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PT. 2

“Good morning New Orleans! I do hope you all are having a lovely morning. I'm your host, Alastor. And I do thank you for tuning in my dears. Well be talking here in just a moment. But first to today's weather-”

The radio hosts voice is drowned out by a loud girlish scream, followed by the sound of broken glass. The little girl who had been sitting on the couch jumps. She stares at the closed door with trepidation. “Daddy?” She calls, unmoving.

There's another crash, followed by that same girlish yelp. The child slides off the couch. She walks towards the door. Before she can get too close the door swings open almost smacking her. She stumbled back.

There's a sudden high pitched loud beeping.

A ploom of white smoke floods out of the kitchen.

A small white man with short blonde hair stumbled out of the kitchen. He was coughing and waving his hand trying to dissipate the smoke.

It took a moment for the man to notice the child. When he does, his grumpy expression changes like a switch. In an instant he's cheery. “Char char!”

She looks at her father. “Did daddy burn breakfast?”

“What? Haha noooo. No no noooo.” He scoops up his daughter. Briskly walking away from the kitchen. “Let's go out kiddo.”

“Daddies a bad cook.” She laughs.

Lucifer is severely wounded.

Lucifer morning star. One of the elite. Someone apart of the high class society. He was rich, handsome, very very very tall for sure! He had it all. Riches, fame, his adorable daughter Charlie! Yes he had everything he could ever want.

Except for Lilith.

But hey! At least he had a cozy lifestyle. Rich beyond belief. That's exactly why Charlie and him were currently eating at a small diner. Hey, kids eat for free on Mondays! And the place was much more relaxing than high society restaurants.

Okay, maybe everything wasn't perfect. But, at least he had Charlie. That's all that really mattered to him.

“Welcome back sir.” The waitress greeted him as he slid into the booth. Charlie was already settled across from him in a booster seat.

“Hey! What's up!” wait to friendly! “Uh erm I mean, hello.” He waved. Perfect.

The waitress gave him a polite smile. He wasn't sure if her greeting was because of his status in the French Quarter, or because this was the 5th day in a row he and Charlie were in here.

It was honestly getting a little embarrassing.

“Back again hm?” Okay yeah it wasn't the status.

“Daddy burned breakfast again.”

Lucifer wanted to hide.

The waitress just chuckled, politely. She’s a short black plump southern woman with a strong twang to her voice. Truth be told, Lucifer doesn't mind her so much. For the other times they had been in here and then now, they often got this waitress. Which shouldn’t be a big surprise, given that the diner is rather small and likely understaffed. Still, she's warm and kind.

Her name was displayed on her shirt. It said Millie. Not that Lucifer really needed the tag to know her name by this point with how much they frequented this diner.

Millie hands him the menu and Charlie a child version of it. “Coffee for the Lord again?”

Lucifer smiles nervously. Trying to hide his embarrassment. “Y-yeah. If it's no trouble” He fails. Of course it wouldn’t be any trouble, it's her job.

The waitress isn't mean about it though, she turns to Charlie. “And let me guess you want apple juice again, little princess.”

“I want chocolate milk today.” Charlie states like she's thought about this her whole life. Which isn't long given she's only six.

“Oh? Switchin it up on me today? Okaaay.” She's amused. “I'll be right back.”

Once she brings them their drinks, the short waitress leaves them to ponder their orders. Well, Charlie already knows what she wants. Pancakes. Because she's been saying that on the way over. Yes that's what those black discs currently sitting in the trash at home were supposed to be.

Lucifer on the other hand doesn't have his mind on food. He hardly does lately. He'd forget to eat if not for Charlie.

While Charlie is coloring in her menu, Lucifer stares into the brown abyss that is his coffee cup.

The glint of the golden band around his finger catches his gaze as it flickered off the Sun's morning razes. Lucifer frowns.

I wonder what she's doing right now. He stares a moment longer. Does she miss me? Lucifer checks his phone. Nothing. Of course. No, you're being stupid. It's been this long, why would she contact you now?

He sighs. Pulling at his hair in an effort to stop thinking.

“Welcome back dear listener's!”

Lucifer jumps enough to hit his knee on the table. He gets several looks for it.

“Sorry! Uh.. Bumped the table.” He pats the table. Why does he pat the table?

The radio seems to save him further public humiliation.

“This next song goes out to my dear mother. Quite the favorite of hers.”

The radio host starts singing a jazzy song. His voice is low and tumblr. It flows well with the fast paced jazz, his pitch moving up and down when needed.

He looks over to find Charlie lip singing to the song. Using her crayon as a mic.

He smiles.

Lucifer joins in, and he doesn't care much about the looks he's given.

Honestly, without Charlie he would probably have been swallowed by his thoughts long ago.

Once the pair of them eat some real food and not burnt discs. Charlie demands to go to the library. Lucifer doesn't understand if a six year old having a love for books is normal. Is it abnormal? Should he call Bee and ask her? Is he hurting Charlie's brain by letting her read books?

Maybe she likes reading because he has a stack of how to parent books on his desk at home. Volume 1-10. He's currently on volume 7…it's not weird.

“Daddy look!” Charlie says running up the several stairs leading to the front of the library. Its a large enough building with two levels. Lucifer tries not to tumble over while holding the small stack of books in his arms.

“Charlie dear, slow down! Wait for daddy.”

He moves a little faster, almost dropping a book. When he gets to the top and peers around his stack of books, Charlie is standing by one of the statues at the front of the library. A big stone lion. He’s - for whatever reason - petting it. “Look at the kitty! Isn’t he cute!”

Lucifer looks at the stone lion. Its a male lion with its female counterpart on his left. He chuckled, “Yeah, he’s adorable. But uh, lets head inside and you can pet the lion on our way out. Okay?”

She turns to him, no less bright or excited. “Okay!” She runs ahead.

“Charlie, wait.”

She pauses at the door, Charlie reaches up and yanks it open for her father. “Thank you honey.”

“Your welcome daddy.” They walk to the front counter and return the books. “Let's go look at some books over here and then will go to the kid section, okay?” Lucifer asks his daughter, pointing to one of the sections near the back of the library. Among a wall of bookshelves. The children's section isn’t anything new to either of them nor hard to miss. As it's to the left side of the library and adorned with a colorful area of plastic chairs, beanbags and tables for the kids. But Lucifer always liked to keep Charlie close.

“Okay.” She smiles and Lucifer takes her hand in his. They walk to the adult section near the mystery genre. Lucifer is a bit of a picky reader and he doesn’t take out a lot of books for personal interest. Most of them are for cooking or more or less advice books that help him with Charlie. But sometimes he likes to browse the sections and see if he can find something he enjoys. As picky a reader as he is, when he does find one he likes he can hardly put it down. Plus, reading something he enjoys transports him to another world. Something he desperately needs some days.

Lucifer runs his index along the different titles. Pulling out a book occasionally when the title interests him. Then glancing at the summary on the back. However he doesn’t find one he likes yet. He takes longer than Charlie would have liked or so it seems. Because she tugs on his arm after several minutes. “Yeah duckling?”

“Can I go look at the books down there?” Charlie points to the bookcase behind them but further down. Its the teen section for the mystery genre. Lucifer is certain Charlie can’t read those yet due to her reading level. But thinks she’s bored and more interested in looking at the pictures in the books or the covers. Nonetheless, its within his eyeview.

So Lucifer nods. “Yeah, but don’t go too far.”

“Okay.” She says letting go of his hand. Lucifer watches her for a moment to make sure she doesn’t run off. When she simply walks down the bookshelf starts looking at the covers - as he suspected - Lucifer feels comfortable enough to go back to his searching.

A few more minutes pass and Lucifer sighs, having given up. He’s not sure why but all these novels feel so predictable to him. Occasionally he flips to the first few pages, skimming them and he can already tell who is going to be the big bad. Or who is the killer. As if to prove it he would flip to the end only to be proven right. The tropes - for him at least - are just a little too predictable. But maybe growing up reading has made him something of a snobby reader. It’s fine, he’s not a critic and he’s sure he’ll find another good read another time. But he doesn’t want to stand there all day and bore Charlie.

