Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A pleasant hum filled the palace corridors as Lucifer returned from his visit. It was nice seeing Charlie again, especially with how happy she seemed with her project.

Perhaps he’ll visit them again soon, bring some treats for her friends, if only to piss off that annoying deer.

He shook off his coat and hat as he entered his bedroom, scowling at the familiar aura that filled it.

“Adam.”

“Lucy~” the angel drawled, voice dripping with glee. He was laying on the large bed with a relaxed posture as if it were his own. Lucifer knew he’d have to burn it to get rid of the smell after this.

He tossed his hat to the side but remained standing, tense like a snake coiled too tight. The cane in his hand served to comfort him slightly, reassuring him of his control.

“Oh don’t be like that old friend!” he called, rising to his feet elegantly, “I’m just here to see how you've been doing in this shithole.”

The words made his eyes twitch. They were no such thing, “don’t flatter yourself, we’re acquaintances at best.”

A lie perhaps. For no one can claim to have a relationship as long as that of the devil and Adam. Not even Lilith.

However, they both knew he wouldn’t be here if not for a reason. Not in the flesh. Yet here he was, the ugly exterminator mask nowhere to be seen, exposing short white hair and golden eyes.

Lucifer hates those eyes, they were a mockery of the stars he sculpted carefully with his bare hands, crafted with the love and curiosity of a naive angel.

He hadn’t been able to see them since his fall.

Like this, The robe seemed big on Adam, too large for a mere human. It made him look awfully young.

Adam usually sent a hologram to do his dirty biddings. And so Lucifer always sent someone else to meet them, they were harmless, but just as annoying as the real thing.

“What do you want, Adam?” He asked, the words coming out in a scowl.

Adam twirled his hand as he looked around the room, judging every nook he could find. His eyes landed on a portrait hanging proudly on the wall, a grin splitting his face in half.

He always had too many teeth for a human.

“Your daughter is quite the princess. Charlie, was it?”

Fire erupted in front of the angel, energy cracking around him as Lucifer stepped forward, wings unfurling at the words.

His eyes turned blood red as he growled, “keep her name out of your filthy mouth, vermin.” His fury was met with a placating laugh.

“Feisty. I like it.”

Adam kept his eyes on the frame, eyes darkening as he looked at the happy family, “she spoke with me the other day, you know?”

He’s starting to regret allowing that meeting. Lucifer thought it would be wise to start preparing her to deal with the heavens, clearly it had backfired.

“Her head is filled with all of these fucking dreams. It reminded me of an idiot I once knew.”

Lucifer scoffed, “make your point. It isn’t your job to deal with who enters the heavens.”

“Ah! But you see-“ he raised a sharp finger, eyes meeting those of the fallen angels, “it is if it ruins the extermination. And I can’t have that dear Morningstar.”

The old name made him swollow back a curse. He knew the angels wouldn’t be pleased with Charlie’s attempt at rehabilitating sinners but he didn’t think they’d care enough to intervene.

This was a whole different story.

A tinge of fear for his daughter grew in his chest.

But…

it also made him so fucking proud.

“It scares you doesn’t it?” He grinned, sharp teeth on display as he stepped forward. hating that he still had to look up to meet the other’s eyes.

“What she can do? That there’s a chance a Morningstar’s dreams can topple your fake empire? “

‘Again’ was left unsaid as he pointed his cane at the other's chest, poking it with a little too much force, “because it should.”

Adam gripped the offending item, grin twitching in anger, however, instead of pushing Lucifer away as he’d expected he pulled him closer, forcing a gasp out of him at the unexpected move.

“It's not me who should be scared, Lucifer.” He murmured, cracks appearing in the cane from the strength of his grip, “after all I’m not the one who’ll face the wrath of heaven if she succeeds”

“You asked me why I was here,” he continued, eyes seemingly sucking the light out of the entire room, plunging it into darkness, “I came to warn you that she will not make it out of this one like you did.”

Sharp claws trailed along his shoulder, feeling the place where his wings met.

The red and white a mockery of his old golden ones, “she doesn’t have wings for us to rip out after all

It’ll be her fucking soul on the line.”

Lucifer staggered back, a phantom fire crawling along his back like ants, burning just as it had the day he fell.

They couldn’t hurt her. He tried reassuring himself, “she’s hell-born, you cannot harm her while she’s in my domain.” The words sounded hollow to his own ears.

