The Devil Went Back to Georgia to Declare his Love for Johnny

by Acefirstbase

Summary:

Lucifer Morningstar had never seen a soul so prideful except his own. And now he craved the man who it belonged to. Johnny, the so-called greatest fiddle player there ever was.

Notes:

I hope this is good. I don't know. I fear the smut in this 'fandom' is peak and I don't know if I can measure up. But I tried my best to do something at least. And It's different since I think this is the only fic to be from the devil's perspective. So, enjoy.

Chapter 1: The Cost of Pride

He had only gained a true corporeal form as he fell. The second he was cast out it was like he could look at himself now, conceptualize what he really looked like. And he didn’t like what he saw. Because as he picked up speed, the clouds getting further and further from his grasp, fire ignited around him. His wings, made useless and heavy so they were unable to carry him back up, caught the flames as they fought against the air they cut through. His body gained form, heavy and taut at the same time. Every breath he took as he fell through the air seemed to be punctuated with smoke. He was burning alive from the inside and out, burning with his vitriolic pride. And he approached the ground of the Earth below, but that wasn't far enough from Him it seemed. Not a fit enough punishment. So the ground opened up to swallow him into the darkness, his flaming body the only thing making light in the void. And as the world above disappeared into nothingness, Lucifer wanted to cry. But he couldn't, because any tears he let out simply fizzled away, the heat of his body dissipating them just as fast as they were created. How fitting a metaphor it all was.

Then he finally made impact, crashing into this black nothingness, hard ground as rocks and debris rained back down on him, crushing him, burying him in the utter despair of it all. Lucifer pulled himself up a bit, pushing his hands against the sharp ground, his wings still flaming, but it was quickly dwindling. And they really held their weight, almost forcing him back down. How his body wanted to just let it pull him down again, but he was better than that. It was the whole reason he was here. Pride. His favourite idea. How dare he believe himself to be good. No, better. Why shouldn’t he feel himself above everyone, when they all resided above the mortals, looking down at them day after day. But there was a line to be drawn, because being a divine creation meant something. It meant you were not your own, you were His. And you couldn’t be above Him.

His hands were bleeding, the sharp ground leaving cuts on his body, leaving him to ooze red, like a mortal. But that only fuelled him. Pushed him to continue even more. It lit a fire within him, leaving his body glowing red as he felt the flame propel him. He stood, his wings draped on the ground, unable to rise with him. Dead weight. A reminder of the burden he carried. He pushed the hair from his face, the locks long, straight, black like tar. Or soot. And as he ran a hand through, he felt horns, large and thick like tree stumps, growing out of the side of his head. Once joined to form a halo of sorts, now split apart to make gnarled horns. A fitting accessory for someone who was supposed to be ugly, a failure, stripped of the beauty of angels. Left to wilt, look like a husk of a person at best. An illusion. A mockery.

“So, my punishment is to live in this darkness? Far below all those I was above just moments ago? How fitting.” He looked up into the nothingness. “And I assume I’m meant to stay here? Alone?”

You think you’re the first to sin? The first to believe himself better? No, there are countless beings like you. And now it’s your job to find them. Otherwise you’ll waste away into nothingness and be forgotten just as quickly as you were created.

Lucifer didn’t hear the voice speak aloud. But it was there. He was present. But he didn’t understand. “You want me to find the sinners? And do what with them?”

You have no soul, only a quickly dwindling flame of your own spiteful pride. And once that’s gone, you’ll be nothing. You find sinners, take their souls for yourself, and the flame stays alight. You can either accept your selfish actions and let your flame go out, or take from others. I imagine your selfish nature will help you decide. And besides, one less sinner for me to find at my gates will be doing me a great service. Consider it a gift I have given you, this exile. You have a job to fulfill as penance, and I suggest you get to it sooner rather than later. You haven’t much time.

And then He was gone, leaving Lucifer truly alone. Alone in the darkness. But the flame within him was still lit, for now. And he figured he wasn’t going to find much to do down here. He needed to get out, find his way back. And he knew the only way to do that was to go up. So, he searched for a wall to climb, and once he found it, he began to dig in. His new form had nails that were longer than an average mortal. They curled off his feet, more like claws than simple toenails. His hands felt like a bird’s talons with these nails. But they made for good climbing tools, getting him good grips on the wall as he climbed higher and higher, minutes passing, hours passing. But he persevered, because he was too proud to fall this time. And that pride kept the flame going. Eventually he saw a light, the moon high above him. Maybe it was just Him, his eye as He watched Lucifer down below. But he didn’t care. He was given a mission, and it was either that or die. And Lucifer was too proud to die.

