Chapter Two: The Purest Angel of Them All

A/N: I have never had a story with this many favs and follows this fast PLUS actual reviews within a few days of posting. You guys are awesome and thanks! Anyway, since all the positive feedback motivated me, here's the next chapter much earlier than I planned. Also, I don't exactly know how all of Chloe and Maze's apartment looks, so if I say stairs or double windows or if I got the whole thing wrong, I'm sorry. Disclaim: I don't own Lucifer, but if I did, Amenadiel would still be with Maze because I just ship it.

As soon as they pulled up at Chloe and Maze's apartment, the front door opened to reveal Mazikeen followed by an overly excited Trixie.

"My Lord," the demon said, dipping her head to him, santa hat waving as the partners exited the car.

" *gasp* Lucifer!" Trixie squealed, sprinting and almost leaping into the ruler of Hell's arms. The devil froze, stiff as a board, before awkwardly patting her back.

"Oh. Hello, child." Help me he mouthed to Maze, who just gave him a wicked smile. Chloe shook her head at the adorable sight.

"Mommy, Lucifer! Come help us decorate!" She ran into the house, dragging the two with her by the hand. Trixie ran out of sight, coming back tangled in lights, garlands, and dragging a huge box behind her. "Me and Maze started decorating." Chloe bent down and started untangling her daughter, making Lucifer's lips quirk upwards ever so slightly. "So!" she started when Chloe was finished, "Maze is hanging things up inside and I'm setting up all the other stuff in here. We were thinking that mommy could do the outside decorations and you could do the lights, Lucifer."

"Why am I hanging up lights? I'd rather hang the mistletoe…" he said lowly, nudging Chloe, who rolled her eyes.

"You're not getting anywhere near these, Lucifer. Your father only knows how you get, especially with-"

"We promised never to talk about that, Maze. Besides, Brittany knew what she was getting herself into when I asked her about it. We both rather enjoyed it, though I will admit that it was a bit painful at first."

"I don't even wanna know, do I?" Maze pointed to Trixie and shook her head. "Right. So, I've got *motions to box* all of this, and you *hands him boxes of hooks thumbtacks and lights* have these."

"Tell me again why I'm hanging lights?" Trixie looked up from the fake snow she was spreading all around the countertops of the kitchen.

"Because they're as bright and pure as the sun, just like you," she replied with a toothy grin. Lucifer gave a sad smile a nostalgic look settling over his face. Chloe had a curious look on her face and Maze looked as if someone had just insulted her.

"There was a time when my light vastly outshined the sun, Beatrice. I was the purest angel of them all, the brightest star in the sky…" He paused for a moment, expression turning angry and slightly hurt. "But those days are long gone…" he finished quietly. "Now then, *turns to Chloe* do you happen to have a ladder?" The mood of the room returned to normal.

"You'll figure something out," Chloe replied. She grabbed a wreath and hung it on the front door before picking up the decorations box and heading outside. He really didn't want to have to figure out a way to hang the light on the gutter. This was one of those moments when having wings would come in handy.

"Well, *grabs a chair* I suppose this will do." He set everything down on the chair before carrying it all outside. He saw Chloe setting up an inflatable reindeer and shook his head. Humans and their strange traditions. What did celebrating the birth of his half-brother have to do with decorating houses with lights and candy canes? Don't even get him started on the concept of snowmen or a white Christmas. He started on the lights, making it around to the side of the building before gasping in pain. Of course he would stab himself by reaching into one of the boxes. He withdrew his hand to find that crimson liquid that he would never grow accustomed to dripping down his forearm. There were tacks protruding from his hand and a few hooks managed to scrape him as well, leaving shallow scratches on the skin. "Bloody mortality," the devil griped. Chloe appeared a second later, looking concerned.

"You didn't try to hang you hand instead of the lights, did you?" she asked.

"Almost. *huff* Humans are so fragile…" Chloe rolled her eyes.

"You are human."

"Only around you, strangely enough." If only she knew the seriousness of his words.

"Uh huh," she replied, holding his hand and examining it. After plucking out the bloody tacks, she said, "Let me go get you something for that." As she went back into the apartment, Lucifer took a second look at his hand and, to his astonishment, saw that some of the scratches had healed. He got down from the chair when she returned. Bewildered, he glanced at her as she cleaned up and began to try and put a few bandages on his hand. It's hard to put a bandage on an injury that doesn't exist. "Weird… Weren't there more scratches than that?"

