Chapter 3: Sweet Treats

A warm fuzzy feeling crept from Alastor's chest to the rest of his body. His head felt heavy as his eyes opened halfway to see a bright figure leaning over him. Loud ringing was the only thing he could hear, as his ears tucked themselves downwards. "Momma?" He was able to breathe as his eyes tried to make out the figure. Vibrations of a chuckle got his attention. He lifted a hand only to feel it be pushed back onto the soft surface that he didn't realize was his bed. The warm fuzzy feeling coxed him into a deep sleep.

With a sharp inhale, Alastor sat up quickly. A hand flew to his now healed chest. "It wasn't a dream." He mumbled, swinging his legs off the bed. He quickly put on a clean pair of clothes and walked downstairs. He noticed moonlight pouring in through the window. "How long was I asleep?" He asked the air around him. A sudden clash of metal made his ears shift.

Curiosity took hold of the deer. Poking his head into the kitchen, he saw the king rummaging through a cabinet that was way too tall for him to reach. Luckily for the king, his wings lifted him off the ground for easier access. "Are all angles as short as you?" Alastor chuckled from the doorway. Lucifer leaned back in the air with a smile, "Well well well, look who decided to join the dead."

"Charming." Alastor rolled his eyes before landing them on a mixing bowl the king was hovering over. "Late night snack?" He added. "I felt like something sweet. Using a lot of power makes me hungrier than usual." Lucifer began to stir eagerly. "And what concoction am I looking at?" Al walked closer. He dipped his finger in the batter and gave it a taste. "Angle food cake? Are you serious?" He scoffed, making the king huff. "Shut up, I'm not done with it yet." The angel continued his baking, as the demon took a seat nearby. Al was full of questions, but it didn't feel necessary to ask them all at once.

With a soft hum, Lucifer started shifting his weight while stirring. His dancing became more intense as his humming became louder. He stopped when a faint tune began to grow. The song the king was humming was now playing on a radio? Lucifer turned to see Alastor tinkering with one. "What are you doing?" He asked, puzzled. "It sounded like you wanted music. I'm only accommodating." Al answered, turning up the volume. Lucifer smiled as he turned back with a hum. He began to pour the mix into a pan as Al walked closer. "You know, your majesty, I didn't require your assistance." He smirked, leaning against the counter to be more eye level. Lucifer let out a loud laugh, "Ha! Sure you didn't. So your nose in the floor is a normal past time?" He teased, sticking out his snake like tongue. "I... um..." Alastor's mind drew a blank, so he straightened himself trying to think of a comeback. "Do you make it a habit of entering other's rooms without permission?"

Lucifer sighed, putting his cake into the oven. "To be fair, I did announce that I was coming in. If you would have answered this conversation wouldn't have happened."

"Well I... Hu?" Al was interrupted by Lucifer's hand. "I don't want to argue. Just... are you alright? That was a pretty nasty lash. I was surprised I didn't notice sooner." Lucifer lowered his hand. He crossed his arms, looking away. His tail slammed the oven behind him, making Al jump slightly. "I'm... fine. I would have been able to handle it my..."

"No you wouldn't have. Angel inflicted injuries don't just heal on their own. Now stop avoiding the question." Luci growled in annoyance. The deer smirked, leaning in closer. "My my~ I'm honored that the king has taken me into his care." This took the angle off guard. His cheeks grew pink and his eyes shifted. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just wanted my second impression to be better." He mumbled. "Ah~ I see." Alastor took a step back before continuing, "Well, thank you for your concern. I am doing much better now." He hesitated, but slowly reaching out to Lucifer. "May I?" He asked softly. "M-MAY YOU WHAT?" The angel panicked, stepping back. "Please excuse me, I didn't mean to startle you." Alastor lowered himself before asking, "May I have this dance?" The radio quickly shifted to a slower song as Lucifer slowly took the demon's hand. "I suppose that would be alright."

The red fluffy ears of Alastor's, stood up straight. He gently pulled the king closer. One hand rested on the king's side as another held onto that given hand. "May I lead?" Alastor asked with no intention on hearing the reply. Quickly, the demon's feet began to move. Lucifer wasn't going to be dragged, so he stepped up. They spun around the spacious kitchen. "I didn't set a timer." The angel chuckled. "It won't burn. I promise." The Demon smiled in return. The two happily enjoyed the moment, laughing and swaying with the music. "Do you like dancing?" Lucifer asked before being spun. Alastor slid his hand to the angel's back to help him balance. "I do. What about you?"

Chuckling, Lucifer picked up his pace. "I'm not the biggest fan of ballroom, but it is nice to dance with someone again."

"Splendid. I do prefer more of a beat myself, but this is quite pleasant."

Lucifer rolled his eyes playfully, "You're the one who chose the music." Alastor gave a distorted chuckle before sliding his hand to dip the king. They both scanned each other's faces. Alastor looked relaxed and genuinely pleased. Lucifer looked shocked and a bit flustered. It's been a long time since he had danced with anyone other than Lilith or Charlie. "You should probably check that cake of yours, Luci."

