Stolas had inherited his father's palace; a perk of having the same domain. It's certainly grand, but not as imposing compared to Lucifer's own. Which isn't an issue; Lucifer certainly likes the tall stained glass windows and the blue hues surrounding it.
He has the carriage land just outside the gate, and finds a figure already coming their way to greet them as they alight.
That has to be Stolas, Lucifer thinks, and doesn't pat himself in the back for it as it's too obvious. A tall owl, looking awfully reminiscent of Palmon, who else could it be?
Lucifer does, however, feel half bad about his clothing when he sees Stolas is wearing formal attire. But Alastor had been right in that Lucifer going to him is already a concession, so he buries that guilt.
"Oh my! Well met, Hades!" Stolas says with a bow when they meet halfway. "Ah, and you…are you perhaps Persephone?"
"Guilty as charged! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dike," Alastor says, returning the greeting appropriately.
Lucifer tries not to snort, remembering how little Alastor actually thinks of him.
Unaware of it, Stolas beams. "Dear Charlie told me about you! Oh and there's no need for formalities here, feel free to call me Stolas. Please, follow me!"
He ushers them inside, moving ahead with Lucifer and Alastor side by side behind him, and while the decor is the same as Lucifer remembers, the place feels strangely…empty.
As if sensing his thoughts, Stolas is already explaining. "I do apologize for the state of the place and lack of servants. I'm still ironing out all the kinks after the separation from Stella."
There's a pointed mirth in Alastor's eyes, so Lucifer turns to him questioningly.
His servants were satyrs, Alastor mouths at him.
Oh. As someone who only ever had relations with other deities, and who mostly employs his own soulless creations, Lucifer never had to deal with those sorts of 'politics', but he can see why fucking a race you usually employ to do your bidding might be awkward.
They're taken to the library, and Lucifer's shine with delight. Say what you will about Paimon, but he never scrimped on acquiring knowledge, even if he rarely ever used it.
Stolas moves to his desk, which is strewn with scrolls and notes, and finally deflates.
"I was hoping I'd have good news to give you by this point," he admits with a sigh, "but I've been unable to make headway so far. Even so, I felt it would be a slight to keep you waiting too long for any information."
"What's the problem? Maybe I can help," Lucifer says.
"You wish for my scales, do you not? Charlie explained the situation. However, I fear they don't possess the powers you seek."
"How come?"
"Blitzy asked for something similar too, and... Ah, well, our relationship started very transactionally you see, despite how it is now."
"Oh, I know all about initially transactional relationships," Lucifer says under his breath, snorting. Alastor gives him an unamused glance. Ignoring him, Lucifer speaks loud enough for Stolas to hear again. "What kind of work does a satyr do that needs your scales?"
"Oh, Blitzy is quite the entrepreneur! He had this idea to sell his services to mortals and…well, satyrs can't shapeshift—"
They're not the only ones, Lucifer thinks while making sure to not look at Alastor this time.
"—so they were hoping to have a way to determine which mortals might more easily be in need of services of the Furies—"
"Ohoh, so looking for the furry lovers, I see, I see—"
"Nono! Not…that kind of service. Furies. Stands for…let's see…Force United for Revenge Incomplete Everywhere Services."
"Oh look, Lucifer, they have the same naming sense as you," Alastor mumbles.
Now Lucifer is the one giving him a despairing glance.
"And as it turns out," Stolas continues, "the scales aren't very good for what he wanted, nor could they be used by him much, so I did play around with adding my powers to a scroll…"
"But they're more than enough for what I need," Lucifer gently interrupts.
"Ah, yes! However, I'm afraid the issue remains the same; they lose power quickly when too far removed from myself. That, and they are meant to judge individual cases. To judge a mortal's whole life…would take considerable effort. If I may ask, in my scrolls there are accounts of the Underworld having water with the ability to see memories…?"
Lucifer's eyes sparkle. "You have quite the good collection in your library, few people know about that."
"Thank you! I'm afraid scrolls were often my only company growing up, so I may have perused more than normal—"
Lucifer, having found a kindred spirit, wants to chat more about that, but Alastor elbows him in the shoulder.
Right, focus. "We can look over that soon enough. But, err, back to the Underworld. There is such a thing, but it shows the memory in real time, so it'd take ages for anyone to look over it. And that still leaves the matter of judging what they're seeing."
"Hm, I assume you are looking for a judge to take over these proceedings? Or are you planning to do them yourself?"
"Someone else," Alastor interjects before Lucifer can. "The God of the Underworld cannot spend all his time judging lowly mortals and other creatures."
"Oh, I see, I see! Then alongside determining how the instrument would work, you would need to elect a judge. Naturally, it will be easy for me to help verify the trustworthiness of anyone you choose."
"It's only fair if the mortals judge themselves," Lucifer muses. "I'll have to look over tales of just mortals and check how they're fairing in the Underworld to see if they're up to the task."
"Well now," Alastor says, "I hardly see why they need to be already dead."
Stolas blinks at him, then claps his hands. "Ah, indeed! I suppose it's only wise to wait a few decades to ensure the most righteous of the mortals is appointed!"
