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Alastor had been testing out a theory, and so far he was being proven correct. After countless nights tending to the King of Hell's nightmares, it seems his mere presence was enough to calm him down. Or at least, begin the process, from the moment he announced his arrival with a cheery, "Good evening, your Majesty!" Not too loud of course, wouldn't want to startle an all powerful being who was quite literally out of control.
It allowed him the chance to begin tidying, something he had previously left until the end, but had the annoyingly likely possibility of accidentally disturbing a calmed Lucifer, meaning Alastor would have to go through the process again. Not that Alastor minded, too much, but it meant that the hours left in the night weren't quite enough to afford him a restful sleep. It was a choice he'd make again and again, sacrificing his own dreams, if it meant Lucifer had just five minutes of peace.
He took a sip from his mug, the blood inside pleasantly scalding, then set it down on the night stand, propping his microphone next to it. "Don't you spill that now, I don't want to have to explain where the stains came from in the morning." He gently warned the sleeping angel, reaching out to briefly brush some displaced hair from his face.
Lucifer flinched away from the touch and Alastor's smile twitched, straining at the corners, "Hold on tight, I'll be right with you."
There hadn't been too much destruction that night, a few fallen books and rubber ducks scattered from their once carefully balanced pile, and soon enough Alastor could return the King's side, soothing his own anxiety.
To think he'd come that first night expecting this to be fun. A one man show performed for the one demon sadistic enough to enjoy it and turns out that demon didn't even like it, because what did the Devil himself have to fear? What could be so terrible? Who could be so terrible as to have this king thinking he needed to fight for his life each night?
It was enough to scare even Alastor.
"Apologies for the wait, but I can't bear to see the look on your face when you see how much destruction you've caused." He explained quietly, sipping from his mug. The warmth was grounding, helped to remind him why he did this, as difficult as it could be sometimes.
A rustling drew Alastor's attention and he grinned, reaching out automatically, "Little miss! You've been taking care of yourself, I hope?" He greeted, watching as the shimmering golden snake wound herself around his hand. The feeling had taken some getting used to at first. The way she squeezed, he'd thought he was being attacked.
She greeted him back with an impatient hiss, flicking her tongue in the direction of Lucifer.
"I know, I'll get to working my magic." Alastor assured, rubbing her head with a single finger. He allowed her to slither further up his arm and settle around his neck as he took a seat, switching to petting the head of the angel before him. His touch was featherlight, the very tips of claws grazing Lucifer's scalp. Gentle. Caring.
Only for Lucifer to jerk away with a gasp, rolling into the middle of the bed. "No." He whimpered, barely audible, eyes shut tightly.
Still asleep, and in so much pain.
"I'm here for you." Alastor spoke, keeping his voice calm, even as his chest tightened, "I'm right here, Lucifer, do you hear me? Right here, no one's going to hurt you." He attempted to return his hand to blonde locks, only for a flash of red and white to obscure his vision.
He flinched, shadows rising up and closing in, ready to fend off the threat-
It was feathers.
Lucifer's wings had flared out, coccooning him, shielding him from the potential threat of the Radio Demon.
Alastor's heartrate picked up.
Had he awoken? Was that it? Would he attack? Lash out, shout at Alastor for invading his privacy in such a way?
Something squeezed his throat and he clawed at it.
Lucifer's snake hissed, biting at him in warning.
"Oh, dear- I'm sorry. Is he okay? Is he- I need-" Alastor gasped, fighting to get his breathing under control. He tugged at his hair, ears flat as the snake unravelled herself from him, dropping to the bed and making her way to the mass of trembling wings.
She effortlessy slipped past the barrier.
Alastor waited anxiously, trying to rein in his fear so it wouldn't seep out into the room, worsening the king's state. It wasn't conducive, he told himself, get a grip. Lucifer needed calmness, serenity. Unprompted, his microphone blurted out a static buzz, switching rapidly between stations before it finally settled on something slow and soft.
It seemed like forever and several song changes before the snake finally reappeared.
She stared at him.
Then slithered back inside Lucifer's wings, tail flicking.
Well, that was as clear an instruction as any.
Alastor downed the rest of his drink for a bit of courage - not that it would actually do anything, it was just blood, but he was banking on the placebo effect. Then readied himself to face his king.
"Lucifer?" He asked softly, "May I come in?"
Feathers flinched away from his fingers, but the wings relaxed and a gap opened up enough for Alastor to squeeze in. He moved slowly, careful to avoid touching the wings as much as possible, until he was safely ensconced within them with Lucifer.
The angel had his face buried in his arms, and small whines escaped his mouth with each shaky exhale.
"Lucifer...?"
"No!"
The cry came with another tremble of the hotel, like the entire building was feeling his fear.
Alastor's heart broke.
"Lucifer, it's me. You know me, I'd never- I haven't-"
Fuck. What was he even supposed to say? Him? Who slaughtered countless people, who delighted in suffering, who had tormented this man with such disgusting words? What was comforting about his presence?
He fumbled blindly, grabbing a hold of Lucifer's arm, thumb stroking over the thin skin of his inner wrist. He needed to look him in the eye, tell Lucifer he was a safe person, that he was sorry he ever made him feel like he wasn't.
