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Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor stood in front of his childhood home in the midday summer sun, with a heavy bag on his shoulders and a suitcase in his hand. The property was overgrown with weeds, the paint on the once white fence had peeled off, and one of the windows was broken. But even beneath all the dirt, it was unmistakably his old home, the house he had the fondest memories of. With a heavy heart, he pushed open the garden gate, causing it to creak. »I'm home, Maman« he whispered to himself, knowing full well that she was long gone.

 As he stepped past a pile of old newspapers and the tall weeds, he stood in front of the blue, wooden door and searched his pockets for his keys. When his fingertips brushed the metal, which had been warmed by his body temperature, he took the keys out and unlocked the door.

 It was dark and dusty inside. All the curtains were closed, dimming the light, and the furniture was covered by ghostly white sheets. Some of the tiles in the entranceway were broken, and the old wooden staircase leading upstairs was missing some parts of its railings. The air inside was cold and smelt similar to that of an old cellar or crawl space. Yet Alastor smiled as he stepped inside and put his bag and suitcase down. He looked at the doorframe leading to the living room and brushed his fingertips over the marks of his height that his mother had engraved in it when he had been a child. A gentle smile formed on his lips as he remembered the laughter that had once filled the house. His eyes trailed over to the second markings on the frame, always a little below his own, a small 'L' had been engraved next to them.

 Lucifer. He remembered his best friend. He had often come to their house, and his mother had dearly called him her second son. They had been inseparable, yet all Alastor could remember about his appearance now, was his blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

 I wonder if he still lives here.

 He would check out the neighbourhood later. First, he had to clean this house until it felt liveable. He pushed his sleeves up, walked over the dusty tiles and entered the living room, where he opened all the curtains. Dust clouds escaped from the old fabric as he opened the windows wide. He watched how the dust particles danced in the sunlight that now illuminated the room.

 Alastor sighed as the sound of birds singing and crickets chirping from outside filled the house.

 He walked into each room, opening all the windows to let in some fresh air.

 Stepping into the yellow-tiled kitchen with its old appliances and rustic wooden cabinets, he was reminded of the many times he had cooked with his mother. He looked over to the tap and turned it on, but no water came out. Right... I have to turn the water and electricity back on.

 He opened one of the drawers, wondering if the torch was still inside. To his delight, it was. However, when he tried to turn it on, it seemed to be empty or broken. He tossed it back into the drawer and grabbed his phone instead, useing the flashlight option. 

 With the phone in hand, he returned to the entrance and opened the wooden door beneath the staircase, which led down to the cellar. He opened the fuse box and flicked the main switch to turn on the electricity. The cellar light flickered on; the old light bulb was dim, but at least it seemed to be working. Alastor turned off the phone's flashlight and returned it to his pocket, then turned to look at the water and heating system. It was an outdated, huge metal engine tied to many old, rusty pipes.

 He hesitated. The whole thing looked like it could break at any moment, but how would he clean the whole house with no running water? So he took a deep breath, stepped in front of the engine and searched for the red lever to turn the water on. He found it on the backside of the main pipe and tugged at it, grunting as the lever didn't budge at first. With one rough tug it finally moved up and the rush of water made the rusty pipes move and wiggle under the pressure.

 Alastor decided to first check for leaks before even thinking about turning the heat on. He first checked the pipes downstairs then he went up to checked the bathroom and kitchen appliances. Thank God, no leaks could be seen so he turned the kitchen faucet on. A loud rumbling sound came from the tubes pipes and faucet. Then dark brown, stinky, muddy water splattered out of it into the sink. It took a few minutes until the water cleared up, emptying the old pipes from the rust and dirt that had accumulated over time. Once the water got clean he repeated the process with the other appliances in the bathroom. As he turned the tap of the bathtub on, his eyes caught the sight of a single rubber duck on the bathtub rim. He chuckled remembering how Lucifer had gifted it to him as a kid.

 Now that this was done Alastor turned the heater on and opened one of his bags to get his cleaning products out.

 He grabbed a bucket, a broom and a swiffer out of the walkable cardboard close to the entrance where they had always been stored and got on task of cleaning all floors, surfaces and getting rid of all sheets that covered the old furniture. He even took all curtains down and threw them into the water with some detergent. The water turned dark brown so quickly he had to change it several times before he deemed them clean enough to hang them up in the garden on the laundry line. Even if the weeds had grown high, he was able to find his way over to the lines and hung them up to dry in the sun. The scent of freshly washed sheets tickled his nose as the fabric fluttered in the summer breeze.

 With a deep sight Alastor looked at his done work.

 Could be worse I suppose. 

 Suddenly a woman's voice called for him from the garden next door »Alastor?! Alastor! Oh my stars ~ Is that you?«

 Alastor turned and it took him a moment to recognize the old lady with the giant lavender coloured hat. »Rosie?« he asked astonished by how she had changed over time. No longer was her hair blond, it was now short and white. The lady he remembered being so tall was now roughly his high. But she still wore the same clothes as back than and her smile hadn't faded as well.

 »It really is you!« She gasped and leaned over the old fence that separated her garden from his »How much you've grown! Look at you~« she cooed.

 Alastor snorted and stepped closer toward the fence »It's been a while.«

 »A while? I've the feeling I missed out on your whole life!« Rosie said, eyeing him from head to toe.

 Alastor offered her a gentle smile »Well it's been around 15 years since I had to leave.«

 Rosie seemed to think about this for a while, humming as she did so »Well if I remember correctly you were what... ten years old?«

 »eleven« Alastor corrected her, feeling melancholic at the thought of how much time had passed »It's nice to see you. Tell me, what has changed since I left?«

 Rosie chuckled »Well what hasn't? It would be shorter to tell you what stayed the same~« she waved her hand, always ready to spill some tea »How about you take a break and come over here for a cup of tea, darling?«

 Alastor looked over to his house, there was still a lot left to do, but he had to admit a small break would do him good »Fine, but just for a while.« Not wanting to make the round he jumped over the fence. To Rosie's greatest pleasure aparrently, as she peeked at him in delight.

 »My, my ~ You're rather fit young man~« she purred »Come, come, I made some apple pie today ~« She walked him through her well tended garden full of multicoloured roses and with a little birdbath in the middle, toward the seating area close to her house. In no time she put up some fancy porcelain plates with floral designs, some tiny cups, a teapot and a serving plate with freshly baked apple pie. It looked and even tasted just as Alastor remembered it. He hummed pleased by the taste.

 »Just like in old times~« Rosie cooed »You and Lucifer, you often climbed over that fence to get some sweets from me« she chuckled at the memory.

 Alastor peeked up as his old best friends name dropped »Right. Lucifer. Is he... still in town?« he asked, not wanting to rise his hopes to high yet unable to hide how eager he was to know.

 Rosie nodded and took a sip of her tea »Indeed, he took over his father's mansion...«

 »That's good news. I can't wait to see him again.« Alastor said, delighted to hear that.

 Rosie avoided his gaze though as if there was more she didn't say.

 Alastor narrowed down his eyes »What's with that look? Are you hiding something?«

 Rosie sighed »Well...« she put down her tea cup searching for the right words »You might... struggle to get in touch with him.« she said hesitantly »The young Morningstar has become... very distant over time.«

 »Distant?« Alastor cocked his head. Whenever he thought of Lucifer he could still see his bright eyes, hear his laughter echo in his mind »What do you mean?«

 »We barely see him leave the mansion, darling.« Rosie explained »He locks in there all alone. I could not even tell ya what he looks like these days.«

 That didn't sound like Lucifer at all. The small one had always been outgoing and the centre of attention when socializing »What happened?«

 Rosie shrugged »Honestly? I have no idea. He got a lot quieter when you left, came over less and less. Only went to school and straight back home. Once he graduated I barely saw him any more...« Seeing Alastor's concerned expression, she added »You know people change over time. He might not be like that kid you had once known. I tried to get back in touch with him, rang at his door, but he never opened.«

 Alastor shifted uncomfortably in his seat, worrying about his old friend »I'll try to speak to him. I can't imagine he would turn me down.«

 Rosie bit down on her lip but nodded »Just don't take it personally if he does, darling.« She said then moved to a new topic as she served him a piece of her pie, sharing some tea about the neighbourhood. Adam apparently grew from a small dick-bag to an even bigger asshole. Husk, who had went to the same school as Alastor, now owned a bar down town. Little Niffty owned a cleaning service and in Rosie's words 'lost her marbles' after her child died in a car accident. A gay couple had moved to the neighbourhood, some guy called Valentino and his lover Angel, though Rosie had lowered her voice to say that Valentino was behaving very toxic and she had heard he mistreated his partner. How she had gotten those informations, she didn't tell though.

 But the news that peaked Alastor's interest the most Rosie only dropped after adding some liqueur to her drink »Some say the forest is haunted. Strange noises can be heard at night, some news station even made an episode of 'Ghosts or Hoaxes?' there. They didn't find a thing though...«

 Alastor took a sip of his tea, eyes trailing over the garden toward the forest nearby. The old pine trees reached high to the sky. As a kid he once got lost in those woods and spend a few hours at night in there. To this day he swore he had seen an odd creature creeping through the shadows there. Non of the adults believed him to the point that even he wasn't sure any more if what he had seen was real or imagination. The memories had faded over time, but for those red and golden glowing eyes that had sterred right into his soul. It still sent shivers down his spine to this day to think about it.

 »Oh darling, you don't still believe in ghosts do you?« Rosie asked.

 Alastor just smiled and shook his head »No, I lost my belief in ghosts and monsters when I first met a real one.« now that he heard himself say it out loud, he regretted that he had spoken so freely about it.

 »A real one? What do you mean?« Rosie peeked over the rim of her cup at him.

 Alastor leaned back in his chair »Let's not talk about this today. All I am going to say for now, is that my best years of childhood were spent here... not overseas...«

 »Hm« Rosie hummed »I have all the time in the world, darling. I'll get you to spill the tea sooner or later.« she grinned at him and ate her last piece of apple pie.

 Alastor thanked her for the pie and tea and returned to his home to continue with his clean up session. It went on until deep into the night. He only stopped to eat pizza in between, yet he was far from done. He inspected the broken window he had rudimentary fixed with a duck-taped piece of cardboard one last time before heading upstairs to his bedroom, or rather what had been his mother's bedroom before she passed away. He planned on using his way smaller childhood bedroom as a working room. 

 It felt a bit odd to sleep in this room, even if he moved the bed to the other side to make it feel at least not exactly as it had been before. The bedding sank in as Alastor sat down on it. The bedside table lamp was the only light left on and the bedsheets smelled fresh and of the detergent he had used. 

 It is so quiet here at night. Alastor thought. He wasn't used to it any more, after 15 years spent oversea in Paris where night and day cars and loud voices could be heard.

 A deep sigh left Alastor as he searched his bag for his phone then flopped back into his bed. He unlocked the safe screen and looked at the messages. Zestiel had left a few messages asking if he had arrived well. No texts from Mimzy though. She's probably still pissed I left France.

 Alastor replied to Zestiel with a quick text. Then put the phone down on his bedside table, not really in the mood of having a longer conversation after a day like this. He turned the lights off and turned in his bed, snuggling into his pillow. His eyes heaved after this tiring day. His body relaxed and he was on the verge of falling asleep when he suddenly felt the hairs on his neck rise up. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt watched.

 Alarmed by this feeling, Alastor's eyes snapped wide open, immediately searching the dark room for what he might had sensed. His eyes stopped at the window he had left open. The curtain fluttered in the nightly breeze and for a brief moment Alastor believed he had seen a shadow move right behind it.

 He grabbed for the bedside table lamp and quickly turned it on »Who's there?!« He asked, as he grabbed for his bag next to his bed and searched for his jackknife. The moment he felt the wooden handle he pulled it out and snapped it open, holding it protectively in front of himself.

 As nobody responded to his call, he quietly slipped out of his bed, keeping his eyes on the open window. 

 The wooden planks of the floor creaked beneath his bare feet as he stepped closer. 

 His eyes narrowed down, trying to catch on any movment behind the curtains. 

 Maybe it had been just a trick of light? After all he was at the top floor of the house.

 Hesitantly he grabbed for the rough fabric of the curtain and in one quick movement pulled it open, takeing a fighting stance right after. 

 But all he saw were the dark tree branches of the oaktree in his garden, swaing in the nightly breeze. The rustling of the leafs was the only sound he could hear. 

 Alastor let out a deep breath as the tension left his body. He gave up his fighting stance, shakeing his head at his own jumpiness. 

 »Clearly, I've spent to many years on the run...« he muttered to himself, his eyes looking past the tree and toward his garden, just to make sure. But there was no sign of any intruders. 

 Decideing that all he must have seen must had been a combination of the shadows of the tree branches and the fluttering curtain, he grabbed for the handle to close the window. 

 Suddenly he notices something on the wooden frame of the window. Some kind of scratches or marks. 

 Alastor narrowed down his eyes as he looked down on them. They were huge. Too big for some cats marks but similar to how they would claw at something. Two sets of 4 long streaks. Is the zoo missing a tiger or something? 

 Intrigued he brushed over the marks, inspecting them. The wood beneath was fresh and lighter than on the top, so they must be recent. Though he couldn't remember if they had been there earlier when he had opened the window... Did I overlook it earlier... or? 

 Suddenly, there was a loud rustling noise. 

 Alastor looked up and caught a glimps of something moveing behind his fence that blocks the way to the nearby forest. Though it was way to quick for him to tell what it was, it had fled into the forest and away from the property. 

 Alastor shiverd, a bit unsure what to think about this. He closded and locked the window, pulling the curtains shut. Whatever it had been, probably can't open windows. 

 With that settled, he went back to bed, turned off the lights and went to sleep.  

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 When Alastor stood on the porch leading to the backyard, he kept staring at the spot where he’d seen the shadow move the night before, right behind the old fence that marked the boundary between his parcel and the forest.

 He took a sip of his black coffee and listened to the chirping of the birds. It was still early. The sun had barely risen, and the morning dew clung to the grass and weeds in the garden.

 It felt peaceful. This calm. So unlike in the city.

 I could get used to this.

 Suddenly, someone slammed a door and shouted, »Where-a da fuck you been?!«

 Alastor noticed the man's voice had a thick Italian accent. He turned, trying to catch a glimpse of who was disturbing his peace, but he didn’t have a clear view of the neighbor’s front porch from his spot in the garden.

 Another, smaller voice responded, »At the store. Ya just told me to get ya coffee.«

 »Eh! That was half an hour ago!« the first man shouted »Do I look like a fool to you, eh?!«

 The smaller voice replied, »No, Valentino, I swear I was just at the store. It just took a while because there was a line and-«

 »¡Puta desgraciada!« Valentino cursed »Don’t lie to me! I know you been wit’ that bartender. You met him, sì or no?«

 Now the other man’s voice grew louder, »No! Where the fuck do ya think I got the coffee from if I went to the bar, huh?? It’s not even open yet!«

 Alastor raised his eyebrows and took a sip of coffee. No wonder Rosie knew they had a toxic relationship. She could probably hear them from her yard.

 Valentino took a moment to reply, »Tsk... whatever. Get your damn ass back inside. Now.«

(x)

 The door slammed behind them, and Alastor could hear muffled voices continuing to argue. Then came the unmistakable sound of someone getting slapped before the voices quieted.

(x)

 Alastor's eyes narrowed. He could feel that familiar itch in the back of his mind, making his fingertips twitch and his thoughts spiral into ways to shut that Valentino guy up for good.

 Don’t be a fool, he warned himself. This wasn’t a throwaway identity, nor a home he was ready to leave behind. You came here to start a new life. You can’t go around murdering your neighbors.

 His hands clenched around his coffee mug. The last time he’d killed, he’d nearly been caught. The French police had been hot on his trail before he fled to the States to vanish off their radar.

 No, I have to lay low and be a perfect citizen. He took a sip, closed his eyes, and drew a deep breath. When he opened them again, the urge had dulled, faded, though it never was completely gone.

 His gaze trailed over the weeds growing tall in his backyard. The front yard didn’t look much better. Maybe that’s a good task to start with today, he decided. He felt the need to cut something down, to burn off his energy. Nodding decisively, he emptied his mug and set it down on the windowsill next to the door.

 Alastor stretched once, then made his way through the weeds to the old wooden shed. The roof was crooked, the wooden planks weathered, and he had to tug hard at the door to force it open.

(*)

 It didn’t look much better on the inside. Spiderwebs and dirt covered every surface. Out of the corner of his eye, Alastor saw something move. A white spider with long, hairy legs and way to many eyes, slipped back into the darkness of the shed. And it wasn’t alone, judging by the rustling and movement in the corners.

 Alastor didn't mind them as long as they stayed off him, so he just grabbed the nearest tool, a rake, and used it to tear down the webs so he could reach the gardening equipment he needed.

(*)

 He grabbed an old, rusty reaping hook, a scythe, and some gardening gloves which he slapped a few times against the doorframe to knock off the dust. Stepping outside, he smiled up at the slowly rising sun and got to work, slicing through the tallest weeds with the scythe. Some almost reaching his chest. It felt rewarding. Each swing cut more of the plants down.

 A part of his mind noted how satisfying it would be to use this as a murder weapon. Guess the Grim Reaper has some taste. Alastor chuckled to himself.

 He quickly cleared a good portion of the yard, making it easier to move around. As the hours passed, the sun climbed higher and brought the heat with it.

 »Well, look who’s working hard on this lovely morning~« Rosie’s voice chimed from behind him.

 Alastor turned to see her standing in her garden, watching him from behind the fence. »Morning, Rosie.« he greeted her »Indeed, it’s the perfect day to get this garden back in shape.«

 »How about some fresh lemonade, darling?« she offered »You must’ve been up early to get this much done.« She gestured to the three-quarters of the garden he’d already cleared.

 Some refreshment sounded tempting, »That sounds delightful, dear. Let me just finish this last quarter before I take a break.«

 Rosie nodded. »Sure, you do that, and I’ll get you a glass in the meantime~« she said, then walked back to her house.

 Alastor smiled as he watched her leave. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed connections like these. When he had been on the run, he had avoided contact wherever he could. This here... this felt like home. Like somewhere he was welcomed in with open arms.

 As he resumed his work, his eyes caught claw marks on the fence near where he’d seen the shadow move last night. Alastor narrowed his eyes and examined them more closely, then followed the strange-looking footprints through his yard. They led to the tree near his bedroom window...

 So something really had been out there.

 A shiver ran down his spine. Whatever it was, it had been big... and close.

 I must’ve scared it off when I turned on the lights, he thought. Maybe I should trim some of those tree branches to prevent it from getting up there again...

 Nodding at the thought, he returned to work. In no time, he’d cleared the last patch of weeds and joined Rosie at the fence, where she held out a glass of fresh lemonade for him. The crisp clink of ice cubes met his ears as he took it with a pleased hum »Thanks, dear.« The glass was cold to the touch, condensation sliding down its sides in beads of water. He brought it to his lips and took a few sips. 

 »Say, darling, are you looking for a job?« Rosie suddenly asked.

 »Well, yes. Do you happen to know someone who’s hiring?« Alastor replied. He had enough savings to last a few months, but he’d need income in the long run.

 Rosie’s face lit up »Oh yes, I do~ The convenience store down the street is hiring. If that would interest you.«

 Customer service? Alastor took another sip. Sure, he wasn’t thrilled about working in a store long-term, but as a transitional job...

 Why not? I’ve already mastered the fake smile, he thought. »Sounds like an option. I’ll check it out later.« Alastor said. »I need to do some grocery shopping anyway.«

 Rosie beamed, »Perfect! Tell Cherri I sent you~ She’s been looking for help for a while now.«

 Alastor finished his lemonade and handed the empty glass back »Will do. Thank you, Rosie. For the job lead and the lemonade.«

 »Oh, it was a pleasure, darling~« she waved it off »Good luck!« With that, she left him to his work.

 Though Alastor only continued for about an hour, before the midday sun grew too hot. He’d gathered all the cut weeds and mowed the lawn, but the flower beds and vegetable patch still needed work. That would have to wait.

 He returned the garden tools to the shed, put his empty coffee mug in the sink, and headed upstairs to shower. No way he’d apply for a job looking like this. What would the papers say?

 As Alastor stepped into the bathtub and turned on the shower. His eyes landed on a rubber duck sitting on the rim. He smiled at the silly thing, his thoughts drifting to Lucifer and what Rosie had told him. Maybe I could check if he’s home later...

 With that in mind, he stepped under the stream of water. It was the perfect temperature. Cool enough to refresh, warm enough to relax. The drops trailed down his tanned skin and over the many scars he bore. The most prominent ran all the way don from his chest to his hip. But the ones he hated most were on his back, out of sight, yet they were ever-present reminders of darker times.

 He closed his eyes, trying not to dwell on them and concentrated on the feel of the water on his skin. It ran down his face, over the tip of his nose, and along his jawline. Trailed down paths over his shoulders and chest all the way down to his toes.

 Once he had cooled down, he turned off the tap and grabbed his body wash. He scrubbed away the dirt from his time in the yard, then shampooed his hair.

 As he turned the water back on to rinse all off, the shower curtain decided to pester him by sticking to his naked ass. Grumbling a curse beneath his breath Alastor pushed it off and made a mental note to get rid of it and replace it with one of those modern shower screens. 

 Once he was done and his hair neatly styled, he picked some clean clothes from his suitcase. He hadn’t unpacked yet, so everything was still neatly folded inside. Alastor looked at himself through the tall mirror's reflection. The red button up shirt he had picked looked fancy enough for a job interview, without being to overdressed for a store. He pushed his glasses up, brushed some none existing dust off his pants then left for the store. 

 On his way, he glanced up the hill where a single grand mansion stood. It loomed behind a high fence, and was far larger than the other houses.

 The Morningstar residence.

 Alastor looked down the street toward the store, then decided to take the detour. He took a hidden path between two houses, one he knew from his childhood, passed a few gardens, and walked up the steep hill. To his right the tall pine trees of the forest reached for the sky while the gardens and town houses were on his left. In the summer heat, it was quiet the endeavour to walk up the steep hill but the shade of the tree's made it bearable.

 Alastor stopped in front of the great gates and looked past it toward the mansion. A few crows cawed down at him from a dead tree’s branches. The grass of the front yard was patchy and dry.  The mansion itself had grey walls. The shutters were all closed, making it look almost abandoned.

 As a child, he’d thought this place was haunted, now that he thought about it. But it hadn’t changed much, as if it had been frozen in time. 

 Alastor searched for a bell to ring and found a rather modern doorbell, camera and speaker included. It looked almost out of place here. Without any hesitation, Alastor hit the button then waited impatiently for a response. 

 But... nothing happened.

 After waiting for a while, Alastor rang the bell a second time.

 Nothing.

 »Lucifer? Are you there?« Alastor asked, speaking to the camera, just in case. »It's me, Alastor.« he went on »Do you... remember me?«

 Silence.

 Alastor sighed defeatedly. Well, maybe he is not at home? He looked back at the gate, then past it to the entrance door then back to the path he had taken up the hill. Guess that was a long walk for nothing. He had hoped to see him so much. 

 Rosie's words replayed in his mind 'Don't take it personally if he doesn't open for you.'

 Alastor felt a pinch of sadness at the thought that Lucifer might have ignored him. No, he might not be at home, don't make quick assumptions. He told himself. Maybe he'll open next time.

 And with that he left the hill and headed toward the store. 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

The convenience store was almost exactly as Alastor remembered it from his last visit, 15 years ago. Same yellow washed-out tiles, same creaky wooden shelves sagging under familiar brands. If he wasn't mistaken, even the outdated refridgerators buzzed in the same tonality as back when he had been a child. There was one change he did notice, though: they had finally installed an AC.

 Thank God, it's way too hot to work in here all day without one.

 The store was empty except for the cashier. Her pink-dyed hair was tied up into a ponytail. She chewed gum, blowing pink bubbles in between, and looked rather bored with her work as she kept glancing at her phone.

 Alastor picked up one of the store's baskets and walked past the shelves to grab some ingredients for dinner and a few necessities before heading toward the register.

 Putting on his best customer smile, he greeted the cashier, who lifted her brows and eyed him from head to toe.

 »Hm... ya new here?« she asked as she scanned the items.

 Alastor replied, »More like I'm back. I grew up here but spent some time overseas.« He held out his hand to her. »My name is Alastor, pleasure to be meeting you. Quite the pleasure.«

 The cashier gave him a skeptical look, popped a bubble, then shook his hand. »Cherri. Nice to meet ya.« The cash register snapped open. »That'll be $26.89.«

 Alastor paid in cash, »Actually, my neighbor, Rosie, told me this store is hiring? Is your boss here? I'd like to apply.«

 Cherri handed him his change and crossed her arms over her chest. »I'm da boss here.« she said.

 That kind of surprised Alastor. She hadn’t struck him as an entrepreneur... more like a bored employee, »Pardon my faux pas. I didn’t know.«

 Cherri shrugged. »It's fine. Not da first time this happens,« she said. »This was my grandpa’s shop. He passed it to me, and since I had nothing betta to do, I thought why not.«

 »I see...« Alastor said, a bit taken aback by her work ethic... but who was he to judge? »So, are you still looking to hire? I’ve got some experience in customer service from back in my college days.«

 Cherri thought for a moment, then smiled. »Well, yeah, I suppose we could give this a try. It’s not like people are runnin' through my door to get a job. Small town, ya know.«

 Well, that was easier than he thought. »Don’t you want to see my resume or anything?«

 Cherri waved it off. »Nah, who cares. As long as you got no criminal record, we’re fine.«

 Alastor kept up his perfect smile, »No criminal records whatsoever.« The part about it only being clean because he’d never been caught, he kept to himself.

 Cherri nodded, satisfied. »Good. Ya can start tomorrow. That fine with ya?«

 »Sure,« Alastor replied.

 Cherri handed him her contact info and the shift timetable, ending their conversation with, »All right, everythin’ else I’ll show ya tomorrow. Come half an hour early so I can show ya stuff before we open. Mornings are busy ‘cause people pass by before headin’ to work. We sell coffee and breakfast stuff, ya know?« She pointed toward a small display in which a lone croissant rested on a plate. The coffee-maker on the other side of the counter looked almost too modern for the old shop.

 »Makes sense.« Alastor said. »Thank you for this opportunity.«

 »Ya, nah, you can drop that polite nonsense with me... Even if I’m da boss, mkay?« Cherri said. »Just be yaself.«

 Alastor looked at her in confusion for a moment. He was polite by default. This wasn’t even him trying. »Understood.« he said nonetheless, making a mental note to be a bit more easygoing with her.

 As everything was settled, Alastor took his bag of groceries and said his goodbyes before leaving the store and heading straight home.

 Things were going so smoothly since he had arrived, it almost felt surreal. He hadn’t thought he’d find a job this quick.

 Well, I suppose when one’s not constantly on the run, things get easier naturally.

 The next morning, Alastor woke up early and arrived at the convenience store right on time. Cherri opened the door for him and greeted him with a half-yawned, »Mornin’«

 Alastor offered her his brightest smile. »Well yes, it is a good morning, my dear.«

 Cherri blinked twice slowly, then shook her head. »How can ya be this upbeat this early in the morning?« She didn’t wait for an answer and headed straight to the coffee-maker. »I’ll make us some coffee. That’s rule number one, by the way: we get the first coffee so we don’t rip any customer’s heads off during da day.« She showed him how to use the machine and walked him through the morning routine. Stocking shelves, setting up the breakfast display, checking the refrigerators, and then opening the store.

 She had been right about mornings being the busiest time of the day. Not only did the town’s residents stop by for breakfast, even commuters passing through came in for coffee and pastries. Cherri explained there were no bakeries around, which was why she’d added this service. Even if she was young, she seemed to be quite capable of finding ways to make money.

 »All right, Alastor,« Cherri sighed. »I’m goin’ to the backroom to grab some stuff. Think you can handle the store while I’m back there?«

 The busiest rush had already passed, and the store was empty for now, so Alastor confidently said, »Sure, my dear.« He put on his best customer smile, ready to serve whoever might walk through that door.

 And it might have worked... if his first customer hadn’t been this particular person.

 »Oh my fucking God!« the Caucasian man gasped as he walked in, brown eyes wide with surprise. »Is that you, Alastor? HA!«

 The corner of Alastor’s mouth twitched as he forced his smile to stay put »Good morning… Adam.«

 Adam walked up to the register, needing a closer look. He was a good head shorter than Alastor, with a barely visible goatee beard and a police uniform that looked one size too small, judging by the buttons threatening to pop »Didn’t know ya were back in town,« Adam said, leaning on the counter. »Didn’t ya always dream of being a radio star? After that whole school broadcast stunt? HA! Knew that wouldn’t work… Like nobody even listens to the radio any more«

 Alastor’s eyes narrowed. »Funny. I seem to recall you wanted to be and I quote ‘a billionaire.’ How’s that going?« He crossed his arms and looked down at him.

 Adam waved it off. »We were kids. Didn’t know shit about life… But you know what? I’m livin’ the best fuckin’ life right now. Police officer by day, rock-star by night.« He mimed an air guitar solo, complete with sound effects that didn’t resemble guitar sounds in the slightest.

 Alastor bit back a sharp remark about the police clearly lowering their standards and instead said, »I see… and what brings you here this morning? Coffee and donuts?«

 Adam looked surprised. »You already memorized my daily breakfast?«

 Alastor tilted his head and theatrically eyed his belly »Hm... No, just a lucky guess…« Before Adam could respond, he asked, »How do you want your coffee? Milk or sugar?«

 »Bit of milk, no sugar.« Adam said, arms crossed.

 Alastor walked to the coffee-maker, poured a cup, and packed some rainbow-sprinkle donuts into a bag.

 I guess I don’t have to worry about the police uncovering my crimes if he’s the one in charge, he thought, amused »That’ll be $6.69.«

 »HA! Sixty-nine! What a coincidence.« Adam pulled out his wallet. »But ya know, Cherri always gives me a discount.«

 »I am not Cherri. So, you will pay the full price.«

 »What a jokester you are.« He handed over a $5 bill and reached for the bag, but Alastor held it out of reach.

 »I wasn’t joking. You’ll hand me the remaining $1.69 immediately.« He held out his other hand, expectant.

 Adam’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. »I will not. I told you, I get a discount.«

 »Well, I haven’t been informed. So, you’ll pay your bill. If you do have a discount, you can enjoy double the discount next time once I’ve checked with Cherri.«

 Muttering curses under his breath, Adam threw the remaining money onto the counter. Some coins toppled off the edge. »Whatever. Just hand me my damn donuts.«

 »Of course,« Alastor said smoothly, which clearly irritated him more, as he handed over the bag.

 Adam snatched it and stormed off without even a goodbye. That didn’t stop Alastor from waving after him and chirping an overly friendly, »Have a nice day, Officer~« before picking up the fallen coins and putting them in the register.

 »Oh my gawd!« Cherri laughed from behind him. »That was hilarious!«

 Alastor turned and saw her set a package near the door, then walk over. »You watched?«

 Cherri pointed up at the security camera above the register, »Sure did. And ya did a good job.«

 »So… he doesn’t have a discount?« Alastor assumed.

 Cherri chuckled. »Oh no, he does. But only a dollar off. He tried to play ya.«

 »Well, I’m no fool,« Alastor said, arms crossed. »He should’ve known that from our school days.«

 Cherri shrugged. »Guess he thought he could do anything in uniform. Didn’t know you two went to school together. Isn’t he older than ya?«

 »Well, yes. But he repeated two grades, so we ended up in the same class.«

 »I can imagine.« Cherri scoffed.

 Alastor peeked at the box she’d carried out. »What’s that?« he asked.

 Cherri turned to look. »Oh, that’s the Morningstar’s grocery order,« she explained. »I’ll deliver it after work.«

 That piqued Alastor’s interest »I didn’t know this store delivered groceries.«

 Cherri shrugged, »Normally we don’t. But he pays me double if I deliver and I need da money. Texts me every few days to order supplies. Guess he’s antisocial or something. Don’t care. Long as he pays.«

 Alastor raised a brow. Lucifer? Antisocial? That couldn’t be further from the truth. The small guy had always been surrounded by people, his shining personality drawing them in. »I could deliver it, if you’d like. I know Lucifer.«

 Now Cherri looked surprised. »Ya know him??« she asked. »I’ve never even caught a glimpse of him.«

 Alastor raised his brows. »You’ve never seen him? Even when delivering his groceries?«

 Cherri nodded. »Yeah, I leave the package at the gate, ring the bell, and leave. That’s how he wants it. Hence why I think he’s got a problem. What’s he like? I’m real curious.«

 Hearing this made Alastor worry about his childhood friend. What the hell happened after I left?
»Back in school, he was cheerful and outgoing. Always smiling, always up for mischief. He never had trouble connecting with people, so I really can’t explain why he’s acting like this now.«

 »Hm,« Cherri hummed. »Dunno either. I only moved here two years ago. First time I’ve heard anyone even talk about him.«

 It broke Alastor’s heart. Had he really withdrawn that much? He must be so lonely. All alone in that great mansion with no one for company... If he sees me and realizes I’m back, maybe we could be friends again. With that in mind, he said, »I’ll take care of the delivery from now on, if that’s fine with you. Maybe he’ll come out if it’s a friend bringing his groceries.«

 Cherri didn’t look convinced, but nodded nonetheless. »Yeah, sure. Do whatever ya want. At least I won’t have to climb up that hill in this heat.«

 So it was settled. Hope bloomed in Alastor’s chest as he looked over at the package. I can do this. 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 »All right... Let's try this again.« Alastor muttered to himself, then rang the bell next to the old metal gateway to Lucifer's property. The package containing the groceries stood on the ground next to him. Even though the items themselves weren't heavy, the uphill climb with them had been tiresome.

 The evening sun casted long shadows from the forest onto the Morningstar property, giving the mansion's façade a sinister air. A fresh breeze brought the scent of pine trees and resin from the forest to Alastor.

 Suddenly, some crows took off, cackling loudly, causing him to flinch and curse under his breath.

 His hope that Lucifer might come out to accept his delivery slowly faded, as nobody opened the door nor responded through the speaker, even after the second and third ringing. Maybe the bell isn't working? Or maybe the bell works, but the camera doesn't? Alastor thought, part of him still refusing to consider Lucifer was ignoring his attempts on purpose.

 An idea struck him as he looked down at the package. He quickly searched his pockets for the ballpoint pen he had used at work. When his fingertips brushed against the plastic of the pen, he pulled it out, knelt down next to the package, and wrote on the cardboard:

 "Hello Lucifer, this is my phone number.
Call or text me if you want to get back in touch.'
Sincerely,
Alastor"

 He wrote his phone number next to the message, then hesitated before adding the sigil which they had designed together all those years ago. An apple with a snake and deer antlers. 

 This should do. There's no way he could have forgotten about this. Alastor nodded, satisfied with this plan. He looked past the gates towards the mansion one last time, before turning his back on it and making his way downhill and back home.

 His heart was beating faster as he got excited about getting back in touch with his friend. All evening, he kept checking his phone. Each time a message popped up, his hopes rose, only to be shattered again when it turned out not to be from Lucifer. The more time went by without any news, the more Alastor's mood sank. He even stayed up later than he should have. Waiting. Hoping.

 Why does it take him so long? Alastor's heart clenched in his chest. He was lying in bed, his head resting on his soft pillow. The sheets still smelled of the detergent he had used two days ago, and despite his body being exhausted from working all day, his mind refused to let him sleep.

 I have to work tomorrow. He warned himself. His eyes grew heavy as he stared at the phone screen. It was the only light in the bedroom, a glance at the time in the top corner telling him it was past two in the morning.

 Rosie's words kept repeating in his mind.'Don't take it personally if he doesn't open up for you.' But how was he supposed not to take this personally? With each passing moment, he could feel the sadness crawling up his throat, making it harder to breathe.

 Why, Lucifer?

 I kept my promise. I returned.

 Why do you ignore me? Don't you remember our promise?

 Have you stopped caring about me?

 ...

 Have you forgotten me?

 Alastor let out a deep sigh of defeat. He turned off his phone, put it on his bedside table and removed his glasses, placing them next to it. This late at night, there was nothing he could do to change things. Might as well get some sleep. He decided.

 As he turned in bed, searching for a comfortable position, his blurred vision strayed to the open window. He had cut back the tree branches growing too close to it earlier  so that he could sleep with the window open again. He needed fresh air to sleep well.

 The way the curtains fluttered in the night breeze was mesmerising to look at. Alastor's eyes fluttered shut as sleep crept up on him.

 Suddenly, a loud cracking noise tore through the quiet of the night, followed by a thud.

 Immediately, Alastor's eyes snapped back open and he sat up in bed.

 The sound had been close. Way too close.

 His heart pounded higher up his chest as he searched for the light switch on his bedside table in the dark. His hands were shaking as he found it and quickly turned it on. His eyes never left the window, even though he could barely see without his glasses.

 The second the light was on, he grabbed his glasses and put them on.

 He stayed in his bed, frozen in place for a few long seconds, his eyes fixed on the open window. Uncertain what he was waiting for, he remained motionless. The only sound he could hear was his own ragged breathing.

 After a minute had passed without any new sounds, he hesitantly slipped his feet out from under the covers and took a few cautious steps towards the open window.

 The wooden planks creaked beneath his bare feet as he reached for the curtain and pushed it aside to peer into his garden. The first thing his eyes fell on was the tree. The branch he had cut shorter earlier had snapped and fallen to the ground, as if something very heavy had been sitting on it.

 Alastor felt his heart beat quicker. Nervously, he looked around the yard for whatever animal could be lurking outside his home, but there was no movement, no shadow, nothing.

 Part of him wanted to go outside and take a closer look, but the thought alone made his stomach turn. Whatever was out there must have been heavy enough to break the thick branch of the tree. It must be at least the size of a mountain lion, or maybe even a bear. Bears can climb, right? Alastor thought. Whatever it was, he wasn't foolish enough to go outside and check if it was still there. Animals can't open doors nor windows. He decided to be clever and close his window, just to be sure it wouldn't get in. All the windows downstairs were closed and all the doors were locked.

 Alastor closed the curtains as an extra precaution and decided to ask Rosie the next time he would see her if she had noticed any bears living nearby. It couldn't be just him dealing with this.

 With that settled, he returned to bed. However, he struggled to find sleep, as adrenaline was still coursing through his veins.

 The next morning came far too quickly. Alastor had barely slept. Too much had been on his mind. He dragged himself to work, where Cherri handed him a cup of coffee noticeing the dark circles around his eyes. At least work distracted him from thinking too much about why Lucifer wasn't reaching out to him.

 When he wasn't at work, he tidied up his house and garden. This kept him busy and stopped him from overthinking things. At least until he lay in bed. His body ached from the exhausting work, yet every night he lay wide awake for hours. It didn't help that the air in his bedroom felt stuffy. He didn't dare open his window at night anymore, not while that wild animal kept returning to his property.

 Three days passed before Cherri placed the next package on the counter and asked, »Can ya deliver this after work?«

 Alastor's heart clenched in his chest, but he nodded and put it aside for later. 

 The store was empty. It was a quiet day with not much to do. Cherri was in the back room checking the stock and making a note of what she needed to order.

 Alastor's eyes kept drifting back to the package next to him on the floor.

 If only I knew what I did wrong. He thought. His mind kept circling around the question until he could't bear it any longer.

 I won't give up this easily. With new determination, he grabbed a piece of paper and started to write a letter for Lucifer. It took a few trials. Alastor found himself never satisfied with the wording. So he took a deep breath and decided to just be real honest. 

' Dear Lucifer,

 I left a message on the last package in the hope to get back in touch. Since you haven't messaged me, I have to assume that you're upset with me for some reason. Please tell me what I did wrong. All these years overseas, I never forgot our promise or you. I can't imagine you forgot me either. '

 Alastor hesitated, unsure of how much he should say. He noticed his hand trembling, so he shook some of the tension out of it before putting his pen back on the paper.

 'I want to see you. Give me a chance to right my wrongs and explain myself. I-'

 Alastor's heart clenched in his chest as he wrote, 'I miss you.'

 He signed the paper with his name and added their symbol next to it.

 Breathing out shakily, he folded the paper in half, then slid it in the package. This could work.

 It had to.

 He delivered the package with his message after work.

 When he didn't receive a message after, Alastor thought it had been in vain. That this new trial had reignited his hopes, only to crush them yet again. 
 
 Or at least that's what he had thought...

 It was with great surprise that he found a note stuck to the gate when he delivered the third package a few days later. He had seen it from afar, quickening his steps to reach it. He put the package down and took a closer look at the small piece of paper. 

 On it was just a single word in Lucifer's perfect handwriting:

 'Stop'

 Alastor stared at the note for a long moment. He turned it in each direction, scanning it for anything else. The anguish and worry that had plagued him the whole week instantly turned to anger and frustration. Rage pulsed in his veins as he turned to the camera and said »That's it??? Just 'Stop'?«

 He crushed the piece of paper in his hand. »I poured my heart into the letter I left for you! And THIS-« he shook the fist holding the crumpled note in front of the camera »is all you give me in return? Not even an explanation for your odd behaviour? NOTHING?!«

 He stared at the damn camera, fire burning in his eyes. His grip on the piece of paper was so tight that his nails dug into the skin and his knuckles turned white.

 Silence.

 It hurt. Not only the message, but this silence. Being ignored like this by someone he’d been thrilled to see again after all those years apart... It made him feel like he didn't care. 

 Do I mean nothing to him?

 Alastor's breath hitched as he felt his frustration slowly shift to desperation.

 All this time, I thought he'd been missing me as much as I miss him. 

 I'm such a fool. 

 His throat tightened and his vision started to blur. Quickly, he turned his back to the camera, not wanting Lucifer to see the tears forming in his eyes. »Fuck you- Lucifer.« he cursed, his voice cracking pathetically.

 Not turning back once, he left the hill as warm tears streamed down his cheeks.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 »Ya look like absolute shit.« Cherri pointed out nonchalantly as she joined Alastor at the cash register.

 Alastor huffed »Thanks. How lovely of you to point this out.«

 »Wow« Cherri said, holding her hands up in a surrendering motion. »Must be bad if you're biting back like that. Come on, tell me what's wrong. We've got nothin' betta to do anyway.« she said, gesturing at the empty, perfectly maintained store. All shelves were stocked, all prices were up to date... There was literally nothing to do unless a customer were to walk in to buy something.

 Alastor glanced at the package Cherri had handed him this morning for delivery. Ever since he had discovered the foolish note Lucifer had left for him, the mere thought of walking back up that hill put him in a bad mood. »It's nothing.« he muttered, taking his eyes off the package.

 Cherri crossed her arms over her chest and blew a pink chewing gum bubble. When it popped, she shook her head and said »Yeah, nah, clearly it's not 'nothin'. Is it because of da delivery?«

 Before Alastor could decide on what to respond, the store door opened and a tall young man stepped inside. He had freckles on his light skin and eyes so dark they almost looked black in the dull shop light. Strangely he was wearing a long sleeved button up, in the heat of this midday summer.

 »Angel!« Cherri greeted the young man cheerfully. She quickly found her way around the counter and exchanged a fist bump with him »It's been over a week. Where've ya been? Ya didn't even reply to my texts.«

 Angel's eyes darted hesitantly between her and Alastor before he put up a smile and replied, »Nowhere. Just had a lot to do, and my phone broke.« He nervously brushed his fingers through his fluffed up, light blonde hair.

 Clearly a lie. Alastor thought, but he didn't judge. He probably just feels uncomfortable talking about it in front of a stranger.

 Cherri must have noticed, too, because she shifted the topic »Oh yeah, ya two haven't met yet, I believe? Angel, this is Alastor; Alastor, this is my bestie, Angel.«

 Alastor held out his hand politely and smiled at him »Pleasure to be meeting you.«

 Angel shook his hand »Well, hello, Mister tall, dark and sexy.«

 Alastor huffed as he retracted his hand »You can spare yourself the time and frustration, dear. I'm not interested.«

 The blonde man cocked his head and eyed Alastor from head to toe »Huh...«

 Alastor tried to figure out why his voice sounded familiar. Though he rarely forgot a face, he found it hard to pinpoint where he had heard it before.

 How would I even know his voice? Maybe it just remembers me of someone else's?

 Angel crossed his skinny arms over his chest and muttered »My gaydar is usually rather reliable« 

 »Your what now?« Alastor asked, dragged out of his thoughts by his comment.

 Cherrie gave Angel a light slap on the back of his head.

 »Hey!« Angel complained, rubbing the spot.

 »Shush, Angel« Cherrie warned him, pointing a finger at his nose »Ya know betta than to out someone out of the blue.«

 Angel lifted his arms in a surrendering motion »Chill. I uhm... Ya know what? Ya're right... That wasn't very gentlemanly of me. Sorry, Smiles.«

 »Smiles?« Alastor asked, even more confused. What is going on here?

 Angel chuckled »Yeah, you've really mastered that customer smile. Look at you, keeping it up throughout this whole conversation.«

 Alastor glanced at his reflection in the shop window and realised that he was indeed smiling. He hadn't even noticed, for it had become second nature to him by now. Meanwhile, the two friends started a conversation without him as Angel walked through the store, picking out items to buy. Although Alastor didn't pay any attention to what was said, part of his mind was still searching for why Angel's voice sounded familiar. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, even after the blond had left.

 The rest of the day passed like a blur, and as the store closed, Alastor found himself walking up the steep hill towards the Morningstar residence with Lucifer's delivery in hand.