"Oh, we don't have to wait for a natural death," Alastor says with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Hahaha!" Lucifer forces out laughter. "Alastor, I love your jokes. He's joking!" he hastily assures Stolas. "After all, it would be madness to murder someone to force them to work for us!"
"Hmph," is all that comes out of Alastor, which is a relief.
"Oh!" Stolas titters. "Blitzy has a similar sense of humor! I'm sure you would love to have a chat with him, Persephone!"
Lucifer glances at Alastor. While most of the backstory over this 'Blitzy' had gone over his head, the little he had grasped is that this is a satyr with quite the sexual appetite and anger issues. He can't imagine Alastor looking forward to dealing with that.
And he's surprised Stolas is offering at all. He's barely made up with the guy, is he really that assured in his relationship that he'd willingly have his lover meet someone he might get along with?
…Okay, Lucifer has to acknowledge he's the problem here. He's so overly insecure he can't imagine—in a fantastical scenario where somehow he's in a relationship with Alastor—giving Alastor the leeway to fall for anyone else.
"In fact!" Stolas is saying, still jolly, oblivious to Lucifer's issues and Alastor's reticence. "Why! We could make it a double date, next time!"
"...A what now?" Alastor asks sharply.
Lucifer blinks, is Stolas implying…?
"I used to be forced into couple outings all the time with Stella, but her married friends were all as horrid as she was. I think with you two, it'd be a lovely outing!"
Yeah, okay, clearly Stolas has misunderstood something here. "Err, actually, we—"
"Oh, do pardon me! I was changing the subject again! So, regarding using my divinity, we would need to figure out a way to keep it working for longer, even in another realm."
All worries leave Lucifer, as he finally finds ground he's good at. "Oh, I can help with that, I'm great at this! So, how knowledgeable are you with rune frameworks?"
"Ooh!"
*
Seeing the conversation veer into territory Alastor has no interest in, he chooses to leave.
Normally he would simply elect to stay and endure the details that are of little concern to him, more so since he is in someone else's abode; but this time he's too frustrated to be able to politely wade through their technical chatter.
"I will be leaving you both to it," Alastor says, and tries not to be incensed when both barely spare him a glance, too engrossed in their work.
Now in a foul mood, Alastor leaves to stalk the corridors and finds his way to the garden. He sits there for a while, enjoying the company of flowers unaware of his private dealings and as such, not prone to being a bother.
He sighs. It certainly hadn't been the first time Lucifer had refused to properly address a misunderstanding over their relationship, but the number of incidents keeps growing, and since their night of drunken folly, Alastor had been forced to acknowledge that he's not simply dealing with rejection, but that Lucifer is still utterly smitten with Hecate.
If the God cannot even fathom meaningless intercourse with someone else due to her, how will he react when he finally understands the gravity that is the increasing number of deities assuming he and Alastor are in a relationship?
He'll be mortified, no doubt. Alastor could point it out to him; but the thought of aiding Lucifer in his love for her is even more ludicrous than accepting he has foolishly fallen for someone that has no chance of sparing him a glance.
Certainly, to many, love is not an impediment to having more than one relationship on the side. But the thought of debasing himself into becoming a side mistress, or mere bed warmer, is just too odious and beneath him.
Besides, Lucifer would go down in his estimation if he so freely gave himself away while still in love with Hecate.
No, Alastor wants his whole heart, nothing less.
…Well, he supposes he can make allowances for Charlie, since Lucifer's feelings for her are different from what Alastor wishes to monopolize.
But if Lucifer has failed to move on from Hecate by now, will anything less than her coming back and spurning him change his affections?
And so, Alastor finds himself with no recourse but to let go and move on from his feelings.
…If only that were as simple as falling for the God had been.
Frustrated, Alastor moves on from the garden and goes back to roaming the corridors, noticing how the conspicuous empty spaces in many indicate that some form of decoration had been there until recently but then removed…
And then he turns a corner and finds a half burned satyr, struggling to remove a vase twice his size from its perch. On the ground is a sack that seems suspiciously human shaped.
"Fuck this fucking—" he swears, then notices Alastor's presence. He jumps away from the vase, hands raised in a placating gesture, and rolls his eyes. "Oh boy, here we go again. Look, whoever you are, I'm the guy going down on Stolas, okay? I have every possible permission to remove this shit—"
"Ah, you must be Blitzo."
"The o is silent. And who the fuck are you?"
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance!" Alastor inclines his head politely; he's certainly not bowing for someone so below him. "I'm Persephone—"
"Oh! You're that guy! The one that sicced that crazy girl on me. I mean, sure, I guess she helped, but damn if it wasn't a bitch to deal with it. I swear, if I see another self help scroll, I'm burning shit down."
Alastor ignores the complaints, instead focusing elsewhere. "What do you have in that sack?"
"W-What sack?"
"The one beside you."
Blitzo pretends to only now notice the item. "Oh look a sack! Definitely didn't see that here before, haha!"
Unperturbed, Alastor simply widens his smile. "Is that so? Then I suppose we ought to open it to verify the contents."
