Chapter Text
He stared at himself in the mirror, fixing up his sweater vest. He had agreed to a meeting with the other higher ups, the other Sins and the Goetia. It was mostly to settle on the Hotel and how it should work.
“Do you think this is good?” He asked, his voice timid as if scared of rejection.
Alastor lifted his head to take a look, his eyes taking in the black and silver sweater vest Lucifer had on. He would never say it out loud but he looked absolutely beautiful in it. “You could tone down the ruffling, and the accessories.” He pointed to the bracelets and small trinkets he had attached to his hip, literally.
“Hey!” Lucifer shot him a glare, his grip tightening around his collar. “I'll have you know that the best tailor in Hell made this by hand for me! Hmph.” He crossed his arms together and turned away from the overlord, eyes narrowed together.
Alastor only gave him a giggle, rolling his eyes as he attempted to go back to sleep, only for one of the bracelets Lucifer had been wearing thrown at his face. He lifted his head with a small curse, glancing back over to the King, who was sneering and giving him sideways glares, as if wanting to be apologized to. “Oh what? Do you want an apology?” He smirked as Lucifer gave him a small mumble. “Is that why you're pouting big baby boo?”
Lucifer rolled his eyes and mocked him, claws digging into his arms.
Alastor sighed, giving one last chuckle. “Alright alright, I'll take it back, you look great.” He tilted his head and gave him a small smile.
Lucifer couldn't help but let out a quiet noise that sounded awfully close to a chitter as he turned back around to face him, his ears flapping up and down. “You mean it?”
“Yeah,” he gave him a nod of reassurance, adjusting the pillow he was laying on. “You look great, sire.”
Lucifer couldn't help but give another happy chitter, his tail wagging back and forth once more, eyes lighting up like a kid seeing a bucket of candy. “You flatter me!” he pressed his hand to his chest and chuckled before turning away, finishing up his clothing.
Alastor rolled his eyes with a smirk, stretching as his eyes continued to linger on him, ears flicking with everything subtle movement he made, the leaning, the twitching of his fingers, even the way his heart quietly pounded against his chest.
Lucifer glanced to the side, noticing the deer still staring at him with that slight blush which hardly appeared across his freckled cheeks. “You know, if you keep undressing me with your eyes, I'm gonna catch a cold.”
Alastor huffed in slight disbelief and confusion. “What?”
Lucifer let out a laugh, rolling his eyes as he finally fixed up his outfit and turned to Alastor, taking a step over to him. “You’re so cute,” he gave him a small peck on the cheek and rubbed his ear. “I was flirting with you.”
Alastor grumbled at the kiss, fingers rubbing over where it had been placed. “Forgive me for not realizing, I don't catch on quite as quickly to romance.”
“Like I said, cute,” He booped his nose and quickly stepped towards the door, humming. “Love you, Al, I'll see you in a bit.” And with that, he left and shut the door behind him, leaving the demon by himself once more.
“Yeah…” He trailed off, resting his face back onto the pillow, sighing as he dropped his ears, body coiling in on itself. He felt pathetic. He couldn't even say ‘I love you’ back. It shouldn't be some foreign language he’s never heard of before, but growing up where love was scarce did something to his young mind. He turned over on his back, staring up at the all too familiar red ceiling, his hair sprawled out on the pillow.
“Don't give me that look,” he spoke to his shadow, who had been staring at him with a tilted head. He sat up and turned his face towards it, ears hanging. “He’s said it over and over again, I haven't said it back once!” He stretched his back out, sighing. “I know I shouldn't exactly be this sensitive about this kind of thing, I've never had trouble with it before because I've never been in love like this,” he rubbed his temples, tail thumping against the mattress. The words I love you had never been a problem for him, sure, he's had women crowd him and tell him they loved him, but he knew it wasn't something he had to worry about. The life he lived wasn't full of romance or love, it was him, and only him.
