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Fools.
Lucifer and Alastor were utter and hopeless fools.
She observed the two men as they bickered and fought over colors and decorations for the new ballroom at the hotel, which was going to be used to host big events. The inauguration was going to take place in about a month, where the hotel was going to host a gala in hopes of negotiating a truce with the Overlords.
"Your tacky circus decor will only make them flee!", the radio demon spat.
"Oh?! Let me guess, Mister all red every day. What could you possibly do better? Add carcasses and alligator bones? Make it an unholy mess like the bar you had before I made it so much better?” Her ex-husband scoffed.
As usual, the two demons were raising their voices and making a spectacle of themselves.
Lilith had another sip of her cosmopolitan, wondering how these two men couldn't see that they were clearly infatuated with each other. It had only taken her a glimpse of Lucifer’s genuine laugh and soft eyes to recognize that there might be something else between them.
It quickly became interesting to watch.
She had arrived at the hotel after learning that the extermination had been canceled and that Heaven had lowered their guards after a fierce battle with the media lord, a TV head sinner, who had apparently kept using her name in vain. She had only seen him paraded around as a charm on a moth's sinner purse, so she was letting it slide for now, as she refamiliarized with her realm.
When she showed up, there were tears and embraces. She had missed Charlie so much. Being apart had been hard, but it had to be done for the sake of Hell; as she had been tied to a deal she couldn't break free from until now.
Her reunion with Lucifer was emotionally charged as well, her leaving so soon after they finalized their divorce so they saved it for the end of the night: a conversation over wine and confessions. She was glad to hear that he was staying at the hotel, striving to believe in the prospect of redemption and a positive shift in the way Hell operated, even if he himself could never see it, but he would for their daughter.
All emotions aside, the conversation turned out well. Neither of them had any expectations or desires for them to get back together. The only thing she asked of Lucifer was to take off his ring, as he needed a fresh start, even though he insisted it was unlikely.
What a liar.
The first time she saw them, they were at the bar at night. Lucifer leaned over the sinner with his ever-charming smile, taunting and joking about the taller one’s lack of appreciation for good drinks.
To which she laughed because, admittedly, Lucifer had quite the sweet tooth, not for the faint of heart, but after spending nearly a decade in Heaven, she realized it was yet another remarkable angelic trait.
The topic at hand, however, involved Lucifer Morningstar's unique body language when it came to a love interest. His eyes sparkled as he tried to read Alastor’s reaction to his taunts and insinuations. He had much more confidence, as well as a stronger sense of rivalry, that hadn’t been there when she first met him, but the signs were undeniable.
Lucifer liked the radio demon.
Alastor, on the other hand, was a little harder to decipher. His permanent grin and manipulative reputation raised many flags, which made her more vigilant; she wouldn't let her best friend get sucked into mind games.
Yet surprisingly, the deer demon turned out to be more of a fool than the fallen angel himself. He claimed to be indifferent with the sole purpose of entertaining himself, but he wasn’t fooling her. He was also pursuing her ex-husband with his not so cautious shadow constantly lurking around, revealing more than its owner intended, as it looked at Lucifer like a lovesick puppy.
Literally, it had a tail and everything.
And so one month had passed since she returned, and, according to other guests such as the bartender, the spider demon, and sweet little Niffty, this display had been going on for a while.
Apparently, everyone saw the signs but them.
Maybe they needed a little push, a little reassurance from her to Lucifer that it was okay to move on.
"It's a more refined test, darling! One that sinners will appreciate much more than clownery and rubber ducks!" The radio demon flicked the decorative duck on Lucifer's drink with his claws and spat, "Do you ever treat anything seriously?"
Lucifer, ever so protective of his creations, no matter how small, turned his red eyes toward the sinner as his horns began to emerge.
"Oh, I'll show you how serious I can be, bell-"
All right, that's enough.
"Yep! I approve of your relationship!" she said aloud, unable to help herself anymore, as these two were so impossibly insufferable. Someone had to make them realize their feelings for each other.
This might as well be one way.
"HUH?!" Lucifer immediately faced her, panicking, with a golden flush on his face. He stuttered, struggling to come up with an excuse. Meanwhile, the other sinner turned redder, appearing like a deer in headlights, which she couldn't help but laugh at.
"No, we-I-we're not-!" her ex-husband blurted out, pointing his fingers back and forth between him and the radio demon. "Like, in what world would this-I mean-no!"
Ah, so they were indeed oblivious.
The fight flared up again when Lucifer demanded that Alastor to back him up. But the deer was as lost as a fawn processing the implications she had just laid out, with his only reaction being engulfing himself in his shadows and leaving the devil to fend for himself.
These two desperately needed help.
⚬───────✧───────⚬
Her plan was quite simple. She had voiced her thoughts and could see that Lucifer was now overly cautious around Alastor. Not only that, but the fallen angel was also more attentive and even blushed when the other sinner did little motions, such as laughing genuinely at one of his jokes or as mundane as tying his hair in a ponytail.
Lucifer had clearly given her observation a thought or two and was now testing the waters with the deer demon.
However, things were more complicated when it came to Alastor. The sinner had so many defenses up, and from what she had gathered recently, he had been a willing prisoner to the obsessive TV sinner man. Additionally, he had been part of a deal since he first arrived, coincidentally with an old friend of hers, all of this combined making him a very wary demon, not letting others get too close.
Therefore, after her words, though, the sinner appeared to have done exactly the opposite. He was a little more withdrawn, and his jabs were borderline hurtful to Lucifer, hitting on insecurities that hadn't been brought up in a while, according to other guests. Yet, there also seemed to be hurt in his eyes, as if he regretted his own words, pinning down his ears, one of the biggest telltale signs Lilith had observed in the sinner.
