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Sinsmas in Hell had never been a quiet ordeal. But this year, between the smell of brimstone and pine, and the sigils around the palace that hummed with magic instead of blinking lights, it seemed softer.
Charlie paused in her steps as she crossed the threshold of the palace front doors, boots sinking into a carpet dusted with glowing embers like snow. Red and black garlands wound along the pillars, and in the corner of the antechamber was a massive tree with ornaments shaped like apples, crowns, and… rubber ducks?
She shook her head, a soft smile gracing her lips. Of course.
From deeper inside the palace, she heard a loudly familiar voice singing in an unmistakable off-key melody, clearly unsure of the lyrics: “...more than—ah, is that right? I’m sure that comes later…”
She followed the sound to the main sitting room, where Lucifer Morningstar, was standing on a chair and attempting to position a duck ornament at the very top of yet another—bigger— Sinsmas tree.
He was wearing a festive suit—a velvet coat trimmed in gold, topped with a duck-patterned tie. Charlie noted that he must have been up for a while now, seeing the faint dusting of ash clinging to the hem of his coat.
The sight made her feel fuzzy, yet aching all over. Sinsmas had this uncanny ability to bring tears to her eyes as she remembered past years where she spent the holiday practically alone, what with Lucifer being distant or absent entirely.
Over the years, she’d learned to make do with what she had, but this year…
As she watched her father happily put up decorations in anticipation of her homecoming, she knew that this year, things would be different.
Standing by the doorway of the seating room, she leaned against the doorframe and watched him crouch in front of the tree, one hand hovering near a cluster of glowing sigils. He tilted his head, still humming, and stared at the tree with intense concentration. She couldn’t help but grin at the sight.
Suddenly, Lucifer straightened, turning on his heel as if he sensed her. His eyes lit up the moment he saw Charlie, and in the next second, he crossed the room, stopping just short of barreling into her.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other awkwardly—old habits die hard, after all.
Then he pulled her into a hug, and all was well again. “You’re early,” he said, voice muffled in her hair.
It was a stiff embrace, and Charlie was too stunned to react immediately. But then her arms came up around him, and the tension melted away. Pressing her face into his shoulder, she breathed him in and felt the ache in her give way to a familiar warmth.
She’d missed him. Dammit, she’d missed her father’s arms around her and the way he soothed her with a hand on her hair and hummed show tunes when he was concentrating.
As if he could read her mind, Lucifer’s grip tightened around her, afraid she might disappear if he let go too soon.
When they finally pulled apart, Charlie laughed, sniffing and wiping the corner of her eye. “Dramatic as always,” she teased. “I brought you something, by the way. For Sinsmas.”
His face brightened. “A gift?” he said, gesturing to the tree with a flourish. “By all means, my dear—come. It’s only fair that we exchange them properly.” He offered her his arm, eyes gleaming with excitement, and for once, Charlie didn’t hesitate to take it.
“So, uh…” she began as soon as they found themselves by the twinkling tree. She fiddled with the box in her hands, unconsciously smoothing the wrapping paper, nervous. “I know you said we didn’t have to do anything big, but…”
Lucifer’s eyes locked in on her fidgeting. He put a hand over hers in assurance and said, “The wrapping’s immaculate, my dear.”
Charlie huffed a laugh, rolling her eyes playfully before finally holding the gift out to him. “Just open it, dad.”
Accepting it with exaggerated care, Lucifer peeled back the paper, and when he saw what was inside, the smile on his face became wistful.
Inside was a simple frame, the photograph showing the two of them side by side at the hotel. Charlie was laughing, caught mid-smile, and Lucifer was looking at her like she’d hung the stars—a proud father and his brilliant daughter.
“Well.” His voice came out garbled, and he cleared his throat, hoping Charlie hadn’t noticed. “That’s just unfair.”
“Unfair?”
“I look far too approachable.” He gave the frame a loving stroke before gently setting it aside. “You’ll ruin my reputation.” He reached back into the box, and the second item emerged, wrapped in plain paper: an enchanted porcelain duck.
Lucifer blinked, unsure of what to make of it. Then he laughed, unmistakably pleased. “Oh, this has Vaggie written all over it.”
Charlie grinned. “She helped me choose it.”
“I thought so.” He turned the duck over in his hand, watching the enchantment shimmer. “She has good instincts… and excellent taste. You sure have an eye for people, my dear.”
“Well?” She felt her inner child come back to life as she squealed, “My turn!”
Lucifer was clearly pleased at her enthusiasm, eyes shining. He hadn’t been much of a father to her as a child, and seeing her like this—even though she was much older now and had a life outside of these palace walls—made him warm all over.
