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Alastor rubbed his hands together gleefully as he waited for Lucifer to return from his no doubt dull meeting with the angels. From what had been relayed to him previously, their discussions were hardly riveting. Nothing like the meetings that he has to attend with his fellow demonic overlords. Being the big boss was not always fun and games, unfortunately. Sometimes the underlings were the ones experiencing the entertainment; past events proving this to be the case. Then again, on occasion, Alastor could be easily amused.
But Alastor knew that his surprise – one of epic proportions - would cheer up Luci immensely. He had spent the day slaving away in the hotel's kitchens – he could have summoned assistance but he wanted it to be all his own handiwork – baking up various concoctions that had a special significance. There were pies, fritters, tarts, crumbles; all containing his absolute favourite fruit – apples! And not just one type of apple either! He had used gala, granny smith, braeburn, the list goes on. Obtaining some of them had proven to be a trial of sorts but not anything that he could not handle. He was the almighty Radio Demon, after all, and that kind of clout opens doors that some may not even notice existed.
He had really pulled out every single stop in this particular endeavour and he was eager to see the fruits of his labours. Luci's expression would say it all. Hopefully, he would be as delighted with Alastor's efforts as he estimated. But there was a shred – albeit minute – of doubt in his mind that was starting to make him twitch.
What if Lucifer thought that he had gone ridiculously over the top – which was true in all honesty – and was put off by Alastor's actions? That would be mortifying, humiliating, and ultimately depressing as hell. He did not want his love to view him differently; to be under the assumption that Alastor was absolutely desperate for affection. He had a reputation to uphold, after all. One that did not involve bending over backwards to please and it blowing up in his face spectacularly.
Alastor was supposed to be unstoppable, unshakeable...yet shaking is exactly what his body was doing this instant, albeit only slightly. He had far too much self control to allow his anxiety to be visible to others. Even so, he was relieved that he was currently alone. He would be horrified if any of the other guests had even an inkling as to his current thoughts and feelings. He was not one to share his true emotions with everyone he encountered, preferring to hide behind his carefully crafted mask. A mask that only Lucifer could see through.
“I have returned!” Came a familiar voice, emanating from the foyer. The tone of it sounded both strained and weary yet hearing it made Alastor's heart soar, regardless. It always had this effect on him, however, and he often cursed himself because of it. He was fully under Lucifer's spell and the whole hotel was no doubt aware, even though they did not always comment on the fact. Only rarely. Or from a safe distance, at the very least.
Now it was his time to shine. His time to impress his beau. His time to transform that weariness into something far more positive.
“I am back here!” Alastor bellowed, making sure that he could be heard.
“Whatever are you doing all the way in here----wow!” Lucifer gasped loudly as he spied the spread of apple based products lining the kitchen counters. “Feeling peckish, were you?”
“Oh, just a tad.” Alastor chuckled. “But you may join me in the process of devouring them if you so desired. After all, they contain--”
“Apples!” Lucifer cut in as he licked both his lips and fingertips.
Before Alastor even had the opportunity to finish his sentence, Lucifer had already poked his fingers into one of the pies and was now enjoying the taste, a look of sheer satisfaction now dominating his features.
“You could have waited!” Alastor scolded but his facial expression mirrored that of Lucifer so both parties knew these were empty words.
Yet Lucifer responded nonetheless. “But why? I have had a crappy day having to deal with..you know who...and I desperately needed a treat. Thank you for providing me with not just one but many. What surprises me the most, however, is that you did all of this by yourself.”
“How could you tell?” Alastor asked.
“Well......” Lucifer trailed off, knowing that Alastor would understand his meaning eventually.
“Not funny.” Alastor pouted. “I may not be the best chef – I normally have beings to do this sort of thing for me – but I tried my best.”
“And your best is most definitely good enough.” Lucifer said, cupping Alastor's face in his hands. “I was merely teasing. Do not take it to heart.”
“I know that you were. And it was most unkind of you.” Alastor replied, trying to turn his head away, creating the illusion that he was upset by his partner's words.
But Lucifer would not allow it. “Please. I never meant to offend you or any of your fruity concoctions. I really hope that you believe me when I say this.”
“Well, if you want me to believe you – to go so far as to forgiving you, even - then there is only one route you can take in order to accomplish this.” Alastor said, suddenly sounding serious. Usually, there was a note of mockery in his words but not this time around. This time he was the epitome of deadpan.
“Which is?” Lucifer asked, unsure of where this conversation was going. Alastor was not acting like himself which was throwing him off guard.
“To dig in, of course!” Alastor announced joyfully, gesturing to his creations with a proud flourish.
“To you or the apples?” Luci asked, wriggling his eyebrows mischievously as he did so, hoping to return the favour of taking him by surprise.
“Both. Of course.” Alastor responded, tone even, secretly taking pleasure in the instant reddening of his partner's facial features.
“I..uh...I see.” Lucifer said, suddenly at a loss for words. A sensation that he was most unaccustomed to.
“Well then, open wide.” Alastor ordered, his trademark smile properly returning to where it truly belonged.