Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lucifer was on the balcony of his tower watching the sunrise of the too red sun of hell. He never knew if it was a detail from his father or a mockery on the part of him that this dying sun coincided with the position that Venus would have from Earth; Either way he was almost a comfort, he could close his eyes and almost pretend that he was looking at his star.

A small hum interrupted their peace and Lucifer opened his eyes in annoyance searching for the source. His eyes fixed on a small flying thing that was buzzing too loudly for his delicate sounds. He narrowed his eyes at its, the smallest drop of power used to probe the UFO. 

Electronic, but also connected to another presence. The radios felt like this when Alastor was channeling his power to project himself. 

He leaned precariously, almost falling, over the railing of his balcony and was grateful for his good vision that allowed him to scrutinize the object that was casually approaching the tower of the idiotic deer.

Lucifer watched it rise and fall, the humming, the presence on the other side, getting annoying, electricity jumping before calming down. He then slowly moved through the rest of the structure. Lucifer tensed as he passed by the room of his daughter and his girlfriend, but the object did not linger there for too long and he continued moving to the central part of the building where it stopped with an excited squeak.

Feeling his curiosity flare Lucifer swung his feet over the railing and moved as if he were walking a tightrope, a mischievous smile on his lips. 

He finally reached a position where he could see Alastor on one of the balconies on the second floor, where the kitchen and dining room were located. The deer demon took a sip from his pretentious cup and flashed a smile that could almost have been called charming. Lucifer blinked. Had he seen him? Half a second later the object released several sparks of electricity and crashed into the floor. 

Lucifer felt the vibration of Alastor using power to hum a happy little song before the sinner took another sip looking towards the horizon. Not once did their eyes meet.

After a few minutes of nothing else happening Lucifer shrugged his shoulders almost falling from his position and returned using his wings to his tower.

It was time to get ready for the day.

Lucifer always watched Alastor's movements, especially if he was in the same space as Charlie. He relied, mostly, on his daughter to protect him, but Alastor just had a vibe that registered as menace from him. A threat to his people from him. 

It was not something Lucifer could avoid, but a defect from when he was an angel from heaven. What happened with divine and immortal souls is that once they loved, they loved with everything. Forever. 

That's why Lilith's abandonment had hurt so much.

Lucifer would love her until the stars died out and probably long beyond.

(That's why he would never stop longing for heaven)

Vaggie had apparently felt the same thing, that feeling of protecting what the group was about and had talked about how that feeling was magnified during the exterminations and how lost and betrayed she felt with what Lute and Adan did to her.

(Being expelled from the group, losing those connections that practically clung to your soul hurt and never stopped hurting .)

Charlie had helped and now that he had more people in his life the feeling had gotten less and less as he allowed himself to care about more people (Lucifer understood, he had felt that after Charlie was born, not like she fixed the part of he who broke when he fell but as if she strengthened and transformed him). Lucifer half hoped that spending his time with his daughter and his friends would also allow him to turn a new leaf.

What he couldn't understand was that Vaggie, as unlikely as it was, considered Alastor part of her precious group.

"The bellboy?" he asked as if the thought disgusted him. Vaggie sighed, slightly amused, and unlike Charlie she didn't admonish him. 

"Yes, I don't understand it either. I mean, I understand Charlie's concern, Charlie worries about everyone, but I…"she considers it for a few seconds "was really relieved when he reappeared, not just for Charlie but because… I think I didn't want to lose him either. Everything felt better when he returned."

Lucifer made an angry and dissatisfied noise. 

Then, the angelic senses of his daughter and his girlfriend perceived Alastor as part of the group. 

What a disgrace.

Lucifer would have to make an effort to observe him more closely to not allow that bastard to deceive them. His daughter might think the best of sinners, but Lucifer knew them . Some were too far from salvation.

That's why Lucifer was able to notice the way Alastor sometimes paused briefly in front of the window or the days where he avoided them completely.

It took him a month to realize that it matched the objects he now knew were called drones.

The weeks went by, between good days and bad days. Lucifer got used to it and became more comfortable with everyone. Even with Alastor . The sinner had the sense not to bother him on a really bad day, escalating to violence in front of Charlie had been ruled out, but everything else was fair game. 

Lucifer would even go so far as to say that he enjoyed him, especially because he felt like he was winning on the imaginary score he was keeping.

That day, one good day, Lucifer enjoyed watching the light slowly appear on the horizon with a smile on his face, his peace was interrupted by the sudden noise of any radio, speaker or cell phone suddenly coming to life.

