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Adam had kept his word.
The extermination came, and her hotel was not spared. Even with her and Alastor there… Charlie didn’t… she couldn’t…
She wasn't able to protect them when it mattered most.
There was still Niffty, which Charlie had found trapped under the bodyweight of an exorcist she'd stabbed to death, angelic dagger still in hand. And there were still Alastor and Angel. But the others…
Charlie sat down and folded her arms on the dining room table, lowering her head until it was resting atop one of her upper arms. Then she turned her head to bury her nose into the crook of her elbow and its comforting darkness. They could continue the hotel, or at the very least, the idea behind it. She knew that logically, but her heavy heart dragged her down and told her there was no point. She had never felt like more of a failure.
She sat there like that without knowing for how long. Any servants gave her a wide berth and she didn’t register their presence. It was only when she felt a hand on her shoulder that she knew who it was—the only person it could be.
At first, Charlie shook off her dad's hand. But his touch persisted. She finally looked over her shoulder to meet his gaze.
Lucifer offered her an awkward smile.
"Yeah, dad?" She didn't have the energy to talk, but she'd been mostly silent for the past few weeks despite living with him, so she supposed she owed him this much. “Do you need something?”
“Me? Need something? No, no.” Lucifer let out a forced chuckle and then brought a fist up to his mouth to clear his throat. “Uh. I was only wondering if there was anything I could do…” He took his hand off of her shoulder to fiddle with his fingers. “To help cheer my princess up?"
Cheer her up? There was nothing that could cheer her up. Her dad had let her mope around the palace after the extermination without attempting to intervene thus far, as was his brand, and she’d hoped it’d stay that way.
She couldn’t stand to go back to the hotel just yet. Even thinking about its current state depressed her.
Charlie returned to her original hunched position and remained quiet. After a while, Lucifer sighed and sat down next to her. She felt a small weight atop her hand and looked up to see one of his hands on hers. He gave it a squeeze.
“These things happen in life—things we don't like and can't change. But we have to look out for ourselves first and foremost,” Lucifer said. Charlie’s face soured at that, and he quickly added, "You know you're all I have left. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to you."
There was a moment of silence. It wasn’t like he was saying anything she didn’t know he'd say already, but to hear it like that…
“I know,” Charlie replied, the words slightly muffled as she kept her gaze away from his. “Is that why you're happy my idea failed?”
“God, no.” Lucifer shook his head quickly. “Do I look happy to you?”
She let her eyes flick to him again just to focus on his features this time. Her dad was frowning, an expression of pure worry upon his face, but he attempted a reassuring smile upon her looking at him. “I'll be happy when you're happy, apple pie. I just want you to feel better.”
Something within her felt touched. Warm. He was trying, he really was, she could tell. But that didn't make her feel better. Nothing could undo what had happened.
Their souls were gone for good.
Charlie’s hands scrunched up into fists and she felt the tears welling up again.
“Thanks, dad,” she managed to say. “But there's nothing…”
The urge to cry choked her, and the rest of her sentence was lost.
The room was quiet save for the grandfather clock ticking away. Lucifer hummed.
“When I'm feeling down, you know what helps me?”
She had an idea. Charlie’s eyes scanned the room until they found a single rubber duck sitting on the mantelpiece. Here in the dining room they were almost nowhere to be seen, but she knew that in his room he had piles upon piles. She’d accidentally walked in a few days ago and had been temporarily stupified by the bafflement the image caused. The memory was almost enough to cheer her up. Almost.
“Ducks?” she offered, still morose.
“No! Well, yes, that too.” His hand moved to her chin and his fingers gently lifted it up until she was looking at him. “But what really makes me feel better is thinking about you, and how proud I am of you.”
Charlie almost snorted at that, but she couldn’t help the small smile that escaped past her defenses and appeared on her face. He was SO cheesy. And she supposed she was easy to cheer up, after all. “Really?”
"My sweet apple dumpling, you are everything I wish I could be. You are everything I wish people could be. You make me dare to dream again.”
Her dad was good at theatrics, she’d give him that.
It took her a moment to take in his words. She didn’t respond just yet, not that she needed to—he jumped to continue.
