Pardon The Way That I Stare

Cigarettes

An hour later, Lucifer finally gave up on trying to sleep. The restless thoughts swirling in his mind refused to quiet down, and the weight of the night felt too heavy to bear alone. With a resigned sigh, he slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Alastor, who had settled back against the headboard, his expression peaceful in sleep.

Lucifer padded across the room and gently opened the balcony door, stepping out into the cool night air. The gentle sway of the ship was more pronounced out here, but the breeze felt refreshing against his skin. He leaned against the railing and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease.

The smoke curled upward into the night sky as he took a drag, letting the familiar habit soothe some of the chaos in his mind. He watched the ocean waves ripple in the moonlight, feeling the tension in his shoulders start to ease, if only a little.

Inside the room, Alastor stirred at the sound of the balcony door opening. His instincts kicked in, alerting him to the absence of Lucifer beside him. A moment of concern washed over him, and he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The room felt emptier without Lucifer's presence, and a slight frown creased his brow as he listened for any signs of where Lucifer had gone.

Hearing the soft hiss of the cigarette lighter from outside, Alastor took a moment to gather himself before quietly slipping out of bed and heading toward the balcony. He stood in the doorway for a moment, observing Lucifer in silence. The glow of the cigarette illuminated his features, casting a soft light over his contemplative expression.

"Enjoying the view?" Alastor finally asked, breaking the stillness.

Lucifer jumped slightly, exhaling a cloud of smoke before turning to face Alastor. "Didn't mean to wake you," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual, but he couldn't hide the hint of surprise in his voice.

Alastor stepped out onto the balcony, leaning against the railing beside Lucifer, though maintaining a respectful distance. "You didn't wake me; I was just concerned. You seemed... troubled."

Lucifer took another drag, savoring the taste as he contemplated his words. "Yeah, well, I guess I am. Just trying to sort some things out in my head," he admitted, exhaling slowly.

"Care to share?" Alastor asked, his tone soft but inquisitive.

Lucifer hesitated, staring out at the vastness of the ocean. The moonlight danced on the water, and for a moment, he found himself lost in the rhythm of the waves. "It's just... everything has changed so fast, you know? I thought I had everything figured out, but now it feels like I'm standing on shifting sands."

Alastor nodded, a knowing expression on his face. "Change can be disorienting, especially when it challenges your understanding of yourself. But sometimes, change leads to growth."

"Yeah, growth," Lucifer echoed, his voice tinged with skepticism. "What if that growth leads me somewhere I'm not ready to go?"

"Then perhaps it's time to confront those fears," Alastor replied, his voice steady. "You've built a life for yourself, Lucifer. It's natural to feel apprehensive about letting others in." He paused, glancing sideways at Lucifer. "Especially when those others mean something more."

Lucifer's heart raced at Alastor's words, his mind flashing back to their earlier conversations and the way Alastor had looked at him. He took another drag from his cigarette, trying to mask the sudden heat rising to his cheeks. "It's just... complicated."

"Complicated tends to be the nature of emotions," Alastor said, his voice gentle yet insistent. "But you're not alone in this. I'm here, and I'm willing to navigate this with you."

Lucifer turned to face Alastor fully, searching his eyes for sincerity. "You mean that?"

"Of course, dear. I wouldn't say it otherwise," Alastor replied, a warm smile breaking across his face. "You've intrigued me in ways I didn't think possible, and I'd like to see where this leads—if you're open to it."

Lucifer's heart raced, the weight of Alastor's words sinking in. The world around them faded away for a moment as he took a deep breath, trying to ground himself. "I—I think I might be. It's just all so new, you know?"

"I understand," Alastor said, nodding with a gentle understanding. "New can be exhilarating, even if it feels intimidating. Just take it one step at a time."

Lucifer smiled, a small spark of hope igniting within him. "Okay. I can do that."

With one last drag, he flicked the cigarette butt into the ocean below, watching as it disappeared into the dark waves. "Thanks for coming out here, Alastor. I didn't want to feel like I was burdening you with my thoughts."

"Not a burden at all," Alastor reassured him, leaning slightly closer. "I want to hear your thoughts. They matter to me."

Lucifer felt a warmth bloom in his chest at Alastor's words. Maybe this new path wasn't as daunting as he had initially thought. Together, they could face whatever came next.

As the cool breeze ruffled their hair, both demons stood side by side, the ocean stretching out before them and the night full of possibilities waiting to unfold.