Daughter Dearest

Thirty-eight

"NO FUCKIN WAY!" Angel Dust yelled, falling back on Venus's bed. "That's kinda cute. . . Corny as fuck. . . But cute. Should I start planning the wedding? Write my speech?" He laughed.

Venus smacked him with a fluffy blue pillow, letting out a bark of laughter herself. "No. I don't believe marriage is in the future for Lucifer and I. . . Even if it is, it's too soon to know."

"No pressure. . . So. . . You know where he's taking you yet? Somewhere private?" Angel wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.

The question made her think. . . No, she didn't know where they were going, but she knew it had to be something good. She was nervous - it had been a long time since she had been on a date and she wasn't sure what to expect.

It could easily be something casual. . . But Lucifer didn't seem to fancy the casual lifestyle, from what she had witnessed. . . But she didn't know.

"No, but I suppose I'll find out." Venus smiled slightly, her mind drifting to the coming days. . . How interesting they'd all be.

★†★

Saturday evening rolled around and Venus found herself standing in front of the full length mirror in Angel's room, attempting to decide between two dresses. . . One was black, had long lace sleeves, and would cling to her curves like a second skin and the other was similar - but a satin burgundy color that was off the shoulder and reached her mid thigh.

"Which one do I wear?" She asked Fat Nuggets, who only stared at her cutely from his spot on Angel Dust's bed.
"The black is too formal, right?" He oinked and she swore his eyes fell onto the burgundy dress before he rolled over and immediately went to sleep.

Venus smiled and shook her head. He was an interesting creature, but she loved him so.

With a sigh, she set her sights on the burgundy dress and went back to her room to finish getting ready. Just before she closed her door, she caught Niffty dashing down the hall with a beaker full of a glowing pink liquid with her classic psychotic grin. . . Where she got it and what she was doing. . . Venus didn't have time for that. 

The fallout was someone else's problem to deal with. 

After closing the door, it didn't take long for her to finish getting ready, giving her enough time to stress out completely before realizing — she was a goddess. A Princess. She had magic at her fingertips for a little bit longer. . . 

Despite already beginning to feel the power drain from her system, she had enough to be able to change depending on plans if need be. . . She was flexible like that. 

Venus put her classic boots on, just in time for the clock on her bedside table to strike 7:00 and a knock to pierce the silence of her bedroom. 

Her heart skipped a beat as she stood from the small bench, straightened out her dress, and opened the door to reveal Lucifer holding a small, yet vibrant, bouquet of flowers. 

His eyes landed on her and he blushed, failing to form words for a solid few minutes. “Wow.” He eventually breathed out, gently handing her the bouquet. “You're stunning.”

She blushed in return, her eyes falling bashfully to the flowers in her hands. They were beautiful. 

“Thank you. . . You look quite handsome yourself, Lucifer. . . Let me put these in some water and then we'll go.” 

“Take your time!” He chuckled nervously, rocking on his heels as he watched Venus place the flowers in a crystal vase on her dresser — filling it with new water — that she usually kept full, but hadn't since Lilith returned. 

The flowers had already been trimmed, which she mentally thanked him for — it saved her time. 

“Shall we?” Venus asked, approaching him with a sweet smile. 
His only response was to hold his arm out for her to take. . . With both of her phone's secured in her small purse, she took his arm and used her free hand to close her bedroom door, effectively making it so no one could enter while she was gone. 

They walked down the hall, to the elevator that would take them to the lobby, where the limo would be waiting outside the hotel. 

★†★

The drive across the city to the entertainment district had Venus scanning the crowds for the figures plotting her downfall, as well as avoiding making eye contact with the shops that so openly advertised sex toys and demonstrated what they could be used for. . . Even after many months, it still wasn't her cup of tea. 

She hadn't heard much from Vox about the Lilith and Valentino situation, but with him being insanely busy, it was no surprise. 

The limo pulled up in front of a restaurant and the driver waited a few minutes before stepping out and opening the door for them to get out.

It was then that Venus noticed that the crowd had thinned considerably and that the ones that were on the street were in front of a building that was broadcasting the latest news. 

She listened to Vox's voice fade out as she and Lucifer entered the mostly empty restaurant where they were immediately led to the vip section. 

Soft music was playing, setting a romantic ambiance that had nervousness sweeping through her system. The restaurant was a newer, extremely high class one. It seemed as if it was only intended for those who could afford to blow money on overly expensive food. 

“I want to know everything about you.” Lucifer stated quietly sipping on the wine he ordered for the both of them. 

“My favorite color is blue.” She replied with a small smile, her eyes scanning continuously over the small menu. “I've only ever told one other person my favorite color, purely because if I told anyone else, they'd make the color my whole personality.” 

Lucifer hummed, leaning over the table slightly. “I would've thought black was your favorite color — or maybe some form of red.” He smirked. 

“I do love those colors as well, but blue? I can find it anywhere. The sky, the waters below, flowers in the gardens of my home. . . My mother had this baby blue and gold dress when I was a child. I always loved it. . . I loved it so much my mother had the royal seamstresses make me one of my own. It was nearly identical to hers.”

Lucifer marveled at the light that sparked to life within her eyes as she spoke of Asgard and her mother — the life she knew growing up, and even the life she led in the living world. Saving people, pranking her brothers, drunken karaoke with a shark onesie on. . . 

He watched her with such awe, he felt his heart flutter and stomach come alive with butterflies. He didn't even notice she had stopped talking until her light laughter met his ears and a blush spread across his pale face. 

A waiter had arrived to take their order — Venus got the Alfredo pasta, while Lucifer went for a steak, cooked to his preference. . . Once the man left, they began talking once again. 

This time Lucifer took the lead, telling her small things that didn't feel small to her. . . Like where his liking for ducks came from. 

They both felt as if they were finally beginning to know each other.