Lucifer hums, seeing one more title. He plucks it from the shelf and begins skimming the summary on the back. Hm, this one’s a tad more interesting looking? Although it looks less mystery and more fantasy? Is this book in the right section? There’s a red-haired sourcer on the cover and he’s standing in front of a blonde-haired woman and her baby in a protective manner. Holding up his staff. This looks like it should be in fantasy. Unless it can be mixed genres? Of course it can but…ugh this is pointless. Regardless the book looks like something more Charlie would enjoy then him. Pass.

“Thank you.” Lucifer suddenly comes out of his thoughts at the voice. That radio host again? He glances around for a radio. He didn't think there was one in here.

However, those thoughts immediately go away as another more pressing one takes its place.

Where is Charlie?!

Lucifer suddenly darts out from the shelves. Panic rising in his chest. “Charlie!” He darts around poking his head into an isle “Charlie! Honey, where did you go!” He's ignoring the annoyed looks. Whirling out of the isle and into an opening with shelves stacked against the wall.

Lucifer's eyes find her immediately. Her blonde hair abd overalls makes her stand out. She's near the horror section and she's tugging on a man's shirt. He looks startled and confused.

“Um.. Hello, little one.”

“It is you!”

Lucifer rushes over mortified.

“It's you, I knew it!”

“Charlie!” He shouts and she looks at him immediately letting go. Lucifer has never grabbed his daughter so quickly. He takes her in his arms, stepping back. By the time he looks at the man an apology is already spilling out. “I am so so so SO sorry sir!”

However the man's already fixing his shirt. A polite yet friendly smile on his lips. He lets out a chuckle as he responds, “it's quite alright.”

“Dad, dad, it's the radio man!’ She’s pointing excitedly.

Lucifer looked at the man in question. Now that Charlie was safely accounted for, and in his arms. He took a moment to properly take in the gentleman before him.

He was a young looking guy, he looked around his own age probably somewhere in his 20’s . He was definitely mixed with something, or Hispanic judging by his light brown skin tone. A pair of dark brown eyes peered at him behind round frames. The guy was also annoyingly tall. But not by much - maybe 2 feet above him at most…surely…But it was already too tall. However amongst everything two things stood out to him about the man.

One, that he was dressed smartly. Meaning he was wearing black slacks and a buttoned up red vest over a white button down. Much more refined than the rest of the people's attire here. Even making his plane pink button down look sloppy in comparison.

The second was his hair.

He noticed its color. It was a bright red. That was the most eye-catching thing about the man. That paired with his darker skin tone. Well… his appearance alone practically demanded anyone's eyes when he walked into a room.

His hair was short at the nape of his neck. It was longer on top, combed and styled so his bangs laid on the left side of his face.

He was definitely interesting looking.

Lucifer realized he was staring and immediately stopped. Hoping the man didn't notice. Instead he turned to Charlie who was squirming in his arms. “Charlie, honey, you can't run off like that.” He scolded..in the nicest way possible. He turned back to the man. Who was watching them curiously. “Again, I am so sorry. My daughter- she's a huge fan of you- like- I mean HUGE. And she just got really excited when she saw you because-”

“It's okay.” Alastor laughs, “I always appreciate meeting one of my fans.” Charlie finally manages to squirm out of Lucifer’s grasp and heads towards Alastor again - against Lucifer’s silent protests. Before she can get too close, Alastor kneels down and gives her a pat on the head. This emitted a wide grin from the child. “I love hearing you on the radio, Mr. Radio Man! Daddy puts the radio on your station every morning!”

“Just call me Alastor, dear.” Still kneeling at her level he offers one of his hands. “And what's your name, little lady?”

“I'm Charlie!” She exclaims, giving a jump of excitement as she proudly proclaims her name. She puts both of her tiny hands and places them in Alastor’s outstretched hand. The man tries to gently shake her hand so as not to hurt her, but this fails when Charlie excitedly and violently shakes his instead.

“That's enough, honey.” Lucifer quickly interjects.

Alastor chuckles - for a second Lucifer thinks it's an awkward one. Surely not; he's probably interacted with hundreds of his fans. He lets go of her hand before she can shake his anymore.“Now don’t hurt yourself, little lady.”

Lucifer clears his throat, causing both heads to turn towards him. “Uh- Charlie, dear- uh.. We should be on our way now. I'm sure Mr. Alastor has a busy schedule; he can't spend all day with you.” He chided.

Charlie pouts but doesn't refuse to listen.

“Unfortunately your father is right.” Alastor stands up, his eyes narrow on Lucifer. “I don’t believe I got your name?” He says, looking at Lucifer.

Lucifer is a little surprised that Alastor doesn’t already know who he is. Not for anything out of pride but because usually people already know who he is. But maybe he’s just being coy. “Uh, Lucifer…morningstar.” He hesitates to say his last name. He’s unsure if he is still allowed to say it.If he wants to.

Alastor hums, “ah so you're our little angel from above.” Lucifer looks at him perturbed. “The only one out of the morning stars who enjoys helping.” He says it lightly, keeping in mind Charlie is present.

Lucifer deflates on the inside but he puts on his usual sunny disposition. If for Charlie’s sake. “Yep! that's uh- that's me. I’m Lucifer morningstar.” Why does he say his name again?

“Well my lord,” Alastor extends a hand towards him. He waits for Lucifer to take it, he does after a moment. “It's a pleasure to meet you in person after all I’ve heard of you.” Alastor shakes his hand curtly in a tight firm grip. Lucifer’s own is weak and flimsy at best. Alastor lets go.

“Oh- you- you’ve heard things about me? Um..” he glances at Charlie.

Alastor catches the look. “Only good things.” He lies. “Nonetheless it's a pleasure to have met you and your daughter. And I thank you for listening to my radio show.”

“I love your singing!” Charlie says with a grin.

Alastor looks down at her, “thank you. I enjoy singing, especially for fans like you.” He makes a show of checking the watch on his wrist. “Well, it was lovely meeting you two. But I must be on my way.” Alastor says politely, giving them a wave and walking towards the exit.

He watched the man go. It was strange, he'd been listening to this man's show for a few years. More for Charlie sake. But it was weird to finally put a face to the voice. Not that Alastor's face had never been in the public eye. He assumed at least. He had just never bothered to pay attention.

“Come back soon!” Charlie called.

…

While meeting New Orleans highly regarded radio host was…interesting. Lucifer didn’t find anything particularly noteworthy about Alastor. Other than his red hair. But once upon a time he had to handle that same song and dance. In his case, going to high class balls or parties with the intent of meeting people who had an interest in the morningstars. Whether with good or bad intent, he would greet those guests with that same jovial politeness.

So all in all, Alastor didn’t stand out to him. And as Monday reered its ugly head Lucifer had just put it behind him as another out of the blue thing to happen in his mundane life. He would have forgotten about it, if not for Charlie constantly talking about how happy and excited she that she got to meet her idol. It was adorable though and Lucifer definitely won’t complain if his daughter is happy.

But Monday does come.

And Lucifer hates it, but not for the usual reasons people hate Mondays. It's because he's left by himself for eight hours. Being bored out of his mind, with no one to talk to, and constantly struggling to entertain himself.

He goes about his morning as usual. It begins with him walking to the end of the hallway and knocking on Charlie’s door before opening it. She has an alarm set but he makes sure she’s awake anyway. Next he makes a̶ h̶o̶m̶e̶ c̶o̶o̶k̶e̶d̶ b̶r̶e̶a̶k̶f̶a̶s̶t̶… a good ol’ bowl of cereal! And that's their breakfast for the day. Because once Charlie is finished eating he ushers her off to get dressed while he makes sure she has everything packed in her school bag for first grade. It's a public school and the kids have been…okay - a questionable okay - with her. He hasn’t gotten any complaints from the kids or Charlie so he thinks it's okay? Regardless, it's been two weeks since she started 1st grade and he can only hope it continues to go well.