Adam pointed at himself with his cane, “but I can if she comes up to the heavens herself.”

Fuckfuckfuck-

His fists clenched at his side as he looked away, his mind reeling at the thought of his daughter being in danger, especially since he was the one to promise her a meeting with the heavens.

Lucifer had basically signed her death warrant.

He let out a defeated sigh, ignoring the glee he can feel radiating off the ex-human.

“What do you want, Adam?” He asked again, this time with the knowledge that he’s backed in a corner. Adam was holding all the cards. He would’ve made a powerful demon had he come to hell. The thought isn’t reassuring to Lucifer at all.

“you’re not kind enough to come here just to give me a heads up.”

A laugh rang, loud and obnoxious. “Oh my dear Morningstar, I want what was rightfully mine.” The thought of Lilith came to Lucifer’s mind and he opened his mouth to damn the angel right back to heaven.

They might not be on good terms but he’d never take back her free will, especially not for Adam. His wife has thrived in hell, beautiful and powerful just as the day they’d fallen together. She’d crumble back in the heavens.

Not to mention that he wouldn’t be able to defeat her anyways…

As if reading his mind Adam scowled, “that old bitch? No, she's not nearly important enough to me.”

He took a step forward, then another, once again invading Lucifer’s personal space. The other found himself unconsciously pulling his wings around his body protectively as a hand reached out to touch his now frazzled hair.

The touch was warm. A joke of an attempt to fix the blond mess. Perhaps anyone else would find it comforting. Lucifer found it revolting.

“Do you remember what God ordered of you the day he made me? Do you remember your true first sin, Lucifer Morningstar?”

How could he forget? It was before Lilith was created, before he’d fallen from god's eye.

On the eight day after the almighty had made the earth, he’d called all of his angels and showed them Adam, telling them to kneel to his newest creation.

Lucifer had watched his siblings obey, creatures made out of divine light bending down to the will of one created from mere dirt.

He watched the vile smirk on the human's face and did the unspeakable.

The angel stood before God and asked why. And when god didn’t give him an answer he’d walked away, commiting the first act of disobedience .

The true first sin of pride.

To come here now after centuries of that day… Adam must’ve felt much more bothered by it than he’d initially thought.

It made him a little satisfied. to still be able to frustrate the human centuries after his fall.

He was brought back to reality as Adam spoke again, those cursed eyes glowing with each word, “kneel, just as you were meant to do all of those years ago and I’ll stay away from your little fucking princess.”

“How about I rip out your throat instead, hmm?” He spat out, eyes blazing with anger at the disrespect.

Gold liquid dripped from where Lucifer’s claws dug into his own fists, seeping onto marble floors. His entire being revolted at the thought of kneeling.

He was pride reincarnated, after all.

And to think that this piece of shit wants him to lower himself for him?

Except-

“Of course, I can always ask dear old god what he thinks of her meddling in the natural state of affairs.”

Fuck.

He wasn’t abandoning his pride for a human. He was doing it for Charlie.

Lucifer closed his eyes in repulsion, feeling gold eyes watch his every movement as he stepped back. Even if he killed Adam, he’d be bringing the rest of heaven on their doorsteps.

It was a losing battle.

“just- don’t hurt her.” He mumbled, hating how resigned he sounded.

White and red wings curled on his back, shame like nothing he’d ever felt before rose in his throat like bile. He’d never been human, never felt nauseous or sick, but this seems close enough to it.

The floor beneath Lucifer felt like ice crawling through his knees and into his bones as he crumbled. The sound of a pleased hum above him making him bite his tongue roughly.

‘For Charlie’ he reminded himself as he glared at the marble floor, watching his own reflection like a sick show.

‘For Charlie’ his mind whispered as fingers dig into his chin to raise his head, forcing their gold and red eyes to meet.

‘For-‘ “god truly made you the most beautiful Morningstar, such a shame it had to go to waste.”

He pulled his face back, glaring at everything but Adam as he swallowed back a retort. The familiar smell of arousal nearly made him rip apart the skin the other had touched.

“Nuh-ah~ you don’t get to fucking walk away this time~” black claws ripped into his scalp, a sharp tug nudging his face upwards. The pain forcing a gasp out of him.

“Adam.” He warned, “don’t push your luck.” Said man only laughed in response, leaning down to press their faces together in a mockery of a kiss.

