Not For Your Entertainment
Stitches was enjoying her waffles and the cheerful conversation with Lucifer so much, she barely felt the time pass by. She now felt truly able to relax around him, his goofy antics so at odds with the wisdom and passion behind his eyes, yet the comfort and warmth earlier still so comforting. He chattered on a million miles per hour it seemed, bursting with energy and pride as he talked about Charlie, from her first steps to her success so far with the hotel. He had even summoned a photo album, showing her pictures of Charlie growing up, and giving context and little antidotes for each one between shoving waffles in his own mouth. She laughed and awed as they flipped through them, asking questions here and there as they went, to draw out the conversation, if only to make this moment last longer.
To feel safe for just a little while longer.
Eventually Angel Dust came in as well, and eagerly joined them at the table, stuffing himself full of waffles and coffee. He looked exhausted when he first came in, but between the joyful conversation and the dubious amounts of sugar and caffeine, he perked up quickly, soon adding some witty banter to the mix. Soon, all three of them were howling with laughter, and Stitches was filled with so much contentment that she thought she would burst. When was the last time she had felt so comfortable in such a friendly, warm environment? Is this what a real familly felt like?
As she took the last bite of her fifth waffle, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Radiostatic crackled behind her, and a shadowy trindle tapped venomously on her shoulder as she felt Alastor materialize behind her. “Greetings, my little vixen.” His voice was dripping with venom, and it made her freeze mid-chew.
“Get. Away. From. Her.” Lucifer snarled, his eyes flashing red, his horns out, pointed tail whipping as he enunciated each word. He had stood so fast, that his chair had been knocked over, the sound reverberating around the kitchen.
Alastor snickered, and suddenly, returned to his normal, over-easy facade, the deadly pressure receding so quickly Stitches choked, coughing around the last piece of waffle. Angel rushed to her, giving her a napkin to spit it out, gently rubbing and patting her back. “The FUCK was that fo’, Al?” he spat in the direction of Alastor.
Alastor hummed as though he had simply strolled in, moving to the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee. Lucifer’s eyes returned to normal, but his horns and tails stayed out, and he positioned himself between Stitches and Alastor, an arm put out protectively, glaring at the Radio Demon. Alastor finally turned around, leaning back against the counter, and took a sip from his Oh Deer! mug, sighing in contentment before finally looking up to acknowledge them.
“I was simply saying ‘hello’ to our bonny little guest,” he chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. “I didn’t know that such a thing was a crime.” He took another sip, then put his other hand on his chin thoughtfully. “Do we have crime in Hell? So hard to know what would be considered out of bounds in a place that is more or less run by the mad sinners in this town.”
“Cut the shit, Sinner!” Lucifer hissed, hurling the title as an insult. It made Stitches wince, even if it was against Alastor. She remembered from the shows that Lucifer had grown to despise humanity and regret giving them free will. Yet he was so kind and carefree with me. Why?
Alastor tsked at him. “Shame on you for throwing around one’s unfortunate status as an insult, Your Majesty. After all,” he glanced past him and towards Stitches and Angel, “I am not the only Sinner within earshot.”
Lucifer visibly tensed, his tail drooping in shame. Stitches couldn’t see his face, but she could feel the wave of guilt rolling over him, and it made her heart ache. “I- That’s not- I wouldn’t-”
No, I can’t let him feel like that!
“Alastor, did you wish to speak to me?” Stitches asked, standing up slowly. She heard Angel mumble out a protest, and try to stop her, but she waved him off. “Surely you had a reason to address me?” She smirked at him, commanding her body not to tremble. “Or were you simply trying to show off?”
Alastor’s eyes narrowed at her. “My dear, I am a professional showman. If I wished to ‘show off’, it certainly wouldn’t be for your… entertainment.” She knew he was hinting at the fact she had told him about this all being a cartoon in her world. It was supposed to be a threat, she knew that. But he had messed with her friends, ruined the lovely breakfast, and invaded her comfort. Made Lucifer feel bad.
She scoffed at him and crossed her arms, all fear leaving her as her anger took over completely. “I should hope not. You certainly aren’t that amusing of a character.” Angel gasped in shock, and Lucifer spun his head towards her, his body trembling as he suppressed a laugh. Alastor, however, froze, his face like a deer in headlights, and his radio sounds scratching, as though a record had skipped. His shock didn’t last long, his expression settling into an unreadable mask as he glared at her, and finished his coffee.
