Chapter Text
Alastor isn't... Excited.
But. This should be fun! Entertaining! He's going to meet the most powerful being in Hell. Finally, someone might be able to keep up with him! Few could match Alastor in, well, anything. A new challenge would be refreshing! Even Alastor knows the stories of Lucifer's strength.
Which is why, when Lucifer enters the hotel, and Alastor looks down, down, down, he thinks
What the actual fuck is this circus clown?
He's unimpressed and immediately wants to pick, poke, prod, push Lucifer's buttons. And, oh! What fun! He's easily riled up and so sensitive. So small, so angry! Perhaps there is entertainment value in Lucifer.
It's not until he loses to Adam that Alastor finally begrudges Lucifer's power.
X
Lucifer is listening with rapt attention as Charlie goes on about building plans for the day. Everyone is there (except that prick Alastor) and ready to help out. He's in a good mood but his skin prickles at the static in the air as Alastor makes his first appearance in weeks. He can't help but roll his eyes. He'll just ignore him. Yeah, that'll work. But of course Alastor has to side eye him and walk right up to Charlie. He places his hand on Charlie's shoulder and says with tight enthusiasm, "Charlie, my dear! Good morning!"
Lucifer can feel his eye twitch. So much for ignoring him. Charlie doesn't seem to notice but in his astute observation, Lucifer can't help but see that Alastor seems edgy in his demeanor. He's gotta be up to something. Charlie has too much on her plate to deal with Alastor's shit so Lucifer decides it's up to him to protect his daughter from this walking nightmare. He places himself between them, intent on interrupting their conversation.
"Sweetie, what can your loving dad help with today?"
Alastor uses his staff to push Lucifer out of his way, "My girl, perhaps I can be of service?"
Lucifer is about to get in Alastor's face but Charlie waves her hands in front of them. Her eyes light up as she says "OH! You guys could run some errands together for me! Please?"
They both know she wants them to get along. That she means this to be some kind of bond building exercise. And they both know that neither of them will tell her no. Alastor beats Lucifer to being a smart ass and pats Lucifer's hat, going out of his way to mess it up.
"Absolutely! What fun we'll have!"
X
Alastor, that fucker, had been sketchy the entire day. His jabs were sharper and meaner. His tone less playful. And he kept disappearing for moments at a time without an explanation. If Lucifer tried to press him on it, Alastor would deer screech at him without opening his mouth. Which freaked the fuck out of Lucifer. So. Lucifer wants to know what kept him on edge, what he was hiding. He wouldn't let the demon ruin any of Charlie's plans. If Alastor had some scheme going on Lucifer was determined to find out and put an end to it. He wouldn't let anyone harm his baby girl, radio demon be damned. He is the King of Hell, after all. If he had to put Alastor in his place, so be it. Puffing himself up, Lucifer summons a portal and steps directly into Alastor's room.
Alastor shoots straight up in his chair, frozen like a dear in headlights, and makes direct eye contact with Lucifer. Lucifer's words die on his lips as he looks Alastor up and down. Alastor, that was shirtless (oh). Alastor, that has a huge wound in the middle of his chest (oh). Lucifer didn't much like Alastor but fuck, that was bad. Was that why he was so weird today? And though he hated it, Charlie cared about Alastor. If the sketchy fucker wasn't planning something Lucifer figured he should probably help. He needs a closer look though and rushes toward Alastor.
The air fills with static as Alastor grabs his shirt and fighs to put it on before Lucifer could reach him. Unable to button up in time, Alastor falls out of his chair and scrambles back from Lucifer, who is already too close. Lucifer reaches, hand outstretched, but Alastor turns and curls in on himself. He clutches his shirt closed, ears flattened against his head, breathing hard. He was in a significant amount of pain, his powers blocked, but was able to conjure up a small tendril to grab Lucifer's wrist, stopping him from making physical contact. The discomfort is palpable, the air charged. Lucifer, hyper away of how vulnerable Alastor looks, isn't going to push and slowly pulls his hand back. Fucking scary deer noises echo in the forested half of Alastor's room as Alastor properly buttons his shirt. Lucifer backs up (notices how fucking bizarre the room is) and allows Alastor to stomp past him, back into the hotel portion of his room.
Lucifer follows, "uhm. You should let me look at that? I've, you know, already seen it?"
Alastor sits on his bed, eyes closed, gripping the edge so hard he's ripping the sheets, the mattress. He really, really doesn't want to be touched, especially by fucking Lucifer, but the wound just won't heal. It's burning his whole body, blocking his powers, and making it impossible to think. He can't be weak, unable to defend himself. Fuck. Can this imbecile keep a secret? He opens his eyes to find Lucifer standing in front of him, a respectable distance away, at eye level.
