucifer suddenly felt a gentle tug on his tailored coat. He glanced down to see Nifty tugging desperately at it with all her strength.
“Er… hi honey… can I help you?” Lucifer ventured, covering the fact that he didn’t remember her name with a pet name.
“I need to talk to Alatsor but he hasn’t come out of his room yet today. Can you teleport over to him?” Nifty begged, still tugging his jacket.
Lucifer let out a sigh of frustration before motioning to the cat demon across the bar. “How about you ask Milo here, he knows Al better than I do.”
“‘Fraid not, if Alastor doesn’t want to be found I can’t find him.” Husk shrugged ignoring the fact Lucifer had gotten his name wrong… he wasn’t even close…
“Ugh… Maybe he doesn’t want to be bothered sweetie, maybe he’s busy.” Lucifer really didn’t want to talk to the tall sinner if he didn’t have to. It had only been a few days since all that commotion, Lucifer was still trying to figure out how to get Al back for having to clean up that mess.
“Pleeeeeeease!” Nifty begged, continuing to pull on his jacket. “It’s his birthday and I need to give him his present.” Nifty took a small box from her pocket wrapped in colourful paper.
“Wait, it’s Alastor’s birthday?” Lucifer asked turning to Husk for confirmation, suddenly feeling bad he hadn’t bought the radio demon a present… What do you buy a radio demon… remembering how much Lucifer actually disliked him he changed his mind… maybe some deer piss for cologne. He sniggered to himself.
Husk shrugged in response. “No one knows when Alastor’s birthday is, Nifty just gets him something on 15th of every month in case she misses it.”
“Oh… maybe he’ll come down later, it’s still early.” Lucifer offered trying to get out of the request.
“Noooooo he’s always up early! What if I miss him and he thinks I forgot?” Nifty continued tugging on the King of Hell’s coat. Was she getting stronger, Lucifer felt like he was going to fall off the chair. Nifty was right, Alastor was usually the first person awake.
The blonde king quickly stepped off the bar stool, (jumped down really but he would never admit it), he didn’t need another undignified fall in his eternal life. He picked Nifty up. “Sweetie don’t you think maybe Al-” Realising Lucifer was still going to refuse Nifty burst into tears, sobbing loudly in his hands and hyperventilating. “Wha?!”
“She won’t stop until you do what she wants.” Husk shouted covering his eyes to try and dull the cries.
“Please I have to give it to him now or the paper will dry!” Nifty cried, violently shaking the box. “The paper’s edible” She added with an insane giggle.
“Alright alright alright! I’ll…” Lucifer shouted. He moved to take the proffered box, but on closer inspection realised it was actually newspaper smeared in different coloured blood… disgusting… Al would love it. His hand quickly retreated. “I’ll… tell him you want to see him in the lobby! You should be the one to give it to him after all. Stay here”. Lucifer patted her on the head as her sobs slowed. He used his magic to materialise a box of cockroaches for her and placed her on the bar. Nifty’s eyes immediately lit up and as she took out a needle and began stabbing violently into the cockroach box. With her calmed down, he opened a portal and took a patient breath before stepping through.
As he entered he reluctantly began apologising over and over, although Alastor definitely never deserved an apology after everything he had done he was encroaching on the man’s privacy. Lucifer certainly wouldn’t like someone suddenly appearing in his room after all. “I’m sorry I’m sorry ok this wasn’t my idea! Nigel was crying and the cat wouldn’t help. I didn’t want to…” Lucifer’s voice trailed off at the sight of the bayou in Alastor’s room. “Wow…”
A soft warm breeze lightly tickled Lucifer as he stared at the grassy pocket dimension Alastor had created. Large moss covered trees towered over the plain higher than the ceiling itself, seemingly dripping leaves. Some of the trees sitting in the water had their roots above its deep maws, giving the impression they were walking towards him. The water was almost completely still, small bugs landed on occasion, creating tiny ripples between them sprouting into intricate roads on the waters surface. Cattail plants lazily swayed in the soft breeze emitting from nowhere as fireflies danced around the area creating small pockets of light bouncing off the water. The room smelt like a warm day, but the humid area was giving off welcoming coolness to the smell, helping to stop the dry feeling from the heat catching the back of his throat.
