[18+] Red-Faced Warfare [p1] [p2] [p3]
[18+] Your Blood, Your Heart [p1] [p2] [p3] [p4]
[18+] A Prank Gone (Right) Wrong
[18+] Golden Newt Syrup [p1] [p2]
[18+] Ωmega Protection [p1] [p2] [p3]
[18+] Kneel.
[18+] Precious First [p1] [p2]
[18+] His (Their) Queen [p1] [p2]
[18+] My Love, I Am Drinking PLeNTy of WAteR [p1] [p2]
[18+] Film Worthy [p1] [p2]
[18+] Happy Birthday, Lucifer! '24
[18+] Cream-Flavored Whore
[18+] Well-Deserved Rest
[18+] Hush, Darling, Hush
[18+] Heart of Blue [p1] [p2]
[18+] Untethered
[18+] Eros Octopoda
Waltz In C# Minor (Op. 62, No. 2)
Work-Life Balance
The Warmth of Iolite
My Happy Place
I Am and Always Will Be
REQUESTS CLOSED
Request Box | Request Rules
---
MISCELLANEOUS SH*T
[18+] OM! Russian Roulette
That Time I Made Religious Business Cards To Piss Off Missionaries
Obey Me! x What In Hell Is Bad? = Same world, different times
To those of you who are somehow still here, it's been a while, so thanks for staying tuned. I will always appreciate the little hearts I get on this account every so often.
Due to major events in my personal life (not particularly bad, unlike last time) I have been struggling with the inspiration to write anything at all, let alone anything about Lucifer.
Bad news: This is my official "not in use" notice from this blog. I just can't see myself writing Luci fanfics anymore.*
Good news: My active tumblr account is moving to @anewvoid. So if you're really bored and have nothing to do, you can see what shenanigans I'm up to there (aside from non-fanfic chapter postings, probably memes).
I'm also starting accounts for Wattpad, Scribblehub and FictionPress to make the story I'm writing accessible, as well as to make the shit I've written here more accessible. My username is voidglasgow for all three, so stay tuned.
---
*Obligatory ode to Lucifer below the cut:
I will preface this with the fact that some people are going to find this incredibly cringey, so scroll away if you're one of those people.
---
Lucifer probably saved my life, and that deserves a huge "thank you" to the community who has portrayed him - artists, writers and game devs alike. And especially Yamashita-san, who gave me mental whiplash.
Storytime: Most of my life was spent believing that the best love I could expect out of a man was to be loved as a prized object. My romantic relationships amounted to emotional burnout from free therapy. We all know that story.
When I made my first acquaintance with Lucifer, I hated him. He struck me as a slightly kinder version of Reiji Sakamaki in HDB (if you know, my condolences), and I stuck to Satan for a while. And then... I found out Lucifer was kind. More than kind - respectful.
And, yes, I know "Avatar of Consent" just popped into your head.
When I say "respectful," I mean the kind of respect that you usually don't see from male leads in fiction. Things like "I trust your decision even if I don't agree with it." or "I want to see you happy, with or without me." More succinctly, Lucifer is emotionally mature in the places I need him to be - unlike the men that used to be in my life.
I could gas on about how my personality is very similar to his, sans confidence or force of character, or how my near-constant need for physical touch matches well with his suggestive arse. I really could write an essay about it because I find it challenging to keep things brief.
The truth is, he gave me something to hope for when the effort I threw into life bore tasteless or downright rotten fruit. I had thought the relationships I had suffered with were meant to be like that. I was having bad harvests, not just being ungrateful.
And for just long enough, I was able to force myself into seeking the taste of a harvest that was worth my effort.
Thank you, Lucifer. I wouldn't be who I am without you.
Annelie looks around the facsimile of Lucifer's room.
Lucifer: Inside your twisted brain.
Annelie: ...and... how do we get out?
Lucifer: The way I came in.
Lucifer picks at the distortion in space where he entered, but the moment he does, Annelie groans in pain.
Lucifer: That hurts?
Annelie: It's fine. Let's... go through.
Lucifer: Every time you say 'it's fine', it's never fucking fine.
Annelie flinches and cowers. Lucifer sighs, rubbing his face and taking a long, deep breath.
Lucifer: Look. I'm sorry for yelling at you. I'm not going to deny that I'm pissed at you, but I still love you.