 He had thought he could do this. Just put the package down and leave. However, as he neared the gate, he could feel the tension rising inside him, his hand clenching around the cardboard box. A pulsing sound rang in his ears as his eyes fixed on the spot where he had found the note last time. A tiny piece of duct tape still stuck to the metal bar.

 Alastor stared at it. His rage and frustration were mixing all too well in his mind. He glanced over at the camera and made a decision. If Lucifer decided to be difficult, he would give him some of his own medicine. Instead of lowering the package to the ground as he was supposed to, he heaved it higher and placed it on top of the gate's pillar. Even Alastor had to stretch to reach it, and based on how Lucifer had always been a head shorter than him, he assumed he'd not be able to get to it.

 With a smug grin, he turned to the camera and said »Good luck getting that down« with a sense of satisfaction at the thought of Lucifer struggling to reach the package, and then having to get a stool or even a ladder to retrieve it he turned his back on the gate and left. 

 From that day on, Alastor decided this would be his new personal mission: to find ways to get on Lucifer's nerves with his deliveries.

 The next time, he cut open the bottom of the package before setting it down so everything would fall out once Lucifer would pick it up. On another occasion, he delivered not one, but five oversized packages to the property, each box containing only some of the items. At one point, he even took the time to glue everything inside the box together just to piss him off. One of his best ideas was to remove all labels from the food cans.

 After two weeks of these shenanigans Alastor had a particularly creative idea. He unpacked all items of Lucifer's command and spelled out 'Fuck you' with them on the ground in front of Lucifer's gate. 

 Suddenly, a voice shouted through the speaker »Will you fucking stop this nonsense?!«

 Alastor's mind went blank. His heart skipped a beat. Even through the static buzz of the speaker, the voice was unmistakably Lucifer's. He dropped the can of peas he was holding and turned to look at the camera. »Lucifer?«

 The speaker hissed quietly, then fell silent.

 Alastor stood up and moved closer to the camera. After weeks of rage and frustration, one might have expected the first thing he would say to be an insult. Yet the first words to leave his lips were »I kept my promise. I came back to you.«

 Silence.

 Alastor's heart ached in his chest. »I know it took me a while... But I'm back now. Please, can we talk?«

 At first, the only thing that could be heard was the faint buzz of the speaker before Lucifer said »Go away. Go back to France, for all I care. I don't want to see you.«

 Alastor had experienced many forms of pain in his life, yet those few words hurt more than all of them combined. »Lucifer« he gasped.

 »Are you deaf? I said fuck off!« the voice screamed into the speaker.

 Alastor flinched back. Lucifer had never spoken to him like this before. For a short moment, he considered leaving, his gaze trailing over the path downhill. But then, his pain turned to anger. For all those years, he had kept his promise. He had held his friend dearly in his heart. Only to be turned away at the gate like this?

 »No« Alastor growled, glaring at the camera »You will get your ass out here, look me in the eyes, and at least tell me why the hell you're so angry with me. You owe me this much!«

 The voice crackled through the transponder »I owe you nothing.«

 »All right.« Alastor said. On the outside, he looked as calm as deep water, while inside, a storm was raging. He touched the cold metal bars of the gate and glanced up. It was at least twice his height. »If you won't come out, then I'll come in.«  With that, he jumped as high as he could, grabbed the metal bars and climbed up that gate as if his life depended on it.

 »What the fuck?!« Lucifer cursed »What do you think you're doing?! Stop this right now!« But as Alastor got higher and higher up, Lucifer's voice became more hysterical »Get the fuck down there, or I'll call the police!«

 There was nothing he could have said to make Alastor turn around. He was either to determined or to stubborn, depending on whom you'd asked. He reached the top of the gate, pulled himself up, and jumped down onto the other side.

 The curses he could hear coming through the speaker behind him faded until all he could hear was the crunch of gravel beneath his shoes as he walked towards the mansion. The crows perched on the dead tree he passed cawed at him, then took off, fluttering away.

 Alastor's heartbeat quickened, but there was no way he was turning back now. He reached the few steps in front of the entrance, and just as he reached for the doorknob, the door flung open to reveal a small man. He had blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and pale, almost paper-white skin.
 
 »Lucifer«  Alastor gasped, his rage leaving him for a brief moment at the sight of him.

 Instead of the warm welcome he had imagined all those years overseas, he was shoved back and off the porch »Don't you "Lucifer" me!« he said, tears in his eyes and a hurt expression on his face »Why are you back, Alastor?« His voice broke »Why didn't you stay away? Fuck off! I don't want to see you. I hate you!«

 Alastor looked at him in shock. The small one shivered. His white button-up shirt was crinkled and his blonde hair was dishevelled. The bright smile he had always worn as a child was gone. 

 The laughter Alastor had always heard in his mind whenever he thought about him got replaced by those three hurtful words 'I hate you'. They echoed in his mind, twisting his stomach and shattering his heart into a million pieces. A breathless »Why?« left Alastor's lips as he stepped closer. 

 But Lucifer didn't even look him in the eye as he said »Just forget about me.« With that, he closed the door to his nose and locked it three times.

 Alastor stared at the door, stunned and hollowed by what had just happened

 And as if this wasn't enough chaos for his emotions, he suddenly heard a soft sobbing come from the other side of the door. 

 Alastor brushed his fingertips over the old wooden door »But... I came back for you...«

 The sobbing on the other side intensified before a broken voice replied »But you are too late.«

 And... he was right. He had promised to be back by the time he turned 18. What was supposed to be a seven-year absence had turned into fifteen. He withdrew his hand from the door, searching for the right words. »I'm sorry, Lucifer.« was all he managed to say.

 The small one's only response was more sobbing. 
 
 The pain-filled sounds held Alastor hostage. He felt unbearable guilty for being so late. »I... I wanted to be back earlier... But life is messy. My time in Paris was not as expected, to say the least.«
 
  He thought back to that old, shady apartment, filled with empty glass bottles and an ever present thick layer of smoke that clouded the view. The ashtrays overflowed with cigarette butts on the coffetable... He could still remember that smell. At the mere thought of the man he didn't even want to call father, a chill ran down his spine. 

 »It took me a while to free myself from what I had gotten myself into« was all Alastor could bear to say. So much had gone wrong, and there was so little he could tell another soul without risking to be arrested.

 »It doesn't matter.« the shaking voice on the other side said. »It won't change anything... Just... go away...«

 Alastor didn't move. I did that to him. He realized, even if it had't been his intention, »I... I don't know why it was so important to you that I return precisely after seven years, but I want to right my wrongs. What can I do to make up for it?« he asked.

 There was a moment of silence between them before Lucifer's muffled voice replied, almost too quietly for him to hear »You can't make up for it...« Then he added, a bit louder »Go away Alastor... Leave me alone.«

 Alastor hesitated. His heart clenched in his chest. He didn't want to leave. He still had so many questions, but he felt he wouldn't achieve anything by staying. Lucifer was clearly exhausted and needed space. Maybe pushing harder wouldn't be the right approach. So he said »All right... If you change your mind and want to see me... I've moved back into my old home... My door is always open for you, Lucifer...«

 It was with a heavy heart that he left the small one behind, all alone in his great mansion.

 Only time would show if Alastor could regain his trust. 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

Alastor pushed open the vibrant blue door to his family home. Immediately, the smell of spices and home-cooked food hit his nose. »Maman?« he called into the empty entrance hall, noticing that his voice had a higher, more childlike pitch. He glanced at the mirror in the entrance hall, and saw his younger self looking back at him. Thick-rimmed glasses, ruffled curly hair, and a bright smile. Intrigued, he looked down at himself. It must be summer because he was wearing shorts and a white shirt.

 Quickly, he kicked his shoes off and into the corner, just as he always used to do it. If this was his younger self... Then his mother must still be alive! Excited, he ran through the cosy living room, past the chimney and the well-mended piano, and through the open kitchen door.

 There was a pot on the stove, bubbling and steaming, but his mother was nowhere to be seen. Confused, Alastor stepped inside and looked around the yellow-tiled, rustic kitchen. »Maman?« he called, looking for his mother. She never left the house with food cooking on the stove. Intrigued, he tried to peek at what she had been cooking. The ever-present smell of spices gave him a clue. He had to stand on tiptoes to peer over the rim and find out what it was. Jambalaya, his favourite!

 But it'll burn if it stays like this...

 Quickly, he picked up a wooden spoon from the kitchen counter, stirred the jambalaya a few times, then turned the stove's heat down until the bubbles lessened.

 Better. He nodded in satisfaction at his work. But where is Maman? He wondered. Is she in the garden, perhaps? Or-

 Suddenly, the faint sound of sirens interrupted his thoughts. At first, he tried to ignore them. But then they got louder and louder.

 »Maman?« he called through the open living room door. His heartbeat quickened. »Where are you?«

 The sound of the sirens grew louder and louder as they approached the house.

 Blue lights flashed through the living room windows, reflecting off the piano’s polished surface and bathing the room in an unnatural glow.

 A loud noise from behind startled Alastor. He quickly turned around and saw the Jambalaya boiling over and dripping down the stove onto the yellow-tiled kitchen floor.

 But it didn't look like jambalaya anymore.

 It was blood.

 Alastor took a step back as he realised this, watching the red, thick liquid slowly spread over the tiles towards his bare feet.

 His back hit something hard. The door. But he hadn't closed the door. And why were the sirens so loud? He couldn't hear anything else. He tried to call for his mother again, but his voice was too weak and quiet to be heard over the noise of the sirens.

 Alastor's heart raced as he searched for the door handle, his eyes fixed on the blood. When he felt his fingertips brush against cold metal, he grabbed the handle and opened the door. He almost tripped and fell as he pushed through.

 The sirens were gone and he was an adult again.

 However, the living room was no longer on the other side of the door. Instead, it was a dark street in the middle of a forest. The full moon shone down on a burning car which had crashed into a tree.  The air was cold, but the asphalt beneath his bare feet was still warm from the day.

 Alastor's breath caught. His eyes widened as he remembered that night. Panicking, he ran over the hard street towards the car. »Maman!« he called, ready to jump right into the burning car and save her. »Help!« He screamed. Where were the sirens? Where are the police? The firefighters?!

 He opened the passenger door as the other one was blocked. The smoke stung his lungs and the heat of the flames heated up the right side of his face and arm. However, what was on the other side of the door startled him.

 It was his eleven-year-old self. With tears in his eyes and a huge bleeding wound on his head, he frantically grabbed his older self's arm. »Help her!« he pleaded. »She won't wake up! Help Maman!«

 Alastor froze, hearing his own words. Blue lights started to flash all around him, but no other sound could be heard besides the sobbs of his younger self.

 The shake in his younger self's voice pierced Alastor's heart as he said »It was a deer- it jumped in front of the car- Maman tried to avoid it.« He looked past his older self as if it was still out there.

 »...I know.« Alastor muttered, kneeling down in front of his younger self. He looked past him to his mother's lifeless body. It was too late for her. He knew it; she had died right after the impact the police had told him later on. There was blood everywhere, and the strange smell of burning human flesh filled the air.

 Alastor's heart clenched in his chest. He took his younger self's hands in his. They were so small in comparison. »Listen, you can't stay here... We have to leave.«

 The blue lights reflected in his younger self's teary eyes »But- but we can't leave her here! She needs help- she'll-«

 Alastor shook his head. »We can't do anything for her. Come on. You can't stay in there.« He nudged him gently and felt some resistance before he complied and let him lead him out of the burning car.

 As Alastor turned, still holding his younger self's hand, he saw the numerous police and fire engine cars. People rushed past them in a blur as if they were invisible. Their faces, however, were unidentifiable. They had no eyes or noses. They had wide-open mouths as if shouting, but no sound came from their bodies.

 His younger self squeezed his hand, grabbing his attention.

 As Alastor looked down, he met his worried gaze.

 »What will happen now?« he asked in a tiny, quiet voice.

 Alastor's heart clenched in his chest; he knew that what was to come was nothing he could reassure his younger self about. All his happiest moments had been before this night, before the accident. He bit down on his lip. What could he say to his younger self? Words of encouragement? Lies? The truth? After thinking for a while, he replied »Darkness... You're going to face a real monster that won't know when to stop, but you'll kill it and find your way back home. I promise.«

 His younger self blinked twice, clearly confused by his words. »But... Maman said monsters don't exist.«

 Alastor offered him a sad smile. »Not a monster like you imagine it right now... He's a man. One you don't know yet. Humans can be so much worse than monsters.«

 »That's true.« A soft voice broke the silence around them.

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat. His younger self vanished into the shadows and his hand dissolved like dust in his hold. When Alastor turned to see who had spoken, he was met with a pair of blue, piercing eyes looking up at him. »Lucifer« he gasped, looking down at the smaller figure. Like the other day when he had seen him at the mansion, he was an adult just like him and lacking his usual smile.

 The small one's gaze was as cold as ice when he accused him »You're a monster too.«

 It hurt to hear it from him, but deep down, he knew it was true. He nodded in agreement, his voice a little too weak for his liking, as he said »I am.«

 Lucifer crossed his arms over his chest, »Not even trying to deny it, huh?«

 »Why should I? It is the truth.«

 For some reason, Lucifer looked upset about his response. He avoided his gaze, grumbling something under his breath.

 Alastor looked around. He was still surrounded by woods plunged in the blue lights of police cars, but everything was blurry and the movements of the firefighters were slow, as if time had slowed around them. »What are you doing here?« Alastor asked.

 Lucifer walked past him without a word, and when Alastor turned to follow him, a bright light made him blinded him and he quickly shut his eyes.

 When he opened them again, he had to blink a few times. The forest was gone, replaced by a meadow full of bright red poppies. The warm summer breeze blew through the long grass. In the middle of the flowers, sitting in the shade of a single willow tree on top of a hill, Alastor spotted his younger self sitting next to a young Lucifer.

 Lucifer looked sad. He had tears in his eyes, but he bit down on his lip, trying to suppress them. Alastor watched his younger self reach up and wipe away his tears. In a soft, low voice, he said »I'll come back. I promise.«

 Lucifer sniffled »But I don't want you to leave at all.«

 Alastor's heart ached as he realised that this was the day he had left home to live with his father in Paris.

 »I know... neither do I...« his younger self sniffled, but then he caught himself and forced a smile »You'll see, it'll go quickly. Once I turn 18, I'll leave France and come back to you.«

 »That's in seven years.« Lucifer pouted. »That's so long.«

 »We can write each other letters in the meantime.« He suggested, »And we could call each other, though not too often since it's expensive.«

 Lucifer wrapped his arms around his knees and muttered »You... you promise you'll be back? That you'll come back once you're 18?«

 »Yes,« Alastor said, determined, »I promise.«

 Lucifer nodded slowly. »Good,« he said, »Because when you're 18, I'll be 17, and...« He stopped mid-sentence, avoiding his gaze. »Just be back before my 18th birthday, all right?«

 A soft chuckle escaped Alastor. »Sure, whatever you want. I'll even bring you a present.«

 Lucifer huffed »Don't joke now. It's really important. You have to take this seriously.«

 »I am« Alastor said in a more serious tone »I will-«

 Suddenly, Lucifer leaned closer and placed a soft kissed on his cheek. His lips barely brushed his skin, a touch light as a feather.

 Alastor's cheeks flushed deep red as Lucifer retreated. He brushed his fingertips over the spot on his cheek. Startled and speechless, he watched as Lucifer stood up and ran down the hill through the flower field, fleeing from him. He had almost reached the end of the meadow before Alastor found his voice again and called for him. »Lucifer! Wait!« he shouted, standing up and sprinting through the high weeds, trying to reach him in time. He almost tripped as he gained speed from running downhill. »Lucifer, I promise I-«

 »You broke your promise.« A sharp voice tore through the memory. The temperature dropped as the sky turned ink black, void of it's sun. The flowers around him dried out and crumbled to ash. The icy wind blowing every last bit away.

 Alastor took a step back »Lucifer... I—«

 »You said you'd be back in seven years.« Lucifer's voice came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time and was followed by thunder. 

 »I—I wanted to be back by then, but things didn't go as planned. My father-«

 »You took too long.« Lucifer's sharp voice cut him off. It sounded like it was coming from behind him, but when he turned, Lucifer wasn't there. His voice rose again. »I waited for you. I trusted you. Even when you responded to none of my letters. Even if you never answered a call. I trusted you'd keep your promise and be back in time.«

(x)

 »I'm sorry« Alastor's voice cracked »I'm so sorry Lucifer. My father. He took the letters away, I wasn't allowed to pick up the phone. If I did- If I even dared to try- I'd get beaten and-«

(x)

 Before Alastor could find the right words, Lucifer said »You have no idea what concequences I have to suffer through because you were not there.« 

 »But I am back now.« Alastor tried to defend himself.

 »It's too late now.« The voice was right behind him. Alastor's hackles rose as he turned quickly, freezing in shock when he looked into a pair of red, glowing eyes instead of blue ones. Lucifer looked furious, his fists clenched, his breath uneven, and a deep growl escaped him as he said »I needed you.«

 Speechless, Alastor looked up at him, as he was taller than him now. He felt an uneasy tug in his gut as he stared right back into those red, glowing eyes. It was as if he was looking into the depths of Hell itself.

 In contrast, Lucifer's voice turned cold as ice as he said »I hate you, Alastor.« his voice sounded pained and echoed in his mind. 

 That was the moment Alastor woke up. His sheets were damp with sweat, and his room was dark. Gasping for air, his half-asleep brain struggled to grasp that it had just been a dream.

 It had felt so real.

 And parts of it had been drawn from his memories, even if twisted a bit. Alastor grabbed for his chest where his heart was beating like crazy. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. 

 It was just a dream. Just a nightmare.

 Once he felt the panic slowly ebb away, he glanced at his alarm clock. It was past 3 a.m.

 Displeased, he sat up in bed, took a few deep breaths and rubbed his face, trying to ground himself.  He then reached for the glass of water on his bedside table. But just as he was about to pick it up... He saw a red, glowing reflection in the glass.

 His heart skipped a beat.

Instead of the water, he grabbed his glasses and looked around his room, searching for the source of the red light, but there was none to be seen. Confused, he looked back at the glass, but the red light had disappeared.

 Maybe it was just a trick of the mind? Alastor wondered. Hesitantly, he turned on the bedside table light. His room looked as usual, yet he couldn't shake off this feeling... like something was watching him.

 I guess that conversation ealier really got to me...

 Shaking his head, he picked up the glass and took a sip of the cold water. Water always tasted so much better in the middle of the night than during the day. He emptied the glass and put it back on his bedside table. Deciding that a stupid nightmare would not stop him from getting some more rest, he pulled the blanket back up around him and nuzzled into his pillow.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 The summer breeze bent the tall weeds around Alastor as he knelt in the meadow, plucking another vibrant red poppy for his growing bouquet of wildflowers. Dandelions like drops of sunlight, sky-blue cornflowers, and pale daisies joined the poppies he had picked for Lucifer.

 Alastor straightened his back. The evening sun was low enough to give the tall grass around him a golden gleam. He looked over to the lone willow tree in the field of flowers. It's long vines swayed in the evening breeze. A smile curled his lips at the memory of Lucifer kissing his cheek in its shade.

 After waking up this morning, he had decided to try to apologise to Lucifer. He had thought about how to do it best all day long. Many people offered flowers when apologising, but when he walked past the florist, he found that none of the bouquets spoke to him. Nothing really conveyed what he wanted to say. That's when he recalled his nightmare from the previous night, or rather the memory embedded within it.

 A bouquet picked from their favourite spot, surrounded by the flowers that had been there when they made their promise... what could be more fitting? Alastor nodded to himself. This probably wouldn't undo eight years of damage, but it was a start. He wanted to show Lucifer that he meant it and really wanted to make things right between them.

 Alastor pulled a white band out of his pocket that he had picked up at home to bind the bouquet. He twisted it around the stems and tied a perfect little bow. Satisfied with his work, he looked around the tall weeds for the package he was supposed to deliver today. It was resting in the half-shade amongst the tall weeds.

 With the bouquet in one hand and the package in the other, Alastor left the meadow to make his way toward the Morningstar residence. The meadow was just outside of the town, in front of the forest. So Alastor followed the path in the shade of the high pine trees, to walk up the hill. This side was slightly steeper than the path he ususally took.

 He recalled how they used to come here in winter as children, sledging and playing in the snow. He could still hear the echo of their laughter in his mind.

 When he reached the top of the hill and stepped in front of the tall gate, Alastor simply placed the package in front of it. He had decided to stop the teasing and replace it with niceties in the hope that Lucifer might forgive him. With a sigh, Alastor placed the bouquet of wildflowers on top of his delivery and turned towards the camera.

 »Lucifer, I don't know if you're watching or not, but if you are... I'm really sorry...« he said.

 A part of him hoped to hear Lucifer's voice through the speaker. But it stayed silent.

 Well, he couldn't expect much after their last conversation. Alastor figured the small one needed some time. Maybe he should write him a letter next time. Try to explain what had happened in France. But he was not sure how to do it without admitting his crimes... The truth was too bad to tell but he didn't want to lie to him either...

 Feeling a little low, he left the hill and walked back to town. It was Friday evening and the sun was almost setting. After this eventful week, Alastor felt like he needed some time to unwind. 

 His home always felt so empty, and now that he had finished most of the work to restore it, he felt as though he had nothing to do.

 Maybe I could check out Husk's bar. Alastor thought, remembering how Rosie had mentioned it before.

 An idea struck him. Husk might know what had happened to Lucifer after I left for Paris. They had been classmates, after all.

 So it was decided. He would go to the bar. It wouldn't be hard to find. The town was small, after all, and Alastor remembered that there had been a tavern on the outskirts of the town.

 The moment he walked up to it, he knew he had found the right place. The bar was busy, music spilled outside and... the letters 'Husk's Bar' were written in red neon lights above the door. So that was quiet giving it away. 

 Alastor pushed open the bar's door and stepped into the noisy room. Music played from the jukebox in the corner and laughter echoed through the packed room, joined by the occasional curses from the table where a few men were playing cards for money.

 Alastor stepped past them and headed straight for the bar. He settled on one of the stools, rested his arms on the old wooden counter, and said »A whisky, please.«

 The grumpy bartender with the thick eyebrows and red bow tie turned and looked at him. Then did a double take, his eyes widening in recognition »Alastor?« he gasped in surprise. 

 A wide grin spread across Alastor's face. »Correct« he purred, pleased to see he remembered him. »It's been a while, Husker.« he used his nickname.

 Husk huffed and muttered below his breath »Not long enough.«

 »What was that?« Alastor asked, raising his eyebrows.

 »Nothing- nothing. A whisky, ya said?« Husk grumbled, loosening his bow tie before grabbing a bottle of amber liquid from behind the bar and pouring him a drink.

 Alastor watched with amusement as Husk kept glancing at him cautiously. Clever man. It had been years since he'd put Husk in his place, but he must still remember it. Husk had been quite the bully back then. Of all the kids he could have picked on, he had decided to be mean to Lucifer. Big mistake. Alastor hadn't been a violent kid, but his sense of justice had gotten the better of him that day. He had seen Lucifer in tears because Husk had picked on him for his name. Husk was sent home with a broken nose and a black eye, while Alastor had barely gotten a scratch.

 Husk quickly handed him his drink, then took a step back.

 »Nice bar you've got here.« Alastor said, taking a sip of his whisky. The warm burn of the alcohol tickled his throat, and the smoky aroma lingered on his tongue. He took a deep breath and hummed, pleased by the taste. Quite a good pick. Husker must have developed a taste while he had been away.

 »Mhm,« Husk grumbled, »'bought it a few years ago.«

 »I heard about that.« Alastor said.

 Husker looked at him thoughtfully before asking hesitantly »What brings ya back in town?«

 »Old promises, one might say.« Alastor replied, not wanting to delve too deeply into the topic.

 Husk poured himself a drink and downed it in one go »I can't believe I'm goin' to ask this, but... Did 'cha reach out to Lucifer yet?«

 Alastor paused, his drink halfway to his lips. 'You are too late.' Lucifer's voice echoed in his mind. 'I hate you.' He brought the glass to his lips and took a sip, hoping it might ease his sore heart. »I tried.« he replied truthfully, »He doesn't want to see me right now.«

 Husker grumbled something under his breath, poured himself a second drink, and said a bit louder, »It's a pity.«

 »Rosie couldn't tell me much about why he hides away in his mansion. Do you know anything about it?«

 Husk downed his drink and let out a deep sigh »Listen, I ain't the one who can give ya the answers. I wasn't exactly close to the lil' Morningstar. But I noticed he started to withdraw once ya were gone, and then he disappeared completely after he turned 18.«

 Alastor looked down at the amber liquid in his glass and twirled it thoughtfully »With 18, you say?« His birthday was a few month's before Lucifer's, so that would have been a little over seven years after he left. »Did something happen on his birthday?«

 Husk shrugged »Dunno. There was no birthday party or anythin'. Ya know he never celebrated it.«

 Alastor took a sip of his whisky. He recalled that Lucifer's family had never celebrated his birthday. He had made it a tradition to give him small gifts anyway the day after his birthday. Once, his mother had even baked a cake for Lucifer. Now that he thought about it, Lucifer never came to school on his birthday either. 

 »I don't wanna overstep, but...« Husk started »Back then, I thought he was depressed and heartbroken because ya left.«

 »Careful with assumptions, Husker.« Alastor said in a warning tone, his anger boiling up inside him. If he was honest with himself, he knew his anger was directed at himself, not the bartender. But he had been a kid, he hadn't been given a choice to stay, »Any idea who could know more?«

 Husk didn't need to think for long »Ozzi« he said. »But ya might struggle to get hold of the "beau". He moved to the city and owns a club there. Since puberty, he'd changed a lot. Always surrounded by chicks these days.«

 Alastor cocked his head. Ozzie had always been such a quiet, shy kid that he struggled to imagine him as a womaniser. »I'll find a way to talk to him.« he said determined »What's the club called?«

 »Lust-Rings« Husker answered, »It's... you know... a strip club.«

 Alastor laughed, thinking he was joking, but then his laughter died down when he saw that Husk wasn't joining in »Fuck! You're serious?«

 »Sure am.« Husk confirmed »Good luck. You'll need it.« With that, he turned to serve the other guests, who were waiting for their drinks.

 Swirling the remaining liquid in his glass, Alastor took a good look at the people in the room. Most of the faces were ones he didn't recognise. For some reason, a pair sitting in the far corner, close to the window, caught his attention. One was a tall man in a pompous pelt coat with pink-tinted glasses, and the other was a slightly shorter, yet still rather tall, young man with light blonde hair and freckles.

 Oh wait, that's Angel. He realised. Cherri's friend looked uncomfortable as the taller man draped an arm possessively around him while smoking a cigarette.

 Alastor narrowed his eyes, but kept his carefree grin in place nonetheless. »Who's the man next to Angel over there?« he asked Husk as he came back.

 The bartender leaned in to whisper his response »That's Valentino... His boyfriend.«

 »Valentino... « Alastor hummed, recalling the verbal dispute he had overheard in his backyard a few weeks earlier. Intrigued, he let his gaze return to the couple while taking a sip of his drink.

 Valentino blew some smoke into Angel's face and laughed as the young man coughed and tried to disperse the fumes by waving his hand in front of him.

 The to sharp grin on Valentino's face was one Alastor knew all too well. The smile of a monster.

 Just like my father's smile.

  ...

 And just like mine...

 He downed his drink, then pushed the empty glass towards Husk. »It was quite the pleasure to talk to you, Husker. Maybe we should catch up sometime.« he said, leaving the money on the counter »Keep the change.« he said, before heading straight towards the couple in the corner.

 Valentino spotted him first. His eyes narrowed behind his pink coloured glasses, »Well, look who's come to join us... the creepy cabrón who kept staring at my precioso Angel from afar.« he said, taking a deep drag from his cigarette then blowing it in his direction.

 Alastor stopped in front of the table littered with empty glasses and an overflowing ashtray. In the cigarette smoke, a moth fluttered against the window next to their seat. 

 Alastor's eyes trailed to Angel, who looked at him with wide eyes. He knew what he was pleading for. 'Just leave,' Angel wanted to convey. 'Don't make him angry.'  It was sad how victims of men like Valentino so rarely pleaded to be freed, even though that was what they needed most.

 Alastor put on his best smile as he spoke. »Well, I just had to come and introduce myself. After all, we're neighbours now.« he said, holding out his right hand to Valentino. This meant Valentino had to let go of Angel to take it. »Alastor Altruist. I've just moved back into my old family home.«

 Valentino shook his hand, releasing Angel from his grip in the process »Your family home, you say? The abandoned ruin?«

 »That one,« Alastor chimed in, playing nice »It's a pleasure to have stumbled across you here. I had wanted to introduce myself to you two for a while now.« He kept it secret that he already knew Angel from the store, seeing as Valentino seemed to be of the envious type. 

 »Sure, bueno... We're quite ocupados here.« Valentino waved him off »Eh, was nice to meet you.«

 The audacity!

 Alastor kept his smile under perfect control, hiding what he was feeling inside. »Of course, I won't impose for longer than necessary,« he said, glancing at the moth fluttering against the window. 

 He hinted at leaving, but then turned back around to face Valentino again. »Ah, right, one last thing... Now that we know each other. Just a small warning...«

  In one swift movement, Alastor grabbed his jackknife, snapped it open, and pierced the moth with the sharp tip right in front of Valentino's face »I'll get rid of the pests, so maybe keep your doors and windows shut... for your own safety...«

  The wings of the moth twitched a few times before the insect died. Alastor grinned satisfied by his little show »I just can't stand those insects getting in my way.« He picked the moth off his knife and crushed it in his hands. »Understood?« he asked.

 Valentino's eyes spoke defiance and his grin twitched at the edge of his mouth, while Angel looked more than a little terrified at the sight of the two of them.

 Valentino hissed »Thanks for the warning, neighbour, but I don't think it was necessary.«

 Alastor shrugged »If you say so.« he said, snapping his jackknife close. »Well, I've got to leave now. So many things to do in so little time.« He waved at them as he turned on his heels and left the bar with a playful »Tata~« feeling the piercing eyes of Valentino on his back.

 He would quickly learn to take his warnings seriously. Even if he had to keep his record clean of new kills, he would not let this asshole mistreat Cherri's friend right under his nose. After all, one could achieve results without going through with the kill...

 The fresh summer night air filled Alastor's lungs as he stepped outside and took a deep breath. The music and voices from inside the bar faded as the door closed behind him, and the melody of crickets could be heard instead. Alastor walked in the light of the street lamps and admired the deserted town. At this time of night, it was normal not to see anyone on the streets. Unlike in the big cities, there was not much to do here beside the bar.

 He liked how quiet it was here. He had never realised how much he had missed it.

 As he left the path to take a shortcut between two fences, he looked up at the full moon in the cloudless sky.

 What a lovely night!

 Alastor recalled watching the stars with Lucifer as a child. They would lie on the grass in his backyard for hours, inventing stories about the constellations they had created. This happy memory now left a melancholic feeling inside him. '

 I hate you' Lucifer's words echoed in his mind. His heart ached, and he shook his head as if that would dismiss the thought.

 Suddenly, Alastor heard something rustling behind him. He quickly turned around, immediately taking a fighting stance with his knife out, just in case. But there was nobody there. He was alone.

 »Who's there?« Alastor asked, knowing he could feel someone watching him. »Show yourself.« 

 But as he saw nothing, no movement or silhouette in the dark, Alastor questioned his senses.

 Did I imagine it?

 He turned, looked around, but found nothing out of the ordinary, so he cautiously kept walking, but kept his knife out just in case. 

 Better safe than sorry. He thought. 

 The feeling lingered with him for his whole walk home. This uneasy tugging feeling at his guts.

 Only as he closed and locked his door did he let out a deep breath of relief. 

 Whatever had been following him, won't get inside. He was safe.  

 For now. 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

Alastor was stocking shelves with sugar and flour when the shop door opened, letting in a breeze of hot summer air that clashed with the chill of the AC. Peeking past the shelf, he saw who had entered and smiled as he recognised Angel. »Good morning, dear~« he greeted his neighbour.

 However, Angel's dark eyes narrowed and his expression soured when he met his gaze. »Yo, what da fuck was that last night, Alastor?« he asked, immediately jumping to the topic of their encounter at Husk's bar.

 Alastor put the last pack of flour on the shelf and answered, »Well, I think it was rather obvious. I introduced myself to my neighbours.«

 Angel crossed his arms over his chest »Nah, that wasn't just an introduction.«

 Cherri, probably having heard them, pushed open the storage room door and joined in. »Hey, Angel! Oh wow-« She paused and looked between both of them »What's up? Are ya two fightin' already?«

 »Your dear employee threatened Valentino yesterday at da bar.« Angel accused him. He emphasised his statement by waving in Alastor's general direction. »It took me hours to convince Val that we didn't know each other, and that I hadn't been flirting with him behind his back.«

 Alastor huffed, »I saw how uncomfortable he made you, that's why I stepped in. Why do you even put up with that idiot?« He didn't try to hide his pointed remark behind any niceties.

 Angel growled, »That's none of your fuckin' business!« He balled his hands into fists, ready to pick a fight.

 »Wow, wow, now,« Cherri stepped between them »Chill, guys.« she said.

 Angel took a step back, muttering a curse beneath his breath, »Just don't get involved in my shit, Alastor. I can fight my own battles perfectly fine.«

 Alastor thought back to the morning he had overheard Valentino and Angel's fight from his backyard. Seeing the warning look on Cherri's face, he bit back a remark and said instead, »All right. If that's what you want.« If he really wanted to deal with it alone, he'd let him be. After all, this was his new life and his new self. He had to be the nice citizen who would never kill a human soul.

 Yet the itch at the back of his mind had been increasing ever since he arrived. He knew he couldn't give in to it. It would be a very bad idea, especially in a village where everyone knew his real name. That's only a promblem if I'd get caught...

 Stop this. He warned himself. You can't kill Valentino, and Angel doesn't want your help. There's no reason to take action when everyone is bound to their own decisions.

 The voice of reason in his mind had never been the strongest once he had put a target on someone's head, but right now it had the backing of logic and the support of his heart, which really wanted him to be good and stay in his newly regained home.

 Cherri asked Angel, »I didn't know ya and Val still go to the bar. Didn't he say he disliked how the bartender looked at ya?«

 Angel huffed and waved it off. »He's made it his mission to show everyone that I belong to him. Ya know, that kind of nonsense. He'll calm down once he realises that nobody is interested in me anyway.« He glanced over at Alastor. »There aren't many gays in those kinda smol town anyway.«

 Alastor cocked his head, wondering why Angel was looking at him as he said this.

 Whatever. He had a few more shelves to restock. He excused himself and went back to his task, not paying any more attention to the small talk Cherri had started with the tall blonde.

 The day dragged on and once work was done Alastor headed straight home. Today he had no packages to deliver to Lucifer's mansion.

 Even if he had, he still had not finished the letter he was working on. Every draft he had written so far had ended up in the trash bin next to his desk, because it was either too blunt or too full of lies. He just couldn't seem to find the right balance.

 It was 11pm already. Alastor sat at his desk, the room only dimly lit by his desk lamp. He had set up a small workspace in his childhood bedroom. The wallpaper still showed a cartoonish forest with little foxes, rabbits and deers. He hadn't had the motivation yet to change it. 

 Alastor tossed the pen with a muttered curse. Useless. The words refused to cooperate, dancing around the edges of his thoughts but never settling. He took off his glasses, rubbed his face and sighed, taking a moment to ground himself.

 This is way harder than I thought.

 He peeked down at the sheet in front of him through his fingers. Without his glasses, he couldn't read a thing, yet he knew the first few lines by heart after so many trials.

 'Dear Lucifer,

 You have every right to hate me for being eight years late. I know it is my fault and I don't expect you to forgive me. But in this letter, I want to tell you what happened while I was overseas, to explain at least what lead to this. If, after reading this, you decide that you don't want to see me, I will respect that and leave you be.'

 Alastor grabbed his glasses and put them back on. He picked up his pen and lowered it to the sheet of paper. Instead of writing, he moved the pen up and down, hesitating over how to start the next sentence. 

 Should I just leave the killing part out and stick to the truth with the other things? It would be a leap of faith, though. Even without mentioning his murders, there was enough evidence to send him straight to prison. It would be like handing him the weapon to destroy his life.

 Alastor hesitated. Is Lucifer worth this much? Is he worth the risk of telling him?

 Determined, he answered the question to himself with a 'yes' and started to write.

 'Paris hadn't been what I had expected. The big city was noisy and crowded, a child could so easily go unnoticed. I lived in a small apartment in Saint-Denis. Those who know the area know that it is a dark corner where crime rates are high and burning cars on the streets are a daily occurrence. My father was high on drugs most of the time, drunk the rest of the time. He lived on social aid and financed his own drug habit by dealing on the streets. This environment alone could have pushed me into the wrong circles and connected me with the wrong people, but I tried my best to stay out of trouble and avoid my father's attention. For a while it worked... being quiet enough for him to forget that I lived there was the only thing I could do. But whenever he remembered that I was there...'

 Alastor paused.

(x)

 A memory flashed before his eyes. One where he had quietly opened the apartment door and been greeted by a wall of cigarette smoke. It had become his habit to walk as quietly as possible whenever he entered, but this time he had been unlucky enough to arrive just as his father was about to leave to buy more alcohol. His father's face soured at the sight of him, and he grabbed Alastor hard by the wrist, scolding him for being late home from school. Alastor just let him, trying not to anger him further, but when his father said, "You're just like your whore of a mother!", Alastor lost his temper. "Don't you dare call my mother a whore!" he shouted at his father. He hadn't seen the slap coming, but he could still feel the burn on his cheek at the thought. When he had dared to look at his father defiantly instead of fearfully, he had gotten a beating he could barely recall today, for the memory was blurred and filled with pain.

 It took Alastor some courage to write the next few lines. But he pushed himself through.

 'He'd beat me or throw glass bottles at me. I didn't even have to do anything. My face alone was enough to set him off. Honestly, I quickly understood why Maman had cut all ties the moment she found out she was pregnant and fled the country.'

 Alastor breathed out a shaky breath. Then he went on.

(x)

 'He sent me out to sell drugs at school. I didn't want to, but I had no real choice. One thing led to another, and I ended up befriending other delinquents. I wasn't stupid, though. I never got caught by the police and only befriended the children of people higher up in the hierarchy than me. My best friend was the daughter of one of Paris's drug bosses. Her name was Mimzy, and she is both the reason I am still alive and the reason I am late.'

 Alastor considered whether to mention her name, but then shrugged. After all, it was just a nickname.

 'I can't tell you the details, but when I turned 16 I got myself into a very bad situation where prison would have been at the end of the road. So, I called Mimzy, who then called her father. His men cleaned up the mess I had made, and in return, I had to serve him. At first, it was easy. I only had one job: Keep Mimzy safe. But the more time went by, the more trouble Mimzy got herself into. She became reckless, knowing that I would get her out of trouble no matter what she did. I couldn't leave, because I owed my life to Mimzy's father, and only he could decide when I had paid off my debt. At one point, I believed he would never let me go, but then he surprised me one day by calling me to him and telling me that I had served my time and was now free of my debt. By this time, I was 23 and could have left France for the States. But... I was a changed man. I didn't believe myself to be worthy of a happy, carefree life. Instead of going back home, I made decisions that led me further down a dark path. Further away from you.'

 Alastor looked down at what he had written, unsure how to finish what he had started. Then he nodded and added:

 'I probably would have kept going down this path if I hadn't messed up big. When I fled France, I had to rethink my life and what I had done with it so far. I realised that the only time I had ever truly been happy was in my childhood, at home, with you. I decided to turn my life around and become worthy of this life and the happiness that I could find there. I hope that even after all of my mistakes and after all this time... you'd be willing to be part of it.

 Sincerely,

Alastor'

 Alastor lowered his pen and looked at the written letter. This might be his best take so far. He had left out the details about killing his father and, after his served time, his serial-killer days... Nodding to himself, he added their sigil, the snake around the apple with deer antlers in the back, next to his signature and folded the letter neatly, before pushing it carefully in an envelope. The thought of adding it to his next delivery made his heart beat faster.

 I hope Lucifer will understand it...

With this set, he took a shower to cool down, then lay down in bed with his hair still wet. As the tips curled, he knew he would regret not straightening them now, but he was too exhausted to do it.

 The bedside table lamp was on, and he was researching bears on his phone. Rosie hadn't noticed any bears around her property. He had asked her about it a few days earlier. Therefore, he assumed something on his property was luring the animal here. If he could identify and remove the cause, perhaps he could open his bedroom window again at night.

 Alastor shifted uncomfortably in his bed. The stuffy air bothered him more than anything. He had put a fan close to his bed to mimic a gentle breeze, but it didn't feel the same. It was far too hot tonight as well. Even though he had just showered, Alastor could feel sweat forming beneath his shirt.

 Frustrated by this, he sat up, dragged off the damned piece of clothing and threw it aside. Deciding he could sleep without a shirt, he flopped back onto the bedding. 

 With a deep sigh, he picked up his phone again and looked at the article about bears, when suddenly a loud noise tore through the night. It came from outside...

 Alastor’s spine stiffened. The air seemed to hold its breath with him, the soft hum of the fan suddenly loud in his ears. What the hell was that noise? 

 He put his phone aside and looked towards the window. The curtains were open, and he wondered if he could catch a glimpse of the creature. Maybe if he knew exactly what kind of bear he was dealing with, he could research it better. Intrigued, he slipped out of bed and cautiously stepped closer to the window.

 He peeked out of it into the depths of the night. There was no movement in his backyard. Alastor scanned the ground around the tree, then looked up into the branches. But there was nothing there.

 Maybe it hadn't been the bear after all?

 Suddenly, he heard the strange noise again.

 What is this? It sounded like some kind of scratching. On wood, maybe?

 It's rather close... somewhere beneath me?

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat as he slowly processed his thoughts.

 Oh fuck. The back door.

 Alastor ran out of his bedroom and dashed downstairs. He stopped in the hallway leading towards the back door.

 The scratching sound was much louder down here, and he swore he could see the door bending and moving slightly under the pressure coming from outside. A deep growling and snarling came from the other side.

 »Fucking Hell« Alastor cursed beneath his breath as he searched his pockets for his phone. He was unsure who he should call if a fucking bear was trying to open his back door. 911? Would people call them in a case like this? Or animal control? A shelter? No, certainly not a shelter.

 Then he realized he had left it upstairs. On his bed.

 Fuck, what now? Should I make noises? Try to scare it off?

 He tried to recall what he had read in one of the articles. If it was a brown bear, he should make no sounds and play dead, right? But with a black bear, he would need to make a lot of noise to scare it off... or was it the other way around?

 How would I know what it is?

 Alastor decided to give scaring it off a try. After all, it was already attacking the door. If he pissed it off, things wouldn't be any worse than before. With that in mind, he ran through the living room towards the kitchen in search of a pan and a wooden spoon. That should make some noise.  But as he closed the kitchen cabinet, he realised the scratching noise... had stopped.

 Is it gone? 

 Alastor hesitated. He stood there, frozen, with a pan and wooden spoon at hand, listening. The house was so quiet.

 Too quiet. Almost unnaturally. 

 A shiver ran down his spine. 

 Slowly, Alastor lowered the pan onto the counter, then leaned over to peer through the kitchen window facing towards the yard. He couldn't see the door from this angle without opening it. However, he didn't dare to, as the wild animal could still be out there.

 Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the yard for any movement. But it was rather dark, and the view from the window was limited.

 Should I check if it's still out there? If it is, it might tear me apart. Alastor thought. After all, he was unarmed, unless one counted the wooden spoon he was holding tightly.

 »Hm« Alastor hummed. I see nothing, and it's so quiet. Maybe it really is g-

 Suddenly, four red, glowing eyes stared right at Alastor. The frame of the beast huge enough for it's shadow to darken the whole window. 

 A scream of pure terror got stuck in Alastor's throat as he jumped back, lost his balance, and fell backwards. He grabbed for the pan in his fall, landing with an undignified yelp on his ass. The pan toppled to the ground next to him with a loud metallic sound, wobbling over the tiles for way too long before it stilled.

 Alastor scrambled backwards until his back hit the wall. His eyes were wide with shock as he realised that the shadow had disappeared from his field of view.

 Somehow, this was even worse. It could be anywhere.

 Panic surged through him, cold and sharp. 

 Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck! Alastor panicked. What the hell was that?! That's not a bear!

 He wanted to run, his brain screamed for it, but his legs were shaking, useless. Like his body had betrayed him, weightened by his fear of the monster outside.

 It looked at me. It looked straight into my eyes.

 He sat frozen, the bare skin of his back against the cold tiles of the wall. His heartbeat pounded in his throat. That... thing... had been massive. He had't been able to make out any details other than the eyes but the thought alone of it sent a chill down his spine. 

 Alastor didn’t move from the kitchen floor until the first light of dawn seeped in through the windows. 

 His knees protested as he rose, sore from hours on the cold floor. He crept forward, one hand trailing along the wall, as if it might keep him from crumbling. Every step felt like it echoed too loudly as he made his way from the kitchen, through the livingroom toward the hallway. 

 For a moment he just stared at the back door, unsure if he should take a look at the damage made by the beast. 

 With a shakey hand he reached for the key, turned it and opened the door. The claw marks scattered all over the thick wooden door from the top all the way down to the floor made his guts twist and his breath hitch. 

