Work Text:
When Lucifer started to date Alastor, he knew what he was getting into. A relationship with the ruthless cannibal Overlord meant no great romantic gestures like roses or chocolate gifting, sunset walks on the beach, or even candle light dinner dates.
Or dates at all.
Most days, the King of Hell would feel extremely lucky if the Radio Demon was even amenable to kisses or hugs.
But despite Lucifer being a romantic at heart, he wasn’t bothered by it. After all, he had been the one courting Alastor, so he knew first hand how the other saw anything related to romance. Not to mention his first relationship had been full of empty romantic gestures and look how well that ended for him!
So imagine his surprise when one day, while he was enjoying his morning pancakes, Alastor asked him for a date at Lu Lu World demanding “I want to see if all your creations there are as tacky as the decor of this hotel.”
Which, for a normal person should be insulting, but not for Lucifer. Because this demand in Alastor language meant - I want to know you better.
This earned his deer a sound smooch on the cheek, that he vehemently protested. Not that he could ever fool Lucifer, his slightly flustered cheeks betraying how much he had enjoyed the action.
For the next week, Lucifer relentlessly planned the date, much to Alastor’s exasperation. He planned every single detail, from their outfits, which places to visit and what attractions to ride.
The park would obviously be empty, after all he knew his lover’s abhorrence for crowds. That and he wanted to enjoy the day with his sinner all to himself.
Not only did the King want to show off the only place in Hell he was actually proud of having created, he knew this was the only chance he had to show Alastor that dates weren’t so bad.
The day finally arrived and Lucifer was a pile of nerves. The overwhelming weight of possible impending failure was making him feel squeamish and anxious about the whole ordeal. Because, and let’s be honest, why would the infamous Radio Demon even enjoy a silly place like Lu Lu World?
So here he was, in front of his bathroom mirror, hands grasping at his hair in panic and thinking about canceling the whole thing, when he felt something slithered behind him and gently grasping his shoulders.
Alastor’s shadow, almost as if his owner sensed his distress, was softly massaging his shoulders, easing the tension he didn’t even know had accumulated there.
Lucifer just smiled at it from the mirror.
It took him a while to understand it, but by now knew the shadow was a manifestation of his master’s will and feelings. This was Alastor’s way to check on him and show he cared without being overbearing.
When Lucifer was this distressed, people crowding on him made him feel overwhelmed and the chance of triggering a panic attack was high. But the shadow was just there, showing care without the usual questioning of “what do you need?” or “do you feel ok?”.
This is one of the many reasons Lucifer had fallen hard for the Overlord, because despite his reputation and aloof personality, he cared deeply and fiercely about his loved ones.
A tear dropped from his eye at the thought.
This action however, set the shadow into a panic, its arms flailing and his expression filled with obvious distress. And not a moment longer, its owner shadow teleported behind Lucifer, his eyebrows furrowed with worry.
Alastor delicately wiped the tear from his face with his claw and Lucifer used the opportunity to rub his cheek on the demon’s hand, looking like an overgrown cat. This earned him a chuckle and a kiss to his temple, before the same claws that were often used to maul and kill, carefully held his alabaster face as if it was a precious treasure.
“What troubles you, mon cœur? If you’re not feeling well, we can always stay in today…”
Lucifer’s heart was almost bursting with affection for his deer.
This is how Alastor showed his care, not by big romantic gestures, but by picking every single detail and mood he had and trying, in his own way, to make him feel better.
He shook his head, turning to the demon with a small smile on his face.
“Nothing really! I’m just awfully nervous about this. It’s been a while since I’ve shown Lu Lu World to anyone…” He scratched his cheek in an almost bashful way. “The last time I went there just to visit Charlie was still a toddler, you know? Lilith always thought it was a waste of my powers and time to create something as silly as Lu Lu World…”
The memories were enough to make the beginnings of the numbness of depression fill him. The amount of arguments they had about the park were abundant, as Lilith thought his powers should only be used for him to assert his dominance over his realm or against Heaven.
Lucifer was getting lost in the familiar spiral of self-loathing and self–doubting thoughts when he was interrupted by Alastor softly rubbing his nose to his own, in a cute bunny kiss that made his heart warm and his eyes go criss-crossed trying to look at him.
