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Alexandre “Al” Boudreaux had played many roles in his relatively short acting career: a mad psychiatrist bathing a city in toxic fear gas, a gang leader with a razor in his cap, a nuclear physicist who would change warfare as the world knew it, and of course, a fast-talking and enigmatic Radio Demon.
Anytime he was offered a new role, Al would take it as a personal challenge. Whether it was donning the persona of a villain or a hero, he molded himself into whatever character spoke best to his artist’s soul.
But being a boyfriend? Now that was new.
He never imagined that his most daunting and exhilarating role would come from off-stage, where the script was unwritten and every line was delivered from the heart. Yet here he was, standing at the precipice of a new chapter in his life, preparing for an evening unlike any other.
Lucas “Luci” Magne had also played many roles: child star, thriller star, action star, and of course, Morningstar. Specifically, Lucifer Morningstar, King of Hell in the Hazbin Hotel limited series. Considering how little Lucifer appeared in the series, it should have been a simple role. But there was something about Luci’s portrayal – about Luci himself – that had captivated audiences and Al alike.
Luci’s performance was a masterclass in subtlety and depth, with wonderful emotional range. There was just something beautiful about the way he could morph himself from an anxiety-ridden hermit to a powerful warrior to a loving father in seconds. His hauntingly beautiful singing voice was breathtaking and left an indelible mark on everyone who heard it. Whenever he interacted with the other characters, the natural chemistry was palpable and genuine. Every word, every glance, every twirl of his cane, was infused with an intensity that felt real. It drew Al in like no other performance had before.
But it was more than just his performance. It was the way he threw back his head and laughed whenever someone told a corny joke, the way he spent hours practicing lines and stage directions until he had achieved perfection, and the way his entire face lit up in joy whenever he stepped on set. King Lucifer Morningstar may have been the most beautiful of God’s angels, but the actor who brought him to life was the most glorious of His children.
A man like Luci deserved a first date worthy of the stars in his eyes.
And Al had the honor of being the only man in the world who could give it to him.
The items in the picnic basket rustled softly as he approached his co-star’s trailer. Now that the premiere was over, reshoots had begun, meaning that the Hazbin Hotel cast was reunited to make small but necessary improvements to the show. Al was also given ample opportunity to gather as much information as possible about Luci so that he could ensure his boyfriend (his boyfriend!) would have a perfect first date.
He rapped sharply on the door, smirking when he heard a soft thump inside, as though someone had fallen off their bed. This was followed by muffled cursing and the sound of someone scrambling to their feet. Al’s smirk widened as he heard the telltale clatter of someone hurriedly tidying up the place while trying to yank a pair of pants on. Eventually, the door of the trailer swung open, revealing the stocky form of Harrison Washington, who had played Husk on the show.
“What do you want, Al?” Harrison asked, voice a blend of amusement and mild exasperation.
The corners of Al’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “Oh dear, did I interrupt your little cat nap? I’d apologize, but I’m quite sure you read my text and knew when I was coming.”
Harrison grunted then shook his head, stepping aside to let Al in. “I got your text. I just didn’t expect you to be exactly on time.”
Al laughed as he stepped into the trailer. “My dear, you should know by now that punctuality is just another part of my charm! Far too many people are fashionably late, and that’s how filming gets delayed.”
“Yeah, and someone here gets to places too damn early. Makes the rest of us look bad,” Harrison countered. Nevertheless, he stepped aside, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly in response to Al’s grin.
The trailer was cozy and cluttered, reflecting Harrison’s laid-back yet meticulous personality. A few different landscapes adorned the walls and assorted bits of Harrison’s costume littered the floor. Draped on the small couch, flipping through a magazine, was Anthony Dupuis, strawberry-blonde locks tousled messily. He was wearing one of Harrison’s sweatshirts, the garment nearly swallowing his lanky frame. When he looked up at Al, Anthony waved lazily, showing off his bright blue manicure.
“Hey there, Freaky Face,” he purred, closing the magazine and tossing it over his shoulder. It landed rather neatly on the nearby table. “Heard you’re taking Demon Daddy out tonight. Need any tips to make his night real good?”
