Chapter 1: The Sparkling Diamond
Summary:
Lucifer has been in a slump. Maybe Ozzie can introduce him to someone new. Unintentionally, of course.
Chapter Text
A nice bed to cry about his problems is a good idea. Not only is Lucifer on the verge of losing his job. He also lost his wife a year ago. He’s lucky his daughter is still in contact with him, but that’s the only thing he has going. Instead, he’s nursing the apple whiskey Ozzie gave him, swirling the contents lazily. This change of plan meant all focus on the new toy block models for work got thrown out the window. The taste of the drink isn’t bad. If anything, he really likes it. To the point, it’s his top favorite. The problem was the reason he was dragged to this bar.
They were at the Green Magnificent, a bar owned by an annoying prick named Mammon. Mammon is not only one of the worst people Lucifer has ever met, besides his own father, but is also notoriously known for making shady deals. He felt bad but still didn’t envy the girls currently dancing and ‘performing’ on stage. That’s not his problem and not his business. Lucifer’s blue eyes look down at his left hand. The dimmed, soft light of the bar still makes the ring on his finger shine as he fidgets with it.
Lilith… he misses her. She’s not dead, and she’s still friends with him, which he feels lucky for. Don’t get him wrong. It’s the love he misses. The love they had fought for all those years ago. The very feeling that led to his disownment by his father. He knew it was the right thing to stand by her side. She needed him. She was pregnant with his child, after all. At the age of seventeen, Lucifer knew they had landed in the category of teenage pregnancy, and he took full responsibility. It didn’t make it any less terrifying, though.
So it wasn’t a surprise when his father tried to force him to break up with Lilith. El Morningstar was the big man’s name. A proud CEO of the biggest architecture business in Pride City. His father took the name Morningstar very seriously. There were rules on how things should be. What was wrong and right. Out of all his brothers, Lucifer Samael Morningstar was his heir. His father knew Lucifer had amazing grades and the wisdom and intelligence to lead the family and business to greatness. His role was picked at the age of fourteen, unlike his brothers.
They were a privileged family, even if their mother died giving birth to their youngest sibling, Gabriel. The second Lucifer started to ruin the image by dating someone of a lower class, he was cut off and thrown out. Shaking his head, he sips on his drink again, the loud music making his head pound a bit. Ozzie takes a look at his best friend, glancing over Lucifer. He didn’t like how tense his shoulders were.
“Luci, come on. Live a little. Let the music, drinks, or whatever take control of you and relax,” Ozzie moans out the sentence. Bee, from across the table clearly intoxicated chugs her fifth drink that night, slamming it down dramatically.
“Yeah! We are getting lit tonight!”
Not a second later, her head hits the table out cold.
They all stare at Bee as her drink spills over and the table jumps from the hard contact, tipping toward Ozzie’s side. Stolas, who had also joined them, freezes on the spot and slowly reaches a hand over to lightly tap and shake Beezle. She doesn’t budge one bit besides a groan. That brings a soft smile to Lucifer’s face. Well, he’s not taking her home anyway.
“I still don’t know how you convinced me to come here,” he mutters, watching Ozzie finish wiping the table. Lucifer looks around the bar. It’s not a bad-looking place it almost gives off a vintage aesthetic if you ignore the strip club parts. Still, going to bars isn’t his kind of thing. He’s here to avoid spiraling into another night of depression alone. He loves his friends too, but mostly, he’s doing this for Charlie. He doesn’t want her to worry about her old man. She was at the point where she didn’t care where he went, as long as it was outside.
He bites his lip to keep himself from bumming out the mood even more, but he does feel very uncomfortable being here. And with Bee down, Ozzie’s the only one keeping the energy up. He isn’t alone, though Stolas lightly taps at his own drink, still filled to the top. The owl gives him a soft, knowing smile.
“To be honest, I also don’t know how I ended up here agreeing as well,” he says shyly.
