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"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.

No doubt the angel would vent even more during their cooking session. Whether that be by the use of a knife or other instrument who knew. Balthazar was just very unsettled emotionally right now and just needed guidance and a listening ear. Lucifer seemed to be doing the trick so far. Yet, his heart was still fluttering a little due to the emotional outburst he'd experienced only a few moments ago.

"Do you want me to start cutting up the sweet potato first?"

He wasn't sure which order Lucifer wanted all the vegetables cut up so deemed to ask. If he screwed it all up due to his emotional state then it would be his fault.

"It does not matter." Lucifer understood the feelings coming off the other angel. God had harassed and injured enough of his lovers to feel the sentiment right down to his core.

He focuses on cutting the chicken though and tries to turn the conversation to something lighter and less anger inducing. "You already know what my lover is like, tell me about Jack."

He's hoping it will focus the angel on something a little happier. Pausing in his work he gets down two brandy glasses and pours them both some of the peach brandy he makes. His own Balthazar likes it for the sweet, burning bite. Lucifer can't see why his alternate won't also be fond of it.

Balthazar tried to force himself to be optimistic during the cooking session but it was hard. The nagging feeling was still tugging at his heartstrings regarding Jack and his work life. The talk would come soon enough. Focusing on cutting up some sweet potatoes the angel felt his anguish fade a little at Lucifer's question.

"He's everything to me. Reckless, handsome, a live wire and very caring. The day I met him I knew he was something else. Someone who deserved so much better than what his world had done to him. These Ministry bastards spying on everything, killing innocents, children, animals. Jack spends his life looking after the waifs and strays of his world. I just knew I had to have him in my life because I fell in love with his kindness. Also, he's amazing in bed."

The angel began pouring his heart out regarding his eye-patched lover. Smitten? Definitely.

Lucifer only smiles at the description while setting down the snifter of brandy for the angel, whenever he wanted it.

"If you are anything like mine, you can use some kindness yourself." Lucifer adds while tossing the cubed meat with the spices and vinegar. "World specific considerations aside, I have heard someone else say those things about me. It must be a hardwired Balthazar type."

Lucifer is laughing quietly but in general amusement, not at the angel.

The brandy was on cue and well-needed right now since Balthazar could do with a pick-me-up. Clasping the glass he sipped some of the sweet liquid and enjoyed the bitter burn at the end. Oh, that was good stuff. Such good quality.

"Oh, that is good! I love the fruity notes and then the burn at the end."

Another sip and Balthazar smiled, pleased he was getting to try such good drinks. The bar would surely thrive with such quality angel booze stocked behind it's shelves. Getting back to cutting up more vegetables, the angel found it amusing Lucifer was laughing quietly.

"I suppose we're not that unfamiliar, really. We both love handsome, reckless men."

The angel's attention was briefly off the knife as he looked at Lucifer, feeling the knife suddenly slip from the vegetable and slicing across the angel's finger. Panic welled up initially as Balthazar hissed in pain. It wasn't a deep cut, but none the less stung like a bitch.

"Shit!-"

"I thought you would appreciate it. I made it, partially, for your counterpart." Lucifer had expanded his brewing since meeting other celestials here. It was an interesting twist that the celestials were, in some cases, more booze hounds than the fallen. Then again, he might be an alcoholic if he had to deal with that much God.

Whatever Lucifer was going to say was lost to the flare of pain and smell of blood. Turning he takes Balthazar's hand and closes his over it. His skin heats up to the temperature of warm stones in the summer sun. If the other angel paid attention he would see the ripple of fire and the true, sunset colors of Lucifer's wings across the white that he usually showed. Even his eyes flickered a brighter blue as he focused his creative power to heal the wound.

"There are benefits to the presence of a creator, but be careful." Lucifer grins as he turns on the stove to start heating the pan. "I do not want to spend most of our time healing your fingers instead of cooking." The angel is teasing, much as he would his own Balthazar in a similar situation.

Ah, so that was why it tasted so good.

Balthazar's finger stung a little but soon the pain was dissapting as Lucifer began working his powerful magic on the injured finger. The angel's skin warming and then gasping softly at the rippling of fire and the colours. They were beautiful in themselves. The slice in Balthazar's finger no more as it knitted itself together with the magic offered to him by his host.

"Thank you. Forgive me for my mind was elsewhere and not on the job in hand."

He would have to be more vigilant when using the knife to cut up the vegetables. Usually, Balthazar was skilful with the blade but tonight? He was focused on Jack and what he would say. Wiggling his finger, the angel offered Lucifer an appreciative smile.

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