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androgynousblackbox · 2 months ago

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Red Snow. 2/3 [Appleradio, Radioapple]

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Alastor sighed, staring at the door through where Lucifer had gone to. What was he supposed to do now? Just wait for the elf to come back? Who even knew how long it would take? Hours?

After a good while sitting in one of the chais, Alastor decided that he had enough waiting. He ran a finger through the surface of the largest table and sneered at the thin layer of dust gathered there. When was the last time that anyone actually cleaned up there?

He groaned as two impulses fought inside of him. In the end, he decided that Lucfer would have to accept that if he wanted to keep Alastor around, these were some unacceptable conditions to be in. By goodness, he could have at least put the used glasses and pots away before receiving any visits.

Clicking his tongue, he stood up to roll up his sleeves. At the very least, it would be one way to pass the time before Lucifer came back and then they could discuss an actual plan.

He found a bucket and an old broom collecting dust on a small closet. When he pulled them out, a spider web stretched out and broke while a tiny black spider ran to hide among the cracks of the ceiling. Luckily for him, the was a tub with a pumping handle that took care of giving him the water he neeed.

The first concern was the floor, putting the old carpet on the side. Over and over again, Alastor spread the water from his bucket and pushed it outside with the broom. Once he was satisfied enough, he went on for the table, grabbing an old rag that frankly he had no idea what it was before.

Each of the chairs were next, noticing the distinctive markings and shapes. None of them was like the others. One had cat ears at the back, another revealed carvings that looked to be eight eyes surrounded by spots and the tiniest one, one he wouldn’t believe wasn’t just decoration, but was in the same line up as all others, had a motif of bugs all over. Another one was all soft edges with cute bunny ears on top, next to one with a huge bow that covered all the whole back. Lastly, the chair at the head to the table had little duks nuzzling each other. It was clear that they were the same style and coming from the same hands as the ones responsible for the ducks sitting at the entrance.

To finish with the floors, he picked up the small carpet in front of the door and gave a good pair of hits with a stick he found outside. Clouds of dust and dirt came out flying, but it was therapeutic in a way. Finally, he passed the rag over the furniture. Only with the musical instruments that seemed to be unnecesary. It was clear that those were taken care of better than all else.

He was on his way to reach a shelf when suddenly he realized he wasn't alone at that home. He knew that a moment before he felt the cold pressure of a spear at the side of his neck.

"Who are you" hissed a voice just behind. Alastor straightened up, his hand going over where he still had his knife at the ready. "If you came to steal something, you came to the wrong place, buddy."

"Do you know many thieves that would bother to clean up before taking anything?" couldn't help to reply Alastor and chuckled when the spear pressed further. "No sense of humor then, duly noted. I guess you are familiarized with Lucifer?"

"Huh?" The person behind him was clearly taken aback. Alastor took the brief lost of pressure to turn around, losing contact with the cold metal. In front of him stood a small grey skinned woman with long white hair braided at her back. An eyepatch covered one of her eyes, but the other looked at attentive as anything could be. None of that mattered to Alastor, though. Not as much as the fact the woman in question was floating above the ground and agitating translucent wings at her back. Her eyebrows came together closer, but at least didn't try to redirect her spear again. "How do you know Lucifer?"

"I can't believe it!" gasped loudly another voice. A pale face had been peeking inside from the door and another woman came running inside. Blonde, two red cheeks on her face, small horns coming from the sides of her head. If somehow none of that was enough to clue him in how she had to be related to Lucifer, the big brown eyes could have been enough. A sister, maybe? Bedore any of them could react, she had already moved to stand right in front of Alastor. She was taller than Lucifer, but Alastor still had to look down to meet her bright smile. "Are you Alastor, the human prince?! Papa has talked so much about you! I can't believe I am finally meeting you!"

"Papa?" Alastor had stopped caring about the spear at all. That had to be a mistake, right? Lucifer definitely didn't look old enough to be the father of a woman that seemed to be only slightlty younger than him.

The blonde woman nodded enthusiastically, barely breathing in her excitement.

"Are you then?! If so, you have no idea how long I have wanted to meet you!" She barely waited for Alastor give a small nod before she threw her arms around him, squeezing him so tight that now Alastor lost contact with the ground. He already knew that Lucifer was stronger than he looked like, but her hugs felt like it could crush his ribs at any second.

"Sweetie..." called the grey woman.

Only then Charlie stopped, putting him back in the ground with a sheepish grin. Alastor grabbed to the wall as he regained his breath

"Sorry, I got a little too excited" excused Lucifer's daughter with a giggle. "Nice to meet you, your uh... Majesty?"

"Alastor is fine" said the man.

His eyes went over to the door, where a slim man with soft pink hair and pink freckles was watching. Right next to another with cat ears. Suddenly the chairs made a lot more sense now.

"Alastor then!" perked up the blonde woman, offering her hand. Unlike Lucifer, hers were only only black until her first knuckles finished and the rest was just as pale as the rest of her skin. "I am so, so, so pleased to meet you! My name is Charlie and this one here is Vaggie! You are totally welcome to our little hostal!"

Alastor took the hand and, even though he was mentally prepared, still wasn't able to predict the strong shake of Charlie. It left his fingers numb even after she left go.

"Pleasure to make your acquantance, dear" replied mechanically, like another round of presentation of royal members at the castle, when he had no idea who he was talking to. "Yes, I... did you say hostal?"

Charlie nodded emphatically, with a smile even brighter than before if that was possible.

"Yes! Welcome to the Happy Place! Where my dad and I take all outcasts and given them a warm place to stay! Everyone is welcome here and can be part of our own wonderful family!" Charlie looked back to the door and perked up, pointing at the two men. "Like them, for example, our two residents! Angel Dust and Husk."