This made him an obstacle.
And she couldn’t have that.
So the first thing first was to convince Lucifer that Alastor was still interested and that all hope wasn’t lost. Of course, she had the option of approaching him and telling him herself, but her ex-husband was the kind of angel who preferred action over words.
And the solution lay within the being that followed the radio demon around every day, one that seemed to express the true emotions of its owner.
His shadow.
One day, after another hurtful argument that ended with both men storming out in different directions, Lilith approached the shadow, who remained behind, staring in the direction where Lucifer wandered off, frowning and appearing nervous, and then to the direction his owner went, undecided who to follow.
"Hello there," Lilith greeted it, startling the being as it tried to scurry away. She stopped it. "No, no, you can stay." The shadow glanced at her, confused, and she hoped it hadn't alerted its owner of her presence.
She took another step toward it, trying not to frighten it.
"Do you want to make him happy?" she asked, to which the shadow's ears pinned back. Its eyes darted between the door and Lilith, then nodded like a hurt puppy, which pulled a chuckle out of her.
Snapping her fingers, she manifested a rubber duck. "My ex-husband loves these, as everyone knows, but" she explained as she handed it to the shadow. "He especially loves it when people pay attention to his hobbies and participate in them." Giving the shadow a wink, she instructed, "Decorate it and give it to him whenever you want. He'll love it."
The creature immediately perked up, rolling around on the wall as if someone had given it a treasure, the rubber duck being absorbed and turned into a shadow as well.
It was endearing, and Lilith really hoped her suspicions were right about the creature, his emotions far more expressive than his owner's. In a million years, she would imagine the radio demon happy to decorate one of Lucifer’s ducks; he always burned them or hid them to anger the other.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Go make his day better,” she instructed as the shadow nodded, scurrying away, tail wagging in excitement.
Now she only needed to hope that Lucifer would accept the creature’s actions without doubt, but she knew his heart was too soft not to see the genuine gesture. Additionally, he was always curious about the beings that lived in their realm; he would certainly have been inclined to see what the shadow represented of Alastor, and that could be a good way for him to keep trying.
Thinking about the many creatures of their realm, and as she observed the serpent motives up the pillars, a thought came to mind.
Didn't Alastor like reptiles?
⚬───────✧───────⚬
Getting Basil to agree to go with Alastor was surprisingly easy, and now both men had something of the other, whether they wanted to or not, both getting accustomed to the other’s respective companion.
However, nothing with them was ever easy.
"Give her back!" Lucifer shouted in the lobby, making Lilith, who was checking some papers by the fireplace, look up.
"She isn't trapped, your majesty. She can go back to her owner if she wishes." His smile grew as the demon tilted his head, the sound of his neck cracking audible with Basil resting comfortably on his antlers. "It's not my fault she enjoys my company more," he teased.
"Oh, you piece of-" Lucifer was about to curse again when he noticed the shadow behind Alastor, his eyes shining in mischief as he cleared his throat and with a smirk said, "Fine. If Basil wants to stay with you, then so be it. I still have a companion of my own," he added, as he manifested a rubber duck in his hand, which made Alastor chuckled, his microphone playing a laughing track.
"Of course, your majesty. How could I forget? Those ridiculous things you carry around are always there to replace your own family. What a pathetic display,” the radio demon responded with a taunt.
Yet Lucifer didn’t even flinch at the phrase.
"Want to decorate them, Darcy?" The devil extended his hand with the duck towards the radio demon, who looked at him confused before he watched in disbelief as his shadow suddenly rushed toward Lucifer.
The first woman watched as Alastor’s eyes morphed into radio dials in an instant "Come back here, you treacherous thing!" he demanded. But the shadow didn’t listen as it happily hovered around Lucifer, who spun around and childishly stuck out his tongue in mockery, which made Lilith pressed her palm to her forehead in disappointment.
"Well, he isn't trapped either, you know. And if he wants to stay with me, what are you going to do about it?" The devil grinned.
The creature, or rather Darcy, as he had called it, nuzzled him like a puppy while Lucifer scratched it behind its ears.
Lilith then noted how Alastor stiffened, his static coming to a complete halt as his ears twitched and his face became a darker color.
Oh?
Was he able to feel what the shadow was feeling? In a w,ay this confirmed her theory of shared emotions, so there was no doubt now that Alastor felt something.
"What? Devil, caught your tongue?" Lucifer teased, addressing the radio demon again. However, his demeanor shifted when he noticed that Alastor seemed frozen in place, hands tense as it held his staff.
"Al?"
There was a small silence, and for a moment, Lilith thought the radio demon was going to launch himself at her ex-husband, initiating a fist fight right there in the lobby.
"I hate you."
Those were the only words the demon spoke before sinking into his shadows, leaving a very confused Lucifer, whose only response was a shrug as he opened a portal for him and Darcy to cross through.
The woman merely sighed at the interaction.
How could Lucifer not notice what was happening? He was always so oblivious. And Alastor? His previous words were as fake as his smile and pretended disinterest in Lucifer
⚬───────✧───────⚬
As the two men continued their usual banter, which had intensified since they had acquired something of the other, Lilith decided to try another approach by flirting with Lucifer to see if the radio demon was all talk and no action, being always so possessive of what was his.
By the evening, and after the hotel seemed not to have any more guests arriving for the day, she sat by the bar, and not long after, Lucifer came to join her. They talked sweet nothings, as usual, about the hotel, Charlie, and a couple of other affairs from Heaven, all while a soft piano played in the background, a calm night for everyone.
