The news cycle hadn't changed for three days. When Lucifer had gotten home from his visit at the hotel, he'd thrown himself into anything that would distract him from the memory of lush, rounded breasts with freckled nipples. That meant watching the news cycle he so disliked because it had upset his little girl to see it, and that meant possibly burning everything down and murdering some sinners. But then the thought snagged and he realised who would gain power if he got rid of the television broadcasters.
It would also distract him from the ideas and thoughts he was having about the witch on the TV. Not to mention the guilt that ate at him every time he pictured an image of Wyr. So he watched the news cycle and worked on his ducks and when his thoughts turned towards the witch, the way she sounded with her head in his hands, he started working on paperwork.

For the first day he watched re-run after re-run of Wyr tearing him a new one, of speculation as to why he was even out in the streets in the first place, and witness interviews to the scene. It made him sick, seeing the way the overlords were reaping power from the scene he'd caused. It made him wonder how Wyr was faring, not being an overlord, but just a Sinner with a day job. He knew she had her magic, and had developed relationships with powerful sinners, deer fucker included…But it wouldn't protect her from everything.
She lived in that apartment, with barely any protections in place, where anyone could walk the hallways and knock on her door. She should at least have a body guard, or assistant who could watch her back…But he didn't know. And it wasn't like they were talking at the moment…Not that it was her fault.

Lucifer released a pent-up breath, setting down a brief for a library that had already been built…fifty years ago. So good at his job. When he pulled out his phone, he scrolled past his messages with Charlie and went to the brief history of messages with Wyr. The last few sent, one after the other in rapid succession was as such;

I'm so sorry about flashing you this morning…

And about the news thing.

And about last night…

Call me when you're ready to start your lessons.

Or not.

Lucifer couldn't respond. Had been home for hours, burying himself in the most mundane tasks, to draw his mind away from the lustful thoughts he'd been unable to stop having about her since he'd practically bolted from the hotel. He'd worked on making himself feel as guilty as possible. Guilty because he ran out on Charlie, guilty because the only woman he should have had thoughts about was his wife, guilty because Wyr hadn't meant to show off her body like that. She wasn't a piece of art for him to ogle and use in that way. She deserved his respect.

How was he supposed to apologise? Because none of this was her fault. He needed to respond to her, to clear the air. He needed to brush off the morning, brush off the argument, and about ignoring each other's messages. But it was hard. Life in Wyr's proximity had introduced him to more of Hell than he'd been bothered to see in thousands of years. It wasn't great, but neither could he say it was all bad. If her was being honest, he wanted to know more.
But he needed to clear the air between them…And maybe he could start by doing something he'd been sorely neglecting.

Opening a portal directly into the abandoned office was nothing. Snapping his fingers and whisking all the paperwork from there to his official office, was also nothing…But when he started going through the folders, filing cabinets, and documents…That's when he finally realised just how much work Wyr had been trying to keep up with.

By the thousandth signature, Lucifer wasn't sure he knew how to write his name anymore. He couldn't see where he'd made a dint by the second day, and by the third he cursed not being able to mass sign binding documents. How had the witch put up with this for so long? How had she managed to survive, living under this much work?

Call me when your ready to start your lessons.

Lucifer picked up the phone and stared at the screen. He needed to know. Needed to see more of her. Needed to understand just what exactly this woman did in his world.


"For the last time, I can't bury your husband with you. We have rules about that… Yes, I know…As I said, why would it matter if he finds a new lover when you're already dead? Estelle… I'm not doing this today. I don't do live burials. Try again next week okay?"

Wyr hung up the phone and dropped her head against her worktable. It smelt like herbal wax and time in a way that lessened the pounding headache that came with dealing with Estelle. Something of a hypochondriac, Estelle had wrangled her husband from the Lust ring and brought him up to Pride. In Wyr's opinion, they should have stayed in Lust, because Estelle called once a week to update her burial details for when the two imps inevitably got caught in the crossfire of a territory war. At least Lust didn't have a constant tug of war…And Wyr wouldn't have to deal with this woman every, single, fucking, week.

