Chapter Text
Hell’s moon lowered as its ruby sun took its place. Light shined through the window of someone’s room. Landing right onto their sleeping, peaceful face.
Adam’s face twitched to life as he finally opened his eyes. He yawned loudly, sitting up and turning to his clock. It was six in the morning so he better get up before the children do.
He got up and did his normal morning routine including going downstairs and fixing up breakfast for his kids. He didn’t take too long and soon his dining table had plates and cups filled with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and orange juice.
As if summoned by smell alone one by one his kids came downstairs from their rooms. Before sitting in their places they all made sure to bid him good morning along with a hug. Adam doing the same in return.
Soon the entire dining room was filled with Hellborn of all types along with their chattering.
All except one was here.
Adam was about to wonder if he should get up to see if she was awake when finally at long last his daughter came into the room. Lydia yawned as she sleepily sat next to Adam. “Morning Mom…”
Adam chuckled and ruffled her bed head. “Morning Lyd. Alright everyone, let’s eat!” They didn't need to be told twice as they all dug into their food like it was their last meal.
Which it wasn't, the food was just that good.
“So, plans for today?” He asked in general to all of his kids. Lydia raised a brow. “You mean other than boring school? No.”
“Hey, education is important.”
“You didn't go.” She tried to argue her point to him. But It also wasn't invented when he was alive but that's not the point.
“Do as I say, not as I do. You don't want to be like me chicky, be better. That's why you're going to school to be even smarter. Okay! Everyone grab your backpacks when you're done, the bus will be here soon.”
They all nodded and left their plates, most of the kids were school age but some weren't. But most of the kids went to the school nearby.
They all went out and waited for the bus. When it arrived Adam made sure he got everyone on the bus before waving them off. “Have a good day guys! Love you!”
Once they were gone Adam sighed, now he had all the younger kids and a shit ton of cleaning to do. He supposed however that was simply the unfortunate part of being a parent.
Having to make sure the house isn’t completely a mess so that no one lives like a pig or gets hurt. When he had children on Earth he remembered how often that either he or Eve had to mop up the dirt and mud they would track in from playing outside.
Nowadays his kids didn’t bring too much dirt into the ground considering how hard it was. Hell’s soil was incredibly infertile and was similar to the ground of a volcano. He counted himself lucky his kids never brought lava into the house.
He sighed as he finished up his morning chores before he went to the fridge to start lunch for the little ones. Luckily enough they were all distracted by the tv in the living room that was playing a kids show about some big red dragon.
He was honestly shocked to learn that Hell even had kids shows. But he wasn’t complaining, it kept the wee ones occupied while he got work done. He did however let out a groan when he saw the lack of meal options or rather lack of much else really.
Looks like he’ll be needing to do a grocery shopping trip.
Which meant bringing the little ones with him...... If the older kids were home he'd let them watch them but he can't wait until they come home from school.
Sighing, he made his way over to the little room to inform them of this trip. “Okay guys, let's go to the store.”
The little kids squealed happily and got their coats and shoes on.
Adam loaded them into the van and took them to Hell Mart. The place had surprisingly good deals and you could even buy in bulk.
Which was perfect for Adam since he had so many mouths to feed.
“Okay, remember your buddy system.”
All the kids held hands and the youngest held Adam's hand as they went into the store. Since he taught them all about stranger danger he had them all close together and didn’t see a single one of them try to stray away.
Until his littlest Morgan saw the cookie aisle and left his side to check it out while he was busy with getting the cereal.
Morgan’s eyes shined as she surveyed the rows of shelves with all the best packaged cookies. There was even a spot of sweets that were straight from Gluttony. There were different types of them that she couldn’t decide on which was the best one. There were mini lemon meringue pies, chocolate cream cookies, and even birthday flavored cookies.
Her belly rumbled just thinking about all the delicious desserts. She reached a hand out to try and get a package of one of them, hoping that her Mama would say yes. However the shelf was three feet higher than her and even standing on her tip toes made it an impossible task.
At one point she even tried to jump up to get them but no luck.
She pouted and nearly started to cry thinking she wouldn’t get her cookies when a taller figure grabbed the chocolate flavored cookies then bent down to give it to her.
“Here ya go.”
She looked up to see a tall white spider smiling gently at her as he gave her the box. Morgan grinned as she accepted it. “Thank you mister!”
“No problem kid.”
“Angel?”
The sinner, Angel, turned to the feminine voice and called out. “Over here Princess!” A tall, blonde woman came bounding up to them and smiled at the two. “Hey Angel, who’s this little cutie?” She asked as she bent down towards eye level with the little girl.
Morgan smiled and almost thought about introducing herself, she also couldn’t explain it but the lady seemed strangely familiar. But that's when she heard her name being called out.
“Morgan? Morgan!”
