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“Hear my hope…let it echo…”
Alastor’s ears were pinned right back due to the intoxicating sounds of Charlie and her friend’s singing. He lurked beneath an arch, body half concealed by a pillar. His red coat, bathed in dust, was hardly visible in the smoke, helping him blend in as he watched the ten or so sinners currently singing their little hearts out. Their voices were like rays of sunlight peeking into a dark cave, and however charming that was, Alastor had no intention of joining them.
He flexed one of his hands idly. Finally, free of those chains. It almost felt strange to stand up after being tied to a chair for weeks, watching Vox parade around his office, and flirt with that stupid moth. If Alastor wasn’t already in hell, that’s how he’d describe it. All because of that fucking coaster. I left the hotel and ended up in that idiot’s tower for weeks because I was told to obtain a coaster.
Alastor's fist tightened. The first thing I’ll do once this concludes is find Lucifer and teach him a lesson or two…
Speaking of Lucifer, where was he? Alastor hadn’t seen him since…
————————————
“I know, is this one of those pranks? Are you pranking me right now? That’s so fun!” Lucifer’s body was hoisted up by all four arms and legs in a glass sphere. A sphere Alastor had watched Vox painstakingly craft over the last couple of days. Strong enough to withstand a blast from nearly every sinner in hell, crafted from angelic steel.
Fire burned amongst the rubble, casting an orange glow on the crowd. They were still singing, the only difference from five minutes ago being that the tip of the weapon had begun to shake very slightly. Magic was pouring into its base, creating a rainbow aura that shone brighter than the heavens in the skies above.
“Even one soft sound…can shake the hardest ground…”
When they sang those words, another voice became apparent. Alastor’s expression hardened.
It was coming from the floor under the machine, and it wasn’t singing.
He remembered sitting in the kitchen, a few days later, watching Vox walk past with a couple dozen cables in his arms. As he walked downstairs to the warehouse, Alastor noticed the spikes, positioned on the tip of the wires where a power plug would normally be. He thought nothing of it.
He still thought nothing of it, when, a few hours later, those spikes were coated with a mysterious, gold tinted liquid.
Suddenly, the screams coming from under the weapon became louder than any other sound present to Alastor. They ricocheted around his head like they were a baseball, and Alastor held a bat. It all became a cacophony.
Surely Charlie would have rescued him before trying to blow up the machine… He thought with exasperation.
Although he’d never heard that voice scream this desperately before, he’d know that voice anywhere. It didn’t sound like someone who had been rescued.
Without so much as a glance at the others, Alastor grabbed his broken staff and moved towards the back of the machine.
————————————
As he lowered his shadow form through a small gap made in the machine’s base, Alastor was met with exactly what he expected to see. Various screens and buttons lined the walls, flashing a chaotic blue and red. In the center of the circular room was the very glass weapon Alastor was familiar with. Mounted on top of technology, not acting as a trophy itself, but a case for the trophy inside.
There he was, in the exact same position he’d been in weeks ago, hoisted up like a dead animal. The only difference from last time Alastor saw him was he now had a pained expression and golden waterfalls cascading down his torso. They looked almost elegant until you remembered angels have golden blood. Lucifer was painted entirely with his own blood.
“Al..?”
The radio demon paused for a moment.
“Ah, if it isn’t the infamous Lu!” Alastor sprung straight back into action, leaning forward, his smile wider than ever. “Has that fucking television put you in here?” He closed his eyes and spun around to face the wall, cloak swishing behind him. This room was making him feel uneasy. It was still, yet it felt as if the walls were closing in on him.
While Lucifer answered his question, Alastor madly scanned the hundreds of screens.
Small or large, some showed security footage, while others had random floor maps and diagrams.
“Since you’re down here…” Lucifer took in a shuddering breath. “You don’t think you could…”
Alastor turned back. The king of hell, with six wings that ruled over the entirety of hell, had been reduced to a limp, lifeless shell of himself.
“Get you out, hm? Are you so weak you need my help to do so?” He grinned, crossing his arms. Lucifer growled something under his breath and avoided eye contact. Alastor only grinned wider.
