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Hell is a lot of things, but it’s certainly not too cold. Not where you’re going, anyway.
You and Sam must look quite the pair to Crowley and Rowena. You’re calm and collected as you descend, while the Winchester next to you is clearly nervous, quietly rehearsing over and over again what he’s going to say.
Sam knows about your connection to the devil - though not the full extent of it, but otherwise he never would’ve let you come along - but the other two have both thrown several curious, questioning looks your way since you arrived.
“I must say, it’s not as scenic as I’d expected”, Rowena remarks as she looks around.
“We’re in the furthest reaches of Hell, Limbo, where I send unruly souls for time-outs”, Crowley explains.
“Is this where we meet with Lucifer?”, Sam asks.
“What it lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in security”, the demon answers.
You reach a large room with only a large metal cage in the middle. Rowena gets to work right away, painting arcane symbols all around it.
“It makes your flesh crawl, doesn’t it, Moose?”, Crowley says. “I get it. I’m the king of this place. Still not my cup of tea”.
That makes you let out a little huff. King, my ass.
“I don’t know Crowley, I think it suits you”, Sam replies. “Dark, empty”.
“Fascinating”, the demon deadpans. “The utter contempt. When I’m in the midst of saving the Winchesters’ bacon. Again. I even let you bring your little girlfriend”.
“The point of this is to save everyone’s bacon”, Sam retorts, “including yours. And she is not my girlfriend”, he adds with an apologetic look your way.
“Let’s just hope she knows what she’s doing”, you say with a nod towards Rowena, ignoring Crowley’s little remark. He has no idea what he’s talking about. “That cell won’t hold crap if the warding’s not right”.
“Don’t you worry about me, dear. I’m a professional”, Rowena says as she walks past you, finished with her symbols.
“You’re certain you can do this without actually opening the cage?”, Crowley asks his mother.
“We’re about to find out, aren’t we?”, she replies jokingly before starting her spell. She gestures towards the cage and suddenly flames erupt all around it, the arcane symbols lighting up. As she continues her spell, the flames climb higher and higher to encompass the whole cage.
You and Sam approach as the flames diminish, and inside the cage you can see the outline of Lucifer - your Lucifer - his eyes burning darker and fiercer than the fire that surrounds him.
Slowly, he approaches Crowley, leaning nonchalantly against the bars of his cage as his eyes regain their blue colour. “My old friend Crowley”, he says.
“A mere acolyte, carrying your torch”, the demon replies.
The devil chuckles lowly at that. “You’re too kind. To yourself”. The smile melts away from his face as he demands: “What do you want of me?”
Crowley turns his head to look at you, Lucifer following his gaze. You’re able to catch the small flicker of delight in his face when he sees you before looking over at Sam.
“Sam Winchester”, he says. “My old roomie. Hug it out?”
When Sam gives no reply, Lucifer starts walking closer, moving his fingers over the bars. “I’ve got to say, I’m a little in the dark about this meeting”. He stops in front of Sam, giving you another quick glance.
“Am I up for parole? Time off for bad behaviour?”, he jokes. “I don’t really get visitors”.
“If it weren’t for the crisis topside, you wouldn’t be getting one now”, Sam replies.
“Crisis?”
“You’re aware of the Darkness?”
“Yikes. That doesn’t sound good. Um… I’m aware of what she was, but that was… aeons ago”.
“She’s been released”, Sam reveals, and Lucifer moves, regarding Sam mock-pensively.
“So now she’s somewhere - or everywhere - on Earth”.
“However did that happen?”
“The point is,”, you say, stepping forward when Sam remains silent, not wanting to reveal the answer, “she poses a threat to all that exists. Including you”.
“Mmm”, is the devil’s only reply as he leans more toward you, regarding you for a moment. It’s been so long since you’ve seen each other in the flesh.
“You came”, he says, finally.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“You came…”, he repeated slowly, moving his gaze to look menacingly at Sam “With him”.
“Yes, well”, you say. “Desperate times”
“Yes”, he says, his gaze softening ever so slightly as he looks back at you. “I’m familiar”.
“So,”, he continues, walking around the cage, “where’s the big burrito Himself? Where’s God in all of this?”
“All current indications of his presence are that there are… no current indications of his presence”, Sam answers.
“What? Caught the fun bus outta town? Figures”.
“But”, Sam says, “recently He has reached out to… an interested party”.
“Who?”
“Me”.
“You?”, Lucifer asks as he moves back towards you and Sam. Even though you know his disbelief is feigned, he plays his role remarkably well. King of lies, indeed.
“He answered my prayers”.
“Did he now?”, the devil asks, leaning seductively against the bars and shooting you a quick wink. “And what was Dad’s suggestion?”
“To seek out you”, you reply, causing him to laugh.
“Get outta town! Seriously? Who’d’ve thunk it?”
Sam throws another weary look your way, and you give him a reassuring nod. Poor guy. You didn’t mean for him to get tangled up in this. But then again, that hadn’t really been up to you.
“I completely get why you came to me”, Lucifer says, drawing both of you to look at him again. “Can’t ignore God, right? God says jump, everybody says how high”.
