APPLE OF MY EYE - hazbin hotel / Lucifer X lilith / Charlie + Arabelle (oc)

blood

In the quiet hush of the night, as everyone prepared for sleep, Charlie scampered over to Lucifer, hoping for a quick hug before bed. But as she got close, she slowed, her eyes locking onto something that didn’t seem right. She frowned, looking down at his legs.

“Dad… there’s something…” she began, her small hand pointing. "Blood."

Lucifer froze, his face draining of color. He looked down to see a thin line of red slipping from beneath his clothing. The realization sent a wave of panic through him. He shifted awkwardly, brushing it off with a strained smile. “Oh, sweetie, don’t worry. I… just a little scratch, that’s all,” he stammered, adjusting his clothes quickly to hide it.

But Lilith, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, caught every detail. Her eyes narrowed, and a pang of unease began to take root. She had noticed Lucifer’s odd behavior lately—his frequent absences, his strange silences, and the fresh bruises. She’d tried not to press him, hoping he’d come to her when he was ready. But now, seeing the blood, her concern turned to something darker, her mind connecting dots that filled her with dread.

“Lucifer,” she said gently, but with unmistakable firmness, stepping closer. “Can we talk? Alone.”

He hesitated, a flicker of guilt and apprehension in his eyes. Lilith held her gaze steady, giving him no room for excuses. Finally, with a reluctant nod, he took her hand, and they walked silently to their room.

Once inside, Lilith shut the door, the familiar warmth between them replaced by a tension so heavy it felt almost oppressive. She turned to him, her gaze steady and searching, though her heart was pounding. She knew he was hiding something, and that whatever it was, it had become too much for him to bear alone.

“Lucifer,” she began softly, choosing her words with care, “I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it’s something serious. I need you to be honest with me.” She looked him over, noticing the stiffness in his shoulders, the way he couldn’t quite meet her eyes. “Please, let me help you.”

Lucifer swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He’d always prided himself on being able to handle his own pain, on keeping his struggles hidden from those he loved. But now, under Lilith’s unyielding gaze, he felt his walls starting to crumble. The secret he’d tried so hard to bury was clawing its way to the surface.

He took a shuddering breath, his voice barely above a whisper. “I… I didn’t want you to know. I thought I could handle it on my own. But…”

He trailed off, the words catching in his throat as the memories flashed painfully behind his eyes. He turned away, his body tense, as if ashamed to face her.

Lilith took a step closer, her heart breaking at the sight of him so vulnerable, so deeply hurt. She reached out, resting a hand gently on his shoulder. “Lucifer,” she said, her voice soft but unyielding, “if someone has done something to you—if someone’s hurt you—you don’t have to carry this alone. You can trust me.”

For a long moment, he stood there, his back to her, his shoulders shaking with silent turmoil. She held her breath, waiting, hoping he would let her in. And finally, slowly, he turned to face her. His eyes were filled with a raw, haunting pain, and in that moment, she saw just how deeply he’d been suffering.

“It’s… it’s not just in the past,” he admitted, his voice barely holding together. “Something happened… recently. And I… I didn’t know how to tell you.”

The words hung in the air, fragile and heavy, and Lilith felt her heart drop. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle embrace, feeling the way his body trembled against hers. The full weight of his pain was almost overwhelming, but she held him tightly, determined to be his strength.

“You don’t have to say anything more if you’re not ready,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “Just know that I’m here for you, always. We’ll face this together.”

He let out a shuddering breath, his head resting on her shoulder, and for the first time, he allowed himself to release the pain he’d kept hidden for so long. As they stood there, locked in a silent embrace, Lilith vowed that she would do everything in her power to protect him from further harm. Whatever had happened, she would be there by his side, helping him heal, no matter how long it took.