"Woah there, nosy guy! I mean why is that even necessary—"
"Indeed, it isn't, I can smell the human blood from here. They're not quite dead yet, it seems. What were you planning to do with them? Surely everything would be much easier if they were to become deceased."
Blitzo seems to hesitate before finally shrugging. "Eh, a client wanted them alive, and I reasoned there's all this damn space in this joint, I might as well store the asshole here until I can set up a meeting to hand him over."
"Hm, did this client require that this human still retain all his limbs?" Acquiring mortal meat hadn't been too hard a task before, but since he'd offered his services to Charlie, he hadn't had the chance to acquire anything fresh.
"Err, probably? I didn't fucking ask, and I sure as fuck ain't risking having them dock the fee."
Masking his disappointment, Alastor changes his line of questioning. "Given you are now Dike's paramour, surely you're no longer in need to perform this form of labor for monetary rewards. Why persist?"
"Uh, fuck that," Blizto spits out. "I am not going to turn into some God's pet project. Oh, I get it, you're baffled that the little satyr is doing something that isn't following some God's orders. Well, I don't give a damn, I sure as fuck am not waiting around and accepting the shithole position you all put us in. Me and my team will make our own way, we're not going to sit back and accept handouts, and I'm not whoring myself over to Stolas." Blitzo blinks and coughs, mumbling an additional, "anymore…"
Alastor ignores that last remark, not interested in the sordid details of his affair with Dike. As for the rest of his tantrum, Alastor finds he's not in disagreement. While the attitude and language are in dire need of improvement, he can at least acknowledge the creature for trying to make something of himself, instead of accepting his low stature, or becoming nothing more than a plaything.
Effort is always something Alastor finds more appealing than pathetic acceptance. Even if it fails, well, at least it brought about entertainment for him.
"You are, however," Alastor eventually says, because the sound of his own voice is infinitely superior to a syllable from this satyr, "having difficulty procuring clients, is that not so? Dike mentioned that even with his aid it's not a simple quest."
Blitzo deflates at the question. "Yeah, well, it's hard to find humans that are feeling vengeful enough to want to take a hit on someone else," he kicks the sack in frustration. "Plus it's not like we can move freely or advertise anywhere since we can't transform like you guys can."
Alastor's eye twitches. "...Yes, for your venture to work, you'd need to offer your services in a location where satyrs would not be an unwelcome—much less strange—sight, and where the populace may be more inclined for revenge…"
"Yeah. You have somewhere in mind? And don't say dumb shit like places that are at war. We know that, but the fucking Gods call dibs on those. Same with any miserable place; Gods love misery and only let us get the fucking scraps."
Ah, yes, Alastor can only imagine. It is easier to find someone with large enough grievances in spots of misery, but those are where Gods can thrive in; fighting for the adoration of the mortals in exchange for improving their situation.
"So, a location thriving in mortals thirsting for vengeance, and without a myriad of Gods closing in on their misery for their own gains."
"Yeah. You got an address?"
"Haha, as a matter of fact, I do, my good satyr!"
Blitzo visibly jolts, then narrows his eyes suspiciously. "...Wait, for real? Are you pulling my tail?"
"What would I possibly gain from doing that?" Apart from the lovely expression of crushed hope, of course. But still. "There is such a place. And it is solely ruled by one God, who has no interest in fighting over turf."
"Uhuh," Blitzo says, still skeptical. "And this guy is just going to let us operate there?"
Alastor examines his nails offhandedly. "Hmm, maybe, maybe not. However, convincing one God is certainly more feasible than fighting a host of them, no?"
"...I guess. So, where is it?"
"The Underworld."
For all the many, many flaws of Blitzo, Alastor has to begrudgingly give him this; the satyr does not balk at the name. Instead his eyes shine.
"Oh shit. Mortals who got murdered must be fucking pissed off and wanting revenge. Shit that might actually work! Fuck, this is great, I think I might just cream my pants—"
"Don't," Alastor says, alarmed.
"I'd blow you—"
Alastor is already taking a step back.
"—but I'm taken. So, what's in it for you? First that girl and now this. No fucking way you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart."
Relieved, Alastor composes himself. "Must I have an objective? Is not helping a fellow creature in need sufficient reward?"
"You know, that stuff works coming from that girl, but coming from you it just sounds like bullshit."
Alastor shrugs. "Well, I consider it entertainment." Having lowly creatures rise above their station to cause mayhem on the mortal realm for vengeance sounds like a jolly thing to witness.
He doesn't wait for Blitzo to reply; Alastor couldn't care less if he's believed or not. Instead, he turns to the vase that the satyr had been attempting to remove and inspects it.
It's clearly of quality, and on it is a painting of Dike, his daughter and—
"My," Alastor says wryly, "were you hoping to remove physical evidence of Dike having a previous family?"
Rolling his eyes, Blitzo rudely gives him the middle finger. "Oh, fuck off. I'm only doing it because Stolas said it's fine. That is his ex wife and she has got to go. We don't want her ugly bitch face ruining the place. Unless it's an important painting of Via. Speaking of her, she also had that girl all over her, it was pretty useful for—"
"..." Suddenly unamused, Alastor takes a step back and has a tendril push the vase, which falls and shatters on the ground.