“We can come up with something better, together. Something they wouldn’t be able to refute or beat down as easily.” Lucifer gave a tentative smile, letting himself spread his arms wide. “A bit of brainstorming with our combined brainpower and it'll be better than any lousy old hotel! How about it?"
Charlie initially perked up, but the second part of his statement spurned her hopes. He had a habit of doing that. Just like he had a habit of sitting in his study and ‘brainstorming’ without anything coming of it.
“Oh.” She sniffled. Of course her dad still wanted her to give up on her idea of redeeming sinners. In fact, he expected her to do so now that Heaven had stomped on her dreams just like he’d warned. How had she thought otherwise? "You just want to make me forget the hotel.”
"No, no, that's not it at all." Lucifer leaned forward, cupping her cheeks in his hands and bringing his face close until his forehead was almost touching hers. “When did you get so cynical? What happened to my relentless little girl, with nothing in Heaven or Hell that could stop her?”
“Nothing happened. I'm just…”
“That's right. Nothing happened.” Those words were enough to almost ruin the moment and make Charlie stand—her friends dying wasn't nothing!—but he continued. “You'll get through this, and then we'll try again.”
Her heart skipped a beat. We'll try again?
She opened her eyes to look into his, hoping against hope. Did he mean what he said? Had he really changed his mind?
The shine in his eyes was genuine. Why wouldn’t it be? Her dad wouldn’t lie to her. He wouldn’t get her hopes up for nothing just to crush them. She knew he wouldn’t. He knew how that felt.
“Thanks, dad.” Charlie wiped her tears on her sleeve. “That means a lot. I’ll think about it.”
“Of course. What sort of father would I be if I didn’t support your dreams?” Lucifer offered a lopsided smile, before it fell into a thin line and he pursed his lips. “A real shitty one, that’s what. And I don’t- I don’t want to-”
She interrupted him with a hug, and he seemed surprised, but returned the hug just as quickly and warmly.
“...be that,” he finished into her shoulder.
Charlie paced around the study. She’d been home for a few weeks now, and although some part of her still wanted to stay, she knew that her time of rest was over.
She needed to go back to her mission. It’s what her friends would’ve wanted. As hard as it was to face the hotel again, face her people again, she had to do it. If not now, then when? There had to be more she could do. Solutions that she just wasn't seeing. Even if the Hotel was destroyed, she could rebuild it. She could do it all on her own if that was what it came down to…
“What’s eating at you, Char? You’ve been pacing around like a Hellhound in the pound!”
Charlie almost jumped at the voice. She turned to see Lucifer standing in the doorway, and her cheeks dusted pink. How long had he been watching her walk in circles?
“I just- I don’t know. I thought things would get better, dad, I really did.” She hugged herself with her arms. “But it’s like the more I stay here, the worse I feel. I need to do something!”
“Wait wait wait. Hold on.” Lucifer entered the room proper and made his way over to her with quick steps. “Let’s not get too hasty now. You know you can always stay here for as long as you need. And if you decide to stay even longer than that…” His face took on a soft expression as he stopped in front of her. “Well, I wouldn't mind that either.”
“Yes, I know.” Charlie took a deep breath in. “And you know I appreciated being here with you. But I think I’m finally ready.” She swallowed, averting her eyes away from him and to the floor. “To go back.”
“Who said so?”
“ I said so, dad. Do you ever listen to me?”
“Right. Uh.” Lucifer was unsuccessful in hiding his real feelings on the matter. He practically deflated, shoulders dropping, and she was hit by an immediate guilt for being so short with him. He didn’t deserve to take the brunt of her self-loathing and frustration.
“I thought we were finally…” He trailed off and then started again, adjusting the brim of his hat. “Ever since your mother…” He shook his head as if shaking away the thought. “I just think it’s too soon, that's all. Are you really sure about this?”
She was about to affirm that she was(even though she still felt unsure), but Charlie didn’t get the chance to respond before she was suddenly pulled forward by the hand.
“Wha-!” Charlie stumbled into her dad's arms, and the next thing she knew, she was seated on his lap. Since when was he sitting? He had been standing just a moment prior.
