Stark naked and lacking any desire to dress, rise or rule his dominion, Lucifer lay back in his king-sized bed in Hell, staring with a furrowed brow at the mirrored ceiling above.

Why was it there?

What had possessed him to recreate in Hell that particular aspect of his L.A. penthouse?

Lucifer had no clue. All he knew was that it made no sense and was now mildly vexing him. It's sole purpose in Los Angeles had been to provide a titillating view of his many human sex partners whilst they were engaging in all sorts of wanton carnal acts, but he wasn't in L.A. anymore and hadn't been there for thousands upon thousands of years. Hell years of course, not Earth years, but still. That chapter of his life was over, and orgies in the Underworld had never been a thing between demons and their master. The very notion was anathema to all, so why indeed had the Price of Darkness allowed his imagination to drive him to add that bloody mirror above his own head?

Lucifer couldn't think of a single good reason.

He thought of switching it out for something barrel-vaulted or perhaps a spiral motif but in the end couldn't muster the will. Though it would only take a few seconds, the feat would still require effort that he had no wish to exert, and right now he would much rather stay put, do nothing and be depressed. Precious calling be damned, at least for the remainder of the week. There were no condemned souls ready to go up to Heaven in any case. The closest was Reese Getty and given the minimal progress in their therapy sessions lately, Linda's ex-husband was still years away from conquering his guilt for good.

Lucifer gazed at his ceiling in consternation for a bit longer, remembering all too easily how arousing Chloe's reflection had been once they'd finally shed their clothes and become intimate with each other. Naturally, those thoughts – however tantalizing they might be – soon began to make him feel worse, so he forced his mind elsewhere. Surely, there was another object his eyes could settle on that wouldn't remind him of the love of his life, yes?

No.

Lucifer promptly decided he didn't care to be awake anymore this day and drew an arm over his face, striving to block it all out. When the elevator dinged a second later and someone strode into his chambers he didn't react, waiting impatiently for whichever demon it was to announce himself quickly, state his business then retreat.

Except there was nothing.

Only silence.

Lucifer knew his mystery guest hadn't left since he could sense them observing him in his birthday suit from the foot of his bed and that knowledge was only aggravating him further.

Who was it? Zagmeth again?

What was the creepy little sod waiting for?

Had he forgotten already his king's command to remain undisturbed?

Lucifer drew his arm away and sprang up in full devil mode, a bellow of anger very nearly escaping his cracked red lips … until he beheld the sibling in front of him and realized that roars and threats of dismemberment would be out of place. Lucifer allowed his appearance to return to normal as he snatched up his black silk robe, put it on, then strode past in a huff.

"Brother Zadkiel, as I live and breathe. To what do I owe the honor of a most unwelcome audience with the Angel of Righteousness."

"Hello to you too, Sam," Zadkiel said, not the least bit bothered by Lucifer's sarcasm and foul disposition. He followed him into the kitchen and watched him pour two fingers of Macallan Red whiskey into a single glass then down it in one gulp. "Our nephew brings me here. He's missing you."

"And how would you know?" Lucifer asked bitterly. Ever since their family's most recent angel war over Father's Throne and the fact that he'd proven himself worthy again, several of his kin had gone back to calling him Samael, or Sam for short. Zadkiel was one of them. Lucifer no longer objected to it much – it had proven to be a losing battle – but he did object to being reminded of Charlie when he was already feeling so low. His chest tightened at the thought of yet another family member he longed to see but couldn't, and he poured himself another two fingers to try and drown his anguish, refusing to glance in the direction of the fireplace. It wouldn't do to picture that stubborn little tyke standing there again or to dwell on the memory of him stamping his foot in temper just like his Uncle Luci. "I can't imagine you actually spending time with a child on Earth, even one who's related to us."

"Well, your imagination needs to stretch then, because I do check on Charlie from time to time."

"Is that right, Brother?" Lucifer poured yet another two fingers, feeling jealousy bloom in his gut. He sneered at Zadkiel after he'd sipped then swallowed. "Well, you know what? I find that hard to believe. Surely you'd rather be off somewhere trying to superglue your precious staff back together than stalking Amenagod's only child."

Zadkiel's expression hardened. "My precious staff? You mean the staff that Father gifted me from the Garden of Eden, the one that Michael selfishly cut in half with the flaming sword while you two were fighting over a throne you never really wanted, and he definitely never deserved? Is that the staff you're referring to?" When Lucifer flushed guiltily and concluded that now was an excellent time to resume drinking, Zadkiel decided he'd made his point and wandered over to the desk both Chloe and Amenadiel had once sat behind. "No, Brother, I have no interest in mourning the loss of it. It's gone, over, same as your life on Earth."

Lucifer's cheeks flushed deeper, this time with anger. "Always a ray of sunshine, aren't you?"

"It's called honesty," Zadkiel retorted. He put down the antique snuff box he'd been inspecting and turned back to Lucifer "You should appreciate that as well as I."

