#Lucifer asked if I wanted to play chess and there was no option of ‘oh I’m gunna suck but I Will Play with you’ | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kenmaiid · 2 years

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Gaming Headcanons

(Or how the Brothers play games with MC) Brothers + gn!reader just a fun little idea that bounced around in my head after I made the Barbatos version. you can view everything romantically or platonically! doesn't matter

dateables + Luke

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Lucifer:

Are you insane? You think that the oh-so-busy Lucifer would have time to play silly games with you? Really? Okay well, maybe sometimes. For a moment you think he might scold you for slacking off, but another part of him welcomes it. Especially since you seemed to want his attention.

Ask him on the right day when he’s not massively overloaded with a lot of work, he’ll make time. A break now and then is good after all.

Lucifer will make it seem as casual as possible though, but he’s secretly pleased the change of pace. (even if he says otherwise)

Frankly he strikes me as the type to secretly play Candy Crush under his desk when the paperwork and files become too much. He gets addicted to those terrible time-waster sandbox games, and hates that he really enjoys them. But focusing on them brings a sort of... peaceful distraction...

But if you'd like to play a game with him he seems more like the type to excel in card games or board games. Things like poker or chess and stimulating things are the best options!

If it’s a game you're new to and completely unfamiliar with he’d absolutely take the time to teach you how to play it. Get ready for an extensive step by step on how to play for the next hour!

He’s not opposed to other types of games though. Levi’s roped him into so many cursed videogames on accident that he approaches pretty much anything with a confident manner. (Though he starts to get just a little salty if he's on the losing end. He is still quite prideful after all)

No matter... it's a reward on it's own if he can see you smiling or laughing. A bit unfortunate that it be at his expense however....

"I suppose taking a break from work was well worth it then. Hm? While it may be unlike me to admit defeat so easily, I wouldn’t say it was a waste of time. It’s refreshing to be in your presence, MC. Message me again if you find any other interesting games."

Mammon:

Mammon is STUPIDLY. RIDICULOUSLY. INSANELY lucky at games. Specifically gambling sure, but I like to think that his gambling luck follows him a little bit sometimes.

It’s only when he starts gloating and showing off about it does his luck immediately run out... poor mammon..

The very first time you bring up wanting to play a game with him though he's all nonchalant on the surface, but the fact that you came to him over everyone else makes him secretly happy

casually brings it up in conversation with others that you were his first or somethin like that and people start looking at him weird

He’s like: "Ah, whatever, sure. We can do something if you want I guess... since youre lookin’ all pathetic without my guidance or whatever." *looks at you hopefully* 👀👀👀 "So what're we playin'? I can teach ya if you need help with this one."

To be honest if you do actually need his help with some sort of gambling then he really will go all out. But casual games between the two of you are fun as well

I like to think that Levi will ask him to do his gacha pulls for him. Mammon still has no clue how in the world him pressing a button helps, but if Levi seems happy enough its whatever. So if you're also simply coming to him for something like that he’s confused, but he won’t turn you away. (will lean over your shoulder and squint at the phone though)

Not to reduce him to his whole gambling schtick but i feel like he'd be well versed in pretty much any sort of entertainment type game. But he plays the odd game here and there with the other brothers.

Test your luck against him in a card game or backgammon or anything like that if you want. At the very least it'll make him happy, and its something he can actually really focus on.

He still gets really competitive lowkey though. You gotta catch him on the right day with a pout and a pleading look in your eye if you want him to give up and just let you win.

Mammon is a softie, you could absolutely win him over.

Unless its Mario Kart or something like that, he gets bullied by the brothers and even NPCs quite viciously. He probably gets bullied in most games with his brothers honestly. Perhaps you should go easier on him if you end up being better than him.

“You know, you ain’t too bad at this, MC. Maybe we can find another game to play when you’re free, okay? Just call me and I’ll be right over. I’m winnin next time though!”

Leviathan:

Levi is THE number one gamer.

Like who are we kidding he eats, sleeps, breathes, gaming. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had those horrendous gaming related t-shirts he wears alone... or if he has a ‘live laugh pog’ carpet or something terrible like that in his room

He has the gaming chair and the light up rainbow keyboard setup i really dont know what else you want from me. what else could I say

Levi is either the type to stand to the side and say 'lol' in chat when The Skeletons start chasing you in Minecraft, or he gets clingy and always wants to see if you need help or protection.

Mans is always decked in the most high level expensive gear no matter what the game is anyways. He worked hard for it and will show it off. There’d be no point in not wearing it anyways. but God we get it... you're a pro gamer. Now hurry up and help fight the boss 🙄

Luckily for you he's always so excited to have a gaming partner to play around with and show off to that he just gets really focused on both you and the game. There is no room for self-deprecation in his mind since you’re the focus! For a little while at least </3 (no but seriously, he self-deprecates so much I personally think gaming with MC would leave less room for negativity since he has other things to worry about. Who else will slay all these mobs yknow-)

He gets a little silly because of this I think, if he’s not playing with online friends that is. He devotes so much of his time protecting you if you’re newer at a game or really seem to be struggling.

If you need armor or good gear he’ll give it to you. You need more items? He’s on it. You need to grind a boss for something special? Alright. lets go!

I can’t exactly say that he’s the best teacher, but seeing him look so excited is nice right?

Also the type to help you with getting achievements. No matter what game it is he’ll show you the steps to get it, or just do it himself if you ask. Bless his heart...

”I own both versions of [insert Pokémon Game here]. If you’re collecting them all I can help you with trading and filling the dex.”

”Is the sun bothering you, MC?” “I don’t think you can kill that in game, Levi.”

