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Blackthorn sure knew how to throw a party. From what Angel Dust had heard, the new Overlord spent the last decade working his way to the top, and most of his wealth was based on the sale and control of alcohol and drugs. That was a surefire way to earn money down in the pits of Hell, and money could become influence and power. The demon didn’t look very intimidating when he stood up and greeted them all in the new nightclub he’d built, but looks could be deceiving.
Valentino had brought him along to be arm-candy, not to talk, so Angel sipped his drink and observed the other guests. He recognized several Overlords, talking, mingling, eying up their competition. This was supposed to be neutral group, but who knew what could happen when Blackthorn let the alcohol flow so freely?
Angel spotted Alastor at one point. The Radio Demon gave the Vees a wide berth, and that was fair enough. Angel wasn’t entirely sure how much time had passed since Vox had almost leveled the city with that damn weapon. Time seemed to have passed at once both slow and fast since Angel had moved back into the V Tower. What was the point of staying sober, really? He had fallen off the wagon, and then he’d feel fucking guilty, like there was a voice in his head that sounded like Charlie, telling him he could do better. So he’d try to stop, but things happened, and the cycle would start over again.
Fuck, he missed Husk. And Cherri, and Niffty and all the others. He’d left Fat Nuggets at the Hotel; he’d be better off there. The little pig wouldn’t be scared anymore when Valentino threw a tantrum and slammed the doors at the tower. Angel wondered if he could manage to get a few words with the Radio Demon, just to hear if everyone at the hotel was doing alright ... No. He’d left them, and that was for the best. He’d only fuck everything up for them.
Angel wasn’t the only one looking at Alastor; out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Vox glancing at the deer. Valentino didn’t seem to notice. Vox had spent the first few months after the failed take-over as nothing but a TV-screen, being carried around and lectured by the other Vees. In the end, they’d helped him reconnect to his body, but given how toxic his reputation had become in Hell after what he’d done, his contribution to the trio was kept more on the down-low, at least for now. Until people began to forget. Angel had overheard several arguments over the last months, but the Vees seemed determined to stick together, no matter how annoyed they got with each other.
Most of the other Overlords were staying away from Vox, and judging by how often he kept going back to the bar, he was clearly frustrated with the situation. The bartender couldn’t really turn him away, so the TV-head kept on chatting with him, putting down money even though he didn’t need to pay. Blackthorn had said all drinks were on him tonight. The bartender had a piglike-face, and his eyes gleamed when he pocketed the money and snatched the hip flask Vox held out.
As the night wore on, the volume rose and walls were lowered. The dancers spun around on the stage, removing what little clothes they had and throwing the glittering underwear to the audience. Demons drank and laughed, even if they were planning on stabbing each other in the back the next day. Zestial and Carmilla still seemed relatively sober, seeing how they were waltzing around without bumping into anyone the crowded room. That was more than could be said for Zeezi, who was dancing on the tables till they were crushed under her feet. Alastor seemed to be drunk already, leaning his head on Rosie’s shoulder as he babbled. The leader of the Cannibals didn’t seem to mind.
Angel could feel a headache come on. He’d had too many drinks already, but there was not much else to do here. He was just there to be pretty, so the only ones who bothered to talk was trying to come on to him. One guy had not even spoken to him, just straight up addressed Valentino and asked ‘how much.’ The answer was apparently ‘900, but he’s not available till Thursday due to filming’. The Overlord had a head that looked like a lava lamp, so Thursday ought to be real interesting.
Roise bid everyone adieu before it got ‘too rowdy for a lady’. Maestro forcefully removed the club’s pianist from his seat, and was playing what sounded like funeral music. Prick and Hatchet had decided to start a drinking contest, and soon half the room was involved with either cheering them on or joining in. Velvette was in a corner with a waitress for what had started as a ‘possible modeling gig’, and now sounded more like foreplay. Valentino was rambling to whoever would listen about the art of film and sex. Angel managed to untangle himself from the moth’s arms and got up. He needed some air.
Perhaps there was a door backstage. The dancers had left and the stage curtain was drawn, so no one would notice if Angel slipped in, would they? He came up to the side of the stage and was about to pull the curtain aside when he heard Vox’s voice.
“How are you feeling?”
Angel stopped. So Vox had found someone to have fun with, then; best not to disturb. He turned, and was about to walk away when he heard a second voice.
“H̴̅o̷͋t. So̴͓̓ ... ho̵͖̚t.”
