#always something underneath

[1-helluva-hazbin]

Always Something Underneath

Chapter 1 - Hints of Vanilla

Lucifer x Fem!reader (prostitute character w/ accent)

Content warning: heavy flirting, slow burn, smoking, writing the accent

Summary: A curious answer during one of Charlie's groups from a new resident stokes Lucifer's interest. Him choosing to pursue a brief conversation with the new resident sparks the beginnings of something new.

Thank you for all the love and support you choose to give!

Word Count: 2476

Chapter 1 (You are Here) 𖤐 Chapter 2 𖤐 Chapter 3 𖤐 Chapter 4 𖤐 Chapter 5 (WIP)

“Good job everyone! Thank you for all the awesome participation today!” Charlie said as she clapped her hands, ending the last session of the day.

You stood up stretching. Just a quick shift of your shoulders and twist of your body had it popping and crunching from having sat for the last 45ish minutes. You made it fast though as you didn’t want to get caught up in conversation with anyone. You needed to get some nicotine in your system before you headed off to work. You ducked from the room before anyone could notice you dipped and briskly headed off.

It hadn’t been long since you had come to the hotel. Only a month if that. You had quickly made yourself at home though. Eagerly participating in the group sessions, partaking in the lobby bar with some fun drunken shenanigans, and taking advantage of the hotel amenities such as the many balconies to indulge your nicotine addiction. As you made your way up to the left wing balcony on the second floor, you put a cigarillo in your cigarette holder and prepped your lighter. Approaching the door, you turned pushing it open with your rear enabling you to simultaneously light up. You took a quick puff twirling out the opened door, that quickly swung shut with a slam behind you, and sighed as the smoke invaded your lungs teasing your addiction. 

You made your way over to the banister on the far side of the large balcony to lean on it, your plush bosom getting a lift. You brought the holder to your lips and slowly took a long slow drag. You had gotten vanilla cigarillos this time which was just the taste you wanted as it brought about a light buzz fully quelling the craving that had been gnawing at you. “Mmm…just what this gurl needs.” you hummed to yourself. Your free hand snagged your phone from its tucked position in the waist of your skirt bringing up one of the various social media sites you frequented. Your finger speedily flicking through the vast amounts of meaningless content people spammed the site with looking for anything remotely entertaining.

To your surprise, you hear the door behind you open and close. You perked a brow and glanced over your shoulder to see none other than Lucifer making his way over. His hands behind his back holding his cane as he confidently strode over. “Good afta’noon your majesty.” you coo, giving a half wave with the hand holding your cigarillo. 

“Good afternoon.” he politely responded, taking up a spot to your right leaving ample room between the two of you. “Very good session this afternoon. You gave a very,” he paused thinking about how he wanted to phrase it, “honest answer.”

“Well,” you laugh softly, “Chawlie’s always goin’ on about honesty bein’ important. An’ I figya, I ain’t got nothin’ to hide so I ain’t got no reason not’a be.” You took another slow drag watching him as he gazed out towards the city. He seemed a little nervous; his fingers drumming along the shaft of his cane and he shifted his weight from his heels to the front of his feet and back. That tickled you a bit. You tucked your phone back into the waist of the skirt and turned towards him. “Alright, what’s goin’ on. You don’t just stawt conversations with anybawdy.”

A devious smirk slid onto your lips as you decided to mess with him. You leaned towards him, bending at the waist so your cleavage was in full view for the king. “You lookin’ for a little fun ta’night? Bold of you I gotta say but, I’m game. I got werk but… I could stop by your room afta.” 

Lucifer blanched and he immediately put both hands up, as if he would push you away should you dare to get too close, while stepping back. “ABSOLUTELY NOT. Nooooooo. No, no, and NO.”

You couldn’t stop yourself from unabashedly laughing at his reaction. The satisfaction of freaking him out feeding your desire to tease him further. He looked like he might launch into an asthma attack, if he had asthma, from the shock though. You knew you couldn’t push too far considering how good you had it here and the fact you had JUST gotten here. “Sorry, sorry. I gotta mean streak don’ I.” The smile lingering on your lips as you lean away from him easing his anxiety. “But really. What’s up?”

A quick flick of your fingers sent ashes to the air before you brought it back to his lips, giving him a moment to recover and answer you. As you waited, you looked over the eye candy before you. You really wouldn’t have minded if he wanted a private session with you. He was far easier on the eyes than most of the clients you saw at the brothel. Damn if you weren’t really curious about how long that serpent tongue was as well. 

“I wanted to talk about your answer in the group.” he said after having collected himself, not having missed the fact he was being visually eaten alive. “About how one of your reasons for wanting to get into heaven is to find love. You know there isn’t a guarantee you’ll find that up there right? Plus Heaven… has it’s own challenges. Let alone who knows what the winners will think of prior sinners joining their ranks.”

You took a moment, processing what he had said. “Hmm… I mean, your not wrong. There isn’t.” you paused, lightly tapping your cigarette holder on the banister as you pondered, “If ya’ think about it though, most’a the people down heya, don’t have a reason to be betta. Like, there’s no reason to improve. Most people prob’ly get worse actually since, ya know, they can’t get inna heaven. It is what it is kinda mentality.”

You purse your lips, looking out towards the city. “It’s pretty hawd findin’ somebody who wants’ta commit when everythin’ around’ja encourages ya to just do whateva you want. I’ve had my faya shara of cheats and use’as. Then when they aw decent, usually cause they fresh ta hell, the extermination gets’em. ” You turn back to Lucifer taking another puff of your cigarello.