Annelie: You still love...? Why d-
Lucifer: Why? Did you seriously just ask me why?
Annelie yelps as Lucifer turns and backs her against one of the pillars set into the wall.
Lucifer: Every day, you have cared for me with every ounce of your being. Every day, you have looked out for my little brothers. Every day, you make my routine less stressful. Every day, I get to look forward to sleeping with you, making love to you, kissing you, holding you. Every day, I feel your love for me seep into my bones. And you're seriously asking me why I love you?
Annelie: Isn't that... the bare minimum? I've caused you so much pain and trouble and-
Lucifer: Enough! Enough with claiming to know what's best for me! I'm not a child you have to protect! I decide what makes me happy. And what makes me happy is you.
Annelie: ...but isn't your net happiness negative?
Lucifer: Annelie.
Annelie: Sorry.
Lucifer: No matter how many times you ask, my answer remains the same. I have lectured you, time and time again, that you make my life better. How the hell would you react if I told you that I wanted to kill myself because I thought I was making you unhappy? Without even asking you and just deciding for you?
Annelie: I know I was wrong, okay? You've made your point. But... it's just... hard. How am I supposed to see the benefits of me being alive when you're so upset because of me?
Lucifer grabs hold of her face in his hands and kisses her violently. She loses balance, and Lucifer pulls her closer.
Lucifer: Annelie, whether you fucking like it or not, you're going to cause me pain. Annoying pain, excruciating pain, everything in-between. That's just what it means when you get close to someone.
Annelie: But-
Lucifer: I can't believe I have to throw your own words back at you, but a relationship is an exchange. I know your stupid fucking friend made you think you had to protect her from your own feelings, but you were children. But I'm not an emotionally unstable child, so don't treat me like one.
Annelie: ...could've fooled me-
Lucifer swats her thigh. She yelps.
Lucifer: I'm not tolerating your mockery right now. Do you understand what I just said to you?
Annelie: I... think so.
Lucifer: And what did I say?
Annelie: That I'm... going to make you unhappy, but you accepted that and it's okay for me to not to be okay with you.
Lucifer: Partial credit but still a failing answer.
Annelie: Are you my professor now?
Lucifer: It wouldn't be the first time.
Annelie flushes.
Don't bring that up now of all times...
Lucifer: It's a failing answer because you neglected to mention that I'm a part of your life, period. That means we share. Share unhappiness, discontent, despair, frustration, anger, joy, happiness, pleasure. I am not saying you lose track of yourself in my emotions or vice versa. I know your empathy takes you to the extreme of putting yourself in someone else's shoes, but that isn't necessary. Stop torturing yourself about how other people feel. Emotions are no more controllable than the waves that you threw yourself into.
Annelie: Lucifer don't push-
Lucifer: You're doing it right now. It hurts, and you're not going to stop it from hurting. You did it. It's done, and there's no changing it. And you'll be apologizing to me for it for at least the next hundred years. You have to clean up your mess and help me with the PTSD you just gave me if you want to stay with me. I'm going to have a lot of trouble trusting you by yourself after this. Understand?
[ Trigger Warning - Suicide mentioned;
There is no returning from it, even you regret it in your next life. People care about you.
Reader discretion advised.]
Lucifer sits motionless inside the facsimile of his room, his eyes fixed on Annelie's black heart.
Lucifer: Oh, Annelie, what am I going to do with you...
Lucifer sighs into his hands.
Lucifer: You know, Diavolo was going to put you in prison for 10,000 years or so for the shit you pulled, and I was really hoping I'd be able to fix things up for you before that could happen... Because of that, my brothers ended up getting hurt because of me... again.
Lucifer sharply sniffs.
Lucifer: Maybe this is... horrible of me to say, but it kind of makes me angry, in a weird way, that Barbatos was able to bring those demons back when you... died. It makes me angry that your death made me feel a surge of energy that I didn't understand until I heard the news. It makes me angry at you. I gave it to you; I thought you wanted it, so why didn't you keep it?
Lucifer stares up at the ceiling instead with a grimacing smile, his face strained.
Lucifer: Were... you seriously expecting me to be happy or something?
Lucifer hiccups.
