Authors Note: Just quickly wanted to say, the Lucifans are the BEST! Thanks for all the kind words and favourites/follows!
Chloe Decker stood at the foot of the bed, staring down at her partner with a worried frown. He was twitching and moaning, his fingers gripping the sheets so tightly his knuckles had turned white. His shirt clung to his skin, drenched in sweat that seemed to be continuously pouring out of him.
She gnawed her bottom lip, her gaze shifting to the other woman. "What's wrong with him? Shouldn't he be in a hospital?"
Maze grumbled under her breath and walked to his side. She lifted the small bowl she'd left by his bedside and rung out the wet cloth, placing it over his brow. Even that small action seemed to offer him no respite. It almost seemed like any kind of touch brought him pain, and the Demon hated to admit that she had no idea what to do. She did know that a human doctor wouldn't be able to do anything for him. Not for whatever this was.
"Look Decker, I know you don't believe in anything he's told you, but if you really care about him and want to help, then you're going to have to open your eyes, because shit is about to get very real. Lucifer is the Devil, and he's been attacked by an assassin that's infected him with something. I don't know what yet, but I'm damn sure going to find out and then we can figure out how to help him." She turned to the Detective with a vulnerability that Chloe had never seen from the hard ass bar tender. "Right now he's weak, defenceless and if anyone found out they would use this time to strike and I can't leave him on his own. Keep him safe," she paused and pushing away her hatred of this woman she said quietly, "Please."
Chloe felt her jaw drop but quickly nodded her assent. "Okay, Mazikeen. I'll watch over him."
The Demon actually looked grateful and after dropping a soft kiss on Lucifer' temple, her fingers stroking through his damp hair, she whispered in his ear. "Fight this Lucifer, with everything you have. I know you can."
With a deadly swagger she walked passed the detective and stopped only long enough to offer her a slight smile. "You can call me Maze." And then she was gone, disappearing into the elevator and leaving Chloe alone with her sick partner.
Chloe lost track of how long she stayed by his side, hating the thought that her touch might be hurting him yet at the same time she needed to bring his temperature down. He was burning as hot as a furnace. It had taken some doing but she'd managed to get him stripped down to his boxers, and even now his skin was slick with perspiration. She had no idea how someone could be so hot and not actually burst into flames.
Realising the bowl of water was starting to turn warm she decided to refill it and maybe add some ice cubes to make it even cooler. Deep down hoping that it might bring him some relief.
She'd only left his side for a few minutes when she heard a loud thump and cursed inside her head. Rushing back through she froze at the doorway, her heart in her throat at the red haze that seemed to be surrounding him. She blinked and it was gone, making her wonder if she'd really seen anything.
Lucifer had awoken to the feeling of his skin being on fire, the blood running through his veins was practically bubbling and he had tried to move, hoping to make it to the shower to cool down. Unfortunately he barely made it one step before his body betrayed him and he collapsed in a heap on his floor. He'd never felt more pathetic in his life as he struggled to push himself upright, but barely had the energy to support himself. His arms were shaking so badly that he fell to the floor a second time. Then he felt hands, cool and comforting touching his skin and he leaned into them with a soft groan.
He squinted at the figure crouching next to him, but he struggled to understand what they were saying. It sounded garbled, like he was under water. After a few more blinks, he could just about make out her features and managed to mumble, "Beautiful, like an Angel." Then promptly passed out again. Leaving Chloe wondering how the hell she was going to get him back on the bed.
Lucifer awoke to a pleasant sensation of soft fingers combing through his hair and a wet cloth pressed against his forehead, cheeks, his lips and then chest. Despite the blazing heat emanating from his skin, he was shivering uncontrollably. It felt like thousands of fire ants were crawling under his skin and more than anything he wanted to claw at them, rip them out of his skin and squish them like the bugs they were. Although that would require far too much effort on his part.
"Shhh," Chloe whispered. Feeling her eyes begin to burn with tears again. She'd been unable to move him, his weight and the slickness of his skin made it far too difficult to get a grip, so instead she'd settled on the floor with him, his head pillowed on her lap. She'd set the bowl of water filled with ice next to her and kept dabbing the wet cloth against his flushed skin, although it didn't appear to be doing anything to help cool him down. Lucifer was still hotter than a furnace. She really needed to get him into the shower.
"C-Chloe…?" he mumbled, trying to lift his head but she stopped him with a gentle hand, settling him back against her thigh.
"I'm right here, Lucifer." She told him, unable to stop the river of tears from spilling down her cheeks. She'd never seen him like this before and it was terrifying her. Lucifer was always so confident, so untouchable and prattled on continuously about being immortal. She knew different. She'd seen him bleed. Been the cause of it. But seeing him here like this, so completely unguarded and sickly, was unsettling.
Looking up at her with glazed eyes he offered a weak smile and reached out weakly to capture her hand. Chloe entwined their fingers and gave his hand a soft squeeze trying to offer even a fraction of comfort to the ailing man.
"Need to….cool down." He managed to get out before another shiver wracked through his body.
Chloe bit her lip and nodded. "I know, but I can't carry you, Lucifer. You'll need to help me. Do you think you can manage it?"
Truthfully Lucifer didn't think he could lift his head from where it laid against her, yet he managed a small nod. "I think…so."
It took a lot of effort on Chloe's part to keep the much taller man on his feet as they made their way slowly toward the bathroom. A few times she thought he wasn't going to make it, but he'd gripped her tighter, almost painfully so and shuffled on. Once inside the bathroom Lucifer' legs decided they couldn't go any further and he dropped to his knees taking Chloe to the floor with him.
"C'mon Lucifer, just a few more steps. Please," she pleaded with him.
