Chapter Text
Lucifer woke to the sensation of someone sitting on his bed. Opening his eyes, he saw Jophiel sitting next to him, and Uriel standing next to him. Both looked at Lucifer with sympathy.
"Sammy..." Uriel also sat on the bed and began stroking Lucifer's hair.
"What have you done, Sammy..." Jophiel sighed heavily and lowered his head.
"What have I done? Did I offend someone? Did my friendship with Lilith offend someone?" Lucifer looked at his brothers. He refused to believe it. Punish him for his friendship? Could they really do this to him?
"Listen, Sammy... You don't understand...!" Uriel began to speak, but was interrupted by his brother's voice.
"Father is waiting for you, Sammy." Raphael stood in the doorway, holding one of his books. "Let's not keep him waiting."
Lucifer rose from the bed next to his older brother and turned to Jophiel and Uriel. He looked Uriel in the eye. "It's you who don't understand, Uri." And the door slammed behind him.
***
Lucifer and Raphael floated silently through the palace corridors. Samael looked at his brother and sighed.
"What did I do wrong, Raph?" Lucifer stopped abruptly, standing behind his brother.
"Sammy…"
"What did I do wrong?! I just befriended her, is that a crime?" Lucifer looked into Raphael's eyes. "Tell me, brother…"
Raphael seemed speechless; his gaze was filled with sadness, and he floated toward his younger brother.
"You shouldn't have hidden it, Sammy…" The eldest prince placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, but he flinched away.
"Yes, I did! But you saw Michael's reaction, Raph!" Lucifer clenched his fists, glaring at his brother. "If I had told you earlier, what would have changed?!"
"You could have told me!" Raphael's scream startled Lucifer. His brother's usually cool and calm voice was now unrecognizable. "We're not forbidding this on a whim. After all, we're worried about you!" Raphael sighed heavily.
"Raph..." Lucifer looked at his brother in surprise.
"You could have trusted me, Samael!" Raphael's face was filled with worry. "You have no idea how much you scared us all yesterday if you'd told us earlier..."
"What would have happened then?!" Lucifer's voice rose again. "Would you have let me see Lilith? Would you have let me surface again?!"
"We would... We would have thought of something..." The eldest prince clenched his fists, sighing heavily. The silence lasted for several seconds. "Father is waiting for us, Sammy... Let's go."
And both mermen moved silently down the corridor.
***
Lucifer burst into the main hall, and the door slammed behind him. He noticed his father, Michael, already standing nearby. Samael sighed heavily.
"Father…" Lucifer caught the attention of his father and brother. "I heard you call my name."
Michael nodded goodbye to his father and headed for the exit, colliding with Samael. Lucifer saw anger and worry in his eyes. But he decided not to dwell on it and continued toward his father's throne.
"You've appeared again, and what's more, you've been interacting with people? Seriously?" The Sea King emerged from behind the throne and approached Lucifer.
"So?" Lucifer forced a nervous smile, shrugged, and spread his arms.
"Oh, Samael…" the King covered his face with his hands, sighing heavily. "How many times do I have to tell you?" How many times must I tell you what these barbarians are doing to us?
"Father, they are not barbarians! Lilith is not like that, and neither are her friends..."
"They are dangerous. I don't want you to fall for those fish-eaters!" Father leaned back in his throne, covering his eyes with his hands.
"But I'm not a child anymore! You won't be able to control me forever...!" Lucifer closed his eyes, shouting the last sentence.
"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" The King leaned toward his son. "As long as you live in my sea, you will obey me!"
"Let me speak, Father!" Lucifer straightened up, still shouting.
"Not another word!" The King looked at Samael, then turned away, frowning. "And never dare surface again, understood?"
Samael's lips trembled, as if the world had lost its meaning. He wanted to answer his father, but seemed speechless. Tears welled up in his eyes. He turned and headed for the door as quickly as he could.
"You will not leave the palace until I give you permission, Samael."
Lucifer clenched his jaw but didn't answer, simply running out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
***
Samael spent the next four days in bed, waking only from hunger. He refused to eat with everyone else, so food was brought to him in the shared bedroom and placed on a stone table next to his bed.
Several times, Lucifer joined in Yophiel and Uriel's conversations. Both brothers happily sat him down next to them and began gossiping. The younger mermaid even momentarily forgot all his problems, listening to their conversations.
In the evenings, Azrael arrived and found Samael in bed. He sat quietly next to his brother and told him about his day and what was happening beyond the palace walls. Lucifer said nothing, only nodding occasionally as he listened to his stories. But the elder seemed unfazed. He was pleased with Lucifer's every movement.
Raphael visited him three times a day, silently checking on Samael's well-being. He brought food, sometimes adding Lucifer's favorite sweets. Raphael said almost nothing, but always kissed his younger brother on the forehead goodbye.