“Well, appears someone has more guts than I would have thought, given your less-than-composed state yesterday.” He eyed her, but she wasn’t able to figure out what he was looking for, as she used every bit of willpower to keep from wincing at the dig. “How entertaining.”
She huffed and smiled at him viciously. “I’m not here for your… entertainment,” she threw his words back at him, reveling at the way his eye twitched.
He chuckled as he walked out of the kitchen, pausing at the door, and glancing back at her. “And yet, entertained I am.” Then he disappeared out the door.
______________________________________________________________________________
Lucifer ported himself in the hallway right behind Alastor, in full battle form, wings out, demon features fully extended. He had stayed in the kitchen just long enough to make sure Stitches got resettled before going after Alastor. She had been so strong and stood tall against Alastor… Until he left the room. Then, she had begun shaking like a leaf and had a minor panic attack, which Angel had quickly pulled her into his lap to help her through. Once Angel had nodded that he had her covered, Lucifer had left, because that asshole was NOT getting away with this.
“ALASTOR!” Lucifer roared, lunging forward. He grabbed him and pinned him against the wall, flapping his wings enough to keep himself the same height as this smug bastard. Alastor just smirked at him calmly and tilted his head, feining innocence as always.
“Greetings, my short-tempered Monarch.”
Lucifer growled and pulled him by the front of the shirt far enough away from the wall so he could slam him against it again. “Don’t fucking pretend like you are unaware of what you did back there, you fucking bastard!”
Alastor tilted his head, smiling mockingly. “I am just a lowly sinner, Your Majesty. Explain to me what upset you so much about what occurred.”
Lucifer winced as he was reminded of the insult he had hurled at Alastor. He would need to remember to apologize to Angel and Stitches later. He had been trying really hard to change his eons-old resentment and attitude towards the Sinners, and he had felt like he had made progress in his efforts. But it was glaringly apparent that he still had a long way to go. Prejudice was a hard thing to kill.
“I… shouldn’t have used being a Sinner as an insult. I am working on it.”
Alastor’s eyebrows shot up. “Was that an apology, sire?”
Lucifer felt his cheeks go warm and shook his head to hide it. “Y-yes, I mean… No! I… well…”
Alastor chuckled, his radio filter dropping completely. “How eloquently put, Lucifer.”
Lucifer stared at him, replaying that rich tenor voice in his head. It had such a charming and almost melodic lilt to it, and he wished he could hear him sing. It would certainly be a beautiful thing to witness. After all, he had heard him sing with the radio filter on, and even then, it was obvious that he had been more than talented in the musical arts. Surely it would be so captivating with the filter completely gone… Or maybe he could just say my name again…
“You are staring, my Lord,” Alastor whispered, the radio filter purring with static.
He felt his entire face flush gold as he realized he had started leaning way too close, coughing to the side as he pushed himself away, landing in the middle of the hall. His tail twitched and flicked to highlight his embarrassment and he struggled to pull his thoughts together, looking anywhere but back up at Alastor. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why would I-
Alastor pushed away from the wall, straightening his clothes and dusting himself off. Still, Lucifer kept his eyes averted, still trying to regain his composure. Alastor chuckled, walking up to him, and lifting his chin with the top of his radio cane. Now he had to look into Alastor’s eyes, and he felt his breath hitch as Alastor leaned towards him.
“Since you were willing to apologize, my liege,” Alastor said softly, his filter providing a low hum, “I will offer you some… insight. On our fresh little vixen.” His eyes danced with something dangerous and alluring, and oh, the way it sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine…
Lucifer swallowed, throwing the thought out of his mind, but didn’t dare say a word.
Alastor smiled, and for once, it didn’t look fake. “She is not as she seems, and certainly not as meek and innocent as you appear to want to cast her as. Yes, she is very much a shattered soul, and yesterday is just the beginning of her unraveling. However…”
“However?” Lucifer whispered, desperately trying to concentrate, steeling himself for whatever Alastor was about to say. I won’t let him talk shit about her….
“Stitches is also far stronger than you are giving her credit for. She is cunning and calculating, and there is something dark and dangerous lying underneath those layers of sorrow and fear.”
