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"It is good for a being to have a place for their heart. It protects them against the influence of others." Lucifer was serious. There was a whole area of manipulation that became unavailable when he was in love, despite the extra stress of the other's safety.

"I would be a poor influence on gluttony if I was not an avid and talented cook." Lucifer smiles pouring them a glass of wine first; sweet, strong, and intensely fruity with some floral undertones. It would have the taste marking it clearly as supernaturally made. He offers one glass to the other angel. "I do not yet make scotch or whiskey but there is some champagne. It is important to discuss the product. Not all of them are safe for mortals or lower immortals. It is why I demand to speak to anyone looking to procure any."

It wasn't a no, just Lucifer's natural caution. Despite being embroiled in a war, he didn't like causing injury unless necessary.

The words struck too and Balthazar knew only too well how one's heart could easily lead their head in decision making. Yet, it was better to have someone to love then to be alone for millennia at a time. Both men, it seemed, had someone to hold onto.

"Of course. I really should do more cooking now that I know my lover has a voracious appetite. Poor thing lived on the streets and was practically starved when I met him."

Balthazar offered the other angel a polite nod as he took the wine glass, sniffing the aroma and found it pleasantly floral. Then, he tasted it feeling the strong fruit tang of the grapes coat his tongue. Goodness it was rather enjoyable stuff. The warning though regarding mortals and lesser immortals? It was duly noted.

"Indeed. I will be serving Nexus residents as well as angels and immortals so the bottles will be under lock and key. Only I'll be able to procure the bottles myself to customers suited to the strength."

"You are a good cook?" Lucifer asks with an incredibly curious expression. His own Balthazar could do some boxed things when they met but there was a fear of burning water for sure.

Lucifer nods to the sense of caution. "We do produce some drink that is suitable for mortals. More so now that there are several living among us."

Lucifer didn't mind the family expanding in odd directions and many of them mortal.

"To tell you the truth? No. Well, not really. I've been living alone for so long now that the bottle usually sustains me more than a meal could ever do. But now I have responsibility in my life so learning to cook is a must."

He owed it to Jack at least. If the man was to live with the angel then surely his lover must learn to cook for him. Balthazar took another sip of the angel wine and sighed slightly. Was Lucifer a good cook? With a grand kitchen like this one he did wonder. The devil conjuring up culinary delights did cause a smirk to tug at Balthazar's lips.

"I'm guessing you are?"

Lucifer chuckles at that comment. "Then you do have something in common with mine."

Lucifer leaned against the counter opposite his visitor and sipped the wine. It probably wasn't going to help but at least the taste was soothing.

"I have some talent in the kitchen." Lucifer grins with pride that says that is well an understatement. "Many angels have gotten away from skills by summoning everything. I find more happiness in the process and craft."

Lucifer rarely summoned anything, especially not food or drink.

"A man who is good with his hands I see."

The feint innuendo unable to be suppressed since Balthazar couldn't help his playful nature at times, even during meetings with the devil. Surely, Lucifer could relate to such things with his own Balthazar. The promising thoughts of being taught to cook by his host were comforting ones. To be honest, the angel hadn't suspected his day would end up turning out like this.

"I do agree with that notion that it is far too alluring to just summon things out of sheer laziness. I, myself, have done so on many occasion and hold both my hands up to it. Power itself doesn't light the spark of imagination which comes from the heart. Rather like painting a picture. Where is the fun in painting when you already know what the outcome will be even before painting it?"

Did Balthazar paint? Sometimes. His vessel was an artist as well as an explorer, so it made sense. Although, these days he mostly sketched using graphite on paper.

"Good enough to be too much for the likes of you sometimes." Lucifer was more than happy to meet playful comments with more of the same.

"I created the universe with my abilities." Lucifer shrugs half heartedly. "I know I can create anything that way. There is more challenge to be found in not using any of them at all."

The comment about painting gets an affectionate smile from the angel. His Balthazar did paint, so did his vessel. There was a passing thought about introducing them. On the other hand, he wouldn't be surprised to find out if they had already meet.

"Oh, you tease."

Playful flirting was fine as long as it didn't cross that fine line between tasteful and intrusive. Balthazar knew how devoted Lucifer was to his own angel lover just as Jack was dear to him. Yet, the banter would no doubt cross into light innuendo when talking with the devil due to both men's personality traits.

"Quite. I am guessing you are skilled in a variety of dishes to delight your angel friends within the villa?"

Now, he was quite curious what the angel could conjure up using base ingredients no doubt procured naturally. The wine was also causing Balthazar to relax a little more around Lucifer as he finished off the last drop in his glass.

