Uh, Alastor?"
Lucifer belatedly realizes Alastor isn't following, and turns back to find him unmoving—and for once he's the one with the glassy gaze. Lucifer would make fun of him, if not for the fact that his expression doesn't look good; smile small and curdled.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Lucifer asks, walking back to him.
That snaps Alastor out of his reverie, at least. "Yes, perfectly so!" he says, but his body language implies otherwise.
And now Lucifer feels a new sort of guilt. He'd been so busy being relieved he hadn't actually done anything unforgivable to Alastor according to his own standards, that he hadn't really considered how Alastor might be dealing with the whole ordeal.
"Is this about the horse?" Lucifer asks, and the way Alastor stiffens as if bracing for mockery is all the reply he needs. Hastily, Lucifer grabs Alastor's wrist in case he tries to leave. "Hey! Look, I'm sorry about that, okay? I will compensate you. It has a soul so killing it feels wrong, but we can discuss other options! Besides, I don't need to say its name out loud, just thinking the name works. No one will know."
"It must amuse you," Alastor says dryly, and makes a movement as if to shake Lucifer's hand, but Lucifer tightens his hold. "To have me at your beck and call."
Yup, 'riding Alastor' jokes must be stabbed, killed, cremated then buried and never ever cross his lips. "Come now, you know that's not it! I named that cat Luci, didn't I? That's practically my name!"
"What insults you do to yourself are not my concern. Besides, that thing happens to have a passing resemblance to you. That horse looks nothing like me, which reveals that you equate me to some useful beast."
…Well shit, this certainly confirms Lucifer has been doing a stellar job of keeping his feelings hidden. Maybe too much so.
He hadn't realized how seriously Alastor had taken the naming incident.
"No, I don't, " Lucifer says, and drops any levity from his tone. "That's a reach and you know it. I was drunk off my mind, and you were literally standing right there and you were the reason I even created it to begin with. It's only natural your name was at the tip of my tongue. It has nothing to do with thinking you're less than. I called you my friend yesterday, and I meant it."
Alastor looks a little less stiff, like he might have been assuaged but doesn't want to give in just yet.
Okay, maybe now is the time for some light-heartedness. "C'mon." Lucifer elbows Alastor in the ribs. "If I was going to equate you to an animal, it wouldn't be a horse, it'd be a blood sucking leech."
Alastor makes a sound at the back of his throat awfully like someone trying to choke back laughter, and Lucifer considers it a success.
"Oh, to be called a leech after all I've done for you. How dare you?" Alastor says, poking Lucifer in the chest repeatedly, but there's nothing actually affronted about his tone.
Relieved, Lucifer lets go of the tension he hadn't realized had settled on his shoulders. "Hey, leeches are the best for medicine, it's a compliment."
"Your complimenting abilities are woefully subpar, then."
Lucifer winks. "Ha! With that attitude, maybe I should call you an ass instead."
There is a moment, where Alastor freezes and Lucifer worries he might have gone overboard—
And then something smacks Lucifer on his ass.
"Hey!" he yelps, twirling around to find…Alastor's shadow, making a show of whistling and looking anywhere but Lucifer.
"Tch, traitor," Lucifer grouses. He turns back to find Alastor is no longer beside him, instead he's already walking ahead.
"Lets not tarry," Alastor admonishes, "so come along…little limpet."
Fuck it, he deserves that one. "You're the one who was delaying brunch."
"I refuse to acknowledge that word."
*
As mortifying as having the name is, he never truly believed Lucifer thought so lowly of him. No, he was more than ready to accept there had been no thought at all in his drunk mind at that time.
What aggrieves him more is the show of abundant relief over the lack of intercourse.
Lucifer can claim all he wants that he's only happy over consent, but Alastor knows better.
Whether Lucifer acknowledges it or not, clearly the heart of the issue is his wish to remain faithful to Hecate.
And that stings.
Why waste his devotion on someone who mistreated and cast him aside?
Alastor smiles wryly. He supposes he truly was lucky to strike that deal with Lucifer; his humiliation would have been twofold if at any moment in the previous night he had confessed or offered a relationship, and been rebuked.
He should leave, wash his hands of this, and cease this self-inflicted torment that is continuing to remain here day in and day out, when all he gets is a reminder of what he wants, but cannot have.
…But now is not a good time. Not when they're on the cusp of success. Not when Lucifer has acknowledged him, and has given him such power and trust by inviting him to interfere, it leaves Alastor breathless.
No, he will persevere for a while.
*
Lucifer has no idea what he's even eating during brunch, because finally he can go over Alastor's words, and it hits him how close to disaster they'd been.
Had Alastor not been staunchly certain nothing bad had happened, he could have taken everything from Lucifer and then some. Fuck, he could have even demanded marriage .
Because Lucifer wouldn't have dared to drink the waters and remember everything, and he'd be too guilty to fight Alastor on any demands.
And it was all averted because the guy who proclaimed to not even like sex insisted it had to be consensual.
…Had he meant it?
Was Alastor more willing to experiment then he let on, and just never found an ideal opportunity before? With his ego, maybe he thought nothing less than a first generation God was deserving of his first time…
Or, also because of his ego, he'd been lying about it. Too prideful to accept a scenario where he'd have to come to terms with how weak he is compared to Lucifer, he'd rather believe he changed his stance.
But if…if it was the first option, then didn't it mean sex with Lucifer was still an option? Maybe not as easily as when he'd been drunk, but maybe he can be coached to be interested in it if Lucifer offered up something to sweeten the deal.
That said, this circles back to his current situation of having the chance to change the Underworld almost within his grasp.
Sabotaging it by possibly offending Alastor with a proposition is low even for Lucifer.
Granted, even offering at all is kind of low; he's basically hoping Alastor will agree to give up his first time in exchange for something else, like some merchandise.