“People in heaven though…” you look at your hand as you twirled the cigarette holder making designs in the air with the smoke while looking out at the city as you talked, “obviously they did sommin’ right. Probably werked on themselves. Read those self improvement books or saw’a shrink. Actually tried to fix their issues. Ya’know? Decen’ people who wanna be good. For themselves an’ their foreva person.”

A sigh slipped from your lips as you thought about it before you glanced back at him. His face was neutral, though you figured gears were turning. “I got’ta give myself some’in to look forward to. THOUGH,” you added with an omph, “If I don got’ta werk up there. Love dos’nt matta. That’s gold. Sign me up. I’ll werk on me while baskin’ in the joys’a Heaven and if love comes along I’ll giv’it a try.”

He laughed out lightly. He shook his head clearly bemused by your monologue. While looking out just as the sound of gunshots sounded just a couple of blocks away, his smile fell slightly. “You’re not wrong about people not trying down here…” 

“Good thing we gawt Chawlie. Keep us awll in line.” You let out a single laugh drinking him in. “Does our resident angel think it’s pawsable? Redemption?”

He side eyed you looking down towards the ground and shrugged. “I can’t say. It hasn’t been done before as far as I’m aware.”

A hum of acknowledgement leaves your lips before you suck in the last bit of your ciargello in one long drag. You hold it, before slowly breathing it out, “Shucks. Well, guess awll we can do is try.”

He perked a brow at you glancing over. You smile at him. He hesitates before returning your smile and nodding. “Yup.”

You bend down, putting out the cigarello nub on the ground standing back up with a huff. You take the burnt down bit from the holder and flick it off the balcony, not missing the disgusted look from Lucifer. “Well, I don’t really wanna cut this shwort but, I gotta stawt gettin’ ready for werk.”

His brows furrowed, his expressions were just the cutest. He had heard you mention it previously but he had been so focused on shutting down your advances it hadn’t registered. “Why are you still working? You’re supplied everything you need at the hotel aren’t you?”

“Well, a gurls gawtta’ protect herself.” You gave him a lopsided smile paired with one raised eyebrow as if it should be obvious. “Since we dun know if it’s gunna werk I can’ bank on it. If I quit the brothel and it don’t, I hav’ta restawt building’ my reputation awll ova. Jus’ cuttin’ my ow’as to a couple nights, protects me from fully restawtin’.”

You waggle a finger at him, “AWLSO, it actually has been helpin’ me too. Supply an’ demand kinda thing. The less ow’as I have ta offa, means the clients who rreaaally want me, ah willin’ ta pay little more. They awlso have been bookin’ mora head’a time. Full books, less ow’as, with a little more comin’ in has been SOOO nice. I actually havn’ lost as much money as I thawt I would by comin’ here.”

Lucifer was staring at you with a clearly bewildered or overwhelmed look in his eyes. He hadn’t expected such an extensive, practical answer. He had just sort of assumed you enjoyed the sex from the way he had seen you act. You laughed seeing the look on his face, “It’ jus’ makes sense don’it?”

“I suppose you’re right. That was… certainly… a different answer than I expected.” 

“So diplomatic.” you roll your eyes playfully. “You're not gonna hurt my feelin’s none by saying what you actually think.” You pull your phone from your waist, groaning seeing the time. “I do gotta head out. Werk ‘n that.”

“Oh of course.” he said before pausing. “Since you entertained my questions, would you like a portal to your door?”

You gasped out at the offer, genuinely surprised. You then smile at him, trying to act a little sheepish though you were far too excited to successfully play it off. “You don’ gotta if you dun wanna BUT I. Would. Love that.”

He let out a soft laugh at your attempt to hide your excitement and with a quick motion of his cane a portal materialized before you. You watched completely mesmerized. You then whipped your head towards him, “If I could travel first class like this alla time, I would. I do, greatly appreciate it ya highness.”

“Please, Lucifer is just fine.” His cane rested in front of him with both hands on the apple top. His chest puffed just slightly, his ego bolstered by your reaction.

“Oooo,” you purred, “first name basis. You jus’ open a can-a-worms. You bet I’ma call you every nickname in the book now.”

He laughed nervously, his eyes shifting off to the side and then back, not certain what kind of teasing he had just incidentally unleashed upon himself, “Lucifer’s fine.”

The playful smirk climbed onto your lips, pleased with his reaction. “Thanks again for the portal dwoll.”

As you started to walk through the portal to your bedroom door you hesitated, suddenly turning around and walking over towards Lucifer again. You saw him tense slightly as you made your way back to him.

“You know…” you allow your voice to take a sultry tone, to feed into the uncertainty he was feeling, stopping right in front of him. Using a finger up to lightly push his hat up a smidge so you could see his face a little easier, since you were just slightly taller than him with your heels, you give him a real smile, “you seem like your one’a the good ones. A real decin’ persin.”

“A lil rough aroun’ the edges. But, considerin’ ur age and all the bullshit you’ve see along with, ya know, where we aw. You’re pretty swell. It’s not really a mystery where Chawlie gets it and why she makes me wanna be betta persin.” Your smile grew seeing him blink in surprise before a thought crossed your mind that made your face deadpan.

“Most’a the time. I still have days where I wanna commit mass homicide but~,” you said quickly waving your hand as if to dismiss the comment as if it was a sidenote, “I’m gettin’ betta. More good days than bad days. It’sa stawt.”

