[Then he presses a hand to his mouth, forcing the laughter to end early. He holds up a finger.]
Sorry, sorry... just... [He already knows Vox isn't the type who'd like being laughed at.] Before you get... too angry...? Promise I'm not laughing at you...
[Lucifer takes a breath.]
You... you kinda... sounded a lot like a way angrier version of... me. [Another breath.] I wasn't expecting an answer I'd... kind of... agree with.
[Vox hates this, alright. Telling a joke and hearing laughter is one thing. Saying something dead serious from the heart and hearing laughter makes his skin crawl. It pierces old wounds and puts a vice on his chest, crushing his rib cage. The assurance that Lucifer isn't laughing at him does very little to ease the feeling, and sparks shoot along his TV even as the screen becomes marred by static.
But then comes the explanation, and that does calm him down somewhat. He releases a huff of breath as the tension leaves his body again.]
Yeah, well... Guess we both didn't get to follow through.
[The cigarette is returned to his hand so he can take another drag from it, hoping the taste will overpower the bitterness.]
Ehhh... In my case, I did give free will to all of humanity, at the low, low price of just pure evil unleashed on the world! [He's not putting much energy in, so it sounds very dry. He takes a little drag of the cigarette, exhaling softly before quietly adding.] But wait, there's more...
I get to be forced into a smaller body, and then into a role practically everyone will come to hate me for. [For just a brief moment, he's looking closer to his age. A touch haunted and weary. But then he holds a blink, takes a deep breath, and then manages a lazy grin.] Anyway... You're here now, right?
You have an amazing building, a perfect pet, and a huge city to eventually make your own. [He doesn't mean that literally, but...] And... maybe the support of a fallen angel, whenever you find a use for him.
[Lucifer gives a little shrug, taking another drag of the cigarette.]
[Vox doesn't have a shred of empathy to spare for Lucifer's situation, not even now. Ever since learning that that whole apple story was real and someone was legitimately to blame for humanity's blights, he's wondered what things would've been like if they hadn't been given free will at all. Would he have been happy in a world like that? Finally content and whole, instead of being sent on an endless chase for that exact feeling? Would he even have the capacity to experience that?
They're stupid questions to linger on, but in a roundabout way, it means he can blame Lucifer for his misery. This guy fucked up, and now all of humanity gets to fuck up.
The words that come after are just about dismissed. Vox doesn't quite hear them, instead only focusing on that last bit. He steps right up to Lucifer, his hand raising to the top of the man's head so he can run his fingers through those golden locks of hair again.]
That's a real dangerous thing to say, Lu. And I'm pretty sure if I put you to use a little too much, your daughter's gonna come kick my door down, along with every single soul from Heaven and Hell who made it to this bright little shithole.
[Lucifer doesn't really expect empathy. He was wanting to see how Vox responded. It answers one question that was lingering in the back of his mind. The problem now is that he hadn't expected the next part.
It throws him off enough that he turns several shades darker, a golden blush spreading across his entire face. He didn't blush like this during sex! It's supposed to be more difficult to achieve this! Seems Vox now knows one of Lucifer's weaknesses: unprompted head pets (and the real reason he usually wears that hat).
A quiet noise sneaks out of his throat—awkward, a bit uncertain...]
Dangerous how, exactly? [Wow, he does not like it sounding as though he has to answer to everyone else.] And I can decide my own schedule, thank you very much. As long as the community service can still happen at some point each day, the rest of the day is up for negotiation.
[Vox takes in the reaction, from the blush to the sound, to every other little subtle detail that betrays he's thrown Lucifer off. And this is the same guy who almost killed him when he first got here? It's both a pathetic sight and an exhilarating notion.
He chuckles, because it almost seems like Lucifer's forgotten there's far more uses to him than just sex. A tool is a tool, especially one holding that much raw, divine power within. But sure, whatever, let's narrow it down to these types of physical escapades. He's 'not supposed to be' planning any hostile takeovers or other plays that'll end up hurting anyone.]
