Where No Words Exist
“And that’s the last one!” Lucifer exclaimed proudly, jumping up and snapping his fingers to send the used bandages away to… well, Stitches wasn’t really sure where. Probably one of the trash cans? The city’s dump? Or does he just snap it out of existence? Would I want to know how his magic works? Nah, I’d probably have an existential crisis. He held out a hand to help her up, and she gratefully took it, before going to look at herself in the mirror.
All of the wounds had completely disappeared, even the scars from her first day at the hotel. She looked like she did the very first moment she appeared in Hell, the only interruptions in her burlap-like skin being the obvious sutures where her joints were, and on either side of her mouth. Part of her was disappointed because she looked like a perfect ragdoll again, but the other part was grateful she wouldn’t have to see them again. Bel had been helping her untangle her feelings around scars and why it was important to let them go in therapy for the last two weeks, and it had helped her come to terms with letting Lucifer heal all the scars.
A fresh start.
“It looks amazing, Dad! Thank you so much.” Stitches turned and smiled at Lucifer genuinely. It wasn’t just the healed skin she was thanking him for. He had been by her side continuously since she had returned, helping her get her appetite and weight back, insuring she attended all of her therapy sessions with Bel, and simply just supporting her as she made her recovery. Two weeks was not enough time to fully heal, she wasn’t delusional and she was still struggling with dark thoughts and the occassional urge to slip back into unhealthy habits, but it was still progress. All of which would not have been possible without the love and support of her family and friends.
“Anything for you, Duckling.” Lucifer stepped foreward and gently brought her head down so he could kiss her forehead. She giggled at the soothing contact and returned the gesture with a quick hug. Her stomach growled, making her blush as she pulled away. Lucifer just chuckled. “Looks like it’s lunch time. Alastor is making that rat-a-poo-ey stuff you like so much, sound good?”
Stitches burst into laughter. “It’s ‘ratatouille’, Dad! Rat-a-two-E!”
“Wait, what did I say?” he asked, doing his funny little frog blink where he closed one eye and then the other in confusion.
“Nevermind, Dad, let’s go eat some stewed vegetables.” She was eager to eat one of her favorite dishes. “Unless, you are finally ready to talk about you and Alastor, hmm? Charlie and I gonna get a step-dad?”
Lucifer blushed bright gold and turned on his heel, tripping on his way to the door, coughing as he opened it. “Ha ha HA! Wow, you, no, yeah, uh, not…” He cleared his throat, and smiled awkwardly and way too big. “Time for lunch! I am FAMISHED!” he shouted, waving for her to go out the door ahead of him.
Stitches just chuckled and gave him a peck on the cheek as she passed him, letting him follow behind her on their way to the kitchen, to give him time to compose himself. In all honesty, she knew they probably weren’t dating, at least not yet. It was obvious it was headed that way though, by the awkward way they seemed to dance around each other, even when they thought no one was watching, and how they would look at each other from across the room before the other noticed and they turned away. It was kinda cute, the way they still picked on each other in biting sparring matches that often lead to them getting into a physical fight. But even though Charlie was always worriedly chastising them for fighting, Stitches could tell there was no malice behind them anymore. Some couples were just weird in their flirt techniques.
The fact she had been a RadioApple shipper had only a little to do with her suspicions, thankyouverymuch.
The kitchen smelled amazing when they walked through, Alastor pulling out the simple yet savory stew from the oven. Charlie was talking a million miles a minute at him as usual, though Alastor never seemed to mind, not with her. Stitches had a funny suspicion that he just tuned her out, but who really knew with tall, dark, and creepy? Then again, he had been a lot nicer to Stitches specifically, and not just cooking her some of her favorite meals. He had checked in on her, provided items she talked about wanting, and even assisted her without complaint. It was usually covered up with a sarcastic comment or cold shoulder, but after hearing from the others how panicked Alastor had been the morning he found her in Cannibal Town, it wasn’t hard to see through his rough attempts at nonchalance.
“Ah, there is our little vixen! Showing up when all the work has already been done again I see.”
Like that… Well, two can play this game.
