Miranto

➪Ayo anyone remembered that AU of mine where Lucifer is a sinner and used to date Alastor but then Alastor died during an extermination so now Lucifer keeps his corpse as a reminder while dissecting Alastor's body to create jewelries or little trinkets from the deer demon's bones and flesh?

➪Because I sure did and I wanted to write about it more because why not

▶Cw: Talks of grief, unhealthy coping mechanism, dissection and implied gore

➪Kind of inspired by the way I dealt with the death of my mother and how my father and sisters used to cope with it. (No I never tried to dig up the corpse of my mother wtf. Only my father had a lot of hard time after her death until now) hence a good reminder for everyone that grief is dealt with in many other different ways and this is how me and my dad coped with it. Feelings matter and it is important to deal with it with carefulness, delicacy and hindsight. Not everyone cries when a loved one dies. Not everyone necessarily goes through the five stages of grief and not everyone would immediately open up about their loss and its impacts on their life so be patient and understanding with everyone, okay? Okay.

➪Anyway enjoy

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Some days were harder than others.

Lucifer, this time, couldn't even bring himself to get out of bed, his chest tight while his breath was short and uneven. He gripped his nightshirt, claws almost digging in his skin through the damp fur. He was trembling like a leaf, the bedsheets too scratchy on his sensitive skin as it rubbed in every wrong way, irritating more on a psychological level than physical.

Voices spoke in his head. Familiar faces flashed through his eyelids, still vivid despite closing his eyes. A shiver ran through his spine and the sensation of a rock heaving his ribcage was becoming too overwhelming.

He needed to get up. His memories were gaining on him and his psyche was getting messier the more he lingered on.

He heard his laugh.

Lucifer tucked his tail between his legs as his other hand went to his hair, tugging harshly against the blonde locks.

He saw his face.

He could almost hear him.

"Now, what would your future self think when he realizes that his past self kept trying to make himself bald?" His snarky voice haunted his head.

"My future self doesn't exist because I can't see a future without you-" Lucifer thought hastily under his ragged breath, this throat ashy and hurting, dry as the desert. He tried to focus somewhere else, to put his senses on something else rather than the sight of his beloved unmoving, eyes glassy and forever wide in fear and shock, blood pooling out of his chest as the angelic spear stuck out of it.

His smile gone.

"No no no no no no no no no—!"

"L-Lucifer..."

No!

His voice was hoarse and raspy, choking on his own life and blood.

Lucifer looked at the exorcist that landed their weapon.

They looked back.

He wanted to kill all of them.

He saw Red.

And golden blood mixed with crimson.

Lucifer didn't remember what happened after and he never wanted to find out. Lilith was at his side when he woke up, his arm slashed and his side deeply bruised. His beloved wasn't at his side, and the usual warmth that followed and nestled next to him was gone forever.

He was alone once more.

That moment of lucidity brought Lucifer back to the present, his eyes now open wide in panic at the recollection. He couldn't breathe anymore, his eyes were watery from his pillows and the buried emotions that he shoved down in the corner of his mind that broke his emotional walls.

It broke not because it was too much.

It broke because no one was there to hold on to what remained so why bother on holding it if no one was there to catch his anguish.

These pillows would be enough. They were the only thing worth holding on when he was at his lowest.

So he wept. He wept like there was no tomorrow. His small tears soon grew into choked wails, his claws digging in his tail, ignoring how twitchy and quivery the appendage was because of the rough treatment. He stifled a sob, hiccuping as his body was wrecked with cries and wails, his hand holding his pillow with aggressive tightness. The room was soon filled with broken sounds of pure sadness as Lucifer tried his best to purge out any aspects of his beau to not wheeze, out of breath from crying too much.

He didn't want to go back outside during that fateful day.

He didn't want his dead heart to beat hastily again because he heard the ominous chiming of the death bells reminding him of his great mistake and loss.

He didn't want to smell dried blood, concrete and leather again.

He didn't want his lover's face engraved in his mind, eyes empty and mouth sticky from choking on his own blood.

"He's gone, Luci. I'm so sorry—"

His lover's smell still lingered in the air as he soon passed out from his mourning on the too wide bed and the image of his closest friend torn in equal mourning.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

"Lu! It's so great to see you again!" Vox said joyfully, taking the goat sinner by the arm as he went with him to the dinner that the performer regularly went with his situationship after a busy night at the club.

Lucifer said nothing, only smiling softly, while the waitress greeted Vox like the faithful client he was. There weren't a lot of people today which was odd since Hell was colder than usual, which didn't mean winter just—less burning hot, and almost noon which was the perfect time to get a warm, greasy meal for the day.

"Unless they have better things to do like actually preparing themselves for the upcoming exterminations—"

Lucifer's throat got tighter as he shut his eyes for a moment to not linger on and, instead, listened to Vox greeting the regulars and teasing the waiters that he knew more personally.

"A table for two please. No, this isn't me and Val this time. You know how he feels about going here more than once every two months." He slightly joked, earning a laugh from one of the waitresses as she guided the two to a nearby table. Lucifer didn't really care about what he was going to eat, since he only wanted her to go away so he and the other humanoid looking sinner could be alone together. Vox took his plastered plastic menu and was about to ask what his friend wanted but the latter was quicker.

"I'll take something cheap. Whatever you choose."

Vox raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he took another order for Lucifer, this time something sweeter as the waitress nodded and took notes before leaving. A small silence followed before Lucifer still asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I hope you didn't—"

"Yeah yeah I didn't take you an apple based dessert. I know you're allergic to it." Vox reassured, toying with the silver bracelet he had on his wrist that spelled a mix of his name with Valentino.

Lucifer couldn't help but smile in a bittersweet way at the silver jewelry.

"So... How's everything at the club?" He found himself asking as Vox blinked a few times before smiling softly.

"O-oh yeah, everything's great so far! We definitely had more clients than ever which is surprising, considering the amount of other sex clubs and shit like that owned by overlords." He explained as Lucifer slightly snorted while he drank his cup of water. Vox continued, like the chatterbox he was once the subject was launched. "We were actually planning on doing a bigger and longer show for the guests this week at night. Like combining Anthony's own performance and Velvette's singing—you know all that jazz."

"That's one way to put it." Lucifer simply answered back as Vox grinned wider, looking at the window as the two settled down in a quite comfortable silence while waiting for the food to come.

It was only after a few minutes that Vox asked something in return while his friend was looking down at his phone.

"And how's the news with Lilith? Anything new with her?"

Lucifer shrugged.

"Oh you know, the usual. She gained more fame and popularity after a while. That made her more recognizable so a few overlords want to make a deal with her in exchange for her voice now."

At that last statement, Vox widened his eyes in alarm, clutching his bracelet but then Lucifer added, soothing his friend. "Obviously, she turned all of them down. The only time she sings is when she is paid with cash or for her own will, I know her too well to fall for that whole "sign your soul for your notoriety" bullshit."

"Oh okay phew." Vox slightly breathed out while Lucifer cracked a small smile before his vacant gaze drifted to the window then his hands as he held his cup. Vox was still looking at his phone before looking up to see his friend lost in thoughts.

The sinner slightly twitched his hand, itching to ask the dreadful question. However, Lucifer was faster, his voice softer, as if he unveiled a shameful secret buried a long time ago.

"I miss him."

Vox's eyes dropped slightly as he sighed again but, this time, it was out of melancholy, more supportive and out of understanding.

"... I know. I miss the bastard too." He muttered, fidgeting with his hands. Lucifer was a little bit surprised at the nickname but then he remembered that it was Vox. After all, he and his lover also had a small history together. "I assume you two were really close too at one time?"

Vox tilted his head, a bit surprised at Lucifer's question hidden as a simple observation. Still, he only smiled softly then shortly snorted. He waited for the waitress to bring out their plates before starting his rambling.

"Oh yeah but it was like— probably 10 years ago? I died recently but not as much as Velvette did. We saw each other once at the club and since then we kind of clicked and got hot on the collar." He rambled on.

"Then you two broke up and you stalked him until he found me." Lucifer couldn't help but smirk as Vox sputtered, choking on his drink, his cheeks getting red.

"O-okay first off! We broke up on good terms and second! I-i was just—making sure he didn't end up in a bad situationship—a-and all that-" He explained, much to Lucifer's amusement. Still, the goat asked. "I know I know, I'm just teasing you. Didn't know that he was the kind to actually be still friends with his ex."

"With how he acted all mysterious and shit for nothing, I doubted that he would actually have friends."

"I know."

And with that, the two laughed together as Lucifer finally took a small bite of his coconut pie. Vox still grinned before he added with an uncharacteristic but not unpleasant soft tone, slightly poking his still burning hot fries.

"Hey. Are you sure you're going to be okay? I know how—how much he meant to you. And I started to get worried when you didn't show any signs lately. Or gave out any news."

Lucifer slightly tensed when Vox took his hand but didn't move it away. The goat sinner used his other free hand to scratch behind his neck, not necessarily thrilled to talk about his whirlwind of chaotic and messy emotions.

"... I'm trying." He simply said. "I really miss him a lot, that's true. If only I just..."

A look of disagreement from the other sinner made the blonde shut up before he sighed, looking down at his dessert. "I wished he was still there." He rephrased.

Vox said nothing this time, only letting his friend vent to him as he occasionally nodded, since he wasn't that good when it came to comfort someone.

Still, there was always one thing he kept repeating and that was intentional. Not only because he meant it but also Lucifer's lover thought the same as well even after he died a second time.

"Just—if it ever gets worse, don't forget to call us, okay? You don't have to bear this grief alone. And you know that he wouldn't want you to do the same."

Lucifer's humming didn't ease Vox's mind but at least he acknowledged it.

"I miss him too but we gotta go on. I'm sure he doesn't want you to be stuck in the past."

"You really put words in his mouth like that uh."

"Oh come on. I know I'm on the ex statue but still." Vox rolled his eyes as Lucifer let out a louder snort now, making the humanoid looking sinner beam more, glad that the other was getting a bit better and less closed minded.

"For now, let's focus on something else. Did you know Velvette found out some new juicy gossip?"

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at him but no malice or judgement was behind it. "Really now? Where?"

"In Husk's casino, when Niffty was visiting him and when an asshole happened to be out there as well. Now listen—"

And with that the two talked and entertained each other with stories to tell and rumors to spread, eating their warm plates while Hell's acidic rain dimmed barely.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Going to Rosie's place was lovely but each time Lucifer thought he wouldn't encounter more bloodbath when he visited her, somehow she always manages to surprise him.

Especially when he accidentally stepped on the remaining carcass of a sinner as he cringed internally, the tip of his white pants now ruined with guts and slimy red or transparent liquid.

Sighing, the goat went to Rosie's emporium, the shop having less customers than usual, which was surprising, as he held the red box wrapped with silk ribbon close to his chest. A small but clear hubbub was heard from outside and judging from the punctuated laugh each breath, Lucifer theorized that Rosie's Husband's friends monopolized the place once again.

That thought alone made him groan in annoyance, not wanting to deal with some pompous rich snob who drank out of golden teacup.

However, Lucifer buried his disdain and swallowed greatly. Pushing the door of the emporium, the first thing the sinner smelled was the expensive fragrance of herbs and the smell of raw guts. Lucifer almost wanted to gag at the combo but, once again, he was at Rosie's territory and, furthermore, in Cannibal Town.

Puking when people are enjoying their own special meal seems impolite, especially when it was their homeland... Somewhat.

So he gulped down his disgust. Focusing his smell on something else, the sinner went towards the desk as he saw four men discussing together loudly, occasionally ending their words with a laugh or eating a thinly cut intestine like delicate sashimi that were put on an expensive ceramic plate near a silver tea set and a champagne bottle. They all wore pristine, neatly ironed Edwardian clothes and, similar to Rosie herself, had pure black eyes devoid of any colors that made it seem like corpses and sharp teeth that glimmered when they opened their mouths too widely. Lucifer recognized the one with ashy blonde hair who wore an extravagant tophat with long black and white feathers whose laugh was louder than his companions being Rosie's first husband and future meal in Hell, Simeon Blount.

Said Simeon saw Lucifer and his light, playful gaze instantly shifted into something more professional and cold, like a switch clicked to make him appear less friendly towards the other shopkeeper. Lucifer definitely saw that.

"Ah Lucian—"

"My name is Lucifer, Mr Blount, thank you very much." The goat demon immediately answered, gripping the box tighter on instinct.

Simeon didn't seem to mind, or care, about his correction as the cannibal overlord continued, his tone less cold but still sharp, to make it known he had the upper hand without trying to sound angry or intimidating. At least not much.

"What a pleasant evening to see you here. I suppose you are here for a treat that my lovely spouse made—unless the treats in question come in this peculiar box you happen to hold?"

Lucifer internally growled at him, eyes slightly narrowing as to not show his disdain entirely. Some of Simeon's friends looked at him with similar amusement and mirth while guzzling in expensive champagne with slices of raw tendon as the taxidermist eventually replied back.

"It is only a delivery for her."

"The bow make it say otherwise—"

"Oh my!"

A feminine voice rang out as both men turned there to look at the emporium's desk where Rosie emerged from a silky red curtain, wearing a simple floor length black and white dress and a brown sash. She didn't have her hat on but rather a modest white headpiece that resembled a headband with small roses on it. Simeon gasped.

"Primrose! What is this indecency!" He exclaimed, outraged. Rosie only contented herself to raise an eyebrow at her cannibal husband as she crossed her arms over her chest. "What is the matter? This is my summer dress my dear. Besides, none of your companions are handsome enough to tempt me AND my friend here is just there to bring me what I asked."

A cannibal snorted at her sassy reply and another snarled at her jab as Simeon huffed but said nothing, probably out of pride.

So he left her and Lucifer alone, going back to discuss with his own companions the latest overlords news and how they could surely play a role in conflicts to have bigger benefits. As Lucifer followed Rosie in the back of the emporium, the cannibal woman couldn't help but take a delicacy and taste, her face going from delicious surprise to a bitter frown.

"Of course he would spend almost all of his money on that." Rosie berated under her breath, guiding Lucifer to her own space behind the emporium, a small table made for two that was open to the streets of cannibal town. Rosie snapped her fingers as a red and white tea set appeared in a puff of smoke, a delicate lace napkin under and a few pastries, cannibal friendly and non gory alike, got magically summoned, still freshly out of the oven.

Lucifer's stomach got a little emptier at the treats as Rosie sat down on her usual emplacement and gestured to Lucifer his own seat that he took without checking twice.

A second later Rosie groaned slightly in frustration, already pouring herself a cup of tea while taking her special treat of pinky fingers.

"Would you please excuse my dear husband, he decided to do polo today with his friends but then he wanted to prolong their stay so he could gaunt about his wealth." She rambled on before adding with a grumble. "A wealth that is still limited but he keep acting as if he was the richest man in the seven ring"

Lucifer lets her complain about her incompetent spouse as he stirred his own cup of tea before asking, genuinely wondering.

"I'm actually surprised you didn't kill him yet with everything wrong he does without checking you or your opinion on the matter." He confessed. Rosie shrugged simply, toying with the hem of her thin long sleeve.

"He's the overlord, not me. Despite the name of this lovely place, the sinners and hellborns alike in Cannibal Town won't probably take it kindly that their leader and strongest role model ironically got eaten."

"Strong, okay, but a role model and leader..."

"Their words, not mine, doll." Rosie chuckled, making Lucifer smile behind his cup before his gaze went to the package he delivered.

"Oh yeah, that brought me to the reason I got here."

"Are those the jeweleries that I've asked for?" The Edwardian woman couldn't help but get slightly excited, loving Lucifer's work and delicate craft.

Her friend, his smile warmer as he untied the bow and opened the box to reveal—not pretty little earrings made from another's bones but instead a stuffed hellbird with additional wide eyes and a fur luxurious and shiny that highlighted its remains. It was on its side but its chest got puffed in a manner of pride and its beak was slightly bent to resemble a radiant smile.

Rosie gasped in delight.

"Oh my stars! Lucifer, darling, this is absolutely wonderful!" She complimented genuinely, taking the taxidermy with delicate care like a porcelain doll. "And I thought that my little songbird perished in the hands of Simeon." She added, inspecting the taxidermy while softly brushing the feathers on the thing, smiling wider each time she looked at its face.

"When you told me that he was about to cook your feathery companion like rotisserie, I knew that it wasn't the fate you wanted for him to go." Lucifer explained, beaming inside when Rosie giggled, now fondly looking at the bird with fond memories.

"Oh I knew how my sweet Zephyr never liked to breathe the same air as my husband and would always poke him endlessly if he ever got too close." She chuckled at the fond memories before looking at her bird friend's remains with a reminiscing grin. Lucifer eventually spoke up.

"Well. Unfortunately, he wouldn't poke anyone anymore but at least Simeon wouldn't try to grill his butt now."

Rosie snorted again before sighing in content, tapping her fingers on the table. "Even if they aren't the earrings that I ordered, I'm still glad that you bought me such a thoughtful gift. Really, it made my evening! There's a reason why you own your own taxidermy shop." Lucifer smiled weakly at the last part, something akin to hollowness and ache within his heart.

The cannibal woman seemed to realize that her words affected her friend but, unlike Vox who faltered slightly, she smiled in such a tender and warm way something akin to a mentor rose in her.

"Ah... Still visited by the cold, dead hands of grief I see?"

When was the last time you fell ill because of it? Or let your heart weep for you?" She asked as Lucifer pondered a moment the question before hesitantly answering, furrowing his brows.

"Last time was... Probably two weeks ago."

Rosie frowned and he sighed.

"It was two weeks ago."

She seemed more satisfied with the rephrasing, pouring herself another cup of tea and tried to offer some to Lucifer. The latter shook his head, fiddling with his thumbs.

"More precisely, which day? Saying weekend doesn't count."

Lucifer breathed out deeply, massaging his temple. He wasn't supposed to be there for a therapy session to soothe his grief and help with his memory issues or chronic pain. That was for next Saturday.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Or was it Sunday? Wednesday? In one month or—

He winced. Okay, maybe he needed that in the end.

Concentrating himself, he dug in his memories against his will and eventually answered, his goat ears flickering in unease.

"It was... Thursday. After I had a client who mistook me for the autopsy and gave me a sinner's carcass. The smell of blood somehow triggered the past and made me remember the fatal moment."

Rosie hummed, concerned for her friend but still keeping her cool. Taking a sip of her tea, she continued her little session.

"And how did you feel after exteriorizing something so heavy?"

"Naked."

"Were you actually naked?"

Lucifer couldn't help but snort, appreciating the brief humoristic comment when he was being so tense and vulnerable.

"No, of course not. But I felt exposed. Humiliated... A lot of mixed feelings."

A silence settled, urging him to continue. He finally took a pastry, seeing the mini jelly sandwich making his stomach slightly rumble.

"But I also felt... Lighter. Less burdened and tight in my own body and mind. I definitely felt ugly and unwanted after that but I felt eased up." He rambled on, toying with the food before lowering his ears sheepishly. "Sorry I-i didn't mean to drag on."

"All is fine my dear." Rosie reassured, smiling softly as she used her magic to clean up the crumbs and tea stains that were left on the tablecloth. "In fact, I'm actually glad you feel more confident day by day to confess what or how you feel. I know how much he meant to you."

Lucifer didn't know why but a sense of guilt pooled down in his stomach at her last words.

"A-and to you too!" He added with a stammer. "I-I mean—you two were really close as well-" he tried to justify, much to Rosie's fondness and amusement.

"Lucifer, honey, I'm a cannibal woman." She said as if it was the weather. "I deal and I've dealt with eternal death more than any sinner within the Pride Ring. When a loved one dies, it's not the end of the end, it's just another way that has been cleared out in front of me. A corpse is a corpse but its spirit remains, metaphorically or cruelly, depending on how damnation works." She took a pinky finger with delicate glee, inspecting it like a fine diamond. "I may never hear their laugh, their cries or their voice but hey! At least I did. I saw facades people didn't have and I was able to look at their face's details one last time. Eating them makes me feel closer and their bones used as accessories or trinkets is once more a testament that they left a mark in my life."

That was... Surprisingly comforting from a woman who prided herself in not leaving someone's physical remains to rot and consume the body for the liking of it. Lucifer feels his eyes burning slightly and slightly cursed at his body for betraying his tears. Fortunately, he managed to swallow them as Rosie felt pity for her friend. She added something else to cheer him up as much as she could.

"Did you know Alastor used to come into my emporium when you two had a fight?"

That actually surprised Lucifer.

"Really?" He genuinely asked. Rosie nodded vigorously, glad that her friend finally started to eat the pastry he was toying with earlier.

"It wasn't every day but when the two of you got mad to the point of a small break, he would seek guidance in my place." She giggled at the memories. "He would ramble non stop about how prideful and stubborn you were, quoting: an overworking hypocrite."

Lucifer sputtered slightly, cheeks flushing. "H-he was the one to talk! All of this can literally be applied to him as well!" He then mumbled something under his breath.

Rosie grinned wider before continuing. "How he would complain non stop! And yet..." She immediately added to make sure Lucifer didn't get angry at his already dead spouse. "He also told me how he couldn't eternally be mad at you forever."

That took Lucifer aback.

"He was a dreamer, just like you. A dreamer with quick and sharp wit. He wanted to be a radio host before his death." A pause. "He was going to try his shot and become a ruthless overlord when he landed in Hell. That was until he met you."