Lucifer didn’t let the comment pass though as his face twisted into one of alarm and question before he attempted to mask it with a plastered fake smile that was pulled too tight and didn’t reach his eyes. “Hahaha..yeah…that's totally normal!” he looked away with wide eyes real quick before putting a gleeful facade back on, “Well you better run along! Can’t be late for work!”

“Ah, shoot! You're right!” you spun on your heels and quickly made your way towards the portal waving at him from over your shoulder. “Thanks for the portal, Luci babe! Lets do this again soon~!” 

The moment you walked through the portal, it closed with a resolute ‘whish’. The smile immediately fell from Lucifer’s face as he sighed out, emotionally spent. He fixed his hat before turning to lean on the banister collecting himself as he played through the conversation with you. You certainly were quite the character, like most of the hotel guests, but overall you had seemed…pleasant. Minus the homicide comment. Also minus your sexually charged teasing.

He looked out towards the city as he thought about what you said before the homicide comment. Him being a decent person which is where Charlie got it. That made his heart swell. While Lilith had certainly taken up the role of primary parent, he liked hearing there were still parts of him in Charlie; especially good parts. He might have fucked up most of the things in his life but, hopefully Charlie would never be one of them. She was too good and he would do everything in his power to make sure she stayed that way.

The image of your smiling face as you pushed his hat up popped into his head. He hoped you were a decent person. It had truly seemed as though you had said all of that in earnest. Your eyes had been soft with a kind smile. A small glimpse of a potentially good being.

“What a whirlwind…” He laughed softly, running a hand down his face, mentally preparing for more social interactions, before he made a portal for himself back to the lobby.

[1-helluva-hazbin]

Always Something Underneath

Chapter 2 - A Taste of Peppermint

Lucifer x Fem!reader (prostitute character w/ accent)

Content warning: slow burn, talk of smoking, writing an accent, no proofread

Chapter Summary: You and Lucifer end up having a drink together when he shows up to the hotel and Charlie is out.

Word Count: 2748

Chapter 1 𖤐 Chapter 2 (You are Here) 𖤐 Chapter 3 𖤐 Chapter 4 𖤐 Chapter 5 (WIP)

The hotel bar was quiet tonight. As you entered the usually bustling hotel after having finished the couple of scheduled clients at the brothel, only to be met with a calm serenity, it was unsettling. It made you question if you were in the wrong place. You made your way over to the bar taking a seat. It was just you perched on a barstool at one end of the bar, Husk behind it closer to you, and another already severely intoxicated resident, who had their head down on the bar, at the other end.

“Hey Husk, where the heck is everybawdy ta’night?” you ask motioning with a sweep of an arm towards the empty expanse of the lobby. “It’s kinda weird.”

Husk looked towards you, from what appeared to be him taking inventory behind the bar, and shrugged. “Don’t know. I heard Charlie say something about bonding. Everyone needs to stop asking me that fucking question though. I’m not here to monitor who comes and goes.”

You hum in response, amused at Husk’s dislike for being the one everyone goes too yet disappointed at hearing everyone was out. One of the downsides of working while residing here was that you did occasionally miss out on the evening activities that Charlie organized. Not that you were personally willing to quit to attend them. It still left you feeling a little dejected. A trade off to ensuring your own financial stability. “You want something to drink?” Husk asked, noting you hadn’t headed off.

“A dirty shirley would be swell. When ya gawtta second that is.” You hear him mumble something along the lines of ‘you got it’ though he said it so low you weren’t totally sure. You sigh, as you twist in your seat so you’re facing the lobby. The idleness inciting the itch of a nicotine craving. You were trying to cut back and you had one on the walk home. Plus you didn’t want to go outside. Charlie had made it clear there should be no smoking in the hotel after you had already pushed your luck in your room.

Your hands wrung the edge of your skirt for a moment, before you put one hand up on the bar with your fingers to immediately begging to drum. Husk’s ear twitched and he glanced over as he whipped up your drink. “Quit it with the fingers. That’s annoying as shit.” he growled out, “Why the fuck you doing that anyway? You’re not usually one of the annoying ones.”

You ‘tsked’ the reprimand, your hand retreating to your lap once more. “Sorry Husk. I’m tryin’ ta quit smokin’ an’ I’m feel’in kinda antsy.”

“No shit.” he drawled, eyes locked onto you. “You actually believe this whole redemption bullshit don’t you?”

You shrug and lean back against the bar. “Believe it? Naw. I dun think it can hurt to try though. Bein’ slightly less shitty ain’t the worst thing ta be down here an if it werks I’d get’ta golden ticket. Not’ta bad trade off if ya ask me. If it werks that is.”

He scoffed, shaking his head just audibly muttering, “Nothing worse than being gullible down here…” He walked over sliding the drink next to your elbow. “I’ve heard in passing that eating sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds can help. Not the cravings but, it keeps your hands busy or something.”

“Oooh yeah that could werk. That’s a good idea!” you spun around in your seat, acquiescing to his comment about gullibility. You hadn’t ever considered yourself gullible for trying this redemption thing out but, you could admit some might see it that way.

He grinned and went to make a further comment before the front doors burst open. The both of you turned to see Lucifer sauntering in loudly humming to himself, radiating excitement. “Ah! Husk! Where is Charlie!” he immediately called out from across the room ambling towards the bar.

He sighed as you pursed your lips holding back a giggle. “Out.” he growled, ears flat.

“They had’a group thing planned ta’night.” you add, hoping to ease some of Husk’s irritation while satisfying Lucifer. You leaned over towards the seat next to you and patted the cushion. “Join me for’a drink Luci babe! I’m sure we gotta ‘nuff time for one!”