Alastor's voice emerged, melodious and powerful, in the middle of a song that already seemed to have begun. He whispered words that were full of mockery and demanded attention, the sounds coiling like snakes beneath the faint static of the radio. 

It was almost…fascinating.

It all ended in a few minutes with the smell of burning cable and Alastor's mocking, fake laugh distorting into something more monstrous. 

Lucifer didn't know if he should be upset at the interruption of his routine, still slightly surprised by the whole scandal. Vaggie on the other hand…

"Alastor you piece of shit! What did we say about the fights with Vox before seven in the morning?!"

Lucifer laughed a little, feeling amused and quickly heading downstairs to witness Vaggie, a tired Charlie, a grumpy and sleep-deprived Angel, and a hungover Husk growl at an indifferent Alastor.

Everyone felt noticeably less amused when they saw the reason for Alastor's anger. Apparently his fight with Adam had leaked into star news. Alastor had simply responded to the vile slander against him, he had claimed.

Charlie, of course, had acted like mother hen. Most of the battle was distorted and skipped, but one was incongruously clear: Alastor, on his knees, with a wound in his chest and his staff broken. It didn't last more than about three seconds, before the camera seemed to fill with static and focus again, this time without Alastor on the screen.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, leaning over Alastor as if she wanted to touch him, but didn't dare. Vaggie, guided by her protective instincts, played with the spear and glared at one of the windows.

"Of course, dear!" he assured her disinterestedly, looking at his nails before rubbing them on his coat and giving everyone a manic smile. "Nothing I couldn't take care of on my own. Now, if you'll excuse me" his eyes turned into radio dials, his smile became more pointed, and around him the green energy and static noise worsened, almost making his words unintelligible"I have business to take care of."

Alastor walked out with purposeful steps, pausing briefly as he opened the front door and then began to walk more relaxed, a dangerous song filling the air around him.

Lucifer suspected that Alastor was not done with his little revenge. 

He felt something akin to apprehension tighten his chest, the feeling only made worse by the worried looks around him. He was about to go out and drag the annoying sinner back just to get that look off the faces of the people he cared about, but before he could do it Husk stretched out and flapped his wings a little.

"Well, I would recommend downloading anything you want to see or hear in the next few days" he said, heading to the ugly bar and pouring several drinks "I predict that we are going to have several blackouts in the next few days."

Angel made an annoyed noise and started strutting in the same direction.

"Valentino will be insufferable once we can record again" he complained, leaning back and drinking one of the glasses full of pink liquid "Oh, this is very good!"

"Don't you think we should do something?" Charlie asked, biting her nails, Vaggie was still looking intensely at the door through which Alastor came out.

"Charlie, it's Alastor. He will be fine" Angel assured him, moving his hands with disinterest. Lucifer thought that if he had come from Husk she wouldn't have been so comforting, but his daughter at least seemed to consider it.

Well, change of plans.

"Come, Char Char, there's something I want to show you," he said with the intention of distracting her and Vaggie, both of their senses must have been going crazy with one of theirs out and looking for trouble, but it was Alastor and there was no way. nothing to do.

Plus, showing her the ducks he had designed for them would be much easier and more rewarding without the threat of Alastor showing up and making slightly cutting comments.

When the light sound of Alastor's heels against the floor passed through the hallway Lucifer lit up his fingertips. He was sitting in a red armchair (Alastor's armchair in the living room, in fact) with his legs crossed, one arm crossed against his chest tightly gripping his crossed arm to restrain himself and his arm with his illuminated hand parallel to him. his face; His expression was dissatisfied and the glow of the yellow and orange fire cast shadows that Lucifer knew warped his face into something more dangerous.

"Wow," Alastor said, stopping with apparent surprise. Lucifer took the opportunity to scan him. He looked fine even though it was three in the morning, there was no trace of injury or disorder on the Radio Demon “Did the king himself wait for my arrival? I hope you haven't lost sleep over little me."

Lucifer annoying buffoon. Damn narcissist.

"I? Not at all, it would have been better if you didn't come back... Again" he sat up and glared at him, Alastor leaned over his microphone looking amused. The microphone also seemed to be fine, without any marks that would indicate that it had been broken and still exuding a small wave of power around it. "But Vaggie and Charlie spent the whole day worrying that something had happened to you and that you were hurt."

They had only retired due to Lucifer's insistence and the promise he made to his little princess.

"Your concern is unnecessary" Alastor waved his hand as if shooing away an insect, his face turned sideways in mockery.

