Archive of Our Own

What can I make and what can I sell? 

A timeshare in Heaven that's just out of hell?

Am I a fraud or a genuine scam? 

Am I a monster, or worse, just a man?

It's kinda funny how even after getting cast out of Heaven, Lilith still wasn't his soulmate. He had hoped that since his fate had changed, so would the words on his wrist. But now he knew that wasn't true. 

The golden words flickered in the dim light of his office, reading ‘Isn't this just divine, dear listers?’ Those words mocked him, but confused him all the same. Dear listeners? What did that even mean? 

Even after thousands of years, he didn't know what they meant. After so long and still nothing? Not an inkling of a clue? Was it some kind of cruel joke?

His thumb brushes over the words. He should be happy with Lilith. She was the woman that he loved. She was the reason he wanted to give humans free will. She was his everything. But they didn't fit together smoothly. Not like soulmates would. They had their edges and their downfalls. 

Lucifer's eyes turned to look at the ducks that littered his office. Maybe he had more downfalls than Lilith did. His depression got in the way more often than not.

Lilith made everything look so easy. She ruled hell without a sweat. Perfect and easy as anything else. 

Lucifer couldn't even muster up anything during a meeting. He just fades into the background as if he weren't there. Lilith took the spotlight during that time. 

It's not like he minded much. He loved watching her. She was talented at what she did.

But sometimes he wished that he was treated more like an equal. That she would nudge him a little out of his comfort zone. He didn't like being treated like a second thought. He was also a ruler of hell. 

But each time, Lucifer would sit back and let Lilith take the lead with a smile on his face. Like he would do with most things in their relationship. 

Deep in thought, he didn't notice Lilith stepping into his office. She stood at the door watching. The air chills around her as she moves closer to Lucifer. 

Her eyes scan over the blonde face till it finally falls to his wrist. His thumb was rubbing against the golden words there, almost mindlessly. Like, he didn't even notice he was doing it. 

“You're still thinking about it,” Lilith says softly. She moves closer to Lucifer, gently pulling his hand away and intertwining their hands. She tries to stop the anger that wants to bubble up in her chest. Against her will and to her detriment, her eyes catch the golden words in the corner of her eye. 

Her wrist was blank, never to have anything written on it. She was made for Adam after all. 

Lucifer looks up at Lilith with a small smile. He turns his hand over. He hid his wrist from her view. 

“It doesn't mean a thing.” The angel whispers. He pulls their intertwined hands together and places his lips against the back of her hand. “The only thing that matters is you,” Lucifer says to his wife. 

Lilith's grey eyes scan over her husband's face. She lets the words float around her. Once, she would have swooned over such a small touch. But now those words felt empty. They didn't hold the same weight as they once had. While in heaven, Lucifer had been almost obsessed with her. He wanted to catch her attention any time he came into Eden. 

It was nice and flattering. 

Now, though, it felt like Lucifer was always looking past everyone for something… or well, someone else.

Hell had caused a mental strain on Lucifer. And there wasn't much that she could do for that. To see all the bad that they have caused because he had decided to give them free will. So she played her part as the loving and caring wife. And all she could hope for was that one day he would fall into her arms again. Even though she knew it was unlikely. Between them was an invisible clock clicking down. Waiting for the minute Lucifer found his soulmate. 

Lilith has tried staying by his side, but each day it gets a little harder. Each day, she watches as Lucifer's minds wander. Each time, his thumb rubbed against his wrist. Each time she caught a glimpse of those damn words. Lilith knew. She knew so deeply that she would never be able to compare. 

“Come on.” Lilith finally says, pulling away from Lucifer. “Let's go get dinner.” 

But in the end, we’re all the same 

To the grave, we only take our names

And there’s an ocean made of dreams

But the current strands you out at sea

Another thousand years had passed. Things had been rocky, but there was hope. The small bump on Lucifer's stomach made Lilith think that things would change. She knew nothing could stay perfect forever. The anger that Lilith had tried to force down had started to boil more and more with each passing year. Each glance at those words made her feel more disgusted. 

What a cruel fate they shared. No matter what, their destiny would always go two different ways. 

“You cling to those useless words as if they mean anything.” Lilith hissed one night when she had finally had enough of it. She had to address it. She couldn't keep her mouth shut about it any longer. If they both wanted to move past this, then they had to address it. 

Lucifer was caring their future. She didn’t want to mess them up with their fathers' attachment to something that may never happen. 

Lilith set the book she had been trying to read onto the couch beside her. She was sitting in their living room while Lucifer was in the kitchen making some sort of sweet treat. His sweet tooth had grown more the further into the pregnancy he had gotten. And he wasn't even that far along yet. 

Today was supposed to be pleasant, but Lilith kept catching a glimpse of Lucifer's fingers rubbing or pressing into his wrist. He was slowly humming a soft tune as if he didn't even notice the small habit when nothing was in his hand. 

Lilith rose from the couch, stalking towards Lucifer.

The blonde male turns to look at his wife. He raised an eyebrow at the other. He wasn't too sure just where that had come from. His eyes glance back over to the oven, noticing that he still had some time before he needed to get them out. He didn't want to burn anything, causing a more heated argument.

“What do you mean?” Lucifer asked 

“Those words on your wrist own more of you than I ever have.” Lilith hissed as she made her way over to the counter. “Do you even realize how often you touch it? As if you are waiting for a ghost to whisper those words to you.” 

Lucifer sucks a breath in. The hand that had been rubbing his wrist fell to his side. 

“It's just a habit, Lilith,” Lucifer says softly. Trying to keep his words even as he takes a step closer to the counter. His anxiety spikes as he watches his wife. 

He knew that she didn't like the reminder that she wasn't his true soulmate. He tried so hard not to remind her of it each day. But it was hard not to touch something etched into his skin. It was as deeply a part of him as his blood was. 

“Why are you doing this now? You know I chose you.” Lucifer tried reaching out to take her hand, but she slammed it down onto the counter. The loud slap rang throughout the house. 

“Because I'm tired!” Lilith says loudly. “I'm tired of pretending that I'm not second best to some stranger that you don't even know!” Lilith runs a hand through her long hair. Her shoulder is falling. “I gave up everything for you. Heaven. Eden. Myself even. And yet, time after time, I won't ever be enough.” 

Lucifer places both of his hands on the counter. He feels the words wash over him. He could feel them buried deep in his chest. 

“You think I wanted this, Lilith? Every day since we've fallen, I've wished so much that these words would change to what you first said to me.” Lucifer looks down at the counter. He noticed how his stomach pushed against the counter, leaving space between him and the counter. It caused more tears to well up in his eyes. 

Lucifer places his left hand on the top of his stomach. “I'm trying, Lilith. What more do you want from me than everything that I've already offered?” He asked, feeling a couple of tears fall onto his cheek. 

Lilith balled her hand up. “I wish I believed you when you say that.” Lilith's voice was hushed. Her eyes lowered to the counter. “Why does it feel like I'm holding onto someone who's already gone?” 

Neither of them spoke. Tears fell from Lucifer's eyes. He takes the cuff of one of Lilith's shirts that he was wearing. Since it was the only thing his sensitive skin could stand to touch. He wipes the tears away.

Lucifer was the first to pull away from the counter. He shuffles over to the oven, trying not to draw Lilith's attention to him. 

Opening the oven, the scent of warm apples fills the air. It made his stomach roll as he pulled it out. 

“Apple pie done,” Lucifer says flatly. He looks at the pie with disgust. He decides to leave. Bare hooves clicked against the floor as he made his way to his spare room. 

Even after he had retired to the spare room, the scent of apples lingered. Neither of them touched it. The house grew quiet. Lucifer no longer hummed. Lilith no longer sought Lucifer's warmth.

The warmth that had once filled the house had grown cold. Neither spoke of that night. 