…Oh, who is he kidding? Alastor will likely just fleece him over it, no need to feel bad over that .
But he's getting ahead of himself again. For now, he should focus on not screwing up the partnership they currently have. After it's all said and done, if he still thinks it's worth the risk, Lucifer might try.
Though, admittedly, he isn't sure yet he wants that; would sex calm his feelings down, or is he just going to hurt himself more since a one night stand is not what he wants from Alastor?
"Lucifer?"
Oh, he is being spoken to. "Yeah?"
"Did Charlie tell you when to expect a message from Dike? Or will you be the one to make contact?"
Huh. That's a good question. They can't move on with the plan if they don't talk. Had Charlie said anything about it? Lucifer doesn't recall, then again, he barely recalls anything she said, only how great she had looked.
"Err…no?"
Alastor slants his eyes then lets out a theatrical sigh. "Very well, then I suppose you should go ask her that, no?"
And look like a terrible father if it turned out she had told him? No way. "Uh, why don't you ask her? I mean, I'm sure you want to ask her details too, since this is all your idea." There, smooth!
Alastor looks unamused, but relents. "Oh, fine, this might be for the best."
"Great! And now, maybe we should start the library cleanup."
"Why not snap your fingers and have the mess go away?"
"That will work fine on the atrium since that all looks like just junk. But for the library, maybe in the middle of drunk scribbles we reached enlightenment and there's a good idea buried somewhere."
"Hmm, go ahead and start, it seems I have a message to send."
"...Ugh, I guess I deserve that, fine."
*
The atrium is indeed easy to deal with. Lucifer does give a glance to the statues but there's nothing he can't recreate, if he ever feels like it.
It's a small miracle most are just busts. Not that nudes were inherently a problem since they're all the rage these days, but who knows what his drunk mind would have made?
Some of Alastor's busts were a bit too…beautifully done. Thankfully, because Lucifer also poured his heart out when making Charlie's busts, the care put into it is less obvious.
As for why he'd refrained from full body nudes of Alastor…he can only assume he'd wanted to see the tail before doing those, and then got sidetracked.
Maybe that's for the best; Lucifer is not sure how he'd deal with it if it turned out he had seen the tail and was forced to forget and never remember it.
With a flick, it's all gone. Even the Charlie statues: he has a lot of them in storage already.
Next, he moves to the library.
*
Wading through the mess and trying to discern what might be of use is more of a chore than Lucifer expected. Some are scribbled badly enough that Lucifer can't read them, and some are just straight-up ridiculous.
Like a machine that hurts people if they are bad singers. He can guess whose drunk mind came up with that .
Or handing the dead a duck shaped identification…he better hide this before Alastor sees it.
And there are too many flower drawings.
There's a map of the Underworld, with sections divided, which Lucifer recalled seeing that morning, and he files that for observation later.
The funniest thing though, is just how easy it is to tell who did what. It seems drawing is not among Alastor's skills. Heh.
"According to Charlie," Alastor says, walking in, as if sensing Lucifer's mocking thoughts. "It seems Dike should be sending a formal greeting and schedule to you soon. And she told you that."
"Oh, okay," Lucifer says, sheepishly ignoring that last part.
"Incidentally, she mentioned she really liked the mirror I recommended you give her."
"Oh, yeah, she did! Sorry, so much happened I forgot about that. Thanks for suggesting it."
"If you really are grateful, then don't renege on our deal."
"What…oh! Right! Shit, I completely forgot. Here." Lucifer summons a glass mirror, long and tall enough to cover Alastor's full reflection. "Err, this was already made, I can always add more decorations to it—"
"No ducks."
"Excuse you, I was thinking of sculpting some flowers."
"Hm, alright," Alastor says breezily.
He's clearly not paying attention, too engrossed in his own reflection, and very obviously pleased at what he's seeing.
Lucifer snorts softly. How vain . Granted, Alastor had cause to be proud of his looks, but still.
He goes back to rifling through the scrolls in his hand…and then stops.
The scroll he's looking at now is clearly Alastor's. The drawing quality is poor enough he can barely make it out, but it looks like a lush forest, only of course not filled with pretty colors but dark greens and blacks.
Above the childlike drawing is scrawled: Persephone's Grove.
"Hey, Alastor? Is this a real place?"
"Hm?" Alastor looks over the scroll and frowns slightly. "...Not yet, no. I haven't found an appropriate location for it."
Or you don't have enough land , Lucifer realizes. Which makes perfect sense; he's too young and his domain is more of a state than a specific location. Even if he has a home, he probably doesn't have enough space to do as he pleases.
But given this is Alastor, it's also just as likely he has yet to find a free space that is 'deserving' of his management. Not that Lucifer will ever know: pride won't allow Alastor to admit if it is the former.
Still, this works just fine for him.
"Do you think the Underworld is good enough for it?" he asks, and enjoys the sincere look of complete surprise Alastor gives him.
"That… are you sure?"
"Would I offer it if I wasn't?"
"That wasn't worded as an offer."
"You can just say no, I'm not going to be upset, no need to be pedantic with the wording."
"...I'm not refusing. I just think it's unexpected; won't this ruin the vision you had for your domain? I assure you, I won't be filling it with pretty flowers."
Lucifer shrugs. "Variety is nice, now and then, and still beats bleak nothingness. Besides, I still owe you for the horse thing, so if this is something you want—"
"It's a deal," Alastor says, and Lucifer silently gloats at how fast he blurted that out.
That, and he's just paid off his horse debt and secured one more reason for Alastor to come visit more often after things are done.
"Great! Now stop admiring yourself and help me with the clutter."
*
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Alastor says eventually. "I didn't take you for creating a location for new torture methods."