"Hi" said the pink hair man, entering inside. He was about the same height as Charlie, but the thing Alastor saw immediately were the six arms across his torse that all crossed over his chest, moving his hips to one side. "Human royalty, huh? I haven't seen one of your kind in a while."

"I feel like I have seen way too many" sighed the man with the cat ears. His slitted dark blue pupils looked even more as he came inside. Without barely looking at Alastor, he went up to a cupboard and took out a flask to drink from. "Welp, if Lucifer brought you over, then that is it, I guess. Just try not to make a mess."

"A mess?" protested Alastor. Have they not seen the state they had the whole place in? A state Alastor was making all better before any of them came back? Knowing that all these beings lived there, and yet, none of them could clean up properly, only bothered him further.

"Does my eye deceive me?!" came a screeching yell from one of the windows. Alastor barely had time to turn around when a red flash moved there, jumping from one point to another.

"Oh, that is Niffty" said Charlie casually.

The red point stopped jumping to all places and suddenly went up to Alastor's face, grabbing his cheeks. A tiny harpy with one big eye in the middle of her face was looking at him with a face splitting smile. Her red wings with some yellow feathers agitated at her back.

"I have tried to clean so many times, but it's never enough" said Niffty, almost trembling with excitement at the rythm of her giggling. "Never enough, never enough. There is always something more to work on. Nature is literally the worst place to live in if you want to be clean. But you did it all better" The small face of the harpy came closer as she was sniffed him and a bit of black drool fell from the side of her mouth. "You smell of murder, your Highness. No compassion whatsoever, pure malice. Did they screamed a lot?"

"Oh" Alastor blinked, surprised, but not because of that less delighted. What a lovely little creature. "Yes, in fact, he did. Begged for mercy by the end too."

"Oooh, I like you." Before Alastor could think to reply, Niffty cut out a strand of his hair with her claws and flew away giggling to the second floor. "For my collection!" yelled before dissapearing entirely.

"A-anyway!" said Charlie in the resulting silence. "As I was saying, welcome to the Happy Place, Alastor. And thank you so much for the cleaning up, you really didn't have to."

"Clearly I did" replied Alastor, keeping his smile. He had thought that Lucifer there on his own and if so, a little bit of neglect could be understandable. But so many people and the only one who cared about cleaning was the only one who was too small to pick up a broom? Now that was ludicrious. "But now that you are all back here, you can help me out with the last details! That way we can have a presentable place at last."

Angel Dust snorted on a size, sitting up on one of the chair.

"I don't think so, buddy. This body wasn't made for housework" started when suddenly Alastor was looming just at his side, his smile revealing all of his teeth.

"You brought the mud back to my freshly cleaned up floor" said, pointing down. To the mud marks left after the booths of the creature. "You cleaned it up. Or else I will find out what poison works the better for whatever is that you are and make sure that is all you ever taste again."

"Are you kidding..." Angel Dust stared at him.

Alastor came closer, his smile still like carved into cold, unforgiving stone.

"Does it look like I am kidding?" asked, fluttering his eyelashed and pushed the rag against Angel Dust's chest. "Later, clean up those hands. All those hands. By then, supper should be ready. Or else you are not crossing that door again, understood?"

"Hey, buddy, I hate to break it to you, but this is not your castle..." started the other man, trying to defend his friend, but got startled when Alastor quickly turned to him with an unblinking stare.

"You should be ashamed of yourself for letting this place get so dirty. I assume you are a full grown adult, my friend, and if so, what is your own excuse for not being able to take care of yourself properly? Absolutely pathetic" declared, giving a step forward. With each other, Husk had to walk back until his back hit the wall and Alastor towered over him. "You want to help your friend? Clean up whatever there is upstairs and clean your own hands too. I am not staying in a pigsty, no matter how comfortable you are with that state of things. As long Lucifer wants me to be here, we are going to do things properly. Are we clear?"

After a second beat, Husk nodded slowly and Alastor's eyes lighted up as he came back to his full height.

"Wonderful! As for you two!" said, making a hand gesture towards Charlie and Vaggie. "You two can help me out preparing the food. I saw some meat and vegetables were still left in the cupboard. That is more than enough to make an acceptable stew and I, for one, think that sounds about perfect right now! Get to chopping, ladies, we have work to do!"

---

By the time Lucifer came back, the sun had already left the sky. The whole mess with the queen had taken longer than expected, and then make sure that nobody raised alarms because of the boar that was left instead of a man's body added at least a few more hours. But everything seemed fine by the time he definitely abandoned the place. When he traspassed the portal between the trees, he sighed to see that the lights at home were turn on.

As he came close, he heard a familiar hissing and saw a black and green Naga came up from the path to the on the other side. Sir Pentious agitated his tongue in the air before noticing him.

"Oh, good night, Lucifer" greeted, perking up. "I jusst came back from the town and it sseemss that we have a guesst tonight" commented, tasting the air again. "Ssomeone new."

"Yeah, that would be my guest" commented Lucifer, coming closer. The Naga was carrying a huge bag full of his tools and instruments to make various work for whoever could pay him, dragging his long black snake tail. He was the newest resident of Happy Place. He haven't beed outcasted as much just lost his group during one of his jouneys and never found them again. They still received him anyway. He was the only one who knew how to tune his piano properly, so Lucifer was never going to complain having him around. "Remember that guy I talked about? The human?" asked as they made the way over to the house.

"Oh, the prince who can't be at the casstle because the Queen's wicked wayss?"