"I thought that myself," he responded, watching the thumbtack holes and last scratch heal up before Chloe could cover them. She looked over his hand multiple times, just as stunned as him.

"How-?"

"I haven't the slightest idea." He didn't have his invulnerability around Chloe and yet… The dear detective was healing him. "Are you just going to stand there and hold my hand all day, Detective? If that's all you wanted, you could've just asked," he told her, hoping to move past this moment. She dropped his hand with a frown and took back the stained washrag, returning to her decorating. He finished with the gutters before moving onto the windows, pushing his other thoughts aside for now. The task was strangely relaxing. As he set the chair back in the kitchen, Chloe came back in with a mostly empty box, putting it down and blowing out a breath.

"Finished?" He nodded.

"Yourself?" She reached into the box and held up something leather and- "She still has it after all this time? Is that Maze's-?"

"Yep. *puts it back in box* The first time I saw it, she was pushing Trixie on it." He blinked, several scenarios running through his mind…

"Well, that's an image I won't be able to unsee."

"What? And be honest; was it your idea or hers to get it?"

"Mine!" the demon voiced from the other room. She came into the kitchen followed by Trixie, who was now dressed as an elf, ears and all. "Back when we would have fun together, he introduced me to some very… interesting things." She winked at her creator and he smirked back.

"What kinds of things?" Trixie asked.

"Ask Lucifer. See if he'll tell you." As soon as Trixie opened her mouth, Chloe cut her off.

"No one's asking Lucifer about anything related to that. Did you need anything, Maze?" The demon suddenly stopped smiling, a conflicted look on her face.

"To see the look on your face when I tell you that you're both standing under mistletoe." Lucifer looked pleasantly surprised and Chloe's gaze shot up as her cheeks burned. Sure enough, the cursed decoration hung over their heads. Trixie squealed in anticipation, going on to make smooching noises and Maze's conflicted look turned to one of amusement. The blonde shook her head frantically, about to move when Lucifer pulled her flush against him, staring intently into her eyes. She felt like she was melting inside from all that she saw in his: desire, gentleness, gloom, hurt, and infatuation (No, she would not call it love. Not on her life). She didn't understand it all, but she could clearly see it reflected back in his dark irises.

"Don't worry, Detective. I'll make it quick." He knew she was uncomfortable. He knew that she didn't want to kiss him. It shouldn't hurt, because she'd always acted that way towards him, but it did. Nonetheless, he hungered for a taste of her perfect pink lips. Something, he didn't know what, held him back from losing control. Instead of capturing her lips and going wild like he wanted to, he opted for a gentle press of his lips to her temple and then to her nose. Chloe's eyes fluttered shut at the sensation. Maze raised an eyebrow at him. He gave her the equivalent of a shrug with his eyes and took a step back from the detective, who stayed frozen on the spot, blinking. "Are you alri-?"

"Do you need a ride back to LUX?" she questioned in a strained voice. No one said a word for what felt like hours. Trixie deflated noticeably at the question.

"Tell you what," the demon started, breaking up the awkward silence and noticing the girl's distress, "I'll go find a Christmas movie to put on while we bake some cookies. Sound good?"

"Mmm, okay. Bye, Lucifer," Trixie said, hugging the devil's leg briefly before going to wash her hands and open the refrigerator. Maze shot her a look when she started to munch on the raw cookie dough before joining her. Lucifer nodded to Chloe, who checked for her keys in her pocket and headed out to her car.

XxX

On the road, they were silent for several minutes before one of them spoke. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier, Detective. I understand if you-"

"It's fine, really. I just thought you would… kiss me differently is all." He hummed in response.

"I didn't want to do anything you didn't want me to," he mumbled. She changed the subject before the atmosphere got too weird again.

"So, what is it with you not liking Christmas, aside from the whole family thing?" Lucifer stared, mouth drawn into a thin line, unsure of how to respond or if he should.

"You really don't want to get me started on this, Detective. Once I start, I won't be able to stop, and that might not end well for either of us."

"Are we still talking about the same things here?" she asked.

He sighed, and said, "Family is the biggest reason I can't stand Christmas, for obvious reasons you refuse to believe. Where shall I start? How about the fact that you humans have gotten the date wrong? What about the concept of Santa and flying reindeer along with a magical sled and elves in a workshop? The worshipping of my half-brother because he's some so called "savior"? The concept that everyone should be overjoyed on the day? The very idea of snow angels… Shall I go on?"

"If family is the biggest reason, what're the other ones?" Chloe requested to know.