"Technically, I am not a tease because I will have my hands on one Balthazar. I am not at fault for you being the wrong one." Lucifer was easily falling into banter. He did this with his own Balthazar, even if that lead to more touching and lewdness than this was going to. The feeling was still nice. Even being a different Balthazar it relaxed him.

"I have studied most human cuisines though Ancient Mediterranean, South American, and Southeast Asian are among my favorites to prepare." Lucifer motions toward the wall behind him and vaguely at a door other than the one they came in. "I am a bit archaic. I prefer to grow what I can as well."

"It's not your fault for being handsome then? Because to me you are being a tease right now offering me quite the view."

If he wanted sass then Balthazar would provide, not wanting to be beaten down or allow his wit to be diminished in anyway. Although, verbally sparring with the devil would cause Balthazar to lose either way in the end. He knew he couldn't dare to compete with Lucifer and win.

"That is quite a varied menu. Jack likes lots of starchy things and pickles. He often eats them in front of me, teasing with that tongue of his."

Was he describing Jack's eating habits on purpose? Perhaps. A coy glance towards Lucifer and Balthazar was placing his empty glass down on the nearest surface.

"There is a reason your counterpart wanted me undressed and in his bed." Lucifer raises his brow and smirks. "I suspect the one waiting at home will thank me if you leave here all flustered and wanting."

Lucifer was shameless but also reminding the angel that he was fully aware that this was just a bit of word games. Lucifer was many things but to break in on a couple so smitten was not his way, not unless he was invited, and at the moment he wasn't in the mood for straying from his own home anyway.

"Smart man if he has an angel wrapped around his finger." Lucifer could see it, see when someone was so taken they were beside themselves. However, his mind turns to the food. "Does he like spicy? Chili peppers and similar flavors?"

"What can I say? We have great taste in men."

Was he truly wrapped around his finger? Balthazar knew he was since all he could think about on most days was being with Jack, whether it be intimately, or getting drunk, high or doing reckless things. Every day was now so much better that he could spend it looking after the man he loved. Protecting him from those cruel Ministry bastards.

"Yes, he does like it hot. As do we all. Nothing quite like spicing up an evening."

"i will have to meet this mystery man of yours some time." Lucifer is curious about who else Balthazar, or at least this one, might find attractive.

"I was talking about the food not your bedroom." Lucifer prods back. "There are some South American dishes that rely heavily on starches and vinegar that may be worth learning."

"Oh, he's around. You'll probably find him wheeling around on his skates on the Plaza or down the nearest bar."

Balthazar had an idea about where his lover got to on his off time. Thinking about where Jack was beyond that was just too painful for the angel. His "work" just didn't sit well with him at all since he knew the man got abused often and used. It wasn't right.

"I know you were. Just trying to lighten the mood. By all means."

He waved a hand in front prompting Luci to take the lead in their culinary session together.

"Roller skates?" It makes Lucifer wonder about this person even more. However, it was like the air around the angel seemed to change.

"Is everything alright with you two?" The concern is there but buried as he heads toward the fridge to get some things out.

"Yes, he does love to roll around at high speed. Then again, he's the type of man to do reckless things since growing up on the street."

Why lie? The devil could surely sense if Balthazar was keeping anything back from him. Besides, it was only a matter of time before both Lucifer and Jack would meet face to face. He attempted to shrug off the mixed feelings over his lover's work ethic and began fiddling with his jacket lapels. It was a pretty poor attempt at not facing his emotional state.

"I'm fine."

Moving to grab his empty glass he decided that if he drank, then he wouldn't have to speak about his bad feelings.

"Reckless men seems to be a common like too though I am not sure I have ever rollerskated."

Lucifer stops what he was doing, distracted by the behaviors. He went back to getting things out of the refrigerator.

"You know, I was called the king of lies not because I lie but because I can sense when others are not being honest." He sets the things on the counter and turns to the angel.

"I know you are not fine. Mine does the same thing when he wants to say something but is holding his tongue."

Of course he was not fine. Balthazar had been bottling his emotions up regarding Jack's work and the abuse he had to suffer through each night he sold himself. The angel had become more and more attached to his eye patched lover and now it was more a case of just smiling and bearing it all whenever Jack came back to him.

Shoving both hands into his jeans pockets Balthazar sighed softly through his nose, knowing that Lucifer was indeed on to him. Had he been that obvious? The devil knew.

"I suppose you could say it boils down to Jack's work. He's a prostitute and I should have known this when I met him but it's hard. To fall in love with someone who has to go out most nights and sell themselves to whatever bastard will pay. He comes back abused, beaten and used like a cheap object."