“If it is something that makes you happy it isn’t a waste, mon cœur.” He leaned back, a genuine smile on his face and his eyes full of warm affection, before his typical challenging smirk adorned his face. “Now, are you ready to knock me off my feet with your creations or do I need to ask Charlie to take me to Loo Loo Land so I can finally experience an amusement park?”
Lucifer could only scoff in mild annoyance.
Trust his sinner to make him feel like he was melting with love one moment, just for the next one to make him feel like he wanted to trample him…
“If you do that, I’ll give in to Asmodeus' attempts to get me new dates. The last list he showed me had interesting candidates…”
The following growl and the way Alastor clinged to him, almost made him laugh out loud. Seriously, Alastor was so possessive! It was both endearing and attractive.
Clapping his hands, he broke both their trances. Because, and if he allowed Alastor to follow up his possessive traits, they would not leave that room for the next hours.
They still had a date to go! And by all that was unholy in his realm, he would make sure it would be the best date ever!
“I still need to get ready for our date, so scram!”
Alastor looked him over, almost as if he was assessing if he was truly ok. Lucifer gave in return his most wide and sincere smile, earning a nod before the demon blended in the shadows.
“Now, let’s get ready for the best day ever!”
So far it wasn't the best day ever.
For starters, when they had met at the hotel lobby, Lucifer had been disappointed to find that Alastor hadn’t worn the outfit he picked for him.
They were supposed to both go for a couple outfit, him in washed out jeans and purple t-shirt featuring a duck with a hat witch to celebrate the Halloween season and his usual boots; as for Alastor he had chosen black tight fit trousers with a burgundy t-shirt with a silly design of his cat look alike (which he affectionately called cursed cat Alastor) as a vampire.
Lucifer thought the matching outfit would look both cute and hot on his lover, as he had yet to see him wearing anything but his usual Overlord suit.
But when Alastor reunited with him, he was still wearing his usual outfit, minus the jacket. When he cocked an eyebrow in question, the only thing he said was, “I’m not wearing the coat am I? Consider this casual my dear! I do have a reputation to uphold after all!”
Which was fair, but Lucifer couldn’t help but feel disappointed by it. That is until he saw the fluffy tail of the demon peeking from behind him and he instantly brightened. Alastor’s ears and tail were two of his demonic features that he was most ashamed of, but that Lucifer loved to pieces. They were a way to find out about his lover's true feelings about things and situations, not to mention a very cute part of him.
Said tail had started wagging in happiness the moment his owner looked at him. This made Lucifer shake his head in barely concealed fondness and quickly forget his previous disappointment.
Offering his hand, which Alastor tightly grasped, he summoned a portal and they were at Lu Lu World.
There were very few and far in-between things Lucifer was truly proud of in his life (and wasn’t that ironic for the being embodying the Sin of Pride?) but Charlie and Lu Lu World were two of the things at the top.
Lucifer had always felt deep remorse about his actions that made Hell come to fruition and made Humanity feel so much pain and despair. So, and in a perhaps feeble attempt at redemption for giving Eve the apple, he had created Lu Lu Land.
Why an amusement theme park in Hell? Because Hell was a place of eternal damnation and pain for sinners, so he thought that maybe his silly park with his goofy little rides was a way to make them feel a little bit of happiness and normality in this otherwise chaotic realm.
They arrived in front of a large obsidian black pyramid, with a large apple with a flame at the top, not much different from the flame he had in his demonic form. The building was imposing, making them crick their necks to look at the top of it.
Alastor looked at it and then at Lucifer, as if he was waiting for him to explain the building in front of him.
Clearing his throat he entered guide mode and started his explanation of the place.
“You must be wondering why I chose a pyramid and not something more mundane and normal like a castle, right?”
The demon nodded in his direction, his eyes filled with curiosity.
“Well, Ancient Egyptians were the first to not be afraid and even worship death. They didn’t believe in Hell or Heaven, they just believed a soul deserved a fair trial at the end of its life. If during their lifetime they had acted justly and had led a life full of hard work and rightfulness, they were deemed worthy to enter the Duat. The Duat was their Underworld, and was not so different from their own world, the same rivers, fields and constructions populating it. It was a place where a soul was reborn and could have a second chance at life, but without pain or suffering. Almost like Heaven but without all that blinding brightness.”
