Disclaimer: I do not own Lucifer, all credit goes to the writers and creators.
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Part 7 - That Feeling.
He pulled Chloe closer, tucking his arm around her. His girlfriend was enjoying the movie that was playing on the television as it was her pick. Linda seemed to trying to enjoy it but was to busy explaining to Amenadiel why certain characters made the decisions they did.
Lucifer himself had barely watched two minutes of the movie since Chloe had pressed play. His mind and gaze were focused on his demon. He was trying to be discrete but the way Maze ran her fingers along the humans leg told him that she was aware he was observing.
It still struck him, the knowledge of Maze bringing a human. Turning their casual movie night into a triple date night. His nose wriggled at the thought. Maze had approached him earlier that afternoon, prewarning him though he was beginning to think that he would have preferred if she had simply sprung this upon him.
"You're bringing a date?" Lucifer spoke the words slowly.
Chloe was standing beside Lucifer, a sense of relief spreading throughout her body. This was good. Maze was moving forward, finding someone else to spend her time with. "That is wonderful to hear, Maze."
"Wonderful?" Lucifer raised his eyebrow, unsure how to process the information that she was had given him.
A date.
Whether or not Maze had actually called it such did not matter, it was what it was. He had never, not once, thought the he would be in a position like this. That his little demon would willingly date a human. "Date." The word left his lips sourly.
Maze crossed her arms, an unimpressed look crossing her features. "So what if it is, it's nothing to do with you."
Lucifer bit down his usual retort, he was learning. Certain aspects of Maze's life did not belong to him, and he was not owed any details as they did not affect him but still that internal feeling he could not shake. Why did this both him? The prospect of Maze having met someone. He could see that his silence was only increasing her annoyance with him.
"No, it does not." He wanted to say different, that this bothered him and rightfully so but it would only end with him being hit.
Linda had mentioned this to him a few weeks ago, prepared him for the fact that Maze could not be his when he was not willing to be hers. That had given him some thoughts to consider and he had walked away wondering how long it had been since he had slept with her, since he had touched her body in a physical and passionate way? He could barely remember the last time and for that reason it spiked an irrational feeling that he did not want to share her. Not with a pathetic little human, not with anyone. He didn't want someone else touching her when he could not.
"Lucifer," Chloe nudged him, she felt confusion at his reaction. He was just standing there, staring off into the distance. She wasn't blind or unattached, she understood that what Maze had just revealed bothered him and Chloe wasn't sure how to deal with that. Why did this bother him so much? Wasn't he happy, content with her?
Maze saw confusion in Chloe's eyes, and when she looked at Lucifer she should have felt satisfaction that he was struggling with what she had revealed. Only she didn't. Maze felt her own confusion. What was the emotion in his eyes? "Lucifer," She spoke his name, when he didn't say anything.
Lucifer blinked. "Hmm?"
"You won't cause a scene tonight, right?" She had a challenging look in her eyes. "No threatening the human."
Lucifer tilted his head, what exactly did she think he would do to the person? "Of course not, Maze. I shall be a perfect devil."
Chloe watched the exchange between the two of them. "Well, I think it's great." She inserted. Maze finding someone for herself would allow her to distance herself and it would mean that whatever changes that were currently happening in their relationship would cease.
Maze's eyes shifted to Chloe, she knew exactly why the Detective was happy for her, because she was threatened. Threatened by Maze's hold on Lucifer and that made the demon very happy. "It's just tonight. I'll probably be done with him by morning." With that she turned around. "I'll be back later. Lucifer don't be scabby on the alcohol. I want the expensive stuff." She pressed the elevator button and the doors opened.
Lucifer's eyes met Chloe's as soon as Maze had left the penthouse. "A human? She is dating a human that is..."
Chloe raised her eyebrow. "That is what? She is allowed to be happy Lucifer." Being happy means she is not with you. She is not monopolizing your time. Though Chloe did not say that to Lucifer, not wishing to start an argument.