"Hey! What the fuck?!" Blitzo cries in alarm, jumping back.
"No one will believe I did it," Alastor says airily, pushing shards away from his feet.
Blitzo oggles him. "Uh, fuck you, what the shit was that for!?"
Alastor shrugs once again, but a bit more forcibly this time. "I felt like it. You're awfully lucky, you know."
"...Clearly you don't know jack shit or else you wouldn't say that."
"At least you had little trouble with Dike, and he seems to have no qualms about choosing you over his wife."
"Hah, that's not exactly hard. That bitch was fucking vile."
"Even so, some still love no matter how mistreated they are."
"No one can love that fucking bitch, trust me. The only reason Stolas isn't out there telling everyone how shitty she is, is because he doesn't want to air shit out that will affect Via."
Ah yes, the daughter. Still, Alastor thinks with a sneer, that is by far a better situation than he has for himself; Lucifer would never consider thinking ill of Hecate.
Blitzo is in luck that his paramour is willing to decry his former spouse for his sake.
Meanwhile Alastor, for all his wisdom, is pining for Lucifer, who will insult anyone else to preserve Hecate.
Anyone who dares suggest they can take her place is likely to be put down.
And normally this wouldn't matter, as Alastor has no intention of humiliating himself by confessing for no gain.
However…a sudden dawning realization chills Alastor.
The misconception about their relationship continues to spread. Currently, Lucifer is too obtuse to either notice it, or understand the impact such a thing could have.
But when eventually Lucifer does take heed…how will he proceed in an attempt to fix it? How will he reassure his darling daughter—if, by then, even she has heard of the rumor—all deities under the misconception, and the Goddess he desires, that he never strayed?
"Uh…you okay there tall guy?"
Alastor ignores the question, ears buzzing and breathing erratic now, nostrils flaring as he imagines how badly this can go for him.
It will be Alastor's name that Lucifer will tarnish. How dare anyone think Alastor is worthy, Lucifer will say. He'll list every insult he can. Discredit, disparage, and malign him. Alastor will be humiliated, his name dragged through the mud. He'll be the laughing stock of all the gossips, mocked at every turn, known as the fool who dared think he might have a chance to be seen as more. As a cheap strumpet trying to break up a couple…
The rumors need to cease, before Lucifer is enlightened. No more passively watching by the sidelines as Lucifer makes a mess of things. He needs to—
"Oh hey, there you are, Alastor, we've been looking all over for you!"
"And ooh, Blitzy! I didn't realize you were home!"
*
Honestly, they hadn't looked long for Alastor, but Lucifer feels a bit guilty so he pretends otherwise.
But not too guilty. After all, Alastor chose to leave, and the meeting was to discuss how to work things out with Stolas, so for once it wasn't a breach of etiquette if Lucifer got overly absorbed in it.
Not that they made much headway just yet; but at least they managed to grasp what to look for to create the necessary device, and keep Stolas' divinity going.
And when that was settled, Lucifer had looked up to proudly beam at Alastor only to find him nowhere in sight, and remembered he'd left.
Satisfied with their accomplishment so far, Stolas agreed to end their session for the day and look for him.
And having found Alastor again, Lucifer notices how his ears twitch, indicating he's heard them, despite barely turning in acknowledgement.
Lucifer, perhaps a little too attuned to his moods, can tell he's not to be trifled with right now.
Is it because of the Blitz guy?
A part of Lucifer is darkly glad; see? His murder deer doesn't get along with just anyone!
"He did it!" Blitz says hastily, alternating between pointing at the remains of a shattered vase on the ground and Alastor.
Stolas sighs. "Oh, Blitzy, I told you it's fine to remove the decorations, but I'd rather we simply store them elsewhere; I'd like to keep some with Via and I intact. Especially when it features her when she was younger. But it's fine! One little broken vase is a mere trifle. No need to lie."
Instead of being relieved, Blitz seems more incensed by Stolas' reassurances, stomping his feet. "Are you fucking kidding me? This asshole really did it!"
Whatever had been bothering him before, Alastor quickly buries it. He places a hand over his heart and shifts his expression to one of genuine hurt. "My, why would I have done such a thing?"
Lucifer raises one eyebrow and holds back a snort. Yeah, he has no idea why Alastor would do such a thing, and he doesn't even know this satyr; but seeing Alastor like this, he's willing to bet the Underworld that he absolutely did it.
Blitz jumps up and down, raging, and looking one step away from hitting Alastor. "You fucking—"
He's interrupted by a groan coming from the sack next to him, redirecting everyone's attention to it. The sack…wiggles.
Blitz hastily changing gears. "Okay, fuck it, who cares who did it!" he says loudly, drowning out any noise. He then kicks the sack, and with a grunt it becomes still again. "Since that's fucking settled, how about we all leave? You two are leaving, right?"
Stolas looks half upset at the suggestion. "Oh, but they only just—"
"As I am but a partner on this venture and nothing more, I am not privy to Hades' affairs, and thus I'm not sure what he will opt to do, but I do believe I must leave." Alastor interjects, and Lucifer's hair rises.