That radio filter was impossible not to recognize. That was Alastor. What the fuck? Just how long ago was it that Vox tried to kill him? And now they were necking on each other? Maybe it wasn’t that strange for Vox, his obsession with the Radio Demon had always had shades of something sexual or even romantic; he couldn’t decide if he wanted to fuck him or kill him. But Alastor?
The Radio Demon sounded strange when he continued, his voice syrupy, slow and confused. “Fȅ̵̠e̶̩͐l ... strä̶̫n̶̤͗ge. So̴ wa̶̟͋r̵̺͂m. Wh̵͕̑aț̵̄-”
“Let me help you off with your coat.”
Angel could hear the grin in Vox’s voice, and his stomach twisted. Oh no. Please no. He had seen Vox tip that bartender. He couldn’t have ... could he? Slowly, with shaking fingers, Angel pulled on the curtain to try and see what was happening backstage.
Alastor had slumped over in Vox’s lap nuzzling into him like a cat; his arms looked heavy and limp when Vox removed his coat. The Radio Demon’s face was flushed, a warm blush on his cheeks, and his eyes ... they were swimming with an awfully familiar pink glow.
Love potion.
Angel let the curtain drop. Neither of the Overlords had noticed him.
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Vox had paid off the bartender to drug Alastor’s drink with love potion. The latest versions Velvette had developed didn’t give away much in taste or color, the Radio Demon probably hadn’t noticed until it was too late, and now ...
“What do you need?” Vox whispered.
“-wã̶̠n̵͉̉t- Ḭ̵̄ ẉ̶́a̶͛nt-”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make it all better.”
Angel had left the hotel; he had decided not to be involved with them anymore ... but that was to make sure they wouldn’t get hurt! He’d left to protect them. Angel had never imagined that the Radio Demon would need his protection, but he was all Alastor had now.
Angel had been there. He’d been drugged out of his mind and had others take what they wanted. Those potions could turn off a demon’s brain and flood every sense with lust until there was nothing but the need to fuck someone, anyone. And afterwards ...
But what was he going to do?! What could he do? Angel couldn’t barge in there, all Vox had to do was use that damn hypnosis on him, and he would do whatever that shitty TV-head wanted. He’d make him leave and forget the whole thing, or worse, make him hold Alastor down while Vox raped him. Would any of the other Overlords even care if he told them?
Valentino was still drinking, talking another demon’s ear off. Did he know? Angel had heard Valentino complain about Vox’s obsession with Alastor so many times, maybe ... Fuck it, he had to try. Angel hurried across the floor, bumping into several demons on his way before ‘accidentally’ tripping and landing in Valentino’s lap.
“Aww, daddy, I’m sorryyy~”
Valentino almost lost the grip on his drink, but thankfully he smiled when he looked down at Angel. “Aww, had a bit too much amorcito?” Valentino laughed. “You’re such a light weight.”
“I’m bored, daddy.” Angel pouted and moved to sit in his lap, pushing his chest fluff into Valentino’s face. “Can’t we slip away for just a little bit? Pleeease?”
For a moment, Valentino seemed to consider the proposal. The demon he’d been rambling to saw his chance to escape. Angel kissed his cheek, and was rewarded with a grin. “Oh, how can I refuse my little Angel Cakes?” Angel jumped out of his lap when he rose to his feet.
“There’s no one on the stage now.” Angel whispered, trying to steer his owner where he needed him to go. “We can hide away behind the curtains. Dark places for dark deeds, hm?” His heart was hammering in his chest. What if Valentino knew what Vox was doing? Maybe he was fine with it, maybe Angel was only making it worse? He managed to giggle when Valentino lifted him up onto the stage, and then he held out a hand to help the moth up. Valentino pushed him into the curtain, and with no wall behind it they both stumbled onto the stage as the fabric slid away.
“Oufh! What the-”
“Vox?”
They had nearly stumbled into Vox and Alastor; the two were on the stage floor, and Vox was unbuttoning Alastor’s shirt. For a moment, no one moved. Then Valentino let go off Angel and grabbed Vox by the throat, slamming him into the wall. “What do you think you’re doing!?” He hissed as he got out his phone. “You promised- you swore this was over.” He gestured to Alastor, who struggled to get up from the floor.
“Now Val, listen-” Vox began.
“No, you listen! When we helped you repair your body, you promised it would be different. We should have let you stay as un estúpido iPad!”