He stood up on wobbly legs, his hooves dug into the white carpet that laid beside the bed. He also had to put some of that blame on his childhood, he hadn't been around a lot of love as a kid either, besides his mother. His father never gave him the time of day or love, it was always the same, yelling and swearing at the young boy for a smallest mistake, hitting when he did something off, or even going as far as paying other people for him to keep them company. He shuddered at the thought, slumping over. “I just want to tell him I love him,” He ran his claws through his hair before nodding to his shadow, giving it the go ahead to leave. “Follow him, just stay out of sight.” The shadow disappeared and Alastor rubbed his eyes in silence, nose twitching.
***
Lucifer mumbled as he watched the rest of the royals get settled in, his eye twitching and foot tapping. They were talking with each other, clearly waiting for the last of the Goetia to show their face.
When the missing owl prince finally took his seat, the meeting had officially begun. Beelzebub was the first to ask a question, her gaze turning to focus on the king, “How have you been, Lu? You haven't really been—what’s the word?” She mumbled, glancing at the rest of the Sins before continuing. “Active, so to speak, we were just wondering how you've been.”
Lucifer rolled his eyes, adjusting the rim of his hat, “Yes, I apologize for my absence, I just had to take care of some things for my daughter and her little redemption project,” He leaned on his hands, those goat ears flicking for a moment before settling back down.
“We've heard of it,” Stolas chimed in, “May I ask how it's been going?”
Lucifer sat straight, narrowing his eyes, “It's been difficult, she doesn't know if one of her previous patrons had been redeemed or not, only time’ll tell.”
“I see, well, keep us updated, my lord.” Stolas nodded.
“Will do.”
***
Alastor was currently struggling to fall back asleep and everything he'd done hadn't worked—his hands covered his flopping ears with a low growl. The talking down in the lobby was all too loud for him—The lights suddenly went pitch dark and even with his night vision, he couldn't see in the darkness. He sat up and brought his ears up, listening to anything that could help him figure out what was happening.
“Oh, looks like it worked after all,” A voice came from the shadows and when Alastor turned, he could see a pair of amber eyes staring at him, a small blue light beside them. “You know, I didn't think he'd be able to help you, but alas, he always loved you more than me.”
Alastor growled, his fingers clenching and nails digging into his palms. “Who are you?”
The figure chuckled, finally stepping out, a flickering green light flashing occasionally in front of those amber eyes. “The one who saved you,” He shook his head, his long tail swaying back and forth behind. “Matthew.”
Alastor attempted to use his tentacles, only to shudder and drop to his knees, groaning as he gripped his chest. It felt as though he was being burnt from the inside out—his eyes shut tightly, limbs trembling with a grit of his teeth.
Matthew huffed, crossing his arms as he began to circle the demon, tail smacking him with every step. “Nice try, but coming back from your animalistic self makes you all wonky, your powers won't work for a while,” he slapped him one more time across the face. “Which renders you, the all mighty Radio Demon, weak and useless.”
Alastor flinched, his eyes going wide. Weak? Useless? He didn't like feeling that way, he didn't want to be worthless, depending on others to save him, especially not Lucifer. “I am not weak.”
“Really? Because right now, you're kneeling down, shaking like a fawn standing for the first time,” He mocked him with a laugh, rolling his eyes. “I don't understand why Lucifer picked you over me. I am a hundred times better than you could ever be,” he spat, that tail still slapping against Alastor's back and despite his best efforts, the sting of the still healing burn shot up his spine and he let out a quiet whine of pain. “I gave him everything I had, I helped him, I was there for him. Yet ever since that fateful day, ever since you summoned him, it changed. He kept talking and talking about another human. He was head over heels for you!” He suddenly wrapped his tail around Alastor's neck and threw him against the wall, a low gruff leaving his mouth.
Alastor winced, still holding his chest tightly, eyes wide in fear. The impact forced the air from his lungs, nose twitching violently and body shuddering. He could hear the footsteps approaching, and with every step, his heart pounded faster.