"That one. Today the queen threatened his life, so he will be staying with us for now. You think Charlie and the rest are here already?"

"Oh, poor ssoul. Yess, they are."

Lucifer nodded with a sigh. Now it was going to come the time for a lot of explanations and catching up. He just hoped that Alastor was going to be able to adapt living on a small place like that one rather than a castle. As he entered the door, however, his nose catched on a delicious smell in the air. One that directly took him to the table where everyone else was sat on.

"Oh, finally!" greeted Alastor, using a spoon to serve a small bowl that Niffty received hungrily. "I was wondering what was taking you so long. Since you are back now, you and the snake man over there can go clean themselves up before coming inside."

Lucifer just stood there for a few seconds. It wasn't the first time that he saw Alastor preparing a meal, but it was the first time that he saw him wearing an apron and looking as domestic as one could be inside their own home. That same man had just bathed himself in human blood not that long ago.

"Well?" asked Alastor, arching an eyebrow to him.

"Uh, sure."

He came outside again with Sir Pentious and shrugged when the Naga looked at him. What else they were supposed to do? They both walked over to the well at the side of the house and picked up a bucket, where a helpful towell was already at the ready for them. Lucifer carry on the things of Sir Pentious while he went first and then did as well. Once they were finished, they opened up the door and they both enjoyed once again the smell of the stew.

"That is better. Come now before it gets cold" approved Alastor, sitting at the head of the table. At his chair, actually. Sir Pentious rushed to grab a bowl of his own, while Lucifer saw himself forced to drag a stool as his seat.

As he did, the residents greeted with a grumble, most of them with their mouths full. Lucifer still couldn't quite believe it. Normally he would be the only one cooking around there.

"Hi, dad" said Charlie, smiling up to him. "Vaggie and I helped out cooking this time! You have to taste it, Alastor is such a good cook!"

"Oh, I know" said Lucifer, recieving a bowl full that Husk passed to him. "Thanks. Uh... I guess you all know each other then?"

"It would have been nice to know what to wait before someone tried to threaten me" commented Alastor, fluttering his eyelashed to Vaggie, who chocked on her next spoonful.

"I thought he was a thief!" justified, her translucent wings fluttering behind.

"Ah, yes, the cleaning thief. Taking away one portion of dust at a time."

"You cleaned?" said Lucifer, looking around. Now that he noticed, yeah, the place did seemed different now. Had Alastor done that to compensate his staying? "Oh, wow, you... I mean, that is great, but really didn't have to."

"I disagree" said Alastor with a huge grin. "If I am to become a new guest at this place, I am not doing it in less than acceptable conditions. You know already that I don't mind some manual labor anyway. If anything, it gave me something to do while everyone else was away." Alastor frowned slightly, as if he just remembered. "It's... all done now? The issue with the queen?"

"Yeah." Lucifer saw the relief wash over Alastor, even as he kept his composure just the same. "She won't try anything else."

Alastor nodded slowly. The man cleared his throat, moved a little over the chair and came back to his own meal, without adding any other word.

"Sir" called Vaggie, speaking to Lucifer, "what exactly did you do?"

Lucifer explained to the whole table about the whole ruse with the heart and the reaction of the queen. He didn't mention the part of the queen just eating the heart raw in front of him, though. The whole way through the forest he had debated with himself telling Alastor or not about the legends. In the end, he decided that if anyone had any right to that information it should be the prince.

"So she thought that with killing me, she could gain more power?" To Alastor's credit, he seemed to assimilate the information rather well. "What kind of power?"

"No clue" said Lucifer. "But it was something she really wanted. And you were right the whole time, she had magical means to find you. If you try to go after her, she will know immediately."

Alastor sighed, like he had been told it was raining over his favorite parade.

"Well, that is unfortunate. But at least I can take some comfort knowing she won't get what she desires as long I am alive" summarized with shrug.

It was one way to look at it. Lucifer supposed that anything to keep the optimism was fine, so didn't argue. Now that was out the question, Charlie insisted on talking about how each of them had done to come there.

Angel Dust was a shapeshifter that had gotten involved with the biggest merchant of his native town, something that the wife of said merchant didn't appreciate, and had him ran off. Husk, a warlock expelled from his coven when they find out he was gambling using the resources of the group. The cat ears were a curse one of them placed after Husk had lost their grimoire. Niffty, a harpy whose parents were killed by hunters and never fit it with the others. Vaggie, a guard fairy that got into a disagreement with another guard and was accused of conspiring to take the whole kingdom down as a result, forcing her to flee.

All of them without another place to go, all them finding refuge under the roof Lucifer had build, thanks to the infinite compassion of his darling daughter.

Lucifer did not think Alastor cared very much about any of that. While Charlie was talking, his green eyes just glazed over as he nodded politely and let her continue.

"And then there is papa!" finished Charlie, patting the back of Lucifer.

"Oh?" Now Alastor did looked interested, tilting his head. "I thought you all just happened to have a home you decided to give a new use for."

"Not at all!" said Charlie with a vigorous nod. "Papa, you tell it better than I do."

"It's nothing that interesting" prefaced Lucifer with a half smile.

"Let's hear it anyway" encouraged Alastor.

And that was all he needed.

"My father got around" started Lucifer, making a wide gesture with his spoon. "A lot. And I do mean a lot. Back then I had twelve siblings and none of us shared the same mother. Some of them were half fairies, half witches, half dragon. Me? I was the result of the only time that old man wanted to try something different, something he never did before. Try to guess" said, staring at Alastor with a slight shrug.

"Half human" said, understanding. Now that explained the brown eyes.

Lucifer nodded.