Once Charlie is dressed and Lucifer checks that she has her schoolwork, and her lunch - a sandwich and some fruit - they are out the door at 7:30 and hopping in his car.

Lucifer opens the back door on the passenger side and lifts Charlie into her car seat. He buckles her in - struggling with the straps, as always - and sets her backpack in the middle seat beside her before shutting the door. He walks around to the driver’s side and gets in, starting up the car.

Charlie, still waking up, rubs her eyes and yawns before asking, “daddy, can we listen to the radio man?” Lucifer smiles; her voice always sounds so cute when she's tired. “Of course, sweetie.” He pressed the button on the radio that flipped through his saved radio stations. First was a Kidz Bop station. Charlie really liked listening to that one before she began listening to Alastor.

He pressed the button again and immediately heard Alastor’s voice cut in.

“-oing? I hope all of you lovely listeners out there are doing fantastic today! It's a warm eighty degrees here in new Orleans today, and it looks like it will be another sunny day with no rain. Perfect conditions for some outdoor cooking later today, if I do say so myself!”

The brief thought of asking Charlie if she'd like some barbecue tonight was immediately shut down. He can't even cook an egg, let alone an entire barbecued meal. Maybe I could ask Ozzy one of these days? He's a master on the grill.

As Lucifer went deeper in his thoughts, he realized It felt strange to hear Alastor and know his face and having met him in person. Now he can picture the man sitting at his desk, talking into his microphone.

“Before we continue into another song I'll be taking a few callers for the next twenty minutes. So if you'd like to call into the studio and speak to me nows your chance.”

Charlie instantly started bouncing up and down in her car seat. “Daddy! I wanna call! I wanna talk to the radio man again!”

Lucifer instantly feels guilt; he hates telling Charlie no. "Uh- honey, we need to get you to school. We'll be there within five minutes.”

Charlie sighs. "Pleeeeeease? I'll do my own clothes for the week!”

Lucifer sighs with a defeated smile. "Well, I can't pass up a good bargain. Let me get my phone.” He reaches in his pocket with one hand while keeping one hand on the steering wheel and his eyes on the road. Nothing. He switches his hands around and feels in his other pocket, his expression changing to one of small horror when he realizes it's not there.

Shit..

“I- uh- Charlie? I uh.. I think I forgot my phone at the house.”

He looks in the rearview mirror and immediately sees Charlie’s expression change from joyful to disappointed. “Oh.. Okay..” She replies half-heartedly.

Lucifer frowns, but plasters on a smile before Charlie notices. “Hey, keep your head up.” He tells her with a positive voice, hoping she doesn't hear the guilt behind it. “To make it up to you, we'll be the first people calling the next time that he takes calls. How's that sound?”

Charlie smiles. “Okay.”

They pull into the school and go into the line of cars where people are unloading their kids. He sighs and hits his head on the steering wheel. They really need to start leaving sooner. The car line is always the busiest between 7:30 and 7:45. Lucifer’s hands tighten on the wheel and his pulse rises a little. Ugh, the crowds. He taps the wheel while he waits nervously.

After about five minutes, his car is in front of the school. He immediately hops out and unbuckles Charlie’s seatbelt. He lifts her out of her seat and sets her on the ground, then hands her backpack to her. He leans down and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

“Love you very much, miss you very much, see you this afternoon, bye!” Charlie exclaimed as he stood back up. Lucifer smiles; Charlie had been saying that same thing every morning starting from about halfway through her kindergarten year. He doesn't know when she thought it up, but he likes it. It's simple, sweet, and to the point.

“Tell Vaggie and Emily I said hi!” Lucifer calls out.

“I will!”

Before the other cars behind him start honking, he hops back in his car and pulls out of the school lot. He turns the radio on a generic jazz station, because as nice as it is, he doesn't really want to listen to Alastor’s voice. He wants to get in his own thoughts, and the man’s voice between almost every song distracts him from that.

As the jazz starts to play an all-too-familar song - which Lucifer tries to ignore that fact - he starts thinking: what am I going to do today?

He turns onto the main road, his eyes focusing on the road while his head stays in his thoughts.

The house is looking a bit dirty. It's been a while since I cleaned it. Maybe I could do that today. I miss having the maids around - they were always great company. Especially Mary, she always laughed at my silly jokes. And I miss having help from Lil-...

Lucifer shakes his head before the thought can fester. No; she's a thing of the past. He needs to keep it that way. Focus on what to do today.

Yeah. Clean the house today. Maybe I can call Ozzy or Bee to keep me company. If they're not too busy, of course. I don't wanna trouble them.

Before he knows it, Lucifer pulls up to his house and turns into the driveway. The house isn't bad. He actually prefers it over the mansion he used to live in. His house is a two story blue house. The neighborhood is nice and well taken care of, but he doesn't like the neighbors much. Sure, they're friendly but their judgy nature reminds him too much of his…

…family.

It doesn't feel like the right word to describe them.

He sighs and walks up the stone path to his door. When he enters, the house is quiet. Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be quiet? Since he's the only one here. He shutters, hating how big and hollow the home feels without Charlie in it. How all the warmth is zapped from it… how, it reminds him of his room in his fathers mansion.

It was too quiet. Too large. Too empty.

Maybe this was too big of a house for only two people, after all.

He was…honestly lucky. He wouldn't have this home, his car, this neighborhood..if not for his mother. Even when he was disowned, she helped him. Afterall, he was born a Morningstar. And at birth, every morningstar got their percent of that wealth that they could have at eighteen. He had been eighteen. Disowned or not, his mother fought that battle for him, making sure he got his portion of the fortune.

Maybe it would have been smarter financially to settle into a lower income neighborhood. However, those places were always a bit more sketchy. The house may have been a pretty penny, but the neighborhood is safe and taken care of. And that's the kind of place Charlie needs to grow up in.

Mom..

He misses her..a lot.

He shook his head. No. No getting in his head. He should clean.

Maybe I should get some company.. I don't wanna be in my head anymore.

He began looking around for his phone, trying to remember where he'd left it. Right; he'd never even taken it off the charger that morning. He went to his room and sure enough, there it is, sitting in its charger. It’s a Nokia 1011, and they'd been released earlier that year. It cost a bit for him to get it, but he could afford it. So why not? Besides, who knew when he'd need it? Maybe he'd get a job one of these days and need it for communication.

He looks at the notepad next to the charger that has all the numbers of his main contacts written on it….as well as the number of the diner in case he massively screws up dinner again. Which happens more often than he likes to admit.

He looks at the list of names. There aren't a lot on the list. Most of them are about Charlie in some way. Like the number of her doctor, or school. But otherwise, there aren't many. He hums, while he stares at the list. He really needs to rewrite them in alphabetical order. He keeps going down until he sees where it reads, “Ozzy”. There’s a half-hearted doodle next to the name. It's a small sketch of a cat head with sunglasses on. Why a cat? Because Ozzy is cool like a cat. At least that's Lucifer's reasoning. He dials the number written next to it.

It rings once.

Then twice.

Then a third time.

Lucifer starts to think he's too busy right now and debates hanging up. He takes the phone away from his ear just as the line is picked up.

“Yeah?” The deep smooth voice carries through the phone. Lucifer immediately presses the phone back to his ear.

“Ozzy! Ozzster..big dog. My man..” NOPE. “My dude.. Bro..” He cringes “what's uh, what's up? .. Bro?”

A booming laugh comes from the other end. “What up, Lucy? What's happenin’?”

Lucifer laughs nervously. He starts walking around his dining room. “Ohh uh, not much just… doing things. Tons of things. Like uh..” he looks at the window. “Admiring my….lawn?” he slaps himself, dragging his hand down his face. He hears a ‘pft-’ from the other end of the line. “What about you? Your not busy are you? Sorry if you are. I hope I'm not interruping anything.”

“No, of course not! Whatcha need, babe?” Ozzy asks.