The days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Lucifer had grown to ache everywhere. His stomach pushed out farther on his body, and he wished with each day that he could be wrapped back up in Lilith's warmth. But each day, he would go to sleep cold. 

The distance between them grew, but by the time his body began to strain and ache with so much pain, Lilith had been there. 

Through it all, she had been, but neither of them spoke. The silence stretched between them and spoke louder than any words that could have filled that silence. 

But looking down at his little girl, he thought maybe the pain and silence had been worth it. Lucifer holds the small girl closer to his chest. His eyes teared up as he looked at just how small she was in his arms. 

“If you ever hear a voice that sings to your soul, follow it, starlight. No matter where it came from.” Lucifer whispers. His voice was hoarse from all the yelling and pain that he had just gone through. Charlie was so small that he was almost scared he would hurt her. 

He held his right arm up for the baby to grip onto. His heart filled with so much love as tears streamed down his face.

Lucifer looks up at Lilith with a small smile, not noticing how her eyes flicker to the wrist with the finger that Charlie was holding. She didn't say anything. She sat in a chair near the bed where Charlie and Lucifer were. Lilith watched the two of them bond. The heaviness she had been feeling for years now seemed to grow more. 

It was only a matter of time. 

My army has fallen, ambitions have burned 

The subjects stay loyal but don't wait for their turn

Now, blindly, they follow their king to the fray 

But he has no action, and they have no say

[Narrative: Lucifer's eyebrow raises as he hears static coming from one of the other rooms of the house. Lilith wasn't currently home, and Charlie was down for a nap. Lilith had recently brought back a radio. One of the sins had gifted it to them as a present for Charlie. Maybe that’s what he was hearing now? 

Following the static, Lucifer ended up standing in the living room. The static got loud. Lucifer grits his teeth and covers one of his ears from how loud the static is. If he wasn’t careful, it might wake Charlie up. An eerie static was followed by a voice breaking threw it as he drew closer.] 

Radio Host: Isn't this divine, dear listeners? 

[Sound: Lucifer gasp] 

Radio Host: Hell's very own radio host! Now I know you all must have been waiting for such a show, and here I am. To give you just that. 

[Narrative: Lucifer stumbled backwards till the back of his legs met the couch. He finds himself sinking into it and covering his mouth. No words left his mouth as the static voice filled the room. Many different emotions left Lucifer confused and dazed.] 

Radio Host: Hell's airwaves have been silent for too long. But don't worry, sinners, your days will soon be filled with your new favorite broadcaster. 

[Sound: Radio static crackling.] 

Radio Host: Ah, it's so nice to be in hell finally. It feels as if I belong somewhere once again. Being here in the pride ring. I’ve heard it’s the very heart of Hell. So much noise about a place with such little substance. Why don’t we change that wonderful listener? 

[Narrative: Lucifer places his elbows on his knees as he continues to listen to the broadcast. So many thoughts were swirling through his head. Was this person his soulmate? This was the person that he had been waiting so long for? And it turns out he was a sinner? 

As if to mock him, his wrist pulses in pain to the radio host's voice. His hand grips ahold of it with a small hiss. Lucifer glances up at the radio as more static pours through the room. His eyes glance around the room till they land on a painting of Lucifer and Lilith with Charlie, who was only about 2 at the time.

Fate was a cruel thing. To think that he would fall and create hell for a human, only to turn around and have his soulmate also be a human. A broken laugh escapes his lips. To fall from Heaven, end up in a hopeless love, and to wear a crown made of ashes. Only to have a sinner as a soulmate.]

Radio Host: Fellow sinners, I ask you this: When did the Pride ring grow so boring? Where’s the drama? The screaming? The flair? It’s so boring here. Nothing to entertain me. Who even is ruling over you at this point? Lucifer? Or is it that blonde siren who’s ruling? 

[Sound: Sharp laugh filled with static.] 

[Narrative: Lucifer sucks in a breath. He couldn’t deny that Lilith was the one who was running Hell. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to. He had tried, and looked where that had gotten the Pride Ring. It hurt, knowing that everyone was looking down on him.] 

Radio Host: So sinners, I propose to you a little fun. Why don’t we make this ring more fun? Starting with this overlord. 

[Sounds: Squelch. Crunch. Wild laughter.] 

[Narrative: Lucifer's face pales as screams ripped through the room from the radio. His eyes widened as his stomach curled as he sat and listened. He had to cover his mouth as more wet slashing filled the room. He could only presume that those sounds were from the Overlord that the radio host had mentioned earlier. Lucifer could hear the sounds of meat being torn off of bone. 

This was his soulmate. How was he supposed to feel? What was he supposed to do? The warm, fuzzy feelings that he thought he would have when he met his soulmate were filled with dread.]

[Sound: Deranged Laughter] 

Radio Host: Wasn’t that just delightful, listeners? You could almost say it was divine. I’ll be back tomorrow broadcasting the screams of others. This has been Alastor, signing off. 

[Sound: Loud static before completely stopping.] 

Lucifer sat there staring at the radio. His mouth is dry. Even after everything that he had just heard, something pulled him to the other male. He wanted to listen to more of his voice. The silky smooth way that the words rolled off the other tongue. 

Lucifer found himself pressing down on his wrist. His imaginary feeling of pain kept pulsing on his wrist. 

“So that's it…” Lucifer's voice was barely above a whisper. He could feel his heart racing, and his breathing had picked up during the broadcast. Looking around, he noticed the light in the living room flickering, like a pulse of his magic had rifted through the room. 

Lucifer sat there. He could feel the minutes ticking by one by one. And with each minute that he passed, he could feel himself feel more insane. That didn't just happen. He was insane. Imagining it. 

“Daddy?” A small voice said, snapping his eyes to look at Charlie. She quickly pulled himself together and stood up from the couch. 

“Char-Char!” He says, plastering a huge smile on his face. He moves to pick her up. His eyes glance at the radio one last time as he makes it out of the room. The lingering shivering sensation didn't leave for a while. 

But in the end, we’re bound to change 

We’re made for more than all of these numbers and names 

We could all go down in flames 

Or put it out, relinquish these words from my mouth

Lucifer found himself sitting outside in the royal garden late one night. He stared up at Hell's sky as thoughts swirled around him. He felt restless. He couldn't sleep. It was like he had too much energy and none at the same time. He was so emotionally drained from his thoughts that kept running in circles. 

Lucifer shifts on the bench, pulling the blankets closer to him. His arms lay on the top of his knees, which were pulled in close to his chest.  He could hear hellhounds out in the distance. There was a soft breeze that pushed some of his hair in front of his face. The air that night felt dry and tense. As if all of hell could feel Lucifer’s emotions. 

Finally pulling his eyes away from the sky, he looks out into the garden but startles when his eyes land on Lilith in front of him. She had a robe wrapped around her body. Her usual perfect and clear face now held a ghostly feel to it. 

“You found him, didn't you?” Lilith asked, stepping towards the bench that Lucifer was sitting on. 

Lucifer felt himself sit up straighter and looked at her with wide eyes. He didn't say anything. He was unsure of just what to say at a time like this. Lilith looked as neutral as ever as she sat down beside him. Her face didn't betray how she was feeling. It was a simple statement. Something that was simply true. It was a hard pill for him to swallow. Out of everyone, Lilith had always been able to read him the best.

“I wasn't meaning to.” He whispers. He could feel the bitterness crawling up his throat as he spoke. It made his stomach twist and his heart ache, knowing what this could mean for them.

“I knew it would happen sooner or later,” Lilith says, staring out into the garden. Her eyes glanced over the different flowers that grew there. Her bare feet settled on the ground. 

Lucifer watches as Lilith leans down. Her hand brushed against the petals of a Spider Lily. 

Lucifer glanced down at the flower she was softly touching. “When did you figure it out?” He finally asked. 

