Chapter Text
The clinic was decorated in soothing shades of cream and brown, each detail of the waiting room was designed with comfort in mind. The overstuffed couches and fluffy pillows created an inviting atmosphere, while magazines and information pamphlets were neatly arranged on the coffee table. Despite the amount of effort that went into the room Lucifer felt like he was about to crawl out of his own skin from nervousness. This was the last resort for the poor blond. With Charlie grown up and off to college he had no way of suppressing his instincts. For the past 24 years he had filled the void inside himself with pouring every ounce of love and care he had into his sweet little hatchling. Five years of loneliness and he couldn’t take it anymore, he was going to go crazy if he didn’t have someone to take care of.
To help you better understand this world it’s important for you to know that everyone is broken up into two categories with each having its own subcategory. The first part was based on the person's animal type. You have prey and predators. The second was for their reproductive capabilities. For that you had a breeder and stud. Lucifer was a predator stud. This normally wouldn’t be a problem but due to societal norms he was considered undesirable.
While lions, wolves, and bears were widely admired, a snake like him was not so much. He lacks the fluffy ears and tail of his fellow predators. His scales and fangs made people uneasy, don’t get him started on the prejudice against his venom. It wasn’t even lethal! If he did bite someone they would just get an odd tingly sensation…maybe a little paralysis but that was only if he hadn't milk himself for awhile. And he did that every other day and had yet to miss one thank you very much.
His cheeks puffed out in frustration. All he wanted was a partner who could help sooth his relentless instincts. He had already tried to adopt another hatchling, but the agency had denied him. Lucifer suspected they hadn’t even looked at his portfolio, dismissing him as soon as they saw "snake" and judged him without truly knowing him. He should be used to it by now but he wasn’t. Glaring down at one of the pamphlets boasting that happiness was just a click away, Lucifer couldn’t suppress the hiss that escaped his lips. The receptionist let out a squeak at the sound, stuttering out an excuse and fleeing the room. He could only watch her go with a defeated sigh. So this was where he ended up. This is what his life had come to. Pairing is Caring, the top matchmaking agency in the city. If they couldn’t help him find a partner no one could.
You might wonder why he didn’t just seek out another snake. The answer was simple. Snakes were incredibly rare and usually paired for life. It was almost unheard of for a snake pair to break their bond. His ex-wife had been a bird type; she hadn't even wanted to be with him. Their marriage had been arranged, she only married him for the money. Don’t think bad of her, she had a sick hummingbird intended bond named Eve who needed medical care. Lilith had sold herself to his family to afford the treatment. When Lucifer discovered the truth that everything between them was a lie the bird had been terrified he would abuse her. Instead, he simply told her they would have one child to satisfy his family, and then they would divorce.
One trip to the clinic and nine months of faking being the ideal couple later he had Charlie and Lillith had her mate. They remained good friends, even raising their daughter together. He had a mantle full of vacation photos of himself with the three other blonds.
Thoughts of his family and Charlie always got him down. Charlie because he missed her. His family because they sucked ass. They were all birds; he was merely an illegitimate child from a one-night stand that had come back to bite his father in the ass. The only reason Big G even acknowledged him was to avoid a scandal that would negatively impact the company.
Okay he needed to focus no more negative thoughts. This was his chance to find a breeder to care for and spoil, he promised Lillith he would go into this with an open mind. Closing his eyes he breathed in his nose and out his mouth his thick tail thumped impatiently on the ground. He was going to find someone. They were going to love the fact thay he was a snake. He was going to spoil and maybe even with time grow to love them and they would grow to love him.
It was comforting to dream before the inevitable rejection came and he was told to leave.
“Lucifer? Lucifer Morningstar?” He straightened his suit when he heard his name called taking a moment to compose himself. Calling his name didn’t really feel necessary, he was the only person here.
“How are you today Mr.Morningstar?”
“I’m doing fine. And yourself?” Open mind. Open mind. He kept chanting that over and over again in his head.
“I’m doing very well, thank you for asking. Please follow me” She said follow but her posture said stay away. Mice hated him more than any other type. When she turned her back on him his tongue slipped out scenting the air around them, he could taste her fear.