Sounds like her mama was not happy she ran off on her own.
“Uh oh..... Mama's gonna be upset.”
“It'll be okay, stay here until she comes over alright?” Angel said as he stood by the little one.
Adam started to frantically look around for Morgan, there were so many predators down here in Hell that if someone took her he'd likely never see her again.
The very thought made his guts twist of someone harming the sweet little girl. She was just a little imp girl but she was adorable.
“Morgan!?”
Morgan turned and waved. “Over here mama!!”
Charlie paused, that voice sounded so familiar......
Adam came around the corner and Morgan squealed and ran to him, he sighed and scooped her up. “Don't scare me like that! Where did you go?”
Morgan innocently held up her little pack of cookies and batted her long eyelashes. “Can I have a cookie mommy?”
“...... Is there enough for everyone?”
“Yes!”
“Then okay.” He relented, unable to deny his daughter this treat.
“Adam?”
“Mommy?”
Adam froze and looked over to where he saw Angel and Charlie standing there with their own groceries.
Well this was awkward.
“Uhhhh..... Later!” He tried to make his getaway but Charlie was quicker. “Oh no you don't!” She went over and blocked his cart, he wasn't getting away that easy. “You've been alive the whole time?”
She asked in complete disbelief and wonder as she could not begin to comprehend how that was even possible.
Adam placed Morgan in the cart seat so she wouldn't wander off again. “....Maybe.” Charlie could only think to run a hand through her thick blonde hair. “Holy shit……..where have you been? Who is this kid? Why did she call you Mommy?”
Adam rolled his eyes. “Listen princess I’d love to catch up with you, tea, cakes, the whole shebang but I have to get my shopping done before my older kids get home first.”
He tried to get her to move but like an unstoppable force she barely budged. “Hold on! You’re telling me you had children down here!?” Adam sighed. “Yes, that is what I’m telling you.”
“But ... .but how!? And who did you marry?! Who would WANT to marry you?!” Adam felt his patience nearing its end. “Oh and you’re such a sight? I didn’t birth or marry anyone, I adopted them.”
Charlie blinked. “………Adopted?”
“Yes, meaning I found them on the street and had taken them into my home where I am now raising them as my own.”
“……..Why!?” Not believing a demon hating hunter like Adam to want anything to do with Hell’s children.
“Because unlike you princess I actually give a damn about kids thrown into the situation where they are born into a place they didn’t ask to be.” Charlie's face burned. “I care! How dare you say I don't care!”
“You care more about vile sinners than the innocent children who were forced here. Now move.” He pushed his cart into her making her move to the side, Charlie watched him go.
Her dad was going to want to hear this.
When Adam returned to his other kids and made sure they were all accounted for he readied himself and them to leave. “Come on guys, let's go.” He paid for his food and booked it for home; he had dinner to prepare before the others got home.
That night at dinner as everyone sat down to eat Adam gave a small grace to himself, as he was still faithful to his creator despite certain circumstances. He said his amen before digging right into his meal. However before he could even finish his first bite the doorbell rang.
Adam groaned. "Always at this time….” He got up to deal with the intruder on this peaceful time with his family knowing full well who it was.
Vox tech business men, they try their hardest to sell him useless crap that he doesn’t even want. He already had cable so he didn't need a damn streaming service. And if it wasn’t Vox tech bothering him it was some other smaller company. Just last week he couldn’t get this guy off his porch with the deal of a lifetime saying he could kill anybody who wronged him when he was alive. It was a nice offer but the people who wronged him were untouchable.
He swore the moment he met the smug face of the bastard who disturbed his supper was going to meet the end of his fist. Adam reached the door and swiveled it open to deliver a harsh talking to. “Okay buddy what’s the big idea to-
Adam’s words were caught in his throat as he stared down in shock and horror at the person who had made him speechless.
Lucifer stood there with his hat in hand looking up hopefully at the being that haunted his every waking moment.
When he had been informed by his daughter of her encounter earlier that day he was certain that she was pulling a cruel joke on him. But the more he thought about it the more he hoped it was true. It took a little bit to find the presumed fallen first man but he did.
He found a little house by the edge of Pride where it was quiet out there and away from the chaos of the city. It was a beautiful two story home that had a backyard where there was a play set and everything. But he didn’t think that it was actually the residence of Adam until the door was opened.
Now he stood there staring at him as if all his dreams had come true in that moment. Tears welled up in his eyes as he dared himself to reach out. “Adam-
Lucifer retracted his hand fast as the door all but slammed in his face. Oh yeah...... Adam didn't like him..... Lucifer sighed and knocked on the door again and didn't stop knocking until Adam opened it again.
“What the Hell is wrong with you!? Go away!”
“Adam, I just want to talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you!”