Once the momentary surprise had faded, Charlie realized they were on his throne. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
“How about you think over it some more? You can stay a bit longer. Just for a teensy little while.” Lucifer took one of her hands in his, massaging it with his thumb. The other hand settled on her waist as support. “There's no need to rush off anywhere.”
Charlie was hit with a pang of annoyance that her father still didn't seem to be taking her seriously, but she reminded herself that he was just trying to show he cared. And he did care. She knew that much.
She also knew she would miss their reconnection and newfound closeness once she went back to the hotel, which is exactly why she couldn't let him convince her to stay.
“I've already thought about it,” Charlie said, keeping her voice calm but resolute. She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. “And I have to go. I can't continue to sit around here.”
“But don’t you like it here? With me?” Lucifer frowned, and Charlie really wished he’d stop looking at her like a wounded puppy. “It feels like the first time I’ve been able to spend time with you since… since you grew up.”
“Of course I like being here with you. But-”
“So why do you want to leave so suddenly? Was it the ducks? Or the food? You know I can fix anything that’s bothering you.”
“I told you—I have to get back to my people. Our people!”
Lucifer went quiet, and that was all the response Charlie needed. She’d wasted her time here. Her dad had never started caring about sinners at all.
The confirmation didn't make her angry; it just made her sad. But it also reaffirmed that she had to leave.
Charlie was about to get up and off of her dad's lap when he took the hand he was holding and raised it up to his lips. She blinked as he planted a chaste kiss on the top of her hand.
“Don't you love me?” he asked.
The question stopped her in her tracks. He seemed so… defeated as he asked, looking up at her with her hand still held up to his lips, and that only made her feel more guilty. Why'd he have to make this harder than it had to be? It wasn’t like she was going off to Heaven!
No, no. She definitely wasn't going to stay. And nothing he said could change that.
“I…” Charlie began, but went quiet again when Lucifer flipped her hand and kissed her wrist. He then continued peppering kisses up the sleeve of her arm like he was following an invisible line up to her shoulder. She watched with some confusion and shock, not moving, but not able to tear her eyes away, either.
He gave a sigh once he reached her upper arm and stopped there, before whispering, “I love you so much more than you know.”
"Y-yeah, dad, I love you too.” Charlie squirmed on his lap. “Uhm…”
"There's no one else in this damned place like you, sweetheart.” God, the way he was looking at her, she had to be imagining it, right? It wasn't… it wasn't all that different from how he'd looked at her before, but combined with what he just did… She was starting to get weird ideas, ones that should've never entered her head.
Her stomach did a flip. What was she thinking ? This was nothing like that.
As though guessing her thoughts, Lucifer bit his lip and looked away, breaking eye contact.
“Don't go just yet.” After a moment, he looked back at her. “For me? Please?”
Charlie couldn't think of anything to say. It was like her brain had short circuited. She hadn't paid attention to his subtle touches at first, but now they were all she could focus on. The hand on her waist rubbed up and down comfortingly before going lower and settling on her hip. His other hand let go of her hand to place itself atop her thigh.
“I don’t know,” she said, clasping her hands together and fidgeting with her fingers.
Lucifer sighed, and though his tone remained soft, his next words pierced through her core.
“You keep telling me you need to go. But where? Your hotel isn't in the best of shape anymore, Char, you know that.”
Charlie opened her mouth and then closed it. He was right. God, he was right. But hearing it like that really hurt.
“Stay here.” He cupped her face with one hand and tilted it towards him until she kept eye contact. “Okay?”
They looked at each other for a few moments, letting the silence linger between them, before Charlie acquiesced with a slight nod. Maybe she'd been putting off going back for a reason. Maybe there wasn't anything left to salvage, and something inside her had known that already.
Lucifer smiled. He brought his face closer in a move that was familiar—but what wasn't familiar was how he kept going and pressed his lips against hers. Charlie's eyes widened in surprise and her hands gripped the front of his vest for purchase once she was tipped backward.