"Uh, what? If anyone wanted to create an area for that, it'd definitely be you."
Wordlessly, Alastor points a scroll his way. On the top is scribbled "Lu Lu World".
"This," Alastor says dryly, "is certainly not my naming sense."
"Let me see that."
Lucifer takes the scroll and gives it a look. "Oh, this isn't torture. It's a park for fun activities."
"This drawing seems to showcase a device whereupon you tie people, and then force them to undergo falls and turns."
"Rollercoaster. They're strapped in for their own safety, the fun is the thrill."
"And this one seems to showcase a device where you threaten to let them fall from a high altitude."
"It's for the thrill as well. They won't get harmed."
"And this one has them going around in circles endlessly."
"It's not endless!"
"Well, if they don't know that, it's all the more thrilling!"
"For you, maybe. No, the point of this park thing is to have fun. I originally planned it for Char-Char, and I guess last night I brought back the idea."
"Well, if this is your idea of entertainment, I can only wait with baited breath for what you consider torture!"
"It's a good thing you don't really need to breathe, then. Anyway, let's continue…" Lucifer blinks, realizing how clean their surroundings are now. "Oh, I guess we're done."
Alastor makes a noise of assent, and Lucifer stretches his back in relief. "Fucking finally. Who knew drunk people could get so into paperwork. Pity the quality is all but useless. Ugh, I could do with a massage. Oh, how about one, Alastor?"
Alastor gives him a look like a deer caught in torchlights, and Lucifer realizes how that had sounded like.
"Not from me! Oh, no, I think we've had enough of naked touching for today. Or this week." But hopefully not forever. "My underlings are well trained to do it. After the shit we went through, maybe some relaxing might be good. I can add some salts to the bath water for a relaxing bath too…"
Alastor narrows his eyes. "And this is definitely not another attempt to see my alleged tail?"
Lucifer sniffs, miffed. "How dare you, not everything is about you. It never even crossed my mind." And he's totally not vexed that it didn't, nope. "I can put a partition between us, or just cover that area with a towel."
"I'll take the partition. As you said, there's been quite enough skinship for the day. And you aren't allowed to ask your minions for details later."
Lucifer is hardly upset. If Alastor is still willing to be close in an undressed state after all the shit from this morning, it's a win.
*
"Oooh, yeah, this was another great idea from me," Lucifer purrs as the first goat starts pressing into a knot in his shoulder.
"I suppose even you had to succeed eventually," comes the reply from the other side of the partition.
Lucifer would retort, but who supplied the wine again? Yeah, Alastor is allowed to insult his choices, at least for today.
From the corner of his eye, he sees Luci plop on the ground in front of a goat, who tries to touch it, only for Catalastor to come out of nowhere and swipe at it.
Lucifer sighs blissfully and sinks into the massage, closing his eyes.
"You know," Lucifer says, "I was thinking yesterday—"
"I don't trust any thoughts you had yesterday."
"—On the way back from Charlie. We have to amend our deal about her."
"...In what way?"
"M'mm, it might have been too drastic. We can change it to you being allowed to be around her and such. Just…no deals and suggestions or guidance without telling me immediately and getting my approval. Something like that."
Silence greets his suggestion, and Lucifer is about to give up on a reply, when Alastor pipes up again.
"When this venture succeeds, you could have Charlie come back and aid you down here."
Where did that come from? "Uh, no thanks, this place is too bleak for her."
"Will it still be so, after you've carpeted it all in flowers and created structure to the chaos?"
Huh, he has a point. Lucifer had always staunchly told himself Charlie being away was for the best, that he hadn't really considered that maybe it wouldn't be so bad for her in the future.
The thought of working alongside his little girl, of having her within arms reach, flutters his stomach in a way counterintuitive to the relaxation he'd been seeking with the massage. Trying to not think about it, Lucifer instead focuses on why Alastor brought this up now—
He brought it up only after Lucifer suggested amending the deal. Was it his way of thanking Lucifer for it or…
Oh. If Charlie came down here without the deal being amended, Alastor would have trouble being allowed to stay. He had likely already thought of this idea, but kept silent since it would jeopardize his plans.
Maybe Lucifer should be annoyed that Alastor kept such a good suggestion quiet for selfish reasons, but that's just like Alastor to do. And yeah, Lucifer is the father here, he should be the one thinking this up. And maybe he would have, eventually, when the Underworld looks better.
So instead, Lucifer is giddy that apparently, having a place in the Underworld really is something Alastor is sincerely planning to go through with.
"Would she even want to come down here, though?"
"I don't see why not. I'm sure there'll be plenty to do organizing the deceased rabble, and isn't that a form of betterment? Certainly a more fruitful endeavor than what she's currently doing. And she certainly would be safer here, since there is no danger of stepping on another deity's toes."
"And I could help! She wouldn't have to struggle at all, I can do anything for her. In fact, I can do everything for her! She wouldn't really have to lift a finger and just watch as her dad does it all for her!"
"...Let's, ah, revisit that in the future, shall we?"
Lucifer hums, looking forward to having his little girl next to him, watching with wide eyes as he showcases his powers. She'll be so grateful…
As he settles and finally allows himself to feel the massage again, fatigue takes over. It's only expected, really; the last two days had been high on emotions, and now they're taking their toll. Honestly, it's even surprising he took this long to feel it.
He closes his eyes, and allows himself to drift…
As his consciousness fades, he thinks he feels something softly caressing his head. The sensation is all he needs to truly fall asleep.
*
"Delivery! Ooh, the Ultimate Bad Boy is naked! Hehe."
Lucifer wakes up to the not at all soothing sounds of Niffty.
Thankfully, he notices as he opens his eyes blearily that he's still where he expected to be; and Niffty is only giggling at seeing his naked back, as the rest is hidden by a towel.