"Someone who could be read like an open book, a less uptight sinner who was more head in the clouds that amused him greatly." Lucifer blushed again in embarrassment as she continued, her tone more reminiscing, less confident. More personal. "But someone who could understand what he went through. Who knows why such acts brought him down here and didn't try to make him better or worse, just accepting him as he was." Rosie looked away. "And it was difficult to find someone that way in Hell. Even less falling in love with and he knew he was in too deep to despite you forever. Mad, yes. Furious, okay but leaving you? It was like destroying a part of his life that was missing from the start, a part that made feel both vulnerable and safe."

"You were lucky to have seen Alastor as who he was. And he was very lucky to have you as his eternal partner."

Somehow those words made Lucifer feel the aching grief of his heart come back. However, Rosie didn't let him weep in front of her as she quickly changed the subject.

"By the way! I absolutely love your earrings doll face! Where did you get them??" Then she got more excited. "Oh! Or did you make them yourself? Tell me!"

Lucifer couldn't help but chuckle softly, fidgeting instinctively his white earrings that shined and resembled pearls. "I made them. From old bones that I had left behind at the taxidermy shop."

Rosie slightly clapped her hands in giddiness. "You have to teach me dear! Or—oh I can commission you with that next time! Same shape!"

Rosie then fully changed the subject to some news she heard with overlords while Lucifer sipped his cup of tea and listened to her. Susan occasionally went by, criticizing Lucifer's appearance as always, he was used to it now, before changing sides and asking the two shopkeepers her usual husband getting crushed to ground meat for her to eat easier and her favorite rat wearing matching clothes with her.

Overall a normal evening.

And Lucifer continued his day, the earrings made from Alastor's femur weighing his ears as he tried to ignore the uncanny feeling.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Lucifer didn't always go out at night to clubs or parties.

It wasn't just his thing. Crowds made him tense and awkward. Music was usually too loud and the alcohol was too expensive for him. Alastor also felt the same but ever since he knew Vox, he would sometimes go to that specific club/restaurant where his partner performed or went by with his superiors as wanted him to come because they were absolute shit. Lucifer only came like two or three times in it and was always forced to go, either because of the two in question or Charlie, one of the waitresses that worked in the restaurant.

Lucifer saw her the first time when she went to the shop, nervously asking for a pinned moth as a gift for her future girlfriend during Valentine's day. It was at that moment Alastor first adopted her as his own daughter then Lucifer followed.

"You act almost as if you actually gave birth to her." Lucifer once teased him as Alastor bid farewell to the blonde woman. He rolled his eyes.

"Oh please. I just think Charlotte is a pleasant woman to be around."

Lucifer just snorted, nonetheless fondly looking at how his lover seemed a natural when he advised Charlie whenever on her love life, he was bad at it, or just life in general, once again, he was bad at it.

But he didn't mind either way and, now, Charlie and his or her friends were his reason to visit the club.

Another vestige of Alastor and what was left of him.

Arriving in front of the hellhound bouncer, the latter eyed him with disdain, taking a look at his simple attire. The goat instinctively hid his frame a bit, not appreciating how he was being scrutinized like some vulgar piece of meat left in a dirty alleyway. Not a lot of people were there, surprisingly. Although the shopkeeper was probably aware he came to the party too late, the waves of people who wanted to see shows or get access to better... Services already gone inside.

"Got your id card?" The hellhound asked, crossing her strong arms defensively. Lucifer's heart slightly sped up as he went to rummage through his small bag, the classiest he had, feeling more oppressed under the sharp gaze of the other demon.

"I'm not going there, I just know it. I should have gone with Lilith." He thought to himself, frowning when the bouncer barred her teeth, reading to kick him out.

However, right on time, someone came out from the buzzing place, hair all messy and black lipstick stains on his cheeks. Vox was still breathless, laughing like a wild soul, as he clumsily tried to adjust his strapless dress to cover his chest and pretend it wasn't already a deep low cut, drawing the swell of his bosom and dipping almost on half of his torso.

He opened his mismatched eyes and immediately got alert, his face showing surprise but also pure joy upon seeing his friend.

"Oh hey Lucy! I didn't know you would actually come!" He exclaimed with a slightly slurred voice. The smell of gin and vodka was strong in his breath as the concerned one merely waved at him awkwardly.

Vox burped a bit before looking at the hellhound, his smaller hand resting on her biceps, smiling with teeth.

"Don't worry about him, doll. He's with us! No need to wag your pretty tail anxiously about it." He hiccuped, tracing circles on her arm. The hellhound sputtered slightly, taken aback by the subtle yet provocative flirty gesture before composing herself, probably noticing now that Vox wasn't close to sober. The latter insisted, mentioning with his head inside the club.

"Here, Robby can even cover you up! Come on, Lu!" The humanoid sinner insisted and Lucifer was this close to tell him to shut up, not wanting to get verbally humiliated AND kicked out.

But, contrary to what the goat sinner thought, the hellhound let out an exhausted snort instead. She nodded curtly, opening the foggy glass door, and mentioned Lucifer to come.

"Make it quick." She said simply and the blonde sinner didn't have to be told twice as he almost dashed through the door, not looking behind as he clutched his bag for a lifeline.

Vox walked behind him a tad clumsily. Lucifer noticed that the blue slim dress he was wearing was very tight fitting with a high slit that went up to his calf. That immediately made Lucifer blush as he tried to look away as if to try and respect Vox's somewhat-ish modesty.

But that didn't actually help when his friend pulled out a card between his breasts as Lucifer sputtered, a wave of crimson coloring his cheeks.

"W-wh- How- Vox!" He yelled in indignation.

Vox didn't give a shit.

"Charlie's waiting for you in the back." He said simply, handling Lucifer the staff card that gave him access to places that clients weren't allowed to. The smaller sinner could only blink a few times as Vox blew him a kiss, grinning all the way, before leaving him alone. Two men were sitting on a sofa lounge, eyeing Vox with want and hunger, clutching a bottle of vodka and Lucifer wondered if his friend didn't perform this time, instead accompanied with his superiors as the three were probably enjoying themselves with each other.

He really didn't want to know the nature of their relationship honestly.

So he took the card in his hand and went backstage, dodging drunk people and a few waiters on the way. None really asked where he was going and if one of them happened to be suspicious, he would just say Charlie needed him.

That was enough apparently for them to ignore him again.

Lucifer quickly scanned the staff card on the automatic door before pushing it, the less suffocating but still foggy warmth of the Pride Ring hitting right on his skin.

The backdoor led to a dirty alleyway with a dead end. Dried blood was still on the concrete with other weird unidentified liquids that the blonde sinner didn't want to know about nature. The smell of nicotine and coffee was strong in the back and the only source of light came from a half bent street lamp that lit the end of the alleyway.

Charlie was leaning and pinning a woman on the wall, with very light purple almost white hair who seemed to wear nothing except a brown coat that hung on her smaller form. The two looked at each other with such fondness the man thought he was an intruder in the picture and he was going to leave them alone but then the door creaked right on time, making him freeze anxiously.

Lucifer blinked as Charlie yelped in surprise when she noticed him, startling Vaggi in the process.

"W-woah-! Lucifer—?!"

"Sorry- I didn't mean to startle the both of you. Maybe I- I should just go-" the concerned one stammered with shame, blushing awkwardly. Vaggi was the one who sighed, stopping him in his tracks.

"No it's okay, you're okay. We were just taken aback, nothing much." She comforted him.

Lucifer slightly bit his lips, unsure about her words. After all, the two were constantly busy with Charlie working as a waitress and Vaggi being a performer most of the time so they never truly have that much free time dedicated to each other.

He didn't want to get in their way.

"I just wanted to pass by and—uh—say hi but Vox immediately gave me your staff card." A sigh. "I really should have just told him to pass the greeting." He mumbled mainly to himself. Both Charlie and Vaggi were silent for a moment, waiting for him to add, until the blonde waitress frowned slightly in confusion. Meanwhile, Vaggi tensed a bit, her expression showing uneasiness.

“Wait, Vox? I didn’t give him my pass.” Charlie noticed Lucifer who felt a weird sense of dreadfulness in his stomach, not liking the way the other sinner seemed anxious as well.

Vaggi was the one who calmed them down, but not entirely.

“No, I think I know why it was with him—”

“Hey there sugar.”

Lucifer yelped at the unknown, sultry voice that came from behind. A tall, lanky pink spider stood in, all four hands on their hips and sharp, immaculate eye makeup staring down at the blonde goat although no actual bite was behind their gaze. They wore an extravagant dress with sparkles and stylized their hair to make it imposing but pretty. The smaller sinner couldn’t help but feel even more tiny and, to be honest, a bit intimidated by the beauty in front of him.

Then the spider crouched down to his level, still asking. “No need to be scared, doll. I was just curious about why such a darling like you does in backstages.” They purred as the concerned one slightly felt his cheeks heating up.

“Antony!” Vaggi’s voice suddenly boomed in the alleyway, making everyone jump. Said Anthony grumbled before standing up on his full height, crossing his upper arms.

“Come on, Vags! If you want to yell at me, at least use the stage name! Lady Luck.” The drag queen accentuated each word at the end, before muttering something in another language. Lucifer didn’t try to guess what it was, he only knew English and a few words in French thanks to Alastor.

Vaggi only proceeded to roll her eyes at his request before removing Charlie’s coat off her, much to the taller woman’s disappointment. She was also wearing a sparkly piece of clothing, with small diamonds even encrusted on the purple leotard with white and silver motifs all around the edges.

As much as Lucifer found her breathtaking, he understood why she needed the coat, it was colder than usual outside.

The goat sighed in relief upon now realizing that the two women weren’t going to make love when he stumbled on them.

“Lady Luck or not, I’m still going to scold you. Why the fuck did you give Charlie’s ACTUAL staff card to somebody else? Are you out of mind?”

It tooks Anthony– Lady Luck a few moments before she hummed in acknowledgement as she waved her hand in dismissal.

“Oh don’t be so stuck up, Vag. I know Vox is responsible enough to take care of it while I’m out.”

“Couldn’t you at least warn her before doing so???”

“I didn’t see her.” The spider answered simply as Vaggi grumbled on her side in Spanish, at least Lucifer knew that. Charlie only stood there awkwardly between the two as she tried to reassure Vaggi, a sheepish smile on her face.

“Hey Vaggi, it’s okay. He didn’t mean to give it to someone else.”

“It’s still irresponsible-”

Once again, the tallest sinner seemed unbothered, checking her long, perfectly manicurated nails.

“And it was for the better. I mean-” she gestured at her long dress eagerly. “Do you see any pockets on this thing? Be glad I didn’t try to put it between my tits.”

“Technically, Vox did that when he gave me the card though-” Lucifer blurred out instinctively, the scene still vivid in his head.

All three heads whipped to look at him, different reactions although all born from shock.

“What??” For Anthony, it was out of unbelievable glee, laughing at the fact that Vox also did the thing, adding a little disbelieved "No way" while for Vaggi, it was mostly because she was even more disappointed.

Charlie was… Well, it was her card so her slight disgust was completely understandable.

“Anyway." Lady Luck clasped her hands together, calling everyone’s attention. “Why am I even here? The club is going to close itself. We need y'all's help.”

Lucifer felt himself blushing once more but, instead, it was because he felt so ashamed of himself. Not only he came underdressed, interrupted a private moment, inappropriately looked at other people’s parts but also came so late it was already the end.

Charlie sighed and accepted to help the drag queen. However, when she saw the flash of guilt on Lucifer, her expression softened although a small frown was still present.

“Hey, it’s okay.” She smiled sweetly at him as the goat looked at her with a bit of surprise. “Honestly, you didn’t miss that much, we do the similar thing every two or three nights in a month. You can always come back and we can reserve you a place, Lu!” She suggested. Lady Luck gasped softly, putting one of her hands on her chest in a dramatic way. “What do you mean he didn’t miss much?? I was literally performing thirty minutes ago!”

“I wasn’t there when you did so but, let me guess, you did “Losing streak” again?” Vaggi couldn’t help the smug smirk as the spider glared at her.

“That was a lucky guess.” She huffed as Vaggi simply shrugged, slightly shivering because of the temperature. “I can’t blame you. The amount of people who request me to either do the same ballads or the most erotic show to put on is crazy.”

“Save the drastic difference between the two, most people who ask you the latter are women, no?"

“Surprised?”

The two performers couldn’t help but chuckle with each other before Anthony had an idea, draping his lower arm around Lucifer who immediately froze, the smell of vodka and strawberries from the spider were strong.

“Hey, I have an idea! Why not let this little lamb with us for tonight? I’ll tell Sue to not kick him out, don’t worry!”

Vaggi raised an eyebrow at him. “Anthony, Lucifer is only there to say hello, I don’t think he would want to stay longer.”

But Charlie beamed at the suggestion and Lady Luck smiled widely, showing all of her sharp teeth. That gesture made Lucifer remind a bit of Alastor.

“Oh yeah that would be such a good idea! I’m sure Lucifer wouldn’t mind people here! He knows almost all of us!”

“Oh I’m not really sure, I don’t want to bother any of you–”

“Pshh! Nonsense!” Anthony laughed eagerly, bringing the small goat close to his body. “We're all friendly here, all barks and a few bites but not without your approbation.” He winked at the blonde who chuckled awkwardly.

“Hey now, let's all calm down a bit. What if Lucifer is not uncomfortable? Even now, it looks like he's going to bolt away from your grip at any moment.” Vaggi argued, deadpan.

"N-no! It's just I- uh I’m not exactly that great in a room full of people-" Lucifer stammered and added quickly. “I’m boring! I- uh I don't really have the most interesting stories to tell-” He tried to come up with excuses. However, Lady Luck only proceeded to lean a bit on him and, at this point, Lucifer guessed that it was his way of getting comfortable with someone.

“And one of us is a prude who had a hard time dealing with the fact she actually likes women all along.”

“Come on, it was long ago! I’ve changed now!” Vaggi whined, making Charlie snort slightly.

Someone called Anthony’s name inside as the concerned one sighed greatly before looking down at Lucifer. “Come on, toots. Do you agree or not? Alcohol will be free, don't worry, the little rabbit will leave us crates.” He crooned and Lucifer couldn’t help but snort at his attempts to persuade him.

“Maybe I can try…” He thought to himself, despite the anxious feeling in his stomach that made him want to melt in the ground and bury himself forever.

“If I don’t actually faint from sheer social anxiety then sure why not-” He managed to blur out, feeling proud of his small joke when Anthony laughed while Vaggi snorted despite all and Charlie chuckling.

If everyone else was like them or Vox, then he could take his shot and widen his social circle, finding other people that weren’t always related to his work or past love life.

The club was weirdly calm, which unsettled the shopkeeper. A small cyclops sinner was cleaning furiously although with eagerness the floor stains and crumbs on the floor, giggling maniacally all the way. A doll looking demon was sitting on one of the barstools, vape in hand and a phone in the other. Music was still playing but it was way softer now, almost as if it was muffled outside than in the room. A snake sinner was quietly moping the floor of the stage, gaze vacant while not acknowledging anyone outside of his own space. A rooster was quietly looking at one of the staff doors, specifically one that seemed to lead where performers would go. A woman with eel hair and, ironically, an eel looking sinner were talking to each other on one of the, still not, clean tables, sharing photos and whispering to each other like high school bullies, snickering all the way. A few staff members there, some prostitutes there—Lucifer almost forgot that the nightclub was notorious for many things and, among them, was their personal services with sex workers.

Lucifer, too, wasn’t really into that, especially since he has no idea what to even do after.

Anthony sighed loudly behind the blonde goat, stretching himself and popping his back alongside his four arms while the couple followed behind. He announced with dramatic flair.

"Helloooo everyone, your favorite star is here!"

The doll only rolled her eyes. "About fucking time you actually came." She then tossed her vape to the side before getting, pointing a sharp finger at the bar, bossing around loudly. "Move your pink ass there! We don't have all morning."

Anthony only proceeded to roll his eyes. "Alright jeez." He muttered, removing the heavy wig off his head as he ruffled his short hair and strutted towards the doll, tossing the accessory right in Lucifer's hands, who slightly panicked and almost let it fall.

"Be careful, toots, those wigs are expensive." The spider chuckled softly. Lucifer only laughed back a bit awkwardly, fidgeting with the fake hair fabric as he held it on one arm. Vaggi slightly patted his back while she joined her friend. Charlie was the only one left with the goat sinner to keep him company while the rest of the workers still present were talking and bickering with each other, especially Anthony and the girls.

It was only when Charlie introduced Lucifer out loud to everyone, the dark skinned doll finally acknowledged him fully.

Her first reaction was a sharp and judgemental look on his outfit.

“Ugh, seriously? You are letting this fuckass poser here??? His shirt is more wrinkled than my grandma’s old asscheeks and ew, that color!”

“Velvette!” Both Charlie and Vaggi yelled in unison, trying to calm her down, as the concerned woman only rolled her eyes before approaching Lucifer furthermore, the latter backing away a bit.

“Do you have any better designed shirts in your house? Black dress pants? Fuck, even just something bright red??”

Poor Lucifer felt overwhelmed at her words, finding his voice again to answer her

“... Yes?”

That seemed to satisfy Velvette enough as she hummed thoughtfully, her mean demeanor drastically changing to a softer now, although not entirely gentle. She smiled genuinely, shrugging her shoulders.

“Mhm, good. Next time, wear this if you come back here. Unless it’s wrist ruffles then stay the fuck away from me."

And, with that, she was gone, snatching a glass left to no one on the bar and refilling herself a shot. Lucifer only stood there, too flabbergasted by the interaction he just had. Charlie sighed, rubbing her temple. "Don't worry, she's always like this—even now, she was very kind, which means she trusts you enough."

"Oh-" Lucifer could only mutter as Anthony called him to share a drink with them, the goat reluctantly agreeing while the rest chatted among themselves. Once again, the shopkeeper felt like an unwanted stain in the picture. As Charlie helped everyone else to tidy the place, advising Lucifer to sit down or socialize with others—he preferred to do the first one though thank you—and joking with Anthony or Vaggi, Lucifer toyed with the hem of his shirt before remembering what Velvette told him and stopped instantly. He sighed, watching everyone else getting at ease with each other, not counting a few staff members eyeing Charlie or one of her friends in disdain.

He felt even smaller amidst the dimmed but still groovy ambiance that picked up after a moment.

He clutched the glass of—whatever the spider offered to him, he saw something like Beezle Juice or something among those lines when the bottle went past him—and groaned in frustration and rubbed his face.

Damn it, he can't even look at another new face, can't he?? Was he really that antisocial?? Being a shopkeeper meant meeting new faces, at least two or three times a week, and, somehow, having to keep the conversation with a sinner so far from his comfort zone was too much for him!

He was too scared to mess it up. Too intimidated by everyone to try and impose himself. He didn't know and didn't want to use his demon form to call out for attention.

He wasn't Alastor—

"Hey, are you okay in there?" Vaggi's deep voice echoed, Velvette's vape in her hand. Lucifer perked up before faltering, trying to smile although it was more of an awkward grimace.

"Oh u-uh yeah! Why did you ask-?" He lied through his teeth before Vaggi smiled in return, but it wasn't out of joy nor malice.

It was more out of comprehension.

"I don't know... You seem too frowny to simply think."

Lucifer sighed as Vaggi sat next to him. Meanwhile, someone has put the music a bit louder, the sinner with eel hair taking Velvette's hand, as an offering to dance, which the latter took with seductive gusto. Anthony was rambling to the rooster demon who didn't seem that attentive as Charlie slightly wiggled on her own, humming to the song. The two sinners that sat next to each other were silent, save from Lucifer lightly drumming his fingers on the table while Vaggi swayed gently. The goat had to eventually ask.

"Aren't you going to dance with Charlie?"

Vaggi simply hummed, looking at her beverage before going in one go.

"I danced enough already today—don't want dear Charlie to feel forced to dance with me." She answered as Lucifer hummed before going back to a tense silence. The showgirl asked in return.

"So you're the famous taxidermist that almost everyone passes by? Can't say I didn't hear about you, some decors here even came from your shop. Well, it's trendy as the club's owner says." The white haired woman smiled softly and Lucifer couldn't help but lightly chuckles, a bit sheepish about receiving praises from people he didn't know enough about.

"Well uh—thanks-" He briefly looked around and spotted a deer with a serene expression hanging in front of the staff's door. "... Those were mainly made by Alastor, my boyfriend."

Should he have said ex because, technically, they weren't together in their second life anymore?

Vaggi seemed to understand the undertone anyway as she sucked a breath, as if she ate something sour, before scrunched her nose slightly. " Oh yeah, the deer." She said curtly, her tone indescribable.

Lucifer simply hummed and the two fell in a small silence before the woman spoke again.

"I'm—I'm sorry for what happened to you that day. I know I'm not that close to you as much as Charlie is but-" she smiled softly at him, while the music shifted again to a softer but still jamming sound. "-You can always talk to me or seek us out if the grief is too much." She tried to comfort.

He wasn't... Actually grieving now. In fact, Alastor wasn't really in his mind right now.

Still... He didn't mind the reassurance, especially when he saw those little creations he had made a long time ago, when they were still unaware of the horrors and what exterminations would bring upon them.

More comfort was not to be frowned upon.

