Pardon The Way That I Stare

Unraveling Threads

As dinner continued, the lively atmosphere began to wrap around Lucifer like a comforting blanket, even though his heart was still racing from the unexpected question he had blurted out. The stories and laughter flowed around him, and he tried to immerse himself in the chaos, but his mind kept drifting back to Alastor.

With each stolen glance, Lucifer felt a peculiar mix of anticipation and anxiety. Alastor was the picture of ease, chuckling and bantering with Angel, but there was an intensity in his gaze when it landed on Lucifer that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Hey, Lucifer!" Niffty chirped, pulling him out of his spiraling thoughts. "Are you going to try my special dessert later? It's a surprise!"

"Uh, sure," he replied, forcing a smile as he pushed away the unease in his chest. "What is it?"

"Don't ruin the surprise!" she replied playfully, bouncing in her seat. "You'll just have to wait and see!"

Husk, nursing his drink, chimed in, "Just be careful. Niffty's surprises have been known to bite back."

"Hey!" Niffty protested, crossing her arms but unable to hide her smile.

The banter resumed, and amidst the chaos, Charlie took a moment to lean closer to Vaggie, her fingers brushing against hers. The sight sent a pang through Lucifer, but he quickly shook it off, trying to focus on the vibrant conversation around the table.

"I'm telling you," Angel said, gesturing animatedly, "the last time I tried to hit on a guy, I ended up with a restraining order! Can you believe it?"

The table erupted into laughter, the absurdity of Angel's antics drawing out the humor in everyone. Even Husk cracked a smile, though he quickly hid it behind another swig of whiskey.

Lucifer found himself actually enjoying the casual chaos, watching as Charlie and Vaggie leaned into one another, whispering and laughing quietly. For a moment, he was able to forget the odd tension he felt around Alastor and just be present. But as the evening wore on, his thoughts circled back to one question he couldn't quite shake.

It was during a lull in the conversation, as Angel Dust regaled everyone with a tale of a particularly strange audition in the living world, that Lucifer suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the laughter.

"Charlie," he said, louder than intended, "how did you know?"

The table fell quiet, eyes turning toward him. Charlie blinked, confused. "Know what?"

Lucifer cleared his throat, feeling the weight of everyone's attention but plowing ahead. "How did you know... that you liked girls? That you liked... Vaggie?"

Charlie exchanged a quick glance with Vaggie, who gave her an encouraging smile. Charlie turned back to her father, her expression softening. "Well, I guess it wasn't one thing, really. I always felt more comfortable around girls, and when I thought about the future, it wasn't with a guy. It took me a while to figure it out, but when I met Vaggie... everything just clicked." She squeezed Vaggie's hand, smiling warmly. "I just knew."

Lucifer's fingers drummed nervously against the table, and the warmth creeping up his face wasn't from the jambalaya. He felt the eyes of everyone on him, but none more intensely than Alastor's.

"Why do you ask, Dad?" Charlie asked, her eyes twinkling with a bit of curiosity, but also concern. "I mean, it's not really something you ever brought up before."

Lucifer's throat felt tight. He hadn't exactly thought through what he was going to say next. His mind raced, and before he could stop himself, his gaze flicked to Alastor, who was watching him intently, eyes sharp and glittering. Panic gripped him as the seconds dragged on, the heat rising in his face, spreading down his neck.

"I—uh—" Lucifer stammered, feeling every inch of him wanting to bolt from the table. "I'm just curious, that's all."

Angel Dust snorted loudly, earning a swat from Husk. "Oh, *curious*, huh? That's what they all say."

Charlie raised an eyebrow but didn't push further, though she exchanged another glance with Vaggie. "Well, it's different for everyone," she said, her voice gentle. "Some people just know. Others take a while. There's no rush."

Lucifer nodded quickly, not trusting his voice, and took a too-large sip of his drink to avoid looking at anyone in particular. The burning sensation of alcohol did nothing to calm his nerves.

Alastor, still smiling, leaned back in his chair, his red eyes gleaming with amusement as if he knew exactly what was going through Lucifer's head. "Ah, darling," he said, his tone playful yet pointed, "I can assure you, I know precisely what you're feeling."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued despite his embarrassment. "What do you mean?"

Alastor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, an enigmatic grin spreading across his face. "You see, I tried to pursue a relationship with a girl once. It didn't quite... stick." He paused for dramatic effect, his gaze piercing into Lucifer's. "But then I found a man, and oh, it was electric. The connection, the passion—it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced."

A teasing glimmer danced in Alastor's eyes as he continued, "Unfortunately, he ended things on me. But the time we shared? Absolutely spectacular. I'd say the sex was—" he leaned in closer, a mischievous smirk on his lips, "*amazing*."

Lucifer felt his cheeks flush deeper, the heat radiating through him as he met Alastor's gaze. There was a challenge in the way Alastor looked at him, as if he were inviting Lucifer to explore those uncharted territories of desire and uncertainty.

"Right," Lucifer managed to reply, his heart pounding in his chest. "I... I can see how that would be... enlightening."

The tension in the air shifted, thickening around them like a haze, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still. The laughter and chatter of the table faded into a distant hum, leaving just the two of them suspended in this charged moment.

"Not that it's about the *sex* alone, of course," Alastor continued, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone, "but the way it made me feel? I suppose that's the thrill of it all—the unpredictability of connection."

Lucifer swallowed hard, his pulse racing as he considered Alastor's words. The Radio Demon's charisma was intoxicating, and it sparked a sense of longing he couldn't quite articulate. He felt like he was dancing on the edge of something profound, something terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Just then, Charlie's gentle voice broke through the tension. "Are you okay, Dad?" she asked softly, concern etching her features.

Lucifer snapped back to reality, the warmth in his face feeling all too obvious. "Yeah, just... thinking." He shrugged, trying to keep his tone light. "Curiosity is a dangerous thing, after all."

Alastor's eyes sparkled with mischief, as if he knew exactly how dangerous that curiosity could be. "Oh, I agree," he said, a playful lilt in his voice. "But sometimes, the most thrilling adventures come from embracing that danger."

As the laughter resumed around the table, the warmth of the gathering surrounded him, but the weight of Alastor's gaze lingered. Lucifer couldn't help but wonder if he was on the brink of a new chapter in his life—one filled with uncertainty, excitement, and perhaps even a dash of romance.

The night wore on, and the atmosphere buzzed with life, but in the back of his mind, a question lingered: Could he dare to embrace this new connection, whatever it might become?