"Correct. Now that... you weren't really supposed to do that. Nobody had a problem with him going out of his way to have more magical children, that was only more traits that would pass on later, but what does a human hybrid can offer? We weren't supposed to interact with humans in the first place. They are savages. They are ruthless. They don't respect nature if not to try to dominate it. So, as you can imagine, from the start that was leaving me to grow up with everyone expecting how I would mess up. And since other elves kinda kept me at a distance, I ended up going to the closest town more and more. Just chatting with people, forming relations. If I covered myself up, most people didn't even think twice about me being there. I was just looking some way to pass the time. It was nice to not have a bunch of people hunched over your back to judge everything you do, ready to blame it on something you could never control either. Some people were fun. But one especially I kept coming back to" said Lucifer, smiling to Charlie, who perked up.

"Mom" said and Alastor almost, almost could feel his ever present smile slip away from his grasp.

Oh. That made sense. It made all the sense of the world that if Charlie had Lucifer as a father, then somewhere there had to be a mother. Somehow the thought had never crossed his mind until that moment. Alastor looked at each of the chairs around the table, trying to imagine where she sat. When his gaze returned to Lucifer, the elf was looking at his daughter with the same kind of clear, soft adoration that he had only ever seen in his mom's face as a child.

"Your mom" said Lucifer with a chuckle. "My Lilith. The most beautiful woman I had ever seen, with the most amazing singing voice. A lady farmer that had ran away from her first husband, who she never loved. She first came to me because she heard I could cure animals, but for some reason, who knows why, she also just wanted to speak to me. When I finally revealed myself to her, she didn't even flinch. She just said she knew I wasn't like the other men she knew and that was only more confirmation for her."

Alastor barely controlled himself from openly huffing. His bowl was still half full, but he couldn't eat anymore. What he already had weighted heavy in the pit of his stomach. When he met Lucifer, he didn't flinched either. As if that was such a huge deal. There was nothing scary or petrifying about him, horns or not.

He had wanted to know more about Lucifer since the day he met. That was the first time ever he ever preferred to have stayed ignorant instead. The thought of Lucifer having a life outside of their encounters was one thing, but then imagining him sharing that life with someone else was revolting. Unacceptable in a level he couldn't quite understand. Wrong in the worst way possible.

"Unfortunately, someone find us out" continued Lucifer. "That was the last straw anyone was willing to accept from me. They kicked me out and said that if I ever came back to the castle again, they were going to imprison me. Since I very much enjoy not being a prisoner, I ran away with Lilith."

"Castle?" asked Alastor, even though that wasn't not remotely the point of the story.

Lucifer blinked, as if suddenly taken out of his own memories.

"Oh, I didn't mention it?" He pursed his lips to a side, looking to a side. That wasn't a part of his story that he particularly enjoyed retelling. "My father was... the king, basically. Of the fae kind. That is how he could afford to have so many kids. Never took a queen, though, at least as far I knew him. Thanks to my own position in the bloodline, I was more likely to turn into golden dust than reach the throne even if the old man did stand down. So it's not like I was giving up this great position that I never had. But you know, being exiled is never fun for anyone." He sighed, reacccomodating his his elbows on his table. "Anyway, when I told Lilith this, she was the one ready to tag along. After lots of searching, we happened to find this placement and we got to working."

The smile came back to Lucifer again, admiring the ceiling.

"Every piece of this house, we build it together. I told her to take a rest when the baby started showing, but you could never take an idea away from that woman."

Alastor clawed his own thigh. Of course there was a baby. He was literally watching the baby full grown in front of him. But the mental image of a happy enthusiastic Lucifer doting over his pregnant wife was so intensively clear that it felt like a slash to the face.

"When we were finally done, Charlie was just about the most precious baby girl ever. With her cute little hooves and her adorable little horns" cooed Lucifer, pinching the cheek of an adult Charlie, who blushed and pushed him away.

"Where is she?" asked Alastor before he could stop himself. But he had to know now. Was she at the house after all? Was she on a trip and had to come back?

"Huh?" Lucifer stared at him and swallowed, pressing his lips. "Oh, well, um. Human and elves... our life span are way different. We are, you know, more or less immortal and Lilith... wasn't, so" his voice trailed off, unable to follow up the sentence.

"Mom passed away. A decade ago, actually" explained Charlie easily, patting the hand of her father over the table. Despite her smile, Alastor noticed the way she was blinking more than necessary.

"But, but she had a good run!" added Lucifer, forcing a chuckle. "90 years of life, that is not a small thing for humans, right?" asked, looking at Alastor as if to confirm this.

He had never in his life met anyone who had reached that age. It was truly impressive.

"That is a lot" agreed with him.

"Exactly" said Charlie, taking a deep breath. "So, mom had a full and happy life here. But once she was gone, this place looked so big and empty without her. That is why we decided to open the hostal. Everyone is welcome, to rest and to take care of one another as long they are here."

Alastor nodded. He looked up to Lucifer, still holding the hand of Charlie.

"It's a beautiful house" commented. It was a lived in place. One that someone clearly had done from the ground up out of sincere dedication. That was always something to admire, even if he didn't loved the style.

He knew now, if he didn't before, from where all those chairs have come from. Even after Lilith's passing, Lucifer never stopped creating with his hands.

"Thanks" said Lucifer with a tiny smile, but didn't last long.

The entire table fell into some sort of heavy silence. No one dared to break it, out of respect. But in the middle of that, the sadness was heighing Lucifer's shoulder lower. It didn't took a genius to know why he haven't mentioned his wife before in front of him. No matter if it was a decade or not, it was clear the whole topic was still painful for the man.