"A human. Maze can't be happy with a human." It was a ridiculous thought. No human could offer to Maze what she truly needed.
"And whom can she be happy with? You?" Chloe meant the words that she said. It had been bothering her since that lunch at Linda's, since that conversation that she had with Lucifer earlier that morning when he confirmed their relationship was experiencing changes. Changes she did not like, nor want to happen.
She wasn't oblivious. Eons of history together was not something she could compete with. The only way for them to succeed was going to be for Maze to distance herself from Lucifer, and if she could encourage that by making Lucifer be nice to Maze's date then she would.
Lucifer froze, looking at the challenging expression on Chloe's face. "Chlo..." He reached out to reached out to touch her cheek but was met with a rejection as Chloe stepped back.
"Why does it bother you? You are with me, are you not? Or do you truly want to be with her?" Chloe held her hand up before he could speak. "Think about it Lucifer, because I love you. I do."
Lucifer reached out to cup Chloe's face. "I don't need to think about it, love. It is you I want to be with."
"Then be nice to Maze's human."
"I'm always nice."
Except looking at them now, he didn't feel nice. Lucifer didn't want to be nice. Watching as that man, no, Lucifer refused to acknowledge him as such, boy. That was a better term, he must have been twenty one at most, youngish for Maze. Lucifer didn't want to be nice especially as he watched this boy cover Maze's hand, holding it in place on his thigh. He was surprised Maze allowed the action but perhaps she knew doing so would only annoy him so that was why she accepted it.
Lucifer could feel his chest vibrating with anger, no doubt Chloe could feel it too but she would only assume he was vibrating with laughter at the movie, she would remain oblivious to how he was actually feeling.
He knew it wasn't right, to be feeling this way when he was happy with Chloe but perhaps a conversation with the Doctor was needed, to divulge into these thoughts.
Only his anger spiked when he watched the boy lean in and kiss Maze, their lips brushing against each others. It was wrong in every sense, this human to fragile for his Maze.
His Maze.
There was that possessive tone again, why. What about this boy was suddenly bringing this out? He watched them kiss again, and he adjusted himself in attempt to ease his anger.
"Mine."
The possessive thought projected from his mind into hers although he hadn't meant it. Normally he was more thoughtful, attentive. He tried to curve the impulsive nature when it came to words he pushed into his demons minds. He truly hadn't meant. He shouldn't have thought it, not with Chloe pressed firmly into his side but it was instinctual.
Lucifer saw her tense from the corner of his eye, his word would be bouncing inside of her mind. He waited for the sparked outrage that he was sure would come but it was his own anger that he felt spark when he saw her sly smile.
Maze initially froze at his word, his...after all this time. How long had she vied for his attention only for him to give it to another and just when she thought it time for her to move forward, to take a little something for herself, it was he who protested.
Maze's lips quirked into that of a sly smile. She would not bend, she would not stop but she could taunt. Slowly, she pulled her hand out from under that of the humans. Maze truly did not understand why Lucifer was so tense, it was not as though the human would be around long. Fingertips drummed against his thigh, edging a little higher, then higher again.
Lucifer watched his little demon, facial features tensing with annoyance. Did she wish to anger him?
He took a deep breath, tucking Chloe closer into his side, her hand absentmindedly reaching for his free one to which he held her loosely in his grip.
His eyes still remained on Maze watching her drumming fingers as pushed herself further against her companion, rubbing her legs.
"Enough."
The word slipped from his mind again, he silently cursed himself for it. It shouldn't have but it did.
Maze was his.
No.
He knew he couldn't think like that. Yes, she was his but not in the sense that was thinking of this moment.