The Devil' face was flushed with fever, his entire body trembling from the effort of taking those few steps and the thought of anymore made him feel physically sick, though hearing her voice pleading with him, the concern she felt for him obvious from her tone, and he knew he had to try. He'd do anything for this woman, even if it killed him.
Finally after staggering the last few steps she got him into the shower. Lucifer sat on the tiled floor, his knees pulled up to his chest looking so childlike that it made Chloe want to wrap him up in her arms and never let him go. She reached in and turned the water on, keeping it cool and not freezing cold. She didn't need him going into shock. Letting his head fall back against the cool wall he let the spray wash over him. It had to be the most wondrous feeling he'd ever felt and he closed his eyes in complete bliss.
"Better?" Chloe asked, her brow still crinkled in concern.
Lucifer smiled, nodding happily. "Much better…thank you."
Sliding down next to him, Chloe entwined their fingers again, stroking his burning skin with the soft pad of her thumb. Lucifer returned the gesture and leaned into her, his head resting on her shoulder. She twisted her head slightly and placed a soft kiss on his head and started combing her fingers through his wet hair like she'd been doing before. He sighed contentedly. Chloe didn't care that she was also getting soaked, she just wanted to make sure her partner and friend was okay.
"What happened Lucifer?" she asked after a few moments of silence. The only sound that could be heard was of the water raining down on them, and Lucifer's deep, even breaths in her ear.
"It doesn't matter," he mumbled despondently. The Devil didn't have the energy to get into a debate with the Detective about him really being the Prince of Darkness and her still not believing him. He was quite happy right where he was, using Chloe as a pillow.
"What do you mean, it doesn't matter? Of course it does. I've never seen you like this before Lucifer and -" She broke off, needing a moment to collect herself. "I'm scared. I hate seeing you in pain."
Slowly he lifted his head, staring at her in amazement. This mortal woman had wormed her way past his defences and made herself at home in his heart. He had no idea he could feel this way about anyone, not since he fell and certainly not since he reined in hell for millennia. Becoming something so dark and sinister that he almost didn't recognise himself. He was a mere shadow of his former self, yet Chloe Decker was slowly bringing back some of that goodness inside him that he'd believed was long gone. Perhaps the Devil could be redeemed after all.
He offered her the faintest of smiles and pressed his lips to her shoulder, his scruff lightly scratching her and making her giggle. The sound made him smile brightly for the first time in weeks.
"I'll be fine...Chloe. Not to worry. It will...pass eventually."
Chloe nodded, needing so badly to believe his words. She should have known to trust her gut that things were just getting started, and the worst was yet to come.
After the shower he felt much cooler, though not what she'd consider an acceptable level. He was certainly a lot better than he had been. She'd left him to towel himself off while she went in search of dry underwear for him and also a change of clothes for herself. Chloe was practically drowning in the pyjama pants and black t-shirt she'd borrowed from him but they were comfy and warm and smelled like Lucifer. She couldn't resist inhaling the scent of him, he always smelled heavenly. With a snort she realised what she'd just thought. Her Devil obsessed partner smelling of the home he'd supposedly been thrown out of.
She started back toward the bathroom when Lucifer appeared at the doorway, leaning heavily against it, but she was happy to see him standing, although once again he'd shown he had no shame.
"And he's naked," she muttered under her breath and walked toward him. "I told you to wait." She scolded him.
His lips quirked at her outfit. "I was..just wondering...what was taking...so long." He panted, then gestured to the clothes she wore. "Now I see...you were snooping...in my drawers." He chuckled softly.
Chloe glared halfheartedly. "C'mon, lets get these on you."
"Why? I feel much...better like this." His grin was positively sinful.
"Sure you do. But if you don't put that," she pointed to his lower half. "Away, then I'm leaving." Chloe wouldn't really have left, she just wanted to make it clear that he needed to respect her boundaries and him walking or lying around naked was beyond inappropriate.
Lucifer pouted like a child but nodded in acquiescence. "Fine. Give them...here."
Unsure if the taller man would even make it to the bed, Chloe moved to his side and trying to ignore the heat rushing to her cheeks at the feel of his bare skin against her, she managed to get him back to the bed and sat on the soft mattress.
Crouching in front of him, she tried to avert her eyes while helping him into his boxers. "We will never mention this outside this room, Lucifer. Clear?" She helped him stand to get the waistband over his hips and let him sit back down.
He smiled, making a zipping motion over his lips. "Not a word, Detective."
"Good." She felt much better now with him acting more like his normal self, even if he didn't look the part. "Get some rest Lucifer, maybe you'll feel better after and I'll bring you something to eat."
Lucifer' face scrunched up in distaste. "I'll try to rest, but please, no food...just yet." His stomach was already revolting at just the notion of food being ingested.
Chloe held her hands up in defeat. "All right, but we'll see how you're feeling after. Okay?"
"Yes, yes, fine." He lay back on the bed and frowned as Chloe pulled the covers up over him, tucking him in like a child. "What are you..doing?"
"Sorry. It's just a habit if Trixie's sick. I'll tuck her in and read her a story. Then make her some soup when she wakes up." Brushing the damp hair from his forehead, she pressed a soft kiss to his temple. Trying to hide her grin at his flushed features.
"Hmmm, well perhaps...it's not so bad." He turned on to his side facing her, and reached out for her hand. With a frown she placed her hand in his and he pulled her toward him, making her fall on to the spot beside him. Chloe wanted to snap at him, but the look he was giving her was filled with such pleading that she couldn't deny his silent request. She sat with her back against the head board and his head tucked against her thigh as she combed her fingers softly through his hair.
Chloe could feel him fighting the pull of sleep and started to hum a soft tune that her father used to do for her when she was a child. Smiling as it seemed to do the trick and he relaxed against her, she remained where she was. Offering him comfort and companionship.
"Sleep tight, Lucifer."