“Oh! How, thoughtful!” he said, the genuine happiness sliding into a facade to mask his nervousness.

“I got’ta question for ya I’ve been meanin’ ta ask!”

He gritted his teeth and closed the distance between himself in the bar. “Do you now?”

“What do you want?” Husk asked, diverting the topic away from your question.

Lucifer blinked and let out a breathy laugh, “I’m not much of a drinker.”

“Here!” you push your drink towards Lucifer, “A dirty shirley don’t taste much like alcohol, especially the way Husk here makes ‘em but, just’ta be sure try mine. I haven’t drank out’ta it yet.”

“Oh well I wouldn’t want it going to waste if I don’t like it!” he exclaimed, pushing it back towards you.

“I’ll just drink it. No worries.” you shrug nonchalantly. His face twisted in disgust as you both stared at one another for a moment. “What?”

“You’d drink out of a glass someone else drank from?” he gasped out incredulously. 

You laugh out lightly, thinking him joking, his expression unwavering. “Oh, shit you’re serious. Lucifa, sweety, did you forget ‘bout my profession? The things I haf’ta do with this mouth?” Husk barked out a laugh, “You’d probably be one’a the cleanest beings I’ve ever swapped bloodily fluids with. Do I need ta paint a more vivid pic’ta for ya?”

Lucifer’s disgust settled deeper into his features as your spiel continued. By the end, he was beyond disturbed with any remanence of the arriving excitement vanquished. “No. Please don’t.”

“Perfect!” you push the drink towards him once more, “So you’ll try it an if ya don’ like it I’ll drink it. Husk can make ya somin’ else, like a mudslide.”

“I’m a bartender not a fucking mixologist. I’m not making a mudslide. We don’t have heavy cream anyways.” Husk huffed out.

You ‘tsk’ the cat again and counter, “A mudslide is hawdly a complex cawlktail, Husk.”

“I’m not fucking making it.” he bit back resolutely.

As the squabbling occurred, Lucifer tentatively took the dirty shirley, gingerly sipping it. He blinked at the flavors playing on his tongue, mostly sweet with only a slight hint of alcoholic bite. He took a slightly bigger sip and hummed an approval. “This isn’t half bad!”

You side eyed Husk, shelving the mudslide conversation momentarily, before turning back to Lucifer with a smile. “Well, I’m glad you like it. Drinkin’ can be enjoyable, ‘specially when it don’ tas’ like shit. Jus’ gotta find out what’cha like.”

“How does a mudslide compare to this?” Lucifer asked, his interest genuinely peaked.

“Don’t you fucking start.” Husk growled

Lucifer raised a brow at Husk as a shit eating grin spread across your face, “It depends on what’cha like or ya mood. A dirty shirley is more of a..light an bubbly refreshin’ drink. A mudslide tho’ is a heavia drink since it’s made with cream. Kinda like a thin’a chawcalate milk but with more of a cawffe flava. If ya get it made with a little chawcalate ‘round the rim or in tha cup tho,” you paused and let out a soft hum, “that’s the best.”

Husk was shooting daggers as you talked. Giving him your most saccharine smile you asked in cloying tone, “Can I get anotha shirley?” 

Husk rolled his eyes, grabbing another glass. “Stop. Bringing. Up. Mudslides.”

“I can’t promise that. I can promise I won’t bring it up or mention it ‘round Angel though. If I was a gambal’a I’d bet my next paycheck he’d lov’a good mudslide. ‘Specially, knowing how fawned of makin’ em you are.” Your eyebrows raised as you cocked your head, silently challenging him to strike up a better counteroffer; his continued bartending services in exchange for your silence.

Husk groaned, fatigued at the idea of Angel hounding him to make the drink if only to infuriate him. While they certainly were on good terms, Angel would never let a golden goose like this go; to torment someone in such a mundane yet grating way. Always the sort to love getting a reaction out of people. Husk relented, “You’re killing me.”

You let out a single victorious giggle glancing at Lucifer offhandedly, instantly shocked. He had nearly downed his first shirley as you two dickered. “You might nawt be the only one I kill. Holy hell Lucifa. Slow down. We gawt the whole damn night.”

Husk looked at the glass in the king’s hand and shook his head. He placed your replacement dirty shirley on the bar. Lucifer shrugged, nonchalantly dismissing your concern. “I can handle a single drink.”

The bartender and you glance at one another, both nodding in silent solidarity given Lucifer had admitted to not being a drinker. Husk returned to his inventory, not asking Lucifer if he wanted another, and you proceeded to distract the king from requesting a second. “How ‘bout my question now that I gotta drink?”

He nervously chuckled and placed his hand and cup down on the bar. “What’s the question?”

“I waz curious how your powas werked. Like, what all can ya do? You helped build the hotel obviously. You gawt that nifty portal trick. Somebawdy said somethin ‘bout you turnin’ inta animals?” you asked, scooting to the edge of your seat towards Lucifer.

“Oh!” he laughed out, most of the nerves dissipating. “That’s it? I was worried you were going to ask me something…more uh…” He saw you smirk, raising a brow before he quickly decided to omit the concerned topic continuing on, “...never mind. My powers! Curious about my powers. Well it is very mutli-facitied. Powers of creation and all. I can create just about anything I can imagine of course. I can turn into any animal ever created so that was true. Shape shifting in general is a cinch.”