Stolas: his depression partner-in-crime. Though instead of his wife leaving him because they drifted apart, he just cheated on her. He was never happy with Stella so good for him? Lucifer was a loyal man, so the thought of cheating never crossed his mind. Then again, he wanted to marry Lilith, and even then, he still ended up divorced. Stolas tells them that he met a very old childhood friend at his bookstore, and one late-returned book turned into an affair. Nothing like ranting about a missing book and then banging the cause of the problem.
The loud music steadily shifts into soft jazz. It’s so smooth that only the ones paying attention would notice. Then, the tapping of a microphone catches nearly everyone’s attention on the grand stage. He sees Mammon with a big, greedy, cheeky smile looking over the bar.
“Hahahaha, good evening, you little imps! How are you cunts doing tonight?” Mammon’s voice rings out and everyone cheers. Some throw things, some clap, and others like Lucifer, Stolas, Ozzie, and the bartender just stare and roll their eyes. Ozzie even goes so far as to huff before looking to the other side of the bar. Another performer by the name of Fizzarolli is talking to one of the girls, laughing. Lucifer catches the rooster’s smile and how his eyes brighten at the sight of the performer.
“I won’t bore you fucks all evening, so I’m just going to say it. Who is ready for our Friday night performance?” Mammon shouts, and the cheering grows louder. Lucifer sees a quick flash of red hair breeze through the bar as multiple drinks are spilled and crash to the floor. Not surprising the bar is about to turn into a rave.
“Ladies and Gentlemen! Or whatever the fuck you are! Give up your wallets for our special enchanter! May I present to you our ‘Radio Demon’? The Unique! The Indomitable! The one and only! Alastor….”
Mammon leaves the stage as the light cuts out, hushing the audience. The music starts with a little tinkle and low drums. Then, coming from the top of the stage as the curtain opens, they see a figure descending slowly and steadily but with a seductive grace. Sitting on a small swing, the star of the show finally comes into the light.
Eyes as red as strawberries peer out under heavy eyeliner and dark maroon eyeshadow. He has a beautifully fitted suit that’s the opposite of what the girls are wearing if they’re wearing anything at all. The vest is a merlot color over a dark brownish-red button-up. His slacks match the shirt. The vest has gold accents that decorate the labels and buttons. A dashing bright red coat hanging off his shoulders completes the whole outfit. Lucifer doesn’t notice his snake-like pupils turning to slits.
“Diamonds are forever
They are all I need to please me
They can stimulate and tease me
They won’t leave in the night
I’ve no fear that they might desert me”
Lucifer’s heart almost stops at hearing that honey-like voice. He stares, wide-eyed in shock, his hand moving up to sip his drink all without looking away. His eyes catch the two soft, fluffy ears and antlers that rest comfortably on Alastor’s head.
“Diamonds are forever
Hold one up and then caress it
Touch it, stroke it, and undress it
I can see every part
Nothing hides in their heart to hurt me”
The music suddenly shifts to a jazzy beat as Alastor’s feet touch the stage. The lights skillfully brighten, and background dancers come in, forming into position as Alastor stands front and center.
“Diamonds are forever and ever and ever
A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
A kiss may be grand
But it won’t pay the rental on your humble flat
Or help you feed your pussycat”
Alastor smiles and dances with such grace it’s undeniable. The background dancers elevate the performance, moving in perfect synchronization, drawing whistles and cheers.
“Men grow cold as girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don’t lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”
Alastor hops off the stage, bringing the show up close and personal. Cheers erupt as he glides around the room and stands on a table. Lucifer jumps his ears nearly blown out as Bee jolts awake, shouting:
“YAS KING!” She even throws a hand in the air.
Ozzie claps, singing along. Stolas is frozen, literally a statue in shock.
“'Cause we are living in a material world
And I am a material man!”
