[Detroit!AU: when the man comes around]

[stilljustandrew]

Ever since they started what he's been mentally referring to as the Interdimensional Witness Relocation Program, Andrew's been getting most of his sleep at Milliways. Between helping Sam Winchester settle in at the Academy as a putative Watcher-in-training and trying to juggle his own schedule around that, there hasn't been time to sleep at home.

Especially since about half the time he finds himself lying awake anyway, jittering from a combination of nerves and caffeine.

Andrew rolls over, bunches up the pillow under his head, and lets out a sigh of tired frustration as he tries to relax again.

Comments

[gavemea_45]

"Since always."

A beat. He's studying Andrew carefully, now.

"Andrew, you know I wouldn't be saying this if it weren't true, right?"

[stilljustandrew]

"If you didn't believe it were true, yeah."

Andrew's studying him in turn.

"Okay, tell me this: why can't he stay?"

[gavemea_45]

He sighs.

"Because of what he has to do."

[stilljustandrew]

Beat.

Andrew frowns, slightly confused.

"He didn't tell me anything about having something he has to do."

[gavemea_45]

Jonathan just looks at him.

"Yes, he did." He frowns a little, considering. "Okay, maybe not in those exact words, since he's still being stubborn about it-- which by the way, you're not helping with that..."

[stilljustandrew]

"What are you talking about? He never --"



Andrew stops.

Every emotion, and most of the color, drains from his face like liquid pouring out of a pitcher.

[gavemea_45]

"Ah. I see you've finally caught up."

He smiles; a moment or two later the smile fades as his features smooth into a masklike calm that doesn't match any expression Jonathan's ever made.

"Hello, Andrew. It's nice to meet you at last."

[stilljustandrew]

Lucifer.

His mouth opens. Closes.

He swallows.




"Fairest and Fallen," he says, not quite steadily, "greeting and defiance."

[gavemea_45]

Lucifer laughs.

"I like that. I'll have to remember it."

He stands, and as he rises from the chair the illusion of Jonathan shimmers and dissolves like smoke, revealing the figure of a tall, broad-shouldered man with blue eyes and dark blond hair.

He strolls over to the window, puts his hands in his pockets, and stands there looking out at the view.

[stilljustandrew]

"What do you want."

Andrew turns to watch him.

[gavemea_45]

"That's a fairly open-ended question, isn't it?"

He leans one shoulder against the windowframe and turns to regard Andrew with amused interest.

[stilljustandrew]

Beat.

His jaw works.

"What do you want, from me, right now, that brings you into my room," he enunciates.

[gavemea_45]

"Exactly what I said before," Lucifer informs him.

"I need to talk to you about Sam."

[stilljustandrew]

"Sam already talked to me about you."

His face is closed.

"I don't know how much more talking we need."

[gavemea_45]

"Evidently some, as you don't seem to realize the truth here, Andrew."

Lucifer looks directly at him.

"I will have Sam Winchester as my vessel."

[stilljustandrew]

"We're done here," he says tightly, and starts to climb out of bed.

[gavemea_45]

"Why?"

He raises his eyebrows.

"Are you afraid to listen?"

A beat.

"Hear me out, Andrew. That's all I'm asking you to do right now."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew pauses, with one foot touching the floor.



He's not going to change his mind. No matter what Lucifer says.

And if he hears him out, maybe he'll learn something useful.

"Okay," he says finally -- but doesn't sit back down.

[gavemea_45]

Lucifer sighs, and glances back out the window.

"People always do misunderstand," he muses.

[stilljustandrew]

"So what am I misunderstanding?"

[gavemea_45]

"Well, for one thing," he says, calmly, "I don't want to hurt Sam. Not in the slightest."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew gives him a look that's eloquent of disbelief.

[gavemea_45]

It's a look that's easily read, too.

"You don't believe me."

[stilljustandrew]

"You want to move into his body and wear it. Use it as a vessel."

His tone's harsh.

[gavemea_45]

"Yes, that's true." Lucifer sighs. "I know it'll be difficult for him, even unpleasant."

His glance is direct, and very, very clear.

"But it will be his choice. And it doesn't have to hurt."