"I told them that, but it doesn't stop them from worrying" Alastor's smile widened, a comment about his supposed paternity on the tip of his tongue, Lucifer could almost hear it before the demon opened his mouth. Well, he wasn't going to allow it. "So let's get this over with. Take off your shirt."

Alastor made a squeaking sound and sat up putting some distance between the two, Lucifer smiled pleased. He had found the demon's weak spot and it was fun to joke with him

"Excuse me?!"

"You're not excused." He took two steps forward and Alastor squirmed before standing still, the static and ripples around him increasing. With a spark of his own power Lucifer dispersed whatever Alastor was trying to do and illuminated the room so he couldn't run into the shadows. "Now, let me see that wound before you kill yourself with your stupidity."

Alastor glared at him.

"No! Good night" he turned around looking like a petulant child. Lucifer growled and propelled himself using his wings. 

He pushed Alastor away and Alastor, although somewhat helpless, did not hesitate to use physical force to get rid of him. They both spun around, pushing and grunting for a few seconds. He was finally able to corner Alastor against a wall and smiled. His sharp nails easily cut through Alastor's shirt, the sinner making an offended noise that Lucifer happily ignored.

"Now, be a good boy and maybe I'll give you a prize" Alastor sputtered without missing the implication, he tried to move away and Lucifer pushed him firmly, his wings putting them on the same level for once. Lucifer enjoyed Alastor's grumpy face for a second, almost wanting to pet his fluffy ears to tease him some more, before looking away and pushing the ruined shirt and coat to slide off the sinner's shoulders.

He expected to find bandages, a festering, still-open wound glistening with remnants of angelic energy and celestial steel. Instead he found Alastor's slightly hairy torso, covered in scars, yes, but never an open wound.

"I told you I was fine. Now get off!"

Lucifer ignored him again, put away his wings and when he hit the ground he ran his hands over Alastor's torso, pushing and massaging. Alastor grabbed his hands and stopped him. Lucifer frowned. It wasn't an illusion, Alastor really was fine. 

Was the video a lie?

"If you don't want Vox to take a photo of us and publish it," Alastor growled at him, his filter almost non-existent and the voice, strangely deep, reverberated through him making him shudder with something akin to desire before the words registered, leaving him frozen. "I suggest you give me back my powers and get away, you damn fool."

Lucifer jumped as if burned and moved to the side. The shadows returned and Alastor straightened his torn clothes as best he could. He gave him one last withering look and disappeared.

After a few seconds Lucifer dared to move again, he looked out the nearby window and found two drones. One was following him, the other was pointing at the radio tower.

Ten minutes later there was a massive blackout throughout the city.

Alastor's voice was heard sensual and fun through any radio and non-VoxTec mobile devices. There was some mockery before moving on to the news, the sinner sounded in a good mood when he paused and turned on music.

Lucifer simply smiled feeling the sun's rays on his face. He wasn't good enough, but he had to admit that without all the buzz around him he could focus on all the presences under his care.

Everyone was together, safe and even happy.

It was going to be a wonderful day, he thought, turning around and looking at the radio tower. Alastor, with a cup of coffee in his hand, stopped scanning the horizon and looked back at him, giving him a slight bow before returning inside. 

Lucifer understood better what Alastor meant a few days later. Charlie was calmer now that he had confirmed that the Radio Demon was not in imminent danger, but she had still created an entire group bonding plan that everyone accepted gracefully for the first few days. On the third day of her new plan everyone was gathered in the lobby, Lucifer nervously casting his senses trying to feel any drone and sighing with happiness when he didn't feel it. He turned to look at Charlie and found her shifting from foot to foot nervously, a digital camera in her hand. She was talking to Alastor and asking where he should stand so that the interference wouldn't damage the whole photo because she really, really wanted a photo of everyone and she would be very grateful if he agreed to appear.

He gave them both a sad smile. At the time he had ordered hundreds of family paintings, at least four times a year. There was something reassuring about having a tangible reminder of the people he loved, something that Lucifer couldn't have explained in the same way that he couldn't explain why he needed them to be so… formal. Perhaps it was a vestige of his time in heaven with all its stained glass windows and portraits as much as of his angelic nature. 

Vaggie also had a melancholy look and Lucifer imagined she was thinking about the portraits or stained glass windows of her with her exorcist sisters that were still proudly displayed upstairs. A demonstration of camaraderie, unity and love that had been cruelly torn from both of them. 

Alastor put a finger on Charlie's lips stopping her speech. He smiled at her (a gritted-toothed one) and snapped his fingers. The digital camera turned into an older, heavier one that almost knocked it to the ground before Alastor snapped his fingers again and set it up on a tripod. 