"Well, whether I appreciate it or not," Lucifer snapped, "I'm not in the mood for it at all, so do The Devil a favor and just run along." Lucifer didn't wait for Zadkiel to respond. He topped up his glass with even more alcohol then crossed the room and dropped into one of his living room chairs, expecting his younger brother to leave him alone so he could brood in peace. Zadkiel didn't. Lucifer gave him another two seconds to return to Heaven then decided to give to him an incentive. He met Zadkiel's unwavering gaze head on, deliberately allowing his own eyes to flash a fiery shade of red. "I suggested you leave, Brother. Did you not hear me?"

Zadkiel was no longer threatened by such tactics and stood his ground. "I did."

"Well? Are you going to make yourself scarce, or do I have to boot your feathery hole up back up to Heaven myself?"

Zadkiel didn't reply at first. He'd been keeping an eye on Lucifer for awhile now, and ever since the Devil's most recent return to the Underworld as Hell's Healer, Zadkiel noticed he had a habit of sinking into despair every few thousand years despite the numerous good works he was doing. It was disquieting to witness. It reinforced what he'd come to realize about the brother he'd vilified for far too long and what Amenadiel had been telling all the angels in Heaven for years: Lucifer wasn't nearly as selfish and heartless as everyone assumed since his Fall. Studying his older brother now, seeing the pain Lucifer was in and the crushing loneliness he was feeling while doing his level best to conceal it with antagonism, Zadkiel only felt pity. He walked over and took a comfortable seat on the Italian leather sofa across from Lucifer.

"There's no need to threaten me, Brother. I'll be leaving soon enough."

"Well, 'soon enough' doesn't sound soon enough to me!"

"Keep it up, Sam, and I won't give you your present from Charlie."

Lucifer's red eyes quickly faded to brown. He scanned Zadkiel head to toe, but his blue tunic had no bulges that might conceal a package. He worked his jaw a moment, then took a sip of his drink, set it down and tried to act nonchalant. "And what present might that be?"

Zadkiel's answer was to smirk, reach inside his tunic, remove a small white envelope with the words "UNKEL LUCI" printed in huge block letters across the front. He leaned across to offer it to his older brother.

Lucifer snatched it from his hand and opened it immediately. The missive was short, the penmanship atrocious and the syntax and spelling left much to be desired, but he didn't care. His nephew had barely started the first grade, after all, and only four Earth weeks had passed since his surprise visit. Lucifer scanned Charlie's message twice, heartened by the number of x's and o's all around the border of the page then blinked fast and read it again:

deer unkel luci

daddy hided hel from me

i cant find it any mor an

i reely want to seee yu

an bing rori becos she wants a daddy lik mine

lov charlie

As Lucifer finally refolded the letter, returned it carefully to its envelope and then just sat where he was, fingering the edges, no doubt regretting his renewed pledge to avoid everyone and everything on Earth, Zadkiel spoke up.

"So? Did he request a favor or something?"

Lucifer's eyes remained fixed on the letter in his hands. "You didn't read it first?"

"Why would I? He didn't address it to me."

That was exactly something the Angel of Righteousness would say, and Lucifer didn't doubt the truth of it for a second. He looked up at last, hesitated then held out the letter silently. Zadkiel accepted it, read the contents then returned the wrinkled sheet and envelope to its rightful owner with a frown.

"Charlie misses you more than I thought. If he can't find the entrance to Hell anymore, that means he's been searching for it. And if he's searching for a way to come back down here on his own after you expressly told him not to and Amenadiel forbade it, then he's actively trying to break a vow. You know that's one of the gravest of si—"

Instantly, Lucifer's eyes flashed crimson. "Do not finish that sentence, Brother."

"What? Breaking a vow is a sin for every celes—"

"Bollocks! It's only a sin if Charlie actually manages to break that vow, which he can't possibly thanks to his father!"

"Still."

"STILL NOTHING!" Lucifer roared. He felt an unholy rage building, fed only partly by what Zadkiel was insinuating about Charlie. A healthy chunk of his anger was pure and simple frustration caused by too long a separation from loved ones; if Linda were here, she might very well accuse him of 'displacing'. Lucifer pictured her understanding face in his mind's eye then clamped hard on his fury, making a visible effort to calm. "Charlie is not a sinner, Zadkiel. Do not make him out to be one before his time, not in front of me and definitely not in my home. You take your role as Angel of Righteousness too seriously. The child is only six."

Zadkiel conceded the point, albeit with some reluctance. He couldn't help himself. It was quite literally in his God-given nature to push for a sinless existence both in his own life and that of others. He fell silent a moment, considering the matter deeply as he stared at the letter now clutched in a death grip in Lucifer's hands. Finally, he voiced his thoughts.

"You may be right, Brother."

Lucifer took a deep breath, still working on keeping his temper in check. "Of course, I'm right."

Zadkiel ignored that. "As you say, Charlie is still very inexperienced. Amenadiel may not have taught him yet the gravity of keeping a vow. I'll have to talk to him and see."

"You do that."

"Or maybe … maybe Charlie feels as though his first visit with you in years didn't last long enough. I could forgive that kind of desperation in one so young and impetuous." Zadkiel nodded once to himself as though that settled the matter then settled back on the sofa and gazed at Lucifer. "That must be the case. Don't you agree?"

