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There’s no denying that there's chemistry between the Prince of Devildom and the head of the RAD Student Council. Any demon with working eyeballs can see it, and even one without them would still feel the tension in the air from two rooms away.
Unless they were clinically stupid, anyone could see that something had been brewing between them for a long, long time. Even before the opening of the Academy, Diavolo always made sure to have his dutiful butler on one side and the Morningstar on the other. They would hide away together for most of the day, discussing Hell only knows what, and Lucifer would often only return to the House of Lamentation deep and far into the night. Important business, he'd say.
Nowadays, he’d spend ridiculous hours cooped up in his little office, writing paperwork and signing permits to deliver to the prince in the most pristine condition. Lucifer made sure that there was never a document missing, not a work past its due date, never a stain on the paper. At Diavolo’s praise for his meticulousness, Lucifer would simply turn up his nose in a prideful “I know.”
Secretly though, the praise drove him on like hellfire. The more Diavolo applauded his hard work, the more he felt as though he could easily stay up all night clearing it, all for the slim opportunity of hearing his voice the next morning, congratulating him for his efficiency.
He worked so hard, it was the least he deserved.
Presently, the demon was in the process of carrying a few borrowed books and a binder of papers back to Diavolo’s office, lost in thought as his feet carried him there entirely by instinct.
It’s true. He deserved the praise, he deserved the adoration. In fact, he deserved more.
He puffed up his chest as he pushed the door open without knocking. A startled prince looked up from a book he had been reading, his expression morphing into a boyish grin when he saw the demon.
“Lucifer! Why, good morning!” His stupid smile was bright enough to light up a room. “Oh, is that what I think it is? I really ought to give you more credit, you’re so fast!”
Lucifer set down the books and handed him the binder, head held high. “You expected less of me, my Lord? I’m offended.”
“Now now, don’t be like that, you know that’s not what I meant.” He smiled, paying no attention to Lucifer’s jabs. He flipped through the binder, brightening at each page. “Mhm, mhm– it’s all here, thank you. I’ve been meaning to transcribe this old grimoire for ages, but… you know how busy I am.”
“Yes. So busy, your Majesty.” Lucifer said plainly, picking up the book the prince had been reading. “I imagine it is very time consuming to read… romance novels while on the job.”
Diavolo burst into a hearty, full-bodied laugh. “Your brother Leviathan recommended that to me, I’m merely entertaining him and his demands!”
Lucifer shook his head disapprovingly, “You spoil them too much, my Lord.”
Diavolo chuckled, “And I hear you coddle them too much. Which of us is most at fault here?”
Lucifer huffed, crossing his arms. “Frankly, you only spoil those who never do any work. I think your sin is mightier.”
“Oh, don’t play holier than thou with me, Lucifer!” Diavolo teased, leaning forward on his elbows, “Why, are you jealous? Should I spoil you more as well?”
“Perhaps you should.” He said without thinking. As soon as the words left his mouth, Lucifer’s face grew red in shame and he looked away, “I-I mean– I jest, of course– I would never demand anything of you. If anything, I demand too much already.”
“No, please!” Diavolo coaxed him, smiling mischievously. “You’re right– you do so much for me, and no one is as diligent as you. I fear I don’t repay you as much as I should.”
Lucifer straightened his back, listening to the praise. He simply hummed in response, nodding slowly. Agreeing, but not enough to humiliate himself and seem desperate.
Diavolo continued. “I say… How about this– why don’t you meet me later tonight, and we’ll go out for dinner, just the two of us?”
“Just– us–?”
“Of course! No brothers or butlers. And it’s my treat, so don’t bother bringing a wallet.” Diavolo beamed. Lucifer sighed, but was no match for the prince’s resolve.
“If… you insist. Where shall we eat then?”
“I was thinking… What about Ristorante Six? It’s been so long since we’ve been there!”
And so it was settled. Lucifer left the office with a curt nod, and took a moment to regain his composure just outside the door, cheeks flushed a little too bright for comfort.
Inside the office, Diavolo giggled gleefully, spinning in his chair victoriously.
It was just past 8:30 when Lucifer arrived at the restaurant. It wasn't like the time changed anything; it was always dark in the Devildom, but somehow, the lights bouncing off the pavement and the glass windows seemed slightly brighter today.
Diavolo spotted him immediately; he raised his hand and opened his mouth to call out to him, but his voice died as Lucifer came into full view.
Lucifer always dressed well, but he had really pulled out all the stops for this dinner. A beautifully fitted black turtleneck sat taut against his body, half covered by an elegant fur coat and tucked into deep crimson trousers. Bright ruby jewelry perfectly accented the red eyes hiding behind thin, square frames, and his hair was just slightly slicked back, as if he’d run his hands through it just before leaving. He looked stunning.