“What are you doing here?!” Alastor spat from behind him, lording over the king with a glare.
Lucifer didn’t respond instead stepping closer to the bayou, his eyes drinking in the sight before him.
“I knew you were uncouth your majesty, I didn’t realise you were a downright voyeur.” Alastor continued his jabbing, clearly furious and perturbed by Lucifer’s sudden entrance. However Lucifer continued to ignore his snide remarks further irking the deer demon. “Why are yo-”
Alastor was cut-off by Lucifer. “This is… so beautiful…” Lucifer gawked, gently running his fingers through a small gathering of fireflies. They darted madly around avoiding his hand.
Alastor caught himself before the shock of the statement appeared on his face, quickly forcing himself into a tight lipped smile instead. Everyone who had seen his bayou had pulled a face of disgust, although Charlie had forced everyone to not say anything to Alastor directly. He knew a bayou wasn’t known to many people to be a nice place, often seen as dirty and avoided. Alastor had spent many hours of his childhood playing in the local bayou. His family weren’t particularly well off and he struggled to make friends as a child, so he often had to entertain himself. They were good for hiding bodies too… alligators were quick to eat the evidence when hungry, plus their twisting tearing motion often made it difficult to identify any pieces that were left…it was alot of work to chop up and dispose of a body after all, so on occasion feeding them to the alligators was much easier, and Alastor enjoyed watching them eat. The bayou held many happy memories for him both innocent…. And not so innocent…
He watched the dull-witted king step further into the bayou, his golden red eyes sparkling in wonder. He could see how much he and Charlie were alike in these moments, fascination and intrigue trumping self-preservation skills.
Lucifer walked to the waters edge, running his hands over the cattails as he kneeled down. The king ran his fingers through the water, it was warmer than he expected but definitely cooling against the stifling heat of the room. Alastor watched the waters surface, his trained eye could spot the two alligators he had been able to manifest with the pocket dimension, however he doubted the blonde man would, in fact his eyes had moved back to the fireflies as he unconsciously circled his hand in the water, further enticing the alligators now only a couple of feet away. The radio demon grinned, waiting for them to jump and scare the brainless king.
Alastor remained as silent as them, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise as they inched closer, his spine tingling. The thrill of the hunt, the same feeling he always had to when he had stalked a victim in his life. Alastor instinctively held his breath. They both pounced forward almost simultaneously. Unfortunately for Al, Lucifer jerked his hand back at lightning fast speed, easily avoiding the jaws of the vicious creatures and just stared at the two predators now splayed awkwardly before him for a moment.
“Awwwwww!” Lucifer cooed happily and began stroking both of the alligators on the snout. “Aren’t you two pretty? What’s wrong baby, are you hungry?”
Alastor was a little disappointed to get no reaction from the demon, but was mostly surprised at how much Lucifer seemed to be fond of the two alligators. Patting both without a second of hesitation.
“Idiot.” Alastor hissed, stepping forward until he was next to Lucifer.
“What are their names?” Lucifer enquired as he scratched one under its maws and the other between the eyes.
“Azalea and camellia.” Alastor offered after a moment of silence.
“That’s… surprising…” Lucifer muttered as he continued cuddling the creatures. “Thought you’d name the stabby and cutty.” Lucifer chuckled to himself.
“My mother’s favourite flowers.” Alastor explained, gently patting one of the alligators on the head.
Now Lucifer felt like an asshole… why did he always have to make stupid comments at the worst times? Ugh… just drag him under the water now and be done with him. It would be less painful.
“I… sorry.” Lucifer muttered, averting Alastor’s eyes.
“You apologise too much.” Alastor stated straightening. “There was nothing wrong asking that question… unless you were apologising for the joke, that was truly terrible.” Alatsor chuckled with a flick of his wrist as he walked away.