”If we can clear these dungeons by today we can get some really good prizes, MC! Don’t worry, I can definitely help you through. I made a guide for this one awhile back so if we follow this method...”

Levi and MC just have a lot of fun no matter what it is honestly. He’s quite competitive as well but more so in relation to his brothers. So perhaps there’s some favoritism thrown MCs way

Satan:

No he will not number one victory royale with you.

He is not your little pogchamp. Get a grip!!!

Though he does strike me as the type to unironically love cat headphones hmmmm

He’d only wear them alone or around MC at first, but eventually he’d wear them when he games with the other brothers

Will he get you a matching set just to test the waters and gauge his reaction accordingly based on if you like it? Yes. He’s prepared to laugh it off as a little joke gift if you’re not receptive. If you like it though he’s very pleased. Starts going on about all the extra handy uses it comes with and how he was considerate with choosing the color yada yada

But he does get a little competitive if you bring something up that catches his interest. As long as he's curious enough and it sounds kind of fun he's gonna do it.

Honestly he doesn't strike me as the type to play games all that much, IF at all. (He’d be more of a mobile player at that)

There’s a good chance he knows about a lot of games either through hearing Levi mention them in passing, or just through stumbling upon them in his own free time (he does like to research after all)

Satan would definitely text you or ask in person if he had a query about an interesting human world game he read about

(Okay so it turns out whatever he read was an extremely dated ritual but MC quickly looks past that to teach him an actual game instead. No, no, Satan please put the book away. It is not a game.)

MC spends a fair amount of time teaching him old children’s hand games to his slight amusement. Whether he just wants to touch their hands or actually learn is unknown, but he absolutely eats it up every time they play Patty Cake

As for things I could actually see him playing in his free time.. He was really obsessed with Neko Atsume and Meow Meow Star Acres for awhile.

MC would occasionally ask “How’s that black cat doing today?” and Satan will reply “Ah, Hermeowne is doing lovely today. Would you like to see her?” And he’s already opening the app to show you

Unironically though, I think it would be really funny if he somehow got into GTA. It’s “for the culture” he claims when he mentions how he finds the game. Thinks it’s a bit ridiculous and extremely vulgar as he loads it up, which is sort amusing at first. He’s stealing cars and running over the NPCS almost immediately.

Momentarily he panics because ‘This isn’t linked to any real world pedestrians right? It’s all actual code?’ Yes, Satan it’s actual code. No. Satan, they aren’t real people. Carry on.

Oh great, now you lost him for a week straight.

Asmodeus:

girlsgogames dot com end of story

Devilish Hairstyler.... Pet Makeovers.... Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures.... he’s all about that genre of gaming

He's mostly invested in those really elaborate 'you start out with nothing and need to redecorate and/or dress everyone up' type of games

Asmo wouldn’t be embarrassed about it by any means, but I think a small part of him would be a bit flustered if it was truly found out how much time he really logs into these sort of things

I think he'd also be super invested in The Sims franchise. Asmo has this really elaborate little fake world where he creates people and starts tedious drama in game for fun. Has probably recreated all of his brothers to further the chaos

Was absolutely appalled with the way he looked in the game the first time.

No he just couldn't have that. Not at all. He spent hours getting tons and tons of mods to beautify himself (with Levi’s help and guidance of course).

It almost quite literally looks as if he stepped into the game world, which had really worried MC for a moment. They’ve been in enough wacky game world related scenarios as is, they just had to be sure

Asmo usually has to be in the mood to game since it’s usually the last thing on his mind, but you're free to watch him play of course! He can give you a nice tour of all the houses he’s worked on and fill you in on all the fake drama

It’s a very long and overly complicated story though so just know what you’re getting yourself into!

Honestly though, If he did have to actually play something, he’s more of the ‘I’m bad at gaming but I’m having fun so it’s all good’ type

He came 6th in Mario Kart? Ah, he’s a little annoyed that he couldn’t show off like the others but that’s fine, he did his best! The commentary and seeing you smile or laugh was much better anyways

“So there’s this adorable little penguin that owns this restaurant and- Oh! I don’t know if we can do two players though... ahh, okay, just one moment I can find something for us to do together. Unless you know a better way to pass the time, hm? 😏 “

Probably used to lightly harass people on Neopets and Club Penguin into buying him all the top tier fancy items btw. Not because he couldn’t afford it. Just because <3

Beelzebub:

"Oh, MC, did you need help clearing a level or something? I dunno how much I can help out but let me see what I can do."

He'll probably mention once or twice that he's not the best at gaming and things like that, but he'll definitely do his best.

Is really confused on why you wouldn’t just want to go ask Levi or someone else though because of this, but he’s not the type to think about it for too long

You came to him so the two of you could hang out together, so he’s gonna do just that. It’s very simple

When he says he’s not the best he..... really isn't though. at least in the way he approaches gaming

Beel would load up a new file of Animal Crossing for the 1st time and ask MC “Okay. who do I kill?” *Tom Nook appears on screen* “Oh, do I fight him?” No Beel, please don’t fight the old Tanuki, he’s just trying to make a living via questionable means.

MC ponders what fighting Tom Nook would actually be like though. Just for a split second.

We already know Beel’s the type to just brute force it. I mean, he saved over poor Levi’s save files and used the wrong weapons in the anime, God save him <3

I think he’s the rare oddity where he can still make it through a game despite all this.

“Beel, How did you beat this boss? I’ve been trying for so long! No matter how many healing items i use I can never get past a certain point.”

Him: “Healing item?”

“Y-You. You did heal throughout it right? Beel?”