 What the... fuck...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor brushed his fingertips over the deep claw marks on his back door, as if to convince himself that they were real. It was chilly in the shade of his house and the humid air felt damp on his skin.

 »Oh my stars!« Rosie gasped, making him flinch. »You weren't kidding about that bear, darling.«

 Alastor turned and saw her standing at the fence, holding a cup of steaming tea. Her hair was neatly done and she wore a purple hat with a wide brim.

 At first, Alastor was at a loss for words. He couldn't tell her what he had seen the previous night. She'd think he'd gone crazy. And in a small town like this, gossip spread like wildfire. So he nodded in agreement »Quite a huge one.«

 »You look pale, darling.« Rosie noted. »Come over here. I'll make you a cup of coffee.« she said, luring him onto her property. Her tone was soft and kind, and, as he hadn't slept at all that night, coffee sounded like a really good idea.

 With a sigh, Alastor joined her on the other side of the fence and let her lead him to her patio. »Thanks, Rosie.« he said, settling himself in the chair she indicated for him.

 »Oh, that's nothing.« Rosie replied, »Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back.« With that, she walked past the open veranda door and left him alone.

 Alastor's eyes trailed over the many colourful roses in her garden and the perfectly trimmed lawn towards a small birdbath, where some sparrows had settled to drink and bathe. It looked so peaceful. Seeing all this, one wouldn't even suspect that a monster was roaming around the neighbourhood at night.

 Does it only roam at night? Why is it always coming to my house? 

 A shiver ran down Alastor's spine as he pictured the red, glowing eyes. They had fixated on him as though he were prey. Alastor didn't like this feeling.

 I'll definitely have to buy a gun. Something to protect myself with. He decided.

 »Here you go...« Rosie said, putting a cup of hot, steaming coffee in front of him then offering him some cookies. 

 »Thank you, Rosie.« Alastor said, taking the cup. Realising that his hands were still shaking, he put the cup down on the table, not wanting her to notice. Instead he took a cookie. It was almost too sweet but he needed something to distract himself with right now. 

 »Penny for your thoughts?« Rosie asked, taking a sip of her tea.

 Alastor huffed. »Nothing, dear. I was just thinking that I might need to arm myself if this... bear returns.«

 »Oh, well, your mother had that old Winchester rifle in the safe. Do you think it's still in there?« Rosie asked.

 »A what now?« Alastor blinked at her, thrown off by the revelation.

 »Yes, you heard me right, dear.« Rosie continued, »Your mother had it for your safety. A woman living all alone with her child near the forest... she wanted to be prepared for any dangers that might arise.«

 Alastor hadn't even known that his mother had kept a weapon in their house. However, he knew where the safe was, and the combination had been included in her testament. Alastor remembered it because it was his birthday date. »I'll take a look at it.«

After exchanging some news and chatting for a while, Rosie and Alastor said their goodbyes. The talk had grounded him. He felt much lighter as he returned to his property.

 Alastor walked past the damaged door back into his house and made his way upstairs. As he entered the bedroom and opened the wardrobe containing the safe, he thought about how else he could keep the monster away. Maybe some traps would be a good idea? Though they would have to be huge. 

 He shivered at the thought of the beast going wild after being hurt by a trap. Maybe that wasn't a good idea after all.

 He entered the four-digit code on the safe's keypad and it opened with a loud 'clack'.

 Inside were a folder, a stack of photos and a large case.

Alastor took all three items out and left the safe open. He placed the case on the bedding and sat down next to it, his eyes fixed on the photos.

The photo on top was of Alastor as a baby sitting on his mother's lap. She looked so young in the photo, smiling sweetly at the camera. Alastor smiled back at her and felt his heart ache in his chest. 
 
 I miss you so much, Maman... 

 He carefully sat it aside to look at the next one. Alastor froze for a second. Lucifer was on it with him. They must have been around six years old and were playing in the backyard under the tree. Alastor looked at the photo for a long moment, then decided to keep it. He placed it on his bedside table, propping it against the lamp, and put the other photos aside to look at them later.

 The file contained paperwork relating to the house and its insurance. This would come in handy. He decided to put it back into the safe though.

 Then Alastor turned to the case. Based on the size of it, the rifle must be inside. He snapped open the locks and lifted the lid to reveal an old Winchester rifle with an elegant rosewood handle and delicate metal decorations depicting a deer surrounded by tall trees. It was indeed a fancy weapon.

 Next to it, was a small packet of bullets. It was half empty though.

 I'll need to buy more... He knew he wouldn't be able to get any here in his small hometown so he would have to drive to the city. 

 He recalled Husk's suggestion to talk to Ozzie and looked up the location of his club in the nearby city. If he was going there anyway, he could see if he could talk to Ozzie as well.

 Having chosen a gun shop close to the 'Lust Rings' - the name Ozzie had given to his club - Alastor took his rental car and made his way to the city centre. It took him a good hour until he arrived. 

 The summer heat slapped him in the face as he left the air-conditioned car on the store's parking lot. Alastor looked around the store for a while, unsure if he should get more weapons. Not knowing what would be effective, he decided to stick to his mother's old weapon for now and just restocked the ammunition. 

 Now that this was done, he got back into his car and let his phone guide him to  Ozzie's club. It was barely past 4 p.m. and the streets were still crowded.

 "You have reached your destination" Alastor's phone chimed and he quickly picked a parking spot close by. As he left his car, he looked up at the façade of the tall building where the glowing pink neon letters spelled 'Lust-Rings'. It was a much bigger establishment than he had imagined when Husk had told him that Ozzie owned a club. Well, a strip club, to be precise. A fancy one, apparently. Even though he found this rather vulgar, he had to admit that he was impressed by Ozzie's entrepreneurship. The boy he remembered had been very shy, but clever. 

 He must have used his brains to set this up... Alastor assumed.

Alastor wasn't keen on having to step into a strip club to talk to Ozzie, but he was out of options. He needed someone to hand him information, and Lucifer had been closest to Ozzie after he had left.

 Taking a deep breath, Alastor stepped through the door and into the fancy but rather empty lobby. Two buff bouncers were guarding the elevator door, arms crossed above their chests and wearing sunglasses.

  Alastor walked towards the reception desk where a young woman with long brown hair and red glasses was seated with her eyes glued to her computer screen, typing on her keyboard. He waited patiently for her to notice him standing in front of the desk.

 When she finally looked up, she greeted him with, »Oh, hello! Sorry, I was in the middle of something. Welcome to the Lust Rings. How many rings do you want to climb today?«

 »How many what now?« Alastor asked, cocking his head.

 »Oh, first time, huh?« the lady said, waving her hand. »No problem, sweetheart. I'll explain.« She turned towards a huge wall painting depicting the building behind her. »See? Every floor of the Lust Rings tower is a ring. Before you enter, you get to choose how many rings you want to climb today. Of course, the higher you go, the more entertainment you can access, but it also costs more. Don't worry though. If you're not sure how many rings you want to go up to, there's a reception area next to each elevator where you can increase your rings. But if you have something specific in mind, I can give you the relevant ring pass and you'll be able to access it right away tonight.«

 Alastor hummed as he eyed the drawing. Each floor had a colour, making the building look like a rainbow, and there were inscriptions next to them indicating the type of entertainment offered. None of it appealed to him, as he wasn't here for the entertainment. He said »Actually, I want to talk to Ozzie. We're old acquaintances.«

 The receptionist gave him a suspicious look. »A friend of Ozzie, you say? I've never seen you here before.«

 »I've just moved back to the States. Could you contact him for me? Tell him Alastor is here.«

 The receptionist looked him over from head to toe. »You have no idea how many people walk through this door trying to get a free ride with this trick. It's not worth it.«

 Alastor could not hold back a laugh »Oh dear!« he chuckled »God, no. If I can, I'll wait for him here in the lobby. I don't want to go in.«

 The receptionist looked at him in surprise »Uh... okay? Well, take a seat in the waiting area over there, then. I'll try to reach him, but he's very busy.«

 Alastor followed her indication and saw two white leather armchairs sat around a coffee table, small and lost in the oversized lobby.

 »Fine« he muttered »Thanks, dear.« Alastor watched as she put her headset on and dialled a number, then turned back to her computer.

Resolutely, Alastor walked over to the armchairs and sat down in one of them. They were surprisingly comfortable. After sitting in absolute quiet for a moment, he took his phone out of his pocket and opened his messenger app. Mimzy's last text had been left unread, so he opened the chat and looked at her last message.

Mimzy: Alastor, when will you come back to Paris?

Alastor rolled his eyes. After ignoring him for days, the first thing she wanted to know was when he was coming back. He typed his response.

Alastor: I can't come back to France. Not in the near future. I plan to stay here, Mimzy.

Mimzy: You wouldn't even visit lil old me?

Alastor: Maybe someday, when things have cooled down.

Mimzy: Did you at least reconnect with that Lucifer guy? You never shut up about him as a kid.

This made Alastor hesitate. He couldn't really call it 'reconnecting' yet.

Alastor: Not yet.

Mimzy: Come on, Al don't be a pussy. You gotta try at least. 

Alastor: I'm trying.

 The receptionist coughed to get his attention. »Ozzi said you are cleared to enter« 

 »To enter?« Alastor asked, taken aback by this news »Can't he come down here?«

 »No, he is very busy. He told me to send you up to the Golden Ring. Only VIPs have access to it.« The receptionist said, waving him closer.

 Alastor hesitated, but then pushed himself up and walked over to the reception desk, where the woman handed him a golden wristband »This is the VIP band« she said »You can use it to access the VIP area, the rooftop and all the rings below. Feel free to roam around!«

 »I certainly won't« Alastor muttered as he put the band around his wrist and tightened it. Some kind of device locked, and the band started to glow.

 »The band can only be removed by staff members. You have to hold it against the scanner in the lift to select the ring you want to access« the receptionist explained »Have fun!«

 Alastor sighed. I won't, but whatever... he thought. »Thanks« he said politely anyway, then made his way towards the lift. The two bouncers hadn't moved an inch since he entered, and they didn't move as he walked past them and pressed the lift button either.

 The moment the doors opened with a 'ding' sound, Alastor stepped inside and saw his reflection in the mirror on the back wall. He brushed a strand of hair back into place, then turned to the buttons to select a floor. Once he held his wristband in front of the scanner, all the buttons lit up like a rainbow. ''VIP access granted — choose your ring'' a robotic voice came from the speaker. 

 Alastor didn't waste his time checking the other floors a second and just pressed the button for the VIP floor at the very top. The lift started to move. Some music played as it went further and further up. Alastor waited patiently with his hands behind his back.

 It took a while. He watched the colours of the LED stripes change colours as the elevator passed the rings, before finally reaching the top floor. ''VIP Ring'' said the robotic voice as the door opened.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 The bass-heavy music shook through Alastor's bones as he stepped out of the elevator into the vast room. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the large indoor pool, complete with a lounging area, small round tables submerged in the water, and even a pool bar.

 Even more eye-catching was the central fountain, where nearly naked dancers performed. Further back, there was a stage with pole dancers and aerial dancers performing high above the crowd, the silks almost touching the water below.

 Although Alastor had been in strip clubs before, back when he had been in Mimzy's father's service, he had never seen anything like this. They had always seemed gross to him. Even with all the fancy neon lights, the champagne and the trays of appetisers, the filth couldn't be fully concealed. Alastor didn't even need to take more than two steps inside the room to spot a few men snorting cocaine from a silver tray in a dark corner. Not to mention that a good portion of the people here were in swimwear. The tight fabric left little to the imagination as to how turned on the men were by the show.

 Despite the heat, Alastor shuddered. The temperature was probably set to make it more comfortable for those wearing only swimsuits. There was no way, though, that Alastor would take any of his clothes off in a place like this.

 Better find Ozzie quickly. He thought, not wanting to stay up here for too long. He took the two steps down and made his way around the pool, scanning the area for Ozzie. Would I even recognise him? Alastor wondered. After all, Husk had said that he had changed a lot during puberty.

 »Hm,« Alastor hummed, pushing his glasses further up his nose. A staff member held out a tray of appetisers for him. So Alastor took the opportunity to ask, »Can you tell me where Ozzie is? I'm supposed to meet him up here?«

 The lightly dressed lady looked around, then pointed towards the stage. »He should be in one of the lounges in front of the stage.«

 »Thank you, my dear.« Alastor said, noticing how confused she looked. He picked one of the appetisers and ate it on his way. It was some kind of caviar on a tiny piece of bread. He could tell by the salty taste it left on the tip of his tongue.

 As he made his way around the pool towards the lounge and seating area closer to the stage, he caught sight of a few women performing in nothing but G-strings and nipple pasties on.

 By the time Alastor passed the hot tub area, the heat had become unbearable, so he loosened the two top buttons of his shirt. For a moment, he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

 »Well, hot damn~« A man's voice startled him.

 Alastor's eyes snapped open and found himself face to face with a stranger. Immediately, he took a step back and glared at the man in front of him. He had blue eyes and was wearing a fancy suit and a red bow tie. His black hair was neatly combed back. However, what Alastor noticed most of all was how uncomfortably close the man had gotten.

 »They didn't lie when they said they'd sent me a real beauty.« The man purred, reaching for the buttons of Alastor's shirt.

 Quickly, Alastor pushed him out of his comfort zone, »I have no idea what you think you're doing, but stop it immediately.«

 »Fuck yeah, I like my men with some temperament,« the man chuckled, then fucking winked at him »I get it. Gonna have to wait till we're in the private section.«

 Alastor looked at him in confusion.

 Private section?

 Then it clicked.

 »I am not a prostitute.« he said, holding up his golden, glowing band to emphasise his statement »You've got the wrong guy.«

 The man's shit-eating grin vanished for a moment as disappointment replaced it »Oh... too bad.« he muttered. Then apperently decided to introduce himself. »I'm Vox,« he said, his grin returning as he held out his hand »And if you'd let me... I'd still like you to accompany me to the private rooms. I promise you a night you'd never forget.«

 Even Alastor's customer smile could not conceal his utter disgust at the thought. Fuck no. Instead he prayed for someone to erase the past few minutes from his mind. As politely as possible, he replied »Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not interested.« With that, he stepped past the man, who was still holding out his hand waiting for him to shake it.

 What he hadn't expected was for this Vox guy to keep following him as he resumed his search for Ozzie.

 »Come on, don't you know who I am?« Vox asked

 »No, and I don't care.« Alastor huffed, abandoning his politeness as the man didn't know when to stop.

 However, Vox didn't get the hint »I'm Vox, from Voxtec. You know? The multimillionaire?«

 »You could be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and I still wouldn't let you fuck me.« Alastor retorted sharply. Hearing the man's footsteps right behind him, Alastor turned around, grabbed Vox by his bow tie, and pushed him against the edge of one of the hot tubs. »Fuck off! Stop harassing me and find someone else to accompany you to those private rooms, or I might break your stupid multimillionaire nose. Got it?«

For some reason, Vox was blushing a deep red as he stared up at him with wide eyes. Alastor decided to 'refresh' his overheated brain. A simple push at the right angle was enough for Vox to lose his balance and fall ungracefully backwards into the hot tub. Water splashed everywhere as his fancy suit got soaked.

 Those sitting in the tub looked rather confused as Vox emerged from the water and called after the now-leaving Alastor, »That suit was fucking expensive!«

 »Good thing you're a multimillionaire then. You can just buy yourself a new one!« Alastor called back, holding up his middle finger as he left.

 What a fucker.

 There was a round of applause as the strippers left the stage, and a voice announced, »And for today's programme, please welcome our great showman and magician, "The Great Undressini"!«

 The applause was accompanied by loud whistles as a rather short man in a glittering suit stepped onto the stage. One half of his face was covered by a white mask and his left arm moved a bit unnaturally.

 For a moment, Alastor wondered why there would be a magic show in a strip club. Until the 'assistants' stepped onto the stage and 'The Great Undressini' started to perform his magic tricks. At first it looked like classic card tricks, pigeon tricks and so on, but with the added twist that each trick also made a piece of clothing magically disappear from one of his assistants, earning applause and whistles from the crowd. 

 »Fizz is amazing, isn't he, Al?« A deep voice asked Alastor.

 As Alastor was rather tall himself, he was surprised to find that he had to look up to meet the man's gaze.

 There was almost nothing about Ozzie that resembled his former childhood friend. His tight shirt showed off his biceps and six-pack. His dark-blue dyed hair flared upward like flames. However, his moss-green eyes remained the same, even if they were no longer hidden by glasses, and his smile was the cocky as all those years ago.

 »Ozzie!« Alastor gasped, unable to hide how stunned he was by his 'transformation'. »Holy shit! What did your mother feed you? You're even taller than me!«

 Ozzie burst out laughing. His deep, smooth voice mixed rather well with the bass of the music. »I've no idea what happened. The last time we met, I was smaller than you!« He chuckled. »It's good to see you. I had no idea you were back in the States.« He motioned Alastor to follow him to one of the lounges near the stage, where they could speak more comfortably.

 Alastor told him that he had only been back for a few weeks, and how Husk had told him about his club. »And so I decided I had to see this with my own eyes.« he concluded his little story.

 A waiter brought them cocktails and left again quietly before Ozzie said »Well, that's quite the surprise... Did you see Lucifer since your return?«

 Alastor felt his throat tighten, but forced himself to speak nonetheless »Only for a brief moment, before he slammed the door in front of my nose.« It was the shortened version, but Alastor didn't feel like telling him about the delivery disaster. »He's very angry with me for not keeping my promise.«

 Ozzie gave him a sad, almost pitying look. After taking a sip of his colourful cocktail, he said »I suspected that.« After a moment's thought, he added, »He was on the verge of insanity when you didn't show up. Not gonna lie.«

Hope rose inside Alastor »So you were there? Do you know what happened?«

 Ozzie shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes fixed on his drink as he stirred the ice cubes with his straw »I was with him the day before his birthday. He had called me rather frantically. I went over to calm him down and stayed for a while, but he sent me away before it got dark. I offered to come back in the morning, but he insisted that I not come back on his birthday and said that there would be guests... some kind of relatives. I respected that.«

 Alastor took in every bit of information, eager to find out what had happened.
»I remember he never celebrated his birthday with us when we were kids.« he said, intrigued. »What happened then?«

 Ozzie bit down on his lip. »Al, I'm not sure how much I should tell you... A lot of what I know is rather private. I don't think Lucifer would want me to tell you about it.« He brushed his fingers through his blue hair, then rubbed his neck.

 Alastor didn't want to let go, though. I didn't come all this way for this little. »Ozzie, please,« he pleaded, »I know I'm eight years late, but I really want to make things right. However, I can't do that if I don't even know why it was so important to Lucifer that I be here. He won't talk to me. I tried... I really tried, for weeks, but I couldn't get much more out of him than that he resents me for not keeping my promise.« His heart ached as he talked about it. »Please, Ozzie. I know you're a good friend for Lucifer and you only want what's best for him... But sometimes that also means to do the right thing, even if it means risking him dislikeing your decision...«

 Ozzie took a moment to think, his eyes taking all of Alastor in as if searching for signs of his sincerity. When he let out a deep sigh, Alastor knew he had won. »Fine,« said Ozzie, »but you better make things right between you two in return. You have to promise me that you'll stay this time. Don't run away after hearing me out, okay?«

 For some reason, the monster from last night flashed through Alastor's mind. It sent a chill down his spine. Most people would probably run away after seeing it. Hell, I must be insane to stay regardless. »I promise. I'll stay for good.«

 Ozzie nodded, satisfied with this answer. »Good. I can't tell you everything... it wouldn't be fair towards Lucifer. Some secrets have to be revealed by him. That's just how it is. But I'll try to give you what you need to get him to talk to you.« he said »Lucifer told me the day before his birthday, that you two were connected by a "Starseal". Do you remember this?«

 Alastor blinked at him. »A Starseal?« He thought back to the many nights they had lain in his backyard, stargazing and telling each other stories. There was one night that stood out, though. The night when Lucifer had asked him if they could stay together forever. He could remember the moonless night as if it were yesterday. It had been late summer and they had stayed out for hours watching the shooting stars. The Milky Way had been so clear that night, and Lucifer's eyes had reflected the twinkling stars in a way that had made Alastor's heart beat faster. "If you mean it, that we will always stay together," Lucifer had said, "let me mark you as mine."
 
 Alastor blushed as he recalled how Lucifer had bitten his neck, remembering it rather vividly. He rubbed the spot where he had bitten him even though there was nothing to be seen there anymore. »Yes... I remember... why?« he answered Ozzie's question after staying quiet for far too long.

 Ozzie sighed »Well... There was this girl… Lilith? His parents had arranged some kinda thing and she was supposed to attend his birthday.«

 Alastor blinked »For what?«

 »I think they wanted him to get together with her. But he said he couldn’t. Said he was already bound...« Ozzie hesitated »To you...«

 Alastor cocked his head, the gears grinding in his mind. None of this made any sense. It had just been some child's play. A silly game or whatever. Why would Lucifer still care about something like this in his late teens?
 
 That's when the realisation hit him.

 What if Lucifer had seen him as more than a best friend that night? Alastor's heart skipped a beat. He had wanted him to be there on his eighteenth birthday, the year he'd be independent of his parents and things had escalated because his parents invided some girl...

 »Fuck...« Alastor muttered »Do you think he had planned to come out to his parents that day? He wanted me by his side for it because...« He was unable to finish his sentence. His heart ached at the thought of Lucifer needing him all those years ago... and he wasn't there for him.

 Ozzie took a long sip of his drink, not meeting his gaze.

 Fucking hell... How have I been this blind? Alastor thought, going through his memories and now seeing clear signs that his best friend had wanted to be more than friends with him. His cheeks burned. »God, how could I have been so dense as to not even see it?«

 Ozzie snorted, »I've no idea how you could have missed it. Literally everyone else could see you two had the hots for each other.«

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat. »Wait, what?« His blush deepened as his mind came to a screeching halt »I—I never said—«

 Ozzie raised his eyebrows »You might be even denser than you think.« he said, sipping his cocktail »It was cute how oblivious you were as a kid, but as a grown up it's just frustrating to watch.«

 Alastor's mouth dropped open as his world fell apart around him, crumbling into pieces like shattered glass. His constant obsession to reconnect with Lucifer, him offering Lucifer flowers, his heart aching every time he stood in front of the locked gates...

 How did I not see this?

 Alastor held his head, feeling as if it were about to explode. »Bloody hell...« he muttered, »You're right!«

 Ozzie chuckled. »Of course I am,« he said, waving it off as if it was nothing, »So, what do you want to do with this new information?«

 Alastor sank back into his seat, his mind racing. »I... I guess I should tell him... and apologise for not being there on his birthday...«

 Ozzie nodded slowly. »Good idea.« he said, searching his pockets for something. He handed Alastor a small card with his contact details on it. »Here's my number. Call me if you want to talk.«

 Alastor accepted it thankfully, »I owe you something, Ozzie.«

 Ozzie looked rather pleased, »Just be good to him. Don't break his heart.«

 »If he still wants me after all this and gives me a chance... I'll never hurt him like this again.« Alastor promised.

 A loud round of applause turned Alastor's attention back to the stage, where 'The Great Undressini' announced, »Now for my final trick! Keep your eyes wide open — you won't want to miss it!« He made a quick movement and called »Abracada-Bra!« With a puff of smoke and fire, all bras of all six assistants on stage vanished mid-dance.

 The crowd went wild, whistling and throwing money towards the stage. Then, 'The Great Undressini' disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the stage for the dancers to resume their performance.

 Ozzie applauded, stood up and whistled. »That's my Fizzy!« He cooed and only settled back down once the applause died down.

 Alastor cocked his head and was about to ask who Fizz and Ozzie were to each other when he witnessed the man who had been on stage just a moment ago walk up behind Ozzie. He surprised him by holding his hands over his eyes and asking in a purr, »Who is iiiit?«

 »Fizzy!« Ozzie exclaimed happily.

 »Corrrrrect~« the Great Undressini said. He hopped over the back of the lounge sofa and settled next to Ozzie. »Who's your friend?« he asked in a raspy voice, looking over at Alastor.

 Ozzie introduced him »That's Alastor. We went to school together. Al, this is Fizz, my partner.«

 Fizz held out his hand for Alastor to take.

 »It's a pleasure to be meeting- « Alastor started, then got startled as he suddenly found himself holding Fizz's loose arm.

 For a second, his brain struggled to process what was happening, but then Ozzie and Fizz burst out laughing.

 »Did you see his face?« the now one-armed Fizz asked.

 Alastor took a closer look at the arm and realized... it was actually a prostetic. A rather fancy looking one. Must be expensive. 

 Fizz took his arm back jokeing »Mind handing me back my hand?« as he reattached it to his body. 

 Alastor realized now why his movement on stage had looked a bit unnatural. He was not only missing an arm but also a leg, and his mask might be more than decoration as well, as he could see a slight indication of a burn mark beneath the rim. 

 What an interesting fellow. Alastor thought. 

 He stayed a little longer, sipping his cocktail and listening to Ozzie's story on how he had come up with the club's concept. After a while he decided to call it a night and head back home. With new hope to make things right between him and Lucifer and a loaded gun for the monster. 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Of course, the moment he had restocked his ammunition and placed the Winchester rifle next to his bed for easy access, the monster decided not to come and check on him. Admittedly, Alastor felt a sense of relief. He slept through the night for once and woke up early with a plan on how to make Lucifer react to him.

 During all the time he had tampered with his deliveries, he had noticed that all he had ordered was pasta and tinned food. No fresh ingredients. He must be living off pre-cooked meals. So Alastor decided to cook some pancakes for Lucifer.

 He even found his mother's old recipe book in one of the kitchen cabinets and made the pancake batter using its instructions.

 A smile formed on his lips as he flipped a perfectly round pancake, revealing its neatly browned underside.

 Lucifer will love them. He thought. They were always his favourite. Recalling the many days he had spent with them, he saw himself sitting at the table with Lucifer, eating his fill of pancakes. He chuckled, remembering how Lucifer had always eaten them with his bare hands, munching at them like a little hamster.

 'Literally everyone else could see you two had the hots for each other' Alastor blushed slightly as Ozzie's words echoed through his mind. 

 He almost burned the pancake, but caught himself just in time. As he placed it on a plate and poured new batter into the pan, he thought about what he should do after delivering the pancakes and the letter. There was no package scheduled for today. In fact, Alastor had the day off, so he wasn't sure if Lucifer would accept his offering at all, but he had no more time to waste. He just had to make his intentions clear.

 My intentions... Alastor thought. But what exactly are my intentions? He felt his cheeks burn. Love, relationships and romance had never meant anything to him. As a teenager, he had tried to date some girls, but more out of peer pressure than anything else. They had been kind and good people, but he hadn't been able to reciprocate their feelings, and somehow they had known at some point and broken things off. He never cried after a breakup, but he spent some sleepless nights wondering why none of this affected him. Wondering if something was wrong with him. His mind kept asking him why he didn't seek closeness with others, whether they were men or women.

 'Let me mark you as mine...' Lucifer's voice echoed through his mind. His breath caught and his heart skipped a beat at the thought alone. Lifting his hand, he lightly brushed his fingertips over the spot where Lucifer had bitten him. All flustered, he recalled how close Lucifer had been that night. How Lucifer had been on top of him, surrounded by stars, yet none of them could match the spark in his icy blue eyes.

 Alastor tried to recollect how old they had been. It must have been only a few months before his mother and he had the car accident. Back then, he hadn't been able to imagine his life being so different. He had thought he would stay with Lucifer forever. In his hometown. With his maman.

 A pinch of sadness made itself known.

 But I am back now. Alastor thought, flipping the pancake. And I will stay this time. Nobody can force me to leave.

 He finished preparing his pancakes, packed most of them into a small container for Lucifer, and ate two for breakfast while sipping some hot coffee. His gaze trailed over to the envelope on the table. The letter he had written two days ago was inside it.

 After his encounter with Ozzie, he added another line to it. 'PS: Please let us talk in person about the night we got starbound.' now stood at the end of the letter. 

 He didn't want to declare his feelings for Lucifer through a letter. Alastor wasn't quite sure why he didn't want to do it in writing. It just didn't feel like the right way to do it.

 His heart clenched in his chest. That means I'll have to tell him in person. The thought made him nervous. He had never been one to admit his feelings before. What if he rejects me? After all, he doesn't even speak to me right now. Maybe things can't be repaired between us, and maybe he doesn't even want to see me again after learning about my past.

 Alastor took a sip of his coffee, closed his eyes for a moment, and tried to calm down, focusing on how the hot liquid trailed down his throat and the way the bitterness of the coffee mixed with the sweetness of the pancakes he had eaten.

 It'll be all right. And even if not, I have to try at least. 

 With that in mind, he finished his coffee, grabbed the container and letter, and left in the early hours of the morning for his walk to the top of the hill.  The Morningstar residence was high enough for the first sunrays to grace the otherwise grey façade, tinting it a soft shade of orange and red. Alastor didn't linger for too long. He just put the container and letter in front of the gate, then left.

 He had thought for sure that he would get no response anytime soon if at all. So he was surprised when his phone buzzed and he saw that an unknown number had texted him on the messenger application.

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat. He screeched to a halt and opened the message.

 Unknown number: Thank you for the pancakes.

 Alastor stood there in the middle of the street for a moment, utterly shocked. Lucifer had written to him. He had accepted his gift and reached out to him. It took all his self-control not to immediately turn around and run back up the hill to see him. Instead, he found himself staring at his screen. The blinking bar was waiting for him to type a reply to Lucifer's message.

 Alastor: You're welcome.

 Was what he ended up typing. The second he had sent the message, he started overthinking. Was that too short? Maybe I should have said something else? Do I sound desperate because I replied so fast?

 His phone buzzed again.

 Unknown number: I read your letter.

 Alastor waited for a moment, thinking there would be more the small one wanted to say. However, as a few minutes passed with no response, he decided to send him a message.

 Alastor: Does this mean you want to talk?

 He watched in horror as Lucifer typed a response, stopped, then started typing again, but sent nothing.

 »Fuck« he muttered to himself. Was I too greedy? Should I have waited? He bit down on his lip and continued to stare at his phone as he resumed his walk home. The moment he stepped through the blue front door, he let out a deep sigh. 

 This will drive me insane. He thought, taking his shoes off as he walked into the living room and flopped onto the sofa.

 As no new messages had come through, Alastor decided to use the time to save Lucifer's number in his contacts. 

 He was about to put his phone down when it suddenly buzzed.

 Lucifer: Meet me at 2 pm beneath the willow tree — you know which one.

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat. He wants to see me! The joy that filled him made him squeal with delight. Once he had regained his composure, he replied.

Alastor: I'll be there.

 He waited for Lucifer to say anything more, but it seemed that the small one had left the chatroom. Saddened that it was over already, he looked up at the clock. There were almost four hours until he had to leave.

 Should I shower? What should I wear? Alastor felt a sudden sense of nervousness. He wanted to make a good impression.

 Deciding to make the most of his time, he headed towards the bathroom, took off his clothes and turned on the shower. The tiles felt cold beneath his bare feet and the sound of the water hitting the bathtub echoed through the small room. Alastor stepped carefully into the bathtub, mindful of the lack of anti-slip stickers. Hot water poured over him, soaking his hair and running down his shoulders, chest, hips down to his feet. It felt good. Relaxing, even. 

 As he was in no hurry, Alastor took his time to wash, even using conditioner on his hair.

 When he stepped out of the tub and grabbed his towel, he noticed that the room was filled with steam from the extensive use of hot water. The mirror was covered in vapour, and the air was hot and humid. 

 He walked over to the tiny window above the toilet and opened it to let in some fresh air. Although it was warm outside, the air that came in felt almost chilly to him.

 After drying his upper body with his towel, he wrapped it around his hips and stepped in front of the mirror.

 Swiping his hand across the mirror, he uncovered part of it from the condensation and squinted at his blurry reflection.
 
 Deciding it wasn't worth the struggle, he picked his glasses up from where he had left them on the sink edge. They were covered in mist as well, so he wiped them on his towel before putting them on. The metal rim felt cold against his skin, but quickly warmed to his body temperature. Alastor blinked at his reflection, confused by something red on his neck.

 Leaning over the sink, he tried to get a better look at it and ran his fingertips over the reddened skin. Some kind of spot had formed. 

 An allergic reaction?

 Alastor recalled touching his neck at Ozzie's club when he had been thinking about his Starbound with Lucifer. Had he touched anything right before that? Maybe that creep's suit or bow tie? As far as he knew, he didn't have any allergies apart from an allergy to idiots.

 Adds up huh? He joked to himself. 

 Alastor rubbed the spot, checking if he could scrub it off, and noticed that it felt hot to the touch. Whatever it is, it might be infected.

 He opened the drawer beneath his sink, in which he had stored some medical supplies, and picked out a cream to treat inflamed skin. It's better to treat it now before it gets worse. He applied some to the reddened skin. A chill ran down his back as the cream felt cold on his neck.

 Maybe I should wear a bow tie later to cover it up. He thought, putting the cap back on the tube and returning it to the drawer.

 It took him half an hour to style his hair exactly how he wanted it. For some reason, it hadn't wanted to cooperate. Damned curls!

 With straightened hair and a smile on his face, he stepped out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. He walked down the hallway to his bedroom, where he spent far too long choosing an outfit until he finally settled on white trousers and a pink button up shirt. Standing in front of his mirror, he tied a black bow tie around his neck and felt his heart flutter in excitement.

 Time passed too quickly, and he found himself heading towards the lone willow tree in the field of wildflowers almost half an hour to early.

 The sun shone high above him, and crickets played their melody in the tall grass. A light breeze bent the tall weeds around him, stretching all the way across the field, making it look like the gentle waves of a green and golden sea. Some butterflies fluttered from one vibrant red poppy flower to another. Alastor followed their movements as he passed them.

 Once he reached the shade of the willow tree, he brushed his hands through its long vines. The leaves rustled as he stepped inside, his gaze trailing up to where the long vines joined the thick branches of the old tree. Sunlight sparkled through some of the small gaps in the leaf canopy, giving the light green leaves an almost silver shine.

  Alastor waited in the shade of the tree for Lucifer, listening to the chirping of crickets. His gaze was fixed on the path leading to the Morningstar residence, which was obscured by the long willow tree vines.

 Flashbacks of Lucifer running down this exact path as a child, eager to meet him at their favourite spot, came to Alastor's mind. It warmed his heart, yet he also felt somewhat melancholy at the thought.

 Time passed, and Alastor glanced at his phone. It was almost fifteen minutes past the agreed time, and he was starting to get nervous. He recalled that Lucifer had always struggled to be on time, so he didn't lose hope that he would appear any moment now.

 Shoveing his phone away, he glanced back up. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Lucifer running down the hill, just as he had done in the old days. Every part of him longed for Lucifer, and without knowing why, Alastor stepped out of the willow tree's shade and ran towards him through the wildflower field, the wind pushing him to run faster.

 Lucifer looked rather surprised, his eyes widening as Alastor got closer and didn't slow down.
 
 »Wow—Al!« Lucifer tried to slow down, but he had been running downhill and failed miserably. 

 They crashed into each other with a thud. The world spun around Alastor and he fell back into the tall weeds, sending dandelion seeds flying.

 Alastor blinked a few times. At first, all he could see was the blue sky above the tall weeds, and he noticed something warm and heavy on his chest. Just then, Lucifer sat up and looked down at him. His blonde hair looked almost golden in the sunlight. It shone almost like a halo.

 The sight took Alastor's breath away. He looks like an angel fallen from the sky.

Until he spoke »What the fuck, Alastor?«

 Alastor blinked, shaking off the daze. His words threw him out of his dreamlike world. A small »Hm?« was all he could manage.

 Lucifer's ice-blue eyes narrowed as he complained, »Why the hell did you run and crash into me?« he sounded a bit out of breath.

 Alastor needed a moment. He wasn't even sure what had made him run and felt his cheeks blush »I- well, you were running, so-«

 »I was running because I'm late.« Lucifer huffed, blushing a little himself.

 »Then I was running because you were late.« Alastor retorted.
  
 Lucifer slow-blinked, one eye at a time, as he used to do as a child.

 This made Alastor chuckle. He's so cute.

 Lucifer muttered, »That makes no sense at all.« Realising that he was still sitting on top of him, Lucifer got off and stood up. »Whatever« he said, holding out his hand to help Alastor up. His cheeks had a deep red taint. 
 
 Alastor took in this sight and wondered for a moment how he could have missed Lucifer's feelings for him for so long. With a soft smile on his lips, Alastor took his hand and let him help him to his feet.

 For his size, he was astonishingly strong.

Looking down at his tousled blonde hair, all he could think about was how much he wanted to hug him.

 What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? It was almost as if some kind of barrier had been lifted now that Ozzie had made him acknowledge his feelings.

 Instead of hugging him, Alastor took a step back and asked, »So... you read the letter?«

 Lucifer didn't meet his gaze, but nodded. »Yes, I did.«

 There was a moment of silence between them. The wind brushed through the tall weeds and flowers.

 Alastor was the first to break it. »I... I wanted to tell you something in person.« he began, but he lost his courage when Lucifer looked up at him with his piercing blue eyes.

 Oh God. How am I supposed to tell him this?

 »Yes?« Lucifer asked, his eyes full of hope.

 Alastor felt as if all the air had left his lungs. As if all words had left his mind.

 Fucking hell...

 A burning sensation stung his neck. Without thinking too deeply about it, he loosened the bow tie around his neck, trying to get some more air to speak. As if that was really what had stopped him.  »Lucifer,« he started again, »The night when you asked me if we could be together forever... There was more behind this question, wasn't there?«

 Lucifer's cheeks turned a deep shade of red. He reached for a blade of grass and started to fidget with it. »Well... you could say that, I suppose...« he muttered, his voice fading into a whisper.

 Alastor's heart pounded faster in his chest. Stop beating around the bush and just tell him! This might be your only chance. »I'm sorry. I didn't realise it back then,« he said, letting out a shaky breath. »But I do now... and if you'd give me a second chance, I'd like to show you... that I really want to stay with you forever.«

 Lucifer let go of the blade of grass and took a step back, holding his hands over his chest. Still not meeting his gaze, he said, »You don't know what you're saying... I've changed, Alastor. I'm not the same as I was before... You don't want to promise me this. You wouldn't if you knew...«

 Alastor's heart ached. He took a step forward. »I am sincere, Lucifer. Even after all these years, after all this time...  you are the only one who makes my heart beat faster.«

 That's when Lucifer finally met his gaze.

 Alastor was surprised to see tears glistening in his eyes. Tears of happiness? Tears of sadness? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he wanted to take him in his arms and wipe his tears away. 

 »Alastor,« Lucifer sniffled, »You don't understand- I'm... I'm a monster-«

 Alastor cocked his head. He took in his whole body language, his hurt expression and the fear shaking through his small body. Nothing. Literally nothing about him made him believe he was a monster. Nothing about him made him think of people like Valentino or his father... Whatever he thought he had done in the past to make him a monster, it couldn't have made him one for real. He was still the same innocent sweetheart as before.

 But if he truly believed he was a monster, telling him it wasn't true wouldn't change his mind. So, in that moment, he said the only right thing »So am I... I'm a monster. Even though I couldn't tell you everything in my letter, I won't hide this side of me from you, and you won't have to hide yours from me either.« He promised, »My feelings for you stay the same.«

 Something he said made Lucifer crumble. His crying worsened and tears streamed down his cheeks. His sobs felt like daggers piercing Alastor's heart.

 »Come here« he murmured, holding his arms wide open.

 Lucifer hesitated »No- you don't understand-«

 »I understand that you are in pain right now, and I want to be there for you.«  Alastor said, »Let me comfort you.«

 Lucifer didn't move. »I... don't deserve your kindness...« he said.

 »I think I am the only one who can decide who I give my kindness to.« Alastor countered, »And I think you deserve every bit of it... So come, let me help you.« His voice was warm and inviting.

 Lucifer's lip quivered and his eyes darted away, as if searching for a reason not to believe him. At first, it looked as if he would refuse, but then he took a step forward and slumped against Alastor.

 The moment Alastor felt the contact, his heart skipped a beat. A burning sensation coursed through his body as he took Lucifer in his arms and rubbed his back soothingly, feeling him nuzzle against his chest.

 Lucifer sniffled, his voice muffled by the fabric of Alastor's clothes. »I missed you- I missed you so much- I'm so sorry I sent you away-« his voice breaking as he wrapped his arms around Alastor and hugged him back.

Alastor patted his back and hummed, »There, there... It's all right...« he reassured him »I missed you too... I know you were hurt, and probably still are. I'm so sorry...«

 Lucifer looked up at him, his eyes still watery from tears, »You don't hate me?«

 Alastor shook his head. »I couldn't hate you.« he said.

 Lucifer stared at him, deep in thought. He bit down on his lip, then said, »I... I couldn't hate you either... When I said that I hated you... I lied. I... I was just so hurt and I wanted you to leave because-« he shook his head »It's not important... I shouldn't have.«

 Alastor cupped his face in his hands, brushing his thumb over his cheek and wiping away his tears. »It's okay.« he said gently »I forgive you...«

 Lucifer nuzzled against his hand and closed his eyes. A shaky breath left his lips before he opened his eyes again and met his gaze. »I'll need time to forgive you, but... I understand better now that I've read your letter...«

 Alastor nodded. »I understand that.« he said. Even though it hurt a little, he knew he couldn't speed up this process.

 Lucifer took a hesitant step back, his gaze trailing over the wildflower field. Brushing his fingertips over a vibrant red poppy, he said »I kept your flowers, you know?« A soft smile curled his lips. »This is a good place for a new start.« Glancing up at Alastor.

 Something about this sight took his breath away. Before Alastor could find the right words to reply, Lucifer turned and said, »I'll wait at the gate next time you come for your delivery.« and with that, he left.

 Alastor felt the urge to follow him, but he couldn't bring himself to move. He just stared after him, as if under a spell.

 It was only when he felt the strange stinging sensation on his neck again that he got out of his trance. He untied his bow tie and touched the spot, feeling a surging heat beneath his fingertips.

 What the hell is going on with that thing?

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Well... that's a surprise... Alastor thought, stepping out into his backyard in the early morning, a cup of coffee in hand. The sun had barely risen, and the fresh humidity of the night was still lingering in the shade of his house.

 But what had really caught his attention was the deer corpse lying on his porch. Some flies had already gathered around it, especially close to its wide-open eyes.

 Alastor took a sip of his black coffee, he wasn't ready to deal with this yet.

 Others might have been sickened by the sight of the clearly viciously mauled deer, its neck bearing deep wounds and its fur stained with dried blood. But Alastor had seen worse. He had done worse. Seeing a dead animal was nothing compared to taking a human apart piece by piece to dispose of the body.

 »Hm...« Alastor hummed, taking another sip of his coffee. I wonder how intelligent the monster is. Is it capable of sending me this as a threat?

 He knelt down next to the deer, a kind of morbid fascination leading him to inspect the wound on its neck and the claw marks on its hind leg. It hunts like a wolf. It must have some intelligence, since it wounded the leg to slow the deer down before going for the neck. Not to mention, it must be fast if it was able to catch it in the first place.

 »Oh my stars!« Rosie yelped in surprise from her garden.

 Alastor looked over to the fence, where she was holding her hand over her mouth. She was clearly taken aback by the sight of the dead deer.

 »Indeed, my dear.« Alastor joked, finding his pun rather funny. »I just woke up to this. I've no idea how it ended up here.«

 Rosie leaned over the fence, holding her straw hat with the pink bow tie so that it wouldn't fall off. »Do you think that bear left it here? It must have been startled by something otherwise it wouldn't have left it's meal.«

 Alastor nodded in agreement, even though he had other theories »Sure, it could be. But what am I supposed to do with it now? I've got to leave for work in five minutes.«

 After a moment's thought, Rosie suggested, »Tell you what. If you hand me your keys, I'll call the rangers to collect it and open the door for them.«

 »You'd do that for me?« Alastor asked, surprised by her offer. Though maybe not that surprised... After all, Rosie had gone out of her way to help him ever since he returned.

 »Sure, darling.« she waved it off as if it were nothing. »Go to work and don't worry about it. I'm retired and have nothing better to do today.«

 Alastor thanked her and handed her his spare house keys, making himself a mental note to buy her a small gift in return for her kindness. She had been a real lifesaver these past few weeks.

 After the morning rush had passed and Alastor had restocked the shelves of the small store, things quietened down. He found himself standing behind the cash register, one arm resting on the counter and his eyes fixed on the selection of sweets, trying to remember which ones Lucifer liked best. He had already picked something for Rosie and stored it in his bag, but ever since Cherri had handed him the delivery box for the Morningstar residence, he hadn't been able to think about anything except seeing Lucifer at the gate later.

 I think he liked cookies... Those with the big chocolate chips? Alastor thought.

 The cool air from the air conditioning brushed over his bare arms. He sighed and listened to the buzz of the fridges at the front of the store.

 Would it be too much to bring him some chocolate? He wondered.

 »... Alastor?« Cherri's voice dragged him out of his thoughts. She came closer and crossed her arms over her chest. »What's up with ya today? I've been calling ya.«

 Alastor blinked in surprise, »You were? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.«

 Cherri cocked her head and popped a pink bubble of bubble gum »Somethin' happened. Ya've been awfully dreamy all day long. Somethin' good?«

 »Sorry, I guess I've been a bit lost in thought today.« Alastor felt his cheeks blush. 

