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“Sorry, Charlie.”
"Don't worry about it, Vaggie.
It was tragic to watch the two of them. Alastor had stopped counting how many times Vaggie had stepped on poor Charlie's feet. And even though the princess kept assuring her dear girlfriend that it wasn't bad, this ‘dance lesson’ was a crime against humanity.
Even Charlie's pain-contorted face and the hopelessness of this endeavor slowly lost their appeal for Alastor. It was almost touching to see how Vaggie, despite her obvious lack of talent, not to mention her form, really kept trying, even though it was obvious she didn't know anything about dancing.
Giving up didn't seem to be part of her plan, which is why Alastor continued to watch them ruin the good name of couple dancing. He could have watched for hours, but as always, there was a spoilsport.
“How about taking a break?”
In his case, the spoilsport was a miniature king. Since his arrival, he seemed to have made it his mission to ruin Alastor's fun. From his viewpoint, Alastor teleported himself down, right between Charlie and her father. The latter recoiled in shock and glared angrily at Alastor, who just grinned maliciously at him.
It was the little joys that made life worth living.
“Charlie, my dear,” Alastor chirped, enjoying Lucifer's dark gaze. It was so amusing how responsive the fallen angel was, especially when it came to Alastor's teasing. “How about we show Vaggie what a dance should look like?” he asked Charlie, holding out his hand with his typical devilish grin on his lips.
“Maybe that would be a really good idea,” Charlie considered.
“Nope, nope, nooope,” Lucifer energetically squeezed himself between Charlie and Alastor and roughly pushed him aside with his scepter. “Char-Char,” Lucifer said to his daughter with a smile. “Just take a break and then we'll show Ma-Vaggie how to dance. It's much better than letting that lousy bellhop trample on your feet.”
Alastor's eye twitched dangerously. He was the host of the hotel, not a bellhop, and he didn't trample on anyone's feet. He only crushed little maggots that ventured too far into the sun instead of continuing to rot in their palace.
“Now, now,” Alastor interjected, “This is about a real dance, not rocking around with an old man.”
“”Rocking around!” Lucifer puffed himself up angrily, “I was already dancing before you were even a concept of an idea!”
“Ha, just one more reason why your hips would give out, then,” Alastor laughed, and Lucifer wanted to jump at his throat. “You trashy-”
“That's it,” Charlie clapped his hands excitedly, “Why don't you two dance together?”
The two men looked at Charlie in horror. She put her arm around Vaggie, who had been watching the spectacle silently. “Vaggie and I will watch, and then we can learn much better.”
“Do you really think that's a good idea?” asked Vaggie, unsure whether the hotel would still be standing when Alastor and Lucifer were done with each other.
“Of course, think about it,” Charlie said cheerfully, ignoring the objection her father was about to make. “It's a great exercise for trust and bonding. It'll be great.”
“Charlie, I don't think that—”
“At least try it, Dad,” Charlie pleaded. Even though Alastor himself was less than enthusiastic about the idea, he still wanted to sprinkle in a little salt. “As you wish, my dear, I’d like to give your idea a chance. After all, I trust you.”
Lucifer hissed something at him and Alastor was happy with the world again. Even if only briefly, because he still had to dance with the king.
Reluctantly, the two moved to the center of the room so that Charlie and Vaggie could watch them better. The music started. “If you'll allow me, Sire,” Alastor asked, reaching to place his hand on Lucifer's hip as Lucifer dipped him elegantly to the floor in a fluid whirl. “Who said you were leading, Bambi?” Lucifer whispered maliciously in his ear, grinning, and Alastor’s eyes widened briefly as Lucifer brought him back to an upright position and continued the dance as before. Alastor’s heart fluttered and his mouth was dry as Lucifer grinned triumphantly at him.