Somehow, he's been relegated back to 'Hades', oh fuck. The fuck did he even do? The whole point of this trip was to discuss things with Stolas, surely Alastor isn't mad that he didn't stop everything to go after him?
Was it Blitz? Is Alastor so pissy at him that he's decided to take it out on Lucifer?
By the time Lucifer has tampered down his alarm and focuses back, Alastor has said his goodbyes and is walking away in large strides.
Shit.
"Err, sorry, uh, guess I'm going too," Lucifer says hastily to Stolas, while Blitz is busy flipping off Alastor's retreating back with both hands. "It really was a pleasure meeting you, and I can't thank you enough for agreeing to do this—"
"Oh, not at all!" Stolas says enthusiastically. "Charlie helped me out so much, and it would be delightful to be part of something so meaningful. I'll go through my library and look for what we've discussed, and I'll tell you of any findings. And we can schedule more sessions together! Hopefully Persephone will be more available next time."
"Right, right. So, see you! Oh, and nice to meet you Blimp," he adds before turning and going after Alastor.
In that short span of time, Alastor has managed to exit the palace.
Hoping no one is seeing this, Lucifer breaks into a run, or else he'd never catch up with Alastor's speed.
"Alastor, hold up!" he says when he manages to reach him. "The fuck was that? Why are you calling me Hades again? Why are we leaving so quickly?"
Alastor doesn't slow down, or look back at him. "I thought it'd be appropriate. And I'm leaving, you don't need to, nor should you."
"Uh, yes I do, how are you going back to my palace on mychariot without me?"
They're passing through the entrance to Stolas' palace, and the chariot is now within sight.
Alastor scoffs, still refusing to stop or glance at Lucifer. "I'm not going back to your palace, much less use your chariot. I'll find my own way back to my home."
What?
And indeed; instead of continuing straight ahead to the chariot, Alastor turns as if to go elsewhere.
"Wait." Not expecting Alastor to listen, Lucifer grabs him by the arm, finally stopping him. "What's going on?"
"Let me go, Hades."
Feeling like if he does, he won't see Alastor again, Lucifer instead tightens his hold. "No, tell me what's wrong or else I'll…"
Alastor's eyes flash. "You'll what? Stop me from leaving? I'm sure at any moment Dike, his paramour or any servant they have left might come looking, and won't this be a pretty scene?"
"Fuck what they see—"
"That attitude is precisely the problem. Now let go."
"No," Lucifer says sharply, done with Alastor's tantrum and refusal to explain. "But here is what I will do."
"Wha—hey!"
The last word is half cry, half bleat as Lucifer picks him up and slings him over his shoulder.
"Have you gone completely mad?!" Alastor demands, and tries to kick, pinch and pull his way out of the hold.
It's only a few meters to his chariot and just as well, with the way Alastor is sputtering and clawing at him, any longer and his clothing would get shredded.
He unceremoniously dumps Alastor on the floor of his chariot, who is still disoriented enough that he doesn't immediately try to stand up.
"Tell me what's wrong now and give me a minute to explain myself over whatever it is, and I'll let you leave. If you don't…" Lucifer says, voice an octave lower. "I'll kidnap you and keep you locked up in my palace until you spill it."
Alastor splutters some more, face flush and hackles raised, clearly too bewildered to decide between derision or offense.
And then, just as quickly, he deflates, crossing his arms and turning his face away.
"...No matter what, the end result is always you making a mockery of me, then."
There's a tone of genuine hurt there that tells Lucifer this is progress and not deflection, so Lucifer makes sure not to roll his eyes at the dramatics.
"Past that first week of meeting you, I've never wanted to make a mockery of you—"
"Ha! Your actions just now contradict that!"
"I only carried you for a minute. We saw earlier they don't have many—or any—servants at all. And if Stolas or Blitz happened to have seen that from far away, feel free to go and humiliate me in kind later, to make up for it. Drag me by my tail or something, how's that sound?"
"...You don't understand."
"But I want to. Tell me what's bothering you so we can work it out." Lucifer wants to crouch and touch Alastor, but he might have just used up any goodwill he had left for that. "Leaving in a huff won't solve whatever it is."
There's a beat. Then finally, with a sigh, Alastor starts talking. "...Back there with Dike, the other day with Hestia, and even Aphrodite. How many times now have you either made people misunderstand our relationship, or simply not properly corrected them when they did?"
Lucifer swallows, annoyance dissipating as he feels his heart sink to his stomach. "I didn't realize you loathed it that much, I'll—"
"How dare you try and pin it on me, when we both know you are the one who will have an issue with it! And then make me pay for it!"
"I'm not following, Alastor. Stop talking cryptically and just fucking say it!"
"...You won't allow me to speak plainly."
"Since when have I ever not let you speak plain—wait…Lilith?" Alastor says nothing, but his ears twitch at the name. "How…how is this about Lilith?"
"What do you mean, how?" Now Alastor springs up, moving close to Lucifer, with only enough space between them that he can jab a finger on Lucifer's chest. "If she comes crawling back from whichever hole she's been hiding under, and all around the gossip is saying you have a new paramour, what, pray tell, will you do?"