Lucifer: You told me what happened to you, and I told you that how you felt in those days is not how I feel. I've been angry with you, but I never bottled it up with you. I've never once resented you for your emotions getting worse and worse despite all my efforts. I still want to see you, even after you've done something so unforgivable. No, I can't forgive you for this. I'm at my wit's end, and so help me, if I do see you again, you will be in for some brutal punishment.
Lucifer sniffles and laughs weakly.
Lucifer: ...my nights were lonely without you, when you were in the hospital. I was so accustomed to holding you that I forgot how to sleep by myself. My bed felt cold and uncomfortable without you in it. I never even got to kiss you yesterday morning when you came back because I was being stupid and rushing to get to my meeting.
Lucifer interlocks his fingers and presses his forehead to the tops of his thumbs.
Lucifer: How do you expect me to deal with this, damn you? I finally managed to at least partially forgive myself for Lilith, and now I have to carry the weight of my wife committing su...icide?
Lucifer's voice shudders and breaks again, and he squeezes his eyes shut as if denying the tears that fall. They land atop the black heart. A sharp, violent sound distracts him, and he looks around to find the glass is eating away at the heart.
Lucifer: Wait...!
He reaches futilely at the glass, but the heart has already disappeared.
Lucifer: FUCK!
Annelie: Ow.
Lucifer whips around to find Annelie standing behind him, wincing and putting a finger against her ear. Color starts to bleed into the room, and music starts to resound from the gramophone over the mantlepiece.
Annelie: Okay, um, first off... uh, I'm not really sure what to say. I-I mean... I wasn't... uh... I wasn't expecting to see you again, so...
Lucifer: ...
Annelie: S-So, I mean, I thought I was dead, y'know, and then there was like a... a... blue butterfly thing, and it was really pretty but made me really sad, a-and I really wanted to go and touch it-
Lucifer cuts her off as he engulfs her in a hug so tight that she flails for breath. Lucifer's fingers dig into her clothes as he starts to sob.
Annelie: ...I'm really sorry.
Annelie wheezes as she holds Lucifer tightly.
Annelie: I... I thought I could... make you move on from me... like taking away an obsession.
Lucifer: Shut up. Just shut the fuck up.
Lucifer kisses her wildly, leaving her lightheaded.
Annelie: ....can I have... some air... pretty please?
Lucifer reluctantly loosens his hug.
Lucifer: Never. Ever. Do that. To me. Again.
Annelie: ...I know you're trying to be threatening, but it's really hard to be scared when you're crying.
Holy sh*t for real??? I started this blog just because I wanted to shove my stupid obsession with Lucifer somewhere (admittedly that changed a bit somewhere along the line, but nevertheless, THANK YOU).
[ Trigger Warning - Suicide, Suicide survivor.
Suicide is never the answer. People care about you. Reader Discretion Advised ]
I unabashedly admit this is partly based on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Track 047. If you know, you know.
Lucifer finds himself wandering throughout the Devildom, eventually tracing Annelie to the cliff where she had sat the day prior.
Lucifer: Of all the places... it's no wonder I found no luck...
He winces and braces himself as he looks over its edge, but no trace of Annelie's body is found. Harsh waves lap at the stony shore.
Lucifer: You could at least leave your body intact for me...
Lucifer suppresses a sob.
Lucifer: Oh, Annelie, you stupid woman...
Lucifer sinks to the ground and finally lets his tears start to pour down his face.
Lucifer: You stupid fucking woman... I loved you, you idiot... why couldn't you accept that? Why didn't you let me help you? Why?!
Lucifer stares back down at the rushing water, glaring at it, when he notices a distortion in the air a few paces away from his feet.
Lucifer: ...
Lucifer jerks his hand into the distortion without caution and thrusts it open with a sharp hiss. As if realizing something, his eyes widen, and he practically jumps to his feet to dive into the ripple in space.
Lucifer: My... bedroom?
Lucifer looks around, bemused, until he realizes said room does not have an exit, and its features are warped and monochrome. He wanders and starts to pick things up, inspecting them and putting them back.
Lucifer: Annelie, where have you taken me...?
Lucifer's eyes catch the sight of his coffee table, embedded into the floor with a black gemstone fitting neatly into its center. He urgently tries to prise it from the table.
???: I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Lucifer whips around to see a familiar face. He snarls.
Lucifer: How did you get back out of that book?