But Alastor wasn't going to make it that easy for Lucifer. Following the beat of the music, he tried to gain the upper hand, but to his honest surprise, Lucifer was an excellent dancer. But even they had their weaknesses, especially since they respected the art. With a gallant wave of his hand, he turned Lucifer so that he was standing behind him. “My turn, Your Majesty,” he whispered, and with a snap of his fingers, he changed the music from a slow waltz to lively jazz. With a quick movement, Alastor mirrored what Lucifer had done at the beginning of their dance. Lucifer's eyes sparkled mischievously, but there was something else in them too.
The next few minutes were filled with a dance-like back and forth, from rehearsed steps to improvisation. Neither wanted to admit defeat, yet Alastor couldn't help but enjoy the game. It had been so long since he had had a worthy opponent who knew anything about dancing. Not to mention a good dance partner. It was as if they understood each other only through their eyes and movements. It wasn't that they no longer attacked each other; both men were too proud for that. But none of this disrupted their dance, like a silent agreement not to let the other fall, not to turn too vigorously, not to do anything that would ruin this wonderful, intense dance.
Lucifer seemed to be enjoying himself too. His fiery gaze, bright laughter, and eager grin at what Alastor would try next to throw him off balance. The two didn't even notice how electrified the air around them had become, how close and intimate their dance had grown. Only when the music stopped abruptly was it as if a veil had been lifted from them. Lost deep in the red eyes, Alastor hadn't even noticed how close his face was to Lucifer's, whom he was holding down on the ground. Both were gasping for breath, only now realizing how much they had been moving. Alastor pulled Lucifer back up, and Charlie approached them nervously, fidgeting with his fingers.
“Well, that was... intense,” she said, clearly unsure how to deal with the atmosphere in the room. “Let's call it a day, okay,” she said, folding her hands nervously. She had to turn off the music because she wasn't sure what exactly she had just seen. But she didn't want to stay to find out either. After a brief farewell, Vaggie and she left the room.
“So~,” said Lucifer, brushing the sweat from his face. Was it just Alastor's imagination, or was there a golden glow on Lucifer's cheeks? “You really can dance. I didn't thought you could,” said Lucifer, looking at Alastor from the side.
Alastor knew he was a great dancer, but something about Lucifer's words made him feel differently. Imperceptibly, he straightened up and placed his hand patronizingly on his chest. “I know,” he said, seeking the gaze of Lucifer, who was still furtively eyeing him from the side. “But you're good too, considering your age.”
Lucifer snorted amusedly and tilted his head with a smile, “Thank you.”
He looked so stupid doing it, but for some unknown reason, Lucifer's previous compliment kept running through his head. It intensified the strange feeling in his chest even more. The image of him holding him in his arms, his lips close to his, flickered back into his mind, and that was the moment he decided to leave. The room was too heated for him, and he was no longer in control. “I must take my leave. See you soon, Your Majesty.”
With quick, unsteady steps, Alastor walked to the door, picking up his radio staff again as he passed. “Oh, bye Alastor.”
Alastor paused; Lucifer had never called him by his name before. Without letting on how much chaos the sound of his name coming from Lucifer's mouth caused within him, he continued on.
The king of Hell really knew how to ruin all his plans, twist his thoughts, and turn his innermost feelings inside out. Just like when he had first seen this little wretch and lost his composure.
“Do you want to dance again sometime?”
Alastor's hands grew cold, his grip on the door handle frozen to the door as if petrified. It was a simple, innocent question, and the answer was obvious.
“Of course, as you wish, Your Majesty.”
“Really?” Lucifer's voice sounded far too hopeful and pleased about that. Alastor didn't move an inch, hearing the footsteps of nimble feet approaching him. But he wouldn't turn around to answer the king, who continued talking. How could he?'
He felt how hot his face was, how his lips had formed a silly smile because Lucifer wanted to dance with him and was so happy about his “yes.” His heart threatened to burst out of his chest, beating so hard and loud. He would stay here and wait until this feeling passed.
No matter how long it would take him to regain control of himself and his malfunctioning heart.