Chapter Text
Alastor knelt before Lilith, bound in chains that had been cast from the strongest of brimstone.
“Well, this certainly is…a mess.” Lucifer was saying from the darkness, somewhere behind the Overlord. “What will you do with him now?”
“He might just be…what we need.” Lilith was thinking.
“No…” Lucifer groaned. “Lili, not him.”
“Who else has the kind of power we need in order to protect, Charlie?” Lilith asked. “He is the answer, and I have the power to give him what he wants.”
“You’re seriously considering it, then.” Lucifer said. “A deal with this…Radio Demon.”
“Yes.” Lilith answered, eyes only for the kneeling Alastor.
“I hope you know what you are doing.” Lucifer told her.
Alastor knelt, listening to the King and Queen of Hell – quietly and calmly discussing his fate. The brimstone chains that encircled him tightly had him restrained most effectively and the links were searing burns against his skin; despite his suit. Intently; he listened to each word the royal couple exchanged; anticipating…and analyzing. He had not uttered a word; nor could he. Lilith made sure of that; threads of her power sewing his mouth shut despite his ever-present smile.
“I will make a deal with you, Alastor.” Lilith spoke. “You must protect Charlie; and in so doing you will not bring danger to her by your own intent. There will be no more dealing in souls; you shall keep those you already have within your possession; your power will be somewhat restricted but I think you’ll find your reward will be well worth your trouble. What’s more…Charlie cannot know. No one can. She - nor anyone else - can know the details to this agreement or what Lucifer and I are involved with here.”
“In exchange…” Lilith continued. “I will give you what you want.”
Lucifer sighed.
“What say you, Radio Demon?” Lilith asked. With a wave of her hand, the sutures that held Alastor’s silence slid from their place.
“A very tempting prospect, your Majesty.” Alastor’s radio voice rasped. “Very tempting…indeed.”
“You have reservations?” Lilith asked him coldly.
“I have…limitations. I am afraid that I have certain…requirements… that may prove somewhat problematic to-“ Alastor was saying.
“If you mean your whole…going into rut thing. Yes. I’m worried about that myself.” Lucifer interrupted, stepping around to stand by Lilith now.
Alastor had no love for the King. He held too tightly to his love for humanity. Alastor immensely disliked his choice of form and of expression; when he was considered to be the most powerful being that ruled over Hell. Lucifer was supposed to be a feared name but the man was seemingly, nothing to be feared. Alastor found it all rather in poor taste.
“A little…impersonal, don’t you think?” Alastor asked Lucifer dryly.
“What?” Lucifer asked him. “Did I make you uncomfortable? You’re a red deer demon, are you not? A Cervidae. Your kind have been rutting about Hell for millennia.”
“Luci.” Lilith chided him. “You’re being rude…and you.” She spoke to Alastor. “Do not play the innocent fawn with me, Alastor. I know you have killed other demons in your moments of being….within the throes of passion.”
“I find this whole discussion rather distasteful.” Alastor said.
“Well, if it’s his rut that is the only thing he’s worried about; I can manage that.” Lucifer shrugged, seemingly bored with the conversation.
“What?” Alastor glared at him, still smiling. “Isn’t that a little – disloyal?” Alastor quipped at him; looking pointedly to Lilith.
“We are the Queen and King of Hell.” Lilith told him. “Do you think that we have not entertained our own tastes for lust from time to time - in whatever ways - we choose?”
“That’s disgusting.”
“My husband,” Lilith’s voice rose now. “Is offering a solution to your little problem. Have you another idea?”
“I agree to your terms.” Alastor said. “But, if Charlie can’t know; then neither of you can be involved?”
“No.” Lilith told him. “We cannot.”
“That would be…preferable. I detest disruptions.” Alastor shot a look at Lucifer.
“If Charlie needs me; I promise you I will be involved.” Lucifer told Alastor. “If she needs me…for any reason or…if her life is at stake.” Lucifer looked away, a sadness touching his face.
How touching…how revolting…
“Then, it’s a deal?” Alastor asked.
With a wave of Lilith's hand, the chains that were binding Alastor rattled to the floor and the Radio Demon – for a moment - was free.