It had been a few days since Wyr's impromptu sleepover at the hotel, and as her head rested on the tabletop, she unlocked her mobile again to check the messages. Since her apologetic text about flashing him at breakfast, and their televised argument, Wyr had heard nothing.
Not that she'd obsessed over it at all. Not at all. Nope, not when she had so much work to get on with. Not when Alastor's heated words ran on a loop in her mind over and over.

Your little crush is pathetic. It had been for decades.

She winced, heart aching. Alastor hadn't reached out to her since…And leaving their friendship in that tenuous place made her want to pull her curls out. Except when she looked at the time on her phone, it sent a bolt of pain through her temples. There was no more time to wallow. She was going to be late.
It was not an okay day to be late either. Three burials were scheduled for today, and Wyr was running out of time to see the undertaker and prepare. She hated the undertaker. Esca was an asshole and an idiot, but he was the best at his job and if Wyr could just get through their meeting, the rest of the day would be clear sailing.

Wyr got up and stretched, wincing as her neck ached in time to her head. In the bedroom she changed quickly into a long black skirted dress, slit on both sides for easy movement, and pulled her cloak over her shoulders. After years of doing this alone, the more mysterious she looked, the more magic she pulled off, the more respect she gained. So, despite the pain that had been a constant companion for the past three days still sitting in the back of her skull at the nape of her neck, she gathered more power to her. Esca wouldn't fuck around today.

She'd make sure of it.

Esca's place sat on the edge of Cannibal Town, located in an alley behind the charmingly quaint main streets. An undertaker living in Cannibal Town always made Wyr question why she worked with Esca, but he'd never given her a body to work with that had been missing pieces, so whether or not her patron scared him into good behaviour, or he made deals on the side with bodies not meant for her, she had no idea.
Walking into the front office of the space, Wyr drew her cloak tighter around her, breath coming out cloudy in the freezing office. She gritted her teeth against the cold and stalked to the lone front desk, slapping the small bell. As she waited, Wyr cast a loathing glance around the room. Esca didn't bother to decorate his place of business. The imp obviously had enough business he didn't feel the need. The walls were bare concrete, with a singular poster advertising a business for earth-bound assassinations. Seemed like an interesting choice for an undertaker.

She heard the clicking of hooves and drew up some of the power she'd been storing. When Esca rounded the corner and caught sight of her, his stare turned salacious. It made her skin crawl. He wasn't an ugly male, but rather well built, tall, and with a jaw that could cut diamonds. His horns curled tightly in on themselves like a ram's and not for the first time did Wyr wonder why a guy as fuckable as him had to have such a gross personality. She could even dig the tail. As soon as he opened his mouth, the spell his looks cast was broken.
"Well, well, if it isn't my favourite little witch." Wyr's frown deepened.
"Esca. Are the bodies ready?" The imp, whose height reached her shoulder began to pull off the long black gloves he wore.
"No business before pleasure my little hedonist…Mmm, I like what your dress is doin' for those pins…You know it's been a while since you've been around…I missed ya. Saw ya on TV the other day." He dropped the gloves and undid his apron. As he walked around the desk Wyr tried to hold her ground, hands loose but cradling power. Of course, he'd seen the news cycle. Fucking creep.
"I'm short on time today Esca. The bodies. Now." Esca's eyes roamed up and down her body, zeroing in on her chest.
"You know, if you needed to blow off some steam…I'm always open…I hear fucking is as good as arguing. All you little heathens liked the freaky shit. You know I'd show you a good time." Wyr's headache pounded angrily as Esca spoke. It was the same shit every single fucking time. The same disgusting comments, the insistence he could show her a good time. Did he realise how saying that made it pretty obvious he probably didn't know a 'good time' from a 'quick time'?
"No, Esca. It's the same answer every time. I'm not interested." She didn't want to cross her arms, to show her discomfort as he moved around her, his arm encircling her waist. She stiffened as he made hushing noises like she was a fussing child.
"Alright, alright. If you insist on business, I'll show you the bodies. Come on beautiful."