He exhaled, gulping the last drops of his alcohol in one go before admitting. "I—understand. Thanks a lot V- uh-"

"Vaggi."

"Vaggi! Sorry-" the blonde sinner heard her laugh as he continued, refilling himself another drink. "Maybe seeing what he has done and crafted so beautifully made me feel... A bit taken aback." Lucifer didn't feel entirely anguished, thank that to Rosie who urged him more to speak out about his emotions.

"Why, well that's good." Vaggi commented, looking fondly at Charlie who was helping the snake sinner from earlier with cleaning while still having fun with her friends, Velvette and her partner leaving maybe to have more intimacy. "That's a sign that you are healing and moving on."

The last words made Lucifer slightly shudder as he mumbled. "Yeah... It's a bit complicated but I always try. Different ways and all of that to cope with it."

Vaggi simply hummed, looking at her drink, deep in thoughts.

"But if sadness does come back and makes you feel horrible, try to let go of it, or at least change a few aspects in your life to make you move on fully." She shrugged her shoulders. " But that's just my opinion. We have all been there and that's how I dealt with my own grief. Moved a few pieces of furniture, changed some clothes, even my perfume." She advised before Anthony barged in to bother her about something, although he whispered about it in her ear.

Lucifer assimilated her words.

Let go, let go...

Why did it sound weird to him?

He shook his head. "He died a long time ago. That's a fact that I've already accepted a long time ago." He kept repeating to himself in his head.

And yet, something was holding him back, a piece of his psyche that made him feel restrained.

He takes meds and takes care of himself again. He spoke with Rosie and, reluctantly, a therapist. He has friends, acquaintances and his job is enough to make him busy but enjoy what he does. He was healing again!

But something in the back of his mind held him back, and—

Lucifer toyed with the earrings again and widened his eyes in horror and daunting realization before shame took over. His heart slightly clenched and his hand gripped his glass cup. However, he remembered he was in a public space and decided to do his best to relax.

He felt angry at himself.

Well—partially angry. The other part was mainly shameful and appalled towards himself. The fact that he never told anyone about it, not even his therapist of his closest friends. But how could he even abord the subject? Even he didn't visited him for a long while now, the goat should have known, and the fact that his body was rotting away without him checking on him and—

He needed to talk to someone. Right now. But not someone from this place, as much as he found them charming and Charlie delightful.

He needed to contact her.

Luckily, even Vaggi seemed in a rush and quickly asked him. Charlie on her side and, he noticed briefly, she also looked a bit concerned, before she pulled out her phone and checked something on it. "Uh—I'll be back in a few minutes. You don't mind, I hope?"

"No no no, I was even going to tell you I'm leaving—" He sweats barely. "Personal business—I forgot I had to do something and I need to get it done too."

That took Vaggi a bit aback but she didn't try to insist. Anthony was going to tell him that he could stay but someone called his name as he went towards the other sinner, curtly waving Lucifer goodbye.

"See you soon, toots!" He yelled as Vaggi smiled at him, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Alright, take care."

"Charlie?" The snake sinner asked as the blonde woman raised her hand, nodding briefly although smiling up at him.

"Wait, hold that thought. Lucifer, come here for a second." Charlie urged him as the goat sinner was slightly taken aback but still nonetheless went towards her.

He was iffy and a bit suspicious for a moment before the other sinner engulfed him into a tight hug as his worries melted away with slight guilt for doubting Charlie.

She may be a sinner but she was still a kind hearted woman compared to the depraved rest out there. Lucifer didn't know her sin but if he had to guess, she was at the wrong place at the wrong time which saddened Lucifer.

Charlie broke the hug and waved her phone. "I'll tell Sue to guide you to the nearest bus. Don't worry, she's all bark but no bite and she knows now you're close to us so she won't do something rash." She reassured him when she saw Lucifer's unsure expression.

"Okay... Thanks." He said simply as the other sinner nodded before joining the other, leaving Lucifer alone, with a wasted rooster and a confused eel who didn't know what to do and where everyone was going.

The goat sinner didn't try to guess what was happening to make everyone bolt away as he got up, checking his bag for anything missing and went towards the exit.

He had his own problems to deal with now and a corpse to dispose of, against his own will.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

When Lilith came down in the basement, rotten flesh and dried blood was the first smell that caught her.

She wasn't scared or shocked. Her own romantic partner was a cannibal herself and Lilith had her own skeletons in the closet that made her land in Hell for a reason. Mangled and dismembered corpses weren't something new or sensational for her.

But, still, what made her take aback wasn't the atmosphere but rather what... Or rather who caused it

And seeing the familiar shape of what remained of Alastor was nonetheless a revelation.

Lucifer wasn't there yet since he had to close the shop and clean it a bit for tomorrow so Lilith was alone in the basement with the cadaver of her former friend who perished almost 3 years ago, heart pierced by an angelic spear and left to rot among many others who perished.

The holy energy was still radiating from him.

Lilith, honestly, didn't know what to think. She was already aware that Lucifer was struggling in general, especially with his mental health. So the concept of him just leaving such a loving and intimate past without looking back was not easy.

And it seems that he did take drastic measures to deal with his own trauma of losing his lover.

Her friend came down around two minutes after, brushing his hands on his apron before putting it on the coat hanger. Lilith still hasn't moved from her own spot, mesmerized by the uncanny sight. Lucifer joined her after that, followed by another oppressive silence, none of the two daring to move a finger.

Lucifer, surprisingly, spoke first, tiredness heard in his voice from the day.

"I took him home that fateful day. When the exterminations finished, they didn't have the time to clean the streets." He explained.

"So that's why you disappeared for Hell knows how long and came back soaked with blood. I was so scared during that moment, I almost thought that you would faint from severe blood loss and injuries again." Lilith lightly scolded. Lucifer didn't try to fight the small smile on his face.

"I was actually going to faint, but from sheer ecstasy and lack of food for a few days."

"Very funny."

And, despite all, the snake woman briefly snorted as the grim realization of it all crashed down upon the two once more.

"Luce.."

"I told myself I need to get rid of it." Lucifer started, balling his hand into a fist. Lilith instinctively took it in hers, ignoring how his harsh grip shifted on her. Her other free hand instinctively rubbed his shoulder. The goat bit his lips, his frown growing deeper and more painful.

"I tried. I tried so many times, Lilith. I really did. He’s rotting away here, in this dark basement and I know he’s not happy—” Lilith didn’t try to correct the odd words that came out of his mouth as he rambled on, his voice pinched and lost in his stress. “But I just—I can’t- I can’t let him go again-” Lucifer trembled slightly. “Seeing him so serene, so peaceful now after his second death, it’s… It’s-” He choked on his words as the woman brought him on her side to lean on her, which the latter accepted the anchor greatly.

A silence settled.

A sniff echoed.

Then a hiccup.

Soon Lucifer cried in the silent room. Lilith immediately wrapped her arms around him as the smaller sinner buried his face in her shoulder, his body wrecked with sobs.

"God damn it! I hate myself so much! Why? Why?? Why did I let him get killed??!" He wailed loudly, his throat burning from his screaming. Lilith preferred to say nothing, not wanting to intervene while her friend was anguishing greatly.

"I should have been there sooner. I should have- I should have done something I- FUCK!" His horns started to show and Lilith had to make sure they didn't accidentally pierce her and cause more troubles than it’s worth. Her eyes watered slightly but her face wore a pained expression while Lucifer wailed loudly on her shirt, babbling and muttering apologies to anyone in general, but mainly for him.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry Alastor, I’m so sorry…” He kept repeating like a broken record, hiccuping more remorse towards Lilith who merely shook her head.

“No need to feel sorry for me, Luce. I choose to come here to help you and I’m not leaving soon.” She said, determined as she embraced him more tenderly while he sniffed wetly under her, his tears soaking her cloth as he soon calmed down, only breathing shakily.

Lilith glanced back at the corpse as she closed her eyes in empathy before looking down at him. “Wanna talk about it?” She asked softly, letting Lucifer shift slightly in her embrace. He shook his head with more resolution, whispering a “No”, and the snake sinner was thinking that he needed more anchoring and comforting acts.

Until Lucifer suddenly broke the hug, surprising her slightly. His eyes were still wet and had dry tears marks on his cheeks, his lips a bit puffy and his breath coming in short huffs. However, Lilith noticed it with a growing pride, his eyes glimmered of something that has been gone for a long time, something that exorcists took away from him 3 years ago.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I want to act now.”

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Touching Alastor's face for the last time made Lucifer shudders and repulses.

He didn't cry this time. He had spent too much time crying for him already these last few years either inside or torrents on his pillow and his body felt too dry and sore to weep once more for a handful of minutes. Instead, he took his time to appreciate each detail of Alastor's face one last time before he would never see it again. His bright eyes were shut a long time ago now, his skin grey and ashy, his lips blue and dry, his remaining hair clumpy and thin, and his body as cold as winter.

He has accepted that Alastor was gone physically, at least he was aware of that. Holding the lifeless body was not the hardest part of the journey, nor dressing him up one last time and less putting Alastor in the modest casket, a bouquet of chrysanthemums rested gently on his chest. What Lucifer couldn’t handle was doing all of this officially, for the first and last time, step to pass if he wanted to fully leave his shared past behind.

To move on entirely and accept the changes.

Lilith was behind him, a reassuring hand on his shoulder as she looked at him with equal sadness. It has been 3 years but a funeral was still a funeral and, like the empath she was, she understood how destabilizing and dreadful it was for the goat. One of Lilith’s coworkers was close enough with her to play a little tune on his foldable piano. Just a simple but melancholic tune, not to dig the knife deeper in the wound but rather to remember and cherish, a last moment of intimacy between two lovers before they part away forever, even in the afterlife.

Lucifer was immobile as he kept staring at Alastor, an invisible force inside of him refraining his body to move away from the other. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t leave him again in the seven rings of Hell and rotting in the grime and rancid grounds of Pride, like that fateful day. He couldn’t abandon him once more—

“Lucifer.”

Lilith gently put her hand on his chest to push him away from the corpse. The goat sinner didn’t try to fight or struggle, knowing it was better to do so. Lucifer's blank stare watched her as she also looked at Alastor's corpse one more time before closing the casket carefully and joining her friend, whispering to him.

"Do you want to say something? At least a little speech before... Before he leaves for good?"

But Lucifer shook his head.

"I—sorry. It's a lot to take in. Plus, I had all this time I kept him in the basement to tell him everything."

The musician on the piano played the tune slightly off-tone for a fraction of second before continuing as if he didn't hear what the goat sinner said, and the latter preferred to not dwell on it too.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes slightly, fighting the wave of emotions within him before affirming again. "Let's get this over with."

Lilith didn't try to argue with him anymore.

With a flick of her wrist, a flame appeared in her hand. She went towards the burial site and knelt down slightly, lighting the branches and woods that rested all close to the casket similar to a crown of thorns.

It wasn't long before the coffin and its surroundings caught up in the flames as Lucifer's fists clenched further. The smaller sinner did his best to stay strong and stared at the burning casket with trembling strength, ignoring how the cracklings of the fire were caused not only by the wood but also by Alastor. His lips quivered a bit, his breath short but loud and vision blurred ever softly as he forced himself to watch the whole ordeal without flinching.

Lilith held his fist as he relaxed softly when he felt her warm and comforting presence. Meanwhile, the pianist started to nuance his own melody as well. Minor chords became major, more whole and joyful. The oppressive and numb tune transforms into a lighter and faster pace.

The rainbow after the storm.

“You think you’re going to be okay?” The snake woman eventually asked Lucifer, also looking at the flames with an indescribable expression on her face. He was silent for a small moment, thousands thoughts running in his head before exhaling with a shaky breath, closing his eyes to impregnate himself within all sensations: grief, fear and pain but also hope and the unfamiliar but thrilling feeling of the unknown for tomorrow.

Then he decided.

"I have to. That's what he would have wanted me to do. And..." He looked at Lilith and managed to show an unsure but truthful smile, one that held sincere strength and content instead of a strained, crooked one that hid his mourning.

"... I'm doing this for all of you and myself as well."

Lilith widened her eyes but smiled fondly before looking back at the burning coffin. The pianist has now fully changed the mood of the music, even swaying softly while he played a jazzy tune. Lilith couldn't help but lightly tap her foot as well. Lucifer bopped his head before snickering softly.

"I know where this is going." He said, bemused, as he lent hand, inviting Lilith to dance with him. The musician continued the song as the singer accepted with glee.

Lucifer knew a few traditions from Alastor's birthplace, in New Orleans, where a loved one's grieving relatives would sing and dance after a funeral so that they can carry their spirit in both pain but mainly joy. Therefore, he wasn't surprised and less offended that the atmosphere went from heavy and solemn to a festive one. Lilith must have told her colleague about Alastor's taste in music because what he heard was an old but iconic jazz song that his lover used to hum or sing and slightly dance on, his moves much similar to how he and the other woman are doing currently.

As Lucifer dipped Lilith before she scooped him in a dirty dance manner, the goat chuckled louder at their antics. For the first time in a long time, he wasn't holding his tears, nor felt his heart ache and twist with anguish and agony. The melodies of jolly notes weren't a brutal reminder of what he had lost but instead what he had known.

"I'm dancing Alastor, see? I'm celebrating for you. I am going forward and you helped me with it too."

Those were his last thoughts before the music ended and only ashes were left from the casket.

And among them a more peculiar but precious item.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

"Hey Voxxy." Valentino's hoarse voice called out as Vox raised his head from his phone. The moth demon threw him a small package, which the humanoid looking sinner caught quite clumsily, surprised. He looked at his partner who merely shrugged before lighting another cigarette. "Don't ask me, I don't know what it is either. It was just labeled for you." He said before going out on the balcony to smoke.

The performer said nothing, only looking down at the paper craft while he unraveled it cautiously.

It was only then he saw the letter and recognized Lucifer's handwriting on the front, a small packet of jewelry taped near it.

Vox's heart swelled as he opened it and saw two carefully polished bracelets made from... Wait, was that—

The sinner immediately jumped from the sofa he was laying on earlier, a glimmer of glee in his eyes as he yelled. "Val! Look! Lucy made matching bracelets for you and me with shark teeth!!" Valentino blinked with genuine shock.

"Excuse me he did what now?"

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Rosie was tending in the back of the emporium, tidying the clothes that haven't been sold as someone called her name out loud before leaving.

"A package for you!" The muffled voice of the mailman echoed as the cannibal woman perked up upon hearing that, genuinely curious.

The papercraft sat atop the wooden desk of the emporium delicately, the familiar handwriting of Lucifer taped firmly on it. Upon further inspection, Rosie noticed the letter handwritten and taped on the delivery. Taking the gift delicately in her hands, she read the note and it only took her three seconds to recognize her dear friend's usual formal greeting.

Rosie immediately grinned upon finishing reading the paper as she opened the gift that her dear Lucifer had brought her.

And just like she had thought.

Pretty intricate earrings made from bones and shaped with utmost care, fitting perfectly for her style.

"Unfortunately, those weren't your husband's bones. But I suppose you wouldn't want it anyway."

And that made the cannibal woman chuckle.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

"Eee! Vaggi, look!" Charlie exclaimed eagerly. Vaggi was in the process of removing her makeup as her girlfriend practically jumped on her lap, making the smaller woman chuckled softly, stroking the blonde locks.

"What is it?" She asked as the taller demon purred at the touch before abruptly getting up, almost startling the showgirl. Charlie waved a thick envelope made from papercraft in her hand. Vaggi raised an eyebrow, tilting her head to the side.

"Another gift from a fan? Charlie, you know you can leave it in the mailbox. Anthony can take care of it."

But Charlie shook her head.

"No no no! It's from Lucifer!" She clarified, earning a surprised look from her girlfriend. The blonde woman grinned wider, opening the package with eagerness. Meanwhile, Vaggi took the letter and read what was inside with a narrowed eye. She immediately relaxed when she finished reading at the paper but didn't have time to assimilate what was in that Charlie cooed next to her.

“Awww, it's so sweet!" She exclaimed, showing the white haired woman two bracelets and matching rings that were ivory white, probably because they were made from bones.

Vaggi blushed deeply when she realized the slick gift Lucifer made rings for them but Charlie didn't seem to catch on to the implication. In fact, the latter even wore it, thankfully on her index, and admired the fine craft.

"It's… definitely a choice. Well it's pretty! Just—I didn't expect that-” Vaggi couldn't help but stammer as Charlie chuckled and helped her wear the bracelet around her wrist. The showgirl smiled fondly when she brought the jewelry closer and noticed the words engraved to it.

“Vaggi."

She felt a swell of pride when she realized that Lucifer did eventually remember her name.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Lilith was brushing her hair in front of her vanity, completely exhausted after a busy work in the studio. Her head was pounding heavily and her eyes burned from the amount of overstimulating lights and sounds that were constantly on blast ever since this morning.

Silence was exactly what she needed right now.

Unfortunately, her safe haven was interrupted by someone ringing loudly on the second floor as she yelped before groaning in anger, her hair rising like flames waiting to burn.

Going down to the main entrance on the first floor, her demon form immediately manifested when she opened the door, greatly pissed.

“WHO FUCKING D— Oh.” Lilith immediately calmed down as she looked on the floor and saw a small package, made from papercraft with a letter attached on it. No one else was there so the snake woman assumed that the sinner who delivered her this must have fled for who knows

But it was probably wiser that way, considering how close she was at snapping someone’s neck and feeding its corpse to Rosie.

Taking the package, she read the letter while closing the door and going up to her room. Her demon form subdued until she became calm again when she realized that it was, specifically, a gift from Lucifer.

“I hope another necklace won’t bother you. I know how much you love handmade jewelry and I figured you would like it.”

Lilith smiled, tearing the paper to reveal a simple with an creamy white moon, a symbol sculpted on it alongside with her initials.

“Aww Luce.” She said softly as she admired the handywork, feeling how dedicated and emotional Lucifer must have been when he crafted this piece.

“You’re finally healing.” She whispered despite being alone. Still, with utmost care, she put her new piece in her purple jewelry box. She admired it one last time before closing the container as she went for a bath to fully ease her sore body.

Night was definitely her favorite time of the day and Lucifer just made it better.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

Lucifer sighed as he felt exhausted, his hands red and swollen from polishing, piercing and scratching trinkets.

However, at the same time, he also felt... Lighter. Happier. As if the weight in his heart was lifted almost entirely and it felt so odd to be this free and uncaring about tomorrow. The goat hoped that each of his friends were enjoying their respective gift, especially knowing how much time he had spent on making those presents. That was his way to show love and gratitude and, with the amount of help he got from them, he had to close the shop for the day to make them refined jewelry.

He rested his head on his arms on his desk, looking vacantly but fondly at the heart in front of him, the organ carefully cleaned and put in a cylinder glass cage.

The only organ that stood in one piece when Alastor... When Alastor's corpse burned.

It was fascinating how, despite his efforts to completely destroy his past and anguish, there was a little spark of his identity that would not be erased and stubbornly stayed like a scar, a testament of what he endured and made him remember.

No one could tell him that he didn't try now. He pushed forward and went past the most painful moment of his second life. He has gotten support from his friends until now. He fought against it and, more than once, he lost but he always got up to stand on his ground firmly.

The cellar has been cleaned a long time ago now, this time by himself because he didn’t want others to be burdened by his own problems again. Along the way, he found more items and creations that were made by Alastor: Some weird but funny fuzzy remains of animals, deer skulls and even a vinyl that he swore he lost somewhere.

It was clean and empty now, all of his belongings tucked away carefully in a less damp corner to avoid mold. Nothing else remained.

Lucifer traced his fingers on top of the container, wondering what Alastor would have thought of him now, from dissecting his body and keeping the flesh rotting away to a proper funeral, at least an attempt with two people. His growth and acceptance of his second death.

“He would have reprimanded me for not letting Rosie eat him at the very least instead of getting left abandoned underground.”

And that thought amused Lucifer now.

Almost 4 years now.

4 years now since Alastor left him.

Lucifer somehow managed to keep the tracks on how long he has been alone now. Sleeping alone, washing one plate after eating and having only one pair of shoes at the doorfront. All those changes in life that were unbearable only became a sign that he lived. That the bed wasn’t empty, the plates were still wet and no cobwebs reached the living room.

He lived. He lived because he had to. Not just for Alastor; for Vox, Charlie, Lilith, Rosie. Anyone who believed in him enough.

But most importantly?

He lived for himself, and that was the greatest achievement he has made.

── ✧《✩》✧ ──

On this day, my mother would have turned 55 years old and we would have go out to eat in a restaurant or go for a walk for her birthday before ending with a small karaoke with Scorpion and Whitney Houston playlists clogging my youtube search. I do apologize if it feels rushed, it was a tribute to how I dealt with the ache in my heart until now. Writing Lucifer and his interactions with others sometimes hit too close personally and I had a lot of issues writing the rest without sounding too corny or feeling a pain in my chest. Thank you all for reading and I hope you will have a good day, alone or loved one and, remember, you will always feel loved and you belong

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 : ❥︎ˢᵗʳᵃʷᵇᵉʳʳʸ ᶜʳᵉᵖᵉ

❥︎ʷᵃˡⁿᵘᵗ

❥︎ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵖᵘᶠᶠ

❦︎sʜɪᴘ

ʷᵃˡᵖᵘᶠᶠ (ʷᵃˡⁿᵘᵗ ˣ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵖᵘᶠᶠ)

➪I swear I meant to post in 2025 but I got hit by 7 trucks (metaphorically) and had the weirdest, trippy esque end of the year (literally. Like I fainted and threw up like what—) anyway I'm back! I hope it goes well-

➪I am even surprising myself with that statement but I actually did my best to not be too ooc and it is not that bad! I hope—

➪THEY ARE MINORS, I REPEAT THEY ARE ‼️MINORS‼️ so no weird shit please thank you—

➪Still— cw: near injury AND injury, although it's not really heavy

➪request by Royal_Jelly on Ao3

➪Anyway enjoy (⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`⁠)

♡︎♥︎♡︎♥︎

To say that Strawberry Crepe was just a mean cookie who didn't care about other's emotions or problems was a complete misunderstanding.