"It- The 25th of December is a constant reminder of what I lost: the few family members who seemed to care about me, a place in the only home, if you could call it that, I knew, the title of father's favorite son, my bloodright, my powers, myself!" 'My true face,' he added as an afterthought. "It's a whole day dedicated to flipping me off without actually doing so. Sure, I've had parties that day for those who would otherwise be alone, but I only provided the music. I usually just sulk in my apartment or by the bar until the sun begins to set, in which case I'll reside on the balcony for the rest of the night. I never get phone calls or postcards. There're never visitors or any packages or cards in the mail…" He paused after noticing his voice beginning to crack. He took a few breaths and continued. "Besides, who would ever imagine the devil celebrating Christmas? The very thought must make my brothers and sisters laugh their wings off." Chloe remained silent until she turned a corner.

"So you've never celebrated it with anyone? You never woke up with a smile on your face, knowing what day it is?"

"Never in my life have I ever had someone show appreciation or that they care for me on Christmas, Maze and… someone I used to know aside. It's a dreadful excuse of a holiday if you ask me." Someone he used to know…? She made a note to ask him about them another time.

"So you never stayed up waiting for jolly old Saint Nick to put presents under the tree?"

"Well I've never received a present before, Detective." She slammed on her brakes after beginning to pull over on the side the street. Lucifer shot forward, chin colliding with the dashboard. "OW! What in-? Are you trying to injure me?"

"Sorry," she apologized quickly. "Still, no mugs of hot chocolate, or Christmas dinner, or even presents for G- Just nothing? Lucifer…

"Well, Christmas hadn't been invented yet in my childhood. Even if it had, I wouldn't have celebrated it." He gingerly rubbed his jaw. The detective resumed driving.

"You are a total Scrooge, you know that?"

"Trust me, the day I utter the words ba humbug and start glowering at the neighbors is the day you have permission to hit me with your car."

"You're joking, right?" she inquired, turning another corner, LUX in plain sight further down the street.

"Hardly," he answered, the car eventually rolling to a stop. Lucifer got out and gave her one last look. "I suppose I'll see you around?"

"Sooner than you might think," she told him, driving off as her partner made his way up to his apartment.

XxX

Sooner than he might think turned out to be two days later, when he received a call from Chloe asking him to help her go Christmas shopping. He believed his reply was to call him back again when he was actually awake before hanging up. Though his body didn't require sleep, it was nice to actually get some every now and then. He'd wake up feeling recharged and full of energy, less irritable and more like himself. Three days without sleep would surely be unhealthy and dangerous to mortals. It just so happened to affect Lucifer the smallest amount, enough to be noticeable at least. He drifted off again after putting his phone down, only to awaken to the dinging sound of his elevator. He grumbled and stirred slightly, burrowing deeper under his blankets while trying to open his eyes. He'd just had the strangest dream. It involved Amenadiel, Maze, and his mother. She had said something about Chloe

"Oh, for the love of-" She yanked the blankets away to reveal a very adorable looking, and naked, Lucifer, curled up like a small child. She stared for second before remembering what she was there for and looking away, shielding her eyes from the masterpiece that was his body. Again. " *gasps* Lucif- Really?!"

" *groans sleepily* Well, what did you expect? *sits up and yawns* Besides, I rather thought you liked witnessing me in all of my glory." He flashed her a drowsy version of his trademark smirk, complimented by his curly, unstyled hair and half opened eyes she could swear were a deep red color. They were brown when he blinked. "Why not just drag Maze into a shopping center with you?"

"For one: No. Just no. Two: She's dragging Amenadiel with her and I didn't want to intrude since they just got back together. When did that happen again?"

"Let's just say *stands* that mum helped without knowing it. She opened my brother's eyes and… That's a story for he or Maze to discuss with you. So, is this the part where you ask me to go shopping with you, or is it where you can't resist looking at me despite your best efforts not to?" He made the last comment in a suggestive tone, causing her to lower her hands and glance at him once more. Looking away again, she scolded herself internally and threw some of his discarded clothes at him, which he easily caught.

"The former. I can't get everything I need on my own and I doubt I'd get everything done before Christmas without a little bit of help. Please? I know you can't stand the holidays, but could you help me?" He eyed her curiously at her choice of words before responding.

"There wasn't really a point in asking. I would've said yes, Detective, had you called at a later time." She smiled slightly.

"So what were you saying about the devil not needing sleep?" He grinned.