"If it is the case, then it's clearly my fault," Lucifer said, averting his gaze as he swapped the letter for his drink.

"How so?"

"Because, Dear Zadkiel, once I realized the little scamp had made a trip down here by himself, I became so concerned for poor Linda and her panicked reaction were she to find her offspring gone that I summarily returned him to Earth." Lucifer pondered how short that visit had actually been thanks to him, and he wanted to curse himself for acting so hasty. Another few hours in Hell wouldn't have hurt anyone, not even a few days. The sum total on Earth would have been what? A microsecond or two? Lucifer shook his head in disgust, not really believing his next words. "In my defense, I did try to tell Charlie a proper goodbye."

"And you did, as far as I'm concerned," Zadkiel said, "I was watching you both at the time and you couldn't have done more, Brother."

Lucifer nodded once in thanks then sighed and forced himself upright. After a moment, he wandered out to the balcony to finish his drink while brooding at the faux Los Angeles skyline.

Zadkiel watched the Lord of Hell falling into a new depression and became determined more than ever now to do what he'd come down here to do in the first place. He stood up as well, went over to the library and began to nudge every hardcover in the Arthur Conan Doyle section. On the fourth nudge, he found the catch that would open the secret panel Lucifer had built to conceal items he didn't care for his demons to stumble across. Zadkiel depressed the trigger then moved aside once the panel swung outward. As soon as the passage was clear, he reached in and removed from within the last objects Lucifer had hidden there: two personal transporters, the first large enough to accommodate a full-grown angel, the second suited just right for a nephilim barely six years of age.

"It's really a shame about Charlie," Zadkiel remarked, hoping this tactless comment would annoy his brother enough to face him. "You're one of the few uncles he doesn't have access to."

Lucifer scoffed but didn't move. "Well, it's not like there's a very good reason I'm down here, is there?" he said, a sarcastic edge creeping into his voice.

"Still."

"Perhaps you could inform our nephew that I think of him often and that will just have to suffice for—" Lucifer stopped mid-sentence as he turned around and realized that his privacy had been invaded. "Bloody Hell! Zadkiel, do you mind?!"

"Not at all," Zadkiel said. He stepped out of the way as Lucifer dropped his glass then marched over and took charge of each Segway to return them to their rightful place. "Nice scooters," he added. "They look expensive as far as human toys go. You and Charlie should have fun on them down here."

"These objects are none of your concern, you nosy bastard, and I will neither confirm nor deny their purpose!"

"So … the small one isn't for Charlie?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Lucifer sputtered, evading the question. "That child will be a fully-grown adult when next I see him!"

"Unless you were hoping Amenadiel would start bringing him down here for regular visits now and again." Lucifer halted just as Zadkiel expected he would. When he opened his mouth to speak but then couldn't seem to find the right words to articulate his denial, Zadkiel clapped him on the shoulder and decided to help him out. "You were hoping for that, yes? If so, I volunteer to be the one to bring him to you. Amenadiel may have hidden the entrance to Hell for celestials of a certain age, but the barrier put in place will yield for Charlie, if he has the right escort. I'm sure of it. Do you want me to try, Sam?"

Lucifer was still speechless. Yes, Zadkiel had stood by his side during the war over Father's throne, but this … this was something else. Of all the brothers and sisters who'd begun making an effort to truly get to know him since that war, the sibling in front of him was by far the biggest surprise. So upstanding and ethical and just so annoyingly judgmental in every blessed thing he did since practically The Big Bang … yet now, for the second time in recent memory, he was, well, like a brother. A true brother. Who knew the day would actually arrive when that's what the two of them would become?

Then again, maybe Lucifer had somehow misinterpreted.

Abruptly, he found he had to ask. He needed to know.

"You'd really do that, Zad?" he asked softly. "Bring Charlie back to Hell once in a while?"

"For him? Without question." Zadkiel paused for the briefest of moments then reached out and squeezed the side of Lucifer's neck with clear affection. "I will also do it for you, Samael. Do you want to know why?" Before Lucifer could reply, Zadkiel continued. "Because you are Samael again, the brightest angel of us all. You've been him for a long time now, well before Charlie was born, so if you can't keep company with your daughter just yet, you deserve to with your nephew at least. In fact, I apologize for not arranging it sooner and for not visiting you down here myself a lot more often. Will you forgive me, Brother?"

Lucifer's answer was to pull him forward into a hug. It was the first one ever between them in millennia and Lucifer didn't care to speculate right then if there would be more. He just wanted to show his gratitude and his love. When Zadkiel's muscular arms encircled him in return and squeezed even harder, Lucifer tightened his grip as well and laughed. He wasn't the last bit bothered by the tears he was starting to shed. Finally, the brothers separated, and Lucifer gestured magnanimously toward the bar.

"Have a drink with me in celebration? Top shelf only for you!"

Zadkiel's handsome face broke into an enormous smile. "I thought you'd never ask."

6