Well. Partially.

It was true that they sometimes couldn't comprehend the way some cookies would think or act, especially when they would execute such foolish and stupid actions that, sometimes, Strawberry Crepe would actually think if their brain didn't melt in the process of thinking.

Which was the case for Cream Puff right now, who thought that it would be wise apparently to use the Vanilla Kingdom's library as a playground for her spells, despite fully knowing that her magical abilities were still in development and quite restrained. But she wasn't the only one to blame because even Strawberry Crepe, by some strange miracle, accepted to accompany her.

Despite, once again, fully knowing that her magical abilities were still in development and quite restrained.

Did they become crazy or just decided that if Cream Puff ever exploded, they would cover up the strawberry jam? Who knows! Either way, what ensued felt more beneficial for Cream Puff as a cookie rather than the research she was supposed to be doing.

"Have you finished brooding through those dusty books or not?" Strawberry Crepe unintentionally snapped at the student of magic as Cream Puff jumped at their drowned out voice, clearly exhausted from waiting for her to finish her numerous readings. Fumbling slightly with her magical wand, she pursued her lips before getting on the defensive.

Clumsily, of course.

"A-almost there-! Don't worry Strawberry Crepe, this book will be the last before I go to practice!" She said, confidentiality albeit with a stutter. Strawberry Crepe could only roll their eyes, leaning on the pile of books that the other cookie created by just being deep focused on her studies and making sure her spell would work this time.

However, their bored and slightly annoyed expression soon shifted into a frown, if not a hint of worry, as soon as they saw that Cream Puff was already starting to tap slightly on the tip of her wand, deep in thought.

"Wait. What are you doing??" They couldn't help but ask, guarded and, honestly, a bit apprehensive. Cream Puff only looked up at them when the tip of her wand only proceeded to flicker just barely, much to her own personal disappointment.

"Well, I'm trying to cast the spell?" The student said as if it was obvious. The young inventor gawked at her, frowning deeper.

"Here in the library?? Are you crazy or something??" Strawberry Crepe berated, a bit sputtering, as they immediately activated their waffle robotic arm to create a somewhat makeshift shield around themselves.

Cream Puff couldn't help but feel a bit offended at their reaction as she rolled her eyes. "Come on now! Since when did my spells go horribly wrong?"

"I can name a few." Strawberry Crepe deadpanned as Cream Puff pulled her tongue at them before slightly tapping on the tip of her wand. The magical item emitted a few sparks, some of them making Strawberry Crepe jump even more in incertitude. Cream Puff, however, didn't seem to mind the slightest as she scrutinized with wrinkled eyes the object.

"Mhm... Something's wrong."

"Oh really??" Her friend pulled their tongue at her as she huffed in annoyance, crossing her arms.

Unfortunately, her motions made the wand flicker again, much to her surprise and near fear.

It died out again as the parfaedian student sighed out in relief. "Yes I mean it. Normally, when I practice spells, it works for a few times before dying out or succeeding. But—" Cream Puff scrutinized her wand, as if to analyze it. "—it has never done that before. Why..."

Strawberry Crepe, as much as they were pessimistic about it, couldn't help but actually be interested in her reasoning. Indeed, it was odd for a spell to dysfunction that way. Even if it did have the hardest ways of magic known to any cookie, the worst that would happen would be the spell not working at all.

Not the wand flickering like an old flint who didn't have much fuel anymore.

Unless—

Cream Puff yelped in surprise as a swirl of blue suddenly appeared out of her magical instrument, a spark of bright stars and puffs of sugar emitting after. The young student was lucky that she didn't bring her face even closer because a dash of uncontrolled and raw magic made from cream and sugar surged from the wand, knocking on the books she was about to study. Strawberry Crepe jumped from their spot, now shielding themself with their waffle robotic arms. Unfortunately, Cream Puff didn't have any other ways to protect herself so her first instinct was to back away.

Which was also not a good thing to do because, behind her, the balcony was too short and she accidentally tripped her foot and fell.

It wasn't long before her friend realized what was going on, especially when she started to scream.

"CREAM PUFF COOKIE!" Strawberry Crepe yelled in horror as they got down as fast as they could to catch her below.

By the witches, whose idea it was to put the most essential book about magic at the highest floor of the library!

Simultaneously, Walnut happened to be at the place as she entered the library, her eyes already endorsed into reading a mystery book. However, soon her bubble was bursted when she heard the chilling scream of someone in danger. Looking up, she saw a brief flash of a cookie falling and didn't waste time.

Tossing her book aside, the young detective leaped into action and positioned herself on the spot where Cream Puff was falling.

"W-WHOA—!"

"GOTCHA!" Both Strawberry Crepe and Walnut Cookie yelled in unison as the brunette cookie landed her arms for the students to fall on it. Walnut huffed, Cream Puff's weight unbalancing her as she almost stumbled. Thankfully, Strawberry Crepe helped the two girls to not stumble on the floor as they used their robotic limb to help Walnut back on her feet.

It wasn't long before Cream Puff realized what just happened and yelped even more in horror. Walnut braced herself, thinking that she got hurt on the way.

Until she wrapped her arms around her neck, still a bit quivering.

"By the witches, that was soooo scary!! Oh gosh thank you! Thank you thank you so much—uh…” She stopped her ramblings when she realized that Strawberry Crepe wasn't the one who caught her, although they did make sure the impact wouldn't be painful, but instead it was Almond Cookie's daughter and a small growing figure in the mystery world, Walnut Cookie.

The two girls met each other's eyes and, for a moment, the third cookie felt as if they stumbled upon a private moment between partners and was about to carefully slip their way out.

Until Cream Puff shrieked again as she stumbled down, a furious blush on her cheeks. Walnut still said nothing, although her own crimson face matched the student's, eyes wide in surprise.

"Oh my... I-i'm so sorry I didn't mean to- uh-" Cream Puff stammered again as the other girl stood still, unmoving, her arms still lending out as if to catch her.

Strawberry Crepe decided to be the one to break the ice.

"Sorry for what happened, it was accidental I swear-" They apologized one more time before Walnut came back into her senses. Shaking off the blush on her cheeks, she merely waved her head around. "Oh that's okay—now if you excuse me-" She stammered in return, picking up her book that she almost forgot off the ground because of the adrenaline. Strawberry Crepe raised an eyebrow at her dismissal but then, she quickly tugged her hat to hide her even redder face, mumbling some words of embarrassment as Cream Puff continued to look at the detective.

A silence soon settled between the two remaining cookies before the inventor asked the magician with a slightly worried tone, unusual coming from them.

“Are you okay, Cream Puff cookie? Do you uh… Need any help? Or do you want me to keep supporting you?” They offered. However, the concerned one quickly hid her own face as well, yelling muffled cries of humiliation in her hands. Strawberry Crepe slightly jumped at her sudden reaction but what she said next was even more shocking.

“Oh no, whyyyyy!! Why did it have to be in front of the girl that I love that this happens!”

-💕-

That’s how Strawberry Crepe found themself being the advisor of their friend concerning her approach when it came to Almond Cookie's daughter. It was not an easy task and it was even less thrilling considering how clumsy and awkward Cream Puff Cookie was.

And they actually think that in the most polite way possible!

"I truly don't understand. Why can't you just address her your feelings and say that you like her??" They asked, genuinely curious, while the two young cookies were rummaging in the mechanic's lair. Currently, Strawberry Crepe was on the making of another waffle robot except, this time, they intended to focus on redesigning the bots. That wasn't really their idea, it was more like what those raisin villagers suggested.

Which was... Surely a choice, and Strawberry Crepe wasn't in the mood to argue about it.

Still, they found it too tacky.

Either way, aside from Cream Puff's own studying place, their workspace was also where the two would hang out without anyone interrupting their conversations or bargain in without their consent.

And right now, it was fortunate that no one had entered abruptly within their domain yet, not even a curious but annoying raisin child.

Cream puff bit the inside of her cheek, unsure. “But—It’s just…“ She trailed down before letting out such a loud sigh of exhaustion Strawberry Crepe almost though she let out her last breath. Finally, she spoke again. “I don’t know! What if she actually doesn’t like me or worse, she would hate me for ruining our friendship and—”

“Calm down, Cream Puff Cookie.” Strawberry Crepe lightly scolded, nonetheless with a gentler tone. Not necessary soft, just enough to ground her. The student bit her lips slightly, nervous as she puffed her cheeks. "Sorry. I—I really didn't mean to ramble on. But I honestly have no idea how to approach her in more–appropriate circumstances-"

Just then, Pure Vanilla cookie knocked at the door, startling the two youngsters.

Strawberry Crepe was the first one to notice him, the bright light that seemed to constantly swarm him a clear indicator of the ancient's presence. They grunted slightly under their breath at the sudden assault of warmth before approaching the oldest cookie.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie! What do I own the visit?" They asked as Cream Puff followed after them. Despite not opening his eyes, Pure Vanilla seemed to be surprised at the sight of the two. Somehow.

"Oh! I apologize I didn't know you two were here." His voice seemed almost on edge, which picked on Strawberry Crepe's curiosity, raising an eyebrow.

Cream Puff was about to ask the reason for his visit until she caught a glimpse of brown behind the Ancient's robes.

She immediately widened her eyes when the mysterious

"Walnut Cookie?!" She exclaimed with shock, startling both her friend and the cookie in question. Pure Vanilla was going to do a shush moment but Walnut eventually revealed herself, slightly limping while leaning on the Ancient's side.

Cream Puff noticed the strawberry jam first as she started to panic.

"By the witches! What happened to you??" She asked. The parfaedian student was about to get closer but she seemed to realize that it would only overwhelm the other cookie as she stood in her place. Strawberry Crepe, however, widened their eyes as they stood on their robotic waffle arms, scrutinizing the injury closer. Walnut instinctively held her side tighter, uncomfortable with the intense staring. Pure Vanilla wrapped his arm around her, acting like a comforting embrace. Her leg were the red liquid was dangled barely above the ground.

"She got hurt when she went on a mission with Gingerbrave and Strawberry Cookie. It's not life threatening but it's still a gash. We just needed a place where we would be left alone a bit." He explained as Cream Puff bit her lip slightly as she couldn't help herself but drive her gaze down to the cut.

Indeed, it wasn't a severe injury but she could tell it was stinging and throbbing. A wave of worry washed over her. What if Walnut had other injuries?? She could be hiding more gashes and maybe that's why Pure Vanilla wanted to be alone with her because it was severe—

"It's fine, Pure Vanilla Cookie. I'm going to be okay, I swear! Besides, it's only one cut. I'm—just a bit tired." Walnut eventually drew out, her voice carrying exhaustion. Cream Puff sighed in relief but what followed next wasn't a reflex or a second thought action but rather a pure instinct of wanting to protect another beloved cookie.

"Maybe I can check it out?" The young student said out loud.

"Uh?"

"What?" Strawberry Crepe quipped in, looking at their friend with slightly narrowed eyes. She ignored them as she continued.

"I—my healing spells aren't as powerful as those within the vanilla kingdom but—I can try to do something." She stammered although with more conviction. Pure Vanilla merely opened his eyes but, aside, didn't necessarily seem to be that reticent or surprised by her intervention. Besides, he merely smiled softly at her, appreciating her kindness.

"Oh well, that's pleasant. But it's not up to me to decide who is she seeking guidance to—"

"You're going to heal me?" Walnut finally spoke since their arrival in Strawberry Crepe's workshop. Cream Puff couldn't help but feel giddy when she heard the silver of hope in the young detective's voice.

"Only if you let me do it." She replied back simply, not understanding why her heart was beating faster as she anticipated her answer.

At first, Walnut said nothing, only looking down before she looked up at Pure Vanilla. The ancient didn't seem to mind that another cookie volunteered to practice magical medicine. In fact, he seemed more content than anything, smiling softly down at her.

So, with a sigh, she carefully detached herself from his robes and limped towards Cream Puff, who tried to not beam too much at the fact that she was trusting her.

Pure Vanilla only guided her carefully towards the nearest chair Strawberry Crepe had but, as soon as he left the two alone, Cream Puff rushed to examine furthermore Walnut's leg as the latter seemed to grow warm slightly at the act.

He sighed on content.

"Ah... Aren't they the sweetest pair of friends?" He asked out loud, not really to anyone in particular.

But Strawberry Crepe stood next to him as they eyed the ancient with a raised eyebrow, wondering if he knew enough or not that much actually.

Then they shrugged.

Whatever.

It wasn't about them. It was about Cream Puff who tried her best to seem nonchalant and calm despite the oblivious blush on her face and Walnut who was happy to chat with the young student, not caring about her wound, with bright eyes.

Uh.

Maybe Cream Puff can have a chance after all.

-💕-

"—If you actually decide yourself to ask her on a date or not at least!" Strawberry Crepe finished their frustrated rambling towards Cream Puff who only glared at them while hiding her own blush behind her warm cup of tea. The two went out for a little walk and stopped by the inn to get themselves some snacks while the parfaedian student would cool down from the healing moment between her and Walnut that CLEARLY didn't make her all giddy and fluttered.

Okay, maybe a little.

But still.

"But I don't want to ruin what we currently have now!" She eventually confessed, looking at her reflection in the mirror of the beverage, her gaze conflicted and slightly scared. "She's happy with our relationship now. I don't want to mess things up."

For a moment, Strawberry Crepe said nothing before eventually asking simply, their tone surprisingly lacking of its usual sharp wit.

"Well you never tried."

That made something in Cream Puff Cookie wince. She bit her lips before sighing in exhaustion again, rubbing her temples.

"And I don't know when to start. I mean, it's not like a solution will fall from the sky or freshly baked out from the oven—"

Someone entered the inn.

"Uhm- excuse me, I'm looking for—oh hey Cream Puff Cookie!" Walnut cheered on from the other side, going towards the duo as the concerned cookie sputtered and coughed slightly in her cup, taken aback when she heard her name, wide eyes.

Strawberry Crepe almost wanted to cackle out loud for the irony of the scene.

"I was just looking for you!" The young detective said brightly before shying barely, twirling with her fingers. "I was going to say uh... Thanks. T-thank you for healing me last time, I appreciate it. I felt a bit ashamed at first because I thought me and Pure Vanilla Cookie were bothering the two of you but–"

"Oh no no no no no it's fine don't worry about it!" Cream Puff immediately found herself cutting Walnut before blushing in embarrassment and stuttering. "B-but- continue sorry-"

Walnut didn't mind it in the slightest.

"And I wanted to pay you back in any way! So uh- I was think-" Walnut's cheeks became warmer, fiddling her fingers. "I was thinking if you– maybe if you're free tomorrow! We can go out together for a small... Picnic. O-or a promenade I'm not picky!" She quickly suggested, now avoiding the two's gaze and looked everywhere except their table and themselves.

Cream Puff was still stiff as a statue. However, one firm and knowing look from Strawberry Crepe immediately made her snap back to reality, grinning ear to ear at the date—

Wait was it a date?

"Uh– sure? Uh I mean y-yeah sure! I would love to!" She almost yelled out before composing herself in public, ignoring the poor attempt of her ingenious friend of not trying to laugh.

Meanwhile, Walnut smiled wider, her cheeks warmer than it was ever before while her adorable face illuminated the room and, by extent, Cream Puff's whole day.

"Great! That's settled! I..." Another small but meaningful pause. "I hope I will see you there."

Cream Puff couldn't agree more.

It was only when she went away to who knew where that the student and the young engineer looked at each other with eyes as wide as plates, a whirlwind of emotions flashing in them. Some was surprise, some was hope and, for Strawberry Crepe, a tiny hunt of amusement and irony at fate.

However, as soon as they saw Cream Puff opening her mouth, trying to come up with another pitiful attempt to chicken out, they beat her to it, their tone firm, leaving no room for argument.

"No. YOU are going to this date, whenever you are ready or not, and ask her out."

"But it's not a date!" She whined.

"Keep telling yourself that if you want but she asked you out and you can't deny that."

Cream Puff groaned in embarrassment as she buried her hands. Despite all of this, Strawberry Crepe couldn't help but smile slightly at the gush of luck they just added.

And maybe, if they were still keeping that chance up, Strawberry Crepe Cookie wouldn't have to deal with Cream Puff's hopeless romantic complaints anymore.

_______________________________________

{3451 words}

➪I have nothing else to say aside that I was, in fact, tired and lazy around the end

Oops

➪Anyway lol bye

Posted: 13/02/2026

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“Essy, you actually came!” Jophiel exclaimed with glee as she sprinted towards the winner and engulfed her in a squishy and tight embrace. Esther slightly yelped as she chuckled softly and wrapped her hands around the archangel of beauty in return, noticing the amused but fond gazes of some of her friends and photographs.

Jophiel really reminded the Jewish woman of Emily and, probably in extent, Samael before his fall. A dreamer with a creative mind and the amount of radiant energy in her was enough to light up the entirety of Heaven. In those times of reminiscence, the biblical figure genuinely thought to herself if Samael was still that little joyous archangel, the first heavenly being that was created by the Speaker of God and the paragon of creativity despite those eons of hardship and dark times. Just the thought of it made her, in some ways, almost nostalgic, despite never meeting him face to face.

It was such an odd feeling.

"Oh Esther, you have no idea how happy I am that you were finally able to make it!" Said Archangel's bubbly and cheery voice broke the winner from her thoughts. She managed to show a soft smile while Jophiel intertwined their arms together as they walked to the main lounge of the event.

"Sorry dear, I was busy with a bunch of meetings hosted by lieges and seraphims. Truly exhausting." She sighed with dramatic flair, amusing the Morningstar before she smiled again at her. "However! I couldn't bring myself to miss out on one of my favorite star's premieres. Especially with you as the main lead!"

Jophiel laughed wholeheartedly, which put Esther more at ease. However, the archangel of beauty unexpectedly pulled the shorter heavenly being more forward, making Esther surprised.

"Oh that's great! Now come on, I want to introduce you to the rest of the production!" The virtue of temperance urged. That made Esther's eyes go wide.

"Uh? Presenting them? But I thought your premiere—"

"Oh it's actually in a few hours, don't worry! You know how early I am with those events." Jophiel giggled like a child on Christmas as she eagerly guided the Jewish woman, who merely laughed awkwardly, not exactly that excited to meet up other famous persons that had nothing to do with her own sphere of influence.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

The main lounge smelled like hair spray, pricey perfume and a particular but not unpleasant pinch of spices that lingered in the air.

The temperature of the room drastically shifted to a much warmer one, catching Esther off guard for a small moment before regaining her composure. The room was very spacious but voices could be heard everywhere, creating a soft buzzing symphony of laughs and compliments while soft music played in a few areas. The lights seemed to all point at her and, at the same time, they all turned to other directions.

With how bright the area was, Esther blinked heavily for a few times, trying to chase away the harsh brightness that stung her eyes.

How can Jophiel pull up with that much light??

Well— She was a being of pure light that was something but still! Esther knew a few things about Jophiel, like she knew things about Emily, and one of them is that the archangel, despite all, was very sensitive to lights or anything that stimulated too much of her senses. Esther learned the hard way when Jophiel went to her penthouse one day, close to snapping at someone as if she was a walking bomb.

And Esther accidentally detonated when she was asking Jophiel what was wrong as the archangel who yelled at her to stop pestering her with incessant words. It tooks a solid five minutes of wimpy apologies and wet sorry coming tears of guilt to make her admit that everyone was getting too lousy on the set while the dress she wore itched her skin in every infuriating way possible.

The realization made Esther suddenly worried. What if Jophiel was really uncomfortable on the current but masked her frustration?? Or worse, "trained" herself to support this fast paced and suffocating atmosphere?? Or—

Esther was brought back to reality when Jophiel took her hand and guided her to the nearest photograph they encountered, who happened to be a short plus sized woman with soft pink hair that framed her soft face. She was incredibly cute and her already bright but focused expression only got even more joyous upon seeing the archangel of beauty before her. The pink haired woman left the photoshoot set, not before bidding a curt farewell, as the two heavenly beings hugged each other as if they hadn't seen each other for a long time, squealing all the way.

Esther kind of stood awkwardly on the side as the two parted away, Jophiel's embrace lingering a bit more onto Ariel's frame. Smiling brightly, she brought the liege closer to the other woman, who smiled warmly at the two.

"Ariel, this is Esther, the woman who took me under her wings and helped me to become who I am!" Jophiel said enthusiastically. Esther simply waved in a slightly clumsy way as the archangel continued. "And Essy, this is Ariel! A really talented photographer, if not the best, and my companion for everything including photoshoot!"