Finally his hand carved into horizontal ground as he peered over the edge from his bottomless pit. He didn't see any sign of humanity. So he would have to work for it. Of course he would. Nothing He ever asked them was supposed to be easy. Only obeyed. So Lucifer got to work, beginning the long walk to civilization, his wings dragging behind him, slowing him down, but never stopping him. They didn’t get caught, they didn’t get dirty. He was a tainted being, but never a filthy one. His hair appeared like it was damp, but never wet. It must be the steam coming from him, His body stayed hot, to account for the flame within. He glowed like a star in the night, a reddish hue to him. Like looking at light through one’s fingers.

He needed clothes of some kind. And of course He provided, a long strip of cloth blowing in the wind until it hit him. Lucifer managed to drape it over himself, and it didn’t burn, although it seemed like it wanted to but was being stopped. The second before it caught aflame it would cool again. Lucifer looked up, rolling his eyes. Surely He figured that a naked man with horns and wings would scare people off, but not one with a semblance of clothing. Whatever. Either way he was aware of his naked body now. But it didn’t matter. What mattered was finding someone who he could steal from. His job was fresh, it would be demanding and never-ending, but it was his. And gaining a soul would surely give him power. Maybe enough power to get his revenge. Or, at the very least, the power to give himself clothes on his own. Maybe even a disguise. Make himself look more human, more approachable than how he was now. But he wouldn't know until he tried.

So, Lucifer tried. And he found out very quickly that he was good at his job. The best. And all that power had to get to his head sooner or later. Who knew that one day he would be humbled? And not by Him. By a mortal of all beings. A mortal named Johnny…

Chapter 2: The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Where does one go when they look for sinners? There were many places on Earth where that could be a possibility. But the United States was the best place. So many people who believed themselves to be doing the right thing, following His word. The irony of it all. Lucifer knew He never cared. His son might have something to say about it, but he had already risen and died again. For the people. And look how they repaid him. It made Lucifer laugh. Laugh all the way to the bank. But he was in a bit of a dry spell. And he was getting desperate. Not many crossroads to meet people at these days. Not many people coming to him, at least not nearby. His magic was tied to his souls, and he was so desperate for them that his magic was barely working. Hence why he had to make his way to Georgia himself. But he was there and he was determined to find someone. He had caught a whiff of something. And he knew that was what had led him here. Now he just needed to find its source.

Then, with a glint from the sun, he caught sight of him. Whoever it was, he was glowing almost as brightly as Lucifer could. He was bathed in such a golden glow that Lucifer’s mouth began to water. That soul, whoever it was, that was something he had never seen before and possibly might never see again. It was a soul almost as prideful as his own. And it was perfect. He used some magic to adjust his appearance, making himself more like how he was represented as today. A nice, if out of place, red suit, his hair slicked back and shorter than it was usually, and his eyes a subtle red, no sign of the glow or horns or his wings. Just a man with a little too much charm and charisma.

Now he just needed to hook him. But with the essence of pride like his, Lucifer knew he would have him. Easily. He leaped up onto a hickory stump that was in front of his victim, who was playing away on a fiddle. The music was almost otherworldly, beautiful. It made his heart leap a bit. Because it would all be Lucifer’s, real soon. All he needed was the fiddler to agree to his terms. “Boy, let me tell you what.” The fiddler stopped playing as Lucifer went on, his smile widening as his posture told him that he had been recognized immediately. Part of Lucifer wished he could see what the fiddler looked like, but his pride outshone him enough that his features were hidden. But he didn’t need to see him to know he wanted him. Besides, if this fiddler was as beautiful in appearance as he was at fiddling, Lucifer wouldn't know what to do with himself. “I guess you didn't know it, but I am a fiddle player too. And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you. Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the Devil his due. I'll bet a fiddle o' gold against your soul 'cause I think I'm better than you.” And from behind his back he pulled out the fiddle in question, still in its case.

The fiddler almost began to laugh as he seemed to look him up and down. Lucifer was entranced by him, despite barely being able to look at him with the glow he emitted. But that was how others surely saw him, when he presented in his true form. The boy said, "My name's Johnny, and it might be a sin. But I'll take your bet and you're gonna regret 'cause I'm the best there's ever been.”