“Ah, my Lord. Good evening. I hope I didn’t leave you waiting.” He held his head high as he spoke. In true Lucifer fashion, he looked effortlessly professional.
Diavolo stumbled as he spoke. “Oh– oh-! No such thing, I also just arrived, don’t worry! You look–” he cleared his throat, calming himself, “You look… quite well put together. I feel quite underdressed now.”
“Don’t, your majesty. A demon of your calibre never looks underdressed,” Lucifer looked him up and down. A ghost of a smile showed in his face. “Especially with such elegant attire. Black satin suits you. And a red tie? How bold, even for you, my Lord.”
Diavolo laughed, “You’ve always had quite an eye for aesthetics, Lucifer. I’ve always valued that about you. Shall we?”
Diavolo held the door open and waited as Lucifer entered the building, quietly thanking him as he walked past. How gentlemanly, he chuckled.
The restaurant was famous for a reason. Inside, the ambience was comfortably intimate, small tables lit by candlelight and a single candelabra on the ceiling. Off to the back there was a stage, and tonight a young demoness was singing slow blues songs, the sound of violins and cellos swelling, as though they were casting a spell over the room. It sounded just like falling in love. Not that Lucifer would know anything of that, of course.
Diavolo led him to a table near one of the windows and the pair sat down, eyeing the two menus that lay already on the table. A small but elegant candle lit the two-seat table and wavered slightly as Diavolo pulled back a chair, motioning for Lucifer to sit. He muttered a thank you, but the puffing of his chest betrayed his pleasure at the gesture.
“It’s been so long since we came here alone.” Diavolo mused with a smile. Despite sitting facing the stage, his eyes remained locked on Lucifer. The demon gave a faint smile, meeting his eyes.
“It has. It’s only natural, with the amount of work we have now thanks to the Academy.”
Diavolo hummed in agreement. They were interrupted as a waiter stepped in.
“Good evening, gentlemen. Can I bring you anything to drink, or are you ready to order?”
“Oh, evening. We’re still choosing– but do bring us a bottle of Demonus, won’t you? A vintage, from the River Styx if you may.”
The waiter nodded, speeding back to the kitchen. Lucifer slowly turned his head to Diavolo, one eyebrow quirked up in surprise.
“Expensive choice, my Lord. If you’re planning on impressing me with your royal priviliges, I urge you not to go in over your head. I wouldn’t want to spend all your Grimm.”
“Nonsense, Lucifer. You deserve only the finest things.” Diavolo smiled, then hid sheepishly behind his menu, “for your hard work, I mean…”
Lucifer chuckled, shaking his head. He picked up his own menu and eyed the options.
If Lord Diavolo insisted on spoiling him, how could he say no? After all, he was nothing if not prideful. Diavolo knew this, but encouraged it regardless. It drove Lucifer up the walls in the best way possible.
They ordered a moderate meal, just enough for the pair to fill themselves comfortably. Between them, the bottle of Demonus slowly came to its end, so Diavolo did what any demon would and called for another bottle. And some light dessert, while they were at it.
In between the warm candlelight and the Demonus, Lucifer found himself unable to look away from the prince across from him. His eyes were beautiful as they were, but now looked even more so with the flames reflecting off his golden irises, accentuating his tipsy, almost sleepy blush. Diavolo always gets sleepy when he drinks, Lucifer thought.
He was rattling on about something – something about an exchange program, he realised. Hells below, Lucifer could sit and listen to him for hours. Why would anyone need live music when Diavolo was right here? It was like their own little warm, cosy, beautiful Hell.
“...Lucifer? Lucifer, what do you think?”
“Hm—?” He blinked a few times. He realised his glasses had been slipping down his nose, and pushed them up with what he hoped was a decent amount of nonchalance. “My apologies, my Lord— what was that–?”
Diavolo laughed. Not loudly, as he usually did, but more of a low chuckle, from deep within his chest. “Perhaps you’ve had too much to drink. We can discuss these plans some other time, when we’re both sober.”
Lucifer nodded, humming in agreement. Diavolo gave him a smile, and maybe it was the warmth of the candlelight, maybe it was the slow jazz in his ears, Hell, maybe he really was drunk, but without thinking much of it, Lucifer smiled back.
“Where are you going after this?” Diavolo asked, raising his glass to take another sip of Demonus. Lucifer hummed again, resting his head in his hand and picking at his empty plate with his fork.
“Back to the House of Lamentation, of course.”
“Of course? Why do you say that?”
“Well, I couldn’t just leave my brothers alone– Imagine what trouble they could get into…” Lucifer rubbed the bridge of his nose, eyebrows knitted together. Diavolo chuckled.