Well, that just wouldn't do. Alastor gave his bowl to Husk to finish and stand up.

"What about those instruments?" asked, going directly to them. He pressed one of the keys of the piano and smiled at the vibrating note. "I always wanted to play music, but my father thought it was a waste of time. I could listen to something pleasant if someone can offer."

Charlie gasped, pulling on the sleeve of her father.

"Papa totally knows how to play!"

Angel Dust lifted his bowl to drink it all up at once and let out a sigh when he was done.

"Hey, yes, it has been a while" added with a cheeky grin.

"Music!" encouraged Niffty, agitating her wings over the table. Even on her smaller size, she had her own chair with a tray for her meals.

Lucifer over the rest of the present ones, all insisting he should play, and he laughed softly.

"Alright, alright" accepted, lifting his hands to go where Alastor was standing. In front of the piano, Alastor pulled out the small stool and Lucifer made a little bow in front of everyone before sitting down. "This one is called... Ducks are the best animals ever, don't argue with me, song."

The collective groan from the residents of the hostal brought a smile to Alastor's face. At least Lucifer now seemed in a much better move as he started moving his fingers over the keyboard, conjuring a lively and fun melody. Despite the topic being clearly one they were not enthusiastic about, soon enough their feet were tapping in rythm. Alastor did too, getting into the mood, and extended one hand to Charlie.

Charlie laughed, but accepted the invitation. Lucifer's eyes crinkled as he started singing. A stupid song that made no sense whatsoever, improvised in the spot, but let clear he also too had a wonderful singing voice.

"And they have such soft feathers, soft as they can be, which you can use to cut a tree and also count to three! Get yourself a duckie or two to waddle over the water, on a line, don't be shy, and stay dry on the other side!"

Even though he was the one to start the dance, Alastor followed the lead of Charlie for the first steps and only after a moment understood what he had to do. Kicking and twirling around, so her blonde braid whipped the air behind her.

"Husk!" called Lucifer.

The warlock came over to take his place, following the same rythm although changing the music. Standing up, Lucifer came to join them just as Angel Dust did the same. Somehow his black hand end up in the place where his daughter was and Alastor squeezed tight, tigther than when he was brought there in the first place. While Lucifer got in front of him, Charlie pulled Vaggie close to her. Even while moving, Lucifer was incapable of stop singing his silly lyrics full of stupid puns that had Alastor gasping for air. Laughing and dancing, for a new found freedom and to not think on the past again.

After what felt hours of their improvised party, all the residents were tired enough to go straight to their beds. Alastor saw both Charlie and Vaggie dissapearing behind the same door, just like Angel Dust and Husk. The only one who truly have a room entirely of his own was Sir Pentious, downstair, where he could have his nest close to the ground. Lucifer told him that they could build an expansion to make his own room, since they only have available a room full of junk that would be far too small anyway.

All of that to say, his own room was the only one available for him to use.

"It will be temporary" assured Lucifer, opening the door. Just like it happened when Alastor came inside the house, lights instantly turned on in every wall. "You can have the bed. I will just grab a couple of blankets and pillows for myself."

Lucifer went on to a large closet to start rummaging through it. Everything on that room was larger than what Alastor expected. It made sense, of course, if a normal size human had been living there before. A vanity in the farthest wall reflected him clearly, with no dust or speck of anything dirty on it. A woonder comb was still laying on its side, as if any moment now its rightful owner would pick it up again any time now. Despite the state the rest of the house was in, it was clear at least that was properly taken care of. On the corner of the room, a single chair laid there. A taller one than any of the other downstairs. Alastor needed to come close to see that small musical notes have been engraved across it, surrounding a pointy crown where the back would rest.

"Alright, I think that is all" said Lucifer, turning around with his arms both full. He saw where the attention of Alastor was concentrated, but didn't clarified who that chair was for. Alastor didn't ask either. Clearing his throat, the elf continued: "If you want to grab a glass of water or something, you better do it now or else we will have Husk grumbling about the noise later. Cat hearing can be annoying sometimes."

"Lucifer" called Alastor, just when Lucifer was about to go.

"Yeah?" Lucifer turned.

Alastor didn't spoke immediately. When he looked over at the elf, he wanted to know why he had saved him at all. Why bother bringing him to his place, open his doors, offer everything he had? What was he expecting to gain from any of this? But he already know the kind of answer that Lucifer had given him in the past. To shove it and just accept that is what he wanted to do. Not everyone was after their own interest all the time for every little interaction.

He could almost hear the voice of the elf sayng those exact words. Even so, it was hard to believe on them. To think that this was it. That he didn't have to run away or keep looking over his shoulder anymore. That notion was stranger than accepting to be on a house surrounded by magical creatures that, until that day, only ever existed in books for him.

"Al?"

He also considered just saying thank you. That should be the least he could do, right? Just a simple thank you, a recogntion that Lucifer truly didn't have to do anything for him and Alastor knew that. A form of sincere appreciation.

"I..." said and cleared his throat. "I think we need to get more food. That stew almost left the cupboards empty."

"Oh! Okay, yeah, I think we are due a visit to the market anyway. I can take you to there tomorrow and teach you how it is. If we are going, we don't need to go hunting anyway" Lucifer flashed a smile. "Anything else?"

"No, that was all."

"Alright" Lucifer pulled the door open and came out to the hallway. "Have a good night then."

"Night."

As soon Lucifer was out, Alastor let himself fall to the bed. At the same time, all the lights around them turned off. The bed was larger than what Lucifer probably needed because once a tall human slept there. Was it too late to chose to sleep downstair instead? And what excuse could he give to Lucifer when he inevitably asked?