The way he games gives most people heart attacks tbh

Worried about whether or not he’d be enthralled by the Cooking Mama games because yeah sure it’s food related, but another part of me feels like Mama would remind him of Barbatos with her unwavering wide grin.

He can hear Barbatos’ scolding in the background the moment he messes up slicing these onions... the pressure might get to him oh no

Would he become enticed by the food on screen!?!?! Please dont eat MCs nintendo DS Beel

Belphegor:

Gaming? he just wants to take a nap with you, maybe rest his eyes for a bit, but ah well what is it that you expect from him.

He’s more of a watcher + cheerer rather than a player

Think of the little karaoke minigame in Yakuza games where you can clap and make noise on the sidelines. That's him, he’s cheering you on while you play instead

because otherwise, Belphie is absolutely terrible at gaming im so sorry.

He tries to offer advice at first, but unlike Beel, he pretty much never understands what the hell he’s actually looking at until MC gives a basic synopsis of what they have to do in-game

But like I said, I feel like no matter what game it is you’re playing he’d be invested enough

Ah is MC going on a treacherous quest and battling their way up the ranks? The story is very engaging to him if you’re equally invested

Is MC starting their new life as a farmer with a big abandoned plot of land? You should get all those rocks out of the way first then... Oh, no they’re getting the crops planted first? Smart thinking actually.

He backseat games a little bit ngl. “Shouldn’t you go over to The Health Center was it? Your rival is waiting for you, right?” He leans on your shoulder with a yawn. “Wait, doesn’t that mean there’ll be a big fight soon!? Mmmm, maybe you should train some more, MC... Go over there!”

Otherwise if he has the chance to actually play at the same time with you it takes some time for him to remember all the controls and the map. You’re more than likely going to have to carry him in whatever game youre playing. Even if it’s a peaceful one. Sorry. 🙏

Belphie keeps walking off the cliffs on accident.

He used his healing item at full health on accident.

He’s lost. It was only a few seconds but you lost Belphie in game.

Please help him understand the controls MC, I can’t watch this go on any longer.

Little fun fact: he always ends up liking the OSTs for the games you play. So sure, he can pretty much fall asleep on command, but so many of those OSTs are very pretty or relaxing. So he puts them in his playlist when he wants to have a particularly good nights rest (and maybe think of you)

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petrichoravellichor · 3 years

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Title: A New Kind of Life

Wordcount: ~10k

Rating: T

Summary: What if, when Sam and Dean break into the Empty, Cas isn’t the only one they save? A post-15x19 fix-it fic in which Crowley gets a second shot at the redemption (and family) he deserves.

(Read on Ao3)

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Chapter 2 (of 5) (Ch. 1, Ch. 3, Chs. 4 & 5)

Days go by. Crowley remains in his room, keeping the door locked and stubbornly ignoring any attempts by Sam or Dean to gain entrance, although he does spare a breath to shout that if they want something to do, they can go ward the rest of the Bunker against further intrusions from certain Hell witches. In the end, the brothers leave him alone, and Crowley tells himself he’s glad. It nearly works; he is, after all, a very good liar, even to himself.

Then comes a newer knock, a softer one, followed by a voice Crowley recognizes as belonging to the new God-Kid, Jack: “Hello? Mr. Crowley? Are you still in there?”

And maybe it’s because he’s bored—it’s certainly not because he’s lonely— but Crowley decides to answer. “Why are you knocking?” he snaps. “Can’t you just blow the bloody door off its hinges?”

A beat of silence; then: “I...could, but it wouldn’t be very polite.”

Wouldn’t be very—?! Crowley gapes at the door; dear God, the boy really was Castiel’s son. Eventually, Crowley asks, “What do you want?”

“Do you know how to play chess?”

Whatever Crowley is expecting, it isn’t that. He goes to the door, unlatching the bolt and opening it a crack. “What?”

“Do you know how to play chess?” Jack repeats and holds up a battered old set. “I found this in the storeroom a while back, but I don’t know how to play, and neither do Sam or Dean.”

And it’s...strange. Crowley knows, logically, that this is the golden-eyed man he saw in the Empty, the supremely powerful being who is not only Lucifer’s spawn but also the new God; he knows this...yet somehow, as Jack stands before him and smiles almost shyly, Crowley can’t help but think Jack looks rather...small.

He frowns, opening the door wider. “What about Castiel?” Crowley demands archly. “Surely he’s familiar with what it means to be a pawn.”

Unfortunately, the jab appears to go right over the boy’s head. “He knows what all the pieces are called,” Jack says, nodding, “but he’s never played before. Have you?”

Crowley has. He actually rather likes chess, although it’s been some time since he’s faced a worthy opponent. As King of Hell, he’d of course been able to order other demons to play with him, but most of them were so abysmally bad at it that he’d stopped bothering after a while. “Why do you ask?” he says, instead of answering.

“Will you teach me?”

The request catches Crowley off-guard; he can’t help but feel it’s some sort of joke. “You want me,” he says slowly, “to teach you how to play chess.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Oh.” Jack’s face falls; he looks down. “Okay. Sorry for bothering you; I’ll leave you alone.”

Jack turns and begins to walk away, and the sight really shouldn’t bother Crowley...but it does. He feels a sort of painful pressure building in his chest, and suddenly, the thought of being alone any longer is downright unbearable. Bollocks...

“Wait!” Crowley calls, stepping out into the hallway as Jack turns to peer hopefully over his shoulder. “Just...wait. I’ve changed my mind. The answer is yes.”

Jack beams. “You mean it?”

And he looks so bloody happy that Crowley has to focus his gaze on Jack’s shoulder; looking too long at that smile feels like staring into the sun. “I said as much,” he grumbles. “What more do you want?”

“Can we play in the library? The lighting’s better there.”

