abraxaslogs | Reality doesn’t always give us the life that we desire

Laughing at me would have been the worst response. Istredd's feelings were already very delicate and he would have been humiliated by it, whether Lucifer was trying to be cruel or not. But that time I told you I'd keep you warm? Definitely the first time I tried to openly flirt with you. So when Lucifer brought it up the other day and they were in bed together moments later, it was very amusing to Istredd. At the time it seemed to go over Lucifer's head though.

He isn't the one who cares really about people seeing them, to be honest. Istredd's entire view gets taken up by Lucifer and he craves it, turning toward him as if they are in a private situation entirely. He does manage not to touch him more, but looking into his eyes this closely, it's their minds touching. He is as pleased with their emotional honesty as their intimate hand-holding.

Our friendship was the most important thing I had, something that was only mine. So it would have been everything to him to keep it, despite making it awkward. It is why he kept it to himself so long though. Why damage something already so beautiful? Why take any chance with them?

But in the pit I kept wondering what was the point of living through it if I was never going to ask for what I wanted. It is painfully sincere and sentimental, he knows that, but it is the truth, and they are trying to tell that to each other. Nearly dying is not a new way that people are forced to think about their future. But I really didn't think you'd possibly agree until the moment you kissed me.

Yeah, he gets laughing would've been bad. Unfortunately for more people than just them it is his innate reaction to things. It's called expressing one's self! Right? Right. Everyone should be happy he is so open with such a thing these days instead of layers upon layers upon layers of masks.

It's not his fault that they don't like what they get. It's just him! It's how he is!

Fortunately he's not only learning but maybe-kinda-sorta accepting the consequences of his actions, or at least noticing and processing the results within seconds instead of falling to the wayside.

(Yaaaay.)

Humans live through suffering. I've never understood it. Why waste so much time living in pain for small grasps at salvation? He tilts his head. There is a softness still to his thoughts, the rare underlining bits that Istredd sometimes gets, but the words are very much that of Entity more than the forced-upon humanity he's found himself in. I don't particularly think our friendship was worth your quiet suffering, but I'm sure you'd argue that.

Istredd always remembers that Lucifer isn't human, he never gets fooled by the exterior, by the body he knows he is possessing as a host. He may look human and start to have human-adjacent feelings, but ever since Istredd touched his mind the first time, he knows. Lucifer's mind is unique, fascinating, alien. Divine, apparently, but not human. The archangel he showed him once, majestic and bizarre, does feel more like him. But Istredd doubts he would be able to touch him in that body, so he is glad for the vessel.

The rest of the room might as well not exist to him right then. His eyes and attention are fully on Lucifer, especially since they are so close physically. He considers his answer, caressing a thumb against the outside of Lucifer's hand.

I am really not interested in salvation. Sin is frankly not in his mindset of things to worry about. His world is cruel and cold. Sin is something religious people worry about. Moral grayness is where he lives permanently. Grasps at happiness, maybe, or conviction, satisfaction, peace. I lived for years content enough in my research and discovery. No suffering there, although I suppose it would be mundane to most people. He has had extremely bad things happen to him, suffering was on him from a young age, but it wasn't only that.

With all due respect, Lucifer, you lived through billions of years of suffering. Our lifetimes are so small compared to yours, even mine. Human time living in pain? It's a blink of an eye compared to Lucifer's billions. Since Lucifer is blocking some of him from view, the other hand does what it did earlier, just runs along his scaled jacket, intimate but not out of bounds.

If I spent a hundred more years in pain longing for you, our friendship would be worth every moment of it to me. We came from different universes, we should have never met, never had this. So of course I cherish it in every form. Every word rings truly because Lucifer knows he can't lie to him. He probably could, but he'd give it away by trying to block him from seeing.

He smiles though after a second, amused. "But I am very relieved it didn't take a hundred years."

The reminder of how fleeting human life is should be reason enough for Lucifer to cut his losses. Why get invested in something that's only going to give him a temporary endorphin release and then be gone in a blink?