Instantly, you were sitting next to an anteater, followed by a chameleon, a house cat, and lastly his signature animal a snake. The last shift was back into his normal self. “Then of course I have the ability of duplication. It’s sort of a branch of the creation.” he said suddenly in the seat behind you as well as in front. At that point, the two of them took turns naming off of the things they could do.

 “The portals like you said; to places real and imagined.”

“Hellfire, which isn’t something I use often.”

“Angelic blasts on the flip side of that.”

“There are also the powers of healing.” he said, the Lucifer behind you poofing out of existence. “I can’t revive those who are dead, though that doesn’t matter much down here since people just regenerate as part of the whole hell existence. If they’re still breathing though I could just patch ‘em right up!”

“Can you help an addict who’s trying to quit? Take their cravings away?” Husk piped up out of the blue, looking at Lucifer over his clipboard.

Lucifer blinked, pondering it but a moment. “If it’s a physical reaction I could help. It wouldn’t stop them from picking it back up out of habit though. Is Angel Dust trying to quit finally?”

“Fucking doubt it. Charlie and Vaggie have found basically all his spots but it only seems to slow him down. He still gets it at work. This one here though…” Husk said, motioning the clipboard towards you. 

Lucifer turned to look at you with a tilted head with a surprised look on his face. You laughed softly, the feeling of being caught in the limelight for something kinda good a little unsettling. “Aw shucks Husk, ya didn’t need ta bring it up. I just stawted so I’m only down a couple cigarellos. It’s nothin’ ta raise cain about.”

“Are you serious about it?” Lucifer asked. “Stopping?”

“Part of the program ain’t it?” you smile finally sipping from your drink. “Gotta find betta copin’ mechanisms an awll that when I’m stressed out. Plus it ain’t great for ya. Husk mentioned eatin’ pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to help which I’m gonna’ try.”

“Well that’s…commendable.” he said, nodding slowly, his eyes locked onto you. “I can do it but, only if you’re serious about it. I don’t want to do this and then turn around to find out you’ve picked up the habit again. It’d be…”

“Disappointing?” you asked before he had the chance. His brows knitted, his expression suddenly saturnine as he gave a curt nod. Your smile shrinks and you sigh, “I gawt it. Not everybawdy can be Chawlie; willin’ ta help in every an’ any way with unlimited hope for awll these hell bound souls.”

He didn’t want to verbally agree but the silence was more than enough to confirm it. “If ya want ta and are willin’, I’d owe ya one. I am serious though, ‘bout quittin’. I wouldn’t be mad if ya don’t of course. I wasn’ tryin’ to fanangle when I asked ‘bout ya powas. You’re just fascinatin’ and I’ma neb.” The typical smile you adorned grew back as you continued speaking.

Lucifer watched you for a moment before he sighed and held out his hands to you, palms up. “Charlie wouldn want to try anything we can…put your hands on mine.”

You released your drink and wiped the condensation from the cup on your skirt. Gently you placed your palms against his. His hands were surprisingly about the same size as yours despite the hight difference and they were warmer than anyone else you had ever touched. Not to mention wonderfully soft. You suppressed a small hum and looked to him just as he closed his eyes. As the seconds passed, the nicotine craving started to subside. It was subtle at first but as it lessened into nothing it became very apparent. Almost alarmingly so.

“Better?” He asked, opening his eyes.

“It’s…” you hesitate, “kinda weird. I mean it’s gawn! Definitely betta in that sense. I don’t feel the cravin’ no more but… I guess… I gawt so use ta it bein’ there it’s weird nawt feelin’ it. ‘Specially awll of a sudden.”

“You’ll get used to it hopefully.” Lucifer said, not understanding the feeling but, trying to at least respect it.

You wrapped your hands around his and lightly squeezed, “Thank you. I own ya one.” You released his hands, not wanting to hold on too long despite the urge to.

“Don’t pick up the habit again and we’re even.” he replied, picking up what remained of his watered down drink to hold out the cup to you. You barked out a laugh and picked up your own cup, clinking the two together.

“Still owe ya, but if that makes ya feel betta that’s fine.” you sip from your drink and Lucifer finished off his just as Charlie and everyone who had gone out burst through the doors. 

“CHARLIE!” Lucifer exclaimed, rocketing off the seat. You laughed out at his antics, shaking your head at the king of hell. You watched for a moment Lucifer greet his daughter and part of the following scene of Alastor manifesting to antagonize the king.

You had no intention of wavering on your decision to quit smoking before but, the idea of letting him down after him helping you gripped our heart with a tight squeeze; the look on his face as he had hesitated to help you initially in fear of being let down. You couldn’t remember the last time someone looked at you like that. Like there was genuinely some hope. It certainly had to have been before you died. Down here, people didn’t expect anything from you to get disappointed by. 

You turned in your seat to find, next to your drink, two bags; one of pumpkin seeds and one of sunflowers. “What the…?” you jerked your head up to look at Husk who immediately pointed over towards Lucifer and Charlie as they walked off to talk about whatever had brought Lucifer bounding into the hotel in the first place with Alastor lurking behind.

“Sneaky devil…” you muttered, turning back to the gift. You emitted a giggle, grabbing one of the bags to look it over. That was…thoughtful. It made your heart swell and where your hands had touched his tingle. “Well…I really can’t let him down now.”

[1-helluva-hazbin]

Always Something Underneath

Chapter 3 - Sips of Chamomile

Lucifer x Fem!reader (prostitute character w/ accent)

Content warning: slow burn, writing an accent, quick proofread, reader death, reader revival, choking,

Chapter Summary: Always having done what you need to survive and get ahead, you take a job that has a lingering consequences. While trying to recover though, Lucifer notices.