It was wrong of him to think like this, he knew that but this was eons. Eons of her being his companion, he knew he hadn't been acting on it. He knew that he was expecting of her something he could not give in return. It wasn't right of him, he knew it. This was selfish on his part but for some unknown reason the thought of the human touching her was bothersome. He could not allow it to continue even though he knew Maze had been with others, and wished for her to do so, he wished it was not in his presence. Not anymore. He couldn't bear witness to it.
Still Maze pulled a blanket cross her and the human, her hands underneath and he could only assume what she was she was doing. No. He knew what she was doing, taunting him.
"Luci,"
Lucifer turned his head slightly, bringing Amenadiel into is view. "Yes?" Luci's voice was tight, low as they kept it from the humans ears.
"It's a little warm." Amenadiel indicated at the rising temperature in the room. His brother was clearly irritated, this tight facial expressions a clear indication. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes," Lucifer listened to Maze's snort of quiet laughter, she didn't believe that. Hell, he didn't believe it. Still, he fought with himself to return the room to a normal temperature. Last thing he needed was for the humans to cook in the firing heat. That would surely alert them to what was occurring.
His eyes flicked back to Maze who had moved one hand to be able to trail her fingertips along her companions jaw, tilting his head so that she could lean in for another kiss. He had a flick of admiration for the human, he certainly wasn't pda shy, slightly abnormal considering how skittish he was when he arrived.
He glared when he saw her hand move under the blanket, naughty little demon.
"Mazikeen."
Her name bounced off her mind, his voice stern and commanding. She could feel his displeasure but did she consider stopping? No. This was her right, to live her life the way she wished to live it. Although, she was his, he didn't get to have control of this. Not now, not while he fucked Chloe and claimed to love her.
No. If this really did bother him then she was going to continue. She was going to taunt and tease because she could.
She moved her fingertips in a pattern under the blanket, was she actually doing anything? No, but Lucifer thought she was, the actions of her hand moving under the blanket making all kind of thoughts appear in the devils mind. What he didn't know would drive him crazy. Her hand moved slightly higher and she felt her human squirm just slightly.
"Hands off."
Maze felt the slight pressure in her mind accompanied by the word, Lucifer was being a little more forceful so she pulled her hand from the humans thigh, reaching for her glass instead. A momentarily reprieve but it would not be for long. "Does it bother you?" The question was pushed out to him, waiting to see what he had to say. Was the pet Detective not enough? Why was he insistent on ruining this for her?
"Whether it bothers me or not is irrelevant, Maze. Stop your display or you shall be the display. Understood?"
Maze's eyes darkened with anger. She wanted to believe that he wouldn't act on that, but she didn't trust her own thought. If there was one thing she knew about the devil, he never backed down on consequences. He tolerated a lot so for him to threaten so meant he was quite serious.
So to save face she grit her teeth and adjusted herself to sit more appropriately. "Better?"
"Don't be bitter."
"Don't be an asshole. Exactly why is the double standard acceptable? You look all snuggled up with your pet." She felt his displeasure at her nickname for the Detective, but it only thrilled her. Annoying him was satisfactory considering how he was acting.
"A King does as he pleases." Lucifer knew that was a line he would pay for later, but in the moment he cared not.
"Lucifer."
"Maze, I told you I would play nice and I did. I poured the poor trembling human a drink, I spoke to him, vaguely inquired of his interests but I did not expected to be repaid by having to bare witness to your hands roaming all over him."
"Would you prefer I simply snuggle with him as you do your pet?" She knew based on his reaction that if it had been them alone she would have received a stern reprimand for that, she cared not.
The slight pressure that he applied in to her mind was worth it, he could not do much more then that with everyone else in the room.
Lucifer breathed deeply, attempting to reign in his annoyance at her words. "Perhaps you would feel better sitting by me?"
"You wouldn't dare ask it of me." Maze tilted her head so she could see him from the corner of her eyes, taking in his raised eyebrow and stern expression, although to his credit he was staring at the television.
"Try me."
Maze exhaled, settling back so she was slouching against the sofa. "I yield. Have it your way, my King." The name was spoken with spite, anger seeping from her.