Lucifer threw himself forward, fully intending on ripping Adam’s face off at the offense. He stepped back before he could however, leaving him to scratch at the floor.

The marble cracked beneath him.

Footsteps filled the room as Adam walked away, putting his mask on before he reached the doors.

“And Lucifer? Charlie looks just like you, she’s quiet pleasing on the eyes-“ a crack and the sound of the doors exploding cut off whatever disgusting remark he was going to make.

It only served to make him laugh harder as he left.

“See you next time, Lucy~”

Lucifer stayed on the ground for a very long time after that.

Chapter Text

The hotel is brimming with noise when he walks in, cheerful and loud without a concern in the world.

It would’ve been nice had his mind not been somewhere else.

“Charlie, sweetheart!” Lucifer called out, reveling in the smile he got in return. His arms were steady when she jumped into them, holding her with the strength of a thousand gods.

For a second he wished he could keep her like this, wrapped in the safety of his hold.

“Dad! I didn’t think I’d see u so soon!” She yelled excitedly, letting him go to look at his face. Lucifer gave her a teasing look, “are you already bored off your dear old dad?”

The giggle he got in return was worth it.

He stepped back to let her go, only for her to grip his wrists, not quite rough but just tight enough to hold him back.

“Sooo” she started giving him the biggest puppy eyes “did you do it?”

Ah right.

Lucifer sheepishly turned his head to the side, scratching the back of his neck. “Ah well you see Charlie! The heavens are suuuuper busy this time of the year! It’ll take them time to respond to a silly fallen angel”

She deflated at the words. “Oh.” Her voice cracking in disappointment, the weight of them nearly crushing Lucifer.

His arm reached out to try and comfort her, only to miss her shoulder when she stepped back. “That’s ok, thanks for trying anyways.”

Fuck. His heart squeezed painfully at the words. He truly was the worst father ever.

“Not that I mind, but what brought you here then?” She asked, regaining some of that cheer he was used to. It reminded him of his own fake cheerfulness.

The thought that she truly was just like him made his throat close up.

‘She looks just as beautiful as you.’

He shook his head, pushing away that vile angel’s words.

“We’ll…I thought it was about time I got to know your friends! I’ve never gotten the chance to do that before.” He turned to give the ragtag group around them a smile with too many teeth. Receiving one just as threatening from the little one eyed girl.

That thing gives him the creeps more then anything he’s seen in hell so far. Which is saying something.

Once his red eyes landed on the other girl standing behind them his smile turned tense. Lucifer stepped forward putting on his most cheerful grin.

“Starting with your girlfriend, vaggie was it?”

Both girls tensed up for different reasons, he could tell that Charlie was sheepishly nervous but vaggie?

She was terrified.

Good.

“Oh! I guess I was gonna head out with husk to get some things anyways...” Charlie muttered, looking back at the group, “just don’t blow the place up. Again.” She added, only half joking.

Lucifer smiled at her reassuringly as he walked her and the cat hybrid out, trying not to seem too eager at her leaving.

Once the doors closed, however, he took a deep breath, turning around to grin at the girl still frozen in her spot. “Walk with me.”

He ignored the ‘oh shit’ coming from her as she hurried to follow him into the corridors, once he was sure they were out of everyone’s earshot he swiveled around, arm reaching out to trap the angel and slam her against the wall, nearly cracking the wood.

Lucifer was pleased when he saw her gripping an angelic spear tightly, prepared to gut him even as she trembled in fear.

“I- sir? What are you doing!”

His wings flared around them, covering them from view. He leaned down, red and yellow eyes meeting as he spoke, “did you think I wouldn’t notice you here, exterminator?” He growled, tightening his grip.

She shook her head in denial, “listen- it’s not what you think! I swear I’m not-“ she was cut off when he slammed her head back again, “no you listen!”

“Charlie seems to trust you enough. So you have that going for you.” He pulled back enough to let her breath, his eyes watching her take a desperate gulp. “I am going to make a deal with you, and you’re going to agree, or I swear on all the angels that I will rip your pathetic soul right out of you. Understood?”

She nodded, tears filling her eye, almost giving them a shine.

“Good”

He stepped back, letting her fall to her knees and cough desperately, the spear falling from her hand in a clang.

Once she regained her wits she looked up at him, not quiet brave enough to stand, “how did you…?”