But then, archangels should be eternal; and Lucifer knows for a fact that He Was Not. So that true fact that his own lifetime could be limited to just a pinprick even before Abraxas is... well, maybe not enough a reminder that he should do something so reckless like try to take snatches at--at happiness for himself, but...

It does fall back into the conundrum about reaching for things he wants and allowing himself the opportunity.

The concept of "happiness" is even more removed from his thoughts than "wants."

The Future Lucifer in Michael's timeline was killed for unexplained reasons.

This Lucifer...

My kind isn't as eternal as you may think, and you might very well just kill me with kindness, Istredd. I'd say by all means, tell me more anyway, but at some point we're going to be required to mingle.

Istredd's never been on the other side of an aging dilemma, since he did try to make things work with normal humans but the lifespan would have come up eventually. It's not why anything ended though. He isn't worried about it. If all goes well, he has at least five hundred years ahead of him. If it's all spent here, so be it. Maybe what he told Kyle will be true for them too, the Summoned who live that long will be more than people that far down the road.

Happiness is new to him too. Istredd's been fine with contentment. Contentment is nice, simple, safe. The best way to spend long stretches of time. Happiness can be taken away, but oh it is too delicious to let go of.

I'll be killing you with kindness daily, that's what you signed up for. Istredd smiles and he knows they are getting more and more obvious and he never saw himself as the tacky kind of PDA person. So he resists doing anything more stupid like playing with his shirt.

I'll talk about anything you want. That is what he said this whole thing was about. Them actually communicating, and talking about nicer things is far better than not. He sighs about needing to mingle, but the timing is good because it seems like the poetry readings are over, and that means music is starting soon.

He squeezes Lucifer's hand. "You owe me a dance." He can't believe he is excited about dancing for the first time in his life.

Edited 2023-04-24 04:35 (UTC)

Oh, there are things they should talk about, things he even itches for, but he can't. So he's feeding into his own claim that they don't talk. Typical.

He's not entirely sure that's what he signed up for actually, but yes, he'll continue to bask in the good vibes and all that even if it might actually prove too much for him.

He's craved worship--what he was owed his entire existence. To find out that worship and love were two different spectrums is something he thinks their Father blatantly kept from them.

Or maybe even He didn't know. Understand.

"So I do," he says, grinning slow and only then stepping out of Istredd's immediate space, making to bow down in complete cheesy courtier nonsense and offering him a hand.

Istredd assumes that they have time to talk about any number of things, and they may come up as they go. They aren't the best at being upfront, they've both learned that, so it will take effort to break out of that habit. He wants them to try. It's a work in progress. Soon enough they'll have to talk through some conflict here and there, but at least they'll attempt to do better from here. Maybe he's being hopeful.

Right now though they are in a positive place and happy and Istredd wants to wallow in the glow. He laughs out loud at the bow and in a similar silly fashion he pretends to curtsey just to make Lucifer laugh too. Anyone watching the two of them would know that any doubts about their situation should be clear after this. They are beyond obvious.

He takes his hand and tugs him toward the dance floor. Istredd smiles at him and then pulls him close. "How about you let me lead?" Not something he often actually wants to do, due to his discomfort, but he's flirting. He does know how to do formal ballroom.

They've been sleeping in the same bed since this began so it's not like this is the first time they've been this close, but it feels intimate. And everything is new.

"Oh? Show me something of use from your court training, mm? By all means," he hums, that returned brightness its own dance between their minds.

This Hayle trip for him was nothing more than getting intel. He thinks it's purpose has more secrets than what the Summoned were told.

But dammit if he isn't going to have his own fun at this party.

He'll allow Istredd to lead but there will certainly be some Backseat Leading. Just to keep them both on their toes while being sure to not trip Istredd up.

"I am used to my dance partners being a little more petite than you so this could go very wrong." With anyone else Istredd would be too stiff and timid, taking more time to relax or never relaxing at all, but with Lucifer it's easy. And he's not self-conscious about the fact he might not be the best at this.

