Chapter Text
A sad melody hushed through the ether. If you didn't focus you couldn't hear it but it was there. Pleading. Regretting. Soft violin, harsh trumpets...and a serene flute leading the tune.
"Don't be so glum Luci," Raphaels long black hair swayed in the wind, his graceful wings flapped with poise, "Here," he extended the present to Lucifer.
"W-what -" Lucifer managed between sniffles, then raised his tucked head to look at the little wooden duck in his brother's hands. A silly little hat adorned the top of its head. A snake wrapped around it.
Lucifer focused his eyes and saw into his brother's eyes - kind, endless blue like the sky. He smiled.
"I for one, Luci, love your ducks," the man whispered in adoration. Lucifer felt warmth spread beneath his skin - and a smile creep up his cheeks.
SQUEAK.
Lucifer pushed on the rubber duck absent mindedly. The duck had long dark hair and the same blue eyes. But it didn't talk. And it didn't move.
SQUEAK.
Sharp steel cuts into his feathers - an agonizing burn creeps all the way up to his shoulders. Stings rung up his spine. He screams in pain. Raphaels eyes are big - concerned. Sad. He reached out his hand but it was too late. He was saying something but Lucifer couldn't hear him anymore.
SQUEAK.
Ducks quacked and sputtered around a quiet pond. The wind rustled through Lufiders golden hair. Next to him Raphael sat, his gentle hands willing the grass to grow. Fluffy white clouds whisped along the the sky. What expression was on his brother's face? Why can't he remember...what Raphael even looks like anymore? What.. Did his voice sound like again?
Knock, knock, knock.
Where did that wooden duck go, Lucifer wondered. Raphaels little duck. He never saw it again. Where...Was it?
Click.
"Good morning!" The screeching sound of the radio demons voice filled the room, "Well...this sure is...something." The room was fully wrapped in darkness. Ducks covered every inch of it.
"I'm just going to turn on the light-" Alastor said looking around for the switch.
"No," the fallen angels voice was raspy, "Don't...turn it on."
SQUEAK
"Yes immersing yourself within your sorrows will surely be helpful-" Alastor stepped over, "I must say I've never seen quite as pitiful a sight," Alastor mused chuckling.
"...Fuck off," Lucifer whispered.
"Charlie is concerned you know- best get going again don't you think? Or are you going to think a bit longer about how you oh so idiotically walked into a trap that almost blew up your own daughter? That was quite an entertaining watch," Alastor quipped.
'Why can't you do anything right Lucifer!' He couldn't remember Raphaels voice but for some reason Michael's was clear as day - strong. Angelic. Angry. It shook the ether itself.
SQUEAK
After a bit of silence Lucifer could hear a sigh come out of the radio demon. Alastor slowly approached the bed. Then sat on it.
"Really just for how long can one person reduce themselves to such lows? What is it? We all know you're a pathetic being - didn't help your daughter, wife left. I mean the list goes on and on! But usually you oh so stubbornly get over it don't you?"
Still no response.
"Hmm..." Alastor seemed to be rummaging around his head for ideas.
SQUEAK.
"...Who is that...duck...supposed to be?" Alastor asked, his voice lowered and calmer.
"....Raphael..." Lucifer managed.
"And who is that?"
"My brother...my sweet brother..." Lucifers voice trembled a little, "Where's the duck he gave me...I want to see it again..."
SQUEAK
"He sounds like...a good person," Alastor whispered, "Where is he?"
"Up...up there..." Lucifer pointed to the ceiling.
"...If he were here...what do you think he'd tell you?" Alastors voice became even quieter.
Lucifer froze before he could press on the duck again.
"...Luci...it's going to be okay...get up now...probably..."
Alastor hummed, "A wise angel."
"I don't know what he sounds like anymore," without meaning to Lucifers glazed eyes searched for the demon sitting on his bed, "I don't know what he looks like anymore."