“Just admit you need me!”
Lucifer looked back up, eyes now the same colour as Alastors. The red only got more pronounced as he bared his teeth. “You should be honored to help the king of hell, you lowly sinner!” He yelled. “If you’re-”
Lucifer let out a pained cry. His body shook in spasms as the wires stuck into his body sparkled with violent electricity.
“Fuuck!” He couldn’t stay quiet, even in front of his biggest rival (Although Vox might have taken that place now). How pathetic. All he could feel was electricity flooding his veins, taking out all his remaining energy with it.
After what felt like hours, Lucifer managed to squint his eyes open with great difficulty. The scene in front of him hadn’t changed, except Alastor’s ears were pinned right back.
Lucifer blinked slowly. He’s about to laugh at my sorry ass.
What Alastor did end up saying, he wasn’t expecting.
“And he’s been doing that to you for how long?”
Lucifer exhaled, letting his head hang lower than it ever had before. He didn’t have enough energy to feel relieved of some sort, he didn’t even have enough energy to look straight ahead. Although the onslaught of electric shocks had ended, he still felt the faint tingling crawling all over his body, inside and out. It was exhausting, and had been happening for…
“Two weeks.” He muttered. Repeating those words felt like a sin. “He’s been…testing those…cable things…on me for-”
Suddenly, the room shook, hard enough to send a few screens smashing on the floor. Lucifer stayed perfectly still, but he watched Alastor stumble slightly. The deer sent him a look that dared him to laugh.
“Al!”
Every screen that hadn’t been smashed was now taken over by Vox’s face. One eye narrowed, the other spewing out hypnotic spirals across the room. The floor continued to shake while his yelling, overtaken by distortion, boomed around the room.
“Fucking smiling freak! Trying to take back what’s mine!”
Alastor’s usual demeanour returned and he assumed a mocking expression.
“Why of course! Charlie wouldn’t be very happy if I let her father die here, would she?”
“It’s always fucking Charlie, isn’t it!” Vox screamed. “No! He’s my property!”
Lucifer cringed at those last words. He was no one’s property, he was the king of hell! He should be stronger than this!
He didn’t get to formulate a response, or hear whatever Alastor said because, one second later- another million volts of electricity were surging through him. He couldn't help but scream this time.
The floor was shaking, or was he? There was sweat dripping down his face and blood streaming down his chest. He felt like a rat in an experiment with no control over his own movements or reactions. Would it ever end?
“S-Stop!” He cried, squeezing his eyes shut and attempting to curl in on himself.
In all the commotion, Lucifer didn’t notice Alastor stiffen.
“Luci, dear Luci, what are we gonna do about you, huh? The sin of pride, begging for mercy- WHAT- YOU-” Something crashed above him. Everything was quiet for a few moments. Just the faint sounds of electricity sparks. And then the room began to fill up with radio static. It started softly, but built up slowly, until it was impossible to hear much else.
“What’s…going…” Lucifer attempted to catch his breath. It seemed that the last attack of electricity had ended.
“Fuck…”
He didn’t know whether to focus on the exhaustion, the pain, the fear, or the embarrassment.
Maybe he’d just focus on everything all at once.
“Sorry for the interruption, Lucifer. I simply couldn’t put up with his idiotic voice any longer!” Alastor laughed heartily, voice still heavy with static. However, when Lucifer opened his eyes, his expression looked anything but cheerful. In fact, the radio demon looked utterly enraged.
All of a sudden, another deafening crash sounded to his left, and then his right. There, two gigantic black tentacles surrounded in a neon green aura had gripped onto his cage. Alastor's hands flexed as he guided them to squeeze on the glass-like surface.
“What are you- shit-” Lucifer gasped. Vox must have still been trying to electrocute him, even from a distance. Fuck. He was actually struggling to breathe.
“Don’t speak. I refuse to give that moron any more satisfaction. You’re coming with me.” Alastor stated. His pupils were glowing green, and his smile stretched until every sharp tooth was visible. He squeezed his fists, and the tentacle's grip on the glass got tighter.