 »Oh, what do we have here?« She leaned closer and inspected his cheeks. »Are ya havin' a crush, dear?« she teased.

Alastor averted his gaze »I've no idea what you're talking about.«

 »Nonsense,« Cherri called out his bullshit, »Who is it? Come on, spill da tea!«

 Alastor huffed, his eyes trailing over to the delivery subconsciously.

 »Aha!« Cherri exclaimed, following his gaze »Da lil Morningstar, eh?«

 Alastor felt his blush deepen. There was no way he could hide it now that she had seen his reaction. »Well... yes.« he admitted. 

 Cherri chuckled, »Ow, look at ya, all flustered,« she said, leaning against the counter and resting her arms on it. »So, what's da plan, Romeo? Will ya ask him out?«

 »On a date?« Alastor asked for clarification.

 »Of course. What do ya think? That ya can just walk into his life with your smily face and not have to put in any effort?« Cherri pointed at his face, »If ya really have feelings for him, show him ya wanna make it work, hm?«

 Alastor was a bit surprised by the way the conversation had turned. Do I look like I need relationship advices? He opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. Fair point. After a moment of thought he asked »But he rarely leaves his mansion right now, I don't think he'd like to go to a public place.«

 »True...« Cherrie agreed. »Well, ya could still ask if you two want to do somethin' together. Ya could watch a movie or do somethin' else ya can do at home. Then he can pick where ya wanna meet, at his or your place.«

That was actually good advice. Alastor was almost surprised. »Well... Maybe we could cook something together.« he muttered, half to himself.

 Cherri peeked up »Well, that's a good idea. How about ya pick some stuff from the shelves, and when you bring him his delivery, you can tell him what you've got in mind and see when he has time?«

 Alastor nodded in agreement. »Sounds like a plan.« he said, thinking about what he could cook. He served some customers, bouncing ideas off with Cherri. In the end, he found just the right dish to make: His mother's jambalaya recipe. He recalled Lucifer liking spicy foods.

 With that in mind, he gathered all the necessary ingredients, his pulse raced at the thought of asking Lucifer out.

 The rest of the working day went by in the blink of an eye. Cherri wished him good luck as he left, with the package and bag of groceries at hands, for his climb to the top of the hill. 

 Even from afar, he could see that Lucifer had kept his word and was standing at the gate.

 Alastor's heart pounded faster in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was because of his quick steps or the sight itself. He took in the way the evening sun shone on Lucifer's blonde hair, giving it an almost golden hue.

 As he neared him, he met his piercing ice-blue eyes and slowed his pace. He searched for the right words with which to greet him. However, when looked down at the small one, he realised that he had lost his ability to think. Like some fool, he held out the package and said, »Your delivery, Mr Morningstar.«

 Lucifer cocked his head and eyed him from head to toe, then burst into laughter that rang like bells in Alastor's soul. »Oh my-« Lucifer chuckled, »What are you doing?«

 Alastor felt his cheeks burn. »I suppose I'm a bit nervous,« he admitted, feeling his hands getting sweaty.

 »Nervous? Why?« Lucifer asked.

 The way his piercing blue eyes looked at him in anticipation made Alastor's heart beat faster. »Well, I wanted to ask... if you'd like us to meet sometime... uhm this week maybe... and spend some time together? Maybe we could cook together... I bought some ingredients for jambalaya if you want to.« he stuttered his way through his request.

 Lucifer eyed the bag with the groceries he had picked for the dish and asked, »Do you have all you need here?«

 »Well, yes. I just bought what I needed. Why?« Alastor asked.

  Lucifer grinned up at him as he replied, »Well, I'm free right now. If you want?«

 Alastor hadn't expected this. He felt his cheeks burn as he tried to grasp what was happening. »S-sure« he managed to squeeze out. 

 »Well, then come inside.« Lucifer purred, waving him through the open gate to his property.

 They followed the path leading towards his mansion. The gravel crunched beneath each of their steps. Some crows cawed at them from the branches of a dead tree. Alastor looked up at them. Why are they always cawing at me when I'm here?"

 As if in answer, they spread their wings and fluttered away.

 Lucifer opened the mansion's old wooden door to reveal the huge entrance hall, complete with an imposing red carpeted staircase leading up and a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. All the lights were out, and since the window shades were closed, only the light falling through the open door illuminated the room, giving the mansion an abandoned air.

 Alastor cautiously stepped in. He recalled how big everything had looked to him as a child, on the rare occasions he had been here. They had rarely been at Lucifer's home, though. Most of the time, Lucifer had visited him at his mother's house. Alastor couldn't even recall Lucifer's father's face. He had seen him twice, perhaps, and remembered how cold he had seemed. 

 Lucifer's mother wasn't around. If he remembered correctly, she had died in labour. However, Alastor didn't want to bring up the subject, so instead he said, »It really hasn't changed at all since I was last here.«

 Lucifer huffed, »I guess it wasn't this dusty last time. My father always had lots of staff taking care of the property.« he said, pointing up at the cobwebs on the chandelier. He then walked off towards the door on the left, saying »Come, follow me.« His footsteps on the marble tiles echoed through the room.

 Alastor trailed behind him, taking in his surroundings. The lights were turned on in the hallway. Old oil painted portraits hung on the walls. Some of the people reminded Alastor of Lucifer. Maybe the eyes? Or the tiny noses? They must be some ancestors. The Morningstar family must have very old roots. Alastor found the way the paintings stared at him a bit chilling, though, so he didn't look too closely and hurried after Lucifer, who pushed open the kitchen door and turned on the lights.

 It was a kitchen worthy of a chef. Clearly built to host a whole team. With only the both of them in it, one felt almost lost in this huge room with multiple stoves and modern kitchen appliances.

 Lucifer walked to the back of the room and opened another door. »The storage is over here.« he told him.

 Alastor placed the bag containing the ingredients for the jambalaya on the counter, then followed Lucifer with the delivery package. He stepped into the storage room, which was filled to the brim with tinned food and noodles. Alastor had to hold back laughter at the sight of the unlabelled cans. The ones he had tampered with.

 Lucifer huffed, »Oh, you recognise those, don't you?« He took one of the unlabelled cans and held it up. »Quite creative. I've got to hand it to you.«

 Alastor couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. He chuckled »Sorry, but I find it quite hilarious.«

 Lucifer raised his eyebrows. »Is that so?« he asked. »How about I open one every time you come over, and I'll feed you whatever is inside? It's like a fucked-up lottery trying to figure out what's in those cans.«

 All Alastor heard was a promise that he would be able to visit more often. »Could be fun.« he said, smiling cockily.

 »I can't cook anyway, and I dismissed all the staff after my father died.«

 This piqued Alastor's interest »How come?«

 Lucifer pushed himself past Alastor and out of the storage room. As he passed, Alastor caught a whiff of his sweet scent. It reminded him of apples and cinnamon.

 »Well, I didn't need them anymore...« Lucifer lied. Clearly, he must have needed them if he was unable to cook or keep the house clean. But Alastor didn't press the matter.

 Instead, he proposed »I could teach you a thing or two.«

 Lucifer's cheeks turned a deep shade of red »Oh, well... yeah, that would be nice.«

 Alastor chuckled, seeing how flustered Lucifer was. He's so cute! »Come, let's get started.« he said eagerly, waving Lucifer towards the shiny kitchen counter where the bag of ingredients waited for them. He started to unpack them.

 »What do we need?« Lucifer asked, opening one of the kitchen cabinets.

 »Well, a pot, knives, peelers, chopping boards and a few bowls would be good.« he thought, trying to remember everything he needed for jambalaya. Since he hadn't brought the recipe book with him, he would have to rely on his memory. »And a colander... That should be it for now.«

 Lucifer searched the different cupboards and drawers for the utensils Alastor had asked for, placing them on the counter. The small one moved swiftly around the kitchen, and Alastor found himself gazing a little too long at his ass as he bent down to reach something at the back of one of the cupboards.

 Quickly he averted his gaze, scolding himself. Don't be a perv. Behave!

 Once everything had been gathered, Alastor showed Lucifer how to cut the bell peppers. He moved close behind him, looking over his shoulder, and gently guided his hand as he explained.

 Standing so close, Alastor could feel the heat of Lucifer's body and smell his sweet scent. It made his mind go all fuzzy, and he had to focus very hard to avoid mixing up his words.

 The small one was clearly affected by the closeness as well, but he was also a little tense, so Alastor stepped aside and gave him some room to breathe after explaining the task. Not wanting to overstep.

 He took on one of the more difficult tasks himself. They now stood side by side, both working on their tasks, when Lucifer suddenly said, »It's been a while since I had a home-cooked meal.« A sad smile formed on his face. »Actually, this reminds me of the times when I used to visit you as a child. Your mother's food always tasted way better than whatever the kitchen staff made for my father and I. Even though they were renowned chefs.« He huffed at the last part. »I don't know... maybe it was just because I saw how much love she put into her cooking, whereas for the chef it was just a job. Something he got paid for...«

 Alastor looked at him, surprised by how talkative he was. It felt good, though, to hear him speak with such sincerity. He offered him a gentle smile and said, »She always called you her second son, you know?«

 Lucifer's movements slowed. The knife was halfway through cutting the bell pepper on the chopping board. »She did?« he asked.

 »Yes,« Alastor confirmed. »She loved you very much... I think she wouldn't have let you go back home if she could have.« He chuckled at the thought »I remember how she always wanted you to stay longer, but your father never let you spend the night.«

 Lucifer bit down on his lip and averted his gaze. »Yeah... I remember this.«

 Alastor cocked his head, surprised by this reaction. Did I upset him? Why is he so sad all of a sudden? Maybe talking about the past wasn't such a good idea. He must have had a hard time after he had left. He focused back on cutting the chicken meat.

 »I miss her.« Lucifer breathed out. It was barely audible, but in the silence of the vast kitchen, Alastor could hear it loud and clear.

 His heart ached as he saw how much it affected the small one, even after all this time. »I miss her, too...« he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion. »I bet she would love the thought that we're cooking her jambalaya together.« He put the chopped meat aside an picked new utensils for his next task. 

 Lucifer met his gaze with his with his hazy blue eyes. »You'd think she'd be fine with us... uhm... you know?« he said, unable to finish his question.

 Alastor had no doubt about that, »She would have been fine with it.« he said. »I think she would have been even delighted, because that way she would have been able to call you her son-in-law.« He chuckled at the thought and nudged Lucifer gently with his elbow. »Also, I was told not so long ago that apparently everyone but me noticed we "had the hots" even back then.«

He started cutting the sausages and filled a bowl with them, then handed Lucifer the onions to cut.

 »Oh, really?« Lucifer cocked his head »Who told you that?«

 »Ozzie« Alastor replied, seeing no reason to hide this information from him. »I went to his club a few days ago.«

 Lucifer's eyes widened »You met Ozzie?«

 »Yes, why?« Alastor wondered. He put the pot up on the stove, added some olive oil and poured the bowl of sausage bits in it. 

 Lucifer resumed cutting the vegetables. Picking up the selleri »N-nothing,« he muttered, »Just surprised me.«

 Well, that seems odd. Alastor noted. Are they not on speaking terms anymore? Ozzie hadn't mentioned anything. He stired the sausages and added the chicken meat. 

 Lucifer quickly changed the topic. »So, how long does the jambalaya need to cook?«

Alastor hummed, »Hm... well, it'll take about 30 minutes once we add the rice. Overall, it'll take a bit less than an hour. Why?«

 Lucifer paused. »An hour?« He asked, looking over at the clock on the wall, then shifted nervously from foot to foot. »All right... I guess.... that could work...« he said, barely above a whisper. Then, added a bit louder, »I'm just hungry.«

 Alastor looked up at the clock. It wasn't quite 7 pm yet. »I see. It'll go by fast. You'll see.« he promised. Suddenly, he felt a light sting on his neck. It was the same spot as the day before, but he wasn't sure why. The red spot had disappeared when he checked it this morning. Intrigued, he brushed his fingers over the spot and felt heat beneath them.

 Lucifer must have noticed, as he followed his movement with his gaze. »What's wrong?« he asked.

 »Oh, it's nothing, dear.« Alastor shrugged and explained, »Just some weird allergic reaction I had. I can't seem to get rid of it completely.«

 Lucifer stared at his neck, his eyes widening. »Wait... When did this start, did you say?« he asked.

 Alastor hummed in thought. »I think that was the day I brought you the pancakes. Or was it the night before? I don't know exactly... I only saw it later in the mirror.«

 Lucifer took a hesitant step back. »I see...« he muttered, his eyes switching between his neck and his cutting board a few times. 

 »Could you pass me the onions and bell peppers, please?« Alastor asked, holding out his hand.

 Lucifer took the bowl and handed it to him. In the process, their hands brushed and he felt a bolt of electricity surge through him. It was a thrilling feeling that made his mind go blank for a split second before he regained his composure and quickly resumed his work. His cheeks blushed nonetheless. But out of the corner of his eye he noted Lucifer's were as red as his. 

 Lucifer glanced at the clock again, tapping his fingers against the counter. 

 Once the other ingredients and spices had been added, Alastor left the jambalaya to cook, adding the rice in time. He noted how Lucifer grew more nervous over time, glancing at the clock occasionally and fidgeting with whatever was within reach on the kitchen counter. Right now, it was the salt shaker. His restless fingers spun the salt shaker again.

 This is definitely not about him being hungry.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~
 

 With two bowls of steaming jambalaya at hand, Alastor followed Lucifer through a door. Beyond it was a dining room with a long table large enough for a whole banquet. A chandelier hung above it, and a fresco depicting the Garden of Eden adorned the high ceiling. Alastor was in awe of the details of the painting. It looked as if the artist had drawn every single leaf of the apple tree at the centre of the composition. Adam and Eve were portrayed as naked, reaching for an apple around which a white snake had twisted. Despite all the fancy decorations, the room felt empty and almost unlived in.

 »I don't usually eat here...« Lucifer said, »It feels so lonely eating at a huge table like this, so I prefer sitting in front of the TV.« He fiddled with the rim of his sleeve and blushed in embarrassment.

 »I get that.« Alastor said gently, »Would you prefer to eat there, then?«

 Lucifer shook his head »No, no- I mean, I'd rather talk than stare on a screen.« he said, averting his gaze.

 Alastor smiled at him nonetheless. He suggested »Well, we can eat on the sofa with the TV turned off. Sounds rather comfy to me.« He wanted Lucifer to feel at ease. Whatever was making him nervous didn't need to be amplified by a room like this.

 Lucifer's piercing blue eyes met his. He was lost in thought for a moment. In the end, he admitted, »You know... actually, I would really prefer that.«

 »Then so it shall be.« Alastor decided.

 »All right... uhm, it's this way.« He walked towards a grand double-winged door at the end of the room and pushed it open.

 Alastor trailed behind him, still holding the two steaming bowls. The room was dark, and Alastor's gaze swept over the shaded windows. »Is there a reason why you keep all the shades shut?« he asked, intrigued.

  »I uhm.... well, I often get migraines from the light, so I keep them shut.« Lucifer replied hesitantly, switching on the dim lights and revealing the fancy living room.

 The furniture looked as if it had come straight from an aristocrat's manor. The ruby-red antique sofa faced the only modern thing in the room: a huge flatscreen TV hanging above a marble chimney. Alastor spotted a fancy chess set in front of a wall of bookshelves filled with antique books and knick-knacks from around the world. The room smelt of a mixture of old books and dusty curtains, which Alastor found rather pleasant. It reminded him of the scent of the library he used to visit at university.

 They settled down on the red sofa, which was much more comfortable than Alastor had expected, although he was a little nervous in case any jambalaya dripped on it. The sauce would be difficult to remove from the fabric, so he ate carefully and hunched over a little.

 The moment the spices hit his tongue, he was thrown back in time to eating his mother's jambalaya after a long day of school.

 He heard a pleased hum coming from Lucifer. »This is just like I remember it! It's so good!« he exclaimed, complimenting his culinary talents enthusiastically.

 It made Alastor smile, warming his chest with more than just the spices, »It is... indeed.« 

 Only when he noticed Lucifer's faintly blushed cheeks, did he realise that he had been staring for way to long at him. The small one averted his gaze and took another bite. »I, uhm... could put some music on if you want?« he proposed, nodding towards an old gramophone resting on a side table.

 It immediately piqued Alastor's interest, »What do you have?«

 Lucifer put his bowl on the coffee table and opened the cupboard next to the gramophone, revealing a huge collection of records. »I've got a lot of classics, some opera, musicals... To be honest, most of these are my father's, but I've added some jazz over time.«
 
 Alastor was delighted to hear this. »I like jazz.« he said, »What do you have?«

 »Some Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong.«

 »Oh, you like Louis Armstrong?«

 »Sure,« Lucifer said, dragging the record out of the shelf. »This one is my favorite. I've listened to it on loop. I absolutely love the song he shares with Ella Fitzgerald. His sense of rythem and swinging, is unmatched.« he said, smiling fondly at the worn out record sleeve before taking the disk out and handing the sleeve to Alastor.
 
 Alastor took a closer look. It wasn't just any kind. It was the special edition!
 
 Lucifer put the disc in, started the gramophone and lowered the needle onto it. The gramophone made its typical crackling noise as it started to turn, and then the music began to play. Smooth jazz filled the living room, making Al's feet tap softly to the rhythm as he ate.

 ~~Heaven, I'm in heaven ~ And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak ~ And I seem to find the happiness I seek ~~

 Alastor felt his cheeks blush as he reflected on the truth of the song's lyrics.
 
 Lucifer settled back down and picked up his bowl again. He bit down on his lip, then asked nervously, »Quite the tune, isn't it?« 

 »Indeed« Alastor agreed, then quickly thought of something to say to fill the silence between them. »I used to frequent this little jazz bar in Paris. It was nothing special, but they played the best music, and the crowd danced like nowhere else.«

 Lucifer took another spoonful of jambalaya, then asked, »So, you like to dance?«

 Alastor grinned. »I love to dance.« he confirmed, »What about you?«

 Lucifer hummed, »Well... I didn't enjoy the dance lessons my father made me take, that's for sure. But when I'm free to do as I please, I quite like dancing.« He sighed »Though I have to say, dancing all alone in an empty mansion can feel a bit lonely at times.« His gaze wandered over to the grandfather clock in the corner.

 He looks so sad... Alastor couldn't beare to see him like this. He ate the last spoonful of his jambalaya, then put the bowl aside. In one swift movement, he stood up and held out his hand to the small one. »Would you like to dance with me?« 

 Lucifer blushed a deep red. He put his empty bowl aside, then timidly layed his warm, soft hand in Alastor's.

 Alastor felt a jolt of electricity course through his entire body at the contact. This energy immediately flowed into his movements as he pulled Lucifer up from his seat and led him to the more open space of the room. The first few steps of their dance were simple. Alastor kept their hands intertwinded and rested his other hand on the small of Lucifer's back. He tested the water, trying to assess how good a dancer Lucifer was by setting a slow swaying pace.

 To his delight, Lucifer kept up impressively well. 
 
 Alastor's eyes widened as he watched the small one's gracefully twist out of his arms never letting go of his hand and performin a jazz side step. He was elegant, beautiful, even mesmerising. Alastor gave him a little playful spin and heard him laugh with delight. It made his heart beat faster and his breath catch.

 I've never seen true beauty before today. He realised.

 Alastor took the lead, and felt no resistance at all from the small one. Deciding to up his game, he spun him around, then pulled him in close, brushing his hands over his swaying hips.

 Lucifer smoothly turned out of his arms, letting go of his hand in the process. He danced around him as if daring him to catch him with a flirty wink. He danced as if it were second nature to him. 

 Alastor took this personally and made catching him his new goal. But the little one evaded him in the most gracious way, making it look as if he was getting away, always just by a hair.

 In the end, Alastor grabbed his hand, pulled him in close, and wrapped his arms around him. Swaying to the music, he breathed out, »You're quite the dancer, my dear.«
 
 Lucifer moved up onto his tiptoes, wrapping his arms around his neck and purred into his ear »So are you.« then placed a cocky kiss on Alastor's cheek, making his mind flash back to the time Lucifer kissed him under the willow tree as a child.

 Alastor tripped over his own feet and took Lucifer with him in his fall. 

 They both landed on the sofa. Alastor on top of Lucifer, pinning him beneath him. Cushions were spilled around the small one and a deep red tainted his cheeks. They both breathed heavily. When Alastor's gaze met piercing blue eyes, he felt his heart stutter. »Sorry,« he muttered, but couldn't bring himself to move away. 

 Being so close to Lucifer felt too good. The heat he radiated was far too welcoming. He wanted to bathe in his warmth and keep looking into his deep blue eyes. For a split second, he thought he could see something flash up in them before Lucifer pushed himself a bit further back, creating some distance between them.

 »It's fine...« he said beneath his breath, averting his gaze and brushing his fingers nervously through his blonde hair.

 Alastor watched him, wondering how soft his hair might feel to the touch. He longed to find out and explore every inch of his body.

 What's wrong with me? Alastor's thoughts screeched to a halt. He had never been the kind of person to long for things like this.

 He eyed the hint of bare skin on Lucifer's neck where his button-up shirt had slipped, almost enough to see his shoulder.

 Fucking hell! He'll be the death of me. Alastor felt the same warmth rise inside him as in the flower field. He longed for the small one. »Can I kiss you?« Alastor heard himself ask, surprising himself as much as the small one.

 With wide eyes, Lucifer turned to him, »Wait, what?« he asked.

 Alastor coughed, »Oh, nothing. I-«

 »No, no, don't... I mean, I heard you-« Lucifer stuttered. »I just... didn't expect it.« His blush deepened and he sat further up on the sofa facing him. His ice-blue eyes darted to Alastor's lips, then back up to meet his gaze.

 Alastor felt a tingling sensation in his belly at the sight. 

 »Yes,« Lucifer whispered, then added more clearly, »I would like that.«

 He wants it too. Alastor hands grew sweaty, his throat drying up. He wants to kiss me. His mind reeled. He wants me to kiss him.
 
 His heart raced in his chest. I've never been so nervous about kissing someone before. He dampened his lips and saw Lucifer hold his breath in anticipation. It was like a silent invitation for him to come and kiss him.

 He's so gorgeous. Alastor thought, leaning closer with his eyes half-lidded and fixed on Lucifer's. When he was close enough to smell his sweet apple and cinnamon scent, he paused, waiting to see how the small one would react.
 
 Lucifer moved closer in return, eager for him.

 When their lips met, Alastor was surprised at how soft and delicate they felt beneath his. How sweet they tasted, beneath the spicy flavour of the jambalaya, and how thrilling the feel was that spread through his body. It made him feel like he was swinging high on a swing. This tugging feeling kept repeating like ripples in water. It got stronger before fading out when he left his lips to breathe.
 
 Lucifer was as into it as he was, initiating the next kiss.

(*)

 Alastor deepened their kiss. He let his lips explore Lucifer's, wanting more of his taste, more of his scent, more of this softness. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through his body.

 Lucifer, moaned between their kisses. It was a sound so passionate and needy that it could set Alastor's body ablaze on its own. He brushed his finger's through Lucifer's soft blond hair and parted his lips in a silent question.

 Without any hesitation, the small one followed his lead, parting his lips and inviting his tongue over.

 A shiver ran down Alastor's spine as he got a better taste of Lucifer. His heart pounded faster, turning him greedier.

 Lucifer moaned into his mouth, his tongue slipping over his, his hands sliding up Alastor's chest. He undid the first two buttons of his shirt before slipping his hands beneath.

 The skin-to-skin contact sent a rush of excitement through Alastor's whole body. He had to let go for a moment to gasp for air, getting a good look at Lucifer's perfect skin and tousled blonde hair in the process. He looked like an angel, to perfect to be human. The look he gave him with his hazy blue eyes asked for more and he was more than willing to give him everything he wanted. 
 
 Leaning back down, he kissed a trail from Lucifer's cheek to his neck.

 The small one bared his neck and moaned softly as Alastor kissed it.

 Such beautiful sounds. 

(*)

 The record reached its end, continuing to spin without playing any music. Every now and then, some crackling noise could be heard, until the grandfather clock rang, surprising them both for a moment.

 Alastor quickly regained his composure, however, and continued to pepper Lucifer with soft kisses.

 Suddenly, the small one tensed up and pushed Alastor away with unexpected force. »S-stop« he said, sounding almost panicky.

 Alastor's heart dropped. Did I overstep? »I'm sorry-«

 »You have to leave. « Lucifer said firmly, sitting up and adjusting his shirt to cover his bare skin.

 Alastor felt as if he had been kicked in the stomach. »If I made you feel uncomfortable or overstepped in any way... I'm sorry.«

 Lucifer didn't even listen. He just stared at the clock, his body tense and on high alert. »Al, you gotta go.« he said, »Now. I've no time to explain.« he said, quickly getting up to his feet.

 Alastor just stared at him from his spot on the sofa, then looked over at the clock. It was barely 8 pm. Recalling how the small one had been nervous about time all evening, Alastor asked, »Does this have to do with the time?«

 Lucifer froze, his hand on the door handle. He bit down on his lip and answered hesitantly, »I... can't have you here overnight.«

 »Lucifer, I'm not that kind of man.« Alastor said, a bit hurt that Lucifer would think of him to be like this. 

 »That's not-«

 Suddenly, he felt the sting on his neck again. It was stronger than before. Enough to make him shoot his hand up to it and brush over the heated spot.

 Lucifer looked alarmed. He swung the door open and said, »Just leave.«

 Alastor didn't want to leave, but he followed Lucifer towards the front door and felt his heart heave as he stepped outside. The sun was setting on the horizon, tinting the sky with orange and red hues. As he turned to say goodbye, he caught a glimpse of a red light flashing in Lucifer's eyes.  Maybe the sunset had reflected in them for a moment? »Good night, Lucifer.« he muttered.

 Lucifer looked up at him, wordlessly, frozen in place standing in the doorframe.

 Not knowing what he had done wrong or what scared him to this point was a torture. Alastor accepted that there would be no more he could find out for now and turned. Yet the moment he took the first step down... Lucifer's hand wrapped around his wrist, turning him around and surprising him with one last kiss.

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened and he could have sworn that the small one's hand felt different somehow. The kiss felt desperate, and the ache in his heart made him respond with the same intensity. A small spike of pain shot through his lower lip, startling him. Blood mixed with the lingering taste of Lucifer. It sent a whisper of fear... and a pulse of heat down his spine...

 Alastor pulled away, his hand reaching for his lip and finding it bleeding slightly. When he looked back up, he saw Lucifer hide his hands behind his back.

 The small one backed off towards his door. Tears were in his eyes as he said, »I'll explain it. I promise.« then he closed and locked the door three times.

 Alastor stared at the door for a moment in the dim light of the setting sun, confused by the mixed signals. He touched his lip again. The bleeding had stopped but it still burned. And so did the memory of Lucifer’s last look before the door had slammed shut. 

 What had he gotten himself into?

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 'I'll explain it all, I promise.' Alastor heard Lucifer's last words echoing in his mind as he walked down the hill, his eyes fixed on the sunset on the horizon. His feelings were all over the place, confused by Lucifer's mixed signals. First the make-out session, then being rudely shoved out of the mansion, and then this last kiss? What was all that about? What was Lucifer so afraid of?

 He rubbed his neck where the strange stinging sensation was surging again. That strange infection was driving him crazy.

 I need a drink. He thought as he reached the crossroads, one direction leading to his home and the other to the bar.

 Maybe he could treat himself to a whisky. The one Husk had was rather tasty. With that thought in mind, he chose the path leading to the bar. He looked up at the fluffy, red and orange-tinted clouds. A light breeze ruffled his brown hair, and the asphalt of the street still radiated the heat of the day.

 When he reached the bar with the glowing 'Husk's Bar' sign and pushed open the door, he found himself in a nearly empty room. Well, 8 pm was rather early.

 Husk looked up from where he was cleaning the bar counter with a wet rag. His thick eyebrows rose at the sight of Alastor.

 Alastor stepped through the door, eyeing the drunk customer who was sleeping with a bottle at hand and his head resting on the hard table. It was the only one in the bar beside for him and Husk. Shaking his head, Alastor headed straight for the bar and greeted the grumpy bartender with a cheerful »Good evening, fellow.«

 »Is it?« Husk grumbled a half-assed greeting back to him before asking, »What brings ya here?«

 »Well, this is a bar, isn't it?« Alastor asked, settling on one of the stools in front of the bar. »I'm here for a drink, of course.«

 Husk eyed him sceptically. »And... what kind of drink do ya have in mind?«

 »A glass of whisky, please. The same one you served me last time.«

 Husk grumbled something under his breath, put the wet rag aside, and turned to pick the whisky bottle off the shelf. He served Alastor a glass, adding some ice. »So, did ya get to chat with Ozzie?« he asked, though he tried to sound as if he didn't care and was only talking to him because it was his job.

 Alastor smiled as he watched Husk put the glass of amber liquid in front of him with a clack. »Indeed. He was rather helpful. I even got to speak to Lucifer, saw him twice since.«

 Husk's eyes widened in surprise »Ya did?«

 Alastor nodded proudly, but felt a pang of regret at the thought of how their date had ended. He quickly hid it by taking a sip of his drink.

 The sleepy drunkard sprawled over the table in the back muttered, »The monster- It was the monster.-«

 Alastor looked over to him, is mind immediately flashing an image of those four red glowing eyes in his thoughts. A chill ran down his back. Then he realized he was being watched by Husk. So he put up an amused look to hide his discomfort and rolled his eyes as if the man was talking nonsense. To his surprise Husk didn't return the same amusement to him. 

 The bartender shook his head »Poor guy... Lost his marbles when his best friend disappeared without a trace.«

 This piqued Alastor's interest. »Disappeared? When?« he asked.

 »It's only been a few weeks, and all the police found was his crashed car in da forest. There's been no trace of the guy.« Husk said in a low voice, not wanting to startle the drunkard. »It's not the only person who's gone missing. I heard from another customer that Velvett went missing too. She was barely nineteen. The cops are clueless on what happened.«

 Alastor huffed, »No wonder if they have such low standards as to let Adam join in.«

 Husk scoffed in amusement as he picked up a glass to clean it. »Yeah, but Lute has it in her, telling ya. If anyone can find out it's that woman.«

 »Lute?« Alastor asked, not recognising the name.

 »The Lutennant. Everyone just calls her Lute. I don't know her actual name, to be honest. She's not the talkative kind, ya know? 'Came from the city, got demoted to be a small village cop... ya know how it goes.« he rolled his eyes »but she gets stuff done, so that's a thing.«

 Alastor nodded slowly, taking a sip of his whisky. He'd better be careful about her then. Though he wasn't doing anything wrong and was showing his best side, these disappearances could lead to him being investigated, as he had only been back for a few weeks... A coincidence a good cop would want to look into... It would be bad to get caught just because of this.

 Suddenly, the bar door opened and a tall blonde man with freckles stepped in. Angel.

 His neighbour looked almost as surprised as he was to see each other at the bar this early... and he had come without his partner. Alastor noticed. He cocked his head and greeted Angel, »Good evening.«

 Angel's gaze shifted between Alastor and Husk as he stepped closer. »Yeah, hi.« he said a bit to sharp, choosing to sit down two seats away from Alastor at the bar and giving him the cold shoulder.

 Clearly, he was still angry about his little stunt with Valentino. 

 Alastor took another sip of his whisky, closing his eyes and savouring the smoky taste lingering on the tip of his tongue as the alcohol trailed down his throat. It was truly a good choice. He felt like he had to try to put things right. »I'm sorry, Angel,« he said, »I meant what I said when you were at Cherri's store. I only got involved because you looked like you were in distress. Or at least not pleased by this guy's actions.«

 Angel didn't reply and watched as Husk prepared a 'Sex on the Beach' for him even adding in one of those tiny paper umberellas before setting it down in front of him.

 For a moment, it looked like he was going to ignore him, before he let out a loud groan. »Fine, apology accepted.« he said, as he toyed with the umbrella. His eyes snapped over to Alastor »Also... ya might... not have been totally wrong.« he added, his last words barely audible, but Alastor caught them nonetheless, since the room was so quiet and empty.

 Husk looked intrigued by what they were talking about but one sharp glance of Alastor was enough for him to turn with a muttered »Gotta check somethin' in the back.« and leave through the back door. 

 »About what?« Alastor asked, turning back to Angel.

 The blond averted his gaze. »Just... everythin'.« he said, picking up his glass and taking a long sip of his drink, leaving the colourful cocktail half empty. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, then explained, »Ya know, Val and I, things haven't always been like this.« he paused for a moment before resuming »When we met, he was charming. He courted me like a gentleman, and I really thought that I had finally found 'the one', ya know?« He took a tiny sip from his drink.

 »What happened?« Alastor asked, twirling the amber liquid inside his glass.

 »Hm« Angel hesitated before muttering »Fuck it« to himself, then answering his question »He found out I was earning my money on OnlyFans.«

 Alastor cocked his head. »That platform where people can buy photos?«

 Angel snorted, »Sure, call it that if ya want,« he huffed »I'm basically a bitch, ok? People buy my nudes, pay to chat with me, and pay for videos and stuff.« He bit down on his lip. »When I came clean to Val about it 'cause things were getting rather serious, he didn't take it well.« He twirled the ice cubes in his glass around. »He's from an old money family, so he asked me to stop OnlyFans and proposed that I live off his money instead...«

 Alastor hummed. For a guy like Valentino, it wasn't far-fetched to force Angel out of his job and make him dependent on his money. »And so you moved here? Why this spot out of all?«

 Angel huffed, »Nah, we were in da city at first. I quickly made friends and found connection. We often went out partying. But...« Angel toyed with the tiny umbrella again. »Well, whenever we were out in da clubs 'n stuff, some randoms recognised me from my work... Valentino didn't like it. Some of them were rather pushy, not gonna lie, but I'm used to it.« He waved it off. »So, after we had more and more fights about it, Val decided we had to move to the countryside, where I wouldn't be as famous and we could "live in peace".«

 Alastor raised his eyebrows. »You don't seem like the kind of guy who'd choose a small town like this, though.« he pointed out. 

 Angel took a sip of his drink. »Nah,« he muttered. »But... Well, I thought that if we moved and settled down, ya know, became 'responsible adults' and so on, maybe the fights would stop and we could be happy again.«  He looked down at his glass, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

 Alastor felt bad for him. He hadn't deserved to be manipulated by someone like Valentino. »Well, you're a good person for giving it a try, but seeing you here, I assume it didn't work out as planned.«

 Angel scoffed, »Not really. It looks like his ego gets hurt as soon as someone just looks at me.« He finished his drink and pushed the empty glass over the counter. »Honestly, I think it's gotten even worse now that we're far from all our friends.«

 »So... what's your plan?« Alastor asked. »You wouldn't be here, even though Valentino dislikes you hanging around this bar, if you hadn't something in mind.«

 »Not really a plan.« Angel admitted. »But I suppose I have to break up with him... This isn't workin' anymore.« he said, sounding a bit heartbroken. »It's just hard, ya know? I keep seeing him as he was before all this shit went down. Why can't it be like it was back then? I still love him, ya know?«

 Alastor's heart ached for him. »You love the man he was before perhaps... Sometimes, things can't be undone.« he said. Just like I'll never be able to wash the blood off my hands. »I don't want to assume things, but from the outside, your situation with Valentino looks rather... toxic. Be careful about how you break up with him. Make sure you have a place to stay at and some savings before you do it.«

 Angel gave him a sad smile and a slight nod. »Yeah, I can easily get my "job" back. Ya have a point, though. I should ask Cherrie if I can crash at hers for a few days.«

 Alastor nodded, satisfied to see him accept his advice. »Good... If you ever feel unsafe or need help, I'm just one door away. All right?« He offered his help with a smile, then took a sip of his whisky.

 »Are ya flirting with me or what?«

 Alastor spat out a mouthful in shock. »What-?« he coughed.

 Angel chuckled, »I thought you weren't interested~«

 Alastor grumbled, »I'm still not interested.« He paused, then added, »I already have someone dear to my heart...« His thoughts trailed back to Lucifer and the dance they had shared to smooth jazz in his living room. His cheeks flushed as he recalled their kiss.

 »Oho~« Angel cooed. »Look at ya, all flustered and blushin'.« He leaned over to take a closer look. »Who is your dear? Hm?«

 Alastor gently pushed him out of his comfort zone and contemplated whether he should tell him or not.

 »Come on« Angel insisted, »Please tell me. We're friends now, right?«

 Alastor huffed. Well, I suppose... Having a new friend wouldn't be bad, would it? He pushed his glasses further up his nose and answered, »It's Lucifer.«

 There was a loud crashing sound, and Alastor and Angel both peeked over the counter to find that Husker had walked back in and had dropped a bottle of vodka. The liquid poured all over the floor. The bartender stood there, frozen, his mouth gaping wide open and his eyes fixed on Alastor. »No fucking way!« were the first words to leave his mouth.

 Alastor felt himself shift uncomfortably in his seat. »Why so surprised, Husker? Weren't you the one who told me a few days ago that Lucifer was 'heartbroken' when I left?«

 Husk tsked and started to clean up the mess he had made with a mop. »Yeah, nah. That's not what I'm surprised about. You'd have to be blind and deaf to not realise you two were in love.« Husk laughed at himself as if he had just told the best joke ever. »Nah, for sure that's not what I'm shocked about.« he said, pointing a finger at Alastor while still holding the mop. »What I'm shocked about is that ya finally realised it and had the guts to ask the lil Morningstar out.«

 Alastor felt his cheeks flush. »Oh, shush,« he said, »I don't see why you'd think I wouldn't have the guts to ask him out.«

 Husk shrugged, »Dunno. I suppose because ya never did back then.«

 Alastor crossed his arms over his chest. »We were kids.« he pointed out.

 »Teens.« Husker corrected him.

 »Barely. I was eleven« Alastor said. »That's not the age where one realises... well...«

 Angel wiggled his eyebrows. »That ya're gay for your bestie? I knew the second I watched The Treasure Planet I was gay and had my gay awakening, seeing Jim fly on that board, ha!«

 Alastor felt a bit uncomfortable talking about it. He took a long sip of his whisky and said, »I'm not even sure if "gay" is the right term.« He finished his drink and said, »And honestly, I don't really care. I know I like Lucifer. No need for a more specific definition.« With that, he was about to pay Husk for his drink to leave, only to realise he had left his bag at Lucifer's place, along with his purse.
 
 »Fuck...« he cursed.

 His gift for Rosie was in there too. Alastor searched his pockets. At least he had his phone and his keys. He grabbed his phone to text Lucifer and ask if he could pick his stuff up. However, Lucifer's urging earlier had led to his hopes being cut short.

 As he waited for Lucifer to text back, he half-listened to Husk and Angel chatting about some movies.

 His text remained unread. Apparently, Lucifer didn't want to talk or was otherwise occupied.

 Alastor sighed and asked Husk, »Your establishment is not modern enough for me to pay with my phone I suppose?«

 Husker raised his thick eyebrows. »Nah, man. I only take cash.«

 Angel cocked his head. »What's wrong, Smiles? Can't pay?«

 »I forgot my bag at Lucifer's place.«

 »Oooooh~« Angel wiggled his eyebrows a cocky smile on his face.

Alastor shook his head. »No.« he said in a warning tone, then turned back to Husk. »Would it be all right if I paid you back tomorrow after work?«

 Husk shrugged. »Sure. Just pay me back when ya come in next time. No need to make the detour.« He assured him, his eyes flicking over to Angel.

 Alastor wondered if Husk was only being so kind to impress the young, soon-to-be-single man. Whatever. He thanked him, said his goodbyes to both of them and left the bar. 

 The fresh eveningbreeze brushed through his hair as he stepped outside and checked his phone one last time. Unfortunately his text was still unread. Fine. Maybe I can pick it up tomorrow after work... 

 He looked up at the stars. Crickets chirped around him and the streetlamps were just starting to flicker on as darkness settled over the small town. Alastor took a deep breath then took the path towards home. 

Chapter Text

~Lucifer's POV~

 Wrapped in darkness, I dance with the danger within me. Each of my steps are just a little too slow to escape it forever. My eyes are tightly shut, for I know the monster will win the moment I open them. So I hide my heart from myself and keep my emotions under control. I don't move, I keep to myself, waiting in the oppressive silence. But it keeps trying to pull me in. This feeling tears through me like claws digging deep into flesh.

 Why am I like this? I just want it to be over and forgotten. But what I want doesn't matter. I am what I am.

 It's hard to keep myself calm, especially now with the daylight gone. 

 It's getting stronger with every passing night. He is too close. Why did he have to come back? Why did I let him back in?

 Sadness creeps up my throat, weakening my control and making my steps waver in the dance around the danger.

 My heart I keep hidden, my emotions repressed.
 
 I want to chase. No, it's the monster that wants to chase, to kill and tear sinners apart.

 I can't afford to be weak. One misstep is all it would take. One tiny error and it would take what I love.

Time flows by as I wait for the daylight. I hide my heart, even though it's hurt and feels like it's about to burst.

 I don't care. 

 But I feel so alone.

 Why does my heart hurt so much? 

 I don't understand myself. It's as if I'm looking into a mirror of my soul and seeing a stranger's reflect instead.

 As warm tears stream down my face, I feel the darkness clawing at me. 

 Who am I shedding these tears for?

 I lost. I know it. Preventing it isn't possible anymore. I tripped and fell.

 It feels like I don't even know you anymore. Alastor.

 When I see his smile flash before my eyes, I feel myself crumble beneath it. Yet no matter how many sins you committed, I can't help but follow our bond and it's light.

  And as the tears stream down my cheeks... I open my eyes, and the beast is freed from its confines.

 Pain tears through me, breaking my bones one by one and tearing my muscles, making me scream in agony as I morph and heal back together.

 All control is lost to the monster as it turned from within to outside.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor woke up in the middle of the night. The fan blew a light breeze over the covers he was holding in his arms. The rest of his body was uncovered and his chest was bare, as it was far too hot to wear more clothes in this stuffy room. At first, he blinked a few times in confusion, unsure what had woken him. Then, a burning, pulsing sensation in his neck made him flinch and grab the hot spot. »Ouch« he complained, feeling his skin burning hot to the touch.

 This strange infection was getting worse and worse. Maybe I should go to the doctor about this.

 With a grumble, he grabbed his phone from the bedside table to check the time. He had to hold it close to his face, his nose almost touching the screen, squinting to try and read the time without his glasses. It was 3 a.m. With an annoyed groan, he put the phone back down, turned in his bed and flopped back onto his pillow. He definitely wouldn't go to the emergencies in the middle of the night for a stupid infection.

 But, as he nuzzled back into his pillow, trying to ignore the annoyingly painful stinging and burning sensation, he realised it was getting worse. 

 Cursing under his breath, he turned back around, grabbed his glasses and phone and turned on the flashlight function. As he slipped his feet out of his cosy bed and onto the hard wooden floor, he sighed in defeat.  

 Alastor stood up and left his bedroom. The moonlight dimly illuminated the hallway leading to the bathroom. Alastor walked up to it, wanting to apply some cooling cream to the spot to get some peace and be able to sleep for the rest of the night.

 The bathroom door creaked as he pushed it open and the tiles felt cold beneath his bare feet. When he flipped the light switch, the mirror cabinet's light flickered on with a faint buzz, blinding Alastor for a split second.

 He blinked a few times to adapt to the brightness, then gasped in shock at how big the infection had grown.

 »Fucking hell...« he cursed under his breath, leaning over the sink to take a closer look at the mark on his neck. It had grown from the size of a coin to that of a baseball, and it was strangely symmetrical. Intrigued, Alastor brushed his fingertips over the slightly elevated, round border. It looked like a perfect circle. How odd. He bent his neck to the left and right, trying to get a better look at the shape, before remembering he had taken his phone with him. Switching on the camera application, he turned and took a picture of the strange mark to have a closer look.

 However, as he looked at the image, he blinked a few times in confusion.

 Is that... a pentagram?

 Alastor raised his eyebrows in confusion. What a strange coincidence... Or had something shaped like this touched his neck? His sleep-deprived mind wasn't capable of coming up with a good explanation for this. I'll go to the doctor's in the morning. He decided, stashing his phone in his pocket while his gaze fell on the drawer beneath the sink where he had stored the cooling cream.

 He opened the drawer, grabbed the tube, then popped the cap open, and poured some onto his finger.

However, when he looked back up into the mirror, he recoiled in pure terror. His heart hammered in his chest and his breath caught in his throat.

 The pentagram mark... was glowing in a deep shade of red. The stinging sensation on his flesh felt much more intense than before.

 Alastor dropped the tube of cream in shock. It clattered onto the tiles, rolled a little way, and hit the bathtub socket.

 Alastor cursed »What the fuck?!« He blinked a few times, hoping he had imagined it, that it had been a trick of the light, but the damned mark was still glowing.

 Did it just get brighter? What is this? Why? What? I- He wasn't even able to form a clear thought. His trembling hand reached for the spot as if to check if it was real. When he touched the mark, he burned his fingertips as if they had touched a hot iron.

»Shit!« He hissed, looking at his reddened fingertips. Quickly, he turned on the tap and held his fingers beneath the cold water.

 As he cooled his fingers, his mind cleared. All sleepiness gone. Why do I have this? I'm not imagining that, am I? He glanced back up at the mirror, where the mark still glowed. I can't be dreaming, right? This is real.

