Ring Ding Dong

Leon and Ashley had managed to find a small room, tucked away in a side hallway of the castle. It seemed to be enough out of the way for them to have a moment of respite. 

‘Ok. Take five here. Rest while you can.’ Leon gestured for Ashley to sit. 

The table and chairs were rickety and looked like they were about to collapse, but they would take what they could get at this point. 

After making sure the door was secure, Leon also took a seat. As soon as he sat down, he let out a relieved sigh and rolled his sore neck from side to side. 

‘I’m so ready for this nightmare to be over.’ Ashley groaned. 

‘I’ll say.’ Leon sighed in response, before reaching into his pocket and fishing out a small photo. 

It was crumpled and almost ripped in half after everything that had happened in the last few hours, but the image it held was still perfect to him. 

‘What’s that?’ Ashley didn’t want to be nosey, but she couldn’t help the curiosity when she saw the way he was staring down at the photo. 

Leon immediately held it out for her with a smile. 

‘My girls.’ He said proudly. 

The photo was taken not long after you had given birth. It was a close up shot of you looking down with teary eyes and a smile at your daughter laying on your chest. 

Ashley wasn’t surprised to hear that Leon had a partner I mean, look at him. She definitely hadn’t expected him to be a father though. 

‘Oh wow! They are beautiful! You’re one lucky guy.’ She jabbed playfully as she handed the delicate photo back to Leon. 

‘Don’t I know it.’ He paused for a moment. ‘She’s almost 4 months old now. I didn’t expect to have to leave her so soon...’ He trailed off and looked away as the smile fell from his face. 

‘I’m sorry. If I was stronger, I would have been able to get away from the guy that took me... Then you’d be home with your family...’ 

‘Hey.’ Leon’s attention immediately snapped back to Ashley when he heard her harsh words. He leaned forwards and placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘This is not your fault. Besides, If I weren’t sent here, it would be some other hell hole.’ He joked, in an attempt to make Ashley feel better. 

She looked away for a moment before smiling. 

‘Sounds like you need a better job.’ She laughed, making Leon chuckle in return. 

‘Huh, you sound like my mother or something.’ 

The pair took a moment longer to rest, before Leon stood up, effectively ending their short break. 

‘We’ve been here too long. Time to go.’ 

‘Ok.’ Ashley groaned but still stood. She moved to follow Leon out, when she suddenly stopped, and a smirk appeared on her face. 

Your hands were clenched tightly together and your leg bounced anxiously up and down as you waited for any kind of update. 

The extraction team had told you to stay put after you basically forced yourself into the helicopter just before they took off. 

Sherry had tried to talk you down, but Leon had been radio silent for way too long. 

You couldn’t just sit and wait at HQ, without even knowing if he was dead or alive. 

‘Ma’am.’ You barley looked up as the soldier approached the open helicopter. 

‘The extraction mission was a success.’ 

Your eyes shot up to the man as he was stepping to the side. 

In the distance, you could see Leon walking in your direction. He hadn’t noticed you yet, but you wasted no time jumping from your seat and rushing towards him. 

As you got closer, you could tell he was distracted. Probably talking to Sherry judging by the smile on his face. 

‘Leon!’ You yelled out before colliding with his chest and throwing your arms round his neck 

Leon stumbled back, clearly taken back having not expected to be able to see you for a while yet. 

‘Well, this is a warm welcome.’ He laughed as he returned your embrace. He finally allowed himself to relax in your arms as he buried his face into your neck, just wanting to take you all in. 

You pulled back far too quickly for his liking. 

‘You were radio silent for so long, I-’ You cut yourself off suddenly, only now being able to get a good look at him as you softly placed your hands on his cheeks. 

For the first time in a long time... He looked well. 

‘Wha-’ You ran your fingers across his cheeks as he smiled down at you, allowing you a moment to take everything in. 

You ran your hands down his muscular arms towards his hands where you started struggling with his gloves since your own hands were shaking so much. 

‘Let me see your hands!’ He chuckled softly and removed his gloves, holding his hands out for you to hold.  

You gently took his hands in your own and ran your fingers across his palms. 

‘No infection...’ You breathed out in shock. ‘H-how is this possible?’ You looked up at him with wide eyes. 

‘Grace. She found the cure.’ Tears of joy started to prickle at the corners of your eyes as you let out a shaky breath of relief. 

‘I feel better than I have done in a long time.’ 

‘You look younger too.’ You joked, wiping the tears from your eyes. 

‘Huh, well that’s something at least.’ He laughed and placed his arm round your shoulders and directing you towards another helicopter, where a young woman sat inside. 

‘Do you want to meet her?’ He asked. 

'Sera! You can’t possibly be fine with this madness?’ Lute barged into Sera’s makeshift office in one of the hotel rooms. She was seething. 

‘Lute. Calm yourself.’ Sera turned to the exorcist with a glare, knowing she was about to have an argument on her hands. 