"Thank-you," He could feel her surprise, not having expected him to use manners.
And he as a show of remorse because he did know he was being unfair, he untangled himself from Chloe trying to not feel jaded by the disgruntled sound leaving her mouth as he adjusted himself and leaned forward to pour himself another drink
He really did need the whole bottle.
If he was asking it of Maze, then he had to be willing to do the same. Despite his line, a King does as he pleases. He knew she would appreciate it.
"Lucifer?"
Lucifer looked over at Chloe. "I apologize, love, I was a little uncomfortable. Here." He passed her a cushion to lean on, placing his arm on the back of the sofa. It would still seem intimate to Chloe but not so much that Maze would find it unfair.
He had no doubt that they would speak after and when they did he would attempt to explain his feelings as to why he struggled to deal with it.
/
Maze's human friend left not long after the movie finished, Amenadiel, Linda and Chloe leaving along side him to return home to their children. Lucifer promised Chloe he would follow soon but he wished to check on his club first, perhaps even sing, he had not done that for quiet some time. He always chose to spend time with Chloe, to work cases. The club was very quickly becoming a none existent thought.
Lucifer poured both himself and Maze a drink before walking over to hand the demon hers. He was surprised to see her sitting on the sofa underneath a blanket, himself nor his demons felt the cold but perhaps it was a human custom she had picked up, an attempt to make herself comfortable.
"You have some explaining to do." Maze said, accepting the drink from him. "You were rude."
"Not to your human."
"To me." Maze narrowed her eyes at him, did he truly not see the problem with what he had done. "I'm yours am I? And yet what of you? You cannot expect me to remain alone, waiting for you to give me an ounce of attention." She dove right into the issue at hand, her voice remaining surprisingly calm but the topic sparked rage within her.
Did he not see how unfair it was? To expect her to wait for him.
Lucifer lowered himself onto the other end of the sofa. "I do not expect you to remain alone."
Maze stared at him as though he had grown two heads. "Then explain what the fuck that was, my king?" She spat the term, clearly reminding him of what she thought of his demands. "How dare you! It's not as if I was in love with him, I was going to fuck him, that's all."
Lucifer knew it was said spitefully but he tried to ignore the pleasure that ran through his body at that term. My King. "Then why bring him here?"
"Amenadiel and Linda. You and your pet Detective," She caught his glare at the term but did not correct herself. "Why the fuck couldn't I bring someone? You expect me to sit alone every damn time?"
"Maze,"
"Don't patronize me! You say my name as if I don't have a right to be angry. Well I am. I do have the right."
Lucifer adjusted himself in his seat. It appeared she was fighting with words, not fists. It was a step in the right direction but perhaps it was worse for him. Fists he could dodge, words not so much. "I know." He mumbled. "I know you'll be with others, Maze; that you have been with others. It does not bother me," He saw her roll her eyes, clearly not believing him. "I mean to say, it does not bother me normally yet seeing you together with the human, the touches, the kisses, they bothered me."
"You have the pe...Detective." She caught herself at the warning in his eyes, perhaps she had pushed a little far with the Pet Detective term. He'd only tolerate that for so long so Maze reworded herself.
"I am aware. I do not know what came over me. I truly had not meant to push that first thought into your mind."
A frown crept over her expression when she saw the honesty in his eyes. It had been abrupt and Lucifer was normally more careful with words he pushed into her mind. An it irritated her to acknowledge that she understood the feeling. Watching him with Chloe, witnessing their touches, it did not appeal to her. Difference being, she could not demand that he keep his hands to himself, where as, he could because he is the King. "You cannot expect me to remain without another in your presence for however long we stay, for however long you are with Chloe. It is not fair, Lucifer." Maze despised how defeated she sounded.
"I know." Lucifer ran his hand through his hair. "I need to be better. Today, witnessing it. I was surprised by my own actions."