Lucifer leaped down from the stump, popping open the case to pull out the golden fiddle, in all its glory. “I’ll start this show.” He pulled the fiddle free and set it against his chin. Now Lucifer was a lot of things, and with each soul he gained as many skills as the soul carried. He had picked off a lot of musicians especially in the last one hundred years. He could fiddle. By Him he could fiddle. But, with the state of his being, how behind he was on souls, he knew he needed to try his hardest. He needed complete focus. He pressed the bow along his tongue, fire flying from his fingertips as he rosined it. The fire wasn't entirely on purpose, his body used to spurting off flames this way and that. But this time, it was for some form of intimidation. He wanted to watch the pride dissipate from his victim, sapping it all for himself before he truly consumed him.

He pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss. He needed more. He needed something to base it all off of. So, using as much magic as he could spare, all around them the scene melted away, leaving the two of them alone as he felt the band rising behind him. Souls past, musicians he had taken in his travels. His demonic band of backup, to cap off his performance. And he played. He played like his life depended on it, because if he couldn't gain the victory here, then maybe it did. He played like he never had before, and it was damned good. Finally he finished, and he glanced over to his opponent, his smile wide and confident. As if he had already won, because he was pretty sure he had.

Johnny seemed to nod a bit, then he spoke. "Well, you're pretty good ol' son. But sit down in that chair right there, And let me show you how it's done.”

Lucifer sat on the hickory stump, holding the fiddle in his hands, the promised prize if Johnny managed to beat him. But he knew it was a longshot. But then Johnny began to play. And his glow began to grow. But Lucifer was unable to look away as it grew brighter and brighter. The notes made his soul wave and warp, pulsing with the music that he played. He moved, he sweated, and he smiled a cocky smile the entire time. Even through all the light Lucifer could see it clear as day. Johnny had all the right to be this prideful. To brag of his skills. Because those skills were well earned. Lucifer was shocked he hadn’t already given him this musical ability through a deal. This was homegrown and all natural, and Lucifer had to admit it. Johnny was better. No matter how much he wanted that supernova of a soul blinding him, he was a fair dealer.

So, as Johnny finally finished his song, Lucifer stood, approaching the man. The pride dripping off of him was good enough to taste, and Lucifer tried to hide the deep inhale he did as he got close. That in itself could have fuelled him for a fortnight. But he still had work to do, more so now that he had wasted this time. So, without another word, he bowed his head, conceding defeat, and he knelt down, leaving the golden fiddle at Johnny’s feet.

"Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again. I done told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been.”

And Lucifer looked up at the being before him, reminding him of himself in another lifetime. Before he was punished. This boy had never been punished for his pride. Or, if he had, it hadn’t bothered him. Because he was so sure of himself. And he might be the only mortal with a right to be. “I might hold you to that,” he spoke, his voice velvety smooth. Before he had been brash, trying to sound arrogant, above it all. But now he was humbled, and he spoke as such. And then he was gone, fading away as he moved on, looking for another soul to take.

Chapter 3: Blinding Light

It had taken some time, and several trips to bars, but Lucifer managed to gain enough souls to keep himself going, at least for a little while longer. But all he could think about was Johnny. That soul, that beautiful soul. The way it sparkled in the light. Lucifer’s eyes still hurt from looking at him. But damn if it wasn’t worth it to behold someone so powerful. So intimidating. So worthy of himself. Lucifer had never been attracted to mortals. In all of his time on Earth no mortal could ever pull his attention like that, make him want to gaze at them more than once. People had come to him asking for things like sex in exchange for their souls, and he indulged. But it meant nothing. All it meant was a free soul in exchange for a performance. A menagerie of making the right motions and the right noises to let them think he cared. But this one, this one might be the exception. Lucifer wanted to taste him, to see if he really dripped with pride like his soul inside. It shot out beyond him, but was it contained so deep inside, or was it something that oozed from the surface as well?

Either way, Lucifer just wanted to get close enough to drown in him. But Johnny was better than that. He would never go for something like that. Lucifer could tell with his teasing. Johnny didn’t fear him like the others, but he didn't like him. Didn’t see him as anything other than a nuisance. Didn’t see him as anything other than a lying, cheating, devil. Which he was. But it was either lie, cheat, and steal, or waste away. And if he died, then He would win. And Lucifer would do anything to make sure He didn't win. The only problem was that Lucifer doing his job also made it so He won. There was no way to beat Him. But Lucifer felt like living was just that much more showing Him up than resigning to his fate.