Lute shifted her gaze behind the seraphim, only to see that she was already watching you and Abel laughing together through her angelic monitors. 

‘You can’t seriously think this is ok?’ Lute gestured wildly to the scene in front of her. ‘He’s an angel. Adam's son. She’s hellborn filth.’ Sera sighed at hearing Lutes words. Lute was the kind of angel that once she had her ways, she wouldn’t budge from them, so this would be a difficult conversation. 

‘I do agree its.... unorthodox to say the least...’ Lute started grinning. 

‘I’m glad you feel-’ 

‘However.’ Sera cut Lute off with a raise of her hand. ‘Whatever is going on between them seems innocent enough. For now, at least.’ 

Lute’s face soured instantly. Her hands balled into fists as she tried to hold herself back. 

‘Innocent?’ She spat through gritted teeth. ‘You think that succubus whore is innocent?? She is the embodiment of temptation.’ 

‘Lute, enough!’ Sera suddenly whipped round and snapped at Lute with a hard look. 

‘For now, I trust Abel’s judgement. He can take care of himself, and as your superior, you should trust him too.’ With that, Sera turned away and closed the viewing portal, effectively ending the conversation. 

All Lute could do was ball her fists so tightly that her nails were digging into her palms as she stormed out. 

This wasn’t over. 

‘You know, I had a really good time tonight.’ You smiled bashfully as you pushed a stray hair behind your ear. 

‘I’m glad you know, considering how awfully it started.’ Abel laughed as the two of you got up from Husk’s bar, making sure to not forget your gift basket. 

‘I really am sorry about that.’ You groaned out. ‘I’ll make it up to you at some point.’ Abel’s head perked up. 

‘So... does that mean there will be more dates then?’ He looked up at you hopefully. You smirked slightly and draped your arm across his shoulders. 

‘I think so feathers.’ Your affirmation gave Abel a boost of confidence it seemed, since he reached up to take your hand, removing your arm from his shoulders and holding your hand in front of him. 

Abel shot you a smile, before bending down and placing a kiss on the back of your hand. 

You blushed and turned your head to the side with a smile. 

‘I would offer to walk you home, but I have no clue how to navigate this place.’ He laughed out whilst still holding your hand. You didn't mind one bit. 

‘Well...’ You trailed off, pretending to be in thought. ‘Why don’t I walk you to your room instead then?’ 

Abel's mouth fell open with a gasp at your straightforward suggestion. The confidence boost he got earlier seemed to be dissipating little by little it seemed. He’d only just managed to build it up too. 

‘Uh well uh... s-sure! Yeah...’ He stuttered out, clearing his throat after a second to try and compose himself. ‘You can totally do that.’ 

You smiled softly and squeezed his hand in an attempt to reassure him. 

‘It’s ok. Nothing has to happen.’ You released his hand and began to skip over to the elevators, before stopping and grinning. You couldn’t help yourself, you thought as you turned back to face the angel. ‘Unless you want it to.’ With that, you continued to skip away, leaving Abel in stunned silence behind you. 

The ding of the elevator seemed to snap him out of his daze as he ran to catch up with you, almost tripping over his own robe. 

‘I’m coming!’ 

‘When will we see each other again?’ You and Abel once again stood in the hotel lobby hand in hand, as the angels prepared to take their leave. 

The two of you had a nice night together. Nothing happened, but the two of you stayed up most of the night just talking and getting to know each other, before falling asleep in each other's arms. Just because you were a succubus, it didn’t mean you were easy, despite the jokes. 

Across the way, Sera was forcing Lute through the portal to Heaven with a firm point, as Lute was muttering under her breath. Something about you wearing the same clothes as the day before. 

‘I promise I’ll be back soon. Sera won’t stop me.’ 

‘Well make sure you do. I need to take you to Ozzie’s on a real date.’ 

‘Uh, what’s Ozzie’s?’ Abel tilted his head inquisitively.  

‘You’ll just have to wait and see.’ You said with a wink before you both started laughing. ‘But I perform there sometimes so we’ll be looked after.’ 

As the moment passed, your face softened and you leaned down and placed your arms round his shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug. His hands automatically came to rest on your waist as he returned your embrace. 

After a moment you pulled back so you could see his face. With a flutter of your eyelashes, you suddenly leaned in and placed your lips on his. 

Abel stiffened for a moment, before finally allowing himself to relax into your kiss. His arms now fully circled round your waist, as he pulled you in to be flush against him. Your own grip round his neck also tightened as you ran your fingers through the short strands of hair on the back of his neck. 

You both knew that people would be staring at the two of you. It was a bizarre sight, an angel and a succubus kissing, but neither of you cared. You could feel your heart beating faster than normal, and you felt like it was about to burst out your chest. You could tell Abel was feeling the same way, considering how his fists were scrunching up the fabric of your dress on your back. 

You finally pulled back with a gasp for air, and you both laughed lightly as you rested your forehead on his. 

