Chapter Text
Lucifer was done. How long had he been in this contraption from Box, Vox? How long had he been shackled waiting for Maggie or Vaggie- uh Charlie’s girlfriend, to remember to come get him. How pathetic was it that the king of hell needed assistance when he was supposed to be one of the most powerful beings in existence?
Lucifer tugged at his restraints again but still they held strong. He was covered in perspiration and his own golden blood. Wires dug painfully into his skin leaving the feeling like cigarette burns across every inch of his body. This was the most pain he’d been in since his fall from heaven but at the time he at least had Lilith.
Lilith. His love. He hasn’t heard from her in almost eight years. Why? Was she still mad at him? Has she grown bored of him? She did have a bad habit of ignoring people that didn't care for. Maybe Lucifer was one of those people.
They had a fight that same week she vanished without a trace. He still remembers the argument. It was about her deciding to ‘leave him’. He had pleaded for her to reconsider for Charlie's sake. That turned into an immediate shit show.
She accused him of never caring about being in Charlie's life before and when he reminded her that she had decided to keep Charlie away she took off her wedding ring and slammed it on his work desk.
The image of Lilith's retreating form still haunts him. Maybe he should've tried harder, been a better husband, a better father.
No.
“Don’t think like that, Lucifer.” He told himself. She had to have a good reason for her disappearance right? Surely she couldn't still be mad at him after so long?
Doubt was starting to form in his heart. Eight years though. It was one thing to leave him, he deserves it but why Charlie? Why their pride and joy?
Sweat was beginning to drip into his eye, his joints started locking up from the prolonged hours of hanging there like the Vitruvian man, the burning from the cables was becoming a pleasant numbness. He didn't want to look down, he was a little afraid to know how much blood he lost.
But he felt it.
The dizziness from blood loss.
He was so tired. Maybe he could close his eyes for a few minutes. Surely Charlie's girlfriend will be back for him. She'll tell Charlie he's here and they will free him and they can all go back to the hotel and pretend this never happened.
Easier said than done.
He fights it but the fatigue is winning. His eyes are becoming too heavy to keep open.
Just a small nap couldn't hurt right?
“Hear my hope…”
Lucifer opened his eyes. That sounded like Charlie singing.
The small blonde angel smiled and closed his eyes. It was beautiful, peaceful. Just like when Lilith used to sing.
Lucifer thought back to the last time he heard Charlie sing.
He's not talking about all the times Charlie randomly bursts into song as she checks people in at the Hazbin Hotel.
He's talking about that one special, magical night when he reunited with his daughter after months of only texting while he hid away in his workshop
They danced and smiled as they spun around. Of course Lucifer needed to show off his impressive wingspan because of his pride.
They hugged and he nearly cried in the end and Lucifer got to see what he'd been missing all these years. Finally the start of a beautiful relationship with his pride and joy.
But then he had to fuck it up.
He never should’ve gone to that rally thing. He never should’ve allowed himself to expose the one secret he’s kept under lock and key for millennia. He shouldn’t have fallen for such an obvious trap by that TV head sinner. Lucifer could only hope he wasn’t too late to fix things with Charlie. He’s already resigned himself to the fact he lost Lilith, he didn’t want the same thing with Charlie.
The bunker began to rattle and shake. The singing got louder above him and it now sounded almost like an entire choir of people joined in.
“A crescendo till the end no matter what it takes.”
The singing was reaching its climax.
The lights in the bunker began flickering as it was starting to lose connection to whatever was above him. Whatever had been siphoning his energy out of him.
Just a little longer.
The screens all around him sparked with electricity and static. Eventually Lucifer was left in darkness. The shackles opened releasing him. His body weight was enough to shatter the now fragile glass that had become considerably weaker from being bombarded with his power.
Angelic properties or not. Nothing could withstand Lucifer's magic for prolonged periods of time.
“Fuuuuck.” Lucifer groaned as he lay there in the midst of shattered glass and hanging wires. His head was full of static and his body felt like lead.
The wires had been forcefully yanked out when he fell. Lucifer attempted to get up and staggered for a moment.
