—————

The next day, you convince the brothers to let you go home alone, as you plan to stop by the store with Simeon. You figure he’s the least likely to ask to many questions, and he’s certainly less overwhelming than your demons.

Simeon agrees to accompany you, and though he gives you a curious look when you order three ten-pound hellboar chops and a two foot long magma rat, the assumes you’re trying out a new recipe and offers to help you carry them back to the house.

The walk back was surprisingly peaceful, as you make pleasant conversation with your angel companion.

“Thank you so much Simeon, carrying these back by myself would have been a nightmare. I’ll take you out to lunch sometime next week as repayment,” you offer as you approach the front door of the house.

“While that certainly isn’t necessary, MC, I would be delighted to spend more time with you. And do tell me how this new recipe comes out.”

With that, you make your way into the House of Lamentation as quietly as possible. After all, if one of the brothers spots you, your whole plan will be ruined.

You manage to make your way down to the basement. It’s chillier than you remember, but oh so peacefully quiet. A little too quiet, it’s almost unsettling.

You lay out the blanket you brought, setting your savory bribes off to the side. Sitting down on the blanket, you open the book you’ve been meaning to read, but haven’t gotten the chance to.

As you finally start to relax, getting lost in the book, you’re stopped by a large shadow overtaking the page and yourself. You look up to see three giant maws staring down at you. The ground starts to rumble, and you faintly wonder is the Devildom has earthquakes before realizing the vibrations are the growl of the giant beast staring down its three noses at you.

“Hi, Cerberus. I promise I’m not an intruder, and I brought you a treat.” You speak gently and move slowly to bring out one of the steaks at your side. All six of Cerberus’ eyes track the movement, instantly locking on to the steak in your hand.

You toss the steak toward the hound’s feet, as all three heads dive towards it. The middle head grabs it first, but the other two heads latch on as they begin to fight amongst themselves.

“Down boy. Stop fighting.” The authority in your tone causes the heads to pause, still latched on to the steak. You bring out the other two steaks and toss them to the left and right. Pleased, the side heads let go of the first steak to enjoy their own.

You wait patiently, smiling as Cerberus’ massive tail begins to gently sway behind him. As the heads each swallow their last bites, you hold your hand out, doing your best to stay calm and keep your breathing even. You wait, allowing each head a chance to sniff your outstretched hand, before slowly reaching out to give the closest head a gentle scratch.

“Good boy,” you breathe out, relieved that you were not just swallowed whole. Cerberus leans into your hand, and you giggle as you use both arms to hold his giant head. His tail begins to pick up speed behind him. He lays down, causing you to stumble back a couple steps as he leans his weight forward against you.

“Aren’t you just the sweetest little thing? Those demons are so scared of you, but you’re just a big softie.” Cerberus lets out a content rumble as you continue petting him. You sit down and make yourself comfortable, petting and playing with the enormous dog in front of you.

Just as soon as Cerberus begins to calm down, becoming less demanding in his demands for head scritches, the ears of one of his heads perks up. The head turns toward one of the hallways, soon followed by the other two heads. Startled, you listen closely, trying to ignore your racing heart.

A giant reptilian head emerges from the doorway, followed by the slithering blue body that you soon recognize as Henry 1.0. Thankfully, you planned for this. As he slithers over, hissing wildly, you throw the rat towards him, causing him to pause. The inspects the offered rat, seemingly deeming it acceptable as he swallows it whole. He seems content as he starts moving again, curling up into a resting position close to where you sit with Cerberus.

With both Henry and Cerberus subdued, you return to your book, finally feeling all of the tension from the last two weeks fading away.

—————

The House of Lamentation is in utter chaos. You’re missing, no one has seen you since leaving RAD this afternoon, and you’re not answering your phone. Every single one of the brothers has searched the house high and low, and Lucifer has reached out to everyone he can think of to see if you are with them. While he tries to stay calm for the sake of his brothers, even Lucifer is starting to worry. The last person (or angel, in this case) to see you was Simeon, but that was over five hours ago when he dropped you off at the house.

Lucifer takes a deep breath as he tries to tune out his brothers, all frantic and worried about you.

You were at the house a few hours ago, and you haven’t teleported anywhere. If you had, the brothers would have felt the pact tug as you called on their powers. So you must have gone on foot. Maybe Cerberus can track you.

“Stay here. I have an idea. Let me know if MC shows up,” Lucifer announces, marching towards the stairway before he can be bombarded with questions that would only waste time.

Practically jogging across the house, Lucifer finally reaches the bottom of the stairs. He starts to call out to Cerberus, but his voice dies in his throat as his brain catches up to his eyes.

It’s you. And Cerberus and Henry 1.0. You’re practically sandwiched between the two, sleeping peacefully against Cerberus’ flank while Henry lays across your lap. All three of you are fast asleep, and Lucifer breathes a deep sigh of relief. He messages the group chat that he has found you, and you are safe. He doesn’t elaborate further as he tucks his phone back into his pocket and starts walking across the room towards you and your new friends.

Anger begins to rise in his chest as his worry dissipates. What were you doing down here? And why didn’t you tell anyone where you were? They were worried sick about you.

“MC.” Lucifer calls your name in the voice that only ever means that someone is about to be hung from the ceiling.

Groggy, you open your eyes to find Lucifer standing over you. You smile gently, always happy to see one of your favorite demons. Then you process the look on his face, and the fact that you’re both in the basement, and the smile falls from your face.

“What in Diavolo’s name are you doing down here? We’ve been searching for you for hours and you weren’t answering your phone. Do you have any idea how worried everyone was?” A pause as his voice softens. “How worried I was?”

“I’m sorry, Lucifer.” You feel guilt wash over you. “I didn’t mean to stay here that long, I just needed a couple hours of quiet time to get away from everything.” The heavy feeling in your chest causes you to fight back tears. You didn’t mean to worry any one, you just needed some time alone.

“Come here,” Lucifer orders. You slide out from under Henry 1.0 and stand up, head hung low as you walk towards Lucifer, both Cerberus and Henry watching silently.

As soon as you’re within range, Lucifer wraps you up in a tight hug, burying his face into the top of your head. You return the hug, leaning against his chest as you feel the tension melt out of his body.

“I understand needing to get away. Trust me, I do. But you have to tell someone where you are. You don’t have to tell everyone, but at least tell me. You know I’ll always respect your wish for alone time. We thought something happened to you.”

“I’m sorry, Lucifer,” you repeat, face still buried in his chest.

“Now come on, it’s time for you to face the consequences of your actions,” he smirks down at you. “You know my brothers aren’t going to give you a moment’s peace for the foreseeable future. Especially Mammon,” he teases.

You let out a groan, knowing that you’re going to have several demons glued to your side the second you face them.

“Hey Luci?”

“Yes, my dear?”

“Can you not tell anyone about my hiding place? I won’t just disappear again, but it’s nice to have somewhere quiet.”

“As you wish, love.” Lucifer begins to lead you back towards the staircase. “I still can’t believe you brought Cerberus to heel, and Henry 1.0 no less. So much for a ferocious guard dog.”

“What can I say?” You smile up at him. “I’m pretty good at taming ferocious beasts.”

Lucifer lets out a genuine laugh. “That you are, darling, that you are.”