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Lucifer was bored.
His skin itched with the need to touch. Alastor was so far away from him, in the other side of the table where Lucifer couldn't easily reach him. But they agreed with Charlie to not be glued to each other's side all the time. Attempting to overcome their "codependency" or whatever that meant.
Still, it has been like half an hour since dinner started and they had to sit at different sides of the table. 30 whole minutes in which he hadn't touched Alastor and he was starting to feel cold. He didn't like being cold. Would Charlie be upset with him if he moved to shift to cuddle in Al's lap? He did promise to try, but surely a whole half hour was enough, right?
It also didn't help how incredible dull the evening was feeling. He alwasy had a hard time with boredom. His brain going to seven different places at the time, always looking for something new to stimulate it, craving something to satisfy the impulse of Creation.
It was a true wonder he didn't completely lose his mind after the seven years bound in that cell. He was sure he would have if Alastor wasn't there by his side, being a pain in the ass and keeping his show man persona.
But they were out now, and Lucifer was supposed to find exciment in life again, outside of his moments with Alastor and Charlie. And he wasn't sure he understood how to do that. It's not like he was happy to be in Hell before their seven year sabatical —as Alastor insisted to call it—. So he doesn't have much to come back to.
With Lilith gone —and she better stay that way if he and Alastor are right about her involvement in their predicament—, Charlie busy in her little pet project and him still ignoring the other Sins and his duties as King, there wasn't much Lucifer had to do besides following Alastor around while he gained his footing back in the Pride Ring.
He could follow Charlie's advice and talk more with the other guests in the hotel. The spider guy and the slippery snake. He could even talk with Alastor's souls, dear Niffty and Husker. But he didn't care much for them all. They were just sinners, even the ones Alastor owned, there wasn't much to them beyond violence and waste. Lucifer didn't want to engage himself with their brand of hellish energy.
They were not Alastor.
For the moment, he found contentment in watching the red demon. He was talking with the other people in the table. Not eating, despite being the one to cook the meal, because Alastor didn't eat normal food. Not anymore, not after everything. And Lucifer couldn't feed him this far away. He wondered if Alastor was hungry. Perhaps they could make up for the lost time in the dinner table by having a longer meal in their bedroom. He didn't want Alastor to feel hunger, to risk him drifting apart.
Lucifer himself didn't eat much. Tonight and in general, he didn't need to but he was willing to engage, especially because it meant Alastor would be allowed to eat as well. The food was delicious now too, being cooked by his companion it would be. But it didn't taste the same without the fuzzy feeling in his head while his blood was being consumed.
He did his best to eat as much as he could, not wanting Alastor to feel rejected in his efforts, but ended up stirring the meal more often than not. At some point in the night, the whole dish was swallowed by shadows and disappeared from the table without anyone but Lucifer noticing.
That's when Lucifer started his endeavor of staring at the deer demon. He glanced at Alastor when the serving vanished, finding him already looking at him for a moment before returning to his conversatiom with the others. Lucifer knew that Alastor wasn't mad at him for wasting the food, that wasn't his upset eyes, but he was still curious what the demon did with the plate then.
He kept his observations on the demon after that, having nothing else to do with the food gone, completely zoned out of the rest of people around him. He didn't know what they were talking about, but Alastor's static voice was soothing in his brain at least in ways nothing much was these days.
The smile didn't reach his eyes, but it hardly ever did when he was talking with other people. Lucifer knew Alastor wasn't comfortable with being around that many people either, but as an Overlord he needed to step up in the scene again. Millions of people died each year, and with the exterminations the older souls died in Hell as well, people were beginning to forget his name and as much as Alastor didn't like being around others, he was less thrilled by that idea of the sinners forgetting their place in the food chain.
It wouldn't do if some lowlife sinner attempted to hurt Charlie's hotel, he had said. She cared about it, and Lucifer cared about her, so Alastor cared as well. No one took the princess seriously, and no one could confirm Lucifer was staying there.
Hiding was a short term solution, but for now his presence would probably only bring unnecessary chaos to his daughter's project. As well as kept away demons who would be interested in redemption but scared the Devil would punish them for attempting to be free from his realm.
Hilarious, when there wasn't much the Devil could do due to his own punishment, and even less he cared to do. But still what it was. So they were mostly trusting Alastor's reputation and power to keep the place safe.
The deer's eyes were calculating though, the same way they were when he was talking to the lowlife sinners that had him and Lucifer bound in that cell. The conversation wasn't for entertaiment then, it was probably to gain information of use.