He tried to conjure a portal to the hotel but it fizzled and cracked before going out like a small sparkler.
Shit.
That was going to be a problem. Lucifer looked for another way out and noticed the crack in the metal where the panels had been pried open that he assumed Charlie’s girlfriend had used to get in earlier. He sucked in a breath holding his abdomen and looked up at the hole. This was going to suck.
Charlie was attending to Emily when she remembered something.
“Wait, didn’t Vox say my dad was here? I guess he was lying about that.” Charlie sighed. Vaggie paled.
Fuck!
Lucifer! He was still in the bunker!
“Actually-” Vaggie began but was interrupted by a loud groan. All three girls turned in time to see the king of hell crawling out of a hole in the ground.
“Dad?”
Emily saw the sorry state of Lucifer and frowned. She patted Charlie’s arm. “I’ll contact you later, Charlie.” the angel said before disappearing in a portal. Charlie had barely heard her. She was too confused by why her father looked the way he did.
Why was he so beat up looking?
“Heeey Charlie, Don’t go down there! It’s a place of pain.”
Lucifer tried to play off how messed up he was but couldn’t hide the wince as residual electricity rippled over his body. He ended up stumbling and faceplanting in the ground.
Charlie ran over to her father and turned him over
She gasped. He was in a horrible state. Why was he covered in blood? What was with the burnmark holes in his usually pristine outfit?
“Vaggie what? What happened to him?!” Charlie cried as she looked at the sorry state of her usually untouchable father. Vaggie crouched down on the ground and placed a hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder.
“He was used as a weapon for Vox.” Vaggie admitted. Charlie looked at her and frowned.
“Vaggie what do you mean? What aren’t you telling me?”
Vaggie sighed. “Earlier when I tried to stop the weapon at the party, I found a way in and your dad was inside, powering the machine.”
“What?!” Charlie’s demonic powers flared for a moment but stopped when Lucifer reached a hand up. “Dad?” Charlie held her father’s hand. She could feel the tremors in it. Whatever Vox had done had taken a toll on him. He gasped as he tried to speak.
“...not her fault,...tried to help.”
“Dad, stop talking. It’s okay. We’re going to get you help.” Charlie’s voice was firm but her tears were proof of how concerned she was.
Lucifer smiled and wiped a tear away from her face with a trembling finger.
“It’s going to be okay sweetheart.” Lucifer only managed to say this before his eyes shut and he slumped. Golden blood dripped onto the scorched ground.
“Dad? DAD?!” Charlie panicked and gently shook her father. No response other than the uneven breathing.
Charlie didn't get a chance to panic because suddenly the ground started shaking and lightning split the sky.
It was as if Hell itself was crying for the fallen king.
Hellquakes. Those haven’t happened since Lucifer first fell from heaven. It was said that the fall was so great it shook the entire realm.
Charlie heard panicked screams of sinners as they tried to take cover. Overlords were ushering sinners to safety. Vaggie’s eyes fell on the Carmilla’s. She knew something about all of this.
Charlie could hear the Vees bickering among themselves.
“For fucks sake Vox! What did you do?!” Velvette yelled at the TV screen that Valentino had under his arm.
Vox looked around frantically “Don’t look at me, I didn’t fucking do this!”
The Vees didn’t seem convinced but that would have to wait.
Lightning struck the Vees tower. The power was so strong combined with the quakes that the foundation of the tower cracked causing it to crash to the ground.
Angel could see the look of horror as all the Vees worked for, collapsed into a heap of rubble. Somehow that was fitting.
“Angie c'mon we need to get the fuck out of here!” Cherri grabbed his arm.
“We need to get back to the hotel.” Husk shouted.
Angel took one more look towards Valentino and the Vees before letting himself be pulled away.
“Charlie, we need to get out of here.” Vaggie urged. Charlie wiped her eyes and nodded before picking up her father. It was amazing how light he was. She could hardly believe the small man in her arms was the once unstoppable King of Hell.
Alastor watched the small king be carried off before following behind in shadow.