Alastors ears twitched and lowered themselves. Whatever remnants he had of his mother swam over his eyes - and the same question Lucifer had woke within him - again. What did she sound like again? What did she look like again? Soft, calloused hands. A warm smile. Laughter. Fuck. No - Alastor scrunched his eyes closed. Deep brown eyes. This wasn't how this was supposed to go! Press it down press it down. Fucks sake.
"I want to see my brother," Lucifer whispered - his voice full of pain and longing, "Where is he? Why...is he?"
Alastors ears lowered even further. His own hurt regarding his mother rising within his chest, tugging on the injury. "He's...still with you I'm sure. In some capacity people we love never leave us," all static had left Alastors voice. He was saying things that he wasn't sure he even believed.
"No...no I - I want to see him..." Tears streamed down the angels cheeks, "He would know...he would help..."
"I'm sure...you will see him again someday," Alastor hummed - internally fighting off his own feelings.
"Someday...someday... When is that? When I die?" Lucifers tear filled eyes looked at the demon again.
"...Lucifer," Alastor looked at him sternly and raised his voice, "You have a daughter. You have other people who love you. People you need to protect. As long as this is true - you can't sit here and mope all day! You can't be weak when they need you!" Feedback screeched in the air.
Lucifers eyes shook - and he almost immediately sat up straight, which startled Alastor.
"Ugh..." Lucifer winced. He held his hands where Vox had cut into him - long healed but Lucifer could swear it was still there.
"There we go! Much better. Congratulations for being functional!" Alastors smile widened into a big ass smirk, "Would you like a trophy?"
Lucifer stared. And stared. And then he started laughing hysterically. His arms flapped and happy tears escaped his eyes.
Annoyed static filled the room. The fuck was he finding so funny?
"Hahaha...haa," Lucifer wiped the tears off his flushed cheeks, "You're right red. I'm weak and pathetic and I need to pull myself together."
"You've said it not me," Alastor chimed and Lucifer started chuckling again.
"Just what is so funny?" Alastor huffed.
"I don't know...I guess you can't make me angry anymore now," he smiled. And it was so bright and genuine - Alastor couldn't help but stare.
"You want to bet on that?" Alastor pinched his thighs to get back on track, "I am in need of some money if you're in need of a challenge~"
Lucifer chuckled. AGAIN. This was almost nauseating.
"I'm sure you will try Bambi," Lucifer mused. Alastor huffed, stood and patted his jacket down.
"Hey," Lucifer stopped the deer in his tracks.
"What?" Alastor asked begrudgingly.
"...Thank you, Alastor."
When Alastor looked back he saw the king trying desperately not to laugh - AGAIN.
"What could possibly be funny now?" Alastors voice seemed slightly exhausted.
"Well...when I said thank you...your ears shot up. You're surprised. But in a good way. That's
what that means right?"
"Huh? What - whatever do you," Alastor could feel shame take hold of his face, "That's simply not true."
"...well it's adorable."
Alastor couldn't believe what was happening now - he was - he the RADIO DEMON - adorable?!
Before he could defend himself Lucifer decided to add fire to the fuel, "And that makes me smile! It makes me happy! Hahaha! I didn't know that! Isn't that great?"
"...I've had quite enough of this nonsense - if you'll excuse me!" His grin cracked - he was clenching his jaw shut.
"You're very mad now!" Lucifer shouted behind him, "Your ears are flat to-"
BANG
Alastor shut the door. With a huff and clenched hands he strutted down the hallway only to be met by a small snake holding a card. He wanted to kick it. Squish it. Stomp the life out of it.
Alastor ignored it. The snake followed with a hiss. "Fucks sake!" Alastor shouted and stomped, "What what what??" He ripped the note out of the snakes mouth who was - annoyingly - grinning.
'Your ears go all the way down to your skull when you're mad. I didn't know it would be so cu-' Alastor scrunched the note, then lit it up with green fire. Insufferable.