He found himself going to watch Johnny more and more. Watch him play. Watch him sleep. Watch him exist. He had put the golden fiddle up on his fireplace mantel, but he never played it. Lucifer figured he probably didn’t care about it. The competition hadn’t been about the fiddle, it was about Johnny proving a point. The fiddle was a bonus. He didn't need it. That almost made Lucifer upset, that he didn't care for his gift. But he understood.

For a while he then left him alone, building up his strength. The next time he spoke to Johnny, he wanted to be able to show him what he could really do. But that required a high grade soul. Something not as bright as pride, but someone greedy, wrathful, maybe envious. One of the big ones. Everyone had some pride within them, but Johnny’s rivalled any in comparison. Except for Lucifer. And he hoped to show him that the next time they met.

But finally the day came, and Lucifer appeared, approaching through the field towards what he knew was Johnny’s simple little farmhouse. He lived alone, so young, and yet it made sense. He worked the farm, paid his dues, and he played that fiddle each and every day. Lucifer could respect his dedication. His own job took dedication. They had a lot of little things in common. Maybe he could use that. Appeal to him. He wanted his soul, but even if he never got it, he wanted something from Johnny. And he would fight for even a chance to get it.

He had barely stepped up the path properly when the door to the house opened, and Johnny came outside, fiddle in hand. But he stopped when he saw him. Then a smile came on his face as he gave him an almost playful look. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

Lucifer cracked something of a smile as he blinked through the blinding light being emitted by his opponent. “Yes, you could say that.”

Johnny stepped closer, but remained out of arms reach. “So, you here to lose to me once again you son of a bitch?”

“I feel like we’re a lot more evenly matched this time around. At least, if you agree to what I’m offering.”

Johnny crossed his arms. “I already got me a swanky fiddle. I don’t need nothin’ you’re peddling.”

“All I offer in exchange for indulging me is…myself. If you can beat me, then I’ll be yours to command. If I win, I get to hold a command over you. Not permanently, just for an hour. Simple. Does that not sound fair?”

“What’s the catch?”

Lucifer shrugged. “No catch. I’ve described the reward as such, because that’s what it is. But, I would need to beat you in an arm wrestle. I figure our fiddling skills have paid off in that regard for both of us. Or am I mistaken?”

Johnny finally broke his own self-appointed rule, stepping closer, into Lucifer’s space. It was almost like the rapture as he got into Lucifer’s face. Nothing was distinguishable from Johnny's features, and it made Lucifer slightly sad. At this point he was curious. But as long as that pride permeated his every move, he would never see it. And it would only get worse if he won. But he still had to try. “This feels like a trick. If I agree to this you gotta promise you ain’t gonna cheat me. Otherwise this ain’t gonna happen. Y’cheated last time and I still won, but I don’t need no hard advantage. ‘Specially since I could beat you any day in an arm wrestle. But I gotta know for my own ego. You ain’t allowed to cheat.” He held out his hand. “Deal?”

Lucifer nodded, pulling his own hand up to shake. His hand fit into Johnny’s like a glove, and Lucifer had to hold his breath to keep from showing his teeth, knowing his canines would be pointed almost unnaturally so. It was taking most of his composure to hold his form, the urge to let himself go to his natural appearance pulling at the seams. But he was stronger than he knew, and everything held. “Deal.” He let go, and gestured to the hickory stump he had stood on the first time he had challenged him. “Shall we?”

Johnny nodded, the beams of light bounding around him as he did. And they settled on either side, holding up their arms to interlock, the other put behind their back. As soon as they gripped on, Johnny’s fingers waggled a bit. “If y’think the heat you let off is gonna stop me, you’re wrong. But if you let those flames shoot out of your fingers like last time, that’s cheating and the deal is off.”

Lucifer nodded, staring intently at the supernova holding onto his hand. “I understand.” They stayed there for a few seconds, just staring. Or, Lucifer was staring.

“You gonna call it on or what?” Johnny asked, prompting him. Pulling him from his piercing daydream.

“Ready. Set. Go.” They both began to push against each other’s hand, the soul within pulsing as Johnny worked to bring Lucifer’s hand to bend to his will. But Lucifer held firm, keeping them both in the middle of the stump, at an impasse. So he could stare at him longer. And bask in his essence. It was around them, giving Lucifer life as he breathed in in greedily. He wanted to stick out his tongue and taste the air. But Johnny was all business, his focus entirely on their hands. “You know…” Lucifer suddenly spoke, almost surprising himself. He didn’t know why he wanted to tell him, but he figured he should know. “Your soul is very bright. Almost blinding with pride. I can only assume I glowed like that right before He pushed me from the sky.”