The clinic employee on the other side of the desk kept popping her gum, a habit that was driving Lucifer up the wall, especially with his nerves already frayed from being here.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, Mr. Morningstar, your options are… well, let’s say, limited,” she said, offering a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“I understand. Just whatever you can do”
She sighed, clicking a few more keys on her computer. Every file she clicked through all had the same thing written in the dislike column.
Snakes.Snakes.Snakes.NO SNAKES.
“I don’t think we will have anything for you today” Waving her hands she pushed away from her desk leaning back in her chair she fixed him with a look.
“We will call you as soon as something comes up” Lucifer nodded his head keeping his face neutral. Standing he extended a hand, she reached to shake it but paused when she spotted the scales running along the backside of his hand. Her nose twitched in disgust before she grasped it, pulling away far too quickly to be considered polite.
“Thank you for the time. Please keep me updated”
(●▪︎●)/\(●▪︎●)
“Honestly, it went really well” Sitting in his car Lucifer wiped the sleeve of his jacket against his eyes.
“Yeah they said I got a lot of potential matches. They're going to sort through them then email me over final results” Lillith sounded excited at the news. She was using her I told you so voice talking about how they should plan a double date and how great it would be to have another couple to hang out with.
“Let me meet them first before introducing them to my ex wife” He needed to get off the phone soon, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep the tremor out of his voice.
“Yeah..I’ll talk to you soon Lil..give Eve my love” As soon as he hung up the phone he tossed it into the empty passenger seat, burying his face in his hands. Hot tears streamed down his face, a few short hiccups followed. It hurt so much. Why did he keep putting himself through this? He regretted coming here and wished he had just pretended to like he original planned.They all looked at him like he was a monster, but it wasn’t his fault he was born this way. Why couldn’t he have inherited his animal side from his father? Everyone wanted a pretty dove.
BANG BANG BANG
“AHHH” Screaming at the sudden noise Lucifer stared in surprise at the women leaning down to look at him through the window of his car. Rolling down the window he wiped at his face furiously.
"Can..can i help you?"
"Oh, baby!” Her voice was heavily accented, with a drawl that suggested she was from the South. Her twitching deer ears gave away her prey status.
“My word, are you alright?” Her concern caught him off guard. He wasn’t sure if she had knocked on his window because she saw him crying or because she wanted his parking spot.
“Yes, I’m okay. Umm, I’ll move my car…please just give me a moment,” Lucifer said, reaching to roll up the window. He stopped when she laughed loudly.
“Oh, aren’t you the cutest little thing. No, darlin’, I don’t care nothing about this spot. I was walking past and saw you crying.” Her words made him blush deeply, embarrassed by being caught in such a vulnerable moment.
“Really I’m okay. Just..tired” What was he supposed to say? I was crying because I’m going to die alone and no one wants to be with me because everyone thinks I’m going to bite them then swallow them whole?
“If you’re tired, you shouldn’t be drivin. Why don’t you come with me into that diner? We can get some pie and coffee,” she suggested, her smile never wavering. The constant cheerfulness was a bit unnerving, but Lucifer found he liked it. Kindness like this was rare for him outside of Lilith and Charlie.
“Pie and coffee?
“Yes, my little lightning bug. Let’s get you warmed up and fatten up. Nothing soothes the soul like food. Why if we was at my house I’d cook you the best jambalaya and cornbread you ever had” Perhaps it was the events of the day that compelled him, or maybe he was simply yearning for companionship.Whatever the reason, Lucifer turned off his car and stepped out. As he stood beside the woman, he felt noticeably shorter. She loomed over him with a slender, willowy frame, long brown hair gathered in a loose bun atop her head. Her eyes were an intriguing reddish-brown. In contrast, his own eyes were a striking golden-yellow, with pupils that were slightly more oval-shaped than those of most predators.
“Come along now. Let’s turn that frown upside down” She marched forward her long legs forcing him to speed up his own steps to keep pace.
“ What’s got the blues on ya” Stopping at the diner door she waited for him to catch up, he nearly tripped in his haste to open the door for her holding it as she gave a quick thank you then walked inside.