Ariel crossed her arms as she eyed Esther. However, her gaze was nothing but friendly and warm. Rather, she was looking at her as if she was impressed. Finally, she spoke, her smile getting wider.

"My, is that the queen of Jews herself?" Ariel asked in a surprisingly deep voice for someone as petite as her. "A pleasure to be meeting you ma'am." She did a little reverence, which caught Esther off guard again. She couldn’t help but flush a bit from embarrassment from the praise, which felt odd to her. She was already used to people looking up to her and giving her, sometimes too much, credit for her deeds of valor during her previous human life. But hearing a greeting from this other angel of a similar rank as Jophiel felt more... Charismatic than usual.

It was either the place that wasn't in her comfort zone or Ariel was just that charming. Really charming.

Speaking of her, the photographer added more infos while Jophiel stood next to her, her bright energy still prominent.

"I gotta say, I didn't think that a high figure like you would be interested in the world of entertainment and fashion, without any offense of course." Ariel chuckled warmly, genuine curiosity in her words.

Esther only waved her hand in dismissal, finding a weird feeling of wanting to end this conversation as quick as possible.

"Well, to be frank, even I myself didn't think I would end up here." She said with sheepishness. Ariel only smiled wider.

"Oh it's understandable! But don't worry, this domain is pleasant once you get familiar with it." As she continued, she made eye contact with Jophiel as the shorter woman's smile softened just slightly. Jophiel reciprocated it. "And, with more luck, you may find the best archangel around."

"Oh you! Such a tease!" The archangel of beauty couldn't help but chuckles behind a hand, like a schoolgirl in love.

Esther didn't know if it was the case but either way, Jophiel was definitely happy with that woman.

Soon, Ariel got called by another angelic model who wanted a good photographer as both the virtue of temperance and the Jewish queen were left alone. Jophiel wasn't tired, not even a little, yet.

"She's an absolute sweetheart isn't she? I met her once during one of the ads I did for Nirvana! Oh Esther, you should see her once she gets fluffy with sugar and Cloud Rain! Just a soft kitten!" Jophiel gushed while the two walked towards a small but fancy buffet, a few celebrities among them. Esther only held the "Cloud Rain" part, still finding it unpleasant that Heaven... Technically had their own version of alcohol, despite the drink being way more sugary than alcoholic.

Still, too much sugar was dangerously close to a dose of drugs according to experts and Cloud Rain, which mainly consisted of an obscene amount of it, distilled like some liquidation of powder, was unsettling.

But hey, who was she to judge. She wasn't an expert in drinks, at least not Heaven unlike when she was once a monarch.

Most of the people that talked with Jophiel were either models for runway or enticing ads, singers of any kinds, actors from popular rom com and even some public personalities.

The amount of people actually started to overwhelm Esther even more as she gripped her simple beige shirt, suddenly feeling naked compared to Jophiel's magnificent golden dress with geometrical motifs and glittery jewelry.

Taking a flute of guzzling drink, she spoke in a soft tone for Jophiel only to hear. "I—didn't know that there would be so many people-" She admitted, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. The archangel picked up a scone while she listened to her friend before smiling gently, trying to reassure her.

"Oh I understand, it's... A lot at first." Esther noticed how Jophiel's fingers pinched the scone tighter before she beamed again. "But, to be honest, once you realize how things work here, it's actually okay! Even Sera seemed fine here!"

The name immediately put a shift of emotion within Esther.

"Wait... Sera? As if THE seraphim??"

Jophiel vigorously nodded, gulping her pastry easily while the Jewish woman frowned slightly, instinctively going to pick a samosa.

"Sera actually leans into this kind of activity??" She asked as Jophiel rambled on, swirling her empty glass. "Yeah! Sera and Emily actually used to come here! Sera was the one who attended those events more but Emily was the one who would get all giddy and excited." She chuckled fondly at the memory.

However, on the other hand, Esther's mind swirled on its own with questions.

Since when does Sera even into fame and celebrity? She was always known as a busy seraphim and if she ever had hobbies, it was never about attending grandiose premieres or runaway shows.

Esther was aware that Sera had a penchant for music, like the rest of the archangels. There was a time when, according to Chamuel and Uriel, she was a prodigy in creating songs and lively musicals, back to a time where they were still carefree.

That was possible, if the event was related to so. But most of those, like this one, mixed anything that could count as entertainment for people and notorious stars, not harp and lyrics.

And the fact that Sera oftentimes came alone too was even more bizarre.

Esther blinked a few times, now frowning to herself. Maybe she was reading too much into it. So what if the head of the seraphims just wants to indulge in parties and collations with bright lights and pricey items? Maybe that was just a preference of hers that she preferred to keep for herself.

Esther hoped.

Jophiel gently took her hand as the two then went somewhere else, probably on a nearby photobooth, while Jophiel was mumbling something about Zadkiel, rolling her eyes along the way.

Esther half listened, her body still numb from the onslaught of sensations and mind filled with doubts and a slight aching migraine.

This was going to be long.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

Lucifer was so fucking tired.

Well, that wasn't actually shocking news, even less something recent but, of all the eons he spent in this hellhole that ate him from the inside and fed him the worst of humanity, the King really felt as if he got all the hits and blows from all existence and even the universe itself.

He mentally groaned. Why did it have to happen only now?? God damn it he had all eternity to suffer the consequences of his... Mildly infuriating actions. The moment he just fell from Heaven and arrived in Hell, when he and Lilith had to experience the first horror of hellish miscarriages and birth, when Lilith asked for the divorce, when Charlie stopped reaching out to him.

He had plenty of moments where he would rather kill himself over and over again than endure another year of painful loneliness and poisonous thoughts that crawled in his skull and skin, like maggots who feed themselves with the flesh of their victims. Lucifer went through too many hardships that either left physical marks or emotional scars that permanently harmed his self-esteem or psyche.

So why did fate choose this moment? When he tried desperately to appear functional and get closer to his estranged daughter and her friends? When he tried to rekindle with sinners despite knowing full well his reticence towards them?

Too many questions that left his mind that hit him more than consoles his pathetic being.

Charlie was really adamant about this redemption project, which was as inspiring as bothersome for Lucifer. Clearly, she was too shaken up by her snake friend's death and masked her grief by burying herself in work while occasionally self pitying herself on everything she could have to prevent it.

May his Mother bless Vaggie's heart for putting up with his daughter because the apple really didn't fall far from the tree.

Therefore, it was understandable that she would start to pester him with questions about Heaven and its system, since he was the only source of knowledge from above, aside from Charlie's girlfriend who only knew the surface of it. Lucifer wouldn't have minded it in the first place, because she kept asking about how Heaven works, its hierarchy, the power within the promised land and all of that political nonsense that The Sin of Pride grew tired of.

Then, Charlie started to get personal, asking for any... Relatives he had when he was still an archangel. The question made Lucifer cringes inside, the subject still a sensitive one despite the amounts of time that followed after his last argument with them. And despite how many times the King wanted to derive the question or respond to something vague, Charlie persisted, much to his dismay.

So he did the best thing he could, and poured down meaningless words and hollow lies.

"They didn't really have an answer for that Char-Char, they never questioned it so they never told me."

Which wasn't a complete lie except the last part but Charlie didn't need to know about this part.

From then on, Charlie seemed to be... Dismissive. Occasionally asking a few "how are you" and "what do you plan on doing today" there and there but no other lengthy conversations that resolved around her project.

She didn't find it important to talk about it with her father anymore.

Which... Kind of stung him. He really wanted to help! Just—It was a delicate and tricky topic to talk about, even Vaggie was aware it was better to not linger on it and helped Charlie with her extra work.

Because the nephilim never asked for help unless it was deeply bothersome.

Lucifer sighed internally. She was really his daughter, wasn't she?

But now, he and his daughter had a wider gap between them, as if their fragile familial bonding wasn't already pathetic as it is. On top of that, Alastor liked to poke at bleeding spots and would, coincidentally, be close when Charlie and Lucifer would be getting tense with each other.

Acting like a shoulder for Charlie to cry on for emotional support when her "mean daddy won't help her out with her dreams and refuses to lend her a hand."

The red bitch didn't even help in the Hotel's reconstruction! How dare he!

So now, Lucifer Morningstar was alone in his room once again. Sitting on the floor like a defeated soldier or a tired prisoner, rubber ducks scattered around as if it was the remnant of an explosion.

Or just a testament or his horrendous organization.

Lucifer hasn't moved from his spot, leaning on the wall next to the door yet. The king was aware that he should probably move or at least think about moving but he couldn't. His mind and body weren't coordinating and even less cooperating.

His head was practically glued on his forearms who rested on his knees. Everything felt numb, from his rear and back that went cold from the concrete to his eyes who unfocused on its vision, unblinking and unfazed.

Lucifer's body didn't respond anymore. His mind was still swirling with broody thoughts and loud voices but his physical being had a shutdown.

Just what he needed after another shit day, dissociating.

"Still not moving?"

Lucifer hated it even more when Samael referred to his body as just something, without owner or master.

"Will it cost you something to be less invasive for one whole day?"

"That doesn't answer my question."

"You didn't answer mine either."

The banter seemed to have stirred something within Lucifer because he felt a gush of wind hitting his skin. His body shivered barely, goosebumps on the bare surfaces.

It took a small moment for Samael to come back with something else to say. Luckily, it wasn't a jab. Unluckily, it was still about Lucifer's incompetence.

"That attitude is... Odd. For a king."

The Sin of Pride knew better than to know that it was just another insult disguised as a simple statement. A biased critic that was vocalized, coming from the darkest part of his mind.

"You say that as if I didn't know and tried my best. I'm trying to help Charlie and I'm glad she's determined to make her dreams come true! Obviously! But it's just—" Lucifer stopped himself at the end of his sentence, growing stiff and unsure. Even Samael seemed to sense his inner tumult and went surprisingly silent.

Good.

"... She doesn't know. She has no idea how the concept of redemption is much more complex than just a sinner going to Heaven." He worked out. Samael only hummed.

"Is it similar to reincarnation?"

Lucifer pondered the question for a while.

"In some ways or another. I mean, the concept of reincarnation is based on the work of a sinner, who was either such a miserable individual who needs to be put back on the right pack or, a less dangerous option, killed or dead but amended themselves from their past sins or mistakes. Most of the time they died doing a deed of valor, either for someone or for the world." The King tried to put it together. The main base of this whole "reducing the population of sinners."

"Something so rare down here." Samael responded.

"As much as it pains me to do so, I agree. The mere idea of not being selfish and putting others before them is a foreign and stupid concept from those depraved sinners here who can't do shit without any prices."

Lucifer could feel the hollow and cold smile that Samael gave to him every time he tried to resonate or act smart. His back shivered, the kintsugi patterns on his arms glowing faintly like a pulse of light emitting from a cracked porcelain doll.

"Is this the reason why you are dead set on not helping sinners and even less associating them with you?"

Lucifer clenched his fists, his eyes started to dart lightly around. His tail flickered.

"Or is there more?"

"You already know the answer." Lucifer only replied in a dry tone, not wanting to dwell on it furthermore.

A heavy silence settled after, the squeak of a rubber duck falling breaking it drastically. Funny how time seems to still itself during those moments, as if Lucifer was just stuck in a void, reality alternated between hysteria and hallucinations.

Something he forgot to distinguish a long time ago and blurred them together to avoid more troubles.

"... I really want to help Charlie." The King admitted to himself, as if it was a confession that was buried deep in his heart he could not say out loud. "She has a heart of gold and her mother's vision, that helped to march forward and create all of this. I don't want her to go through the shards and thorns that I went through in the ancient times. She... She is too altruistic for that. Her light is strong but it's still growing, still learning."

His tight twitch, then his numb legs. He could feel his hooves clasping at the floor as he brought them closer to himself.

"She is a grown woman and a mature one but she still has a lot of work to do, either on herself or on her actions."

"And you lived enough to know the patterns and how to avoid them." Samael concluded, its presence close to the king's body, like a Spirit who acted like comfort even though it was completely the opposite.

"Charlie sees sinners as human people. As unfortunate souls got hurt. As her friends and family." Samael said. Lucifer exhaled a barely audible breath, blinking once before that glassy look came back. His tail flickered and his fingers shook barely. "She may be your daughter but she is not you. She is ready to sacrifice herself and be at the fronts to prove her devotion to her dreams and her people. She inherited your attitude."

"But the rest is taken from Lilith... " Lucifer thought, an uneasy feeling of guilt pooled in his stomach. Charlie may not parade herself in the streets of Hell each blood moon but she did rally them with her cause and used her powers as so. That proved once more that she was on the right path, but the path was a rocky one in the first place and she needed guidance.

Coming from someone who went through the same route and came out with spears in his chest and permanent PTSD that caused hallucinations and depression.

Him.

He didn't need to get fully on board with his daughter, with the boat already sailing and with one quarter of it sunk or destroyed. But she still needed him, not because he was the king, or a deadly Sin or any titles Lucifer was given later on. He is the Morningstar and she is too. He was a mirror that reflected the bad and not so bad decisions that endorsed his acts and mind.

Charlie needed an example on what to do and what not.

And Lucifer was glad to fulfill that role.

“Anything for my brightest star.”

He didn't know anymore if he spoke in his head or voiced it out loud.

----

Archive of our own version

Lucifer paced around anxiously in his hotel room, tugging again at his wings in distress. Although, this time, he wasn't in the mood for causing himself actual harm and preferred to not pluck out any feathers. Still, every time he thought about what happened recently, his feathery appendages would twitch, an invitation to harm more. An instinct. A mechanism.

And the more he was walking around, the worse his thoughts became as one affirmation circled back and forth in his mind.

Heaven. Going back to Heaven. Charlie was going back to Heaven. Because they wanted to. They asked her to come.

𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧.

As if he got threatened by a gun, Lucifer recoiled at himself, curling into a ball as his fists got tighter. Fucking Hell, why was he acting with such fuss?? He got casted out eons ago, just barely after the creations of Adam and Lilith. His scars were partially a second skin at this rate, the memories blurred with his occasional nightmare. And to add on top of it all, his little (actually very tall) Char-char already went there once and met Sera, surely.

So why Lucifer was so fucking scared?? There was no reason to be. It didn't concern him, it concerned his nephilim. His purpose in life. The only person worth fighting for. After the last extermination known in Hell, they wanted Charlie.

His greatest pride and joy. His beloved daughter. His—

Lucifer sucks out a breath, inadvertently letting out a quivering whimper.

They wanted her..

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The king was back in the meadow without noticing it sooner.

Samael waited for the king, sitting in front of a tea set although the liquid presented seemed poisonous, a foxglove in hand and a cup of tea in the other.

"Someone was expecting my arrival." Lucifer eventually managed to say as Samael took a sip of the beverage in question, the usual coldness in his eyes still unsettling, even for the Deadly Sin.

"Obviously." Samuel responded, taking a sip off his cup. "You were in such a frenzy of tumultuous emotions, I already knew it would only be a matter of time before you eventually come back here."

Lucifer hated how Samael was right in every aspect.

Setting down his cup but the foxglove was still in hand somehow, it wasn't long before the entity added. "I'm not mocking you if you think that way. In fact, what can I mock about your attitude or everything in general at this point?"

"Was this supposed to be a backhanded compliment or just a plain fucking excuse?" Lucifer accused before the other one cut him off dryly.

"Either way, I'm not here to seek any of your... Poisonous ideas." Lucifer noticed the irony that Samael was toying softly with one of the foxglove's petals as he spoke the last words before he continued. "Every emotion inside of you already smells horrible and rotten. Anger, fear, sadness, regret, anxiety, even a bit of jealousy." The entity listed in, his neutral voice not changing the slightest as Lucifer felt a growing sense of shame each time the other... Thing would list something about what he was currently feeling.

"And I suppose I shouldn't have to guess what you are currently feeling right now." He mused.

"Oh come on! Fuck you!" Lucifer exclaimed, irritated as Samael shrugged.

The king of Hell sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair before begrudgingly admitting and venting... Partially.

"I just— don't understand the reason why Heaven decided to be such a dick to do this when the hotel is partially at peace. No. Not really at peace but when everything seemed to spin around and go downward for—for me!"

"And going perfectly fine for Charlie." Samael continued as Lucifer grunted in exhaustion, albeit he didn't want to sit in front of him. Paradoxically too agitated to stay still. "What? Her goals have already been set and concrete. Building back the hotel and getting sinners to book in. Now, a few are actually interested. Unlike your mindset of just living in dullness day by day, hoping for a change."

Lucifer bristled at the last jab, also ignoring the way the normally ashy green grass was crunching hollowly under his boots as he paced back and forth, his frown getting deeper.

"But still! WHY does Heaven have to pull this NOW of all time?? Not during exterminations, not when Charlie already tried to convince heaven's embassy, not when-"

"Probably because Charlie actually owns a hotel who fought against a bunch of fanatics. Have you forgotten during your 6 month nap?"

Lucifer's eyes went red at him, clearly not in the mood for any bickering on the current. However, Samael merely rolled his eyes at the king's petulant behavior.

"What is it again with that look? I am being serious." He added, taking a sip from his cup.

The already sad and gloomy atmosphere got even more grey, ashes falling from the endless sky as the Sin of Pride wrinkled his face in slight irritation and disgust. His wings quivered behind, puffing at the temperature's drop.

"You really do start to act like this fucking annoying walking tampon now." Lucifer eventually gritted out. Samael couldn't help but frown, raising an eyebrow at the other. Lucifer fumbled again, now realizing his words as a golden blush peeked on his rosy cheeks. "I-I mean—you know who I am talking about! That—Alexander? Alucard??"

"You mean Alastor?" Samael corrected, judging the King silently as the latter waved his hand in frustration.

"Whatever. What I'm trying to say is that you are just as unbearable as him. Constantly reminding me about my insecurities or mocking my efforts and dismissing my..." Lucifer, at first, accused but, gradually, he lowered his voice. His angry expression changed to unsure if not, downright, intimidated by who knows what.

However, Samael's permanent deadpan expression shifted into a creepy and unsettling smile, his foxglove swishing at the wind.

"About your what ? Can't you bring yourself to admit about your mental illnesses?" The entity taunted as Lucifer's already agitated form grew horns and a tail who swished furiously from behind. For fuck sake, Lucifer literally admitted that he won against depression when he was in his office! Alone! Why when he is with others, he can't just–stars above, he couldn't say it. Something was holding him back. He—

Lucifer abruptly stopped himself. He soon became dreadful, and even stiff scared, when he noticed ice creeping from Samael's seat as well as on the ground, dangerously getting close to him. The short king knew he should do something about it and flee but he had already experienced this before. What would happen if he would fight it or not let it consume him first before madness.

Without knowing, his six wings shielded his figure, closing his eyes tightly, fearing for the worst, already anticipating the searing pain and agonizing cuts that ice left on him.

However, everything suddenly stopped just as mysteriously and Lucifer dared himself to peek through the red and white feathers.

Samael took a sip of his beverage, completely indifferent at what just happened as he got up, letting go of his foxglove and tea cup. He merely waved his hand around, rolling his eyes. The neutral and mildly annoying marble face of apathy back on track.

"But that's not the main topic. Stop drifting off." The entity scolded, earning a dumbfounded look followed by a heavy silence from his interlocutor.

What the—you know what? Why was Lucifer even questioning this?? He should already be used to that.

He should.

A silence once again followed, clinging like a parasite. Samael continued his speech. "To answer your question, truthfully: Heaven has likely called Charlie because of her accomplishments. I mean, not everyone can just fight back an entire army. And the one from Heaven on top of that. Surely, the angels above are therefore more interested in that naphil."

Lucifer eyed the entity with disdain. Charlie wasn't just some naphil, she was his daughter, a Morningstar and one of the most powerful hellborns in the seven rings!

Nephilim were giants, impulsive and self-destructive inbred. Lucifer has lived long enough to realize that, during that time where angels fell like arrows in the red sky. They stood up among the scattered corpses, similar to intimating towers who bore their piercing gaze on him and Lilith. During that time when the Queen was still omnipresent and still grieving. When angels would fall like arrows in the sky. When nephilim still populated what would soon be the seven rings.

As much as Lucifer did try his best eons ago to be empathetic with those who dared themselves to fall and join him in his dismay, the king was never fond of those progeny. They weren't the problem, no of course not! Well– partially they were a sore eye for the Sin of Pride, a reminder of the deformity he brought upon both Heaven, Earth and Hell. Lilith did find them captivating in their ways but it didn't take that far to consider them as her children, the almost obsessive energies coming from the fallen watchers were already enough to make the couple both know it was better to never engage with them ever again.

And both Lilith and Lucifer were right about this. Soon and very soon, they have been proven right. Lucifer's instincts were actually right about not sparing glances at them until they completely destroyed each other.

And Lucifer hated how Samael could just casually compare his little star to those brutes.

"Charlie isn't just some "naphil", Samael." The short king almost spat, daring himself to remove his wings from his face in a defensive manner. The entity quirked an eyebrow, the only muscle twitching on his hard stone facade. Lucifer exhaled a sharp breath, unsure of that reaction but, nonetheless, continued, despite the uncanny shiver going down his spine not from cold but more as if a centipede ran through his skin.