Word Count: 3443

Chapter 1 𖤐 Chapter 2 𖤐 Chapter 3 (You are Here) 𖤐 Chapter 4 𖤐 Chapter 5 (WIP)

Dieing was awful. You knew that. Death had taken you, both willingly and maliciously, a multitude of different ways since you had plunged yourself into the depths of hell. It had just been so long since you had died last, your memory had somehow forgotten or glossed over just how taxing it was; the exhaustion -physically and mentally-, the adrenaline crash leaving every limb involuntarily shaking, not to mention the painful healing process. The painstaking and searing rebuilding of your body. The scorching brand of your sinner status. 

Your neck ached from holding up your head up, the ring of bruising hardly the worst of your pain. The slightest swallow unleashed a burning sensation that cascaded up towards your jaw and simultaneously down into your torso. Each breath harrowing despite it being shallow, your stenosed trachea screaming at every intake. The slightest movement, jerk, or muscle contraction evoking excruciating consequences. 

The pay was worth it. A weeks worth of clients covered by a single death. A price worth the prize. At least, that was what you told yourself. Over. And over. And over.

Who were you kidding?

It was unequivocally a boon that was insufficiently compensated by the price.

Your feet dragged as you marched onwards. The usual clack of your heels now a scraping, not that anyone cast you a second glance. Vigilantly, you surveyed your path alert for other hotel residents. The arduous task of having to dance around a conversation without your voice, draining you at just the thought. Explaining the experience you just endured, let alone why, wasn’t something you were equipped to even muddle through at the moment.

As the hotel came into view, your body relaxed a little. The thought of climbing into your bed, caccooning yourself in your favorite blanket, and passing out again kept your feet moving. You choked up at the sense of safety you knew you would find which sent a ripple of pain through you.

You just had to make it through the lobby.

Carefully, you wrapped a semi-sheer scarf around your throat as you walked towards home to mask the black and blue remnants of your work; tight enough it wouldn’t slump down but loose enough it wasn’t inflicting further pain on you. A pair of sunglasses in addition to it to hide your sunken, pale eyes that hadn’t yet recovered from your revival. You fixed the rest of your attire to make it less apparent you hadn’t dressed in a flurry, finishing just as you approached the door.

You stopped and took a quick, agonizing breath before pushing it open as slowly and quietly as you could. Thankfully, the boisterous crew over at the bar hadn’t spotted you as you let the door close with a soft ‘thunk’. You bee lined for the stairs. Someone hollered your name out as you strode with intent, which you figured would happen since you had gotten into the habit of having a drink when you got off work, but you quickly dismissed it with a polite wave as you kept moving. You heard your name once more in fading volume as you ascended the stairs, thankful that it didn’t seem like they were chasing after you.

Of course, who would have? Never in your life or afterlife would have never thought you’d be thankful for that.

Your speed didn’t waver once you were past the lobby and only as you stood in front of your door did it force you to stop. Your hands adeptly retrieving your keys and unlocking the gate to refuge. You nearly fell over as the door unlocked and hastily relented to your demand for entry. As the door lurched inwards, the effort to save yourself falling resulted in a seizing pain as your head lulled and the neck muscles flexed out of reflex. Your mouth opened for a soundless scream as tears prickled your eyes. The reaction itself further inflicting a second bout of agony. You kicked your heels off and slammed the door closed. 

In a flurry you undressed, bearing the shooting pain before crawling into bed with your phone in hand and curling up in your blankets. You began fiddling with the pillow which took some time. Finding a comfortable position that supported yet didn’t over extend the neck turned out to be quite the conundrum. Not impossible though. Once you had finally found a tolerable way to lay, your body began to unwind. Your eyes grew heavy as the tension eased from you, exhaustion lapping at your consciousness. Beckoning you to slumber and you eagerly obeyed, your eyes drifting shut before slipping into oblivion.

𖤐

The awakening that greeted you the next morning was arduous. Your body heavy with fatigue with your aching throat screaming for relief while your stomach simultaneously twisted and turned, tearing at your gut in protest of the unintentional fasting you had inflicted upon yourself. You emitted a whimper at the ailments foisted upon you first thing. The parched throat and exhaustion were things you could have turned a blind eye on in lue of returning to your slumber. Your stomach’s fit was far too much to bare.

Carefully, you tested how your throat reacted with a tentative swallow. It protested with a burning sensation but, it wasn’t as horrendous as it had been the day prior. The next test was a slow turning of your head. It was intensely stiff and it shot the sensation of pins and needles across your shoulders and upper back but, it didn’t reduce you to tears. You took a tentative deep breath, or two, before you pushed yourself up. You took pause, closing your eyes to determine the damage; feeling the aches and pains. Every infliction. 

You could make it to the kitchen and back as you were. Slowly you hoisted yourself up and fetched a loose dress and another scarf from your closet, dawning them both before beginning your quest. 

It still seemed to be early morning. The hotel eerily quiet with it’s occupants still slumbering from their late nights. Except for Niffty. You could hear her giggling somewhere in the distance, likely roach hunting, which made the haunting stillness all the more foreboding. With a quickened pace, you found yourself in the kitchen rather quickly. Niffty’s giggles barely audible now which eased some of your tension. 

Boiling water for a chamomile tea the first task you set about before turning your attention to determining what you should eat. Scouring the cupboards and fridge, the only tolerable foods seemed to be applesauce, Nilla wafers which you figured could soak in your tea, or maybe ramen if you overcooked the noodles. None of it sounded appealing. As your stomach raged, you decided a little bit of applesauce and wafers would do though. 