Gabriel was the one who came most often, chatting about everything under the sun, trying to get Lucifer to say anything. He beamed with joy when Samael answered, even with the shortest sentences.
And Michael... Well, he clearly understood that Lucifer wasn't happy to see him, but he still came and asked how he was doing. Even after receiving no answer to the fourth such question, he didn't give up and continued to come several times a day. But Samael didn't answer.
As much as Lucifer wanted to hug Michael and cry on his shoulder, his pride outweighed his desire to forgive his brother.
This was definitely a new experience for both of them; previously, they had rarely been apart for more than a day. Mikhail spent all his time with his brothers, but he was especially attached to Samael, as the youngest. He never held a grudge against him for long.
Samael, for his part, never held a grudge against his brother for more than a few hours, but this time he was deeply upset by Mikhail's actions.
***
On the fifth morning, the door to the shared bedroom opened, and Gabriel appeared in the room with a plate in his hand. "Sammy! Guess who's here!" He flew up to Lucifer and sat next to him on the bed.
"Good morning, Gabriel..." Lucifer's lips curved into a smile, and he looked at the plate in his brother's hands. It contained several types of seaweed and sea grapes.
Gabriel smiled softly and handed his brother the plate. He looked around and saw that the room was empty except for the two of them.
"Are you here alone?" He glanced at Samael, who nodded almost imperceptibly. Gabriel smiled. "Looks like everyone has a job, huh? Well, we get along just fine, Sammy?"
Lucifer glanced at his brother and chuckled bitterly, eating his grapes. "Mmm..." was the only answer his older brother received.
"Sammy, should I call your friend? The spider demon, I think." Gabriel put a finger to his lips. "Or maybe you need something?"
Lucifer stopped eating and looked at his brother. He frowned, considering his words. He sighed quietly and took Gabriel's hands in his.
"Gabe, help me sneak out of the palace." Lucifer exhaled as soon as the words left his lips. In fact, he had wanted to ask Gabriel for help two days ago, but hadn't brought himself to.
"What...?" "Sammy, I can't." Gabriel looked at him in horror. "No, Sammy. Don't even ask, it's impossible!"
"Gabe, please! It won't be long, I'm not going back to the surface." "Really, really!" Lucifer looked his brother in the eye. "Come on, Gabe. That's all I'm asking of you!"
"Sammy... Oh, I don't even know..." The eldest prince sighed with frustration. "And if we get caught, what then, Samael?"
"No one will know! You're here alone!" Tears streamed down Lucifer's cheeks.
"Mm... I'll help if you promise me two things." Gabriel floated out of bed and frowned.
"Of course! Anything, Gabriel!" Samael rose from the bed with his brother and smiled.
"First, under no circumstances are you to go to the surface! Under no circumstances, Samael!" Gabriel relaxed a little, seeing Lucifer nod his head contentedly. "Second, don't take longer. Please, no more than two hours, Sammy."
"You're the best, Gabriel!" Lucifer walked up to his brother and hugged him tightly.
"I have a feeling this isn't the best decision..." Gabriel frowned, but hugged his brother.
***
Gabriel stepped out from behind the wall and looked around, searching for the guards.
"Come out, Sammy," the dark-haired man whispered, calling his brother. He opened the door and stepped out.
"I'll take care of the rest, Gabriel." Lucifer followed him onto the quiet street.
"Be careful, Sammy." Gabriel smiled sadly and waved to his brother.
Lucifer nodded and floated toward one of the bushes. He headed toward the busy street, trying not to attract attention. He continued down the street and headed toward one of the farthest houses.
Finding himself at the window of the old house, Lucifer looked out. It was curtained.
Samael knocked on the wall next to the window, and almost immediately the curtain was pulled back. Lucifer saw Angel's surprised face on the other side. The demon pulled the curtain back completely, examining the merman.
"Lucy? What are you doing here? They told me you were locked in the palace." Anthony braced his hands on the windowsill.
"Mm, yeah. We don't have much time, I want to take a walk and talk to you before the others notice my absence." The prince smiled softly and moved away from the window a little.
"You escaped?" Angel was already climbing over the window, trying to get all his limbs over the sill. "Damn, dude! Risky, but cool." Anthony gave his friend a thumbs-up and smiled.
"Mm... I wanted to walk with you to our sanctuary, I've missed it so much." Lucifer smiled sadly and flew up to him.
"Great! I've missed our conversations so much!" The demon smiled and followed his friend.
***
Lucifer pushed aside the stone blocking the cave entrance and, pushing Angel forward, followed him.
The cave was littered with various human artifacts Lucifer had collected over the years.