"She is—the princess of Hell." His tongue felt clumsy in his mouth, the feeling of chalk rubbing it. "A Morningstar and the future heir of not only the Pride ring but the entirety of Hell. She is–" A heavy breath, fog coming from it, as if he was inside an iceberg. His fingers were clammy and rigid, unable to move without feeling numb on the nails. Samael's impassive look soon shifted into what seemed to be realization.

"—my daughter and the future queen." He tried to say but only a pitiful gargled out from his throat.

"Daughter—"

"You seem—bothered." He merely stated as if it wasn't obvious enough already. Lucifer glared at him but then his eyes went wide in panic as his hand flew to his chest, his claws digging in the red and white stringed suit.

That seemed to ignite even more mirth in Samael as he dared himself to get up and taunt his other half, titling his head to the side, an unhinged smile plastered on his face.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue, S̵͚̿a̸̺͝m̶̪̽a̴͇̔è̶̜l̶̟̅?"

Lucifer almost choked on his own saliva. The fucker!

"D-dont'—" The Devil gritted his teeth in discomfort, almost in humiliation, as he tried his best to maintain his composure despite the numb and aching feeling now gaining on his sagging wings. "Don't even try to bring out 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 you—"

He didn't have time to finish his sentence that he doubled over in pain, groaning loudly as he clenched at his stomach in distress, his knees buckling on the icy floor as his body started to shiver, much to his dismay for a celestial corpse was never meant to be vulnerable even around extreme temperatures.

"Mhm?? What was that? I didn't hear the rest of your words." Samael titled his head too much, similar to an unhinged owl who took pleasure in other people's misery.

Lucifer huffed loudly, his eyes widening in horror and wrath amidst the painful clinging in his chest he was currently feeling. The king couldn't help even get up or put down one of his hooves, as if invincible chains dragged him down even more, forcing him to stay on his knees. On a vulnerable position. On a submissive one.

"Mhm. Funny. You don't want to repeat it again. Why so? Is it because you can't bring yourself to admit it again?" Samael taunted, an attempt to rub and tug at sensitive cords. "For being the prince of liars, you sure have difficulty masking your own deceit."

"Shut up—!"

"Why do you feel such pain when talking about Charlie as the future heiress? Is there something you can't bring yourself to admit about her? About yourself??"

His voice became distorted.

"Oh and for your record, S̵͚̿a̸̺͝m̶̪̽a̴͇̔è̶̜l̶̟̅, it's your God damn name and it always will be. No matter how many times you will try to change it. No matter how much you try to berate me with this, you know full well that "Lucifer" is not who you are."

"W-what do you even kҜ几ㄖ山—ᏥႶᏫᏇ!" Lucifer didn't even bring himself to realize how horrible his voice seemed to become, as if he wasn't the one speaking.

The king was in too much pain and felt ice numbing him from the inside to bring himself to care.

"The "Lucifer" you want is idyllic. Look at you and the state of you. Only because you tried to say that Charlie is the future heir." He snorted slightly. "As if she isn't already at this rate. To be honest, she has made better decisions than you."

Lucifer didn't like where it was going, with Samael's voice hissing in his ear, scratching at his brain like velcro.

"Trying to protect her own people, despite their nature. Saving souls with a clear bleeding golden heart." Samael then used an accusatory tone. "However, you, on the other hand, clearly didn't do shit. The only thing you prided yourself in was building back the hotel and saving your daughter."

Something was wrong. Samael never expressed Lucifer's deepest shame and regrets in the first place. How the fuck—

Samael only smiled wider, making it worse.

"Which is debatable since you only decided to move your ass when she was on the verge of dying. Mhm, I wonder what it says about you as a father. Your king statue was already worthless but this just adds more into your good-for-nothing nature."

"Which is probably the reason why Lilith left you. She saw how much of a horrible person you truly are."

It was the moment that the iron taste of golden blood flooded in his mouth that Lucifer realized the absolute shit hole he was into.

And that was actually real.

All of this was actually real.

"Maybe you were right along." Samael mused in an eerily calm voice, as if the King of Hell wasn't literally throwing up blood and twisting his guts from the inside below him. The entity stated it as if it was the simple weather. "For once, I was on your side."

I was. I said. I think. Can this thing just stop thinking on its own??

"You should have dug that dagger deeper."

Lucifer widened his bloodshot bulging eyes despite the tremendous agony he was going through, thousands of nails digging in his core and burning him from the inside.

"If that helped somehow with your issues and mental health. If this cowardly act helps with your delusions."

Samael smiled wider and Lucifer felt his own body splitting apart. Literally.

Stop. He wanted all of this to stop. Stop. Stop it. STOP IT.

"Such a shame the king of Hell had to take such a pathetic route. Really showing your true nature huh? A fraud—"

He couldn't breathe.

"A nobody—"

"Sto—op—"

"Maybe you can finally rest—"

"—op!! I said stop–!" Lucifer finally screamed, raw with pain, anger and outrage. His bent wings unfurled with a breathtaking rage as his horns emerged in such fury, his porcelain skin cracked.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

S̷̤̘̬̪̬̠̪͕͇̈́͒̅̀̅͊͌͌͆̈̀̚̚͟H̷̨̞̬͉̹̗͖͉̰̜̦́̆͊͟͜Ú̸̧̺̱̞̥͙͍̖̀̕͝T̶͍̬͍͙̙͈̗̼̩͎̤̐̀̉̒͌ͅ U̵̬͊̊̎͑̄͠͡P̴̢̛͔̻̲͍̳̲̻̩̣̮̈́͛̈̓̀͐̈́̐͘͠͝

Did he die a second time or did he faint?

Either way, his entire body was sore and yet felt light at the same time, as if he floated on a heavy cloud. His heart rate slowed slightly as his breathing went back to normal. His eyes burned up to the back of his skull who pounded heavily. His limbs were jerky and uncoordinated but, despite all, his wings were somehow still fluttering and feathery, brushing his sides.

As if what just happened was just a dream.

An agonizing dream of torture.

But one thing was sure: something was wrong. First, Samael went completely silent, as if he wasn't even there in the first place and those moments were...rare.

Second, whatever Samael did, it was an asshole move.

Because when he woke up, he happened to be face to face with Alastor, of all people.

Said deer demon looked at him as if Lucifer grew a pair of legs on his forehead. He was sitting in front of the table of his bayou, the remnants of a deer's carcass laying on the wooden texture.

Lucifer removed his six wings from himself, looking around vaguely but on alert, as if he just woke up from a battlefield. His haunting gaze immediately landed on the radio demon who still hadn't moved or even spoke a word.

That didn't help that Lucifer's horns were still flaring up while his breath was smoking fire.

And it was when he felt a bit more conscious that the king realized where he was and immediately frowned, his demon form subduing slightly but his expression hardened.

"W-what—how—?" He asked out loud, not understanding his surroundings.

That was until he saw Alastor and then used an accusatory tone.

"Y-you! What the fuck are you doing here in my room??"

Alastor seemed to get out of his own paralysis when the king spoke because he immediately tensed up in turn, his already tight smile getting more defensive and sharp.

"Your energetic flames managed to be more noisy than you apparently." The deer demon merely stated, dodging the question, as he got up. Lucifer didn't even have the time to ask furthermore about the context as Alastor immediately raised his hand to shush him. "AND for your own information, my constatation is correct because, actually, you're in my room."

At first, the information hadn't fully registered in Lucifer's mind until the mist in his head dissipated and immediately got dreadful and ashamed.

Because he was right.

He was in Alastor's room.

God damn it.

The Sin stammered, his already haunted gaze seeming to get worse as he finally got his voice back, hoarse and almost in a craze.

"W-Weeeelll..." He trailed down, trying desperately to come up with a good explanation. He suddenly coughed a bit, an attempt to keep his cool as he rolled his eyes, his wings slightly shielding him.

"O-oh uh surely, it's just my own magic doing its own thing and fucking me while I sleep. Or—whatever."

Lucifer didn't bother to catch on to the slightly disgusted face Alastor was making at him and the words he just uttered as he immediately got up, almost regretting it as he felt dizzy for a few moments, and smoothened his striped shirt. "Now. If you excuse me, I'm going to—uh—catch some zzz. Sleeping uh—you know."

"... It's 11 am."

"It's called "taking a nap" bitch." Lucifer growled in annoyance before turning his back and walked to the door, ignoring the sigh Alastor made at his departure.

How... Odd it was. The way the Radio demon didn't seem that annoyed when he left, or bitter, just... Tiredness. Exhaustion even.

But Lucifer didn't linger on. Odder things were happening. Just like the fact that he landed in ALASTOR'S ROOM. OF ALL THE GOD DAMN PLACES THERE WERE IN THIS DAMNED HOTEL.

Did Samael play another sick game with him but decided to step up on his whims?

Or did Lucifer's powers were too much?

Or Samael...

O̷͖͕͒͒̽̀̉r̶̰̲̬̹̲̲̀̽̉̔͂̕ͅ

Lucifer jolted, as if a trail of ice suddenly creeped up his spine.

Not now.

He hadn't—He didn't have the time for this.

He didn't want to think about it.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

Emily wasn't dumb, that was for sure.

She was fully aware of what was happening, especially with Sera and how... Yeah she isn't going to lie, their relationship was lower than the seven rings of hell.

Since when was the last time she and Sera had an actual, healthy interaction? Because of this whole mess, Sera was busy on her own case and... The elephant in the room.

So much it actually brought the six heavenly archangels together. At least, closer than they usually were.

But no one should know about this and that infuriated Emily. The big secret already got revealed by the public and, even if they forgot it two weeks later after the exterminations were exposed in a not so subtle way, the heavenly council didn't wanted to make it known that the literal archangels were implied in those affairs but mainly because they were almost as vacant as their mother.

It was not because of the virtues themselves but rather what they did during the last eons, which was almost nothing and it was better to keep it hidden under the radars.

For now. To pour more powder in the cannon.

But enough of that, since that was just another bothersome aftermath coming from all of this. Sera was immediately called by the heavenly council who considered her act as "irredeemable" and "traitorous" ironically. How dare she decided on her own without any meetings with them?? Was the speaker of God even aware of the act she done wrongfully so?

Emily couldn't blame them for being as ignorant as her when it came to the whole deal about exterminations. What she just wished was for them to understand the emotional and personal layers this whole ordeal. Alright, she was... Not talking to her! Right now! And for the following days but she was working on it!

Why even bothering about the whole scandal of hiding ugly parts of Heaven when they do the same and don't consider how many souls perished? Hundreds? Thousands?? Maybe even half of the population??

They were all responsible of that.

Sera was not alone. Heaven failed in it and Emily may have—

No no no she just didn't know, she had nothing to do with it! Lute did!

And where was she anyway—??

"Uhhh Emmy?"

The seraphim jolted slightly on her seat as she stared at Saint Peter, who looked at her with a frowned expression. Emily felt herself blushing in slight embarrassment as she realized that she zoned out in the middle of their talk that ironically aimed to make sure Emily’s mind would wander away a bit from what happened these last few days. Even Abel proposed that the two of them would go without him, worried that his statue as the head of the army would be a bi too much for Emily.

And, at first, she was doing well!

Until she started to think about it again and continued to spiral into worse scenarios that were really just stretches like what would happen to Pentious and why there were ices all around her damn house—

“Emily, you wanna talk about it?” Saint Peter’s voice softened as the concerned one gripped her cup of coffee with too much sugar in it.

In the end, she sighed and preferred to let it out, not wanting it to eat her from the inside.

“It’s just—” She started, averting his gaze even more. “Sera doesn’t seem to understand that the solution to all of this mess is right there. Communication! Or at least, trying to understand others around her AND those who actually suffered from it like Charlie and her friends!” She put her cup down and sighed heavily, slightly rubbing her face. “But instead, she just shuts herself in and I'm sure she is going to lose herself that way…”

Saint Peter listened to everything she said, humming all along before asking in return, raising an eyebrow as he stirred in his latte. “Soooo… It’s mainly related to those hellish exterminations, right?”

Emily was about to answer that it was obviously about those but then the keeper of the gates continued. “Or maybe you are more upset about her reaction towards it—and towards you.”

At those words, the seraphim gripped her cup tighter, her expression going pinched. As much as the question rubbed her in the wrong way, he was right. Sera grew more distant and detached toward her each moment they actually met each other outside of their home. And even their domestic moment became shorter since the elder seraphim’s trial was still on the plate which meant she couldn’t really hang out with her.

Not even hanging out, Emily just wants to check on Sera but also on the hotel but her words always fall on deaf ears, as if she was just talking to a wall.

And that hurt her even more.

“... I don’t really know anymore at this rate.” She half-admitted, looking down at her beverage with slight sadness.

Saint Peter frowned even more but said nothing as the waiter came with the bill.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

“I need to go back to the gates Em, feel free to crash whenever you want.” Saint Peter told her as the two flew above the city of Humility. Emily only hummed but, before leaving, the saint stopped her on her tracks. Confused, the seraphim was about to ask until her friend added with a more caring tone. “Also, I understand your frustration, with everything that is going on but—I don’t know, try to persist? Sera is your sister after all so I’m sure if you actually make her know that the both of you need to talk, do it.” He said with a smile. Emily wasn’t still entirely convinced however, she still smiled softly at him before the two hugged each other tightly.

“Thanks, Pete.”

“That’s the least I could do.”

As soon as the two parted away, Emily’s smile fell and, soon, she grunted to herself. “Come on Emily, you can’t just mop around and be sad all day. You are supposed to bring happiness, that’s what you are known for here!” She slightly berated herself in her thoughts.

Okay, she needed to think about another distraction. Wait… What about the orphanage! She doesn’t usually go there and when she realized that most exorcists came from it, she was even less thrilled.

But… It was the perfect opportunity for her right?? Bringing joy and light to small heavenborns and winners alike that didn’t had the best living years and died young—

Emily boasted her chest, her energetic joviality back. Yes she will go there! After all, who doesn't want to spend their afterlife with rainbows and happiness!

Unless they discovered a genocide—

Emily pushed those thoughts away before flying off to the distance.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

To think that Emily would find Chamuel of all angels among the orphans was a stretch but that was actually the case.

She widened her eyes as the archangel saw her first and beamed brightly while he was braiding an exorcist’s hair. He spoke softly to the said soldier who only nodded as he flew to the seraphim, his radiant and warm energy enough to light up the grand building even if they were all just in a relaxation room for any ages and any heavenly species.

“Emily! What a surprise to see you here! Any reasons for this particular visit?” Chamuel asked as Emily tried her best to match his own energy despite still being a tad upset from her hangout with Saint Peter this afternoon.

She preferred to push it all aside as she smiled softly in return.

“Hey Cammy! Sorry, I felt a bit bummed out today but I just wanted to come in and say hi!” She answered as she looked behind him and widened her eyes even in surprise.

Most of the people here today were exorcists but none of them had their helmets and some even without their uniforms. Some were chatting with each other while others were doing activities on their own or with their sisters in arms like knitting or wing grooming.

One of them even waved at Chamuel and whispered to him a joke that actually made him snort before he playfully punched the other angel as she flew away.

Seeing them being so… Soft and friendly between each other like a family was almost off putting to Emily, especially knowing that Lute was among them, bloodthirsty and sadistic. As if exorcists weren’t genocidal soldiers.

Almost… Human.

“You… Actually take care of exorcists?” Emily asked before thinking how clumsy her question was as she internally cringed inside. Luckily, Chamuel didn’t seem to mind as he only shrugged. Emily also noticed another soldier with a heavenborn child near her hip following her.

“Everybody needs caring in one way or another. Despite their acts and how people perceive them, most of them in the end just want love or doting, even just for a little bit.” He explained and the seraphim mentally facepalmed herself. Of course, Chamuel was like that, he is the archangel of love and virtue of peace after all.

But, nonetheless, she couldn't help but feel… Strangely odd and warm at the same time when the child she saw earlier with the exorcist asked for Chamuel’s attention as the latter cooed at the little being while he blabbered with the exorcist who held him close to her like it was her own child.

That thought made Emily uneasy, how many of these Exorcists were mothers or sisters and had to kill others like them or saw their families getting brutally murdered in the riposte—

The sounds of doors slamming open made everyone jump as two soldiers entered, one out of breath while the other seemed deep in thoughts and… Clearly not happy.

Chamuel was the first to ask, worry sketched on his face as he instinctively went to them, as to check if they had any injuries or whatsoever.

“What happened? What’s wrong??” He asked as the exorcist who was fighting for breath finally managed to somewhat regulate her breathing. Still, she kept wheezing as her friend glared at her.

“Climena, don’t you dare, it’s private—” She warned but said Climena took a deep breath before yelling in distress.

“Lute went missing! We have no idea where she is and no traces of her!”

And just as Emily thought her day wouldn’t get worse.

---

Archive of our own version

Yup it's that song. Yes I unironically wrote the bark sound. No, I don't regret it.

And yes, I hope you have the song in your head now :)

Anyway another really short chapter (I'm genuinely really sorry I swear this will get longer (I hope) and more interesting (I hope—) and mainly centered about dogs hence the title.

Tw: Dogs (Well—of course. But mainly if you're cynophobic I suggest you to go to the other half of the chapter), attempted murder, drowning, self-deprecating thoughts and brief talk of death

Tuvalu really needs a hug man

Anyway lol enjoy (⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`⁠)

༺═══════☁⚡︎☼═══════༻

Tuvalu thought that the last of his worries would have been the people who attempted to assault him and Palau.

Oh how he was wrong. For as soon as he heard yelling not from afar and dogs barking out loud, clearly in wrath, he swore he saw his short life flash in front of his eyes.

Palau slightly jumped on his place, his already growing pale skin getting more white of fear as the woman froze on her spot as well, her mask falling on the ground.

That made the hunters exclaims even more out loud. "There! I heard something!" One of them said, a flashlight starting to appear, its flicker going dangerously fast towards the anthropomorphic territories.

Without thinking further and warning, the mysterious woman took Palau by the shoulder and dragged them violently forward as fast as she could. Tuvalu, at first clumsily, managed to catch the two's pace, the adrenaline pumping in his veins alongside with his heart in his ribcage.

The dogs' growl and barks were getting louder, which meant closer and that alarmed him to his core, ignoring completely the aching feeling that grew in his feet from running around too much without catching a break. Despite being an anthropomorphic being as well, the Tuvaluan couldn't help but also feel the air getting tighter and smaller in his lungs, his blurry vision getting worse.

God damn it, how many times would he have to go through threats of passing out each time he was at the verge of death?? Again??

Palau seemed to notice that his partner was getting slower and sloppier, showing that the Tuvaluan wouldn't last long before he would collapse. The heavier footsteps behind them alongside with agitated lighter ones, more yelling enough to make their ears bleed even though they weren't close to the hunters.

At least the Palauan hoped.

"Faster!" The mysterious woman insisted, her own words cut short to gasp a few breaths even if she didn't slow the slightest, her grip on the Palauan's already scarred arm getting tighter, making the latter wince and almost stumble as Tuvalu followed after. Palau glared at her, struggling firmly as he caught her attention. The night was pitch black hence he didn't see her face but guessed she was frowning.

"We need to think of a better solution! If we keep running they'll catch us eventually!" He whispered and yelled at her. On the other hand, Tuvalu took a gargantuan breath, as if he was once again underwater, his legs wobbly and with the sensation of his limbs being filled with jelly. If it wasn't for Palau supporting his weight, which wasn't worryingly much, the Oceanian country would have made the hunters' tasks easier.

And, unfortunately, it soon became an indeed easier task when the three heard the clear voices of their predators, barking orders.

"There they are! Catch them!" One of them yelled as Tuvalu couldn't help but let out a startled yelp.

The mysterious woman looks at the shaky and flickering lights' source, her own breath getting short and frantic. She hastily looked around until she suddenly had an idea.

"You two. Follow me now unless you want to get your ass bitten." She ordered harshly as she dashed to her left, almost actually leaving the two alone if it wasn't for Palau swearing on his own too, holding Tuvalu steady as he quickly but reluctantly followed her.

Dogs were getting closer, their steps shorter and more aggressive and that was enough to make the Tuvaluan gain consciousness and held Palau's hand in return, much to the other surprise.

Despite the dark night and the barking sounds ringing in his skull, the Tuvaluan could discern with his eye and feel below his feet that the three eventually reached out a source of water. He heard splashing in front and feared for the worst until a familiar hand took him harshly by the arm as he got dragged down.

Dragged down back into the waters.

"Wait hold on w—?!" Tuvalu didn't have time to process and complained out loud that his already burning lungs were filled with the familiar sting of the water that made him gag in reflex.

He struggled, his movements jerky and heavy but someone was holding in him firmly by the lower back as if they wanted to drown them on purpose. Colorful spots started to dance in front of him, muffled sounds infesting his ears, making his breath short and uneven, his body numb from stress and fear.

Was it the woman? Was she planning to kill him?? Why did he and Palau– wait, was Palau still even there, what if Palau turned on him too??? Did they betrayed him or—

"God damnit where did they go??" He managed to make out below the waters as he instinctively froze in fear. The grip that kept him in place also loosened up a little and that's when Tuvalu realized the strategy.

"They probably went through the river. No one is stupid enough to go inside this huge pool of acid!" The other replied. Dogs growled dangerously under their hot breaths. Heavy steps accompanied with rustling dirt and leaves were getting ominous.

Tuvalu didn't know if those factors were the reason why his skin felt like pickling and itching in an irritated way on the surface or the dangerously high concentration of straight up carcinogenic elements in the water. Either way, even if he was countryhuman, he was still an alive being.