Suddenly, the radio quickly changed stations to a lively jazz song, static filling up the air around them.
"A whisky, my good man," Alastor announced, his entrances always dramatic, sitting only one chair away from them as the cat demon, Husk, immediately served him.
And Lucifer? Ever since he heard the change of tune, he had dropped their conversation, looking around for the sinner, eyes illuminating as the radio demon made himself known.
It was time for the show.
"Lu, sweetheart," she purred, tugging his chin until he turned to face her, with an eyebrow raised back at her, "Have you done something to your hair lately? And your skin? Looks softer and healthier,” she pointed out, her lilac eyes observing the sweet angelic face, “I like it. " Her face moved closer, the tip of her finger brushing against the blond curls and twisting a couple around.
Lucifer was frozen in place.
"Oh, I-uhm, no? Maybe it’s because I tried different products lately," he blurted out.
This gave her the perfect excuse to lean in closer and smell his hair. She hummed, "Cinnamon and apples, these scents are always flattering on you, Lulu." she cooed.
"Ah t-thank you," Lucifer muttered, not because he was nervous, but rather because he was surprised by her actions, plus the use of a more affectionate nickname he hadn't heard in a while. The angel's eyes displayed confusion at the sudden change in tone.
Lilith could sense the static rising, and a glimpse from the corner of her eye revealed alluring symbols and radio dials in the other demon’s eyes.
Perfect.
She cupped Lucifer’s face. “Lil?” he asked.
"Oh, nothing, sweetie. Sometimes it's impossible not to tell you how pretty you are," she responded nonchalantly, still cradling his face.
They had moved so close together that they were almost touching.
"It seems the king has once again chosen to engage in petty routines and neglected his responsibilities," a dramatic, filtered voice interrupted, which made Lucifer turn around immediately, escaping her hands.
“Excuse me? I fulfill my responsibilities pretty well!" he snarled, and Lilith couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. After all, when it came to Charlie's hotel, he was trying, she couldn’t deny him that, yet the affairs of the kingdom were not his area of expertise anymore.
The urge to interrupt was strong, but she would let it be in his favor this time.
“Ha! You forgetful monarch, pampering yourself instead of fulfilling the requests your daughter asked of you,” Alastor mocked, swirling his drink with his eyes fixed on Lucifer, while his shadow peeked at Lilith.
"I- I-" Lucifer stuttered, as he turned to himself while going through everything he had done that day, his face turning into a panic.
Sure enough, Alastor was right.
"Ah, crap! She wanted me to fix the gardens,” he lamented, covering his face with his hands. “Sorry, Lil. Gotta go!” He hurriedly grabbed his coat and disappeared in a flash of light, before she could even have the chance to wave him goodbye.
Which left her and Alastor in the room alone with the demon, chuckling, most likely not because he had been right, but because he had successfully pry Lucifer’s away from her hands.
"You know, I told you I approved," Lilith remarked, and the cat bartender immediately turned around.
Her words ceased the laughter of the demon, turning around to face her, his eyes narrow and cheeks flushed, and the now usual addition of his ears flattening against his head whenever she suggested something of a romantic nature.
Besides that, he seemed infuriated, as if she had just told him the complete opposite.
And once again, his shadows completely engulfed him, leaving her on her own.
The first woman sighed, taking the last sip of her glass of wine "What a stubborn man,"
Suddenly, a new, filled glass was put in front of her, the cat demon offering, which she gladly accepted.
"The boss isn't one for feelings," the bartender commented, taking the empty glass and going directly to wash it, It wasn’t yet midnight, so the bar was still empty by this time.
"There has to be a way to make him change his mind," Lilith countered, but it was more to herself as she was thinking of ways to make the man deal with his feelings. Conversations on the topic seem to terrify the sinner; she could continue flirting, but Lucifer would catch up to her as well.
What could she-
"I know of someone, but don't tell him I told you." Husk interrupted her thoughts, making her turn around to face her, swirling the wine in her hand.
"Oh? I'm listening."
⚬───────✧───────⚬
"Adam!" The first man! Can you believe it? I mean, sure, the darling deer had a powerful soul in his heyday, but the ego to confront an archangel? What a fool,” Rosie commented as she refilled her cup with tea.
When the bartender mentioned Rosie to her, she was more than happy to pay her a visit. According to him, although she and the radio demon had made a deal before, they had established a sort of acquaintanceship, and the cannibal overlord knew the ins and outs of the demon.
And reaching out was not complicated to her at all; she had known Rosie before she even left: a charming woman, ever since their first encounter. A soul so powerful that she claimed a piece of Pentagram City, almost as soon as her arrival in Hell, moving through harmless deals in the most intelligent ways, acquiring the power she needed to become an Overload.
Impressive in every way.
"Of course, he's still smart. He put himself on a ridiculous display just to break our deal, two, even! That snake!” the woman narrated, offended. “Had to negotiate a new one, but of course the terms are different,” Rosie explained, stirring her tea with a ladyfinger before biting into it.
Lilith took in the new information and realized that the sinner was much more manipulative than she had anticipated. However, his mannerisms, particularly his body language, suggested otherwise when it came to Lucifer.
"Has he had any romantic partner?" she inquired, cutting straight to the point.
"Not that I'm aware of, unfortunately. Even as he told me about his human life, there seemed to have been no one in that area, no partner or spouse.” the cannibal commented “And Vox? Oh he is such an obsessive man, all hurt after one rejection, even if dear Al wasn’t subtle, but still so dramatic” she continued, and there must have been something on her face because the woman put her cup down, “Although,” Rosie added, grabbing the napkin and folding it in half “He does seem to be interested in someone," her voice suddenly sounding slightly nervous.
