Alastor X Reader: Blood For Freedom

38. Habits

*** Lucifer POV ***

I walked into the hotel a couple of weeks later, holding my cane to my chest. I really had to get a move on that deal I made with Alastor, and I knew it. I had a tendency to procrastinate, but the longer I held this off the bigger were the chances that he would get an opportunity to ask Charlie for that favor. And I had no desire to find out what he could do with it. I only waited this long because of all the other things that seemed more pressing. 

But there was something bugging me desperately, which is why I found my self stalling again - the stupid deer's reasoning. I thought about it for a long time, and figured it was worth asking Charlie. The first time she confronted me about you she was worried Alastor was buttering you up for some sort of deal, but all of a sudden she changed her mind without clarifying as to why exactly. Mostly just saying that she heard "laughter" that changed her mind, but wouldn't elaborate. I figured perhaps she found something else out, maybe even Alastor's intentions.

It was also abundantly clear that something was going on between the two of you. The way he asked for you to be brought to heaven for example, still struck me as odd. I had thought it some sort of power play, but combined with the way he whisked you away at first sign of your distress it all just seemed suspicious. I was particularly worried that he was stringing you along for some nefarious goal of his. 

To my luck, Charlie was hanging around with her girlfriend, Vaggie, right in the front lounge area.

"He-hey, Charlie!" I exclaimed.

"Dad! Come here we got lesson plans for the anti-drug course right here! Vaggie and I -" She started on and I had to interrupt.

"That's great sweetie. Um... can we talk? I gotta ask you something."

Charlie suddenly looked a little uncertain, but got up from Vaggie anyway. "Suuurreee, Dad." I led her over to the side of he lounge, aware of Vaggie as she watched us with a scrutinizing gaze. I liked her, she looked out for Charlie.

"Listen, so... would you happen to know why Alastor would want Y/n's soul? I ask because well... you changed your mind a little while back and now hes asking for it."

"Oh!" Charlie exclaimed suddenly looking a lot less concerned. "Is that what you made the deal for?"

"Well yeah. I get him her soul, in return, your favor is mine to fulfill." I ultimately decided to just come clean. I have watched enough family dramas to know that nothing good came of hiding stuff like this, and also like to think I learned my lesson from not telling Charlie right away about your full situation.

"MMmhhhhhhh" Charlie hummed awkwardly, causing me to give her a puzzled look before she turned to Vaggie. "Hey, babe? What time is it?"

Vaggie reached for her phone on the coffee table, then responded with a "A bit before 2pm. If you need something from Alastor, I would not."

"Yeah no no no, that's perfect." Charlie nodded putting her finger tips together briefly with a pensive expression before grabbing my hand and pulling me along. "Come on, its better to just show you." I was lead up the stairs closely followed by Vaggie, up the elevators until finally we stood in front of Alastor's office.

"Why are you -"

"Sshhhhhhhh!!!" Charlie put her finger to her mouth hastily then whisper yelled at me, "Be quiet, or you'll get us killed." With that she very gently turned the door knob and leaned her body against it as to open the door as gently and quietly as possible. I crept up behind her, having to move to the the side to see.

The sight in front of me felt ethereal due to the subtle red light coming from the window that illuminated it. You were wrapped up in a large fur blanket, nestled on Alastor's chest as he sat on his office chair. His head was resting on yours, one arm wrapped around your back, the other resting on your cheek like he was caressing it with his thumb just a few moments prior. Both of you were completely asleep, soft, subtle purrs coming from your chests as they rose and fell in unison. It was genuinely a heart warming thing to see, even if it was a little confusing.

With the same gentleness, Charlie and I backed out of the room, staying dead quiet until she closed the door back up again. We made our way back all the way to the elevators before we dared to speak again.

"How... how long has that been going on?"

"Not sure." Charlie said quietly as the elevator went down, giving me a little shrug, "We think since after we came back from heaven so probably the past month at least. But everyday a little after lunch, Y/n is either already up there or she makes her way there. And they take a nap for a couple hours, just like that. I almost lost my head because I had no idea and walked in talking about something and I woke Y/n up. Alastor was angrier than I've ever seen him."

"Thats an understatement," Vaggie corrected, "She walked in and startled Y/n awake, and he literally growled at Charlie to get out like he was going to kill her. Genuinely terrifying. I thought he had a look before he disappeared after the whole heaven debacle, but that was some other level of angry."

"That's... odd." I managed to get out. Honestly I didn't know what to think of it. I've known you for a long time, but I didn't know you well. We just met occasionally at different events, Lillith was much closer to you. I had always assumed it was just the few events you chose to show up at - not that you were forced to be there. I didn't know anything as I have found out. And I only met Alastor a few months back, but I knew him by reputation - which preceded him as a cruel, manipulative, and self serving overlord. Also I just found him tacky and insufferable with that damn smile of his, nor did I like how chummy he acted with Charlie. But I couldn't deny what I just saw, it was sweet. Warm. Loving. It reminded me the naps I used to take with Lillith. I didn't think even the Radio Demon could fake that.

"No shit." Vaggie scratched forehead with her finger tips.

Charlie laughed a little, "But yeah, I think... I think that's why. Why he wants her soul."

"To keep her close to him, literally." I thought out loud, heaving a big sigh. The rest of the elevator ride was silent, due to me being in very deep thought. I was really hoping I wasn't making another mistake on  your account. What if I handed your soul over to him and it only got worse? I didn't even know if he told you about the deal. I was even wondering if he was acting that way with you for his own agenda... But I had to trust my eyes on this one right? And what Charlie told me about him being angry, if it was just a ploy he wouldn't jeopardize his position here with petty anger. It was also now pretty obvious why she asked me to rescind my attempts to move you - this has probably been a long term development.

We reached downstairs and I excused my self for a moment, pulling out my phone as I went. It took a few more moment of deliberation, but I dialed Paimon eventually. "Hey friend. We need to meet." He was not happy to hear from me. "No. It is about Y/n."  Ohh that made him angrier, "We can discuss terms then. Two days from now at noon? Sounds good. See you then."

I hung up the phone, materialized a note and wrote down on it: "Meeting with Paimon at noon in two days. Wish me luck, Lucifer." and folded it up before coming back over to Charlie. "Sweetie, could you give this to Alastor for me - after they wake up - don't want him uh, ripping anyone's head off."

"Ofcourse!" She beamed happily at me.