Alastor eventually makes his way toward Lucifer. He can’t help the blush that colors his cheeks at the close-up view of the deer. He didn’t realize how striking those red eyes were. And those freckles. That beautiful red hair that fades into dark brown, tied neatly in a ponytail with two braids at his temples. One curly strand of hair falls loose across the right side of his face. Would you believe him if he said that during their five seconds of eye contact, the world moved in slow motion?
But of course, Alastor breaks the connection like it’s nothing and returns to the stage.
“It’s then that those louses
Go back to their spouses!
Diamonds!
Are a girl’s!
Best!
Friend!”
With that, Alastor bows as the entire bar erupts in applause. He waves, blows kisses, and walks off the stage to the bar. The cat bartender immediately prepares a glass of water. Ozzie grabs Lucifer’s shoulders, dreamy-eyed.
“Wow, always giving one of the best performances besides Frizzi,” Ozzie says, then focuses on Lucifer. “See why I wanted you to come on a Friday? Hope it was fun, Luci. Got you out of that apartment and not hiding.”
Lucifer doesn’t respond. His friend’s words aren’t important right now. Not when he can’t take his eyes off Alastor.
His fingers twist the ring on his finger again as he finally looks away. He can’t do this. Not so soon. Not even a year after divorcing Lilith. But Lucifer can’t deny the feelings bubbling up. It’s foolish to fall so quickly, but it’s enough for him to remove the ring.
He’s not dumb. He knows what kind of place Alastor works at. He needs to get to know Alastor. Get those eyes to look at him. Get a real smile. Not a performance one. Making up his mind, he tosses the ring on the table. The clank of gold isn’t heard over the music. It isn’t heard over Ozzie gasping or Stolas calling out to Lucifer, having caught the ring before it fell.
Lucifer couldn’t care less. He’s on a mission. Ozzie stares, watching Lucifer walk up to the bar. “Well, shit… who could have guessed?”
Chapter 2: You & Me, Plus the Floor
Summary:
A nice drink at the bar and big changes are coming into Lucifer's life.
Chapter Text
Lucifer chugs his coffee with a vengeance as he types a reply email to his boss. His head is pounding from the hangover the night before. Everything went fine last night, and he can now consider himself really lucky, but it did end in embarrassment. The very thought makes him want to smash his head into the computer monitor. Lucifer couldn’t deny that he felt more energized. He woke up this morning, and his bed didn’t have a dead body under the covers. The poor covers were thrown across the mattress when he sprang awake like he had been resurrected.
His face planted. In front of Alastor. Gah, it was so humiliating.
After the performance, he was walking toward Alastor. Alastor was nursing his water, talking to the bartender, snickering. Lucifer didn’t know if it was okay for him to even walk up to him. He looked like he wanted to be left alone, and everyone was giving him space. One person did try and get into Alastor’s personal space, and the side-eyed glare sent them walking away before he even said a word. That was very promising.
Lucifer was so busy staring at the scene that he missed the steps to the bar. Why are there steps?! He went down hard the second his right foot hit that bottom step. When his body fell across the three little steps and his face hit the top one, it hurt. He swears he wasn’t even that drunk! He didn’t even finish his first glass. Or did he? That didn’t matter because he wished the floor would swallow him whole. Lucifer was even more horrified when his blue eyes met red. Or are they brown? He doesn’t even know anymore. What a way to make an impression. It didn’t help that the look Alastor was giving him was an amused one.
“Sorry! Clumsy me!” Lucifer quickly says as he stands up. Dusting off his suit, he goes to pick up the top hat and place it back on his head. He then smoothly walks up to the bar, where the cat bartender raises an eyebrow, judging him. Maybe asking for another drink will not look good after that. “Can I get some water?” he asks the bartender. The cat huffs, grabs an empty glass. Without breaking eye contact, he fills it with ice and water. Lucifer just commits to staring at Husk, then to his right.
“I have been telling Mammon about the stairs. Poor design on his part in a place where a bunch of drunks occur.” Alastor’s voice rings out beautifully in his right ear like honey. Lucifer finally looks at the smiling deer. The glass of water slams a little too loudly on the counter in front of him.