Lilith, to her seemingly delicate answer, sighed and laughed briefly.
They really needed to announce their separation.
"Ah, so you also noticed," Lilith asked, giving the cannibal a smile "Out with it. Apparently, everyone can see it from miles away, except for those two," she expressed nonchalantly, while shaking her wrist and sipping her tea.
Rosie let out a deep breath. "Very well, it appears to be the king, if I'm not mistaken. He irritates him so much whenever we have our little chats. Still, the way he speaks about him is also kind of endearing in his own way, I’ve never seen him this interested in someone" She began to explain, making a brief pause. "Doesn't it bother you?" she questioned.
And the first woman couldn’t help but snort. “Oh, please, Rosie. You know Lu and I broke up before I left. I’m only interested because those two won’t accept their feelings for each other!” she scoffed.
The cannibal overlord started laughing. "Oh, of course. If Alastor is frightened by anything, it's the possibility of being vulnerable. Nothing makes one more fragile than love," she noted and then her eyes opened to the realization, “Hold up dear, are you telling me the king is also interested?” she questioned.
Lilith nodded, grabbing a pastry made ladyfinger, “That angel is so obvious when he is in love, you should have seen him in the garden,” she commented, to which Rosie opened her mouth in surprise.
“Oh then they must confess!” the cannibal said excitedly, “Has his majesty made any move towards Alastor?”
Lilith let out a sigh. "I wished! All they do is bicker and fight, Lucifer. I think he is trying, but Alastor? He is pulling away,” she expressed, “Is there any way to make him open up? I already tried. I even explicitly said I approve of their relationship. Twice now!" she signaled.
Rosie frowned.
"This man, always so stubborn, I’ll tell you what, let me have a conversation with him,” she offered, “I'll stir the pot a little. Maybe some friendly gossip that the king is interested in someone?" she proposed.
A pep talk from one of the few, if not only, trusted people the sinner seemed to trust?
Why not?
"If you think that could work," Lilith agreed. And please do emphasize that it isn't me." She remarked as she raised her teacup to her lips and sipped the last bit of tea.
"Well, of course. I'll do my best to encourage that man to be honest with his feelings. I can't guarantee much, as he is quite hard to get through," she explained, and then hummed, “May I make a small recommendation?" the cannibal requested.
“Of course.” Lilith placed her elbows on the table, head resting on her knuckles, wondering,
Rosie smiled and leaned over, "Alastor is a charmer by nature. Give him ideas, but not directly. He'll never admit it, but he'll take them if you casually comment on the little things the king likes," the overlord suggested. "Hopefully, with my persuasion, he'll put his good manners to use."
⚬───────✧───────⚬
Lilith didn’t know the type of sorcery Rosie had worked on the radio demon, but when he returned from spending the day with her, he did so with a new perspective.
He was more attentive to Lucifer; the hurtful jabs subsided, and he didn't seem to mind that Darcy was around Lucifer more. In fact, one morning, he placed Basil around the angel’s neck, making him flush gold as he mentioned, "She missed you," his gaze tender and soft before immediately returning to his entertainment persona and going back to his tasks.
Lilith wanted to cheer because finally, the man showed some emotion.
Additionally, she took on Rosie's advice.
"Oh, Charlie, sweetie, why don't we go to that bakery near the entertainment district? It'd be nice to bring some desserts for everyone, especially those apple tarts your father loves so much," she mentioned one day in the kitchen.
Alastor's ears perked up in her direction, while his eyes remained on the simmering pot on the stove.
Her daughter's eyes illuminated, "Yes! It'd be nice to bring everyone a treat!" Charlie clapped her hands and went over the many desserts each person from the hotel would enjoy.
And sure enough, the deer took the bait.
That same week, one morning, the hotel corridors were filled with the smell of spices and apples.
As soon as she noticed the smell, Lilith walked slowly towards the kitchen, leaning over the door when she heard her ex-husband's ever-glistening voice.
"Lucifer, don't eat the filling! Have some self-control for once!” the recognizable radio filtered voice said.
“I’m sorry! You can’t just make my favorite dessert and expect me to sit and wait. How much longer?" the angel questioned as Lilith could hear his wings fluttering.
Lucifer was always so impatient when it came to desserts.
"Well, if you want it quicker, go make yourself useful and mix the crumble for me," she heard the demon say, which caught her attention because she had mentioned a tart.
She heard a gasp.
"You're making apple crumble? Is it my birthday today? Wait, I don't have a birthday. What's the occasion, Bambi?" Lucifer rambled.
Oh, so it was something he had liked, a detail which Alastor had taken note of, a twist of his own.
"Nothing special, your majesty. We just had some leftover apples," the demon lied, as apples were never missing from a Morningstar property, as cliché as it sounded, especially if Lucifer was there.
"Well, that isn't right. There's always-" it seemed Lucifer reached the same conclusion, yet he was abruptly interrupted. "The crumble, your majesty," Alastor interjected. "And if you don't mess it up, you can have the leftovers," he promised, and Lilith detected the delighted rustling of Lucifer's wings as he became excited.
Her plan was working, so the next thing she did was drop a hint of Lucifer’s taste in music, a song from a musical he quite enjoyed, and lo and behold, one day, when the two men were by the bar the radio was swiftly changing through stations as the previous song finished, the song echoing and making Lucifer jump in excitement.
“Finally, sinners appreciate good music! Did you know this musical was inspired by a very famous book? Actually, I believe it was from your time...” the fallen angel began explaining excitedly to the demon.