"I won't tell anyone, I promise. I just... Want to help," Lucifer speaks soft, trying to placate Alastor. Alastor tries to speak but he's in so much pain that all that comes out is another terrible deer screech. Lucifer blinks in surprise and Alastor can't believe the day came where he would feel stupid in front of this pathetic man. Alastor gulps, notices how Lucifer looks away, and unbuttons his shirt just enough to show his wound. Lucifer leans in closer to inspect it and sucks in a breath through his teeth. It's worse than he expects, festering at the edges, and now he's sure it came from Adam. Alastor wasn't going to heal on his own.
"Sooooo, good news! I can totally fix this! But, uh... I'm going to have to touch you," Lucifer cringes as he says it.
Alastor is glaring at him, only inches away. His voice is distorted, "what... Do you want... In return?"
Lucifer glares right back, "you don't hurt Charlie or the hotel. No schemes, no plots."
"No intention of doing so! Now. Get. This. Over. With."
He's barely able to pick out the words and Lucifer frowns but reaches out, standing at Alastor's knees, and starts to put his left hand on Alastor's chest, fingertips gently touching the edges of the wound. He isn't sure if it's going to hurt or not and braces for Alastor to buck before sending bursts of healing power through his fingers. Alastor arches his back, his head falling back. Lucifer really thought Alastor would be able to deal with pain better than this. He almost feels bad but. Fuck him, it's better than letting it get worse. Alastor's arms go out suddenly and Lucifer wraps his right arm around his him, holding him steady. Lucifer concentrates, now pushing his palm against the wound. It's definitely working but Alastor goes completely slack in his arms and as he has to wiggle in between his legs to hold him, Lucifer worries about how much pain he's in. Little whimpers escape Alastor's mouth and Lucifer now actually feels bad about it.
What Lucifer doesn't know...
Alastor isn't in any pain. Quite the opposite, in fact. He fully expected the healing to hurt but from the first pulse it felt... good. Unexpected! He'll be confused and angry about it later but in the moment, he's unbelievably relieved to have the pain gone. Lucifer is so close that Alastor can smell him. It's like sweet apple crisps fresh in the spring. Intoxicating in a way completely new to Alastor. Lucifer's power is molten gold and Alastor can't stop himself from melting. It's more addicting than anything he'd ever experienced. Pure, undiluted angelic power light up his nerves in a way he didn't know was possible.
His own power returns to him, the wound closes, leaving no trace (Lucifer did his work well) and Lucifer removes his left hand but continues to hold Alastor. The charm is broken and together they realize the position they're in. Alastor's antlers grow and his eyes turn to dials but still he grabs Lucifer's hand and holds (caresses) it, lets himself indulge for just a second, before shoving Lucifer back. It happens so fast Lucifer thinks he imagines it.
Alastor is indeed confused and angry. Alastor has been been physically close with less then a handful of people, no sinners or demons, and it wasn't something that he particularly cared about. It wasn't something that bothered his mind, or body. But there was something magnetic about what Lucifer had just done. Did he even realize? Was it on purpose? Alastor simply couldn't rationalize the feeling. But he wanted more. New! And unhelpful! Was Lucifer trying to put him on another leash? He would not.
"Uh. A thank you would be nice? Dick. I didn't mean to hurt you," Lucifer shrugs.
Alastor has grown to fill up almost the entirety of his room, towering over Lucifer. Yet he listens and realizes that perhaps Lucifer honestly didn't know. It also occurs to Alastor that it would be better if Lucifer believes that he hurt him. Alastor doesn't want him to know the effect it had on him. How close he was to losing control. How badly he wants more (though he doesn't understand why).
Lucifer remains unbothered and fixes the cuffs of his sleeves. Like Alastor was boring him. Alastor gives one last screech, which makes Lucifer jump, and returns to his normal form. He gives Lucifer a big smile, summons his staff to twirl it before leaning on it.
"Ha-ha, thank you chum! Get out."
With that he uses his tendrils to grab Lucifer and push him out of Alastor's room. Lucifer sighs and sags against the wall. The whole ordeal left him drained. It was a good use of his power, for once, and. Okay. Maybe he kinda sorta liked the way Alastor looked in his arms. Maybe kinda sorta liked the way Alastor curved perfectly to him, like he was meant to fit. If he hadn't of been in pain it would've been... Hot. Lucifer shudders and shoves that thought deep into the recesses of his mind. He has definitely been isolated too long if touching fucking Alastor was doing something for him. Wondering what the hell is wrong with him, Lucifer trudges through the hotel back to his room, too worn out to summon a portal. They were going to be hostile to each other tomorrow, he can feel it.