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Lucifer didn’t have to turn around to know who had just materialized into his room. He sighs, shifting in on himself even more where he’s sat on the edge of his bed, his palms hovering over his bare chest as a golden glow emits from his hand. He’s tracing over each hole that Vox’s machine had carved into him, sealing the flesh up with fresh skin.
“Didn’t you read the sign?” Lucifer mutters. The ‘No Alastors ALLOWED’ frame should be clear as day outside his door.
“Oh I did.” Alastor strides over to the bed, a smile still resting on his face as he stops in front of Lucifer and leans on his red cane, which looks brand new. “I just chose to ignore it.”
Lucifer grits his teeth, his eyes flicking up to meet Alastor’s taunting expression head-on. “Look, red guy. I’m not in the mood, kay?” he grumbles under his breath, trying to turn his focus back to healing himself.
Not that his rebuttals do anything to deter Alastor. If anything, the overlord just edges closer, now towering over Lucifer with a tilt of his head, mockingly. He’s eyeing the dry blood that still lingers on the angel’s skin. “My, you must be furious with how fast Charlie discarded you after that last battle.”
“Hey.” Lucifer growls, his eyes meeting Alastor’s again. “I said I’m not in the mood.”
Alastor’s lips purse into a pout, his ears twitching almost condescendingly. “And considering how you were tortured and drained of all your power… it’s truly disappointing to witness first-hand how little she cared for your wellbeing.”
Lucifer surges to his feet with a finger pointed at Alastor’s chest and a scowl on his face, but before he gets a chance to even make a proper threat, he stumbles forward with a gasp. Alastor swiftly side-steps and avoids Lucifer’s little tumble as the king falls against the drawers.
“Now now, let’s not pretend like you can do anything to me.” Alastor tuts, eyeing the way Lucifer clutches his wounds with a hiss.
“Afterall, now all of Hell knows just how useless you are. Which I must say is ironic considering your last words to me before I quit were-”
“What do you want?” Lucifer interrupts him with a snarl, his horns edging between expanding and shrinking on his forehead as he leans his back against the wall for support, an arm still around his stomach. “If you’re just here to be a dick, then seriously, go! Just fucking leave! I don’t need you reminding me of what I can or can’t do, and I know you’re a fucking asshole but you can atleast have the decency to-”
“Let’s make a deal.” Alastor appears in front of Lucifer in the blink of an eye with a conniving smile. He’s leaning forward, bent down at an angle to meet Lucifer’s height. His hand is extended out toward the angel whilst the other remains folded behind his back with his staff.
Lucifer blinks, entirely taken off guard.
He sputters, a look of indignation and disbelief crossing his features. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Alastor smiles, returning to his full height as he clasps both hands over his microphone, staring down at Lucifer with a calm smirk as the staff taps against the floor. His eyes soften into something darker.
“I could keep you safe.” Alastor whispers “They’re all afraid of me.”
Lucifer had shrunk back from Alastor’s invasion of personal space, but his eyes widened as he stared up at him, doubt painting his face.
“...keep me safe?” Lucifer questions, bordering on a scoff.
Alastor straightens up with a confident nod. “What do you think the rest of Hell will do now that they know their King holds no power over them?” he asks, blunt and yet with an undertone of malice.
Lucifer falters momentarily. Alastor continues, “And to top it off, everyone has just witnessed what kind of power can be harnessed from you.”
Lucifer can see Alastor’s shadow seeping out from the overlord’s body, the dark figure seeming to circle him with hidden purpose. Alastor shakes his head with a click of his tongue, “You know sinners better than anyone, Lucifer. Do you really think this will all just blow over? That no one will come for you?”
And for a man who talks continuously, even to himself- Lucifer remains silent at Alastor’s truthful words.
He stays quiet for another moment before he scoffs “...you’d ‘protect’ me.” his arms cross, “Yeah and how will you do that, genius? You weren’t exactly useful against Adam.”
Alastor narrows his eyes, his smile twitching at the reminder. “That’s an entirely different circumstance. I hardly think you should compare my raw strength to that of an Archangel’s, Lucifer. And I wouldn’t have the same powers as I do now. You’d lend me yours.”
Lucifer’s grin morphs into a frown, his eyebrows furrowing “Sorry, what? I’d lend you mine?”
Alastor sighs “Is there an echo in here, are you being intentionally dense?” he mutters.
Lucifer sputters, “Hey, you’re the one asking me for help right now, so you don’t get to be a dick!”
“You’re mistaken about who’s helping who here,” Alastor snickers, his eyes lingering on Lucifer as if he himself had the upper hand. With the end of his staff, he gestures vaguely to the holes still healing on Lucifer’s body “without me, it’s only a matter of time until you’re led into another trap.”
Lucifer swats at the cane, his body stiffening. “Hey, that’s still-”
Alastor’s arm darts out as his claws wrap themselves around Lucifer’s slim neck, his shadow expanding in a manner that seems to surround the angel in darkness. Alastor just leans closer to Lucifer’s shocked face, his eyes boring into the king’s. “You aren’t able to harm sinners but we can very well harm you, your majesty.”
Lucifer’s hands instinctively darted to Alastor’s wrist, his nails scratching- resulting in nothing, thanks to his seal. “You- asshole-” Lucifer hisses between shaky breaths, and Alastor tightens his grip in warning.
“I’m merely proving a point, Lucifer.” Alastor says plainly. His hand retracts, and Lucifer stumbles back with bated breaths, his hand shooting over his own neck as he rubs at the ache. Alastor’s shadows seem to retreat back into their host, no longer as engulfing. Alastor watches Lucifer wince, an air of satisfaction around him. “Hell is changing. And you’ll either have to adapt, or become lamb to the slaughter, angel.”
Alastor’s hand reaches out once more, this time in the offer of a handshake. “Lend me your power whenever I ask for it. And I will let no physical harm from any other sinner come to you.”
Lucifer’s silent for a moment, his eyes lifting to meet Alastor’s.
“...You seriously think I’m gonna make a deal with sinner trash like you?”
Alastor’s expression doesn’t falter.
“Do you believe you stand a chance without me?” he asks, genuinely. “Afterall, no king is complete without his knight.”
The room’s quiet for a moment. A tense atmosphere continues to crackle between the two, Lucifer’s glance elsewhere.
And then Lucifer’s hand slowly lifts to hover next to Alastor’s, not quite touching him just yet.
“...You won’t let any sinner harm me.” Lucifer murmurs, meeting Alastor’s gaze. “And you won’t harm me either.”
Alastor’s smile widens at the angel’s stern clarification, an amused glint glowing in his eyes at the additional instruction.
“Of course.” he acknowledges.
Lucifer’s eyes drift down to their hands, to the way a green aura glows around Alastor’s welcoming palm.
A sigh leaves Lucifer. His smaller hand meets Alastor’s clawed one.
“It’s a deal.”