Making Up

This cannot be real. I'm dreaming. Yeah, right, it's a dream, and soon I'll wake up and--"Bloody HELL!"

"Nope, not much in the way of blood here, but you've got the second part right. This is definitely hell."

"Would you stop goosing me?" I grumbled, turning to face my guide. I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing wings on something that is otherwise completely human.

The demon grinned at me. "Well, if you'd pay attention, I wouldn't be so tempted."

"And how exactly do you expect me to pay attention when I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up in an asylum?"

"Gah! How many times do I have to tell you this? You're not dreaming, and you're not insane."

"I'll believe you the minute you stop telling me that I am currently being guided through hell."

"Look, for the last time, you're not dreaming. You really are in hell. Lucifer, Son of Mourning, wanted to meet with you, so just hurry up and get it over with so that I can take you back and make you think that it really was all just a dream."

"Right then, let's pretend that I believe you for a moment. Where is Satan, since he was so eager to meet me that he had me dragged down here?"

The demon pointed at a set of intimidating looking doors. "He's through there. Don't bother knocking; I'm sure he's asleep. Just go in."

I walked over to the massive doors, expecting to have to ask a local demon to open them for me, but it only took a light touch to push one aside. "Oh, my god."

A marble floor stretched out before me, black in color, lined with white and streaked with gold. The walls were painted with amazing murals--not scenes of demonic torture, as you might think--but the simple beauty of the Earth. The ceiling was a plain, flat black, or so I thought on first glance. Looking again, I realized it was filled with stars and galaxies. It reminded me of one of those Hubble telescope pictures.

When I finally tore my eyes away from the splendor of the room itself, I looked upon a scene from my darkest nightmares and wildest fantasies. Sitting in the middle of the room was a throne. Carved into intricate designs, it was of a material that appeared darker than even the darkest black, but I paid it little attention. It was the man lounging in the throne who captivated me.

One foot lay flat on the floor, the other leg slung over the arm of the chair. His back leaned against the other arm, and both hands were resting on his stomach. He was wearing black leather boots with six silver skull buckles on each, tight black-leather pants that hugged every curve of his lower body, and a mesh shirt that was the exact color of dried blood.

I noticed the glint of metal in a few places; one from the necklace sitting just beneath his collar bones, another two from rings on his fingers, and the final one a piercing through his left nipple. His hair was black and long--probably down to the middle of his back--and was currently just brushing the floor. I couldn't tell what color his eyes were, as they were closed in sleep, his face relaxed and darkly beautiful. Protruding from his shoulder blades were two huge, black wings, curving down to lay on the floor around his chair, they were feathered and dark and reminded me of a raven's. Truly, this was Lucifer as I'd always imagined him.

As I stood there in awe, I felt a hand shove me toward him. I hesitantly took a few steps forward, then turned and looked back at my guide.

"Go on, boy. He won't bite. Not unless you ask him to, of course," The demon chuckled, leering at my body.

"Cyrilius, shut up," I heard a soft, smooth voice mutter from behind me and knew instantly that it must be his voice--Lucifer's voice.

"Yes, my lord, as you wish. What shall I do with the boy?"

"Leave him. You're dismissed."

"Yes, my lord," Cyrilius replied, backing out of the room and closing the doors behind him.

As I stood there staring, he spoke again. "Come closer then. I don't like having to shout across the room, and Cyrilius was right. I won't bite you."

I picked my way across the floor, my bare feet making no sound on the cool marble As I got closer, I started to notice little details. His rings were silver, as was the rest of his jewelry--one with an onyx setting, the other, a brilliant fire opal. His necklace had a charm on it, but not the inverse cross so often associated with him. Rather, this was a symbol I didn't recognize.

"Don't bother. It's from far before your time. No one else really remembers what it means anymore."

"Okay, that was creepy. Are you reading my thoughts?"

"Yes, I am. Does that bother you?"

"Just a little bit. Holy hell, I'm having a conversation with Lucifer himself. Not what I thought I'd be doing today, but okay. I can handle this, right? Of course I can. I've handled worse than this. Well, not really worse. I mean, what can be worse than talking with Satan incarnate? Not that it's a bad thing! I mean, you seem to be a good person so far. I mean, umm, don't kill me? Oh, crap. I'm rambling again. Me and my big mouth."

He started laughing. I stood there in fear for my immortal soul, and he just started laughing. "Heh, you're funny. That's the best laugh I've had in centuries. What's your name again, boy?"

He turned his head and opened his eyes to look at me, and suddenly I couldn't make a sound. I was expecting something super creepy, you know? Maybe red irises or totally black eyes. Instead, I was faced with beautiful, perfectly normal brown eyes.

He smiled, almost seeming to know what I was thinking. Oh wait, he did. Never mind. "Your name, if you please?"

"Seth," I croaked out, sounding like a crow had lodged in my throat.

"Seth, huh? Is it short for something?"

I nodded. "Setheus, but I prefer Seth."

"That's fine. Seth it is," he replied, slowly unfolding himself from his seat. When he was standing I noticed that he was slightly taller than me, probably about six feet. I also noticed that his infuriating little smirk was still in place.

"Look, I'm sure you're enjoying this, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd remove your presence from my mind. It's mine for a reason."

"You're the first person in a long time to ask me for anything politely. For that reason alone, I'll do as you've requested. No more looking into your thoughts unless you invite me, all right?"

"Works for me. So, is there anything in particular that you wish to be called? I know you've got more names than I could ever remember."