Crowley flicks his gaze back to Jack’s face, fully prepared to say no, they’ll play in his quarters or not at all...but Jack is giving him these blasted, begging eyes that Crowley would bet good money were learned from Sam, and what actually comes out is, “Lead the way.”

*****

They take to having daily lessons in the library. Crowley demonstrates various openings and defenses, and when they progress to actual matches, he shows no mercy, checkmating Jack’s king in what feels like a record number of moves.

Still, what Jack lacks in natural ability, he makes up for with eagerness to learn and ample appreciation of Crowley’s knowledge, which is...actually rather nice, if Crowley’s being honest with himself; he can’t remember the last time anyone appreciated him for anything.

Sam, Dean, and Castiel look in on them from time to time, although Crowley pretends not to notice them. Once, he catches a glimpse of a woman Jack says is called Eileen Leahy.

“She’s Sam’s girlfriend,” Jack explains brightly as he takes one of Crowley’s pawns with his remaining bishop. “Sam brought her back from the dead after a hellhound killed her.”

Ah. That explains the dirty look...Crowley frowns, moving a knight to capture Jack’s bishop. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Sam, years ago, that he hadn't known who Eileen was when he lent a hellhound to the British Men of Letters, and besides, they were the ones who’d decided to sic said hellhound on the woman, not him. It’s not his fault the bastards had apparently thought it sporting to use an invisible weapon against someone who couldn’t hear it coming. If Crowley had wanted to kill Eileen, he would have at least had the decency to use a weapon she could see. Still, what’s done is done, and Crowley does his best not to dwell on it. The topic of hellhounds is, after all, rather painful at present, given that he still doesn’t know what’s become of Juliet.

Not for the first time, Crowley curses himself for losing his temper with his mother before having learned the fate of his favorite hellhound. Was Juliet still in Hell, where he’d left her? Had she been well-cared for in his absence? What if one of his adversaries had harmed her out of spite? What if his mother had harmed her out of spite? Crowley has no way of knowing, not unless he wants to contact his mother again or just show up in Hell, and neither option inspires optimism. Rowena could very easily lie to him over the phone, and setting foot in Hell feels far too akin to walking into a trap: enough of Crowley’s enemies have probably survived the past few years that he’d be stabbed the moment he got through the gates, and for what? Only to learn that Juliet had been butchered years ago? At least as things currently are, he can still hold onto the chance, however slim, that Juliet is alive. If only there were some way to know…

Go on then, universe, Crowley thinks savagely, give me a bloody sign.

No sooner does the thought form than Crowley hears the click of paws against the Bunker's floor. He freezes, hardly daring to believe...but his hopes are abruptly dashed when a moment later, a tan, scruffy-looking mutt who is neither Juliet nor a hellhound enters the library. The dog pauses when it catches sight of him seated across from Jack at the table, then growls.

Jack looks over and smiles. “Hey, boy, it’s okay,” he calls soothingly, reaching a hand down to get the dog’s attention. “This is Mr. Crowley; he’s a friend. Come say hi.”

To Crowley's surprise, the dog scampers forward, apparently willing to take Jack’s word on the matter. It stops next to Crowley’s chair and sniffs him curiously until Crowley reaches out and hesitantly pats its head, at which point it starts wagging its tail and lets out a friendly sort of bark. The sound fills Crowley with a sense of unexpected warmth.

“When did you lot get a dog?” he asks, glancing back at Jack as the dog lies down at his feet.

“A little over a week ago,” Jack replies. “Dean found him after Chuck made everyone disappear. His name is Miracle.”

“Miracle,” Crowley repeats, looking down at the dog, which yawns back at him, apparently settling in for a nap. “Of course.”

After they finish their lesson, Crowley starts to return to his room, only to hear Miracle trailing after him into the hall. He turns to regard the dog with a frown.

“If it’s treats you’re after,” Crowley says, “I haven’t got any.”

Miracle cocks his head, seeming to consider him for a moment, then pads over, tail wagging and eyes bright. “Woof.”

Crowley arches a brow. “You don’t take no for an answer, do you?”

“Woof.”

“Right.” Crowley sighs. “Well, come on, then,” he says, turning and continuing the rest of the way to his room, Miracle trotting alongside him. “You’re no hellhound, but I suppose you’ll do for company.”

And to himself, with grudging approval: Well played, universe. Well played.

*****

More days pass. Crowley spends most of his time in his room, leafing through books borrowed from the Bunker library with Miracle curled up at the foot of his bed. The dog comes to visit him more often than not, scratching insistently at the door until Crowley lets him in. Having him around doesn’t make Crowley’s anxieties over Juliet fade away, but it does lessen the sting of her absence, if only a little.

Jack also stops by with increasing frequency, and Crowley honestly still doesn’t know what to make of him. Lucifer’s blood flows in the boy’s veins, and by all accounts, that should make Jack terrible beyond reason, a vicious, manipulative creature whose only goal is to bring about the downfall of mankind in the most horrible way imaginable.

Instead, Jack sits cross-legged on Crowley’s bed and talks cheerfully about Star Wars or whatever other interest has his attention that day, and his only vice seems to be an insatiable sweet tooth. During one of his visits, he asks about Crowley’s life before they met, and there’s something so maddeningly sincere about the way he does it that Crowley finds himself telling Jack more than he means to, about himself, about Hell, about his mother...

By the time he finishes, Crowley feels raw and a little embarrassed at having said so much, but Jack just smiles softly. “It’s okay, Mr. Crowley,” he says. “We can be more than the people we come from; my dads taught me that. We can choose to be good.”