Alastor hummed in understanding.
“So why did you choose a pyramid as the main building for your park?”
The previous happy disposition disappeared from Lucifer’s face, giving place to a sorrowful and wistful expression. Alastor furrowed his brow in worry, but before he could say something, the King spoke in a sad tone.
“Because it was the first and only time Humanity wasn’t completely afraid of death or of coming to Hell. It was the first time my mistake didn’t weigh on their souls when they were alive…”
No matter how one wanted to look at it, this was what he had condemned Humanity to. Not only would they meet an afterlife full of pain and suffering, people would also live their life shackled to beliefs of acting in certain ways in order to avoid that destiny. And he was the one responsible for it…
Suddenly, Alastor’s voice cut through his spiral of thoughts.
“Well… I don’t know about the other’s, but I certainly didn’t live my life afraid of what would happen after I died. I lived my life choosing my own path and destiny, living the way I wanted and doing the things I enjoyed, even if those things were murder and cannibalism, they were still my choices. And I’m not unhappy for being in Hell, on the contrary, I wouldn’t have met you if I went to Heaven, would I?”
Lucifer looked at him with tears in his eyes, before tackling Alastor in a hug.
“Thank you… You–... You can even begin to imagine how much those words meant to me…”
He buried his nose in Alastor’s chest, inhaling the earthy undertones of his lover's natural scent, one that always seemed to calm him down.
In an almost awkward way, Alastor’s arms came around him and he patted his hair.
“You’re most welcome Lucifer. Now, I believe you have a park to show me, yes?”
Wiping his tears away, Lucifer patted his cheeks as a way to psych himself up, much to the fond amusement of Alastor.
“Yes! Let’s go! I have so much stuff to show you!”
And show him he did. They went to several rides, with Alastor making fun of his height in every single one of them.
“Are you sure Lucifer, that you’re tall enough to ride this?”
Lucifer could only scoff in annoyance. They had been through this enough times already!
“If I could ride this carousel with Charlie the last time I was here, I can definitely ride it now!”
And with a huff, he stomped to the large pink hippopotamus and sat down.
This date had been a terrible idea, not only was he 90% sure Alastor wasn’t enjoying a single ride, he was actively provoking Lucifer every time he could. Even before being a couple, they haven’t bantered this much! This could only mean the Overlord was actually frustrated and that increased the feeling of wrongness and sadness festering at his chest.
Why couldn’t he do a single thing right? How much of a loser he had to be, not even something as simple as a date he could get right?
After this ride he would call the whole thing off. There’s no way he was going to continue this farce of a date and subject the both of them to a day filled with frustration and disappointment. It would poison their relatively new relationship faster, much like what he had done to his marriage…
All of a sudden, he felt a warm body at his back, arms tightly embracing him from behind and the weight of a head on top of his. Alastor didn’t say a thing, just embraced him in silence as the carousel slowly started going around.
Lucifer wanted to say something, anything, but he was afraid to shatter the silence and make everything worse. So he kept quiet and relaxed in the demon’s arms, almost melting when Alastor started to give him small kisses on his neck.
How was someone that wasn’t even a romantic could do such lovable actions when him, a fucking romantic at heart, kept doing everything wrong?
The King let a deep sigh of frustration leave him, earning in return an even tighter embrace.
He couldn’t keep doing this to Alastor, it wasn’t fair to impose on him what he thought was fun when the other clearly wasn’t enjoying it.
“Alastor, I–...”
But it was then that the ride stopped, cutting him off and he reluctantly left the demon’s arms. Lucifer slowly moved away from the ride, head down while he thought about the best way to end this mutual torment.
That’s when he felt the spike of Alastor’s shadow’s powers, signaling the Overlord had teleported.
Oh…
So he didn’t need to tell him anything, he had decided to leave him behind… Like everyone else in his life…
Lucifer found a bench and sat down, his posture slumped in defeat and despair, elbows on his knees while he shielded his eyes. He was trying very hard not to let the burnt he felt on his eyes evolve into a full crying session. The park may be empty of its patrons, but there were still the imps he employed around.