If this was anyone else, he'd probably be more worried about them using a casual dinner chat with his daugther and her lover to gain information of value. But since this was Alastor, Lucifer couldn't wait for the night to end, so the demon would tell him what he was searching and what he found.
Perhaps it could be after dinner, when they were both satied and ready to go to bed. He really wanted to be in their bed.
Alastor's hands were on his staff, he wouldn't normally had it while in the table, finding it disrepectful of the gathering and the dining ritual. But now, both hands were in the head of the microphone, claws tapping the shell and making a clicking noise low enough it wouldn't bother anyone in the room in the same way his constant static wouldn't.
Lucifer really wanted to hold his hands. Usually, after they were both done with their dinners, he would get to hold them, explore the sharp claws he already had memorized, feel the warmth filling both of them with the action. Even under the table —since they moved to the hotel— so they would be out of questioning eyes. It would soothe the ache in him until they leave the area and Lucifer could climb again in Alastor's back to their next location.
Lucifer wanted to do that
He was bored, surrounded by sinners that could never be as entertaining as Alastor. Hungry, without being able to eat while feeding the demon. Itchy, in the skin that craved the contact that it was so used to recieve. Cold, from being so far apart the warmth that would mitigate it. Tired, from this long night away from his company.
Drinking his sight was not enough. Lucifer could never get tired of watching Alastor, he knew. But watching knowing he could have more left him with a longing feeling in his chest. A beast trying to bite his way out of the hollow cavity, that could only be appeased by the red claws in the microphone going through his hair instead.
Admiring wasn't enough. He wanted to go to their bedroom, be it in the apple tower or their swamp if that was what Alastor wanted. He just wanted to leave.
He sighed.
What a dull night.
A small smirk appeared on his face when he caught the deer ears flicking. Always enchanted by the fluffy appendages. But soon he was startled when the Radio Demon stand up from the table with no warning, seemingly interrupting one of the sinners while they were talking, in a ill-mannered way he was not accustomed to.
"Well, it seems like we would be taking our leave for the night, chums!"
"We? What do you me-"
But Alastor didn't answer as he slip in his shadows. For a small second, when he saw Alastor disappear in the black gloom of his powers, Lucifer felt dread closing his throat. Not able to see Alastor anymore, the last of him being surrounded by the black energy. Lucifer couldn't lose him again. What if he didn't found him this time? Alastor couldn't leave him. He wouldn't. He didn't leave him behind before and he wouldn't leave him now. Why did he left? Where did he went? Where was Alastor? Where where where-
It was only one second, though. Because in the next the demon reapeared right at Lucifer's side. The demonic energy was the first thing he recognized, and it was enough to help him breathe again. Then he saw him, holding a hand out to him for Lucifer to grab, which he immediatly did.
The ache in his heart softened. And the screaming in his brain quietened with the static noise. Of course. Alastor was just using his shadow so he could be at Lucifer's side faster, instead of having to walk around the big table, made to fit the eight beings in the hotel. Alastor wouldn't leave him, Lucifer knew that.
"Wait- Alastor! You are leaving? Are you taking dad with you?" Charlie asked, concern in her voice as she saw Lucifer take the demons hand to help himself out of the chair and climb the taller demon's back. He could use his wings. He could also shift to a different form. But then he would've had to let go of the red claws and he was not willing to lose that.
Still, once he was comfortable in his place, both hands around Alastor's neck, the right one still holding onto the other's, face pressed against his companion, he sent a confused look to Charlie, unknowinly mirroring the look the other demon was wearing, though without the always fixed smile.
"Of course, my dear. Your father seems to be done for the night. So we would be retiring to our bedroom and leave you folks to continue enjoying your evening."
Lucifer felt a fuzzy warm feeling inside his chest. Alastor noticed. He was in the middle of gathering information for whatever plan he has going scheming up now, and he still noticed Lucifer's discomfort and decided to prioritize it.
But he wasn't looking at Lucifer, he couldn't be without the angel noticing, with the way his eyes were locked on every move the demon made. So how…?
He made a confused hummed, pulling his face away from the demon to stare at his face, looking for an answer in the other. Soonly he noticed how the fluffly ear flicked to his side at the sound.
Naturally, at the lack of his eyes, Alastor would use his ears. Wouldn't be the first time he did that to locate his angel. Lucifer just didn't know he was still doing that, focusing so much of his attention on every small sound he made, trying to discern his mood just by the accents of his voice, by the speed of his breathing.
"But he didn't say anything, Al. If you wanted to leave that's fine, but you can't just take dad with you without even asking him" Charlie seemed a bit frantic in her answer. Lately she had been talking to both of them about that kind of stuff. Saying what they wanted. Asking instead of just doing. Communicating instead of assuming.