“I think they could survive without you until tomorrow morning. Say…” He smiled coyly, playing with his Demonus glass, “I have a few cursed records that Barbatos confiscated and brought to me… I know you quite appreciate those, and I meant to give them to you, but I forgot… How about we listen to them together?”
Lucifer perked up. He knew this was already going too far, and that it was pushing the boundaries of their professional relationship, but he couldn’t stop himself from taking the bait.
“You… You mean, go back to the palace together and… listen to the records?”
“Exactly that.”
“But my brothers–”
“How about giving them a call? If you truly begin to feel uneasy, you can go back at any time. But I’m sure if anyone can keep them in order for one night — it’s you we're talking about after all, Lucifer.”
The demon nodded, pouting ever so slightly. “I suppose so… I have no reason to disobey you, my Lord.”
“No.” Diavolo leaned forward on his elbows, “I’m not asking this of you as your prince. I’m asking as your friend. Could you do that for me?”
Lucifer blinked in confusion, lost in his warm, amber eyes. “Yes… my Lord.”
“Your friend, Lucifer.” Diavolo scolded.
He scoffed, looking away in embarrassment. “Fine… Yes, Diavolo.”
The prince smiled. He kept his gaze locked on Lucifer, and when he spoke he was almost purring. “Good. I quite like that. Honesty looks good on you, you know?”
“Spare me.” Lucifer turned away. His cheeks flushed an embarrassing hue.
“Don’t be upset with me, dear Lucifer…” Diavolo whined, trying to follow his gaze. “I thought you liked my praise… That’s why you work so hard, isn’t it?”
“Who told you that–?!” Lucifer hissed, lowering his voice. Diavolo laughed, lower and more teasing than usual, quickly ruining his attempt at being inconspicuous. From the corner of his eye, he saw a quiet demon couple all but choke on their bread and quickly avert their gaze.
“That’s just what the others say. You know, as the Headmaster, nothing escapes my ears.” He smiled languidly, watching the demon across the table. “I think the rumours are quite entertaining, personally. Call me prideful, but…”
“You? Prideful? Watch who you’re speaking to.” Lucifer turned up his nose, which only earned him another chuckle from Diavolo.
“What, can a demon not be prideful anymore because of you? I’m sorry to break it to you, but I have my own set of vices that I’ve harboured since long before you even fell down here.” He leaned forward, the grin on his face nothing short of seductive. “Do not speak of sin to me, Morningstar.”
Lucifer shuddered. No one was allowed to so much as whisper that name, and he made sure of it. But the way it rolled off of Diavolo’s tongue so comfortably, like it belonged there… He had to give credit where credit was due. It was sinful.
Fuck. He really was drunk.
He cleared his throat, willing the blood-red tint to leave his face. “Were you anyone else, I would have you killed right this instant. Quite gruesomely, too, might I add.”
Diavolo laughed – Hells below, what a proud laugh. “Lucifer, Lucifer— if one were to hear you threatening the future king of Hell like this, they’d call you crazy!”
“They’d have no chance to. They’d be dead long before you.” He mumbled, fidgeting with his Demonus glass. The sweet alcohol was definitely making itself apparent in his system, but he didn’t have the heart to stop the words leaving his mouth. Not when his hollow threats kept pulling warm chuckles and grins from the demon in front of him, who seemed to relish in his embarrassment.
“I’m flattered you’d save me for last. But you’re running from my request— shall we head back then?”
Lucifer gave a snobbish hmph, but relented. “Fine. I’ll call my brothers and let them know. Meet me outside?"
While Diavolo paid for their meal, Lucifer stood outside the restaurant, furiously hissing away strict instructions into his D.D.D, explaining to the group call that he’d be out until tomorrow, and that if they tried anything funny, he would gut them and hang them from their toes with their own intestines in the school canteen.
When he was done threatening his younger brothers, Diavolo came up behind him.
“If you spoke to me like that, I wouldn’t dare to even breathe in your absence, in fear I’d be breathing wrong.”
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps I should then. You could use a little discipline every once in a while.”
The pair walked leisurely along the darkened streets, with Diavolo laughing heartily at everything, and Lucifer mumbling in agreement. In their slightly intoxicated state, they barely needed their coats, warmth filling them from head to toe, and more than once, Diavolo’s hand brushed against Lucifer’s in a way that made him shiver, but not in complaint.
The stroll back to the castle was pleasant and faster than anticipated. They paid no mind to all the streetside shops and vendors, steadily making their way until they were back at Diavolo’s palace.
Barbatos greeted them at the door. He had the same all-knowing smile he always did as he escorted the pair.
“Yes, the records are all present and accounted for, as you requested. Please tell me if you need anything, and I will come swiftly. If you’ll excuse me, I shall be attending to other tasks for now.”
The butler flashed a sly smile at the two demons, before bowing and taking his leave, leaving them at the door to Diavolo’s bedroom.