He groaned, pulling the covers to let himself in. One of the pillows smelled stronger than the other and he grabbed the most to that one, burying his head in. The slighty sweet scent that followed Lucifer everywhere was one he could never quite forget nor confuse for anything else. Not sweet as a pie, as a dessert or even a flower, but something soft, earthly that he could never quite compare to anything else. That was Lucifer and could never be anything else but Lucifer.

When he opened up one eye, the moon reaching over from the window landed on the empty chair. How many nights did Lucifer spend watching over it, bringing to mind all the times that his wife occupied it? He couldn't even begin to understand what that would be like. Ever since his father remarried, almost everything that was from his mother had dissapeared from the castle. The only memories left were those he could carry with him. Lucifer was surrounded by it constantly, all the time. Completely aware that those floors he built next to her. Spending every night on that room they both shared.

Was that the reason why he went to save him in the first place? Just trying to find a replacement for the one human he didn't have anymore? Biding his time, waiting patiently, until the day that he would be able to have Alastor there? He wanted to argue against that notion, but that chair would not let him win.

Grumbling to himself, Alastor turned in the bed, giving his back to the silent intruder. Why did immortal beings had to make things more complicated?

Alastor was woken up by a enthusiastic knock at the door. He lifted his head instantly, still half asleep, expecting to hear the voice of a servant telling him that the Queen required his presence to clean up her favorite statue or water her plants, right before try to kill him again.

"Good morning, Alastor!" sang the voice of Charlie instead. Right, he wasn't at the castle anymore. "Hope you had a great sleep. Dad said that we are going to the market today. Whenever you are ready, come find us downstairs!"

"Will do, dear" said Alastor with a sigh, rubbing his face.

"We will be waiting, but there is no rush! Take your time!" After giving that reassurance, the step of Charlie moved away from the door and Alastor stood up.

First things first, he had to reaccomodate the bed and pull the covers where they should be. After that, he looked himself at the mirror in the vanity furniture and fixed his hair with his fingers. The red curls tangled and untangled around until they fell exactly where he liked them. Before moving out, he noticed the chair again and sneered at its direction.

Downstair, all the residents were already up and talking among each other. Lucifer was the only one he couldn't immediately see.

"Morning, your Majesty" greeted Angel, drinking some kind of tea from his mug. "Took your sweet time up there. I thought we wouldn't move until lunch time."

"Angel" reprimanded Charlie, coming over to him with a tray. Another mug contained the same kind of tea laid there. "Don't pay attention to him. You must have been pretty tired after all that happened yesterday, so of course you needed to rest. Please, take this."

"What is it?" Alastor did took the mug and sniffed it as subtly as he could. It smelled vaguely citrusy, but there was another scene that felt more pungent.

"Lemon and mint tea! Dad's recipe. It's supposed to wake you up to start the day with the right foot. We have some bread if you would like" offered Charlie. Alastor stared at her until the fact that this place was supposed to be a hostal came back to him. She was just trying to be a cordial host.

On the table, indeed, there was a basket with freshly made bread that, according to Charlie, her dad had made that same morning. It was still warm and soft in the inside. The tea wasn't really of his taste, but it was hot so Alastor enjoyed the feeling of going down his throat to hug his chest.

"Where is Lucifer?" asked.

"Here" said the voice of the man, coming from the entrance. Over his shoulders he was carrying a bunch of logs that would have any other man buckling under its weight. Like they were nothing, Lucifer walked over to the chimney where Alastor had prepared the stew last night and put it on the side. "I noticed that we were running low on wood and went to get some more. I had some bunch more prepared to work on your own room later."

Lucifer straightened up, saw that Alastor was once again using his chair and rolled his eyes, bringing the small seat for the piano back to everyone else in order to eat something himself. Despite his demeanor not really changing at all, Alastor noticed the eyebags on his face looked to be darker than usual. How long had he been awake to do so many chores? Had he slept at all?

"How did you do last night? Could you rest well?" asked Lucifer and Alastor blinked at him.

He had slept in a perfectly comfortable bed. Ominous reminders of a past that he was never a part of not whitstanding, why would he had not rested? And of course he couldn't mention that small detail to the man either. Not only because it was embarassing by itsef, it wasn't the fault of the elf either that Alastor was haunted by a chair nobody used anymore. He had no idea of who to blame for that one.

"Peaceful, no complaints" answered simply, taking another sip of the tea he didn't like. "I guess, if anything, it's a relief to not have to prepare myself for the next assasination attempt. Unless someone slipped something into this drink already" added with a chuckle that Lucifer shared.

"I guess you will never know until it's too late" commented with a grin and Alastor remained with his smile still. Wait, that was right. Everything he knew about plants and their usages had come from Lucifer. If he did something to him, who was to stop him. At seeing his face, Lucifer snorted and started laughing, patting his back. "I am joking, buddy, relax! You are safe now as far I am concerned with!"

"Dad, that is not funny" said Charlie with a pout. "Alastor went through enough already!"

"It's fine, it's fine" Alastor made a hand gesture to calm her down, before Lucifer could reply. "I suppose that is fair game considering all the things I slipped into his meals over the years" commented casually, hiding a smirk when Lucifer suddenly stopped smiling. "Oh, well, I don't know about you all, but I feel about ready to go out! I want to see what the fuzz is all about with that market you all keep talking about!"

"Finally" said Husk, going to pick a cloack from a hanger.

Alastor stand up as well, with the rest of the residents grabing their own bags or accesories to go with them. Leaving Lucifer to process what Alastor just said and only reacting when Charlie told him they had to go.

