[Lucifer smiles, cold and victorious. There it is: the linch pin. The one last thing that will keep Al away, or reel him in close, however Lucifer wants to play it.
[Lucifer hadn't really been sure he could push Al this far. After all, he'd only confirmed what Al had already made up his mind about. But no, the boy lashes out. Lucifer tips his face just enough that his fist connects with Lucifer's cheek, just above his upper jaw.
And then Lucifer remembers that he doesn't heal anymore. And that's when he begins to get angry.
He licks his lower lip and stares at Al as if he could just take him apart by looking at him.]
to do something he doesn't want to do. Or rather, he does. But it would cost him the very few things he has left, the one solid plan he has to live by.]
Someone did. Their reasons weren't good enough. Michael means nothing to you, and neither do I, so stop [his voice is a low snarl next to Al's ear] pretending we do. He doesn't need any more people like you.
[And then a shove between the shoulder blades, to show he's let Al go, and that Al should keep walking.]
Because you keep asking me all these personal questions. I'm worried how deep you're going to go. First you bring up my pain, what's next? If I cry after sex?
Because when something doesn't work, you stop doing it. You find another way that does. You know, if you get a second chance. Which back home? I don't. I tried for peace, and you know how that turned out.
And here, when any one of you could go home, and even if you stay, not one of you is actually willing to help if it gets hard.... [He trails off, and shakes his head ruefully] A lot of things changed.
The problem is you all get sent home. And even if I could be sure one of you would stick around long enough for me to rely on you? You can't trust anyone here. At least, [a sheepish smile; it's a trick] I can't.
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timeasmymeasure
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 03:37 am (UTC)Sasuke is here and it doesn't bother him anymore either.
But if I had to choose between torturing them again, and pulling Michael from Hell? You know what I would do.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 03:39 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 03:41 am (UTC)He steps forward, one finger on Al's cheek.]
No. I really don't.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 03:50 am (UTC)Al doesn't think. There's no more negotiation. He doesn't care anymore, not about anything at all.
Somewhere deep inside, he knows he can't possibly hurt the Devil. But he doesn't.
Care.
His fist heads straight for Lucifer's eye.]
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 03:53 am (UTC)And then Lucifer remembers that he doesn't heal anymore. And that's when he begins to get angry.
He licks his lower lip and stares at Al as if he could just take him apart by looking at him.]
You have three seconds.
Go. Now.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 04:08 am (UTC)[Adrenaline makes him forget everything but this -- because Negi is gone and Lucifer insists on being the worst person imaginable.]
And if someone did that to Michael. If someone killed him and tortured him and used him like his life meant nothing at all.
I wonder if you would feel like their reasons were good enough.
[He turns away, as if to go.]
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 04:54 am (UTC)to do something he doesn't want to do. Or rather, he does. But it would cost him the very few things he has left, the one solid plan he has to live by.]
Someone did. Their reasons weren't good enough. Michael means nothing to you, and neither do I, so stop [his voice is a low snarl next to Al's ear] pretending we do. He doesn't need any more people like you.
[And then a shove between the shoulder blades, to show he's let Al go, and that Al should keep walking.]
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 04:59 am (UTC)And what in the world would I have to gain by pretending to care?
I don't -- know why I try. But Xerxes believes there's something better in you, something there, and every now and again, I see it too.
That's why I'm so- angry with you.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:09 am (UTC)[Lucifer and God deal in the same ultimatums.]
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:18 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:22 am (UTC)If we keep talking about my pain, I'll have to start paying you by the hour. Why don't we talk about yours a little more?
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:25 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:26 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:33 am (UTC)[Even to the point of seeming to be proud of him. Even to caring about what he felt.]
To fighting with me. You give me every reason not to trust you and then you get upset when I dare to doubt you.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:39 am (UTC)[He sounds...resigned. Calm again.]
I did. But things change. You're right to doubt me, for the same reason you hit me.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:49 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:54 am (UTC)And here, when any one of you could go home, and even if you stay, not one of you is actually willing to help if it gets hard.... [He trails off, and shakes his head ruefully] A lot of things changed.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:57 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 05:59 am (UTC)[That his methods can be literally evil; that he's ruthless. That he is probably exploring a dozen different avenues that Al wouldn't like.]
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 06:05 am (UTC)You might find a way that I disagree with, but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 06:10 am (UTC)You can see the snags in that plan, right?
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 06:10 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 06:13 am (UTC)The problem is you all get sent home. And even if I could be sure one of you would stick around long enough for me to rely on you? You can't trust anyone here. At least, [a sheepish smile; it's a trick] I can't.
[Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 06:16 am (UTC)Re: [Offline]
Date: 2012-06-02 06:17 am (UTC)[Offline]
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