"Hu? Oh right!" The king snapped out of thoughts and stood up with Al's help. He quickly opened the oven and pulled the tin out of the oven. "Your hands your majesty!" Al quickly motioned towards the monarch. Lucifer placed the tin down on the stove casually before responding. "I'm an angel Al. It's going to take more than heat to hurt me."

Red ears shifted, "It didn't hurt at all?" The deer took the king's hand without hesitation and examined it, making said angel blush. "N-nope! Not one bit! Hahaha! Now if you don't mind-." He slipped his hand out of the deer's claws and turned back to his cake. "My apologies Luci." His expression darkened with a smile as he asked, "So what would hurt you?"

The king's hands paused. "And why do you ask?" He replied, a bit shook but his tone was stern. "Friends look out for one another. You know perfectly well what could hurt me." Al presented. Lucifer went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a container of strawberries and a carton of cream. "Forgive me, but I'm not comfortable sharing that information. A few things do hurt, but nothing down here can do permanent damage."

"I see. Not even angelic steel?" Al pondered.

"It could hurt, but nothing I can't handle."

"Strange. I thought you weren't comfortable enough to tell me~"

The deer's playful voice made Lucifer stiffen. "I..." He shook his head and turned. He held a bowl in his arms and quickly began to whisk what looked like the cream. "Do you want a slice, and some tea?" The change of subject didn't surprise the deer, who nodded in response.

The dining room was spacious, but the king and the deer sat across from one another. Both had a small dish of cake with cream and strawberries decorating the top, paired with a cups of black tea. Lucifer put several sugar cubes in his tea as Alastor watched curiously. "You like it that sweet?" He chuckled. "Ya! So?! I'm not a fan of bitterness." Luci huffed in response. "Then why drink tea?" Al asked, taking a bite out of the confection. He paused and looked at it. It wasn't as sweet as he thought. The cake was so fluffy and rich the strawberries were a perfect dash of sweet. "The tea was with you in mind. If I'm going to drink something bitter it better give me a buzz."

"You are a strange one, Luci."

"No I'm not." The king pouted before shoving a cream covered strawberry into his mouth. Alastor couldn't help but laugh. The radio filter cut out for a split second, and Lucifer noticed. A smile creeped onto the angel's face. "You know Al, you don't have to always keep your guard up. Charlie's clearly made this a safe space for sinners."

"I don't doubt that my dear. It's more of keeping up with my image."

"And that is what? Ooo~ I'm a creepy voodoo deer~ spooky~ scary~" the king wiggled his fingers as he mocked. The room grew darker, as shadow like tentacles rose from the ground and wrapped around the unfazed king. He didn't struggle, instead he continued to chuckle. Al didn't say a word but a static growl echoed off the walls. "Yes yes, super scary. Now put me down please." The grip tightened around the kings small waist, making him gasp for a split second. The radio dials in Al's eyes faded and the shadows disappeared. "Sorry your majesty, but please don't mock me." He snapped. Lucifer took in a deep breath and cleared his throat before speaking, "That's a pretty tight grip you have."

Alastor smiled, "When I crushed our snake friend he splattered into pieces." He ended with a chuckle. "Did you just test me~?" Luci leaned forward teasingly. "No, I just didn't like what you said." The angel leaned back into his chair and continued to eat quietly. Alastor couldn't help but watch as he did the same.

The two powerful beings tag teamed the clean up before meeting back up at the stairs. "It's getting pretty late... I'm going to bed." Lucifer tuned to the stairs only to be stopped by a gentle hand. "May I walk you to your room? We do reside on the same floor." Alastor asked with a clear voice. Luci blinked in disbelief, "S-sure? I mean, you're not mad?"

"mad?" Alastor tilted his head.

"About my 'inappropriate' behavior... I get carried away easily and sometimes my thoughts just slip out."

"Oh, I see. You're trying to apologize. Though I didn't like what you said I did over react."

A charming smile grew on the king's face as a light dust of pink highlighted his features. "What a gentleman. I don't mind the company." He couldn't look Alastor in the eyes, so Al gently lifted the smaller one's chin. He had the king's attention now. "You're quite charming yourself, your majesty." He leaned forward but stopped when he felt the angel twitch. Al cleared his throat and began to speak with the filter once more, "It seems I could use some more rest myself. Shall we?" He gestured to the stairs. "Y..y..es please." Luci answered as he timidly took Alastor's arm.

The deer relaxed as the king released him to unlock the apple decorated door. "I hope you rest well my king." Alastor bowed his head as he spoke. "Thank you Alastor, but please just call me by my name, and the bow is cute but unnecessary." Al's fluffy red ears twitched, alerting Lucifer of his choice of words. "Haha did I say something weird again? Jeez I must be tired, please excuse me. Goodnight Alastor!" The king nervously swung the door open and slammed it as soon as his feet crossed rooms. The demon couldn't help but chuckle for a moment before realizing what happened. He scratched his horns with a sigh. "That was weird..."