Arguably, Michael's statement was likely true. That does not spare Michael from the punishing pull, purposefully harder than necessary as retaliation for the response. " And you could be more grateful and less annoying. " Lucifer shoots back without missing a beat. " Stop that. You're being difficult for no reason. " Lucifer's eyes narrow when the wings shift away from him. " You're even worse than usual when this happens. " He pauses and adds with a faint smirk upon colored lips. " It's almost impressive. "

And yet, for all his words and annoyance and Michael's constant shifting around and movement, his fingers still work, deftly identifying and working on the worst sections to alleviate the most intense and unpleasant of the sensations first. He does not miss the color that adorns the other. Not that Lucifer needs the confirmation - but it is satisfying.

 SOME MORE SMUTTY MEMES 

Minsung was more than open to trying new things, much like his partner. It did take him some time until he allowed himself to experience such pleasures while also stepping into unknown waters after that one time that made his stomach turn upside down for the longest time, he remembered he threw up on his way home, walked barefoot, much of the rest was a blur. But he managed to open up again. And he was glad he did, if he got to try stuff, he wanted to try them with Jupiter.

                 ༺♰༻ ―If there was anyone capable of making him wish he had met his end at that very moment, it was Roland. Despite the pain etched on his swollen, bruised face, he found the strength to scowl, his expression radiating pure contempt for the man standing before him. The intensity of his disdain was palpable as if Roland's very presence made the air around them heavier with animosity. Olivier's frustration bubbled beneath the surface as he glared at Roland, whose smug smile seemed to taunt him. The corners of Roland's lips curled upward, exuding confidence that only fueled Olivier's irritation. Unfortunately, in his current state of exhaustion, all Olivier could muster was a deep furrow in his brow, his frown barely masking the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

               Anger had always been the solitary emotion that Olivier wore on his sleeve, a fiery response that contrasted sharply with the turmoil he kept hidden deep within—buried six feet beneath the weight of his mother’s absence. He thought he had an understanding of himself, of the darkness that enveloped him, until he encountered a peculiar little boy. This child seemed to radiate warmth and light, an incandescent glow that made everything around him appear dull by comparison. It was a brightness that felt almost otherworldly, drawing Olivier in like a moth to a flame. From that moment on, he found himself irresistibly following this radiant presence, captivated by the light that pierced through his shadowed heart.

The minutes that Lucifer manages to go UNOBSERVED are preciously short-lived ; his presence carries something within no matter how subdued he tries to be. Light in the darkness ; power that reaches out and can be found even in the furthest edges of Hell. But closer to the center makes it easier for a few seconds to go unnoticed before the demeanor shifts. He takes those seconds to observe how it is when others don't see him.

He is not surprised by what greets him upon observation. The avoidance around Dantalion , the schemes, the passive-aggressiveness between demons. He does not regret typically avoiding this event.

Though it is a bit fun to see Dantalion keep looking away only to look back ; a MUTUAL problem though Lucifer has a far easier time concealing it. Physically. That useful little bond however also tattles on him to the other side.

Upon a hand being offered, Lucifer lifts his own deceptively delicate hand to place it in the larger calloused hand and moves for the first time in a while. Demons move then, flutter and scuttling about trying to be in the best spot. It's all rather appalling. Especially how the tone shifts now that Dantalion's beside him.

" I wanted to see for myself rather than listen to Samuel's recounting. " See what, Lucifer does not specify - either out of PURPOSEFUL intent or because he saw no reason to elaborate. " Though I got very little time before the displays and catering started. I suppose a disguise would have been better - albeit I doubt it would have fooled you. " Trying to hide from Dantalion was not his intent so it would have made no difference. But what is done is done.

"You want me to come with you?" Oh, wasn't that one the sweetest things Jupiter could ask him. The holidays were always a great time (excluding the early years where he was with his biological father, but Minsung would rather leaving that in the past). It was the time of the year where he could take things more easy and get to spend more time with the people he loved. And now, Jupiter had entered his life and Minsung absolutely adored him. How did he get so lucky? So, the answer was pretty obvious.

"I would love that." He replied with a soft smile. Getting to meet and know those close to Jupiter was going to be fun. Even if Minsung knew that he most likely going to be a little nervous right before that happens. After all, he wanted to give a good impression. "Just expect soon after the holidays to be invited to a dinner with my family, I think mom would get even more curious than she is now when she finds out her son's 'mysterious' boyfriend is stealing him for the holidays." Minsung teased and let out a small chuckle. Of course, he was going to let his family know in advance, he knew they wouldn't mind it. But it would be nice if Jupe also got to meet Min's own family as well.