“You don’t have any right to be jealous!” Vox shot back, pointing at Angel. “I never complained about you fucking other sluts!”
“Angel did not almost cost us everything! But your damn obsession-”
Velvette slid in through a slit in the curtain. “Valentino, you can’t just text ‘backstage’ and expect me to-” She took in the scene before her, the annoyance on her face twisting into anger. “What the fuck is this?”
“Velvette-”
“No!” Velvette hissed, quieter now, to avoid anyone overhearing. She hauled Alastor to his knees and looked at him. “How much did you give him?”
“You’re the one making the stuff, you don’t have any moral high ground here.”
“It’s not about that, it’s about you not thinking! What about when the effect wears off, what will he do then?” With Vox out of reach and a new person close by, Alastor leaned into her, trying to stroke her hair. Velvette pushed him away, and Angel managed to catch him before he fell.
“I could have wiped his memory-”
“No! We said it was over-”
“Do you want me to rip your imbécil head off again? I can do it, Voxy.”
Angel could see a door at the back, and slowly moved towards it, pulling Alastor along with him. The Radio Demon’s microphone had rolled over the floor, and Angel picked it up. Valentino and Vox was too busy quarreling to notice, but Velvette glanced their way. Angel froze, but she made no attempt to stop them, instead she gave a quick wave as to give permission: he was doing her a favor by getting Alastor out of sight. Then she joined the other two in their argument.
The backdoor opened to some dirty stairs leading to a narrow street. It wasn’t easy to maneuver Alastor down, the demon stumbled, struggling to stay upright. Angel sighed. He’d said he wouldn’t come back to the hotel, but this was an emergency. Alastor was a feared Overlord, but right now he was vulnerable to anyone wanting to take advantage or even kill him.
They began walking down the street. Alastor clung to him, nuzzling into him like a kitten. “An̶geé̷̙el. Yô̶̲u’re ... ss̴s̴h̵oft.”
“Yeah, yeah, I have a whole routine.”
Alastor actually giggled, a bizarre sound coming from the Radio Demon. He somehow managed to balance on his tip-toes for long enough to plant a kiss on Angel’s cheek.
“Smiles?”
“Th̷z̵- o̵̤͝u̴ch m̸̓ͅe?”
“No, Alastor.” Angel shook his head and kept on walking, two arms around Alastor, keeping him upright when he kept on stumbling.
They had crossed the street when Angel realized he had forgotten to get Alastor’s coat. Fuck it, there was no way they were going back to get it. The thing would probably end up in Vox’s bedroom now, and he doubted Alastor would want the garment back after he was done with it. Without it, Angel could see ...
Huh. Vox lied. Alastor does have a tail.
Well, Vox lied about so many things.
“-ee̶l̷ sho̷̲͛o̴̼̊o ho̴t ...” Alastor whined.
“Fuck, he really gave ya something potent, didn’t he?” Velvette was always experimenting and improving her work. Angel had tried some of her potions for certain shoots. Some made people more open to suggestions, others created some instant, powerful attraction, and then there were the ones that made you so horny it was painful.
Suddenly, Alastor all but threw himself on Angel, pushing him up against the wall, burying his face in his chest. “Aṋ̶̉g̴͐͜e̵̬͒l, I nh - ą̵̆h̶̘̏- eĕ̸̩d you to̴ f-fư̷̤̘͘c̶͇͒́k me-”
“No!” Angel pushed him away. “No, fuck no!”
Alastor stumbled and fell. When he tried to get up again, it was like watching a deer on ice; the long legs would not cooperate. Still, he reached for Angel, trying to touch him. Desperate, needy and too weak to do anything to stop whoever wanted to take advantage. What a wonderful combination.
Angel shuddered. “Alastor, this isn’t you talking. It’s the damn drug.”
“Ple̵a̶se to̴uc̶͒h me? I ca̵̙̅n be go̵o̴d- plea̵̅se, Ā̵̞nge̵̝̕l, ple̴a̴se-”
“No!” Angel hauled him upright and continued marching them to the hotel. Alastor kept touching him, kept pleading with Angel to fuck him. If the Radio Demon had been anywhere near his full strength, it would have been terrifying. As it was, it was ... unsettling and deeply uncomfortable.
When they finally reached the hotel, Angel stopped for a moment to stare. The place looked much the same as when he’d left it months ago. When they entered the lobby, it hadn’t changed. Not the room nor the employees; the hotel’s bartender and the maid was chatting at the bar.