 Suddenly, he heard a noise. He could not quite pinpoint where it came from over the sound of the splashing water. Hastily, he turned off the tap and listened intently to the quiet of the house. He felt a bit unstable and had to lean on the rim of the sink.

 Silence. 

 I could have sworn I heard- 

 The sound of breaking wood suddenly shattered the quiet of the house.

 Alastor gripped the cold porcelain of the sink tighter, his knuckles turning white.

 Someone had broken into his house! His mind raced. Or something...?

 His eyes glanced back at the pentagram on his neck. It glowed in the same red light that flashed through his mind when he thought of the beast's red, glowing eyes.

 Had that monster come to hunt him? Was he marked as its prey? Anger mixed with his previous shock. Hell no! I will not let that thing get me! He opened the bathroom door and looked back into the moonlit hallway towards the leaned bedroom door, only a few steps away.

 His gun was there. All he had to do was get it and shoot the damn thing.

 But as he took his first step off the bathroom tiles and onto the old wooden floor, it creaked. The sound was far too loud and clear in the quiet house. Alastor's heart beat loudly in his ears.

 Screw this!

 Instead of trying to sneak back to his room, he ran, pushing his bedroom door open and grabbing the old Winchester rifle leaning against the wall near his bed. It was already loaded, so he only had to unlock the safety. Pointing it towards the open door, he waited breathlessly for the monster to appear.
 
 But... it didn't...

 The longer it remained quiet, the more Alastor's hands trembled.

 Where is it?

 Why isn't it coming?

 Keeping his eyes on the door and his gun pointed at it, he reached for the bedside table lamp's light switch and turned it on.

 He was alone. No monster was in sight.

 Okay... Alastor took a shaky breath and headed towards the door. He peeked into the hallway before turning the lights on.

 Nothing.

 He hesitated, though, waiting for a sound, a sign, anything.

 When nothing happened, he walked towards the staircase and looked down into the darkness below.

 After waiting for a long moment, he took the first step. The stairs creaked loudly beneath his weight. Alastor held his breath, then took the next step, his gun steady and ready to shoot at a moment's notice.

 A cold breeze greeted him at the bottom of the stairs. Looking towards the backyard door, he saw that it was unhinged and laying sprawled over the floor, the claw marks on the outside dimly lit by the moonlight.

 Shit! Shit! Shit!

Alastor pointed his rifle at the darkness of the living room. The door was wide open. Four red, glowing eyes blinked open, sending a shiver down Alastor's spine. He aimed his gun right at them, but was frozen to the spot like a deer in headlights.

 His heart raced in his chest. As the four glowing eyes stared right at his soul, his mind went blank. 

 The beast took a step towards him, its eyes never leaving him.

 It was the sharp sting from the mark on his neck that brought Alastor back out of his trance. With trembling hands, he aimed the gun at the beast and pulled the trigger.

 The sound of the gunshot resonated through the night's quiet, followed by a loud, pained roar as the monster jolted back.

 Alastor's eyes widened. Surprised by his ability to hurt the beast, he was about to fire a second shot, but then got confused by the sudden heart ache spreading in his chest.
 
 Out of nowhere, long claws struck him, throwing him back. He dropped his weapon as he tripped and fell. His shoulder throbbed and felt as if it were on fire where it had been struck. Blood ran out of the wound and tickled down his bare chest. Even though he was in a defenseless position, the monster didn't take advantage of it. 

 On the contrary, when Alastor hastily picked up his weapon and rose to his feet, he couldn't see any sign of the red glowing eyes in the livingroom anymore. Not even the slightest hint of movement or misplaced shadow.

 Where the hell did it go? Alastor stifled a groan, holding his bleeding shoulder. There was no time for this. He stepped through the open living room door and flicked the light switch on. The room was empty, but the monster had left a trail of... golden blood?

 What an odd colour. Alastor knelt down and inspected the sticky substance. »Hm« he hummed in thought. 
 
 When he stood back up, he pointed his weapon in front of him and followed the trail of blood through the room towards the kitchen. The door was closed. 
 
 It's the only way in or out. 

 Alastor was fairly certain that the monster was on the other side, though he wondered how it even managed to close the door. 

 His hands shook, even though he knew he could win this fight, or perhaps even kill, the monster.

 As he reached for the doorknob, something hit it from the other side, making it shudder beneath the impact.

 Alastor flinched back and listened intently.

 He could hear... a whine? It was a high-pitched sound, reminding him of the way a hurt dog would whine. However the growl and gasp that followed had an almost human undertone.

 Undeterred, Alastor pointed his gun at the lower part of the door and considered firing it as he could see a faint shadow through the gap between the door and the floor. It must be right behind it. If I shoot again, it might be enough to kill it for good.

 Another pained whine.

 For some reason, Alastor felt a pang of guilt in his chest. Confused by this reaction, he hesitated to pull the trigger. Not knowing why he felt this way, he shouted, »I don't know why you chose me as your target, but I will kill you if you keep hunting me.« He said in a hard tone that he hoped sounded confident enough to persuade the beast.

 Was he really about to let it live? The damn thing had been roaming around his home for weeks. It attacked and wounded me. 

 A growl resonated through the house, making the walls and ground vibrate slightly. Alastor's mark pulsed and the lights of the room flickered.

 Suddenly, everything stopped and went quiet.

 All Alastor could hear was his own ragged breathing. His palms felt sweaty around the gun, but when he looked beneath the door, the shadow had disappeared.

 »Fuck.« Alastor cursed under his breath. He stepped towards the door and reached for the knob in a new attempt. When he pushed it open and switched the lights on, the room was empty. There was some golden blood smeared on the tiles, the kitchen counter, and the wide-open window.

 Alastor cocked his head. Not only did it make no sense at all that the monster could fit through the window with its huge frame, but the fact that it had 'opened' it was even more stunning.

 Intrigued, he examined the marks on the window handle. The blood smear looked too small for a paw print for a monster of this size. It looked almost average. Like a human's hand... but with long claws? 

 Is the monster able to shapeshift? Alastor thought back to old stories about werewolves and other strange creatures. Until a few days ago, he had firmly believed that they were just folklore and fairy tales that humans had been telling each other for millennia, with no actual truth to them. Misunderstood humans or illnesses were most likely the cause of most myths.

 But now, having seen an actual monster and bearing a strange glowing pentagram on his neck... he wasn't that sure anymore. He unconsciously reached for the mark and felt that it had cooled down enough to touch without burning himself. He also noticed how it must have stopped glowing as he could not see it anymore in the reflection of the window. 

 Alastor peered into the darkness of his back yard where the monster must have fled through.
 
 It's gone... for now, at least.

 Suddenly, blue lights flashed around his home.

 The police.

 Someone must have called them after hearing the gunshot. Alastor looked at the mess on the floor. His floor was covered in the monster's blood. His own wound throbbed as well.

 This will be hard to explain...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor stepped into the living room, eyeing the trail of golden blood on the ground. He tried not to step on any of it as he headed towards the window facing the road. His mind rushed through possible excuses, though none of them sounded very convincing. But as he looked past the curtains at the dark street, he saw that the police car hadn't stopped in front of his house, but in front of his neighbours'.

 Cocking his head, Alastor observed how Adam and a young woman with a stern expression on her pale face stepped out of the police vehicle and headed straight for Valentino and Angel's house, ringing the doorbell.

 Alastor could not hear what they were saying, but he saw Adam flash his badge and the woman point her finger at whoever had opened the door.

 Intrigued, Alastor quietly opened his window just enough to listen to their conversation.

 »... let us check and we'll be on our way.«

 Valentino's thick Spanish accent was distinguishable as he replied, »Ehhh, no no, señorita. You got no warrant, so you ain't steppin’ one foot inside my casa at this hour, comprende?«

 »We don't need a warrant if a gunshot was heard comming from your home.« the woman replied. »Listen, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Get the fuck out of the way and let us check the damn house if you really have nothing to hide.«

 After a moment of silence, both Adam and the female police officer stepped inside the house, closing the door behind them.

 My goddamn luck. Alastor thought, looking back at the bloodstains. I'd better patch myself up and get rid of the evidence before they realise that Valentino hadn't fired the gun.

 Alastor rushed upstairs to the first aid kit in his bathroom and rudimentarily fixed his wound. Basically, he just wrapped some gauze around it so he could slip a shirt over it. It had to be enough for now. When he headed back downstairs, his mind got calm as deep waters. He rolled his sleeves up and started his cleaning-up routine.

 Alastor knew exactly what he needed and what to do and what not to do to get the job done quickly and properly. His work wasn't perfect, not with so little time, but the living room floor and kitchen were clean enough to avoid attracting an officer's attention. With a UV light, traces would be visible, so he would have to be persausive enough so they would not get it. Once he would have more time at hand, he would fully get rid of the bloodstrains. For now, though, he needed to come up with a convincing story for firing his gun in the dead of the night.

 Seeing as his back door was broken and covered in claw marks, he quickly improvised a story and rehearsed it aloud so that it would sound convincing when they would ask.

 Alastor threw the golden blood-stained rags into the washing machine as the sound of thunder and rain reached his ears. Looks like mother nature will get rid of the evidence outside in the back yard. 

 A moment later, the doorbell rang.

 Alastor quickly rinsed his hands clean of the golden blood, then walked over to open it.

 On the other side was a rather soaked Adam in full police uniform. 

 »Officer? How can I help you? « Alastor asked, politely but pointedly, not moving from the doorframe so Adam would have to stand in the rain a little longer.

 Adam gave him a pissed-off look »Alastor, a neighbour called about a gunshot being fired in the neighbourhood. Any idea what that was?« He looked past Alastor into the entrance hall.

 Alastor blinked twice theatrically before replying, »Well, yes, of course!« He moved aside to point towards his rampaged door on the floor. »See that over there? A fucking bear broke into my house, so I fired a shot to scare it off.«

 Adam's eyes widened in shock. »Wow! What the fuck?« 

 Alastor waved him in. »Come, you can have a look at it. I've nothing to hide.« He said this in the most innocent and well-meaning way possible.

 Adam stepped in and inspected the claw marks on the door. »Ya're not kidding, huh? That must have been quite the beast.«

 Alastor just nodded in agreement. »It made quite a noise. Startled me right out of my sleep,« he said, turning to look at the open entrance door. »Are you alone on patrol?« He inquired, having seen a woman accompany him earlier.

 »Nah, my partner is securing some evidence next door. That Valentino guy over there had some drugs lying around.«

 Alastor cocked his head. »Is that so?« he chirped, rather sure that Adam wasn't allowed to share this kind of information. »Did you arrest him?«

 Adam grunted as he straightened his back. The buttons of his tight uniform bravely held strong on their last string. »Mhm, yeah, he's in the car, though I doubt he'll be in jail for long. He's of the rich rich kind, if ya know what I mean?«

 »I see...« Alastor hummed. This would give Angel a great opportunity to pack his things and leave before the fucker returned. Maybe the shot he had fired would benefit them both.

 Adam sighed. »I know this door is rather obvious evidence that you shot to scare a bear, but I'm still obligated to check the other rooms.«

 Alastor shrugged it off as if it were nothing, despite having cleaned all the floors and surfaces of blood moments ago. »Go ahead.« He followed Adam through the rooms, trailing behind him like a shadow, watching him glance briefly at each room, clearly unmotivated to find anything else. 

 For a split second, Alastor's blood ran cold as he noticed a golden splatter of blood on the rug near the sofa. Due to its odd colour, however, Adam completely missed on it, probably thinking it was paint or another liquid that had left this stain on the carpet. When he passed the washing machine, he didn't even look inside it.

 At the end of the inspection, Alastor led Adam back to the door with a satisfied smile. »I'm sorry for the inconvenience.«

 »Nah, don't worry about that. You'd better repair that door quickly in case the bear comes back, eh?« Adam made finger guns at him for some reason as he stepped outside. »By the way, you've got something on your neck. Maybe you should let a doctor check it out? Doesn't look pretty.«

 Alastor instinctively reached for the mark on his neck, grimacing at the slightly warm feeling beneath his touch. »Just an infection.« he muttered.

 Adam shrugged it off and walked back to the car, where his partner was waiting for him. The rain had stopped. 

 Alastor looked towards the horizon, which was showing a faint light blue hue, announcing the end of the night. Displeased to realise that he had spent the night awake, Alastor turned and closed the door behind him. His shoulder throbbed beneath the makeshift binds and he knew he had to remove it to check and stitch up his wound.

 He went back upstairs to his bathroom. As he passed the mirror, he glanced again at the mark on his neck. It had dulled down. The glow was gone and the pentagram was barely visible on his skin. He wasn't even sure whether he could only see the lines because he knew they were there, or whether they were actually clear enough to see with the naked eye.

 I wonder what that means? Does it indicate how close the monster is?

 Alastor hummed to himself. He opened his first aid kit and took off his shirt, noticing how he had bled through the gauze.

 Once he had stitched himself up, Alastor checked his phone to see if Lucifer had left a message. However, he left the text unread. Deciding he couldn't just show up unannounced, he prepared for work instead. After all, he still needed to earn money.

 There was no way he was showing this wound or the pentagram mark to anyone. So, he covered the mark up by wearing a bow tie. After glancing in the mirror one last time to check that his maroon hair was in order, Alastor left his home and headed for the store.

 The day went by rather uneventfully. Alastor kept checking his phone, but the only change was that Lucifer had read his message at some point, yet hadn't responded. 

 What is taking him so long? Why is he ignoring my question?

 At closing time, Alastor stepped out of the store through the back door. He found himself in the dark alley where the rubbish bins were hidden away, his eyes fixed on his phone screen. So far, he had resisted the temptation to send Lucifer more messages, not wanting to seem desperate or needy. But he needed his stuff.

 »Ya look worried.« Cherri pointed out as she stepped through the metal door. Her keys rustled as she took them out of her pocket to lock the store up.

 Alastor sighed. »Lucifer is ignoring my messages.«

 Cherri cocked her head. »Troubles in paradise already?«

 All Alastor could give her in response was a shrug.

 Cherri offered him a smile. »It'll be all right. How about ya walk up that hill and check on him?«

 »Unannounced?« Alastor asked sceptically.

 »I didn't tell ya to invite yaself in.« Cherrie said, crossing her arms above her chest. »Just keep it casual, k'? Ya forgot your bag there. He's no fool. He probably knows you need it back. So chill.«

 Alastor let out a deep sigh. »Maybe you are right.« He normally didn't overthink things to that extent. So why was he now? »Thanks, Cherri. I'll just do that.« He smiled at her and waved her goodbye as she left in the opposite direction.

 As he headed towards the hill on which the Morningstar residence loomed between the tall pines of the forest, Alastor's mind struggled to focus. He thought about the events of the last night. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought of those red, glowing eyes, and subconsciously rubbed his shoulder where he had been struck.

 It was better not to think about it for now. He told himself, deciding to focus on Lucifer. Something was wrong. He just knew it. The small one was acting odd. The date had ended to abruptly. His guts twisted at the thought. I hope I didn't mess up. 

 As he reached the huge metal gates of the property, he noticed they were locked. Well, that was to be expected since I came uninvited, right? Alastor thought, looking up at where he had climbed the gate last time. Snake ornaments embellished the top bars of the old gate. He grinned as he thought about how he would climb that fence again if he had to. 

 But first, he headed for the doorbell, looking straight into the camera as he pressed the button. He waited impatiently, clasping his hands behind his back. As the minutes passed without Lucifer responding, he became increasingly nervous. We had made such good progress. What if I overstepped? What if Lucifer was just too scared to tell me?

 Before his thoughts could torture him with more scenarios, a voice spoke to him through the intercom.

 »Alastor?« Lucifer's voice crackled slightly with static. »Oh fuck! Sorry for not responding to your message. I must have fallen asleep after reading it.«

 »No worries, dear.« Alastor responded, unable to hide his relief at hearing this.

 »Come in.« Lucifer said.

 A buzzing sound resonated, unlocking the metal gates. Alastor quickly grabbed the doorknob and pushed it open.

 He looked up at the dead tree instinctively, but there were no crows sitting there today. Alastor walked along the gravel path towards the mansion. With each step, the gravel crunched beneath his feet.

 As he climbed the few steps to the entrance porch, the door swung open and a tired-looking Lucifer offered him a forced smile. He had dark rings under his eyes, his hair was dishevelled as if he had just gotten out of bed, and his clothes were wrinkled.

 Even before Alastor had asked for it, Lucifer held out his bag. »Here...« the small one said.

 Alastor offered him a soft smile and took it, their hands brushing just so slightly in the process. The skin to skin contact, sent a jolt of excitement through Alastor's whole body. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot from his shoulder to his fingertips - the bag felt twice as heavy as it should as he realised he had picked it up with his weakened arm. 

 Lucifer's eyes widened with concern. »Al, are you all right?« he asked.

 Alastor quickly put on a smile for him. »Yeah, sorry. I've got a sore arm from work today.« he lied, »I carried some heavy boxes earlier. I probably should have walked more often instead of carrying everything at once. Haha!« 

 Lucifer, however, didn't seem to be in a joking mood. He bit down on his lip, taking a slight step back into the dark entrance hall of his mansion.

 That's when Alastor noticed that he was limping. »You seem to be injured too.« he said.

 Lucifer didn't meet his gaze. Quickly, he adjusted his stance to hide the fact that he wasn't putting weight on his left leg. »No idea what you're talking about.« he said.

 Alastor narrowed his eyes. »I see you haven't got any better at lying since childhood.« he said pointedly. Then he realised why Lucifer was trying to hide it. »Wait... Did I hurt you when I tripped and fell onto you yesterday?«

 Lucifer's eyes snapped up to meet his. He didn't reply, but that told Alastor all he needed to know.

 »God, I'm so sorry.« Alastor apologised sincerely, »Does it hurt much? Do you need a doctor?«

 Lucifer blinked slowly, one eye at a time, then stuttered, »No- I mean, yes- uhm- I -« He took a deep breath. »It doesn't hurt much. Don't worry about it.«

 Alastor doubted that, judging by the way he was standing there. But before he could ask any more questions, Lucifer grabbed the doorknob and said, »Well, it was nice to see you, but I have... stuff to do.«

Alastor cocked his head, confused by this sudden change. »Wait,« he stopped him, holding the door open. It barely took any strength, as if Lucifer didn't want him to leave either. »Before I left yesterday, you said you'd explain what all this was about.«

 Lucifer avoided his gaze, as he shifted his weight onto his good leg. His eyes trailed up to his bow tie, or maybe what was beneath it. His grip on the doorknob tightened. »Alastor...« he began, but then seemed to be at a loss for words.

 »Yes?« Alastor asked, smiling encouragingly.

 However, as Lucifer met his gaze, his eyes watered. »Al, I don't think this... will work.« he said.

 Alastor's heart sank. He must have misheard. »What?« he gasped, dropping his hand from the door.

 Lucifer sniffled as he said, »I- we can't be together.« 

 For a moment, the world stood still. It felt as if even the wind around them had paused. Time itself had stopped. There was no soun, no feeling except for this growing pain in his chest.

 Lucifer wiped his own tears away »I'm sorry...« he sobbed, attempting to close the door.

 But Alastor, without a clear thought in mind, put his foot in the way, blocking the door. »Lucifer, why?« was all he could get past the lump in his throat. He must have messed up somewhere. Maybe I had been too pushy? Was it something I did during the date? Or even before that?

 Lucifer sobbed, »Don't make this harder than it already is Al... I... I really thought I could do this... but I just can't.«

 His cries hurt Alastor in his deepest core.

 The small one's voice quietened to a breathless whisper, »Your sins- it's too much...«

 A sense of doom overtook Alastor as the words sank in, like a blanket of ice-cold darkness lowering itself on him. He hadn't even told Lucifer about his murders yet, and he was already deemed too sinful to be his partner? Does... Lucifer fear me? Is he afraid of what I might do to him?

 When he searched for the small one's gaze, looked beyond the tears, he could see the fear in his eyes. It made his heart stop and his stomach twist with guilt.

 He had really thought things could work out between them. The way Lucifer had looked at him on their date and the kiss they had shared... it had been as if he had finally been alive again... But now the small one was afraid of him...

 Alastor took in a shaky breath. His heartbeat was uneven and wavering, as he withdrew his foot from the door, knowing that it was over. 

 »I'm sorry...« he said sincerely, his own vision blurring. He tried to fight back his tears and stay strong. But he felt them streaming down his cheeks. These warm, salty tears from a broken heart.

 Lucifer sniffled, »I'm sorry, too.« before slowly closing and locking the door three times, leaving Alastor alone on the porch with his bag.

 Alastor could hear the small one crying behind the closed door. His voice sounded like shards of broken glass, sharp inhales between his cries as if it was hurting him just as much as it hurt him.

 Alastor's fingertips brushed over the old wooden door. He wanted to stay with him and comfort him, but perhaps all his presence would accomplish was making things worse. 

 As he retreated from the door, he felt himself waver. He shouldered his bag and turned towards the evening sun. As he stepped down the front porch's few steps, he noticed how heavy each movement felt. It was as if the greater the distance between him and Lucifer, the harder it was to walk. 

The crunch of the gravel beneath his steps sounded louder than usual. It was as if the world around him was telling him to turn around and go back to the person his heart mourned for. But he couldn't. As he passed the old metal gate, he cast one last glance at the mansion. 

 I lost him...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Three days had passed since Lucifer broke Alastor's heart, but it didn't feel any better. In fact, it felt worse. A small part of Alastor had hoped that Lucifer would change his mind. That he would call him or knock on his door and give him a second chance. But nothing like that had happened.

 In a moment of weakness, after having a few too many whiskies, Alastor had texted Lucifer, wanting him back. The result was that he was now blocked from messaging and calling him again.

 It felt as if a hole had been ripped into his heart. His mind wouldn't stop thinking about what he could have done differently. He knew it was pointless. Things were as they were now. Yet it just wouldn't stop.

 Currently, he was sitting in his living room with a glass of whisky at hand, staring blankly at the wall, his thoughts tormenting him. He hadn't drunk much. Maybe two glasses. Not enough to cloud his mind yet. The smoky aroma lingered on his tongue and he found no will to do anything else but zoning out. 

 Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

 Alastor blinked twice in confusion before putting his glass down on the coffee table and rushing over to the door. Hope flared inside him that Lucifer might finally have come to tell him it was all a huge misunderstanding. Breathlessly, he swung the door open and came face to face with a blonde... just not the one he had expected.

 »Smiles...«  Angel sniffled, »C-can I come in?« tears clouded his eyes, and he rubbed his shoulder.

(*)(1)

 Alastor stared at him in disbelief, seeing the deep cut which was bleeding past his fingers and tainting his torn shirt dark red. Quickly, he stepped aside and ushering him in. »My dear, what happened to you?« he asked, turning to inspect Angel further. 
 
 Angel had a bruise on his freckled face and blood from his wound was dripping onto the tiled floor of the entrance hall.

 »I'm so sorry,« he sobbed, »I should have-« He started a few times, but none of his sentences found a coherent end as his tears streamed down his face. »Please Smiles- help me-« was the only thing Alastor could understand, and it was all he needed.

(*)

 »Come...« he said in a soft, soothing voice. He led Angel into his living room and settled him down on the old red sofa.

(*)(2)

 Then he excused himself for a moment to grab the first aid kit from his bathroom. When he came back, Angel's whole body was trembling and panic lay in his eyes. Whatever had happened, it wasn't good.

 Alastor sat down next to Angel and pushed some cushions away. »Let me see this wound.« he said, then carefully nudged Angel's hand aside. He realised that the cut wasn't as deep as he had thought. Maybe a few stitches and it would be fine. »Do you want me to call an ambulance?« he asked as he cleaned the wound a bit.

 »No!« Angel said, in a panic. »No docs and no cops!« he insisted. Alastor recognised the look in his eyes. He had been in the darker scene long enough to know that, just like him, Angel didn't trust the police further than his own shadow. He probably had some substances in his blood, or he knew that Valentino would get out of it because of his money or family influence.

 »Fine« Alastor hummed. »Then my "expertise" will have to be enough... Take your shirt off.« he said, grabbing what he needed from the kit. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Angel flinch as he got out a needle and thread.

 »Whoa, whoa, now what are ya thinkin' ya gonna do with THAT?« Angel jerked away from him pointing at the needle.

 »Stitching you up, of course. What else?« He asked, raising his eyebrows suspiciously.

 Angel didn't look keen on the idea and held his hands tightly over his chest, holding his shirt tightly. »Uhm, no.« he said.

 »Do you want an ugly scar, or will you let me handle this?« Alastor asked.

 To his surprise, Angel hesitated before asking »Have ya done this before?«

 »Indeed.« Alastor reassured him, but he was slowly losing his patience as the blood kept dripping down onto his sofa. It will be a mess to get out of the tissue. 

 Finally, Angel took his hands away and removed his ripped shirt, grunting as it brushed over the wound in the process. With the shirt gone, Alastor got a clearer view of the wound, but he also saw other bruises on Angel's chest and arms. 

 I suppose that's why he wears long sleeves, even in summer. 

 Judging by the colours, the bruises were not from today. Alastor could tell, because he had endured similar torture as a child.

 Angel avoided his gaze, as if ashamed. He tugged his shirt against his chest to hide the bigger ones. »Don't ask, k'?« he muttered, »And be careful...« 

 Alastor nodded. »I will.« he said gently, feeling compassion for him. »Hold still, all right? I might have to hold your arm and touch it. Is that fine for you?« He waited for Angel's mumbled consent before proceeding. With a few well-practised moves, he started to stitch up the wound, disinfecting it in between and removing excess blood.

 Angel flinched with every stitch and cursed in a language that sounded like Italian, though Alastor wasn't quiet sure. However, he held still long enough for Alastor to close the wound, put a patch on top, and wrap some gauze around it. As he tidied the supplies back into the first aid kit and disposed of the blood-soaked patches, he asked, »So, will you tell me what happened?«

 Angel averted his gaze and bit down on his lip. »I was stupid.« he said, apparently not wanting to go into more detail.

 Alastor hummed in thought and walked to the kitchen to clean his hands. As he turned on the tap and washed the blood off his hands, his gaze wandered out of his kitchen window towards the neighbouring property. The lights were on even though the sun hadn't fully set yet. When he turned the tap off and wiped his hands dry, he asked, »Was it Valentino?«

 When he heard a faint gasp of surprise from the living room, he knew he had hit the nail on the head. So the bastard had hurt Angel. His eyes narrowed and fixed on the property. The itch at the back of his mind intensified. His fingers gripped the kitchen rag tightly as adrenaline and bloodlust mixed to create the perfect cocktail for his mind to reel with thoughts of how to get rid of Valentino for good. The thought of killing that abusive piece of shit alone was enough for his control to waver. 

 »I- should 've left when da cops had Val in custody.« Angel muttered, snapping his attention back to him. »When he returned... well, I just... I didn't wanna break up via text, ya know? I had already taken all my stuff out of da house and moved them to Cherri's. But I... I dunno.« Angel sighed »Val didn't take it well... Not well at all... «

 Alastor stepped into the living room, feeling a burning heat inside him. His desire to kill was surging and he knew it would only take the slightest push for him to cross the line. He stood in front of Angel, who was still seated on his red sofa, holding his now bandaged arm. »You're a good guy for wanting to do this in person,« he stated, »but that man wasn't worth your time or concern.« He nodded towards the wounded arm »Nobody who would hurt you like this is worth shit.«

Angel looked at the floor and nodded in silence. »Yeah... I guess...« His voice was hoarse from crying.

(*)

 Alastor sighed, seeing the tears in his friends eyes. »Do you want me to call Cherri?« he asked instead of diving deeper into the topic, »Or would you like me to escort you to her apartment if it makes you feel safer?«

 Angel shook his head slowly. »Cherri is already on her way. I texted her earlier. She's pickin' me up with her car... so there's no need for ya to accompany me. I just-« he sniffled, »didn't feel safe waitin' outside... ya know?«

 »Understandable.« Alastor said, nodding in agreement. »You can stay here as long as you want. You are safe with me.«

 It didn't take long until Cherri arrived to pick Angel up. She honked the car horn twice and Alastor peeked past the curtains. He hadn't expected to see a vibrant red sports car parked in front of the house. Cherri had rolled her window down and gave him a short wave. 

 Alastor whistled impressed by it »Didn't know she had a car like this.« he said to Angel as he escorted him all the way to the sports car. He exchanged a few words with Cherri as Angel got seated, when suddenly, the neighbour's front door flung wide open and Valentino shouted, »Puta desgracia! I knew you were cheatin’ on me!«

 Alastor saw Angel sink lower in his seat and flinch at the words. 

 Alastor turned to Cherri and said, »Go. I'll handle this...«

 Cherri first hesitated as she glanced in her back mirror, but seeing his confidence she nodded and said, »Be careful, k'?« Then she took off, the tyres squealing as she sped up and rounded the corner.

 The itch at the back of Alastor's mind, the urge to kill, had grown into a fully formed plan for disposing of Valentino. A faint voice of reason told him he shouldn't be doing this. If he got caught, he'd have to leave his life here and never come back.

 But what use was a life in this town if he couldn't see Lucifer anyway?

 His heart ached. The pain and frustration mixed all too well with the bloodlust as he heard Valentino stomping towards him.

 Quickly, Alastor turned, playing the role of someone who wants to stay out of trouble. He slumped his shoulders and headed straight for home ignoring the man. His steps were quiet and he quickly averted his gaze when he 'accidentally' met Valentino's as he hurried for his home. 

 »Ey, estúpido, you think you can just walk away from me, eh?« Valentino called out to him.

 Alastor dramatically accelerated his pace, reaching the entrance door quickly, as if he was planning on hiding. Luckily, his face was hidden, for the wide grin that spread across his face as he heard the quick stomping of Valentino's footsteps behind him would have given away that he was just playing the role of an easy victim.

 Knowing exactly how to look vulnerable, he fumbled with his keys as if in a hurry, to give the asshole time to reach him, then quickly unlocked the door. He timed his entry just right, allowing Valentino to push his foot in the way and force the door back open. »Ey! I'm talking to you!«

 Alastor intentionally widened his eyes, flinching away from the door with a theatrical gasp and giving Valentino the opportunity he needed to step into his home...

 Now, he was away from any curious eyes and witnesses.... Valentino had walked right into his trap...

 Valentino was a bit taller than him, the strong scent of his cologne stinging in his nose. 

 Anyone else in this situation would have tried to defuse the situation... Not Alastor, though, »What? You're talking to me asshole?«

 Valentino's face flushed red with anger as he grabbed Alastor's arm and yanked him forward. His eyes narrowed through his pink-coloured glasses as he growled, »Don't play dumb with me.« But the way his expression shifted to one of confusion, when a maniacal laughter escaped Alastor, was just perfect. 

 Alastor's lips curled... not in warmth, but in that cold, terrible way a wolf smiles at the rabbit who just stepped into the den. In one swift movement, he grabbed the man's arm, twisted it behind his back, and forced Valentino to his knees with a perfectly practised move. Then he hit him right between the shoulders.

 The scream that Valentino tried to let out got stuck in his throat, and Alastor wouldn't give him time for a second attempt. One hit to the head with the handle of an umbrella standing near the entrance knocked the real 'estúpido' out cold.

 Alastor stood tall above him. A wide grin spread across his face as he looked down on the sprawled out body on the cold tiles of his entrance hall. He felt the urge to kill. This man deserved to die. For what he had done to Angel, he would make him suffer. Maybe he would cut off his dick and make him choke on it? That would make a pretty picture. Alastor took a step back, closed the entrance door with a gentle push, plunging the hallway into darkness.

 Oh, this will be fun...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 As the sun set, the shadows of the pine trees stretched across the forest soil. Birds sang their evening songs and crickets played their melody as the heat of the day slowly decreased. A fresh breeze blew through the trees' long branches and tousled Alastor's brown hair as he gave Valentino a rough push.

 A muffled yelp escaped from Valentino as he tripped over a branch and fell face first into the dirt. He flopped around and let out some muffled sounds, as his mouth was taped shut and his hands were bound to his back.

 Like a fish out of water. Alastor mused, finding joy in this asshole's struggles. He placed his foot on Valentino's back, pressing him to the ground. »I think this will be far enough...« he hummed.

 Immediately, Valentino's head turned to glare at him. Even though his mouth was duct-taped, Alastor knew the muffled sounds coming from him were most likely curses.

 Alastor dug the heel of his boot into the small of Valentino's back and shook his head. »Nah-ah-ah~« he said playfully, wagging his finger in front of him »None of that now, my dear...«

 When Valentino continued to look at him defiantly, Alastor decided to make what was happening here a little clearer. He took his favorite jackknife out of his pocket and flicked it open. The orange light of the sunset flashed on the sharp blade as he turned it this and that way, showing it to Valentino, who had suddenly become very quiet.

 A bright smile twisted Alastor's lips up as he leaned over Valentino, holding his knife in front of his face. »Oh? Do you perhaps remember this?« he asked, »Remember how, when we first met, I told you I would get rid of the pests? How I was kind enough to warn you not to fuck around and find out? Guess who didn't listen and will now pay the price...« He recalled that evening when he had crushed the moth in front of Valentino's eyes, just as he would crush him now.

Because that was what Valentino was to him now... A worthless insect for him to dissect and play with until he'd get bored.

 His victim gave him a muffled answer, but Alastor wasn't interested in his twisted justifications.

 »Now... I am a man who keeps his promises.« Alastor said, giving Valentino a shove with his foot to turn him onto his side. »I could have overlooked your awful personality, but I cannot overlook the fact that you have been hurting your partner... The audacity to do this in MY territory, even right next door!« he laughed at this, »Don't you know the walls are thin here? Don't you know... there are bigger monsters out here than you?« Alastor's grin turned maniacal. He could feel the thrill rising inside him. That tingling feeling that always welled up inside him when he had a victim to play with, an abuser to torture. »Any last words?« Alastor asked, then ripped the duct tape from Valentino's mouth. 

 »Hijo de puta!« Valentino spat, the words sharp and fast, rolling off his tongue like a curse he’d been saving just for this moment.

 What a waste of breath. Although Alastor didn't speak a word of Spanish, the words resembled their French counterparts enough for him to decipher what Valentino had just called his mother. Without hesitating, he kicked Valentino in the groin. The high-pitched yelp and gasp for air were like music to his ears.

 Valentino gasped, bending in half on the ground in pain. Through clenched teeth, he hissed, »Maldito mocoso! No tienes idea of who I am eh?! Te haré pagar muy caro for this!«

 Alastor decided that this was enough. To start with, he gave him a good kick in the guts, watching with satisfaction as Valentino rolled up in pain. »Doesn't feel good when it happens to you, huh?« he asked pointedly, then gave him a second, precise hit. He could hear one of Valentino's ribs crack under the impact.

 »Fuuuuuuck!« the asshole cried out in pain.

 Alastor crouched down in front of Valentino and pressed his palm firmly against the broken rib, feeling it give in beneath his touch. 

 Valentino hissed in pain.

(*)

 »I saw the bruises you left on Angel...« Alastor said in a cold voice, »If you think I won't pay you back for what you've put him through, you're very, very wrong...«

 Valentino's breath caught as Alastor hit the man's ribcage with one well-executed hand movement, breaking a second rib.

(*)

 »Of course, nothing I can do to you will ever be as bad as what you did. But I'll give it my best shot anyway.« Alastor proceeded to break every rib before moving on to using his knife. He knew exactly how to make this really bad for Valentino, didn't drain too much blood to make sure he would stay awake and focused on the pain. First he removed each of his fingernails, then he made precise cuts, never hitting his main artery to make sure he wouldn't bleed out. No matter how much he whined, thrashed around or pleaded, he kept going. 

 Valentino's cries and screams didn't affect Alastor at all, and when he started to find his insults annoying, he fed him his own tongue.

 There was no way of knowing how many hours he had spent torturing this man, but when he stood back up to look down at the work of art he had created, his clothes were drenched in blood and night had fallen around them.

 Valentino was a whimpering mess. He could not understand a word he said, as he was missing his tongue but it sounded like he was pleading for him to let him live.
  
 Never....

 Alastor wiped a blood splatter off his cheek and grinned down at Valentino. »Are you ready for the finale?« he asked, »Before I let you die, I want to make sure you won't be able to "mess around" in the afterlife either.« He flashed his knife. »Say goodbye to your genitals, for I am going to feed you your own fucking dick!«

 Alastor watched the horror in Valentino's eyes as he lifted his knife. Then he noticed that Valentino wasn't actually looking at him, but at something behind him. 

 Alastor paused and listened carefully.

 It was... eerily quiet. There was no wind and no chirping of crickets. Not even the rustling of leaves. Now that he wasn't focusing on his art he noticed how the mark on his neck was stinging. 

 Alastor had barely had time to process his thoughts when he was hit hard by something. It felt as if he had been struck by a truck travelling at full speed. He was catapulted a few metres through the air before hitting the ground and slamming against the hard trunk of a tree with his back. Alastor clenched the knife in his hand tightly as the air left him. His vision was blurry, and he had to blink a few times before it cleared.

 With a grunt, he sat up and turned to look at what had hit him, only to see... the monster standing above Valentino in all its huge glory. All four red eyes were fixed on the man on the ground. The mark on Alastor's neck burned like fire and he needed no mirror to know it was glowing again for it casted a red hue on his surroundings. 

 This was the first time Alastor could see more than a shadow of it in the night. It had a huge frame, a bit taller than a bear, with white fur, 6 red marks on it's back and long, goat-like horns. Its muscular back legs ended in two hooves, but its front legs had long, almost humanlike hands with long sharp claws.

 The monster bared its teeth, and Alastor caught a glimpse of its forked tongue as the inside of its maw glowed deep red. Heat escaped from it, sizzling in the air. Saliva dripped from the monster's mouth onto Valentino's face, whose scream had caught in his throat at the sight of the monster.

 For a moment, the three of them stood frozen there. Like time itself had stopped for a splitsecond... before the monster grabbed Valentino by the legs and bit him in half with one chomp. The sound of bones being crushed echoed through the woods, followed by Valentino's scream of agony. With wide-open eyes, he stared down at his lower half, from which his bloody insides poured out. The monster was not sated yet, though. Using its sharp teeth, it grabbed Valentino by the bound arms, threw him into the air, and swallowed him whole, instantly ending his screams. 

 Alastor stared at it, stunned, as it licked the blood off its snout. 

 Well... I suppose this means I won't have to dispose of the body. Alastor thought.

 But when the four red, glowing eyes snapped over to him, he knew he was screwed.

 »Fuck« he muttered, knowing that he only had his knife for defence and that fucking beast had fur so thick he probably could barely nick it with it.

 So there was only one option: Running for his fucking life. 

 Immediately, Alastor jumped to his feet and took off  for a sprint.

 But where too? Toward town? With bloodstained clothes?? No! 

 He could hear the roar behind him, accompanied by the stomping of hooves over the earthy forest ground.

 Fuck, fuck, fuck! Alastor was already out of breath. But he knew if he stopped, he would become that thing's next meal. So he pushed himself to run faster. He needed a building. A hut, maybe?

 That's when he recognised the path a little further to his left. He was near the abandoned chapel. Not thinking to long about it, he headed straight toward it.

 The hoof beats behind him were getting closer. Alastor felt like the beast was toying with him as it probably could run much faster if it wanted to.

 Maybe it enjoys hunting. Just like I like to hunt and toy with my victims. He thought as he took the uphill path and sprinted past the low, old stone walls surrounding the property. In the middle of a stone-cross-filled cemetery, the old chapel stood tall, plunged in moonlight. The roof was sunken in and some of the stained glass windows were broken, but anything that put a wall between him and that thing would be a better choice than being out in the open for it to attack. 

 Alastor was running so fast, he couldn't stop himself in time and crashed right against the heavy wooden door of the chapel. With no time to think, he pulled at the door knob, hoping it was unlocked.

 It wasn't.

 Of course it wasn't. 

 He turned to one of the windows and muttered, »Fuck it« as he hit it with his elbow. Coloured glass shattered and he cut himself climbing in, but that was better than being eaten alive by a monster.

 Breathless, he found himself in the cold, dark chapel. Cobwebs and a thick layer of dust were his only company.

 He quickly hid behind one of the old benches, his eyes fixed on the broken window. It was probably too narrow for the beast to get inside. Though it had escaped through his kitchen window somehow, too, so he wasn't sure it would work.

 All Alastor could hear was the irregular, fast beating of his own heart, then the sound of hooves getting closer. His mark pulsed, heating up more and more the closer it came, before the monster's shadow fell through the chapel windows, darkening the room as it passed the row of stained glass windows. 

 Alastor followed it with his gaze, his hand clenched so tightly around his knife that his knuckles turned white.

 There was growling and grunting as the monster continued to walk past the rows of windows like a lion circling its prey.

 A sudden roar so loud that it made the windows vibrate and the ground shake caused Alastor to flinch back. Sweat formed on his forehead and he gasped for air. His legs shook slightly. He wasn't quite sure if it was out of fear or exhaustion from the run... maybe it was both...

 But as the monster disappeared from his field of vision, the fear spiked up, worse than before.

 Especially since everything had gone so unnaturally quiet all of a sudden.

 Where is it? Alastor thought. He didn't dare look. Desperately, he tried to steady his breathing so he could hear better.

 But there was nothing. No sound of hooves. No growling. No snarling...

 Is it gone?

 Or did it perhaps find another entrance? A shiver ran down his spine as he looked wearily around the chapel, scrutinising every shadow in the vast room. His mark was still glowing. Does it mean it's close? 

 After a long moment of silence with no change... Alastor decided to check at least through the windows if it was gone.

 As quietly as possible, he stood up and took a hesitant step towards the broken window through which he had entered. The coloured shards of glass crunched loudly beneath his steps. Alastor flinched and held his breath. But nothing happend. So he leaned forward, just enough to look outside. 

 The moon was his only source of light, but his eyes had long since adapted to the darkness. He peeked out at the cemetery. His eyes searched the area, behind each grave, each cross in each shadow... but the monster was nowhere to be seen. 

 Maybe it left? Or is it waiting for me to come out?

 Alastor was ready to spend the whole night inside these walls if it meant staying safe. He had only seen the monster at night, so he believed it was hiding or sleeping during the day. At least he hoped so, as he was kind of out of options if he was wrong.

 All it took was one blink, then suddenly, four red glowing eyes looked back at him, the huge frame of the beast darkening the entire window and casting it's shadow down at him.

 Alastor froze, pure fear washing through his body.

 They both didn't move. The monster stared at him. And Alastor couldn't do anything else than stay frozen in place, like a deer in headlights. He expected the creature to attack him at any moment. The mark on his neck burned hot on his skin as if reacting to the closeness to the monster. 

 Maybe this would be his end.

 A monster killed by a monster... How ironic...

 Alastor could not stop his lips from curling up to a grin at the thought. 

 Perhaps, this was meant to be...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Lost in the vibrant red glow of the monster's eyes, Alastor didn't notice how he held his breath. A shiver ran down his spine, as he felt the monster's scorching hot breath on his face. His gaze trailed down to where the saliva dripped from its long, sharp fangs and onto the windowsill. The deep growl it emitted, that shook through Alastor's body, made the strained glass windows vibrate and the ground tremble.

 Alastor was sure it could reach him with its claws or fangs if it really wanted to. His heart beated fast in his chest and yet he felt unable to retreat, intrigued by why it wasn't attacking. Perhaps it can't? He slowly backed away from the window. Though intrigued he was unwilling to test his hypothesis by risking his life.

 Could it be because I am standing on holy ground? Alastor reached for the burning mark on his neck, recalling how it had looked like a pentagram. »Are you a biblical being? A demon perhaps?« Alastor asked the beast, slowly backing away. Of course, it didn't answer. Not that he had expected it to.

 Maybe he could exploit this weakness to turn the tables...

 Alastor's back hit one of the old wooden benches. He noticed that the monster didn't even blink as it observed him. He didn't like feeling hunted, like some defenseless prey, so he decided that, if the monster wasn't going to get inside the chapel, he might as well use this to his advantage.

 Not feeling particularly confident about his theory yet, he didn't dare turn his back on it as he made his way towards the altar. Maybe the Bible is still there? If he was right and it had been repelled by the holy ground... could it be exorcised? He huffed at the thought. Even though he knew this monster was real, the idea of believing in things like exorcisms sounded foolish.

 He didn't have to look for long before finding an old Bible in the worn-down altar's hidden compartment. Alastor blew some dust off the cover before opening it. Unsure of exactly what he was searching for, he started reading the first paragraph out loud. It was written entirely in Latin, but if he recalled correctly, it was about the creation of the Earth. Something about 'and there shall be light', or something like that.

 However, there was no reaction from the monster. So he switched to another part. He read a few more paragraphs, but the monster didn't waver at all. With a groan of disappointment, he closed the Bible and tossed it onto the altar.

 »Fine,« he grumbled, displeased. »Then I'll wait until daylight chases you away.« he told the monster, crossing his arms.

 The huge, motionless body of the monster could have been mistaken for a statue, so immobile was it standing there.

 I really hope I am right and it only hunts at night, because if I'm wrong... I might be fucked.

 Alastor sighed, leaned against the far wall, and slid down to the floor. He sat in silence, staring back at the monster in defiance. He whiped his jack-knife clean and snapped it open and close a few times. But after a while of nothing happening he got restless and let his gaze trail over the empty benches of the chapel.

  The air was humid, and moonlight streamed in through the stained glass windows. He had nothing to distract himself with while waiting, having left his phone at home. Only an amateur would take their phone with them when disposing of a body.