???: Mm... not really getting 'out'. More like a split consciousness sort of deal? Not really important. Anyway, only reason you're seeing me is because Anne is... well, a bit more than incapacitated, and somebody just needs to tell Prince Charming what's up and what's down.
Lucifer: Stop calling me that.
???: Nah. So anyway, Prince Charming, you can settle. I designed that heart, so don't you think you should listen to me?
Lucifer: ...
???: There we go. Now then, let me walk you through this a bit. Anne jumped off that cliff-
Lucifer: ...
???: Okay, I regret saying that so frankly; please don't make that face at me. But that's the moment where things grow a little... complicated. I make things to last, and although I didn't necessarily anticipate it, Anne's heart is basically a battery as a result of that. Her consciousness is tethered to it permanently, so technically speaking, even when that battery is dead, she still has some semblance of consciousness.
Lucifer: Where are you going with this?
???: Well... At the moment, her consciousness is stretched and ballooned around you from its source. Frozen.
Lucifer pauses.
Lucifer: Are you... Are you saying that if I try to remove that heart, her consciousness will no longer be associated with it?
???: Ah, good, you're smart. Yeah, that's pretty much the sum of it. With enough time, her consciousness will disappear entirely as her residual magic gets used up, and my pretty little heart will be nothing more than an expensive gemstone.
Lucifer: Can't you tether it back?
???: That's the tricky part. I can't. Even if the power in my host book wasn't all gone, I still wouldn't be able to. Call it free will or something, but she started to undo the connection herself. Which is super annoying for me, because I thought I covered my bases with that.
Lucifer: ...
???: Okay, sorry, I shouldn't have said that either. But um, yeah, I don't really know how to fix this mess. I mean, I'm sure... there's something you can do? Seriously, please don't cry. Anne's personality corrupted this part of my consciousness, so you'll make me cry too.
Dirty exchanges that won't stop popping up in my head:
( F!MC x Lucifer | Minors DNI )
1. Mewling as he pushes two fingers inside your mouth. Feeling your face grow warmer as his expression grows devious. “Shh. Behave and keep your voice down. I don’t want to be interrupted.” Although you nod, he only takes his fingers out part of the way before pushing them back. You suck on them a little, almost automatically. “Good girl. Sucking without being told. Maybe you’ll get to have something else shoved in your mouth tonight.”
---
2. “Mn... Naughty girl. Spread your legs… you have to be punished.” You shyly avert your eyes before shakily parting your legs. “Wider,” he purrs, slapping your inner thigh, and you obey with a cute little whimper. “Look at me. Look at me when I go down on you.”
---
3. “You keep making me want to break you, ripping away your dignity until you’re nothing but my pretty little toy.”
---
4. “Six, seven,” Lucifer drawls sweetly. Condescendingly. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!! “Eight. Nine. Ten.” He rubs your ass again, kissing your back as you shake wildly and sniffle. “Now, who owns you?”
---
5. “That’s better,” he whispers in your ear, “Being a good girl isn’t hard, is it, MC?”
---
6. “No, honey, it's not going in your mouth,” Lucifer whispers. “Bratty girls don’t get rewarded.” Meaning sucking his cock is your... fuck. “Bratty girls get shown where their place is. Now keep your tongue out, and maybe you'll get lucky."
It does end, and it does get better. People care about you.
Reader Discretion Advised]
Annelie sits, listlessly staring out at the Devildom from atop a cliff, her arms hugged over her knees. She closes her eyes with a slow, weary sigh.
I think that's the worst it's ever gotten. I ran and ran, but I don't feel the ache in my legs. And yet it feels like someone used me like a punching bag for hours and hours... I guess I should be glad I don't really have the energy to think.
???: So you were here, huh?
Annelie flinches a little as someone sinks next to her.
No... I don't want to be around you. Not you, of all people. You're the worst person I could possibly see right now.
Annelie: ...
???: They're looking for you down there, y'know. That prince guy was telling people to capture you at any cost. Oh, and then there was a fight with his entourage or whatever they are, those guys you live with.
Capture? Fought? Oh... I can guess what happened. Diavolo found out about how many people I killed, so I'm a wanted criminal, I guess. In addition to everything else.
Annelie: ...
???: Think I passed your stupid husband too, actually.
Call him stupid again, and I might strangle you. You don't know a single thing about him.