Husk looked up, and dropped his glass. “Angel!”
Oh no. Why did he have to be here? The cat hurried out from behind the bar counter and ran over to them. Angel held up two hands.
“Husk, no. I’m not here to-” Oh, why did this have to be so hard? Angel sighed. “I just came to drop something off.”
Husk only seemed to notice Alastor when Angel gestured to him. He frowned. “Boss?”
Alastor looked at him. “Ǫ̴̍h. Pr̶̎͜e̶͉̓tty kỉ̷̟ț̷̛t̶̙̓y.”
“Uhm.”
Niffty came up to them, pulling on Alastor’s leg. “Alastor?”
Alastor reached out to stroke Husk’s arm. “Sỏ̵̼̂f̵̘̈́t. Wà̶̭r̶̗͆m. Pĺ̶ė̷̗as̷̱͠e-”
“Nope! Nope, Alastor don’t do that!” Angel pulled him away. “He’s drugged. Some sort of love potion. I know the symptoms, but I’m not sure just how much he drank or what type it was.” He lowered his voice. “Vox tried to ...”
“Fuck.” Husk shook his head. “Niffty, go get the king.”
The king? Did Lucifer know anything about potions? Niffty turned and ran up the stairs, while Angel and Husk maneuvered Alastor to lay down on the sofa. The Radio Demon kept trying to touch both of them, stroking their fur. “Pl̶̻̓͠eas̴̗̎e. So ho̴̼̊t- bú̵͇̄r̴͋ni̶͚͎͘ng up, ple̵a̶se. Tở̷u̴͚͒ch me- ne̵̟͛é̶̟d-”
“No, Alastor, ya do not.”
“What are we supposed to do with him?”
“He’ll have to ride it out.” Angel sighed, trying to keep Alastor in place. That was not going to be comfortable. Sex would get the potion out of Alastor’s system faster; would soothe the pains he’d start feeling ... but the Radio Demon had not asked for any of this while he was sober, and now it was too late to get a sane answer out of him. “I have to get back to the V Tower, but-”
Husk took his hand. “Angel, you don’t-”
“Husk, I can’t-”
Before Angel had to explain again why staying here was not a good idea, the king appeared at the top of the stairs, being dragged along by Niffty.
“What’s going on?” Lucifer glanced over Angel and Husk, before his gaze fell onto Alastor, who was trying to somehow get out from Angel’s grip. He hurried over and knelt by the sofa. “Alastor?”
“Lu̶cife̵e̶e̴r!” Alastor said, reaching out for the new target that had appeared before him. “I n-ne̴e̴d yo̴͍̕u̵.” Before Angel could stop it, the deer had managed to drag the devil close enough to kiss him.
Lucifer blushed, but didn’t push Alastor away when the Radio Demon wrapped his arms around him and began to rub his head against his shoulder. Instead he awkwardly petted his ears, looking to Angel and Husk for explanations.
“He’s drugged sir. Love potion.”
Angel stared. The king didn’t look that uncomfortable with the dreaded Radio Demon hanging onto him. The two had been trading insults when he’d last seen them in the same room. “Vox bribed the bartender at the party to put it in his drink.” He explained. “Someone needs to stay with him tonight; make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. Hopefully it will be burnt out of his system tomorrow.”
Lucifer frowned, his eyes seemed almost red for a moment. Then he hoisted Alastor up into his arms. “I’ll look after him.” Alastor clung even tighter to him, pleased that he’d finally found someone who didn’t push him away. Lucifer began to climb the stairs, but turned on the third step and said: “Thank you, uhm ...?”
“... Angel Dust, yer majesty.”
“Ah, yes. Yes, of course. Angel.” Then he left with Alastor in his arms. The Radio Demon’s tail was wagging like dog happy to see its master.
Angel watched him go. “Husk, are you sure ...? Those two ... last time I saw them, they weren’t exactly friends.” The devil should not be able to kill or harm sinners, but there could always be loopholes. Would it technically be ‘harming’ Alastor if the Lucifer decided to- No. No, this was Charlie’s dad, the weird rubber duck enthusiast, he wouldn’t-
“They liiike each other.” Niffty’s giggle tore Angel out of the spiral.
He stared at her. “What.”
But the maid did not bother to explain. She had already moved on from the conversation, and began wandering up the stairs, presumably to continue her battle against the bugs.