That surprised her a little, him admitting it. "That is the only reason I am not beating you." Maze told him with conviction.
Although she wanted to ignore it, was trying it, she could see the confusion, sense it and yes she was angry at him but she understood that if she expected better from Lucifer then she too had to do better. She had to be willing to talk through things, as Linda had told her. "You need to find a way to deal with it. Get over it." Her eyes tracked his reaction as she took a sip from her glass. "I haven't been with you in that sense for a while, Lucifer; you haven't wished for it so you must accept that I have needs and I will seek it elsewhere."
Lucifer grimaced but gave a short nod. "I know, and I will come to terms with it but for now, you will limit your interactions around me, yes?"
"No."
"Maze."
"Lucifer."
He exhaled, leaning back. "I'll command it."
"I'll ignore it." Maze retorted, though she could see his words were not one of a serious nature. "It doesn't get any easier," She saw his curious look. "I still see you with Chloe and it still irritates me, but you are happy and I cannot rid of her." Oh hell, she wished she could get rid of her but time would see to that without her helping hand.
Lucifer sighed. "Then I suppose if you are happy then I will have to deal with it."
"You will." Maze took another sip of her drink. "Look at us, talking through our problems as the humans do."
He chuckled at that. "No physical violence, that must be a step forward." He raised his eyebrow as Maze shifted towards him on the sofa. "Maze,"
If she couldn't play with the human, then the devil would have to do. A little teasing would be good revenge for what he had said and done. Maybe a little taste of what he was missing would spark that feeling inside of him, the one that made him claim her in words tonight. "Since you made me chase my human off, I have to find another," A sly smile quirked at her lips.
"I did not make you." Lucifer immediately interjected. "You could have left with him." But he knew she wouldn't.
Maze rolled her eyes. "You know that was never a choice, and now he is gone."
"So you want another tonight? I'm sure you'll take your pick from the club."
"Oh yes," She leaned a little closer, her eyes holding a teasing tone. "Maybe I'll take one of each. To satisfy my needs."
"Maze," Lucifer's voice held a slight warning as she moved closer to him.
"I feel anger in the moment when you flip the switch into King mode, but I must admit, it's very enticing. If it wasn't for Chloe." She ran her fingers up his abdomen, until they reached his jaw and then she grazed her nails along his jaw line. "I..."
Lucifer swallowed, watching her pupils dilated before him. He knew if he peeked into her mind, he would see some very compromising and lustful images of them together. "Maze,"
Maze pulled back, a small pout on her lips. Her name was her warning, he didn't want her right now but Maze knew that he would soon. "I know."
Lucifer knew in that moment, if he didn't have Chloe, he would have taken Maze directly to bed but although he was a devil, he was not a cheater. "My little demon,"
"My King,"
Lucifer groaned at the name, looking into her eyes and knowing exactly what she was playing at. "Naughty." He told her, standing up to place some distance between them. "It's getting late,"
"Running back to her already?" Maze snipped, the annoyance of Chloe's constant presence annoying her.
Lucifer looked down at her, she had at some point shifted onto her knees on the couch. The sight. It was a beautiful one. "Behave," The warning slipped through his lips as the elevator dinged, his eyes shifting to find Amenadiel, it seemed the angels presence was known to Maze as she didn't move nor turn to him. "Brother,"
"Charlie is settled. I am to go below tonight, is there anything I should know?"
"Speak to Lilith," He heard a disgruntled noise come from Maze, there was no love lost between the two demons. There hatred for each other had always been strong. "I entrusted her with a task. Receive the report."
"You entrusted Lilith? Why would you do that?" Maze's voice rung loud.
Lucifer tilted his head to look down at her. "I did." He owed her no explanation, so he did not say anything else.
"Are you mad?"
"Do I seem mad to you?" He took a sip of his drink.
Maze raised her eyebrow. "Clearly you have lost your mind. Lilith is a snake. A sly..."
