Chapter Text
As Lucifer and Vaggie emerged from the house, the cool night air was a welcome relief after the intense confrontation inside. The flashing lights of police cars illuminated the street, casting an eerie blue glow over the scene.
Lucifer winced as he took a deep breath, his ribs protesting the movement. Vaggie noticed his discomfort and frowned. "You should get checked out by the paramedics," she said, concern evident in her voice.
Lucifer waved off her suggestion with a dismissive hand. "I'm fine, just a few bruises. Nothing a good night's sleep won't cure." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Or perhaps a stiff drink."
Vaggie rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "You never change, do you?"
"Why mess with perfection?" Lucifer quipped, adjusting his rumpled suit jacket.
As they walked towards the street, Vaggie's expression became serious. "It seems we have a problem, even two."
Both of them turned around and saw a tall, broad-shouldered man striding purposefully towards them. A thin, energetic woman was following closely behind him.
Lucifer's eyebrows rose in recognition. "Adam," he said, his tone a mixture of surprise and wariness. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Adam's face remained impassive as he reached them. Without a word, he thrust a folded piece of paper into Lucifer's hands. Lucifer unfolded it, his eyes scanning the contents quickly. Vaggie leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse of what was written.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Lucifer's expression was unreadable as he finished reading. He looked up at Adam, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It seems we've been rewarded for our hard work. Agent Morningstar's team is suspended from active duty for two weeks, effective immediately."
Vaggie's eyes widened in shock. "What? But we just cracked the case! This is-"
Lucifer held up a hand, cutting her off. He turned to Adam, his smile never wavering. "Here you go," he said, handing the paper back to the stern-faced man. "I assume you'll need this for your records."
Adam's brow furrowed in confusion. "What the fuck? That's it? No argument? No righteous indignation?"
Lucifer shrugged, wincing slightly at the movement. "Why would I? Clearly, our superiors in their infinite wisdom have decided we need a vacation. Who am I to argue?"
Adam's frown deepened. "This isn't a fucking vacation, Morningstar. It's a suspension. There will be an internal review of your actions tonight."
He turned, scanning the crowd until he spotted Anthony and Emily near one of the police cars. "Anthony! Emily!" he called out, waving them over.
The two junior agents exchanged worried glances before hurrying over. Anthony spoke first, his usual cocky demeanor tempered by concern. "What's going on, boss? Are you okay?"
Lucifer's grin widened. "Never better. In fact, we've just been given some excellent news." He paused for dramatic effect, enjoying the confused looks on his team's faces. "We've been awarded the privilege of not having to do any paperwork or dirty work for the next two weeks."
Emily's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"He means we've been suspended," Vaggie interjected, her voice tight with frustration. "For two weeks, starting now."
Anthony's jaw dropped. "Suspended? But we just solved the case! We caught the killer!"
Lucifer clapped his hands together, the sound sharp in the night air. "Exactly! And now, we get to celebrate our success without the burden of actually having to do any follow-up work. So, Vaggie and I are heading to the pub. Care to join us?"
Anthony blinked, caught off guard by Lucifer's nonchalant attitude. A slow grin spread across his face as he caught on to his boss's rebellious spirit. "Hell yeah, I'm in," he said, his voice filled with his usual bravado. "First rounds on you, right, boss?"
Emily looked uncertain, her eyes darting between Lucifer and Adam. "I... I don't know if that's a good idea. Shouldn't we stay and help with the investigation?"
Lucifer's expression softened as he looked at the young agent. "Em there's a time for duty and a time for rebellion. Right now, we've been officially told to step back. So that's exactly what we're going to do. Besides," he added with a wink, "I think you could use a drink after everything that's happened tonight."
Adam, who had been watching this exchange with growing frustration, finally spoke up. "You can't just walk away from an active crime scene, Morningstar. There are protocols to follow, reports to file-"
Lucifer spun to face Adam, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "Oh, but I can, Adam. You see, that lovely piece of paper you just handed me says that my team is suspended from active duty as of right now. So, technically speaking, this is no longer our crime scene." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. "It's all yours now. Good luck with the paperwork."
Adam's face flushed with anger. "This is completely unprofessional! I'll be adding this to my report-"
"By all means," Lucifer interrupted, his tone maddeningly cheerful. "I'm sure it will make for riveting reading. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a date with several pints of beer"
Adam stood rooted to the spot, watching in disbelief as Lucifer and his team strolled away from the crime scene. "This son of a bitch will pay for everything someday."
