Chapter Text
Lucifer looked up at the new hotel.
He gotta say it was a real improvement than the one he got introduced to, and bigger. Much, much bigger.
It's been around a week since the battle went down.
The cannibals had very quickly gathered all dead - not just exorsists - and returned home. He swore if he just listened closely he could hear the cheering even from here. They had really stuck their necks - or teeth - out for them. He was reflecting a bit on if he should gift them something as thanks for their assistance. They did after all fight to protect pentagram city, even if it was just for the sake of a buffé of angel meat and blood. They learned to fight and helped his daughter, while Lucifer himself just waited.
The contract clearly stated that Lucifer, nor his ex-wife could participate during the exterminations. However IF the exterminaters were to harm any hellborn (that's not from the mortal world) the contract said that they could intervene. Dazzle was a hellborn dragon. Luckely Lucifer got to him just in time, he really was on his last breath when Lucifer put his healing hand above his wound.
Charlie was hellborn BUT since Lilith was from the mortal world as the first woman she did not count for them to intervene if she would be harmed. Not that Lucifer or Lilith cared about that. They would risk their own safety for their daughter without second thought... Or at least Lucifer. He would like to think Lilith too but he hasn't seen or heard from her in decades. Charlie hasn't seen or heard from her in almost 8 years now. It broke his heart. What was going on? He can still feel her in his mind, she was alive that much he knew but where? He hasn't looked for her, he knows that she doesn't want him around in any way so he doesn't bother. He is however tempted to do so, for Charlie. She misses her mother dearly.
With a sigh Lucifer opened the door and entered the lobby. It was late at night so it was empty. Going up the big staircase and towards the elevators. He had gotten a room on one of the higher floors on request. Close to a balcony he liked to go to when one of many sleepless nights hit him in the face. A pretty veiw over pentagram city. It reminded him a bit of why he is here. Why he wasn't allowed to leave... or die. Immortality was a cruel punishment.
He walked toward the balcony. Knowing he wouldn't be abel to sleep even if he tried. However just as he opened the door he regretted his decision.
Freezing in his step and regretting his life choises.
There was the guy he started to loath the moment he had opened his mouth. Who also looked a little bit startled if his wide eyes was anything to go by. His mouth that was always upturned was not showing any teeth and in his hand was a glass of what looked like whiskey that was clearly on its way towards his mouth while leaning at the railing. But what shocked Lucifer most was that he had no jacket, or his regular outfit for that matter. He looked more relaxed, looser black pants with dark red suspendors, looser button-up shirt in his more usual red that was half out of his pants. What caught Lucifers eyes the most, was the tail. A small fluffy tail resting at the end of his spine and along the top of his pants.
"You have a tail..." His mouth said automaticly. He cringed at himself. Why!?
"That I do, Sire." A calm but cheery voice greets. "What brings you here this fine night?" He straightens himself and turns toward the devil. Probably to hide the tail.
With a sigh he let the door close behind him as he steps out on the balcony. "Same as you probably, passing time." He can taste a hint of poision in his words even if they came out neutral. He can do this, be friendly and try, for his daughter.
The demon hums looking thoughtful. "It is quite a peaceful sight indeed to pass some time. If you are silent enough you can here the suffering of some misfortunate souls. It's quite delightful." His smile widening with the thought.
There it is. The sadistic smile of another asshole sinner. The kind that made Lucifer give up on them in the first place. "Why do you take pleasure in others suffering so much?"
"Why, because they deserve it offcourse." He says in delight.
"According to who? How can you know who deserves punishment or not?"
"Well we are in hell my dear, everyone is here for a reason wouldn't you say?"
"By that logic you should suffer too. What makes you not deserving of pain?"
Alastors eyes shine with delight, he is clearly enjoying this more than Lucifer who is just becoming more frustrated. "Who says I'm not in pain?"
That was not the answer the devil expected. Sure he knows those permanent smiles is just for show, or the way he died to add to his mutation here in hell. Anyone has yet to see it falter. Alastor really had an exterior that screamed 'I'm here and I love it!' so why would he be in pain? Lucifer felt the irony in his thoughts. He suffered everyday and wore a fake fasad... Was Alastor the same?
"Are you? In pain?" He asked with a thoughtful voice.
The demon gave a short laugh. "That, my short king, is for me to know and for you to guess."
"You're deflecting from my original question. What makes someone deserving of suffering? Even down here in Hell."
"If I was to answer that Sire we would be here all night. It's such a morally grey area all around us here in Hell and it seems dear Charlie lives in them and are trying to find every speck of white there is. That's why we are here is it not? To support her in finding those confused souls." his eyes going towards the city. "Why not have some fun along the way?"
If Lucifer was confused before it only got worse now. "Can you be more veuge?" He deadpanned.
"Hmm, well Sire. What do you think then? Do your souls deserve punishment or salvation?"
A question he have thought of ever since the beginning of Hell. When he had the same vision as his dear daughter had with this hotel. He thought if he helped those first sinners it could be a new heaven.
It never worked. Some saw his way of thinking as right and others came to those souls and used them for their own... much as the overloards are playing with souls now.
It's a sad thought to see his daughter repeating his mistakes. He aslo knew that he cannot do anything to stop her. So instead he will be here to help pick up the peices when the time comes. He would hurt to see her suffer his fate.
"Not an easy question is it Sire? Let's just agree that the majority is here for a reason..."
And yes. That he can agree with. Everyone that comes here often revels in it. Until they have dug their hole of darkness and either revels in it even more or see their fucked up choises that they can't do anything about it, then have to continue as it is. Was that karma? Who knows. Those deep thoughts could be a curse if you thought about them for to long.
A glass appeared beside him on the railing. "What a gentleman."
"My mother would be dissapointed otherwise."
"There are so many thoughts that could be said about that one."
"Better keep it to yourself then if you do not want to reap the consequenses."
"You couldn't really do anything to me that would last." He took a sip of the Whiskey. "Hmm, not bad.
"Wouldn't that be a fun experiment? To see what a mere sinner overlord could do to the Devil himself."
Lucifer could sence the want in those words, the curiousity in his eyes towards the Devil. Lucifer would be lying if he said he wasn't curious himself. He knew Alastor was powerful, but not powerful enough to kill him. It would be fun in a sence to watch him try, but he despise him to much to let him have that satifaction. "In your dreams, deer."
"Oh most definetly my King. You have the most satifying screams there too." The taunting behind the words are clear. He downs his Whiskey. "Have a most miserable night, Sire. May I devour you in your dreams." He says cheerily as he melts into his shadow.
"Well fuck you too..." The Devil mumbles as he is left alone with his thoughts and the lights of the city.
What do you know, you can really hear the screams if you listen hard enough.