Lucifer did not appreciate the tone but still he did not reprimand it. "I entrusted Lilith with a task, not my life." He was not that stupid, he didn't trust any demon other then Maze with his life.
"But with your kingdom."
"Maze."
Maze took a big sip of her drink. "Mad. You are mad. Lilith is a sly bitch who will tear you down. Giving her a inch will only make her hungry for the power. You have lost your..."
Lucifer did not fail to notice Maze's spiking anger, he was almost certain it wasn't directed entirely at him, but more so that Lilith had slid into his life in a seemingly important role. "Enough." He gave her the warning, although was unsurprised that she didn't listen to it.
"Don't tell me to stop! You know I am right. You've gone soft, thinking that Lilith will..." She stood up, so that she was by his side. "She is a traitor. Her only goal is to..."
Lucifer walked away from her to pour himself another drink. "I've heard enough." His voice was sharp, and he turned to Amenadiel. "Speak to Lilith, you'll know which orders to give based on what she tells you. Simply tell her I command it."
Amenadiel nodded. "Anything else?"
"Give her new orders? Fuck, you trust her!" Maze shook her head, this had completely caught her off guard. How had that sly conniving bitch got so close to Lucifer? Maze was annoyed that she hadn't known off this, annoyed that she had failed by letting Lilith close. "I'm going with him." She'd find out what she was up too.
Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "No you are not."
"I am. I'll find out her end game." She faced Amenadiel. "Let's go."
Lucifer frowned, not sure where this had suddenly come from. First they were talking rationally, kind of flirting and now suddenly she was wishing to go below. This was a complete blindside to him. "What the hell has gotten into you?"
"I don't trust her."
"You don't need to."
"Maze, Hell is different. Lucifer, entrusts certain demons with..."
Maze glared at Amenadiel. "Shut up! Are you completely stupid? You don't know what demons are like. You certainly don't know what Lilith is like,"
"Excuse me." Lucifer drew her attention to him. "Your disrespect is infuriating." He had ignored her disrespect toward him but this struck a cord. Had Maze spoken to his brother like that before? Yes. Had he laughed about it? Yes. But that was before Amenadiel turned into more then their fathers lapdog. "Come." He motioned her over to him.
Maze glared at him. "Hell no." Did he think her stupid? The tone in his voice had shifted, she knew what that meant.
"Now." It wasn't a request, his eyes never leaving hers as she very hesitantly moved to closer to him. The tone of his voice very clearly indicating he would get his way one way or another. "Kneel."
"Fuck off."
Lucifer's eyes turned red. "I will not ask you again." His impatience was increasing, and he saw the anger in her eyes as she slowly knelt down beside him. "I'll listen to what you have to say but I will not tolerate the disrespect." He saw her open her mouth to speak. "No. You can think about your words before you speak." He turned back to Amenadiel, surprisingly his brother was not watching with discomfort instead he was looking at his brother with a curious expression.
Maze glared up at him from her position, fury in all her features. How dare he ask her to do such a thing, especially right now. Maze was almost certain she was going to hit him square in the jaw. The fucking devil.
Lucifer looked back down at her once he was content with his brothers reaction. He could see that Maze was attempting to burn holes through him with her eyes. In all honesty he was surprised the situation had not escalated, that she obeyed him so willingly but he felt pride at that and annoyance that they were in this situation. Both with her and himself. He could have handled it better, surely, but then again Maze could have spoken rationally. Disrespect had always been a button pusher.
He opened his mouth to speak only to be interrupted by his phone, the shrill of it ringing.
He abandoned his thoughts and reached for his phone, heading for the balcony.
His brother walked away to take the phone call, leaving Amenadiel to focus on the demon who was kneeling on the floor. This was becoming a regular occurrence between the devil and demon, not that Amenadiel saw any harm to it as long as Maze was being treated better then Lucifer had previously treated her. It was still a new feeling to him, to care so much about a demon yet he did. Maze had become a friend to him. He saw more of her now then when he had popped down to Hell to do his father's bidding.
