Chapter Text
Smooth jazz played in Alastor's room as he took a drink of bourbon. He hadn't expected the king of Hell to ask him to dinner. As far as he was concerned, he was still married. But no matter, perhaps he could use this to his advantage. Voices became apparent outside of his door. His deer ears perked up, it was Charlie and Lucifer. "I can't do nights." He said in a whisper, one so quiet he knew Charlie couldn't hear but he most certainly could. It made a genuine smirk appear on Alastor's face. Has the king gotten himself in a bind?
"What?" Charlie said, sounding just as confused as Alastor was amused. "I can't do nights." Alastor grinned wider. Seems like he had. Charlie no doubt had asked her father for a favor, and he couldn't return on it. All because he asked him out. Looks like it was going to be easier for Alastor to use this to his advantage than he thought. "Well, well, well. Seems like the little king can't keep his promises to his daughter." This was too good. He could hear Charlie's disappointment as she assured him it was okay, it was clear that it wasn't.
How in the world had this all happened? It was almost comical. But oh so beautiful. Alastor slipped on his coat and slipped through the shadows to the rooftop, met with a beautiful dinner setup. He was caught off guard, radio feedback scratching across the air near him as he snarled. Was the king trying to be romantic? How gauche. Alastor sat down quietly, taking a sip of wine that he had taken the liberty to pour himself. He did have to say, the king knew how to properly set a table at least. He could give him that. Though not much else.
It was almost funny, really. How the dominoes seemed to fall into place all too easily. He heard footsteps approach him quickly, Lucifer muttering apologies to him, as always. It was always that way with him, Alastor noticed. The moment Lucifer began to respect someone he would profusely apologize for the stupidest things. It was... Sweet. No. No, it was not. It was disgusting, utterly disgusting. It was the hallmark of a weak man. The type of man Alastor despised most. A man with power who refused to use it. Well, there was a type of man he hated more, but that group was definitely a close second.
"Sire, I don't mean to cut you off but I would like to get to the matter at hand." "Oh, yes, of course, sorry." Lucifer blushed lightly and cleared his throat. "Why did you ask for my company tonight?" Lucifer paused, looking at Alastor with a shocked expression. "Oh. Uhm. Blunt, aren't we. Haha." His nervous laughter filled that air. "Yes. As always." Alastor said through gritted teeth. Perhaps this was more trouble than it was worth. He moved to get up, and yet he paused. "Sire, are you suggesting you are lonely, is that it?" Alastor turned his neck to an awkward angle. Lucifer winced at the angle, even though he knew it didn't hurt the deer demon.
"Uh, yes, that's it. I'm sorry, am I bothering you?" "No, not at all." That, that was something Alastor could work with. He sat down quietly, taking another sip of wine. "So why me? I was of the opinion that you hated me, Your Majesty." Lucifer sputtered, trying to come up with a good excuse no doubt. "Uh, I figured out of everyone the most reclusive of the hotel would be the most available to accompany me?" He sounded unsure, picking at his cuticles and the ruined skin they were comprised of due to previous stints of picking.
Alastor sighed, swirling the wine in the glass. He looked up at his king, eyebrow raised. "What's in it for me?"Lucifer huffed, "You and your stupid deals, always needing a reason to act like a normal person." "Do you want my company or not?" "Yes." Lucifer squeaked. "Then give me a reason to stay." Alastor wasn't one to stay around others for too long, having been left constantly in his life for it to feel comfortable. The air was thick with tension as Lucifer thought of a reason, biting his lips. It was quite annoying. Alastor sighed, moving to get up."Wait!" Alastor paused.
"Wait just a moment. How about... How about I ensure you never get trapped in another deal again, and you get all the power you want." Oh. Oh. Now this was marvelous. Was the king that desperate for attention? How laughable. Truly. Alastor's laugh broke through the air, a laughing track playing alongside his laugh. Lucifer's smiled dropped, disbelief and hurt replacing hope. He thought Alastor was laughing at him. That made Alastor stop quickly. He may not have respected the spineless man before him but that didn't mean he had to let the man think he was laughing at him, that was too far, even for Alastor.
He sighed, sitting back down. "I supposed I'll take you up on your offer, sire. But what do you get out of it? It wouldn't be all that fair if I got everything I've ever wanted and you got nothing." That gave Lucifer pause. "Look, I'll give you the rest of dinner to think it over, sound fair?" Lucifer nodded at the offer, letting quiet lull over them as he thought it all over. It took him quite a while, longer than Alastor ever would dream of taking to make up a plan. Alastor hummed old jazz tunes to himself as he ate, pleasantly surprised to find that the king had taken to his liking and got him venison. Perhaps he did care about Sinners, even if he refused to admit it. Or perhaps Charlie had made the monarch grow soft. "Dinners every week, and any other things I request, romantic or not." "What now?" Alastor sat shocked.