“Oh come on, you have nothing to say?” Adam snorted. “Other than fuck off and go away? No. Beat it.” He was going to slam the door again but this time Lucifer caught it. “Please? I'm not leaving until we do.”
Adam growled. “What. Do. You. Want?” Lucifer held up his hands in a placating manner. “I just want to talk, that’s all I swear.”
“Talk huh? What exactly?” Because like hell Lucifer of all beings wanted a simple talk.
About many things really, there were so many things that Lucifer wanted so desperately to tell Adam. The most obvious was how badly he missed him after all these years and never stopped thinking about him.
How he was so thankful that he was here with him again.
But before he could open his mouth once more to tell him all that and more a tiny voice called out,
“Mom?”
Adam silently cursed as his eldest came walking up to him. “Mom, what's going on? Is it the sales guys again?” The first man sighed as he turned towards his daughter. “No it's not, go-
Lydia gasped and smiled when she saw Lucifer. She went right over and introduced herself.
Adam frowned, he didn't get what the big fucking deal was. Sure Lucifer was the King but it's not like he was some teenage heart throb actor or singer.
“It's nice to meet you. She said politely. Lucifer smiled and shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you as well, miss.....?”
“Lydia.”
“Lydia! What a lovely name.”
Lydia beamed. “Thank you! Would you like to join us for dinner?” Adam's eyes went wide. “Wha-!?”
“I would be delighted!”
Lydia showed him to the dining room and Adam's jaw was on the floor. What the fuck just happened!?
Lydia popped into the kitchen with a huge grin on her muzzle. "Guys you’ll never guess who is here.”
One of the kids, Jake , a teen incubus just a couple of years younger than her, groaned. “Don’t tell it’s those guys again and you got to bite them this time. Jack, another hellhound that was eight and a half gasped excitedly as he started wagging his tail. “Oh boy intruders! Can I help you chase them off?”
“No! It wasn’t an intruder, it’s even better!”
“Oh well I’ve got to know what’s so important than interrupting our meal.” Jake remarked as he put his hand in his palm irritatedly. Lydia grinned and pulled in their guest. “Kadmon’s meet his royal majesty the king of Hell!”
All the kids gasped and awed when Lucifer came in and smiled at them waving.
Jack’s grin manifested into something unworldly. “Best random door knocker ever.” Jack, who had his jaw hanging down, nodded. “I’ll say.”
Lucifer cleared his throat before speaking to them. “Hello children! How is everyone?”
They all kind of spoke at once but that was fine, Lucifer could use his angelic hearing to understand them all.
Lydia pulled out a chair and got him a plate. Lucifer thanked her. “So, what are all your names?
There was Lydia, Jake, Jack, Melody, Amber, Tristan, Sylvia, Henry and Morgan.
Lucifer smiled at the youngest and used his magic to give her a cookie. Morgan gasped. “Thank you!”
“You're welcome, now I know Adam has prepared a lovely meal but let's add a little more to it.”
He waved his hand as if it were nothing, because it was, and the food doubled and there was vegetables, meat, gravy, all of it.
The kids were so happy and dug in.
Adam came in and his jaw was still on the floor. He felt his jaw go lower as he examined what was on the table.
An entire buffet is what it looked like along with Lucifer playing server.
He could not believe this was happening. He refused to acknowledge this was happening.
Lucifer saw Adam and grinned. “Adam! Come join us!” He got up from his seat to pull out presumably Adam’s, which as fate decreed it was right next to Lucifer’s spot.
Adam just walked over and sat down next to Lucifer, he looked at all his kids who were happily munching away on all the delicious and nutritious food that the King added to the meal that Adam made.
Adam didn't say anything, he just ate. His kids were happy and going to bed with full tummies, that's all that mattered.
He even gave them cake!
Once dinner was done Lucifer cleaned it up with a snap of his fingers, leftovers in the fridge.
All the kids went to get ready for bed and Adam was still speechless as Lucifer read them a bedtime story with a golden light show.
Lucifer did a little bow. “Good night children.”
“Good night King Lucifer!”
Lucifer smiled and waved and closed the door when he turned he was faced with a still gobsmacked Adam. “What the fuck was that?”
Lucifer sighed and put his hat on. “Sinners have their life on Earth and their choices decide if when they die they go up or down. You know that. Hellborn, especially the children, didn't have a say in where they were born. They'll never get the chance to see heaven's gates because Hellborns have no soul, so even if they're good people they'll never see Heaven. They're here because of me and it's the least I can do to make their lives even just a little better.....”
He's not sure why imps and Hellhounds are treated like shit, but they are. They're the majority of the Hellborn population.
“Just because they're in Hell doesn't mean they should suffer. They're just kids.”