  The cold of the stone wall seeped through his blood-drenched shirt. Valentino's blood was slowly drying, sticking disgustingly to his skin. Looking down at himself, Alastor thought about all the evidence he had left at the crime scene in his haste to flee the monster.

 Even if I survive this. I doubt I'll be able to get rid of all the proof. I'll have to move, or the police will catch me. Throughout his run to the church and inside it, he had smeared Valentino's blood pretty much everywhere.

 I fucked up. He scolded himself for losing control. It's not that Valentino hadn't deserved death. But the price for this was far too high.

 Alastor sighed and looked at the four glowing eyes. He wondered, not for the first time, if the monster was able to understand human language. If it was clever enough. »I'll leave town after this night. Is that what you wanted?« he told it. The mark on his neck had pulsed continuously since he had sat down, but the heat spiked up slightly. A reaction to his words? Or was it coincidence. 
 
 Alastor sighed »I really thought I could do this right for once. You know?« he told the beast. His gaze wandered to the high ceiling of the chapel and the slowly decaying fresco on it. The paint had faded and cracked, but he could still make out the angels in the clouds.

 Alastor let his head sink back against the cold stone wall and thought back to the last time he had set foot in a church, or even a chapel.

 I suppose that was when Maman died. He thought. I probably should have put flowers on her grave... He thought. But he had never been the most religious. Even less so after he had learned how bad life really could be. Maybe if I get out alive... I should visit her grave before I have to flee town.

 The thought made his heart ache. His gaze wandered over the branches, his mind trailing back to memories of him as a child in a black suit. He had been standing in the front row, tears in his eyes, mourning his mother's loss. It had been so damn sunny that day. The light had fell through the colourful windows while the priest spoke nonsense about how every life ends one day, and that it was fate and how she would be with God.

 The memory played with the strings of sadness within him, and he felt a sense of regret for the mistakes he had made in the past. Maybe it was the sadness within him or the scenery, but he found himself starting to sing, recalling the day his life had been turned upside down.

 »Hear the clock ticking on the wall~ Losing sleep losing track of the tears I cry~ Every drop is a waterfall ~ Every breath is a break in the riptide~« he sang, recalling how he had put on a black-on-black suit and stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror for far too long. His eyes were red from the many shed tears, and his thoughts were haunted by what he had seen on the night of the accident. All this blood... His heart ached in his chest, and he poured every ounce of it into his song, »Oh, how long ~ Has it been I... Don’t know~«

 His voice grew louder, »But it Feels like an eternity ~ Since I had you here with me ~ Since I had to learn to be ~ Someone you don't know ~« His voice echoed in the vast room as memories of his life in Paris rushed through his mind. They had changed him, turning his mother's sweet son into a monster... perhaps one even worse than the one outside these walls.

 Almost pleadingly, he sang, »To be with you in paradise ~ What I wouldn’t sacrifice ~« but he knew that if heaven was real, he would never set foot in it. »Why’d you have to chase the light?!~ Somewhere I can’t go ~« His tone shifted to an almost accusatory one, but it held no bite. He knew his mother hadn't wanted this life for him. She hadn't left him by choice.

 But he felt so lost. »As I walk this world alone... As I walk this world alone ~«
 
 Now that Lucifer had rejected his love, he felt that he had lost his only reason to be back home. Subconsciously, his gaze trailed over to the red, glowing eyes. The monster had an unreadable expression on its face. Its ears flicked back as it averted its gaze for the first time.

 »Another glimpse of what coulda been ~ Another dream of the way that it never was ~«  How he wished things had gone differently... that he had never left his hometown to begin with... But of course, things were as they were. »Falling back in the wilderness ~ Waking up rubbing salt in the cut ~«

 Before his eyes, he saw a memory flash of himself as a child, sitting in front of his mother's grave with his knees pressed tightly against his chest. »Oh, how long Has it been ~ I Don’t know ~« Someone had approached him from behind, touching his shoulder as lightly as a feather, before sitting down next to him. Lucifer hadn't gone to church, but he had joined him at the grave when there was nobody else around to offer him comfort.

 »But it Feels like an eternity ~ Since I had you here with me ~ Since I had to learn to be ~ Someone you don't know~«  The image flickered, changing to show Lucifer looking at him with fear as he rejected him and sent him away.

 »To be with you in paradise ~ What I wouldn’t sacrifice ~« Alastor sang from the bottom of his heart. »Why’d you have to chase the light ~ Somewhere I can’t go ~«There was no place for him here anymore. His voice broke as he sang, »As I walk this world alone- As I walk this world alone ~«  

 Rising to his feet, he looked right at the monster beyond the broken stained glass windows. It had turned away and was pacing back and forth, looking upset for some reason. Its huge frame suddenly looked smaller as well. Maybe a trick of the light?   

 »It’s an endless night ~« Alastor sang accusingly. »It’s a starless sky ~«

 The monster flinched at his words. 

 Alastor rose his voice, »It’s a hell that I called home!« he was nearly shouting, chest heaving, blood-stiff clothes clinging to him. His knuckles whitened on the knife hilt, as if his rage and grief had fused with the song.

 I wish I had never returned. It hurts. It hurts way too much.

 »It’s a long goodbye ~« Alastor felt warm tears tickle down his cheeks. »On the other side of the only life I know...«  His voice died down and faded into the room.

 The monster glanced back at him, and for a split second, Alastor thought he could see sadness, or even guilt, in its red, glowing eyes.

  Intrigued, he approached the window. Each of his steps on the stone floor echoed off the walls, accompanied only by his mournful voice, »And it feels like an eternity ~ Since I had you here with me ~ Since I had to learn to be ~ Someone you don't know ~«  

 Alastor closed his eyes. 

 Lucifer's childish laughter echoed through his mind accompanied by the memory of them running through the backyard, climbing up the old tree while his mother called them inside for dinner. »To be with you in paradise ~ What I wouldn't sacrifice...« His paradise had been his childhood with them. The happiest years of his life. With his Maman and Lucifer... back when all was good and life was beautiful. »Why'd you have to chase the light... Somewhere I can’t go...« His voice broke beneath the emotions coursing through him.

 »As I walk this world alone~« he sang softly, »As I walk this world alone...« His voice echoed in the church, the final notes lingering just a little longer before fading into silence.

 When he opened his eyes again, the monster was gone. He knew it really left because the pulsing of the mark on his neck was subsiding. Alastor reached for it, his fingertips brushing over the hot spot. It had cooled off too... apparently...

 What had driven it away? Was it something I've done? Or had it found an easier prey? Maybe it had given up because he was out of reach. He wasn't sure.

 Even though the monster had left, he still waited a moment before daring to climb out of the window. Glancing down at the bloodied shards on the ground, where his own blood was mixed with Valentino's. A clear evidence for the police that he was involved. Even an idiot like Adam could figure this out.

 I should pack my stuff and just disappear before anyone finds out. His heart felt heavy at the thought. Not only would he be leaving Lucifer behind, but also Rosie, Cherri and Angel, who he had grown rather fond of.

 After all his struggles to return here, to reclaim his home and forge connections, it felt as though he had thrown away his only chance of a happy, normal life.

 Devastated by this realisation, he headed down the path to home.

 Home... he mused. I suppose it was my only real home...

 As he stepped out of the forest, he noticed the sky above the small town was slowly lightening up. It was still too early for the sun to rise, but the night was nearing its end. He followed the path down to the gardens and jumped over his fence into his backyard.

 Suddenly, he noticed massive footprints leading towards his house and stopped dead in his tracks. 

 His eyes narrowed down. Those are the monster's footprints... 

 It tricked me... Lured me out of the chapel to kill me here. Alastor gritted his teeth. Cautiously, he looked around his yard, but he couldn't see the tall frame anywhere. If I can get my gun, I might have a chance though... As quietly as possible, he headed towards the porch.  But as he stealthily rounded the house, he noticed the monster's footprints changing...

 They were shrinking in size...

 What the hell?

 Keeping a close look at them he noticed how they morphed... into human-looking footprints.

 Alastor froze.

 Fuck... He thought. I was right... It can shapeshift.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor quickly unlocked the front door and hurried upstairs, where he found his rifle leaning against the wall next to his bed. With shaking hands, he checked if it was loaded and took the safety off, ready to shoot at the slightest hint of the monster. On his way back downstairs, he held the rifle protectively in front of him, scanning every shadow and corner with vigilant eyes. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he froze, hearing a noise coming from outside. However, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly where it was coming from.

 Alastor gripped his gun tightly, facing the door that he had boarded up with wooden planks a few days prior, after the monster had destroyed the old door. This was the weakest point of the house, so he was sure this would be the spot the monster would choose to attack. The tension was palpable, and he felt a drop of sweat run down his face as he listened to the silence around the house.

 It was eerily quiet; all he could hear was his own breathing and his heart pounding high in his throat.

 That fucking monster had been hunting him down all night long... this had to end tonight, one way or another! He had warned it last time that he would not be its prey, and now he had an effective weapon to kill it. So why were his hands shaking nonetheless?

 Alastor growled in frustration, unable to steady his aim.

 Suddenly, he heard a sound, but it wasn't coming from in front of him... no, it was coming from behind.

 Alastor turned, his eyes darting towards the entrance door.

 Silence...

 Did I just imagin it? 

 Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

 Alastor froze. His heart skipped a beat before he regained his composure.

 A monster wouldn't knock, right? Or maybe it would? After all, it could shapeshift.

 Throwing one last hesitant glance at the makeshift back yard door, he turned to check who had knocked at his door at an hour like this.

 As he peeked through the door's spyhole, he could only see... blonde hair?

 Alastor's heart skipped a beat. That's... Lucifer!? At first, he was thrilled, even though a bit confused, that he was here. Maybe he wants me back? But then his blood ran cold. Looking down himself, he realised he was still covered in Valentino's blood, holding a weapon, and... Oh no... He is in danger out there with that monster!

 Forgetting about the other two first points, Alastor swung the door open.

 Lucifer's deep blue eyes widened at his sight »Al-«

 Alastor didn't give him time to speak, he grabbed for Lucifer's arm, »Quick! Come in!« he shouted and pulled him inside. Hasty, he closed and locked the door behind them for good measure.

 Lucifer stared in shock at the rifle Alastor was holding. »Alastor, I-« he stuttered.

 Realising he was holding the small one in an overly tight grip, he let go of him. »Sorry, I'll explain-« he said. However, he didn't know how... and seeing how pale Lucifer had become at the sight of the blood tainting his clothes, he doubted he had much time to come up with anything.

 »Sorry,« Lucifer muttered. »This was a terrible idea.« He headed towards the door, wanting to leave.

 But Alastor pinned him against the wall, caging him in between his arms. »I can't let you leave.« he said, fearing for the small one's life.

 »No- I- Al- I really, really gotta leave-« Lucifer stuttered, pressing himself against the wall as if trying to become one with it. Fear flickered in his eyes, but at the same time, his cheeks turned a deep shade of red.

 For a splitsecond, Alastor was confused by this display before realising how close they were. Quickly, he backed away from the wall, but positioned himself in front of the door so that Lucifer wouldn't be able to reach it. »Sorry, but you can't leave. There's a vicious... bear out there.« he said, trying to make Lucifer stay at all cost. The image of the monster tearing Valntino apart flashed through his mind. I can't have that happen to him!

 But the small one's eyes were fixated on the gun instead of listening to him. 

 Seeing this, Alastor put the rifle aside and leaned it against the wall next to the door, close enough so he could grab it if needed. »Lucifer, listen please... I won't hurt you, all right?« he said, trying to reassure the small one, who stood there frozen in place. »Lucifer?« He asked, concerned.

 The small one closed his eyes and took a deep breath. »Al, I know there's no bear out there,« he said in a steady voice. »And I know whose blood is sticking to your clothes.«

 Alastor froze. His mind struggled to understand. »What?« he asked, looking down at himself and at the red-stained shirt he was wearing. How would he know? He wondered. »No, I swear... something is out there.« He insisted, not wanting him to get killed.

 Lucifer shook his head. »Nothing is out there,« he said and when he blinked his eyes open, they suddenly had an unnatural red glow. »Because I am inside... here with you...« he continued.

 Alastor looked at him in shock. »Wait... what?« he asked, his eyes widening in surprise. This couldn't be happening. The memory of the day they had met in the flower field, replayed in his mind 'I am a monster, Alastor.' The small one had claimed. Surely I just... misunderstood him? This couldn't be true. No... nonono! Alastor recalled how Lucifer had limped the last time he had seen him, the day after he had shot the monster. That can't be true.

 The monster can shapeshift... and it only hunts me at night. He took a step back. Lucifer had pushed him to leave on their date when the sun had set.

 Alastor refused to believe it. »Lucifer, what are you talking about?«

 Lucifer flinched back. »I shouldn't have come,« he growled at himself. »But I was worried that you'd be gone the moment the sun rises... because, you said you'd leave town- and I thought... I had enough control, since the night is almost over.« Tears formed in his eyes, and he held his hands above his chest »I don't want you to go- but it's selfish of me to ask you to stay after sending you away-« he sobbed. 

 Seeing him like this made Alastor's heart ache, and even though it was all very confusing, he found that all he wanted was to comfort the little one. But as he stepped forward to reach out to wipe his tears, Lucifer cringed back.

 »D-don't come closer.« he warned, his voice shaking and his eyes squeezed shut.

 Alastor felt a surge of heat spike on his neck where the pentagram mark pulsed with light. Its shine tainted the walls and Lucifer's pale skin deep red. His heart raced in his chest. »Why?« he asked.

 Lucifer winced and pressed himself against the wall. His hands morphed and his nails turned into long, sharp claws, which he dug into the wall, leaving deep scratch marks.

 The pentagram burned like fire on Alastor's skin. »Lucifer-« he gasped.

 »I-I can't control it!« Lucifer's breathing became laboured and he broke out in a sweat as he kept his eyes firmly shut. »You've committed... so many sins.«

 Alastor took a step back as he watched Lucifer's face twist in pain. A pair of long, red horns grew out of the top of his head. Lucifer didn't respond with words. All that escaped him was a deep, feral growl.

 Alastor's eyes widened in shock. »Lucifer, what's wrong? What's happening to you?«

 »R-« Lucifer struggled to speak. »R-run, Alas-tor-« he growled through clenched teeth. A long, black, pointed tail formed behind his back and started to flick in agitation.

 Yet Alastor stood frozen to the spot, unsure whether to help him and, if so, how. It was only when Lucifer's eyes opened to reveal red, glowing pupils instead of his usual blue ones, that Alastor stumbled back. 

 Lucifer stared at him like a predator looking at its prey. 

 At first, Alastor tried to grab his weapon by the door, but Lucifer was quicker - way quicker than Alastor had ever seen a human move in his life - as he cut off his way and snapped his gun in half.

 Fuck.

 A twisted grin was plastered on Lucifer's face, showing his long, sharp fangs. The grin of a monster... And... had he grown? He looked taller than before.

 Without a weapon, Alastor had no other choice but to flee. Since the back door was nailed shut with wooden planks, and the way to the front door and towards the livingroom was blocked, his only option were the stairs.

 Alastor turned and hurried them up. The steps creaked under his weight as he took several steps at once.

 He could hear Lucifer following him upstairs. Though he wasn't sure why he let him get ahead. Clearly, Lucifer was fast enough to catch him if he wanted to. Was a part of him trying to hold the beast in check, or did this form just... love to hunt?

 Trying not to think too much about it, Alastor ran through the moonlit hallway, assessing which room would offer him the best chance of escape. The bedroom would be a dead end. Maybe the workroom? It used to be his child bedroom and he used to sneak out over the garage roof at times.

 Yes, this could work. Alastor decided, but as he turned towards the door, he heard a crashing sound.

 Startled, he turned around and watched, horrified, as Lucifer fell to all fours. His whole body was shaking.

 Alastor's heart clenched in his chest. Despite every part of his body telling him to run and escape, he took a hesitant step towards the small one. »Lucifer?« he asked worriedly.

 The red, glowing eyes locked with his, something resembling pain flashing in them.

 He's hurt. Alastor realised, taking another step towards him. »Lucifer, can you hear me? What's wrong?«

 A sharp scream which twisted halfway through from a human voice to something... different, more animalistic, escaped Lucifer's lungs.

 Alastor flinched back. His heart skipped a beat as he watched Lucifer's body morph amidst screams and growls of agony. His clothes ripped open as his back bent and his size increased threefold, turning him into a monster the size of a wolf. No, bigger than a wolf. It kept growing. White and red fur began to form and cover his body as he reached the size of a bear.

 Alastor took a step back. Fucking hell... He really is the monster!

 The monster looked straight at him with its four red, glowing eyes. Its mouth was half open, revealing rows of sharp teeth, some saliva dripping off them. The long pointed tail flicked as it took its first step towards Alastor, a deep feral growl shaking through the hallway.

 Alastor took a step back in return, then another, unsure of where he was heading as his eyes were fixed on the slowly approaching monster. The floor creaked under it's weight. Its front legs ended in long clawed hands, but its hind legs had hooves like a goat's.

 So Lucifer had been the one to chase me all this time. Alastor could not understand it. His heart raced in his chest. Why does he want to kill me in this form?

 Suddenly, his back hit the wall behind him, bringing him back to the present moment. The monster had already reached the door to his workroom. Alastor looked around, panicking as he realised that he only had one room left to flee to, and he knew it was a fucking dead end.

 »Shit« he cursed as he rushed for the door anyway and stepped into the white-tiled bathroom.

 Immediately, he closed and locked the door behind him. As if that would help in any way. He quickly looked around for something, anything, to block the door from the inside. The towels on the racks wouldn't be of any use. The sink was fixed to the wall.

 Fuck, fuck, fuck! A curse escaped Alastor's lips as he desperately scanned the area. The only window in the room was high up and too small for him to climb through. So what now?

 Hide? Yes, he needed to hide. Or maybe he could ambush the beast. Would it be fooled for long enough to allow him to slip past? His gaze fell on his bathtub and shower curtain.

 All right. I can do this, I can do this!

 A loud rattling noise made him flinch and look back at the door, where he saw the door handle twisting and turning.

 Without waiting any longer, Alastor stepped into his bathtub and slid the curtain shut. Feeling the need for a weapon, or at least something to poke the monster with, he grabbed for a wooden bath brush from the rim. However, in his haste, all the shampoo bottles and other items on the edge of the tub tumbled down, causing a loud clatter that echoed through the bathroom.

 The crashing sound of breaking wood followed right after. 

 Alastor froze, holding the wooden bath brush tightly like a baseball bat. He could see the shadow of the huge monster, as it stepped into the bathroom, through the shower curtain. His palms felt sweaty and he struggled to keep his breathing silent.

 This is bad. This is so bad.

 The bathroom was so small that, once the monster was inside, there was no way to get around it without brushing against it while squeezing past it.

 Alastor heard a deep growl, followed by loud sniffing sound.

 Fuck, it's going to find me!

 Then, in utter horror, he watched the beast rise onto its hind legs, its shadow on the curtain growing so tall that he was sure its head would hit the ceiling at any moment.

 As the shadow kept expanding, Alastor shrank further and further down, his previous escape plan suddenly seeming foolish.

 I'm gonna die here. This- this thing Lucifer turned into... will rip me apart.

 When a clawed hand reached for the curtain, Alastor held his breath. His whole body filled with adrenaline. If I'm going to die here, I'll at least go down with a fight.

 His chances felt oh so slim as the curtain got ripped off its hooks and fell down, revealing the monster in all its full-size to Alastor and, in return, him to the monster.

 The beast didn't wait for him to make his move. It immediately snapped at him. All Alastor could do was bash the bath brush in its path. The monster's sharp teeth bit down hard on the wood, destroying Alastor's only 'weapon' effortlessly. The backlash threw him onto his ass into the bathtub, where he hit something hard.

 Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaak

 The monster froze, ears perking up, eyes widening.

 Alastor stared back at it.

 The monster looked intrigued.

 As it didn't move, remaining fixed on him, Alastor shifted slightly.

 Squeak!

 He looked at what was lying beneath him.

 A rubber duck?

 He picked up the silly thing, looked up at the monster, and made it squeak a third time.

 The monster looked thrilled, tilting its head and pricking up its ears to hear better. A tapping sound echoed through the room.

 Alastor snorted, realising that it was the monster's tail, wagging frantically against the tiles.

 Slowly, oh so very slowly, Alastor sat up and asked, »You... wanna have the duck?«

 The tail wagged even faster.

 »You really, really want it?« Alastor asked. The monster looked thrilled. »All right, theeeeen... catch!« With that, he threw the duck past the beast, back into the hallway.

 The monster ran after the squeaking toy and Alastor ran past it towards the staircase, ready to run for his damn life.

 But as he looked back at the monster, he slowed, then came to a complete halt as he watched this massive thing nuzzle the tiny rubber duck, then flop to its side and gently push it with its long, sharp claws like some kitten.

 What... the... fuck?

 It had lost interest in him completely.

 For a long moment, Alastor studied it, observing as it rolled around and rubbed its face against the tiny rubber duck.

 His whole body screamed at him to run and take this chance to disappear and leave the monster behind, but his heart had other plans. Throwing one last glance towards the stairs, he turned and took a wavering step towards the thing Lucifer had turned into. Maybe I can prove to him that his monster form and I can be friends?

 Even though his heart was convinced that this was the right thing to do, his mind wasn't so naive and willing. Every step towards the creature that had chased and tried to kill him felt heavy, and his legs felt a bit shaky, but he slowly made his way towards it.

 The monster didn't even notice him as he approached, and now that it wasn't chasing him... Alastor had the time to look at its red and white coat. It had six long red stripes on it's back spread out from the middle. 
 
 It looks... kinda fluffy. Is it bad I kinda want to touch it?

 Nervously, Alastor bit his lip. He stepped forward and reached out tentatively towards the beast's massive frame.

 It's still Lucifer deep down... He reminded himself. I know he would never want to hurt me. 

 The mark on his neck surged up, the heat spiking, the pulse intensifying and quickening.

 Adrenaline filled Alastor to the brim. Holding his breath, he sank his fingers into the soft white fur on the monster's back, right between the red marks. 

 The monster twitched beneath his touch, shifting its full attention back to him. All four of its glowing red eyes locked with his, and for a split second Alastor thought it might turn to bite him. However, when nothing happened and the monster tolerated his touch, he proceeded to pet it.

 The monster's four eyes slowly blinked one pair at a time, just like Lucifer always did when confused.

 Alastor could not help but chuckle softly. It may look different, but deep down it's still Lucifer.

 "What do you think you're doing?" a rough, growling voice rumbled through his mind as the monster snarled.

 Alastor jumped in surprise.

 Did it just fucking speak?!

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 For a split-second, the world stood still, frozen in time. In the dim blue hue of the early hours, Alastor stared blankly at the monster's four red, glowing eyes. Its huge, fluffy body was large enough to block the hallway. Alastor's hands were still sunken in its soft white fur.

 »You... can speak?« Alastor asked after a moment of utter shock.

 The monster slow-blinked and stared at him over its shoulder, as if judging him for daring to touch it. "Yes" was all it gave him in reply.

 With a gasp, Alastor stumbled back, his heart racing like crazy in his chest. »Holy shit!« he exclaimed, feeling the mark on his neck pulse wildly.

 The monster tensed, its claws digging into the wooden floorboards. "Get away from me." it warned, emitting a deep, feral growl.

 Alastor took another step back. »Why?«

 "You reek of sin." it snarled.

 Alastor cocked his head. »You said that earlier, too. Do you hunt sinners? Is that why you hunted me?«

 The monster's hackles rose."Yes," it responded. "It's confusing... Part of me wants to protect you. Be near you... The other wants to kill you..."

 Alastor could hear the wood of the planks cracking beneath the monster's sharp claws. Its body trembled as if under immense pressure. Every muscle was tense. Is Lucifer losing control? Did I waste my chance to escape? A chill ran down Alastor's spine, taking his breath away.

 That's when he noticed the first rays of sunlight falling through the window onto the monster's snow-white fur. A pained growl, which sounded far too much like a human scream, escaped the monster as it clawed deeper into the wooden planks. Its eyes were squeezed shut as it bent and twisted in pain.

 Alastor could hear the distinct sound of bones breaking. Each of the monster's muscles twitched as it's huge body shrank under groans and gasps of pain. This went on until all that was left was a pale skinned - and very naked - Lucifer. He curled up in the middle of the hallway, sunlight highlighting the droplets of sweat on his back as they trailed over the strange red marks on it.  

 »Lucifer! « Alastor gasped upon seeing the condition he was in after his transformation. He rushed over and knelt down next to him on the hard, scratched flooring.

 As he pulled the small one onto his lap, he found his skin burning hot and sweaty, as if he was running a high fever. Lucifer's sky-blue eyes grew hazy and appeared to struggle to focus on him. Upon attempting to shift his position, he recoiled, his body too exhausted to utter a word. His expression twisted in pain and he squeezed his eyes shut.

 Alastor's heart ached to see him in this state. Brushing a strand of blonde hair out of his face, he cradled him closer »Shh...« he tried to calm him. »It's going to be all right... Let me take care of you.« His voice was low and soothing. 

 As his gaze trailed over Lucifer's naked body, he caught sight of the partially healed wound on his upper leg. It looks... like a bullet wound. Alastor recalled shooting at the monster a few days ago and felt a pang of guilt as he realised this was his doing.

 Carefully, he picked the little one up and headed towards his bedroom. Pushing the door further open with his elbow, he carried Lucifer towards the bed, bridal style. When he looked down at him, he noticed his cheeks had flushed deep red.

 Amused by his flustered reaction, Alastor let out an amused huff. He lowered him onto the bed and wrapped a blanket around his naked body. What am I going to do with you? Alastor thought, feeling the urge to help him. Problem was, he had no idea what he needed right now.

 So, he decided to get him a glass of water for a start and also brought a wet washcloth with him in hope it could help to cool him off.

 Gently patting Lucifer's forehead with the wet washcloth, he wiped away the beads of sweat. He observed how the small one's breathing slowly evened out. His blue eyes became clearer as well, following his every movement intently.

 Silence lay between them.

 Alastor wasn't sure what to say. After all, it wasn't every day that one discovered that the person they loved was also a monster out to kill them. The mere thought would have sounded ridiculous to him, if it hadn't been the truth. How is this my life now?

 »You don't need to do this...«  Lucifer murmured, his voice worn and hoarse.

 »What if I want to?« Alastor asked with a cocky smile. He put the washcloth aside and handed him the glass of water.

 Lucifer slowly sat up, grunting in pain as he did so. With a shaky hand, he took the glass of fresh water offered to him.

 With his hands now free, Alastor leaned over and placed an additional pillow behind Lucifer's back so he could relax against it.

 Lucifer took two long sips of the water before lowering the glass, almost losing his grip on it.

 Quickly, Alastor came to his aid, his hand brushing Lucifer's briefly as he overtook the glass. Blushing over such a simple touch, made him feel like a teenager. He hurriedly covered it up by pushing his glasses back in place, before he put the nearly empty glass on the bedside table.

 Lucifer's gaze was fixed on him the whole time. 

 »So... « Alastor said slowly, unsure where to start. »How... did this happen?« he asked, unsure how to address the subject of his shapeshifting abilities.

 Lucifer bit down on his lip. »It's nothing that happened to me, per se... I was born this way. « He averted his gaze, but caught sight of a photo propped up against the bedside table's lamp. Hesitantly, he reached for it and picked it up. It was an old photograph of them as children with his maman in the back yard.

 Lucifer's gaze softened, a sad smile curling his lips up. A few strands of his blonde, tousled hair fell in front of his eyes, and Alastor's hands itched to push them aside. He held back, though, giving the small one some space.

 Still fixating on the photo in his hands, Lucifer added, »Though one could argue I happened to be born beneath a bad star.« He seemed amused by this for some reason.

 Alastor cocked his head, intrigued to find out more. »But... when we were kids... I never saw you shift or anything. And we met up more than once during the evening or at night.« He recalled the many times they had been stargazing together.

 Lucifer lowered the picture and their eyes locked. There was something about his sad expression that made Alastor's heart ache. The small one explained, »It wasn't as bad back when I was a kid.« He gently put the photo back on the bedside table and leaned it against the lamp, just as it had been before. Clearly, there was more to this than he was ready to tell him.

 Alastor knew better than to push him. Instead, he stood up and said, »I'll get you some clothes. Though I'm not sure I own anything that would fit you.« He opened the wardrobe, the old wooden doors creaking, and went through the few clothes he owned.

 Seizing the opportunity to change his own blood-covered clothes, Alastor stripped off his shirt and put on a clean one. As he did so, he could feel Lucifer's piercing blue eyes staring at his back, probably noticing his many scars.

 There was a heavy silence between them. It was loaded with questions from both sides. Yet neither of them dared to break it.

 Alastor decided that the jogging pants with the waist band would be a good pick for Lucifer. At least they would not slip off his small frame.

 »Al« Lucifer breathed out his name, sounding almost afraid to speak.

 Alastor turned to look at him. Lucifer was sitting on his bed, holding the sheets up to his bare chest. His blonde, tousled hair had a golden hue from the morning sun light, and although this really wasn't the right moment for impure thoughts, Alastor did notice how aesthetically pleasing he looked. His heart fluttered and he did his best not to show how it was affecting him. »Yes, my dear?« he asked.

 Lucifer seemed to hesitate, but eventually asked, »Aren't you... afraid of me?«

 Alastor thought about it for a long moment. Of course he had been scared when the monster had chased him... after all it had tried to kill him. But...

 Lucifer deflated, apparently taking his silence as confirmation. »Of course you'd be scared. I can't blame you... I have little to no control when I am fully shifted.« His hands dug into the white bedsheets.

 Alastor wanted to tell him that it wasn't true. That he wasn't afraid. But he didn't want to lie... Instead, he asked, »Is that why you sent me away, saying my sins were too much? Because you were afraid you'd lose control?«

 Lucifer nodded slowly. He bit down on his lip and averted his gaze, guilt written on his face.

 Alastor had to process this. He turned back to the wardrobe and picked up a red button-up shirt that he thought was a bit smaller than the others he owned.

 All this time I thought he rejected me because he was scared of me... does that mean he still has feelings for me? He wondered. »I won't run away from you,« he decided. »We'll find a way to make it work.« With that, he turned around, clothes in hand, but froze when he saw the silent tears tickling down Lucifer's cheeks. The sunlight made them glisten and sparkle as they fell onto the white sheets.

 »It won't work, Al,« Lucifer breathed the words out more than he spoke them. Then he added »I've tried- Hell, I've tried everything to tame it, but... It's getting stronger with every passing night-« his voice cracked, the frustration clear on his face. 

 Alastor approached the bed slowly. Seeing the small one so vulnerable tugged at his heartstrings. He sat down on the edge of the bed and felt the bedding sink in beneath him as he handed Lucifer the clothes he had picked out for him.

 Lucifer took them with a weakly whispered, »Thank you...« quickly wiping his own tears with the back of his hand.

 An urge to cheer Lucifer up surged inside of Alastor. After a moment's thought, he suggested, »How about I carry a rubber duck with me at all times?«

 Lucifer's gaze snapped up to him. »What?« he asked confused.

 Alastor grinned playfully. »Well, it worked fine earlier, didn't it? The perfect distraction to escape. It would be my 'safety duck'~ « he joked

 Lucifer blinked slowly, one eye at a time, as he always did when confused. »I, uhm... think it was just the element of surprise that-«

 »You nuzzled and wallowed around that duck, Lucifer.« Alastor pointed out, seeing the small one's cheeks blush bright red.

 »That's not-«

 »You looked like a puppy with its squeaky toy~« Alastor teased.

 »Hold up now!« Lucifer exclaimed. But there was no real bite to his words. »I was just trying to focus so you'd have time to flee! And, since we're on the subject, who's crazy enough to turn around and pat the monster?!«

 Alastor chuckled, seeing that, even though Lucifer was trying to look angry, he was barely holding back his own laughter. »But you looked so soft and fluffy!« he proclaimed.

 That was it. Lucifer burst out laughing, unable to hold it back any longer.

 Alastor's heart warmed at the bell-like sound. His lips curled up into a soft smile.

 When the little one had calmed down, he said, »You're so silly.« He unfolded the shirt that had been handed to him and pulled it over his head. As expected, it was way too big for him. The short sleeves covered his entire upper arm, and the collar was so wide it almost reached one of his nipples.

 Alastor felt his face burn as he caught himself paying attention to that detail. He quickly averted his gaze and listened to the sheets shuffle as Lucifer put on the trousers underneath the blanket.

 It wasn't as if Alastor hadn't seen anything while carrying him over... the images of his naked body kept flashing through his mind, taunting him.

 For fuck's sake, get a hold of yourself! He warned himself. 

 That's when he recalled something »If it is to dangerous for me to be with you... Why did you come over to ask me to stay?«

 When there was only silence in reply, Alastor turned and met Lucifer's eyes. Nervously, the small one fiddled with the sheets. »Because I... am selfish, I guess...« He stopped there, apparently not wanting to tell him the whole truth.

 »Come on, Lucifer. At least tell me why.« Alastor insisted. When Lucifer still didn't speak, he added, »What did you mean earlier, in your shifted form? When you said you wanted to be close to me and protect me too?«

 Lucifer crawled out of bed and stood up, seemingly wanting to flee rather than to answer his questions. The jogging pants leggs were so long they covered his feet and also worked as socks. »It's... complicated« he said, taking a small step towards the door, careful not to trip.

 »Then explain it to me.« Alastor pleaded. »Does it have to do with the bond?« he inquired.

 Lucifer froze. 

 Seeing him react to this, Alastor pressed on. »I don't think it's a coincidence that the mark on my neck is exactly where you bit me all those years ago.« he said. »It has something to do with it, doesn't it?«

 Lucifer clenched his hands to fists. His body tensed, yet he didn't move nor reply.

 Alastor stood up to join him. »It burns every time the monster is near. Sometimes, even when I'm just close to you... What does it mean?« He wanted to reach out for the small one, but hesitated when he saw him trembling with anger.

 »You really have no clue, do you?« he hissed through clenched teeth.

 The mark on Alastor's neck flared up. A stinging feeling shot through it. Quickly, Alastor took a step back.

 When Lucifer turned around, there was an unnatural red glow in his sky-blue eyes. »You are my mate, Alastor. And everything is so fucked up because I was a dumb kid who wouldn't listen!« He was out of breath and looked exasperated. Probably realising what he had just said, his eyes widened, and a bright red blush flushed his cheeks.

 »Mate?« Alastor blinked at him in confusion. The mark cooled back down, leaving only a prickling feeling on his skin. He noticed how the small one glanced at it. »What do you mean I am your mate?« 

 Lucifer recoiled and growled at himself, then ruffled his blonde hair. »Al,« he said, sounding frustrated. »I wasn't supposed to bind you to me back then.«

 Maybe it was the sleep deprivation, but Alastor struggled to follow. 

 »My father- he chose a girl to bind to me.« Lucifer explained. »Some kind of fucked up forced marriage arrangement with another family... He constantly talked about how it had to be a pure soul, and how she was perfect for me. But all I could think about was... you.« His blush deepened and he held his chest, keeping his eyes to the ground. »So when I bit you that night... I went against my father's wishes and bound you to me instead.«

 It slowly began to dawn on Alastor. »Lucifer-« he started, but got interrupted by the small one.

 »Your soul was so pure when we were kids.« Lucifer said, his voice full of pain. »I was convinced you'd never change. I-I thought I knew-« Tears formed in his eyes. »But now-« His voice cracked.

 The sound caused a heavy weight to settle in the pit of Alastor's stomach. He wanted to take Lucifer in his arms and soothe him, but as he approached, Lucifer flinched back.

 »It's not supposed to be like this,« he sniffled. »The pure soul of one's mate- It's meant to calm the monster- to suppress it more easily whenever we are close to each other.« He was full-on sobbing now, his body trembling beneath the weight of his emotions. »But when I am close to you- it makes it worse instead!«

 Alastor felt guilt rise to his throat. His sins were making Lucifer's struggles worse. The things he could not make undone. 

 Lucifer cried, »And yet, I want you close to me. I've yearned for your return every single day!«

 Now Alastor understood. So that's why he wanted me to leave and also why he wanted me to stay. He could feel the pulse of his mark, but it was faint, barely noticeable. Rather than trying to approach him again, Alastor opened his arms and said softly, »Come here...«

 The small one hesitated at first, but then stepped closer and slumped into his arms. His body shook from the flood of emotions breaking loose at the contact. Burying his face in Alastor's chest, he wept and sobbed uncontrollably.

 Alastor's heart ached. It hurt to see Lucifer like this. To know that he was the cause of it. What was he supposed to do when the reason for his pain was his very presence. Leaving would hurt him in a whole other way as well. What is worse? What is right? What is wrong?

 »It's not fair.« Lucifer whined as he wrapped his arms around him. »I missed you-« his voice was muffled by the fabric of his clothes. »But when you came back- I knew something was wrong.«

 Alastor gently rubbed his back in a soothing motion. »I'm so sorry...« he murmured. »I didn't know...« His heart ached for Lucifer. For what he had put him through, unintentionally.

 Lucifer pressed himself against Alastor, holding on to him as if he might lose him if he'd let go. »I don't want you to leave- but I'm so scared of what would become of me if I'd ask you to stay...«

 Alastor felt a lump form in his throat. »I will do whatever you ask of me.« he promised, squeezing the words out of himself, as much as it hurt. »Ask me to leave and I will... Or tell me to stay, and I will be by your side for the rest of my life.«

 Lucifer squeezed him tightly, his hands digging into the back of his shirt. The warmth of his body seeped through the fabric. His cries worsened. »Don't do this- Don't make me choose!« he complained. »If I ask you to stay- and end up killing you- I would never forgive myself!«

 Alastor's heart shattered into a million pieces at that thought. He hugged Lucifer closer and placed a soft kiss on the top of his head, breathing in the sweet scent of apple and cinnamon of his hair. »Then I'll decide...« he murmured. »I want to stay with you.«

 Lucifer pulled away slightly to look up at him. His eyes were reddened by the many tears. He looked at him, pleading for... something... but he wasn't sure what.

 »Even if you end up killing me... I don't want a life without you.« Alastor said. It was the closest he had ever come to a confession, and he could see how it affected Lucifer.

 The small one's unspoken pleas became clearer as he grabbed the collar of Alastor's shirt, dragged him down to his height, and pressed his lips on his in a passionate kiss that tasted of salty tears and the iron of fresh blood.

  Alastor closed his eyes and responded to the kiss, deepening it and moving his lips against Lucifer's.

 He could feel Lucifer melting under his touch, and whenever they broke off to breathe, more kisses followed quickly after, until they were looking breathlessly into each other's eyes.

 The tears had dried, and Alastor was convinced that his choice had been the right one.

 Nothing in this world compared to the warm, fluttering feeling spreading through his body right now. Nowhere else but by Lucifer's side would he be this happy. He embraced the small one warmly and decided that, no matter what the future held, he would not regret his choice to stay by his side.

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~ 

 Alastor looked towards the tall pine trees of the forest surrounding Lucifer's mansion. The shadows stretched over the morning-dew-covered grass as the sun slowly rose at the horizon. With his hands in his pockets, he waited patiently for the small one to join him. He felt restless, his mind repeating the same question again and again. Am I making the right choice here?

 Not only had he decided to stay with Lucifer, knowing he could kill him at any moment, but he also had a whole mess to clean up before the police caught on to what he had done. His true identity was tied to his last murder. The stakes were high. It was downright insane to stay in this town.

 But the thought of leaving his home... it made his heart ache.

 »I'm ready!« Lucifer announced, joining him on the front porch of his mansion and locking the door behind him. This short stop at his home was so that he could change into more fitting clothes.

 However, as Alastor turned and laid his eyes on him, he shook his head in disbelief. »You want to wear this?« he asked, pointing at the snow-white trousers and pink-and-white striped button-up shirt he was wearing.
  
 Lucifer blushed faintly, brushing a strand of blonde hair aside. »What's wrong with that?«
 
 Alastor rolled his eyes. »Dear, we're going to clean a crime scene... and you've chosen white clothes?«
 
 Lucifer blinked at him. His blue eyes trailed down his attire. »Oh, I never said I would touch any of the bloody stuff. I'm just accompanying you.«
 
 Alastor let out an amused huff. »Is that so? I thought you said you wanted to help?«
 
 The small one shrugged it off. »I can help in other ways.«
 
 »Hm...« Alastor hummed in thoughts. »I suppose you'll at least bring some entertainment to the endeavour.« he muttered, loud enough for Lucifer to hear, and sent a cocky grin in his direction.
 
 The small one's blush deepened as he joined him, faking not having heard his last few words. »Let's go~« he said, passing him without even asking if he could help carry the bags.

 Alastor huffed, amused by this, as he shouldered the backpack with all the supplies he needed to clean the crime scene. He picked up the additional bag and carried it over to Lucifer, throwing it into his arms.
  
 »Shit-« the small one cursed, barely catching it.
 
 »At least help me carry.« Alastor demanded, giving him a wink, then taking the lead as they left through the property's gate and headed towards the forest.
 
 The air in the shade of the trees felt fresher and had a distinct scent of pine and resin. A few crows had been following them, cawing as they fluttered from one tree to the next.

 He noticed Lucifer glaring up at them. »What did the birds do to deserve such a death glare?« Alastor inquired.
 
 Lucifer locked eyes with him, then replied, »Oh... nothing. They just like to follow and harass me...«
 
 Alastor glanced up at the crows. »Crows are awfully intelligent. Did you know they used to follow soldiers into battle because they knew there would be corpses to feast on?«
 
 Lucifer gave him a displeased look for this 'fun fact'. »I didn't know that.« he admitted after a while, ending the topic abruptly.
 
 Alastor, not quite sure what he had done wrong, just walked in silence next to him for a while. An awkward silence hung between them. First, they headed for the old chapel, as this was the place where he had left most of his blood and fingerprints.

 With the sun shining down on the chapel and the many grave stones, the place looked more peaceful than it had at night.

 As they passed the stone wall surrounding the property, Lucifer's body stiffened and he slowed his steps.
 
 Alastor turned, glancing back at him. »Are you all right?«
 
 The small one shivered. »Yeah, sorry...« he said, catching back up, but he didn't get too close to the chapel, always staying a few steps behind. 

 Alastor glanced around and saw a few old, wooden planks in the nearby grass. Those would be useful for later. He put on the gloves he had taken with him and used the crowbar to remove the rest of the broken glass from the window he had smashed the prior night. »I'll start on the inside. Make sure there's no trace left before I close the window up.« he explained as he climbed through. The glass shards crunched beneath his shoes as he dropped on the other side. He turned and held out a hand to help Lucifer in.
 
 But Lucifer flinched back and shook his head frantically. »No- I... I can't go in there.«
 
 Alastor blinked at him, confused at first, before recalling that the monster hadn't been able to come inside either. »Because it's holy ground?« he asked, intrigued.
 
 Lucifer nodded. »It hurts like hell.« he said. »It's even worse when I'm in my shifted form, but it affects me when I'm human as well.«
 
 Alastor lowered his hand. »I see,« he hummed. »Then wait for me out there. Keep an eye on the surroundings and warn me if someone is coming.« He didn't think anyone would be up this early to visit an abandoned chapel, but he felt like the small one would want a task to feel useful.
 
 Lucifer nodded and handed him the bags through the window. Alastor took them and looked into the room. Sunlight shone through the stained glass windows, casting colourful spots of light on the dusty ground and rows of old, withered wooden benches.
 
 Alastor looked at the many footprints he had left on the dusty floor the previous night. There was no way to hide the fact that someone had been here.

 Lucifer peeked through the window and asked »So, will you tell me why you brought the cans of spray paint with you?« 
 
 Alastor grinned. First, he opened the bag of cleaning supplies. »Because I can't hide the fact that someone's been here. It would be far too obvious if I only cleaned the spots where I left my fingerprints and blood...« He followed his footsteps and started to clean each surface he had touched with his supplies »So instead, I will make it clear that someone has been here, though for a whole different reason... What better disguise than some teenagers breaking into an abandoned chapel to spray-paint the walls?« 
 
 Intrigued, Lucifer watched how he spray-painted the bench in the places he had cleaned. »That's clever.« he said then paused for a long moment »You've done this before... haven't you?« 
 
 »Spray-paint?« 
 
 »Covering up a crime scene.« Lucifer clarified. 
 
 Alastor looked over at him as he shook a can of spray-paint, the metal ball inside clacking around in the container. »I did.« he answered shortly.  
 
 Lucifer shifted from one foot to the other and averted his gaze. »I know you have killed before,« he said. »I can see it in your sins and... I kinda observed you torture that guy last night.« He digged his fingers into the fabric of his shirt. »You... enjoyed his pain...«

 Alastor wasn't sure what the small one wanted to hear. A lie, maybe? That he didn't enjoy the pain of others? Well... Lucifer had been honest with him, so perhaps it was time for him to be fully honest too. »I... maybe did leave out some details when I wrote my letter to you.« he started hesitantly, trying to ease into the topic. »When I was around 16... I committed my first murder... and it was none other than my own father that I killed.«

 Lucifer's breath hitched and his eyes widened as he looked at him in shock. »What?« he asked.