“Ha! No,” Al replied, removing his sunglasses and placing them on his head. “I’m just here to pick up some wine from our resident connoisseur.” He nodded towards Harrison, who rolled his eyes. “Though if anyone ever needs advice on how to excel in depravity of a sexual nature, I’ll be sure to send them to you.”
Anthony smirked. “Oh, you’ll come to me eventually, Smiles. Everyone does. I got some moves that’ll make anyone scream. Just ask ol’ Harry.”
“T-M-I, Tony,” Harrison muttered. “But yeah, I’ve got a couple bottles that should do the trick. You’re doing me a favor anyways. There’s too much shit in here.”
While Harrison rummaged through a cabinet, Anthony slowly rose from the couch and walked over, eyeing the picnic basket curiously. “What’s in there? Fancy cheese or somethin’?”
Al laughed and shook his head. “Of course not! No, I’ve acquired only the best food for him.”
The former popstar raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”
“Chocolate chip bagels and cream cheese!”
Silence.
Harrison set the bottles down on the counter. Then, he looked over and exchanged a glance with Anthony. For a few moments, they simply stared at each other. Without warning, they burst out laughing, so hard both of them started crying. Harrison doubled over, clutching the counter with one hand and his belly with the other. Meanwhile, Anthony pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the screen.
“Shit, I gotta tell everyone!” he crowed. “It’ll make headlines! ‘Al Boudreaux Wins Academy Award in Romantic Dumbassery!’ Wait until the gang gets a load of this!”
Almost immediately, Al’s phone began pinging incessantly as the group chat lit up with messages. Al’s eyes widened, panic rising in him as he pulled out his phone and checked to confirm Luci wasn’t part of it. Much to his relief, Anthony seemed to at least have enough control over his rapidly moving thumbs to not add the star of today’s show to the chat. Unfortunately, that meant the popstar-turned-model-turned-actor had decided to text everyone else. Al’s stomach dropped as he quickly scrolled through the photos of bagels, numerous laughing emojis, a series of texts from an extremely confused Ser Peter Phillis, and a GIF of a duck with its head stuck in a tub of cream cheese.
Good lord, this was a mistake.
Al raised an eyebrow, heat flooding his face as he stowed his phone away. “What exactly is so funny about this? Luci eats one every morning. I hardly think that’s anything to laugh at.”
Harrison wiped a tear from his eye as he straightened. “Oh man, Al. You really don’t know, do you?”
Anthony snorted. “You know, for an Oscar Winner, you sure don’t know how to set a scene.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Bagels? For a starlit picnic? You gotta go all out, Smiles! This is Luci Magne we’re talking about!”
Al blinked slowly. “...I know. And Luci Magne likes bagels.”
“Yeah, we know.” Harrison crossed his arms. “We see his cursed-ass bagel eating every morning. Who just dunks them like nachos?”
“Harry, this is the same guy who actually wants to wake up and look at Smiles’ mug every morning,” Anthony shot Al a smirk. “Full offense. But listen, you want to make this night perfect, right? Well, you gotta get him more food than just bagels! Even I have to admit that not everything with a hole is romantic enough for a first date.”
Before Al could say anything further, Ash Manning burst into the trailer, cedar locks flying. Behind him, the golden-haired star of their show, Claire Montgomery, followed him in, shaking her head but clearly amused.
“Yo, I heard it’s Al roasting time!” Ash announced, grinning wildly. “What’s happening? Did we finally find out his dick size?”
“Nah, that’s still a secret, Ballsmeister,” Anthony said. “‘Sides, everyone knows that after all that time in the harness, yours is definitely the smallest now.”
“Hey! I’m at least average! My Canadian girlfriend says—”
“What did he do?” Claire interrupted, periwinkle eyes wide as she looked around the room. “Don’t tell me he got Vic’s head stuck in his mask again!”
“Worse,” Harrison said. He smirked. “This dumb motherfucker thinks chocolate chip bagels and cream cheese are good for a romantic picnic.”