“Everyone get to the hotel, hurry!” Vaggie urged as sinners poured in through the gate seeking shelter. Charlie held her father close. Her dress was turning gold from all the blood.
Alastor observed from the shadows. Witnessing the mayhem unfold
The radio demon was in his element. He could hear the screams of panicked sinners as they flooded the hotel. But he paid them no mind. There was only one thing that he had his attention on and it was the small king in dear Charlotte Morningstar’s arms.
“Charlie let me have him. I’ll take him to his room. See if you can get some of these sinners settled in.”
“Are you sure?” Charlie asked, reluctant to part from her father. Vaggie nodded. Charlie took one last look at her fallen father. “Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She handed him over to Vaggie who spread her wings and flew up over the crowd of sinners blocking the second floor stairs and landed carefully. Alastor followed behind secretly.
Something was seriously wrong. Vaggie could feel it. Besides the crazy hellquakes and lightning,the walls were losing their sparkle and the lights flickered as she carried Lucifer. She even noticed that her own movements were becoming just a little sluggish. She chalked it up to fatigue.
When she arrived at Lucifer’s room she noticed the same thing. The color was fading. All the ornate gold designs started to fade and crack. It’s as of everything is aging and dying.
Lucifer’s extravagant room didn't look much better. His walls started turning monochrome. Vaggie tried to ignore it as she set the king on the bed.
He was so still. Not a single movement. The only indication that he was still alive was the tiny rise and fall of his chest but even then it was so still, so fragile like any moment it could stop. That was incredibly unnerving to Vaggie.
Vaggie took a deep breath.
“Sorry sir but I need to see what the damage looks like.” She apologized before stripping him of his jacket and shirt. The fallen angel cringed and gagged as she turned her head.“Fuck!”
Circular burns with puncture holes all over his abdomen. She was sure they were on his legs as well but she’d let Charlie take care of those.
The ex angel wasted no time and checked all the cabinets for medical supplies but found none. It made sense, Lucifer normally couldn’t be hurt so he didn’t need to worry about it. Vaggie would be sure to tell Charlie later that that needs to be a requirement.
Vaggie took a warm washcloth and carefully cleaned off the blood. Lucifer cringed when she touched particularly painful spots.
“Sorry.” Vaggie apologized.
She took notice of how incredibly bad Lucifer’s wounds were and felt unbelievably guilty.
“I should've come back sooner.”
Vaggie rinsed out the cloth and returned to cleaning up Lucifer but no matter what the blood kept oozing. That was unusual because Lucifer is supposed to have rapid healing abilities. Vox must've really done a number on him.
The angel saw that she was getting nowhere fast and decided that she needed to get medical supplies and Charlie.
“I promise I’ll be back.” Vaggie said not expecting a reply. She still feels bad for leaving Lucifer to suffer in that machine.
She frowns and closes the door.
The shadows moved and morphed back into Alastor’s shape. The radio demon strutted to the bed and looked over at the injuries. Had he had a heart he might’ve reacted to the injuries with sympathy. Instead he just grinned. How delightful to see the king of hell reduced to such a state. And here he’d called Alastor useless.
Alastor could do it. Lucifer was too weak to fight back. He could easily end the small king’s existence, make him suffer while doing it but the small king was too fascinating, too entertaining. He doubted he’d ever find another like Lucifer who matched his pridefulness, his pettiness, who could be his equal, his rival. Vox would’ve been perfect but he got too big for his screen, too obsessed with Alastor.
Alastor observed the marks made by Vox’s machine. He had to admit that it was effective if it left the king of hell in this state. Gold blood continued to dye Lucifer’s pale skin in gold like a painted Egyptian royal’s casket. How fitting.
Alastor wondered what angelic blood, what Lucifer’s blood would taste like. He reached out a hand and just about that same time another quake shook the entire building. Alastor retracted his hand.
Interesting.
The quake had shook hard enough to cause panic downstairs. Lucifer stirred. He opened his eyes and saw Alastor. He thought maybe he was hallucinating. Why would the radio demon be in his room?