Groaning, he accepts the message and shoos her away so he can sit up. Alastor is nowhere in sight, so he doesn't have to immediately worry about his modesty. Now sighing, Lucifer wishes he could even pretend to be surprised to have fallen asleep—but given his track record, the only shocking thing is how long it took for this to happen.
He glances at the message and jolts at the sender. It's Stolas.
Now fully awake again, Lucifer reads and rereads it.
I need to find Alastor , he thinks, soon done and trains his ears to see if he can hear where Alastor might be.
There are two sounds. One is distant and lovely…but it's being drowned out by something so awful Lucifer can only describe it as murder happening.
Is it a day where Bee's performing through the scrying? Lucifer has to admit that he hasn't been keeping track of that, leaning on Alastor to know.
Maybe Alastor had put her music as background to whatever torture he's enacting on something.
Getting out of the bath, Lucifer quickly finds the source of the horrendous screeching.
Shockingly, it isn't Alastor having fun. Catalastor is sitting on the edge of the atrium's fountain, with Luci on the ground in front of him, apparently being serenaded with yowls that would not be out of place in Tartarus. And Lucifer only calls it serenading and not harassment because Catalastor is purring in contentment.
You certainly didn't take your musical ability from me , Lucifer thinks.
He moves on to find the Odeon door closed. Likely to drown out the cacophony coming from the cat.
Not wanting to ruin anything by opening the door, Lucifer portals his way inside, and sighs in relief as a much better melody drowns out the racket.
It's not, as it turns out, scrying. Instead, Alastor's tendrils have taken up various instruments and are playing them.
Lucifer watches silently, not wanting to interrupt; but too soon a tendril slips and plays incorrectly.
Alastor makes a growl of annoyance, and Lucifer chuckles, announcing himself by saying, "Be nice, they're playing well enough for things that don't have fingers. Or souls."
Alastor swivels around to face him. "It's useless if it's not perfect," he replies, but seems less annoyed.
"You'll get there. And Stolas sent me a message."
"I see you finally got the name correctly. And what were the contents?"
"He wants to meet up tomorrow afternoon. He doesn't have anything of note to tell us yet and says he's still doing research, but didn't want to keep us in suspense and was also hoping we might help think of something."
"You keep saying 'us', but I doubt the message was addressed to myself as well."
Lucifer shrugs. "Does it matter? I'm not going without you. Unless you've changed your mind, that is."
"I haven't, of course not."
"Good! So, are you playing another song?"
"I think it's your turn to indulge me, is it not?"
"Alright, alright."
Taking out his trusty instrument, Lucifer seats himself on the edge of the stage and plays whatever comes to mind first…
Which just happens to be a romantic tune.
Well, they danced to some of that the other day, and that meant nothing, so this should be fine.
Besides, it is cathartic to play it, in a way. To pour out his emotions under the guise of playing avidly and nothing else.
He doesn't have the courage to look at Alastor as he plays, pretending to be concentrating on his instrument, and only as the last note fades does he dare look up.
Alastor doesn't look very impressed.
"A love song, how charming," Alastor says dryly. "Who are you thinking of?"
"Do I have to have someone in mind to play a nice tune?" Lucifer tries to deflect; it feels wrong to lie by saying it's for Charlie.
"You—" Alastor says, eyes flashing, but just as quickly the light goes out and he sighs as if he's giving something up. "Nevermind, I was going to suggest a duet, but I assume you certainly don't want my meddling in that."
"Why not? It would be better if you accompanied me." And he doesn't mean the song.
Alastor looks at him, seemingly vexed, but still wordlessly motions for an instrument.
When he receives one, he begins playing and—
See? Clearly one doesn't need to have feelings to play a long song emotionally, because Alastor thrives, playing like it's a confession.
Well, Lucifer can certainly match that, with how he's feeling, and quickly joins, no less agitated.
But maybe that isn't the best idea after all; by the end of the song he feels anything but happy. Frustration cloys at his throat at the ridiculousness of it all. Pouring out his feelings on a love song... but having their recipient match his rhythm can only feel good if it's mutual.
"Oh, uh," he says, trying to look for a change of pace. "Now that I think about it, I guess this is the end of the line for that tale you were spinning about checking a friend's work, right? I assume that was about Stolas."
"As long as you don't try to pry into my private communication, I shan't be boring you with tales."
"I didn't say you were boring me. What was the next part going to be?"
Alastor purses his lips. "Unrequited love."
Despite not currently eating or drinking anything, Lucifer nearly chokes. "W-What?"
"I'm sick of sappy love stories," Alastor says, shrugging. "And this one happens to be a tale I was told. So, one of our plucky protagonists would have found himself in love, but his love is unrequited."
Lucifer grows cold. It's a coincidence, right?
"But…maybe it will be?"
"It's never going to happen," Alastor retorts flatly.
Shit, is Alastor…subtly turning him down? Telling him to not bother because he doesn't have a rat's chance in the Underworld?
"Any, hum," Lucifer tries to keep his voice level, "particular reason why?"
"He is sworn to another."
…Okay, so is Alastor just admitting he's in love? But would Alastor go that far just to warn Lucifer to stay away?
Thankfully not noticing his panic, Alastor continues, laughing mirthlessly. "It's quite comical, really, while one is busy with his head in the clouds, the other is fending off harridans after him—"
Shit, is this about the suitor lists?
"He was able to kill one, but the others are off limits."
Oh wait, Lucifer hasn't committed murder for Alastor. Yet.
"Or dealing with others telling him to confess—"
Fuuuuuck, that's about Ozzie.
"Endlessly."
Oh wait, that's also not Ozzie.
"But why should he ever confess to someone all but married? Even falling is already a pathetic endeavor which…I can't explain. What do you think of it?"