***
The warm glow of the pub's fires comfortably enveloped Lucifer and his team as they settled around a cozy table. The rich scent of polished wood and hearty pub fare filled the air, creating a atmosphere of comfort that sharply contrasted with the tense crime scene they had left behind. Lucifer leaned back in his seat, wincing slightly from the pain in his bruised ribs.
As they sipped their drinks, a comfortable silence fell over the group. It was Vaggie who broke it first. "So, what do you think will happen during the review of our suspension?"
Lucifer swirled the liquid in his glass, pondering the question. "It's hard to say. Adam took this on for us, that's for sure. But we cracked this case, and, if I may say so, rather impressively."
As the night wore on, their glasses were refilled and the conversation flowed as freely as the alcohol. Vaggie, whose stern demeanor had softened after a few rounds, was the center of attention, regaling them with a particularly amusing story. Her hands moved animatedly and her eyes sparkled with delight as she enthusiastically shared the funny tale.
Lucifer relaxed, genuinely enjoying the company of his team outside of work, feeling that special atmosphere of camaraderie and trust being created. Their casual laughter and chatter seemed to fill the space, creating a cozy ambiance.
Suddenly, a lull fell over the conversation.
It was during this quiet moment that Vaggie suddenly grew serious. She purposefully set down her glass, her fingers tracing the condensation on its surface. "I... there's something I want to share with all of you," she said in an uncharacteristically hesitant voice.
The change in Vaggie’s tone immediately drew everyone's attention. Lucifer leaned forward, his brow slightly furrowed with concern. Anthony and Emily quickly glanced at each other before focusing on Vaggie.
Vaggie took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the motion. She looked up, meeting each of their gazes in turn before speaking. "I'm not sure, but I... I think I'm going to propose to Charlie," she blurted out, the words tumbling from her lips as if she feared losing her nerve.
For a moment, silence reigned at the table. The trio blinked, processing the information. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the table erupted in excited chatter.
Emily's face lit up, her eyes widening with delight. "That's fantastic! I'm so happy for you, Vaggie, this is incredible!" she exclaimed, reaching across the table to take Vaggie’s hand.
Anthony, grinning widely, leaned in to give Vaggie a congratulatory pat on the shoulder. The motion was a bit too enthusiastic, and he nearly lost his balance. "Well, it's about damn time," he said, his words slightly slurred but filled with genuine happiness.
Vaggie’s expression softened, relief and joy mingling in her features. She raised her glass, a gentle grateful smile playing on her lips as she met Lucifer's gaze. "This is wonderful news, Charlie is such a lucky woman."
Vaggie blushed, looking both flustered and pleased with the enthusiastic response from her friends. "Thank you all. I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
"Aw, look at our tough Vaggie getting all soft on us," Anthony teased, but his smile was sincere.
Vaggie smiled, her cheeks flushing. "I... I'm really nervous as hell about this, to be honest."
"Don't be," Lucifer assured her. "Charlie adores you. I've never seen two people more perfectly suited for each other."
Emily nodded enthusiastically. "He's right, Vaggie. You two are just perfect together."
From there, the conversation flowed naturally, the team showering Vaggie with questions about her proposal plans. Emily was particularly excited, offering suggestions for romantic locations and helping Vaggie brainstorm ideas. Anthony, in his typical fashion, proposed increasingly extravagant proposal scenarios, each one more amusing than the last, eliciting bursts of laughter from the group.
As the night wore on and the alcohol continued to flow, the conversation shifted to other topics. They reminisced about past cases, shared funny personal stories, and even engaged in lively debates.
It was during one particularly animated discussion that Lucifer's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at the screen, a slight smile playing on his lips as he read the text.
Anthony, ever observant despite his state of inebriation, noticed the change in Lucifer's expression. "Whoa, what's that?" he asked, leaning across the table in an attempt to peek at Lucifer's phone. "Who's writing to you at this hour?"
Lucifer smoothly tucked his phone back into his pocket, raising an eyebrow at Anthony. "None of your business, my friend," he said in a light but firm tone.
Anthony's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, come on, boss! Is it Alastor? Is it Alastor, isn't it?" He suggestively waggled his eyebrows. "You gotta tell us what's going on between you two!"
Emily groaned, shaking her head. "Here we go again," she muttered, taking a large sip of her drink.
Anthony was undeterred. "Hey, I'm just saying what we're all thinking!"
Vaggie reached out, tugging on Anthony's sleeve. "Anthony," she warned in a low voice.