Adam felt the tension in his shoulders ease as his guard dropped ever so slightly. He still didn’t want the king of Hell in his home but at the very least he knew that his former friend wouldn’t hurt his children. “I guess I should thank you for the meal, along with the dessert…….and the story.”
Lucifer smiled softly. “No thanks is needed, but while I don’t want to overstay my welcome I would like to talk to you now that the children are asleep.” Adam sighed before nodding. “I suppose that’s fair, what would you like to know?”
“Everything really, but first why don’t I make us a drink and talk where it’s more comfortable?”
He hoped it was a strong drink.
Adam relaxed into his favorite arm chair while Lucifer sat across from him on the couch. Both having a scotch on the rocks in their hands as they settled themselves for what was about to come.
“So, how exactly did you get like this? Where did you get this house, when did you have kids down here? But most importantly how long have you fallen?”
Adam sipped his drink. “Looking for a novel are you? Alright. Well, I've fallen pretty much since the day after extermination day that year.”
Lucifer felt a little sad knowing Adam didn't even try coming to the hotel but he understood. He probably didn't feel welcome.
“The house was one that I just kind of found and fixed it up. From the things that were here I would say a sinner owned it and they died. So I made it my own. And I didn't HAVE any of the kids here. I found them all and took them in. Lydia, the oldest you met at the door, I found her first...... Hellborn or not I have a soft spot for kids...... And it just kind of snowballed into what it is today.”
Lucifer nodded and he listened. "So why do they call you mommy?” Adam flushed, a little embarrassed. “That's their own choice.”
Not that Adam was necessarily complaining about it. To be honest it was kind of nice to be in the role of the mother. If Lucifer knew of his thoughts he’d agree wholeheartedly.
From what he had seen and heard Adam was more of a mother than a father to these children but above all else he was a parent. A parent to these unfortunate souls who were once left without anyone to care for them in this cruel unforgiving world.
“Well I will say that you are a good mother to them Adam.”
Adam blush reddened, unable to speak for a second as he was caught off guard by the compliment. For so long he had deemed himself as a failure as a parent and would have thought that Lucifer of all beings would agree.
Guess not.
“Thank you, in all honesty I’m glad they ended up on my doorstep instead of an orphanage.”
“Oh right I heard of those places, I heard they were downright awful.”
“Especially the clinics where they keep young hellhounds, I swear if I ever get my hands on the classist prick who created this caste system I’m going to wring their neck purple.”
Lucifer shook his head. “I think it was Mammon, believe it or not those places have a lot of money. Even though it's essentially a prison for children.” Adam made a face. “Who the fuck is that?”
“The sin of Greed, he's about three rings down..... They're impossible to keep shut down.” He answered sadly.
Adam set his cup down. “Can't you do something?” Lucifer sighed. “I'm trying. But you have to catch the people behind, they get away and just open up somewhere else until they're caught and they just keep moving around. It's frustrating.”
Adam sighed into his hands. “So basically it’s hopeless.” Lucifer winced. “No, not hopeless, just difficult.”
“You know at times like these your daughter can actually do some good.”
Lucifer tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
“She still has that hotel right? I saw a commercial that said it was still there and better than ever.” Lucifer nodded slowly. “Yes I helped with that.”
“She can use her hotel to help those kids by giving them a room! She said she wants to ‘help her people'. Well these are her actual people, Hellborn like her, who need help!”
Lucifer nodded in agreement, he knows that Charlie wanted the hotel to mainly be for sinners who want to be redeemed, but he may just have to have a talk with her to adjust her target audience.
Give people an actually safe place to stay.
“I'll have a talk with her about it tomorrow.” Adam smiled. “Thank you. I can't save every child here but hopefully that gives them somewhere else to go.”
“Yes. I know Charlie can be a little, one track minded but she means well.”
Just like her dad, when Lucifer puts his mind to something he fucking does it. The whole apple situation is proof of that.
“Gee, wonder where she gets that from.” Adam retorted with a smirk. Lucifer chuckled. “No idea.”
For a moment the two sat in complete silence not daring either to make a single sound. It was clear that the conversation was finished and Lucifer should start heading home.
Swallowing the remains of his drink he stood up abruptly while smiling at his host. “This has been a wonderful night Adam, thank you for putting up with me.”
Adam chuckled this time. “Yeah well, you made my kids happy so I'll let it go. THIS time.” Lucifer smiled. “Glad to hear it...... Don't be a stranger okay? If you need anything you know where to find me.”
Adam bit his lip. “I'll keep that in mind.” Lucifer tipped his hat at him and in a swirl of red and gold magic, the King of Hell was gone.
It was late when Lucifer had gotten back from the hotel. All but a few had gone to sleep already. Lucifer had gone to do the same, today had been a whirlwind of emotions going through him and he just wanted to sleep away his troubles.
But he still got to see his human again so he would be sleeping soundly.