"Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day."

It wasn't like she was never going to wake up, but the Detective had only snored louder when he had addressed her again, and while he found the sound adorable and comforting, time was of essence. Lucifer Morningstar felt the urgency to return. so he scribbled some lines on a sheet Trixie had given him and left it on the off-white nightstand. Responsibility was something the had learned from his Detective and he would not flee from it. Nevermore! If he could quench his bloodthirst and obtain revenge for the pain, the better.

"Urchin, I do need to leave." Entirely determined to end this apparent game of hide and seek he was playing with Dromos he stuffed the last candies from the little Decker woman in his bag and prepared himself for another fervent hug from the offspring.

"Take care, Lucifer." She was reluctant to let him go and pressed herself into his leather jacket. Somehow it wasn't that uncomfortable. It wasn't unpleasant at all and it felt appropriate to pat her hair in return.

"I intent to, urchin. Do keep an eye on your mom and Maze, will you?" He waited until she had sighed profoundly and nodded, then he moved over to the black framed glass doors and stepped over the threshold as he stretched his glorious, terrifying glowing wings which caused Trixie to get saucer eyes. "Go on, take a small one for your mom and another two for you and Maze. Maze will tell you what they might be good for. Keep them safe, okay?"

"Okay." She picked three downs and look expectantly at the divinity in front of her, before she added, almost whispering: "Have a safe trip."

"Goodbye, Beatrice!" He felt a knot in his throat, glanced at the sleeping beauty and her spawn, before disappearing.

"Bye!" replied Trixie but the terrace was already empty.

xxxxx

Arriving at the rather insignificant croft house Lucifer knew he needed to secure this entry to his kingdom. He shuddered his feathers to repel the rain, then hid his blinding white phalanges as he knocked at the kitchen door to announce his presence. He was civilized, after all. Four years with the detective were enough to acknowledge that humans didn't care much for unannounced visitors.

The little half-demon smiled when she opened him, and he could already smell a hearty meal. He would only stay for that, tell them how to secure the entry from Earth and then return all by himself.

Sat at the old, used pinewood table, taking up almost all the length while both, half-demon and human tended to him, Lucifer's mind wandered back to the sleeping detective over and over. Hadn't she been divine, her lashes intertwined with some rebel hairs otherwise framing her face in a tight ponytail or messy bun? And what about her peaceful snoring that could belong to a passed-out construction worker? His lips twitched and formed the mockery of a peaceful smile.

"My Lord Lucifer?" the small redhead´s voice slowly crawled into his brain.

"Hmm?"

"Some more dessert?"

"Aren't you sweet?" He grimaced and handed his plate over to get some more Black Forest cake.

"Mr. MacGilleChaluim, you taught your daughter well. I fancy working in the kitchen, too. But I loathe Gordon's yelling. Total lack of control, don't you think? Getting worked up over petitesses. He was much funnier when he named two pigs after Trinny and Susannah. By the way, what happened to those two? Still undressing the nation?" Lucifer growled. A distraction was quite in order. Even if it was a weak one.

"Nay."

"Pity. They were actually entertaining. Besides, not everybody has an innate fashion sense." He looked at his claws as if he would contemplate his once immaculately polished fingernails.

"The Devil's into fashion?" The Scotsman looked astonished. Here he was sitting at his table, making small talk with the Lord of Hell, just the way he would chat with his neighbor.

"I like to keep up. Not that I am dressing for an evening out right now, but I do enjoy a nicely tailored suit and handcuffs to complement my style." The Devil went silent, thinking about his task ahead. Earth had become home, and he missed his life here, even if it rained dogs and cats. In order to return he had to get rid of that insolent obstacle.

Lucifer Morningstar finished his cake, bid the Scot farewell in a most gracious way and reminded him twice how to keep the tear between the worlds hidden for their own wellbeing. He stepped to the part of the wall Gorse indicated and felt the faint drift before he vanished from the face of the Earth. The transition was almost instant.

xxxxx

As soon as he had resumed his excursion to Earth and come back to the inhospitable place he was responsible for, the Devil willed himself and the tiny redhead who insisted on tailing along, back to the tavern. His wings spread he didn't feel the necessity to move under the radar anymore. Lucifer sat at the same table as the night before, hounds at his feet, drinking vodka and instructing the useful publican about necessary measures. When Bofo and Nirazeen returned, he listened to their reports and ordered them to return to their homes. He would hunt down Dromos all by himself. It was the best solution as they would slow him down and were in no way a suitable substitute for Mazikeen. He gifted them some golden coins. Demons loved shiny things. Just like magpies. Bofo grinned as if being doped up, while the Lilim grunted something indecipherable which sounded suspiciously like gratitude before she left table and tavern. The toad-like demon played with the coins in his fist before they disappeared in a hidden pocket of his brown vest.

"Won't you need me anymore, Lord Lucifer? I could take care of your beast and hounds…"

Somehow the round demon looked… hopeful?

What was going on here? What was the reason behind this inquiry?

Lucifer's eyes fixated onto little black ones. His mojo worked on demons just as well as with humans.

"What is it you truly desire?"

Bofo was not a complicated one and immediately blurted out: "I want to serve you. I want purpose. I want to belong."

Most likely this part of Hell was too close to Earth and the latter's vibes emanated to this place. Demons were not supposed to cling to others, to feel a connection. Lucifer Morningstar wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad thing and if it endangered Earth and Hell. His responsibility was to ensure the safety of both realms.

"Then travel to Dis. See they prepare everything for my return and take the afanc and the hellhounds with you."