Another smaller shock of electricity. This time he shut his eyes and tried to suppress a cry. Deep breaths, deep breaths, Lucifer.
“How much…longer.”
He didn’t have enough energy to listen for Alastor’s reply, if he gave one. It was getting worse by the second. One shock was followed immediately by a stronger one. With every miniscule movement he made, he could feel the cables stuck into himself cut his insides. How deep did the spikes go? Was Alastor still trying to help him, or had he left like everyone else? This was more painful than being left by Lillith.
Lucifer bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood. Not that he hadn’t lost enough already; it was making him feel extremely light headed. With a groan, he tried to hunch forwards once more. It hurt. He needed Charlie. Where was his daughter when he needed her?
For once, Lucifer wished he wasn’t immortal. He wanted to die. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t-
Another cable dug its spiked tip right into the middle of his chest.
“AUUGHHH!” That was the most gut wrenching noise he’d made all night- and it was followed by a huge CRASH, and then…
And then he was in a pair of arms.
Everything seemed to slow down.
…
The figure holding him didn’t exactly hold him close, but they held him. Even if it was in a repulsed manner. One arm was under his knees, the other around his upper back. It was warm.
Lucifer opened his eyes.
A pair of red, narrowed eyes stared back.
Then, without warning, something was ripped from inside his body. This time, Lucifer’s cry was more like a croak.
“Stop…”
He didn’t have enough energy to feel anything, at this point. Was Alastor trying to kill him too? It didn’t surprise him. After that utterly pathetic display, who would still want him around?
Suddenly, his eyes widened. Lucifer saw the five or so cables that were previously stuck in his torso hovering above him, surrounded by shadow magic. Alastor threw them angrily across the room with one of his tentacles. The loud crash that sounded as they hit the wall made Lucifer’s head hurt.
“Apoligies, Lu. I’m taking you back.” Alastor’s ears were still pinned back, and although his smile remained, his eyes were daggers. The longer Lucifer stared into them, the more heavy his head felt.
It wasn’t long before the room faded into a neon blur, and eventually, black. Lucifer went limp in Alastor’s arms.
————————————
The radio demon glanced down at the man he was holding. Lucifer was hardly recognisable in this state. His hair was a mess, covered in dried blood. His clothes were ripped, revealing open wounds leaking fresh blood. Alastor’s smile tightened at that. With a snap of his fingers, bandages appeared around Lucifer’s chest and stomach.
What an idiot, getting himself caught like that. Who knows what would’ve happened if I didn’t come and free him? I’d like to see him get out of that machine himself. He should be grateful. He should be-
Another shake of the room jolted Alastor out of his thoughts, and he began advancing towards the exit. Was Vox coming back again?
Oh, that fucking moron. Thinking he could capture the king of hell with no consequences. Alastor audibly growled. I will have my revenge.
BAM. A large chunk of the ceiling fell into the space Alastor was standing in moments ago. That didn’t seem like Vox. Hang on…
Wasn’t Charlie destroying this weapon outside? She was! He probably needed to get himself and Lucifer out before the whole structure collapsed. As Alastor poked his head out of the small hole he entered through, the singing voices became louder once more.
“A crescendo till the end, no matter what it takes…”
Alastor teleported himself and Lucifer just outside of the machine. It was so loud up here. Should I give him back to his daughter? Although he was steadily unconscious, Lucifer’s face was scrunched up in pain. His brow was furrowed, and his mouth was pressed into a thin line. One arm dangled uselessly by his side. He looks exhausted.
Alastor took one more glance at Charlie and the rest of the hotel members. They hadn’t even noticed him standing there, too focused on expelling magic through their palms at the weapon. Did one of them even have enough medical knowledge to heal Lucifer’s wounds? Judging by the fact that blood had already escaped his freshly applied bandages, the wounds weren't just scratches.
I’ve been successful enough with healing my own wounds during my time in hell. Alastor thought to himself, waving his hand in a small gesture so a human sized portal appeared before them. I’ll begin the proper healing process and when Charlie inevitably returns back to the hotel, she can finish it. The hotel’s living room, bathed in a warm toned orange glow, was waiting on the other side of the portal.