Lucifer rubs his neck, and here he goes with the pacing. “Well uh, I.. Charlie's at school and… I was hoping you could-” no don't sound needy “uhhhh…if your not too busy would you mind another cooking lesson? Or… something? Oh- I uh got this tea set from Bee do you-”

Another laugh comes from Ozzy. “If ya’ just want some company, just say somethin’. I don't mind comin’ over. Fizzy’s out doin’ some errands today anyways, so I don't got no plans.”

“Right! Right..” He drags his hand down his face again. “Sorry…uh, yeah. I could use some company if you wouldn't mind?”

“Sure! I'll be over in twenty.” Ozzy replies.

“Okay!” Lucifer's face breaks into a smile. He clears his throat. “Okay” he repeats more calmly. “See you then.”

He sighs, his anxiety dimming.

At least he agreed.

#radioapple #alastor #hazbin hotel #fanfiction #writing #lucifer #charlie

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themysteriousauthor18 · 9 hours

Text

PT. 1

1985 Louisiana New Orleans. The French Quarter.

“Good morning, New Orleans! My name is Alastor, and I’ll be your brand new host for this morning broadcast! We’ll be taking some calls later, but for now I’d like to play you one of my favorite songs. Please enjoy!”

An upbeat jazzy tune begins to play. A little outdated for the time period but hey, radio itself was pretty outdated.

The man crouching by the radio hums along to the tune. “Interesting.. He managed to do it.” He’d been hearing about Alastor a lot recently; an up-and-coming star in the radio industry. Only the age of 19, and he had already become a fan favorite.

That singular thought in the man’s mind swept away as he closed his eyes, listening to the music.

This man is Lucifer Morningstar.

He is a young 18-year-old, and the heir to his family's fortune. Everything about his appearance screams privileged. He has short blonde hair that’s always gelled back, his white skin hadn’t a blemish on it; smooth as a newborn's skin. His amber eyes are soft, relaxed. His body’s dressed to the nines in a collection of gold and white. Although right now, in place of the full suit he’s shedded his overcoat to reveal the pink striped vest. Which is laying open.

The music picks up a bit more. It had started off with upbeat piano, and now a blend of trumpets and saxophones were carrying the melody. An undertone of trombones added the bass, and soft drums kept the beat. A hint of clarinets top it off with the high notes. This goes on for a bit before a smooth yet fast-paced violin solo picks up the melody. Overall, it's a really fun song, considering it's from a time period that was over sixty years ago. Everyone nowadays prefers rock.

He pushes off the dresser the crimson radio is sitting on and begins to dance with himself around the large bedroom as the trumpets take over again. It's way too big - in his opinion - to even be a bedroom. I mean, who needs a room the size of a gas station? Hell, this place was like his own personal apartment. He had his bed, his bathroom, his balcony, his..

Okay, yeah…this is too much room. Like, waaaaay too much.

But when the radio plays, the music seems to take up all the unnecessary space. He likes music, he likes swaying to it. He likes using all the extra room to needlessly dance around. It’s…fun.

A loud bang suddenly comes from behind him and he flinches. The large wooden doors were thrown open so hard they hit the wall. Lucifer turns to find his doppelganger staring him down, his nose wrinkling at the upbeat jazzy music. “Turn that off.” He scolds. “You're supposed to be practicing ballroom dancing, not…that.” He gestured to Lucifer’s random twirling around the room that he was doing.

Michael Morningstar. Lucifer's spitting image…no literally. They’re identical twins - well, except for their eye color. They look the exact same at a first glance aside from Michael having dark eyes as opposed to Lucifer's bright blue eyes. Everything else, however, is the same. Their jawlines, their facial structures, their body types…Truthfully, the only way anyone could tell them apart without paying close attention - if they were to cover their eyes, of course - is their mannerisms.

Lucifer sighs, “come on, brother. My tutor isn’t even here. How am I supposed to practice without her?”

Michael’s posture is perfect, while Lucifer is slouched at the shoulders. His hair is gelled back too, while Lucifer’s is sticking out in random directions now. “I don’t care.” He states. “You know what you're expected to do. Now do it.”

Lucifer walks to his brother, and without warning he grabs his hands and pulls them towards him. The loud jazzy music is still playing through his room. “Come on, brother,” Lucifer says joyfully with a bright smile. “Come dance with me, let's have a bit of fun!”

Michael rips his hands away at the word fun, like Lucifer just said something foul. Lucifer watches in dismay as Michael shrinks back to the doorway. “Just turn it off. You have to meet with our father soon anyway. Clean yourself up and meet me in the dining room.”

There isn’t another word on the matter because Michael is already closing the door. It roars with a louder slam than expected as it closes and Lucifer stands there, defeated. From the radio, the jazzy song starts to slow; yet to Lucifer, it's far away now. He’d been cruelly ripped from whatever fantasy he was just in. Dejected, Lucifer walks over to the radio and quickly turns the knob, silencing the radio and thus the room.

Michael is the brother the family wishes was their heir. He’s everything they could possibly want. Perfect posture, perfect actions, perfect teeth, perfect manners. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect everything.

Then there was him.

Lucifer.

The odd child to the Morningstars. The one that acts as a normal teen, all things considered. The one that likes to have fun, play pranks, sneak out with friends and go partying. While Michael preferred to attend the business meetings, Lucifer wanted to go out and party. Where Michael preferred classical music, Lucifer liked loud energetic jazz and some rock. Where Michael wanted to eat a high-class lobster dinner prepared by the finest chefs, Lucifer would gladly take a greasy burger from a diner, or hell, some macaroni and cheese with chicken strips.

The point here is that while they look practically the same, they couldn’t be more different. If Lucifer was being honest, he does wish Michael was the heir, and he knows Michael wants to be the heir, too. If they had the same eye color, he would gladly agree to switch places - hell, even identities with him - if it means he doesn't have to be forced to do all this boring stuff. That he doesn't have to put up a front, to pretend to be something he isn't. Deep down, Lucifer knows his father would probably have switched them too, given the choice. If not for their one - very clearly different - physical trait.

Maybe Lucifer could have gotten eye surgery or something when they were younger to change their eye colors. If that was even possible? Or maybe he could've worn color-changing contacts while out in public? That would've been much easier.

But now, he’s sure it was too late to try anything. They’re older, and the difference in their mannerisms are too noticeable to the public. The public even knew Lucifer as the oddball to the Morningstars. The one who's more kind to the lower class, more goofy. Whereas Michael was the colder of the two - all business, all work, and absolutely no play.

In all honesty, the only reason Lucifer was the heir was because of their birth. They were twins, but Lucifer had been the first out of his mother’s womb. They were the only children of their father, twin boys. And he was the oldest - if only by 5 minutes, but still the oldest.

Lucifer sighs, deciding to stop wishing the gods above for a second chance at birth. And to take his time and let Michael go out first. Honestly, if he could go back in time to the day of his birth he’d tell his unborn self. There’s no rush. Really. Being the first born sucks! Just take your time, enjoy the scenery of uh…Anyway- don't rush kid! Really. Dont. He swore Michael was practically pushing him to get out first anyway. He should have let him, if he was even conscious enough for that. Probably not he barely had a brain at birth.

Lucifer groans loudly and shakes his head.

Okay no more stalling. He has to get cleaned up and meet his father in the dining hall. He knows there’s no way to get out of this position he’s literally born into. So he sucks it up and tries to make himself more presentable. Putting his white overcoat back on.

…The halls of Lucifers ‘home’ are large. Towering above him. He’s always felt so small here. It doesn’t take him long to descend the spiraling stairs to the first floor of the mansion. And walk the Victorian styled halls. Their mansion and family came from old money. The mansion being around for far longer than Lucifer and his generation. So the interior design was never designed for the time period they were in. Not compared to friends of his who had their own mansions. Ones that were far more bright and colorful. Compared to his own that always held a dark and dready feeling to it.

Lucifer side eyes a particular painting hanging on the wall as he makes his way into the main hall that leads to their front door. He stops walking, examining it.