Lilith finally turns to look at Lucifer. “A couple of days ago.” She admits. She snaps the stem of the flower and raises it to her nose. After doing so,  she sits back and lays the flower on her lap. Her fingers mindlessly running along the petals again. 

“I know it's not because you love me any less,” Lilith says with a bit of a sigh. “It's just, you already love him more. And you haven't even met him yet.” Lilith lets out a bitter laugh. Her eyes fell onto a pair of Queen of Night flowers. Looking at it felt like betrayal. She wasn't the true Queen and never was supposed to be. Was she some sort of placeholder for the person who was supposed to be beside Lucifer? 

Lucifer could see the tears that gathered in her eyes, that wouldn't fall. She kept herself steady, even when facing their unknown future. 

“That's how I know it's real.” Her words held so much weight to them. Lucifer could feel the years of hurt in them. The tightness around his heart squeezed even harder at it. Lucifer tries to say something. Tell her it wasn't true. But Lilith just shook her head to keep him quiet.  

“I knew this day would come at some point,” Lilith admits. The low light of the garden almost felt too much. 

“Then why did you stay?” Lucifer moves his legs and hooves off the bench and settles them in the grass. He lets the blanket lie against his shoulders. As if to protect him from the outcomes of this night. 

Another bitter laugh escapes Lilith's lips. “You aren't the only one who's prideful, Lucifer.” 

The words caught Lucifer off guard. He never would say that he was prideful, not by the usual definition. He wasn't prideful in himself at all. But…. 

The thought felt numb on his tongue. He had always found pride in Lilith. 

Lucifer's feet brushed against the grass and the white flowers that had bloomed in this area. “You know I love you, Lilith.”

“But it's not the same way you feel for him.” Lilith shoots back. Her words were more tense, and Lucifer could feel the conversation coming to an end. 

He wasn't even sure what he felt now, knowing that Alastor was his soulmate. He was intrigued, sure. But love? He wasn't even sure if he could describe it that way. 

Maybe he was in love with the idea of a soulmate. 

Lucifer could feel himself groan eternally. Was he longing for the love that he had with Lilith? Maybe he was feeling guilty about the whole situation. Or was he just aching due to something that had been left unfinished? That unknown feeling made Lucifer feel more hollow inside. 

Lucifer found himself rubbing his wrist as Lilith stood up. He looked up at her, but she didn't return the look at all. 

“Good night, Lucifer,” Lilith says. 

Lucifer listens to Lilith walk away. He found himself leaning forward on the bench, tears streaming down his face. The flower around his feet shifted into a transparent color as his tears landed on it. It didn’t rain much in Hell, and tonight Lucifer wishes it would. 

It was the early hours of the morning when Lucifer found himself standing back up from the bench to walk back inside their house.  

Days later, Lucifer would find himself in the kitchen. The radio in the living room was turned on. Jazz music filled the space. He hated himself a bit more, realizing that he was waiting to hear the radio host's voice. Even after hearing how terrible he was. Something drew Lucifer to it. 

The words burned on his wrist, as if searching for the one to whom they belonged.

Lucifer turned to look at Lilith as he tried to smile, but it fell flat the moment he saw her holding papers. His eyes widen. He felt frozen. Already? 

Mindless, he turns the oven off and moves closer to Lilith. 

“I think we should get a divorce,” Lilith says bluntly. She lays the paper on the counter and pushes it towards him. 

Lucifer just looks down at the papers. He could feel his heart racing. He couldn't even process the words that he was reading on the papers. 

“What?” He says blankly. He could feel himself slowly blinking as he looked up at Lilith. A blink she had once cutely called his ‘frog blink’. Now, in this moment, it wasn't so cute. 

“We both know this is what needs to happen. We can't just keep dancing around each other.” Lilith says softly. She doesn't move to comfort Lucifer. She didn't have that in her anymore. He had built his bed, and now, he could lie in it. 

Spite was a powerful thing. She lets it course through her as she watches Lucifer. This was the best for both of them. 

“I know. I've known. I just…. Didn't want to be the one to say it out loud.” Lucifer mumbles as he runs a hand through his hair. He lets out a soft sigh. He didn't feel anything. He just felt numb.

Lucifer feels his heart break as he hears Lilith's next question. “What do we do with Charlie?” 

Lucifer hesitates. His eyes trailed to the area where Charlie's room was located. He could feel himself pulling more and more into himself. Just like when they had fallen. Everything felt too raw. He didn’t want to be here anymore.

“She's always loved you more,” Lucifer whispered. “She always has.” 

Lucifer could hear Lilith suck in a breath. “Lucifer…” Lilith says softly. She knew just how much Lucifer cared for Charlie. It felt wrong to just take her like this. 

Lucifer pulled his eyes away to look at Lilith. He shakes his head. “She's still young. She needs stability…” Lucifer feels his words trail off. “And that's…. I just don't have that right now.” His throat feels tight. He could barely get the words out.

Silence washed over the kitchen. The two stood there. The light Jazz music that had been playing earlier seems almost silent now. 

Lilith was the first to do something. She stood up straighter. “Alright.” She says with a nod. “She can stay with me. At least until you get your footing.” 

“And if I don't?” 

Lilith crossed her arms over her stomach. Those stormy grey eyes scan over Lucifer, watching as he wrestles with himself. She had been watching this for a long time now. She could almost pity him. Almost.

“Then at least she won't be waiting in the wreckage you made,” Lilith said. Her voice was flat as she spoke. No emotions slipped through. Only the cold, hard truth that Lucifer would have to bear. 

Lucifer had to swallow down the sob that wanted to rise in his chest. “Okay.” 

He didn't try to fight it. If this is what Lilith truly wanted, then she would give it to her. It wasn't fair to keep her tied down when he was unsure of where he stood anymore. 

Lucifer looks at the papers and summons a pen in his hand. As if it were this easy, Lucifer signs. The pen smoothly glides across the paper as he signs away the centuries that they had been together. 

He could feel the tears building, but he fought to keep them down. 

“We'll be out in a week,” Lilith says, reaching out for the paper. She looks it over, approving of it. With a snap, the contract was broken between them. 

“I'm sorry it had to end like this,” Lilith says. She cast one last look at Lucifer before walking away to start packing. 

Lucifer listens as Lilith walks away. Her heels clicked against the floor. He feels himself shatter. 

I wake up to find the passing of time 

Made my mirror show someone I don't know

Lucifer finds himself walking around the Pride Ring long after his and Lilith's divorce. Something that still felt raw to him. He had finally gotten what he wanted because she had fully stepped away from ruling hell. 

Today, Beel had forced him out of his house. He knew that she didn't want him to stay cooped up with everything that happened, but Lucifer would rather just stay inside and deal with it himself. Even if that meant making thousands of different ducks to fill that ache. 

But Beel, being Beel, didn't let that happen. She pulled him into what she was doing that day. He couldn’t clearly remember it. But for a second, he swore that he felt the weight lift off his shoulder. 

So now here he was, walking around aimlessly. Unsure of what he should do. Maybe he could visit that rooftop garden again. When was the last time he had even been outside since the divorce? How many years had passed? Had a year even passed?

He wasn't even sure just where he was in the Pride Ring. He hadn't walked the streets like this in a while. 

Lucifer hadn't noticed until it was too late. He had walked into a more dense part of this town. Most seemed not to notice or recognize him. But the ones that did move out of his way.

“Oh, Alastor!” A female voice says.

Alastor? That name sounded familiar. Could it be… Lucifer finds himself slowing down. He looked over to where the voice had come from and noticed two figures. A tall male with red hair and some sort of animal ears on the top of his head. He stood by a figure Lucifer recognized. It was the cannibal overlord Rosie.

He shouldn't be surprised that the two of them would know each other. Especially with what he had heard during Alastor's first broadcast. 

