Chapter Text
Adam was grateful to be given the chance to raise Abel again. Seriously, he was! But some days were harder than others, and today, of all days, was one of the hard ones. He had done this all many times before, but somehow it never got easier. Without Eve present, he couldn’t dump all parental responsibility onto his wife and move on. He actually had to try now.
Wearing his second cleanest band tee and a pair of sweatpants, Adam power-walked through the halls of Hell’s embassy carrying a wiggling, wide-eyed infant who just discovered the joys of gripping hair.
Adam muttered to himself as he pushed open the meeting room doors, ignoring the stares and judgeful whispers from other angels. Abel babbled innocently, yanking hard on what he could of Adam’s hair.
“Hey, hey– be gentle– stop!” Adam hissed under his breath, but it was too late. The council had seen everything.
“This meeting,” Sera began, “was meant to discuss Hell’s new regulations.”
“And it will,” Adam said, taking his place at the table and shifting Abel to sit in his lap. “Just, pretend he's not here.”
Abel let out a delighted shriek, clapping his hands.
The meeting was chaotic, to say the least. Adam balanced arguing with catering to Abel, bouncing him when he got fussy or impatient. A few angels were scandalized, some were delighted, and others didn't even notice.
Eventually, after far too long, the meeting adjourned. Everyone began filing out, except Adam, who rubbed his eyes and mentally begged for a nap. He rose from his seat, trying to decide what to do with Abel.
He caught sight of Lute across the room. Perfect. She could take Abel for a bit while Adam finished up and–
“Adam.”
He froze. Oh, great.
Lucifer stepped closer, annoyingly elegant as always. “You didn't answer my question earlier. You know I hate it when you do that.”
“Yeah, yeah, I don't care–” Adam groaned, sighing as Abel squirmed in his arms. He leaned down and placed him on the ground, wrapping him in his wings. “Stay right here, buddy. Just for a moment.” He whispered.
Lucifer carried on rambling about nonsense. Adam was convinced that Lucifer was simply annoyed by Adam’s mere existence, always looking to bicker any time he got the chance. Guess Hell’s citizens are too afraid of their king to bark back, so Lucifer had to find his entertainment somewhere.
They did this every time. Watchful eyes assumed political tension, but both Adam and Lucifer knew it came from something deeper. Something that came from Eden.
“Did you even pay attention to what clothes you threw on this morning?” Lucifer scoffed, somehow shifting the topic from diplomacy to Adam’s choice in clothing. “Seriosuly, it’s insulting. To my eyes.”
“Close them, then.” Adam groaned, dragging his hand along his face.
Lucifer made a dramatic noise of annoyance. He quickly broke out into another rant, fussing about Adam’s idiocy. Adam could've easily walked away, but part of him enjoyed bickering with Lucifer every chance he got.
“You know, for the first man, you really set the bar low.” Lucifer hissed.
“Oh, and you don't?!" Adam barked, growing increasingly annoyed. “Don't forget why you're stuck down here, prick.”
“Stuck down here?” Lucifer growled, stepping close. “Please, I run an entire kingdom, you can't even–”
Their argument was cut short, interrupted by the chime of the bell, signaling that the portals connecting Heaven and Hell’s meeting rooms were about to close.
Lucifer huffed. “Great. More time wasted.”
Lucifer gave Adam one last petty glare before turning on his heel.
Adam did the same, grumbling to himself as he slipped through Heaven’s portal, just in time for it to close right behind him. Lute was waiting for him, her posture sharp. Adam relaxed.
“Oh, Lute.” He sighed, relieved. “Did you take Abel like I asked you to?”
Lute looked confused. “... You never asked me to do that, sir.”