Johnny scoffed a bit, pushing against his hand. “Glow? You sayin I’m bright? Cause I know I ain’t no book reader.”

“No, literally.” Lucifer chuckled a bit as he pulled Johnny’s hand back up, keeping them steady at all costs. He wasn't fighting to win, only to keep Johnny from victory for as long as he could. “In fact, it’s very hard to look at you. I can’t make out any of your features because of how much your soul swells with pride. And it’s all the more beautiful when you play that fiddle, because you know you’re the best. You’re like a supernova right in front of my eyes.”

Johnny tilted his head. “You flirtin’ with me?”

Lucifer mirrored him. “Am I?”

“Wait, you don’t know what I look like? At all?”

He shook his head, his grip tightening on Johnny’s hand. “I could only guess, but I wouldn’t know for sure. Unless you find a way to contain your pride, then I don’t know what you look like. It's too hard to see through the light.”

He began to push again, working Lucifer’s hand slowly towards the stump. “And how would I do that?”

“Humility is the opposite of pride. Try being humble for once.”

Johnny laughed, and the glow intensified, making Lucifer squint, his hand stumbling a bit. Almost slipping. But he held firm, pulling back. Johnny noticed the hesitation. Or, his glowing form seemed to. “I really am that bright, huh?” Lucifer nodded. “Alrighty then. Humble. Humility. Uh… I don’t know how to do that.”

“Well, listening is one way to show humility. Get me to talk about something, maybe that’ll help.”

“Alright. Uh, how’d you get into this whole soul-stealin’ business?”

Lucifer looked up, towards Him. “I became too prideful for His liking. So He threw me down to the deepest depths of darkness. And He gave me an ultimatum. Either I let my pride dull out, accept that I can’t be better than Him, and die. Or, steal sinners' souls to keep me alive, and so He doesn’t have to see them at His pearly gates. For as long as I’ve been on Earth, all I’ve done is take. It’s selfish, but then again, selfish people will do anything if they think it can get them farther. And if I just gave up, let Him win, let myself perish because I believed that I was a being deserving of power and success, well, then fuck Him. I’ll never die, to spite Him. Let myself press on as the millennia go by, and watch my empire rise. And who knows? He’s very picky on who he lets in. I think I’ve got twice the kingdom He has, and that has to count for something.”

“So you didn’t ask for this job, but God forced ya into it?”

“Yes, God. I don’t like to call Him that. It’s too respectful. And He doesn’t respect anything, so why should I respect Him?”

The light was beginning to dim, bit by bit, and there was a semblance of a person appearing through the piercing beams. “Well, I figured you just liked what ya did. Since that’s how everyone talks about ya in church. You go around on people’s shoulders and tell ‘em to sin.”

Lucifer actually laughed at this, pulling their hands back up to the center. Johnny had been inching him down, but he wasn't done yet. Nowhere close. “Do you think I can be everywhere at once? I’m only one being. And besides, with or without me, they sin. Mortals can’t help but sin, and they love to find a scapegoat to blame their reasoning on. But it’s the special ones who call out to me begging and pleading to help them, those ones I can see all at once. At the crossroads I find them, desperate for something to get better. And I can do that, provided I have the soul for it. Souls equal life and life equals the power to help. Otherwise they’re out of luck. Or, they get what they want, but only for one day.” As he spoke Johnny’s eyes were constantly on him, judging, or maybe just wondering. And finally Lucifer was beginning to see distinguishable features. “Of course you would be a blond,” he said, looking at the blond curls on the top of his head. “Blond hair and blue eyes. Why am I not surprised?”

“So you finally got a peek through my pride?” As he smiled the brightness returned. There goes all the progress he had made.

“I did for a second, now it’s back. But, you do make a nice silhouette as well.”

“So do you, with your fancy suit and tie.” Johnny began to push against him again, and Lucifer let him.

“Yes well, if I didn’t look like this I would scare you off. No one wants to speak to me when I’m not hiding. And I’m sure that was part of His plan.” He looked up to the sky again. “What I wouldn't give to let Him see that He can’t hurt me down here. Show Him that He doesn’t get to me. That I’m the one in power.”

“And does being the one in power mean I can’t have a command over ya? Or is that still on the table?”

Lucifer looked across at his opponent, smiling wide. Smiling like the devil he was. And he let his hand stop resisting, Johnny slamming it against the tree stump in one swift motion. “Power can still be achieved by those under someone else’s command. That’s exactly why I was thrown out. But it’s how I hold my power that makes it important. For the next hour Johnny, I’m yours to command as you please. But never forget, I have powers you could only dream of. I had enough power to make Him nervous. He’s a coward. I’m not and never will be.” He folded his hands together and put his chin in them, watching Johnny intently. “So, what shall we do now?”