Now it was Claire’s and Ash’s turns to burst out laughing. More heat rose in Al’s cheeks as he watched them, slim fingers tightening around the handle of the basket.
“And here I thought your biggest problem was whether you wanted to put your Oscar or your Emmy up for display in your trailer,” Ash guffawed. “But fuck, you’re an even worse first date than that bitch who ran off with my autographed Led Zeppelin album, and that’s saying something!”
…How angry would his agent be if Al was arrested for smothering Ash with the picnic basket?
“Oh, Al,” Claire sighed once she calmed herself down. “You’re sweet, but we gotta up your game!” She clapped her hands together, grinning in exactly the way Luci had taught her – brilliant, flashy, and bright enough to rival the sun. “We’ve got a lot to teach you and not a lot of time, so hold onto your monocle!”
“Fuck yeah! Time to give you my totally trademarked first date menu that’ll make any dude or chick swoon,” Ash declared, rubbing his hands together. “After all, they don’t call me ‘dickmaster’ for nothing!”
“Adam is the dickmaster, hotshot,” Anthony said. “You’re more like ‘sad wet noodle master.’”
After they managed to pull Ash off of Anthony, suggestions began flying around the room. Everything from artisanal cheeses to cured meats to gourmet pastries was offered. Al quickly memorized every one, filing them away in his mind right next to the names of all the ducks Luci owned. By the time they were done, he had a long list of things he had to go buy and a lot of gratitude that he would never say out loud.
“Well, now that I’ve got my list, I need to head to the store,” Al declared. He shot each of them a look that he hoped only showed about a third of how grateful he actually felt – it would never do for him to start wearing his heart on his sleeve when so much of his image leaned into his natural mystique, after all. “Remind me to buy each of you a drink next time we go to some seedy bar in disguise.”
Harrison smirked. “Just doing our part to make sure you don’t crash and burn on your first date.”
Al laughed. Then, he turned on his heel and gave the others a wave. “All my thanks, chums!”
As Al walked away, Ash’s voice floated back towards him.
“...Did he just fucking call us chums?”
A cool breeze met him as Al entered the park, easily finding Luci at his favorite spot: the duck pond. As Al approached, Luci tore his gaze away from the ducks, a grin gracing his features. Al paused, momentarily breathless as the corners of those starry sky-blues crinkled in joy.
Goodness, how did he manage to keep himself from swooning while they were together on set?
“What do we have here?” Al asked once he found his voice. “Are you lost, my dear? Shall I call park security to escort you back to your parents?”
Luci stuck out his tongue. “Fuck you, asshole. How ‘bout you tell me how the weather is up there instead?”
Al hummed. “That depends. Can you even see the sky from down there?”
They shared a laugh, Luci’s entire face brightening as they did so. It was incredible how such a simple moment could make Al’s heart soar. Then again, that was the exact reason why Al had oh-so-politely threatened the Casting Director all those months ago; Luci Magne was born to play the Morning Star, the most tragically beautiful of God’s angels. And anyone who knew anything about Al Boudreaux was that he only acted when he could ensure that the best possible scenario was lain before him. Once they were done laughing, Al offered his arm, which Luci took with a bright laugh and even brighter smile.
As they walked towards the pond, Al allowed his gaze to wander once more to the man on his arm, admiring the way Luci’s profile caught the moonlight. He truly was angelic, from the delicate curve of his jaw, the soft pink of his lips, the way his hair brushed against his forehead. When his boyfriend (his boyfriend) looked up and caught him staring, his sky-blue eyes shimmered happily.
“Are you gonna keep staring at me, or are we having this picnic?” Luci teased.
Al laughed. “What can I say? You’re an awfully distracting person.” He hummed. “Every time I look at you, it’s like seeing the stars for the first time.”
Luci flushed, then shook his head. Despite his clear exasperation, the corners of his smile lifted even more. “C’mon, you ham and cheese baguette. Let’s find that perfect spot you promised.”
They continued walking, the moonlight guiding their path as they made their way to the secluded, grassy knoll overlooking the lake. The night was calm, the air filled with the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional quack from the ducks. The perfect backdrop to a perfect evening.