“Do come back.” Rosie's sweet voice said. His eyes linger on the figure. His mind didn't seem to want to process just what he was saying. He could just hear that radio static over that smooth voice. 

The mark on his wrist burned as Alastor turned to leave the building. Their eyes meet. Lucifer watched as Alastor stepped falter for just a second, only to continue walking till he was fully outside. 

Lucifer's breath caught in his throat. “So this is what Heaven finds funny.” He says softly. His eyes scan over Alastor's face as he grinds his teeth. 

Alastor's eyes jerk down to look at the blonde's wrist before looking back up. His smile tenses. “Well, I've always had a good sense of humor. It's in my blood to entertain after all.” 

Lucifer narrows his eyes. “Don't test me, Alastor.” 

“Ah, so you already know who I am. Should I be flattered or alarmed, you’re Majesty?” Alastor says with a wide smirk. He sets the tip of his cane on the sidewalk and leans onto it. 

Even on Earth, Alastor had never thought he would encounter his soulmate. He had thought he was above such trivial things. He always just assumed he would kill them if he did encounter them. But standing in front of the blonde, he knew that it would be impossible. Try as he might, the King of Hell was far more powerful than he. His hand tightens around his cane. 

Lucifer doesn't speak up and just watches Alastor. His eyes took in the sinner before him. Noticing this, Alastor continues to talk. 

“You know,” Alastor says. “I had other plans today that didn't involve...” He snarls, letting his eyes glance over Lucifer once again. “Fate.” 

The word was bitter, and it shook Lucifer to his core. His eyes widened, realizing that not only was this sinner actually his soulmate, but he also did not believe in them. 

Lucifer looks down at the sidewalk, thinking over his next move. What he should do. He could just walk away, but that tugging feeling inside of him didn't want him to. It kept his feet planted here, waiting for the next strike. 

“You're not what I wanted to deal with today.” Lucifer groans, finally pulling himself out of his thoughts. Maybe he could spin this situation around and have it work out in both of their favor. 

“Oh, darling,” Alastor says with a sarcastic laugh. “No one ever is.” 

Lucifer's eyes narrowed. Why was this guy being such an asshole about all of this? It's like he enjoyed seeing him miserable. 

“You could have walked away from this by now.” Lucifer pointed out to the Radio Demon. “So what are you still doing here?” 

This time, a bigger smile broke out on Alastor's face. “I'm so glad you asked sire.” He raises his cane back into his hand and moves closer to the other. 

“It seems to me that my little soulmate happens to be the most powerful being in hell. It would be wise to keep someone so powerful on my side.” Alastor says he looms over Lucifer as if he were prey. 

“You want a deal.” Lucifer finally hissed out. His hand balled up. Of course, this sinner was out for power. And who better to get it from than his soulmate? 

Alastor didn't respond, he only let his smile grow wider. The shadows around Alastor seem to grow bigger as he does. As if pulsing with life. 

“What do you want?” Lucifer says. 

“Why, I'm so glad you asked,” Alastor says, taking a step back, seeing he was about to get what he wanted. The same shadows that felt so large seconds ago seem to calm down. “I'm curious about you. I want to see what the King of Hell is like without his mask.” 

Lucifer gives him a confused look. That's all the other wanted? Nothing more? It seemed like such a small request. Was he fishing for something? 

Lucifer bites his bottom lip as he thinks over the request. Days now blurred together for him. He didn’t have many people who wanted to spend time with him, or even enjoyed it. Now that Lilith was gone with Charlie, the house had become dull. More than it already had been.

“I just want someone to spend time with,” Lucifer mumbled, knowing it was a stupid request the second the words fell from his lips. But there wasn't much he could do to take them back now. 

“Oh?” Alastor questioned, leaning into the smaller male's personal space. “Is the marriage not going too well? Having to seek out company from someone else?” 

“Don't act like you know anything!” Lucifer says, pointing at Alastor. He could feel his breathing pick up. “And it's not like that. Being alive for eons becomes filled with loneliness. Having someone new to spend that time with helps ease it.” Lucifer spoke softly. He watched as Alastor's eyes turned into dials, as if processing something. 

“Fine,” Alastor says. He knew when and where to press people's buttons, and if he wanted this deal to go through, now was not the time. “I'll give you an hour of company each week. In return, I expect nothing but the unfiltered you. No mask. And at any point, either of us can break this deal or change it.” 

Lucifer nods his head. He didn't plan on breaking the deal, even if Alastor stopped coming around. Something that he assumed would happen at some point. It gave Alastor the upper hand on telling Lucifer that he no longer wanted to see him. It would hurt, but it would be understandable. He was a mess of an angel after all. 

 So then,” Alastor holds out his hand. “Do we have a deal?” 

Lucifer looks at the other outstretched hand. He could see green words peeking out from under the Radio Demons' sleeve as he did so. He raised his matching right hand to shake. His soulmark glowed at the touch. 

“It's a deal.”

A burst of energy rolls through the air around them. Green and gold magic swirl together, tangling up the farther away, and in the air it goes. All too suddenly, the magic disappeared, leaving the two of them on the sidewalk. Alastor was the first one to pull back his hand. He whips it on his coat. 

“Great, then,” Alastor says, standing up straighter. “Meet me at the abandoned theater in three days at noon. Don't be late.” 

Once Alastor was done speaking, he brushed past Lucifer as if nothing had happened. As if this were an everyday occurrence for both of them.

Lucifer was going to ask him what he meant, but the other was already too far gone when he turned around. All he could do was stare into the crowd of people. 

Lucifer didn't notice that as he walked home that night, he felt lighter and a small smile tugged at his lips. 

Three days later, Lucifer stood in front of a run-down building. The windows looked like someone had taken a bat and smashed them in. The double doors leading into the place looked as if they were hanging on by one thread. 

He wouldn't be surprised if the roof had collapsed in on itself by now. 

Ignoring just how bad the place looked, Lucifer carefully pushed open the door. Once inside, he could hear a melody being hummed with the familiar radio static he has grown accustomed to already. 

“So these are the kind of places you like to haunt,” Lucifer says, walking into a large theater room. Lucifer swore he could feel himself breathing in the dust that floated in the air.

Alastor was sitting in one of the plush red chairs with his feet propped up onto the back of the seat in front of him. He had the microphone part of his cane close to his mouth as he hummed. 

Glancing up at him, Alastor smiles. “Come, take a seat. It's rather comfy.” 

Lucifer raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything as he starts to walk down the aisle. His shoes clicking against the floor, only to stop when Lucifer finds himself standing in the row that Alastor was sitting in. 

Alastor meets Lucifer's eyes. His smile is tight as he waits for the king to sit. 

Lucifer shuffled in, sitting close to the other. His soulmark responded to the closeness of his soulmate. He felt his wrist pulse softly. As if recognizing that its soulmate was nearby.

“Why'd you bring me here?” Lucifer question.

Alastor hums a louder note. He leans his head back as he takes a deep breath. “What do you see when you look at this place?” Alastor asks, his eyes roaming around the place. He turns his head to look at the blonde. So white in such a dull place. “And don't lie because I'll know.”

Lucifer leans forward. He places his arm on the seat in front of him to lay his head on. His eyes scanned over to the front of the room, where the stage was. One of the beams had fallen. The curtains were torn. 

“Rot. Decay.” Lucifer says. Turning his head, his eyes flickered to the balcony at the top of the room, where he could see more seats. “A place that used to matter but has been forgotten by time.” 

Alastor hums. He doesn't say anything right away, letting Lucifer's observation linger over them. 

“I guess that is one way to look at this place.” Alastor moves his legs to let them set back down on the ground. 

Lucifer watched the movement. It was done so smoothly. Not the kind of smoothness that comes with practicing something. Instead, it was a smoothness that Alastor just had naturally. 

“I would much rather think of this place as something that still holds laughter. The walls scream with the claps of a good show.” Alastor stood up with that same smoothness that Lucifer was unfamiliar with. 