And Alastor? He watched him as if he were the only other person in the room.
“Ah, sorry! I began rambling, you can change the song if you want.” Lucifer suddenly interrupted himself.
“Who’s stopping you? I don’t mind, I believe I read the book back in my time, quite the tragedy, hard to put into songs if you ask me,” he commented, giving Lucifer an opening to continue telling him all about it.
Lilith watched the interaction with endearment, Lucifer was a talker and needed someone who really listened and cared about the things he liked, and Alastor seemed willing to.
She needed to make this work.
So, with these and another couple of subtle tips dropped here and there, Lucifer’s and Alastor's bickering became more like a playful gimmick than a rivalry, and they were seen together almost constantly. Accompanied by subtle touches, a hand on top of the other, a head resting on a shoulder.
There was progress, definitely, but there was still hesitation, as if they were too scared to ask each other out, so there was the choice of letting it play out further to see if they would eventually confess, or to give it one last push.
“Worried about Dad?” Lilith abruptly heard Charlie ask from behind her as she looked at them from the couch by the fireplace.
She turned around.
"Not at all. I just wish he made the leap to ask your hotelier out," Lilith admitted, hoping her daughter wouldn't take it negatively, hers and Lucifer’s separation was something it took time for her to digest.
Yet Charlie simply laughed and remarked, "Oh, so you noticed, too,” which pulled a laugh out of her.
"Of course I do, sweetie. If there's anyone who knows when your father is head over heels for someone, it's me. As for Alastor, I had to use other sources to get him to do something, and it's working. But they're still not together, and it irritates me," she explained.
Although only a month had passed, it was exasperating to see two people in love who wouldn't profess their feelings. It reminded her of her experience with Lucifer in the garden and the relief and joy that followed their confession.
“I see,” Charlie sai,d and then there was a quiet moment, and Lilith observed as her daughter thought carefully, considering the numerous possibilities her mind could conjure up. A light illuminated her eyes as she settled on one idea, and she jumped excitedly, a trait she had inherited from her father.
"I know! I know!" she exclaimed, grasping her hands in enthusiasm. "The ball we're organizing with the overlords!" she yelled, turning a few heads, to which Lilith gestured with her for her daughter to lower her voice.
"Oh, right, sorry!" Charlie nodded and got closer to her, whispering, "But what about the party this weekend? Why don't we make them go together? Alastor and dad love to dance! I’m sure that could bring them closer,” she explained.
Lilith processed her words and looked back at the men, laughing and drinking. They were definitely closer; there was a small chance this could work. The scenery would be perfect, dance, outfits, and entertainment, a final set, and if not, she would just let time tell what would happen to those two.
She turned to Charlie and smiled
"Well, that sounds perfect,"
⚬───────✧───────⚬
The initial idea of either of them asking the other to the ball was a disaster. Lilith had suggested to Lucifer it would be nice for them to show up to the dance with different partners, as a subtle announcement of their separation.
Lucifer agreed very easily, even more so after she told him she already had a date and that she was going with Rosie, a simple solution to avoid having her ex-husband make his way out of this.
Afterwards, she spotted Lucifer lingering near Alastor with the question on the tip of his tongue multiple times, unable to bring himself to ask directly. On the other hand and despite Rosie's best efforts, Alastor also hesitated to bring up the question of the ball.
Exhausted, the women decided to take matters into their own hands, beginning with their outfits.
"Lilith, don't you think this is too much? It's just a party, and you know sinners aren't my biggest fans," Lucifer pointed out. "You and Charlie will do most of the talking. I could even work at the bar."
He was wearing a deep red, tailored suit that hugged his frame in all the right places, accentuating his small waist, which Lilith thought Alastor would appreciate. Additionally, the use of his signature color was sure to draw his attention. Of course, the outfit still screamed Lucifer: his characteristic bow tie remained, and a white tailcoat emulating his wings flowed every time he moved with Basil curled cozily around his leg.
He looked dazzling, and if Alastor didn't recognize it and act on it, then they were helpless.
"Oh, no, sir, you're not exempt from this party. If anything, this isn't for the overlords, or at least not all of them," she teased, winking as she watched Lucifer immediately blush.
"I- I don't know what you mean," he stammered, avoiding her gaze.
She sighed. "Did you think I was messing around when I said I approved of the two of you together? I mean, sure, he's stupidly stubborn, but he challenges you in all the right ways," she remarked as she adjusted Lucifer's bow tie.
The fallen angel scoffed, “He’s stupid, obnoxious, and insufferable. He’s tall, and did you know his hair is actually curly? I wish he could just-” Lilith raised her brow, and Lucifer fell silent. "Okay, maybe I like him, but it's not like he feels the same, " he admitted.
“Have you asked him?”
A pause.
"Lucifer," she prompted.
Her ex-husband opened his mouth, then hesitated, and then finally spoke, "Uhm, no, but I mean, he's not that sort of guy," he sighed. "I don't want to lose…uhm, a… friend? Ugh, for Father's sake, I don't even know what we are," he added, seeming frustrated.
Lilith crossed her arms and fixated her eyes on Lucifer’s.
“So, the sinner who makes desserts for you, willingly spends most of his ‘precious time’ with you, knows what you like and dislike, and has a shadow who is pretty much an extension of himself that adores you, is not interested in you?" she stated.
Lucifer’s pale skin became golden as he processed the words, as if piecing everything together.
Lilith couldn't fathom how he managed to be this oblivious this whole time.
“Okay, you have a point, bu-”
“But nothing!” Lilith interrupted. "This is the perfect night for you to go after him. No more hovering around!" she said, turning him around towards the door.
