Chapter Text
The aftermath of the chaos Vox caused, left Hell on the edge. More specifically, Lucifer, ever since his secret became public knowledge he had become even more paranoid.
Power had shifted, the sinners dint fear him anymore. Lines had been redrawn. And he was a target.
When he returned to the hotel and his daughter he was approached by sinners, most had ill intentions and the only thing he could do is teleport away. It was pathetic and he needed to swallow his pride and do what he knew he had to.
Lucifer stood alone on one of the palace balconies overlooking Pentagram City, cane resting loosely in his hand. The skyline flickered red and gold beneath an eternal twilight, neon lights cutting through sulfuric haze. He looked composed, immaculate as ever, but his thoughts were sharper than his posture suggested.
The problem had always been the same. He was the king of Hell but that was all, he had a useless title that meant nothing.
He was bound.
Before he had some authority, he was mysterious and kept it lowkey but now he was the hot topic for news channels and such.
The recent events had reminded him of that constraint in an unpleasantly public way.
And Lucifer did not enjoy being reminded of limitations.. and being humiliated, it really hurt his pride.
Behind him, palace doors opened without announcement.
He did not turn, he knew who was coming and he was trying to act mysterious.
“You took your time,” Lucifer said lightly.
Alastor’s footsteps were unhurried across marble.
“I prefer to arrive when anticipated,” Alastor replied pleasantly. “It makes the moment more dramatic. But apologies for keeping your majesty waiting."
Lucifer’s lips twitched faintly.
Alastor stopped at a respectful distance, hands clasped behind his back, posture elegant and deceptively relaxed. He had changed nothing about himself after the chaos, at least on the surface, he was still the smiling jerk Lu couldn't stand.. maybe he was a little happier but Lucifer couldn't tell.
One thing Lucifer had noticed during the commotion.
Alastor had limits too. And he hated it.
“You wished to see me, Lucifer” Alastor prompted. "How may I be of service?"
Lucifer turned then, cane tapping once against the stone floor.. why was he nervous about this?
“I did.”
He studied Alastor openly. The demon before him was the one he wanted.. needed.
“You enjoy.. uh torment,” Lucifer began casually.
“I enjoy entertainment,” Alastor corrected.
“And power.” Lucifer straightened up.
Alastor’s smile sharpened slightly.
Lucifer stepped closer, slow and deliberate.
“I have a proposal.”
Alastor tilted his head. “How ominous.”
Lucifer ignored the tone.
“You are aware of the restrictions placed upon me.”
“I am aware you find them inconvenient.” Alastor brushed it off casually.
“Inconvenient,” Lucifer echoed, almost amused. “Yes.”
He stopped a few feet away now. Close enough for the air between them to feel charged, but not intimate.
“I cannot personally remove certain… problems.” Alastor’s eyes gleamed faintly and listened closely.
“But you,” Lucifer continued, “can.”
There was a beat of silence.
Understanding dawned slowly in Alastor’s expression, followed by interest.
“You are proposing employment?” he asked lightly. "A soul deal?!" Alastor said with a little crazed look. The truth was he just himself out of a soul deal after decades, giving up his freedom again was absurd.
“I am proposing partnership,” Lucifer corrected smoothly. “You become my executioner.”
The word lingered in the air.
Executioner.
Executioner implied discretion. Still a collar though but it was loose..
Alastor’s smile did not falter, but something beneath it shifted.
“And what,” he asked softly, “do I receive in return for becoming your blade?”
Lucifer stepped even closer. “Power, angelic power. That's something only I can give you.”
That got his attention.
“Specificity, Your Majesty,” Alastor murmured.
Lucifer lifted his cane and tapped it once against Alastor’s shoulder, not aggressively, just enough to punctuate the offer.
“A fraction of my angelic authority. Not enough to rival me. Enough to… enhance you.”
The air changed. Alastor’s smile thinned into something more thoughtful. Angelic power in Hell was rare, Alastor was betting on making a deal with Charlie and obtaining it from her..
“You would share that?” he asked.
“I would invest it.” Lucifer’s gaze sharpened.
“You are already formidable. This would make you inevitable.”
The silence stretched.
Alastor circled him slowly, polished shoes echoing faintly against stone.
“And what prevents me,” Alastor mused, “from accepting your gift and deciding I prefer independence?”
Lucifer did not move as Alastor passed behind him.
“You would be bound by contract.”
“Ah,” Alastor hummed. “There it is.” Of course it was a soul deal.
Lucifer turned to face him again.
“I am not foolish, obviously i'm getting your ass on a leash. You are like a hungry for power dog."
“No,” Alastor agreed softly. “You are not but I'm not interested in a fancy leash."
They stood close now.
Close enough that Alastor could see the faint panic in Lu's gaze.
“This arrangement benefits us both, we work as... equals” Lucifer said. “You gain power sanctioned by the throne. I gain an instrument unrestricted by celestial law.”
Alastor’s gaze dropped briefly to Lucifer’s outstretched slightly trembling hand.
Lucifer extended it slowly between them.
“Do we have a deal?” Lucifer asked.
Alastor did not take it. He was so sick of other people controlling his actions but the deal is 'working as equals' that sounded so good to the radio demon. The amount of power he'd gain.. the thought alone made him excited.
He looked at the hand as though evaluating a piece of art. Then he looked back up at Lucifer, amusement returning.
“You are certain you wish to give me access to something so intimate?”
Lucifer’s expression flickered in annoyance, perhaps.
“It is power, not anything else..”
“I find divine power very intimate,” Alastor countered.
Lucifer kept his hand extended. "You are a weirdo, is it a deal or no, Bambi?"
Alastor stepped closer instead of accepting it, invading space just slightly.
Alastor studied his face. Lucifer did not look uncertain. He looked composed.
“You are very persuasive,” Alastor murmured.
“Well.. of course in case you forgot I'm the King of Hell.” Lu said proudly.
A flicker of something like a challenge passed between them. Finally Alastor reached forward.
But instead of clasping Lucifer’s hand immediately, he took it lightly at the wrist and lowered it just slightly.
Lucifer’s brows knit faintly.
“Um.. Alast- Hey-”
And then Alastor bent. Just enough to press a slow, deliberate kiss against Lucifer’s knuckles.
Lucifer froze.
Color rose faintly across his cheeks before he could suppress it. Alastor straightened smoothly, still holding his hand.
“I accept,” he said pleasantly.
Lucifer pulled his hand back perhaps a second too late.
“That was unnecessary,” he said, voice sharper than intended.
Alastor’s smile widened.
Lucifer cleared his throat, adjusting his gloves as though the gesture required correction, it felt weird.. it was weird that Lu even felt anything about it. It was just Alastor trying to intimidate him in some weird psycho way.
That's right! Ha..
Lucifer looked up at.. nothing. Alastor was gone. Lucifer sighed and murmured under his breath "I'm already regretting this."