The assemblage of wafers on a small plate and applesauce in a bowel came together just as the water started boiling. A flick of the wrist turned off the stove and as you sought out the mug you wanted. Like nails on a chalkboard you heard from behind you, “Goooood morning. Please grab me a mug as well.”

A glance over your shoulder revealed Lucifer waltzing into the kitchen already made up for his day. His eyes bright with his practiced smile gracing his lips. As if he had already been awake for hours.

Fuck.

You hummed out a soft ‘mhm,’ to at least acknowledge him as you pulled a second mug out and turned away from him to grab a teabag. You paused a moment, glancing back at him after feeling his eyes boring into you, finding him doing just that. Normally you would already offered a good morning and would have asked if he was having tea but, you hadn’t tested your voice yet and were, admittedly, a little afraid to. You quickly tried to recall how long had it taken last time to get your voice back; as if you really could remember. 

Rather, you held up the bag of chamomile tea in your hand at him. He blinked a second and shook his head, “Oh no thank you. I’m more of a black tea drinker myself.”

You quickly smiled and nodded at him, grabbing an earl gray tea bag to hand off. His brows knitted together as you turned back to your own tea and quickly combined the bag and water before turning to him and putting water into his mug, leaving him to unwrap and soak how own.

“You’re awfully quiet this morning.”

You laughed softly at your situation, though it worked for his comment as well you supposed, realizing the afterlife wasn’t going to cut you another break. No, your luck had run out yesterday with getting through the lobby. Carefully, you blew on your basically still just hot water and took a small sip before clearing your throat to respond in a raspy, forced crackle, “Yeah, well, jus’ dealin’ with a lil’ som’in.”

Lucifer’s face contorted; brows pinched painfully tight together, his frown slanted asymmetrically making his eye squint, as his head tilted. You couldn’t stop another soft giggle from burbling up, the expression tickled you. At least until his eyes flitted down to your scarf and the expression slid from his face. 

In your hurry to appease your stomach’s tantrum, the scarf hadn’t been as well secured as you had thought. During your journey, it had slid down just enough to reveal a small band of bruising. He took a second to process the glimpse he caught before his eyes shot up; pupils dilated making him look a little crazed. “Are you okay? What happened? Was it one of the people you saw at work?” The words flooded out, frantic and panicked.

Quickly, you held up a hand, promptly halting any further grilling. “Nawt… here. Please.”

You pick up your plate and tilted your head towards the door, beckoning him to follow, before you made your way towards one of the many parlor rooms Charlie had designated for groups or social gatherings. Most people didn’t use them outside of those. The one you led him to was your favorite. It was located on the second floor, not particularly far from the kitchen, and had a set of perfectly worn club chairs with an accompanying shared end table between. Both of which faced a floor to ceiling window that overlooked the streets below. There were plenty of other seats to claim with several other sofas, tables, and arrangements set up but, you enjoyed being able to people watch.

Claiming one of the seats, you made yourself comfortable after setting your plate and cup down. Lucifer apprehensively followed suit. As he sat, you carefully grabbed your now properly steeped tea and took a sip finally finding able to take a full, flavorful taste that finally soothed some of the ache in your throat. After the moment of temporary relief passed, you opened your eyes to find him waiting.

“So…” he probed gently as you picked up a wafer to dip into your tea to soften, “what’s going on?” His fingers drummed on his mug before he too took a slow tentative sip of his piping hot tea.

Deferring your answer, you look away. Your full attention going to the wafer as it soaked up the chamomile flavor. Just as it started to crumble, you hoisted it to your mouth where it promptly fell apart with little effort or mastication. Finally, you tempted a swallow followed by another small sip of tea, pleasantly surprised to find your body amenable to this tactic. 

Your eyes met his again and were surprised to see him patiently waiting. It made you feel bad. Here he was worrying about you. Giving you space to gather yourself. To prepare. It was hell after all. Stories of being assaulted was just another Tuesday for a good number of people. Yet your truth wasn’t so tragic. You take a breath and rip the metaphorical bandaid off. “It was werk. People aw willin’ ta pay ta kill someone sometimes an’ they pay a pretty penny. I jus’ gawta heal up from it. There ain’t nothin’ ta worry ‘bout.”

Your voice sounded stronger now though talking still worked healing muscles and punished you for it. You sought out a sip of tea again, admonishing yourself for not procuring honey. You paused drinking when you heard a quiet, “Why?”

“Why… what?” you raspily counter over the rim of the cup, studying his expression. Trying to glean any information you could.

“Why did you do it?” he gave you nothing. His face relaxed. Any emotions that warred within him shielded behind a mask of impassiveness. “You mentioned when we first properly met you were just keeping the job to protect your reputation should redemption fall through. Why would you go to that extreme?”

Why did his lack of emotions dig at you so deeply?

Someone walking down along the street caught your attention through the window and you looked to them. Your eyes glued as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. As you watched them though you did think about it. Money really had been the answer to his why but, he wasn’t wrong. You didn’t actually need it at this point. During your stay you had accumulated quite the nest egg and stashed it away. Yet you had still jumped at the opportunity to make more money despite your newfound security.

“I… I think it’s cause I’m still sawta stuck in survival mode. Maybe. I dunno.” you stop a moment to clear your throat and shrug. Looking down to your tea, your thumb caressing the side of the mug. “It just…seemed supa easy. I died befoa so it didn’ seem lika big deal an’ the money is pretty nice. Can neva have ‘nough. Ya know?”