"Lucifer will be fine. It was, after all, my first name."

"Would you mind if I butchered it a little and just called you Luke?"

"No, I suppose Luke would be okay."

"Okay, Luke it is. One last question. Why am I here exactly?"

He started laughing again. "You're here because I want you to be. You've been dreaming of me so often lately, I wondered what you'd think of actually meeting me. So, what do you think? Does the real Lucifer live up to your standards?"

I glared at him. "Oh, like you weren't in my mind when I decided what I think of you? You know good and damn well that I think you're bloody hot."

Well, here’s something I never knew. It is possible to catch Satan off guard. He stopped laughing and just stood there a moment. “You’re right. I was in your mind. I didn’t think you’d admit to your thoughts though.”

“Yeah, well, I see no point in lying when I can’t get away with it. That’s why I rarely lie.”

“It makes sense. So, you really think I’m hot?”

“All right, where’s the worm?”

“What?”

“Well, I figure if you’re going to go fishing for compliments, I might as well get some sort of reward out of it. I mean, at least the fish think they’re getting a meal.”

He started chuckling and suddenly I found a worm sitting in my hand. “Anything else you’d like?”

I glared again. “Ha ha. You’re so funny. Fine, yes, you’re hot. You’re amazingly hot. Hottest guy I’ve ever seen. I wish I could take you home and lock you up in my bedroom. Maybe chain you to the bed while I’m at it. Are you happy now?” I grumbled, tossing the worm back at him. Of course, it would simply disappear before it could hit him, evil bastard that he is.

“Almost, but not quite. You’ve only answered one question. Anything else you’d like? You know I can give it to you.”

“Is this going to be like that temptation thing you did with Jesus. The whole, ‘I will give you all of this if you’ll just bow down and worship Me.’ thing?”

“No, it’s not like that. Just tell me what you want.”

“You’ll give me anything I want, no matter what?”

One eyebrow inched up slightly. “You don’t think I can do it?”

“No, it’s not that. Can you is not the problem, it’s will you that I’m wondering.”

He smirked. “Yes, anything you want. Not only can I, but I will as well. No matter what it is.”

“All right. If I’m getting the chance to meet what is probably the hottest guy in existence today, and he’s willing to give me anything, then I want a kiss.”

That eyebrow went crawling up again, followed closely by that smirk. “Oh really? You mean a kiss from me?”

“No, I want a kiss from the abominable snowman. Yes, I meant a kiss from you.”

He stalked forward and stopped right in front of me. No, seriously, stalked is the only word for it. Made me think of a panther. I’m talking toe to toe here, practically breathing each other’s air. “Are you sure that this is what you want?”

“I’m sure. Kiss me, Luke.”

If Satan has never kissed you before--and I doubt he has--it’s amazing. He wrapped one arm around my waist--gently tugging me closer--and let the other hand rest on the back of my neck. I closed my eyes and felt the soft brush of his lips against my own, each touch bringing the soft moistness of his tongue, dabbing at the corners of my mouth. Then, without any warning, his tongue stabbed between my lips, parting them and squirming into my mouth.

Some minutes later, I suppose, he released me, setting me back on my own feet, though I hadn’t even noticed that he picked me up. “Wow, that was amazing. How many centuries have you had to practice?”

“Oh, just a few millennia,” he replied, smirking. “I take it you enjoyed that?”

“Let me give you a hint. If I could find a human who could kiss like that, I’d kidnap him and hold a shotgun wedding.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think you’re going to find many human guys who would be willing to kiss you like that.”

I sighed. “Yeah yeah, remind me of the rampant stupidity of the world why don’t you? Why do people have to be so homophobic?”

“Because they’re idiots. You’re beautiful, male or female; it doesn’t matter to me.”

I looked at Luke in suspicion. “What do you want?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you’re flirting with me. No one does that unless they want something, though honestly, I don’t see what I have to give you that you could want. I don’t believe in god, so you’ve already got my soul.”

Lucifer looked at the floor and shifted his wings, then turned and sat back down in his throne. “Look, Seth, I…I’m lonely, all right? Everyone that I’ve ever met has always been subservient to me, except for you. You challenged me.”

“So, what? You want me for a concubine?”

“No! Not a concubine. I don’t want a whore, I want a partner. I know this is kind of obvious, but I’ll give you anything you want, if you’ll just agree to stay with me.”

“Anything I want, no matter what?”

“Yes, anything. Please?”

“Would you let me go? If I said I don’t want to stay, would you release me and let me live out my life?”

Lucifer looked at me for a moment, stunned into silence, then slowly lowered his head. “Yes,” he whispered. “If it’s what you want, I’ll let you go.”

“Good, then you respect me enough to acknowledge that I should have some say in this as well. Thank you, but I don’t want to leave. I just want to be loved. Will you do that, Luke?”

As he raised his eyes to me, I could see the faint trails his tears had made, and suddenly felt guilty for testing him that way. In apology, I walked over and gently brushed them away. “Luke, don’t cry. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. It’s just that I want to know that you’re not going to pull the whole ‘I am Satan, and you will obey Me.’ think again. Will you love me and treat me as an equal?”

He smiled. “Only if you promise to put up with me for the rest of eternity, and remember, when I say forever, I mean it.”

“I promise. I love you Luke.”

“I love you too, Setheus. Welcome home.”

I smiled and, for the first time in nearly a thousand years, released my wings from their confinement and spread them wide. “It’s good to be home, beloved.”