One of Lucifer's hands snaked around to the back of her head and supported it as he leaned in deep, the kiss(kiss!) gentle but firm. It started tentatively at first, but Lucifer quickly allowed his intentions to become known, his tongue teasing against her lips and asking for entry in a way that couldn't be denied. Charlie wasn’t sure whether to open her mouth or keep it closed, but it seemed like somewhere in the midst of her shock it had opened on its own anyway, allowing his forked tongue to slide against hers.
She gasped when she turned her head and broke away from the kiss. This did not interrupt her father, who continued to plant light kisses along the cut of her jaw without slowing down.
“Dad, what the hell!” Charlie exclaimed. She wasn't upset, exactly, but she couldn't wrap her head around this at all . "What are you doing?"
"You're right. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that,” he whispered, but the palm of his free hand continued exploring her figure over her clothes, and his lips continued to hover along the skin below her jaw. “I'm sorry, baby.”
“It's… okay,” Charlie squeaked, cheeks having an added blush atop their regular red. She wasn’t sure if it really was okay. Her heart was hammering in her ears.
His hand went lower until it reached the waistline of her pants and slid underneath. His fingers wasted no time in locating her clit and rubbing against it through the fabric of her panties, somehow knowing exactly where to press to provide the delicious pressure that made her want to rock her hips upwards. He really knew how to get down to the important parts.
Wait. They'd just kissed, and now he was…
Charlie's eyes snapped open and she looked at her dad, willing for him to return her look. As if reading her mind, Lucifer paused his kisses to meet her gaze, his eyes glowing with a headiness she'd never seen before.
She opened her mouth to say something, but anything she could've thought of or said was interrupted by a new disorientation as she suddenly found herself in a new position—and place.
Charlie now laid on her back with Lucifer looming over her, and judging by the feel of the material she was laying on, they were on a bed. She turned her head to look at their surroundings and realized they were in her parents' bedroom. On her parents' bed.
Charlie was unused to anybody magically manhandling her so willy-nilly. At least, not since she'd drifted away from her dad. And she’d definitely never had an experience quite like this before. Nobody would dare. Nobody could. She'd almost forgotten his flair for the dramatic…
Before she could ask any questions, however, Lucifer interrupted her thoughts with a voice as smooth and warm as mead.
“Don't forget you're also part human, little duckling,” he said, his deft fingers working to unbutton her blouse. “When's the last time you took care of yourself without worrying about anybody else?"
“I… I don’t-” understand. This was all so sudden. Her mind was still reeling.
“Do you want to know something interesting?” Lucifer continued, beginning to unbutton her pants as well. Charlie let him for reasons that she wouldn't be able to put into words. She wasn’t even sure she knew those reasons herself. “Angels were never meant to feel such desire; we weren't supposed to be capable.”
Lucifer made quick word of the buttons and tugged at her pants to pull them down with an impatience she’d rarely seen from him.
“But then humans were created…” His voice dropped to a whisper, practically a purr, and he looked at her with hunger. “And it turned out angels could be tempted after all.”
The dam broke. Or, more accurately, her dad's impatience came to a head. With a snap of his fingers, all of her clothes disappeared off of her form in an instant.
Charlie let out a surprised gasp and attempted to cover herself instinctively, but Lucifer grasped her wrists and guided them away from her form, holding them gently but firmly against the mattress. He let out a lighthearted chuckle.
“Did I startle you, sweetie?” She could feel his thin tail begin to caress up and down her leg. A shiver overcame her body.
“No, I'm uh, I'm fine.” Charlie began to fidget from the contact, her thighs rubbing against each other without her input. The fleeting touches were ticklish… but she couldn't deny they were also pleasant.
“Wanna see-” The spade of his tail snaked upwards to slip between the apex of her thighs and teased at her entrance, which only made her wriggle more. Lucifer smiled wide at her reaction, showing off his sharp teeth in a way she couldn't help but admit was charming. “What other tricks your daddy has up his sleeve?”
Lucifer snapped again, and she was suddenly kneeling upright. Upright and sitting on something. Before Charlie could register anything else, his hot mouth was pressed up against her cunt, and his fingers were digging imprints into her thighs to keep her in place.
She was sitting on her father's face.
“woAH- DAD!”