Its a portrait of his father in black and white. There hallway is lined with portraits of each of the house masters. Or as he likes to put it…whoever is currently in charge of their fortune. And right now, that was his father.

He stares down the portrait.

His father is sitting in a large armchair, his face is a stern look. He’s frowning and staring straight ahead at the camera. His blonde hair is gelled back with wing tips at the earlobe. Lucifer is disturbed by how much he looks like his father, the only different is the that his father looks older. He has wrinkles under his eyes and frown lines around his mouth. But the portrait was painted when his father was only twenty. When he took over the house.

Lucifer doesn’t deny the truth. That the portrait is his future. That the man sitting in that chair will be him very soon. He’s eighteen and he knows whatever freedom he has, it's quickly drying up. He frowns, debating for a moment weather or not he could find some happiness in such a future. If he could truly be that kind of person. If he even had it in him.

He shakes his head, freeing the thoughts of his mind. He briskly turns on his heel and walks down the hall to the dining room at a brisk pace. When Lucifer gets to the door he desperately pushes down the rising energy trying to push its way through his body. Urging his legs to turn and run. He doesn’t. He’s learn not to.

Pushing the door open welcomes that same loud and foreboding creak it always does with these old doors. Lucifer’s eyes immediately find the three bodies sitting at the table as he entered the large dining room. The fireplace is lit - even though its much to warm for it - and its warm glow is flickering off of the man at the head of the table. Dark shadows dances across his wrinkled and sunken face. His dark eyes hold no warmth and they find Lucifer immediately. Already looking at him with annoyance. A lecture on his tongue.

“You're late.”

He was only a minute late.

“I’m sorry father.” Lucifer apologies anyway.

He and his brother are practically the spitting image of their father. Their faces just softer than their old mans. And were they have that bright blonde their fathers hair has already fully grayed. Something not uncommon for the head of their family. Its due to stress, Lucifer believes. For his father isn’t old enough to have full gray hair. But its something he doesn’t need nor have the time to ponder on.

His father demands him to sit without saying it. Lucifer is already in his chair. When he’s had a moment to catch his breath he finally looks at the other two in the room.

One is an older white man with dark short hair thats a comb-over. He has a small mustache and he’s a little on the heavier side. Beside him his a young woman appearing to be around his age. Or at least that’s his guess. She shares the same colored hair to her - presumably father? - her face is soft. Round. Her hair is long and delicately styled into a french braid. Her eyes are green but they aren’t particularly bright. She’s wearing a white dress, and sitting with perfect posture.

His father doesn’t wait a second. “Lucifer this is Mr. Caleb. And his daughter, Eve,” He gestures to them.

Eve holds her hand out expectantly. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

Lucifer - trained like a dog - rises out of his seat long enough to take Eve’s hand and press a polite kiss to her knuckles.

“The pleasure is all mine madam.” He returns, trying not to cringe as the insensirity between them. “And you as well sir.” He says, reaching out for a handshake from Mr. Caleb who returns it quickly. His hand is weak compared to the older mans. But it seems to suffice. He sits back down promptly.

With pleasantries out of the way Lucifer’s father continues. “Lucifer, you are not engaged to Eve.” He says it so matter of factly that Lucifer barely registers it. His father doesn’t wait, simply going on. “You two will have a proper wedding in two months from now. You will begin making public appearances next week together.” He pauses, gestures to Eve and adds “she will grace you with her company from now until the wedding. That is understood I presume.”

Lucifer hopes the panic doesn’t show on his face. “Yes father.”

That's the end of their discussion. Nothing more and nothing less. That’s the way of things in the morningstar manor.

…

…The next few weeks go by as you would expect. Lucifer is essentially ordered to spend time with Eve. He doesn’t mind it all that much. Eve isn’t annoying or rude. He’s just…not sure how to act around her. Their first meeting (alone) went about as well as he could hope.

They’re meeting in his family's garden now. A large lush area (and probably the once place he liked on the property). It was the one thing on their property that had color to it. In his opinion. It was a large space with a gate around it. The perimeter is filled with rose bushes. The interior is paved with trees, a fountain and smaller bushes. There’s a brick path leading around the garden and at the center is a gazebo. Where Eve waited.

When Lucifer steps into the gazebo she looks at him. She’s wearing white again, so is he. It seems they are always matching. He’s not sure if that's on purpose or an accident. “Hello, Lucifer.” She says and he feels…weird, at how robotic she sounds.

He walks over and takes her hand, giving her that same greeting he had when they first met. “Hello Eve. Lovely to see you again.” He looks up at her, hand loosely in his. She stares at him and he stares back, trying to examine her face. She looks flat. Her expression that is. Like a blank slate.

He takes his hand away and takes a step back. Feeling weird about being so close to her. But when he looks at the greenier around them she continues to stare at him. Keeping her hands on her lap. Lucifer’s outfit is a little lighter today. He’s just wearing a white vest and short-sleeved button up. He needed his skin to breathe a little. But now he feels a little too exposed.

To say things were awkward between them was an understatement. For Lucifer at least. “Sooo…what do you like to do?” Lucifer isn’t sure when he started tapping his foot. But he is.

“Whatever my father permits me to do, I enjoy.” Was what Eve chose to say.

Lucifer frowns, rubs his nape. Its sweaty. “Do you like to wear the white a lot?”

“My father says it's elegant. So I do.”

Lucifer begins to walk around the interior of the gazebo. Tapping his fingers on the railings. Eve never seems to move much, just observing him. He pauses, looks at her then gets an idea. “Hey!” She does the most expressive thing so far, raising her brow.

“Yes?”

Lucifer walks a little closer. “Do you wanna go get some food or something? I know this great pizza place! It’s kinda down near the slums…Buuut their pizza is really great. And if he throw on some disguises nobody will-”

“I’m not interested in such activities.” She says pointedly. But politely. It doesn’t have the same bite as his fathers words do when he refuses something. But it does have that same implied message. We are rich. We don’t associate with the lower class.

“Oh…okay.” Lucifer deflated a little. He pauses, “then what do you wanna talk about?”

Eve ponders the question, then says “Only what’s necessary.”

All of their interactions after that were the same. Lucifer doesn't enjoy the feeling he gets when around Eve. She wasn’t a bad person herself. But he noticed whenever they were together, compared to her, he felt like…well like a child. He offered to go out and do fun things. Pizza, parties, dancing - the fun kind, not the boring ballroom dancing with poise and proper etiquette. But every time he suggested anything of that sort she would always promptly - yet politely - turn him down. Saying it wasn’t something they should be doing. Because they were high class people and they shouldn’t do such things as having fun…Okay maybe she didn’t say exactly that but he knew she meant it.

So while he tried to enjoy the time spent with Eve, he didn’t. He tried to watch her, examine her. Figure out what she was thinking. But she was impossible to read. So one day he simply asked, “do you even wanna marry me?”

Eve’s always calm face falters for once, and she frowns. Something in her eyes becomes a little more distant. Her reaction throws him off a little and makes him think, maybe she isn’t a robot.

“It's what my father wants.” Is what she tells him.

When she said that, he had added “do you even like me? Or like being around me?”

She looks at him then, and thinks about his question..for once. “You're pleasant company to be around,” is the simple answer she gives. He takes that as her not liking him in a romantic way, but at least considering him a friend. At least that's what he sees it as.

He isn’t offended, he is relieved honestly. Because truth be told, he didn’t like her either. Not romantically at least. She was fine to be around. And while it was super boring he had been around worse people. She wasn’t bad, she was just quiet and doing what she was told. He was fine being friends but he couldn’t consider there to be any chemistry between them. She was too mature, too…all business and no fun. She’d already grown up. And he was still a child.

He felt worse because he knew deep down it didn’t matter how he felt. They had less than a month by the time he realized he could never love her. And further realized that a marriage between them would be more like a play they were forced to put on for the rest of their lives. He dreaded it honestly. It felt like he walked into a much larger cage. It was just now, he had a cellmate.