“Ah,” he said, clearing his throat and straightening his coat—a showman preparing for the grand reveal. “If we’re observing proper Sinsmas protocol, then it’s only fair that I respond in kind.”
He snapped his fingers, and a velvet box with colors matching his attire appeared in his hands. He held it out with a flourish.
“For you, my dear,” he preened. “I was torn between ostentatiously powerful and horrifyingly sentimental. I fear I chose the latter.”
Eyes shining, Charlie accepted the box carefully. “Dad…”
“Before you open it,” he added quickly. “I’d like to note that this is something I made, which means it is either priceless or deeply cursed. Possibly both, if I’m being honest.”
The first thing she noticed upon lifting the lid was music; the dulcet notes of their shared song, stripped of lyrics, wafting through the room as the mechanism turned. A music box, she thought, running a hand over the gold filigree. And it sings our song.
The second thing that caught her eye was the object nestled beside the music box. She picked it up and turned it over in her hand.
“It’s a key,” Lucifer said. He was watching her closely now, all humor quieted. “A master key to this place. Opens any and all doors.”
“You trust me,” Charlie breathed, eyes wide.
“Of course I do.” Lucifer’s response was instant, innate. “You’re my daughter, and I want you to know that although you’re preoccupied with the hotel and your life, our home will always be waiting for you with open arms. You’ll always be welcome here, no matter what.”
There was nothing else left to say. Charlie surged forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
And it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Lucifer stiffened in surprise before returning her embrace with just as much fervor. Resting a chin on her shoulder, he found himself sighing contentedly.
“Thank you,” whispered Charlie into his ear, and for all the power being the Lord of Hell gave him, nothing had ever felt quite like this.
Later, they sprawled over the enormous couch, snuggling in their own fluffy weighted blankets. Lucifer rubbed his feet together as he announced that they will be watching a wholesome Earth movie.
“I’m told that this is a good one,” he said. “I made sure to select a musical-adjacent film that we’ll both enjoy. Apparently, it’s educational, too!”
Charlie groaned jokingly. “Not educational!”
“Oh, you silly duck,” Lucifer said. “It’s an educational classic in the sense that it teaches you about resilience and family.”
“Wait, musical-adjacent?”
“Well, it has a score, recurring motifs, and a child who expresses himself through elaborate physical performance. Hence, musical-adjacent!” he explained passionately, hands waving about.
He giggled to himself as the opening credits rolled.
Charlie squinted at the screen. “Dad… this is Home Alone.”
“A classic!” Lucifer clasped his hands together, completely unrepentant. “A child outwits criminals using household items. Frankly, I find it inspiring.”
“You just like traps.” She nudged his side with her elbow.
Lucifer yelped like she had just stabbed her. “My dear daughter, it is ingenuity that I admire!” he corrected.
They watched the film in easy silence, Charlie laughing at the humorous scenes while Lucifer hummed along to the score whenever it swelled. As the sigils on the tree and the flames of the hearth flickered, Charlie was delighted to find that the careful distance they used to keep never returned.
Halfway through the film, when Kevin sat on the pews of the church, feet not quite reaching the floor, Lucifer spoke. “You know, Charlie… Sinsmas used to be unpleasant for me.” He kept staring at the screen, at the child and Old Man Marley talking. “To me, it was a reminder of the things I’d lost, or failed to hold on to.”
Charlie shifted closer, her head settling on his shoulder, and he moved so her neck was in a more comfortable position. “Then we can make new traditions,” she said. “Better ones. We can make Sinsmas something to celebrate, not something to shy away from like we used to.”
The King of Hell had never felt such tender love for his daughter like he did now. “Yes,” he said. “Yes, that sounds lovely, my dear.”
Grinning, Charlie snuggled closer to him, enjoying her dad’s warmth.
Kevin was on the screen again, padding through the empty house with his little aftershave bottle—and Lucifer noticed how Charlie’s chin dipped on his shoulder, eyes sliding close.
He smiled, tucking a hand under her chin to let her head rest properly on his shoulder. He carefully adjusted her blanket, drawing it higher around her shoulders. Half-asleep, Charlie pulled at the comforter as well, her breathing evening out until she finally gave in to the lull of slumber.
Lucifer watched the rest of the movie alone, eyes drifting back to her every few minutes, a big smile on his face. And by the time the credits rolled, he was humming their song softly under his breath, hooking his arms around Charlie to carry her to her old room, where he tucked her gently to bed.
He looked at her for a few long moments, before shutting the lights and closing the door soundlessly behind him.
For once, Hell felt less like a prison and more like a home.