[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

[stilljustandrew]

He should be able to laugh that off.

Maybe it's the tone, of conviction so complete that it doesn't even need emphasis, but ... he can't.

[gavemea_45]

Lucifer nods, watching him.


"You can help him, you know."

[stilljustandrew]

"I am helping him."

[gavemea_45]

This time he shakes his head.

"All you're doing is delaying the inevitable."

A beat.

"But when the time comes, Andrew... he's going to need a friend. Someone who's willing to stand by him."

[stilljustandrew]

"He has that." Andrew's face tightens. "And he knows it."

[gavemea_45]

"Does he?"

Lucifer continues to hold his gaze.

"No one else will. His brother has already abandoned him."

[stilljustandrew]

"How do you know about that." Low, and unsteady.

[gavemea_45]

He shakes his head again.

"Andrew."

Gently said; kindly, even.

"Remember who I am."

[stilljustandrew]

"You're the Devil." Only slightly louder. "That means you know everything?"

[gavemea_45]

"I'm an archangel," Lucifer corrects him. "Fallen, yes, but an angel still."

A beat.

"I'm not lying, Andrew, and you know it. Contrary to popular belief, I have no need to."

[stilljustandrew]

"Oh, yeah. Because nobody ever lies about not lying."

It's sarcastic, but there's no force to it. Andrew's staring at him like a rabbit at a pair of oncoming headlights.

(Tharn, the word whispers through his head.)

[gavemea_45]

"I have no need to," Lucifer repeats.

A beat.

"It will happen, Andrew. Sam will say yes to me. And when he does, he will be utterly alone. But he doesn't have to be."

[stilljustandrew]

Utterly alone. That same weight, that same absolute conviction.

Andrew's throat cinches tight, painfully.



"What do you mean?"

[gavemea_45]

Lucifer smiles at Andrew.

"You can be with him."

[stilljustandrew]

Unconsciously, barely moving at all, he starts to shake his head.

"I'm with him now."

[gavemea_45]

"Yes, I know." Lucifer replies. "He's taken sanctuary in your world."

A beat, and then softly, implacably,

"But the longer he stays there, the worse it will be."

[stilljustandrew]

"Worse how?"

He folds his arms across his midsection, hunching slightly.

It's cold in here, all of a sudden.

[gavemea_45]

"Sam Winchester will be my vessel. There's no question about it; that will happen."

A beat.

"But there are many, many ways for it to come to pass. I'm sure we'd all prefer to avoid ... unpleasantness."

[stilljustandrew]

He swallows. "Is that code for Lots Of People Dying?"

The conviction in Lucifer's voice is shaking him, despite all his efforts.

[gavemea_45]

"As I said... many, many ways."

Lucifer pauses, studying him.

"I think I know one thing you're afraid of, Andrew. But this isn't the same. I'm not the First Evil. I'm not trying to deceive you."

[stilljustandrew]

The indrawn breath hisses through his teeth, and his jaw clenches.

"Yeah?" he grates. "Is that why you came in here looking like Jonathan?"

[gavemea_45]

He shakes his head.

"No. That was for a different reason. I know what seeing him reminds you of."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew's arms tighten around himself, and he looks away.

[gavemea_45]

"You're so afraid of making a similar mistake," he says, softly. "It makes you determined not to believe me; makes you sure that I must be lying, that none of it could be true."

A beat.

"Even when, deep down, you know that it is."

[stilljustandrew]

"It's not."

Small and choked, but vehement.