Alastor carefully stepped through, careful not to bump Lucifer’s hat (which had somehow stayed on his head throughout this whole ordeal).
Once the portal closed behind them, it was instantly quiet. Explosions, singing and screaming had faded into distant sounds across the other side of hell. Alastor took a deep breath in.
“Lets get you cleaned up, hm?” He muttered softly to no one but himself. Of course, this was all for Charlie. He couldn’t care less about Lucifer himself, he simply didn’t want to give her another thing to worry about when she arrived back home. That was all…Yet as Alastor stared at Lucifer’s limp body, he could feel weight climbing up his body like a snake. It moved across his shoulders, wrapped itself around his neck and squeezed.
Alastor shook his head and started his brisk walk towards Lucifer’s bedroom.
Once he reached the door, he paused. The gold plated sign, ‘No Alastor’s allowed’, that Lucifer created a few months ago was still hung up. And while this was rather petty, Alastor wasn’t one to push boundaries like such, so he’d never actually entered the room before. Would Lucifer be upset if he-
Oh, this is stupid. It’s not like he’d be able to stop me right now anyways.
Alastor’s shadow, which had been leniently following its owner, darted to the side and opened the door with a bow.
“Thank you, friend.” Alastor nodded, advancing into the bedroom. Once the door shut behind him, the deer allowed his eyes to scan the room with interest. Hm. I certainly wasn’t expecting this.
The walls stretched infinitely upwards, painted in tones of rich red. A bookshelf covered an entire wall, stuffed to the brim with knowledge. Behind that, stairs led to a throne. In the middle lay a massive bed frame, fit for a king, shaped like…a duck? Alastor looked around more and came to the realisation the room was flooded with rubber ducks. They filled the bookshelf and lay in piles of thousands, towering over Alastor’s height of seven feet. I never would have known he was so fascinated by ducks, of all things, Alastor thought to himself as he inspected the largest pile idly.
A soft groan from his arms brought him back to the present. Right. I still have Lu to tend to. With care didn’t know he possessed, Alastor placed Lucifer down on the corner of his mattress and conjured a few antibiotic wipes. I’ll start by cleaning off the dried blood…
————————————
Before he’d even opened his eyes, Lucifer became aware of a dull throbbing in his chest. Ugh…I feel like shit. What…happened? When he tried to take in a deep breath, his body only hurt more, so Lucifer opted to open his eyes instead. Everything was blurry for a few moments, but once he’d blinked the bleary tears away, his own room came into view. It was dark, but his bedside lamp was on, casting a dim glow over his furniture.
Everything was the same as he remembered it, so why did he feel like he’d forgotten something? He turned slowly to his side, intending to check his adorable duck alarm clock…and paused, when he realised he couldn’t move his arm. The fuck? Has someone played a trick on me? His first thought was Alastor, that cheeky dear was always up to no good-
Lucifer felt his heart drop. Everything was coming back to him like a tidal wave crashing over his entire brain. How could I have forgotten? The machine, the electric shocks…that stupid deer…who technically saved him, so he wasn’t exactly stupid…But his memories stopped there. What happened after?
Lucifer tried again to move his arm and lift up his blankets. Maybe I’d remember if I could see my wounds? Have they been healed? When he was unable to move, the man sighed and shifted so he was facing the ceiling again.
And then one more memory flooded his brain. Charlie!
He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten for more than a second. His own daughter! Fighting hell all by herself! What if she’d been hurt? What if Vox had taken her? What if she needed his help? Lucifer sat up, anxiety pooling in the pit of his stomach…and promptly fell back down. He swore under his breath. I can’t even sit upright. How fucking useless am I?
He felt a tear drip down his cheek and hit his pillow. All his emotions were coming back in complicated spirals, spinning around his head and making him feel dizzy. What had started with confusion was now a mixture of relief and guilt, but he was still confused, and- Lucifer sighed once more. I suppose I’ll just wait for answers…
Knock knock.