He hoped that Maze and Lucifer were in agreement of the way that their relationship was developing.
"You're staring." Maze grumbled, he shouldn't have been looking. It was their unspoken rule.
Amenadiel hummed, he wasn't sure why this was intriguing him, since their relationship never had before. "I am. I do not mean to. I am just trying to understand."
"Understand what?"
"Why."
Maze rolled her eyes at his vagueness, turning her head to catch his eyes. "Why, what?"
"Why there is this development. Why are you moving backwards?"
"This is forwards."
"How?"
Maze glared at him, irritated that she was going to have to explain this to him. Amenadiel had tried to be more of a friend to her, so while she knew she could have said nothing to him, she also knew explaining made her a decent demon. A least for a moment. "I...I can't explain it. This is progression to what it was, you know that. You saw how he acted in Hell. How little he actually cared." She tilted her head. "He either cared to little in the sense that he punished without a thought to his harshness, or to little in the sense that he didn't care when rules were broken."
Amenadiel thought it over, he could see her point when it came to that. "What you are saying is, now he cares enough to consider your feelings and also be your King. He understands when to give punishment and how much of it."
"Exactly."
"I felt the temperature rise during the movie. His doing. I could see your annoyance. Are you angry with him?"
"No. Yes. Perhaps a little." Maze acknowledged. "I also understand. I want progression on his part so I need to accept that I too need to make progress. Hitting him, lashing out, it gets me nothing."
"It gets you there." He motioned to her predicament.
Maze glared at him for that assessment. "Why aren't you hilarious," She snapped at him, turning her gaze back to the ground and effectively ending the conversation.
The angel was surprised by her explanation, how rational it seemed. It was different, completely opposite of what a demon should be capable of but it seemed that Maze denied every thought he had when it came to her and what she should be, what he had been taught she was. "Luci," His words were directed to his brother who was returning from the balcony. "I'll be off now, anything else you wish for me to see to?"
"No," Lucifer confirmed. "I'll speak with the others when I return." His duty would be next, then he would speak to the lieutenants.
"Very well. I'll come by with a report tomorrow."
Lucifer nodded, his gaze dropping to Maze as Amenadiel left. "Nice chat?" He had only heard the tail end of it, surprised that they were having a conversation.
Maze shrugged. "Strange. May I stand now?"
Lucifer's lips quirked, part of him surprised she wasn't already but the other part knew her to well. She wouldn't disobey him by doing so. "That depends."
"On?"
"Whether you will be more rational. Do you understand why you are there?" He thought for sure Maze's eyes would be forever lost inside her brain at the dramatics of her rolling them.
Maze breathed deeply. "Disrespect."
"Partly." He acknowledged, that was initially why he had made her kneel but it only took him a few moments on the balcony to realize it wasn't the only reason. "You are aware I do not tolerate your disrespect, but it was impulsiveness that through me. Irrational behavior. You want to go to Hell? Based on your need to yell at Lilith. Come now, Maze; that is a reason you knew I'd deny."
Maze glared at him. "You will never let me go back. Not unless Chloe is dead and you decide it's time."
"No, incorrect." He saw her clear look of annoyance, she didn't believe him. "We had this talk. If you ask to go back, you won't be told no if it's for the right reason. Tonight if you had asked to go with Amenadiel based on your need to return home. I'd never have denied you. But that wasn't it."
Maze clicked her tongue. "You are trusting someone not worthy of it."
"It is my choice to make." He held his hand out to her, and she slipped hers into his, letting him use his strength to pull her up from the ground. "Behave," He reminded her, he didn't need to tell her that any of the same behavior would have her in the same position.
Maze tilted her head, taking in his expression. "Why trust her?" He didn't owe her an explanation, a King didn't have to explain anything but still she asked.
