Pardon The Way That I Stare

Breakfast

The next morning, the first light of dawn crept into the room, gently illuminating the space. Alastor woke before Lucifer, as usual, and found himself watching him sleep for a few moments. Lucifer's face was peaceful, his breathing steady, and Alastor couldn't help but smile at the sight. He never thought he'd find himself so attached to someone like this, but with Lucifer, everything was different.

Carefully, Alastor slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake him. He had some things to attend to, and as much as he enjoyed their quiet moments, duty always called. With one last glance at Lucifer, he quietly left the room and headed downstairs.

As he entered the kitchen, he began preparing breakfast, something light for Lucifer's still-recovering state. The smell of fresh coffee and eggs filled the air as he worked, his mind occasionally drifting back to the events of the previous night. Despite the bloodshed, despite the chaos, this morning felt... normal. It was a feeling he wasn't entirely used to, but one he was beginning to appreciate.

Midway through flipping an omelet, Alastor heard the soft padding of footsteps behind him. He turned to see Lucifer standing in the doorway, looking far better than the night before but still a little groggy. His hair was tousled, his eyes sleepy, and he wore an oversized robe that made him look almost fragile.

"Morning," Lucifer said, his voice still raspy from the cold but filled with warmth. He rubbed his eyes and made his way over to the kitchen counter, leaning on it for support.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Alastor asked, raising an eyebrow as he set the omelet onto a plate.

"I'm fine," Lucifer insisted with a soft smile. "I feel so much better already, and I couldn't just stay in bed all day while you're down here doing all the work."

Alastor sighed but didn't argue, knowing full well that once Lucifer had made up his mind, there was little point in trying to change it. Instead, he handed him a cup of tea and gestured toward the table. "Well, at least sit down and eat. I made something light for you."

Lucifer took a sip of the tea, savoring its warmth. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

Alastor chuckled as he served the breakfast plates. "Consider it my way of making sure you don't get sick again. You'll need your strength back."

Lucifer sat at the table, picking at the omelet as Alastor joined him. They ate quietly for a moment, enjoying the peaceful morning together. The hotel was oddly silent, with most of the other residents still sleeping in or minding their own business.

After a while, Lucifer glanced over at Alastor, his expression soft. "You're not tired of taking care of me yet, are you?"

Alastor shook his head with a small smile. "Not at all. Besides, I've dealt with worse patients."

Lucifer laughed softly. "I'll bet. But still... I appreciate it. You've been really sweet."

"Sweet? Well, that's a new one," Alastor teased, though his voice held genuine affection. He reached over and took Lucifer's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm just glad you're feeling better."

Lucifer looked down at their intertwined hands, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I am, thanks to you." He leaned over the table and placed a quick kiss on Alastor's cheek, his face lighting up when he saw the faintest hint of a blush creep onto the Radio Demon's face.

They finished their breakfast and cleared the dishes together, their movements in sync as they worked side by side. It was a comfortable routine, one that felt surprisingly natural despite the oddities of their lives. As they finished, Lucifer leaned against the counter, watching Alastor with a thoughtful expression.

"What?" Alastor asked, catching Lucifer's gaze.

Lucifer shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Nothing, just... I think I'm really lucky to have you."

Alastor blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sincerity in Lucifer's voice. For a moment, the usual sharp wit and confidence faltered, replaced by a rare vulnerability. "I think I'm the lucky one, dear," he said softly, stepping closer to Lucifer and wrapping his arms around him.

Lucifer snuggled into his embrace, resting his head on Alastor's shoulder. They stood there for a moment, just holding each other in the warmth of the morning light, neither of them needing to say anything more. It was a moment of quiet contentment, of understanding, of love.

Finally, Alastor broke the silence, his voice a gentle murmur in Lucifer's ear. "How about we take it easy today? Just the two of us. No work, no stress. We can spend the day in the parlor, maybe even sneak in a nap."

Lucifer smiled against his shoulder, nodding in agreement. "That sounds perfect."

With that, they moved toward the parlor, hand in hand, ready to enjoy the rest of the quiet morning together.