"Oh, don't tell me you're not curious too, Vags!" Anthony protested, his words slightly slurred. "Come on, boss, toss us a bone here! We're your team! We deserve to know these things!"
Lucifer sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew Anthony well enough to know that he wouldn't let this go easily, especially after a few drinks. "Alright, alright," he conceded, raising a hand to stem the tide of questions he could see building in Anthony's eager expression. "You get three questions. Choose them wisely."
Anthony's face lit up, positively gleaming with delight. He eagerly rubbed his hands together, clearly savoring this unexpected opportunity. "Okay, okay, let me think," he said, furrowing his brow in exaggerated concentration. "First question: what's Alastor like in a relationship? I mean, he's always so put-together and cold. Does he change when it's just the two of you?"
Lucifer chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Alastor... is complex," he began, carefully selecting his words. "He's still very much himself - witty, sharp, always ready with a clever remark. But he has a softer side that not many get to see. He can be remarkably thoughtful and attentive."
Anthony nodded, clearly filing this information away for future use. "It's strange to hear he can be kind actually," he mused. "Okay, second question: where do you usually stay? At your place or his? Are you living together now?"
Lucifer raised a brow at the directness of the question, but answered nonetheless. "We've been splitting our time fairly evenly between both places. Alastor's apartment has a lovely view of the city, but my place is closer to work. It's a practical arrangement."
Anthony leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright, last question," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Who's the top?"
Lucifer, who had just taken a sip of his beer, slightly choked on the liquid. He coughed, setting the glass down as he tried to compose himself. The rest of the team sat in stunned silence, glancing between Anthony and Lucifer.
"Anthony!" Vaggie exclaimed, her voice sharp with disapproval. She reached out, sharply shoving Anthony, nearly knocking him off his seat.
Anthony raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender, though the grin never left his face. "What?" he asked, feigning innocence. "Don't tell me you're not curious. I mean, it's the boss and Alastor. They're both such... dominant personalities."
"You know, this has been bugging me for weeks," Anthony continued, warming to his topic. "I mean. How does that even work? Do you take turns? Is there a schedule? Coin flips?"
Lucifer, having finally stifled his coughing, cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. He could feel the heat in his cheeks and knew he was probably blushing furiously. "I... that's not... we don't..." he stammered, unusually flustered. The eloquence that had served him so well in the interrogation room seemed to have completely abandoned him.
Anthony's eyes widened as he noticed Lucifer's reddened face. A look of pure delight spread across his features, as if he had just solved a particularly challenging case. "Oh my god," he said, his voice a mixture of awe and excitement. "It's Alastor, isn't it? I fucking knew it!! And how is he in that role?"
Emily felt the blush rising to her cheeks as she grabbed the glass. "That's the fourth question already."
Anthony crossed his arms, offended. "Stuffy," he complained.
Lucifer felt his face grow even hotter if that was possible. He buried his face in his hands, his fingers cooling against his burning cheeks. "Are you satisfied? Can we please change the subject now?" he muttered, his voice muffled by his palms.
Anthony leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin on his face. "Absolutely," he said.
After a couple more bottles, when the conversation flowed more comfortably, Lucifer once again felt himself relax. He was grateful to Vaggie, who was now telling the group about Charlie, distracting Anthony from his line of questioning.
Lucifer, Anthony, and Emily's attention was suddenly drawn to something behind Vaggie. Approaching their table was a light-eyed, blonde woman with a gentle smile on her face.
Vaggie, oblivious to the newcomer, continued, "Charlie is just so charming, you know? The way her nose scrunches up when she laughs, and how she always tries to see the best in everyone..."
"Is that so, my angel?" Charlie's voice came from behind her, warm with affection.
Vaggie turned, her eyes lighting up. "Sweetheart! You're here!" She stood up, a bit unsteadily, and embraced Charli.
"Of course, someone has to drive you home," Charlie said sweetly as Vaggie leaned heavily on her.
Turning back to the rest of the group, Charlie's eyes swept over their inebriated states. "Does anyone else need a ride?" she offered.
Emily, quietly finishing her last drink, perked up at the offer. "If it's not too much trouble," she said, her words careful and measured, as if she was concentrating intently on each syllable. "I'm not quite sure I can make it home on my own right now."
"Of course, Em," Charlie replied warmly, smiling. "Not a problem at all."
Anthony waved off the offer, nearly knocking over his empty glass in the process. "Nah, I'm good. It's just a couple of blocks for me. I could use the fresh air."