“Something’s going on between them. I suspected Alastor was trying to manipulate him at first; I warned the king not to get mixed up with his crazy, but ...” Husk shrugged. “I’m not so sure anymore.”
Angel burst out laughing. “I leave for what- three, four months, and those two get all lovey-dovey? Heh. Guess I’m missing out.” He did. He missed them all so much. “Well, so long as Smiles is safe.”
“The king’s not going to try anything.”
“Good.” Angel patted Husk’s shoulder and turned towards the door.
“Angel?”
“Bye. I’ll be heading back now.”
Husk grabbed his hand, holding him back. “You can stay, you know.”
“Husk, no-”
“Your room is still yours.” There was actual hope in Husk’s eyes. Like he wanted him to stay; as if Angel was a person worth caring about. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Ya shouldn’t wait!” Angel yanked his hand out of Husk’s grip. “I told ya that yer not safe around me!”
“And I told you that that’s bullshit!”
“Husk, people get hurt because of me!”
“What would have happened to Alastor if you hadn’t been there?” Husk growled, grabbing Angel’s shoulders so he could meet his eyes. “What would Vox have done to him? You stopped that, you brought Alastor home.”
“I just didn’t want him to go through the same as me.”
“So you helped him.”
“That’s not ...” It wasn’t enough, it didn’t make up for all the other things Angel had made worse, just by staying at the hotel. It was just ... what a decent person would have done. Then again, how many decent people were there down here?
“It’s late, Angel. Can’t you stay just for tonight? ... please?”
“... okay.”
This was not how Lucifer had imagined he’d have Alastor in his bed. Before they grew closer, the Radio Demon had been barging into his room to annoy him so much Lucifer ended up putting up a sign. Sure, Alastor had jumped into his bed on occasion, to drag Lucifer out of the blanket he’d curled up in, but it hadn’t been like this.
As soon as he placed Alastor on his bed, the Radio Demon all but dragged him in as well. Long claws clumsily pawed at Lucifer’s shirt, trying to undo the buttons. When Lucifer gently pushed him away, Alastor instead started to undo his own clothes. Lucifer grabbed his hands, trying to stop him, but that only brought him close enough for Alastor to try to wrap his long legs around him. As soon as Lucifer managed to wrestle out of that hold, Alastor continued to undress himself. Lucifer’s stomach twisted; it felt like watching something he was not allowed to see. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Alastor managed to somehow get his pants off, throwing the garment on the ground. Lucifer crawled out of the bed to get them; Alastor was always so particular about his clothes. He wouldn’t like it if they were laying crumpled up on the floor. He got the pants, folded them, and when he looked back, Alastor was opening his shirt, revealing the scar after the fight with Adam. It was huge and gnarly, covering most of his chest.
Lucifer sat at the edge of the bed. “Alastor? Maybe you should go to sleep.” Angel Dust had said the effects of the potion could wear off by tomorrow; if Alastor could just sleep through the night, tomorrow would be here a lot faster.
Alastor looked at him, smiling. “Slë̶̡́ẻ̶̢p? Yes, I̵̡̒ wan̶̝͛t to sl̶e̶e̸p wi̸̳̐th yǫ̵͐u.” The smile was all wrong.
“I'm not tired." Lucifer replied. “But I can stay right here beside you while you go to sleep.”
“No̴̪̅, no. I wã̷̭nt yo̴u to f-fu̴̲̅c̴̖̾k me.”
Lucifer shook his head. “Bambi, you’re not in your right mind.”
Alastor crawled over to him, still smiling that wrong smile. “I kno̴̅w yo̶u wa̶̫̕n̸̯̏t me. I’v̶̮̍e se̶̝̚e̶͖̽n you ló̴͉ô̴̥king.” He reached out, slipping his hand between Lucifer's legs, groping him. “S-sȩ̷̌e?”
“No!” Lucifer grabbed his hand, yanking it away from his half-hard dick.
Alastor pressed up against him, his breath hot against his ear as he mumbled: “I’ve n- ne̶̒v̸e̵͠r dō̴͕n̵͈̆e this bè̶͚for̴̳̅e, but I’l̴̬̃l̷̪̉ try. I’ll b̶̛̰e gõ̶̱ö̵͇d̴̼̿. For ÿ̴́o̴̒u̴͠.” Lucifer had suspected that Alastor was inexperienced, but actually hearing it somehow made the situation even worse. Alastor tried to grind up against him; his dick was hard against Lucifer’s thigh.