The alligators slipped back into the water as Lucifer turned to follow the radio demon, taking in the rest of the room. It looked similar to all the others except for a few animal bones and radios decorating the walls and fireplace. Soft jazz played throughout the room, however Lucifer was unable to discern if the sound was coming from one of the radios or Alastor himself.
“So what do I owe this most unwelcome pleasure your highness?” Alastor asked, sitting on the single red plush chair opposite the fireplace that gave off an eerie green glow, although there was no visible source of the glow. “Tea?” He waved a hand causing the cabinet near the door to open and a teapot along with two cups and saucers, one cup green with golden and cream intricate designs and the other red with black detail, flew gracefully over to him. With another wave of his hand he materialised freshly brewed tea in the pot. “Although do not become accustomed to such treatment, I don’t make a habit of offering beverages to people breaking and entering.” A small sharp sound of static pulsed through the room at his final statement, punctuating his irritation with Lucifer’s intrusion.
“Oh right! That little maid friend of yours. She asked me to come and get you, apparently she has a present for you. Thanks for the tea.” Lucifer followed the red demon to the fireplace, but with nowhere to sit he instead leaned against the fireplace taking in sparse decor as he sipped.
“Hmm… I’m not sure who you are referring to.” Alastor made of show of trying to recall who Lucifer was talking about, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “What was her name?” A knowing smirk spread across his jowls as he stared at Lucifer putting his finger tips together innocently.
Lucifer turned and fixed him with a glare. “There’s like 5 people at this hotel.” Alastor shrugged his grin widening. “... You’re an asshole”. The king muttered, turning away from the irritating gaze, he wouldn’t rise to it this time, they actually managed to have a whole 10 seconds of civil conversation before.
His gaze drifted to the fireplace stopping on the only decoration that wasn’t a bone or provided by the hotel, a photograph, he picked it up examining it. A squeal of radio static so loud it caused Lucifer to wince at the high pitch, but he ignored the warning. There were only two people in the photo, one was clearly Alastor, he looked almost identical minus the deer features; still well dressed if not as formal. It was black and white so the colours were difficult to determine, he assumed a white shirt with a black waistcoat and brown slacks. The woman was clearly a fair bit older than Alastor wearing a bright pastel dress, long curly brown hair pulled back into a messy bun, her hair seemed to be the same colour as Alastor’s. Kind loving eyes looking down at him. The woman had her arm around Alastor’s shoulders pulling him down to her level, pinching his nose with one hand and pressing her finger into his cheek with the other, both with bright full genuine smiles.
“Is this your mother?” Lucifer asked as he gazed at the photo. “She was very beautiful. It’s a lovely photo too, you both look really happy.” Lucifer had a few family portraits back at home, but he preferred these relaxed fun moments to the stuffy family portraits.
“She was.” Alastor answered after a moment of silence. “I think… no she was.” The last sentence spoken so quietly Lucifer could barely hear it. He turned quizzically to Alastor. Alastor stared steadfastly silent back for a few moments, but his gaze suddenly broke turning away. “It seems my memory may be failing me after a few decades in hell you see. After such a long time I’m not sure I remember what she looks like. I made that not long after I arrived down here, to help.”
Lucifer had heard humans struggled with their memories somewhat, their mind remembering broadly rather than in detail. Their brains changing details or sometimes entire scenarios. Being an angel he never had such issues with his memory, in fact he remembered everything in great detail of his own past. The blonde demon felt a tightness at the back of his throat. As much as the memory of Lillth leaving had hurt, which he reluctantly remembered vividly, he was very fortunate he had such happy detailed memories with her and Charlie. Charlie’s giggle as a toddler, the smell of Lillth’s perfume, the way she had looked at him holding Charlie for the first time… He would gladly keep that painful memory if it meant being able to keep those happier ones intact. He was brought back from his own musings when something on the photo caught his attention. Her hair was shifting, straightening into a soft wave with a small headband, her hair shortening to her cheek bones and darkening. Her face filled out a little more and her eyes became larger as the colour shifted slightly.