“You took everything from me! You stupid fucking deer!” He slammed his fists against the wall besides Alastor, cracking it beneath his knuckles. “You took Lucifer away!” He suddenly grabbed Alastor’s chin and hit his head with a closed fist, teeth grit with a growl. “You ruined my fucking chance at being the one sitting beside him on the throne!” He unsheathed his claws and right before he could land a blow, a silent knock came at the door along with a soft voice, one that only could've belonged to Lucifer.
“Al? Are you alright in there?” Lucifer’s voice carried over the door followed by another soft knock of his knuckle.
Matthew let out a low growl at the tone and gave the overlord one last glare before hurrying out the window—just as the king entered the room, Elizabeth fast asleep and cradled in his arms.
Alastor whimpered weakly, his breathing picking up as his claws grabbed at his shirt, hooves pushing back against the floor with quiet scratches—eyes darted across the room, ears flicking and moving with every pant, every scratch, every pound of his heart.
Lucifer flipped on the light, and suddenly, the deer let out a fearful bleat and dropped to the floor, arms covering his face and ears flopping down behind his head, tail tucking and body shaking. His breathing seemed to quicken impossibly and with a fearful shake of his body, he let out a weak cry. “T-too bright! Too bright!”
Lucifer flinched and quickly shut the light back off, slowly stepping closer to the terrified deer. He was like a fawn that had been left in the middle of a forest clearing, waiting for his mama to return.
He knelt beside Alastor and gently placed a hand on his back, only for the sinner to sit up and cry out, backing up into the wall. “Shit, no touch, sorry…” he whimpered softly. He'd just pushed Alastor’s boundaries once again.
He looked down at Elizabeth, who was now wide awake and letting out quiet coos and whimpers, her fingers digging into his chest. “Hey, Al,” he placed a hand onto his, rubbing the back of it. “Hey… look at me, it's okay, you're okay, I'm here… I'm here…” he brought his hand and rested it on his cheek, lifting his head up a little. “Shh, don't cry…” he murmured, keeping his voice as soft as he could, using his thumb to wipe the hot tears away. “Do you want to hold her?” Alastor only whimpered in response, his claws twitching as if to say ‘yes’.
Lucifer smiled and brought the infant up to his arms, adjusting his hold on her like before. “Just like that, there you go, see?”
Alastor took a deep breath, watching as Elizabeth snuggled into his chest, her little lamb tail wagging slowly, her face puffed and eyes wide with curiosity, her pupils practically sparkling. He felt his own tail wag, his ears lifting up. “Huh…” he hummed softly, feeling his body shudder as the tension left his limbs, hands holding her like a porcelain doll.
Elizabeth reached for his face, a weak yet full of life smile on her cheeks—her legs kicked against his arms.
Lucifer chuckled. “She likes you, Alastor, look at that, you'd be an amazing dad.”
Alastor rolled his eyes and allowed the baby to grab his cheeks. “Not so sure about that, sire.”
The young princess let out a whimper, her little nose twitching as she opened her mouth, her tail wagging even faster. “Mh… A-Al….” She muttered, her voice quiet and shaky. “Alastor….” She finally forced out with a small pop of her lips, ears flicking up and down.
Lucifer and Alastor seemed to freeze and look at each other before looking back at her. “Did she just.. this early?” Lucifer mumbled, his eyes glowing. “That's amazing…! She does really like you, Al.”
Alastor smiled softly, nuzzling his nose against her cheek as if she was his own daughter, tail wagging rapidly and eyes shut with a grin that seemed to shine in the dark room.
“I trust you'll keep her safe? Both Charlie and Vaggie need a break,” he stood up with the help of his cane, stumbling forward before straightening himself out.
Alastor nodded, still keeping his eyes on the infant.