 Alastor offered him a sad smile. He picked up some cleaning supplies and started to clean up the blood smears he had left on the benches the night before, recalling the day he had become... a monster. »You heard me right. The first kill is often the messiest, or so I was told... I hadn't planned on it. It just... kinda happened.« He could still smell the stench of alcohol and cigarettes of the apartment they had lived in. Could see his father's body sprawled over the white kitchen tiles while the jambalaya pot on the stove boiled over, its thick sauce dripping over the rim and mixing with the puddle of blood on the floor. His hand had trembled as the bloodied knife he had been holding had clattered to the floor. At first, he had gasped for air and recoiled from the gruesome scene, before a maniac laugh had shook through his body. It had been a twisted laughter, a mix of utter relief to finally be free and fear of what would happen next. He had vomited into the kitchen sink and tried to wash the blood off his hands... or had it been the other way around?

(*)(1)

 »What happened?« Lucifer asked.

 Alastor looked down at him. »He was drunk, as often... I was in the kitchen cooking. He got angry... I think it was because of what I had chosen to cook. Honestly, I can't recall... Usually, I tried to avoid making him more angry, just takeing the beating... but that day I had a knife at hand and he had that look on his face. The look that told me he wouldn't be satisfied with just a few hits. I knew he would punish me until I could barely walk or until I'd drop unconscious. So, when he approached... I snapped. I attacked him as he reached for me, almost as if driven by instinct.«

 Lucifer didn't look at him with fear... nor with pity... he just nodded and muttered, »I see.« with a hint of bitterness in his voice »I think... he really deserved to die.«

(*)

 Alastor had expected a line of questions, but they never came. The small one didn't ask if he could have gotten away or why he hadn't reached out to someone for help. Alastor paused for a moment, then continued his story. »After that, I called Mimzy, as I mentioned in the letter, and got into her father's gang. I learned to fight, bested more than one person in a knife fight, and learned to use a gun.« He paused, thinking back to the times in Mimzy's father's care, not knowing whether to think fondly of it or not. The world wasn't black and white. For every bad thing that happened to him during that time, there were good experiences too. Laughing, dancing and partying with Mimzy. The friendships he had built... »After I was let go, I left Paris. Searching for a place in the world where I would fit in... I did a few jobs and travelled a lot... and that's when I met Zestial.«

 Lucifer listened intently, curiosity written on his face. His blue eyes watched him from his position at the window, asking for more details without words.

 »He was a librarian, and I took a job in his library while trying to get over the rounds. This guy always wore a silly long trench coat and a huge black hat. He looked like someone out of a film noir.« Alastor chuckled, recalling it. »Zestial was the kind of guy to make sophisticated jokes, and he could recite Shakespeare without ever stumbling over his words. He had a little brother, Antoine...« He paused, searching for the next spot to clean up, then continued »He was a quiet guy, very nerdy and tech-oriented, and he dated a truely awful woman.«

 Lucifer watched as Alastor took the Bible out of the hidden compartment and packed it into one of the backpacks.

(*)(2) 

 »I saw signs... in Antoine's movements, his expressions... whenever she was around he seemed to shrink and flinched. I knew she was abusing him... but when he finally found the courage to speak up and call the police, they laughed at him. He left her, but she kept harassing him.«

(*)

 Alastor's hands clenched around the cleaning rag he was using to clean the altar where he had touched it. »Zestial was out of himself. He had gottena gun and I realized he was planning on doing something to protect his brother. That's when I decided that, since I was already a murderer... One more kill wouldn't make a difference.« He looked up from the spot he had cleaned on the altar and looked over at the small one.

 Lucifer bit down on his lip. Clearly, he was affected by this. »So you killed her?« he asked.

 Alastor nodded slowly and resumed his story »From my time in the gang, I knew how to clean up a crime scene... and when I got away with it, I felt a thrill... Ever since, whenever I come across an abusive piece of shit, I can feel the urge to kill them. It's like a voice in the back of my mind telling me I could rid the world of another monster.« A sad smile crossed his face, and with an almost regretful tone, he added, »Even if it makes a monster out of me in return.«

  Lucifer was quiet for a long moment, just staring at him in deafening silence. »So, in a way, you're killing sinners out of an urge as well?«

 Alastor grinned at that. »Only the worst kind.« he said, liking the way this was heading. »Don't get me wrong. I know what I do is... not conventionally right. But I do not regret killing any of my victims.«

 Lucifer seemed to think about that for a while. »I dislike killing humans,« he admitted, »and the taste of blood lingering on my tongue in the morning after...«

 »You're too good-hearted for a killer, my dear.« Alastor said, really thinking it. Nothing in Lucifer's behaviour would suggest he had ever harmed anyone. He took the next can of spray paint and shook it. The clacking noise resonated from the chapel walls. All his cleaned spots were painted now, but it would look suspicious if he didn't paint the wall as well. He thought for a moment before writing 'All hail the devil' on the wall and drawing a pentagram next to it.

 Lucifer let out an amused huff. »Do you really think kids would write this?«
  
 Alastor shrugged. »Why not?«
 
 »Maybe add something like 'fuck you' or 'yeet'.« Lucifer suggested.
 
 Alastor turned to look at him, raising his eyebrows. »Yeet?« he asked, confused.
 
 »Yes, that's what the kids say, right?«
 
 Alastor felt old. He shrugged and wrote 'Yeet the church!' on the wall, haveing no clue what it even meant.
 
 When he stepped aside, Lucifer burst out laughing behind him.
  
 »What?« Alastor complained. »Did I write it wrong?«
 
 Lucifer struggled to regain control of himself. »No-no, that's- fine!« he laughed.
 
 Alastor looked at his art and shrugged. »I think this will be good enough.«
 
 »I say it lacks some dicks.« Lucifer chuckled.
 
 »What?« Alastor cocked his head.
 
 The small one offered him a cocky grin. »Well, what's the first thing every kid paints on the walls, huh? They'd paint dicks everywhere.«
 
 »Hm« Alastor hummed in thought. But the small one did have a point. He drew two circles and a kinda U-shaped line. »Satisfied?« he asked.
  
 »Did you ever see a dick before?« the small one scoffed.
 
 Alastor turned to glare at him.
 
 But Lucifer wasn't finished yet. »Or is that a self-portrait?«
 
 Trying to ignore the way his face burned, Alastor growled, »No, it's not!«
 
 Lucifer laughed so hard that he bent over with tears in his eyes. His laughter echoed in the light-flooded chapel. For a moment, Alastor could feel his heart warming at the bell-like sound. Then he remembered they were on a mission. He dropped the can and kicked it away for good measure. »All right, enough toying around,« he said, then walked back to the window. Checking one last time that he hadn't missed any shards, he climbed outside, where Lucifer was still chuckling, holding his belly.

 Rolling his eyes, he dragged the bags outside. »Oh, shush« Alastor grumbled. »This is serious business.« but his words had no bite, and he could not hold back the grin forming on his lips. I'll be damned if I miss on any details because of this dork's distractions. He thought, then shook his head, trying to refocus.

 Lucifer's chuckling slowly died down. »All right.« he said, a bit out of breath. 

 »Help me nail that window shut.« Alastor commanded.

 Lucifer handed him the planks that had been lying in the grass nearby, and held them for him as he nailed the window shut. However, Alastor used a crowbar to remove the last two planks, making it look as if someone had broken in. This way, the window looked as if it had been broken long before the 'kids' came to spray-paint the walls. It made it look less suspicious since he had removed all the shards.
 
 »All right, that should do.« Alastor nodded, satisfied with their work.
 
 Lucifer picked up one of the bags, the one with the shards in it. They clattered against each other as he lifted it. »Where will you dispose of this?« he asked.
 
 Alastor waved it off as if it was nothing. »I'll take them with me to the city's waste disposal site when I take the wrecked doors there. Nobody will find them among all the other waste... Some things are best hidden where they fit best.«
 
 Lucifer hummed in approval. »That's clever. But how are you going to cover up the huge bloody mess you left in the woods?« he wondered, as Alastor picked up the other bag and they left the property together, walking through the forest.
 
 »I wouldn't usually leave such evidence if I planned to stay.« Alastor stated. »But I guess I will have to hunt a deer and put it in that spot. I can't see any other way to cover it up... I guess the police will think it was the vicious 'bear' that killed the deer.« he chuckled at the thought. 
 
 Lucifer thought for a moment. »Do you want me to hunt it for you?« he asked, his cheeks flushing for some reason.
 
 »You?« Alastor asked, initially confused, then recalling that the monster had once left a deer on his doorstep. »Can you even shift during the day?«
 
 Lucifer smiled. »I can partially shift. I have more control during the day. But I'm sensitive to the sunlight in that form.« He looked up at the tall trees. »It should be fine here, though. There is enough shade.«
 
 Alastor looked around. »Aren't you afraid others might see you?«
 
 Lucifer shook his head. »My senses are heightened in that form. I can hear someone approaching long before they see me.«
 
 »Well,« Alastor thought for a moment. »All right, if you're sure you can keep it in check. At least I won't have to buy a new rifle in town this way.«
 
 Lucifer nodded. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
 
 At first, nothing happened.
  
 But the moment Alastor felt the mark on his neck surge, he knew it was working.
 
 Horns started to grow out of the small one's head and his skin turned even paler, almost white. A long, pointed tail appeared behind his back. It began to flick from left to right. The small one's hands morphed into long claws, and tufts of white fur looked out from under his shirt. When he opened his eyes, they glowed red and the slits he had as pupils fixed on Alastor. 
 
 Alastor shivered, feeling a chill run down his back, but for a whole different reason then last time. Why do I find this hot? He felt his cheeks blush and tried really hard not to think about getting closer to this sharp-toothed mouth.
 
 Lucifer cocked his head and slow-blinked one eye at the time. »Did I... scare you?« he asked in a lower, rougher voice than when he was human.
 
 Alastor shook his head. »No.« he said, his eyes fixating on that pointy tail. Something inside him wanted to touch it. He quickly hid his hands behind his back, digging his nails into his wrists to regain control. The mark on his neck pulsed regularly, like a calm heartbeat.
 
 Lucifer suddenly turned, his eyes fixed on something far away.
 
 »Did you find a deer already?« Alastor inquired.
 
 Lucifer shook his head. »No... but we might be in trouble.«
 
 »How so?« 
 
 »The police already found the crime scene.« Lucifer said »I can hear Adam and Lute speak further down that path...«  
 
 »Well fuck...« Alastor cursed. How did they find it so quickly? »Come, we better hurry and get rid of the bags.« he urged the small one, watching as he quickly shifted back into his human form. 
 
 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~ 
 

 Alastor hurriedly loaded the backpacks into the trunk of his car. He had to dispose of the evidence quickly, before the police could come and question him about his missing neighbour.  
 
 Lucifer, who had shifted back into his human form, hovered around Alastor, trying to help but not knowing how.  
 
 »Can you help me carry the doors into the car?« Alastor asked, putting down the back seats so the doors would fit in.  
 
 Lucifer nodded. »Yeah, sure.« Together, they got the broken bathroom door from upstairs and the door that used to be his back door into the car. It barely fit, but luckily Alastor had won a rather large car in the rental car lottery.  
 
 »Thanks,« Alastor sighed, a bit breathless from the endeavour. As he opened the garage door, he heard the car door open behind him. When he turned around, he saw Lucifer hopping into the passenger seat. Although he was surprised that Lucifer wanted to come with him, he accepted it right away.  
 
 Once Alastor had settled into the driver's seat, the scent of the air freshener dangling from the rear-view mirror filled the car, making it smell new even though the model was probably at least five years old. Alastor turned on the ignition and the radio immediately came to life, playing some smooth jazz.  
 
 Lucifer's face lit up. »Hey, that's "Fly Me to the Moon"!« 
  
 »Indeed,« Alastor hummed, driving the car out of the garage and onto the street.

 »Can we stop by my house before heading to town?« Lucifer asked.

 »Sure« Alastor replied. »Do you need to pick something up there?« 

 »Well... I was just thinking we could take my broken door to the waste dump as well.« 

 This piqued Alastor's interest. »Your broken door?« he asked, giving him a questioning side glance. 

 Lucifer sighed. »Well, what did you think? That I sat back and waited for the monster to kill you? I tried to lock myself up before shifting, of course. Which resulted in... some damage.«

 Alastor huffed in amusement. »You don't say,« he said, driving down the road and uphill to Lucifer's mansion, then halted in front of the tall metal gates. 

 Lucifer grabbed his keys and unlocked the gates to let Alastor through with his car.

 The gravel crunched beneath the car tyres as Alastor slowly drove up to the front of the tall mansion, surrounded by pine trees. Some crows cawed in the distance. 

 Lucifer walked up to Alastor as he stepped out of his car. »I'll need a hand to get the door upstairs.« he said.

 »Upstairs?« Alastor asked, cocking his head. 

 »Yeah, it's my cellar door...« Lucifer explained, walking right past him as if he were on a mission. 

 Alastor followed him, watching him unlock the front door and enter the dark hallway. As always, all the shades were closed, so the only light came from the wide-open door, which Lucifer then closed and switched on the lights. His footsteps echoed in the hallway as he led the way to an unassuming door and opened it, revealing a staircase leading down. The air inside smelt the same way it did in so many cellars: humid and dusty. 

 »So... you've locked yourself up in your cellar?« Alastor inquired, following Lucifer down the stairs. 

»Yes... but it didn't hold up as well as it did back when I was a child, I guess...« Lucifer said, with a bitter tone in his voice. »My father used to lock me up down here when I couldn't control my monster side.« he explained.

 Alastor scrunched up his nose at the thought of Lucifer as a little child, locked up alone in a cellar. Couldn't his father find a better solution? It must have been so scary for him. 

 Lucifer stopped on the last step and said, »So naturally, when I found myself unable to control this new, stronger form, I locked myself up to keep everyone safe.«

 Alastor peeked past him at the door on the ground. It was covered in claw marks, and although it must have been a heavy wooden door, it stood no chance against what Lucifer could turn into. »Uhum... and how has that been going?« Alastor asked teasingly. 

 Lucifer wasn't in a joking mood, though, and just stepped over the broken door. »As you can see... Fantastic.« he replied sarcastically, lifting one side of the door. »Now help me carry this up. I need to replace it with something heavier if I want to keep you safe.«

 Alastor hummed thoughtfully and picked up the other side of the door. »We could add a rubber duck painting to the new one, maybe?« he suggested. 

 Lucifer scoffed. Even though he tried to look annoyed at his silly jokes, he could not fully conceal his amusement. »Oh, shush.« 

 In retrospective it would have been clever to have Lucifer walk up the stairs up front, due to their size difference... but the thought only came to them when they had been half way up, so they just kept going and put the door on top of the other two broken doors in the car.

 Alastor let out a huff. »That one was much heavier than I thought.« He took a few deep breaths. »We really should do something against your tendency to break doors.« he teased the small one, who had the audacity to not even break out a sweat from their early morning work out. How is he so strong? 

 Before he could ask, Lucifer said, »If I were you, I'd focus more on how we're going to stop me from ripping your head off once the night falls.« he opened the passenger door of the car and jumped in. 

 As Alastor looked down at the door in his trunk, he noticed the claw marks left in it varied in size and depth. It was as if Lucifer had been in different stages of his form while scratching at the door. Brushing his fingertips over some of the smaller claw marks, he thought back to Lucifer as a child and wondered if the marks were from back then. His stomach twisted at the thought. 

 »Al, are you coming?« Lucifer asked from inside the car, turning in his seat to peek at him.

 »Yes.« Alastor replied quickly, slamming the trunk shut. He joined Lucifer by hopping into the driver's seat and started the engine.

 The town was slowly waking up, coming to life as people headed to work and... »Fuck!« Alastor cursed. He tugged his phone out of his pocket, the car drifting slightly as he did. »Quick, can you type a message for me?« he asked the small one, throwing his phone to him.

 With a surprised yelp, Lucifer tried to catch it, hitting it this way and that like an anxious juggler before it landed on his lap. »You have to warn someone before throwing things at them!« he complained as he picked the phone up. 
  
 »Sorry,« Alastor apologized, though he was a bit amused by his reaction. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead as they left town and took the road winding through the pine forest.  
 
 »What's your PIN?« Lucifer asked. 
 
 »My birthday date.« He replied, surprised to see the small one type it in immediately. Even after all those years, he still remembered his birthday? He felt a warm, fuzzy feeling fill his chest at the thought.  
 
 »And who do you want me to send that message to?« Lucifer asked casually.  
 
 Shaking his thoughts away, Alastor answered, »Cherri, tell her I won't be coming to work today. Tell her I'll come in tomorrow to make it up and that I'll call her later to explain.«  
 
 Lucifer nodded and typed for a while, then paused. »An unknown number just texted you.«
 
 Alastor raised his eyebrows. Almost nobody had his new number. »What does it say?«
 
 »I know what you did last night.« Lucifer read the message out loud.  
 
 For a moment, Alastor wondered if someone might have seen him dispose of Valentino, but no... he had been careful. He kept his smile in place, not wanting to worry Lucifer. »Probably just a scammer. Block the number.«
 
 Lucifer shrugged, then turned the phone screen off. He took a deep breath. »I don't think anyone saw you. When I joined you in the woods, there was nobody else around.« 
 
 Alastor nodded in agreement. »I've been careful. Besides, not many would be stupid enough to go against an actual serial killer like this.« 
 
 Lucifer huffed, »Makes sense.« He fiddled nervously with the rim of his shirt as he looked out of the passenger window at the trees they passed.  
 
 They listened to the music in silence for a while, leaving the forest behind them and approaching the city.  
 
 Lucifer tapped his foot in an endless rhythm against the car floor, his eyes fixed on the city.  
 
 »Why are you so nervous?« Alastor asked.  
 
 Lucifer bit his lip. »It's been a while since I've been to the city.« he explained. 
 
 Alastor glanced at him for a moment, taking in how he brushed his fingers through his blonde hair and how his blue eyes trailed over the high buildings they were passing. He sank deeper into his seat, the tapping quickening.  
 
 Turning his attention back to the street in front of him, Alastor said, »You've isolated yourself quite a lot. Why? You seem to be fine during the day.«

 »Well,« Lucifer muttered, »it's... I've needed some time to reach this state.« he explained. »By the time I had regained some control over my life, most of the damage was already done... I figured that if I kept everyone far away, nobody would drop by unannounced in the evening or at night.«
 
 »Hm,« Alastor hummed. He thought back to what Ozzie had told him at the club and wondered, not for the first time, if they had broken off contact as well. »Did nobody check on you? Ever?« 
 
 Lucifer shook his head. »At the start, yes, but after about three or four years, nobody cared anymore.« he huffed. »And why should they? I never responded to any messages, never opened the door...« He sounded bitter, but Alastor noticed the sadness beneath his words.  
 
 However, something about the small one's story didn't make sense. »I don't quite get it... You said you were born like this, and that it was easier as a child. Wouldn't you've grown into your powers if they had increased slowly as you aged?« 
 
 Lucifer shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He looked out of the window, and although Alastor could not see it, he sensed that Lucifer was close to tears as he replied, »It isn't that simple.« 
 
 At first, Alastor thought he would explain some more, but he remained silent. Uncertain whether to press him for an answer, he gave him a moment.  
 
 In the end, Lucifer decided to elaborate further »When I was a kid... I only shifted once per year... On my birthday...« he let the words sink in, then added, »It wasn't a full shift back then. More like what you saw earlier, when I was about to hunt a deer.«  
 
 Alastor's eyes widened as he realised why Lucifer had never been to school during his birthday.  
 
 »My father... locked me up in the cellar the night before,« Lucifer's voice was merly more than a whisper, his voice wavering  as he told Alastor about his past. »I had anxiety attacks whenever my birthday neared, knowing how much it hurt to shift and how I would lose control...« he shivered and wrapped his arms around his own chest, »The cellar was a security measure so that I would not run around and hurt others... I knew that... Yet the thought of that room alone... It wasn't a good experience...«
 
 Alastor let this new information sink in. He thought back to the sweet child Lucifer had been. Always smiling and laughing. Then he imagined how Lucifer had been locked up in a dark room with no one to comfort him while he shifted. The pained scream he had heard last night when Lucifer shifted echoed in his mind. And the image of the small claw marks in the cellar door flashed before his eyes. Alastor's heart clenched in his chest and he gripped the stirring wheel harder. 
 
 Lucifer had gone quiet and was staring out of his window as if into a void.  
 
 That's when Alastor realised something in shock. »Wait... When did it change?« he asked.  
 
 He seemed to have drawn Lucifer out of deep thought. The small one blinked a few times, looking his way. »What?« he asked, confused.  
 
 »When did you start to shift every night, not just on your birthday?«  
 
 Lucifer quickly averted his gaze. »We're almost there.« he said, clearly trying to avoid the topic. 
 
 Alastor knew he was right. He could see the landfill site on the outskirts of the city. »Lucifer,« Alastor said hesitantly, »it changed on your 18th birthday, right?« It was just a feeling. It would make so much sense. Lucifer had insisted on his presence. But for what exactly?  

 Lucifer sank deeper into his seat. He wrapped his arms around himself and let out a shaky breath. »yes« he whispered.  
 
 Alastor parked the car in the lot next to the gates of the landfill and turned to look at Lucifer. The small one was shivering and his eyes were teary as he avoided his gaze.  
 
 Alastor unbuckled his seatbelt, then reached out to him over the middle console to take his hand in his. His hold was gentle, allowing him to pull away if he wished. 
 
 Instead, Lucifer laced his fingers with his, giving his hand a short squeeze as he let out a deep breath. »That's why I wanted you to be there, Al. Like I said, normally the starbound mate would make it easier to control the monster... but not only that...« He hesitated, »It is told that if one completes the starbound ritual on the night of their 18th birthday, the monster will keep only returning on every birthday instead of every single night...«  
 
 Alastor's eyes widened. 'You are too late!' Lucifer's words, when Alastor had returned, suddenly took on a whole different meaning. »Fuck.« he muttered. »Lucifer... I'm so sorry.« and he really was. If he had been there, he could have prevented all of this pain the small one had went through. But would it have worked? After all, I had already killed my father by that time. His heart ached at the thought. He recalled how Ozzie had told him how frantic Lucifer had been the day before his birthday, scared that he wouldn't show up. 
 
 »It's not your fault,« Lucifer whispered, squeezing his hand. »I never told you why I needed you to be there. We were just kids...« He let go of him and sighed. »I searched all of my family's old books and documents, everything we have, in hopes of finding a way to reverse the curse, but I found nothing.«

 »The curse?« Alastor's interest was piqued. »Didn't you say you were born like this?«

 Lucifer nodded. »I was,« he confirmed. »It's a family curse. I'm not the first in our lineage to be born this way,« he said, looking down at his hands thoughtfully. »But I guess it will end with me...« Before Alastor could ask what he meant, Lucifer opened the car door and stepped out. »Come now. We've got to unload the car.«

 Since they were not alone outside, Alastor stopped talking about this sensitive topic. They both worked together to dispose of the doors and the stained glass window shards. Alastor looked at the last bag in the back of the car, hesitating for a moment as he pulled it out.

 »What's in the bag?« Lucifer asked curiously. 

 »The Bible I stole from the chapel.« Alastor responded beneath his breath so that others wouldn't overhear. »I should dispose of it. There is blood on some of the pages... But I don't like throwing books away, especially old ones.« 

 Lucifer hummed thoughtfully. »I recall that you read from it that night.« he said, looking around to see if anyone was close enough to hear. But they were alone at the parking lot of the car. »When I was shifted, you know...«

 Alastor opened the bag and looked down at the old book. »Hm, yes. I thought that if holy ground was working, maybe the Bible would as well.«

 Lucifer crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the car. »It could,« he said, »but your Latin sucks.« 

 Alastor scoffed at this. »Don't make fun of me. It's a dead language. How am I supposed to know how to read it out loud?«

 Amused by his silliness, Lucifer chuckled and teased him, »Well, whatever you did there didn't sound like Latin at all.«

 »You try next time.« Alastor grumbled under his breath.

 This made Lucifer laugh. »Oh, come on, don't be grumpy now! Keep the book to study and let's leave.« He didn't wait for Alastor to respond, simply opened the passanger door and jumped right in. 

 Well, it seems like it's been decided then.

 Alastor threw one last glance back at where they had disposed of the evidence, then closed the trunk. The book could come in useful, and if he doesn't keep it in his house, he should be fine, even if the police come by to snoop around. 

 When Alastor opened the car door and climbed in, a wall of heat hit him from the hot interior. He immediately turned on the ignition and rolled down all the windows, cursing under his breath at how hot it was today. Some jazz started to play on the radio as he put the car in reverse and left his parking spot. 

 Alastor asked, »Would you mind if we bought new doors before heading back? I need to replace the one in the bathroom at least. It's a bit impractical not to have one, you know?«

 Lucifer scoffed, »Yeah, sure, makes sense.« but he went awfully quiet during the car ride. Clearly he was thinking about something he wasn't sharing with Alastor. 

 So Alastor asked, »Penny for your thought?«

 Lucifer blinked a few times.

 »Oh... nothing...« he said. »I was just wondering if I should get a new door as well. But... I think I'll need something heavier. Maybe I should let someone install a vault door in my cellar. You know, like the ones you see at banks in the movies?« He gestured around with his hands for emphasis on how huge and thick it would have to be. »And maybe we should stop at the church.«

 »The church?« Alastor asked, a bit confused by this suggestion. »I thought you couldn't step onto holy ground.«

 »No, but you can.« Lucifer said, pointing at him. »So you'll go in there and steal some holy water, so I won't eat you tonight...«

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor stepped inside the church. As there was no service, the halls were rather empty. The air inside was cooler than outside, where the summer heat was relentless. Sunlight shone through the stained glass windows, casting colourful images onto the stone floor. 

 He looked at the few people sitting lonesomely on the benches, probably praying. Near the steps leading to the altar, a row of lit candles flickered beneath a statue of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus in her arms. 

 Alastor felt a little weird about walking in here to steal. But Lucifer was right, if he wanted to survive the night he needed the holy water as protection. He bit down on his lip, then settled on one of the nearby benches and clasped his hands together as if in prayer.

(*)

 In reality, he prayed to no God. After all, his prayers as a child had never freed him from his sad excuse of a father, who had beaten him day and night. 

 If God existed, he was a useless piece of shit. In the end, he had taken matters into his own hands and killed his father himself. 

(*)

 His gaze landed on the cross behind the altar, and he let out a huff. After all, if he didn't help his own son when he was nailed to a cross to die, it would be foolish to assume he would help just anyone in need. 

 Using his position to survey the entire church, he came up with a plan to steal some of the holy water. He spotted the two places where it was stored. The first was next to the altar in a basin used for baptising children, and the second was near the exit. Alastor realised that this would be a far easier target. 

 His gaze trailed over to the elderly woman in the front row. She didn't seem to be finishing her prayers any time soon, or perhaps she was just not ready to stand up from her seat yet. The man of about his age, however, looked hurried and spent more time looking at the fresco on the ceiling than actually praying. 

 I'd better wait that one out before making my move. Alastor decided, calculating how he could reach his goal most quickly. He had taken an empty bottle with him. It had been lying in his car from his previous travel. If he was quick, he could dip it into the water and fill it up. Lucifer had said it would be enough for tonight. 

 As soon as the man in front of him stood up and headed for the door, Alastor stood up too and followed him at a distance, using it as an opportunity to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. The man passed the holy water basin and dipped his fingers into it, making the sign of the cross as he left. 

 Alastor scrunched up his nose. 

 I hope Lucifer doesn't want me to drink this filthy water. Even if it is holy, I bet there are a lot of germs in there. 

 Alastor pulled an empty 0.5 litre bottle of water out of his pocket.  The men had left, and nobody was close by or looking his way. Quickly, he dunked the bottle into the water and scooped up as much as he could. Then he capped it, leaving the church in no hurry to not seem suspicious. 

 The heat outside hit him like a wall as he stepped into the bright midday sunlight. He spotted Lucifer leaning against the rental car in the car park on the other side of the road. His blonde hair glimmered golden in the sunlight, and he smiled as his icy blue eyes met his. 

 Alastor grinned and nodded slightly, showing that the mission was accomplished. He crossed the road once there were no upcoming cars and joined him on the other side »I have it.« he said.

 Lucifer gave him a thumbs up. »You've officially robbed a church of its holy water.« he said playfully, as if this were some kind of achievement.

 Alastor rolled his eyes. »Yeah, whatever.« He unlocked the car and opened the driver's door, while Lucifer jumped into the passenger seat. Without really thinking about it, Alastor held out the bottle of holy water to Lucifer and asked, »And what exactly am I supposed to do with this now?«

 Lucifer leaned away from the bottle as if it were a venomous snake facing him. »Easy with this,« he warned Alastor. »Remember, I can't touch that stuff... It stings... I'll explain later how to use it.«

 Alastor looked at the bottle of water. Some drops still clung to the outside, trailing down and dripping onto the middle console and the edge of Lucifer's seat. 

 Lucifer hissed, taking great care not to touch a single drop. »Get that away from me.« he growled. 

 Alastor chuckled. »All right, I'll put it over here then.« he said, storing the bottle in the door compartment. »Sorry about the water drops.« 

 Lucifer shot him a death glare from where he was perched on the edge of the seat, avoiding the wet patches.

 »All right then, on to our next stop.« Alastor said, starting the ignition and backing out of his parking slot. The air freshener tree dangled from the rear-view mirror and the radio started to play some jazz, filling the silence between them with its smooth tune. They drove to the next hardware store and bought replacement doors for Alastor's bathroom and back door. Before Alastor could pay for them, Lucifer swiped a golden card over the card reader and paid for both. 

 Alastor began to protest, but Lucifer silenced him immediately, pointing out that he had broken the doors and it was his duty to replace them. So, Alastor had no choice but to quietly accept this and load the new doors into the car. 

 On the drive back, Lucifer started humming along to the jazz music playing on the radio. He hit every note perfectly. Listening to his voice warmed Alastor's heart, and he found himself wondering what other sweet noises Lucifer could make. His face flushed at the thought, so he quickly dismissed it, trying to focus on driving. 

 As they drove through the pine forest back to town, the radio switched to the news. Most of it didn't interest Alastor, but he perked up when the local news came on: "In the early hours of the morning, the police found a crime scene in the middle of the woods. They had been tipped off by an anonymous caller who had stumbled upon the scene. There was no corpse, only a large puddle of blood. The police are investigating what could have happened and have refused to answer our questions so far. Could this be the blood of one of the missing persons? Velvett, the 19-year-old woman, is still missing without a trace. We will keep you updated." After this announcement, the weather forecast started.

 Lucifer and Alastor sat in silence for a long moment. 

 Finally, the small one said, »An anonymous caller? Do you think the person who texted you this morning might not have been a scammer after all?«

 Alastor's grip around the steering wheel tightened. »I don't know, Lucifer,« he admitted, keeping his voice steady so as not to show his own worries. If anyone had seen him, things could go terribly wrong. He would need to find out who it was very quickly. »It could be a coincidence. Someone might have walked past it well after we were there.« he lied.

 The small one nodded and relaxed back into his seat. »Do you think the police will be able to trace the blood back to Valentino?«

 »Probably. But things like this take time. Especially in small towns like this.« Alastor replied, »They don't have their own lab here and have to send the samples to the city. This will give us time to come up with a good alibi.«

 Lucifer cocked his head. »You think we need to fake an alibi? How would we do that?«

 Alastor smiled reassuringly at him and cast him a short glance before focusing back on the road. »The police will suspect me sooner or later. The other missing persons might not have been killed by me, but the fact that all this started when I came back to town will make them suspicious. Besides, Valentino was last seen alive by me when he confronted Angel as he left.«

 »Angel?« Lucifer asked, cocking his head. 

 »He was Valentino's boyfriend, but they had a nasty break-up.« Alastor explained.

 »Wouldn't the police see him as the main suspect?« Lucifer asked, intrigued. 

 Alastor shrugged. »He's innocent. I don't think they'll suspect him for long, as he has me and Cherrie to testify that Valentino was alive when he left. He stayed at Cherrie's place afterwards as well, so there shouldn't be any problem proving his innocence.«

 Lucifer nodded slowly. »I see,« he said, starting to fiddle with the rim of his shirt again. »Aren't you worried? About the police, I mean? You look so... composed...«

 Alastor sighed. »Well... It's not the first time I've had to deal with the police. And, with Adam there, I doubt I have anything to fear from them.«

 Lucifer scoffed, »Yeah, I see why.« but then added, more seriously, »Still, you should be on your guard.«

 »I might tell you the same.« Alastor joked. »You are the real killer after all. You have no alibi whatsoever, as you always kept to yourself in your mansion.«

 The small one crossed his arms above his chest and pouted. »I don't think they'd suspect me. I don't have the physique of someone who could overpower someone as tall as Valentino.«

 Now it was Alastor's turn to laugh. The thought of Lucifer overpowering Valentino was too good to be true. »Yeah, no, I guess you have a point... But maybe it would benefit us both if we pretended you were at my house the night Valentino died. In a way, it isn't even a lie. You were at my house, after all...« He thought back to Lucifer, in his shifted form, chasing him through his home. They'd better leave that part out of the story. 

 Lucifer shrugged. »Sure... and what would I have done all night at your place, huh?« He raised his eyebrows. »Do you want to tell them we were on a date and fucked all night?«

 Alastor was so shocked by his suggestion that he lost control of the car for a split second. The tyres screeched as the car drifted across the road. Luckily, they were pretty much alone. »Lucifer-« Alastor gasped in surprise.

 The small one chuckled. »What?« he teased, knowing damn well what he had just done. »You gotta admit it would be a good cover-up. We live in the same damn town, it's not like my house was to far away to walk home after a movie night or whatever.«

Alastor's cheeks burned. He kept seeing snippets of Lucifer's naked body from when he had shifted back. God, why? He shook his head, trying to get ridd of the images. 

 They arrived in town shortly afterwards. Alastor parked the car in the garage and Lucifer helped him unload and install the doors. Alastor had to adjust the doors to fit ground level and cut a section off, but they ended up fitting perfectly. 

 As the day slowly neared it's end, Alastor noticed how Lucifer became increasingly anxious. The police hadn't arrived yet. Apparently, Valentino's disappearance hadn't been noticed yet.

 Good.

 As they tidied up the supplies they had used to install the doors, Lucifer said, »It would be best if you'd come over to my house so we can set up a safe space for you for tonight with the holy water.« then he added »I don't wanna break your brand new doors haha.« laughing awkwardly.

 Alastor snorted »Sure.« and put he electric saw on the workbench in his garage. He walked over to the car, opened the driver's door, and picked out the bottle. »But how exactly do you plan on using it?« he asked, shaking the water bottle playfully before slamming the car door shut. 

 Lucifer sighed. »Basically, we'll either trap me inside of a room or keep me out of yours by pouring a puddle of holy water in front of the door...« 

 Alastor huffed. »You're joking, right?« he had thought this would involve some kind of ritual or magic and was rather dissapointed by this outcome. But then he notice'd Lucifer's hands tremble, realizeing the small one wasn't jokeing anymore.

 Lucifer quickly hid his hands behind his back. »The problem with pouring the water in front of my door is that, once the night is over, I have to leave the room somehow. Even as a human, the damn holy water burns like fire...«

 Alastor suggested, »Then it would make more sense to pour it in front of my door.

 Lucifer nodded, »Yes, I guess.«

 Alastor thought about it for a while. »Aren't you worried you might hunt other sinners outside? This might keep me out of your reach but it won't stop you from wander around town.« 

 Lucifer shook his head. »Uhm... I'm rather fixated on you when you're around...« he said, avoiding his gaze, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. 

 Alastor was slightly amused by this. »I mean, we can try.« he said. 

 »We will leave some holy water in the bottle. If I somehow get inside your room, just throw it at me. It'll hurt me enough for you to escape.« 

 Alastor didn't like that idea. »I'd rather not hurt you, even in that form.« he admitted.

 »Well it's that or I will end up killing you, Al.« Lucifer said crossing his arms. 

 Alastor thought for a moment before an idea popped into his mind. With a smug smile, he said »Fine, but let me pack a few things for the night before we leave.« 

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor followed Lucifer into his vast mansion, carrying a small bag containing his night-time essentials. Their footsteps echoed in the grand entrance hall, which featured an imposing staircase and a giant chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Small light bulbs had been mounted on it, and a few of them failed to light up when Lucifer switched on the room's lights. 

 »So... uhm... the guest rooms are upstairs.« Lucifer stuttered. »I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I don't want to risk breaking into your house again and damaging things on the way. It's better for you to stay here for tonight...«

 Alastor offered him a gentle smile. »I don't mind staying over.« he said, following him up the stairs. The red carpet on the steps gave the house a royal air, even though it was in bad shape and needed cleaning. 

 As they reached the top of the stairs, Lucifer guided him past a long row of doors, all of which looked the same. It was impossible to tell how he differentiated the rooms behind them from each other. Lucifer paused in front of one of them and opened it. Beyond lay a bedroom bigger than Alastor's living room and kitchen combined. The king-sized bed, made of fine oak, immediately grabbed Alastor's attention. It looked like something from an antique shop, with floral ornaments engraved into it and red silk sheets. To the left and right of it were two matching bedside tables. Identical lamps stood on them. The 'guest room' had its own living area with sofas, bookshelves, and a fireplace. 

 He must have picked the most impressive one, right?
 
 »I hope the smallest guest room will be enough.« Lucifer said, rubbing his neck as he looked around. »I replaced the sheets last week, so I thought this would be a better choice.«

Alastor blinked down at Lucifer. »This is the smallest?« he asked in shock. »That's more than enough, dear.« He could not believe how huge the rooms in this mansion were, and he wondered how much it must have cost. I knew Lucifer's family was wealthy, but still! 

 Lucifer chuckled awkwardly. »Ha-ha, yeah...« He turned and headed towards a door on his right. »So, uhm... your bathroom is here.« he said, opening the door and flicking on the lights to reveal a white-tiled bathroom with golden appliances and a lion-pawed bathtub. 

 Alastor's eye twitched at the sight of it. If this is his smallest room, I can't imagine what his biggest, most luxurious one looks like.

 »Feel free to shower or bathe...« Lucifer said, averting his gaze as his cheeks turned faintly red. »Anyway, we should probably quickly set up the holy water.« He turned and walked towards the door. »If we pour it on the tiles in front of the door, I shouldn't be able to get in.« he said, pointing to the floor. »This room has only one way in, and the walls of the mansion are made of solid brick, so I don't think I will be able to get in, even in my fully shifted form.« he explained.

 Alastor followed him quietly. One question had been on his mind since they arrived, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer. »What will you do? I mean, will you take any precautions in your room as well?«

 Lucifer froze. He didn't answer right away, clearly taking his time to choose his words. »I've set up a crate and chains in my room, where I'll lock myself in. That might not be able to keep the monster busy for the whole night, but it will at least delay it enough for you to get some sleep.« 

 »Can I see it?« Alastor asked carefully. At least he wanted to know where Lucifer's room was in this huge mansion. 

 Lucifer nodded. »Sure, but first pour the water here.« He stepped into the hallway, a few steps away for safety. »Keep the rest with you.«

 Alastor did as he was told and poured a puddle of water in front of the door. He swept over the checker tiles a bit to spread it neatly across the whole length of the door. Then he wiped his wet hands on his trousers.

 Lucifer glanced at it, clearly taking a mental note not to touch it, before leading Alastor through the long corridor back to the staircase and through another hallway. It looked like a mirrored version of the hallway in which the guest rooms were located, except that the walls were covered in blue floral wallpaper, and a few oil paintings in golden, baroque-style frames were hanging here and there. One particularly big one caught Alastor's attention. The painting showed a naked woman with silky blond hair facing a monster that looked rather familiar. 

 Alastor paused in front of it, taking in the monster's white and red fur, long horns, and hooves. It looked almost exactly like Lucifer, except for the six red and white wings sprouting from its back. The woman was gently caressing its forehead. Alastor noticed she bared a bright red pentagram mark on her neck, just like him. They were both standing in a forest, surrounded by tall trees with the moon and night sky above them.

 Alastor looked down at the title engraved on the frame: 'Starbound'. 

 »This image is from the 1600s.« Lucifer's voice startled Alastor. He turned to look at the small one, who was looking up at the image in deep thought. »At least that's what my father told me... He said the curse goes way back. Maybe it's as old as humans themselves.«

 Alastor raised his eyebrows. »What's the oldest trace of the curse you have?« he asked, sceptical that the curse had been around for so long. 

 »Depends« Lucifer muttered.

 »On what?«

 Lucifer hesitated, before answering, »If you want to count the Bible itself or not.«

 Alastor looked at him in shock. »What?«

 Lucifer just gave him a sad smile then turned to resume his walk to his quarters. »It's said that the root of the curse is Lucifer himself, the biblical one.«

 Alastor followed him, somewhat surprised by this revelation. »And you believe that?«

 Lucifer shrugged. »I don't know what to believe,« he said, halting in front of his bedroom door. Glancing back at Alastor, he said, »All I know is that the curse itself is very real and has been around much longer than that painting on the wall.« He pushed the door open and switched on the lights, revealing a room bigger than the one Alastor had settled in, decorated in a similar way, but much messier. Clothes were piled on an armchair near the bed, whose sheets had been tossed up. Paperwork was scattered on the desk, and there were empty cups and glasses on the bedside table. Books, lots of books, were stacked in little towers here and there. 

 Lucifer navigated this mess with ease, barely paying attention to it, as he led Alastor to a door at the back, which he swung open. In the middle of the small empty room was a huge metal crate. »It's usually used for tigers or something like that.« Lucifer said. »I hope it will hold up better than the last one...«

 Alastor recalled there having been a few nights when the monster hadn't paid him a visit, and he wondered if that was because it had been locked in a crate like this. »How long did the last one hold up?« he asked, inspecting the crate. It looked brand new. There were no scratch marks or anything.

 »Well, the last one was a dog crate. It only lasted one night. But I've got stronger since then, and it took a while for this one to be delivered.« He sighed. »I was about to lock myself in last night when a sudden surge of sin in town caused me to lose control even before night had fully fallen.« 

 Alastor felt a pang of guilt at this. It probably had been when he had started to torture Valentino. He averted his gaze and cleared his throat. »Sorry about that.«

 Lucifer just shook his head. »What happened, happened.« he sighed, looking at the crate in displeasure. »It's soon getting dark, you better go to your room... Get some rest, as long as you can.«

 Yet Alastor didn't want to leave. He thought back to the scream of agony the small one had let out when shifting. The pain he had been in. His heart ached at the thought of him suffering through this every single night. »Don't you want to put a blanket in there at least?«

 Lucifer cocked his head. »I wouldn't have any use for that in my shifted form. I gave up on putting things in the crate a while ago, as I always found them shredded into confetti the next morning.« He opened the crate door as if he was about to lock himself in, but then paused and looked back at him. »Uhm... Do you need something?«

 Alastor hesitated. »Can't I stay with you?« he ended up asking. Even though they had spent all day together he found himself unwilling to leave the small one. Especially... like this. 

 Lucifer blinked at him, confusion written all over his face. »You're not really safe here, Al. Even with the crate... You should go to your room, where you are protected.«

 »It's not even dark yet.« Alastor argued, looking at the closed shutters. Through the slits, one could see that there was still some light outside. 

 Lucifer shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. »It almost is though...« he pointed out, his expression softening as he offered Alastor a sweet smile. »It's all right. Don't worry about me. I'm used to this, Al. It's best if I just lock myself up where I can't harm anyone. That's just the way it is.«

 But it shouldn't be that way. Alastor thought to himself. He didn't like Lucifer being locked up. No matter whether he was a monster or not. However, he kept his thoughts to himself and just nodded. »All right.« he muttered, turning to leave. But then he halted as he reached the door. He turned back around and watched Lucifer step into the crate and lock himself in by reaching through the bars with his small shakey hands. 

 What an odd sight. Alastor found himself even more convinced that this was wrong. 

 Noticing that Alastor was still standing in the doorway, Lucifer cast him a gentle smile and said in a voice sweet as honey, »Good night, Alastor.«

 Alastor felt his cheeks flush and took far too long to reply with a tiny, »Good night, Lucifer.« Then he left in a rush, feeling flustered and confused. 

 He returned to the guest room, stepping over the puddle of holy water to safety. The strain of the long, eventful day and the sleepless night before had taken a toll on him. It wasn't until he had finished his bedtime routine and settled into the very soft, comfy bed that he realised how tired he was.

 Despite his mind being preoccupied with thoughts of what Lucifer must be going through at that very moment, he found himself dozing off into some much-needed sleep...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Alastor's eyes snapped wide open. He was lying in complete darkness, yet he knew instinctively that he wasn't at home. What had woken him in the dead of the night, was a sharp sting on his neck. His stomach dropped when a loud snarl echoed through the room. 

 Oh fuck! 

 Quickly, he reached for the bedside table lamp and searched for the light switch. In his haste, he knocked something over and hit his glasses which he had put there earlier. Finally, he found the switch and turned the light on. Adrenaline coursed through his body and the mark burned hot on his skin. However, when he put his glasses on, he found that he was alone in his room.

 The snarling was coming from outside. 

 Alastor glanced at the floor and saw the bottle of holy water that had fallen off his bedside table, slowly rolling over the wooden floorboards before coming to a halt at the edge of a red antique carpet. Right... the holy water. His sleepy brain recalled. Lucifer can't cross it. I'm safe. Sighing, Alastor relaxed back against the headboard of the bed, his eyes still fixed on the door. 

 There were some scratching noises, followed by a roar that shook the mansion's walls. The chandelier dangling from the ceiling swayed slightly, the decorative glass diamonds clinking together in the process. 

