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It started off small. A rubber duck after a particularly horrible argument with Alastor.
His shadow had just manifested next to Lucifer and dropped the small yellow toy in his lap before disappearing. When Lucifer had tried to confront him about it, Alastor didn't know what he was talking about. That or he was lying, Lucifer wasn't going to rule it out yet.
Their next big argument got him a bookmark made from a pressed red rose. He received a few more flower bookmarks, some murder mystery novels, some crudely painted mugs with different kinds of ducks and a red knit shawl with odd symbols stitched into the edges.
Unsure what to do with them, he just placed them on a shelf in the corner of his large room. The only exception being the shawl, he wore it whenever he was feeling cold.
Like in this moment as he sipped chamomile tea to relax before bed. He sat on a loveseat in his room wearing yellow pajamas with rubber ducks on them.
Movement caught his eye and he turned to see Alastor's shadow peaking over the arm of the seat. It didn't seem like it was trying to spy, more like an eager dog waiting for acknowledgement.
"Oh? And what can I do for you so late at night?" Lucifer asked and patted the seat like it could take one.
It's green grin widened and it crawled over the arm to settle partially on the seat and backrest. With little thought, Lucifer increased the height of the back so the shadow didn't have to sit hunched over. It stretched and grinned at him gratefully.
"So, uuuhh, you got a new gift for me or something?" he asked with a slight head tilt.
It was a little difficult to look at it since it was on the sofa but he used a third incorporeal eye to see it's movement better.
It tilted it's own head in a similar fashion before it's hand reached into the real world and opened it's palm. Sitting delicately amongst the dark shadow was a pink blossom with a red center. It was definitely not a flower that one could find in Hell.
"Thank you," he stated breathlessly. "It's such a beautiful color."
It's cheeks turned green and Lucifer realized that was the first time he'd ever thanked it for the gifts.
"Thank you for all the gifts," he held up a palm to take the blossom. "They're all very nice."
It carefully slid the delicate flower from it's cold palm into Lucifer's with a pleased smile.
Lucifer gazed at it for a bit before blowing on it gently and watching it join the other gifts on his shelf. When he turned back to the shadow, he was surprised it was still there.
It lifted it's hands and moved them about slowly.
"Which one is your favorite?" it signed.
He blinked a few times in shock before answering.
"The shawl," he lifted his shoulders slightly. "It's very soft and warm." He paused for a moment before speaking again. "Why are you sending your shadow to me? Why don't you deliver them yourself?"
It's eyes scrunched up with discomfort.
"It's complicated," it answered.
"Then why do you keep picking fights with me?" he asked instead. "We could just be nice to each other."
"It's funny to rile you up," it replied enthusiastically. "It's dangerous for everyone if rumors say I'm growing attached to anyone."
"You really think someone could take me," Lucifer chuckled.
"In your case," it rolled it's non-existent eyes. "It's more dangerous for an Overlord to be friendly with the King of Hell."
"Good point," he pouted. "It still doesn't make sense why you can't be here now."
It's arms dropped into it's inky body while it contemplated it's response. After several minutes of facial changes it lifted it's hands to sign.
"Let's make a deal," it offered. "I'll tell you the truth in exchange you can never inform anyone else of it. Whether by hints, writing, verbally or anything else. You have to pretend that you know nothing."
His face scrunched up at the proposed deal. It was fair and he was curious but any deal was dangerous. There were always loopholes to everything. He supposed he could always kill Alastor if it came to the worst.
"Deal then," Lucifer lifted his hand.
The shadowy hand appeared in reality long enough for them to shake on it. The room, and likely the rest of the hotel, glowed with a mixture of gold and green before settling down.
"Alright," he clapped his hands together. "Out with it."
Lucifer picked up the tea while he sat back to listen. It was cold but he wasn't going to waste it.
"This is the real me," he explained.
He nearly spit out his tea.
"That body is also a part of me but more like hair or a nail," he continued. "I can move it similar to a puppet and make it speak but I cannot feel through it. It is the main reason I don't like to be touched." He paused for a moment and seemed thoughtful before adding. "I was never fond of contact but being unable to feel things or even eat was difficult to adapt to. I have no senses with that body but my real body can only last a few moments in the corporeal world."
"Whoa," was all he could manage. "Can't say I've seen that before."
"Glad to be unique," Alastor shook as if he was chuckling. "To stump the King of Hell is truly an honor."
"So… you said the body was a part of you," Lucifer looked at him curiously. "Does that mean you made it? Is it made from flesh?"
"It manifested with me and I am attached to it," he signed. "I cannot stray far from my puppet, and yes, it is made from flesh. I still have to maintain it as if it was my real body."
"Have you tried possessing it?" Lucifer regretted it the moment the words left his mouth.
Alastor's eyes narrowed into a glare and his smiled tightened as he signed with annoyance.
"How did I never think of that after all my years in Hell?" the sarcasm was clear from his hand movements. "Thank you so much for the suggestion, I should run off to try it."
"Sorry," he sighed with a fond smile. "That was dumb of me to ask. I'm sure you tried everything."
"Everything I could think of," he huffed silently. "Unless there's something you can do about it."
"Maybe," Lucifer shrugged. "I'd have to experiment."
Alastor's eyes widened in surprise.
"That will have to wait for another day," he signed. "I need that body to be presentable for a few more weeks until the fanfare of the hotel calms down."
"It's not like I planned to dissect you or anything," Lucifer mumbled. "Oh well, we can discuss my price whenever you're ready."
"What can a sinner like me do for the King of Hell?" Alastor's brow raised questioningly.
"Probably just a few stipulations," he waved it away. "We can talk about it later because they may change based on circumstances."
Alastor tilted his head with a silent question.
"You've already given me a number of offerings," he smirked. "If you manage to get me to like you, I may lower the price."
"I didn't realize the King can be so easily bought," Alastor's smile turned sly. "I suppose I can get my hands on a few more trinkets."
"As if I couldn't tell that they were all handmade," Lucifer taunted.
The green blush on shadowy cheeks was endearing.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he crossed his arms.
"Sure you don't, Al," he chuckled in an amused tone. "Whatever you say."
Lucifer wondered if Alastor would ever tell him where he got the flowers while they argued about the gifts.