Even before Lucifer could get a word out, he was pushed through the doorway. Conveniently, this synchronized with Rosie opening her door; the two women had coordinated to put the two men in a room in front of each other for a surprise reveal.
"Rosie, I know you said this suited me, but the occasion doesn't seem to-" Alastor stumbled through the door, and before he finished his sentence, he looked up and went silent, static faulting.
Both women watched as Alastor's crimson eyes locked with Lucifer's ruby ones. Neither could speak as their gaze delicately explored the details of the other's appearance.
And Rosie had done well, too.
Alastor wore a black suit adorned with golden embroidery. The undershirt was his traditional red, and the outfit accentuated the deer demon’s features. It had a long coattail and an antler pin with a snake around it was clipped to his breast pocket, a small addition for a little more spice.
And if that wasn’t enough, the demon’s hair was curly, half-tied up as it framed his face perfectly, just as Lucifer seemed to like it.
"Well, look at you two, gentlemen!" Rosie said, curtsying. “Your majesties, good evening.” The overlord was dressed in a floor-length black dress with black sheer lace sleeves of the same size and a high collar. Her hat was gone, revealing her white hair combed back and pristine, a rose perched on her ear.
"Rosie!" Lilith called out as she hugged the woman. "Lovely to see you! You look stunning,” she complimented.
"I could say the same about you, darling!" Rosie returned. Lilith had chosen a one-sleeved dress in her traditional royal purple, showing off her figure, with a thigh-high slit revealing her leg. Her long blonde hair was pulled up into a relaxed low bun, with two curls framing her face, complemented by long golden earrings.
She returned the smile, and then they both looked at the two men beside them, who were surprisingly still quiet and had noticeably flushed cheeks.
"Finally, a color that doesn't look tacky," Alastor suddenly snapped, arms crossed, but eyes still focused on the smaller man.
"And I see you finally decided not to look like a red postlight," Lucifer said, eyeing him up and down before returning his gaze to the sinner's face.
It was a start.
Then, as if an accomplice to their plan, Lilith watched as Basil uncurled from Lucifer’s legs and climbed onto his arm, pulling Lucifer toward Alastor, who looked amused at the reptile, offering his gloved hand.
"Ah, mon petit serpent veut être avec moi ce soir," the radio demon noted.
“She is not you-, Basil, come back!” Lucifer spat, but it was too late; she was already curling around Alastor’s arm.
And then, as if on cue, Darcy also made itself known, going around Lucifer and spinning him around in surprise to show off the flowing winged details on his back “Oh, hey, Darcy! Like the outfit?” Lucifer asked, and the creature nodded happily.
Alastor grunted, his mouth opening, ready to probably command his shadow to return.
"Well, isn't this perfect?!” Rosie interrupted, “You two should enter the gala together!" she suggested, making the two men turn around in alarm.
"What!" they both simultaneously screamed.
"Since Lilith and I are going as a pair of queen and overlord, I think it would be appropriate for you two to go as king and overlord. What do you think, Lilith?" the cannibal asked.
Good point.
Lilith nodded. "I agree, it would set a good example to see that we are on good terms and willing to negotiate with the most influential sinners in Pentagram City," she followed along, which was certainly true, yet that wasn't the main concern at the moment.
The two men eyed each other again.
"I mean, I guess, if it's for Charlie," Lucifer attempted to deflect the idea of it looking like a romantic date.
Alastor scoffed, "Well, I'd rather go alone. I'm the host; I'm already here helping," he pointed out, because of course the sinner could never make things easy.
"Oh, Alastor, don't be a nuisance! Think about the headlines! The radio demon and the king of hell: the speculation will be endless!” Rosie pointed out.
There was a silence in between all four, with Rosie raising her brow at Alastor, who grunted.
"Fine," the demon replied, abruptly grabbing Lucifer by the arm and dragging him down the hallway. "Let's make it quick."
"Hey, what are you doing, Bellhop? Let me go!" he protested, though he allowed himself to be dragged along. Even when Lilith knew he had the strength to free himself, he didn't resist.
"Well, at least they're entering together," she commented as the men disappeared, bickering, in the distance.
"Let's hope they admit their feelings. I've done my best with Alastor. He's such a charmer, and he is clearly in love. I have no idea what's holding him back," Rosie explained with frustration, making the first woman happy her small conversation with Lucifer went well.
Lilith sighed. "Because this is real. That's the problem," she admitted, "Now, let's go. Let’s see if these two idiots managed to at least hold hands this evening.”
Rosie laughed and graciously offered her arm, which Lilith happily accepted as they walked together into the entrance of the ball.
⚬───────✧───────⚬
The atmosphere was ideal: vibrant lights and a spacious dance floor, large tables with different sorts of desserts, and the most exclusive food coming directly from Gluttony. The bar had also been stocked with the finest liquors in Hell. Modern music played as sinners danced and chatted throughout the room asCharlie walked alongside Vaggi, greeting everyone and allowing time for the overlords to discuss her plan for redemption.
Most of them were cordial, though Lilith stepped in once she sensed voices were being raised, but besides that, she essentially left most of the work to Charlie. She needed to learn how to gain people on her side on her own.
Lilith and Rosie both walked across the room, careful to maintain a certain distance from Lucifer and Alastor. They watched the two of them, still together and competing with each other over meaningless things, such as who could reach the bar first or embarrass the other in front of the sinners and overlords.
Children, really.
"These two will never confess," Rosie observed, sipping champagne as the two women stood and watched Alastor reach for Lucifer's drink and hold it above him. The fallen angel, incapable of using his wings in such a crowded place, hopped like a toddler to reach it.