Lucifer frowned and backed away. Dark and dangerous, the young woman who only hours ago had been sobbing in his arms, who laughed with the voice of a thousand songbirds, who felt things so strongly that she had literally torn her own flesh only 24 hours previously? “What the fuck does that mean?”
Alastor straightened back to full height and shrugged. “I have yet to discover that myself, my short fellow! Regardless, I know it to be true, and we have only begun to see what this young woman is capable of, for better or for worse. She is playing a mighty game of chess, and I look forward to seeing how she moves the pieces going forward.”
Lucifer growled at the implication. “She is a person and a traumatized one at that. I am not going to tolerate you chipping away at her for your own sick enjoyment.”
Alastor rolled his eyes. “You only see good in her? Truly? Have you not stopped to consider that she is, indeed, a Sinner? If she is so innocent, why is she here? Surely you are not so daft as to believe she has committed no sins?”
Lucifer swallowed again. The red bastard wasn’t wrong, people didn’t just show up in Hell for no reason, and certainly not for minor slaps on the wrist. Someone had to truly revel in their sins of choice, make repeated or unforgivable crimes to end up here, and choose not to strive for goodness. Otherwise, they would find themselves a Winner in Heaven… But what could she have possibly done to wind up here? She is so GOOD!
Alastor scoffed at his silence and twirled his cane. “Your Majesty, I implore you to stop blinding yourself with that paternal instinct of yours and open yourself to the truth of the matter: that girl is not some fragile porcelain doll. She is made of heavy burlap, and while currently worse for wear, simply needs some guidance and care to become better and stronger than she ever was. But in order to do that, she needs to be made aware of her unraveling seams, and confront the damage. Only then can she truly blossom as the monstrous force I sense lying dormant within her.”
Lucifer blinked, trying to digest his words. Wait- “You- are you saying you are doing all of this to help her?”
Alastor hummed and shrugged, suddenly very interested in his claws. “If that is how you interpret it, so be it. I am just incredibly bored and found a new toy to play with. Whether she finds my steady hand helpful or not is up to her.” He looked at Lucifer and his eyes narrowed. “But only if you learn to watch her take those steps and stop trying to coddle her.”
Lucifer thought for a moment. What he said made some, twisted kind of sense. She was fragile and shattering because she had not faced her trauma and started healing. Whether that had been forced by an unsafe environment in life or was the result of her purposely repressing it, he wasn’t sure, but it was true: until she started being honest and working through the hurt and pain, she was never going to heal. He knew from experience that repression could only get her so far, before it started doing damage, festering and eating away at her until she eventually couldn’t contain it, and it would end up hurting her even worse. Like yesterday…
“On one condition,” he finally said firmly, raising a finger for emphasis. Alastor smirked and leaned forward, expectantly. “I,” Lucifer paused. “I will not interfere with your… methods, as long as you do not bring her harm, unnecessarily touch her, or push her to a breaking point. You can push her, taunt her, whatever you need to do to help her, but you will stop when and if it is becoming too much for her to be able to handle. I will only step in if she starts spiraling since I am obviously at least more socially aware than you.” He glared at Alastor and took a threatening step towards him. “HOWEVER, if you touch her in a way that hurts her or triggers her to a breaking point like yesterday’s bastard, I will destroy you.”
Alastor’s grin became maniacal. “Is this a deal, Your Majesty?”
Lucifer glared at him. “It is a promise.”
Alastor paused for a moment, then shrugged. “Fair enough! I will be sure not to push her too far or bring harm to her. It would do no good if she fully shatters, after all, as it could lead to her regressing or repressing even more, and where is the fun in that? Though you really needn’t have even bothered to bring this up, since I had no intention to harm her anyway.”
He began to walk away, and Lucifer called after him, his question more of a sneer. “Yeah, and how the hell was I supposed to know that? Aren’t we all just entertainment for you?” He didn’t expect an answer, but he just couldn’t let that bastard have the last word. So what happened next shocked him.
Alastor stopped, paused, and then turned to him, something indecipherable in his eyes.
“You forget, Lucifer.” His filter slowly dropped as he said the next sentence. “You were not the only one to come to her defense yesterday.”
Lucifer opened his mouth to answer, but Alastor had already merged with his shadow and disappeared, leaving him standing alone in an empty hallway.