And God knows if his lifespan changed and became short for the worst.

Luckily, his prayers were answered as a rough hand grabbed him by the scruff and pulled him out of the dangerous waters. Tuvalu sputtered and coughed up everything he could eject. His eyes burned just as horribly as his lungs, his limbs heavy and uncoordinated. He jerked up and tossed around at the aggressive grip before he landed on the dusty ground, wincing as the rocky dirt got on his face and clothes, his already fractured being shaking just barely, sending him on edges.

"Are you crazy?? What the hell was even that for??!" Palau's furious voice rang out as Tuvalu had eventually found his strength back, at least remains of it. With a herculean effort, he pushed himself off the ground. Blinking a few times, the Tuvaluan finally managed to discern the two silhouettes.

He couldn't help but widen his eyes at the woman who frowned, glaring daggers at the Palauan, threatening him with her spear. As his vision finally started to get less awful, Tuvalu could finally discern fully who she was for he was now accustomed to the night.

She had long thick curly hair tied into a low ponytail. Her clothes were a bit torn on the edges but were still pretty much in a somewhat good shape, despite the dirt and spots on it. What really shocked Tuvalu is how she barely had any glistening drop of sweat on her despite how hot the temperature was even if her attire was thick to survive the tundra.

Even Tuvalu felt almost suffocating in his long sleeved shirt when he ran away from those drunkards, the fabric clinging on his bumpy skin.

"You wanted them to catch us?? Why do you think I did this??" She defended herself. Tuvaluan widened his eye even more upon noticing a large pair of horns appeared above her head.

He briefly shook his head before finally rasping out a word that was stuck in his throat and mind, enough to make the two freeze.

"Madagascar–??" He asked incredulously. The concerned woman turned her head at the Tuvaluan. Eventually, her gaze full of fury substituted into an apprehensive, if not downright fearful, one. Her eyes frantically flickered back and forth at Palau and Tuvalu.

Madagascar blinked a few times, as if to remember her consciousness before grunting, her grip almost making her knuckles getting white on her spear. "What the fuck are do you even want with me?? I saved your life, okay, but I don't even know the reason why YOU landed here!"

Tuvalu wasn't sure if she actually talked about him only or Palau included.

Mentioning with his remaining arm for help, the Palauan immediately complied and steadied their partner as they helped him to get up. Glancing at Madagascar with contempt although also lingering wariness, he spoke to her as if she was a fearful, wounded animal.

"Look. I uh- I—understand that this is actually a very weird situation we're all in right now. But-"

"-It's probably smarter if we actually try to cooperate instead of killing each other." Palau finished, nonetheless eyeing Madagascar with disdain, as if she was a huntress who lured the two in a trap.

Tuvalu didn't miss the way her face immediately scrunched up, her grip surprisingly getting tighter. However, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes, surely considering the other's words and opinions.

In the end, Madagascar opened her eyes, her frown still etching her face like a mark. However, she loosened her grip on the spear and lowered it, slowly but surely, until the tip of it clanked on the dusty ground. Nonetheless, her whole demeanor betrayed her worry. Shoulders tensed and fists clenched, ready to unleash claws and teeth if it was necessary.

"... Gather some woods and put them all here. A lot of them are easily flammable since it's really dry. I'll, and you will too, explain everything later." She said before taking back her spear, the metal shining slightly under the moonlight before she went to God where known, leaving the two stunned out.

Eventually, Palau said out loud, confusion clear on his face. "... What just happened?"

Tuvalu didn't have the answer for that question either.

༺═══════☁⚡︎☼═══════༻

Madagascar managed to ignite a fire of decent size as she removed her scarf and put it on the ground. Tuvalu, out of awkwardness and unease, decided to just sit cross legged on the small rocks and dirt, much to his butt's discomfort. The Malagasy woman raised an eyebrow at him.

“I've put a lamba for a reason, sir." She merely said passive aggressively before getting a bit softer as she removed her jacket and handed it to the other country, much to the latter's surprise. "Here. Maybe there's also enough space for your friend there too."

"My name is Palau." The concerned one snapped back at her as the Malagasy woman just glared daggers at him. Tuvalu's gaze went back and forth at the two, feeling the tension rising again for the ninth time.

"And I'm Tuvalu. Nice to... Meet you properly I suppose!" He tried his best to not come up as dry or mean towards her.

Nonetheless, she just hummed in simple acknowledgement before getting back to the matter at hand.

"Yeah. Anyway, since we now partially know each other, at least each other's name, maybe I should ask first: what are you two doing here? What are your motives?" She immediately asked again. Tuvalu's attempted warm smile soon faltered before he cleared his throat, getting a bit steady.

"Actually—It's a bit of a long story—we were with some... Fisherman, let's say. He tried to harm us but, eventually, he helped us in finding a place where he wouldn't be in danger." He started to explain, deliberately leaving some unwanted details he'd rather not say.

Palau sighed, eventually sitting down but stubbornly on the uncomfortable ground, as they added to the story. "At first, he was supposed to follow us but then he left us. See? We didn't mean to actually... Overstay on your land. But that bi– Fisherman abandoned us here."

Madagascar only blinked a few times, honestly surprised at the straightforward explanation, as she looked at the two.

"Oh well that explains... A lot." She only replied back. However, before Palau or Tuvalu could add more, she dodged them up, tilting her head now in curiosity.

"Still... Where did you even thought of staying? You mentioned earlier you wanted to feel secured somewhere—even if, in my humble opinion, there's isn't that much if not none—"

That genuinely let out a small snort from Palau as Madagascar continued, smiling very briefly before continuing.

"—But, somehow, of all the places and territories that happened to be in Neo Pangea, you landed here. Why? Did the fisherman really intend to leave you in a starving den or what?"

"Pretty sure that was the case-" The Palauan mumbled to himself before getting elbowed a bit harshly by Tuvalu as the latter answered, trying to not be too harsh. Whatever Setra did, it was personal reasons and he seemed pretty much awkward in general so, clearly, dealing with countryhumans wasn't his forte and it definitely brought him to leave them on their own, as they should be independent, instead of relying on a human.

Tuvalu hoped.

"He only told us that big territories like Indonesia weren't that safe anymore since it was more... What did he say again–?"

"Sexual trafficking. He said that sexual trafficking is worse there." Palau transcript for him as Madagascar frowned slightly at the words.

"Uh... Technically sexual trafficking is widely common now unfortunately. Especially for... Anthropomorphic people." She took a small pause as she put more dried sticks in the fire. "I have no idea why this dude wanted you to stay here. I know I constantly tell you that this is not a good idea to stay here but that's because it's true! It was even better if you stayed in Indonesia even—"

"Great! So this dude really lied to us all the way down!" Palau snapped at no one, in particular although loudly, crossing his arms in anger. Madagascar only eyed them with a raised eyebrow as Tuvalu sighed in defeat, his hand tugging slightly at this hair as he gritted his teeth. This was really bad and he thought that it wouldn't get worse.

"So basically we're screwed here? In every way possible??" He asked with almost utter despair. That alone was enough to make Madagascar's mask slip off in pity before her rigid facade went back on.

"Pretty much." She simply answered back.

Tuvalu let out a loud groan of frustration, now rubbing his face frantically. Meanwhile, Palau rubbed their temples, their breath trying to be even but it was still loud

Apparently, Tuvalu had a lot of ticks and mannerisms when distraught.

"God, what should we do now?? We barely know this place and apparently we have hunters now on our trails!" He lamented. The malagasy woman could only roll her eyes a bit. Still, despite all, she did feel bad for the two—well, mainly Tuvalu because Palau really seemed to not be fond of her at all.

Somehow.

But nonetheless, it was completely normal if she felt it for them. Madagascar was still someone who felt emotions, just—it has been a while since she fully had been empathetic towards anyone. Usually, it was always about keeping herself alive and in somewhat one piece.

Last time she gave herself to somebody else, it didn't end well and she didn't want to make the same mistake all over.

So, instead, she made a compromise. Enough to show her worry but not at the same time giving too much.

"... Let's make a deal." She suddenly said, surprising her interlocutors. Madagascar continued, ignoring their stares. "At this point, I'm sure all of us just want to get out of here, probably just not in the same way." She took another pause, as to let the words sink in before adding. "And if it's your first day here, I don't think you will last more than one week. So... What if I help you out to get out of here?"

Both Tuvalu and Palau didn't expect those following words.

"But that's about it." Madagascar quickly added, her tone now dry. "I will just guide you to a safe place, probably Europe or Switzerland, and we're done here. Nothing less, nothing more."

An unsettling silence came. Palau was the first one to break the ice, suspicious at the offer.

"What's the catch?"

"I've already said it. Nothing else, nothing more. I will guide you out of this mess and..." Her thoughts were cut off by another last thought. "... We agree to not see each other. Deal?"

The other two didn't really have that much choice considering their dire situation. However, despite their lack of words, their looks were enough for the malagasy woman to decrypt their answers.

Nodding solemnly, she got up, putting her hands on her hips. "Alright then. Now that's settled, I think it's better to rest up a bit and catch up next morning."

She didn't wait for the clumsy comeback that Tuvalu wanted to muster up after finally finding his voice that she took her thick clothing and laid down a makeshift bed. She didn't bother to be phased by Palau muttering a "she's crazy" behind her back.

༺═══════☁⚡︎☼═══════༻

Well... It seems that Tuvalu didn't really have that much to say after all.

Technically—he wasn't really against the idea that Madagascar would help them. In fact, quite the contrary. He was glad she was on their side! Despite the fact that she threatened them with a weapon while drowning him in polluted water but he knew she still meant good.

The deal itself was bizarre, in a way. Maybe Madagascar genuinely didn't want an end or a loophole for the bargaining? Or just she has something in mind and just waits for the right moment to put her own conditions as they go on?

That woman was not only mysterious, she seemed... Impulsive and ready to snap at any moment. It was clear she had a deeper connection with her land and not just because she is a countryhuman. No one would get so iffy towards anyone while at the same time saving them in the oddest ways if not Madagascar had some layers going on with her.

Tuvalu sighed in exhaustion. This was going to be longer and more torturous than he anticipated.

Not that he even thought he would end up here in the first place.

He was brought back to reality when he felt Palau sitting next to him in a heavy way, almost slumping on the ground. The tuvaluan turned his head to look at the other but Palau said nothing, his indescribable and closed gaze seemed to gaze into... Well nothing.

Both understood that no words were needed on the current as a thick but somehow comfortable silence settled down. It was nice, after all, to rest up and let everything that happened sink in, even if "resting" was not really the best word in the current. Still, after a few minutes, Tuvalu decided to break the ice first.

"You aren't sleeping—?" He asked. Palau still hadn't spoken yet but then they designed with their thumb the direction where Madagascar was resting. For a few seconds, Tuvalu had no idea what they meant until he heard a muffled animalistic snore. It was small but suddenly it sounded as if a bull was frothing as he jumped slightly.

"Those horns aren't for decorations." Palau finally spoke. His tone, although indescribable, carried a bit of amusement.

"... Oh." Tuvalu only said before another silence settled, but, this time, the latter could actually faintly hear the snoring noises.

In the end, Palau spoke again, now feeling weary. "These last few days have been quite the ride."

"Don't tell me twice." Tuvalu sighed, running his hand through his hair as it fell in his crackled face. That motion made him feel an uncanny feeling running down his stomach. "It feels as if the moment I survived the waters was years ago even though it was like—what? A few months older?"

Palau suddenly tensed up when the tuvaluan mentioned the water before calming down, earning a raised eyebrow from the other. However, the Palauan quickly dismissed his suspicions.

"I was just a bit surprised. I didn't know you actually... Came from the waters. I just thought you woke up on one of my islands."

Tuvalu hummed. He forgot that all of this pretty much started when he met Palau, not when he managed to die from drowning himself.

Damn, he should really feel grateful for them. Even if the two of them went to hell back and forth, Palau still made sure to guide him and made sure he wouldn't get lost either in an unknown territory, like this one, or with himself, with the amount of things that changed through the time. How many times would Tuvalu have either given up or gotten into worse situations, and let himself rot without anyone coming to help him?

Again?

Tuvalu only realized now, since that was the only moment of rest he had since his near death experience, how grateful he was.

"Oh uh..." He started to sputter under his own breath, gaining Palau's attention, who hummed and looked at him. He felt his heart racing a bit more than usual and finally let it out. "I—didn't have the time to actually word it out properly but... Thanks. Thank you for trying. Making sure I was still in shape despite, you know uh-" He chuckled awkwardly, gesturing his missing arm and cracked face before continuing quickly, chasing away the tense atmosphere. "But either way you lifted me up or stood by my side with resilience and strength and I... Uh, I owe you that."

Palau, first, only widened (as much as he could) his eyes at the aveu and Tuvalu almost thought he did too much, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. However, the other countryhuman quickly added with a soft smile. "Well—it was the least I could do. After all, you must have been stuck on one of my islands for who knows how long."

The last statement made Tuvalu widen his eyes in confusion and a bit of concern but Palau continued. "I didn't want you to end up in a worse fate and since you're one of the people who were the closest to me. I really didn't want to let you go again."

The following words didn't help Tuvalu to clear up his confusion.

Palau then yawned, stretching themself before bidding farewell. "Well. Gotta catch up some zees. Good night Tuvalu."

"... Good night." The concerned one reluctantly answered back as he watched his partner strutting away to his own corner near the dimmed bonfire.

After being left alone, Tuvalu's tired expression immediately shifted to a worried one. It's true that he didn't have the time to actually do a retrospection or think of what happened before since he constantly had to make sure he saved himself and others around first. Still, he should have also considered that outcome.

Of course Palau thought he survived before. Which was not the case because Tuvalu actually remembered his last moments! He was alone, at the edge of the Ocean, the sun scrotching his skin and his body falling apart in every way possible. His head was almost empty and his eyes were no more, only feeling the murky water sticking to his thighs before he collapsed, body and mind, in the ocean.

Unless...

Tuvalu felt jumping in his skin. He couldn't have survived his fall, could he?? Kiribati suffered a lot too at that time and she didn't show any signs of living. So why would he be the one who managed to avoid death and not her??

An uncomfortable feeling settled in the pit of his stomach alongside sadness. Why did it have to be him of all people?? Kiribati was a strong woman and the way Rodrigues anguished at her death was beyond despair. Micronesia and Marshall Islands were closer to Palau than what Tuvalu could ever be. Even Madagascar surely had relatives that were way more important than... Him. More people who were cared for and were way more loved.

More useful.

More able to get stronger without the fear of breaking down.

Tuvalu closed his eye shut, wanting to push away those thoughts. Maybe he shouldn't do a retrospection after all. It only makes him feel like a burden not only to everyone but himself and it wasn't the moment, stated clearly by both Madagascar and Palau, to just mop around when his entire existence, like other Countryhumans out there, was considered a crime against the world.

He shouldn't be stuck on his pity party, others had it worse.

Way worse than he could ever imagine.

Despite his dark thoughts and opinions on himself, Tuvalu felt his energy draining down until, out of exhaustion, he finally rested up his eye and, soon, his entire being, the flames of the bonfire now just another heat in this burning world.

༺═══════☁⚡︎☼═══════༻

You could tell I gave up at the end lmao

Anyway, like usual I apologize for the enormous lack of writing lately, everything has been a mess: I moved to another country, started my first year at uni in languages major and my home country, Madagascar, is in shambles ironically.

I'm going to end with tips for y'all:

-Never trust the government, especially when they are millionaires whose main goal is to just give you temporary food

-Tear gaz is still tear gaz so beware, especially for people with weak lungs like me

-Beware of misinformation and what the media, westerners specifically, says. Every word is a tool and important so they twist the context for their own gain

-No one should die for asking water, electricity, education and food

-Free Palestine, Free Uyghur, Free Congo, Free Sudan and FREE MADAGASCAR

-Those are the links of donations for the protesters and those who were victim or military and police brutality

https://linktr.ee/freemadagascar?fbclid=PAb21jcANM_epleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp_hwrSJYGU2dfRINX8b2du8eFMjFXQ32ClpJsKGAUFp9_gZanoP7BXsebfel_aem_nQkATrctYSAgyZaCHcuFow

Human rights are not a privilege.

#demokrasiamainty

----

Archive of our own version

Wattpad version

➪Not me ignoring the numerouses amounts of one-shots and stories I have to write lol

➪Inspired by this post made and drawn by @pfluffygum.bsky.official

https://bsky.app/profile/pfluffygum.bsky.social/post/3lspxcpqvvs2l

➪Vaggie best girl 🎀 they could never make me hate you 🥹

➪Also it switches the pov, bouncing between Vaggie and Charlie. And the textchat style of writing is getting back to me now wowie‼️‼️(only for like— ten lines at max but hey that's still something)

➪Tw ahead: Vaggie's past romantic and sexual life is wacky af hence there's implication of dubious content, non-con, masturbation and overall objectification and fetishization of lesbians. Yeah Lute is described as a piece of work in this-

➪Anyway enjoy (⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`⁠)

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

Vaggie was not especially thrilled of celebrating Pride month this year.

It was odd and she was even feeling uncomfortable tingles at her thoughts. She had an amazing girlfriend who also happened to be the princess of Hell. A demon with a bleeding heart of gold who deemed (almost) everyone as worthy for another chance. Literally one of the brightest and kindest soul Vaggie have ever seen in someone! And she was once an angel which says a lot!

Well- were exorcists even consider angels? A lot of them were heavenborn or didn't remembered their human lives which was enforced in the military training service.

Then something else came in her mind.

Maybe the reason why she wasn't thrilled on celebrating Pride month this year wasn't because of the event itself but rather the date that reminded her of her fall.

That was complete nonsense. It has been now 5 years since she accepted the fact that her place wasn't in Heaven anymore!

... So maybe that's why she felt so—odd about it.

5 years since she discovered that a relationship doesn't necessarily meant to be transactional or para social and it can be soft or gentle, not too brusque. 5 years since she has been in a relationship where someone actually accepted her needs—no not only accepted but literally helped her embrace the fact that boundaries were normal and even a crucial part as an individual.

Individuality... A term so foreign for anyone who was in the exorcist army—or who for someone who was once in the exorcist army too.

But that was the main thing about military service. It was about following drills and orders. It was about executing them and the opponent without any second thoughts. It was about breaking down one's uniqueness and taming them until they obey with their entire being, physically and psychologically, building back a weapon, a killing machine who carried dexterity and punished its own weakness before superiors do it for them.

Destroying someone to be something. That was Lute's rigid mentality as the lieutenant of the First Man.

Honestly, Adam didn't really do shit, mainly leaving everything for his most trusted exorcist as Lute took this position with pretty much gusto. Strict schedule. No time for rest until duties all done and any slipping off or questioning was severely punished, physically or psychologically until it was craved into mind to never disobey or go against superior orders.

Which was kind of ironic since Vaggie was now in Hell. Did she slipped off and managed to clutch away from rigid claws? Maybe that was the main reason Lute brutally assaulted her.

Who knows.

Either way, it was clear that Lute, that day, wanted her dead. She wanted her to suffer first then slowly dimming down her fire until she was no more.

Because it didn't started at the moment when she got assaulted, but rather when she and Lute started to sleep with each other.

Of all people, it has to be with the homophobic queer lieutenant who was a sadistic and leaned into genocide and war crimes.

Maybe she was already crazy from the start or went nuts upon realizing she actually liked women but either way, Lute was always surprisingly the one who would initiate the act, whenever Vaggie would comply fully or not. And if not, Vaggie was on her own, either sexually repulsing her lust or get her shit together and touch herself until she was somewhat satisfied. And if Vaggie was genuinely not feeling it, she would instead seek out the other exorcists, at least those who seemed to be interested enough in the acts.

Though it was rare that the ex exorcist would go back to a soldier more than once, for they mainly thought of her sexuality as some sort of accessory or an experimental than a part of what made her, well... Her.

No wonder why she didn't saw the signs yet during her first night with Charlie. Vaggie was used to numb herself in order to not get upset and be seen upset by her partner that she forgot she was also part of the process.

Fuck all of this was the reason why she wasn't in the mood for this pride month?? Some dumb memories of the past with Lute screwing everything up as usual??

That couldn't be right. Maybe she needed some alcohol to get off or blow out some people outside like what Angel Dust—

You know what maybe she ain't going to do that.

Vaggie grumbled under her breath, slightly massaging her temples as she closed her eyes. She needed to get off of her mind that she would end up back in the quarters, an aching and sadly empty feeling between her legs and the dreadful knowledge that she still had to "make up" from the last time she and Lute fornicated.

It was all in the past.

Years ago.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

God she was bad at forgetting things while also repressive her memory.

Ugh. Maybe she should try something else to get away from her thoughts a bit? It has been a while since she didn't wrote something to vent out slightly.

Vaggie eyed the shelves in her shared bedroom with Charlie and decided to get up as she pulled out the gift that her amazing girlfriend gave her on their third year of dating. Slightly brushing the violet leather above it, she couldn't help but smile fondly despite her brooding throughts. Charlie was really a wonderful person and, even if they had some rocky moments, Vaggie would never trade this treasure of a relationship she had.

Uh. She really had a lot of things to write down now.

She was probably still a teenager in a grown ass woman's body but journaling was something she actually liked to do. It was pleasant to just vent out what was weightening her chest to some... Thing that would never spill it or use it as an example for the sake of helping each other out.