He stood, making Lucifer stand with him, his hands folding behind his back as he waited. “Well, you said this ain’t what’cha look like. Can I see your real form?”

“You could, but I don’t want to scare you. Or blind you. I consumed a lot of souls to be sure I could overpower you today, if I had to.”

Johnny chuckled, crossing his arms. “Oh yeah? Couldn’t take me without a little help? Sounds like cheatin’ to me.”

“I just needed enough to match your strength. And then a little more. Did I not just lose to you once more?”

“Seems like ya let me win. Like ya wanted to let me be in control of you.”

He shrugged. “And what if I did? What if I felt like giving myself to you would be the only way for you to understand my desire for you and that sunlit soul of yours.”

“You still wanna take my soul.”

“Take your soul. Take you. Same difference.”

“You wanna take me? In a fight?” He stepped closer. “Or in something else?”

“What do you think?”

“I think I gotta see you as you before I decide on anythin’. So get to it.” His voice got more sure, almost arrogant. “I command it!” Lucifer could see a smile growing on his face as he spoke, taunting and teasing. But he had promised, and Lucifer was a man of his word.

He stepped back, and he curled forward, bowing his head. “As you wish.” And as he straightened back up, all of his facade was torn away. His hair grew, getting damp again as his heat wasn't held back anymore. The suit was gone, the simple cloth coming to drape down over him. His finger and toenails grew into their clawed form. And his wings sprouted up, igniting in flames as they appeared, stretching to their full length. He tilted his head this way and that, feeling his horns as they grew out, twisting around his head. When he opened his eyes, he could actually see through the light. Because he himself had a glow now, coming from inside, and it balanced out the glow from his opponent. And he could finally behold Johnny in all his farm boy glory, as he was looking with wide eyes and a mouth open in an O of shock. That made Lucifer smile the slightest bit, revealing his now much sharper canines. “Like what you see Johnny?”

“Holy Hell.”

“I don’t think that’s possible,” he pointed out.

His wings fell to the ground, now that the transformation was over, and Lucifer had to stick his hands out to keep his balance, almost stumbling under the weight. He was always aware of the weight they carried. The way they forced him to stay down, unable to fly. Johnny stepped closer, closing the distance between them, a smile back on his face. He reached up, placing his hands on Lucifer’s horns as he just watched, transfixed on the person manhandling him right now. “Ain’t that nifty. You come with your own handlebars.” He looked into his eyes, and they sparkled. “I think I have a couple ideas on what we can do for the next hour.”

“Are you not afraid of me like this? I might not be the true red devil as most people imagine me, but I believe He made me this way to scare mortals off.” He looked up at the sky. But Johnny tugged at the horns, pulling his attention back to him.

“You see me runnin’ in fear?” He smirked, his thumbs rubbing on the horns, feeling their texture, tracing in circles as their stares deepened.

“No.”

“Right. Cause I ain’t scared of something I got control over. ‘Sides, you wouldn’t hurt me, wouldja?”

“Not unless that’s what you wanted.”

Johnny chuckled again, and he pulled Lucifer down, since he was taller than him now. And then he got real close, their lips almost brushing against each other. “This is what you wanted, right? For me to use you how I want, with no way to say no?”

“Ever since I saw you I’ve wanted you. But if I can’t have your soul, this next hour will do.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Johnny placed a hand on Lucifer’s chest, and he brought them both down to the ground. Lucifer laid back, his wings splayed out, stretching out across the path. Johnny straddled him as he still held one hand on his horn. Lucifer just waited. Waited for permission. Waited for something he’s never craved more. Waited to let go and become a ravenous animal as he just wanted to dig his claws into the man above him who stared with those damned crystal blue eyes. “You want me, huh?”

“More than anything.”

“Then let’s see if you can earn it.” And he leaned down, pulling him up to meet him, their lips pressing together as Lucifer wrapped his hands around him, keeping them locked in an embrace. Johnny was cold compared to him, his own body radiating so much heat he was worried about burning him. But it seemed his body had a mind of its own, working to keep his commander safe from harm. One of his hands drifted around Johnny’s head, to the back of his neck, the claws drifting into his hair. His free hand did the same, threading his fingers through. Finally he removed his hand from the horn, and he leaned back, pulling Lucifer up to sit in his lap, both of them holding the back of the other’s head and refusing to let go. “Take off my clothes.”