Lucifer emitted a pleased noise from under her and wasted no time in getting to work, his long prehensile tongue slipping its way into her cunt to probe and explore her walls unabashedly. She gasped and clutched at the sheets.
Charlie almost jumped when warm fabric brushed up against her back and a new pair of hands gripped her waist. She immediately turned her head to look at who was behind her, only to be met face-to-face with another Lucifer.
“Hiya, pumpkin,” he greeted. “Enjoying yourself?”
“I… uhm…”
Her dad's hands trailed upwards and the tips of his fingers danced all over the skin of her flat stomach with touches light as ballerina taps. His gloved hands reached up to her modestly sized breasts and began to knead the soft flesh. She had no clue where to turn her attention to. It was all…
“Oh…” Charlie couldn't stop her moan once his tongue hit that spot deep inside of her, and she began to grind against his face in turn. She wanted more friction. She wanted more.
She just had to let go.
Charlie clutched at his shirt and gasped as he found her g-spot again. “Yes! Right there!”
It didn't take long before she was a panting, writhing mess, moving her hips back and forth against his mouth and his hand while he began to grind his hips against her ass in turn.
The version of her father behind her pinched her nipples and she squeaked, squirming and falling into a needy whimper as one of his hands trailed down again and gave special attention to her clit.
“What is it, apple? What do you want?”
Her cheeks reddened more, if that were even possible. She could feel how hard he was against her ass, and see the imprint of his dick against his pants whilst he was eating her out, and the knowledge that she could make her father feel that way embarrassed her for some strange reason.
Lucifer settled a pair of hands on her hips to stop her grinding momentarily, but his tongue still continued to move inside of her and one of his hands still rubbed her clit with a firmness that made her lose her mind. His wet, forked tongue traced along her inner ear and caused a shudder to run through her.
A tightness built up in Charlie’s core along with his ministrations, and it wasn't long at all before the band snapped, making her emit a demonic shriek that would've put any of the Seven Deadly Sins to shame.
Lucifer expertly continued with the same pace as she rode his face and fingers through her orgasm, lapping up her juices hungrily. Eventually it became too much and she wiggled away from the stimulation. Getting the hint, the Lucifer behind her snapped his fingers and made the one below her disappear, letting her catch her breath.
Charlie knelt there panting whilst her dad wrapped his arms around her. He planted a chaste kiss on her temple and she let him hold her. They stayed like that in silence for a few moments. There were still a lot of things weighing down in Charlie’s mind. She found it hard to look her father in the eye.
“That was… a lot,” she eventually said, breaking the silence. “Thanks. It's, uhm, it's been a while.”
“It's been a while for me, too.” Lucifer closed his eyes. “I'm sorry. I didn't want it to come to this. Ever since your mother left, I've had a bit of a dry spell.”
She nodded and looked down. They never talked about mom. Charlie forgot a new piece of her every day, and if it hadn't been for the portraits on the walls, she had a feeling she would eventually forget what she had even looked like.
It was an open secret that she hadn't inherited any of her mother's features save for height. Angelic genes were strong in that way. Even in personality she was her father's daughter. And it had eventually made her start to feel like his shadow. She wasn't sure when the schism started. She wasn't sure how much of it was in her head. If she had just tried to reach out to him earlier… if he had reached out to her earlier…
“I'm sorry, dad.” Charlie brought a hand up to her face to wipe her tears. She didn't know when she had started to cry.
“What are you sorry for, sweetheart? There's nothing to be sorry about.” A lost expression crossed Lucifer's face. He paused, and his voice had a wavering hesitation to it when he asked, “You felt good, didn't you?”
“Yes…” She sniffled. “I'm sorry.”
“Okay, okay.” He pulled her in closer, and Charlie buried her nose in his shoulder. Her dad rubbed his cheek against hers in a comforting manner.
Soon, she felt another weight settle around her entire body like a blanket. Charlie opened her eyes to see that he had covered her with his wings, and a smile found its way to her face. Being surrounded by him made her feel warm and safe in a way that she hadn't for a long time.
“Dad?” she prompted.
“Hm?”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too, Charlie. So much.” He smiled. “I would never let anyone convince my daughter she's less than perfect.”