Crowley isn’t so sure about that, at least not as far as he himself is concerned. His soul is about as damned as a soul can get, and besides, his choices have a nasty habit of blowing up in his face. Still, it’s...a nice thought, if nothing else.

He’s still thinking about it later that night, long after Jack’s gone off to Heaven for a bit to do whatever it is he and Amara do up there. Crowley’s sitting in the dark kitchen having a cup of tea—cheap stuff that comes in a bag, unfortunately, but at least there’d been a kettle—when Castiel appears in the doorway, an almost-silhouette against the soft glow of the hall light, and peers in at him through the darkness.

Crowley stares stonily back. Apparently, his assessment of the shift in Dean and Castiel's dynamic had been correct: Castiel is barefoot, wearing a t-shirt and sweats that were probably once Dean’s or maybe still are. Crowley can practically smell Dean’s scent on the clothes even from where he sits, and the low-quality tea does nothing to chase the bitterness from his mouth. Who would have thought that all it would take to tear away whatever final shred of heterosexuality Dean Winchester had been clinging to all these years was a deathbed love confession followed by a romp in the Empty? Not that Crowley cares a whit about that; he doesn't, not even a little bit, not at all.

“Hello, Castiel,” he says darkly. “Out for a stroll? You should try the dungeon; from what I recall, it’s lovely this time of night.”

Castiel raises an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t know,” he says evenly, “having never spent the night there.” Then, before Crowley can think of a suitable comeback, Castiel gestures at an empty stool on the other side of the table. “May I?”

Crowley shrugs. “This is your home, not mine. You don’t need my permission to do anything.”

“Even so, I’d like to have it.”

“Then consider it had. I’ll take my tea elsewhere.”

Castiel frowns. “There’s no need for that.”

Crowley lets his eyes linger on Castiel’s shirt, on Dean’s shirt, then snaps his gaze back to Castiel’s face. “Not for you, perhaps.”

Silence. Crowley is hyperaware of the clock on the wall, ticking out each passing second as they stare each another down, and he half hopes Castiel will charge, practically dares him to. Crowley’s not stupid—he knows his odds against an ordinary angel aren't particularly good, let alone a former leader of garrisons—but at the moment, he doesn’t care: worst-case scenario, Castiel kills him and he goes back to the Empty. Maybe if Crowley's lucky, he’ll actually get a funeral this time.

Eventually, however, Castiel’s shoulders relax, and he sighs. “You should know,” he says, quietly, “I bear you no ill will over our past grievances.”

Crowley bristles; for a second, he considers getting up and throwing the first punch himself. He isn’t sure what Castiel is playing at, but whatever it is, he’s not in the mood for games. “Of course you don’t," he growls. "They all worked out in your favor.”

Castiel regards him carefully. “You’re referring to Dean.”

“I’m referring to everything!” Crowley snaps, nearly shattering his cup as he slams it down on the table. “Haven’t you noticed, Castiel? Your choices are lauded, held up as grand examples of what one does for love, and mine?” He lets out a mirthless laugh that comes out closer to a sob. “Mine end with me on the business end of an angel blade, dying for a world where I’m not even missed, not by Dean or anyone else.”

No sooner does he say the words than Crowley feels like he can’t breathe. Which is stupid, because he doesn’t need to breathe, hasn’t for centuries, but the feeling’s there all the same. The place his heart would be if he still had one aches; it’s as though a well-healed scar in his chest has been sliced wide open and now Crowley’s choking on all the blood. He blinks back the bitter tears he can feel prickling at his eyes, staring fixedly down at the tabletop and wishing it would swallow him whole.

Eventually, he manages to get himself under control, and by the time the choking feeling subsides, Crowley is more exhausted than angry. Maybe Dean should have left him in the Empty after all, he thinks tiredly; it would have saved a good deal of heartache.

Through it all, Castiel remains silent; when Crowley finally looks up at him, he’s surprised to be met with something strangely akin to pity. Ordinarily, it would be infuriating, but right now, Crowley just can’t find the energy to give a damn; he slumps forward over the table and sighs. “What is it you want, Castiel?” he asks listlessly. “You came here to say something, so by all means, say it. There’s nothing you can take from me that I haven’t already lost.”

For a moment, Castiel lingers on the threshold; then he steps into the dark kitchen and sits across from Crowley at the table. Crowley waits, expecting to be told off...but when Castiel speaks, his tone is surprisingly, solemnly gentle.

“I wanted to thank you,” he says, “for the interest you’ve taken in Jack. What he’s been going through lately...facing Chuck, rebuilding Heaven...it’s been a great deal of change very suddenly. He’s trying so hard, and Sam, Dean, and I are supporting him as best we can, as is Amara, but it's still an incredible burden for a child to bear.” Castiel smiles sadly. “Especially when it’s so easy for others to forget that he’s a child.”

As he listens to Castiel speak, Crowley thinks back to that day in the Empty, at the cosmically powerful golden-eyed being who shielded him, shielded all of them, from the surrounding darkness. Jack is powerful in ways Crowley can only begin to imagine...but he’s also more than that. He's the boy who knocked timidly on Crowley's door and asked to learn chess, the boy who sits on the edge of Crowley’s bed and talks to him and smiles in delight when Miracle chases his tail. He’s curious and well-mannered and kind and—

And God, Crowley realizes with a start; bloody hell, when had he grown so fond of God?

“But, as I was saying,” Castiel says, snapping Crowley out of his thoughts, “the time you’ve been spending with him, treating him like he’s anyone else, giving him space to just be himself...it’s been good for him.” A pause, then: “You’ve been good for him. And while you and I have had our differences—”

Crowley can’t help it; he snorts. “That’s putting it mildly,” he says, and Castiel actually cracks a smile before continuing:

“—and while you and I have had our differences, Jack’s happiness takes precedence over all of them. He’s my son, and you matter to him.” He looks at Crowley intently, then adds, in a tone of absolute certainty, “And he would miss you if you were gone.”