Okay. As much as she loves her partner, the princess of Hell really had issues when it comes to not spill too much.

Maybe.

Vaggie couldn't help but chuckles softly to herself at the duality of her girlfriend.

"Vaggiiiiie!!"

Speaking of the devil herself ironically enough.

A familiar cheery voice rang out as Vaggie looked up from her notebook and immediately got smashed by an overwhelming hug, making the leather item fall on the ground. The exorcist yelped loudly in surprise but then chuckled fondly upon recognizing her girlfriend as she patted Charlie's back. The hug lasted longer than usual which ticked something in Vaggie's brain as the two lovers parted away. The princess bounced eagerly and Vaggie was betting her excitement on another project of her.

Which was a right guess.

"Vaggie! I just heard that a zoo just got opened in my uncle's ring! He said that he remembered my love for animals and decided to let us go there!" Charlie explained with her usual hight pitched and enthusiastic voice. However, Vaggie grasped more the words she said as she widened her eye in surprise.

"Wait—Your uncle? As if the one who rules the ring of Lust?" The fallen exorcist asked as her girlfriend nodded her head vigorously in acknowledgement. That only weighed even more on the poor fallen angel's confusion.

"But—I thought sinners weren't allowed to leave the Pride ring." She argued, frowning deeper but Charlie was quick to add. "Oh I'm aware—But you're my partner and my uncle absolutely adore you! I'm sure we can make an exception?" The princess suggested, smiling brightly, trying her best to not make Vaggie accidentally remind her that she isn't a sinner.

Which would be a tad awkward if she had to be honest.

The fallen exorcist in question slightly bit her lips in stress. She was unsure with all of this, mainly because it was Pride Month and Charlie, like the energized planner she was, would spend days in celebrating in every way possible this event with each member of the hotel. You know, with multicolor flags and glitter everywhere.

But to see her just asking her out for a walk in the zoo? Right in the middle of June? That was... A bit suspicious.

Or maybe Charlie just wants to hang out with Vaggie more, especially knowing they didn't had a lot of time for each other since work caught on. The time in the bedroom was the only alone and intimate moment they had.

In the end, Vaggie shrugged slightly. "If you say so. But—" she caught herself interjecting and sighed internally. "—It's pride month. I thought you would be busy on your own to prepare a parade or some sort?"

"Oh it's no big deal my father wanted to prepare it for me." Charlie immediately answered back. Too quickly for Vaggie's liking, as if the princess was already aware she would ask that question.

Odd.

"Either way!" The hellborn beamed even more, clasping her hands with her girlfriend who blushed in golden. "Do you want to come with me?? Please??" Charlie almost fully begged, doing her trick with the wide puppy eyes.

How could Vaggie resist to that spell. Ugh.

Rolling her eyes, the latter smiled playfully as she caved in.

"Alright, I'll get my shoes."

Hearing Charlie cheering so bright fully was always Vaggie's little reward.

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

Charlie ❤️ : Alright everyone! I got Vaggie busy and away from the hotel!!! I hope everything arrived?

Angel 💕🪻: Yeah dw about it toots <333

Charlie received a photo of Angel Dust taking a selfie in front of a bunch of carriages, familiar red, orange and pink colors sticking out from a few of them. Husk is standing a bit far away, his tired and confused eyes looking down at the packages.

The princess smiled brighter, tightening her grip on Vaggie's hand slightly as the fallen angel was reading infos about the rare species of demonic jellyfishes only found in the seas of Envy. The zoo was absolutely beautiful and was mostly—if not purely—intended to made for Charlie and Vaggie. Some architecture and animals put there and there were either the princess's favorite or a subtle reference to Vaggie's own animalistic interests.

Right now, the two women were in what seemed to be a giant oyster like biome, with around water cages where any type of fluorescents aquamarine was swimming peacefully around, with the sounds of awe and steps by other hellborns. Charlie had to admit, her uncle Ozzie really gave himself in for this whole little rendez-vous they had to surprise Vaggie with something even more authentic.

Said princess of Hell briefly looked at her partner who was deep in thoughts, looking at the aquariums, amazed. She smiled fondly to herself before typing back again on her phone.

Charlie ❤️: That's great!! :D Do anyone help you with it? @LuciMagne ?

Dad 🐍✨: Ofc duckkling! You can count on me and Alsto!! :p

Charlie raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Charlie ❤️: Wait Alsto? As If Al

The princess didn't had time to fully write Alastor's name that Vaggie slightly tugged at her hand. Charlie perked up and immediately followed.

After all, it wasn't every day that Vaggie would get excited in a zoo of all places.

The fallen exorcist's eye was glued to the different murals that depicted in a folkloric way, typical of the Lust Ring, with erotic but colorful themes of different animals found only in there. Charlie couldn't lie to herself, it was really breathtaking and, maybe one day or later, she would come back here again, maybe with Vaggie, her dad or even one of the hotel's member!

Except, this time, it wouldn't be an excuse to distract Vaggie.

Speaking of her—

"Hey honey, look. They have large moths!" The shorter woman exclaimed, almost in pure awe, as she pointed upward the dark dome they were in, only a few bright and gargantuan moths were fluttering and crawling on the glass. Charlie couldn't help but also get incredibly amazed and she gawked.

"O-M-G this is actually really beautiful!" She squeaked, smiling brightly as she went a bit closer to the nearest glass wall, almost tempted to touch the flying creatures if it wasn't for the transparent barrier.

Vaggie's smile became small but way more significant than a few seconds ago as she approached her girlfriend and grabbed her hand, running her grey finger on the pale knuckles. Fortunately there weren't that much people in this part of the zoo so there weren't unwanted noises that would come to disturb their moment.

"Vaggie look!" Charlie exclaimed almost like a child, pointing at a purple moth with gradient silver and gold motifs along its wings as well as the tip of its antenn. Vaggie didn't need to tell it out loud, her girlfriend was faster and beat her to it.

"I don't know why but it reminds me of you. In—in the most positive way o-obviously!" The princess clumsily added in the end, her rosy cheeks going to a deeper red. The fallen exorcist only chuckles fondly, her gaze vacant as she seemed to be hypnotized by the light dances the insects were making. Charlie sighed out in relief and, even if all of this was mainly to make sure Vaggie would be away from the hotel for a few moments not only because of some relaxation but also for another surprise, she found herself enjoying this little escapade.

And, by the way, might as well get to know Vaggie even more too.

"I never knew you would actually love moths. Or at least that they would be you're favorite animal." The princess started. Vaggie perked up at the statement before relaxing again. Charlie didn't know, however, if it was Still nonetheless a bad idea when she noticed her girlfriend's smile getting a bit bittersweet.

"I don't... Really have a specific liking for any animals." The latter admitted as she gazed down at their interlocking hands. "But moths do have a special place in my heart. It's mainly because of their message and what more they convey." Vaggie confessed honestly.

Now that piqued Charlie's curiosity.

"Really? Like what?"

Vaggie bit her lips slightly, unsure if she should continue or not. Instinctively holding a bit tighter the other woman's hand, she continued, her tone showing a sign of edge.

"I don't really know to be honest... But what I mainly know about them is how they love the light. Because I found it quite poetic you know? Like... When they areost or feel low, they are seeking guidance to the nearest source of comfort and optimism they found and cling to it." She explained before catching herself rambling on and blushed in golden. Charlie's gaze softened, already sensing the way this conversation would go. The lights dimmed down slightly at that point—all was part of the show to make it more immersive for everyone—as both Charlie and Vaggie could only discerns the luminous bugs as they casted soft shadows on their faces. Nonetheless, the princess could discern out fragments of Vaggie's beautiful face.

But that beautiful face was filled with something more... Guilty. Doubtful.

"I'm... Sorry I shouldn't really ramble on, you probably don't really want to hear about it—"

"No no I want to!" Charlie found herself immediately chiming in before composing herself, chuckling awkwardly. Vaggie only looked at her, wide eye. "I-I mean... Please continue. It's not everyday you get to feel comfortable to share and I really want you to have a good time!" The blonde hellborn explained more clearly. Vaggie found herself smiling as she did what was told.

"What I was trying to say really was the fact that..." The fallen angel trailed down as she looked up.

She particularly looked at a smaller, but still nonetheless imposing, violet fluorescent moth who seemed lost before following the nearest glowing brethren next to it.

Vaggie, oddly enough, felt a light ache in her chest at the sight of the creature.

"... I can relate a bit."

Charlie couldn't help but widen her eyes at the aveu and Vaggie felt at the same time relieved but also caged, as if the height on her shoulders weren't lifted up but rather held loosely on her back. Luckily, the princess caught on the meaning and softened. However, her expression also showed worry as she, this time, brought her hand to Vaggie's shoulder, the latter tensing up under her soft grip.

That was what Vaggie feared the most.

"Vaggie..." Her girlfriend started but the shorter woman preferred to let it all out, putting her hand above Charlie's. She couldn't meet her in the eyes as she kept looking up.

"I never really told you the reason I was feeling a bit down lately, even less during this month of Pride."

Oh yeah. Charlie got caught up so much in Vaggie's surprise and all she literally forgot the whole point of it.

"Well—yeah! You really seemed to be bothered by something today. Even more than usual—not that you're always grumpy or something!"

Vaggie ignored the last comment as she continued in her rambles, her gaze vacant.

"It's not really about Pride month don't worry." She reassured. However, the fallen exorcist's breath got a bit hitched, tightening her free fist. "It's—a bit more complicated than that."

Charlie's worried frown got deeper and she was about to tell Vaggie to stop if she didn't feel comfortable in telling her what was bothering her. The princess learned her lesson too many times about boundaries and to stop if one was not ready for venting. But Vaggie was quicker as her speech became a bit slurred and choppy.

"It's about me being a lesbian I suppose. It was something I was definitely not proud of and, honestly, I thought this would be just my downfall and I would be lost forever." She then whispered, almost hushered completely. "I just thought that me being different from the different exorcists would lead me to darkness. And I was ashamed." She let out a bitter laugh, feeling her throat tightening up. "I mean... Who would be proud of being passed around like a sex toy for experiences and pleasure? It's—"

"Vaggie..." Charlie repeated, honestly not knowing what to say. Finally, she found her words as took both Vaggie's hands in her. The one eyed woman looked up, vulnerability and confusion written on her face. The hellborn beamed softly, the dimmed lights and moths accenting her blonde hair, making her even more radiant.

"Don't feel ashamed because of who you are and about something about you can't change." The princess steadied her breath for she knew she needed to keep her cool down, especially when she was going to abord this kind of topic with her girlfriend of all people. "The exorcists... Lute... They were absolute assholes and they never considered people who were different. You deserve better. Waaaaaay better than what you thinking your worth is. Even more."

Vaggie didn't had time to form an answer as Charlie brought her closer, her breath hitching as well, hitching the top of the shorter woman's head who blushed even more.

"You are my everything Vaggie. And you are so much than what you give yourself credit for. And you're tough too but... In these moments, always feel free to come to me. But never forget that you never did anything wrong for being who you are. And never feel as if you are at the fault because you own nothing to no one."

"Not even me." She almost wanted to add but she knew it wasn't the time to dive into that particular discussion.

She got out of her thoughts when she heard sniffing from her partner and immediately panicked internally. Did she do too much?? Or—

Charlie didn't had time to spiral even more that Vaggie immediately huffed her tightly, closing her eye. At first, the princess was too stunned to speak or do anything but when she heard the muffled compliments and babblers that ressembled to "thank you", the taller woman wrapped her arms around Vaggie, resting her chin on her silver hair.

Charlie felt her phone vibrating slightly and decided to check out her dms, still clinging on Vaggie.

The group chat she created was going crazy. More than twelve messages has been sent, with a lot of them who were deleted either by her dad and Angel. She frowned at the sight as she scrolled through the messages, feeling a bit stressed out about the context.

But when she saw a photo of the hotel's main lobby, now completely different and more festive, she sighed in relief.

She typed a simple sentence.

Charlie ❤️: So everything has been set up?

Dad 🐍✨: Yeah! 🔥🔥

Angel 💕🪻: We only need y'all to come back before Husk gets drunk out of his mind again lol :p

A photo of a blurry Husk doing a flip off at the camera was sent to the princess, making her snort.

Charlie smiled to herself.

It was about time they go back home.

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

"Don't look, Vaggie!" Charlie shrieked in both joy and slight panic as closed her eye, raising her hands as an act of defense. She chuckled softly at her girlfriend's behavior.

"Charlie, what are you doing? Will you tell me what got you so excited already?" Nonetheless, she complied. "I won't, I won't don't worry." She reassured, still grinning like a dork, semi-yelling as Charlie bounced on her place, clearly excited for... Well everything! How the surprise would go, how Vaggie would react, if everyone stuck to the plan, how—

Angel Dust slightly opened the door, making Charlie jump a bit. She whipped her head to look at the spider demon as the latter titled his head to the side repeatedly. She immediately understood what that meant as she gave him a thumb up. Angel smiled wider and was about to close the door but Charlie held it. The sinner said nothing and let her.

"Alright!" She started, feeling her heart beating faster and leaping on her ribcage, guiding Vaggie by holding her hand as she led her to the hotel's lobby. "Now open your eye in three... Two... One—Go! Open! Open!"

At first, Vaggie just blinked a few times to get rid of the black veil in front of her sight. However, as soon as she was able to discern everything clearly, she nearly gawked out of her mind.

Lesbian flag. Lesbian flag everywhere. As a banner, on the table serving as a tablecloth and even the icing of the giant cake in front of her had the orange and pink hue of colors.

And everyone else wore it as well.

From Lucifer's bowtie to Cherri Bomb's entire outfit, it would almost be eye straining if it wasn't for Vaggie who saw brighter colors who almost burned down her eyelid. All of the hotel's members and staff gathered, each holding a bigger or smaller size of the pride flag and—wait were those pancakes with colorful frosting on top??

"Sorpresa!" Charlie exclaimed joyfully as everyone cheered for the exorcist as well.

"Happy pride Vaggie!!"

Oh how Vaggie wanted to just collapse right now and weep out her entire being to tears until she was dry.

And the fact that Charlie draped a huge lesbian flag on her shoulders didn't made it better.

Lucifer was the one who started with the row of gifts and more pleasant surprises.

"Here. I made this for you Vaggie, I hope it's not too over the top." The short king chuckled a tad awkwardly. The pancakes were fluffy and tantalizing as always but, what differed from usual was the icing made from chocolate on it saying with a cute grammatical error "Don't let anyone chage who you are Vaggie!" With a decorative duck that looked like her next to it and a small flag planted in the dough.

Cherri was next as she grinned like the punk she was, toying with one of her explosives as usual except, you guessed it, pink white and orange was the color of the bomb. Her answer was a tad violent but just—really in character.

"To anyone who says anything against you, we'll blow their face up!!"

Luckily, when the cyclop tossed to her the bomb, it wasn't detoned yet, much to Vaggie's relief.

Both Husk and Angel only had one shared gift but the way they were both proud of their crafts was already enough for Vaggie to feel touched. It was a simple envelope with the same color pattern as everything else and, by the look of the bumpiness of it, money may be inside or a letter.

But money was more likely since it was Husk and Angel Dust.

"Look I made these decorations myself." The spider purred before his partner corrected him, although his gruff tone didn't carried any sharpness or bitterness. "Actually we both had the same idea for the envelope but he insisted on making some nice decorations just for you." Husk explained and, honestly, Vaggie couldn't cared less about what they put as decorations (as long it wasn't dicks or some immature shits of that kind), the genuine gesture was enough for her.

But Niffty, surely, top them all.

Not only she brought two gifts but they all seemed really... In character. And her energetic aura was infectious instead of bothersome.

At first, it was the giant card she held with the colors of the lesbian flag with bold letters saying "Miss Vaggie, you are very dear and important to us!!" Before she quickly tossed it away and scurried to get her own piece of work.

Yes, you heard it right, Niffty wrote an entire book dedicated to Vaggie. Well—more like dedicated to her relationship with Charlie who was depicted as homoerotic but also sweet and sensational.

Even the book cover was made by her!

"I drew and wrote this for you!! Please please please read it!!" She bounced on her place before practically smothering Vaggie's shaky hands with the book. The fallen exorcist bowed her head to look closely at the art of her and Charlie seen as humans. So far, she could stills stay strong and made sure that her face didn't betrayed any dam of emotional cries.

However, as soon as she flipped the first page and saw numerous signatures with words of encouragement from each member, the dam broke.

"We love you Vaggie!!"

"Keep it up Vagina <33"

"You're doing great kiddo."

"My perfect step daughter M—Vaggie!"

A hiccup came out from her mouth, silencing confettis and everyone's speeches before a few tears escaped. Then she took her face in her head, keeping herself from seeing anyone as the rest of the hotel member let out a collective "aww".

Not wanting to weep and humiliated herself, she buried herself in Charlie's chest, the latter taken aback by her gesture. Nonetheless, it wasn't an unwelcomed one as she smiled fondly at her girlfriend and wrapped her arms around her already quivering body.

Finally, after what felt like a long time, Vaggie found her voice back, although it was still shaky and hiccupy. She clung to Charlie a little bit harder while the taller woman gently stroked her hair.

"I was already noticing that every time Pride month came, you seemed a little bit sad." Charlie started, her hands going to stroke her girlfriend's cheek and arm. "So we wanted to do something for you and let you know that we love you." She explained gently as the fallen angel clung to her even more, putting her hand on top of hers.

"Y-You—They didn't had to do it, it wasn't necessary, I—" she fumbled slightly but Charlie quickly cut her off.

"No Vaggie, you are important and I love you. We all love you very much." The princess reinforced as everyone gathered around the couple. Lucifer, especially, put his hand on Vaggie's shoulder, his tone softer.

"I—we get the feeling of not being accepted for who you really are for years, M—Vaggie. It was the least we could do."

"That wasn't my least!"

"Niffty not now." Husk slightly berated as Vaggie chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. She spoke up again, her voice still hoarse but now more emotional.

"Still... Thank you. Thank you to all of you, it's..."

"Did someone said lesbians???" A familiar static voice echoed. Vaggie jumped slightly, out of reflexes, as she saw the familiar green aura that emitted from the floor. Everyone widened their eyes as Alastor made quite the flashy entrance. He still wore his typical Harlem Renaissance suit and clothing but, this time, its color palette and theme was completely base on the lesbian flag like the rest. The tip of his cane had the flag attached to it while his own eyeshadow was a deeper purple rather than the usual dark red.

Lucifer was the first one to break the astounding silence, his frown showing nothing but confusion.

"W-wha—How the—That what you have been preparing this whole time???" The king asked to the radio demon, who merely shrugged. "Why can't I join in our favorite angel's pity party, no?" He said smoothly.

Despite the backhanded compliment, Vaggie couldn't help but also feel touched when she realized that even Alastor, of ALL people, bothered himself to participate in. And God knew he actually looked ridiculous with the amount of eyestraining orange and pink he had.

All of them in some way dedicated their time and effort to made this whole surprise just for her, to cheer her up even though Pride month was also about them as sinners—no as people. As part of the family.

As her.... Friends.

Yeah. After this whole thing, friends was more than suitable to design them. Vaggie smiled a bit wider, the typical dispute between the deer demon and her future father-in-law drowned in whispers of amusement between Husk, Angel and Cherri while Charlie, the ever peacemaker she was, tried to ease down the conflicts. Niffty, as usual, was just feeding herself on the drama.

Vaggie leaned herself a bit more on her agitated girlfriend, wrapping the lesbian flag around her like a blanket as she felt the emotions of the day catching up on her psyche, wearing her off. Maybe, after they would actually all calm down, they would gather up to eat some of the sweets Lucifer prepared or probably Niffty would ask her to read out loud the novel she wrote, much to her own embarrassment. Or even Cherri would invite her to blow up some buildings with Angel while Husk would intervene if it gets out of hand.

Either way, Vaggie would end her day with giddiness in her stomach and while cuddling Charlie in their shared bed, she will feel as if she actually matter this time and know her worth.

As herself.

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

➪Fun fact my keyboard corrected "night with Charlie" to "night in Charlie" and I was like "yeah same thing"

➪Anyway I had fun writing this (and I may went abit overboard. Like. Just slightly. Hehe—) and, even if I'm not really happy with the end, I loved writing most of it. Especially Vaggie's part! Oh wow who could have thought—

➪Eh either way, I hope you enjoyed and stay safe, veloma daholo 🌺🥥

[12/09/2025]

{5318 words}

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Archive of our own version

No but seriously?? I've noticed that Skylar has that mysterious and almost irrational fear of Valdivian and the way she presses you to not come out to your house?? Like not even peeking a bit outside? That girl is paranoid af

Plus apparently she was the one who designed the objects in the house so it may be a theory that her purpose wasn't just being a soldier or a weapon but an actual general or a vessel between humans and dateaviators and plus she does a lot of work for the player, bringing objects to life, explaining how the personification work and the language barrier

Just like an ambassador, a negociator during a period of war

But my main concern is that do you think she actually got hurt? But like badly by Valdivian? At this rate I think it's just completely fanon (and a future AU that I will probably work on idk) but the way she insists on not creating conflicts or how she belittle herself as just the "Tutorial lady", giving how military training can be harsh and testing water (durability and strength of the glasses, if you know what I mean...)