Persphone was always early, never late.
Always tidy, never messy.
She was calm, she was collected.
Her clothes always held some form of elegance.
Her movements filled with grace.
She had duties to fulfill, rarely a moment otherwise.
Everything was in place in her world. Lukifer had come to know this version of her well, though there were moments where her posture was a little slouched or her laugh turned into a snort when it lasted too long.
So, he was rather confused when he walked into the library to see Persephone curled up in one of the arm chairs in a sweater and what he assumed to be a nightgown. Her legs were lifted up to her chest, a book placed lazily on her knees. Though the girl seemed to be paying no mind to it, her head leaning against the back of the chair with her eyes half lidded. Pink colored curls pulled into a loose ponytail, baby hairs floating around the chubby baby face the girl had.
Lukifer quietly made his way down the staircase, shuffling his way over to the girl. "Uhm..Persephone?" His voice was low, trying not to startle the girl. That completely failed as she shot up, the book hitting the floor with a thud. "Huh..- What-" her voice was nasally, kind of reminded Luke of someone who swallowed too much salt. She glanced around quickly, her ears perking up and tail swaying.
"Whoa, whoa Perse it's just me." Lukifer raised his arms up in defense, smiling wearily at her. Her shoulders slumped as her tired eyes met his. "Oh..Luke.." she sighed, running her hands through her messy locks. She slowly leaned down grasping for the book, though she had to pause. Her whole body tensed up, her face going slightly green.
She quickly stood up, almost falling forward until Luke's arm shot out and caught her. Her hand grasped at the inside of his elbow, his hand wrapped slightly onto her shoulder. "Whoa hey Perse.." He furrowed his eyebrows, slightly confused as to what was going on.
She trembled more, "Luke.. I feel like I'm going to lose my breakfast.." Her voice weakened into a childish whine, reminding him more of a small child than the princess he knew well. Luke grew slightly panicked and helped Persephone stand up straight. His arm slid to be around her waist, though she put most of her weight on him anyways. Her head nestled slightly into his side, gripping at his sweater tightly.
It only took a few steps forward for Lukifer to realize Persephone was barely holding herself up. He sighed looking down at the smaller girl. "Is it okay if I lift you perse?"
Persephone nodded slowly, closing her eyes tightly. Lukifer crouched down, the girl was over a foot shorter than him, hooking his arm underneath her knees.
The man lifted her a little too quickly, causing her to groan and hide her face in his sweater. Lukifers face paled slightly.
He had no idea what to do.
What would Wilbur do?
How would Wilbur help Persephone?
He scanned over the faint memories in his head of the brown haired musician. He had mentioned that when his son got sick he would put him into bed and attempt to get him to take some medicine.
"Okay Perse.. let's.. get you up to bed." He kept his tone low as he started walking up the stairs from the library. Persephone curled into him slightly, her tail wrapping around his shoulders. The soft fur tickled his jaw. He smiled slightly. It was oddly comforting.
Soon he was attempting to open her bedroom door with his slightly pushed out hand. Twisting the handle clumsily, Lukifer kicked open the door with the tip of his laced up netherite boots.
Persephone's room was chilled compared to the rest of the castle. The walls were painted white and decorated minimally. Her bed sat against a window, it wasn't too large but nothing too small. White bed covers sat neatly folded against the bed. Luke walked over to the bed, reaching down with the best of his abilities and unfold the covers. He slowly lowered the girl onto the bed, though she attempted to stay clung to him. "Nnno.." She whined, her eyes still shut. Lukifer chuckled nervously, using one hand to detach her arms.
"I have to go get medicine for you Perse. I'll be right back I promise.." he smiled, ruffling her hair softly as he tucked her into the bed. She buried her face into the pillows, hugging one tightly.
Lukifer nervously paced out of the room, trying to think of where she'd keep medicine. When he got sick she gave him healing potions. Maybe in the potion room?
He quickly made his way towards the door to the room Persephone brewed potions in, sweating slightly.
He had no idea how to care for kids. Well Persephone wasn't really a kid..
She was sixteen, but he still had no idea how to care for her.
He tried to wrack his brain for any information he had to help him. Wilbur spoke about his son often. He gave Lukifers advice for if the man had kids.