Lucifer’s gaze snapped to Alastor, the radio demon’s eyes had drifted to the bayou, concentration etched into his face. The sounds of many radio station channels being flicked through quickly as Alastor tried to make sense of his thoughts. Lucifer felt a sharp pain in his chest as he put the photo back down. It made sense, if Alastor had materialised the photo it would change depending on what he believed his mother looked like in that moment.
“Yes well, I’m sure you don’t need a photo to remind yourself how beautiful your mother was. It goes without saying of course.” Lucifer gave Alastor a gentle smile when the red eyes shifted back to him.
“Yes… well I had best see to Nifty.” Alastor’s mood had clearly dampened from the conversation as he stood. His smile twitched at the corners. “Shall we?” He started towards the door and Lucifer followed.
As he left Lucifer questioned to himself why Alastor kept that photo on display if he wasn’t comfortable with people seeing it, he had clearly been irritated when Lucifer had taken notice of it. As quickly as the question was raised in his mind he realised the answer; the same reason there were no matching cups and saucers, the same reason why there was only one chair next to the fire. No one visited Alastor’s room. Lucifer was unsure if it was because Alastor refused guests or everyone purposely avoided him, likely a bit of both actually. There wasn’t any need for two chairs if there was no one to talk to. Lucifer silently watched Alastor’s back as they walked back to the lobby.
—
“Morning!” Lucifer sang out as he slid down the bannister of the lobby stairs. He hopped off at the end landing with dramatic flair throwing his arms out. “Where’s my morning hug?”
“Morning dad!” Charlie called back with a smile, rushing to hug her father. Lucifer hugged her tightly as they both greeted each other. The lobby was quiet this early in the morning, most of the hotel guests and staff would rise later.
“What’s on the schedule today sweetie? Here and ready to help!” Lucifer saluted to Vaggie as she followed Charlie. “Morning Vags! Come give your daddy-in-law a hug!”
“Oh I don’t kno-” Vaggie was cut off as Lucifer threw himself at her pulling her into a tight hug. “Oh ok thanks, yeah morning sir.”
“So I thought we could go downtown and give out some more flyers for the hotel! Since us absolutely owning heaven made it to the news, some more sinners might be interested.” Charlie rushed to pick up a stack of hand drawn flyers from the bar, jumping up and down as she showed them to her father.
“Downtown? Isn’t that place a bit dangerous? There’s all sorts down there, Lord knows what you could run into.” Lucifer frowned. “I know you can handle yourself sweetie but still…” No parent wanted to imagine their child in such a place regardless of how powerful they are. “Maybe you should let Al go, downtown is full of psychos he’d probably make a few friends haha!”
Lucifer waited for the inevitable come back but was met with silence. He looked around the otherwise empty room. “Er…. where’s bambi?”
Charlie glanced at Vaggie nervously before speaking. “He… isn’t coming down today.”
“Why is he sick?” Lucifer asked… can sinners get sick? He really didn’t know much about his own people.
“No he…. He never comes out of his room on this day.” Charlie sighed. “We think…. We think this might be the anniversary of his mother’s death.” Charlie’s gaze turned downward, although she smiled softly at Vaggie as she put a comforting hand on his arm. “He never comes down so we just leave him be.”
“Oh… shit… yeah ok.” Lucifer glanced back up the stairs of the lobby. “How about I hand the flyers out honey? Give it that old Morningstar charm!” He winked with a big grin.
“Really? Thanks dad!” Charlie perked up passing the flyers over. Lucifer glanced down and had to force to keep his bright smile when he saw the neon rainbow adorned flyers he would be passing out. Good thing he was so powerful and no one would dare say anything to him about the gaudy flyers.
“On my way!” Lucifer saluted Vaggie again as he left.