He gave her a sharp smile, “exterminators always reek of demon blood. You can shower all you want, but the smell doesn’t quite wash off your soul.”

He’d suspected her the moment he walked into the hotel, but it wasn’t till Adam left his scent all over his bed that he put the pieces together.

Vaggie’s head lowered in shame. Her hands gripping the floor in disgust at his words, “I thought I could put it all behind me… guess it’s gonna haunt me forever, huh?” she muttered.

Lucifer’s eyes softened, he forgot how young these people are. He sighed, “look vaggie, I have nothing against you, god knows I’d run off ages ago if I was working for someone like Adam.”

The words made her hiccup a laugh between her tears. He lowered himself enough to reach out his hand for her to hold, “I just need to make sure Charlie is safe.”

She looked offended as she grabbed his hand, her grip strong enough to shatter a regular humans.

“I would never hurt her, she’s the only reason I’m still alive.”

“Good.” He nodded, “but she’s going to heaven, and I- I can’t protect her there.” His voice cracked at the end. A sharp hand raising to cover his mouth at the thought.

“I need to know that you’ll keep her safe.”

“Of course I will-“ “even if you have to fight the other angels?” He cut her off, eyes blazing with a challenge.

She hesitated, and for a second Lucifer considered that she was going to back out. Vaggie however seemed to be much more then he gave her credit for, “yes, I’ll fight the entirety of heaven if it meant her safety.”

Finally, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling slightly more confident about this whole plan. Even if the angels disregarded Charlie’s plans at least she’ll come back to him in one piece.

He looked at the girl in front of him one last time, “make sure Adam doesn’t touch a hair on her head and I’ll get that eye fixed for you.” Her hand unconsciously went to touch the eyepatch covering her face, grimacing at the memory.

“I- do you really think he’ll hurt Charlie?”

‘It’s her own fucking soul on the line.’

“I know it.”

“Alright,” she nodded , fixing her rumpled clothes, “I swear I’ll get her back safely.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

He watched her walk away, noting the slight hunch in her back. It took him centuries to get used to the difference after his golden wings were burned, he can only imagine how hard it has been for her.

He’d honestly intended on giving her an eye either way, but this was more of a reassurance then anything. For the sake of his own mind.

The sound of heels clicking behind him alerted him of someone and he turned around just in time to see the radio demon wave his ridiculous cane at him, “ah Lucifer! I didn't think I’d see you here.”

He rolled his eyes, “fuck off, I’m not in the mood right now.”

“Feisty!”

‘Feisty. I like that.’

He froze, eyes widening as the image of alaster morphed into a bigger form, red eyes blurring into golden.

“Have you seen Charlie around?”

His body moved on its own as he lunged at the man, gloved fingers gripping a slender neck as he let out an inhuman growl. “You will not touch a fucking hair on her head or I-“

“Dad!”

Lucifer’s head snapped at the sound, his eyes widening as his daughter ran to them, pushing him off of the body underneath him.

He was frozen on the ground as he watched her help the man up, checking him over for any injuries as she yelled, “what the fuck, dad? Are you okay?”

“I’m alright dear, though your dad seems to have a few screws loose today.”

Oh.

That wasn’t Adam’s voice. It was Alastor. Fuck.

He shook his head to get the images of golden eyes out of his vision, flinching under the angry look he got from Charlie.

“I apologize- I haven’t had much sleep that’s all.” He stood up, hating the sad look she gave him in return. It seemed like all he was doing today was hurting his daughter. Fuck.

She checked over the radio demon one last time before standing up, a hesitant look on her face. “I- I think you should go dad. Maybe you should get some sleep?”

The words cut deeper than any blade could. Lucifer felt his chest tighten in shame as he nodded, putting on his best smile.

“I’ll just take my leave, I’ll call you when they get back to me ok, Charlie?” She nods, still a little shaken and not quite sure of what to say to him.

Alastor was the one to walk up to him, placing a clawed hand on his shoulder. Like this, he could see bruises from his grip starting to show on the other’s neck.

It made him want to throw up.

“Do take care of yourself! you’re our king after all!” The demon leaned into his space, making sure the others couldn’t quite hear them as he whispered, “go take a shower, you reek of demon blood.”

And with those words he let him go. Leaving Lucifer to walk away with a tremble in his legs.