Lucifer nearly slumps in relief. This had never been about them, thank Phanes. Not only that, there's something sincere and even raw about the question, so Alastor is genuinely confused and asking.
"Well," Lucifer says, thinking about it. "There's nothing wrong with that. I mean, it's normal to be worried that maybe it's not that the person can't love anyone, just that they won't love you, and so they'd rather keep away from any competition than to find out. And it's easy for outsiders to say stuff like 'go on and do it', they're not the ones that are going to deal with the rejection."
"...I see." Somehow, the conversation has dispirited Alastor.
That has Lucifer anxious again; he doesn't want the day to end on a terrible note, it's bad enough how it started off as.
"Uh, hey," Lucifer's never been good at changing the subject, cheering people up or conversation in general, so all Lucifer can blurt out is, "do you want to hear a joke?"
At least that's abrupt enough for Alastor to be broken from his stupor, and Lucifer plows on before he can be convinced to stop. "So, err, what does it mean if a man is in your bed, gasping for breath and calling your name?"
Okay, regardless of how this ends, it was worth it for the wide eyed stare of incredulity he got to see from Alastor.
"That you didn't hold the pillow down long enough!"
There is a moment, where it seems like the very air is holding its breath…
And then Alastor is roaring with laughter. Enough that he clutches his own stomach.
It's not a sound anyone would call melodious, too sharp and barking for that. But it's genuine and therefore music to his ears.
It dies down too quickly for Lucifer's liking, with Alastor wiping his eyes.
"Would you join me for another song?" Alastor finally says when he's coherent again. "A cheerier one, this time."
Always. "Sure, why not. Lead away!"
Notes:—Bloodletting using leeches was a prominent form of medicine in ancient Greece. This medicinal practice was used to let out "bad blood" to maintain a balanced health standard that was founded by Galen and Hippocrates around the fifth century BC.
—I promise more progress on their relationship soonish, and this one isn't getting reset. But first, have some mild chapters to rest after the last arc.
notes.)
"I was thinking about your suggestion of white clothing," Lucifer says over breakfast, "and I think I can take a stab at it. White with some red, like my flower... I could have it be a special ceremonial outfit for the future."
"No ducks."
"I'm not that obsessed with ducks!" claims the God that has two rooms full of duck creations.
"And make it appropriately regal."
"My clothes are fine. And anyway, I can make something for you too, while I'm at it."
"Hm? You're making it?"
"Why not?"
"Why not have them done by a tailor?"
"As with everything else, it's a hassle to get any down here. So why bother when I can make my own?"
"I distinctly recall you trying to recommend your tailor to me."
"It was a figure of speech! Look, I'll make the clothes, and if you don't like them, you're free to turn your nose at them or use them to wipe the floor."
"It's nonsense for you to have to resort to making your own clothes to begin with. Perhaps we should pay a visit to my tailor."
"Depends, do they agree with your color scheme choice, or did you threaten them into compliance?"
Alastor gives him a withering glare before making a motion with his hand and—
"Hey!" Lucifer balks as two tendrils spring from the ground and each circle his armpits, lifting and carrying him. "Alright, alright, I can walk!" he says, hastily working himself free of their grasp.
Less because he dislikes the manhandling and more because he felt a little too comfortable with it.
"Wait, did you mean to go right now? Don't you need an appointment?" Lucifer ventures as they walk to the entrance of the palace.
"Oh, I most certainly do not ," Alastor says menacingly, which suggests that someone had already suffered for demanding one.
"Right. Well, even so, we have Stolas today, I don't think this is the right time to leave and do something new, especially since that could take a while."
"Hmm. I suppose," Alastor concedes.
"So! How about I take your measurements, make the clothing, and you can decide if you still prefer your tailor after that?"
Alastor sighs theatrically, but does nothing else, and Lucifer takes that as his petulant acceptance.
"Alright! Stand straight and still," Lucifer instructs, bringing out the measuring tape quickly, lest Alastor change his mind.
"When have I ever not done both? My posture is flawless."
"Uhuh, drop the attitude, it's interfering with my work."
"That certainly doesn't bode well for your abilities."
"Keep whining and I might accidentally choke you when measuring your neck."
"That only proves my point further," Alastor quips, but then shuts up.
It doesn't take long to measure him; Lucifer knows other places involve tighter fitting clothing, but that sort of fashion hasn't interested the Gods yet. As it is, he mostly just needs to check his arm length and his height.
Which is a pity, if only he could use this as an excuse to check the tail out…
"Will you be needing a ladder for that?" Alastor shoots when he sees Lucifer stretching the measuring tape to reach his neck.
"Only if I need to measure the size of your ego, but I'm afraid my tape doesn't have high enough numbers for that," Lucifer retorts, before summoning two chairs and sitting on one. "Alright, now sit down, take those boots off and place your hooves on my knees."
"Why?" Alastor asks but it's with some satisfaction that Lucifer sees he's already complying.
"For the footwear, of course! I'm not doing this in half measures."
"Isn't this usually done with the shoemaker kneeling on the ground?"
"And I'm sure you love having people kneeling at your f—hooves."
"But of course! Doesn't everyone?" Alastor cocks his head sideways as if he honestly can't imagine why anyone wouldn't love the display of submission.
"I'm not sure I do. I know! How about you prostrate yourself before me so I can see how I feel about it?"
"Haha! Are you sure you can afford it?"
Lucifer blinks in surprise; no matter how threatening Alastor made the statement, the mere fact he has opened it as an option is already surprising enough. Maybe he is so utterly sure that Lucifer won't take him up on it that he risked offering it.
He wants to ask about the cost. And precisely because he wants it too much, Lucifer instead lets out a nervous laugh and says, "Probably not, I still need to pay you for the flowers and then negotiate your rewards for getting Stolas—"
"And the blueprint."
