Here Comes The Son (Ghost Band / Papa Emeritus fic)

From the Pinnacle to the Pit

Copia's expression of shocked amazement froze on his face for what seemed an eternity. Looking up into the face of the man who he had once believed was one of his kidnappers but had since discovered was merely using his likeness - the original Levin having been murdered and left at the venue.

Even before discovering this, Copia had known something was strange - the man had not only been kind to him - providing him with a change of clothes and a set of his own personal rosary beads - but more than that he knew so much about him and had appeared and disappeared suddenly and silently. He wasn't sure how it hadn't occurred to him, even after recognising that he had been protected, that this man could be Lucifer himself. Perhaps it was purely that he felt unworthy of His, or anyone else's attention?

After a brief awkward pause as he gathered his senses, Copia took the proffered hand in his and touched his forehead to it then kissed it reverently.

"My Lord, Lucifer?" Copia returned to merely gazing up, dazed and overcome by the improbability of what was happening to him. "I... what do you need of me?"

Levin, now revealed to him as Lucifer, Prince of Hell, smiled and extended his other hand, trying to make it clearer to Copia that he intended to help him stand.

"Let me help you."

By the time Copia got to his feet, a process that felt unnaturally slow as each of his muscles objected, he appeared puzzled and he held his arms across his chest momentarily before allowing them to fall to his side once more.

"Your ribs are no longer broken," Lucifer nodded. "I'm sorry I cannot ease more of your suffering and I am unable to free you. I need you to understand that I would if I could."
"My Lord, I don't question you," Copia replied quietly, his eyes darting up and down as he tried to appear respectful but felt uncertain if that meant maintaining or avoiding eye contact.

Lucifer escorted Copia slowly to the sink and poured him a glass of water, handing it to him with two painkillers and a sincere nod. The thoughtful gesture accepted, Copia drank the pills down with the cold refreshing water. By the time he glanced up again, he noticed his vision blurred. Was he crying? Gasping in embarrassment, Copia stepped back and rubbed his flared cuff against his eyes.

"I'm sorry, My Lord, I... I don't mean to..."

Taking the empty glass gently from his hand, Lucifer cupped Copia's cheek.

"I am here to praise you, dear friend, not to be worshipped by you."
"Praise me?" Copia was confused.
"Please, let's sit," Lucifer indicated the mattress once more, taking Copia's arm to help him.

Copia settled on the mattress, grateful to take the weight off his aching body and watched in awe as Lucifer settled himself on the floor opposite.

"First I must ask, this form I've taken was one of convenience so that I could be with you without suspicion, would you like me to alter it? I understand if this form will cause you pain under the circumstances."
"I can't...My Lord... I..." Copia looked down again afraid to speak his mind for fear of offending.
"Very well," Lucifer shook his head. "This will not do."

Copia squeezed his eyes closed, terrified to have caused offence, but by the time he looked up again, the person sitting opposite had changed form.

"Terzo?" Copia's eyes welled up again, reaching forward slightly with his hands before pulling back, too afraid to touch.
"No, it is still me. I hoped that this form would bring you more comfort." Lucifer, now in the form of Copia's half-brother, shook his head at Copia's reaction.

Reaching forward, Lucifer took hold of Copia's hands and shook them lightly to make him make eye contact.

"I want you to be comfortable in my presence. What form shall I take?"
"With all respect, My Lord, my discomfort is nothing to do with your form, it's that I don't understand how I'm worthy." Copia finally managed to formulate his thoughts.