Lucifer blinks, stunned.
Alastor cackles mirthlessly at his silence, his smile stretching to an uncomfortable size. "Oh, yes. Supposing she returns, you'll desperately want her back with you. But at the rate that you're allowing this misunderstanding to spread, by then as far as everyone is concerned, you took another one in her absence. What will she think of that? Will she be understanding of your temporary straying given how she left? Or will she scorn you for not pathetically waiting for her eternally despite her actions? What will you do then?Do you think simply telling her it's a misunderstanding will be believable, when so many seemingly claim differently?
"Oh, but for her, perhaps you'll even drink from the Styx to prove you were faithful. But to the rest of Olympus the question will remain, will it not? Will you allow that? Will you go around swearing by the Styx for the likes of all of them? No, you will not, because there's a simpler way to cut back on the rumors. Off you will go, telling everyone about your undying love for her and putting me down. A necessary sacrifice for your love. Ha! But it won't be a sacrifice for you, so you won't even hesitate.
"Perhaps, she doesn't even have to come back. All it'll take is you waking up one day and realizing if this gossip spreads enough, it might jeopardize a possible reunion. Either way, the best way to claim your undying love is by reassuring everyone of how absurd it is to even think that you might have looked askance at me. That I am too low, too flawed, too shoddy, too below par for you to have ever strayed.
"You'll humiliate me, turn me into the biggest joke in all three realms. For her."
"I—"
"At least show me enough cordiality to not lie to my face. We both know you're more than willing to break the rules and go any distance for love. My humiliation will be nothing to you, if it means getting your precious Hecate back."
Lucifer hasn't been breathing for a while now.
He should have known. The signs had been there; when they'd drunk the Lethe, Alastor had been all but sure it was due to Lucifer's regrets over Lilith.
And yet, Lucifer had never considered Lilith in any of it. Only now is he realizing the impact a rumour like this will have.
What will Charlie think if she hears it? That her father is no longer faithful to her mother, and has supposedly taken up with her former worker, and not told her any of it? What kind of father will he look like?
But then, maybe he deserves that. He's her father, yet he never once stopped to think on how others assuming he's with Alastor might impact her. After everything he's already fucked up, Lucifer is surely not allowed this misstep.
"I believe your minute is up," Alastor says, sounding tired, and bringing Lucifer back to the present. "So I'll be going." He pushes past Lucifer without waiting for an answer.
No. "Wait!" Once again Lucifer grabs Alastor's wrist as he tries to walk away.
"Why?" There's something so defeated in his tone, Lucifer wants to hold him closer.
But the question is valid. So is everything Alastor said. Why should he wait? Unless…
The answer is there, stuck at the back of his throat.
Alastor is slipping away from his grasp. From him. And the sudden panic over that tells Lucifer all he needs to know.
No, the truth is that deep down he always had his answer, but the fear of losing his frail connection to Alastor is what pushes him to finally voice it.
"I don't love Lilith."
Finally, finally, Alastor stops, and faces him fully, eyes wide.
"What?"
"At least, not anymore," Lucifer says, and now he's the one feeling exhausted, the admission taking its toll on him.
Sensing Alastor is not going to run away again, Lucifer sits himself on the chariot floor, looking at his hands glumly.
After a pause, Alastor follows suit, sitting himself next to Lucifer, close enough that their shoulders brush.
There is no bigger indication that he's listening, so Lucifer continues, looking at his hands, the ground, the sky. Anywhere but Alastor.
"I didn't want you to speak about her because I don't like to even think about her. I don't want to confront my feelings, I don't want to think about her leaving, or how things had been before she did."
"If so," Alastor says after a beat, slowly and carefully, "how are you…certain that you are no longer in love?"
Because I'm too in love with you. "Because when you pointed out that she might be somewhere out there, and heard that…I didn't care. I had a moment of worry for how Charlie might react—Lilith is her mother after all—and I also felt bad about creating rumours that made you uncomfortable. But I couldn't feel anything at the thought of Lilith thinking I had moved on.
"Same as the other day, when we woke up with no memories. When you brought up a theory that we had sex and I regretted it because of Lilith, I felt that idea wasn't quite right. Of all my worries that morning, Lilith never factored in.
"And when you mentioned now, about her coming back and wanting me back…When I think of a future where she does want to return to how things were…I can't decide if I feel sad or angry. Or nervous because of Char-Char. But I don't feel any joy.
"Don't get me wrong, I do want her to come back. I want to know why things ended up this way. For Charlie's sake and for my own." He swallows thickly. "What did I do wrong that soured the relationship? That made her not just leave but disappear?"
Alastor's hand grabs at his shoulder, shaking it lightly. "Don't assume it's your fault."
Lucifer can only snort derisively at that. "That's rich, coming from the one I just now had to threaten to kidnap not to leave me. And it's not even the first time you nearly run off."
Alastor coughs. "Well now, I never said I was severing all ties. Only that it would be best to depart for my own home to appease the rumors. You won't get rid of me so easily."
"But it's because I fucked up. If I already fucked up now, imagine all the chances I had to do that with Lilith."