Lukifer felt the blood rush to his face at the though. Though he wouldn't risk bringing kids into this world.
It was dangerous.
Until he started thinking more. Persephone was a child. The trauma she had endured in just the time he has known her. Who knew what else she had before he had met her.
Hell he was part of her trauma. It was so rare she let him around anymore. He had no doubt if she wasn't delirious he wouldn't even be allowed this close to her.
Sighing softly he stepped into the potions room, glancing around at the numerous stands she had.
A clerk stood working on them, glancing up at the boy. "Should you be here?" It was no doubt they knew he shouldn't be here.
Whether be Persphone told them. Or how he stuck out like a sore thumb. Standing awkwardly in maroon from head to toe.
"Uh.. not. Really but..Per- uh.. the princess is sick. I..was hoping to get her some medicine." His words were chosen a bit too carefully, and the word princess slipped off his tongue a little too distastefully.
"Right. Cabinet up on the right wall." The clerk eyed him, before returning to their work once more. Lukifer nodded, rubbing his hands against his pants in nervous tension.
Slowly he made his way over to the further wall, aka the right one. He reached up and tugged open one of the cabinets, multiple bottles of different colored liquids. Shiny and vibrant, illuminating the dark cabinet. He reached up and grabbed one of the red shimmering ones that he recognized. "Is it alright if I take this one?"
The clerk nodded and motioned towards a water bottle, "take that too. She hates the taste of potions."
Lukifer sent them a grateful smile, shutting the cabinet and taking the water bottle. "Thank you.. uh.. I'll put these back in a bit."
He shuffled his way out, letting out a breath he was sure was straining his lungs.
God that was fucking awkward.
Sighing, Lukifer made the trek back to Persephone's bedroom. He hoped the medicine would help her feel better..
He hated how clueless he felt with all this. He was twenty three for heaven's sake! He should know how to help her, shouldn't he?
It seemed to be no more than a mere excuse in that moment he wasn't from the overworld. He was born and raised in hell, er, they called it the nether.
He took in a deep breath and he stepped through the bedroom door. Persephone was still curled up in the bed, her tail hung off the side swaying lazily.
Lukifer gently shut the door walking towards the bed, going on the opposing side of Persephone. He slowly got onto the bed and glanced down at her. "Hey.. Perse are you sleeping..? You need to sit up.." Persephone just whined, covering her face with her arm.
Well, that was a bit unexpected.
"Cmon perse.." he awkwardly rubbed her back, trying to egg her into sitting up.
Persephoen grumbled out something vaguely similar to, "what a jerk.." as she sat herself up. She leaned against the older man, sighing softly. "I uh,, I have medicine. For you." He offered her the bottle, which he had already uncapped.
Persephone attempted to take it, but her hands were so shaky she just about tipped it over.
"Whoa whoa okay, let, let me." Lukifer held it for her, helping her drink the liquid.
Persephone gagged almost instinctively. "I hate those.." her voice was softer than normal, using the palm of her hand to rub at her eyes.
"I uh.. also have water." Lukifer saw the corners of her thin esk lips raise, repeating the process with the water bottle.
"Okay, you can lay back down now.." He rubbed her back soothingly, watching as she slowly lowered herself down so her head rested on his lap. She gripped weakly at his pants leg, whimpering softly at the gross feeling she had. Lukifer pulled the covers up to her shoulders, smiling softly.
It was kinda nice seeing her out of the whole elegancy and princess thing. He carefully slid the pony tail out of her hair, watching as the frizzy curls fell in every direction. He started to play with her hair, humming a low tune to ease her.
Persephone mumbled something Lukifer almost thought he didn't hear.
A soft, "love you Luke" came from the drowsy girl.
Lukifer felt his heart stop. His whole body spread with comforting warmth, gentle fuzziness settled in him.
This girl was the closest he would ever get to a kid, or a sister. It was becoming increasingly more clear she thought the same behind the little facade she put up.
He would do anything to keep moments like these safe.
Anything to fix the mistakes he's done with her.
"I.. love you Persephone.."
She smiled slightly,leaning into the touch of his hand in her curls.
Yeah, he'd do just about anything for this kid.