“Oh, shut the fuck up, Alastor,” the cat bartender hisses out, rolling his eyes. “You're full of shit. You enjoy watching said ‘drunks’ fall on those stairs.”
This causes Alastor to laugh, making Lucifer’s face grimace. Assholes. He is right here.
“Husker! Dear Husk. Don’t be telling my secrets now. This is, however, the fifth time it has happened today,” Alastor laughs again before looking at Lucifer. “Well… six now.”
How is this jerk so pretty!?
Lucifer huffs and glares. “I will have you know I am not drunk,” he grumbles.
“Hmm. Of course not. If you were, you would still be on the floor. Ha ha! Last Friday, the hospital had a visit to fix a dislocated knee.” Alastor dramatically turns around to lean back on the bar counter. Red eyes look around the room, and his ear flicks, catching Husk’s small mutter.
“You are the one that fucking tripped him.” Alastor glares at Husk.
“He should have kept his hands to himself. His mother taught him no manners.”
Alastor finishes his drink and places it upside down on the marble surface. They make eye contact, and Lucifer freezes up when those eyelashes flutter around freckled cheeks as he blinks.
Stunning. Makes him want to open his mouth without thinking. “Your voice—” Shit. “It was… I mean. It is nice,” he mutters out.
Alastor raises an eyebrow at the sudden compliment, studying him. The smile he has never leaves. “Why thank you! I sure hope that I was able to make this night entertaining enough.”
Lucifer feels the heat on his cheeks, and now he’s blaming the drink. Time to charm his way through this.
“Yes, indeed, it was quite entertaining. I must admit that I’m not usually into such performances, but yours was truly captivating. If I may ask, do you have any plans for later tonight?” He tries to keep his voice steady, testing his luck.
Alastor’s eyes narrow.
“Later? Now, I will let you know I am NOT that kind of entertainer,” Alastor says smoothly.
Lucifer blushes fully and shakes his head. “No, no, no! I mean, that is not what I meant. I apologize if my question seems forward.” Gosh. He should have stayed home. This is a bar hiding itself as a club. Of course he’ll think like that. He wipes his face with his hand. “I want to get to know you better. Like… normally?” he admits.
Alastor glances away, looking distant now. “You don’t want to do that.”
Alastor looks at Husk. “Husker! Give me something else. Anything, my good man.”
The chipper voice has Husk sighing, grabbing a glass.
“Mammon wouldn’t like that,” Husk states.
“Since when did you care about what Mammon thinks?” Alastor bites back.
“Never. Here.” Husk slides Alastor a shot. What it was, Lucifer didn’t get a good look at before it was emptied in two seconds. The glass clinks on the countertop, and he tilts his head back.
“You’re still here?”
Lucifer smiles, and he feels a surge of confidence go through him.
“Don’t mind me. I am just hydrating and enjoying the view.”
Alastor gawks and turns behind him, then back at him. A very soft pink dusts Alastor’s cheeks before he looks away. Husk is just as shocked, but not by Lucifer's words. The snake tries not to grin. Having Alastor blushing feels like a victory.
“LUCI!”
Lucifer jumps and turns around. Bee is hanging off of Stolas’s arms, barely holding her up. “BITCH, THE BOYS THINK I HAD TOO MUCH! I DIDN’T DRINK… too… much.” She goes limp in the owl’s arms.
Stolas’s eyes widen, and his head jumps back and forth to Lucifer in panic. Ozzie thankfully comes and helps.
“I think it’s time we go. Are you ready, Luci?” Ozzie gathers Bee in his arms.
Lucifer sighs as he nods, finishing his water, and bows a little in Alastor’s direction. “Sorry, it seems my time is cut short. You have a good rest of your night,” he politely says and starts walking away, stopping at the top of the stairs at the deer’s voice.
“Shame. I was hoping for a dance. Maybe next Friday.” Alastor smiles. “Luci.”