"The what now?"
"Cane blueprint. You promised to finish it and allow me to leave with it."
"When did I…oh shit! You're right. Shit, I completely forgot about that."
"Having to remind you to keep your end of a bargain is quite worrying."
Alastor doesn't actually sound mad about it, but Lucifer doesn't like that he would have failed to deliver if Alastor hadn't reminded him. "Then how about I kneel on the ground and take your measurements there? Will that make you feel better?"
"Hm…why, I believe it will!"
"But no going around and telling others about it."
"How dull. But alright."
Well then, he might as well get to it. Shrugging, Lucifer kicks the chair away and sits on the ground, hand out to receive a foot.
Alastor's hoof lifts off the ground slowly; and somehow ends up with the tip scraping its way up over Lucifer's stomach, then his chest, and then—
Lucifer's breath hitches when the tip is brushing up the skin of his neck languidly, only to pause underneath his chin and, with a flick, force his head up.
Ah, the look in Alastor's eyes is making Lucifer's ichor drain to the wrong place again.
…This was very much a mistake.
Lucifer manages to make a growl of irritation—even if it might have been an octave lower than usual—and pries the hoof off him by the ankle.
Swallowing hard, Lucifer focuses on numbers and measurements, reminding himself that what Alastor likes is the show of superiority and nothing else.
"There, all done!" Lucifer says in record speed, already standing up.
"Don't you need to measure both?"
"I'm sure they're both perfectly symmetrical. And you aren't getting me in that position a second longer."
"Pity."
Thankfully, as he writes down the sizes, ideas start popping into Lucifer's head and pull him away from other things.
"So, what will you be making for me?"
"Hm, I still need to decide. Don't worry though, I'm not going to waste time creating something I know you'll turn your nose at. You'll like it, you'll see. I just need to sit down, make the drafts…oh and then finish that blueprint…huh this might take a while."
"Don't you dare shut yourself in your room for this. I will not have you be late for the appointment over such a thing."
"Well, these are going to take a while, but probably not that much. If I take the morning off for this I might be done in a few hours, but you'll be alone during that time."
"So? I'm not a hyperactive child that cannot handle the lack of engagement. Besides, I have my own work to catch up on."
"Oh?"
"My venture with Apollo. I still need to finalize the draft for my debut."
Oh, right. Lucifer isn't the only big shot Alastor has a partnership with.
It hadn't before, but now the thought leaves a sour taste in his mouth.
"But fret not, naturally this venture takes priority," Alastor says. "In fact, I've been avoiding giving her a date for my performance until I'm certain on how we'll proceed from here on, to avoid conflicts."
It does reassure Lucifer, though he tries to tamper down his smile as best as he can. "Will you be mentioning the Underworld and what we're doing in your thing?"
"My show. And that depends on you, of course. I know how to be discreet."
"...I'll think about it."
*
Sitting down in his workshop, Lucifer tackles Alastor's blueprint first, since that's the most outstanding item.
Honestly, it takes him barely any time at all to finish it; he had only delayed it before because he had still been reticent about handing anything remotely close to a powerup to Alastor.
…Not that he's changed his mind about Alastor being a menace, but now that Lucifer's certain he can't go against Charlie, well, Lucifer doesn't care as much. As long as Alastor doesn't hit his bottom line, he'll turn a blind eye.
With it done, he switches to tackling Alastor's clothes, and inspiration hits him immediately.
Alastor's is easy enough to come up with; Lucifer doesn't bother with anything too different from what he's used to—knowing he's prone to whining—basically settling for something similar to what Alastor is already wearing. Only the sleeves are significantly different; long but half open, sewn together with silver flower buttons at intervals.
For the rest, he mostly focuses on quality; satin instead of the coarse wool Alastor chooses to wear daily. He wishes he could add intricate flower patterns to the design, but has no doubt Alastor will balk at it. Instead, he settles for scenes of hunts going wrong. A deer gorging a man, birds pecking at a hunting dog. Gruesome for anyone getting close enough to pay attention, but that seems like something that will please him.
And hopefully that will be a good enough trade off for the color being deep pink with flashes of white, instead of plain red.
A goat brings him a platter of food. Lucifer shoves it in his mouth before focusing again.
And now for his own…that is a conundrum. There are so many new options! The fact that he can now use white and some red for his clothing makes him all the more excited to try out new stuff.
Maybe he'll take a page out of Alastor's outfit trends and go fully covered. Not because he gives a damn about showing skin or not, but simply because that will mean more of the new clothing on him.
Ugh, but if the design is too elaborate it'll be a waste of the white…
*
"Ha!"
Finally satisfied, Lucifer looks on at his final product with pride. It's great. It's perfect, even.
What time is it, can I start to work on it now?
Summoning a time piece, he swears when he sees it's past lunch time. He's left Alastor alone for too long.
Is that a problem? Now that they're past the stage where this could be used against him, to claim he's failed his duties as a host, it's not as if this is a concern.
In fact, if Lucifer had continued to constantly seek out something for them to do, it's mostly because Lucifer enjoys the company. He'll have plenty of time to himself when Alastor eventually leaves.
But that doesn't mean Alastor is enjoying it, even if he didn't shoot down the friendship. And that's something Lucifer should know; as much as he likes some Gods like Bee and Ozzie, too much of them can feel suffocating.
Just because Lucifer can't get tired of Alastor, it doesn't mean that's reciprocated.
And, sure, Alastor is now equally free to fuck off at any moment he's done, but Lucifer would rather not push things until Alastor snaps and leaves.
So…maybe he should leave Alastor to his own devices some more. Have him recoup his energies so he doesn't get sick and tired of dealing with Lucifer all day.
Feeling a little disheartened by his own conclusion, he is no longer stoked to start on the designs.