He looked down at his exposed chest and paled. Oh well that explained all the pain. He looked over at Alastor and glared. “What did you-”
Alastor, as if reading his mind, turned his head and played with his nails. “I assure you I had nothing to do with that.”
“That was courtesy of our other resident fallen angel.”
Vaggi. Charlie's girlfriend. At least that eased his worries. Somewhat.
“Then why are you here?” Lucifer huffed out as he tried to sit up. “Can’t you read the plaque outside?”
Alastor continued to play with his nails. “I can. I chose to ignore it.” The radio demon smiled and Lucifer growled before a jolt of pain shot through his body. Alastor seemed to be enjoying the small king’s discomfort. “I came here for a little chat with you.”
Lucifer frowned as he tried to sit up. “What the fuc-ow do you want?”
Alastor paced around the room. “I told you before that you are becoming too sloppy with your secrets, did I not?”
Lucifer couldn’t understand what the deer demon was talking about. Alastor sighed as he paced. “Vox is an idiot but he was right about one thing, you weren’t just banished from heaven were you?”
Lucifer didn’t say anything. What could he say? Yeah he was more than just banished but so what? What business was that of his?
Alastor grinned and somehow that gave Lucifer an uneasy feeling. What did this sinner know?
The radio demon stopped in front of Lucifer’s bed.
“I must admit I was skeptical at first. I had no idea the two were so interconnected. You did a good job hiding it but like I said you are becoming sloppy.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Lucifer gasped out as pain wracked his body.
“I’m talking about the fact that if you die then this world collapses.” Alastor grinned.
Lucifer paled considerably. For only the second time in his life he felt real fear and dread. He was vulnerable and powerless especially against sinners. If Alastor chose to end his life right now he could and Lucifer couldn’t fight back.
Lucifer was a prideful being though. He chuckled even though it hurt.
“Are you going to kill me, Alastor?”
Alastor didn’t look surprised, instead he looked elated.
“So you do know my name?”
Lucifer gave up trying to sit up and fell back on his back.
“Of course I do, dickhead.” The angel sighed before turning on his side. “If you’re going to kill me then do it already. Not like I can do anything, right?” The hotel shook again but harder this time. Enough to cause the lights to flicker.
Lucifer’s body spasmed and residual electricity rolled over his form.
“Ow! MOTHERFU-”
“shit! Bad tingles. Bad tingles!”
Lucifer’s wings unfolded violently and thrashed about on the mattress. Alastor stepped back to avoid being hit by them. Their wingspan had a decent range and could easily hurt someone with enough force
Lightning crackled outside.
Alastor broke out into loud laughter. Lucifer looked over at him. He didn’t see what was so funny. He was in severe pain and this fucker was laughing?
“Sire, you are hilarious. Kill you? No no no. You got it wrong. You see I’ve become quite fond of this hellhole I’d never jeopardize that. No.”
Alastor stopped his laughter abruptly and his voice was unsettling.
“I propose we make a deal.”
Lucifer sighed. This fucking guy. The nerve.
He clawed and fought his way to a sitting position at the edge of the bed.
“Yeah no can do, Bellhop.” the blonde cringed and grabbed at his abdomen. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in no shape to make deals not that I’d want to with you.” Lucifer whispered the last part.
Alastor saw Lucifer’s wounds still bleeding out. A normal person would’ve died from blood loss. The radio demon smiled and stood up. “Very well, we will continue our little chat another time when you are in a better state. I can wait.”
Alastor turned like he was going to finally leave.
“And since I am such a gracious host…” Alastor waved his staff and green cross stitches appeared on all of Lucifer’s wounds.
Lucifer looked down surprised. The wounds no longer bled out and his skin was clear of the blood. He looked up at the deer sinner confused. Alastor turned his head to the side and smiled before heading to the door.
“Do get some rest, your majesty. We have much to talk about when you are better.” Alastor opened the door and Charlie stood with towels and supplies and Vaggie was right next to her carrying some sort of hot liquid. Both girls had changed into their regular hotel attire. Probably didn't want to scare the guests.
She looked surprised to see him.
