Myth!AU - In The Shadows

[sword_breaker]

[Second Part to the Myth AU!~]

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[upforanything]

"Not nearly as charming as yourself. Or hot," he teases back. It was a lot easier to joke back when the man decides to do the same. There's a pleased noise that slips out while he tilts his head into the touch.

"I'd hate to disappoint."

With that, he reaches up to wind his hand in the back of Lucifer's hair and pull him into a kiss.

[deepestdesires]

"You flatter me," he replies with dry amusement, but his time and attention are much better focused on the sensation of fingers in his hair and Mattheiu's mouth against his. Despite himself he grins into the kiss, arms winding around the man tight to pull him close as he playfully nips at the reaper's bottom lip.

[upforanything]

There's a soft chuckle when he finally pulls away, rather pleased with the fact that he was able to boost his partner's mood up some. His arms coming to rest around Lucifer's shoulders while he smiles back. "Part of the occupation."

[deepestdesires]

"Your occupation is stroking to stroke my ego?" He laughs, warm and rich, as he leans in to press a kiss to the reaper's scalp. "I can think of other things you stroke with equal skill."

[upforanything]

"I did say part of it, didn't I," he muses, nuzzling into the devil's shoulder contently. "I know you can. Thinking that I could fulfill another part of the occupation if you don't mind."

[deepestdesires]

"Oh?" There's a teasing lilt to his voice as he snakes a hand up and winds it into Mattheiu's hair, "and what clever things are we thinking of now, darling?"

[upforanything]

"Well I think taking care of you any way I can is a rather important part," he laughs. A soft kiss pressed to Lucifer's cheek before dipping down to nuzzle some. "Might be a thing or two under the tree for you. I want to give them to you."

[deepestdesires]

"There's taking care, and then there's 'taking care'. Now which one do I think you're up to now, hmmm?" There's an amused lilt to his voice, but he trails off for a moment at the suggestion of gifts. He's never really had anyone gift him something for the holidays, it's a queer feeling indeed.

"Could have just put a bow on yourself, that would have been splendid," he jokes, using the humor to deflect from the sudden tightness in his chest.

[upforanything]

"Well last one was when you got carted off to the guest room earlier," he muses, shaking his head. There wasn't much left under the tree now save for one box wrapped in shimmering ruby paper which he slips away to nab. "Got rather mouthy with you which you didn't seem to mind but..."

He scoops up one of the bows left over from the parties and puts it on top his head. "Since you insist," he teases. "Anyway I ugh...here."

The package is offered over with a slight nervous glance between Lucifer and the floor.

[deepestdesires]

"But I like it when you get mouthy," he purrs, teeth bared in a too-white smirk. He was the devil after all, he certainly reveled in his vices.

But the package offered to him takes his attention, and his grin fades to something far more fond and genuine as he accepts it. There's a remark about Mattheiu's impeccable wrapping skill as he neatly removes the paper but the words trail off as he opens the box. "...well now."

The coat inside is gorgeous, dark and soft and incredibly well cut. He spends a few moments running his fingers over the seams, fascinated, before he remembers that it perhaps isn't polite to leave his reaper hanging. "This is lovely. More than lovely. Mattheiu-"

[upforanything]

He shakes his head, having a hard time not smiling at the remark. His hand goes up to rub the back of his neck. "Of course you do. Part of why you keep me around."

Now it was the anxiety inducing waiting game. Sure he takes the remark with a flash of a smirk but his nerves are rattling at the what ifs. There was a chance Lucifer wouldn't like the gift. Maybe he could have had a back up in case. Sort of too late now.

He worries at his lip as the devil looks over the coat, hoping that it would get approval. Relief floods through him soon enough. A shaky breath taken in and he recovers with a fresh smile.

"I know I don't exactly live in a place like LA. So I thought you'd prefer not to look like a burnt marshmallow anymore. There's some enchantments in the lining that'll keep you warm even in the worst cold."

[deepestdesires]

"Burnt marshmellow? I'll have you know you that you just live in a dreadfully inhospitable place," he teases back, though he's more than a bit distracted as he continues to examine the jacket over and over. It's a remarkable gift, and there aren't necessarily words for how touched he is.

"I'll just have to wear this every time I come and see you, then," he remarks, finally looking over Mattheiu with a grin. "Can't have anyone thinking I'm unfashionable, a devil has a reputation to keep after all."

Balancing the box in one hand, he reaches over to wind his fingers in the reaper's hair to tug him close and into a lingering kiss. "Thank you. I mean it."