@caelcstis said: [ supportive ] - dantalion to luci PLATONIC AND ROMANTIC KISSES [ supportive ] sender kisses the top of receiver's head

" Play with me. " It had been a simple request, holding no command or order to it to indulge the emperor in a board game. Dantalion had been free to disregard it or say he was otherwise busy and would have faced no repercussions. Playing a game wasn't really what Lucifer was after with his request. A fact that was rather apparent when even Samael held many wins against the Emperor ; what the request really is, is keep me company? without having to utter those dreadful words.

Admittedly, it is rather fun to see how Dantalion plays. Different than his own style, Dantalion's is as wild there as the battlefield, though it is not without its own strategy. Sometimes they talk, sometimes its just the sound of game pieces moving. It's better than the silence that would otherwise fill these lonely, glittering halls. A reflection of its master that Lucifer cannot escape - that beautiful, haunting loneliness. But right now he is not alone, lounging back against the warmth of the demon behind him while they play. Mercifully he has willed his wings away to not bury the other in a sea of feathers and Lucifer simply chooses NOT to focus on how much smaller he appears without them.

It is his turn when he delicately plucks his piece like fruit from a tree, intent to move it when he feels lips pressed to the top of his head. Casual, relaxed, painfully gentle. The marble game piece slips from lithe fingers to clatter on the game board while the black of serpentine eyes threatens to swallow the gold of his iris. SURPRISE. If his wings had been out, Dantalion certainly would have been smacked with how they fluffed up and flared. Instead, Lucifer simply freezes as his brain works to grasp the simple gesture.

For some reason, that little confession managed to escalate his heart beat to race. It’s quite dangerous to admit such things to the seraphim and especially when he was coming to terms of not being a favorite. Surely he accepted Luke’s kind words, only because he was a young angel who was still under his wing. But Raphael’s case was…different as he wasn’t young nor foolish. Michael’s face grew a dark blush when staring at his desk of the paperwork surrounding him, trying hard to find the right words to say. He should simply deny such accusations though it’d be met with another compliment that would make him surrender.

Eyes tried to avoid staring directly at his face, that face filled with warmth and a smile. It was quite rare to ever see a frown appear on that face which made him ideal for any angel within the Celestial realm. Yet he had to approach him, saying something to catch him off guard. It was enough for white feathered wings to extend out and wrap around his form, away from view. Maybe he needed more time to process those words as silly as it may sound. “H…Have you nothing to attend to, Raphael? But…thank you…” Those wings unraveled to show those fingers gently pushing hair behind his ear, fixing himself up before huffing softly.

It was understandable why he felt lost after experiencing what he and his brothers went through. Each one, at the time, didn’t understand what was happening or went through the process of asking why they decided to follow him. Some were clear of choosing the Avatar of Pride’s side from the very beginning while the others regretted their decision in falling. The task of questioning what would happen, what kind of angel he was, is no different to his own way of thinking matters. Well there was a true motivation behind his actions while a guidance that made Lucifer question how Father ran things…how Father treated him. He used to be Father’s voice, a dignified angel who could do no wrong, the favorite among Father’s creations.

But he was simply an ornament and a figurehead whereas he could be far more in Diavolo’s hands. The temptations had managed to lightly accept these conditions, but it was the incident with Lilith that drew the line. In truth. Pride would have given up everything if it meant his sister could experience the pure love she developed for a human. Yet that was considered a sin of her to save his life from dying and it disrupted the order of things. The Celestial realm didn’t take too kindly to such crimes, and ordered for her fall. The elder brother stepped up and chose to declare war against the other angels for turning their backs on a fellow sister. 

Such memories were burned vividly into Lucifer’s mind, thus fueling the answer to all those doubts and uncertainties. Unfortunately, Michael didn’t seem to fall under this category even if it feels like he wanted to be by the demon’s side. If that were true…it’d be another burden weighing heavily on his heart for tempting another angel to fall. He’d already caused plenty of angels to fall, others merely vanished, and he dreaded the worst for his brothers to meet the same fate. Sadly, they lost Lilith who became the main source of protecting everything when they fell. The irony of this turn of events later made the Avatar of Pride accept a hasty vow to Diavolo in exchange for Lilith’s salvation.

A look of concern hit the demon as he stared at those wings turning black, a similar fate to his own. The appearance Michael held was that of a fallen angel but held a few demonic features. They truly were two opposites of the same coin, even as they became fallen angels. Gloved hands cup the other’s cheeks within them just for their eyes to meet one another. “If you have no idea what you’re supposed to be, then it’s best not to seek the answers right away. For now…you simply need to rest and recover your strength before understanding what to do. I’ll aid you on that journey, because it might be my own doing for what became of you Michael. I’ll take full responsibility and guide you when the time is right.” A smile appeared on Pride’s face, letting their foreheads press together until he placed a soft kiss on Michael’s lips.