The weight of Castiel’s words nearly knocks Crowley to the floor. He’s never mattered to anyone before, and now...now he matters to God. Crowley swallows; he doesn’t know what to say.

Castiel seems to understand, though. They sit in silence, and it’s not exactly amicable, but it’s not strained, either. Like for the first time since Castiel entered the kitchen, there’s enough space in the room for both of them.

Eventually, Crowley clears his throat. “There’s still some water left in the kettle,” he says, “if you’d like a cup of tea.” Then, because he doesn’t want to appear too agreeable, he gestures despairingly down at his cup and adds, “although what passes for Earl Grey according to Winchester tastes is, unsurprisingly, questionable at best.”

And Castiel, to Crowley’s surprise, smirks. “Leave that to me,” he says, rising and heading over to the cupboard. “I know where Sam hides the stash Rowena gave him for Christmas.”

#crowley #spn crowley #fergus macleod #crowley macleod #jack kline #spn #supernatural #spn fic #spn fix-it fic #spn spoilers #a new kind of life #my writing #this was supposed to go up tomorrow but i finished editing early and figured what the heck #one less thing to worry about tomorrow :)

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strongbeautifulfulloflight · 7 years

Text

His Own Little Ankle Biter

Happy Deckerstar Summer Exchange, @luciferthemorningstar!

Prompt was for pregnant or married Deckerstar, so I kind of went with a little twist on that and incorporated the two. I went ahead and set this in a time where he still hasn’t told her the truth about who/what he really is. And there’s so much potential to be explored here, but I ran out of time to really delve that far into it. So I ask that it be taken for what it is. I hope you enjoy it, despite the teensy bit of angst I couldn’t seem to avoid. :-)

HIS OWN LITTLE ANKLE BITER

“Pregnant? But how could you be pregnant?”

The gaping scowl on Lucifer’s face would have been hilarious if it weren’t for the situation. How could she have been stupid enough to have slept with him without using a condom? Not that logic played much of a role when it came to anything between her and Lucifer, but Chloe was usually a more responsible adult than this. Lucifer…well, Lucifer wasn’t responsible, or even remotely an adult in his behaviors. So she couldn’t pin the blame on him. As much as she wanted to.

“Well, Lucifer, when two people like each other and get really, really drunk - “

He held a finger up to silence her. “I beg to differ, detective. You had one drink, which I myself poured.”

“One insanely strong drink.”

“Well if I knew that one drink would have made you throw yourself at me the way you did - “

“I did not throw myself at you!” He smiled, cheeky and full of himself. He was enjoying this way too much. Chloe clenched her fists at her sides and took a deep, even breath. “The point is we got carried away and now…” She gestured to her stomach, emphatically.

Lucifer’s eyes dropped to her stomach and his snarky smile began to fade. As his expression morphed into something softer, something apprehensive, it looked like the reality had finally hit him. He swallowed, hard. His eyes glossed over and his lips parted before the corners started to turn upwards in a reverent smile.

“I’m going to be a father.”

“So Chloe’s knocked up, huh?”

It was the second time today a woman was in his penthouse announcing the news. Lucifer beamed in the face of Mazikeen’s sardonic deadpan.

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

On the couch behind him Amenadiel rolled his eyes, tired and above all, worried. “I’m not sure this is something you should be happy about, Luci.”

“And why not? Chloe and I have long since defined our relationship. This will do nothing but solidify that.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Is she gonna keep it?” Maze ventured, but before Lucifer could object, Amenadiel continued.

“Luci, do you realize how dangerous this is?”

“As much as I value your vote of confidence, Amenadiel, I assure you I will not become like our father.” He waltzed over shoving a drink into his brother’s hand with a jubilant laugh. “I mean this is a whole new chapter for the detective and I. Not only will we be partners in our crime-solving ventures but we’ll have produced a child, thereby becoming partners in parenting.”

“Sure would make a great sitcom,” Maze joked dully.

“You’re not grasping the reality, Lucifer.” Amenadiel shook his head, rising to walk towards his brother. “This child will be half-angel. A Nephilim. Do you know what that means?”

“The end of the world?” she offered, mostly kidding.

But Amenadiel was serious. “It’s very likely.”

“Will you two stop being so negative and rejoice with me? For dad’s sake, you’re going to be an uncle!”

“Does Chloe have any idea what kind of pregnancy this is going to be? Because it certainly won’t be a natural one. And what about when the baby is born?”

Maze’s lips twisted into a dark smile. “Maybe it’ll claw itself out of her.” She looked between the two disapproving brothers. “What? It happens in like every movie. Oh! Or, she could be like Rosemary’s Baby and go completely psycho on everyone!” Both men stared, dumbfounded. “Has it ever occurred to you to do something more valuable with your time, Maze?” She shrugged and Lucifer shook his head.

“You have to tell Chloe the truth, Luci. If she’s going to have your child, she deserves that much.”

“I’d hold off,” Maze advised. “I hear the hormones can be a real bitch.”

“Something you’ll have in common then.” Lucifer’s grin matched his namesake. “I’m glad both of you are taking this seriously,” Amenadiel griped, finally sitting down in defeat.

“Don’t get your wings bent.” Maze rolled her eyes. “So Chloe’s having a devil baby. Worst case scenario, everyone dies and daddy dearest has to start all over again.”

Amenadiel peered narrowly. “Thank you, Maze. That’s very reassuring.”