"Take your photo, dear," he pointed sternly "but just one."

Everyone hurried to take their positions on the large piece of furniture. Angel hugging Husk and Cherri, Charlie sitting next to Vaggie with their hands clasped, and Lucifer on the opposite side of the couch from the other three sinners. Niffty ran back and forth, paying no attention to Charlie's attempts to stay still until Alastor told her to stay still.

Alastor hummed as he looked through the lens and smirked. His shadow stood in front of the camera and he walked to stand at the far end of the couch, Niffty being dragged to stand between Cherry and Charlie and all of them squeezing into the small space.

"Think of happy things, Niffty" Alastor instructed. He smiled maniacally.

"Like the colony of cockroaches I killed this morning?!" he screeched. Alastor nodded and leaned on his staff. 

"Say Cheese!" he told them happily.

"Cheese!" they said and the shadow pressed the button.

Before Alastor finished speaking Lucifer pulled him fast like a snake forcing him to fall, Alastor barely managed to brace himself on the armrest of the sofa, one hand on his bent leg, while the other held his cane at his side in front of him. his leg stretched out. 

As soon as the flash faded from his sensitive eyes Lucifer found his vision flooded with Alastor's furious red eyes.

"Would you mind letting me go, Your Majesty" he hissed at him while the rest got up to see the photo.

Lucifer smiled a little amused. He hadn't noticed his hand lingering on Alastor, the grip a little too strong, but it was always fun to watch the Radio Demon become so unbalanced by those kinds of touches. With one last squeeze that made Alastor tense, Lucifer let him go and the demon quickly melted into the shadows. He reappeared next to Charlie who was crying with joy, looked at the photo and then left again without even another glance in his direction.

Chuckling Lucifer approached and Vaggie handed him the photo while Charlie hugged her tightly. Everyone looked fun and happy, the image did not have any type of interference, Alastor appeared completely with his eyelids almost covering his eyes and his smile somewhat genuine. He was also not far away as he had originally intended, but with the rest of the group, all piled almost on top of each other. 

Lucifer's heart swelled with pure, unadulterated joy. His people , he thought possessively.

It was a good photo.

And the proof that the radio demon could be captured in images.

Lucifer frowned.

Lucifer came down a little later than usual. Well, almost noon, but it was still daylight! That counted, right? His steps were listless and exhausted, he had not even wanted to get out of his bed and had been staring at the ceiling since dawn. But it was good! Lucifer could do it, he could face anything! It was just… difficult. 

He reached the hallway and found Husk looking suspiciously at the wall while Niffty moved everything around and an excited Angel almost shouted at an indifferent Alastor who was also lazily examining the wall. 

"I think you're giving it too much importance" Alastor drawled. 

Lucifer stopped next to a murderous looking Cherry, her claws had left thin marks on the railing and her jaw was clenched tightly.

"What happen? "

"The Vees idiots brought cameras into the hotel" she exhaled to calm herself. "Valentino threatened Angel because of something he saw. "

"You of all people should understand wanting control over what is filmed of you! That was private, the hotel is supposed to be safe!" Angel hugged himself.

Lucifer felt his blood heat up at the threat to Charlie's dream and one of his own. That damn Overlord...

“Mmm…” Alastor approached the wall and placed a clawed hand on it before starting to walk slowly. He stopped in front of Sir Pentious's painting. “Mmm…” he said again. Lucifer approached a little roughly to try to feel what Alastor was doing. The sinner looked at him briefly before turning and smiling widely at the portrait. “Hello, old friend ” he purred at the precise moment that Lucifer felt the same presence that was sometimes in the drones. The static increased and then the smell of burning wire wafted out of the portrait along with smoke. "I imagine Charlie didn't get rid of the cameras when you rebuilt? "

Everyone shook their heads. Lucifer knew that Alastor did not like technology, he had the habit of frying everyone's cell phone except Husk who used a model from the beginning of century, he had threatened to resign if they introduced a more modern television than one from the '90s and removing the photo that Charlie asked for could never be captured; Sir Pentious's cameras were an exception made during the battle where there were too few of them and needed more eyes on the ground. They were supposed to disappear after that, but Vaggie had liked the idea of having that security if something were to happen. It seemed that no one had mentioned it to Alastor.

Alastor spun his microphone before placing it on the floor, his nails tapping on it.

"Niffty, please do a deep cleaning and get rid of those electronic vermin. "

Husk sighed and pulled out a flask from somewhere in his coat.

"Well, that at least explains it."