His voice fucking purposely went deep. Lucifer chokes on air. Oh damn, he can imagine Alastor saying his full name. He will go to this bar every Friday to hear it again. After the pain is gone.
Pain. Why does he feel pain again?
Lucifer blinks into focus and sees himself on the ground again. The fucking stairs. The sounds of Alastor’s laughter ring again. Making an exit, he grabs Stolas’s arm and drags them both out.
When he gets home, he throws up in the toilet, then pops pain relievers and rubs ointment cream on his body before passing out.
Closing his laptop, he looks out into Pride City. It’s raining lightly, and the sun has yet to fully come up. It will be a whole week till it’s Friday again. His sketchbook is next to him, still closed with not a single toy sketch added for the day. Taking a deep breath, he opens the cover, grabs his pencil, and starts sketching. This was his homework he had to do anyway: get six designs and hope one makes it through the review process. Lucifer always got approved. His ideas for kids’ toys made most marketers jump at the chance to produce them. When Charlie was a kid, it was really the best years of his life. Problem-solving his own kid’s problems helped other parents. Need a toy to help with shapes? Let’s create one that actually dings and validates the child’s correct action. ABCs? Ehh, depends on the kid, but Charlie was a natural.
Speaking of, his phone rings, and so commences a week of chaos.
Charlie, his lovable daughter, bought a hotel. Not just any hotel—a broken-down hotel that is on the verge of collapse, and she used all her savings! He can’t even pay his bills because he has been so unmotivated to do his job. Thank goodness his boss was understanding and didn’t fire him, but still. Lucifer and Lilith did enough to get her enough money to be able to choose college or live on her own.
He has both hands over his mouth in complete shock as Charlie explains to him why.
Why? Why would she do this?! Why now?
“You see, Pride City isn’t the only place that is having a problem with job opportunities and supporting homes. Greed, Wrath, and even all the way down to Sloth. With little support, they need a haven.” Charlie looks at her dad. His blue eyes meet her own. He always told her to follow her dreams, but he had to be honest on this. How should he say this nicely without sounding unsupportive?
“Charlie… this…” He rubs a hand over his face. “This is shit.”
He raises a hand at the hotel in front of them. Charlie grimaces at his words and tries to smile. The abandoned hotel in front of them is begging to be turned to ashes. It is also standing at a slight angle. The bricks are barely holding the structure together, the wallpaper is peeling, and the stairs to the upper floor seem intact. Lucifer walks up to the large staircase, touching the railing. He then tests one foot, then two—when he goes up by one, he hears a loud creak before he jumps off because it just collapsed. Both jump to the door entrance as they take in the view of the aftermath.
“Okay, yes. It is shit, but we can fix it!” Charlie says positively, her smile turning to a big strained grin of regret as she tries to keep her dad on the property. At that very moment, one of the windows breaks, and they can hear the glass hitting the ground outside.
Lucifer doesn’t feel safe in this building. “How, Charlie? We are both broke as hell! We can only save money if I leave my apartment and sell what I don’t need. That would also mean that we will have to live here. What I am trying to say is that we will be in the grave before we finish any repairs.” Lucifer is getting too old for this.
“Look, maybe your mother—”
Charlie almost stomps her foot on the ground. “Mom doesn’t understand what I am trying to do. She won’t even listen to me once I told her. You are at least here looking at what I am trying to do. Please, Dad. I feel this is what I need to do,” she grabs Lucifer’s shoulders. “Plus, my goal is to help the poor. So, experiencing it firsthand as being poor makes the motivation and message for the hotel so much better.” She plays it off and grabs a broom from the ground.
Lucifer sighs. Being a father is really hard. “Alright, kiddo, you got me.”
Turning around, he looks at the hotel, trying to see its potential. Rolling his sleeves, he walks to start collecting trash. “Let’s clean this place up.”
LeuvineSinistrose on Chapter 2 Sat 30 Aug 2025 06:13PM UTC
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