The cane in Alastor's hand looked more like a conductor's bow as green magic filled the place. The sound of laughter echoes through the place. Voices all around him could be heard. 

Surprised by the sudden noise, Lucifer turns to look at Alastor. He stumbled out of his seat to get a better look. All around him were figures of all different colors. From orange to blues to purples. It was an illusion he knew, but it still made him gasp. 

Lucifer looks around in awe. An imp kid chased another down the aisle. A group of girls was all huddling together. Their eyes locked on something before they blushed and looked away. There, on the top of the balcony, stood a figure; she leaned over the railing, her eyes glued to the stage, tears stained her face. 

“Alastor…” Lucifer turns to the sinner. He half expected the other male to be gone, lost in the ‘crowd’. But instead, he stood right beside him. He couldn't form any words as Alastor's gaze watched him. His mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls. 

“Why did you bring me here?” Lucifer asked again. This time it was filled with awe. 

“Why you ask?” Alastor says, looking out at the echoes he had made. “Hmmm.” 

Lucifer wrist pulse. It wasn't painful, just a dull sensation that made him want to reach out and touch the other. 

Alastor takes a step closer to the King. His eyes examined the other as he started to talk. “To me, it seems like you are always looking at what's already been broken. But I don't see it that way. I see what it used to be. What it still could be.” Alastor pulls back and examines Lucifer. 

Alastor thinks back on the pitiful experience that Lucifer wore the day that they met. In any other context, he would have savored that look. He wanted more of it. But somehow, on the King, it felt wrong. A curious thing to feel for someone you don't know. 

“Just because something is filled with rot and broken, doesn't mean it doesn't still hold life or value,” Alastor says, letting the words hang there. 

It was a peaceful moment being surrounded by the background noise. Lucifer feels his heart tighten as he looks at Alastor. Maybe there was more to this sinner than he had first thought. Lucifer's shoulder relaxes. His arms wrapped around himself as he sank into a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. 

Contentment. 

But all too soon, the moment was ruined by Alastor. 

“Besides, who doesn't love a little drama with their ambiance?” The sinner laughs, his eyes glancing around at everything. 

Lucifer groans, letting his arms fall back to his sides. “You're impossible.” 

It caused another laugh from Alastor. The illusion breaks, and the colors that had danced around the room fade. Leaving the theater to what it was when Lucifer had walked in. 

Lucifer looks at the place once more, only to shake his head. “I'm leaving now.” 

“I'll see you next week then,” Alastor says as Lucifer starts to walk away. He felt his head throb. Why had he agreed to this again? 

“Meet me in the Carmine District,” Lucifer says over his shoulder and disappears out of the building. 

Now, with my own hands,

Build castles from sand

“Welcome to the Crimson Bloom,” Lucifer says as they step through a vine-covered archway and onto the building's rooftop. Part of the rooftop was covered by a patio that had red wisteria hanging from it. There were small tables set underneath it. 

The other half of the rooftop sat under the open sky. Many of the plants there grew out of planter boxes. 

“This place was once a restaurant. Many sinners and imps would stop by to grab food or just enjoy the quietness of this rooftop garden.” Lucifer says as he takes a step forward and into the overgrown garden. Alastor follows suit and takes a step forward to look around. There was a sort of charm to this place. Even though it looks like no one has come up here for years now. The plants were overgrown, but they held an intimate feeling. For a second, Alastor even thought to compare it to Eden in hell. A silly notion, he realized.

Hearing the King move caused his attention to slip back to him. Red eyes track his movements as he makes his way over to a bench sitting out under the sky.  

Lucifer's hand reaches out to touch the petals of a dying flower beside him, breathing life back into it. 

“The palace has a garden that I cultivated. A mix of hell's flowers and flowers that have found their way to hell. But there always seems to be something lacking.” Lucifer says. He pulls his hand away from the flower. His eyes slowly sweep over the place. “So I would come here.” He says softly. 

Alastor could hear the hesitation in his voice. It made him move closer. Curious about just what the other would say. 

“There's just something about this place. It's so…. Human.” Lucifer finally says. With eyebrows knit together as confusion crosses his face. 

Alastor keeps his steps light as he moves to where the other was sitting. He stands beside the bench, not daring to sit just yet. 

See, Alastor knew when it was the right time to speak, and now it isn't. It seemed like Lucifer was keeping up his side of the deal to show him who the ‘true’ king was. 

“Days when things felt a bit too much, I would find myself wandering here. I imagine that Earth has a lot of similar spots like this one.” Lucifer says. 

The silence spreads between them. Lucifer finally pulls his hand away from the vine. His eyes moved to the hanging wisteria on the other side of the rooftop. He watches petals dance to the ground. 

Alastor couldn't fathom how this male was his soulmate most days. His public persona of being a larger-than-life figure did not match the man that he saw now. 

This was what he had wanted, but not what he had expected. He had hoped he would be able to dig up some sort of dirt on the other by getting to know the ‘true’ him. But this was a lot different than what he had expected. 

They have been around each other three times now, including today. But between now and their first meeting, Alastor had learned more about Lucifer than he expected. With each passing meeting, something seemed to draw him into Lucifer's orbit. 

“You've been quiet,” Lucifer comments. “What are you thinking about? Something cruel?”

Alastor doesn't reply to Lucifer right away. Instead, he watches the blonde-haired male's actions.

“Nothing really,” Alastor says, looking to the area that Lucifer was looking at, noticing how he was watching the petals fall. “Just watching as you unravel.” 

Lucifer turns his head and narrows his eyes at Alastor. 

“Careful now. Someone might think that you care.” Lucifer said. His voice was strained. 

The radio demon turns and gives Lucifer a wide smile. Lucifer huffs with an eye roll and sits back onto the bench. He tilts his head back just a bit to look up at the sky. 

Alastor's eyes narrowed in on the exposed neck of the other. What he would give to taste his blood. His mouth watered for a bite, but he had to force his gaze away. Not yet. Now wasn't a good time. 

“Do you ever wish that you could be someone else for a night?” Lucifer questions. His voice was soft around the edges. Lucifer doesn't look at Alastor. He almost felt weak as he spoke. He was weak, wasn’t he? The words tremble from his lips. “Just for a night so you could rest?” 

Alastor gives a small hum in reply to Lucifer's question. His hand reaches out to touch one of the flower vines that were wrapped around the bench. 

“Every night,” Alastor replied. He paused, looking out at the pride ring. “Hell itself might just be one big nightmare.” Alastor pulls his hand away from the flower. “But even then, somehow you have found a way to breathe life into it.” 

Lucifer moved his head forward again. He looks down at his own hands, and Alastor watches as his fingers curl into his palm. They stay that way for a moment before relaxing. 

Lucifer finds himself laughing at himself. He runs his hand through his hair. “I should be above this.” He says, speaking his inner thoughts out loud. “But….Thank you, Alastor.”

Alastor moves his hands behind his back, clinching them together. “It's nothing, you're Highness.” 

The skies above them seemed to burn a bit brighter, but neither of them seemed to notice. Instead, they looked around themselves at the overgrown garden. 

Even something that was supposed to be dead found a way to live on its own. 

But all kingdoms drown 

As tides bring them down 

Alastor moves towards the front of the room and places his hand on the desk. He could feel the energy that the equipment held for him. A huge smile breaks out on his face. 

One of the districts in the Pride Ring that was up and coming was the ‘media’ district. Alastor didn't have much of a hand in it, rather wanting to stay a solo act. But he had visited this broadcasting studio. 

Of course, it was to get rid of anyone who dared try to broadcast themselves on the radio. He was the one and only who could. Unless, of course, you sold your soul to him.

Alastor runs his hand across the desk, collecting the leftover dust. “She's a beauty, isn't she?” He whispers, his voice almost soft to the touch. 