He already had a fragile reputation, he didn’t want to appear in the news with the headline “The King of Hell was found crying after riding a carousel. Is our demonic head honcho so emotional that he can’t even stand an animal ride? What does it mean to the future of Hell to have such a weak leader?”
Taking deep breaths in order to stave off the incoming panic attack and gulping to get rid of the knot he had at his throat, he had managed to calm down enough to think of going back to his palace (no way in Hell in was going back to the hotel after being abandoned), when he felt Alastor’s powers again.
Lucifer raised his head so quickly a stray tear flew from his eye.
“You–... You came back…”
Alastor scoffed and extended the candied apple he had on his hands.
“Of course I did! Our date isn’t quite finished yet, you still haven’t shown me the Halloween attractions. I heard from Charlie that this is your favorite season at the park because of them.”
He couldn’t help but be surprised by both the offering and the demon’s return. The astonishment must be plain on his face, as the demon scoffed again.
Maybe Lucifer was a coward, but he couldn’t bring himself to end the date before going to Halloween Town. Alastor was right, it was indeed his favorite part of the park and his favorite season because, and for once, the gloominess of his realm was worth celebrating.
The Radio Demon was looking at him expectantly, like he was waiting for Lucifer to take a bite from the candy. Well, this was his favorite sweet, so there was no way he was not going to indulge.
Taking a bite, he felt the crunchiness of the sugar coating and the juiciness of the apple filling his senses, making humming appreciatively and biting the apple with enthusiasm.
The action earned him a chuckle from Alastor, who was looking at him with tender eyes.
“I take the sweet is at your satisfaction? The imps at the food vendor told me this was your favorite.”
Lucifer was taking another bite, when he paused and extended the candy to Alastor. However, the demon bypassed his offer and kneeled in front of him. Before the King could ask what the Overlord thought he was doing, he was kissed.
Alastor kissed him with reckless abandon and with an intensity that stole his breath away, making him gasp. As soon as he opened his mouth, the demon swifty took the opportunity for his tongue to enter his mouth, exploring like he was searching for something.
He was starting to melt from the kiss when he felt Alastor’s tongue swipe at his mouth, stealing the half bitten candy from his mouth and drawing back from him.
Lucifer could only look at him in a daze, his cheeks flustered from the kiss.
As for Alastor, he was chewing the candied apple, swallowing before saying, “Hmmm, far too sweet for my tastes… And I prefer other types of desserts anyway...”
And looked at him with a heat and a hidden promise in his eyes that made him feel warm all over.
How? How could someone that was a virgin before entering a relationship with him be so smooth and charming?
He was still in a daze when he felt his hand being held and softly pulled so he could get up.
With his hand still in Alastor’s grasp, he was led to Halloween Town.
Halloween Town was the name of the Lu Lu World district he conjured especially to celebrate the season. The place was decorated with tons of pumpkins, everywhere they looked they could see carved pumpkins peeking with as many expressions and faces as there were sinners in Hell.
But it wasn’t the only decoration featuring the place.
There were also spiders, bats, tombstones from several Humanity eras, black cats and even human parts like half eaten brains, eyes, intestines, arms and legs or bones.
Lucifer really liked the season for the same reason he had enjoyed Ancient Egypt religious beliefs, for once, death and the supernatural was a motif for celebration instead of lament.
He was looking around with a smile on his face, feeling truly happy with what he saw.
Unbeknownst to him, Alastor had slowed until he was side by side with him and was observing the King, his tail swishing behind him as he saw his beloved happiness.
Soon they arrived at Lucifer’s favorite ride on this part of town, the spinning pumpkin ride. At this ride, instead of the traditional teacups, they had pumpkins from several colors, as a way to fit the district theme.
He eagerly ran to one, as Alastor followed him softly chuckling behind him, and sat down.
“This is my favorite ride ever! I love how we are the only focus while the world spins around us!”
“Hmmm… is that so?”
“Yes! Lilith hated this ride and never went with me or Charlie though… Said it was stupid and childish… As most things I did apparently…”
Lucifer couldn’t help but feel sad again. Why couldn’t he leave the phantom of his ex-wife behind? Why was she still dictating his happiness even when he was in a loving relationship?