"Couldn't he take care of that before? I thought he felt it with his creepy senses!” Cherry said reaching down and caressing one of Angel's arms.

"If he concentrate, yes," Husk admitted, passing him the flask, "normally it just emits this... electromagnetic field or whatever it is that distorts most equipment. Less energy than tracking individually, there are a lot of cameras going around these days, Alastor usually only senses them if Vox is watching on the other side."

"That sounds... creepy" Lucifer commented with the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, suddenly feeling unprotected and uncomfortable in his own skin, a feeling of threat making him tense and fantasize about destroying these enemies of Angel and Alastor. 

He extended a hand to Cherry and after a second of discomfort due to the king's presence, they handed him the flask and motioned for him to move to the bar.

"Tell me. I swear Vox has gotten worse over the years and Valentino is no better."

Lucifer approached Alastor's room and knocked before opening the door, he would feel bad for disrespecting boundaries if Alastor hadn't entered his room on a bad day to convince him to come down because Charlie hadn't seen him in two days. If he couldn't respect boundaries neither would Lucifer... Plus he still didn't know how to feel about the whole interaction and that had him nervous.

Alastor looked at him briefly before sighing and putting his fork down. The sinner was sitting at what looked like a table in the middle of a swamp with a half-eaten deer spread out messily. Lucifer had to contain his horror, it wasn't the worst he had seen, but he certainly hadn't expected it.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked with annoyance.

Lucifer looked around shamelessly as he circled and entered further. Lots of antlers and red in low lighting. He didn't know why he was surprised.

"Charlie and Vaggie need you downstairs now. There are several sinners who want a tour and you said it was something you should do together " Lucifer mocked, enjoying the way Alastor's smile tightened. Karma, bitch . 

Alastor sighed once more and demurely wiped his lips on a red napkin. 

"Tell her I'll be down in a couple of minutes," he ordered him, ordered!, already standing up. Lucifer didn't move and Alastor narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Anything else?”

"You removed the windows" Lucifer pointed out, "and those that are not covered by thick curtains."

"Are we back to insults about decorations? because I assure you that my room shows better taste than yours. I would say that the only thing missing is the clown for the circus decorations, but you sleep there."

Lucifer felt a muscle jump in his jaw. That sinner was insufferable.

"So you're comfortable here? Don't you want me to add a couple more windows?" Lucifer raised a hand and Alastor tensed.

"I assure you that I feel comfortable like this and I will remind you that everyone can modify their room to their liking." Alastor's voice barely managed to appear cordial.

Lucifer examined him one last time before pushing again.

"Don't you want a balcony? I seem like you like the ones on the second floor."

"Your concern is noted and appreciated, but if I want to have a cup of coffee outside I will continue down to our lovely balcony. It's no bother and I prefer the location."

Lucifer nodded before smiling at him and saying goodbye. He lost his smile as soon as he turned, the new puzzle piece falling into its place.

Alastor didn't walk near the windows some days, he didn't even allow himself to have them in his own rooms with one exception even though he enjoyed having coffee on the balcony. There will also be days when if a drone appeared it would interrupt his moment and enter to prevent Vox from having access to a private moment of relaxation. And the things Husk had told him? Valentino and Vox would interfere in the lives of Angel and Alastor until they monopolized every moment if they had the opportunity.

Every minute of Alastor's life outside these rooms, a dark and isolated prison, was a performance; just in case . It was truly unfortunate when the hotel should be a safe haven that would allow them to improve.  

Lucifer enjoyed Alastor's discomfort, but in short bursts, not sending him into a state of constant paranoia. No one should make one of the hotel's residents feel so…watched. And certainly not such minor vermin. 

The Vees were a threat to his people. 

Lucifer wouldn't allow it.

Alastor came in like a storm, interrupting all conversations in his path. The Radio Demon only had eyes for him. He grabbed him by the coat almost pulling Alastor's half-torn one out of his pocket and pushed him against a wall, ignoring Charlie and Vaggie's screams.

"What have you done?" he shouted, surprise had removed the voice filter and Lucifer enjoyed listening to him, perhaps now Alastor would feel safe enough to be more natural around them. "Lucifer, what did you do?!"

Alastor's screams reminded him of Michael's after the rebellion, of Adam's after eating the apple, of Lilith's after seeing the first extermination. He did everything for the people he loved.

He placed one of his hands over Alastor's, feeling a sticky substance stain his fingers. He knew it wasn't Alastor's blood.

Lucifer smiled pleased.

In the distance the ruined Vee Tower caught fire and burned.