Lucifer was still asleep, shivering violently, whatever nightmare that was plaguing his mind refusing to let go.
"Oh, my dear, look at you..." Alastor breathed, bringing a tightly clenched fist to his mouth to kiss blackened knuckles.
It hurt to see such an ethereal being in so much pain, and he felt helpless, having nothing but words and gentle touches. There had to be more he could do, if only he could wake-
He froze up at the thought, and a humourless laugh escaped him. No, he couldn't. Couldn't ever face Lucifer in broad daylight. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if Lucifer rejected him, if he never wanted anything to do with Alastor again for such a violation. Cutting off all contact, cold turkey, with not even their petty little squabbles to keep him entertained.
"What do I do...?" Alastor asked the sleeping being before him.
His answer was the softening of Lucifer's expression and his fingers slipping between his own to hold onto him.
Oh. That was it, wasn't it? That's why he came back night after night. It didn't seem like much, but his words were enough. His presence, his voice, his gentle touch, all of it was allowing Lucifer to get some amount of rest.
Even if a wide awake Lucifer didn't realize it, even if he continued to hate him, instigate fights, it was enough to know that Alastor did help where it mattered most.
"I promise you..." Alastor began earnestly, "I promise you, no matter what, I will be here to help. Even if I'm fighting off sleep myself, even if I'm on my deathbed, even if you hate me... nothing will stop me from being here when you need me."
Lucifer made a soft noise as he stretched, the feathers of his wings puffing out. He didn't retract them, nor did he wake, but he did relax, as if melting into the bed.
He never let go of Alastor's hand.
"There you go, Lucifer." Alastor smiled, "I'm right here, I'll protect you. Whatever's scaring you right now, it can't hurt you, I won't let it." He dared to reach for Lucifer's face, thumb stroking the red circles he longed to kiss. A perfect little target that constanty beckoned him. "You have a family here, Charlie, Vaggie... they love you and I-... do too. You are a light in my life, and as long as you're content I am too."
Lucifer began to snore.
It took everything in Alastor not to bark a laugh.
"Sleep well, my king... And you too, princess." He added warmly as the golden snake wound herself around their joined hands.
And if Alastor fell asleep there in Lucifer's wings, well... he was gone before the morning, so who's to say it really happened at all.
-
"I don't understand why you still get ready in your own room, it's been months."
"So much perversion in such a tiny body, how do you manage it?" Alastor mused with a wide grin, "If one wants to see me naked, one simpy has to ask."
He expertly sidestepped the rubber duck that was thrown his way, not spilling a drop of the two drinks held in his hand.
"You know what I meant, asshole!" Lucifer pouted, coming to stand in front of the other, "Can I have my hot chocolate now, please?"
Alastor's grin widened as he leaned down, mug held carefully out of reach, "Oh, my! Where are your manners, your majesty? That's no way to ask."
Lucifer stared.
Alastor didn't budge.
"Fine!" Lucifer dragged Alastor the rest of the way down to press a kiss to his lips. His drink was handed over without further complaint and Lucifer delicately plucked the big duck shaped marshmallow from the top and popped it into his mouth. "You're off the hook only because you make really good hot cocoa."
"I simply prefer to prepare for bed in my own space. What does it matter if I end up here, either way?" Alastor responded in answer to the initial question, strategically staying out of the way as Lucifer marched back and forth, gathering blankets and pillows.
Despite having a pretty thorough understanding that all he needed for a good night's sleep was Alastor, now that Lucifer had good sleep, he was focused on making it fun sleep. That meant having his own beverage to sip on that wasn't disgusting, a copious amount of blankets and pillows artfully arranged on the bed, and an ever growing collection of ducky plushies to watch over them.
Alastor couldn't find it in himself to complain, even jokingly. Seeing the slow change in him, from a man exhausted and terrified to crawl into bed each night, to someone who sang and danced as he prepared for sleep, well, it was enough to warm even the Radio Demon's cold, dead heart.
"I suppose that makes sense." Lucifer hummed, licking his lips to get rid of the last remnants of chocolate, "Now lay down."
Alastor's gaze flicked to the mountain on the bed, "Where exactly?"
A sigh as he was manhandled into position, nestled amongst the pile of softness that was admittedly very comfortable for his old bones.
Lucifer joined him, wriggling into place at Alastor's side, throwing his limbs over Alastor's body and tucking his head under his chin.
Sammy claimed her new favourite spot around Alastor's antlers.
With a wave of red claws, the radio beside the nightlight flickered to life and began a rerun of an old radio show, a compromise that had to be made because it truly wasn't sustainable to have Alastor talk him to sleep every night. Alastor's eyes slipped closed, the hand around Lucifer's shoulders idly playing with his golden hair.
"Hey, did you really fall in love with me when I was sleeping?"
Without opening his eyes, Alastor answered, "You were finally quiet for once, how could I resist?"
"Prick." Lucifer huffed, pinching Alastor's side through his pajamas for emphasis and then, "I love you."
Alastor couldn't imagine a better place to be than tucked away inside a veritable nest with an angel doing his best impression of an octopus, and with all the fondness he could muster, he whispered, "I love you too, Lucifer, good night."