Fighting back anger, he pulled his hands out of his pockets and crossed his arms; his face contorting with rage and frustration mixed with pain.

"I love him yet....I am powerless to stop people using him when I want him to be mine. It's selfish and--I know I shouldn't but I don't want him selling himself. He doesn't need to now that he's got me. The pain in just seeing him beaten black and blue some nights--"

His voice faltered and was raised up slightly as he fought back tears. Yes, it hurt and this was the first time he'd brought it up in front of anyone. Wiping his face with the back of his palm, Balthazar sniffed.

"I'm sorry."

Lucifer leans back to face his visitor and listens in silence. The other angel is in a difficult situation. There's no way around it.

"That is a rough deal." Lucifer admits. "Have you spoken to him about it? You may have to give it time. You are asking him to give up his ability to care for himself. That is a hard thing to do."

He could imagine how hard it would be for anyone to watch their lover be injured and used. It pains Lucifer more than it should because he can hear it and though he knows this isn't his lover the sounds and look are the same. He steps over and puts a hand on his shoulder, and would welcome a hug if the other angel wanted one.

"There is nothing to be sorry for." Lucifer comments quietly. "I know it is different in your creation, but in mine we support each other when things are difficult."

Balthazar didn't even know how much all of this would affect him and now it was obvious. The talk with Lucifer had helped get some of his vented frustration out into the open, yet the talk with Jack had to happen. Giving him time? That was also something he could offer since he loved the man to bits.

"I haven't spoken to him yet, no. But...I should. If it takes time then I'm willing to give him that for the sakes of both of us."

Glancing towards the hand on his shoulder, Balthazar offered a weak smile and then moved in to hug Lucifer. It was more akin to a close friend than one a lover would offer. This man was still largely a stranger even though he had shown such compassion already. Just being close to the devil in this way had opened up the angel's eyes and now he knew he had to act. He was torturing himself by not admitting his feelings on the matter to Jack.

"You should." Lucifer smiles faintly. "It can be hard to leave behind large parts of who you are and your life. It will be hard on him to become someone else for your benefit. I know you see the injuries and think it is best for him but, I know too well that it will feel like you are asking him to give up his life for you."

Lucifer wasn't discouraging. This was honesty. His own Balthazar had asked him to change and he knew how it felt, and could be perceived.

Lucifer doesn't hesitate to embrace this Balthazar though it is more like a brother, as he would his own angels when they needed support.

Lucifer was right and although it pained him to listen, Balthazar knew the devil spoke the truth. Was it perhaps like that for his own angel lover at one point in their relationship? Not wanting to pry, he just held onto Lucifer and sighed.

"It's just been hard keeping it all bottled up and not being able to speak my true feelings. I just don't want to hurt him."

Breaking off from the hug he sighed and wiped a stray tear from the corner of his eye. Straightening up, Balthazar once again picked up his glass and wondered if it was time to get back to it. Drinking and cooking of course.

"Sorry to dull the mood, love. I would still like to try your booze and learn those delightful dishes."

Edited 2020-11-06 18:32 (UTC)

Lucifer shook his head to the angel but let him move away on his own. "There is no reason to be sorry."

Though being called love produced the flutter in Lucifer's heart even if he knew this was the wrong one. The voice was right and they had just hugged. "I am many things to the others of my kind and though Heaven is a place of closed minds and hearts it is not the same among the Fallen. Emotions are nothing to be ashamed of, particularly when they come from such a strained situation."

Lucifer goes back to the food and motions for the angel to join him while pulling down a wooden cutting board. "How basic are we starting? Do you know how to cut properly?"

"You're right. I just...needed to vent is all. Myself and Jack, we will resolve this together as two people in love should do."

Balthazar was strong in his resolve no matter how long it would take. He wanted Jack to be safe among everything else in his life now. Even if he had to take whatever was thrown at him for wanting this. Glancing down at the cutting board the angel frowned a little; his brow knitting together as his eyes shot from Lucifer and back to the board.

"I'm not bad with the blade. But in the kitchen? I suppose I could do with a refresher course or two."

"Then vent." Lucifer shrugs unperturbed by a show of emotions. "While we cook."

Lucifer nods and pulls out the chicken to start the cutting because the meat needed to sit in a mix of salt, vinegar and citrus before it could be cooked. "Then I will do the chicken and you can do the rest. Those will not matter as much if they are not cut similar."

There is also corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, and regular potatoes on the counter to be cut, as well as onions.

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