"Right! Right, the market." Lucifer went out to pick on his own cloak, light brown with some symbols Alastor did not understand embroidered on the inside, and putting over his shoulders.

Everyone at the ready, Lucifer was the last one in come out and closed the door. After turning the key inside, he made a gesture in the air as if surrounding a fly floating right in front of him and snapped his fingers.

"Little security measure" explained the elf to Alastor, running to join the group. "If anyone that doesn't live with us enters while we are gone, I will know."

"I see" commented Alastor, archiving that information.

Since he had no idea of where they were, he had no other option but to follow the rest. They were truly on a completely different kind of forest, none of it was recognizable for him. Lucifer explained that they were technically on another realm, one where humans in general were not welcome to come in or came being tricked by some inescrupulous magical creatures.

"Which reminds me" added the man, lifting a finger. "If anyone you don't know offers you something to eat, don't take it. Food or drinks are always a contract you sign here, and if you don't know the conditions for it, that will only end badly for you."

"How am I supposed to get food then?"

"Well, for one, now you know why I hunt. Sometimes that is just easier than to make this whole journey" Lucifer nodded, casually lifting a tree from their way to move it to a side. Only after he did as such, they continued along the dirth path. Ahead of them there was a stone bridge over a stream of water. "But like I said, it's dangeroys if you don't know the conditions. If you both agreed before hand what you give in exchange for the food, and you find that it's not that bad, then it's okay. Just be very mindful about the wording you both use."

"What about the currency?" asked Alastor, realizing that he had no idea who was carrying it from the group.

"You mean gold? We don't need that here, buddy." For some reason, Lucifer smiled as he rushed ahead of the group, knocking on a tree three times. As he did, a similar effect as the one that happened when he saw Happy Place for the first time manifested in the air. Once it clarified, what seemed to be an empty potion of more forest now was lively with different stands and buildings. Bunch of creatures were walking around, between each other or with the sellers. "Your mind is the currency here" Lucifer grinned, making a dramatic gesture to invite the group to come in.

"You all have fun, losers. I have my own business to attend to. Let's go, handsome, you come with me" said Angel Dust, carrying on Husk by the arm with him and dissapearing in the crowd.

"I will offer my sservicess. If you will excusse me, gentleman!" Sir Pentious gave a rushed bow before slithering away.

Charlie chuckled, walking hand in hand with Vaggie. Niffty was perked up on top of her horns, positioned like a sleepy canary.

"We are also going to be looking around, dad. See you at the entrance in about an hour?"

"Sounds great, honey. Have fun." Lucifer waved at them before grinning to Alastor. "Come on, it's easier to understand if I show you. We need to get you some new clothes, don't we?"

Alastor could not disagree with that. Even thought his clothing were perfectly well, there was no way he was going to live only with that during the entire time that he lived with the group. Lucifer guided him until a zone full with merchants in their open moving carts, many of them with hangers showing off fabrics, hats, shoes, dresses and more.

"Levi!" called Lucifer, waving to a woman sitting next to a black tent.

Alastor at first assumed that it was another fairy like Vaggie, with a purpleish skin rather than grey, until they were close enough and realized she had two heads. One that could be humanoid, if not for the lack of a nose, while the other could only be described as reptilian. Both heads smiled at seeing Lucifer.

"Luci, I haven't seen you around in a while" greeted the more normal head, but the draconic one immediately glared at Alastor.

"Who is that one?" asked, stretching further ahead to sniff him. "Mortal" hissed, tilting to a side.

"Human" especified the other head.

"He is a friend" said Lucifer, moving to get between himself and the two headed woman. "A new resident of the Happy Place, actually! And it was kind of a emergency moving so he doesn't have more than what he wears. Could you help us out to fix that, Levi?"

"I like his eyes" commented the humanoid head, grinning at seeing Alastor closer herself. "And that is a beautiful shade of red on your head. Yes, red definitely is your color. I definitely can help with that. Come inside" invited, pulling on the entrance of her tent.

Alastor looked to Lucifer, who encouraged with a soft nod. Without no other option, Alastor had to bend over to follow Levi. He was expecting his head to poke on the ceiling, but, like he was getting used with Lucifer's house, it was a lot bigger than what it looked. In fact, it looked like the interior of a normal clothing store with stone floor.

"Come here, dear" called Levi, standing next to a full body mirror. As he did, she made a gesture above the mirror to enlarge it until it could show the entirety of Alastor's height. "Very well. I will show you a few of my own suggestion and you just tell me what do you think about it. Is that okay with you?"

"Sure."

With a snap, the woman changed his clothing on top of him. It was all well adjusted on top of him, like it was tailor made already.

"I love this fabric" commented Levi, gently pulling the sleeve of his shirt. He had to admit, it was beautiful, with embroidery golden details over the shoulders. "What do you think?"

"A little stiff. Do you have something softer?"

"It's for everyday use, Levi, not a ballroom."

The draconic head clicked her tongue in direction to Lucifer.

"Looking good is not a crime, Lucifer" commented Levi, snapping her fingers again.

Over and over she did. Every time, it felt like a small breeze was washing him over and dissolving his clothing from before. Some pieces of clothing Alastor really liked and others were absolutely unacceptable. Whichever he chose, Levi kept on top of him while changing the rest. By the end, a pile of the clothing he had accepted was being created next to Lucifer and Alastor had chosen to keep his outfit on. This shirt was lose enough to be comfortable, but still cut in a way that clearly showed his figure. The fabric belt around his waist was a darker shade of green that went well with his eyes and, finally, some dark brown pants and black boots. When Alastor asked for adjustment, Levi had no problem doing it with her magic until it was exactly to his liking.

