Chapter Text
Lucifer didn’t really catch normal sicknesses. Angelic blood had its perks. He and Charlie would never get sick due to that fact.
Well, almost never. Once a year, Heaven would send down a virus to punish him for his actions before. It was highly contagious too. But luckily, it would happen at the same general time each year. Lilith would Always take Charlie away to their beach house for a few weeks until he healed, no neither of them caught it.
Sure, it was lonely, but Lucifer hadn’t wanted to risk getting either of them sick. Besides, it was never too bad. He would become feverish, and then his head, stomach, and body would hurt, but it was never unbearable. He would pretty much sleep it all off until his symptoms were gone, wait a week for good measure, and then Lillith and Charlie would come back. They had a system.
When he and Lillith split up, and she took Charlie, it made things less stressful in a way. He didn’t have to worry about infecting them anymore. It was a little harder on him, sure, but he was fine. It was the same procedure, sleep it off until he was better, just without the promise of his family returning to him.
But then he moved into the hotel, and with everything going on, he had completely forgotten about the sickness until he woke up unable to breathe through his nose. He had locked himself into the room, but it was a futile attempt. Charlie had come up not long after, wanting to know what he was doing.
He had done his best to get her to leave, knowing how contagious it was, but she hadn’t listened, unlocking the door and checking on him.
Lucifer didn’t really blame her. She had been too young to remember the whole “Heaven sending down a virus” thing. But the damage had been done, and it spread like wildfire.
Charlie and Vaggie were sick the next morning, and Angel and Niffty both had fevers by dinner. Husk then fell ill that night, and although he didn’t admit it, Lucifer could tell that Alastor was also sick.
So within two days, everyone at the hotel had become ill.
The executive decision had been made to close the hotel until everyone recovered. After all, they did not want to be the cause of a Hell wide epidemic. Everyone grabbed their stuff and made themselves comfortable in the lobby, after the silent acknowledgement that no one really wanted to be by themselves
Charlie and Vaggie took one side of the couch, Lucifer on the other side. Niffty took the spare armchair, creating herself a nest of sheets and pillows, and Husk and Angel made a blanket pile on the floor. They saved Alastor his armchair, even though he had yet to join them.
No one really had energy to do anything, so they all stared lazily at the small, old, crappy television while it played random programs. They switched back and forth a few times, eventually just letting the nature channel play.
From what they had seen, Vox clearly had some odd taste in content.
“Hey, Al, could you get me some water?” Charlie called.
Lucifer winced at the congestion in her voice, feeling once again guilty.
“Of course, dear,” Alastor called back.
There was some audible shuffling, and the sound of the fridge opening. A few moments later, Alastor returned with six water bottles, setting them all down on the coffee table before picking one up and handing it to Charlie, patting on the head. Charlie smiled a little before coughing into her wrist, cuddling back into Vaggie.
“Anyone else need anything?” Alastor asked, glancing at the others.
“No, I think we’re good, thanks though,” Lucifer offered him a kind smile, which held a feeling he knew only Alastor would see.
Alastor’s gaze flickered for a moment, a small blush creeping up onto his cheeks before he turned on his heel and scurried out of the room. Lucifer chuckled quietly to himself, cracking open one of the water bottles on the table.
The hotelier had somehow managed to become the caretaker of the group. Seeing as how he was the only one who wasn’t sick, it made sense. Lucifer wasn’t too convinced he was healthy though. More like he was stubborn and drinking enough coffee to keep him functioning.
“Ugh, this sucks,” Angel groaned.
“Sorry,” Lucifer’s gaze fell downwards.
He felt pretty bad about getting everyone sick. After all, it was his own fault for forgetting about the curse. Could he call it a curse? It sure felt like one.
“Eh, it ain’t your fault,” Angel waved his hand dismissively,”I just need to bitch about it, don’t take it personal.”
Husk rolled his eyes,”Just keep it down so I can sleep.”
“Husk has a good point,” Vaggie yawned,”Some sleep would probably be a good idea. We have some time before lunch.”
“Okay!” Niffty exclaimed, scurrying unsteadily over to the lightswitch and darkening the room before stumbling back to her blanket pile on the chair and promptly falling asleep.
“Wait for me, Niff,” Husk grumbled, stretching out and closing his eyes.
Everyone snuggled into their blankets, getting comfortable. Lucifer watched them, not feeling particularly tired himself. He smiled, seeing Charlie curled up against Vaggie. They truly were a perfect pair, at least in Lucifer’s eyes.