[upforanything]

"You do tend to look like a torched stay puft marshmallow man when you come over," he jokes, flashing a small smile. The jacket was approved and it's infinitely easier to tease now without that stress. That or the damned what ifs shoved to the back of his mind. "Think you look good no matter what but I'm biased."

The kiss is rather nice and he steps in closer to be lightly pressed against him during it. "You're welcome."

[deepestdesires]

"You might be somewhat biased, darling. But no, I do look good. Damn good." He laughs quietly under his breath, moving to drape the coat over Mattheiu's shoulders as he pulls the man in closer.

"I-" he starts, falling quiet for a moment as he leans down to rest his chin on the crown of the reaper's head. "I think. I think I am rather in love with you, darling."

[upforanything]

"Somewhat? Think that's a tad too forgiving." It's all in gentle teasing though. There's an inquisitive noise at the coat being draped around him but the devil has on more than one occasion been in favor of the reaper being in his jackets. "Always do."

The next few words rob him of his own as he tries to process. His throat tightens up on him at the surge of emotion and he blinks away the pinpricks of tears. "I ugh..."

[deepestdesires]

Wait, no, that's not at all what he wants to see; Mattheiu in any sort of duress is incredibly concerning. Curse his impulsiveness, it's gotten him into a tight spot that he's not entirely sure how to get out of properly.

"I-" he begins, trying to give the reaper a bit of space, "I apologize if I was out of line."

[upforanything]

"No, no you weren't. I ugh..."

What exactly was he going to say? To be honest there was certainly one way but with Lucifer pulling away, it stole away the chance. His hands seek out the other's to draw him back in.

He glances up at him. "I can say same. That I love you."

[deepestdesires]

"Oh." It's not an eloquent reaction and certainly it probably isn't the most proper, but it's all that he can manage for a moment as his brain attempts to catch up. He's heard those words before but they've never been sincere, and to hear them from Mattheiu's lips...

"I. Darling." He's quiet now, and for the first time in eternity it seems that the devil is lost for words. Instead he looks down at the reaper, his expression filled with a vulnerability only for the other man. What he can't put into words he makes up for with a kiss, however, and it's sweet, tender, and filled with the emotions that are knotted up in his chest.

[upforanything]

Now was the time to wonder if he had been the one to overstep. Lucifer had only said that he thinks he loves him rather than he did. Yet here he goes as a blundering fool and dropping it out into the open without thinking beforehand...which has landed him in trouble before.

Nerves nearly swallow his confidence when he catches the look and he furrows his brow in concern. He's seen it before but there was such risk he was toying that the kiss catches him off guard. That was certainly an answer. One that was louder than any spoken he could've hoped to hear so he returns it.

He thought that he bore his heart out rather openly. Oh how that is proven wrong as every inch of affection and devotion is laid out in that tender kiss.

[deepestdesires]

The kiss says more than words could ever hope to accomplish, and he draws it out to savor the sudden tightness in his chest. One hand finds Mattheiu's, fingers gently entangling with his as he stays pressed close.

"Some would say that you're absolutely daft, you know that?" But he wouldn't have things any other way and he makes that very clear as he steals another kiss, this one but a brief brush of lips. "I love you."

It feels as good on this tongue as it did the first time.

[upforanything]

There are no complaints from the reaper as he encourages the kiss on. He freely gives his hand over, stroking the back of Lucifer's with the pad of his thumb. This was far more than he could have ever thought possible to happen ever let alone now.

"I've been called worse," he muses, shrugging. "I love you too."

His free hand comes up in time to prevent the jacket from slipping off his shoulders. Downside of trying to play it cool. The warmth surging from it gives enough proof of the enchantments working. "You know this is supposed to be on you, right?"

[deepestdesires]

While his reaper does make a good point, Lucifer is more than certain that he has a better one. Reaching out with his free hand he smooths down the shoulders of the jacket, fixing the lapel with a quiet noise of amusement.

"Yes, but I can't help it darling, you look good in my clothes," comes the warm reply.

[upforanything]

He rolls his eyes, shaking his head with a small grin. "That may be true but you think I look better with no clothes at all."

[deepestdesires]

"Well you do look absolutely delectable when you're in the nude, yes," he purrs, leaning in to gently press his forehead against Mattheiu's, "but I must say you look lovely wearing my shirts and nothing else too."

[upforanything]

His grin grows further as he looks up, humming low and soft. "What can I say, I can pull off many looks. Some of which can be arranged if someone wishes for them. Wonder what I'd look like in this fancy piece all proper like."