"Are you sure?" Charlie asked, concern evident in her voice. "It's quite late, and you've had a few."
Anthony stood up, swaying slightly but managing to keep his balance. "Trust me, princess, I've made it home in worse shape than this. Besides," he added with a wink, "a little nighttime stroll might help me work off some of this beer."
Charlie didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded. "If you're sure. Just... be careful, okay?"
"Always," Anthony replied with a smile that suggested the opposite was true.
Lucifer, who had been observing this exchange with amusement, suddenly straightened up, his eyes focused on something beyond their table. "Looks like my ride is here."
The group turned to follow his gaze. There, striding through the bar with an effortless elegance that seemed to contradict the raucous atmosphere, was Alastor. His dark hair, as always, was neatly styled, and his signature smile was firmly in place as he approached their table.
"Good evening, everyone," his eyes swept over the group, lingering momentarily on Lucifer's flushed face. "I hope you've all had an... interesting evening."
"Alastor!" Charlie exclaimed, her face lighting up. "What are you doing here?"
Alastor's smile widened as he took Charlie's hand, gently bowing to tenderly kiss her knuckles. "My dear Charlie, always a pleasure. I received a rather... intriguing message from our mutual friend," he said, casting a playful glance at Lucifer. "I thought perhaps my assistance might be needed to safely return him home."
Charlie smiled at Alastor, then turned to the group. "Alright, girls, let's go," she said, gently guiding Vaggie and Emily towards the door. Vaggie leaned heavily on Charlie, while Emily walked with exaggerated caution, clearly focused on each step.
Anthony pushed himself away from the table, stretching dramatically. "Well, folks, it's been great, but I think it's time for you all to call it a night. Don't want to keep you," he added, winking at Lucifer and Alastor.
Anthony made a mock salute, nearly poking himself in the eye in the process, then stumbled towards the exit. His path wasn't entirely straight, but he managed to make it to the door without incident.
Alastor turned his attention back to Lucifer. He extended a hand, an amused quirk to his ever-present smile. "Shall we, my dear?"
Lucifer reached for Alastor's hand, and a warmth spread through his chest that had nothing to do with the alcohol he had consumed. "Alastor, I'm so glad to see you," he said in a soft, sincere voice.
As Lucifer stood, the room seemed to tilt worryingly. He swayed, nearly losing his balance, but Alastor's hand was there in an instant, firmly grasping his waist to steady him.
"Whoa there, darling," Alastor said, a mix of amusement and concern in his voice. "Careful now, we wouldn't want to ruin that handsome face of yours, would we?" His eyes moved to Lucifer's nose, noting the slight swelling and discoloration. "Though it seems someone's already attempted a bit of rhinoplasty."
Lucifer blinked, processing Alastor's words through the alcohol haze. "You think I'm handsome?" he asked, a crooked smile spreading across his face.
Alastor rolled his eyes, but there was tenderness in his expression. "I think you're trouble, is what I think. Let's get you home."
They exited the bar, Alastor's arm firmly supporting Lucifer. The cool night air was a shock to Lucifer's system after the warmth of the pub, and he found himself leaning more heavily on Alastor.
Alastor guided Lucifer to his car, waving open the passenger door. "Your chariot awaits."
Lucifer snorted at the theatricality but allowed Alastor to help him into the seat.
"You know," he said as Alastor settled into the driver's seat, "I was telling my friends about you."
Alastor paused, starting the car, and raised a curious brow. "Oh? I hope only good things."
Lucifer nodded enthusiastically, then immediately regretted the movement as the world spun. "Oh, yes. I told them how thoughtful you are, and about your lovely eyes and smile."
"Well, that's very flattering," Alastor replied, a hint of genuine satisfaction in his voice.
But Lucifer wasn't done. "I also mentioned that you can be a bit boring sometimes, and that you were a terrible kisser at first."
The car, which had just started moving, came to an abrupt stop. Alastor turned and stared at Lucifer. "I beg your pardon?"
Oblivious to the danger, Lucifer continued. "Oh, yes. I remembered our first kiss, during that covert mission. When you shoved me against the wall to distract the guards. It was kind of hot, you know? But I remember thinking, 'Wow, he's so handsome and such a bad kisser.' But don't worry!" he added hastily, patting Alastor's arm. "Your skills have improved immensely since then."
For a moment, Alastor sat in stunned silence. Then he slowly shook his head, and a helpless laugh escaped him.
Realizing what he had said, Lucifer covered his mouth with his hand and spoke softly, "Oh God, perhaps I shouldn't have shared that with you."