Esca led her towards the back room, opening the large steel door that separated the space. He held it open and waggled his eyebrows at her, gesturing for her to go first. Wyr tucked her cloak around her tightly and stepped through, grimacing at the scent of death that permeated the room and always seemed to waft from Esca. At least she was able to get away from his touch. She'd need five showers by the end of the day. One to get the dirt off, one for the scent of death, and three to scrub the feel of his hand on her body.

It was even colder in the morgue, one wall taken up by the large metal refrigerators, and the floor plain, stained concrete. The back wall was a mess of tools taking up shelf space and jars filled with unmentionable liquids and…pieces. Wyr looked away and to the fridges. Esca shut the door behind them and went to the fridges.
"You know, you're too much of a babe to be doing this job of yours. My offer still stands you know, I could take care of ya. You could be my little freak in the sheets while daddy makes the money."

She wanted to be sick. Wanted to light him on fire. She wasn't good person, she was used to some fucked up shit…But there were bodies in here. Dead people. People entrusted to her.

Instead, she ignored his comments and stalked to the gurneys he pulled out for her to look at. Three bodies were laid at rest on the cold metal tables, one wrapped in a sheer red cloth, one well dressed in an old-fashioned suit, and the last was singly laying there, arms by their sides. Everything was perfect, each body tidied up and ready to be transported to the cemetery. She turned to Esca, who was leaning against one of the metal tables used for body prepping. The imp was flexing his biceps and had turned his face away from her, his white hair hanging in locks across his forehead.
"You'll have them at the gates on time?"
"Of course babe. Even have some time to spare for you. I could work you over, give you a massage, maybe loosen up those tight muscles of yours." Annoyance turned to fury as Wyr's gaze narrowed on the imp. This guy…This disgusting male was outliving his uses.

Just as Wyr was reaching for a speck of power, her phone rang loudly, echoing off the walls and drilling a hole into her headache. She fumbled with her basket, yanking out the phone and answering.

"Yes?"
"Oh! Wyr, hey…Uh, It's Lucifer."
Wyr fumbled the phone in her surprise and managed to catch it before she dropped it and shattered the screen. She turned to Esca.
"I'll just be a minute."
"You know I can pull any girl right? I'm doing you a favour." Wyr's temple pulsed as she stepped out of the back room and into the office. When she put the phone to her ear again, Lucifer was already talking. How much had she missed?
"A lot of forms you know? I mean, of course you know, I just meant, that, like, now I know, so I wanted you to know that I know, you know?"
No, no she did not know.
"Anyway," he said, with an awkward chuckle. "I guess, I was really just calling to let you know that, but uh…You know, whenever you're ready, I uh, I'm ready to learn. If you'll have me, of course. Maybe I could…Just tag along, soak in the information as you go."
Wyr bit her lip, unable to stop her smile. Lucifer was rambling. That was cute. But was he seriously okay with just moving on? She felt like she'd missed something. It didn't make sense for him to just suddenly be okay. Though, that was what she'd been worried about this morning right?
"Lucifer…"
"I'm sorry, I heard you speaking to someone. Did I interrupt your work? I did, I'm sorry, that's my bad, I'll just, I can just call you. Later. Whenever is more-"
"No! No! That's not what I'm saying." Wyr bit out, trying to form the words in her head.
"I just was worried…" She sighed, rubbing at her forehead. May as well be honest. Clear the air and all that. "I was worried…Because I never heard back from you…About the other day."
The line was silent, save for the sound of his breath on the other end. In a way, it was almost soothing, like she wasn't alone in this cold, creepy place.
"You didn't need to apologise. That's why I just did." Had he?
"Oh…Well…I-I'm sorry, I must have missed that part…I'm actually at the undertaker's and uh, I guess I wasn't expecting to hear from you."
"I can let you go…If you're really busy."

Maybe it was because she was cold, or the headache, or the fact that the idea of having to deal with Esca alone for one more minute might mean she'd need to find a new…More alive undertaker, but Wyr didn't want Lucifer to hang up. The idea of him letting her go…It brought out something irrational out of her. A fear that if she hung up now, they'd go their separate ways.

"Would you like to join me today? Right now? I could use the backup."
"Right now? You-You want me to, I can join you?" Wyr smiled at the ceiling and told him the address. She hadn't even hung up when the front door swung open.