By the time their wedding was two weeks away Lucifer had given up all hope of finding happiness in his future. He had spoken to his friends about it. And while Bee and Ozzy suggested he just marry her and do secret dating on the side he knew he couldn’t. Even if Eve agreed to it. Not for the fact of cheating, because they weren’t together. It was an act, so he knew she wouldn’t care. It was more for the sake of whatever person he chose. If he fell in love he wanted to share a life with them. One that was out in the open, not hidden away behind closed doors. That was no way to live. And it would only add more stress to him.

His friends understood when he told them this. They were freer than him. Don't bond too these old money rules of marrying people your parents chose for you. He envied them, he really did.

His friends felt bad for him, and so it was for this reason they decided to whisk Lucifer away one night. Tangled style. Except in reverse. They came to his window and he threw a rope down, tying it down with something and shimming down the wall and out of his ‘palace’. And off the three of them went, him Ozzy and Bee. They took him to a night club down in the lower class area. Those were the best according to Bee. They knew how to have fun. Lucifer had gone with some kind of disguise wearing a brown wig (that Bee got him) and instead of his usual white that he was so known for. He was wearing black. He meshed well with the dark lights of the club.

So it was here he found himself, two weeks before the wedding. At a nightclub one night. Sneaking out to meet up with his friends Bee and Ozzy weren’t uncommon. But it has been more difficult recently because of the upcoming marriage. He wondered if he would ever be able to do these kinds of things after the marriage. The club was owned by his friend Bee. And this one was located in more of the lower class area. The nightclub was noisy, crowded with people that all melted into white noise of endless conversations and chatter.

It's dark - obviously - and multicolored lights light up the club. There’s a dance floor all lit up with a rainbow pattern bouncing around, that's where Bee and Ozzy are right now. Or last he saw them at least. As for Lucifer himself, he’s standing at a high table, leaning his elbows on it. The public in general aren’t really his thing, he’s never good at being social. He always comes off more awkward than he wants too but Bee and Ozzy always make him more relaxed. But tonight he can’t calm down no matter what he does.

“Woo!” Lucifer jumps at the loud - although familiar - voice behind him. He peers over his shoulder and looks up, and up and up and upppp. Until he finds Ozzie behind him. He’s stretching, “damn they are killin’ it on the dance floor tonight.” Ozmodious is a bulky built black man who is very tall. His hair is braided into short dreads that came down to his earlobes, the tips were dyed blue and what looked like the beginning of a beard was starting to grow around his mouth and jaw. Although as intimidating as Ozzie looked, he was actually very laid back and the chillest man Lucifer knew.

“Hey Lucy,” he said, swinging an arm around him. Nearly squeezing him half the deaf, he manages to lift him an inch off the ground - not on purpose - In his hug.

“Hey Ozzy-” Lucifer all but wheezes.

Ozzy loosens his grip on the lord's shoulders. “You sure you dont wanna join me and Bee on the dance floor?” He pauses, inspecting Lucifer’s face. How it scrunches up slightly. “Or maybe go somewhere else? After All this is supposed to be your night.” Your last night of freedom. The truth goes unspoken.

Lucifer for his part offers a smile, it was in no way convincing but he tries anyway. “No, I’m okay, but thank you.” He has to raise his voice a little over the blaring music and crowd.

Ozzy frowns, “are you sure?” He says loudly. Also talking over the music, it's a bass heavy song.

“Yeah.” Lucifer maintains his smile. He’s used to it from all the public appearances over the course of his life. “Go have fun. I’m just gonna hang here and keep on drinkin!” He holds up his martini glass. It’s a pink fruity looking drink with an umbrella in it. Some would argue it's emasculating to drink something so pink but he doesn’t care, he can’t stand the more bitter alcohols he’s expected to drink at gatherings. Besides, he likes pink. It meshes well with his usual white wardrobe.

Ozzy shrugs,” if you say so. But if you need us you know where we at.” With that Ozzy walks off leaving Lucifer to his drink.

He keeps his smile up until Ozzy melts back into the crowd and he lets it fall.

He turns his eyes back to his martini glass. And studies the pink liquid inside. This is his…5th? 6th? Glass? He’s lost track honestly. And while he’s not as out of it as he wants to be his senses are certainly dulled. His movements feel more sluggish. The music doesn’t feel so close anymore. He prefers it this way. Even though in the back of his mind, he knows he’s an easy target.

Lucifer lazily traces his index along the rim of his glass, his eyes fall lidded and he frowns. There’s a part of his mind that whispers, like a temptress. That he doesn’t have to go back, he could run away tonight. Run away somewhere far were nobody knows his name. Its…an appealing thought. But only to someone half drunk and well on their way to being wasted. And he knows that while it’s an appealing thought now, it would probably come back to bite a somber him in the ass. So he ignores such an intrusive thought.

He sighs, and pours the entire glass down his throat. It tingles and burns only a little but it's sweet. He sets it down on the table with a heavy clink. Great…his distraction is now in his stomach and well on its way to his brain. Now what?

As if on cue, something snatches his buzzing mind away from his empty glass. Lucifer looks up hearing the loud cheers that manage to cut through the booming music. Was someone being murdered? Would they consider shanking him too? No? Too bad.

Thankfully nobody is being killed, rather it's just a small crowd around a table. They’re honestly too close to him. Being just a few feet away at another table. With their shoving and bumping he fears they might shove him too. With all the commotion he can’t help but see what the fuss is about. He doesn’t have to look far. The woman dancing on top of the table isn’t exactly hard to miss, even amongst the sea of people in the club. She’s the only person doing that he notices.

Lucifer stares at her.

She’s a tall slender white woman, her body is thin and curved all to viewable for the public through her form fitting black dress. That has an open back - all the way down to her waist, and cuts off at the mid-thighs. She’s dancing to the bass of the music - her long, waist-length hair swaying with every movement. Her hips move as if they are the ones producing the music coming out of the club. Her hair is long, blonde and her lips are coated in a black lipstick. Her eyelids are colored in a dark purple coating.

The beat bounces and she bounces with it the crowd below her cheers.

It's definitely erotic. But she also dances in such a way that feels so…freeing. So, carefree.

Someone hands her a drink, and she swallows it effortlessly before tossing the glass back to the stranger who catches it barely. She rolls her spine along to the rhythm, throwing her head back. Her hair falls through the air like an ocean wave.

Lucifer is transfixed on her.

She looks over at him, and their eyes meet for the briefest of moments. Shame rises in him,having been caught staring at her and he immediately looks away. His face burns. Ah what was he doing staring at some random stranger? He’s probably creeping her out.

Lucifer suddenly feels an arm entrap his shoulders and at first he assumes it's Ozzy. But when he looks up he yelps at the sudden face alarmingly close to him. He backs up, stumbles. It's the woman, and she’s chuckling at his reaction.

Lucifer catches his breath, she came over to him? Why?

Now that she’s closer though, he can tell she’s taller than him. Not by much but definitely taller. He doesn’t mind it. The base of the music burst to life once again threatening to pierce his eardrums. But it's as if he can feel the hammering beat of the base in his chest, as the woman walks close to him. He’s unsure of what she wants, what she wants to do. He doesn’t even know her name.

He just can’t help but watch her.

She moves so freely even just walking towards him. Never letting the music not move her body. She reaches out and grabs his arm and tugs him close. Lucifer for some reason, lets her. His pulse is climbing. It's racing.

She drags him along and he doesn’t quite know what's going on, just that she shoves him into a nearby chair. And she’s letting the music take over her again. She’s dancing above him, her hands pressed against his shoulders, keeping him pressed into the back of the chair. Once she’s; sure he’s not going to move - how can he, really? - she takes her hands back and cocks her hips in a hypnotizing motion to the thundering beat of the music. Lucifer's eyes are dragged to her hour-glass like figure. Her hands continue moving across her large thighs, up into a dainty curved waist. She tries her hands over her thighs, up over his hips. Lucifer’s eyes follow. Her hands travel inward over her breast over the neckline and they shoot up over her head.