The hand on his shoulder leaves, only to grab at his chin and pull so Lucifer is forced to look at Alastor.
"You didn't fuck up," Alastor insists, eyes incensed. "Had we…had something more than just camaraderie…failing to notice the impact of some rumors would hardly be relationship ending. Certainly not without at least voicing my issues first. I said nothing because we are not anywhere close enough for me to presume you would change for me."
I've already changed because of you.
"That and…" Alastor lets go of Lucifer's face, and now he's the one to shift so he's not looking at Lucifer. "I have a tendency to be, ah, hasty, with certain conclusions. Perhaps I should have spoken to you and aligned the next steps instead of taking it upon myself to leave immediately."
Lucifer blinks. That might be the closest to a sincere apology he's gotten from Alastor.
"Regardless," Alastor continues, voice smooth again, and he goes back to looking at Lucifer. "Unless you are suggesting Charlie has equally 'fucked up', as you so eloquently put it—"
"What? Of course Lilith disappearing isn't her fault!"
"And yet, she isn't in contact with Charlie either, is she? If you were the only issue here, she'd have left you, but would still be around in Charlie's life. Or around at all."
"...Oh."
"And that…" Alastor's ears twitch, and he pauses in hesitation before continuing, words a little faster than usual, "That means you claim to not love her anymore, but you might, if she comes back with a reason that makes you forgive her."
"That won't happen," Lucifer says. And oh, the certainty with which he says it; he's completely fallen for Alastor. Even if it never goes anywhere, his heart isn't a pendulum that will simply swing back to Lilith. "If she comes back, and if she has some explanation that makes abandoning not just me but Charlie justifiable…maybe forgive her. And maybe we could be friends. But that doesn't mean I feel the same as I used to. That ship has sailed."
Lucifer turns to the wind that pulled that ship from shore and hooks a finger into his sleeve.
"So Alastor, you're right, I am unfair and selfish when it comes to love. But a relationship like that with Lilith isn't something I'm still after. So no matter what happens, I'm not going to go around insulting and putting you down for it. I'll also take more care over making others misunderstand. And if needs be, I'll tell everyone I pursued you and was scorned—"
"No need," Alastor cuts him. "I'm not otherwise pursuing anyone, much less engaged, either. As long as you don't humiliate me when you correct them."
The confirmation that Alastor is not romantically interested in anyone else does wonders to lift Lucifer's spirit. "...Huh, that almost sounds like you don't think it's humiliating to be seen as my lover?" He would like to think he's asking as a joke. He knows he isn't.
Alastor splutters, glares, then jabs him with a finger.
"Do not push your luck," he warns.
Lucifer giggles, but he supposes it's only natural; whatever Alastor may think of his personality, his title still carries enough weight that it wouldn't be an immediate embarrassment to be seen with him.
Letting out a relieved breath that the crisis was resolved, Lucifer realizes they're still on Stolas' property and motions for the horses to finally get moving, but makes no movement to get off the floor.
Alastor shifts as if planning to get up, glances at him and then stops.
"You don't need to keep me company down here," Lucifer says.
"Nonsense! I can barely see you when you're standing up, there's a risk of me stepping on you like this."
Lucifer snorts. "Oh, yeah? Then let me use your shoulder."
"For?"
Instead of explaining, Lucifer leans his head on it. Alastor stiffens but otherwise doesn't complain.
*
"Ah, it seems they're gone now," Stolas notes, watching from the window as the chariot finally flies away. "That was…oh my."
Blitzo snorts. "That was fucking gay, that's what that was."
"Oh? Could you read their lips from that far away, Blitzy?"
"As if! And I didn't need to. I could smell the sexual tension from here. At least they waited to fuck only after they left. C'mon, you were also watching, what else could it be?"
"Well, I…I suppose you're right. I'm not sure why he denied it earlier. Oh well. Speaking of fucking, Blitzy~"
"Sure. But for the record that fucker really did destroy the vase, not me!"
*
Not even Alastor allowing Lucifer to use his shoulder as a pillow—a bony, sharp pillow—fully heals his mood.
Yes, hearing Alastor point out he can't be the only one at fault was a powerful thing. And managing to bring Alastor back—sans kidnapping—is also a happy event.
But Lucifer always had an issue with melancholy when it sets in, and it's never simple to shake it off. Besides, for whatever reason, things still went awry with Lilith long before she left; and even if Lucifer no longer wants her love, it doesn't mean all that was lost doesn't make him sad.
When they're dropped off and Lucifer sees the sight of his large, mostly empty palace, he can only sigh.
"Cheer up, old chap!" Alastor says while slapping him in the back with enough force to topple a weaker God. "It will be fine!"
"Yeah, well, after being reminded of her, it's hard to stay in good spirits knowing I'm about to go back to my empty bed."
It takes Alastor stiffening for Lucifer to realize how that sounded.
"No!" he hastily splutters, already putting his hands up. "That wasn't me fishing for…I'm not…It's a fact, not me trying to pity my way into…"
"I know it's not," Alastor says, but sounds too annoyed for someone that does. "And it's good that you don't assume pity would get you anywhere with me."