Stitches crossed her arms defiantly. “I know for a fact you like cooking, asshole. I was getting my last round of healing treatment, which you knew, so stop being a dick.”
Alastor’s eyes narrowed at her, then fell to Lucifer. “You know, Your Majesty, perhaps you should enroll your little claimed spawn into some etiquette classes. What would the papers say!” He shook his head in mock concern, before grinning ruthlessly. “Then again, it’s obviously your potty mouth she is picking up these distasteful speaking habits from, so perhaps they will simply blame the parent.”
Lucifer growled and stepped forward. “Watch it, Bambi, or I’ll cuss you out with my fists instead!”
“Dad! Alastor! Stop it!” Charlie tried to intervene, nervously stepping forward.
“Yeah, quit flirting in the kitchen, Alastor,” Stitches smirked.
Alastor froze, getting that deer in the headlights look on his face. It made her giggle, and she walked past him to pat Charlie on the arm reassuringly with a wink. She didn’t need to look at Lucifer to know that he was blushing again. Charlie looked confused, but it was better than her being worried. “Come on, Charlie, let’s grab our share while Dad and Alastor try to figure out their feelings.”
As they dished up their plates, Lucifer and Alastor left the kitchen, leaving them alone. Charlie looked at her, fiddling with her plate nervously. “Were you, uh, being sarcastic back there, Brandi?” Charlie had been excited by Lucifer and Stitches officially seeing each other as father and daughter and immediately latched onto her new sister. Stitches loved it.
Stitches looked up at her. “About what, Char?”
Charlie rubbed the back of her neck with her empty hand. “About Dad and Alastor, you know, flirting.”
Stitches watched her face for a moment. “Hmm…” I can’t tell how she feels about it. “Would it be so bad if they were? I mean, obviously, I don’t have a lot of skin in the game either way, but you are Dad’s real kid, and I know how close you were to your mom. Would you be upset if he moved on?”
Charlie immediately started shaking her head and flailing. “Oh, no! Absolutely not! I knew as a kid that their relationship was falling apart, I would never be upset with Dad moving on, not at all! I’m over 200 years old, I’m a grown adult, so I totally get it!”
“But…?” Stitches raised an eyebrow.
Charlie sighed. “There isn’t really a but, I just… Don’t want to see Dad hurt, and the way he and Alastor are is kinda… toxic for romance, right?”
Stitches giggled. “Charlie, not every relationship is built the same. What would be devastating for one relationship is healthy for another. Sure, they fight like crazy, but it’s really become more like a flirtatious dance over the last couple of weeks, maybe longer, but I only really started paying attention recently. There is no malice or anger behind the words. Sometimes, couples play fight, and it is just as valid as goofy, gooey cooing at each other. Which, let’s be honest, do you see Alastor, of all people, even capable of being cheesy like that?”
Charlie shook her head slowly, frowning. “But, still… How do you know that the constant fighting isn’t toxic?”
Stitches smiled softly. “Well, my spouse and I were into play fighting. I know from experience that there is a big difference between play fighting and actually fighting. Our play fighting was kinda unconventional too. I had people tell me that constantly telling them I was going to divorce them was going to lead to hard feelings.” She rolled her eyes. “It was just a playful tease, and my spouse knew that. They were equally as playful and our play fighting always ended in cuddles and giggling fits. We had a solid relationship built on trust and communication. Sure, we did ACTUALLY fight from time to time, all couples do, but honestly, I loved those play fights. I miss them.”
Charlie pulled her into a hug, and Stitches returned it, just now realizing that she had tears running down her face. She sniffed and let go of Charlie to wipe them away. “Ugh, sorry, I didn’t mean to cry.”
Charlie shook her head again, smiling this time. “Don’t be. I feel a lot better knowing that they could be just flirting. I mean, I would still appreciate it if they could keep the physical fighting outside, or not at all, but also, if that is what works for them, and my Dad is happy, that is all that really matters.”
Stitches laughed. “I’m pretty sure you could just ask them to fight physically outside or off hotel grounds, and they would, since you are running a business promoting kindness and less violence. But also, you do realize that both of them are like, super powerful, right? I mean, Dad is stronger than Alastor, isn't he?”