"I don't, but it feels amazing when I do get some. And really, Detective, I don't know why you feel the need to look away from me. It's not as if I mind and I can tell that you don't like resisting." She wanted to ignore his words like she usually did, but for once didn't want to. She took a deep breath and observed. Apart from his beyond handsome face, he had a lean frame and chiseled abs, muscle in all the right places, a perfectly shaped figure, the scars on his back that seemed to belong there, and… So many inappropriate thoughts went through her mind, making her bite her bottom lip, as her eyes lingered… there. Out of all the times she'd seen him nude and her brain decides to fry now? She snapped out of the spell and looked him in the eyes.

"Get dressed and meet me downstairs. I have breakfast in the car. Well, I guess it's lunch now, but…" She walked back to the elevator, more than a little confused, Lucifer not faring much better. He quickly and efficiently put on his normal attire, pocketed his phone, brushed his teeth, and headed downstairs. He grabbed a few quick drinks from the bar before joining Chloe outside. He got in the car and was greeted by the smell of eggs, bacon, and a sandwich that seemed absolutely mouthwatering, plus a side of iced tea.

"You went through all this trouble just to get me to go shopping with you? You really shouldn't have wasted your time on me."

"Just shut up and eat," she said with no real anger in her voice as they headed to their first store.

"So," he attempted to say after a few bites of food, "Where are we headed to first?"

"Somewhere that sells wrapping paper, labels, and bows." The first store they went to was relatively quiet, and the two found what they were looking for without too much hassle. Bows in all colors, labels with Christmas greeting, and various types of wrapping paper found their way into Chloe's car after she paid for them. Next up was whatever food they didn't have, including some items that were on the Thanksgiving menu. Just about all of their food was usually homemade from family recipes, excluding the ham, of course, so they didn't get much. After that, they went looking for-

"Christmas sweaters? Detective, I'm not wearing that. Not on your life!" Every sweater he found was scratchy, uncomfortable looking, and had the worst designs on them he'd ever seen. There were reindeer, snowmen, Santas, elves, polar bears, penguins, and, the one his partner was holding up, angels. "I refuse to be caught dead in that atrocity!"

"Which means it's perfect!" Chloe responded.

"Perfect for you, not me," he retorted. "I think I'll just take the snowflake design one and call it a day." He picked up a black sweater with a rainbow array of various snowflakes littering it.

"I like it. It's not your style, but I like it."

"Now that that's settled, *looks in shopping cart* what more do we need?" The blonde's face lit up at his question.

"All that's left are some last minute gifts I need to pick up. There's something I've been waiting to catch on sale for Trixie and then I need to get something for you-" Lucifer interrupted her before she could get out another word.

"For me?" he repeated incredulously. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I didn't quite catch that last bit, Detective. Could you repeat that?" She gave him a sad smile as she handed over some bills to the cashier.

"Yes, Believe it or not, I'm buying you presents. You are not spending this Christmas drowning your sorrows alone in LUX this year. You should just come celebrate it with me and Trixie." He froze in his tracks as they were leaving the store, shopping bags in hand.

"You can't be serious. Isn't this time of year one that should be spent with family and those dear to you?" She turned and gave him a disbelieving look.

"That wasn't a request. The both of us have decided that you are spending Christmas with us, whether you like it or not. It might not seem like it to you, but we consider you dear to us, Lucifer. You are family." He felt a mix of emotions bubbling up in his gut. The most prominent and distinguishable one? Gratitude. He was almost speechless.

"I- Detective, are you sure. I'd hate to bring down the mood and ruin you and your spaw- Beatrice's- day. I don't want to be a burden on you." She appreciated his concern, but didn't see the point in it.

"You will never be a burden, Lucifer. And I'm not backing down on this. If you suddenly find Trixie ambushing you in your apartment on Christmas because you're not with us, that's on you."

He chuckled, replying, "Alright, alright. I accept the invitation then."

"Good. So, when we get to the next store, how about we split up? I can get all my presents and you can get whatever else you need. Is that okay with you?"

"Of course. Will an hour suffice?" He was rewarded with a nod. So, when they arrived at the last store in the late afternoon, they went their separate ways. Chloe tried not to get any generic, run of the mill toys for Trixie, knowing her daughter was not your average girl. Therefore, the ninja action figure that strangely resembled Maze that she came across went into the cart instead of the My Little Pony, teddy bear, or Barbie doll on the shelf next to it. The stuffed devil she found in the next aisle may or may not have also gone in the cart for Lucifer. However, that just didn't seem like enough, and she spent the next several minutes looking for something that might appeal to him. With the hour drawing to a close though, she'd have to live to search another day.

