Vaggie The Moth Babe

Chapter 27: The End of the Joke

Lucifer walked down the hall, his steps heavy but resolute after the emotional conversation with his daughter. The weight of his crown, both literal and figurative, had never felt so real. He had lost his way, but he knew that now was the time to set things right. He couldn't continue to avoid his responsibilities, nor could he keep playing the reckless fool. The King of Hell had duties—important ones—and it was time he embraced them again.

His destination was Angel Dust's bedroom. He knocked lightly, though he didn't need to. After spending time in the hotel, he knew Angel wouldn't care about knocking, but Lucifer wanted to close things in a more respectful manner. When no immediate answer came, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Angel Dust was lying on the bed in his usual provocative manner, his long limbs sprawled out like a seductive spider web, an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips. The sight of Lucifer made him raise an eyebrow, a mischievous smile curling his lips.

"Well, well, look who's back," Angel purred, twirling a lock of his hair around his finger. "Here for round two? I was just getting ready to have some fun again."

Lucifer gave him a small smile, one that held both warmth and finality. He stepped inside the room, the weight of his decision pressing on his shoulders.

"Angel," Lucifer began, his voice calm but firm, "the joke is over. I came to tell you that what happened between us... it ends here."

Angel blinked, clearly surprised by the shift in tone. "Oh? Ending things already, huh?" His tone was flippant, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes as he sat up on the bed, crossing his legs. "Guess I broke your heart already, huh?"

Lucifer shook his head gently, walking further into the room until he was standing by the bed. "It was never about that. What we had was a distraction, nothing more. I let myself fall into it because I was trying to escape my responsibilities." He let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I can't run away anymore. I have duties as a ruler, and it's time I went back to them."

Angel stared at him for a moment, then shrugged nonchalantly. "No big deal, Luci," he said, hopping off the bed with a fluid, almost graceful movement. "If you're done, you're done. There's plenty of other dicks in Hell for me to chase." He winked, blowing a kiss in Lucifer's direction. "You've got bigger things to handle, right?"

Lucifer couldn't help but chuckle, despite himself. Angel's irreverent attitude was, in some strange way, refreshing. He knew there were no hard feelings between them. It had been what it was—nothing more, nothing less. "Thank you for understanding."

Angel waved him off with a smile. "No worries, sugar. Go be the big, scary King you're supposed to be. And if you ever get bored again... well, you know where to find me."

Lucifer smiled back, but there was no lingering temptation. "Goodbye, Angel."

He turned and left the room, feeling lighter with every step he took. The weight of the past few weeks was starting to lift. As much as Angel had been a part of his distraction, Lucifer now felt a renewed sense of purpose, and he was ready to embrace it again.

Once Lucifer had packed his things and said his quiet goodbyes to Charlie and the rest of the staff, he found himself back in the lobby of the hotel, suitcases in hand. He glanced around one last time, taking in the space where he had spent the last few tumultuous weeks, and sighed deeply. It had been a strange period of self-indulgence, but now it was time to return to his rightful place.

With a final nod to himself, Lucifer stepped out of the hotel and into the waiting car that would take him back to the palace. The road stretched out before him, leading him back to the duties of the king he had almost abandoned. He knew there were still challenges ahead—political, personal, and perhaps even familial—but for the first time in a long while, he felt prepared to face them.

As the car rumbled through the streets of Pentagram City, Lucifer gazed out the window at the sprawling, chaotic realm he ruled. He was the King of Hell, after all, and it was time to act like it again.

He smiled faintly to himself, feeling that familiar power rising within him once more.