You look up to Lucifer, realized he was the king of hell, and giggled out at the absurdity of your failed epiplexis as well as to break the tension. “Well, I suppose maybe nawt. King a hell an awll. Don’ seem like the sort that gawta worry ‘bout that kinda thing.”

A long drink eased the ache again before you picked up another wafer to dunk, noting your throat felt worlds better.

“If redeeming everyone falls through, we aren’t just going to abandon everyone.”

Lucifer was looking out the window as he spoke. When your attention snapped to him, he seemed adrift in his thoughts. It was as if you were peering at a painting capturing this intimate moment in time. On hand was on his cane that was draped across his lap while the other held the handle of the mug on the table. One leg crossed over the other as he leaned all the way back. The soft red glow of pride ring illuminating his pearlescent skin with soft hints of neon accenting his jawline and brow bones from the business signs across the street. Yet his hat cast a shadow across his eyes that, in your interpretation, made him seem tired. Forlorn. 

When he turned to you, the small smile he gave made your heart squeeze. Your breath caught in your throat as your chest tightened. The uncomfortable clenching something you hadn’t felt in… how long? You hadn’t felt it during your sinner life. Having lost yourself in the feeling a moment too long, by the time you tore your eyes off of him you found the wafer you had been soaking, had fallen apart in your fingers and disappeared to the bottom of your mug.

“Charlie wouldn’t do that.” A whispered utterance. The small smile remained on his lips as he sipped his tea and looked back outside. Dawning the same expression from before.

Staring at the sunken wafer as his words processed, the silence that lingered was something of comfort. Slowly, you leaned back in your chair and looked outside with him. More people were beginning to pass by as the morning wore on.

“It’s hawd.” His head cocked slightly and he turned just enough to look towards you comfortably. You remained quiet though, watching the people outside. Someone began yelling at another person which suddenly escalated to fists being thrown. You heard Lucifer ‘tsk’ and noted the shake of his head from your peripheral. 

“What do you mean?” he finally inquired as he turned away from the skirmish.

You looked away from the brawl as well, meeting his eyes when you finally did speak, “Ta rely awn someone. ‘specially dahn here. I know ya Mornin’staws ah, quite literally, a different breed an seem ta mean what ya say but… it doesn’ stahp the emotional walls from bein’ up. From feelin’ like… ya still the only one who’ll take cara ya.” A quick sip soothed your throat again, “Can’t stahp mah’self from wonderin’ when the otha shoe’ll drop.”

You offer a small smile at him. Lucifer was gazing down at the floor though and seemed to be processing what you were saying. “Just… gonna take time. Ya know?”

Lucifer slowly looked up to you before returning the smile and nodding. His eyes slipped to the scarf for a moment before he tore his eyes away from it. It made you swallow out of reflex. You wondered for a moment if he would be willing to heal your throat but, thought better of it. You already owed him a favor and you really didn’t want him thinking you were spending time with him just because he could do something for you. 

No. You had known the consequences when you did it and were willing to accept them. That was part of this whole redemption thing wasn’t it? Accepting you fucked up. Seeking forgiveness for your wrongdoings. Letting people support you and giving you the grace to be better.

Gently, you reach your foot across the expanse between the two of you and nudge his leg with a playful bump. “Thank ya, dowll.”

“Thank you? For what?” Lucifer asked, a little surprised having shot a look at your foot before up to you again.

“For carin’. I know I prattle awn so, for listen’ as well.”

Lucifer blinked. Slowly, his face eased into an expression you couldn’t peg. It almost looked like a combination of amusement and pity but, by the way he chuckled out neither of those seemed quite right. “You’re quite welcome.” He glanced a way for a moment and then back.

“Do you think…” he took a breath and his mouth hung open a moment, the words stuck. He then seemed to think better of it and shook his head and let out a ‘hmm’ as he indulged in his tea.

Tilting your head, you smirked at him. “Cat got’cha tongue? Guess there gotta be a first time for every for everything but, ya don’t need ta clam up ‘round me, cheeks.”

Lucifer’s brows furrowed at the new nickname. “Cheeks?”

A raised brow at him and a moment to think on it didn’t seem to spark any idea on where the name came from so you lightly tapped your own cheek where his rosey red circles would have been on your face if you dawned them. He scoffed out and shook a head with a bemused roll of his eyes. “Told ya that ya opened a can-a-worms.” you laughed out, finishing off your tea leaving the crumbled wafer at the bottom.

“You’ve certainly been true to your word.” Lucifer grinned, giving you the same look from earlier you couldn’t quite figure out. It made your chest tighten.

Voices off in the distance echoed into the room, both yourself and Lucifer turning slightly at the sound. Lucifer sucked in a breath and stood up. “Thank you for the pleasant chat and for being honest with me about,” he motioned to your neck, “your ailment. I…”

He hesitated as he stood there a moment, his hand clamping down on his cane. “I do hope… you can begin to feel like you can depend upon us.” he turned and smiled, almost as if he had wanted to say ‘me’ before he had a thought and laughed out nervously at it, “I mean ‘us’ as in here at the hotel. Everyone at the hotel. Like Charlie! And Mag-, I mean Vaggie! So you don’t feel like you HAVE to do…that again.”

He wheezed, coughed, and cleared his throat. His practiced smile plastered again on his face again. “Thank you for the company.”

“I’ll see ya ‘round Luci babe.” you giggled out as he briskly retreated, leaving you to finish your snacks before making your own retreat back to your room for the rest of the day.