Ava, A Different Radioapple Fanfiction- CONTINUATION

Deal

The next day, the hotel was alive with its usual buzz, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the lobby. Ava was sitting cross-legged in the corner, tinkering with her Bunny, her mind replaying the previous night's negotiation.

The front doors slid open with a dramatic *whoosh*, and in strolled Vox, a sleek, high-tech tablet tucked under his arm. His face was a perfect mask of strained neutrality, his sharp teeth gritted in an exaggerated grin as he marched toward Ava.

Lucifer, perched on a nearby couch with his morning coffee, raised an eyebrow. "What's that?" he asked, gesturing toward the tablet.

Vox froze for a split second before plastering on a too-smooth smile. "Oh, this? It's just a little something I thought I'd get for Ava."

Lucifer's suspicious gaze didn't waver. "Why? What's the occasion?"

Through gritted teeth, Vox forced out the words. "She's just been... so good lately. Thought she deserved a little reward." His eyes flicked toward Ava, who was now looking up at him with an innocent smile that didn't fool anyone who knew her.

Lucifer's frown deepened. "Good, huh? What exactly did she do that was so remarkable?"

"Oh, you know," Vox said, waving a hand as if brushing off the question. "Just... being a great kid. Respectful, quiet, *not nosy.*" The last words came out pointed, and Ava's grin widened.

Lucifer tilted his head, still unconvinced, but decided to let it slide. "Well, that's nice of you. Very generous." He sipped his coffee, eyeing Vox suspiciously as the tech demon handed the tablet to Ava with a little too much haste.

"Here you go, kid," Vox said, his voice tight. "Enjoy. Don't break it. And *don't talk about last night.*" He muttered the last part under his breath.

"Thanks, Uncle Vox!" Ava chirped, hugging the tablet to her chest like it was the greatest gift in Hell.

As she bounded off toward the lounge to explore her new gadget, Lucifer leaned back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other. "So," he said, a sly smirk curling on his lips. "You're bribing children now?"

Vox stiffened. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on," Lucifer drawled, setting down his coffee. "What's the real story here?"

"Drop it," Vox snapped, his cool demeanor slipping for a moment before he smoothed it back out. "Just being a good... uncle."

Lucifer chuckled, shaking his head. "You're terrible at lying, you know that?"

"I have no idea what you're implying," Vox said with a huff before storming off toward the elevator, leaving Lucifer to stew in his curiosity.

In the lounge, Ava sat cross-legged on the floor, the new tablet projecting a dazzling hologram above her head. She giggled, knowing full well she'd just won the negotiation of a lifetime. "Secrets are so fun," she whispered to Bunny, who, as always, offered no objections.