Breaking Rules ( Radioapple )

Promises of Comfort - Part 26

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Alastor arrived at the dorm with his things, trying to force a smile as he saw Angel, Husk, and Niffty waiting eagerly by the door. The moment they saw him, their faces lit up with joy.

"Alastor! You're back!" Angel exclaimed, throwing his arms around him in a tight hug.

Niffty bounced on her toes, clapping her hands together. "It's so good to have you back, Al! We missed you!"

Alastor returned their greetings, trying to match their enthusiasm. "It's good to be back," he said, hoping his voice didn't betray the turmoil inside him. As they led him into the living room, Alastor forced himself to focus on the positives. These were his friends, his closest companions. He should be happy to see them. But as much as he tried, he couldn't shake the heaviness that settled in his chest.

Throughout the evening, Angel regaled them with stories of his latest escapades, Niffty buzzed around cleaning and chattering excitedly, and Husk grumbled good-naturedly about the mess they made. Alastor laughed and joined in, but his mind kept drifting back to the conversation he had with Lucifer.

He couldn't stop thinking about Lucifer's pain, the way his eyes had filled with guilt and sorrow. The memory of seeing Lucifer's reaction to Chaz's kiss haunted him. It wasn't just the act itself but the betrayal it represented. Alastor knew how much Lucifer had been hurt by Lilith, and the thought that he had caused even a fraction of that pain in return made his stomach churn.

"Hey, Al, you okay?" Angel's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. Alastor blinked, realizing he had been staring into space.

"Yeah, just... thinking," he replied, offering a small smile.

Angel raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, don't think too hard. We're supposed to be having fun!"

Niffty chimed in, "Yeah, come on, Al! Let's play a game or something!"

Alastor nodded, allowing himself to be pulled into a game of cards. He tried to focus on the laughter and banter, but his mind kept wandering. He felt like an imposter, pretending to be happy while a storm raged inside him.

As the night wore on, Alastor found himself retreating into his thoughts more and more. He knew he needed to sort through his feelings, to figure out how to move forward. But for now, all he could do was put on a brave face and hope that the act would eventually become reality.

When the night finally came to an end, Angel, Husk, and Niffty were still oblivious to his inner turmoil. They bid him goodnight, their smiles genuine and warm. Alastor returned to his room, closing the door behind him with a sigh.

He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the wall. The dorm felt both familiar and foreign. It was his home, yet it no longer felt like it. He couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place, of being torn between two worlds.

--

The next day, Lucifer was back at the floral shop, working alongside Eve. The morning rush had passed, and now the shop had settled into a calm rhythm. The peaceful atmosphere of the shop was something Lucifer was beginning to appreciate.

"You really seem to get the hang of this," Eve remarked with a bright smile as she handed a bouquet to a customer.

Lucifer returned her smile. "Thank you. It's actually quite enjoyable."

Eve nodded, arranging a new display. "Flowers have a way of calming the soul. It's nice to see you picking it up so quickly."

They chatted as they worked, the conversation flowing easily. Eve's friendly demeanor made it easy for Lucifer to relax, despite his lingering worries. He found himself enjoying her company, appreciating her kindness and the lively atmosphere she brought to the shop.