The battle for the hotel was tough for everyone. People were slowly but surely recovering from the loss of Sir. Pentious. Charlie, however, was still putting on a brave face for all her new guests. 

The lobby was bustling with new faces, eager to check in. You looked down at the scene below with a smile, excited for what was to come.  

As you went to descend the staircase, you caught a flash of white in your peripheral vision, disappearing down the dark hallway. You knew right away it was Lucifer. Nobody else could wear that much white and get away with it. 

Knowing instantly something was wrong, you moved to follow him with a frown. 

Lucifer had been acting distant since the hotel had been rebuilt, avoiding any socialising that wasn’t necessary. That wasn’t like the man you knew. Sure, he wasn’t the most social apple all the time, but he wouldn’t purposely ignore people. 

‘Lu?’ You knocked gently on the grand door leading to your shared room, not wanting to startle him by just barging in. 

Pushing the door open gingerly, you spotted him sat on the bed with his back facing you. As you stepped forward, you were able to peer over his shoulder and see that he was holding one of his ducks that looked like Charlie. 

‘Lu?’ You spoke again and reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. Before you could make contact however, he jumped up and threw the duck when he heard you speak, as if he was caught doing something he shouldn’t be. 

‘Ah honey! Didn’t hear you come in!’ Clearly he didn’t hear you come in. 

Lucifer was stood in front of you now with a smile on his face, but you knew him too well. His smile was hollow. Strained, almost as if he were forcing himself to put it on. 

You sighed and looked away, trying to not feel hurt that he didn’t seem to trust you with his feelings. 

‘Don’t do that Lucifer. Especially not with me...’ 

‘I don’t know what you mean!’ His voice went up an octave as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying his best to appear natural. 

You let out another sigh and moved to sit on the bed, tapping the spot next to you. 

‘Sit, Lucifer.’ 

His fake smile finally dropped as he gave in and took his spot next to you. 

‘Please Luci.’ You turned to face him and placed your hand on top of his own which lay in his lap. ‘I know something is bothering you, so please no more being evasive. I love you and want to help...’ 

Lucifer stared at you for a moment with sad eyes before he looked away. He wouldn’t meet your gaze anymore, almost as if he were embarrassed. 

‘It’s stupid... but I can’t stop thinking about it.’ You squeezed his hand, letting him know you were listening without interrupting. 

‘I never should have left Charlie. If I came back sooner, maybe things could have been different...’ Your eyes widened at his confession. Even now after everything he’s done, he still couldn’t shake the guilt. 

‘Lucifer, look at me.’ You spoke in a soft tone. When he didn’t lift his head, you placed a soft hand on his cheek, turning him to face you. With a smile you spoke. 

‘There is no reason to beat yourself up over something you can’t change. What matters is you showed up when Charlie needed you. You brushed your thumb over his cheek in a comforting motion as you continued. 

‘Charlie loves you and she wants you to be here.’ You continued. ‘She wouldn’t have built you your own room if she didn’t!’ You laughed lightly 

A ghost of a smile appeared across his lips. 

‘Yeah, I guess you’re right.’ He trailed off, still not fully believing your words. 

Your brow furrowed, disappointed that you couldn’t comfort the angel in front of you. The only thing you could think to do was pull him into an embrace, letting him rest his head on your chest, taking his hat off as you did, whilst you tightly circled your arms round his frame. 

‘Talk to Charlie.’ You whispered into his hair as you placed a delicate kiss on his head. ‘You won’t get passed this till you do.’ 

It was the next day and you’d been so busy with your hotel duties, you hadn’t seen Lucifer since your talk. He hadn’t even come to bed last night. 

You were sorting guest paperwork in the office when suddenly- 

‘Y/N!’ Lucifer appeared in a puff of smoke, You yelped and threw your papers up in the air, startled at the sudden shout of your name. 

‘Lucifer! What is wrong with you!?’ You scolded, groaning when you noticed your papers all over the floor. 

‘Oops... I don’t mean to come in so hot hehe...’ He sheepishly moved to help you pick up the scattered papers when you shot him a glare. 

‘Anyway.’ He stood up and straightened out his jacket lapels. ‘I did what you said. Talked to Charlie I mean.’ 

Your gaze immediately shot up to him. Now he had your attention. 

‘And? How did it go?’ You rushed up to him and immediately took both his hands in yours. 

‘You were right.’ He smiled softly. A wide grin appeared on your face as you fling your arms round his neck. 

‘I told you so! I never steer you wrong!’ 

‘Yeah yeah, gloat all you want.’ The two of you pulled back and shared a laugh together. You leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips. 

‘Hey Y/N I, Oh!’ Charlie walked into the office in search of you, but quickly stopped herself when she saw the two of you in an embrace. ‘I’m so sorry! I’ll just come back later!’ She stopped when she heard you and Lucifer start to laugh. 

‘Don’t worry Charlie, you weren’t interrupting anything.’ You paused for a brief moment and looked between Lucifer and Charlie.