Lucifer, But I'm Not The Devil

The city was quiet by the time Lucifer arrived at his penthouse, the engine of his convertible rumbling softly as he parked it in the driveway. He stepped out, his suit jacket flowing behind him like a dark cloak, his steps sharp and deliberate. The penthouse stood before him like a fortress of glass and steel, towering above the city below. He walked toward the door, his mind clouded with thoughts of the confrontation earlier that day, with Chloe's relentless questions and the unsettling presence of Sariel.

As he entered, the familiar scent of polished wood and expensive leather greeted him. His penthouse was a kingdom, his sanctuary. But tonight, there was no comfort here. The cold, sterile air seemed to echo his inner turmoil. Lucifer tossed his keys onto the marble counter, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface as he moved toward the open balcony.

The doors slid open, and there, standing with a glass of his most expensive wine in hand, was Sariel. The moonlight reflected off the glass, casting an ethereal glow on his pale skin. He was relaxed, his posture casual, but there was an air of arrogance about him that made Lucifer's blood boil. Sariel's smile was infuriatingly calm, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he slowly sipped the wine, savoring the taste as though he had all the time in the world.

Lucifer's gaze hardened, the muscles in his jaw clenching as his eyes locked onto his twin. His chest rose and fell with each sharp breath he took, the heat of anger bubbling beneath the surface. Sariel had the audacity to be here, in his home, sipping his wine like some entitled guest, while Lucifer was still reeling from their earlier encounter.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Lucifer said, his voice low, tinged with frustration. He stood at the threshold of the balcony, the faint sound of the city below echoing in the background. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, though he made no move toward his brother just yet. He was controlling himself—barely.

Sariel didn't immediately respond. Instead, he took another leisurely sip of the wine, savoring it as though Lucifer's presence didn't matter at all. Then, without looking at him, Sariel spoke, his voice smooth and mocking. "You know, Lucifer, I've been meaning to have a chat with you. It's been so long since we've really talked. How's the detective? She seems… concerned about you."

The words hit like a slap to the face. Lucifer's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a thin line. His gaze flicked to Sariel, the subtle shift in his expression betraying the storm of emotions churning within him.

"Don't you dare," Lucifer hissed, his voice low and dangerous. The words escaped him like a growl, raw and laced with venom. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His posture was rigid, his every movement tense as he faced Sariel.

Sariel, however, remained unfazed. He took another slow sip of the wine, his expression unreadable, though a small smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. He finally looked at Lucifer, his gaze cool and detached. "Oh, I'm just saying, brother—she seems to think you're hiding something from her. And I'm very curious what that might be."

Lucifer's nostrils flared, his eyes burning with the intensity of his anger. "You know what it is, Sariel," he said, his voice rising, the anger becoming impossible to contain. "And I'm not in the mood for your games." His hands shot out, slamming onto the balcony railing as he leaned in close, his eyes locked onto Sariel's with a fierce intensity.

Sariel's smirk didn't waver. In fact, it widened ever so slightly, as though Lucifer's anger was just the reaction he'd been waiting for. "Oh, come now, Lucifer. You always get like this when things don't go your way. The detective. Chloe. She's just a mortal, a human." He accentuated the word, his tone dripping with disdain. "Why bother with her at all? She's no different from the rest of them."

The words stung, sharper than any blade. Lucifer's grip on the railing tightened, his knuckles turning white as his rage surged. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his breaths coming faster. But he refused to let Sariel see him lose control.

"You don't get it, do you?" Lucifer spat, stepping closer. His gaze was wild now, his voice strained with frustration and something darker. "You think you can just waltz in, make your little comments, and I'll bend to your will? Not this time." His fists clenched at his sides, the power radiating from him palpable, like a thunderstorm on the verge of breaking.

Sariel raised an eyebrow, as if intrigued by Lucifer's outburst. "Ah, there it is," he said, his voice cool, unruffled. "The Lucifer I remember. Always so emotional, always so dramatic." He tilted his head, his eyes flicking over Lucifer's face with something akin to pity. "You've really let her get under your skin, haven't you? Chloe. She's just a mortal, Lucifer. She's nothing compared to us."

In that moment, something inside Lucifer snapped. His eyes blazed with fury as he reached out, grabbing Sariel by the collar of his pristine white suit and yanking him closer. Sariel didn't flinch, his expression unchanged, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—an acknowledgment of Lucifer's rage, perhaps, or a hint of surprise.

"Don't talk about her," Lucifer growled, his voice thick with threat. His grip tightened, his knuckles turning white as he pulled Sariel closer, their faces inches apart. The air between them crackled with tension, the kind that preceded a storm.

Sariel's lips curled into a smile, a slow, knowing smile, but his eyes flickered with something more—an edge of recognition, of understanding. "Ah, I see. You really do care for her, don't you?" His voice was almost a whisper now, dark and taunting. "That's your problem, Lucifer. You can't help but let them in."

Lucifer's heart thundered in his chest, the anger overwhelming him as his grip on Sariel's collar tightened even more. He could feel the rage building inside him, an inferno threatening to consume him whole. For a moment, there was nothing but the silence of the balcony, the moonlight casting long shadows across their faces.

Then, with a sudden, violent movement, Lucifer shoved Sariel away, pushing him back with such force that Sariel staggered slightly. Lucifer's breath came in sharp gasps, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to regain control.