“Good, and watch yourself too, alright? I don't want you freaking out on her,” He spoke, more to himself than Alastor. “I'll see you in a bit, Al.” He twisted the handle—
“Lucifer?” Alastor's lips moved before he could stop himself.
“Yeah?”
“I—” he began before pausing. His ears, usually always alert, folded back against his skull. He wasn't sure what he was doing speaking up like that, but one thing for sure is he was not ready to see what would happen next. “-don’t be gone too long, Lu.”
Lucifer’s face seemed to drop a fraction before he quickly masked it with a smile, “I won't, see ya, Al.” And with that, he left the room, the door following with a click.
His shadow gave the deer an unamused look, its body almost hunched—lifting its hands, the misty ears lowered.
“Don't look at me like that,” he growled, “I know I messed up again!” He swat at his shadow, watching it curl up and appear at the other side of him, “I can't do it, okay?” He rose to his hooves quietly, placing Elizabeth into his bed, wrapping the infant in a bundle of blankets to keep her from moving around.
Alastor snapped, hiding his hooves into his shoes, “What? You want me to admit it?” He questioned, more to himself than his shadow, who was definitely wanting him to say it. “I'm not scared, quit it,” He adjusted his bowtie, pointing at the young Elizabeth snuggled and fast asleep in his bed, “I want you to watch her.”
The shadow gave a silent glare before curling around the infant like a coverage, the mist converting to a more physical form.
Without another word said, Alastor left the room and shut the door behind him. A few sinners moved out from his way, his cane held behind him and smile tightly pulled up—nothing would make him admit it, he wasn't scared of three puny words and he sure as hell wasn't scared of rejection—he's rejected more than he can remember, in fact. The overlord wasn't scared of some little thing he believed he was incapable of feeling again, he could reject the king if he so pleased.
He didn't however, he could admit he liked the short majesty, but never loved. He didn't love him, he liked him, and there was a massive difference in Alastor's eyes.
Sure, they kissed, but it wasn't one of love, it was a small one on each other's lips, it didn't show love, it showed affection.
He stopped short of the lobby, leaning his microphone forward. Charlie and Niffty were chatting it up with an angler fish, the blue of his skin contrasting against the red walls. His tendrils moved back to his room, wrapping around the little girl and bringing her into his arms.
With a grunt, he steps forward and plops the child into Charlie's arms, much to the girl's surprise.
“Oh! Uh?” Charlie shook her head, turning to notice the deer looming over—then, with a gasp, “You were watching her? Thank you, Al!”
He only nodded.
“Well, this is perfect timing!” She then transferred Elizabeth to Vaggie, who was sitting at the bar with a drink, “Alastor, I’d like you to meet our newest resident, Baxter!” she gestured to the angler fish, who seemed to adjust his glasses upon seeing the overlord.
Alastor stared at him for another moment before flicking his ears, “Charlie dear, I would've assumed you would be relaxing.”
“I was, I just wanted to greet him!”
“Charlie, your father said you needed to rest, I believe you wouldn't want to go against his word?”
Charlie groaned, huffing, “Fineee! Tell him I'll be in my room.” She lifted Vaggie up—with a small grunt from the fallen angel—and headed up to their shared room.
Alastor shot a look at Baxter, who was now getting dragged away by Niffty, beginning to chat his ear off once more—the overlord took a seat at the bar, crossing his legs.
Husk made his way over, lifting up a bottle of rye and passing it to the deer, “Everything alright, boss?”
“Husker, there is no need to call me that anymore,” he popped the cap off and took a swig, the alcohol almost immediately burning his throat, “And yes, everything is just fine, my friend.”
Husk narrowed his eyes, grabbing his own bottle—now of beer—and exited from behind the bar, taking a seat beside his former owner, “Al, you don't seem fine, what's wrong?”
A low static came from deep within his chest, “Nothing.” He pulled the bottle up and began to gulp down each serving of alcohol that came washing down his throat, eyes shutting from the burning sensation.