Both women took a glass of champagne from a waitress, sipping it in resignation. Just then, the modern music cut off, leaving a brief silence as a band emerged on stage. With only a brief introduction, the piano began spilling notes as the other instruments followed suit, each distinct sound intertwining with the base melody as they added their own twist, creating a lively jazz melody that engulfed the ballroom.
Soon, the audience switched, with some sinners who enjoyed the genre remaining while others left and were gradually replaced by those who remembered a time when this music was their mainstream entertainment.
"Well, this is perfect!” Rosie reacted to the change by leaving her glass on a table behind her “Come along, dear I have a plan," she called out suddenly, as she pulled Lilith by the arm and made her way across the crowd and in the direction of the other men.
Alastor and Lucifer, however, seemed immersed in their own private bubble as they continued to snipe at each other between bursts of laughter. They were sitting on two barstools, the radio demon with a glass of whiskey, while the fallen angel sipped a martini. Yet it was clear that the demon had sensed the change in musical style, with his head moving to the rhythm and one ear perked up toward the dance floor.
“Alastor! Sweetie!" Rosie called, and Alastor turned around almost on cue, refocusing his attention toward the cannibal. "You owe me a dance or two," she remarked sweetly as they reached them. The other man replied with a laugh, abandoning his glass over the bar and stepping away from Lucifer. Lilith caught sight of Lucifer furrowing his brows at Rosie, as if she had somehow taken something of his.
Jealous angel.
"Ah, well, of course, darling!" Alastor took a bow and offered his hand. "The pleasure is mine." Smiling, Rosie gracefully took his hand, after which both cannibals swiftly walked toward the dance floor.
Lucifer stood still, observing them as they began to dance seamlessly, displaying the synchronicity they had perfected over the years. Watching this, Lilith noticed the sudden mood shift in Lucifer's eyes, from fierceness to sorrow, as he took a sip of his martini and downed it in one gulp.
The plan became clear to Lilith as soon as Rosie pulled Alastor onto the dance floor; however, Lucifer appeared to need a little more than that.
"Care to dance, Lu?" she suggested, with Lucifer turning around almost in surprise, as it appeared he hadn’t noticed her presence until now, he then took a brief look towards the dancefloor, "Ah! Lily, yes, of course," he replied, holding out his hand, which she took in a quick motion, and directed them amongst the crowd.
Once they had reached a considerable distance from the other pair, the two women exchanged a look in which Lilith hoped Rosie would understand her new approach. When she saw the cannibal move in her direction as she danced with Alastor, the first woman received her confirmation.
With each swing and turn, the two women slowly brought their respective partners nearer. Both men were too focused for them to register what was about to happen.
And in the blink of an eye, each man was guided to twirl them at the same exact time, resulting in Lucifer and Alastor intertwining their hands and catching each other instead as they both got out of the way.
"W-what!" Lucifer shouted in surprise, but still did not let go of his new partner.
"Rosie!" Alastor snapped with his ears down, looking in her direction.
Rosie laughed in response, and Lilith simply smiled and winked towards Lucifer as he looked at her in a panic.
"Oh, come on, darling. Don't be a hassle!” Rosie said nonchalantly. "Show the king how good a dancer you are!"
To which Alastor rolled his eyes, always so polite.
"Lucifer, come on. Don't tell me you can't dance with someone of his height," Lilith couldn’t help but tease as well, making the fallen angel flush gold.
They watched as the radio demon looked down, eyes narrowing at the devil.
"Do you think you're up for the challenge, your majesty?" Alastor asked menacingly.
Hearing this seemingly brought Lucifer out of his thoughts, causing a complete change in his demeanor and prompting him to smirk at the demon.
"Bring it on, Bambi. You won't know what hit you," Lucifer retorted, and then the two men began to move across the dance floor as the music intensified with the band's growing enthusiasm.
Lilith and Rosie took a seat and grabbed two more glasses of champagne as they viewed the scene.
At first, the two men danced as if they were engaged in a battle for leadership, with missteps and almost tripping over as they continued to insult each other. Eventually, Alastor won by virtue of his height, even if Lucifer continued to resist the position, by letting himself be guided for a moment, yet Lilith recognized it was probably to lead the other into a false sense of security before taking the lead from him.
However, this moment of genuine dancing appeared to be all it took for both men to let go. The women noticed as their movements gradually synchronized, their feet gliding across the dance floor in joyful patterns. All traces of rivalry were left behind as they allowed the melody to guide them. Even as Lucifer indeed shifted the lead, Alastor willingly followed, laughing as he was led to twist away only to be reeled back in a swift motion.
The sinners around them slowly scattered, clearing the dance floor as the two men performed impeccably, crossing, swapping places, dipping low, and springing back up, all while following the ever-changing melody of an improvised jazz performance. Every move blended into the next as the competition, and jabs were long forgotten; fully immersed in their element.
At one climactic point in the melody, the angel's wings unfurled while Lucifer beamed, delighting in spinning Alastor around, both laughing and breathless, neither seeming to want the dance to end.
It was an expression of joy that Lilith hadn't seen from her best friend in a while, and it filled her heart with contentment.
As the dance came to an end, Lucifer dipped Alastor low with one arm firmly grasping his back as he lifted him slightly off the floor, while the other arm was still entwined with his. Their faces hovered inches apart, eyes locked in a soft gaze that expressed a connection deeper than friendship.
The women held their breath, certain that the two men would finally close the distance and admit what the dance and all those small interactions had been suggesting all along.
