Chapter Text
The party carried on nearly until sunrise. Applause and laughter faded into background noise. Fireworks. Cake. Ducks. The sinners cleared out by four in the morning, via Charlies enforcement.
Lucifer wove through a sea of discarded cups and empty cans. He stepped in something sticky, grimacing as it stained his white pant leg.
Stupid Alastor. Dumping his work onto him. Couldn’t be bothered to help Niffty himself- no, he had to volunteer Lucifer instead. Good old Lu. Lulu the birthday boy. He should be with his duckies right now.
He may have had a few drinks before the party ended.
Lucifer swung open the kitchen door. It was pitch dark.
“Niffty?” he called. “I didn’t know you liked to clean in the dark. That’s a little odd… even for you."
He flailed his arms, stumbling further into the kitchen.
"OW! Thats a counter. Thats a mean little counter."
He slapped a hand to his forehead. “Light switch. I should find the light switch. Silly Little Lulu.”
He stumbles into the middle of the kitchen, tripping into a chair.
Suddenly, the lights flipped on.
Angel Dust had a hand on the switch, face wincing.
"Shit-"
Niffty stood on a chair, wearing an upside-down party hat.
Charlie froze mid-step, lighter still in her hand.
Husk nearly dropped a cake and Vaggi scrambled to save it.
Charlie threw up a pair of awkward jazz hands. “Surprise?”
Niffty jumped forward. “SURPRISE!”
The rest followed, voices overlapping in a crooked chorus of happy birthdays and cheers.
Lucifer mouths opens, a laugh that doesn't come out.
"Is this... all for me?"
Husk stepped forwards with a gentle smile and a scoff. "Last time I checked it wasn't my birthday. And besides, I don't know anyone else that would enjoy these… colorful decoration choices."
Lucifer paused, taking in the room before him.
The room was decorated floor to ceiling in birthday trimming. Duck balloons bobbed gently, tied to chair backs. Red and white streamers flowed across the ceiling, crisscrossing in uneven lines. A handmade banner hung along the back wall.
Lucifer gently stepped forwards. A small, surprised gasp slipped out of him.
His smile came slow, uncertain at first, then sticking.
“Oh,” he said softly. “You… you did all this. ”
Charlie clapped her hands. "Yeah! I mean- mostly. But I'm just so glad you love it! I did the decorating, Angel and Niffty made the cake. Husk made some drinks and-”
Lucifer beamed. "Wow. Thank you"
One of the duck balloons bumped into his shoulder, and he didn’t move to push it away.
Alastor leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Was the first tacky birthday party not enough for him? I suppose pride really does come before the fall…"
Lucifer huffed. "Alright, who invited the bellhop to the after party? Exits to your left, Mr. Freaky face."
“Oh please.” Alastor waved a hand. “You’re lucky I bothered showing up at all. I’ve seen orphan funerals with better taste.”
“Well that's funny, coming from the guy that does nothing but lurk in the darkness. I'll have you know my friends worked very hard on this.”
Alastor’s grin sharpened.
“Ah. I didn't know you had friends! I guess miracles really do happen”
Lucifer met his eyes.
"Pack it up, Mr. Funeral Suit"
"I’ll pass,” Alastor replied lightly, mocking a bow. “Your Royal Majesty of Midlife Crisis.”
"Alright Murder on the Dance floor. We get it."
A beat.
Alastor smiled, oddly pleasant. “I am glad to see that you decided to help Nifty clean the kitchen.”
Lucifer turned slowly. “…what?”
Alastor froze for half a second.
“Well." He said, smoothing his coat. "I do hope you enjoy.”
Lucifer stared at him. Then, quietly, he laughed.
"Alright then. Maybe I will."
They all gathered around the cake. Candles flickered, soft and warm against the kitchen walls.
Lucifer closed his eyes.
He wasn’t the same man he had been a century ago, let alone ten. He’d lost things. He’d changed. Maybe softened. Maybe fractured. But somehow, through all of it, somethings had stayed.
He exhaled and blew out the candles. He no longer had a need to make a wish.