 He sounds so frustrated... Alastor thought. A weird part of him was curious about the beast. He knew it was dangerous, and yet... he recalled how soft and fluffy its fur was. Alastor grabbed the bedsheets tightly.  

 I must be crazy.

Alastor thought, pushing his bedsheet aside. His heart pounded faster in his chest as he slipped his legs out from beneath the covers and his feet touched the wooden floor. Walking as quietly as possible, he crept towards the door. The snarl was getting louder. He could even feel the vibration of the noise in the metal of the doorknob as he turned it and opened his bedroom door just a slit wide. 

 On the other side, a towering dark shadow with four red glowing eyes awaited him. The monster bared its razor-sharp teeth, narrowing its eyes at him as saliva dripped from its gaping maw into the puddle of holy water in front of the door. 

 Seeing that it wasn't moving, Alastor opened the door wider. The dim light of the lamp barely cast a glow on the monster's white and red fur.

 The mark on his neck pulsed like a rapid heartbeat. The heat surging up now that the beast was so close.

 »Lucifer?« Alastor asked hesitantly, wanting to check if he was in enough control to talk. 

 Suddenly, the monster jolted forward, its white, sharp teeth flashing right in front of Alastor's face. 

 Yelping, Alastor stumbled backwards, tripped over the carpet, and fell onto his ass. His heart hammered in his chest, and for a moment he thought he had made a mistake, but when he looked up, he saw that the monster hadn't crossed the puddle of holy water. Its head was just above the surface, but its paws were firmly on the ground, not daring to step into the holy water. 

 Alastor's heartbeat matched the rhythm of the pulsing mark on his neck. He panted for air, feeling his legs turn to jelly from fright. The monster's eyes were fixed on him. There was no humanity in them. They were purely animalistic, instinct-driven. However, when it looked down at the puddle and then back at Alastor, he realised his terrible mistake.  

 The monster would not step into the holy water, but it could jump over it now that the door was wide open. 

 And Alastor could see in Lucifer's eyes that he had the same idea. He’d underestimated its intelligence.

 »Fuck!« Alastor cursed, scrambling forward to reach the door, but he was too slow. Lucifer jumped over the puddle and pounced at him at the same time. 

 »Shit!« Alastor gasped as the world spun around him. The air got knocked out of his chest as his back hit the hard ground and he found himself pinned beneath the monster. Its maw opened wide, and long strings of saliva dripped down onto the carpet next to Alastor. 

 Remembering the bottle of holy water, Alastor reached behind himself, his hand searching blindly for the bottle close to the carpet's rim. Panic rose inside of him as he couldn't find it. He didn't dare look away, fearing that he wouldn't be able to dodge an attack if he took his eyes off the monster. 

 »Lucifer!« he called, trying to bring his friend back to reason. But he was too far gone. He knew the small one had no control over the monster right now. 

 A string of saliva dripped down onto Alastor's cheek as a deep growl resonated in his body, sending a chill down Alastor's spine. 

 That's when he finally touched the water bottle with his fingertips. His hand had become sweaty, causing it to slip out of his grasp for a horrible moment before he grabbed it firmly and pulled it closer. »B-back off! I have holy water!« Alastor warned the monster. 

 But the monster didn't listen it swiped it's claws at him and Alastor instinctively held the bottle in front of him to protect himself.

 The moment the clawed hand of the monster touched the bottle, it roared up, its voice almost sounding like a scream. It backed off, freeing Alastor from its hold. 

 Alastor took a few deep, shaky breaths. That was fucking close. He thought. Then he sat up and wiped the saliva off his cheek. 

 With another deep growl, Lucifer started to circle Alastor like a lion circling its prey. His hackles rose and his four red, glowing eyes fixed on Alastor. His long, pointed tail flicked behind him like a cat's tail. His long, sharp claws dug into the floorboards, and his ears were pinned back against his scalp. 

 »Lucifer, please,« Alastor said. »I really don't want to hurt you.« He stood up, but found his legs were shaking. I mean, who wouldn't be a bit shaken up by nearly getting eaten alive? 

 Alastor held out the bottle of water as if it were some kind of weapon, shaking it a few times to make the water splash around inside. 

 The monster's eyes narrowed, hatred flaring up in them. It snarled and took a step towards him. 

 »No! Back off!« Alastor shouted firmly. 

 The monster hesitated, eyeing him from head to toe, as if assessing whether he would really be a danger to it. 

 Shit. I need a better plan if I don't want to end up as its next meal. Shivering at the thought, he recalled what he had packed in his bag. Without taking his eyes off the monster, he slowly backed away towards his bed, where his bag was resting against the bedside table. 

 The monster observed him intently, not moving. It looked calculating, as if waiting for a moment of inattentiveness to charge at him.

 Alastor, however, did not take his eyes off him for even a second. Reaching blindly for the bag, he flipped open the cover and reached inside. His hands searched through the soft fabric of the clothes he had stuffed into it. He swiped away a charger that he had thrown in loosely and searched for the plastic. Oh, there it is!

 With a wide grin on his face, Alastor dragged the rubber duck out of his bag and presented it to the beast. »Haha! Look what I have here!«

 The monster didn't react the way he had hoped, though. It just kept snarling and took a step closer, challenging him. 

 Alastor cocked his head. »Last time you liked the rubber duck...« 

 The monster took another step closer. 

 So... Alastor squeezed the duck.

 Squeeeeeek! 

 The monster's ears pricked up and its eyes widened in surprise. 

 Now that's better!

 But the effect was lost as quickly as it had appeared. The beast's ears pinned back again and its eyes narrowed. 

 »Oh, come on!« Alastor groaned. He made the duck squeak a few more times, but aside from distracting the beast a little, it had little to no effect. When Lucifer got too close, Alastor warned it, »Listen now! We can do this the good way or the bad way! Either you can be a nice little monster and play with the rubber duck, or I'll have to hurt you.« He lifted the bottle as if he was about to hit the monster's face and watched in shock as it flinched and ducked down. 

 Something deep inside Alastor shattered as he saw its eyes squeeze shut and ears flatten in anticipation of a hit that never came.

(*)

 All memories of him flinching under his father's beatings flashed through Alastor's mind, taking his breath away. His eyes widened in shock, and the nearly empty bottle suddenly felt too heavy in his hand.

(*)

 When the monster opened its eyes, Alastor could see his own reflection holding the bottle high up. 

 Unable to bear seeing this, he made the crazy, maybe even foolish, decision to throw the bottle away. It smacked against the wall, dropped to the ground, and rolled away, far out of his reach. 

 The monster stared at it. How it lay on the floor, close to the bathroom door. Then it looked up at Alastor, with an expression that almost seemed to show human confusion. 

 Alastor took a shaky breath. Sweat had formed on his forehead, and he blinked some haze out of his eyes. »I won't hurt you.« he said, kneeling down onto the floor. He felt his legs weaken, knowing he was now helpless against a monster the size of a grown bear. »I don't care if you end up killing me. I won't ever hurt you again.«

 The monster looked down at him, slowly raising back up to its full size. It loomed above him, all four eyes fixed on him. 

 With a shaky hand, Alastor held out the rubber duck and let it squeak again. »I'd rather be friends, though...« he suggested, holding it out to the monster. 

 The monster blinked slowly, one eye at a time, looking at him, then the duck, then him again. Clearly, it hadn't decided yet. Alastor squeezed the duck again and offered a shy smile. »I know I am a sinner,« he muttered. He then bared his neck to show the monster his red, glowing mark. »But I am also your mate... Would you let me prove myself to you?«

 The monster didn't move for a long moment. It felt like eternity, as if time itself had stopped. The room was eerily quiet, and the tension was suffocating. 

Alastor closed his eyes, ready for whatever decision the monster made. 

 When he felt a snarl vibrate through him, he knew it was over.

 But then he heard a flopping sound and felt something warm push against his side. 

 Alastor hesitantly opened his eyes to see the monster nuzzling against his side and nudging the arm holding the rubber duck. It had layed down next to him giving up it's fighting stance.

 A a heavy weight lift off Alastor's chest. Thank God. He held out the duck for it, and the monster picked it up with its maw, leaving some saliva on it's verge.

 Ew... Alastor thought, swiping it off onto his pyjama bottoms. 

 Squeak-squeak!

 The monster chewed on the toy duck and curled up next to Alastor on the floor. 

 He couldn't believe it had worked. After all, he had been sure the monster would kill him now that he had no weapon against it. 

 Hesitantly, he glanced at it, taking in its huge, fluffy frame.

 »Lucifer? Can you... hear me?« he asked carefully, wanting to check if Lucifer was now more concious and able to talk. 

 The monster didn't respond, just kept chewing on the rubber duck. Clearly entranced by it. 

 Alastor sighed and just watched it for a while. He noticed how Lucifer leaned more and more against him, as if searching for contact and wondered if that meant he could pet him. 

 Hesitantly he moved his hand closer to the fluffy beast... then very carefully layed his hand on top of it's back. 

 When the monster didn't protest or bite at him he started to stroke it gently, digging his finger's into it's white coat. 

 I think... this might work...

Chapter Text

~Alastor's POV~

 Through the slots in the shutters, Alastor could see the darkness of the night slowly fading into the dusky blue of the early morning. A few more hours would pass before the sun would rise, but if his estimation was correct, Lucifer might soon regain control of his body. 

 He hadn't moved since he started petting the beast. His back ached from sitting on the hard floor, yet he didn't dare change position fearing he'd lose the privilege of feeling Lucifer's warm body pressed against his. He dug his fingers into the soft, white fur of Lucifer's neck. It was thicker there, like a lion's mane, and he watched one of Lucifer's ears twitch as he leaned into his touch. In the dim light of the lamp, it was barely noticeable, but the fur around his neck had a light blonde undertone reminiscent of Lucifer's hair in its unshifted form. Alastor's gaze wandered to the red marks on Lucifer's back. He wondered, not for the first time, what they could represent. Six long, oval-shaped red spots spread from beneath his shoulder blades down his back. Does it have a meaning? Like my mark?

 Hesitantly, Alastor brushed his fingertips over the pentagram on his neck. It was still hot, but it felt slightly different to how it had felt when the monster had been hunting him. Its pulse was slow and even, just like Lucifer's breathing. The heat was still there, but it no longer felt like it was trying to melt his skin. Alastor theorised that it was influenced not only by proximity to Lucifer's monster form, but also by their emotional connection. Or maybe it was just the monster's mood? He wasn't quite sure yet. 

The rubber duck was resting between the monster's front paws. It had laid its head in Alastor's lap and snuggled up to him, closing its eyes as he continued to pet it and brush his fingers through its fur. Intrigued to see if it would react to his wandering touch, he let his fingers glide down its back towards the red marks on its skin. 

 When he reached the red marks, Lucifer's eyes snapped open. He lifted his head from Alastor's lap. Four red, glowing eyes stared straight into Alastor's, silently asking a question he could not quite decipher. But he could feel the mark on his neck surge back up, its pulse increasing. 

 »Do you want me to stop?« Alastor asked carefully. 

 The monster blinked, and its ears flicked. Alastor was about to ask again when a voice suddenly resonated in his mind. »Do you have no survival instinct at all?« It was Lucifer's voice. 

 Alastor immediately retracted his hand, his eyes widening. »Lucifer, have you regained control?« his thoughts spilled out. 

 Lucifer stood up and shook some of the tension out of his body. »Yes,« he responded, walking a few steps before turning and sitting down, his pointed tail curling around his legs like a cat's would. His eyes darted over to where the bottle of holy water was lying. »You're lucky the monster isn't hungry, since it ate that sinner the other night. Don't be fooled into thinking you can negotiate with my feral form every night.« 

 Alastor could not hide his disappointment at that statement. He looked down at the rubber duck on the ground next to the bed. »So you think you'll turn against me once you're hungry?« 

 Lucifer nodded. »Yes... I will turn feral once I'm starving for sinners again. In a few days, maybe a week...« he said. His gaze trailed to the closed shutters.  His ears flattened and his expression shifted to one of concern. 

 »What's wrong?« Alastor asked. 

 »The sun is rising,« he replied. »and Shifting hurts like hell... One would think you'd get used to it, but you don't... It still hurts.«

 Alastor recalled the last shift he had witnessed and asked, »How can I make this easier for you?«

 Lucifer gave him a confused look. »Easier? Every single bone will be broken and grow back together. There's no way to make this easier.«

 Alastor cocked his head. »Last time, you were very feverish when you shifted back. Exhausted... I wasn't quite sure how to help you. How did your parents help you?«

 Lucifer averted his gaze »They didn't,« he replied. »I was left to deal with it alone.« He thought for a moment. »Most of the time, I just lay on the tiled floor of the cave because it helped bring my body temperature back down.« he recalled. 

 Alastor's gaze trailed over to the bathroom. »How about a cold shower«

 Lucifer turned his head to look at the bathroom. »You want to... shower me?«

 Alastor, realising that he would see Lucifer fully naked in that case, felt his face flush. He pushed up his glasses, trying to hide his red cheeks. »Well... only if you want?«

 Lucifer thought about it for a moment. After a long, awkward silence, he finally broke it, saying, »A cold shower would help me cool off... Maybe a warm bath afterwards to get the tension out of my muscles...« He sounded hesitant.  

 »All right, let me fill the tub first so it's ready for right after the shower.« Alastor walked past him, trying to hide his flushed face, and opened the bathroom door to look at the lion-pawed bathtub. The golden appliances were clean and shiny, and he took a moment to find the right setting to fill the tub with warm water. »Do you want me to put soap in? Maybe some bubbles?«

 Lucifer replied, »Yes, there should be some on the counter.«

 Alastor found some apple-scented soap and wondered if it was the same kind that Lucifer regularly used, since he always smelled of apples. He poured some into the bathtub and watched the bubbles form inside the tub.

 At least this way, he won't feel like I'm staring at his lower parts. Alastor caught himself thinking, blushing anew. 

 Suddenly, he noticed the mark on his neck pulse faster and warm up. He turned to look at Lucifer and saw that he had been staring at his ass. »Are you all right?« Alastor asked, watching Lucifer flinch and turn quickly, as if he had caught him doing something unholy. 

 It was then that Alastor realised that Lucifer was at least as flustered by this as he was. He approached the door, the water still splashing into the tub behind him. 

 Lucifer had turned his back on him. His tail was flicking as if he were agitated. 

 »You know... I don't mind if you look at me,« Alastor said, rubbing the back of his neck. 

 Lucifer's whole body stiffened. 

 Alastor stepped closer to him. »Lucifer...«

 »D-don't come any closer. « Lucifer warned him.

 Alastor froze, unsure of what he might have set off. »What's wrong?« he asked carefully. »Did I do something wrong?«

 Lucifer's ears pinned back against his scalp. The fur on the back of his neck puffed up. »No,« he said shortly. His claws dug into the floorboards beneath him. 

 Alastor could not see Lucifer's expression as he had turned his back on him, but he could feel his pulse beating faster through the mark on his neck. 

 If he's not upset with me...

 Then it clicked.

 Oh.

 Alastor felt his cheeks flush as he realised why Lucifer was probably facing away and so adamant that he did not come closer. For some weird reason, his mind trailed back to earlier, when the monster had pinned him down. He remembered the way the growl had vibrated through his body, sending shivers down his spine. Alastor felt a strange tingling sensation rise in his belly, and his dick twitched with interest. 

 Deciding to give them both a moment to cool off, he returned to the bathroom to check the water temperature. The splash of the water filling the tub was loud in his ears and a good amount of foam had built up. With all the bubbles, one could barely see the bottom of it. The water was perhaps a little too hot, but it would surely cool down in the meantime. Alastor decided as he stired the bubbles around, holding his hand into it. 

 When Alastor turned off the tap and suddenly heard a loud roar that turned into a scream from the other room. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly ran back, only to find Lucifer,  his human form, curled up on the bedroom floor. His whole body was covered in sweat, and he was shivering. 

»Fuck!« Alastor cursed. »You could have told me you were about to shift.« He rushed over and picked Lucifer up without asking any more questions. Lucifer's eyes were squeezed shut as he gasped for air. His body was light and limp in his arms. If it were not for Lucifer's grip on his shirt, Alastor would have thought him to have lost consciousness. He rushed him into the bathroom, stepped into the shower without a second thought and turned on the water at the coolest setting. 

 The shower head turned on and ice-cold water rained down on them both. Alastor gasped as the cold water soaked his clothes and ran down his body. He wanted to jump out, but forced himself to stay beneath the cold water. Lucifer was finally relaxing in his arms.

 The small one let out a sigh of relief, his hand stopping to clutch at Alastor's shirt. »Fuck, this feels good,« he groaned. His voice resonated off the shower walls and mixed with the sound of water dripping onto the tiled floor. 

 Alastor could barely see clearly since his glasses were now covered in water droplets, but he offered Lucifer a kind smile nonetheless. They stayed like this for a while. By the time Lucifer had cooled off, Alastor's clothes were drenched and his brown hair was curling up and sticking to his forehead. »Are you feeling better?« he asked.

 Lucifer shivered in his arms as he blinked some water out of his eyes and answered »Yes... That's enough, I think.«

 Alastor turned off the shower and carried Lucifer over to the bathtub. »Can you hold yourself up?« he asked. 

 The small one nodded. 

 Gently, Alastor helped him settle into the bubble-filled tub and watched him cautiously as he held onto the rim while sitting down. 
 
 Lucifer looked exhausted. He eyed Alastor from head to toe, thought for a moment, then asked, »Do you want to join me?« 

 Alastor's thoughts screeched to a halt. »Wait, what?«

 Lucifer shifted slightly in the water, making space for him. »I thought you might want to join me... you know, to warm yourself up? You're soaked...«

 Alastor felt his cheeks burn. The thought of being this close to Lucifer was tempting beyond measure. He looked down at his drenched pyjamas and asked, »If you don't mind...?«

 The small one turned and averted his gaze. »Sure... I won't look while you undress, I promise.«

 Cute. Alastor thought, taking in the sight of Lucifer's flushed cheeks, as he focused his gaze on the bathroom tiles. 

 Alastor suppressed a chuckle. His pyjama top felt heavy and stuck to his skin as he pulled it over his head. It fell with a wet thud onto the bathroom tiles as he dropped it. Then he pushed his soaked trousers and underwear down at the same time. 

 Carefully, he stepped into the tub behind Lucifer. The water was delightfully warm. Not too hot, and a welcome relief after the cold shower. He settled into it, letting out a sigh of appreciation as the water level reached his chest. Alastor leaned against the back of the tub and looked at Lucifer, who was still facing away from him. »You can turn now.« He signaled to him. 

 Lucifer looked over his shoulder at him, his deep blue eyes searching his. He looked exhausted, as if he could barely keep awake. No wonder, he had been up almost all night in his shifted form. 

 Alastor suddenly recalled how the monster had touched the bottle of holy water when it tried to attack him. »Show me your hand.« he demanded, holding out his own. 

 The small one had hidden both of his hands beneath the water surface and looked slightly startled by his request. He then turned and hesitantly placed his injured hand in Alastor's.

 Alastor leaned forward to inspect it. The palm of his hand was reddened as if burned. Had he not known better, he would have thought that Lucifer had put it on the stove in an inattentive moment. »This looks bad. We should apply some cream to it after the bath,« he murmured.

 Lucifer, however, shook his head. »No need. I heal pretty fast.« 

 Alastor recalled the bullet wound on Lucifer's upper leg that was no longer visible. »That's fascinating,« he admitted, »but I'd rather take care of it nonetheless. It might help with the pain at least.«

 Lucifer nodded slowly. His eyes were slightly hazy, and he seemed to be struggling to stay awake.

 Alastor let go of his hand. »Would you like to sleep for a while? I'll keep your head out of the water.« he suggested, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture. He watched Lucifer's blush deepen. 

 »Are you serious?«

 »Dead serious.« Alastor made it clear. 

 For a moment, they just stared at each other. Finally, Lucifer caved in and shifted his position. The bubbles on the surface of the water wiggled as he leaned back against Alastor, his back flush against his chest. His skin felt warm and soft to the touch.

 Alastor wrapped his arms around Lucifer, holding him tightly against his chest. The sweet, apple-scented aroma of his blond hair tickled his nose. After a moment, he could feel Lucifer relax in his embrace. 

 The small one closed his eyes as Alastor caressed his chest beneath the water in a soothing motion and observed how his breathing slowed and deepened. 

 After a while, Alastor was convinced that Lucifer had fallen asleep in his arms. 

 He is so beautiful... he thought, looking down at him, feeling lucky that he trusted him enough to be this close.

(*)

 I can count each of his eyelashes being up so close. Just as he was focusing on them, Lucifer's ice-blue eyes blinked open, and their gazes met. 

 The sight took Alastor's breath away. How striking they were up close. So deep. He could see Lucifer's pupils dilate in real time, and the tremble in his gaze as he focused on Alastor's in return. It made his heart skip a beat and sent blood straight to his cock... which was pressed against Lucifer's back. 

 Oh, for fuck's sake! Don't get hard now! He'd notice right away! He was supposed to be taking care of Lucifer after his shifting, and this was really not the moment to get turned on. 

 Alastor broke eye contact, his face flushing bright red as his heart hammered in his chest, much as it had earlier when the monster had towered over him. Don't think about that now, you fool!

 »Al?« Lucifer's voice was silky and as light as a feather. 

 »W-what?« Alastor asked, still not daring to meet his gaze again. 

 The popping of the few remaining bubbles around them was the only sound for a moment before Lucifer shifted. The water rippled as he pressed his back harder against Alastor's gradually hardening cock. 

 Alastor gasped in surprise, letting go of Lucifer's body and grabbing the rim of the bathtub in a nonsensical motion triggered by some deep fight-or-flight instinct. His heart pounded in his chest and resonated in his ears. 

 Now freed from Alastor's grasp, Lucifer turned around in the bathtub and said, »Look at me, Alastor.« Lucifer demanded in a voice sweet as honey. 

 When Alastor did, he was met with a breathtaking sight. Lucifer's flawless, pale body was from his chest down beneath the surface of the water, but he could see all very clear now that the bubbles were gone. His wet blonde hair stuck to his forehead and curled at the ends, and a cocky smile played on his lips as their eyes met. He didn't look exhausted anymore. The haze in his eyes had been replaced by a playful underlying expression. »Where is your mind right now, hm?« Lucifer asked.

 Alastor's thoughts were clouded and the words spilled out of him without thinking »At how you pinned me down earlier.«

 Lucifer cocked his head »Earlier?« he thought for a moment »I didn't-« he stopped mid sentence, eyes widening in realisation »You mean when I almost ATE you?« 

 Alastor felt like a spotlight was shining right at him, he shifted uncomfortably, which resulted in more friction and made him stop dead in is tracks. »Maybe« he admitted. His cock throbbed and it was hard to focus. »Do you think I'm weird?«

 It took Lucifer a moment to reply. His gaze trailed down Alastor's body to the parts beneath the water's surface. He bit his lip. His eyes snapped back up to meet his. »More like I'm surprised,« he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. »Al, I honestly haven't really had much experience with stuff like this...« he said, pointing between them, his face turning a deeper shade of red. 

 Seeing Lucifer so flustered made Alastor's heart melt. He sat up and took Lucifer's hand in his »Well, I am no virgin, though this is my first time with a man« he purred.

 Suddenly, the mark on Alastor's neck started to pulse and Lucifer's eyes flashed red. He growled »Nobody should even touch what is mine.« He fixated on him like on prey, something feral laying in his gaze, his body tense as if he were about to strike. 

 Alastor froze for a second, confused by how much this sight turned him on. His voice was low, barely more than a whisper, as he assured him, »I am yours, my dear...« He leaned forward, entranced by the unnatural glow of Lucifer's eyes and the rapid pulse of the mark on his neck. Like a heartbeat... his heartbeat. It was mesmerising, resonating inside him like a melody they both shared. »You are the only one I want, Lucifer.« he breathed out. 

 Lucifer's eyes softened as he closed the gap between them, brushing his lips over Alastor's for a feather-light kiss. As if he were afraid of hurting him. He retreated, locking eyes with him.
 
 Alastor grinned »It has some benefits I was with others before... Let me show you how they kiss in Paris...« he said pressing a more demanding kiss onto his lips. When he parted his lips he could feel the pulse of the mark skip a beat, before Lucifer opened wide for him. Pleased to see him so compliant, Alasor sliped his tongue teasingly over Lucifer's lips before deepening their kiss and meeting his tongue with his. 

 Lucifer groaned, matching the movement with his tongue. His hands, traced down from Alastor's neck and mark to his chest, and then beneath the surface of the water to his aching cock. When Lucifer hesitantly wrapped his hand around the base of Alastor's cock, it sent a shiver through his entire body. 

 Alastor indulged in their kiss, never getting enough of Lucifer's taste. The tingling feeling in his belly had grown more intense, and even Lucifer's slightest touch felt like it was setting his skin ablaze. »Lucifer,« he gasped for air between kisses. »Please,« he said, not knowing what he was pleading for exactly. More? Less? Continue? Stop? 

 Lucifer wrapped his hand firmly around Alastor's throbbing cock and gave it a single pump. Alastor took a sharp breath and bit down on his lip. Even though Lucifer was shorter than him, he had the eyes of a predator watching its prey, and part of Alastor was very much into letting him do whatever he wanted to him. 

 »Do you want to take this to the bedroom?« Lucifer asked, a grin curling his lips. 

 They both knew the answer to that. »Yes,« Alastor said it out loud nonetheless, and watched Lucifer rise out of the water. The drops trailed down his perfect body, giving Alastor a very prominent view of his hardened cock. Lucifer reached past him for a towel that had been hanging on a hook on the wall. He must have noticed Alastor's stare, because he asked, »Like what you see?«

 Alastor swallowed hard, dragging his gaze off Lucifer's cock and up to his face. »I do.« he admitted. Then he leaned forward and asked, »May I?«

 Lucifer raised his eyebrows, but nodded to give his consent. 

 Alastor wrapped his long fingers around Lucifer's thick cock, deciding on a whim to take a taste. He licked from the base to the tip, hearing Lucifer take in a sharp breath above him. Then he wrapped his lips around the cock's head. He had never done this before, nor had he ever wanted to, but curiosity drove him. He wanted to see what reaction he could elicit from Lucifer. And oh my, was it thrilling to feel Lucifer's cock grow and twitch under his lips. 

 He led the cock deeper into his mouth, teasing the underside with his tongue. When the tangy taste of Lucifer's precum hit his taste buds, he could hear Lucifer stifle a moan. 

 As he looked up, he met his hazey eyes. Lucifer held one hand over his mouth, stiffling a moan, while the other clenched the towel he had draped over his shoulder. 

 Intrigued to see what other sounds he could elicit from him, Alastor bobbed his head, taking Lucifer's cock deeper and deeper each time. 

 Lucifer's hand let go of the towel and flew up to the tiled wall, searching for something to steady himself as he stifled another moan. When he couldn't find anything, he whined despreadly, »Alastor« and sank his hand into Alastor's wet, curly brown hair. 

 Alastor released his cock with a satisfying popping sound. »Yes, my dear?« he asked. Looking up at the gasping, panting blonde, he licked his swollen lips. »Do you want me to stop?«

 Lucifer already looked an absolute mess, and they had barely started. Part of Alastor really liked that fact. »You are such a tease.« Lucifer complained half-heartedly. »Let me dry myself off first, at least. I'm freezing.«

 Alastor chuckled. »Fine« he said, letting go of him and taking in the sight of Lucifer's blushing face as he rubbed his towel over his short blonde hair.

 Noticing his gaze, Lucifer grinned back at him before reaching behind Alastor and dropping another towel on his head. »Dry off instead of staring so we can continue.« he snorted, stepping out of the tub. 

 Alastor huffed and unplugged the bathtub drain before standing up and stepping out himself, careful not to slip. He watched Lucifer dry himself with the towel, the soft fabric slipping over every inch of his perfect, smooth skin. There wasn't a single scar on his body, not the slightest hint of imperfection. Alastor wondered if this was because of the healing abilities he claimed to have. When he looked at his hand, he saw that the burn was barely visible, already healed.

 Impressive. he thought. I wish my scars could dissapear like this. He caught sight of himself in the mirror, the many scars of his past scattered all over his body, then turned away, not beareing th sight any longer. Instead he watched Lucifer. 

 The small one turned around and caught him in the act. He grinned and stepped forward, taking his towel away. »If you keep staring like this, it'll take us forever to get to the bedroom.« he complained, using his towel to dry Alastor's chest. He gave him a cheeky smile as he trailed down lower, drying his belly, his legs. He stopped briefly to squeeze his butt cheeks then dried his cock very teasingly. Alastor could only watch, baffled by how the small one was handling him. 

 He was even more shocked when Lucifer dropped the towel and took Alastor's erect cock in his hand. »Mind if I try yours as well?« he asked shyly. 

 Alastor's eyes widened in surprise and his voice failed him for a moment before he found himself saying, »If that's what you want.« He sat down on the bathtub rim to make up for their difference in height.

 Lucifer knelt in front of him and hesitantly took the tip inside his warm, wet mouth.

 Alastor clenched his hands on the bathtub rim at the sensation. Seeing the small one between his legs with cock in his mouth wasn't the sight he'd expected to see today, and oh, what a beautiful sight it was.

 Lucifer took his cock deeper, gagged, then quickly withdrew with a flabbergasted expression. 

 Alastor couldn't help but chuckle. »Not your thing, hm?« 

 A bright red flushed the small one's cheeks as he pouted, »No idea what you mean.«

 »It's not for everyone.« Alastor said gently, ruffling Lucifer's wet blonde hair. »Don't worry about it.« he added, letting his hand trail down to his chin and leading him up to his lips to place a sweet kiss on them, adding a playful nibble. 

 Lucifer responded by swiping his tongue over his lips in return. So Alastor parted his lips in silent invitation. When Lucifer's tongue slipped over his, Alastor could hear him moan and feel the vibration between their bodies. The mark started to pulse again. Alastor deepened their kiss, savouring every moment. He trailed his hands over Lucifer's soft skin, from his shoulders to his chest to his hips.

 Lucifer, in return, ran his hands through his wet, curly hair and trailed them down his upper back, suddenly clawing at it. 

 Alastor broke off from kissing him to take a short breath at the sudden, sweet pain. He wasn't sure if the sound that followed was a moan or a groan. Confused by the sharpness of Lucifer's nails, he searched for Lucifer's eyes and met a burning red instead of ice-blue. It wasn't the only thing that had changed his skin was paler, covered in patches of whie furr. Horns had sprouted from his head and a long pointed tail was flicking behind his back. 

 »Lucifer?« 

 The small one stumbled back. His eyes widened and he grabbed his long, black, pointed tail, trying to hold it still as his cheeks turned gold. »Fuck, sorry- my control slipped for a moment-« he apologised and turned his back on Alastor, revealing the six red marks on his back. They looked exactly like the ones on his fully shifted form.

 Alastor took a hesitant step towards him. »Don't be sorry,« he whispered. »I actually really like this form.« his gaze trailed down to the tiny red hooves that had replaced his feet. How fascinating. 

 Lucifer tightened his grip around his tail. »Don't be ridiculous. I'm a monster.« he shivered, back turned on him.

 Alastor stepped in front of him, tipping his chin up so he could meet his ruby-red eyes. »You are perfect just the way you are...« he whispered, leaning in for a kiss. He paused less than an inch from Lucifer's lips, giving him the opportunity to retract if he didn't want to. 

 The small one looked at him, his eyes wide with a hint of tears in them. But then he closed the gap and kissed Alastor tenderly. His breath felt hotter than before, and when he nipped his lip this time, Alastor could feel his sharp teeth pierce them lightly. A shiver ran down Alastor's spine, and he questioned his sanity once more, because he hadn't lied... he did like Lucifer in this form... in ALL of his forms...

 Lucifer deepened the kiss, demanding more. With disproportional force for his height, he pushed Alastor against the door frame, his sharp claws tracing every inch of his chest trailing to his hips. 

 Alastor groaned at the sensation, his cock was demanding attention, as he was far more turned on by this than he would admit out loud. 

 The first to break their kiss was Lucifer. His eyes searched Alastor's face, for what reason Alastor was unsure, but whatever he had found seemed to please him, as he smiled up at him, his tail flicking excitedly behind his back. 

 Alastor followed the movement with his gaze and asked carefully, »May I touch your tail?« 

 Lucifer cocked his head. »My tail?« he asked, reaching back to take it. »Sure, as long as you don't pull it... It's a bit sensitive.« He held it out for him.

 Alastor reached out for the tip and saw that there was a red spot on it. He gently brushed his fingertips over the astonishingly warm and soft tip.
 
 Lucifer let go, leaving him to do as he pleased, but watching him cautiously. 

 Gently, Alastor rubbed his thumb above the red spot and watched him shiver in response. Smiling at him, he repeated the motion, observing him intently. The small one's pupils dilated and his tail twitched beneath Alastor's touch. Finally, he let go of it and said, »The spot looks like a heart.«

 Lucifer blushed, his tail flicking behind him. »You really don't mind my appearance?« His eyes darted down to his cock for a split second. »You're not put off by it?«

 Alastor shook his head. »I think you look very handsome.« He purred, dragging Lucifer closer and trailing his gaze up to the pair of horns. »What about these? May I touch them?«

 Lucifer shook his head. »I don't like it. It feels weird when they get touched.«

 Nodding, Alastor noted this at the back of his mind as a boundary not to cross. »Then I won't.« he promised. 

 »Is there... anything I shouldn't touch of you?« Lucifer asked hesitantly. 

 »I'm open to most things.« Alastor said confidently. »Just don't choke me, all right?« he snickered, knowing very well Lucifer wouldn't do such a thing. »On a more serious note, I don't like it when my hair gets pulled, and be mindful of my glasses.« 

 Lucifer nodded. »I understand.« he said, looking a bit hazy. The pulse of the mark picked up again. At first, Alastor wasn't quite sure why, but then Lucifer answered his unasked question. »You have such a beautiful smile...« he whispered, then leaned in for a kiss. 

 When their lips touched, Alastor closed his eyes and sank back into the tingling feeling that always brewed inside his belly whenever they touched. Lucifer's lips were so soft and warm, and the small one quickly grew greedier. Snaking his arms around Alastor's neck, he dragged him down to his height and kissed him eagerly. Finally, he nudged him out of the doorway and towards the bed. Alastor barely noticed the change in location, fully trusting Lucifer to guide him. 

 When his legs hit the mattress, he let himself sink down onto it. Sitting on the edge, he watched with bated breath as Lucifer climbed onto his lap, placing one leg on either side. Their hard cocks momentarily brushed against each other in the process, sending jolts through Alastor's entire body. 

 For a moment, they just breathed the same air, eyes locked, then Lucifer kissed him. First on the lips, then the cheek before trailing down to his neck, where the mark pulsed in unison with Alastor's quickening heartbeat. He paused there for a moment, then kissed the mark. A wave of warmth flushed through Alastor's entire body, making him gasp in surprise. It felt like liquid fire pulsing through his veins, painfully yet pleasurable.

Lucifer gently nipped at the mark, and Alastor moaned as heat coursed through him for a second time. »What-« he gasped. »What is that-?« he struggled to complete the question, but Lucifer understood. 

 »You are my mate.« Lucifer purred. »This is our bond,« he said, nibbling at the mark and sending more heat pulsing through Alastor's body. »You feel me... I feel you.«

 Alastor moaned as Lucifer sucked the spot. His brain turned to mush, and he could barely understand what the small one had tried to explain, but this felt oh so heavenly.

 Lucifer grabbed both their cocks, pressed them together, and started jerking them off. It felt even more intense as Lucifer sucked on his neck. Their precum was their only lubricant, but Alastor couldn't care less right now because he felt like he was on the verge of his orgasm, but he wanted more. He begged, »Fuck me already, Lucifer! I need you. I need to feel you inside me.«

 Hearing this, Lucifer let go of his neck. The heat faded almost instantly, leaving only a dull simmering in his veins. Alastor shivered, feeling cold now that the heat had gone. Still dazed, he whined, »Why did you stop?«

 Lucifer's wide, red, glowing eyes met his, and he could see the hesitation before he asked, »You want me to top?« His cheeks turned a deep golden colour as he waited for a response.

 »I couldn't care less who tops generally, but right now, I want your dick burried deep inside of me.« Alastor said loud and clearly, his whole body screaming at him to find that heat he had lost again.

 Lucifer's blush deepened, reaching all the way down to his chest. »All right.« was all that left his lips before he leaned back down, pressing an eager kiss on his lips. He led him to lie down on the bedding, nudging him to scoot further into the middle so they'd have enough space. »We, uhm... need lube, right? I... I don't think I have any-«

 »Backpack, front pocket-« Alastor groaned, out of breath, pointing at the bag in front of the bedside table. He had come prepared, of course. »There are condoms in there as well.«

 Lucifer blinked down at him. »I can if you want me to... but the short version is that I can't get sick. I'd heal right away. So I will definitely not give you anything, nor will I get anything from you...«

 Alastor grinned. »Glad to hear that. Then we don't need one.« He placed sloppy kisses all over Lucifer's chest.
 
 The small one leaned over him to reach for the backpack. It rustled as he searched inside it for the lube. His tail flicked eagerly behind his back. 

 When Alastor heard the lube's cap pop open, he sank back into the soft bedding, spreading his legs eagerly for Lucifer. 

 Even with his horns and red eyes, the small one looked so flustered. He was absolutely adorable. His cheeks flushed golden as he looked down at his own hands. »Al- I-« He bit down on his lip. »I'm afraid of hurting you with my sharp claws.«

 Alastor snickered. He propped himself up, took the lube from Lucifer's hands and squeezed some of the warm at touch liquid onto his fingers. Under Lucifer's watchful gaze, he reached for his own ass to prep himself. At the sight of him sinking his finger past the tight ring into himself, the small one's eyes widened and his whole body stiffened. He swallowed hard. 

 Although it felt somewhat odd to touch himself like this, the thrill of watching Lucifer's reactions made it worthwhile. He could see it, the exact moment when something inside Lucifer snapped. His expression shifted from stunned to an animalistic desire. There was a flicker in his red, glowing eyes as he watched him add a second finger and stretch himself wider open with scissoring motions. 

 Lucifer's tail flicked behind his back. He looked like a wild cat about to pounce on its prey, sending a shiver down Alastor's spine. He couldn't suppress a quiet moan when he rather accidentally brushed his fingers against his prostate, sending waves of pleasure through his whole body. His breath stuttered, and he blinked some haze out of his eyes, trying to refocus on Lucifer. 

 The small one's sharp teeth had pierced his lower lip, and golden blood dripped down his chin. Every muscle in his body was tense as he tried to restrain himself. 

 Alastor, however, didn't want him to hold back. He wanted him to jump at him. »Take me.« he breathed out. When he brushed his sweet spot again, he intentionally let out a loud, unrestrained moan. »Lucifer.« His name left his lips like a little prayer, »Please, fuck me.«

 As if the last thread of Lucifer's composure had snapped, he launched himself at Alastor, letting out a sound between a groan and a deep, feral growl. He grabbed Alastor's thighs and spread his legs even further apart, his sharp claws scratching his skin. The second Alastor withdrew his fingers from his ass, he could feel Lucifer's hard cock brushing against his hole. The small one leaned over him, kissing a line from his chest up to his neck, where his mark burned like fire and pulsed like a rapid heartbeat. 

 Alastor barely noticed how he held his breath in anticipation. He could feel Lucifer's warmth radiating against his skin, his breath hot and steamy as he bared his teeth and placed them on Alastor's mark. 

 »Yes,« Alastor whined, baring his neck to him willingly, »Please-« 

 The moment Lucifer's sharp teeth pierced the sensitive skin, his hard cock pushed past the rim into Alastor, taking his breath away.  He could feel every inch sink into his tight body.

 Alastor moaned with pleasure. His hands gripped the fabric of the bedsheets tightly. Fire surged through his whole body. It was so hot. So intense. The heat teetered on the brink of pain, making his head spin. It was better than when Lucifer had kissed the mark earlier. The heat pulsing through him matched the pulse of the mark, the quickening heartbeat in his chest. 

 As Lucifer buried his cock deeper and deeper inside him, Alastor lost his composure completely and moaned shamelessly. He wrapped his arms around Lucifer's lithe frame, sank his fingers into the soft white fur and sucked in a sharp breath as he started to rock his hips in a slow, shallow pace. 

 There was no way he could last long. He knew it. Every movement of Lucifer's set his whole body on fire. Alastor tried to match the small one's movements, rolling his hips and trying to match his pace. Before he realised it, he already knew it... The pulsing through his veins, his whole body was his rhythm. When he adapted to it, he was rewarded with a spike of pleasure.

Lucifer's movements quickened. He fucked Alastor hard and deep, hitting his sweet spot with such precision that Alastor's vision clouded and his moans grew louder. 

 »Lucifer« he called out to his mate. »Lu-cifer, I'm close-« His voice was desperate. He wrapped his legs around his hips, urging him to fuck him harder. 

 Lucifer growled or purred - he wasn't sure - but he complied »Yes, come for me.« His tail twisted around one of his legs. »You are mine,« he growled, sucking and biting his mark, »Nobody but me can see you like this, hear you like this...« 

 »yes,« Alastor breathed out, burying his fingers in his furred back. »Yes, I'm yours,« he said, feeling his balls tighten and his body tense in anticipation as his orgasm built up. »Lucifer!« he called, his mate's name, as he came hard. Stars flashed before his eyes as his warm cum hit his belly in long streaks. 

 Lucifer followed right after him, his moans muffled by the sound of him sucking his mark. His seed painted his insides, the slick noise of his cock moving in and out with a few final hard thrusts echoing loudly in the otherwise quiet room. The small one panted, but at the slightest hint that he was thinking of pulling out, Alastor tightened his grip. His legs were still wrapped around him and he pulled in to lie down on his chest.

 »Al-« Lucifer gasped as he was pressed into the mess he had created. 

 »Just- stay like this a little longer-« Alastor begged, his arms wrapped tightly around him. »I want to feel you...« he murmured. Floating on a wave of bliss, he savoured the feeling of being united with his mate in the most intimate way possible. For the first time in his life, he felt full and complete. And he wasn't ready to let go of that feeling. 

 Lucifer didn't complain, of course. He relaxed into Alastor's embrace, placing lazy kisses on his neck, chin, and cheek and humming with pleasure.

 Alastor closed his eyes and sank into the feeling. The small one's fur felt soft against his skin, and his breath felt warm against his. As he lay there, his weight pressing down on his chest, he reflected on how different this felt compared to all the sex he had experienced in his life so far. Granted, up until now he had only been intimate with women, but still... Alastor felt his cheeks burn. He had never wanted to be this close to someone before, to the point of not wanting to let go of them after the act. 

 »Are you all right?« Lucifer murmured into his ear, nuzzling his cheek against his and brushing his glasses' rim lightly. 

 Alastor blinked his eyes open and whispered back, »Yes...« He brushed Lucifer's fur gently then added, »You're amazing... you know that?«

 A chuckle escaped from Lucifer's small body. He placed a tender kiss on his lips. When they parted, his red eyes blinked back to their usual icy blue. 

 Alastor watched in awe as his features became more human. The fur disappeared, the horns and tail retracted, and his skin returned to its healthier rose hue... still pale, but not nearly as paper white as before. 

 The expression in his eyes, however, remained unchanged. Alastor could feel the affection pulse through him, even as the burn of the mark on his neck faded. 

 A warm, fluffy feeling brewed in his belly. It was that fluttering feeling he had learned to associate with Lucifer. Alastor had no doubt that what he felt for him was love. He bit down on his lips, afraid he might reveal his feelings too soon. They hadn't been together for long, and he didn't want to ruin it. 

 However, the way Lucifer looked at him told him that when he would find the courage to tell him how he felt, Lucifer might confess his feelings for him as well. 

 The small one leaned in and placed one last sweet kiss on his lips before pulling out of his warmth. 

 Alastor could feel the cum leaking from his hole. At the same time, he felt both uncomfortable and flustered thinking about it. 

 Lucifer must have noticed. He placed a kiss on his forehead and murmured, »Give me a second. I'll get us something to clean up with.« He gently nudged his legs off his hips to free himself, and Alastor watched him, half-dazed, head purposefully for the bathroom. The sound of water splashing came to his ears, and when Lucifer returned, he was wiping a wet towel over his own belly, where some of Alastor's cum glistened in the dim light of the bedside table lamp. 

 Alastor marvelled at his perfect, flawless body, taking in every detail. He felt the bedding shift as Lucifer knelt down next to him.
 
 Then the small one lowered the towel on Alastor's belly, gently cleaning him up. The fabric felt soft and warm, but when it brushed over his overly sensitive cock, he took in a sharp breath and squeezed his eyes shut. 

 »Shh« Lucifer murmured. »Relax, I'll be gentle.« He was indeed very careful in each of his movements. He cleaned his cock, then moved down to his still-leaking hole. After cleaning up the excess with gentle brushes, he disposed of the towel, only to return to him and gently guide Alastor beneath the warm blanket for some much needed cuddles. 

 Alastor let out a pleased sigh as he felt Lucifer's warm body press against his chest. He took Lucifer in his arms and nuzzled into his soft blonde hair, taking a whiff of the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon.

 He always smells so good.  

 Lucifer must have been exhausted for he fell asleep in his arms not long after. 

 Alastor found himself drifting back to sleep too, even though the sun had risen, bringing this truly eventful night to an end. 

(*)