“So does this mean you’re on board?”, Sam asks.
“Well, I did help Dad seal up the Darkness all those years ago. She’s quite a force”, he adds with another look your way. “Determined to take over everything, even back then. Prone to tantrums”. Must run in the family.
“I can see why Pop is laying low. Now that sis is here, God’s not the only circus in town”.
“Is she… equal to Him in power?”, Sam asks.
“Raw power? Sure. But she’s got none of the experience. God is a master strategist”, Lucifer explains, moving back and forth like a prowling predator. “That’s why you’re here”, he adds, pointing at Sam.
“And why is that?”
“Well, cuz God needs me to help put the cat back in the bag! Can’t do it by himself. Seen that movie”.
“And?”
Lucifer stops, looking Sam right in the eyes. “And I need a ride outta here. I mean, I look swell in here and everything, but I’d be so much smoke topside”.
Sam’s face falls in realisation. “You want a vessel”.
Lucifer nods. “One who’s… strong enough to hold me, handy… and available now”, he adds, smirking as he throws a wink Sam’s way. “Catch my drift?”
“Did you really expect me to agree to this”, the Winchester asks, to which Lucifer simply reacts by nodding and smiling.
Sam lets out an indignant huff. “So what, I just disappear while you take my body and get set loose on the world again?” You have to admit you’re not the biggest fan of this plan either. Honestly, Nick suits him much better. I’d take some getting used to Lucifer in Sam’s body, next to you, holding you, kissing you- Okay, no, first things first. Let’s just get him out of there.
“I know, I know Sam, it’s a lot to ask. But desperate times require desperate measures”, he says, looking your way as he repeats your earlier words.
“That’s not desperate. That’s certifiable”, Sam says angrily.
“Okay, hold on there a second, cowboy. Take a breath. You have been working with Crowley! You passed certifiable three off-ramps ago. And look, I’m no fan of the Ruler of the universe, but here I am, ready to pitch in! Sam, why do you think God sent you to me? To get my help! Which I only now just offered! Sam, your visions were the word of God! You can’t say no to that!” He walks around the cage once more, letting Sam think it over.
“I- I can’t do this. Not again”, he says to you.
“I know. And I hate to say this, but what other choice do we have? You gonna let him take over me? Gonna keep him in here, shoot your shot without his help? I’m sorry to say it Sam, but we’re kinda short on archangels at the moment”.
He sighs, knowing you have a point. “You’re right. But… Fuck, I don’t know what to do right now. If Dean-”
“Dean’s not here. I’m sorry, but he’s not. And in the end, this is your decision”.
“So, have you thought about it, Sam?”, Lucifer interrupts. “Do I have an invitation to look forward to?”
Sam looks back at you once more. “...No”, he decides, and the change in Lucifer’s demeanour is instantaneous.
“I won’t do it”, Sam says, turning his back to the devil. “There has to be another way”. Lucifer locks eyes with you for a moment before looking down at the flames.
You regard Sam as he turns around, confused as he hears the sounds of the warding failing, the flames dying down to nothing.
“Why did the warding fail?”, you hear Crowley ask. “What’s happening?” But he’s too late. Rowena leads him out of the room, leaving you to your own devices. She still thinks Lucifer will keep the sweet promises he made her.
Speaking of the devil, he moves his hands in a come-hither motion, and suddenly you and Sam are standing in the cage with him.
Lucifer spreads his arms invitingly. “Together again! Hey Sam Winchester”, he says, moving past you to back Sam into a corner. “You miss me? Bet you did”.
Sam closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
“I have to say, you’re extraordinarily calm given the circumstances”, Lucifer remarks.
“It’s pretty much exactly how God told me it was gonna be”, Sam explains.
Lucifer feigns a look of surprise, nodding.
“I guess I’ve just gotta go with it and play my hand”.
Lucifer clicks his tongue, turning and slowly starting to make his way over to you. “That would make so much sense… if it was God that was doing the talking”, he adds with a smile to you.
“You see Sam, when the Darkness descended, the impact on Hell was massive. The cage was damaged. And through the fissures I was able to reach out. It wasn’t God inside your head, Sam”, he says. “It was me. So you see, He’s not with you. He’s never been with you”, he says as he stands close behind you, resting his hands on your waist and his chin on your shoulder. “It was always… just… me”. You can feel the vibration of his voice against your back as it darkens.
Sam looks afraid for not only himself, but also for you. He needn’t be. You’re the safest you've been for years.
“So I guess I am your only hope”, Lucifer continues, chuckling.
“It’s never gonna happen”, Sam manages to say.
“Ah, well”, Lucifer says, brushing his lips against your throat. "Fuck, I missed you", he whispers in your ear before letting you go, only one arm hanging loosely around your middle as he stands next to you. You slide a hand up to hold it over his, fingers intertwining. “Settle in there, buddy. Hey, roomie, upper bunk, lower bunk?”, he gestures before leaning in, pulling you even closer into his side. “Or do you wanna share?”, he whispers lowly, and you have a feeling that last part wasn’t directed at Sam.