Charlie groaned. “That’s the problem! Alastor could get hurt, and if you are right and they like each other, Dad would be a guilt-ridden mess about it!”
Stitches burst out laughing. “Charlie, you are way too sweet for your own good!”
____________________________________________________________________________
“How does the Vixen know about us!?”
Lucifer rolled his eyes as he led Alastor to one of the empty venues in the hotel. It was originally designed as a possible classroom, for when they had more guests, but it was a bit on the smaller scale and had been untouched since they built the hotel. He and Alastor had suggested they turn it into an art therapy room for Stitches (and guests) a few days ago, and Charlie had been thrilled at the idea. So, today’s chore was getting it set up so that they could surprise the recovering woman.
“For the tenth time, Al, I haven’t told her a thing.” Lucifer huffed, turning to him. This was not the first time they had had this discussion in the last week or so. “You know she’s an observant and precocious woman. If anyone was going to notice, it was bound to be her.”
Alastor narrowed his eyes and smirked. “You do realize that she died in her 30s, correct? She is hardly a child, so wouldn’t precocious be an invalid way to describe her?”
Lucifer waved off the assumption. “I’m eons old, and you have about 100 years on her, give or take a few decades. Comparatively, she is a child, so I stand by my statement.”
Alastor rolled his eyes and huffed, walking deeper into the room and looking around. Lucifer watched him and couldn’t help but smile. When Alastor had agreed to give a relationship with him a try, he had felt like he could taste Heaven again. Of course, he had done his best to be accommodating to Alastor’s needs, taking it slow, letting the deer demon take the lead. Lucifer knew that with someone who wasn’t sexual or romantic, it was important to let them go at their own pace and to focus on communication and boundaries above all else. Which, much to his own surprise and excitement, was actually really, really nice.
Lucifer had already tried the whole clingy, romantic, sexual thing. His love with Lilith had been like a raging fire from the very beginning, strong and passionate, romantic to cheesy and sloppy amounts, with amazing sexual chemistry. It had been fun, great even, in the moment. But when something sparks and burns so fast and bright, it can often fade away, and that is exactly what happened. They had pretended for so long that it was still the same, forced themselves to ignore the cracks and growing chasms of secrets and repressed guilt and shame. But it wasn’t sustainable, because without the passion, they had no foundation to fall back to. Even their fling with Eve, as short as it was, had been solely a sexual experience, a rabid threesome that led nowhere.
But this, with Alastor, taking time to really get to know each other, focusing on each other? This felt right, it felt good, and he was more content than he had been in a long time. He felt no rush to make it more, to tell anyone, or even felt the desire for more passion or something lustful. If he got an urge for that, he had other ways of finding release, and Alastor’s blessing to do so in his own time. But honestly, the soft glances, tender shoulder squeezes, and occasional head pats were more than enough affection to soothe his touch-starved heart. He didn’t need anything more from his Radio Demon, not unless it was offered.
“So what great plans have you come up with, sire?” Alastor asked, pulling him from his thoughts. “I understand the concept of an art room, but surely you have a more specific idea in mind, hmm? After all, you are the ‘dreamer’ who adores artistic outlets.”
Lucifer chuckled. “Aw, come on, my rubber ducks are cute, and you know it!” Alastor shrugged in response, leaning on his cane and staring at his claws. But there was an affectionate glint in his eye, telling Lucifer that he really DID like his ducks, just wasn’t going to admit it. “But, yeah, I actually have some ideas.” He summoned the blueprints with a snap of his fingers and used another snap to materialize a table to work on in the middle of the room, spreading out the papers for Alastor to look at.
“So, I am thinking the left wall can be converted into storage space for all the supplies, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets, cubbies, and some shelving. We can organize it according to the type of supply too, like a section for paper crafts, one for fiber arts, another for painting, etc etc etc.” He pointed to the opposite wall on the floor plan. “The right wall can have a long counter, with a sink in the middle for clean-ups and such. The cabinets underneath will all have glass doors so that old projects can be stored there and still be seen. In both corners, we’ll have cabinets for Charlie to store things for teaching or decorating, since I know she’ll want to go all out with themes for group therapy sessions. The rest of the wall will have shelving for displaying the most recent art projects, and a large bulletin board in the center for her to hang up schedules and inspiration stuff.”
