Pardon The Way That I Stare

Cozy Night

Alastor eventually stood, offering Lucifer a hand. "Come, love. I'll make us some tea before we head up. You've had a long day, and you deserve a proper moment to unwind."

Lucifer accepted the offer with a soft smile, letting Alastor guide him toward the small kitchen area tucked behind the bar. Husk, who had been rummaging through the cabinets for more liquor, grumbled something incoherent before stalking off with a bottle in hand.

As Alastor went about preparing the tea, his movements precise and elegant, Lucifer leaned against the counter, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You know," he began, his voice carrying that unmistakable spark of enthusiasm, "I've been thinking about this festival coming up. It's been ages since we had something like it in Hell, and I might have... gotten a little carried away."

Alastor chuckled, casting a sidelong glance at Lucifer. "Carried away, you say? Do tell."

Lucifer grinned. "I might have pulled a few strings and convinced Vox to sponsor it. Imagine it—a grand masquerade in the heart of the city, with lights, music, and, of course, me as the host. Everyone in Hell will be talking about it for centuries!"

Alastor poured the boiling water over the tea leaves, carefully steeping them while keeping his full attention on Lucifer. He didn't care about the festival itself—what fascinated him was the way Lucifer's face lit up as he spoke, his hands moving animatedly as if he were already orchestrating the event in his mind.

"You do have a flair for the dramatic," Alastor said, smirking as he poured the tea into two delicate cups. "A masquerade sounds positively delightful, though. Have you considered a theme?"

Lucifer took the offered cup, though he didn't drink just yet. "I was thinking something classic. Elegant, refined... but with a twist of chaos. Masks that shift and change throughout the night, disguising identities, making it impossible to tell who's who."

"Intriguing," Alastor murmured, his gaze never leaving Lucifer. "A night where nothing is quite what it seems. Fitting, for a place like Hell."

Lucifer nodded eagerly. "Exactly! And imagine the opportunities for mischief. Deals could be struck, alliances could form, all under the guise of anonymity." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "And, of course, it'll give me an excuse to wear something utterly dazzling."

Alastor couldn't help but smile as he watched Lucifer's excitement grow. It wasn't often that someone captured his attention so completely, but Lucifer had a way of making every moment feel larger than life. "Whatever you choose to wear, I'm sure you'll be the center of attention."

Lucifer gave him a playful smirk. "Flattery will get you everywhere, darling."

Alastor picked up the tray with the tea and gestured toward the stairs. "Shall we continue this conversation somewhere a bit cozier?"

Lucifer laced his fingers through Alastor's, his expression softer now. "Yeah. Thanks for letting me ramble on."

"I'd listen to you forever," Alastor replied without hesitation, pressing a soft kiss to the back of Lucifer's hand. "Let's get comfortable upstairs and plan more."

With that, they made their way up the grand staircase, hand in hand, the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea trailing behind them. The night stretched ahead of them, full of possibility—and for Alastor, every second spent by Lucifer's side was a moment well spent.

Once they reached their room, Alastor set the tray with the tea down on the small table by the bed. The room was dimly lit, casting a warm, golden glow over the cozy space. Lucifer sighed contentedly, already shedding his coat and tie as he headed toward the wardrobe to grab a fresh pair of pyjamas.

Alastor, meanwhile, undressed completely, folding his clothes neatly before slipping into a pair of dark pyjama pants. Despite the chill in the room, he chose not to put on a shirt. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed, his crimson eyes glinting playfully as he watched Lucifer change.

"You're not cold?" Lucifer asked, slipping into his red silk pyjamas.

Alastor leaned back on his hands, his grin widening. "For you, my dear," he said smoothly. "I know you like my warmth on nights like this."

Lucifer paused, a light blush creeping across his face. He tried to act nonchalant as he climbed into bed, but Alastor caught the faint smile playing on his lips. Settling beside him, Lucifer gave Alastor a soft kiss, their lips brushing gently before pulling away. "You know me too well," he murmured, his voice low and affectionate.

Alastor chuckled quietly, pleased by the reaction. He shifted closer, wrapping an arm around Lucifer and pulling him against his bare chest. "I make it my mission, darling."

They stayed like that for a moment, savoring the quiet intimacy. Alastor reached over and handed Lucifer his cup of tea before taking his own. The warmth of the drink complemented the heat radiating from Alastor, creating a perfect contrast to the chill of the room.

Lucifer nestled into the comfort of Alastor's side, sipping his tea as he opened HellTube on his VoxPad. He began scrolling through options, occasionally glancing up at Alastor, who seemed content just holding him. "What are you in the mood for? Something dramatic? Funny? Or maybe something terrible we can make fun of together?"

Alastor smiled into his cup. "You know I can find joy in even the most dreadful of productions. I leave the choice entirely in your capable hands."

Lucifer gave a thoughtful hum before stopping on a title that looked like it had a ridiculous plot and terrible special effects. "Perfect," he said with a mischievous grin. "This looks just bad enough for us to tear apart."

Alastor chuckled. "An excellent choice, as always."

Lucifer pressed play, and the two settled in, sipping their tea and exchanging amused commentary as the movie played. Every so often, Alastor would offer a witty remark, earning a laugh from Lucifer. It was a simple, peaceful moment—just the two of them, wrapped in warmth and affection, enjoying each other's company as the night stretched on.

By the time the tea was finished, Lucifer had fully relaxed, resting his head against Alastor's shoulder as the video neared its hilariously over-the-top climax. He let out a satisfied sigh, his voice soft. "This... this is perfect."

Alastor smiled, pressing a kiss to Lucifer's hair. "Agreed, love. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

And so, they remained like that, lost in the comfort of each other's presence, letting the quiet night and the flickering glow of the screen lull them into contentment.