“Plȅ̵̝a̴̭͗se, Lu̵ci̷̘͝fer, I n- n̶e̸ed you.”
“No. No, I’m sorry.” Lucifer pushed him away, trying to make him lay down on the bed.
“Pleas̷e̶.” Alastor gasped. “I’m bu̵r̷ning up, so ę̴͋mp̶̟̉ty, ne̴e̶d yo̶u – need yo̴u ins̴s̴s̴ide me-”
“No. You need to sleep. Just sleep, not- try to calm down.” Snapping his fingers, he changed Alastor’s clothes into red pajamas. Immediately, Alastor began to remove them, and Lucifer ended up grasping his wrists and pressing them into the mattress. As he was bending over him, trying to figure out his next move, Alastor twisted his neck to get close enough to lick his face.
Lucifer shuddered. He didn’t want to be forceful like this; holding Alastor down, while the Radio Demon was struggling against him. He quickly grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around the deer as tight as he could. It worked for a little while, but it didn’t take long before Alastor managed to get free and continued to paw at him, pleading with him to fuck him.
It looked like it was going to be a long night.
They hadn’t really been together that long. Lucifer wasn’t sure what they were exactly. He had only one relationship to compare it to, and well, that was been very different. When Lilith finally got back in contact with Charlie a few months ago, it had been the final nail in the coffin of his marriage. After the separation, after she left, he had still held out hope that she’d come back to him, he’d kept on wearing the wedding ring.
Now he knew that she wouldn’t.
A final confirmation of what he hadn’t wanted to hear, and it had hurt.
It was around that time his arguments with Alastor became more than an annoyance, it became an anchor to keep himself from spiraling. Alastor kept on following him, butting into his business, and somewhere along the line the jabs became ... softer somehow. Lucifer began to wonder if the Radio Demon was seeking him out because he for some reason wanted his company.
It was odd, and in the back of his mind Lucifer wondered if it was some sort of trap. Some long game where the demon would be kind, pretend to be his friend, only to yank the rug out from under him and laugh at his stupidity. It hadn’t happened so far.
And they were starting to become ... more than friends. It was probably too early, too soon after Lilith. Too many emotions, and he was making a mess by using Alastor as some sort of rebound, but ... Lucifer needed him. Needed something to hold onto.
It had been strange kissing someone other than Lilith for the first time, but not at all unpleasant. What was stranger still was seeing the infamous Radio Demon become nervous. Alastor would not admit to it, his smile had not changed, he’d urged Lucifer to continue ... but underneath all that, he had been anxious whenever they moved past chaste kisses and began to touch.
So Lucifer had been the one to back off. Again and again. He could sense the relief pouring off Alastor when he stopped the touching, but it was damn frustrating that the Radio Demon wouldn’t be honest enough to tell him when something was too much.
“Pl̴e̵asȅ̵, Luc̶͐i̷̐f̵̐er, Ỉ̷̻ nee̷d̶̓ you.” Alastor clung to him, rubbing against him like an oversized kitten. He was certainly not nervous now. It was all so wrong. “So̴̊ h̴̻̉ơ̵̭t̶̀ͅ, it bur̶n̶s, I ca̴n̷’t – I neé̶̃d̴̈́̇ yo̴u to to̴̠̊u̴c̷̏h me̵.”
That, at least, was not a lie. Alastor’s skin was steady getting warmer, like a fever building. The deer was sweating through the pajamas. Was this how the love potion was supposed to work? Was it some side effect of Alastor not getting what the drug was making him crave?
Lucifer pushed the Radio Demon back onto the bed. He got a bucket of cool water and a rag, and tried using the wet cloth to cool down his face. He remembered doing this for Charlie when she was ill as a child. But at least she had stayed still through it all.
For each hour of the night, it got worse. Alastor was burning up with fever. Lucifer made him drink water, and snapped new pajamas onto him twice, as they grew damp with sweat. He continued to cool down his face, his neck, even unbuttoned the pajama top so to try and cool down his chest. When he began to open it, Alastor went very still, clearly thinking that the undressing meant the devil would finally take what he was offering. When Lucifer instead began to wash away the sweat and cool him off, the Radio Demon whined in frustration.
“Ì̶̜t bu̶̯̅ȓ̵ns! Pl̶e̶a̶se!”
“Shh, calm down, sweetheart.”
