Deal Worth Taking

The Talk about Being Owned

Lucifer was in his office. Lucifer was signing papers to welcome new souls into hell. Alastor walked in setting Lucifer's hot chocolate down next to him.
"Do you need anything else?" Alastor asked.
Lucifer looked at Alastor who was patiently waiting. Just then he saw Alastor's ear flicker and a knock at the door followed. He waved at Alastor to go get it and he obliged.
"Miss Morningstar?" Alastor said confused.
Charlie pushed past Alastor and walked over to her father.
"Vox told me what you did!" Charlie yelled at Lucifer.
Lucifer stood up. And looked at his daughter who was looking rather pissed.
"How could you do that to him," Charlie said as she waved her arms at Alastor.
Charlie turned around and grabbed Alastor's hands. Alastor looked at Lucifer who looked at lost as he did.
"What did he do to you?" Charlie asked as he placed a hand in Alastor's cheek.
"He did nothing, miss" Alastor answered.
"I know he did something, he always does," Charlie said.
"My punishment for my digressions are my own fault, Miss Morningstar," Alastor said as Charlie held on to Alastor's shoulder.
"You can't blame yourself for my father being possessive of you," Charlie said looking into Alastor's eyes.
Alastor cleared his throat. Lucifer was watching the interaction to see what his pet would do. Lucifer was rather proud of Alastor. Lucifer was over to them.
"Dad we need to talk," Charlie said.
"It seems you want to talk about my arrangements," Lucifer said.
Charlie let go of Alastor to focus on her father.
"When was the last time Alastor got to make any decisions for himself," Charlie said.
"Last night when he invited me into his room," Lucifer said.
"No like about being a sinner," Charlie said.
Lucifer paused. Alastor felt his ear twitch at the question and had to think back. Charlie looked at her father for an answer but he couldn't remember one that didn't sound generic.
"Alastor," Charlie said.
"A week before your mother died, I killed an overlord to obtain their souls," Alastor said. "Wasn't a lot about two hundred but now the souls are free because of your father's deal. I'm sorry Miss Morningstar you look rather disappointed by that answer."
"That was centuries ago," Charlie said. "Dad you can't expect him to stay locked away. It made sense when I was little. You needed someone to help you raise me but now you just use him as a servant and for sex. You don't need to hold him hostage."
"He's mine to do with Charlie," Lucifer said sounding angry which made Alastor tense up. "I'm sorry if you do not like it but you can go play hotel."
"I need you to see what you're doing is wrong dad," Charlie begged. "If you actually loved him you wouldn't treat him like this!"
"Darling I think you have over stayed your welcome," Lucifer said.
Alastor froze. Alastor never heard Lucifer talk to Charlie like that. Alastor looked at Charlie to see how hurt she looked. Alastor wrapped an arm around her and led her out of the office.
As soon as the door closed behind them. Charlie fell into Alastor's chest and started to cry. Alastor hugged the port girl as he rubbed her back.
"I am quite alright, Miss Morningstar," Alastor said. "You do not need to worry about me."
"You deserve much more than this," Charlie whimpered. "Dad talks about how much he adores you and cares for you but his actions say otherwise."
Alastor continued to rub her back not saying anything fearing Lucifer was listening on the other side of the door.
"Look you should be able to talk to other sinners and make connections," Charlie said as she looked up at Alastor. "And live your life how you want. If he loved you he would see that."
Alastor just nodded his head hoping that the poor girl would stop her tears.
"I'm going to call tonight and try again," Charlie said as she let go of Alastor and was gone without a trace.
Alastor looked at the floor. Alastor didn't know how to feel about this interaction. Alastor looked at Lucifer's office door then to the hall. Alastor decided it would be best to just wait in the hall in case he was called.

Later that night, Alastor and Lucifer were eating at the dining table. Lucifer had been awfully quiet since Charlie's visit. Only requesting Alastor's company for a silent dinner. Alastor couldn't help to think he did something wrong but Lucifer assured him he was lost in thought.
"Do you love me?" Lucifer asked looking up and finally saying some to ungrateful after forty five minutes of the dinner.
"Of course, Sire," Alastor said as fast as he could.
"No Al like actually love me," Lucifer clarified. "Like if you had a choice would you stay here. Like if there was no contract holding you to this place would you be here willingly?"
"Of course, Sire," Alastor lied knowing it was what Lucifer wanted to hear.
"Alastor!" Lucifer yelled.
Alastor froze dropping his silverware.
"You are lying," Lucifer said. "Would you be here if you were not forced to be?"
"You seem to already know the answer," Alastor said trying to distract the King. "I do not want to hurt you."
"Do you care about my feelings or about protecting what little freedom you have?" Lucifer asked as he picked up his wine and took a sip.
Alastor blinked. Alastor couldn't tell if he needed to continue to lie or to tell the truth. Alastor froze and was weighing both options and neither were good.
"That's all I needed to know," Lucifer said as he set down his wine glass and walked over to Alastor's side of the table.
Alastor froze as the King wrapped his hand around Alastor's chin to force him to look at him. Alastor feared that what was going to happen, past training sessions from his early days ran through his head. The King sighed as he let go of Alastor.
"I do not need you tonight," Lucifer said. "You may retire when you are done."
"Did I do something wrong Sire," Alastor asked.
Lucifer didn't answer just walked away. Once Alastor was done with his meal, he assumed that there would be nothing but his bed in his room. However all of his stuff was still there. Alastor laid on the bed and removed his collar. He laid there feeling rather confused and hurt.