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Charlie is once again jumping around with excitement, it was a daily occurrence for her, and one Lucifer had gotten used to since staying at the hotel.
However this excitement felt different. Everyone who was staying at the hotel had gathered in the foyer and is watching Charlie's new excitement unfold.
Lucifer's gaze drifts to Alastor who is watching with his signature unreadable grin. Lucifer's lips twitch against his will into a smile, a reaction he hadn't expected.
Of course he'd be here.
Once she notices him she comes running at the speed of light. Jumping up and down; she tries to speak, “ohmygod ohmygod dad!!”
“Woah there Char, calm down what's got you so excited?”
She breathes erratically and chokes on her own air, her girlfriend pats her on the back. Lucifer chuckles slightly.
“Dad, mom called! She's coming to the hotel!”
“She what?”
Just then the air around them crackles with magic, as Lilith appears in the room, her regal tall frame taking up the space and everyone's attention, especially Lucifer’s.
He'd been trying to think of what to say when she came back but seeing her now the words fail to escape his lips.
“Ohmygod mom!” Charlie jumps up and down and hugs Lilith.
Then something catches Lucifer's eye, Lillith’s wedding ring is missing.
“Um, honey, where's your wedding ring?” Lucifer asks, shocked and confused.
Lilith looks at him like he's asked the stupidest thing in the world.
“What?”
Lucifer points to his ring, “pfft you know, your wedding ring,” he laughs thinking she may have taken it off while asleep and forgot to put it back on again.
“Oh Lu, you've really let yourself go haven't you?” She looks at him with pain in her eyes.
A slight panic washes over Lucifer as he wonders what she means, he looks at her confused.
“We divorced eight years ago, Lu, remember?”
No, he can't remember, how can he remember that? Surely he wouldn't forget something so important as a divorce right? He looks at the ring on his hand, plays with it slightly and sighs.
Charlie looks at him with a concerned expression, “yeah don't you remember dad? You both divorced, I thought you had the ring on just to remember mom, not because you still thought you were married.”
Ah of course Charlie knew…it's me who's the problem.
The world around Lucifer distorts and he starts to feel dizzy, the only thing he can hear now is the blood rushing through his veins.
Shakily Lucifer says, “I'm going to need to process this for a minute…”
“Dad, I”
“Lu…”
Without responding Lucifer portals away to his room and collapses in a pile of ducks on his duck bed. He picks up the one that looks like Lilith, he remembers making this when they first arrived in hell together. He begins to cry.
Eight years!
Divorced!
How could you forget such a thing? You stupid old man!
Then a sharp crackle of static fills the air, Lucifer grits his teeth, “read the sign! No Alastors allowed!”
“Charming as ever I see,” Alastor says amused.
Lucifer turns his head slightly, he can see the red guy as a blurry mess through the tears, he replies, “go away.”
Alastor doesn't move, he stands quietly at the door, hands clasped behind his back. “How pathetic,” Alastor says.
“Then why are you here?” Lucifer asks.
“Curiosity.”
“Of course…” Lucifer rolls on his back, one arm thrown over his eyes, he breathes slowly to try and calm down, he doesn't really care if Alastor sees him like this anymore.
Alastor steps forward slightly, “you know you and your daughter are remarkably similar, you both mope the same.”
Lucifer grits his teeth, “don't.”
“When she discovered her dear Vaggi had lied to her about being an angel she spiralled in quite a similar fashion to you now.”
“Don’t compare me to-”
Alastor chuckles, “yourself? Because that's exactly what I'm doing.”
Anger flares in Lucifer, “why are you even here?” he snaps, “I thought you hated me?”
“Oh immensely,” Alastor replies with a smile on his face. That smile makes him impossible to read.
“Then leave…” Lucifer breathes, tears still spilling.
“Oh, I do hate you,” Alastor replies pleasantly, smiling sharp and unreadable.
“But you’re far less entertaining when you’re truly depressed. Your usual melancholy has flair.”
He gestures vaguely at Lucifer.
“This? This is just dull.”
Lucifer’s face contorts in confusion.
“You think I’m… fun?”
Alastor smirks. “Of course I do! Watching you unravel every time I insult you is endlessly entertaining.”
Lucifer wipes the tears from his eyes and nudges Alastor’s arm with his elbow.
“You’re horrible,” he chuckles.
“I know,” Alastor agrees.
Silence settles between them.
Lucifer glances up at him. “You’re not leaving?”
“No,” Alastor hums. “I think I’ll stay and observe a little longer.”
“Thanks,” Lucifer whispers, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Alastor’s grin falters — just for a heartbeat — before snapping back into place.
And for once, Lucifer didn't feel so alone.