I.O.U.

The Favor With Anger

Your eyes stared, unseeing, into the darkness above you. The musty smell of the room had somehow become a comfort to you. The dampness a surprising welcome, and the chill relaxed you. Occasionally you'd swat away a bug off of you and curling into a ball on the air mattress. You'd wrap the blanket tighter around yourself.

When you were in this room there were no beatings. There was no torment or shouting. You could cry in here if you need but you had no tears left. Here you could be alone with your thoughts, count your bruises, and hope they'd heal, even if it was only a little, before the door opened.

Still, you were alone, and the loneliness always gave way to despair. The walls would begin to close around you and your breathing would become shallow. It seemed as though when your panic reached its peak the door to the molded room would open. The light would flood in and your emotions would turn themselves off like a switch. Your day would start and you'd feel just a little more of your will, slip away.

~

Quiet murmurs lulled you from your sleep. The dream wasn't nearly as bad as the other ones you had. The voices sounded so far away, as if you were listening to them underwater. Your limbs felt heavy, and you struggled to open your eyes for a moment. The voices became a little clearer as the foggy feeling that had settled over you began to wear off.

"She will be fine then yes?"

That was Lucifer's voice, but you didn't recognize the second voice.

"She should be-"

"What do you mean 'should be'. You're a doctor are you not? I want a definitive answer."

Lucifer was getting frustrated, and the doctor took a careful step back.

"Mr. Morningstar, I can't say for certain whether or not she will be. If she takes, her medication and sleeps then she'll be absolutely fine. However, if she keeps neglecting to sleep and won't rest, then her body will give out."

It was silent for a moment and then you heard the elevator doors open. You sat up slowly, turning your attention to where Lucifer stood at bottom of the stairs to his bedroom. He said nothing, just watched you with an unreadable expression.

"Lucifer-"

"I managed to talk the Detective out of calling an ambulance. I know how you detest hospitals."

His voice was level and dry. You gripped the blanket in your hands, looking down at your lap. You suddenly felt so ashamed.

"Why did you stop taking your medication darling?"

You didn't answer, just continued to stare at your lap. You couldn't tell him about your nightmares, or how the pills had stopped helping. When you wouldn't answer him, Lucifer frowned.

"You'll be staying with me for a while."

He said it with such finality that you almost didn't argue.

Almost.

"I'm fine on my own Lucifer. I don't need a babysitter."

The look he gave you was chilling. Anger burned in his eyes and you shrunk back when he walked towards you.

"Fine? This is very far from fine darling. It's verging on self-destructive." Lucifer scoffed.

You immediately felt defensive at his remark, and your apprehension turned to annoyance.

"Self-destructive? Like when you cut your wings off? Oh, no wait that was self-mutilation." You snapped.

Lucifer's patience was wearing thin, and you could clearly see that. Yet you kept pushing him.