"My dear detective, I may have to do something about that loose tongue of yours when we get home," Alastor said in a low, promising tone.
Lucifer's eyes lit up. "Promise?" he asked, his voice dropping to what he likely intended to be a seductive whisper, though it came out more as a stage-like murmur.
Alastor just rolled his eyes, putting the car back in motion. "Let's just get you home in one piece, shall we?"
The rest of the drive passed in relative silence, punctuated only by the occasional murmur from Lucifer about the passing scenery and Alastor's soft humming in acknowledgment. When they pulled up to Lucifer's apartment building, Lucifer was nearly dozing, his head resting against the window.
Alastor parked the car and turned to his inebriated companion. "Alright, Lucifer. Think you can manage on your own?"
Lucifer, roused from his light slumber, blinked awake. He fumbled with the seatbelt, seemingly unable to locate the buckle. "Of course I can," he declared, though his actions belied his words. "I'm perfectly capable of... of..." He trailed off, frowning in frustration at the stubborn seatbelt.
Alastor watched the display for a moment before sighing. "I see. Looks like I'll have to lend you a hand after all." He exited the car, went around to Lucifer's side, and attempted to help.
"No, don't touch me, I can do it," Lucifer waved him away.
Alastor raised his hands in surrender, an amused smile playing on his lips. "As you wish."
Finally freed from the seatbelt, Lucifer pushed the car door open and tried to exit. Or rather, he tried. Lucifer stumbled, falling against Alastor's chest with a soft "oof."
"Pardon me," Lucifer murmured into Alastor's shirt. "The ground seems quite unsteady tonight."
Alastor chuckled, wrapping his arms around Lucifer to keep him upright. "Indeed. How inconsiderate of the earth to move so unpredictably." He observed, "Oh dear, come here." In one fluid motion, he bent down and scooped Lucifer up, tossing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"Hey!" Lucifer protested; his voice muffled against Alastor. "Put me down! This is undignified!"
"Oh, of course," Alastor cheerfully agreed, making no move to comply. "Because stumbling about like a newborn fawn is the very picture of dignity."
Lucifer grumbled, but stopped struggling, seemingly resigning himself to his fate. As Alastor carried Lucifer towards the building, the detective was captivated by the sight of Alastor's broad, strong back.
"You know, Alastor," Lucifer murmured, his voice low, "your back has a certain... elegance to it. The way the muscles move beneath your shirt, it's quite mesmerizing."
Alastor glanced back, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "My, my, Lucifer. You had such an eye for anatomy."
Lucifer felt a light heat rise to his cheeks. "Well, one can't help but notice the little details when you're so... intimately familiar with them."
When they approached the building's entrance, Alastor stopped. "Where are your keys, dear?"
A moment of silence fell before Lucifer's muffled voice was heard again. "Keys?"
"Yes, keys," Alastor repeated patiently.
"Oh, right," Lucifer said, as if just remembering what keys were. "They should be in the back pocket."
Alastor gently pushed Lucifer, reaching for the indicated pocket. After a moment of searching, his hand emerged victorious, a keychain dangling from his fingers. "Ah, here we are."
The keys jingled as Alastor finally managed to unlock the door to Lucifer's house. With a triumphant "Aha!" he pushed the door open, still balancing the semi-conscious Lucifer over his shoulder.
"Finally," Alastor announced, his voice tinged with both playfulness and strain. "Now let's go to bed, my dear."
Lucifer mumbled something unintelligible into Alastor's back, his words muffled by the fabric of Alastor's shirt.
Alastor chuckled, the sound vibrating through his body and, as a result, through Lucifer. "I'll take that as a 'thank you, Alastor, for being so wonderful and patient,'" Alastor said, kicking the door closed behind them.
He navigated the familiar layout of Lucifer's house with ease, despite the added complexity of carrying an adult man. The living room was bathed in the soft glow of city lights filtering through the large windows, casting long shadows on the floor.
When they reached the bedroom, Alastor paused for a moment, considering the best way to deposit his cargo onto the bed. With a mental shrug, he decided on a straightforward approach. In one smooth motion, he leaned forward and allowed Lucifer to slide off his shoulder and onto the mattress.
Lucifer landed with a soft "oof," bouncing slightly on the plush surface. For a moment, he lay there, blinking up at the ceiling owlishly, as if trying to comprehend how he had suddenly been teleported from Alastor's shoulder to his bed. Then his eyes focused on Alastor, and a mischievous smile spread across his face.