“And if that’s not the case?” Lucifer begged to differ. “I mean if this was really dad’s plan, I doubt he’d let a child be the total obliteration of humanity.”

“Provided this child was part of his plan.”

“Everything’s a part of dad’s plan!” Lucifer’s laughter turned sour. “Every bloody thing that happens is because of him, so why should this be any different?”

“And since when have any of his plans involving you ever been good, Luci?”

It had stunned the devil into a foreboding silence. Perhaps this was something of a misfortune, going by Amenadiel’s deductions. Why was it always that when he’d found a happiness with Chloe, there was always some force trying to destroy it?

There had to be some greater reason than his destruction that Chloe had gotten pregnant. He wasn’t aware that pregnancy was even an option, and for a brief moment he wondered about the many women he’d fooled around with. The thought was fleeting, though, as any developments would have surely come to light by now. And his dad was a fickle entity. He wouldn’t gift Lucifer just any child. No, it had to be a child of the miracle baby he bestowed upon the Deckers. Leave it to dad to play a fine game of chess with his pawns, including his own son.

Perhaps there was still another move left on the board that could work in his favor. Something God wouldn’t expect. And when the idea came, it surprised even Lucifer. It might not be the boldest move he could make, but it was something.

“Get these to Detective Espinosa immediately.”

A manila folder was being transitioned from Chloe’s hands to another officer, a no-nonsense look of authority on her face. It was a mask for everything that was going on.

Work was the one thing she could count on to keep her level minded and distracted when things weren’t going smoothly in her personal life. When she was willing to let herself have one. Things like these - things like Lucifers and unexpected pregnancies - were the reason she’d kept her personal life on the back burner for so long. After the way things had gone horribly wrong with Dan, she didn’t want a repeat any time soon. Besides, Trixie deserved the brunt of her attention. She was a great cop and she was an even better mother. Most of the time.

“I’ll take those.” Dan smiled as he approached, taking the files from the officer who had just turned to deliver them. As the lower rank dismissed himself, Chloe’s ex thumbed through the paperwork. “What’ve we got?”

“The background checks on our suspect,” she informed him. “Nothing came up in his history, but his wife’s is riddled with priors.”

“Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse.”

“Attention! Attention, everyone!”

Dan sighed. “Speaking of which…”

Chloe looked up to see Lucifer walking down the stairs of the precinct, arms spread as he called the attention of the entire police force. Her cheeks reddened in fury. “I have an announcement to make!”

“Lucifer!” she hissed loudly. “What are you doing?!”

He held his finger up as he descended the last few steps, and continued his monologue. “Now I know there are several of you here who know me as Detective Decker’s morally obtuse partner. Today,” he told them, as he reached Chloe’s desk, and softened his voice, “I will bear a new title.” He slowly lowered himself to one knee.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Chloe covered her face with her hand, shaking her head, mortified.

“Chloe Decker,” he began, “will you marry me?”

“You’re not serious.” Dan turned to Chloe, bemused. “Is he serious?”

She removed her hand shot him a wide-eyed glare, mouth agape. “Lucifer, get up.”

“But…you haven’t said ‘yes’ yet.”

“Get. Up.”

He did and no sooner had she grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the public eye and into the interrogation room.

“This seems rather uncalled for,” he protested as he stumbled inside.

“What the hell are you doing?” she snapped, the echo of the room making her voice blare.

“Proposing to you, obviously.”

“In front of the entire force?!”

“I thought it would be romantic.”

“Oh, so you did actually think about this? Well. That’s a relief.”

He frowned as she turned away from him, collecting her thoughts and trying to calm down. She swallowed deeply and took a long breath before turning to face him again, her voice decidedly more even.

“You humiliated me out there. In front of my coworkers, in front of Dan. You, of all people, should know I don’t like to be put on the spot like that.”

“Is that why you didn’t say ‘yes’?”

She shook her head. “Why are you doing this?”

He opened his mouth to respond but the creak of the door swinging open interrupted.

“I gotta say, that was quite a show.”

“Dan, not now,” Chloe begged as he entered the room.

“Impeccable timing as ever, Daniel.”

He nodded toward Lucifer, nostrils flared. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Not particularly, no.”

“I think I deserve to know.”

“Oh do you? You see, detective, he’s no longer married to you yet he still feels entitled to be a part of your life. Some would say it’s codependent, even.”

“Oh yeah, that’s real funny.” Dan was nodding, starting to defensively get closer to the opposing man. “Everything is such a joke to you, isn’t it?”

Chloe’s eyes rolled, impatient with their repertoire. “I’m pregnant, Dan.”

He turned around, stunned. “What?”

“It’s Lucifer’s.”

He looked between the two of them and then grimaced, shaking his head and turning away. “You two…you…” He turned back and glared at Lucifer. “You slept with my wife?!’

“EX-wife,” Chloe reminded him, though it didn’t lessen his repulsion.

“Yes. Chloe and I had relations, and I intended to make an honest detective out of her but you’re making that rather difficult right now.”

“Oh I’m making it difficult?”

“Dan, please!” Chloe huffed an annoyed sigh, turning back to Lucifer. “Why are you asking me to marry you?”

“I thought you’d want that.”

“And why would you assume that?”

“Well isn’t that what you’re supposed to do with these things? Love, marriage, baby. Not to mention it’d help avoid the child being born a bastard.”

“I think that’s kind of unavoidable,” Dan muttered, hands on his hips. Lucifer scowled.

“Okay, I’m not doing this right now. I have a case to solve and none of this his helping!”

“But you still haven’t answered my question.”