Lucifer’s eyes widened. He tried to call out, and was shocked at how croaky and quiet his voice sounded. Did they even hear me? He angrily wiped his tears on his pillow.
The door opened. A figure stepped into the room.
“Dad?”
Lucifer’s heart stopped.
His head shot to the direction of the voice, and once his eyes landed on his daughter, Lucifer broke out into a smile bigger than Alastor’s.
“Charlie, darling! Oh, I’m so glad you’re alright!” He cried as Charlie rushed to his bedside.
“I think I should be the one to say that, Dad.” She spoke fondly, sitting on the side of his bed and placing a hand on his cheek.
“How are you feeling? You’ve been sleeping for over a day now. It’s nearly 3 am, I was coming to do my nightly check on you.”
Lucifer, while initially shocked about how long he’d been sleeping, quickly came to understand that, when recovering from certain injuries, it was common to begin the process by sleeping a lot.
“Here, drink some water.” Charlie helped Lucifer sit and held a glass to his lips.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Lucifer took a sip, welcoming how the water felt cool in comparison to his hot body.
“You should be thanking Alastor, really. He’s the one who stayed awake for hours stitching all your wounds up.” Charlie smiled, and Lucifer promptly spat his mouthful of water all over his bedsheets.
“He what?”
“The others and I were all exhausted from destroying that weapon, and Alastor had already taken you back to your room,” Lucifer cringed at that as well. How much happened with Alastor while he was unconscious?
“So he offered to tend to your wounds while we all got some rest. Isn’t that nice?” Lucifer looked down for the first time and noticed the bandages wrapped neatly around his torso.
“How kind!” He didn’t think before saying, “I’ll have to thank him.” Charlie grinned.
“I’m sure he’d appreciate that. Let me go and fetch him!”
Lucifer paled.
“Ah, don’t worry about it! I’ll thank him later when I’m out of bed. More…uh, professional. He doesn’t have to see me like this!” He cried with indignation, words coming out in a rushed, jumbled mess.
“It’s really no trouble, Dad. He’s been worried sick about you, he’ll be happy to see you awake!”
Like hell he’s been worried about me, Lucifer thought to himself. He’s going to laugh at me every chance he gets! I’ll be lucky if he ever forgets about this whole thing!
Charlie made an attempt to stand, but Lucifer spoke again.
“Wait, wait. Hang on. Didn’t you say it’s the middle of the night?” Charlie smiled.
“Sure is!”
“And you want to wake him up at this time?” Lucifer asked like it was the most ludicrous thing in the three realms. “This can wait till morning!”
“Oh, that won’t be a problem!”
What does that mean? He turned to Charlie, intending to make up another excuse, but she was gone. Shit!
Lucifer swallowed down his nerves and accepted his fate. Right now, he needed to focus on staying upright.
————————————
The minute Charlie requested his presence, Alastor came downstairs. He encouraged her to go back to sleep, because she’d been through a lot in the past few days and deserved rest, then walked through the hotel’s corridors until he reached a certain door.
And now, five minutes later, Alastor was still standing outside said door. Alone, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, considering conversation starters and excuses. He’d much rather stay out here in the hallways, full of shadows and gloom, than even touch that door.
However, after realising that if he kept standing here until sunrise, hotel staff would find him eventually, Alastor sighed and rapped on the door.
At first, it was quiet, and the deer wondered (with hope) if Lucifer had fallen asleep again. But it wasn’t long before a muffled voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
While it was clear he was trying to put some authority into his words, Lucifer’s voice was weak. Alastor decided not to comment on it for now, and entered the room silently.
Lucifer was sitting awkwardly in bed, propped up by a few pillows haphazardly scattered around. His expression was a mixture between a scowl and something else Alastor couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“Uh…apoligies if Charlie disturbed your sleep, I told her not to wake you until morning, but-”
“Oh, that's no bother. I don’t sleep.” Alastor replied cheerfully, like it was normal. He positioned himself a safe distance away from the bed, and stood there, red eyes glowing softly in the dimly lit room. Lucifer stared in confusion.
“How does that- okay, you know what-”
He’s fighting to keep this conversation from taking an awkward turn, Alastor thought to himself with faint amusement. This really should have waited until morning.
