A Deal of a Lifetime

I don't think my heart has ever beat harder, the height of his door almost looming over me with purpose. The red and black coloring causes shivers down my spine.

After multiple deep breaths, and enough convincing to make anyone crazy I reach out, rapping my knuckles against the door.

There's a soft chime that can be heard before the door opens, black, furred hooves coming into my field of vision before I can move my gaze.

"Well, well well, if it isn't the King of Hell, to what do I owe this displeasure?"

I tilt my head, gaze finally meeting Alastor, who looks at me with a smug grin, hands resting against his staff.

"Alastor... how terrible it is to see you again."

He laughs, and the sound, while deafeningly similar to that of radio static, makes my heart twist and turn in ways that it shouldn't.

I bite my lip as his laughing dies down, face returning to one of disdain.

"Seriously, why are you here?"

I take a breath, trying to collect my thoughts well enough to not sound like a total idiot in front of him.

I have no idea why he makes me feel like this. Like my heart wants to beat out of my chest, and my head wants to fucking scream at how Idiotic I am.

"I-I..."

The words just won't leave my lips, and I mentally curse myself at how stupid I must sound.

Alastor sighs before rolling his eyes.

"Spit it out Lucifer."

I suck in a breath before looking up at him, practically yelling my words.

"I want to make a deal with you!"

Static erupts in the air, black tentacles sprouting up from the ground, around the deer who stands In front of me.

Before I can react, one of them slides up my side, cool against my skin. He grabs me, dragging me into his room, door shutting tight with a thump behind the both of us.

He sets me down onto the couch, it's red, worn, and slightly old fashioned but extremely comfortable.

Alastor places himself onto the seat across from me with a grace that could only be expected from the radio demon himself.

"You.... the King of hell himself, wants to make a deal with me?"

His grin grows ever wider, teeth glinting in the light, showing just how sharp they are.

I nod, biting my lip once more, feeling the supple skin between my own teeth. God this sounds so dumb to ask him, now that I actually think my plan through.

"And what do you expect to earn from this, deal?"

He drags out the word, his tone alone causing me to rethink every choice leading up to this point.

finally, I spit out the words that have been building on my tongue.

"I want you to ensure Charlie's safety. lookout for her, watch how the other overlords interact with her... I just.... want to know that she'll be okay, even when I can't be around."

His eyes tighten, radio dials appearing, shining like portals to a world I can't quite understand yet.

"You essentially want me to... be a babysitter?"

I suck in a breath, holding back a chuckle now that he puts it that way.

"I suppose... Obviously I don't need you to dote on her, I just need to know you would be there if things go haywire... or if anyone tries to hurt her or do something shady..."

He hums, leaning back in his chair just slightly.

"You want... Peace of mind."

I nod, back finally resting against the couch as I settle. Now that he knows of my request, I can breathe easier.

he sighs, eyes meeting mine.

"I have only one question... why me? You're the king of hell, I know you have other connections to powerful demons, so why would you choose me? We... hate each other."

He sets his staff to the side, hands now resting atop each other, laying on the knee which is crossed atop the other.

"Well... to be completely honest I trust you the most. You're about the only demon in hell who I think wouldn't take advantage of Charlie if put in the position to."

he hums once more, grin shrinking into a look of true contemplation.

"That's a lot of trust to put on my shoulders, Sire."

I nod.

"You're right, it is. That's why I'm willing to do anything to get you to agree."

His features contort back to the grin he once had, though, this time it's more of a... smile? He stands, longs legs quickly eating up the space between us as he moves to sit next to me.

As his thigh brushes against mine, I can feel the all but familiar quickening of my heartbeat--cheeks no doubt reddening.

"Anything, your highness?"

My breath catches in my throat, words leaving my lips as nothing more than a faint whisper.

"Anything, Alastor."

He leans in closer, hand coming to rest on the top of my thigh, squeezing just tight enough to take my breath away. fuck.

"Well then, I think you have a deal, your majesty."

Within an instant, he closes the gap-sealing my lips to his, the action feeling more like a promise than a kiss.

I can feel the wisps of our magic mingling around our bodies, swirls of golden yellow, and blood red tangling together as his lips move against mine.

When his other hand comes to rest on the couch next to my left thigh, and my hands grip his hips, pulling him to straddle my waist, I think I finally realize that maybe the hatred that's been burning deep down inside, has been tension and desire this whole time.

That maybe, neither of us really needed a deal to make this moment happen.

But now that I know Charlie is protected, and Alastor wants me just as much as I want him, I can let myself melt into this feeling, this want, this need.