“I n̷̙̽h̴͖̔- n̶̫̑ḛ̶̍-ǹ̷̽e̴ed yó̵̞u to f̵̰̚u̷͕͝c̶̻̔k̵̫̍ me!” Tears ran down Alastor’s face. “It hủ̵̞r̵͖̐t̵̨̅s! It bu̵͉̒r̷̖̀n̴͔̄s! I ne̶͊ͅẻ̴̖d yö̵̧́ụ̵̄!”
Lucifer put the rag away, and wrapped his arms around him. Maybe hugging would do something, provide some relief. They had embraced before; this shouldn’t be stepping over the many boundaries a sober Radio Demon kept up. Alastor wriggled in his hold, and tried to tear at Lucifer’s clothes. He managed to unbutton the top of his shirt, and pressed his face to Lucifer’s shoulder, panting against his skin.
“-w̴h̶y̴- wh̵̿ͅy̴̗̦̏ do̶̬̿͜n̵̠̾’t yo̴u w-w̵̳͆a̴͉̍n̵͕̓t me-”
Lucifer sighed. “I do want you.” The last hours had been an uncomfortable confirmation of that. “But not like this. You’re not yourself.”
Alastor kept sobbing, pleading and finally screaming in pain. Lucifer cast a spell to make the room soundproof. Love potion. What a ridiculous name for something so cruel. Clearly, the one relief for the suffering was intercourse, regardless of consent. Is this what had Vox wanted? To have Alastor so out of his mind with need the Radio Demon would beg him to rape him? And then ... when the effect wore off ...
Damn it all.
Finally, Alastor wore himself out enough to fall into a restless sleep. Lucifer stayed at his bedside, watching over him.
Morning came with light streaming through the window. Lucifer was still sitting on the bed. The lump under the blanket that was the Radio Demon moved slightly. Ears twitched, and he turned over, blinking in the light. His smile was small, tired, but it seemed to be more real than it had been last night.
“Alastor?”
The Radio Demon flinched at the sound of Lucifer’s voice. The red eyes stared right at him, fear and surprise coloring his face. Then, the events of he last night seemed to come back to him; he looked around the room, and wrapped himself more tightly in the blanket.
“How are you feeling?” Lucifer asked.
“...”
“Alastor?”
“... th̴a̴nk you.” The whisper was so quiet Lucifer could barely hear the words.
“What?”
“Last night, you ... you di̶dn’t ... thank you.”
That hurt more than Lucifer thought it would. Not the thanks, but the implication that Alastor had thought he’d actually try to ... Didn’t the Radio Demon trust him at all? He frowned. “Of course not. Did you really think I’d take advantage of you like that? You were out of your mind.”
“Others would.” Alastor replied. “Many of them. We’re in Hell.”
“I am well aware of where we are, and the people down here.” Lucifer shook his head. “I’m sorry. Maybe I should have gone with you to the party.” It had seemed too soon, too new, for him to be a plus-one. Too early to get into all the gossip that would run around the ring when they learned how final his divorce was, and that he was jumping into something new so soon after his marriage had ended.
Alastor’s smile grew sharp and angry. “I don’t nee̶̥͒d your p̴̎r̵̓͐o̷-̸̆͒!”
He stopped himself. The proud, independent Radio Demon didn’t need anyone’s protection. Except he had, last night. Lucifer had not been there to bring him home to the safety of the hotel, so that had fallen to Angel. It had only been luck the spider had been there, had seen and had managed to stop it.
Lucifer hesitated, but he had to ask. “Vox-”
“H̵̯̒e̶͊͜- he didn’t manage to do much.” Alastor shrugged, tried to keep his voice light, like it had been nothing ... then his shoulders started shaking, and he blinked rapidly, holding back the tears.
“I’m sorry.” Lucifer opened his arms, offering a hug. After a moment’s hesitation, Alastor moved closer and sank into his embrace. “You can cry if you want to.”
Alastor shook his head, even though his whole body trembled. Lucifer had seen him cry during the night, but now that he was sober, the Radio Demon didn’t want to show any more tears. So they sat there, quietly, as Lucifer carefully stroked his back.
“I ... I need a shower.” Alastor finally said. The pajama he was wearing was soaked with sweat.
“Of course. You can use my bathroom.”
The Radio Demon spent a long, long time in there. Lucifer put his clothes by the door, and eventually the door opened a little, and a long arm grabbed them. When Alastor came out, he looked almost normal. The smile was a bit more tense than usual, and he needed a new coat, but other than that, no one would notice how he’d struggled during the night.