Her voice was quiet on the other end of the line, hesitant and if he was being honest, hopeful. It only took him a moment, using magic to clean himself up, straighten his hat and use a portal to get to Cannibal Town.
"I'll be right there."
Lucifer looked around the back alley, sneering at the refuse piling against the sides of the quaint-faced buildings. Here more than anywhere else in Hell did it smell like rotting carcasses. Cannibal Town was beautiful when you didn't scratch any deeper than the surface…But step out of line, walk off the main track, and you find the rot. Lucifer swallowed, looking around the little alley, and spotting the tiny sign above a nondescript door.

Bodies Bagged

It sounded more like a shitty bar than an undertaker. He hung up the phone and straightened his lapels, suddenly feeling a little nervous. The image of creamy naked skin flashed in his mind and Lucifer could have choked on his tongue.
No. He couldn't think of tit-IT. Couldn't think about it. He was here to help the woman out, and to watch her work…And for backup. She had asked for backup. From him. Not Alastor. Her 'old friend'.
Pride swooped in on top of his nerves, squashing them with an ego boost. Lucifer didn't bother to knock, but instead strode for the door and confidently pushed it open.

Confidence stuttered to a halt when he caught sight of Wyr, standing in front of him, just lowering her phone from her face. She was pale, of course, she was pale, and her dark cloak covered her shoulders, draping to the floor. He could see the front of her dress, the thin straps holding it together, and the slice of downy white fur that transitioned to the creamy skin of her thigh. Her hair was once again braided back, and Lucifer tried to swallow shallowly when he realised that in this freezing room, the woman wasn't wearing a bra. And he knew exactly what shade her nipples were.
Wyr's smile was shy as she pulled her cloak tight around her, and Lucifer felt the heat tighten every muscle in his body as he dragged his gaze up to hers.

On a second look, Wyr's smile was tight with tension, and the corners of her eyes creased. He cocked his head.

"Are you okay?" Wyr nodded hastily, trying to relax her features. Lucifer looked around her.
"I'll be fine…Thanks for coming on short notice. I really appreciate it." Lucifer tried to laugh.
"I'm the one asking you to teach, me. I'm the one who appreciates you." Her cheeks turned pink and Lucifer's confidence was finally regaining ground. As long as he focused on her face, and didn't look at the sinful body below, he would be fine. He could do this.
"Esca is in the back room. I just have some paperwork to sign and then the bodies will be transferred to the cemetery for the last rites." She turned, and led the way to the back of the room, behind a dinky desk. She paused in front of the steel door and turned back to him, her smile strained again.
"Esca…He's really good at his job…But he's an asshole…Just so you know. Don't be surprised by what you hear." Lucifer frowned.
"Why work with him then?" Wyr's eyes rolled and she shook her head.
"You think I've got undertakers to spare here? I only have access to the people who live in this city. Esca learned from his dad, who learned from his mum, who learned from her grandmother, and he's been running it for ten years now. He's always on time, and the paperwork is always correct…He's just a douche."

With that said, Wyr pushed the door open and strode in. From inside a voice called out, not noticing Lucifer entering behind Wyr.
"Rethinking my offer now babe? You gotta hop on top though, I'm fucking exhausted. You know I blasted three girls last night? Gave them the fucking time of their lives."
Disgust and anger coursed through Lucifer as he stepped out from behind Wyr. The male imp was fumbling with his belt, trying to undo it, whilst Wyr stood like a statue, glaring at the hellborn. Did she really put up with that?
"No, Esca. I just need the paperwork. Then my friend and I will be on our way." Lucifer spared a happy thought at the term friend, but couldn't help but sneer at the imp, who upon catching sight of Lucifer, sent Wyr a filthy grin.
"Oh? A friend huh…You know if you wanted a three-way, I would have preferred another woman. I know this one hellhound who can-" Lucifer only heard Wyr's tired whine because he was standing so close, but it was enough for him. The vulgar words whilst this woman was trying to get her damn job done was just too much. She was holding back because it was for work? Well, she technically worked for him.
Lucifer stepped away from Wyr and adjusted his bow tie.