Annelie: Elizabeth, I'd really appreciate it if you left me by myself right now... you must have seen what I did without really trying.
Lizzy: Y'know, nothing good ever happens with being by yourself. Believe me, I know.
Annelie: Unlike you, I don't need constant supervision. I'm getting my wits together and figuring out my next steps. Now bugger off.
Lizzy: God, does seven years mean nothing to you? I've been getting yelled at left and right by people I don't even fucking know because you apparently badmouth me to every single person you talk to! As if that's not enough, when I try to talk to you, you just throw me away like everyone else in my life!
Annelie: SEVEN YEARS MEANS EVERYTHING!
Lizzy flinches.
Annelie: I was there for you, I tried so hard to be there for you for seven years, particularly when it was really getting tough for you, and it gave me nothing but heartache, frustration, and emotional deficits! The only thing you've ever given me is the warning signs that I'm dealing with someone like you. I may have forgiven you, because you were younger, and I was younger too, but I have never forgotten.
Lizzy: But you didn't try! You always said you were busy whenever I called your house. You couldn't even talk to me for 20 minutes a day or a few hours a week! We didn't even see each other after middle school, but you never gave me the fucking time of day!
Annelie falls silent, and she looks out at the horizon.
She's right. I didn't try. If I had, then maybe... wouldn't my life have turned out happier? That I wouldn't just... self destruct? Ruin my own life and my husband's?
Lizzy: I stayed with friends I made after you through thick and thin, but I guess you just can't handle that. You're too busy caring about yourself.
How? How could you stick with them, when you were in horrible shape? Am I that pathetic that I can't even do that much?
Lizzy stands back up.
Lizzy: I hope to God that everyone else sees you for what you are after this whole manhunt is done. See you never.
Annelie sits in silence, and she buries her head into her knees. She softly laughs, her voice breaking as more tears slip free of her eyes.
So... Lucifer's going to be angry beyond belief with me, probably to the point of hating me, Diavolo probably feels like I betrayed him and the Devildom for real this time, and everyone else probably thinks the only place for me is in prison or dead. Imprisoned for eternity if I'm lucky.
Lucifer shouldn't have to deal with me.
Annelie: Haha... it's so laughable. This whole stupid thing. How did I even get here?
Lucifer sits hunched over, his eyes blankly staring at a badly crinkled piece of paper, the ink outlining water stains that his fingers trace over.
Mammon: What... What's it say?
Lucifer: ...
Mammon takes the paper, and Lucifer doesn't bother to stop him, his hands covering his face. Mammon covers his mouth, and he quickly wipes at his eyes with his sleeve; the tears won't stop coming however, and as the letter is passed around, one by one, each of the brothers bursts into tears and a growing cacophony of sobbing.
Mammon: H-Hey, this got here, not too long ago, right? Maybe she-
Lucifer: Please... just don't talk. Please don't say anything.
Lucifer's voice breaks.
Lucifer: Of all... the things she could have made me deal with... this is the worst possible outcome.
Lucifer's hands shake.
Lucifer: Why...? How have I failed her...?
Asmo: Hey, hey, you didn't fail her at all.
Mammon: That's right! Anyone could see she was head-over-heels for ya!
Belphie: Sh-She was an idiot anyway. Y-You don't have to... miss someone like that.
Satan: She really was a fucking idiot.
Satan gasps and sobs.
Levi: D-Don't say 'was' like that...
Beel: ...how could she? To everyone?
Lucifer sits in silence, pressing his fingers to the corners of his shining eyes. He finally stands up and starts heading outside the House of Lamentation.
Lucifer: ...No, don't follow me. I... need to be alone for a while...
[Trigger Warning - Self-hatred, negative self-talk.
It takes a long time to re-wire your brain, but it's not impossible. People care about you.
Reader Discretion Advised]
Lucifer: Simeon? Why are you out of breath?
Lucifer tenses, already knowing what is about to be said.
Lucifer: I know; you're not going to catch up to her. Stop and speak clearly rather than telling me in stunted phrases about what happened.
The rest of the student council looks at Lucifer with concern as he speaks, the discussion falling dead on the floor as stress sinks into the vice-president's face.
Simeon: Hah... haa... She wasn't herself. I think I need to preface that.
Lucifer: Simeon. What. Happened?