Lucifer nods. Yeah, he didn't think so.
"However…"
That snaps Lucifer back to staring at Alastor. This is definitely not a conversation where he expected Alastor to ever add a 'but'.
"Since I acknowledge that I am, in part, responsible for your current despondent state…I suppose I am open to a deal, with a hefty discount for your part! I'll allow you to use a fourth of my bed, and in exchange I get to use your wings as a cover again."
"I…wait, a fourth?"
"Ah, was that too much? A fifth then?"
"Hey!"
"Hm, is that a no, then?"
It should be. Lucifer can survive one depressed night alone. This is a dangerous game.
But Alastor had offered a closeness Lucifer is willing to bet few—if any—were ever offered…
Before he can muster a refusal, he's betrayed. His wings come out, moving excitedly.
Fuck.
Alastor looks at them without hiding his smug delight.
"Well, then! Shall we?" Still pleased, Alastor doesn't wait for an answer, and begins walking inside like he owes the place.
"No touching the wings with your hands," Lucifer says weakly as he follows, half hoping that the demand will make Alastor rescind the offer.
"Certainly, but if you keep making demands, I'm decreasing your area to only a sixth. Even you might feel a little crowded, haha."
Lucifer ignores that, instead focusing on putting his wings away again so he can move inside with ease.
Alastor is humming a tune. Huh, it feels familiar.
"Is that…is that one of the songs from the Elysian Fields earlier today?"
"...You may be experiencing hearing problems in your old age."
*
Somehow, this feels more awkward than fucking.
It shouldn't be; they're both fully clothed and it's not even the first time they do this. But it is the first time Lucifer is outright choosing to do it, and it's making him more self conscious than if he was fully naked.
Alastor, meanwhile, seems to not find anything strange at all, even though by all means he's the one uppity about personal space and sex.
Then again, he's willfully allowed Lucifer to stay in his bed before, and maybe the utter absence of any desires towards Lucifer make it easy for him to not mind it. As far as Alastor is concerned, he's just forgoing personal space in exchange for the sensation of the wings. It's Lucifer who's going to be stewing, sharing a bed with the object of his desire and not being allowed to even touch him.
Sighing, Lucifer decides to flop stomach down on his half of the bed, turning to Alastor. It was either that or lay down sideways facing Alastor and…yeah, that's not an option.
Alastor lays down next to him, head resting on his hands.
"Well, then, bring them out again," he says seductively. Or says it in a normal tone, but Lucifer's ears can only hear seduction right now.
He obeys, once again unfurling his wings from the pocket space he keeps them in. He barely has to say anything, as his traitorous appendages are already happily moving down to cover Alastor.
Thanks to Alastor's choice to keep as much skin covered as possible, there is little actual direct contact with him. Even so, the touch is like a strange mixture of lightning and honey. It soothes him, but also takes his breath away.
Alastor makes a noise at the back of his throat sounding suspiciously like purring and folds on himself to fit everything inside the wings.
"Better?" Alastor asks.
The right answer is no, because the presence of someone else shouldn't take away from his loneliness and bad memories.
But Alastor isn't just someone.
"A bit," Lucifer says truthfully.
Alastor closes his eyes, but shifts so that a hand reaches out and pats Lucifer's head indulgently.
"It'll be alright. This will pass."
Even if it does, you'll also leave eventually.
But even Lucifer has a hard time thinking negatively, or thinking at all, when Alastor is under his wings, soothing him.
I need to tell Charlie about Lilith, he thinks, then is lulled to sleep.
Notes:—You are all so lovely, you get a present and not charcoal for Christmas! I know you were all getting frustrated with the lack of development, but given how these two operate and their issues, it's not simple for either to just come out and say something. More so when so much is at stake. But now that the question of Lilith has finally been resolved, maybe there'll be steadier progress.
—I am taking a break for the New Year. So there'll be no chapter for the next two weeks. I tried stopping at a good place so no one is left frustrated.
—Furies: The Erinyes, commonly known in English as the Furies, are chthonic goddesses of vengeance in ancient Greek religion and mythology. The goddesses were also servants of Haides and Persephone in the underworld where they oversaw the torture of criminals consigned to the Dungeons of the Damned. Their number is usually left indeterminate. Virgil, probably working from an Alexandrian source, recognized three: Alecto ("endless anger"), Megaera ("jealous rage"), and Tisiphone ("vengeful destruction"), all of whom appear in the Aeneid. Dante Alighieri followed Virgil in depicting the same three-character triptych of Erinyes; in Canto IX of the Inferno.
I felt that a triad of vengeance deities fit the I.M.P trio quite well. And of course Alastor of all people wouldn't try to dissuade them from murder.
—Blitzo, Octavia and Stolas: This was all planned pre Sinmas, of course. But even so, I wouldn't have changed it for the episode. Mythical creatures around the mortal realm wasn't forbidden in mythology, so that removes the reason Andrealphus had for the trial. So in this AU, Stola and Blitz had the falling out but not the subsequent near death and punishment. Stella and her brother will have to think of something else if they want to harm him here.
—Happy Holidays and New Year everyone!
—List of all the lovely fanart for my fic: