Chapter Text
"Don't," Lucifer said without looking up as he worked on the last of the paperwork he'd fallen behind on for the club. Anthony had been keeping him busy. "I'm almost finished."
The sulky demon huffed and extinguished the hellfire he'd been practicing. Ever since regaining his memories (and slowly his strength), Crowley had been exploring the parts of his power he hadn't known he had. Why would he? He hadn't known he was an Archangel before so why would he think that he could be powerful?
Discovering that he could create hellfire with little effort had led to a few accidents already though and Lucifer was rather fond of the couch in his office.
When silence settled, Lucifer flicked a glance up suspiciously. What he saw made him smile though. Crowley was sitting sideways so that his wings had room to stretch since they still ached pretty badly. His focus was entirely on the softly shining star hovering in front of him though.
His movements were slower than they used to be, still hesitant and unsure. But he was carefully weaving strands of stardust around the young star with an expression of concentration on his face.
Crowley had been very wary to start working on his star again. He'd been hesitant to try and pull that old power from his core to wield again. It had been Aziraphale who convinced him with his genuine eagerness to watch Crowley work.
Lucifer could understand it. His brother had always been an artist and it was breathtaking to watch him weave delicate lines together to create something so beautiful.
"You're being creepy," Crowley muttered, not looking up from his work. "You've got paperwork."
Lucifer chuckled. "I've watched you weave stars many times, Raph."
Crowley didn't twitch or startle at the name anymore. At least not from Lucifer.
"I'm rusty," Crowley huffed. "Not much to watch."
"You still outmatch anyone else in the creation wing. They never quite mastered the art. Not like you did."
"They probably grew to outstrip me long ago. It's been a while, Luce."
Lucifer didn't agree. His brother had always just had a way with the stars that others didn't. They'd come close. Of course they had. Raphael had been the one to teach the first star weavers. But Lucifer couldn't imagine anyone eclipsing his brother when it came to this.
"They probably make masterpieces now," Crowley whispered.
Lucifer glanced back at his paperwork at the wistful note to his brother's voice. Maze would be pissed if he didn't finish this…
But there was that sad look in golden eyes that still got his hackles up and Crowley's wings were drooping ever so slightly.
"I need a coffee," he decided, sitting up and stretching.
Crowley looked up in surprised confusion. “I’m not getting you coffee,” he said almost automatically.
Lucifer rolled his eyes. He was happy to see his brother so comfortable around him again, but Raphael could get so otherwise when he wasn’t getting the attention he wanted.
He loved every moment of it.
The older demon strolled over and rested a hand on the back of Crowley’s neck, sending a soft wave of demonic energy to soothe his wings.
“Think they’re okay to be put away for a while?” he asked.
Crowley blinked. “Why?”
“We’re going to get coffee.”
“What about the paperwork?”
“It can wait. There’s a lovely place around the corner that serves a wonderful cappuccino.”
Crowley perked up and the star disappeared along with his wings. He still winced a bit but he was able to put them away for short periods of time with all the work Lucifer and Aziraphale had been putting into healing them.
“Sure!” the demon bounced up and Lucifer swung an arm over his shoulders.
“If Maze asks, it’s your fault. She loves you,” he added as they walked out of the office.
“I wouldn’t say loves…” Crowley sounded uncertain and Lucifer squeezed his shoulder lightly.
“You get away with so much shit that no one else would.”
“...You think?”
“I know. Now, coffee?”
Crowley's smile was uncertain, still a shadow of his old, confident self. But it was there. The demon leaned into Lucifer's side and nodded.
Just a quick trip to get some coffee, and then back to paperwork.
Crowley claimed a table for them while Lucifer went to order their drinks. He'd been anxious initially when talking to Aziraphale about wanting to spend the day away from the cottage, but the angel had been ecstatic. He'd warmed right up to Lucifer the last few months and was often encouraging him to spend time with his brother now that he could.
The angel was spending the day taking Warlock to visit the Them and Anathema so Crowley had taken the chance to hang out with Lucifer.
He'd honestly had no trouble adjusting to being himself around his brother. The previous fear he'd had of the Devil seemed ridiculous now since he knew Lucifer would sooner cut his own wings off than hurt Crowley. And his brother had never been cruel before he regained his memories. He'd been distant out of necessity, but never cruel or dismissive.
Crowley just didn't have negative memories of Lucifer.
It wasn't perfect of course. The millennia had left a mark on him and Crowley was painfully insecure and uncertain when it came to trust and safety. And Lucifer was most definitely still blaming himself for not being there since the Fall. But they were making it work.
Lucifer was just… he was easy to connect with. He was protective and made Crowley feel safe enough to relax and reach out when Lucifer was unsure about whether he should be the one that the younger demon wasn't angry with.
They made it work. Of course they made it work. They were both stubborn dumbasses who couldn't truly give up on anything.
Crowley looked up when a cup was placed on the table in front of him and gave his brother a smile which was returned.
Lucifer settled down across the table and started the conversation.
"How are your plants?"
It flowed naturally from there. Crowley talked about his garden and what Warlock had been getting up to. In return Lucifer talked about the club and what Tony had been doing lately. There was definitely something new happening with the genius but they didn't seem to be ready to talk about it yet. Crowley was curious but willing to wait to find out what was going on.
Lucifer clocked that something was wrong the moment that Crowley’s voice faltered and trailed off. The snake demon could see how his attention flicked up and followed his gaze but he couldn't quite focus on it. All his attention was on the pair that had just entered the cafe.
It was automatic how he hunched in on himself, slipping down to slouch in his seat. Make himself smaller, less likely to draw attention. That's how you survived when angels wanted you dead.
Amenadiel hadn't noticed them, looking agitated as he followed Uriel who didn't look pleased to be out with him either. She pointed aggressively at a table across the cafe and he glared at her before moving to sit there while she went to order.
Of all the cafes in the fucking world…
"Raph."
Lucifer's voice was soft and gentle, snatching his attention back to his brother.
"They don't know you're here. You can slip out the back if you'd like."
Crowley bit his lip, feeling a fang pierce the skin when he did it too hard. Strangely enough, when he got his memories back it was the fangs that suddenly decided that they didn't want to be hidden. His eyes had always been that way but now his canines were always sharper and longer. It wasn't as noticeable as his eyes at least.
"No," he decided after a moment, unconsciously licking the blood on his lip away. "I- I don't want to be chased away."
Lucifer gave him an understanding smile and nudged his leg with his foot under the table.
"Alright. So your spawn is settling in well?"
"Why d'you insist on calling kids 'spawn'?"
"Hell spawn. All of them. I'm almost certain a demon invented them."
Crowley snorted and tried to consciously relax his body. It was fine. Luce was here and he was seventy percent sure that their siblings wouldn't actually attack.
If they did, Luce could handle it. He didn't mind that the demon had chosen to be Crowley still. He seemed to understand it. Uriel did too.
It was just… it was hard. He'd gone millennia being afraid of them. Sure, he'd been scared of Luce, but that was more due to the rumours. Lucifer had never actually done anything to him. He'd never even been mean before, just distant.
The others though… Amenadiel had almost killed him with smiting. Uriel had been leading some angels during one of the skirmishes between Heaven and Hell and he'd got caught up in it and almost impaled on her blade. Michael… well, she'd been fairly determined to execute him. And Gabriel had done a fuck ton. Crowley hadn't even been able to meet his eyes yet. He understood that they wouldn't hurt him now. But… it was hard to trust that after everything. It was hard not to feel bitter that it only changed because of who he used to be.
"I've been meaning to ask about your car," the words dragged him back to the present conversation and Crowley looked at Lucifer again.
"My car?"
"Don't give me that," he waved the teaspoon at Crowley. "Not only is she a vintage masterpiece, but she's also more than a car. What did you do?"
"I'm not really sure," Crowley admitted. "I was… lonely maybe. And I think my power reacted differently after fixing her up so often. But she is more than just a car now. I don't even pick the radio songs often now and sometimes I swear that when I zone out she drives herself. Never looked much into it though since I didn't want anything to change."
Lucifer hummed, taking a sip of his coffee. "We should go for a drive at some point."
Crowley snorted. "Zira says that I drive like a maniac so I doubt you'd enjoy it."
"No," Lucifer deadpanned, giving the younger demon a bland look. "You, drive recklessly? You? The little shit that invented that ludicrous game of playing chicken with the ground while flying? With your eyes closed? Perish the thought."
Crowley smirked a little. "It was fun."
"Until your face hit the ground."
"Clouds Luce. I didn't even get a concussion!"
"We didn't even know what concussions were yet!"
Crowley rolled his eyes and finished off his coffee. "I was fine."
Lucifer shook his head, an amused glint in his eyes. "Well, I'll admit that I'm curious about your driving now Raph. What about a bit of a trip before I go finish off my work for the day?"
Crowley couldn't help the way his eyes started to move in the archangels' direction but Lucifer reached over to tap at his sunglasses.
"We can stay and have another cup. We can go for a drive. We can go for a walk if you'd prefer. But we will be doing what you want to do and not what your survival instincts tell you to do."
He nudged the glasses up so that he could properly meet golden eyes.
"I'll start another war if it will keep you safe Raph."
And Crowley didn't doubt that. He couldn't. He knew his brother after all. He'd raised Hell in Heaven when he felt ignored over half of the angels' dissatisfaction with their lives. He'd formed an entire realm through sheer anger and stubbornness and then left when those he'd led got consumed with their own bitterness.
But he'd returned again to get Crowley. He'd strolled through Hell like it was nothing and sent a message to everyone when they saw the snake in his arms. He'd stood between Crowley and their pushy siblings without hesitation when it was what the younger demon wanted.
He'd been prepared to stay away entirely if that was what Crowley had wanted.
Luce didn't lie.
Crowley reached up with a slightly trembling hand to close around the one that had poked his sunglasses askew.
"I know," he whispered. "It's kind of terrifying since I don't think you'd lose. Not with Tony on your side and JARVIS controlling their paperwork."
Lucifer huffed out a laugh and leaned forward to ruffle his hair.
"I know you don't want another war. You didn't want the first one. But if they push too far, I will stop them Crowley."
Something eased in his chest at that and Crowley gave him a slight smile.
"I think a drive sounds fun."
Crowley briefly made eye contact with Uriel when they left, the younger tucked under Lucifer's arm safely.
Uriel didn't say anything, seemed surprised to see him at all.
The angels didn't follow them out into the street though and Crowley sent her a thank you text later when the drive was over and he was back to being curled up on Lucifer's couch planning on a nap.
She sent back a gif and he made a mental note to congratulate Tony on teaching her about the language of gifs and cat videos.