The bartender raised a feathery eyebrow, taking in Alastor's almost determined expression, presumably wanting to forget about something that was clearly bothering him.
“Alastor,” Husk began with a hint of hesitation, “I apologize if I'm prying, but someone who downs a whole ass bottle of whiskey isn't doing just fine.”
“Drop it.”
“Alastor-”
“I said drop it!” He slammed the bottle against the counter, the glass shattering beneath his claws, “Now get me another bottle.”
Husk shrunk back, quickly obeying the clearly very agitated and already very drunk overlord, passing another fresh bottle of whiskey in front of him.
The cat's ears flattened against his skull as the deer began to down that second bottle as well. He wanted to pry, to poke and ask until Alastor finally broke and spilled what was bothering him, but Husk knew better, Alastor was already very upset and any more could tip him over the edge.
The front doors opened, and the short king stepped through. He had his head down to the floor and ears downcast—fingers gripped the apple that sat on his cane and as he passed by, his shoulder barely brushing against Alastor's back.
That seemed to do something to the overlord because not even a moment later, Alastor had snapped his neck and forced himself from his stool, albeit with some wobbles from the alcohol in his system, “Watch it, short stack!”
Lucifer lifted his head, ears twitching, “Al?” he stopped advancing, narrowing his eyes. He spoke with confusion, almost as if he had never heard Alastor raise his voice like that.
Alastor growled at the nickname, his grip tightening around the bottle in his palm, "Don't call me that.”
“What's wrong with you?”
Fuck. Husk knew that look. Alastor was about to snap and say something he regretted.
“What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you!” he turned to face the king, his ears folding back into his hair.
Lucifer flinched, “What's up with you, Alastor?”
“You’re a bother, that's what's up!” Alastor snapped back, taking a step forward. “Always asking what's wrong, always invading my space.”
Lucifer blinked. This wasn't like him.
Or was it?
“I… you know I don't mean to, Al,” he took a cautious step forward—Alastor took one step back. “You… do know that, right?”
“I don't know, do I?” Alastor questioned, his grin stretching out for a second time.
Lucifer stared at the deer, eyes darting across his features as if to study his soul underneath. His eyes burned a deep crimson, the glint sparkling with every flash of light that landed on his face—Lucifer could just about see the fuzzier fur in his pulled up ears, the deep brown swirling around the dulled red curls, “Alastor–”
“No,” he put a hand up, the scratches on his palm more noticeable than ever, “I'm sick of you, Lucifer Morningstar. I don't understand why I allowed you another chance but I'm done.”
“Bambi?” Damn, he hasn't called him that in years.
“Fuck you, Lucifer,” he slurred his words after another sip, “You're the worst thing to have ever happened to me.” He spoke like every word was meant.
Lucifer only winced. He could've said something back—he should've—but didn't.
“I never want to look at your godforsaken face again, Lucifer,” Alastor continued to rant, ignoring the words from the bartender still standing and watching the interaction go down. “I wish you were never created, the world would've been a much better place,” he suddenly snapped back to focus on Lucifer’s barely contained tears, “The reason we're down here is because of you.” He poked the devil in the chest, the force pushing the shaking king backwards.
Lucifer knew this wasn't him, this wasn't the soft, gentle deer he's known for years, this wasn't the human he fell so deeply in love with.
He knew it was the alcohol talking, that he truly didn't mean to say all of this nonsense and harsh words.
But maybe, this was what Alastor so desperately wanted to say, how he felt for the King deep down. Maybe this is how he really felt and the alcohol just finally forced it up.
That thought hurt more than it needed too.
Alastor scoffed, shooting him one last glare with a grumble that Lucifer, for sure heard. “Pathetic.” He then threw the glass to the floor with a shatter, storming up to his room.
Lucifer lifted a shaky hand, claws grabbing at the center of his vest, pulling it forward with a pained whimper. Pathetic? Never created?