Because of that, he does fairly well. Being comfortable makes a difference and there are only one or two times that Lucifer has to counter a mistake he might make. Luckily there is no tripping although he may have come close once during a backseat leading moment. Istredd chuckles instead of getting annoyed and moves an arm around Lucifer's back.

Do angels even dance typically? I really can't see either of your brothers doing this.

Castiel, maybe, with the right prodding, but he's probably of the stiff variety like Istredd hismelf.

Edited 2023-04-24 23:07 (UTC)

"I can't be shorter for you, you'll have to make due and know I won't let you fail." Because he wouldn't. Forced-upon embarrassment does neither of them any favors and that Lucifer is letting Istredd lead as much as he is means the trust is mutual.

It's always hard for Lucifer to give over control in most circumstances.

Formerly? No, not really. There's always a bit of appreciation for the arts spread across them. And a vessel may have some experiences to draw from. For example my last vessel was a rockstar. A bad one Lucifer would say, but that's besides the point. And also not where Lucifer's actual skill comes from; it's all churned together from various vessels and his own dexterous fighting skills blending together in the same sense.

"I'm not worried. Not with you." He believes Lucifer wouldn't let him fail. He is much stronger than Istredd, he's not human, and he is probably far more graceful too when he needs to be. Istredd is generally more worried when it comes to people he is afraid to let down, but that is not the case in a dance for fun. Thus why he's never enjoyed dancing before. It's never been about fun.

A ... rockstar? It's not a term he understands. There are bards in his sphere, famous ones, but that's not what they're called. Also Istredd is completely unaware of them to the point if he did ever meet Jaskier, he would have no idea who he is, despite his fame status.

Music is not his forte, he's barely paying attention to what is playing now, outside of making certain they're on beat and not about to unintentionally crash into another couple if not moving in the right direction.

Good thing for him then that Lucifer is about the fun. If ever there's a moment Istredd slips too much into thinking about processes and motion, that's when Lucifer distracts him, either with briefly taking over to spin them or a mental prod and a humorous trill.

Mmmmm... really popular musicians? He'd mentally share some rock music over their minds if he didn't think that surprise would actually trip Istredd up. Liked crazed-fan almost-cult following.

Which might make sense as to why Lucifer sought out the particular vessel, but there were several reasons at the time.

It happens a few times before he stops, because Istredd overthinks everything, but Lucifer is very good at curbing it, at least at the moment. At least he doesn't have to think 1-2-3 in his head like when he was young. "Stop it," he says after a mental prod, but he's smiling. "Before I came to Thorne it'd been sixty years since my training!"

He was very out of practice and then he barely agreed to dance since getting here, until once with Yennefer, and now this.

Oh, a bard. Istredd isn't certain there are any bards with that kind of following, but they certainly can be very successful and be paid as a royal bard in courts if they were good enough. So you were in an extroverted attention-seeking vessel. Seems a bit on the nose. He's teasing.

"Yeah, out of practice or not, I bet the practice you did have was all stiff structure. Methodical. Boring, Istredd. Courts are boring," that end part comes out in a quiet whine, but they both know he's right.

Then I was president--er, the leader--of one of the biggest powerhouses of a country. Shame that was so short-lived, but it was a good time while it lasted.

And Some Things happened. But that's besides the point.

He sidles closer into Istredd's space than he already is and whispers into his ear, "Dancing shouldn't be about what's proper. It should be a rebellion. It's reading a partner like you'd read an opponent in a fight." He turns his head just slightly. "Conversation through motion."

"I know courts are boring. That's why I was glad to get away from them." Istredd almost ended up in one for Yennefer, but luckily they were both able to follow their separate ambitions. He has some regrets, but not about that. Lucifer is right though. Very stiff and proper, beautiful when graceful, but not interesting.

I swear if this eventually leads to you trying to become King here, I am going to have to object. Not that he thinks their current monarchy is in any way good, but he thinks that would be a disaster in the making.

Istredd is not expecting Lucifer pressing in or whispering in his ear and he feels a little warm, swallowing. His head turns slightly back so they are essentially looking at each other far too close. "I'd ask you to show me but I feel like that would be dangerous." He thinks they're already playing with fire at this point.