Lucifer stands across the room watching as Alastor moves around it. He didn't have a bias on the whole thing. It was interesting, but he cared more for Alastor and his broadcast. But standing there now, hearing that soft voice, had something tugging at his heartstrings. 

The weeks that they had already spent together, he found that through the static, he could recognize some of the emotions Alastor was feeling. 

“Is she yours?” Lucifer asked, moving closer to Alastor to stand beside him. He looks over the equipment, not sure what it does. 

“Heavens no. I have my own.” Alastor's eyes looked from Lucifer to the room that they were standing in. “Mine's much fancier than this,” Alastor says with a small hand wave. 

Lucifer reaches out and taps the microphone that was on the table. He jerks his hand away as a terrible stretch radiates throughout the room. Lucifer could hear that damn radio demon chuckle as he did. 

Lucifer rolls his eyes as he lets out a small sigh. “Was this similar to the equipment you had on Earth?” Lucifer asked instead, letting his eyes roam. 

Alastor was quiet for a moment, causing Lucifer to look back up at him. Lucifer moves closer to the other male with a raised eyebrow. Alastor was looking at the equipment with a hard look. His hand had frozen against one of the buttons. He looked as if he was frozen by a memory. 

“It's similar.” Alastor finally spoke, pulling his hand away from it. “I would say it's quite like the first generations of radio models on Earth. This one has just been re-worked for Hell.” 

Lucifer paused. He looks down at the desk, blinking just a bit. He hadn't seen Alastor like this, yet. He wasn’t too sure how to describe it. 

“Tell me about it,” Lucifer says softly, finally looking back up at Alastor. 

“Is that really how you want to spend your hour today?” Alastor asked, pulling back to turn his body to look at the blonde. 

“I'm sure,” Lucifer says with a nod. Lucifer noticed the confused look that Alastor was giving him, making Lucifer hesitate. Was that crossing a line? Did they even have a line when it came to their conversation? 

“Sit down then,” Alastor says, nodding to one of the last remaining pieces of furniture in the room. Alastor leans himself against the desk, watching Lucifer as he pulls the chair to the middle of the room and sits down. 

“I was 18 when the first radio broadcast aired,” Alastor says. His voice was a bit slower as if he was remembering that time now. 

“Is that when you knew you wanted to do it?” Lucifer asked carefully. His full attention was held by the other male. 

Alastor shook his head. “I didn't get to hear the first broadcast until days later.” Alastor tilts his head back as he looks up at the ceiling. “I lived in a rural area of Louisiana. Not too far away from the big city but … far enough where news took a bit to get to us.” 

Lucifer noted how Alastor seemed more relaxed as he spoke more. The ever-present smile on his face morphed into something smoother and gentler. He had to stop his racing heart and thoughts of wanting to see that same smile be about him. 

“I had been walking back home through the small town I lived in at the time,” Alastor says. The static in his voice seemed to smooth out as he thought of his past. “Someone had heard about the broadcast and went out to purchase a radio. There, surrounded by people, I heard my first ever broadcast.”

Lucifer pulls one leg into the chair and leans against the armrest. He listens closely, wanting to know everything. 

“So that's when you fell in love with radio?” Lucifer finally asked. He watched Alastor's eyes flicker to him. His ear twitched on the top of his head. Lucifer had to hide a small smile from it. 

Alastor lets out a small hum. “I didn’t know then that I would. I was intrigued and wanted to know more, sure. But who didn’t during that time?” There was a small pause before Alastor started to speak again. “But it stuck with me long enough that within a year, I was trying to get a gig to be a radio host.” 

Alastor tilts his head back as he lets out a soft sigh. “I used to believe that if you spoke loud enough into the void that it would eventually speak back to you. And radio gave me that outlet to do so.” 

Lucifer leans forward with a bit of a teasing smile. “And did it ever speak back to you?”

Alastor cast Lucifer a sideways glance. He feels a dull pain like feelings in his wrist. It simmered just against his skin. “Eventually,” Alastor said, letting it hang in the air between the two of them. 

The sirens they sing

Laments just for me

Lucifer grabs onto Alastor's coat, lightly tugging at it to get his attention. Over the weeks that they have spent together, Lucifer had come to learn what was an acceptable touch and what was an unpleasant touch for the radio demon. 

“In here,” Lucifer says softly. One of his hands lingered on an enchanted door handle. Only a few could open it. 

His fingers itched with hesitation about what they would find inside. He was hesitant to let Alastor see such a thing, but… Alastor wanted a true, unmasked version of himself, and he was trying to do that. Whatever that ‘true unmasked’ version of himself was. 

The door was much larger than Lucifer. Blues, whites, and gold made an intricate design on the door. Wings spread across the door against a blue background. Golden light made the scene look holy. 

As he opened it, Lucifer almost felt like a little kid showing someone else their favorite place. Giddiness and happiness blossomed inside of him as the door glowed and let them enter. The hesitation from earlier was replaced with excitement. 

Once they had passed the doorway, they were met with shelves upon shelves of books. 

“I probably shouldn't be showing a sinner like you, this place,” Lucifer says, moving closer to one of the bookshelves. His hand runs over the books. 

Alastor notes the dust that seemed to sprinkle the place. It didn't give it that ‘abandoned’ feel that other places have. Instead, this felt a lot different. Almost… almost like a home that hasn't been clean in a while. 

“When was the last time you were here?” Alastor says, letting a finger run over the shelf's surface and picking up dust.

“Probably a hundred years ago,” Lucifer says, walking deeper into the room.

“Why is that?” Alastor asked, his curiosity piqued. A hundred years and it still looks like this? Alastor looks over to Lucifer when he hears the blonde stop walking. 

“It's like…” Lucifer turns to Alastor with a puzzled look on his face as he tries to describe the feeling. “It's like trying to read your handwriting from years ago and not recognizing it at all.” 

Alastor hums. His fingers gripped the top of his cane. They tapped against it as he spoke. 

“Or maybe the ink that you were writing with wasn't meant to last.” He lets the words fall off his tongue. He turns and begins looking at the books around then once again. He didn't notice how Lucifer stiffened up for a second at the comment. 

Lucifer watches as the other male brushes a hand against the spines of the books. Many were perfectly put together, while others had their spines broken or torn. Some looked like they just needed some love and care. While others looked like they would become a pile of dust if touched. 

Alastor's hand finally lands on one that seems to interest him. He pulls it out and hands it over to the blonde. 

“Read it.” Alastor simply states. Lucifer glances at Alastor with confusion. His eyes glanced at the book as he reached out for it. 

He holds the book in his hand, feeling the texture through his gloves. 

Seeing the confusion and hesitation, Alastor rolled his eyes. “You might just find out if the ink has truly dried up or not.” Alastor turns around to look at the shelves upon shelves. “You have so much information and stories stored here. It would be a shame if they were never touched again. Just because you were unsure.”  

Lucifer runs a hand over the cover of the book. His fingers trace the engraving of each letter. 

Lucifer holds it back out to Alastor. “Read it to me.” He says. “Your voice is more suited to reading things out loud, radio host.” 

A wide smile cracks onto Alastor's face. “I thought you wouldn't ask.” He says, taking the book back into his hands. 

Lucifer makes his way to an opening between two bookshelves. Curtains hung at the opening, making the room they stepped into more private. 

Inside, there was a platform that had a lot of pillows and blankets covering it. Soft lights hung on the walls around it. A window backdrop the platform that overlooked the Pride Ring. 

Alastor stood there for a moment as he watched Lucifer climb into it and get comfortable. He hesitated. 

The softness of the room, the intimate feeling that it pulled forward, wasn't suited for a monster like him. He felt as if one touch to the scene would shatter it all. 

“Come on,” Lucifer says as he sits back on some of the pillows. Alastor gives one last look to the other and climbs in. Both of them took a moment to get comfortable. Alastor leaned his cane against the platform. He stays close to the edge of the platform. 