"That will be all?" asked the woman, not subtly at all making a gesture towards a bunch of other fabrics she had hanging behind her.

They were all clearly gorgeous, but Alastor was satisfied already. Hiding her dissapointment, Levi put all his choices in a sack, closing it with a rope.

"There we go. How you paying today, Luci?"

Lucifer directed to Alastor a smile and a nod. Look how it's done.

"How about a song?" offered Lucifer.

Both heads sneered at the same time.

"No more duck songs, please" said the draconic head. "I had enough of those already for a lifetime."

Lucifer pouted, but regained his composure quickly, despite the dissapointment.

"Fine. How about Charlie then?"

"Let it come with a dance and we have a deal."

Said and done. Lucifer improvised a song about all the things that Charlie used to love as a kid. To swim in the river and roll in the mud, to lick rocks and call all the birds Bob for who knows what reason. All of which made her the best kid that had ever existed and everyone was better for knowing her. His dance included many jumps and twirls, clapping his hands following his rythm. He finished jumping forward while rolling in the air and landed on his knee, gasping.

"That is better." The humanoid head smiled and extended her hand to Lucifer. The elf stand up immediately and shook her. The moment they both made contact, a snake of smoke purple and red wrapped itself around them and dissolved into their skin. They both looked happy for this. "Pleasure to do business with you."

"Likewise, Levi. Thank you!" Lucifer carried the sack outside. Alastor followed him. "Do you understand now?"

"You pay in songs?"

"Songs, jokes, riddles, secrets, facts that are not that well known. Each merchant is going to put their own price. Some are more open while others are a lot more strict about what they want. Leviathan could have accepted any of that, but she likes songs the best. The only real conditions is that you can't pay two merchants with the same token and it has to be yours. The more personal it is, the more valuable. Oh, and don't worry. If you pay in a secret, they can't divulge it. Otherwise it would stop being a secret and become worthless. See how easy it is?"

Alastor nodded, mulling over this.

"I think I understand now. Could I try to buy something myself?"

"Sure..."

Lucifer didn't look entirely sure, but didn't protested as Alastor moved back to the stands. He passed over the ones with food and landed in one selling many items forged in metal. The vendor behind the table smiled, bright red eyes shinning in the relative darkness of the tent.

"Well, aren't you a human cutie" said the man, who for once was even taller than Alastor, chuckling. Despite being covered almost entirely in darkness, it was easy to see that he was wearing some luxurious clothing that wouldn't go wrong on a member of royalty. The vendor was smoking from a long tube, pink smoke puffing out of the sides of his smile. "Luci, you do know how to pick them."

"Hi, Ozzie" said Lucifer with a sigh, coming to his side. "He is just a friend, don't get any ideas. It's his first time here, so play nice."

"I always play nice, Luci" pouted the vendor, looking over at Alastor. "What can I do for you, just a friend of Luci?"

"How much for this?" asked Alastor, lifting a hunting knife, so shiny and well polished that he could see his reflection over the blade. It looked really sharp too, like it would require barely any strenght to make something bleed with it.

"That one? A mere song or joke is not going to be enough, handsome, I am warning you."

"A riddle?"

"Nope. Come on, I know you can do better than that."

Alastor sighed. He was hoping it wouldn't come to that point.

"How about a secret?"

The bright red eyes lighted up, like flammes agitated during a storm.

"Now we are talking! What do you have for me, human?"

Alastor made a gesture for the so called Ozzie to come closer to him. At his side, Lucifer tensed up slightly, but there was clearly no need. As a true professional, the man bended over with a long pointy ear extended towards Alastor as he directed his mouth to it, covering further with his mouth. At that distance, Alastor noticed a smell of freshly moved dirt coming from the man.

"I... think I want to be more than frineds with Lucifer" whispered, as low and soft as it was possible. He was grateful by the shadows on that tent, that no doubt could help to hide the blush he knew creeped in from his neck.

For a moment he was concerned that Ozzie would make him repeat it to hear it better. But luckily his hearing was good enough and he smirked big, revealing two sharp and long fangs in his mouth.

"Ooh, that is a good one! Juicy as a bleeding heart" celebrated joyfully, clapping his hands. "You and I just made a deal, my friend. Bring that hand here!"

Alastor did, the warmth of his face becoming worse. He was more or less counting on Ozzie to tell him that payment wasn't valid because it wasn't the truth, to try with something else that was actually real and meaningful. Instead, he had just put a name to the nonsense that had been swirling around his mind ever since he came to find out about Lilith and her history with Lucifer. He wasn't upset that Lucifer had an entire life and relationships he never knew about before. He was upset because that he had that life with someone else, when Alastor wanted to include him on it.

Now that the vendor had accepted that secret, there was no denying it to himself anymore.

What a damn idiot.

"And because the payment was so good, I will include this pretty shieth and belt to go with it! Be sure to come back soon."

At least he got something good out of it. After the transactions was finished, Alastor hang the belt with the knife at his waist. Despite his mortification, he had to admit: it was indeed a beautiful accesory. The leather had carvings of roses across it, detailed and well made. Lucifer sighed relieved as they came out the tent, but quickly changed the topic suggesting they went to buy fruits next.

Later Alastor was going to question him about it. Only for Lucifer to admit that he got concerned when he got close to Ozzie like that before. Considering that he was vampire royalty, used to feed on humans. But he should have known already that Ozzie was not going to attack a potential client, that would be terrible for his business. After he got over the shock, Alastor had to agree. Apparently, the smell of dirt came because of the graves from where all vampires rise up every day.

On that first trip to the market, Alastor bought a bag with straps to go in the back with a joke and a cloak for himself with a simple riddle.

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