Husk hopped over the bar and quickly wrapped his arms around Lucifer, tail wrapping around his ankle with a comforting tug, “It's okay, your majesty, he didn't mean it.”
“Didn't he? He sounded so… sure…” he pressed his face against Husk's chest with a pant.
The cat growled softly, turning to where Alastor had left. He knew the deer could be serious when it came down to it, the drinking just seems to amplify what he really feels deep inside. What he just let off his chest? It came from within, there was no sugarcoating it.
Alastor truly felt that way about Lucifer.
“Come on, sir, I'll take you to bed,” he helped the king up, wing wrapping over his back. He let out a huff, gently guiding him up the steps. The walk back seemed to drag on for eternity. No words were spoken between the devil and the cat, just silent gestures of helping when the moment called for it.
Husk pushed open the door to Lucifer’s room, pushing him to the duck shaped bed that laid in the middle. Piles of rubber ducks surrounded the stairs wrapping around the mattress, the smell of rubber and caramel apples surrounding the two men, “Alright, sire,” he muttered, watching Lucifer crawl under his covers, tugging the one deer plushie that sat in between the pile of duck plushies—it was covered in scratches, like he's had it for years. The color resembled Alastor with the red and brown fabric, even the antlers were painted black to look closely like his.
“I'll leave you alone, do you want anything?”
Lucifer let out a quiet whine of protest.
“Alright, take care.” Husk then left with a sigh, tail dragging along the floor behind him.
***
Vox switched the cameras off with a grunt as he leaned back in the chair, lifting his legs up to rest upon the desk.
Velvette shook her head before turning back to gaze at her phone, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. One moment, Alastor was practically begging to go home in her arms, to go home to the king; to screaming and insulting the blond without mercy.
Vox looked between his associates, pulling himself up with an annoyed huff, “Did you both even see anything?”
Velvette huffed, refusing to tear her eyes from her screen.
Valentino put his notepad down, folding his arms over his chest with a quiet growl. “No.”
The TV demon groaned, tapping his claw against the edge of his screen, “Why? Angel Dust?”
“No shit! After letting him go in exchange for that fucking deer, just for that said deer to escape.”
Velvette almost seemed to curl up instinctively, grip tightening around her cellphone. She hoped the cameras weren't on as she dragged Alastor from the torture. “He's not just going to come back, Val, you should know that.”
Vox narrowed his eyes before—
“I got it.”
“Ah shit, I don't like that look, Vox.” Velvette muttered, staring at him with widened eyes.
“Oh, don't worry,” he abruptly stood up, humming, “I think I know what to do, but we're gonna need our inside man to join in on it.”
Velvette rolled her eyes, sighing, “you know he's not gonna-”
“Quiet! I own him, he must do it,” he huffed, snapping back to face Velvette and Valentino, “and getting Alastor is the first step.”
“We already tried that, why are we going after him again?”
“Because Velvette, you see, I'm planning something big,” he paced as he spoke, arms folding behind his back, “and that includes Lucifer.”
“So then why do we need Alastor?-” Valentino then asked.
“Because!” he snapped before taking a small breath, forcing the next words out from his teeth, “Lucifer seems close with Alastor, and if we have Alastor break Lucifer down enough, it will be much easier to get Lucifer, understand?” He punctured each word with a pinch on his fingers.
Velvette nodded and Valentino waved him off with a grunt, “Yeah yeah, we got it,” he picked his notepad back up, squinting as he began to move the pencil over the paper quietly.
Vox turned to his tank, tilting his head, “Velvette, make something for Alastor to have, you know my hypnosis doesn't work on his old ass, me and Val will have a conversation with Carmilla.”
Velvette muttered under her breath before rising to her feet, leaving the conference room with a sigh of defeat, glaring back at the closed doors and walking off down the hall, shoving the phone into her pocket.
“I'm sorry, Al.”