It's up for negotiation? Is that another way of saying you're going to be sitting around waiting for me to call, or what? [His fingers shift their hold, actively ruffling Lucifer's hair before his entire hand withdraws.] That's cute.
[He lets out a huff, swatting at the hand that's ruffling his hair.]
Wow, isn't that how most job interviews go...? There's a negotiation process, asshole! Or did you forget I'm supposed to be working for you?
[Lucifer draws from the cigarette, narrowing his eyes. Those last two things clearly ruffled his feathers a bit. He's not outright annoyed, but there's no telling how much of that is influenced by what they just did. On a regular day, odds are high that would have had him leaving without another word. He's not cute... but he is ready to get the hell out of there.]
Respect isn't simply earned; it's maintained. I'll never trust you - ever, but you had earned some respect. Enough that I kinda wanted to try? I know, I know... stupid of me. [He points a finger in Vox's direction without looking up.] Don't rub it in.
[There's maybe an important key word in what all he said. Lucifer shrugs a shoulder, flicking the ashes into a manifested ashtray, and then crushing the cigarette into it before making the ashtray vanish. He holds out a hand, drawing his clothes into it before sliding the shirt on.]
Thanks for the mindblowing fuck... And the smoke. Anything else you wanna say before I go, or is your mockery quota filled? Gonna grade me on how I did? Maybe toss a short joke while you're at it? You're creative enough, you could probably manage something I haven't heard yet.
[Vox did low-key forget about the working thing, if only because the agreement was one single project. There won't be a job interview process or anything like that; he'll just shove a script Lucifer's way and be done with it. Could be next month, could be next year. He's not in a hurry to cash in. If Lucifer wants to hang around VoxCo until then, he's welcome to, but Vox won't make him.
Either way, the mood shifted a little there. He'd worry about it, but the 'mindblowing fuck' remark registers louder than anything else. That's what he was aiming for with all this, so his point is made and his gain gotten. His shoulders shrug and he takes another long, slow drag from his cigarette as he watches Lucifer get dressed the rest of the way. Three seconds later, some of the smoke drifts out through his cooling vents.]
Wow, defensive much? [That's it, that's the jab he's getting in, and it's gaslighting about how Lucifer needn't have expected any jabs.] I'm good. I got just about everything out of my system.
[Lucifer huffs before he watches the smoke escape through those vents...
... No, no, don't get distracted. He rolls his eyes at the response before letting out a sigh. He still seriously hates finding this man attractive. There are several responses he could throw at him, but he decides the best one, right now, is no response at all. So, off he goes!
He should probably do a lot of self-reflection over all that led to this turn of events, and yet... he will do exactly none of that. There are too many things he isn't ready to admit about himself, especially the things involving how easily this guy gets under his skin.]
[Aaand now Vox can feel like he got the last word in, which is another win in his book. In fact, this was a great night for him overall. He can't predict where it'll go from here, but he's willing to roll with it. At the end of the day, his priority is still on getting VoxCo up and running, regardless of how many people here are giving him grief for what basically amounts to just existing. Getting the King of Hell to submit under his hands is just a fun little bonus.]
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Sorry, sorry... just... [He already knows Vox isn't the type who'd like being laughed at.] Before you get... too angry...? Promise I'm not laughing at you...
[Lucifer takes a breath.]
You... you kinda... sounded a lot like a way angrier version of... me. [Another breath.] I wasn't expecting an answer I'd... kind of... agree with.
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But then comes the explanation, and that does calm him down somewhat. He releases a huff of breath as the tension leaves his body again.]
Yeah, well... Guess we both didn't get to follow through.
[The cigarette is returned to his hand so he can take another drag from it, hoping the taste will overpower the bitterness.]
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I get to be forced into a smaller body, and then into a role practically everyone will come to hate me for. [For just a brief moment, he's looking closer to his age. A touch haunted and weary. But then he holds a blink, takes a deep breath, and then manages a lazy grin.] Anyway... You're here now, right?