“Because I can’t! Because this is ridiculous!” She laughed in disbelief. “You can’t just…” She pressed her lips together and finally looked at him. “You can’t ask me to marry you like it’s some kind of game, Lucifer. It doesn’t work that way. Now, I am going back out there so I can find the person who killed our victim. That is the only thing that matters right now.”

“Great. I’ll help.” He started to follow but she turned back, raising her palm to stop him. He looked at it in confusion.

“I think you should go home.”

“But detective - “

“I’ll call you if I need you.”

And with that, she disappeared from the room and the door swung slowly closed after her, leaving him facing the mirrored glass and the saddened reflection of his face.

It had been hours since his proposal and he’d yet to hear from Chloe. Not that he was some pathetic, insecure schoolgirl waiting by the phone for her to call, but he’d been put off by the way she’d responded to his grand gesture. He was expecting - no, he deserved an apology. After all, he was only trying to do what was right. She hadn’t even let him know any details about the case so he had no means of cleverly figuring it out just seconds before she did, allowing her a grateful segue into said apology.

The piano was his survival. He fingered the keys with loving strokes, letting the vibration of each note run through him and meld into the next one, the somber melody matching his melancholy heart. He’d wanted this child to bring them together and so far it seemed to be pulling them apart.

He paused his song to take another swig of his whiskey then set it down, his heart grumbling in dissatisfaction and irrational anger. Looking upward, he sent a glare his father’s way.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, dad?”

The only response he received was the ding of the elevator’s arrival. He glanced its way and saw Chloe standing inside, hands clasped in front of her. He rose tentatively from his seat and met her halfway at the entrance. She smiled up at him but it wasn’t a confident smile, rather a humoring gesture that he’d learned was mostly reserved for when she had to put him in his place, or otherwise.

“Can we talk?”

Her voice was airy, another sign she was about to say something he wouldn’t like. Nevertheless, he gestured her toward the couches and moved an inch to let her by. As she rounded to the orange leather armchair, he went back to the piano to retrieve what was left of his drink, giving the gold liquid a little swirl. Chloe touched the corner of the chair but didn’t sit, hesitating before bursting his bubble.

“Lucifer, I’m not going to marry you.”

He paused, his glass just barely at his lips, and Chloe felt her muscles tense. She hated seeing that saddened look in his eyes, hated more when she was the cause of it. It was her kryptonite and she almost ate her words but her hand instinctively dropped to her stomach and she remembered the monologue she’d practiced on the way there.

“Not when you’re asking me out of obligation.” She shook her head slowly. “Dan and I got married when I was pregnant with Trixie, and it was good while it lasted. And then it wasn’t. And I’m not saying that every marriage has to be like that, but I’m not ready to jump into another commitment, especially one that’s based on a child. Because that is a lot of pressure to put on us and it, and I will never be that kind of mother. And I don’t want you to be that kind of father.”

He blinked at her words, hitting him closer to the belt than she’d probably meant to. “All this time I’d pledged never to become my father. And yet the inevitability of it all seems to have found me.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“It is, detective. I have put an immense amount of pressure on a child that isn’t even born yet. What happens years down the line when I’m to blame for all their insecurities and decreased sense of worth?”

“First of all, you’re forgetting that this kid is going to be half me, too. Do you honestly think they or I will let you get away with any of those things you just said?” He blinked and a sheepish smile tugged at his lips. “I’m not saying this is going to be easy. You’re going to have to change a lot of your lifestyle.”

“What’s wrong with my lifestyle?” She lifted a brow, gesturing to the room around her. “Right. Perhaps some aspects could stand to be amended.”

“I’m not asking you to be anything other than what you are, Lucifer. I know people don’t change. And I know this is going to be a huge adjustment. I’m just asking you to try.”

He swallowed, putting on a brave smile to mask his fear. “Well I suppose that’s easy enough…”

She raised a hand to his cheek, her thumb swiping across. “Thank you.”

His brows raised, in awe of the miracle in his arms, looking at him with an affection he was still unfamiliar with seeing, despite their many days and nights together. And before he knew it, she was on her tiptoes, kissing him with that same affection, fingers sifting through his hair until they fell to the back of his neck and clasped, her body leaning into his so that he held her tighter. He kissed her back, his heart skipping a few beats the way it always did, never really used to the way her kisses gave him life and her warmth gave him hope.

When she drew away - she was always the one to draw away - he was reluctant to let her go. He knew full well that she’d have to return to Maze and Trixie, untrusting of the demon babysitter for a full night (except that one fluke that resulted in their soon-to-be offspring). He spared one last caress of her face before they shared their little nod and he let her go. She smoothed her clothes and he maneuvered around her toward the bar, seemingly to get himself another glass.

“You know,” he started, keeping his back to her, “normally I’d offer you a drink. Try to persuade or finagle you into staying the night and such.”

“And now?”

He turned around, a black velvet box open in his hand, revealing a single diamond set atop a platinum band. No more, no less. Chloe’s eyes were larger than usual, and he could’ve sworn he heard a tiny gasp. Regardless, his smile was tentative.

“Now…I’m offering a lifetime of persuasion and finagling.” Chloe laughed. “It doesn’t have to be right away, but if you’ll have me, I’d like to one day see the name Morningstar across your badge.”

She pursed her lips, repressing her smile as she tried to appear snub. “That’s a bit presumptuous, don’t you think? Taking that name?”

“Which? Chloe Morningstar or the Devil’s wife?” He grinned cheekily.

She laughed, despite herself. “Just shut up and put the ring on my finger.”

#thedeckerstarnetwork #deckerstar #deckerstar summer exchange #luciferthemorningstar #the deckerstar network #lucifer morningstar #chloe decker #drabble #deckerstar drabble #my writing

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