“Oh Alastor, I didn’t know you were here.” Charlie watched the radio demon as he fixed his coat.
“Just checking on our poor king. But you needn’t worry dear. He is very much awake.”
Vaggie scowled. She never trusted the demon like Charlie did. “What did you do to him?”
She had every reason to be suspicious, especially when he hid behind that fake smile.
“You always assume the worst of me, I’m hurt. Truly.” Alastor feigned offense. Vaggie glared daggers.
“I wonder why?” the ex angel locked eyes with the sinner.
“Well, I’ll be on my way then. I can tell when I’m not wanted.” Alastor replied before teleporting away.
Charlie let out a breath. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing what kind of shape her dad was in, even if she somewhat trusted Alastor. Vaggie placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly and smiled. Charlie smiled back before knocking on Lucifer’s door and entering.
“Dad, it’s Charlie.”
Lucifer, still caught in his thoughts about what just transpired, looked up.
“Dad? How are you feeling?” Charlie peeked in and saw her dad sitting on the side of the bed smiling tiredly at her.
“Heeey Charlie, and Charlie’s girlfriend.”
Charlie let out a sigh of relief. Oh thank god. He was at least sitting up and seemed to be in good spirits so that had to be good news. Charlie exhaled trying to compose herself so she didn’t cry as she walked over to the bed and deposited the medical supplies next to her father. Lucifer looked extremely tired, he had bags under his eyes Charlie noticed. Whatever Vox’s machine had done had really taken its toll on the fallen angel.
Charlie looked at her dad’s injuries and felt so incredibly guilty. She fell down to her knees. “Dad I-”
Lucifer pulled his daughter into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” Charlie teared up at that and hugged her dad back. She cried as she felt his trembling hands carding through her blonde locks. “You’re not still mad at me are you? Do you…” Lucifer gulped dreading the answer. “Do you still want me to leave?”
Charlie pulled back like she had been burned. It took her a moment to remember the fight she’d had with him, when she accused him of fucking everything up and told him to leave.
She looked up into his eyes and saw genuine fear and shame?
How could she be so stupid?! Charlie shook her head and hid her face in his lap as she wrapped her arms around his torso. Lucifer felt tears roll down his cheeks as he continued to pet her head.
“I’m so s-s-sorry.” Charlie sniffled. “I didn’t mean it, And with Vox and I wasn’t sure where you were and-”
“Shhh.” Lucifer hated seeing his daughter so upset. “It’s okay Charlie.”
Vaggie watched the scene and smiled. It was nice to see them make up after everything. She knew Charlie was hurting badly after yelling at her father. She loved him and it tore her up knowing she had lost her temper and kicked him out. Vaggie saw how concerned she became when he wasn’t replying back to all the duck emojis, she didn’t really get it but maybe that was just a love language between her and her father.
Charlie finally got a hold of herself and looked at Lucifer. He’d been crying too. Charlie chuckled and stood up. “Thanks dad, I guess…I needed that.”
Lucifer smiled at his daughter and wiped his own eyes “Yeah, yeah, uh getting sentimental in my old age.” he chuckled. Charlie rolled her eyes. Vaggie didn’t want to break up the heartfelt moment but she needed to give Lucifer his drink before it got cold.
“Sir, I made you this.” Vaggi handed out his cup with hot tea. “I know it's not your usual but it should help with the healing.” Lucifer’s eyes widened and he smiled before taking a sip. He cringed but smiled regardless.
“Bitter.” Lucifer choked out. Vaggie gave him a sympathetic look. “Thank you Charlie’s uh..”
Vaggie chuckled. “It’s Vaggi with just an “i””
Charlie gave her girlfriend a smile. She had finally settled on a name it seems. No more confusion anymore.
“Thank you Vaggi with an i.”
Charlie and Vaggi laughed at that. Typical Lucifer.
Charlie looked at Lucifer’s chest and noticed glowing green stitches. That had to be Alastor’s doing. Lucifer noticed Charlie frowning
“What’s wrong, Buttercup?”
“Alastor did that?”
Charlie could recognize that glowing green stitch work anywhere. She'd been around the radio demon for almost a year.
