This and the next chapter are Christmas themed. I know, I was a bit late to write this for actual Christmas, but hey. Enjoy anyway.
Decker Breakfast and Dusty's Cage
December went by in a blur of half concealed stress and a rush to get as much money as possible for presents to buy everyone.
He ended up buying Lucifer a cookbook he didn't have yet. He knew, because he had looked through his cook books to see what he did have while he slept after grooming one night. He had no idea what else to get him except clothing or accessories and he just didn't have the money for Lucifer's high class taste.
Christmas Day arrived before he knew it and the first problem of the day arrived almost immediately. Trixie called him at 5 in the morning, as he said he had to go over there early to give her and Chloe their presents before going to his parents house for the day.
He had spent the night before when he got home, wrapping up a few last minute gifts for Trixie, all of them chocolate in nature. So, naturally, a child o Christmas would wake up far too early. Teh present she had unwrapped last night (one of Chloe's. It was the latest model doll she had been wanting.) had tided her over until now, but excitement was catchy it seemed.
Because as soon as he hung up to tell her he would be there at 7 that morning for an early breakfast, Dusty woke up screeching angrily at the world. He had told Dusty yesterday he wouldn't have to stay in the small travel cage they used to transport him places all day. And that he'd get to see Lucifer.
Dusty had begun using English words, which made Dan very happy. He was getting fed up of listening to Lucifer and Dusty have conversations he could only understand half of.
He left Dusty in his cage at home while he went to Chloe's to hand out presents. He was already wearing the ugly Christmas sweater Trixie had picked out for him. It had reindeer on it. It was also bright red.
He had gotten Chloe some new cosmetic products, as that's what she had asked for. Since the Tribe had started going out regularly, she had begun to wear more makeup.
He had gotten Trixie a few outfits for her new doll, a weird looking plushie he had found in a Halloween store he had snatched up for her as soon as he had seen it and a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle, since she had begun to do them recently. Plus quite a few chocolate bars.
He had gotten another sweater for everyday wear from Trixie and a new wallet from Chloe, since his old one was falling to pieces on him.
They then shared a nice breakfast of bacon and eggs together. It wasn't much, but it made him happy and the day seemed brighter. Of course, by that time the sun was out fully, which was helping with that. He had come over far too early for his liking.
He left shortly after, giving both the girls in his life a quick hug, before going back to his car to go home to pick up the bird.
He hoped Lucifer would be there ready to get the cage. Though he knew if the devil wasn't, he'd just let himself in and take the cage when he was good and ready to, without Dan's approval or say so. He had yet to find a lock that could keep Lucifer out. Bars work much better.
Dusty was, as per usual, making a fuss when he got back home. As a Christmas gift, the bird had gotten a ball filled inside with bird feed from Chloe, a rope toy from Trixie and he had bought him a good set of branches instead of using the plastic bars he'd set the cage up with so Dusty could be comfortable when he was sleeping or spending time being still and quiet.
It took five minutes and a talking to to coax the bird into his travel cage so they could set off to his parents. To his horror, Lucifer was already there when he arrived.
He had made Lucifer swear to not tell his parents who he was, going instead with the nickname Ella had given him of Luce. That his parents were staring openly at him, but hadn't kicked him out was a good sign that he hadn't said too much and scared them off.
He picked up Dusty and they both made their way to his parents and the Devil, who was grinning widely at him.
"Daniel! What took so long? I've been here for five minutes."
He grimaced at him. "Dusty was being finicky with the travel cage again. I only got him in there at the end when I promised that you would be bringing his cage. Which you forgot by the way."
Lucifer blinked at him. "No, I didn't. I took the one from my flat instead. Saved a trip slightly out of my way to your place to pick up his, and I didn't know if you had time between gift giving for the bird and going to Chloe's for the morning."
Dan frowned, but shrugged his shoulders at that. There really wasn't much else to do. "Okay. So, what have you thee been talking about?"
"Dusty mostly. They wanted to know why he had his own cage at my place. Hey Little Bird, did you enjoy your presents so far?'
Dusty squawked at him, and Lucifer grinned. "Good. I got something small for you too. But I will gift it to you after you're in your cage. The Espinoza's don't want you flying free in their house. Which makes sense. You're not their bird."
Dusty made a few more bird sounds, before letting out his own "Okay."
Dan grinned at his parents. "He's just begun stringing together some English. You're a good boy, aren't you, Dusty?"
Dusty whistled and bobbed his head up and down a few times, before saying a short "Yup." Dan swears he got that from Trixie or Ella. Dan was just proud he had yet to hear any swear words out of his beak.
They all walked into the house, and Lucifer showed him where he had stowed the cage he kept at his apartment. It was slightly bigger than the one Dusty generally lives in, but the bird seemed to like it slightly less than his own. Lucifer stated it was probably because the cage Dan had gotten him, while slightly smaller, was the one he considered his main one. His home.
Lucifer then went on to explain it was like his home was the penthouse at Lux, but he owned several properties, both houses and other apartments all over L.A.
Sometimes Dan wondered how he got so rich. Then he wondered how long he had probably been saving up money, during his short stays on Earth before moving here to stay. No wonder he was so rich. He probably started as soon as money in any form was made and kept switching out when it changed.
Dan shook his head of those types of thoughts and let Dusty out of his travel cage, placing him in his Friday cage of the day. Dusty immediately went to the far side, stretched out his wings and gave a few hard flaps. The bird then stared at Lucifer.
Lucifer sighed loudly. "Okay. I had no idea what to get you, so went for something I know you like." With that said, Lucifer pulled out from his pocket, a pack of almonds. He gave two to the bird for an early lunch treat.
Dan sighed. "Thanks for bringing down the cage Luce. It was way out of your way and I know it."
Lucifer grinned at him. "Nonsense, Daniel! I have nothing better to do today than to spend it with you, and then my night is for your ex and daughter. That ought to be an experience for all of us."
Dan snorted with amusement. "Yeah, I bet. We still have a little time before lunch. Which means there's going to be a lot of boredom to come, so I won't get mad if you just leave."
To his surprise, Lucifer waved off that idea. "I think I'll stay. Better than sitting at home alone until I need to go to the Decker residence."
Dan stared at his angelic friend and rubbed at his eyes. "Fine, but no complaining of being bored."
Lucifer raised his hands and grinned at him. "Promise. I'll save the rant for later, shall I?"
"Lucy rants," piped in Dusty and the two of them turned to stare at the bird sitting in his cage and watching the two of them closely. As soon as he realised he was being observed, Dusty started to preen his tail feathers.
Dan snorted and Lucifer's grin turned into a true smile. Something he rarely saw on the devil's face. He had been seeing it a lot more lately, since Amenadiel joined the flock. And speaking of...
"He calls you Lucy."
Lucifer nodded. "Someone's privileges will be revoked if he keeps talking to my brother."
A long tail feather was flicked out of a beak and Dusty went on to preen his wings. Lucifer scowled. "Oh, you show off, Little Bird."
Dusty let out a sound between a squawk and a laugh and twisted his head in a way to get to the green feathers of his outer wings that Lucifer can't get to on his own pearly white ones.
Dan slapped Lucifer on the back. "He's a bit cranky from being in the travel cage. You know how he gets."
Lucifer nodded, before he turned the grin back on. "True. So! What do we do for the next hour then?"
Dan sighed. "If we're lucky, Dad'll bring out the playing cards while Mom finishes cooking."
Nodding, Lucifer turned to the dining room they had seen his dad go through and followed. Dan slouched slightly as he soon walked after Lucifer. He did not want him alone with his parents alone for more than five minutes. Who knew what would happen then.