Meanwhile, the actual devil was having a hard time figuring out what to buy. He already knew what he was getting Trixie as it would be arriving at his residence the 23rd (the next day), but he was clueless as to what Chloe would like. He picked up the angel teddy bear, complete with crude wings and a halo, just for kicks. He needed an actual gift. No matter how hard he looked, he just couldn't find something that he could picture her liking. He looked down at his silver watch to see that his hour was almost up, the sun beginning to set, casting warm colors through the store windows. He quickly paid for his items and headed for the exit, where Chloe was waiting patiently for him.

"Find everything you need?" she asked him.

"Not quite, but I'll make it work. What about you?"

"I got most of what I needed." They walked out to her car and threw the last of the bags in with the rest. "I know I've dragged you all over town today, but can you help me-?"

"No need to ask. Besides, that was part of your earlier request, was it not?" He answered before she could finish.

"Yeah, it was. *smiles gently*" When they got to the apartment, they both took bags into the house sorting out whose items went where. Trixie was in her room, watching Frozen no less, while Maze and, unexpectedly, Amenadiel were sharing the couch in the living room… making out… laying on top of each other… in plain sight… When she and Lucifer were done, she once again drove him home and thanked him profusely.

"Really, you've thanked me enough, Detective. It was nothing," he said for the twelfth time during the drive. They once again pulled up at LUX and Lucifer gave her a departing hug. "I'll see you on Christmas Eve then."

"I'll be waiting," she told him, driving off with a content look on her face as he made his way up to his apartment. The next day, he was delighted to see his present for Trixie had arrived, a miniature version of his grand piano tailored for her size and for the sake of Chloe's apartment space, specially designed and made across the country. He carefully wrapped it and set it aside for the next day before going to retrieve his other presents to wrap as well. After that, he picked out what he would wear tomorrow to Chloe's. Then, he grabbed his car keys and headed somewhere he never thought he'd willingly seek out to do something he never thought he'd do.

His car stopped in front of a church. Yep, a church. The devil was, of his own free will and choice, about to enter a church. He didn't know what was driving him, but he wanted to do this. When he entered the holy establishment, he found it empty. Taking a seat in one of the many rows, he closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. He didn't know what he was going to say. He hadn't exactly planned this out. Maybe that would've been a better idea than just making this up as he went along. Oh well. His father will have detected his presence in here by now anyway, so there was no turning back.

"I don't really know why I'm doing this," he began, trying to keep his voice steady. "And I don't know what's gotten into me, but I need to say this. I… I want to thank you, for saving Chloe's life. I know that I still have my end of the bargain to uphold, but know that I'm dealing with that. I just need more time. And, I'll regret saying this later, I already know, but… Please give me the strength to not ruin her Christmas. If you haven't already noticed, she means the world to me. I'm… I'm going to tell her, and I need the strength to go through with it as well. I'll ask once for your guidance and strength. Never again." He took a deep breath. Alright. The hardest part was over with, but he still had one more person to talk to.

"Gabriel… You were the one brother who stood by my side all those millennia ago. You never stopped caring and you've reached out to me, kept watch over me. Brother, it would… mean a lot if I could see you, here, on Earth. Maybe not now or in the next two days, since I know being an archangel doesn't allow for the most flexible of schedules, but soon. I know you're not like Uriel, and you're certainly not like Michael and Raphael… I love you, brother, and it'd be nice to see your golden wings once again… And I need your advice." He sat up and opened his eyes, unclasping his hands. "Amen…" he finished quietly, rising from his seat and turning to leave. Of course, that's when he saw a brunette with honey golden brown eyes and short chestnut brown hair standing at the alter, smiling at him. He smiled back in shock and happiness.

"Hey, Luci," the younger archangel whispered.

" *gulp* Well, that was quick. *motions to door* Shall we?" Gabriel nodded, getting into the car with Lucifer as they both headed back to LUX.

Closing A/N: Um… That Gabriel part? Not planned yet. I was up until 4:30 something ET trying to finish this before I basically passed out. This series doesn't have a Gabriel yet, so, until it does, people in my other fandom will notice that I borrowed theirs. I'll try to have the Christmas Eve/Christmas chapter up before midnight. For anyone on this side of the world: WHO'S EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS TOMORROW! THIS FANGIRL IS!