Lucifer looked down at his exposed chest with glowing stitches. Oh right. Alastor healed him. Why? What did the bellhop want? He mentioned something about a deal but Lucifer was trying not to pay it any mind.
“Sir?” Vaggi noticed Lucifer still hadn’t said anything.
“Oh! Ha ha that’s weird, when did that happen?” The little king chuckled. Vaggi crossed her arms. She knew something was going on but didn’t want to say anything just yet. Charlie looked at her father with concern.
“Dad? Is something wrong? Did Alastor do something?
“What?” Lucifer spaced out for a bit. He glanced to the corner and swore he saw a shadow smiling at him. “No, no, no. Everything is fine.”
Charlie looked at her girlfriend who just shrugged her shoulders.
“Dad, you know you can tell me anything right?” she squeezed his hands.
Lucifer thought about it for a minute. Thought about telling her about his secret but something nagged at him that it wasn’t a good idea. Instead he hid behind an uneasy smile.
“I appreciate it, Pumpkin but I’m ok. Maybe just a little tired.” He fake yawned. “Busy day and all.”
Charlie didn’t seem to buy it. She knew he was trying to cover up something but she let it go. “Then at least let me help you get cleaned up and patched up.”
“Charlie, you really don't have to. Pops is fine. You have other responsibilities. Don't worry about me.”
“Yeah but- oh dad! Your beautiful wings!” Charlie cried in dismay.
Lucifer looked back as he spread them. They looked terrible. Feathers broken and in disarray. Neon green stitches contrasted with red feathers.
Stray feathers were all over the bed and some had drifted to the floor from the spasms earlier.
Damn. Even his wings had taken a bad hit from that box thing he was in. The wires had gone through skin and even into his wings despite having them tucked away.
He was unable to tuck them away because of the stitches. Charlie watched her father cringe as his wings trembled before dropping to the bed.
“That settles it!” Charlie clapped her hands.
“Huh?”
“I'm going to help you get cleaned up and then you are resting, mister.” Charlie said in a pretend harsh voice as she leaned over with her hands on her hips.
Lucifer looked towards Vaggi with her arms crossed amused, and a look that told him not to argue because he wasn't going to win this one.
Lucifer chuckled despite the aches and pains.
“Yes ma'am.”
Charlie's eyes softened and she smiled.
Lucifer didn’t have the energy to fight it so he let his daughter help him into the bath and he gave himself a nice scrub down as well as Opal, his little golden snake familiar as Charlie preened his wings.
She had him get into his boxers so she could wrap his legs and torso before handing him his comfy pink pajamas.
Vaggi had left to give them privacy and to check on the guests.
Charlie helped him into bed and tucked him in. He had to admit it was nice being fussed over for once. Lilith used to pamper and cuddle with him once upon a time. She'd ease his worries with her voice and her songs. He really missed her.
Charlie gave him a kiss on the forehead. And handed him his Belphagor plushie. What was she?His daughter or his mom?
“Need anything else?” She asked.
“No I'm good Char char.” Lucifer smiled.
She placed his phone next to him.
“Text me or Vaggi if you need anything.”
“I will.” Lucifer held his plush while Opal protectively snuggled into his sweater.
She closed the door.
Charlie looked at her dad’s clothes stained in gold blood. She had no idea how to get that out of clothing. Maybe Niffty could find out, after all she somehow managed to after the fight with Adam.
Something both girls noticed as they met back up later that night was that the hellquakes at least had finally stopped. That was good. Everything seemed to be settling down for the night. Mostly.
The sinners they had sheltered from the quakes had been checked into temporary rooms for the night.
The only ones still awake were the usual Hazbin crew.
Angel sat at the bar with Husk and Cherri.
They were all still trying to come to terms with what happened and were drinking their woes away.
Niffty was cleaning the blood stains out of the clothes that Charlie just dropped off and Baxter had retreated to his lab.
Meanwhile…
Lucifer sighed as he rolled onto his side. He had the distinct feeling someone was in the room with him.