“Not afraid of the neighbors catching us?” He asked as he began to work Johnny free of his shirt, sliding it over his head as he stared at him, watching this otherworldly being do whatever he asked.

“No one comes onto my property unannounced. And besides, I figure if you can change yourself the way you do, you could turn into a woman just as easy. And there ain’t nothin’ shocking about a man and a woman fooling around on his own property.”

“I guess so.” He had some trouble with Johnny’s pants, his clawed hands finding it difficult to really work it off. But then Johnny took his hands, threading his fingers through to get it undone, and then he was sliding free of them, leaving him in the nude.

His voice was firm, commanding him again. “Now you.” It wasn’t much to remove, so with a simple tug the cloth was all but forgotten, leaving the two of them completely exposed.

“What’s next?” Lucifer looked up at Johnny through his lashes, waiting, his hands almost absentmindedly tracing up and down his arms.

Johnny smiled, and he reached out, grabbing hold of his horns again. “Now I ride.”

And then he was adjusting himself, sliding forward as he got settled. Lucifer had no idea what was about to happen, but he was more than ready. And then Johnny was moving, and he slapped a hand against Lucifer’s thigh. “Go on then, keep up. This is a two person job, and if I ain’t happy we’re gonna stop and you’re gonna take it in reverse.”

“Promise?” Lucifer teased, beginning to buck his hips as he worked to match Johnny’s pace. He smiled at that, biting his lip a bit as he clutched his horns with purpose, moving Lucifer’s head this way and that as he made him keep eye contact. Anytime Lucifer tried to pull his gaze away he was being wrenched back to him.

“Why don't you remind me how good I am. How it felt to be beaten by the best. Why don’t you show me how grateful you are that I’m humourin’ you like this.”

Lucifer nodded, his hand roving up and down Johnny’s chest while the other squeezed at his thigh. “You’re the best I’ve ever met. The best who’s ever lived. What I wouldn’t give for the amount of pride that pulses from within you. You beat me and it was child’s play. How I wanted to stay kneeling at your feet and kiss the ground you walk on. I wanted you to run your hands through my hair and tell me what to do to you. Anything you want, I’ll do. All you have to do is ask Johnny. I’ll do whatever you ask.” He let out a moan, biting his lip with his canines enough to draw blood. “Oh, you feel so good Johnny. Better than anyone else.”

He let go of the horns, one hand tugging against his hair while the other reached over and wiped the blood from his lip. Lucifer stuck out his tongue, trying to lick his finger clean, and Johnny wasted no time in sticking it into his mouth. “Suck,” he said, and Lucifer did. He even rolled his tongue, folding it over the finger as he opened his mouth to let Johnny see. At that Johnny pulled his finger out, grabbing onto his face to pull him up. They collided as Johnny’s own tongue entered his mouth. And so they began to dance their dance inside as he kept bouncing up and down. Lucifer adjusted, getting a better grip on his thigh, digging in with his claws. Not too deep, but enough. And then Johnny could barely keep in his mouth, moans and groans coming out of his mouth as he pushed their faces together sloppily.

“You like that Johnny?” He would do anything to please him. To hear his praise. All he wanted was to give him everything he could ever want. All of that for even a chance to gain his soul. Or a chance to continue to look at it.

“Oh yeah. But you ain’t gonna best me so easily. You’re gonna lose again, because I ain’t coming until you have.” And he moved, pulling off of Lucifer as he reached out, grabbing onto his shoulder and promptly flipping him over. Albeit with a bit of effort, since the wing had to come with him. But he moved, and then hands were on his horns again, and Johnny plunged himself inside, eliciting an otherworldly noise from Lucifer. He had been compared to animals before. The idea that his horns were goat horns, or he had goat legs. Some believed that if he accidentally drank holy water he would squeal like a pig. He wouldn’t exactly compare it to that, but the noise he made wasn't human. It wasn’t a mortal’s wail of pleasure. But it only made Johnny more motivated. “There we go. Come on, enjoy it.” Lucifer dug his hands into the dirt, curling his fingers as his head was tugged this way and that, the hands on his horns controlling him as Lucifer let himself go.