"You wanted to talk to me, didn't you?" Angel sat down next to a huge mirror and looked at his reflection. "Speak, I'm sure you have something to say."
"Angel..." Lucifer sat down next to the demon, picked up a candlestick, and began examining it. "If only they could all understand me... But they won't even listen to me...!"
"I think they're worried. You know how much they care about you." Anthony turned away from the mirror and turned to his friend. "Humans don't have the best reputation in the sea world."
"I know... I know, but I can't understand how a world that creates such beautiful things can exist." Lucifer surveyed the entire cave, its shelves groaning under the weight of countless pieces of iron. "Terrible?"
The angel didn't answer; he patted Samael on the shoulder and smiled slightly.
"You know, Angie," Lucifer continued after a moment of silence, "sometimes I feel like I don't belong here."
"Mm...?" the spider drawled lazily. "What are you talking about?"
"I don't think I've found my place in the ocean. All my brothers have found their place in this life... their purpose! But I..." Samael frowned slightly. "And I dream all the time. Sometimes I wonder if maybe my place is in the human world?"
The angel looked at his friend in bewilderment after hearing that last sentence.
"No, no, no. You're a mermaid!" "Your place is here, Luci!" the Demon countered.
"How do you know?" "Maybe it's not true!" Lucifer frowned and turned away from his friend.
"But hey! You have a tail, dude, you were born in the sea! Of course you belong here!" The demon appeared on the other side of the mermaid and looked at him.
"Who knows, Angie, who knows..." Lucifer smiled, looked away, and sank into thought.
***
"Who knows, Angie, who knows..." The connection was lost, and the magic sphere's screen went blank.
"Are you keeping an eye on him now, boss?" the demon cat examined the dim sphere and looked at his master with irritation. "What do you need him for?"
"Oh, my dear friend!" one tentacle dropped an empty wine bottle onto the floor. "How ridiculous. The Sea Prince can't find a place for himself in the ocean. Isn't that funny?"
"Are you planning to use him for your plans...?" the demon narrowed his eyes at the creature.
"I assure you, dear Husker." The room filled with strange sounds and growls. "That's none of your business."
The demon swallowed, casting one last glance at his boss before leaving with a heavy sigh.
"I'm too sober for this nonsense," the demon cat muttered as he walked away. "Hm..." the creature chuckled, closing its eyes. "This will be... interesting."
***
Angel and Lucifer had already approached the spider demon's house. Anthony was about to say goodbye, but Lucifer suddenly frowned.
"Lucy? Did something happen?" The demon narrowed his eyes, glancing at the blond.
"Angie... I have a favor to ask of you." Lucifer pursed his lips and looked at his friend. "Can you visit Lilith in two days and tell her about my situation...?"
"What...? Well, Lucy, I..."
"I know, I know! I shouldn't have asked you! And considering you're afraid of people! Oh no, forget it!" Lucifer covered his face with his hands, waiting for his friend's reaction.
"Okay." Anthony smiled at the blond, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What...? Oh! Don't force yourself to do this! I'll think of something..."
"It's okay. I thought, and if you trust her, then I can trust her too." The spider put an arm around the merman's shoulders.
"Oh, Angie..." Lucifer smiled softly at his friend.
"There, there. Don't cry, Luci. I don't have time to comfort you, I have to go. Goodbye, Lucifer!" the angel said and disappeared through the door.
***
Lucifer quietly opened the door and entered the palace. He quickly floated toward the corridor, but stopped abruptly. Azrael appeared before him, pulling Gabriel along with him.
"Ha-ha... Sammy..." Gabriel smiled nervously, waving at his younger brother. "Ah, uh... well, here we are..."
"Where have you been, Samael?" Azrael's stern voice interrupted Gabriel's rambling.
"I... I was walking with an Angel..." Lucifer looked at his brother, frightened. "I-it's true! I wasn't on the surface!"
Azrael paused for a moment, then sighed and nodded.
"I believe you, Samael." Azrael released Gabriel's hand, glaring at him. "But others may not believe you. Take Gabriel and go to your room." If anyone sees this, tell them you were in my office."
"Uh-huh." Lucifer grabbed Gabriel and dragged him down the hallway past Azrael.
"Hey, be careful, Sammy!" Gabriel pulled away and rubbed his aching arm.
"Sorry." Samael looked at his brother. "But what happened?"
"That idiot saw me alone in the room and immediately knew you weren't in the palace," Gabriel said. "And he also knew I helped you."
"Sorry, Gabriel! I didn't think he'd be here at this time!" Lucifer opened the door to the shared bedroom and sat down on the bed.
"Come on, it's not your fault," Gabriel waved his hand. "Let me tell you the latest gossip I heard from Uriel and Jophiel last night."