So what should I do…oh, I could do that one thing…but is it something Alastor would want to do? Well, if I see him along the way, I'll invite him to join me. If I don't and he says he'd have liked to come along, I'll just do it again with him in tow. Perfect!
Satisfied, he leaves his workshop and barely needs to look around to pinpoint where Alastor is.
His shadow is lounging on the wall next to his room's door. When it sees Lucifer, it perks up excitedly and flees into the room.
Before Lucifer can decide what that might mean, Alastor opens the door and comes out.
"Ah, there you are! Does that mean the plans are done?"
So he'd used his shadow as a lookout for Lucifer. And maybe he'd done it because he's excited for the blueprint, but that could have waited.
It seems like he hasn't grown tired of Lucifer's presence just yet.
"Ah, yeah," Lucifer says, then clears his throat since his voice came out a little watery there. "Yeah, here it is."
Both walk until they meet halfway between the rooms, and Lucifer offers the finished scroll. Alastor opens it, makes a noise of delight and puts it away within his robes.
"So," Alastor says, "I believe it's time for lunch?"
Lucifer blinks in confusion. "Uh, I think it's past that, haven't you eaten?"
"I wasn't quite hungry yet. But it would be foolish to skip a meal when we must both be in tip top shape today, so shall we?"
Oh, that's a lie if Lucifer ever saw one.
And he'd rather throw up all the food in his stomach than refuse to eat now, when Alastor had been waiting for him.
"I'm famished, let's go. Oh and," Lucifer ventures, "since we don't have too much free time this afternoon, I was thinking of just sightseeing. I've seen the Elysian Fields from above and from the middle of it, but haven't gone past it by boat yet. Do you want to join me? Err, if it's not something you're interested in, you can stay."
"Nonsense! Let's admire my creation from all available angles."
"Alright, boat ride it is!"
*
It only dawns on Lucifer that this was a mistake much later—when they're done with lunch, board the boat and are about to reach the Fields. It strikes him just as he's rowing, and nearly lets the oars go.
He'd not summoned Charon because, well, Charon was annoying and he could handle rowing for a bit.
Except that means he's alone on a boat with Alastor, rowing him to sightsee fields of beautiful flowers.
Isn't…isn't this like a date? A very romantic one?
Nonono, it's different! They're just checking on their own handiwork. Context matters and all that.
"Oh, they're lovely from here too," Lucifer says, forcing himself to look at the fields. Something that thankfully is not hard since they're so breathtaking.
"Indeed," says the breathtaking sight within his boat. Shit.
He tries to sneak a glance at his companion, but when he does he finds Alastor also glancing at him, so Lucifer hastily turns back to the landscape.
Focus. Focus.
The sight is beautiful. It's a pity there's no wind or life to give it the sounds of nature.
Oh wait.
"Say, Alastor, can you make them play a song?"
There's no immediate answer, so he glances at Alastor and finds him looking hesitant.
"These flowers aren't…simple, even for mythical ones," Alastor eventually says, looking like the admission cost him a kidney. "Even if they were created by me, half the power was yours and the domain is also different. I might not be able to make them sing."
"Would a drop of my ichor make it work?"
Instead of jumping at the chance, Alastor still looks reticent.
"Possibly. However, even if I do succeed… compliance is another matter. I might not be able to force them to do my bidding, not unless you allow me to demonstrate what happens if they don't comply."
"Hey, no harming my precious Elysian Fields! And c'mon, it can't be that bad. What are they going to do, sing something raunchy? At least it'll be good for a laugh."
"I still don't think this is wise."
"C'mon, please! Look! I'm even asking politely! Pwease?" Seeing Alastor mollified but still not moving, Lucifer takes matters into his own hands—literally haha—by making a cut on his finger and offering it.
He realizes how terrible of an idea this also is when Alastor looks surprised but grabs the digit and guides it to his mouth…
Oh yeah, great going there, Lucifer. You didn't want to make this romantic but you got him to suck your finger. Why don't you cut open your lips and have him suck that while you're at it fucking this up? Ugh, I will not react to him sucking my finger. I will not react to him—
Thankfully, Alastor doesn't take advantage of the loose terms to drink more than necessary; his pride likely stops him from acting like he needs more than a mere drop or two to do it. Meaning he's done faster than Lucifer's ichor can finish traveling downwards.
"..."
Acting as if he's signing his own death warrant, Alastor makes a motion with his hand and the Fields burst into song. Somehow not just singing, but accompanying instruments—of which Lucifer can't recognize—begin to play.
"Shalalalalala," erupts from around them.
"Aw, that sounds really nice!" Lucifer sighs wistfully, attention back to where it should. "See? You were all uppity for nothing."
"There you see him~"
"Sitting there across the way~"
"He doesn't have a lot to say~"
"But there's something about him~"
Surprised, Lucifer looks at Alastor across from him. "Are they singing about us?"
"Why would they be?" Alastor snaps, not giving him a glance, instead glaring at the fields.
"And you don't know why~"
"But you're dying to try~"
"You wanna kiss the boy~"
"W-What?"
"Yes, you want him~"
"Look at him, you know you do~"
Oh, Lucifer is definitely not looking at Alastor anymore. In fact he's looking anywhere but at him.
"Possible he wants you too~"
He sincerely doubts that.
"There is one way to ask him~"
"It doesn't take a word~"
"Not a single word~"
"Go on and…kiss the boy~"
"Ahahaha," Lucifer tries to laugh amidst his rising hysteria. "The flowers are so funny, singing a love song to two Gods with no feelings towards each other, am I right!?"
"Hahaha! Indeed!" Alastor says maniacally, before hissing, "I warned you."
"My oh my~"
"Looks like the boy's too shy~"
"Ain't gonna kiss the boy~"
"There will be no kissing!" Lucifer hollers.