“How well thought out,” Alastor approved, leaning closer to Lucifer, who blushed from the praise. Their heads were almost touching, and Alastor’s hand lightly brushed up against his on the edge of the table as he placed it next to Lucifer’s. It sent jolts of excitement through him, but he swallowed to settle the urge to try to shift and put his hand on top of Alastor’s. They hadn’t touched that intimately yet, and Alastor had never liked a lot of touching at all, especially if it wasn’t initiated by him. So, he cleared his throat and continued to point to the floor plans with his other hand.
“So, as far as the rest of the area goes, I was thinking we could replace the outer wall with windows along the whole thing. It will let in light, and give a wonderful view to the garden outside. Since we are on the first floor, I thought it would give them a lot of artistic inspiration when working here on their own. We can set up some plush seating options, like maybe some couches and bean bags, for those who want to take a break or are doing less messy forms of art, like sketching or knitting. We can put in some end tables too, for both their supplies and for holding drinks or snacks.”
He pointed to a different area, this time on the inner wall. “Since there are two large doorways on either side, I figured we could put some of the machinery here, between them. Like a kiln and potter’s wheel, among others. That way, they are out of the way, but still in the same room.” He motioned over the rest of the space. “Then for the middle, we can alternate tables and easels, with chairs too. That way, they can utilize them as needed, and they can always be rearranged as needed for whatever classes Charlie wants to hold, without much effort.”
Alastor nodded. “An excellent choice, my liege.” His hand moved to cover Lucifer’s now, and Lucifer’s eyes locked onto it, his heart beating fast. Alastor slowly and gently stroked the backside of his hand a few times before lifting Lucifer’s chin to look into his eyes. Lucifer knew he was blushing a bright gold, but he felt helpless in the taller man’s subtle grip. “Have you given thought to the finer details? Lighting, paint, flooring, decor?”
Lucifer swallowed, trying hard to concentrate on the words, to form an answer, but all he could think about were the warm fingers on his chin and those beautiful red-on-red eyes. It wasn’t even lust, he didn’t even think about how close they were to kissing distance. No, he was just so incredibly fascinated at the serial killer’s tenderness in those long fingers that could rend flesh from bone and the way his eyelashes were casting gentle shadows on his cheekbones. “So pretty,” he murmured, not even realizing he said it out loud.
Alastor chuckled, releasing him and stepping back, making Lucifer let out a soft cry at the sudden distance. He tilted his head and smirked, his hands behind his back, radio static purring. “Oh dear, did I distract my monarch? We can’t have that!” He leaned forward, getting close to Lucifer’s face again, and dropping his radio filter. “Focus, Lucifer, and I will reward you when you come to see me for our nightly coffee.”
Lucifer gulped, his name sounding so perfect in that rich tenor. “R-reward?”
“Mhmm,” Alastor purre, booping his nose. “I think I would like to try to hold you while we read on my couch. If you would be so inclined as to focus on the task at hand, of course.” He leaned back and let his suggestion sink in for a moment, giving Lucifer a chance to process and recover his senses. It didn’t take long.
Lucifer grinned excitedly, shaking from excitement. “Fuck yeah!” He turned and shuffled the papers, pulling out some designs he had sketched for various furniture pieces and wallpaper swatches. Quickly, he explained his ideas, with Alastor approving or suggesting alternatives as they went. They would be using magic to set everything up, so the more they ironed out the details now, the easier it would be.
A few hours later, the room was ready to show off. Dark hardwood floors were paired with matching cabinetry, complimented with copper and gold accents. Three simple chandeliers hung sleepily from the cream ceiling, flooding the room with bright, yet soothing light. The walls, what was visible, were covered in ornate red wallpaper with gold and black snake and deer patterns, small enough to not demand attention, but large enough to suggest closer inspection. On the wall between the two hall doors, Lucifer had hung a large quote:
“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.”
― Eileen Miller”