“Is Angel still at the hotel?” Alastor asked.
“Not sure.” The spider had left them after what happened months ago. Lucifer was not sure if he’d gone right back to the V Tower, or had spent the night.
“I need to ...”
“Yes, he’s the one you should thank-”
“I’m not going to o̴w̴e anything to anyone.” Alastor snarled, and melted into shadows.
Well. That sounded a bit more aggressive than grateful. Very Alastor. He was back to himself again. Lucifer yawned, realizing how tired he truly was. The mattress and blanket was damp with now cooling sweat; he could smell Alastor on them.
Lucifer sighed, snapped his fingers and in an instant, everything was clean. He collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.
Angel Dust woke to someone knocking on the door. Damn it, had he somehow overslept? Porn wasn’t a 9-to-5 job, they didn’t start shooting until after noon. When he moved, someone licked his face, and he opened his eyes to find not a one-night stand, but Fat Nuggets.
He was at the hotel.
No, no, no, he wasn’t supposed to be at the hotel. He was dangerous to them, why was he – and then the events of the night before came back to him. Fuck. He really ought to go. The knocking became more insistent. Was that Husk at the door, hoping to convince him to stay? Had he brought along Cherri? Perhaps Angel ought to climb out the window to avoid seeing their disappointed faces.
More knocking. “Angel, my good fellow, are you up?” That was Alastor’s voice. His normal voice, not the drugged out whining Angel had heard the night before. So, the drug was out to be out of his system. “Angel, are you there?”
The Radio Demon wouldn’t beg Angel to stay with big pleading eyes, would he? “Yeah, yeah, wait just a moment, Smiles.”
Angel squeezed Fat Nuggets hard, and rose from the bed. He looked awful, and he knew it. He had just fallen into the bed in the skimpy dress he had been wearing at the party and slept with all his make-up on. When he opened the door, Alastor looked his usual self. He’d even found a new coat, almost exactly like the one he’d lost the night before.
“May I come in?
“Yeah, sure. It’s a mess right now. I’m not planning on staying here.”
Alastor closed the door behind him. “Husk will be disappointed.”
“Yeah. What do ya want?”
Alastor gripped his microphone tighter. “... Angel ... I ...”
“Smiles, what happened last night-”
“Thank you.”
Angel wasn’t sure what to say. Alastor’s red eyes were meeting his with some strange determination. This was difficult for him, to say the words, to admit to having been vulnerable and in need of saving. He wondered how many people had seen the Radio Demon like this.
“I do hope no one else kno̴ws ...?” The room seemed to darken slightly, shadows creeping in.
“I ain’t telling no one. I brought ya straight here. Husk and Niffty saw, and Lucifer of course.”
Alastor’s shoulders relaxed, and the shadows disappeared like it had just been a trick of the light, not some veiled threat. The only ones who knew were people that wouldn’t talk. The Vees would probably keep their mouths shut. Valentino and Velvette did not want any more trouble with the Radio Demon, and depending on their mood, Vox might have earned himself another month as just a TV-head.
Angel decided to change the subject. “Sooo, ya and the king, huh? What’s going on there?”
“No̴thi̴ng happened last night.” Alastor snarled. “He- he was a perfect gentleman. He dì̴͜dn̴̚’t-”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t have left ya with him if I thought he’d try something.” Angel sighed. “I ought to get back. Val was pissed off last night, but hopefully I won’t get caught in the crossfire. Heh.”
Angel opened the door, but Alastor pushed it shut again. “Angel, I need to thank you.”
“Ya already did.”
Alastor sounded strangely frustrated. “No, I ne̶ed to ...”
“Smiles, ya don’t owe me for this.”
Alastor did not look convinced. He kept his hand on the door, while he looked around Angel’s room, clearly trying to find some way to pay him back, something he could do to make sure they were even. He actually seemed uncomfortable with the idea of owing something.
Alastor’s red eyes met Angel’s, searched his face for some answer, and then they fell to his neck. They seemed to almost glow for a moment, and when the Radio Demon spoke again, his voice was oddly sweet. “Angel, can I have a look at your contract?”
“What? Why do ya want that?”
“Just curious. You see, I’m good with contracts and deals.” Alastor took his hand. The smile on the Radio Demon’s face grew into something both dangerous and enticing. A way out, or a trap. “And how to brea̴k them.”