“Oh um..I don’t really want to talk about it”
“Be as vague as you want sweetie. I just need to know what type of pie to order ya” The diner was pretty empty, the time was just after the breakfast rush but not late enough for people to start coming in for lunch.
“What type of pie?” Was why he was upset really going to be the deciding factor in what type of pie he was going to eat. She was so odd. He never meet someone like this before.
"Of course, dessert is a comfort food. You have to pair it just right to get the full effect," she explained like it was common knowledge and everyone knew it.
“Oh, um… I’m Lucifer,” he forgot to introduce himself, extending his arm he hesitated to offer his hand. Before he could lower it, it was taken squeezed in a nearly painful grip.
“Allie pleasure to meet you quite the pleasure” she replied smile stretching even wider. When she released his hand the warmth from her lingered on his skin, it was a pleasant feeling that left a tingle behind. He was always so cold, any warmth or heat was welcomed .
A posted sign read please seat yourselfs, they picked a spot in the back the booth looked worn from years of use, leather peeling away across it. Lucifer felt awkward sitting across from a total stranger, he was grateful when the waitress came. She was a short possum with a permitted scowled on her face the name tag on her chest read Sue.
“What can I get you today?” Her voice sounded bored, she stood closer to Allie’s side of the booth then Lucifers.
“Some coffee to start with if you please. Darlin, you need some creamer? What about milk? I bet you just love your sweets. Look at them two sweet tooths just hanging down.” That had another blush covering his cheeks.
“I’m sorry, they pop out worse when I’m upset...creamer please.” Allie waved off the comment. Staring openly at his fangs where most others looked away.
“Oh if my Al was here he would have a fit at us for putting anything in our coffee” She whispered the words as if she was talking about something scandalous.
“But we won’t tell him”
“Is Al your husband or bonded?” Great all he needed was some over protective buck coming in here and trying to kick his ass for being close to his doe.
“Oh heaven no. Al is my son. He’s just the cutest little thing. So serious. Why if he knew his mama was picking up strays again he would give me an ear full” She spoke about her son the same way he talked about Charlie.
“Dont you try to distract me with my boy. Now you tell old Allie what's got ya down” Her tone was gentle but inquisitive. Lucifer kept his answer vague to avoid pity but shared just enough to make her feel included in his troubles.
“That is just awful. Apple pie it is. Excuse me, can we get two slices of apple pie! Oh don’t forget the ice cream” The conversation was pleasant after that, a welcome distraction. This was just what he needed to help cheer him up. His mood was lifted and he was feeling great. He learned all about Allie, how she was in town visiting her son who was some kind of radio host. How she got lost on her way to his studio and stumbled across him crying in his car.
“No good person can just walk away from someone in need.” He had to help her figure out her phone, he set up the GPS and told her just follow the arrow and it would take her right to him.
They exchanged numbers agreeing to meet for another meal before she had to return home. Excusing himself to the restroom Lucifer had a noticeable pep to his steps.
Upon exiting the bathroom he lost it after over hearing the cook and waitress talking, each words dragged him back down into the depressing hole the sweet deer had pulled him out of.
“Oh my god I swear he was staring right at my neck” Sue shuddered.
“I’m not taking the check over there no way” The cook, a greasy weasel, laughed loudly at her.
“I could see those fangs from over here. I heard if there out you can count yourself lucky if you don’t receive a bite” Speeding walking back to the table Lucifer set down a twenty, smiling weakly at Allie he wished her luck in finding her son before sprinting out the door before the deer could even say goodbye to him.
Allie watched the retreating snake eyes narrowing in anger, standing with her coffee cup in hand she walked over to the counter.
“Excuse me miss?” She called in a pleasant voice. The waitress was slow to approach her standing on the other side of the counter with her arms across.
“What?” Young people are so rude nowadays. They lacked manners and respect for other people. Tightening her grip on the cup of coffee Allie tossed the piping hot contents onto the unsuspecting possum, the girl screamed hands going to her face.
Allie watched with a cold smile as the waitress cried out and stumbled around. Turning away, she strolled out of the diner, paused at the door to flip the sign from "Open" to "Closed."