All of the weight he had carried for millenia. All of this guilt he wished to deny. All of the shame that had been unjustly placed upon him. Right now, all of it is irrelevant. Because right now, he might have been at the mercy of a Georgia fiddler, but he was right where he wanted to be. Damn Him. The one who was always looming above, watching Him while pretending not to care. All of the hell He had put Lucifer through, none of it mattered. Because nothing could ruin this moment. And he was free. He was pulled up flush against Johnny, his wings draping behind them, covering him as Lucifer leaned back, his eyes closed, unable to look up at the sky. As long as he just let his body feel what it was feeling, all was right. Johnny’s hands crawled over him, up and down his chest, curling over his shoulder while the other actually reached over and traced along one of his wings. That got another noise from him, which Johnny noticed.

“You like that? You like when I touch your wings?”

“Yeah. It…feels good.”

A chuckle, and Lucifer was pushed forward again, his hands in the dirt again. And then Johnny began to plant kisses down the back of his neck, moving between his shoulder blades, right between his wings. His hands moved to trace where they began growing from him, and then they were running along the top, each feather being given some attention as Johnny continued to penetrate him. But he was gentle, caring, and he made sure to work as much as he could to give the devil the pleasure he had never been allowed all this time. His wings flapped suddenly, in anticipation. He was close. He stirred up the dirt around them as Johnny pulled back. “Oh, I think I found your sweet spot.” He ran his hand up his back again, tugging on his hair as he brought Lucifer back up. “Maybe if you ask nice I’ll kiss there again next time.”

Lucifer turned, cautious of his horns as he peered at Johnny. “Next time?”

“I told you, didn't I? Come on back if you ever wanna try again. If you ever think you can beat me in arm wrestling, or any other challenge, well, you know where to find me. And I’ll be here to prove to you one very important thing.” And then he thrust into him, fast and hard, and any ounce of self-control Lucifer had left broke under the weight of Johnny’s motion. He let out another otherworldly sound as his wings flapped, almost igniting. And he let out everything that was pent up inside of him. “That I am and always will be the best that’s ever been. And don’t you ever forget it, devil.”

He let out another moan as Johnny removed himself from him. “It’s Lucifer. My name, it’s Lucifer Morningstar.”

He flopped to the ground as Johnny turned him over, laying down next to him as he began to twist a piece of his hair around his fiddle playing fingers. “Well, ain’t that a pretty name. Much better than the devil. You pick it yourself?”

“No, He did.” He pointed to the sky, to the elusive formless God watching and knowing their every move. But Lucifer knew that wasn't true. He never looked down here at them. He hadn’t even talked to Lucifer since his first day on Earth. Everyone on Earth had been abandoned by Him, in one way or another. They just chose to believe otherwise. “He chose my name. He chose my form. And He chose to expel me because I thought myself equal or greater to Him. If that isn’t sinful, I don’t know what is. He was envious of my pride in myself. So He was wrathful and banished me here. He is too much of a sloth to do the work of dealing with sinners. He’s greedy for keeping Himself as the most divine being. His pride in Himself gave him an inflated ego. He is gluttonous to be the one and only God people worship, despite His lust for killing them all just as easily if they don’t give in to His whims. He is the embodiment of sin itself. He is all that He hates, and yet that's all been projected onto me. But I don’t care. All that matters is my effort to keep going, to spite Him.”

“And getting a good fuck in every once in a while, right?” Lucifer had almost forgotten Johnny was here, lost in his own rant.

“Well, to be honest, every fuck I’ve ever engaged in has been in exchange for a soul. So it wasn’t genuine. At least in my eyes. But this….” He looked over to the boy laying on one of his wings, still playing with his hair as his blond curls were draped around him. “This was real. And it was an honour.”

Johnny chuckled. “Calm down now, I might be the best, but I’m supposed to be working on humbleness, so I don’t blind ya. Don’t be given’ me those kinds of words unless you want me to light up the night sky.”

“When I’m like this, not hiding, I can see you clear as day. I don’t care if you blind me, because at least the last thing I see would be the most beautiful mortal I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”

Johnny sat up, getting on top of him again, straddling him as he pulled him up for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around Lucifer as they danced with their tongues again, smiling against each other’s lips. “For the record, if you keep this up, I might just have to give in at some point and concede my soul.”

“Oh no, your immortal soul is a gift. You shouldn’t let a no-good thief like me just take it from you.”

“Did I say I wasn’t gonna put up a fight? Cause I sure don’t remember sayin’ that.” Hands threaded over Lucifer’s horns again. “Now then, how good is your magic for cleaning up a mess, because I know I’ve still got you under my command for a little while longer, and I have some more plans for you.”

He snapped his fingers, and they were fresh again. “What mess?”

Johnny smiled. “Give me a minute.”