Opal hissed. Confirming his suspicion.
“Bellhop, you can come out now. I know you’ve been watching me.”
Alastor’s form reappeared by the bed. “Quite perceptive, Sire.”
“Oh please, I could tell it was you from a mile away.”
“Interesting.” Alastor admitted as he leaned on his staff.
“Why are you spying on me?” Lucifer hugged his plushie.
Alastor smiled amused. “Not spying, merely observing.”
“Observing what?” Lucifer finally looked up at Alastor.
“That’s for me to know.” Alastor was gaslighting Lucifer. He wasn’t really too surprised. That seemed to give the sinner immense joy.
“Creep.” Lucifer could hear a static laugh from Alastor as a result of his comment. “Can you leave so I can rest.”
“Can I? Probably. Will I? No.”
Lucifer sighed and flipped over facing away from Alastor. “If you are going to insist on being a nuisance can you at least turn out the light, I have a migraine.”
Alastor watched the small king cringe as another spasm wracked his body. The electricity that was still shocking him earlier seems to have died down.
The lightning outside however was a different story.
Everytime the small king curled in on himself in pain and cried out the lightning got louder.
That intrigued Alastor. He had a hunch but he needed more proof.
The small king expected Alastor to ignore him. Instead the room was cast in darkness. Color him surprised for the second time that night. First he healed him and now he actually turned off the light when he asked. He didn’t know what Alastor’s deal was but at least he wasn't in terrible company right now. In fact it was kinda nice knowing he wasn’t alone.
Opal settled down in a safe space as she watches Alastor. Her little forked tongue stuck out as she made soft noises.
Lucifer doesn’t sleep. He hasn’t soundly for almost eight years and before that it took decades after the fall. Luckily his insomnia won’t kill him but it does take its toll on his already tired body. The angel looks at his trembling hand and tries his magic again. It almost immediately fizzles out. Fuck. How was he supposed to do anything if his magic wasn't coming back?
“Can’t sleep, your majesty?” Alastor whispers from somewhere nearby. Lucifer jumped. Oh right. He’s still here.
“I..don’t sleep.” Lucifer admits. He doesn’t know why he’s telling Alastor this. The radio demon could always use this information against him and he knows that. Yet somehow the quiet company is comfortable.
“I have nightmares about my fall from heaven, I can still feel those fucking spears through my flesh and the fire as it burns away at my wings.”
Lucifer hates that feeling.
That phantom pain he gets at night when he tries to sleep. Stabbed repeatedly and then tossed away like last week's trash. Lucifer is still so incredibly pissed off at that.
“Is that so?” the demon whispers in the dark.
Alastor doesn’t say anything more after that but Lucifer can hear the bed creak. Before he can question what’s going on he feels a cool hand against his forehead and an even cooler sensation penetrating his body. His eyes feel heavy and he closes his eyes.
“Goodnight Lucifer.”
Lucifer wants to panic because he doesn't sleep but eventually his breathing evens out as his eyes shut. His body relaxes.
The storm outside stops.
Alastor looks out towards the window where there's nothing now. The lightning is completely gone.
The radio demon is intrigued.
“You're just full of surprises aren't you?”
Alastor doesn't receive a response back so the sleeping spell seems to be working.
Opal looks at Lucifer and nudges his cheek. What did this sinner just do to her master? She should've bitten him earlier when he approached the bed.
“Worry not little one. He's just sleeping.” Alastor turns to the little snake huddled in the crook of Lucifer’s neck. She tries to sense anything malicious but there is nothing so she settles down and closes her eyes.
He's not doing this because he cares. No. But he does need Lucifer to heal sooner rather than later so he can force him into a deal with him. He's certain he can make it so that Lucifer won't be able to resist.
Alastor watches the king for a moment longer. His face is relaxed and really does look like an angel when he sleeps.
The radio demon feels a strange warmth in him as he looks at the small man. He disregards this for now as he gets up and disappears into the shadows.
For once in eight years Lucifer doesn’t dream of fire and punishment. He dreams about playing with his brothers in heaven and a simpler life with Lilith and Charlie.