Before Alastor could react, Lucifer's hand lashed out, grabbing Alastor's shirt collar and pulling him down. Alastor, taken by surprise, stumbled forward, bracing his hands on either side of Lucifer's head.
"Well, hello," Lucifer purred, his words still slightly slurred, but his eyes shining with determination. "I have an idea that's much better than sleep."
Alastor raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing his face. "Oh no, no, no," he said, shaking his head. "I don't sleep with drunk people, dear. Even if they're as charming as you."
Lucifer loosened his grip on Alastor's collar, and he let out a sharp sigh. "As I've said before, you can be so boring sometimes," he grumbled, but there was no real heat in his words.
Alastor straightened up, smoothing the wrinkles in his shirt. "Well, someone has to be the adult in this relationship," he said in a light, teasing tone.
"I'm older than you!" Lucifer protested, propping himself up on his elbow.
Alastor paused, reaching for Lucifer's shoes. He looked up, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, his voice laced with feigned innocence.
Lucifer opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, his brow furrowing in concentration.
As Alastor leaned in to untie the laces, he felt Lucifer's hands suddenly bury themselves in his hair. He froze, surprised by the unexpected touch.
"Your hair is beautiful," Lucifer murmured, running his fingers through Alastor's locks with a look of wonder. "It's so... soft and fluffy."
For a moment, Alastor was caught between amusement and irritation. Finally, he carefully extricated himself from Lucifer's hands. "Hands up," he commanded in a firm yet gentle tone.
This brought a spark to Lucifer's eyes. "Oh, do you want to play the bad cop with me?" he asked.
"Lucifer!" Alastor exclaimed, unable to hold back a laugh. "Hands up, I said."
With an exaggerated sigh, Lucifer complied, raising his hands above his head. Alastor seized the opportunity to quickly divest Lucifer of his shirt, tossing it aside.
"There," Alastor said, satisfaction in his voice. "Now, time for sleep."
But when he turned to leave, Lucifer's hand shot out again, this time grasping Alastor's wrist. Alastor looked back, ready to repeat his previous refusal, but the words died on his lips as he saw the expression on Lucifer's face.
The playful look had vanished, replaced by a vulnerability that Alastor rarely saw on his partner's features. Lucifer's eyes were wide and pleading, his grip on Alastor's wrist gentle but insistent.
"Stay," Lucifer said softly. "Please."
Alastor felt something tighten in his chest at the request. His gaze instantly softened.
"Of course, my dear," he said, his voice gentle. "I'll stay."
Relief washed over Lucifer's face, and he scooted over on the bed, making room for Alastor. Alastor quickly shrugged off his jacket and shoes before settling in next to Lucifer.
As soon as Alastor was situated, Lucifer curled up to him, resting his head on Alastor's chest. Alastor's arm automatically rose, wrapping around Lucifer's shoulders and pulling him closer.
They lay in comfortable silence for a while, their synchronized breathing the only sound in the room. Alastor's fingers found their way into Lucifer's hair, gently combing through the soft golden strands. At the touch, Lucifer let out a contented rumble, snuggling closer.
"You know," Lucifer murmured after a while, his voice muffled against Alastor's chest, "you're not boring at all. You're... you're amazing."
Alastor felt warmth bloom in his chest at the words. He couldn't suppress the gentle smile that tugged at his lips.
"And yet I 'kiss badly,'" he teased lightly, unable to resist a reference to Lucifer's previous confession.
Lucifer lifted his head, frowning at Alastor. "I told you, your skills have improved immensely," he insisted. Then his brow furrowed as a thought seemed to occur to him. "After all, you had a great teacher."
Alastor couldn't help but laugh at the look of dismay on Lucifer's face. "You are quite the confident one, dear."
Lucifer groaned, burying his face in Alastor's chest. "I'm never drinking again," he declared in a muffled voice.
"I'll be sure to remind you of that the next time you suggest a night of indulgence," Alastor said dryly.
They fell silent again, Alastor's fingers resuming their gentle ministrations in Lucifer's hair. Just as Alastor thought Lucifer might have fallen asleep, he heard a soft whisper.
"I love you."
The words were so quiet that for a moment, Alastor wasn't sure if he had imagined them. He looked at Lucifer, but the other man's face was still hidden against his chest.
Alastor felt his heart beat faster. Lucifer had said those words before, but they were rare enough to catch him off guard. Especially in these moments, quiet and fearless.
"Goodnight, my dear," Alastor replied softly.