"Do you know who I am?" He tucked his cane under his arm and inspected his claws. From behind him Wyr made a small noise.
"Wait…" The imp's gaze ran up and down Lucifer and rolled his eyes.
"A fucking clown?"
"Esca! You're going to-"


"Going to what? He looks like he escaped the circus with a get-up like that. You know babe, if you're looking for roleplay-" Wyr dropped her head into her hand. She couldn't see the king's face but could feel the tug of power flooding the room. Why didn't Esca feel it like she did? The immeasurable surge of power Lucifer dragged up felt overwhelming. She was almost jealous he had so much control. Would he have a crappy headache for days for pulling too much? Probably not. He was a dark god after all.
"You've said quite enough, imp." Wyr's eyes stared into Lucifer's back, watching as he grew taller, watching the red horns poke out from his hat, the heat of the flame that sat between them the first warm thing she'd felt since she'd gotten here. His boots transformed into cloven hooves, and his voice had gone gravelly and deep. As the fallen angel stalked Esca, she watched the imp finally recognise the crown above Lucifer's head. The instant the three sets of wings flashed open, the all-seeing eyes boring into him, Esca paled, and dropped to the ground, hands going to his horns, quivering in a heap.

"Your majesty! I'm, I'm so sorry…I had no idea-That witch never said anything about-"
"I don't want to hear your pitiful excuses." Lucifer's claws gestured back to her and Wyr watched astonished as he wiggled his claws at her to take. Was he seriously asking for her hand right now? She wanted to laugh. Laugh at Esca on the ground, laugh at the idea of holding the king of hell's hand like this, coming to her defense. She slipped her hand into his and he pulled her forward, claws gently wrapped around hers, and putting her hand in the crook of his elbow. Her heart stammered as he tucked her close, still glaring down at Esca. The warmth of his body pressed into hers and in tiny increments she felt herself relax against him, even as the lord of darkness, the king of hell, the big man in charge, burned beside her.
"Wyr, works for me. Understood? Any time you are dealing with her, you are dealing with me. Am I making myself clear?" Esca nodded fervently.
"Yes! Of course…I mean." Oh lord. "So like…You wanna fuck too?"

She couldn't help the shriek of laughter that peeled out of her, so startled by the imp's stupidity. She slapped a hand over her mouth and glanced at Lucifer, who was, with his goat hooves, almost the same height as her. His glowing red eyes crinkled in distaste.
"And you're telling me he's the best undertaker in Pride? Seriously?"
She snorted, and laughed again, nodding.
"The only one I can get to. Sinner, remember?" Lucifer's gaze ran up and down her again and he shrugged.
"If I could fix that…Could I just kill him?" The idea felt great. Would have been a great move, and something she'd do…But it didn't suit Lucifer. She could fathom him murdering an imp…A natural born resident of the world he'd built with Lilith. And Lilith, whenever she returned, would never forgive her husband. Because he was married… Wyr shook her head, laughter suddenly drying up.
"Do I get a say?" Esca piped up. The look Lucifer shot the imp sent the poor thing quivering again, hands over his head like it would save him.
"Nope." Wyr squeezed Lucifer's arm.
"Please don't kill him?" Lucifer's sigh melted through her, like he was indulging her in diamonds, rather than sparing a life. It felt…Almost sensual.
"Fine, fine…" He let her hand go and squatted down in front of the imp. She stepped back, and watched as Lucifer held out an accusatory finger.
"You respect this woman. You respect her so fucking hard, or I'll find out. What happens when I find out Esca?"
Esca's voice was barely a squeak. "You'll kill me?" Lucifer shook his head with a smirk.
"Oh no. That'd be too easy. I'll shove a chain so far up your ass that you'll choke on it. Know what I'll do then? When I wrap it around your damn throat, I'll hang you from the clock tower. Are we clear?"