I already told you I didn't want to be in charge of this dump. Do you know how many fires I'd have to put out? I'm still trying to grasp the political web of Thorne's cities let alone knowing nothing about the rest of Abraxas.

He doesn't really go on with words but there is an odd mental map of confusion--a literal map, even, of Abraxas and Thorne's territories--thinking of Hayle's prosperity and the so-called military power of Borrel and the absolute wreck and distance that is Nott, ignored and abandoned and still considered Thorne's.

He'll pick it apart one of these days, he just needs a few more resources.

But they are playing with fire and Lucifer takes raw joy from that. I suppose depending who you ask it does also fall in line with sex and though humans have done salacious things to the dance floor in their prime, Hayle would likely disapprove in a way that is not beneficial to either of us.

Good, because I didn't agree to be the King's consort. It is pretty funny to think about in terms of that. Istredd doesn't want to be a leader, he feels like he's reluctantly stumbled into a leadership-adjacent role and that is hard enough as it is.

Istredd is so tempted, he really is. Lucifer can be proud and take joy from the fact that the straight-laced even-tempered scholar is tempted to be very inappropriate in a public setting because of him. He thinks about it instead. He thinks very hard about how much he'd like to kiss Lucifer right there in front of everyone. He thinks clearly about their first night together before Lucifer ruined it, when Lucifer was on top of him, kissing him. Then he clears said mind.

I was really not getting I want to fight energy from you, no.

Thank everything that the song decides to end and Istredd takes a deep breath, dropping his hands from Lucifer because he really can't touch him right then.

I think it may be for the best if we dance with other people for a little while.

Honestly he might need to get a drink. Or two.

It does have a nice ring to it though... He's joking. Mostly.

Lucifer does almost kiss him, anyway, but it would be as risky as the taste they had at the beginning of the night and would not be short and sweet. He does pat Istredd's hip before parting and darting out of reach, taking one more bow, this time simply as a mark of their finale. Didn't Istredd call him a court jester at one point? Well, here he is.

Mingle, Istredd. If I don't catch it let me know if you start to falter and I'll come rescue you, it's said flirtatious, but there is a truth to it. Lucifer has no problem rudely inserting himself into a conversation and extracting the man.

He does take on a few dance partners, though Kyle following after Istredd was. A surprise. But Lenore as well he makes sure to entertain and overall he keeps his mood light and a distant awareness of Istredd. It isn't late that he parties, doesn't need Istredd turning into a pumpkin, and they end up back in their room at a reasonable hour.

"All in all, I think that was a success. No one died." That shouldn't be his measure of success, but hey.

Istredd didn't end up needing to be rescued, which was nice, although it's mostly because he is getting very good at hovering near people he knows and staying there. He is not a social butterfly and never will be. He did politely speak to some new people, including a new Summoned he had no idea about, and he was nice enough. He danced with both Kell and Lenore too, he attempted to mingle and overall, it worked out.

He had a huge spike of jealousy after witnessing what he thought was Kyle about to kiss Lucifer on the dance floor, which he was wrong about, but the sight still surprised him enough to interrupt his dance with Kell. It did make things a little awkward, since in that dance Kell was talking about how happy they looked together. Which they were. They are. So that spike was smoothed out and he didn't let it bother him.

Much.

Definitely after all of that though Istredd is relieved to get back to their room and not have to talk with anyone else, strangers or friends. "I'd ask if you gauge all social engagements by that measurement, but I know that you do." Istredd smiles and kisses his cheek sweetly before walking by. He is very careful as he takes off his lovely blue jacket, folding it delicately over the back of a chair, having promised Natasha to be careful with the clothes she picked out.

"I was feeling guilty about not greeting the new Summoned, but it turns out we only had two, and I've met them both now." So it worked out, overall.

"Did we? I honestly hadn't paid any attention. They certainly didn't make big enough a scene for me to notice them."