—
Alastor silently swirled the rye in his whiskey glass as he stared at the green glow of his fireplace. He took another swig finishing the glass before quickly refilling it, unsure of how much he had already drank. His hair was tousled and knotty, the top two buttons of his shirt were undone with his bowtie hanging limply around his neck, he hadn’t bothered with his coat and his trousers were wrinkled. He truly looked a mess, at least according to his own high standards. His permanently glued smile was slightly turned at the corners and tight lipped, his eyelids felt heavy. What time was it? Did it matter though, it wasn’t as if he had anywhere to be. Alastor’s eyes flitted to the photograph on the fireplace, his mother’s face looked warped, he must be more drunk than he thought. The sinner closed his eyes resting his head against the red leather chair deciding to sleep off the alcohol.
Knock knock knock.
Alastor’s eyes shot open and he looked at the door. Who in the seven circles of hell would visit him today? He closed his eyes again and decided to ignore it. He knew who was behind the door, only Lucifer had the magic to be able to find his room. He would just pretend to be asleep. Surely the king would be able to tell he didn’t want to be disturbed.
Knock knock knock.
He’ll leave, even Lucifer can take a hint.
Knock knock knock.
Alastor felt his eye twitch, he was clearly giving the king too much credit.
Knock knock knock.
Hell be damned if this moronic-
Knock knoc-
Alastor’s eyes snapped open and he leapt to his feet, radio dials already present in his darkening eyes. He stormed over to the door feeling his elongated antlers scrape against the walls and his tentacles lapped at the door frame hungry for blood. Alastor knew he couldn’t win a fight against Lucifer, but right now he didn’t care if he lived through this encounter, ripping open the door.
“Why are y-” Alastor was cut off as his vision was suddenly overtaken with splotches of pink and white. At first he thought he was being attacked, but a long forgotten familiar smell suddenly filled his lungs and he felt his demonic traits melt away in an instant. His body froze but he felt all of his muscles suddenly relax.
“Sorry sorry!” Lucifer cried out quickly pulling the bouquet of flowers out of Alastor’s face when he realised the radio demon hadn’t taken them. “Do you not want them? I thought- well I guess- you said before that- I mean I shouldn’t assume but- that was rude- I didn’t have-” Lucifer continued to stumble through his words as Alastor stared down in shock at the large bouquet of pink azaleas and white camellias in Lucifer’s hands. His breath hitched in his throat. “I’m really am sorry, I just thought-”
“Where did you get those?” Alastor asked, his eyes still glued unblinking at the bouquet in the king’s hands, wrapped in pale green paper with a large yellow ribbon. He looked almost like a literal deer in headlights.
“I made them, like magicked them, stuff like this doesn’t grow down here. I don’t know how long they’ll last, I mean hell is a smidge warmer than New Orleans after all haha…” Lucifer shuffled uncomfortably under Alastor’s stare, he was pretty sure the demon hadn’t blinked since he opened the door. “You don’t have to take them… if you don’t want them… I just…” Lucifer trailed off, averting Alastor’s gaze.
“No… I’ll take them.” Alastor whispered, reaching out. The sudden gentleness of his voice caused Lucifer to look up, he had never heard the demon speak so softly. After a moment he realised why, there was no radio interference in his voice whatsoever. The radio host occupation made sense now, Alastor had such a smooth voice. Lucifer coughed awkwardly, blushing as he passed the bouquet over to the red demon.
“So yeah… erm… sorry if they’re the wrong colour, you didn’t mention what colours she liked. I hope she would have liked them.” Lucifer stiffly turned and quickly made his way down the hall as fast as his little legs would carry him, desperately trying to slow his quickening heartbeat he was sure was so loud Alastor could hear it.
Alastor’s ruby eyes watched the king leave until he rounded the corner. He softly closed the door, looking back down at the absurdly large bouquet. He buried his face into the flowers, he hadn’t known he would come to miss this smell, taking in a scent he hadn’t experienced in so many years. Alastor felt his smile widen as his shoulders trembled, feeling his ears press down against his skull and his cheeks became damp… were the flowers wet when Lucifer had tried to give them over earlier?… they must have been….
“Idiot….” Alastor choked out in a trembling voice.