You have an amazing building, a perfect pet, and a huge city to eventually make your own. [He doesn't mean that literally, but...] And... maybe the support of a fallen angel, whenever you find a use for him.
[Lucifer gives a little shrug, taking another drag of the cigarette.]
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They're stupid questions to linger on, but in a roundabout way, it means he can blame Lucifer for his misery. This guy fucked up, and now all of humanity gets to fuck up.
The words that come after are just about dismissed. Vox doesn't quite hear them, instead only focusing on that last bit. He steps right up to Lucifer, his hand raising to the top of the man's head so he can run his fingers through those golden locks of hair again.]
That's a real dangerous thing to say, Lu. And I'm pretty sure if I put you to use a little too much, your daughter's gonna come kick my door down, along with every single soul from Heaven and Hell who made it to this bright little shithole.
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It throws him off enough that he turns several shades darker, a golden blush spreading across his entire face. He didn't blush like this during sex! It's supposed to be more difficult to achieve this! Seems Vox now knows one of Lucifer's weaknesses: unprompted head pets
(and the real reason he usually wears that hat).A quiet noise sneaks out of his throat—awkward, a bit uncertain...]
Dangerous how, exactly? [Wow, he does not like it sounding as though he has to answer to everyone else.] And I can decide my own schedule, thank you very much. As long as the community service can still happen at some point each day, the rest of the day is up for negotiation.
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He chuckles, because it almost seems like Lucifer's forgotten there's far more uses to him than just sex. A tool is a tool, especially one holding that much raw, divine power within. But sure, whatever, let's narrow it down to these types of physical escapades. He's 'not supposed to be' planning any hostile takeovers or other plays that'll end up hurting anyone.]
It's up for negotiation? Is that another way of saying you're going to be sitting around waiting for me to call, or what? [His fingers shift their hold, actively ruffling Lucifer's hair before his entire hand withdraws.] That's cute.
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Wow, isn't that how most job interviews go...? There's a negotiation process, asshole! Or did you forget I'm supposed to be working for you?
[Lucifer draws from the cigarette, narrowing his eyes. Those last two things clearly ruffled his feathers a bit. He's not outright annoyed, but there's no telling how much of that is influenced by what they just did. On a regular day, odds are high that would have had him leaving without another word. He's not cute... but he is ready to get the hell out of there.]
Respect isn't simply earned; it's maintained. I'll never trust you - ever, but you had earned some respect. Enough that I kinda wanted to try? I know, I know... stupid of me. [He points a finger in Vox's direction without looking up.] Don't rub it in.
[There's maybe an important key word in what all he said. Lucifer shrugs a shoulder, flicking the ashes into a manifested ashtray, and then crushing the cigarette into it before making the ashtray vanish. He holds out a hand, drawing his clothes into it before sliding the shirt on.]
Thanks for the mindblowing fuck... And the smoke. Anything else you wanna say before I go, or is your mockery quota filled? Gonna grade me on how I did? Maybe toss a short joke while you're at it? You're creative enough, you could probably manage something I haven't heard yet.
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Either way, the mood shifted a little there. He'd worry about it, but the 'mindblowing fuck' remark registers louder than anything else. That's what he was aiming for with all this, so his point is made and his gain gotten. His shoulders shrug and he takes another long, slow drag from his cigarette as he watches Lucifer get dressed the rest of the way. Three seconds later, some of the smoke drifts out through his cooling vents.]
Wow, defensive much? [That's it, that's the jab he's getting in, and it's gaslighting about how Lucifer needn't have expected any jabs.] I'm good. I got just about everything out of my system.
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... No, no, don't get distracted. He rolls his eyes at the response before letting out a sigh. He still seriously hates finding this man attractive. There are several responses he could throw at him, but he decides the best one, right now, is no response at all. So, off he goes!
He should probably do a lot of self-reflection over all that led to this turn of events, and yet... he will do exactly none of that. There are too many things he isn't ready to admit about himself, especially the things involving how easily this guy gets under his skin.]
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