It is concerning though. He usually makes a point to notice newcomers. Two is easy to miss, and he kept relatively ducked low with the people he felt comfortable enough around. If there was anyone new in the dining hall at the odd hours he took food, he was mostly in a fugue state. He vaguely remembers Lenore at those hours, but not many others.

Lucifer is less careful with his own blue jacket, but hey, it was his own money, and if it wrinkles it'll only improve its look.

"But they're not your responsibility either way, Istredd."

"Yes, a young woman named Sabine, very friendly, and a Lord John Grey. He recited poetry tonight." Istredd thinks Sabine was around the party as well, so it seems they both are attempting to get out and about as newcomers. None of them were really in the mood to greet the new Summoned, so it's probably for the best they were just fine doing it themselves.

Istredd shows Lucifer both faces in their bond so he knows who the people in question are, one of the easy ways of sharing information that's second hand to them now. He undoes his tie and vest, this is the other part he didn't miss about dressing up, the layers it takes to get comfortable.

"You know better than that. When I agreed to help Rhy, it became my responsibility." Maybe not to watch out for them at all times, but it was his responsibility to be there and help them walk through the first days of being here. Help them into the Horizon, offer to teach them magic. Istredd takes it seriously. He might have a good excuse, since he has been hiding in his room or the Horizon, but still.

Be careful with that jacket, I think it's my favorite thing you own. He flirts. It's definitely the snake thing. He associates Lucifer and snakes now, it's intentional.

He blinks. Tilts his head. And remembers.

Sorry, Jack, he blanked out your attempts to threaten him. It was just so forgettable. A+ effort though.

Sabine can take care of herself.

"Oh, right, Sabine. I did meet her. She's fascinating. Got to talk to her during the execution." You know, isn't that the best time to mingle? There was some other interesting parts of that event that had nothing to do with the immolation itself.

"I wasn't paying attention to the poetry." He was highly in-tune with Istredd at the time. But he will smooth a hand over the jacket, your welcome, before he approaches Istredd.

He just barely doesn't roll his eyes but the energy when he claps a hand to his cheek gently before dropping it. "You can't be on point twenty-four seven and it'll eat you alive if you try."

"Yes, she's very bright, I think she'll be a good addition. She found me after a class." She asked about magic and the world and there are few ways better to get Istredd engaged so he was happy to chat. Istredd's mostly only left to teach so she was smart to find him there. He is getting a little better though. Just not there yet.

Istredd didn't go to the execution because he frankly didn't want to go near Solvunn or anything Solvunn related at the time. Very irrational, no doubt about it, but he'd already drilled into Josselyn's brain and gotten some answers before then. He didn't have to watch her die. Lucifer was going to go and so Istredd spent that time in the Horizon instead. Making another crazy wall.

"I know you weren't. Someone was distracting you." Istredd was barely paying attention himself, but he did pretend that he listened to be polite when talking to John. He had no idea what he actually read. Lucifer was being very charming at the time.

He catches Lucifer's hand and holds it, running his thumb along the inside of his palm slowly. "I'm going to be okay, Lucifer." Istredd looks at him very directly. He knows he's worried. "I promise. I haven't broken yet."

She's also not human, but he doesn't mention that. Seems like she's something she's keeping on the down-low. She can come out, or into it, on her own time. At least whenever she feels like revealing it to Jack. That's the complication right there.

"Yet." He's frankly sure he's gotten too close to that. "And what happens to my brain if yours goes?" It's a low blow but maybe if Istredd isn't only thinking of his own well-being he's more likely to take care of himself.

"I have faith in you." Istredd lifts Lucifer's hand and presses it against his cheek, leaning into it, holding it there. Not faith in terms of religion, faith in the way people have with those they trust, with the people they love.

"I told Kell tonight that I can't get the credit for the ways you've changed. I encouraged you, but you put the work in." Lucifer made it happen himself and he should get the credit for it. Istredd releases Lucifer's hand after a few moments, trying not to soak in all these gestures too obviously. "If I break, you help put me back together."

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okay it was two vessels ago and Lucifer's the older brother shhhhhh

shhhh

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