"I don't, not completely." He saw the shock register in her face, clearly not having expected him to admit that. "I don't trust Lilith, not yet; but each task I have given her she has completed without delay, therefore giving me no reason to think she is incapable of following commands." He noticed in her face that she was getting ready to argue the point again, only for him to shake his head. "I won't argue with you about it. This is how it is to be."
"I don't like it."
"I don't expect you to like it. I expect you to accept it."
Maze huffed, displeasure running through her. "You are playing your part well."
"This isn't a part. It's who I am. As your friend I understand why you don't like it, and I will assure you if she betrays me then she will face punishment but as your King you will accept my decision or you will face punishment. Understood?"
Maze stepped slightly back at the intensity that took over his eyes. "For now."
"Pardon?" He looked severely annoyed by that, this was not a debate, not a choice on her part. He thought he made that clear.
"Yes, my Lord, but I still think it is foolish."
Lucifer sighed. "Maze, would you actually respect your King for five minutes! Take it seriously."
Maze's eyes twinkled, seeing that some of the tension in his body. "I do respect you, when you make decent decisions."
"You are asking for it, you know that, right?"
"Asking for what?" Maze lurched herself forward when he swatted her firmly on the backside. The smack itself wasn't exactly hard but her backside felt like it was on fire.
Lucifer raised his eyebrow at her, seeing the shock on her face at what he had done. He'd forced at least half of the heat within his body, that fire inside him, into his right hand and then swatted her. A normal spank would do nothing to a demon but one fueled by fire that belonged to the devil, that was the one thing that made them all cower, because the fire that raged inside of him was even to hot for their bodies to handle.
"You didn't." Maze glared at him, eyes narrowed. It wasn't like she was fragile, a little spanking, she could handle it but not that. Fuck, her right cheek was on fire.
"I did." His lips quirked into a small smile. "Behave yourself, Maze; or next time it'll be half a dozen." He watched her shiver slightly at knowledge. It was the only tool he actually had in his toolbox to make his favorite demon obey. "Drink?" He stepped around the bar and grabbed two glasses without waiting for her response, pouring the liquor start into them.
"Perhaps I should tell your precious Detective, she doesn't take so kindly to you touching me. Oh, if I cry will she..."
Lucifer focused his eyes on her, they were blazing red. "What the hell has gotten into you? You're attitude and behavior is quite a loose cannon right now."
"I could say the same about you."
Lucifer walked back around the bar, holding her drink out in front of her but he did not release it even when her hand made contact with the glass. "Maze, I am attempting to keep a good balance but you are making it extremely difficult. Cease the behavior or I am going to punish you." He saw her eyes flicker and he wondered if for a moment she had been testing him.
Maze didn't smile but she nodded her head. She had been correct in telling Amenadiel that their had been progression on his part. Her Devil wasn't as careless anymore, perhaps he could balance his King side and his friend side with a bit more practice. "I think I'm going to find myself a human." She quick sculled her drink and placed the glass back on the bar top.
Lucifer breathed through his nose at her admission. Thinking back to the original point of this conversation, what had triggered all of this.
Perhaps the reason he disliked Maze's human so much was because he felt as though he wasn't getting enough time with his demon...yes, he thought that was the most rational explanation. He was angered by their closeness because he as not feeling close to her. If he rectified that then he would be more accepting of it. He had to be.
"Maze," He paused for just a moment.
"What Lucifer?"
"Darling," He waited for her to meet his eyes and he thought long and hard about what to say next. "I will do better. I do apologize for my rash behavior when it came to your human." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "I do believe no one will ever live up to the standards I have for you."
"I don't believe anyone will live up to the standards I have for myself."
His eyebrow quirked, interest spiking. "And what are your standards?"
"You." The word was nothing more then a whisper as she headed for the elevator leaving him standing there by the bar.
Thoughts?
Much Love. x