However, instead, they exchanged words that Lilith couldn’t decipher before rising up as Lucifer grabbed Alastor by the arm, walking him to the back of the crowd in the direction of the balcony.
“It appears the lovebirds don’t want to make it more public than it already is,” Rosie commented, to which Lilith chuckled, then once again the other woman grabbed her by the arm, leading her across the back of the crowd.
It didn’t take long for her to realize they were following behind the other two, with Rosie trying not to be caught by Alastor’s vigilant shadow as they settled to stand by a food table that was not close enough to listen, but close enough to spot them.
Lucifer and Alastor stood near the railing amid the red hue of Hell as the fallen angel spoke with his hands clasped behind his back, as though holding himself in check. He tapped his foot against the floor almost as if he were kicking imaginary pebbles. His gaze was fixed on the ground as a warm golden glow spread across his cheeks.
As for the radio demon, his entire body depicted tension. His ears were pinned back against his head and twitched at every pause in Lucifer’s speech, reacting more than he let on. He, too, avoided meeting Lucifer’s eyes, choosing instead to stare at the railing or the city below. His arms hung at his sides, and his fingers fidgeted anxiously, as if he were fighting an urge.
The question was whether to reach out or flee.
"Oh, he's nervous," Rosie remarked, breaking their silence.
"So is Lu," Lilith added.
Lucifer exchanged a hopeful glance with Alastor as he seemingly uttered the words Lilith had longed to hear him say to the other for the past month. She hoped this was finally the end of the charade, which, while entertaining, needed to come to a close. She didn’t want Lucifer to miss the opportunity for a new beginning, no matter how uncertain the future may be for them.
Alastor cast a brief, cautious glance at Lucifer with nervous movements as his eyes darted back and forth, acting as if he were trying to avoid the fallen angel altogether. Lilith noticed as a realization washed over Lucifer, extinguishing his confidence entirely, followed by him raising his hands in a dismissive motion as if trying to undo his confession.
It was at this point that Lilith considered herself defeated. The radio demon had too much pride and so many walls up that they might be impossible to overcome, even with advice and encouragement; maybe it truly wasn’t in the cards for them to be together at this very moment.
She suddenly felt a nudge on her arm. "Look! Look!" Rosie urged excitedly.
When Lilith looked up, she could hardly believe her eyes.
There on the balcony, Alastor had pulled Lucifer close, hands on the lapels as he had sealed their lips together. Lucifer, on the other hand, had melted into the embrace without a second thought, his eyes closing and arms encircling the taller demon’s shoulders, their height difference making the scene a little comical, but the same happened with them, not her fault,t Lucifer had a type.
"Oh, finally!" Lilith could barely contain her excitement as she smiled in relief, watching the two from afar. After all their efforts, she was finally at peace knowing that she and Rosie had managed to bring them together.
"It's better to leave them alone," the cannibal advised, since even after the two men paused from kissing, their gazes continued to linger on each other, revealing a newfound passion that Lilith could also perceive.
Yes, it was time to leave them alone.
"Yes, I believe so too," she agreed. "I think it’s time for me to see what Charlie is up to," Lilith added casually, looking around the crowd for her daughter.
"Ah, ah, none of that," Rosie objected immediately, stepping in front of her and stopping her in her tracks. "You, my queen, have been busy since you got here, assisting Charlie and trying to persuade those two over there to reveal their feelings," she noted. "Have you taken the time to relax, darling?"
Relax?
"Well, many might say I've already been on a break for the past eight years," she blurted out.
The other woman let out a laugh. “And weren’t those pesky angels constantly bothering you?” Rosie retorted, earning a chuckle, almost a snort, from Lilith.
"In fact, yes, there were-"
"Then unwind for a bit, darling!" Rosie interrupted. “Charlie is handling things well. The lovebirds are together. There's no uproar. Why don't we grab some drinks and take in the party?” she proposed.
In fact, she wasn’t wrong; her trip to Heaven wasn't all beaches and tranquility. She had to deal with Adam and the extermination, worrying about her loved ones and trying to negotiate a good deal. It wasn't until Heaven was completely breached that she could return to see her family.
Sighing, she admitted, "I guess you're right." Then, both reached for a table where they settled in with glasses of wine and a few platters of food.
"Very well," Lilith nodded, sipping her drink. "Now, tell me. What's the latest gossip around here? I haven't caught up in a while," she continued.
Rosie arched a brow in intrigue. "I've heard sinners have quite the impression of me."
"Thought we agreed to leave work behind, didn't we?" the overlord teased.
Lilith scoffed. Who could blame her? She liked to keep her mind occupied. Besides, she knew Rosie always kept her eyes open for new insights into the inner workings of the kingdom. She knew the inside scoop on almost every sinner, even ones she had never crossed paths with.
"It's not business, so to speak. How did Alastor put it?" The first woman brought a finger to her lips in a mocking gesture, as if she didn't already know her next word. "Entertainment?" she joked, as she leaned over the cannibal woman.
This drew a charming laugh from Rosie.
"All right, dear. Lucky for you, I remember every detail of the past eight years. Now, let's see. Where do I start?" Rosie raised her glass to her lips and took a sip before beginning to recount, in vivid detail, what had been going on in Pentagram City during Lilith's absence.
The first woman listened attentively, finding herself suddenly captivated by the woman’s beautiful smile and laughter at sinners' foolish mistakes and public embarrassments. Her black, piercing eyes took on a particular sparkle as she relayed the most gruesome details, accentuating her stories with dramatic gestures of her elegant hands.
It wasn’t the first time Lilith had noticed how gorgeous Rosie was.
Perhaps it was time for her to have a new beginning, as well.