The blonde looks up at Alastor as he opens the book. Excitement rolls in his stomach as his Alastor voice starts to wrap around him. Here, Lucifer was able to detect the southern tone of Alastor's voice. It was nice and relaxing. 

Looking at the male as he read, he couldn't help but note the subtle golden glow from the lights and how they fell on Alastor's face. Blushing a bit, Lucifer lets his gaze fall back to the book page that Alastor was on. 

Not long after, Lucifer found himself closing his eyes as he listened. Feeling so relaxed, Lucifer didn't notice as he started to doze off. 

Alastor glances up at the blonde when he feels a brush of the other's hair against his shoulder. He pauses as he looks at the sleeping man beside him. 

Slowly, Alastor moves in closer to the other, letting the other male's head lean against his shoulder. 

His wrist pulses. It was dull, Alastor noted. He had noticed that the more time he spent with Lucifer, the less his soulmark hurt. 

Alastor looks over at his cane, letting soft jazz music fill the room. Alastor looks down at the book and continues to read to himself, letting Lucifer sleep. 

I fall to my knees

And beg for release

Lucifer looks out at the crowd on the dance floor. He holds his glass of alcohol close to him. For this week, Alastor had decided to bring Lucifer to a speakeasy. He had said that it was very reminiscent of the ones that he had visited back on Earth. 

Glancing over at Alastor, Lucifer felt his heart betray him as it skipped a beat. The radio demon leaned back against the bar. He had a glass of whiskey in one hand as he looked out at the crowd. His body was slightly swaying to the music. 

The dim light of the room highlighted Alastor's bone structure perfectly. It was as if it told him not to fall in love with his soulmate. 

Alastor finally looks over his way, and Lucifer could feel a blush grow on his face. He leans in close to the blonde so he can be heard over the jazz music. The red-haired male holds out his hand to the other. 

“A dance wouldn’t damn us more then we already are, will it?” Alastor teased the shorter male. 

Lucifer laughs a bit as he places his own hand into he others. A warm feeling erupts at the small touch. He wasn’t sure if it was from the drinks or something else. 

“Only time can tell!” Lucifer says over the music. He lets Alastor drag him out into the middle of the dance floor. Alastor pulled Lucifer close as the next song began to play. Being held against Alastor's chest, he felt butterflies erupt in his stomach. At the same time, his heart drops. 

Without even realizing it, after all these weeks, Lucifer had fallen for the radio demon. 

The music around them swells. Lucifer could feel Alastor's hand against his hip. His breath against his cheek. The dances easily like two puzzle pieces that fit. They weren’t stumbling over each other's feet, even with the alcohol that flowed through their system. Lucifer's head rested on Alastor’s shoulder. 

Alastor begins to lead the dance, spinning the two of them around. Their steps feel perfectly in line with each other. As if they had done this dance a hundred times before. 

Lucifer tried to get lost in the music, but his earlier thoughts still nagged at him. Now wasn’t the time to unpack such a realization. 

Lucifer lifts his head to speak into Alastor's ear. “This feels like something I can’t have, but I find myself begging for it anyway,” Lucifer says softly. 

Once the words had slipped through his lips, he could feel Alastor's hand tighten against his coat. His head tilts towards his ear. “Then pretend,” Alastor says. “For only a song.” 

Lucifer nods his head. There was a bitterness that grew inside of him. Had this been how Lilith felt for all those years? Loving someone who was denying themself? 

Through the time that they have spent together, never once had Alastor referred to him as anything other than his title and name. Was that his way of keeping his distance? 

“Why won’t you let this be more?” Luicfer says. His voice is shaky as he grips the radio demon's shoulder. 

“If I did,” Alastor says, voice strained. “I don’t know if I would be able to let go.” 

Lucifer sucks in a sharp inhale. He felt winded for a moment. Like he had been punched in the guts. He wasn’t sure what that even meant. Did Alastor feel the same way? Would he ever see him as anything more than a deal? He could feel himself spiraling. 

“Then..” Luicfer says, catching the attention of Alastor once again. “What happens when the song ends?” He asked. 

Alastor glances at Lucifer, then looks out at the crowd they were in. Bodies dancing to the music, lovers intertwined with each other. 

“We go back to pretending,” Alastor says in a quiet voice barely audible. “Until the next song.” 

Lucifer feels a tear slide down his cheek. The music was starting to slow down and come to an end. “I understand.” He whispers, pulling himself away from the other. “Let's go back to enjoy our drinks.”

Swiftly, Lucifer made his way back over to the bar. The previous warmth that he had enjoyed the night before had been washed away. Leaving a coldness in its place. 

Neither brought up the conversation that had been had on the dance floor, just like Alastor had said they wouldn’t. 

Maybe he was cursed to break or lose everything that he touched. 

When my kingdom comes

“Is this your radio?” Alastor said from the living room. His eyes scanned over the old piece of tech that sat on the fireplace. Out of reach from a child, he notes. 

Lucifer had invited Alastor over to his place. He wanted to make Alastor a meal. He says, It would be similar to what they had in heaven. That was yet to be tested. But it had intrigued him enough. Who else could say that the King of Hell made them a meal? 

Alastor's shadow, feeling comfortable here, moved back and forth between Lucifer and Alastor. He had caught himself watching the two of them interact and was even surprised that the devil knew some sign language. Something he had picked up from living in Hell for so long. 

“What do you mean?” Lucifer asked, stepping into the living room. He bites down on an apple and looks at the other male, confused. His shadow moves from behind the blonde and back to its rightful owner. 

Alastor shakes his head and turns around to the blonde. The past couple of weeks had been awkward for them, but finally, it seemed like they had fallen into the groove of things again. Lucifer, being as awkward as he is, causes most of it. 

“Well it simply won't do.” Alastor says with a click of his tongue. His head reaches out to the radio, trying to connect with it but only gets feedback from it. 

It must be a radio from before he was in hell. 

Lucifer comes up beside him to look at the radio. He tilts his head in confusion, still not understanding what was so important. 

“Here,” Alastor says. With a swirl of green magic, a radio that he had been working on for a while now appeared in his hands. 

It was similar to many of the radios that he sold in hell. The bottom part where the radio dials should be was a sharp-toothed looking pattern. Similar to his own teeth. The top of it is curved and helps the speakers. But in the middle was what made it special. 

Lying there was an apple with a snake curled around it. On top of the snake were deer antlers. 

He placed it down beside the older one. “Now, whenever I broadcast, you won't have to worry about not hearing it. This is a little something I've been working on recently.” 

Lucifer moves closer to the radio. His hand reaches out and touches the engraved symbol. He had removed his usual gloves to cook that night, leaving him touching the radio with his bare hands. 

“It's beautiful, Alastor.” Lucifer says. His eyes glued to the radio. Such a simple gift but it made his heart skip a beat. 

Alastor watched Lucifer. Taking in the soft expression that he wore. “It's nothing,” Alastor says. “This is a peace offering.” 

Lucifer was going to reply, but was interrupted by the oven beeping. 

“Dinners done,” Lucifer says, moving back to the kitchen. To get their food out. 

Alastor follows behind him, trying to shove away the way his heart felt. It meant nothing. 

My will be undone

[Narrative: Lucifer sat in his living room. He had a book open on his lap, waiting for the Radio Demons broadcast to start. The radio flickers on as an eerie static appears. Followed by Alastor's voice fills the airwaves.] 

Alastor: Welcome back to ‘The Hour of Static,’ dear sinners and shadows. The only show that whispers sweet nothings to you. You might just hear it whispered back. I'm your host, Alastor. 

[Sound: Cracking and popping of joints.]

Alastor: Now then, let's get right into it. 

[Sound: A thump.] 

[Narrative: Lucifer finds himself smiling. He could imagine Alastor with his legs kicked up onto his desk, his head leaned back as he spoke into his microphone cane. Over the months now and getting to know the Radio Demon, it was a very easy image to piece together.] 

Alastor: I find myself reflecting on something quite curious. I've been looking into some of the kingdoms that we had back on Earth. Did you know that an empire usually lasts about 250 years? Amazing that the Hell's King has lasted that long. 

[Narrative: Only 250 years? Lucifer thought to himself as he listened to Alastor. To someone as old as him, that was like the blink of an eye. Maybe trying 250 millennia with how long he's been alive.] 

Alastor: You see, dear listeners, empires don't only fall due to war and fire. No. No. Some fall because of the quiet erosion of certainty that some kings hold. A smile that's held too long. Even from a truth that's been too long buried. 

[Sound: Alastor hums.] 

Alastor: I wonder, dear listers. How many of you sit here tonight, tracing something that you were never meant to feel? Does it feel like your kingdom is falling apart? Or maybe it's just begun? 

Alastor (reminiscing): It's funny, isn't it? The strongest walls crumble because you let one person in. One smile. One laugh. One night too many. 

[Narrative: Lucifer raised an eyebrow. His head tilted to the side just a bit. What did Alastor mean by that? Maybe he could ask him during this week's hangout. He could even butter the other man up with the duck that he has been trying to make.] 

Alastor: But it digresses. 

[Sound: Music starts to play.] 

Alastor: Tonight's song is for those that didnt think they're walls would ever come down for someone else. 

[Sound: Music begins to swell.] 

Alastor: I've been Alastor. And you are listening to ‘The Hour Of Static.’ I'll be back soon. 

[Narrative: Lucifer leans back on the couch, letting the song wash over him. Even if Lucifer did love Alastor, he was okay with this. This felt nice. The push and pull that the two of them had. 

After so long, Lucifer felt like he belonged again. He could get used to it. 

The blonde lets his eyes slide close as he hums along with the notes. He wonders if the two of them would ever have their own duet or song.]

My world then decides 

Lucifer's head snapped up from the duck that he had been making. His eyes glowed, feeling the contract that snapped. Usually, he wouldn't care too much about them. Since most of them had a time limit or something that needed to be met for it to end. 

This one was different. 

Lucifer looks at the duck in his hand. He had been working on one that looked like Alastor ever since he had given him that radio. 

He wanted it to be perfect, but now…. 

No, he should check first. He needed to make sure. This could all just be in his head. 

Lucifer moves away from his desk and moves to the center of his room. 

It was easy for him to bring up all the contracts and deals that he had. He didn't make deals that often, so the ones that he did were usually special. Like the one he has with Alastor. 

Golden chains appear around him. His fingers danced from one to another searching for a certain chain that was unlike any other. 

“No.” Lucifer gasped when he didn't see the green chain. He spins around, still not seeing it. 

“No. It has to be here.” Lucifer says again. He waved his hand through the chains, dismissing them. He would have to search through his magic then. It wasn't an easy task. But in his panic state, Lucifer divides into it. Trying to find any thread that led him back to Alastor. 

Another dead end. 

The blonde could feel the tears starting to build. Something was wrong. Something had to be wrong. His thumb pressed into his right wrist against his soul mark. It burned against his hand. 

“The contract.” He whispers to himself, his eyes wildly roam through the room. He always made a document of whatever deals he had. He was forgetful and sometimes wouldn't even notice if he needed to get something done. Having a physical copy always helped. 

Lucifer rushes over to his cabinet. He throws it open and starts to look to look for the deal. 

“Ah ha!” Lucifer says, pulling out the parchment paper. He smiles as he brings it closer to him. With this, he could… 

The paper started turning into ash right before his eyes. It starts in the center and spreads to the edges. In seconds, Lucifer was left with nothing. No proof that he and Alastor ever had a deal. 

He blinks once. He does it again. 

Nothing. 

Unbearable pain tears through him. 

Where to hang my hide

Lucifer gasped for breath. He tries to get up out of his bed, to get away from the feeling. But his legs were too weak to support him. He watches as his body falls to the ground. A groan escapes his lips as his knees hit the hardwood floor. Lucifer couldn't even find it in himself to heal the bruise that would surely grow there. 

The blonde-haired male pulls his wrist close to his chest as he bends over it. The pain radiated throughout his body, starting from his soulmark. 

It felt wrong, but he wasn't sure why. He had tried to look for an answer when he had first felt their deal break. But all he had gotten was the pain he was feeling was most likely from his soulmate dying. 

Alastor couldn't be dead, but the present and that broadcast. Had he known all along that this would happen? 

“I spent centuries ignoring this mark. And yet, I would burn all of Hell just to hear your voice again.” Lucifer says to himself. 

He had to suck in a breath to get oxygen into his lungs. He could see himself hyperventilating, but it didn't feel like it was truly him. It was like he was watching himself through a camera. 

Lucifer couldn't feel anything as the tears ran down his face. His heart hurt, and he called out for someone who he wasn't even sure was still alive. 

The pain and aches had come out of nowhere. Surprising them when it had, now months later, that feeling still hadn't left. It would hurt if someone were to even touch him. 

He needed to get up off the floor. Charlie wanted to visit today. Or had that been last week? Maybe last month? He couldn't even remember anymore. 

The pain inside Lucifer grew. It felt like it was screaming at him. And all he could do was curl up in a ball. 

It would pass, the pain always did. Years from now, it would be a dull throb in his chest that woke him in the middle of the night. But he would be able to continue. Heartbreak could only last so long. He just needed to make it through. 

Lucifer pressed his forehead to the ground as he tried to breathe through the pain. 

In the end, we're bound to change 

We could all go down in flames

Maybe one day you'll find humanity 

Until then, don't you dare say that we are the same  

[ Narrative: Seven years. 

Alastor had been gone for seven years now. The pain that Lucifer had felt the first year had simmered down into nothing more than a dull ache in his chest. 

Each day the feeling got a bit lighter. He was able to do something new. But he knew he would never be back to where he once was during the years that he spent with Alastor. 

His divorce hadn't hurt as much as his soulmate leaving. It had left a permanent scar on his soul. 

Yet, ever since this morning, something in the back of his mind itched. It's like something was telling him to get ready, something was going to happen today and he best be prepared. 

It started with the static. Every once and a while someone would try to hijack Alastor airwaves but Lucifer had always seen to them in private. It went unsaid, even after all these years, that no one was allowed to broadcast on them. 

He was getting ready to do the same thing when it happened. The eerie jazz static.] 

[Sound: Deranged laughter]

Alastor: Did you miss me, darlings?

[Narrative: Lucifer's head snapped to look at the radio. The glass in his hand falls to the floor, forgotten as he moves closer to the fireplace. His eyes widened, not believing what he heard.] 

Alastor (Sharply): Seven years. A long time has gone by. Even for someone presumed to be dead. That's about how long it takes for every cell in someone's body to change. 

[Sound: A small hum.]

Alastor: And yet, here I am. Here to remind you that not all monsters are born. Some are created. And some make themselves. 

Alastor (softer): It's a fine day in Hell, dear listeners. The crimson skies look beautiful today. Theirs ash in the air. All of its perfect, usual charm. So why not take a stroll? You might just find a monster waiting for you. Maybe even one you recognized. 

[Narrative: Lucifer snapped his fingers, changing into an outfit better suited than the rubber ducks boxers and long-sleeved shirt he was wearing. 

Shaken, he moves towards the front door. Has he gone insane? Was that Alastor just now? 

The blonde throws the door open prepared to not see anyone. Only there stood the Radio Demon just like he last remembered him.

With tears in his eyes, Lucifer throws himself at the other male.] 

Alastor: So let's start again and raise a little hell, why don’t we dear listeners. This has been Alastor. The Radio Demon signing off.