Lucifer didn't quite get it. If he already knew what Alastor wanted then why wasted energy and time instead of going for it. The other demon was smart enough to catch up on the plan halfway through, and if he disapproved of his desicion he'd let Lucifer know. And the angel knew the same grace was extended to him.
He still accepted, because talking to Alastor was hardly a punishment, but he didn't understand why it was necessary now. They were just leaving, what was there to ask?
A light-bulb sparked in his head, though. This was perfect. Charlie would be so proud of him for communicating his preferences and Alastor would know what to do to not upset him again. He moved around the demon, climbing his way to his chest instead of being drapped at the back. Regrettably, he had to let go of the hand holding him, but it was a small sacrifice for being able to see him eye to eye.
"She's right, you can't just do that without warning. You can't leave my sight without telling me first, even if you're only crossing the room" it was not exactly what she meant, but Lucifer figured it was close enough. If Al wanted to leave and travel through his shadows, then that was fine, but he couldn't just leave without saying anything first.
Charlie made a strangled noise across the room, but before Lucifer could check on her Alastor pulled his attention with his squinty confused eyes.
"I would assume you would know I'd only use my shadows to get closer to you and take you with me in our next path"
Lucifer liked the sound of that, he liked it a lot. Alastor getting closer to him. Their next path being together. But still, the memory of the sharp panic he felt when his demon left his sight was not something he would want to repeat.
"How would you feel if I were to teleport from the chair to your back without telling you?" Alastor gave himself a second to think about it. The static popped for a moment before it settled again when he put his hands around Lucifer waist to hold him. His grip was tight, but to Lucifer it didn't felt constricting, it was safety.
"I understand. You would disappear from my sight, I wouldn't know where you would appear again. And for a moment, the universe-"
"Would claim you" Lucifer finished for him, knowing exactly what he was thinking, and he continued as he put one of his hands in the other's face "But you are not of the universe, Al. You're mine. And you can't leave my sight without telling me first"
The demon nodded, looking directly into the red eyes "I expect you to extend the same courtesy", he said not really asking, but Lucifer acknowledged as it was with a nod on his own, because of course he would. He would never want Alastor to feel like he was losing him again.
They would probably have to talk about it more in the their bedroom (apple tower or swamp? He still wasn't sure where Alastor planned to take them tonight), the logistics of it all. What to do if they couldn't talk. A safety net, in case something happened. Perhaps after their actual dinner, but before Al told him his next plan under the covers. He hummed in consideration, eyes rapidly jumping to the other's ears, to see them flicking again to catch the sound.
"Oh my…" Charlie sounded distressed, the tone enough to snap Lucifer out of his radio induced bubble. He didn't like the stress in her voice, she wasn't supposed to feel that way. He pulled his eyes away from the crimson in front of him to focus on her. She was already looking back, smile pinched and eyes jittery jumping between both of them.
If Lucifer bothered to look, he'd see that she was not the only one like that. Bewildered expressions painted the faces of the other sinners and fallen angel. But they were not Charlie. And they were not Alastor. And they were no threat to either. So Lucifer didn't bother looking at them.
Charlie gulped, visibly trying to compose herself, and plastered a bigger smile on her face. Forced in the way her happiness should never be.
"Great! This is great. You guys talked about your feelings and things that were upsetting you and came to an agreement. This is great, right, Vaggie?" She asked, looking at her girlfriend desperately, but the fallen angel could only do a doubtful grimace, also unsure about what to do.
"Indeed, it is! Thanks for your insight, dear. But if that is all, then we will be retiring. I believe your father and I still have some discussing to do" Lucifer paused to look at Charlie for a moment longer, but she seemed well enough so he nodded while returning to his place at Alastor's back.
"Bye bye, Char! We'll see you tomorrow for breakfast" Lucifer waved at her with a smile, feeling happy himself after Al's promise before of not leaving his sight and the new information that they will be talking some more alone, and wanting to share some of that happiness with her.
It seemed to work, to some extent, the stress lines around her eyes softening, making peace with something he didn't know but was glad she found. With his daughter looking better, Lucifer had no more qualms in leaving the dining room with his demon.
He didn't noticed the cat-winged demon's apprehension, at the Devil very clearly making plans for both him and his boss, without consulting if the other demon wanted to have breakfast with them as well. Just assuming that he would be there, because Lucifer would be there. And the deer didn't even seem upset by it, not faced by the assumption in the slightest, as if that was the natural way of their lives.
They all watched as both of them disappear in an inky cloud made of shadows, leaving just concern behind.