Lucifer breath hitches in his throat.

She’s…

“You're beautiful.”

The woman looks at him, amused and a bit perturbed. She laughs. It’s a glorious sound, it's light and jovial. She leans into his space, placing her hands on either side of his chair. “What was that handsome?” She speaks. God she speaks and her voice is like that of an angel. It's low and silky smooth; it's like a goddess tempting him to do sinful things.

Christ he must be drunker than he thought if just one sentence from a stranger is enough to have his tongue tied.

“I-I said you're beautiful.” He stutters out, making his voice louder. She smiles - it looks like an honest smile.

“Thank you. You're hot.” She bluntly states. Lucifer turns into a tomato and she laughs again. “And cute. For being Lucifer Morningstar.”

His brows raise, “you know who I am?” The brief instance of his name rather than being referred to as ‘my lord’ throws him off a little. But he doesn’t mind in the slightest.

“Of course.” She says. “And the rumors were right, you're a lot nicer in person.”

Lucifer flashes red for a whole other reason now. “What's your name?” He calls over the rising music.

She looks surprised at the question. “Lilith.” But she leans closer to him, their chests almost pressed together. If he had been more sober the public display of…whatever this was probably would have put him off. But right now? His mind was too focused on the goddess who was now on his lap.

“You're really pretty Lilith.” He giggled, fuck he is drunk.

She smirked, eyes lidded.

Without so much as a warning or hint Lilith leans forward and captures Lucifer’s lips in hers. His eyes grow wide. And there’s a part of his mind that tells him it's not a good idea. But he immediately shuts that part down. He’s going to be throwing away his life soon. So he doesn’t care right now. Eve wouldn’t care. They aren’t married yet and it's not like she even likes nor cares about him.

Still his heart races because…

Well as pathetic as it is this is the first time he’d been kissed.

But his brain doesn’t focus on that, because Lilith is a good kisser. She takes control of his lips, abusing them with a practiced pace. She truly is a siren, for she gets his lips apart and slips her tongue in like a serpent. Their tongues wrestle for a moment, and it's a losing fight against the expert that Lilith is. Her tongue tastes like alcohol and it mixes with the sweeter alcohol he had been drinking. It tastes like heaven.

His fingers twitch and something burns in him. Aching for more.

Lilith pulls back too soon in his opinion. But she doesn’t go far, keeping their faces close. She looks at him then, their faces inches apart. Her eyes look almost gold under the club lights but he thinks they are actually green? He’s not sure. He looks at her, her face is curved, her eyes narrowed and beautiful. Her hair long and waving freely, her dress leaving little to the imagination. But it restates the fact that she is pretty. “Wanna go somewhere private?”

Lucifer eyes shoot wide open. “Uh-” his face burns and he glances around for his friends. He knows full well what she’s asking. He’s not an idiot after all. But… “I-I dunno. Uh…” He rubs his neck. He peers back at her. She’s waiting, and she’s tilting her head ever so slightly.

“Don’t be scared.” She cooes, trailing a finger along his chest.

Lucifer frowns and raises a brow, “are you a hooker or something?” He doesn’t mean to sound rude. It's an honest question and one his mind has worked up to after seeing the way she dances around the club. Was this her ploy to get a session out of him? Seeing him as a dollar sign?

Lilith looks offended though, just a bit. “What?” She scoffs, “no. I have more class than those bitches.” She says waving her hand about. She leans back then, hands on her hips. “I just like to have fun!” She says with a wide proud grin.

Lucifer raises his brows, “I-I’m sorry I didn’t mean to offend. I-I just thought…” he trails off.

Lilith eyes him, standing straight up, above him. Towering over him. The club lights bathe her in a blend of different colors. The white light behind illuminates her figure. “You're hot. I’m not trying to get money out of you. I just think you're hot. I wanna fuck you.”

She says it so…so bluntly. Lucifer is so taken aback at her boldness. God nobody has ever spoken to him like that. Besides Bee and Ozzy but…not even to this extent. He should be offended..but…

“So you wanna take this somewhere else?” She says, slipping into that sultrier voice once more. She leans down to his level, so she doesn’t have to be so loud. “Wanna see what's under these clothes?” She says, dragging a hand down her dress.

Lucifer eyes her figure…it's nice but he looks up at her. At her face. At that mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

How could he be insulted by such a bold, confident and beautiful woman?

“Sure..” He replied; his voice is dazed and husky.

They go to a nearby motel and Lucifer isn’t sure if he should be alarmed or surprised that Lilith already has a room in the run down place. With his mind both buzzing from the alcohol and an erection below his belt that was begging for attention, his mind decides he doesn’t care.

…Lucifer is pushed onto the bed.

Lilith isn’t in any way shy or timid. She’s definitely done this sort of thing before. - Which makes Lucifer feel a bit bothered, but that's a thought for sober him. - She unbuttons his shirt with practiced effort. Their pace isn’t by any means slow. It’s fast and impatient. Which for a drunken aroused Lucifer? Is perfectly fine with him. In minutes she’s unfastening his belt and pulling his pants down before Lucifer can properly enjoy any of it. There is a sliver of his mind that feels embarrassed and nervous. But it's quickly washed away when Lilith strips her dress and undergarments off without any shame. Lucifer is still marveled by her confidence. And in that moment he stares at her like she truly is a goddess kneeling above him.

“Wow…” He mutters dreamily.

Lilith smiles and chuckles. It seems to be a genuine laugh. “Shh.” She says, pressing a finger to his lips. “Relax.” He does. “Goodboy.”

Lucifer flushes.

There are no more words spoken between them after that.

…Lucifer honestly taps out after fifteen minutes, - which Lilith doesn’t seem to mind for she has her ways to get him started again - but the next hour goes by with him in a haze. He doesn’t remember when he falls asleep. But he does with him and Lilith on the hotel bed naked.

When he wakes…he doesn’t remember how he got where he is. Because he’s sitting on a park bench and immediately looks down, to find himself - thankfully - dressed. But he’s dressed more casually, dressed in a way he would prefer. Just a simple button down and slacks. He looks up, seeing a little girl swinging on monkey bars. Her face is blurred for him but he can tell at the very least she’s a child. With long blonde hair. He watches her for a moment and sees her hand begin to slip, he stands ready to go and catch this girl, but someone beats him to it.

A man who he hadn’t even noticed was there shoots up from his seat and runs to catch the girl just in time. His hair is a bright and noticeable red. But he can’t make out his facial features either. Maybe that's her dad, he assumes at least. The man holds the girl in one of his arms and they share a laugh. They pause and turn to look directly at Lucifer, he still can’t make out their faces. But he can’t deny a blooming warmth flooding his chest. He’s never felt it before but one word cuts through his mind, clear as day.

Happy.

He suddenly wakes up, his eyes flashing open into the darkness of the room. His heart is hammering and he takes a minute to breathe in. He feels his heart slow, into steady beats. He registers Liliths soft breaths and sighs.

That was a weird dream. He thinks.

His attention goes back to the sleeping woman. Lilith.. How beautiful she is. Even sleeping.

Lucifer waits for her to wake. Maybe he's smitten, or maybe it's because she took his virginity. But he feels waiting is the right thing to do. When Lilith does wake it's almost morning. And Lucifer knows he could get in trouble. But to see her surprised expression when she finds him waiting beside her with some coffee from the motel lobby. It's worth it.

Lucifer asks to see her again. To keep seeing her. Until he's to be married again. Much to his surprise, she says yes. It's enough to make Lucifer feel light as air. With that agreement he stumbles out of the room, smelling of booze and sex. Looking like it too. But he has no time left and has to get home.

Lucks on his side because he makes it home before his disappearance is noticed. It's.. Sad, actually. But he's to happy and hungover to care. He calls his friends when he's able to let them know he's safe. They naturally both want details which he would provide.

Time goes on, Lucifer and Lilith do meet up again. But sparingly. What with still being ordered to spend time with Eve. But what little time he does get to spend with Lilith - undercover - is usually under the cover of night and a blessing.