The ride started but Lucifer was again lost in his own head, half aware of his surroundings and the half bitten candied apple he was still clutching, when the pumpkin started to spin in a crazy way.
Startled, he looked at Alastor.
The demon had taken the wheel at the center and was spinning them and laughing like he was a possessed maniac. He looked so silly that Lucifer couldn’t help but start laughing earnestly, his belly and cheeks hurting from how much he was laughing.
Tears of happiness were falling from his eyes, while he tried to stop his lover.
“Alastor! Hahaha, s–stop! You’re going to make us both sick! Hahaha!”
When the ride finally slowed down and stopped, he took a moment to gather his bearings. Lucifer was feeling a little faint from all that spinning, so he let his head fall on the spinning wheel.
“Are you feeling ok, mon cœur?”
Lucifer felt Alastor’s claws gently petting his head and he almost felt like a cat, the urge to purr in contentment strong in this moment.
“Yes… Just a bit faint. I always feel like this after this ride, don't worry…”
“Hmmm… Did you have fun?”
Such a simple question, but one that made his heart hammer at his chest with his previous anxiousness. Well, time to address the elephant in the room he guessed…
However, he was still a bit of a coward inside, so he let his face stay hidden while he talked to Alastor.
“I did… But I know you didn’t and I’m sorry… I was so happy when you told me you wanted to come here that I forgot you don’t even like to go on dates… I just–...”
“You just–...?”
“I just wanted you to experience what normal couples do… I know we’re not normal in any capacity, not when I’m the King of Hell and you’re the Radio Demon, but for once I wanted us to forgo the titles and just… Just be us… Alastor and Lucifer… No titles attached. I just wanted to enjoy a day with you at my favorite place in this realm, but I guess in my eagerness to show you this place I totally forgot about your feelings… I know how much you hated the day and I’m sorry…”
“I didn’t hate the day, on the contrary, I enjoyed it immensely.”
Lucifer couldn’t help but lift his head, making his vision swim with the fast action. He groaned in pain, his hand coming at his temple like he could steady his vision.
Alastor was looking at him with concern, his hands lifted in his direction and ready to help him.
After a few breaths he could finally look at the demon.
“You didn’t! You were clearly frustrated with me all day! You don’t have to shield me, I know how much of a burden I can be…”
The demon just scoffed at him.
“And how do you know that I didn’t enjoy the day? Have you asked me? And a burden? Where did you get this ridiculous idea of yours?”
Lucifer simply smiled sadly, his gaze leaving his lover’s and looking into the distance.
“You don’t have to lie to make me happy Alastor, I know you weren’t enjoying it at all… You were snarky and provoking me all day and I know how much that is a you way of letting your frustration out without actually saying it. And of course I am a burden, that’s all I’ve been in all the millennia I’ve been alive…”
The hand at his hair stopped its ministrations and withdrew. To be completely honest, Lucifer was more than expecting it, now that the day’s feelings were out in the wild, nothing could stop Alastor from leaving.
He was prepared for everything except the words that left the demon’s mouth.
“My apologies for not being a good date… I–... I’ve never done this before…” He let out a deep pained sigh. “Seeing you so crestfallen when you remembered the times you came to the park with your family made me want to make you happy again… So I did what I have always done to get your attention, I picked at you to distract you from your pain. I didn’t– I didn’t mean to make you feel like you weren’t a good date. You are, and seeing you happy makes me happy in return… All I want is your happiness Lucifer.”
Lucifer couldn’t believe his ears! He had enjoyed the day? The banter was to make him stop being miserable when he remembered his family?
Ahhh… What his little sinner did to his heart…
Steeling his resolution, he stood up and planted himself firmly on Alastor’s lap. This sudden action earned him a surprised bleat (not that the Overlord would ever admit to the sound!) and slightly flustered cheeks.
Emboldened by the reaction, he leaned forward until his lips met one of his lover’s velvety ears before whispering. “If you enjoyed the date, how about I give you a dessert you’ll really enjoy? A real apple candy?”
And Lucifer kissed Alastor deeply while he transported them both back to his room for the second part of their date.
The art that inspired this fic is by the amazing Annoyinglycute and can be find on Bluesky!