Angel Awards Ball

Knock knock. "Hello... Michael?" Lucifer presses his ear to Michael's bedroom door. He can hear his older brother stumbling around and tossing items of clothing. "Eh, Lucifer?" Michael yells back, and Lucifer hears a small thud from inside the room, "Ugh- now really isn't the time, Lu-Lu..."

Lucifer slightly pushes the door open and peeks through the crack, his rosy eyes catching sight of Michael on the floor, tangled in his own trousers. He wheezes and steps inside the room, "Paha, Michael... need a hand there?"

"Shut up..." He grumbles, "This isn't funny," He pulls his trousers on and stands up in front of the mirror, adjusting them, "I've got an important event to attend, and I don't need your snarky comments right now; I'm already running late."

Michael begins to button up his shirt, his fingers fumbling nervously. His breaths come out shaky and heavy. "What's the matter Mickey? Are you ok?" Lucifer asks softly, tilting his head. "I'm... fine, Lu... I'm just nervous. I've been working towards this award for 6 months now, and if I don't get it... well, Father will never notice my efforts."

Disappointed, the small angel pouts, "You don't need Father to notice you, believe me..." He sighs, and looks down at his stuffed toy duck, Bubba. He fiddles with Bubba's wings to distract himself from the thoughts. "Can I come with you, Michael?" He asks shyly.

"Pfft, fuck no!" Michael scoffs, "You're 14, remember? I'm an adult. We're gonna be partying afterwards and doing adult shit, like getting pissed. It's not an environment you should be in."

"Oh please Michael!" Lucifer whines, "I'll be so good, I swear. I won't play up, and I won't drink, and I'll stay clear of you and your friends! Pleaseeee, I don't want to be in the house alone..." He lowers his voice, "Not with... Father."

"Don't be ridiculous," Michael snaps, and rummages through a pile to find a tie to wear, "Father loves you, what's so bad about being with him? Plus, you're in your duckie pyjamas... and your hair is a mess." He smirks, and Lucifer sighs sadly, "Fine... but, do you really need to go to this Michael? Can't you... can't you stay? Please?"

His eyes follow his big brother, who's pacing around the room and trying to make sure he looks perfect. Michael doesn't respond for a while, then snaps out of his concentration. "Oh- uh... no, no I can't Lu. This is important to me, ok? I've been working towards this." He fiddles with his tie, and ties it wrong, then undoes it.

Lucifer chuckles, "Why don't you wear a bow tie instead? It'd suit your outfit far more, brother." He looks at the clock on Michael's nightstand - it's 8:47pm.

"For fucks sake, Lucifer, I don't want your fashion tips. The ball starts at 9, and I'm already running late." Lucifer rolls his eyes, "Whatever, but I'm picking out your shoes." Michael sighs as Lucifer goes to his closet and starts going through his footwear.

"So, when will you be back, Mickey?" Lucifer asks eagerly, hoping he won't be gone too long. "Doesn't matter," Michael replies, "You'll be asleep by then anyway, Lu-Lu. Probably around midnight."

The fuchsia-eyed angel looks panicked at this information. "O-oh... right."

"Midnight? I... I could stay up until then, surely. I'll wait for him to come back, then I can sleep without fear. Then I can sleep knowing he'll protect me if Father decides to hurt me again."

Soon enough, Michael is heading out the door, and Lucifer is stood in the hallway, clinging on to Bubba. He shivers from the cold breeze, and tightens his dressing gown. "Good luck Michael, I love you." His voice cracks slightly, the separation anxiety getting to him already.

"I love you too," Michael leans in and kisses Lucifer's cheek, "Don't cause trouble while I'm gone, I want you in bed soon, ok? No snacking on too many sweets, and drink plenty - but if you do, make sure you use the toilet before bed, and don't-"