Charlie breathed out. Hearing her dad say her name with such affection made her heart ache in both a good and a bad way. And as for his second statement... she didn’t know how to react to that. It took her a moment before she could respond.
“I love you, dad. And I want to be close with you—more than anything.” She swallowed, tears pricking her eyes again. “But I still feel so empty, I don't know what to do.” Her voice cracked and she clutched at him tighter. “I just want you…”
Lucifer was quiet for a moment.
“You shouldn’t have said that, honey cakes,” he finally said, tone still soft as he tightened his hold on her. “Because now, I'm not letting you go until I've fucked you thoroughly.”
Lucifer pushed her down onto the bed and settled on top of her, clothes vanishing off of his form and leaving his white skin to press against her own. He licked his teeth openly, and Charlie gasped as his cock poked against her inner thigh.
Something in her was afraid to look down. So she kept her gaze upon her father's face. His sclera were red and warmer than anything.
She wasn't sure who had possessed and replaced her goofy dad, but she was in no position to fight against him with her arms pinned beneath him. And despite how confusing all of her newfound feelings were—and her lingering uncertainty about going this far—Charlie was so warm and safe under his wings that it didn't matter anymore.
“Ready, dear?”
“Yes,” she said.
The tip of his cock caught against her entrance and he pushed in. Charlie moaned as he stretched her. It felt so full and good. Her walls throbbed as he began an easy, shallow pace. She was still so wet that no other preparation was necessary, but her dad still took his time in going all the way.
It wasn’t long before his thrusts quickened and his strokes deepened, and it really felt like he was made for her. Or maybe she was made for him? The bottom line was, Lucifer was good at what he was doing. It was like he knew exactly how to fuck her. Exactly what she needed all along. God, the sinfulness of it did not escape her.
His wings still covered them both, as though shielding their act from the world. And being underneath them was growing unbearably hot. Sweat covered her skin in a fine sheen. Short pants escaped her as he filled her over and over again. She wouldn't change it for anything.
Charlie wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but her concept of time and anything other than their bodies connecting melted away with every kiss and bite he gave her.
Eventually, Lucifer's breathing grew labored, and his thrusts harder. Wait, was he about to-?
Her dad bottomed out and came inside of her with no warning other than a growl and the stuttering of his hips. There was no way- Did he really just-
A shock of arousal shot down to her pussy and she clenched around him. Why?! Why did her body find that so hot?!
Lucifer hummed and gave a few final thrusts before he withdrew, leaving Charlie shocked. Her fingers reached down to feel around her pussy. Her eyes widened and heart quickened once they came in contact with the creampie now leaking out of her.
“How was it?” Lucifer purred, taking his weight off of her. He paused upon seeing her stunned gaze and followed it downwards to her hand. “Oh, that? Don't worry, sweetie.”
He snapped and the cum coating her fingers and insides disappeared. Even her sweat was gone.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He nuzzled his nose in her hair. “Mm. You know what? I’m starving. What do you say to some cheesecake stuffed pancakes?”
Charlie couldn’t help the laughing snort that left her. “Really?”
“What?”
“Nevermind.” She shook her head and smiled as she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a squeeze. It felt so nice to finally be here. “I'd love that, dad.” I love you.
Lucifer looked over at his daughter's sleeping form. Charlotte. Charlie. She took up all of his thoughts these days, probably more than her mother did.
Nothing scared him more than the idea of her getting hurt. Or her leaving. As selfish as that was. (He could be selfish). It was good she was here in the safety of the palace, away from the rot that was his realm, the reminder of his failed dreams. He would do better by her. Better than he did before. He wouldn't let her suffer as he did.
He had loved Lilith and he had loved Eve and now he loved his half-human daughter. There was nothing wrong with that. They were all different from the rest of humans. And he would not let her go, not like them.
What had happened would never happen again. If Adam dared come close to his daughter, he'd pummel him into the ground and then some. Let him kill all the sinners he pleased, even if those sinners were Charlie's friends, but there was no way in Hell that Lucifer would let him touch a single hair on her head.
And now, watching the rise and fall of her chest, the only thought remaining in his mind was: I'm glad it was them and not you.