Reduced to a whimpering, huddled mess on the floor, Esca nodded pathetically. Lucifer cupped a hand around his ear.
"Repeat that."
"Crystal clear. Your majesty."
Wyr leaned over and tapped Lucifer's shoulder. He looked up at her questioningly.
"The bodies. Northern gates, three o'clock." Lucifer turned back to Esca, whose whole body curled inwards as he nodded hurriedly.
"Yes!" He cried out, frantically nodding as he stared at Lucifer. "Of course. I swear. They'll be there." Lucifer nodded to himself and stood, his demonic form still on display. Smoke curled from his nostrils as he breathed and he looked at the desk. He stalked over to it and picked up a stack of papers, holding them up for Wyr.
"These papers need to be signed?" She nodded and watched Lucifer as he waved his hand, creating a golden cloud that a white quill pen dropped from and straight into his hand. He signed all three and then with another shower of gold, they all disappeared.

Wyr grabbed his proffered arm in stunned, kind of turned on, silence and Lucifer led her back out of the morgue, into the stiflingly warm day. Out in the daylight, Lucifer shrugged his shoulders like he was loosening up, and his form shifted again, back to the angelic features and uncertain, golden eyes. He looked up at her, and Wyr tried not to think about her thighs squeezing together, instead focusing on how to speak.

He spoke first.

"I'm sorry I took over. I should have respected your work and kept my mouth shut. I couldn't stand seeing you spoken to like that." Wyr smiled, joy sparking at his words. He couldn't stand it…It was just so gentlemanly…Like the stories she'd read in books from earth O'Malley had smuggled for her. She'd had so few interactions like this before.

Your little crush is pathetic

Alastor's words were still cruel, even as she tried to stay in the moment.

"You know, when Esca called you a clown, I was about to die from laughter." The angel's snort of derision made her grin wider.
"I can not believe he's the only good undertaker here. It's obvious that I'm going for a ringmaster look." Wyr's cackle escaped before she could hold it back, and she felt the heat in her cheeks rise when she noticed Lucifer looking at her with an indescribable expression.
"What?" She looked away, covering her warm cheeks with her hands. So embarrassing.
"Your laugh…"
"I know, I cackle. I don't mean to sound so bubble, bubble toil and trouble." Lucifer shook his head with a wry smile.
"I wouldn't have pegged you for Shakespeare, but no, I was going to say, you shouldn't cover up your laugh. It's cute." Wyr felt the heat from her cheeks flush through her body, her heart practically skipping out her chest as his words peppered her with bursts of fluttery feelings. She tried to blow it off.
"Seriously? My name? Wyr? Wyrd Sisters?" She shook her head with a silent laugh at his outrage. Wyr made to leave the alley, but Lucifer didn't follow. When she turned, his mouth was agape.
"Seriously? Wyr isn't your real name? What the fuck?" She rolled her eyes at him.
"No, and before you ask, no, I'm not discussing it. We have somewhere to be."

Lucifer still seemed a little shocked, but he started forward to fall in step beside her. They were both quiet for a few minutes as they walked through the pleasant main streets.

"You seriously won't tell-"
"Not even a little bit. I've been Wyr since I came down, and that's who I am. It's the only name I'll go by."

That seemed to settle the fallen angel. He nodded once, readjusting his coat.
"Alright then." He looked up at her with a keen grin. "Where to next, teach?" Wyr swatted at him playfully. He laughed and his wings popped into existence, lifting him out of her reach.
The gust of a breeze ruffled his air and Wyr watched, semi mesmerized as he pushed back an errant strand. His grin should have been illegal.
It hit like a wave, washing over her and fading slowly, an immense loneliness that she still felt isolated despite Lucifer being right there. He was right there, and it reminded her of late nights huddled over a grimoire, a husky voice quiet in her ear and a grin that promised to consume her soul. Wyr wondered, not for the first time, how Lucifer would act if she could tell him who she was. Would things be the same? Would they be different? Would this loneliness still be here, or would she feel like she'd finally come home?

Not that it mattered.

It didn't matter, because she couldn't say anything, and he obviously didn't recognize her. There was nothing to be done about it, even with their new deal now in the mix. Her head gave a painful throb and she made a face, trying not to draw attention to the dull way her brain ached. She waved a hand at Lucifer.

"Come on, if I'm teaching you, we still have a whole lot more to do before the day is over."