Chapter Text
Time had taught Lucifer many things, and one of the most important was that there is no place for the weak in Hell. These people only cause trouble, especially when they act like martyrs and sacrifice themselves without considering the consequences or whether their foolish sacrifice will actually serve the cause they defend.
So when he saw that "noble" act by that snake, he couldn't help but think it was completely idiotic. His death did nothing for his daughter's hotel (a project his wife never stopped talking about, insisting he visit it). Even worse, the sacrifice only made Adam laugh. Lucifer knew exactly what would come next: the death of his friend and the mockery from the first man would ignite unimaginable rage in Charlie. His little daughter, as impulsive as ever, wouldn’t hesitate to charge at Adam without a plan.
Lucifer trusted Charlie. She had received complete training in the art of war. He himself had made sure she mastered both the theory and the practice. But what good were those skills if she acted impulsively?
He knew how it would end if she acted that way: Charlie would lose. He was sure of it. So he mentally prepared himself to intervene as soon as she was in danger. He quickly sent a message to the group of the rest of the Sins, apologizing for not being able to attend the trial that would take place that same day (a trial against an imp, if he remembered correctly, accused of an assassination attempt on a goetia or something like that). Then he approached his wife, who was looking out the window with a thoughtful expression, probably reflecting on the exterminations (God knows how much that stupid treaty had ruined their marriage). He kissed her deeply, and her sweet lips received his kiss in return; she surely already knew where he was headed, often wondering how his wife seemed to know him better than he knew himself.
Sitting on the balcony railing, an old habit from his time in Heaven, he waited calmly. There was no need to rush or feel anxious; he knew his moment would come. Patience, after all, was a virtue taught to him by an old being, someone Lucifer had to seal deep in Hell. Though he disagreed with many of her teachings, he still respected several of the lessons she had left him.
As he waited, he hummed an old lullaby, a melody that always comforted him in moments of tension. Until he felt a sharp pang. The ancient treaty he had been forced to sign with Sera centuries ago had dissolved. He was now free. Free to act in defense of his daughter and protect his people, even if he found that people detestable at times.
Without hesitation, he spread his wings and flew toward the hotel as fast as he could. However, he couldn't silence that annoying voice in his head whispering that the one who had died was probably his daughter. Lucifer refused to accept that possibility. He clung to the hope that maybe the victim had been Kee Kee or one of Charlie’s guards. Now, the only thing that mattered was getting there in time.
He arrived just in time to stop Adam from striking his daughter, throwing him aside with a punch—maybe unnecessarily stronger than it needed to be.
“Sorry I’m late, princess. I had a few things to take care of,” he apologized to his daughter. He was sure she’d understand, but he felt the need to say it anyway. However, judging by her clearly distressed expression, Lucifer knew his sudden appearance was unsettling. He couldn’t blame her; Charlie knew he was strictly forbidden from interfering in exterminations. He’d never felt the need to do so… until now.
He looked her over from head to toe. Her dress was completely ruined, her hair—usually tied back in a braid—now hung in disarray. He noticed several bruises, scratches, and bloodstains on her body, though fortunately, none of the blood appeared to be hers. Rage burned within him. Adam would pay for this
“Be patient. The strongest or the fastest never win. Only those who know how to wait can savor victory, my devil.”
The memory of his old mentor’s words echoed in his mind, accompanied by her characteristic sickly laughter. She was right: losing control would only lead him to make mistakes. He took a deep breath and turned his gaze toward Adam, who now seemed to have recovered and was disrespecting the Fallen Angel with evident rage.
“How many stupid demons do I have to fight?” Adam spat.
Lucifer smirked disdainfully.
“Well, I’m certainly the only one you should actually worry about.”
He was toying with him, fully aware of how much Adam hated being provoked. Lucifer would take every opportunity to irritate him.
“You dare mess with my daughter, and now I’m going to fuck you.”
An awkward silence followed his words. Lucifer noticed the stares from those present, and he realized his mistake. Ozzie and Satan will definitely mock me for days, he thought. And Lilith… she’ll give me those teasing looks I secretly enjoy.
Before Charlie could correct him, Adam had already shoved him against the wall. Of course, Lucifer escaped with ease. Adam was out of shape; his attacks were sloppy, clumsy, not even grazing him. Still, Lucifer gave him credit for thinking he could face him, the Devil himself.
The fight in the sky lasted a few more minutes, and tired of failing to land a blow, Adam changed targets, heading toward the hotel where Charlie was. Lucifer could only watch as his daughter fell. For an eternal-feeling moment, he was paralyzed, but he recovered and flew toward her.
Adam, determined to continue his assault, launched another attack on Charlie. Luckily, she managed to block it, her demonic traits once again on full display. But Lucifer, having had enough, let his fury take over and unleashed all his own demonic features.
He’d love to say he remembers everything that happened next. But his memory has never been reliable—especially in that state. All he knows is that, at some point, Charlie stopped him, and he only saw the aftermath of Adam’s defeat. Not long after, a heavenly lightning bolt struck down from the sky, whisking Adam and his angels back to Paradise.
Now he was with Charlie and her group, helping them repair the hotel. At some point, Lilith had joined them, looking at him with more sparkle in her eyes than ever before. Probably because he’d finally put an end to the celestial nonsense.
Everything was going well—it could have been a storybook ending… until, well, Heaven was never known for leaving him in peace during moments of happiness. Before him, a letter appeared, unmistakably celestial. Lucifer sighed wearily.
“Oh, stars… When she leave me in peace?”