Lucifer pulled away from the embrace as though the contact had burned him. He took a deliberate step back, his jaw tightening as he rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking anywhere but at his mother. His fingers trembled ever so slightly before he clenched them into a fist, the movement sharp and purposeful as though to mask his unease.
"Mother," he began, his voice low but tinged with a hardness that hadn't been there moments ago. His eyes flicked to Sariel, narrowing briefly, then back to her. "What are you doing here? You can't be here."
Before the Goddess could respond, Sariel let out a low, mocking chuckle, the sound dripping with amusement. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, his posture the very picture of nonchalance. His lips curled into a smirk, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief as he tilted his head toward Lucifer.
"What else, brother?" Sariel drawled, his tone laced with mockery. "We saw a window of opportunity to escape Hell... and we took it." His eyes lingered on Lucifer, daring him to react, the smirk never faltering.
Lucifer's gaze snapped to Sariel, his brows furrowing as his jaw clenched tighter. For a moment, his lips parted as though he were about to unleash a scathing retort, but he stopped himself, his expression tightening further. His hand fell back to his side, curling into a fist as he exhaled sharply through his nose. He turned away, his frustration palpable in the tension radiating from his frame.
Instead of addressing Sariel, Lucifer looked back at his mother. His features softened slightly, but his dark eyes remained resolute. "You can't stay here," he said firmly, though his voice held a faint edge of pleading. "Father won't take kindly to you roaming Earth freely, let alone—" He hesitated, the words catching in his throat before spilling out, sharp and accusatory. "—plotting against him."
The Goddess blinked, her expression shifting into one of quiet shock. Her brows drew together, and she tilted her head, studying Lucifer with a mixture of sorrow and disbelief. Her hands, which had been resting lightly against her sides, tightened into fists, the fabric of her robe bunching beneath her fingers.
"Plotting against him?" she repeated, her voice soft but firm, carrying the weight of centuries of wisdom. Her eyes, ancient and filled with both love and grief, searched her son's face. "Why would you think I'm planning something so... malicious?"
Lucifer's lips parted, a retort already on his tongue, but the words faltered. He drew in a sharp breath, his gaze flicking briefly to Sariel. His posture stiffened as the memory of an earlier conversation replayed in his mind.
"Because he told me," Lucifer said abruptly, his voice quieter now, almost hesitant. His golden eyes bore into Sariel, narrowing with accusation. "The first time he came to visit me."
Sariel's smirk widened, a glint of triumph flickering in his silver eyes. He arched a brow, his expression daring Lucifer to continue. His shoulders relaxed even further, his entire demeanor radiating smug satisfaction.
But Lucifer froze mid-sentence, his gaze locking onto Sariel. A flicker of doubt crossed his face, followed by the unmistakable spark of realization. His eyes narrowed further, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Wait," he said, his voice low and laced with suspicion. "You... you were looking for her earlier. Which means..."
The truth hit him like a blow. His gaze darted back to the Goddess, then to Sariel, who now grinned outright, his silver eyes practically gleaming with unspoken amusement.
"You haven't even met her until now," Lucifer said slowly, his tone filled with incredulity. His fists unclenched, his hands falling loosely at his sides. His golden eyes locked onto Sariel, disbelief giving way to simmering anger. "You lied. You've been playing us all along."
Sariel pushed off the wall with languid ease, his movements fluid as he stepped forward. His grin never faltered, but there was a sharpness to his gaze now, a deliberate challenge in the way he held himself. He spread his hands wide, his posture mocking openness.
"Did I, though?" Sariel said, his voice smooth as silk, each word dripping with smug satisfaction. "Or did you just believe what you wanted to believe, little brother?"
Lucifer's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as his chest rose and fell with barely-contained anger. His lips curled into a snarl, but he caught himself, his expression shifting into something colder, more controlled. He took a deliberate step closer to Sariel, his movements slow and precise, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Careful, Sariel," Lucifer said, his voice low and dangerous, each word sharp enough to cut. "You might find this game less amusing when it turns on you."
Sariel's smirk didn't falter, but his gaze hardened slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his silver eyes. He held Lucifer's stare for a long moment before stepping back, his movements as deliberate as they were dismissive.
"Relax, brother," Sariel said, his tone laced with mock reassurance. "It's not my fault you're so easy to rile up."
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words and barely-restrained fury. The Goddess stepped forward, her movements graceful yet purposeful. She placed a hand lightly on Lucifer's arm, her touch calming but firm.
"Enough," she said softly, her voice carrying an authority that silenced both brothers. Her gaze moved between them, her expression a mixture of disappointment and quiet resolve. "This... animosity between you must end."
Lucifer's shoulders stiffened, but he didn't pull away. He glanced at her, his dark eyes flickering with a mixture of frustration and guilt. Sariel, for once, remained silent, his smirk fading as he shifted his gaze to the floor.
A/N
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