"Ain't that sad?"
"Ain't it a shame?"
"Too bad, he's gonna miss the boy~"
"Alright, Alastor, I learned my lesson, please could you have them sing something more…in tune with the moment!?"
"I told you, I don't have as much power over them as I usually do."
Before Lucifer can cut open an artery or five so Alastor can guzzle down his ichor, Alastor continues. "Dock the boat, direct contact might prove fruitful."
Lucifer rows like his life depends on it.
"Now's your moment—"
"Are they always like this?" Lucifer asks, voice loud in an attempt to drown out the song.
Alastor's eyes grow wide. "Of course not! Why would they be? These bastards are just being jokesters because they know I have less dominion over them, and you won't let me teach them a lesson!"
Lucifer doesn't bother trying to justify himself, as they reach land and both jump out of the boat as if scalded.
"Don't try to hide it, how~"
"You want to kiss—"
Alastor summons his cane and spears it into the ground, sending his power down immediately.
There is a brief discordant note, then the melody changes.
"There's a calm surrender~"
"To the rush of day~"
"When the heat of a rolling wind~"
"Can be turned away~"
"Oh, whew." Lucifer is unable to hide his relief. "This sounds much better!"
"An enchanted moment~"
"And it sees me through~"
"It's enough for this restless warrior~"
"Just to be with you~"
"...Fuck."
"And caaaaaaaaan you feel the love tonight?"
"It is where we—"
Another dissonant bleat rings out, and they are finally quiet.
"..."
"..."
"Lucifer?"
"Yeah?"
"Let's agree to not do this again until my control over them has grown enough that they submit to my will."
"Uhuh, absolutely. No problem."
"Wonderful! Now excuse me, I think I'm ready to leave."
"Yeah, I've had my fill as well. Uh, how about we return by chariot?"
"We seem to be of the same mind."
If this mishap has taught Lucifer anything…is that the flowers in the Underworld might be partially attuned to his feelings. Well, Alastor isn't avoiding him, so clearly outside of these suspicious songs, they haven't told him anything.
Even so, it is an alarming revelation. Is Lucifer going to be able to keep his feelings quiet until the Underworld is fully changed? Maybe he needs to prepare a plan B in case Alastor does figure it out.
…But that has to wait. Right now, the focus is Stolas.
*
"Why are we stopping by your palace? We might as well go onwards to Dike given the time."
"I guess we could, but first I want to create the last horse so I have pairs."
"...Are you planning to use all four horses for this meeting?"
Sensing danger, Lucifer is ready to assuage him. "I'm not telling anyone Al—that horse's name, don't worry. I just thought it'd look more imposing to go there with all four horses, you know? I thought you would approve."
"Since you brought up the subject of appropriate appearances…why are you going to Dike instead of having him come here?"
Lucifer frowns, not seeing where this is going. "Because he invited us?"
Judging by the frown around Alastor's eyes, that was entirely the wrong answer. "You are above him in the hierarchy, it should be you summoning him ."
Ah. That.
Lucifer shrugs. "Considering how dismal this place is, I prefer leaving now and then and checking out other Gods' less depressing homes. Besides, isn't this something you wanted? Me getting out more, showing my face…"
"There's a stark difference between leaving for a symposium, and leaving over summons, as if you're in some lower deity's beck and call." Alastor sighs. "No matter, we'll work on that. So, what will you be naming the last horse?"
"Obviously, not Alastor or Persephone. I think I'll go with Orphnaeus; they're all dark so that seems appropriate."
"Hmph, I'll allow it."
Biting back a retort—the horse drama is still too fresh—Lucifer instead sets to work.
Kneeling on the first empty patch of soil he happens upon, he touches the ground and concentrates, channeling his power, weaving it into incantations he'd long memorized and mastered, balancing the output…
The soil bubbles as if it's liquid, and soon rises, taking the shape of a horse as it does, until there's a perfectly formed one in front of him.
Lucifer stands up and touches its forehead, and the figure comes to life; shaking a layer of soil from it and revealing the striking dark horse underneath.
"Orphnaeus," Lucifer says solemnly, and the creature neighs, accepting its name.
"Fascinating," Alastor says, coming close, "I didn't think it would be this fast, since creation isn't your domain."
Lucifer preens at the praise. "Plants are complicated because they need to live alongside the soil, so no matter what, if the soil itself is devoid of life, it's hard to make one. That, and creatures like this can be used as servants. My powers allow me to create more easily if it's for that purpose. Of course, that doesn't mean it's easy; I had to figure out some incantations and rune framework to make the process easier."
"The results are certainly worth the effort."
Orphnaeus raises its head proudly and Lucifer glares at it. He's praising me, bitch.
But the horse ignores his glare, instead moving his head towards Alastor and nuzzling his chest.
Instead of berating it, Alastor not only allows it, but even lifts a hand to pat it.
"Alright, let's get going." Before he can humiliate himself by throwing hands with a horse.
He glances at his attire one last time; he's not wearing anything different than usual. Should he have…?
As if reading his thoughts, Alastor cuts his spiraling before it can get worse. "You are dressed appropriately. This is an informal rendezvous, and you're already showing sincerity by going to him instead of having Dike summoned. Our present attire is fine."
Well, if Alastor feels it's fine, it probably is; he'd never be caught dead looking less than appropriate.
And with that…
"Take us to Dike, The God of Justice's, abode."
Notes:-This was the last transition chapter before more progress. If I keep up the posting frequency, next chapter is on the 24th. Are you all ready to receive a gift…or charcoal?
-Art time!
Art for the kiss from ch29
Art for ch21 (mint death)
Art for ch28
Another for ch28
-Give many thanks to my beta, who has saved you from a very cringy scene I had originally written (or at least, delayed your suffering)