Al spread out a soft blanket and arranged the cushions, then began unpacking the basket. The breeze was beginning to pick up now, but that was fine; he just had to weigh down the corners of the blanket with the wine bottles. Just as he was about to place the final bottle, a sudden gust of wind swept through the park, catching the exposed corner. The blanket flapped wildly in response, billowing like a sail caught in a storm.
“Ah!”
He grabbed at the blanket, barely managing to catch it before it flew away. In his haste, he bumped into the basket, toppling it over and scattering its contents across the grass. Bottles rolled, cheese tumbled, and fruit bounced off in all directions. Despair twisted in Al’s gut as he stood there, staring at the mess in stunned silence.
No.
Al’s shoulders slumped. This… was supposed to be perfect. His chance to show Luci that he, who played the lowly Radio Demon, was worthy of the Morning Star’s attention. Now, everything was falling apart; the beautiful evening he had dreamed of, replaced by a nightmarish mess. He stood there helplessly, watching as the food rolled away, as the perfect evening unraveled before his very eyes.
Suddenly, he heard a rich, bell-like sound behind him.
Luci was laughing, his face radiant with joy. Al’s breath caught as he watched his boyfriend’s shoulders shake, the stars in Luci’s eyes glowing even brighter. Luci’s mirth was so warm, so genuine, so utterly infectious that Al’s heart swelled, and he found himself almost smiling in return.
“God, Al,” Luci said between laughs. “This is perfect!”
Al turned to him, bewildered. “Perfect? Look at this mess!”
“It’s perfect because it’s real. Because it’s you.” Luci grinned. “And I know you hate it when things go too off-script, but you said it yourself once, right? It doesn't matter how well you act if the audience doesn’t like it. And as your audience, I’m telling you that I loved everything you did for me, planned or not.”
Blue eyes flicked downwards. “Besides, I thought I saw there was some stuff left in here.” With that, he reached into the picnic basket. After some rummaging, he clicked his tongue approvingly before straightening. Al’s eyes widened when he saw the items in Luci’s hands: a small bag of chocolate chip bagels and a tub of cream cheese.
He had forgotten to take those out of the basket.
Luci’s expression softened at the sight of them, grin widening up as he clutched them to his chest. “You brought my favorite?”
“I… Of course I did,” Al said, the tension slowly leaving his shoulders as he took Luci’s hands. “You have one every morning. You love these.”
Silver flashed in Luci’s eyes. Then, he pressed a gentle kiss to Al’s lips. “And I love this. This is amazing, Al. God, I can’t believe you actually remembered I liked these!”
Al tilted his head, grin turning playful. Well, at the very least, he could act his way out. That was how he managed to finally leave his hometown, after all. “Why wouldn’t I? Everyone complains constantly on how ‘cursed’ your bagel eating methods are.”
Luci snorted as he cheerfully popped the lid off the tub and immediately dunked the bagel inside the cream cheese - no slicing it in half, no ripping it apart, nothing. Just the way Luci – just the way Al – liked it. “Oh yeah? And what do you think?”
Al hummed and reached over to retrieve the one bottle of wine that hadn’t rolled too far away. “They must lead very unentertaining lives if your bagel habits are what they’re most concerned about.”
They sat down on the blanket, Luci eating the bagels in his own unique way while Al opened the wine. As they shared the small meal, their laughter mingled with the sounds of the park. The evening air was cool, but Luci’s lips, his touch, and his laughter were so very warm.
He was perfect.
“Hey, Al?” Luci asked, snapping Al from his thoughts. “Thanks for everything, seriously.” He swallowed and leaned in, stealing another kiss. The rich notes of dark chocolate and cream cheese mingled gently with the slight tartness of crisp apples. It made Al’s lips tingle with glee. “This was the perfect first date. You did an amazing job, Bambi.”
Pet names? Now that was new as well.
Al leaned in and wrapped an arm around Luci, holding him close and pressing their foreheads together. “Anything for you, Starlight.”