Simeon: Well... she's murdered about a dozen demons in cold blood. I gave first aid to the demons that were injured, but... yeah. It's not looking pretty.
Lucifer sighs, covering his face in his hands, looking worn out beyond belief.
Simeon: I'm sorry I couldn't stop her. I'll find her and-
Lucifer: No. I'll do it.
Simeon: Lucy... are you going to be okay?
Lucifer: I'm more worried about her. And before you say anything, I'm not going to be able to get any rest until I find that idiot and wring her neck. If you find her first, call me. Goodbye.
Lucifer hangs up and stands from his spot.
Diavolo: Lucifer, we can-
Lucifer: NO!
Diavolo shrinks back, hurt, as Lucifer storms out of the room without another word.
Levi: ...that was so extra.
Diavolo: What'd I do wrong...?
Barbatos: ...I believe he's just at his wits' end, my lord. It's only natural for him to be concerned if his wife runs off.
Barbatos appears deeply troubled, gripping the handle of his tea cart until the metal protests.
Asmo: Yeah, Lucifer's been pretty on edge lately... like period.
Satan: ...I'd like to say it serves him right for doing the same thing to us for years, but...
Satan grimaces.
Belphie: Yeah. If I have to walk in on him sobbing again, I'm going to bleach my eyes for real.
Mammon: Hol'up, what? Lucifer???
Belphie: Fine, he wasn't sobbing, but it looked like he was going to. Which is just as unpleasant.
Diavolo: So... can I assume that you're all going to help me look for Annelie?
( Everyone ) : Yes.
Barbatos: [ mumbling ] May Atropos have mercy on you, Annelie.
[Meanwhile, on the runaway's front]
Is it that difficult for you to understand that you didn't deserve him in the first place?
Annelie: Hah, ha...
Annelie pushes past demons that get in her way, her breath coming out in unsteady gasps. The unfortunate ones collapse the moment she meets their eyes.
This is your just desserts. You know that, don't you?
That's not true. Make it stop, make it stop, please make it stop.
Why? You did this to yourself.
I hate these feelings. Bitterness and anger and jealousy and grief - I'm tired of feeling them. I want to stop feeling them.
Tears drip down Annelie's face.
How many more times? How many more times do I have to go through this?
For the rest of your futile eternity, love. You're in hell, after all.
[ Trigger Warning - Self hatred; Sexual harassment.
It's okay to believe people at face value when they say they love you. People care about you.
Reader discretion advised. ]
I still can't believe we ran out of groceries before I even came home... It would have been nice to whip up my favorite melancholy chocolate, but we didn't even have coffee...
Annelie wanders through crowds of demons, trying to ignore the stares directed at her.
How is Lucifer even working right now? Is it my fault he couldn't even go out and get himself coffee? I know I told him to cut back a little but he's probably cranky without his coffee...
Annelie enters an open-air market and makes a beeline for the poison princess' apples. She picks up an entire half-bushel of them.
Seller: Woah there; are you sure you want to buy that many, missy- er, m'lady? The poison concentration's pretty high this year.
Annelie: That's what my husband likes about them.
She takes out her wallet as the seller softly laughs.
Seller: Well, I suppose we are talking about Lord Lucifer, so that was a stupid question. Half a bushel is 245 Grimm.
A few people near Annelie stir at the mention of Lucifer's name, and the seller's smile fades.
Demon 1: Lady Superbia?
Demon 2: It's Lucifer's blasted concubine.
Demon 3: Diavolo's tail, what's wrong with him? That's the woman he declared he was marrying?
I wonder that too.
Demon 1: What are you even talking about? She's pretty.
Demon 2: You're just saying that because you want to get laid. Though I guess I'd bang her too.
Demon 3: Ew.
Demon 1: No, no, I mean yes, but no? I want a little... lead-up first, know what I mean?
Demon 4: She can obviously hear you. Dumbasses.
Annelie clenches her fists and tries to quietly pay the apple seller before moving to her next location.
Demon 2: Well I don't care if she can hear me! She should take it as a compliment that even after she gold-dug her way to the top of the Devildom, the common folk still think anything positive about her!
Demon 3: O-Oi...
Annelie turns her head backwards by a few centimetres, and the sound of panting rises through the air as Simeon starts running towards the scene, a bag of coffee clutched in his hands.