He quietly got up, shuddering slightly at the shift of the congestion. He stepped over Angel and Husk and tiptoed towards the kitchen. He had heard Alastor doing something in there, although he wasn’t sure what.
Poking his head in, he was surprised to see Alastor sitting at the small table. His eyes were closed, breathing deeply through his nose. There was a slight whistle to it, almost as if he was congested. Lucifer rolled his eyes fondly, ruffling his already messy hair.
”Hey, sleepyhead, wake up.”
Alastor jolted slightly, ears perking up as he blinked, seemingly startled from his half asleep state.
“Hmm?”
His head turned to gaze at Lucifer, before he seemed to relax,”What are you doing up?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Bambi. Why are you sleeping at the table?”
“I wasn’t sleeping, just resting my eyes for a minute,” Alastor argued, voice crackling with pops of static.
“Well how about you ‘rest your eyes’ in the lobby with everyone else then?”
“I don’t need to.”
“Uh, yeah, you do. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the fact that you’re sick too. Do you think I’m dumb?”
Alastor seemed to tense for a moment at the mention of his ailment, before averting his gaze.
“I’m really fine…” he mumbled.
Lucifer sighed. He knew Alastor would be difficult, but that didn’t make it any less upsetting. Although, it was clear he was tired, considering he hadn’t physically forced him away yet.
“You’re literally falling asleep as we speak. When was the last time you actually slept?”
Alastor didn’t respond, which Lucifer took as his answer.
“Alright, can you come lay down for a bit? I just want you to get some actual rest, alright?”
Rheumy red eyes flickered to gaze into his own before Alastor sighed, defeated.
“I suppose for a moment, but only if it gets you laying down too,” he lamented.
Lucifer smiled, ruffling Alastor’s hair again.
“Thank you. Now, your armchair’s open, or I could always make space for you next to me~” Lucifer teased, already guessing which one Alastor would choose.
“The chair is fine, thank you,” he leaned against Lucifer’s chest, “No need for anyone else to be made aware quite yet.”
“Alright, alright. At least you’re sleeping. Come on,” Lucifer took his hand, pulling him from the chair and guiding him towards the lobby.
Everyone else was still fast asleep, congested snores and sniffles filling the space. Charlie and Vaggie were cuddled close, Charlie in a very… unique layout, practically draped over her angel. Niffty was completely out, curled in a ball and covered with her blanket. Husk was snoring loudly with his head thrown back, Angel leaning his head on his shoulder. Overall, everyone looked peaceful, despite not being too well.
Lucifer sat down in his spot, turning to Alastor,”Alright, I held up my end of the deal, your turn.”
Alastor rolled his eyes, but made his way to the armchair. Lucifer noticed the slight stumble in his step, but didn’t comment on it; pointing it out wouldn’t be worth risking causing Alastor to resist him further.
The Radio Demon let out a yawn as he stretched out in the chair, scrubbing at his eyes. Lucifer laughed quietly, pulling the decorative blanket from the back of the couch and draping it around Alastor’s shoulders. Alastor made a face, staring at the knitted fabric las if it insulted his overlord status.
“This pattern is atrocious; what is it with you and your tacky circus decor?” he rasped irritably.
Lucifer rolled his eyes, “How is that ‘tacky circus decor’? It’s just a red and orange patterned blanket. What, do you hate all things with style?”
“You and I have very different ideas of ‘style’,” Alastor sniffled indignantly.
Despite his apparent dislike of the blanket, he bundled into the fabric, getting comfortable. Lucifer smirked at him, receiving a watery glare.
“You’re much less menacing when you’ve got the angelic flu,” Lucifer teased.
“Oh shush, not all of us have angelic blood to magically cure all our ailments,” he huffed in rebuttal.
“Yeah yeah, well angelic blood doesn’t make a difference with this one, it’s straight punishment from Heaven itself. You know, I don't even know how-” Lucifer raised his eyebrow, pausing when he saw how Alastor’s head tipped forwards, his eyes closed and breath evening out.
Lucifer smiled softly, moving next to Alastor and readjusting the blanket that was slowly starting to slip from his shoulders. He made sure he was comfortable, before returning to his own seat and letting out yawn.
Sure, he himself was on the mend, but a little more rest wouldn’t hurt, he decided as his eyes slipped shut, falling into a content sleep.