“Are your stitches causing you any issues?” Alastor asked abruptly, watching as Lucifer’s cheeks went a faint shade of yellow.
“N-no…” He looked away. It was uncomfortably still for a while, until he broke the silence with words so quiet Alastor had to strain his ears to hear them. “Uh…thanks. For, you know. Helping me back there.” He refused to look up, instead staring down at his bandages.
“I can’t imagine what situation I’d be in right now if I was still stuck…so…”
Oh, how adorable. He wants to thank me. Alastor picked up a rubber duck sitting to his right and examined it with interest. When he spoke his next words, he wasn’t making eye contact.
“It was my pleasure! Thank you for behaving while I tended to your wounds.” Thank you for letting me help you. It only made our power differences seem less obvious.
Alastor remained sedentary, but chucked the rubber duck back onto the pile next to him. It landed perfectly upright with a soft clunk.
“Ah…do you mind if…we don’t mention this to anyone who doesn’t need to hear it?” Lucifer’s embarrassed voice rang out. Of course he’d be worried about his reputation after all this.
“I suppose so. I won’t go parading around hell, if that’s what you mean.” Alastor turned swiftly and started making his exit. “Anywho, good night. Shall I ask Charlie to bring you some breakfast tomorrow?”
“Hang on.” Alastor turned back around. Lucifer seemed to be sitting up straighter, like he had something up his sleeve. It made the radio demon feel uneasy.
“While I was…trapped, I overheard you and…Vox, or whatever his name is, talking one night.” Alastor froze.
What. There could be millions of things he was talking about. What had Lucifer heard? That fucking big mouth, if he let something slip-
“You’re still healing from the wound Adam gave you, am I correct?”
The deer’s smile wavered.
“-No.” Alastor answered instantly, almost too instantly. “You must have misheard, sir.” Lucifer clearly sensed he was lying, and adopted a smug facial expression.
“Oh, but it makes sense, if it was an angelic wound. It wouldn’t have healed naturally.”
Fuck you, Vincent. You fucking idiot.
“What do you plan to do with this information, may I ask?” Alastor hoped his smile didn’t look too strained. After all I did for him, too. This is why no one can be trusted-
“Oh, I just want to heal it for you. In return for helping me.” What? Faint radio static immediately started, the sort of noise Alastor involuntarily made every time he was extremely…shocked? Flattered? He’d only felt like this once before.
“Oh…” Alastor nearly bit his tongue when he realised there was barely any static left in his voice anymore. It was like when his cane broke. “That…won’t be necessary, don’t concern yourself with it.”
But Lucifer was persistent.
“Would you rather I told the rest of the hotel? Charlie? Husker?”
“No.” He was aware of his ears being pinned back.
“Well, I have angelic power, it’s an angelic wound. Let me heal you. It’s…the least I can do.” Lucifer shrugged, but that turned into a badly concealed wince. His shoulders must be pretty damaged after holding his whole body up for weeks straight.
“Fine.” I suppose there’s no harm in giving this a try. This wound has been giving me enough trouble as it is. “But if you try anything, I’m telling all of hell that their king got kidnapped, and tortured, by a TV.”
“Deal.” Lucifer laughed. His voice…sounded almost familiar somehow. Safe. Alastor could feel the radio static coming back.
“Well, I’ll be off then.” He made a beeline for the exit, footsteps fast paced and steady.
Alastor reached the door and paused with his hand on the knob. Now, as per usual, it was always important to be courteous, no matter how much you tolerated someone.
“Feel better soon.”
“Feel better soon.”
They said it at almost the exact same time.
Alastor took a quick glance back. Lucifer was still sitting upright, slowly moving his pillows so he could lie down again. His expression was slightly shocked as he locked his eyes with Alastor’s for a second. Then he…smiled.
“Come visit me when you can. I’ll get bored, healing here alone.” Alastor felt like he was in a daze. Maybe he really did need sleep after all. He opened the door and stepped into the corridor outside.
“Of course. Good night, Lu.”
“Good night, Al.”