Annelie: I didn't ask to come here.
Demon 2: Haaah? What was that, Princess?
Simeon: Annelie! Wait! Don't do anything rash!
Rash? I'm perfectly calm. All I see is trash that dares to insult my husband - to display hostility and disgusting desire towards me - to my face.
But what if I've deceived him? What if the person he loves is just a mask?
Annelie's face twists into an ugly expression.
So what? If it's a mask I've been wearing for the last 10 years, it might as well be me anyway. True self, fake self, who gives a damn?
What if he finds out?
Annelie: My husband does not make decisions lightly, so take your unwanted opinions elsewhere.
[simultaneous] Thoughts / Demon2: He deserves better than someone like you.
Simeon restrains Annelie as her eyes flash, but it's to no avail as she darts away from him. As if blind, a path of carnage follows her feet while she tears away from the crowd, away from the main streets.
Diavolo: Hey, Lucifer, didn't Anne come home this morning?
Lucifer: She did, yes.
Diavolo gives his friend a confused look.
Diavolo: Then why do you still look upset?
Lucifer: I... don't know, to be honest. The call on Thursday was cheerful, and she smiled at me brightly the moment she saw me. She seemed like her usual self.
Barbatos: If it is not out of line for me to say...
Lucifer briefly glares at Barbatos before he sighs and motions for the butler to speak.
Barbatos: I believe you feel upset because she is acting in front of you.
Lucifer: What makes you so certain she was acting?
Barbatos: Because I saw it, briefly, at one point when I went to check on her progress.
Lucifer: You what?
Diavolo: It was my order; I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But you didn't include this in the report, Barbatos.
Barbatos: I hadn't realized it at the time, and I might not have noticed if it hadn't been for you mentioning that she felt like an imposter. It was a small thing, and I initially dismissed it as part of her nervous habit of laughing when she feels awkward. But she had been reassuring that patient when she said, "I didn't deserve the things that happened to me, either."
Lucifer: ...
Diavolo: So you're saying she laughed to cover up the fact that she was lying? Wasn't the hospital supposed to help decrease thoughts like those?
Barbatos: That is correct. But unfortunately, I believe the attention the hospital provided to her backfired; if she perceives that someone needs more help than her, she finds herself incapable of validating her own pain.
Lucifer: I talked to her so many times about this... Apparently, nothing I said sunk through her thick fucking skull.
Lucifer ruffles his hands through his hair, lowering his head before he buries his face in his hands. Elizabeth knocks on the doorframe hesitantly.
Lizzy: Are... you guys talking about Annie?
Diavolo: Elizabeth, what brings you here?
Lizzy: Well, I mean... I came to complain that I can't understand the guy teaching my anatomy class... but what's up with Annie?
Diavolo gives a glance to Lucifer.
Lucifer: Is that any of your fucking business?
Diavolo, Barbatos and Lizzie all recoil at Lucifer's hostility.
Diavolo: Lucifer?
Barbatos: I do not think this is a good time, Miss Sprenger.
Lucifer rubs his face.
Lucifer: No, now is fine. Annelie is having a problem with her self worth, and apparently my dipshit of a wife can't understand that I want to do everything in my power to help her.
Lizzy: Welp, could be wor-
Lucifer interrupts her with a sharp, angry hiss, his magic foaming off him. Diavolo tenses.
Lucifer: Not another word out of you, Sprenger. I don't care if she wishes for nothing but your well-being. I despise you for every tear she has shed because of you.
Lucifer stands and abandons his tea, briskly walking past Lizzy.
Lucifer: I will be cooling my head outside. Call me when you are finished addressing her concerns.
The door closes behind Lucifer with a resounding thud. Almost immediately, his D.D.D. pings. He glances at it to see a message from Annelie.
>> Annelie: Hey, I know you're busy, but I'm buying groceries. Want me to look for anything special?
>> Lucifer: By yourself?
>> Annelie: I guess Simeon's floating around somewhere? I'm not sure where. But everyone else is at RAD right now, so...
>> Lucifer: Annnnelllliiiieeeee.
>> Annelie: hey don't use that with me. I am making sure that the House of Lamentation isn't destroyed by dinner.
>> Lucifer: Fine. But if you come back in worse shape than when you left, you're getting more than an earful.
>> Annelie: I know. You still didn't answer my question