Much to Lucifers dismay his snap fantasy life comes to an end. With the day of his wedding creeping up on him like death itself, he has to bid Lilith goodbye. Unsure and unwilling to keep pursuing whatever it is they have under in secret.

So the day of his wedding comes. With the girl he wished was Lilith. Maybe he's crazy for having that thought. He probably is. But it's a pointless thought nonetheless. He knows his place, and he’s aware that the short time he had with Lilith was nothing more than a break from his reality. So here he stands, before Eve in her white wedding gown. Her face no less changing than the day they’d met. Stoic and calm as usual. So unlike Lilith’s bright and expressive face. He can’t help but compare the two not, even though he shouldn’t.

The wedding is what would be expected of the morningstars. Its lavish and fancy. Set in a large park well taken care of. A park the rich frequent most often, but today is reserved for this occasion. The guests are not only consisting of Lucifer and Eve’s respective family members. But the other hundred people in the crowd are friends of the morningstars. Friends of his father. Bee and Ozzy are among them. But they aren’t as excited for this wedding like Lucifer’s father is. Excitement is actually…not the right word to describe his father in this circumstance. Eager is a better way to put it. He’s at the front row, sitting beside his mother. His arms are crossed. He has that same impatient look he always has on his face. Like the world is moving too slow for him.

Impatient.

That’s the right word to describe his father.

Lucifer looks back at Eve. He offers her a small smile, unsure why. Maybe to steady his own nerves. She returns the smile but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“We are gathered here today…” The priest begins. His words sound like he’s speaking underwater, to Lucifer at least. As he goes on Lucifer can’t help but glance at the crowd again, he’s aware that he should be looking forward. But can’t help it with his nerves growing. He sees his twin in the front row too, beside his - eager - mother and he looks jealous. Of Eve? He doubts it. Of him finally proclaiming his position as the new head of the home? Likely.

He catches Bee and Ozzy in the crowd, and they find his gaze. And both nod to him. It's a condolence. He knows. A sharp clearing of the throat from his father snaps Lucifer back to attention. A warning.

“Samiel Morningstar. Do you take Eve to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward?” For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Lucifer hesitates, he glances at his father. Who gives him an icy look. He lowers his brows and gives one curt nod. Lucifer swallows, he looks at Eve who as usual is stoic. “I…I do.” He says, stuttering a little. When he glances at his father again he looks annoyed, but satisfied.

The priest turns to Eve. Repeating himself.

Lucifer in that moment, takes those final seconds to lament on his life. This…wedding, this ceremony. It doesn’t feel like a celebration of love at all. As it should be. It feels like he is being sentenced to prison and he’s signing away his freedom that he had with those words.

This is wrong, he thinks solemnly. A wedding should not be held to force two people together. Two people who hardly know each other muchless love each other. Because Lucifer is certain Eve does not love him nor has come to love him in the brief month they had been introduced and then pushed into this wedding.

He looks at her.

He was naive. He was naive to what a real relationship required. Lilith opened his eyes to that at the very least. While what he and Lilith had was in no way a relationship, it felt far more real than whatever he and Eve were supposed to have. What he did with her, being intimate with her. He…he couldn’t, he couldn’t do that. Not with Eve. Not with someone who didn’t even look at him like he was wanted. Looked at him with that same empty stare his father had. Someone he felt no attraction towards. Lilith was a star that shines and shimmers so brilliantly. Eve was an empty husk of a person she could have been. He knew what was expected of him. But he’s failed to realize how heavy that burden would be until now.

Lucifer looks Eve in the eyes.

How can I ever have children with this woman? How can I ever try to love her? Someone Who looks at me with not an ounce of love or even a person in those eyes?

A chill runs down his spine.

“I do.” He hears Eve say, and her words for the first time carry an ounce of trepidation.

Something in him snaps. And he feels like that sliver of fear in her is what pushes him over the edge.

“Then with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Lucifer's hands curl.

Don’t do it.

You’ll regret it.

He looks at Eve, her eyes hidden behind her veil. She’s defeated. She’s surrendered.

“I can’t.” His thoughts come out of his mouth far too late for him to take it back. And his eyes blow wide as a gasp rushes over the crowd like a wave.

Dread pools in Lucifer, it's cold and frozen over. It's icy.

He hears his father stand from his chair. “You will.” He states. That’s all he says.

Lucifer can feel his throat tightening. He can’t…HE CAN’T GODDAMMIT!

“No!” He shouts looking at his father who looks downright appalled. He’s shocked, registering what his son said to him.

The crowd is deadly silent. Lucifer feels his heart in his ears. “No?” He repeats like he’s never been told that word. “No?!” He repeats once more like he’s never heard it. “You do what I tell you Samiel!”

Something boils in Lucifer, in this second he thinks of Lilith. How free she is, how confident she is. He wants to be that confident. He wants to be free. Free with her. “I refuse! I don’t love her! And she doesn't love me! I won’t marry her.”

His father growls “I gave you an order.”

Lucifer stares his father down, every ounce of his body is screaming to stop. To get on his knees and beg for forgiveness. But no, not this time. “I refuse.”

His father takes a step forward, pointing an accusatory finger at Lucifer. He could see the red rising in his cheeks. “You listen to me right now Samiel or you are OUT of this family!”

Lucifer swallows. He looks at his mother, who is staring at him with a pleading look. At his brother, who seems satisfied. Happy. At his father, the seething man looking his usually well composure at a wedding. Then at Eve.

She’s frowning, she looks…sad. She is looking at the floor. He feels for her, but he can’t free her. Only she can, But he won’t be her captor, and he can’t remain a prisoner himself any longer. He wonders, if his mother wanted him. His brother. If that was a willing choice, or one his father pressed on her. He can’t imagine she did, when he looks at them.

Lucifer sighs, and says calmly “then I guess I’m done here.”

Its all he says. As he walks down the aisle, alone.

Eve is at the alter, a look of pure shock on her face. The strongest display of emotions she’s ever displayed. Lucifer wishes her best, hopes she can break free from her own shackles one day.

His father is screaming at this point. The angriest he’s ever been with him. He’s swearing, cursing, telling him all the things he is. How broken he is how wrong he is what a failure he is.

But Lucifer keeps walking.

He doesn’t even get to say goodbye to his mother, or his brother. But he wishes them best, knowing that with him gone his brother will get his place. Its for the best. He never wanted it in the first place.

He refuses to live his life as someone he’s not. He refuses to end up like Eve, to become a shell of himself. He can’t do it. He might have, if not for her.

As he walks the city streets, he slips the ring out of his pocket. The ring meant for Eve, the ring he managed to take before leaving. He’s young, he’s only eighteen. But he’s free, free to make his choices and maybe this is a stupid choice most would argue. But for him, its the only one that feels right.

He walks into the motel, and climbs the stairs to the room he’s memorized. The one she’s been living in. He knocks, and waits. When she opens the door, she is surprised to find him there. “Hi.” She greets, “weren’t you supposed to be getting married?” She asks confused.

Lucifer is still in his white tux.

He looks at Lilith like she’s something to be worshipped, the smile that breaks onto his face isn’t forced. Isn’t fake. Its never with her. “Wanna do something crazy?” He asks her instead, with a grin threaneing to slip his lips.

She raises her brow.

Lucifer pulls the ring from his pocket, and he kneels before her. Lilith eyes blow wide. Lucifer simply says with hope in his eyes. “Wanna get married?”

He’s crazy. He’s known her less than a month, He is absolutely nuts. He knows that. But he also just swore off a lifetime of fortune and his family. But they had never given off the same warmth Lilith had. A stranger.

Lilith laughs. “Sure, why not.”

Lucifer grins, she grins.

They are both insane, surely they both must be insane. Right?

It doesn’t matter…not to Lucifer.

All that matters to him is that he’s finally gotten to make his own choice for once. And he chooses Lilith. Maybe there’s a chance at being happy for him afterall.

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