A WHOLE LOT of confusion and not enough time for answers was keeping Izzy at the tip of her toes all day long — the case had hardly started, yet already, Lucifer had checked himself into the psychiatric hospital, leaving her with the responsibility of tending to Chloe's every request while Dan was busy flirting with Charlotte and Ella was blasting One of Us on repeat. But, for once, Isadora was trying to ignore Dan's love life, the temptation to question Lucifer's intentions and the potential karaoke battle awaiting in Ella's lab — for once, she was concentrating only on work, running after Chloe and doing everything that was asked of her without a single complaint. With the whirlwind that had taken residence in her personal life, it had been hard to disconnect from all the drama and emotion, but she feared that sometimes, she took her dream job for granted.
So, it was important to stay focused and remind herself that she was a cop, she was doing what she had worked so hard to achieve and any moment now, all that could slip from her fingertips just because she wasn't going after more. She wasn't expecting to be named detective within the first year of her career, but there were certainly doors to open and ladders to climb, and even if that didn't equal turning off her friendly side, it did require more room for the yearning ambition, too.
Even if it was kind of hard to ignore the fact that Lucifer's dad, The Dad, was potentially a suspect in their latest case.
With her hands full of work, quite literally, Izzy was sauntering out of the forensic lab after hearing that they were now on the hunt for Santa Claus — somehow, not even the weirdest thing she had come across in the past months — which, of course, they figured was how a mentally ill person would describe a man with long, white hair and a beard, and while Chloe was finding a new angle to work, Izzy had a bunch of evidence to dig through. The task, however, had to share her attention with the curiosity regarding God Johnson, and albeit she had done a splendid job at suppressing it so far, it ignited right back into those wild flames when she spotted a certain demon on the other side of the precinct. Her girlfriend.
Hastily, Isadora was sliding the heavy files filled with footage and reports onto the desk, before striding over to Mazikeen with a blooming smile already breaking over her soft lips, hand reaching the brunette's with a faint touch. Still, only her footfalls were enough to snap Maze's head into the direction of the sound, and at the sight of her love approaching, the bounty hunter was shoving her check into the pocket of her leather jacket and flashing a grin at Izzy.
"Came to get my paycheck, but I gotta say, this isn't a bad bonus", Maze didn't hesitate to wrap her fingers around Izzy's and reel her in closer, eyes flickering down to the lips she could reach with the help of her shiny heels. If it wasn't for the integrity Isadora was attempting to maintain, she could have given her darling the deep kiss she had already imagined in a million different ways, but with her duties at the top of her mind, Izzy was instead settling for a little more distance — the grin on her lips, though, was quite enough to convince Mazikeen that she was desperate to feel her too.
"Agreed", Izzy sighed dreamily, but after softly caressing Maze's cheek and licking her own, dry lips out of their haze, she cleared her throat and silently reminded herself of the pressing question lingering between the thoughts of her job, and the woman in front of her. "So, uhh, on a scale of one to ten how likely is God stuck in a psychiatric hospital and involved in a murder?", the deputy crossed her arms over her chest and quirked an eyebrow at Mazikeen, hopeful that she would carry some of the much-needed answers, an ability to relieve some of the wonder and concern building on her soul — which was something that the demon was known to have.
Although surprise crossed the latter's features, widening her eyes with something amazed, it didn't take long for her to mimic Izzy's stance and lift her shoulders in an ever-so-casual shrug. "About as likely as the LAPD's only openly lesbian redhead cop dating a demon from Hell", that familiar sardonic tone was biting at the edges of her words, making Izzy snort softly but nod in fair agreement — she had a point. Her world had been more or less turned upside down ever since she had met Lucifer and everyone connected to him, the lines between possible and impossible, natural and supernatural, or real and unreal, were no longer included in the things Izzy could confirm with abiding certainty.
"So do you think it's really Him?", Izzy's eyes flickered with curiosity when she looked up to Mazikeen, her mind wracking all the possible options — if she had stared God in the eyes, if He had already judged her, if Lucifer was truly going after Him, or if it was all just a very convenient coincidence plotted by the actual God, or something else entirely, to mess with their heads. But, concluding from the unbothered calmness that found residence in Maze and her expression, she wasn't troubled by these same questions — though Izzy supposed it was fair enough, after all, she was more than well versed in Heaven and Hell and the differences between.
"I don't know, but I bet Lucifer will figure it out. And it'll be just fine, even if it is the Big Guy then who cares?", a hint of amusement laced Maze's lightly spoken words, only for something chaotic to take place on Izzy's face, so she was quickly continuing with her hands unfolding to reach Izzy's shoulders. "Either way, I know your one-way ticket says Heaven on it. You don't have to worry about Him, if it even is Him. Instead, why don't you worry about all... this?", the dark-haired beauty gestured at their surroundings, somehow managing to bring Izzy back to the ground, the noise of the precinct breaking through the buzz in her ears and confirming that even in a world where the Devil and his most trusted demon were a part of her daily life, she was human, she was a cop, and she was good. And she had a job to do.
Inhaling sharply, Izzy nodded and flashed a charming smile at Maze, one that she didn't hesitate to return. "You're right, yeah. Lucifer will handle it, I know that. I trust him. And I trust you", the redhead breathed out, leaning forward to press a ginger kiss against Mazikeen's soft forehead, a gesture of affection that, in its lack of passion and heat, nearly made the demon blush. The idea of dipping Izzy down and letting their lips collide in waves of intensity, was one that she was quite comfortable with, but she was yet to grow more accustomed to the softer side of herself, the possibility that perhaps she, too, was vulnerable at times. And with Izzy, it was the other way around, the lust sometimes appearing threatening to her — a perfect balance that they, quite talentedly actually, were making work.
"Anyway", Maze coughed, though the gentle trail of her fingers continued to fall down Izzy's arm. "Decker asked for my help, and I arranged a date for her and some doctor from the case. And obviously, I need to make sure she doesn't turn it into a dumpster fire, so... What do you think of making it a double date?", she suggested with a courageous smirk inching to her lips, causing Izzy's mouth to slump open with awe and doubt — whether or not it was a good idea, she began to debate silently. She had decided to dedicate more time to the case, but if Chloe was going to spend time with one of the doctors from the hospital, then there was no way she was only in it for the wine and the giggles. There had to be an ulterior motive, one that most likely involved work, and therefore, Izzy slowly formed a nod in response.
And, in the end, how would she be able to sit at home and think that she could have been in Maze's arms, instead?
—————
NIGHT WAS FALLING, and with the darkening evening, Maze's mischievous plan to set Chloe up with a man for the first time was creeping closer, too. Izzy wasn't totally sure what to expect, but she couldn't imagine that getting to call Maze her girlfriend while eating some pizza, and working the case simultaneously could be a bad idea. Perhaps there was a certain danger to it, with potentially too many irons in the fire, but they could make it work. There were far more challenging situations Izzy, Maze and Chloe had faced, together and apart, so certainly they could handle one night of socializing too.
In fact, Isadora was growing quite excited towards the end of her shift, Ella's singing successfully stuck in her head while she packed up her stuff and pictured an outfit to change into to appear less like an uptight cop and more like the friendly neighborhood dog mom. Admittedly, the wonder of how Lucifer was doing and what exactly he was doing, was still shadowing the back of her mind, but luckily the long day at work had kept her thoughts occupied for the most part, and if tonight and tomorrow were to go as expected, then she was one step closer to finding out.
"Hey", the familiar voice of one Dan Espinoza earned Izzy's attention, and while slinging her bag over her shoulder, the woman twirled around to find the man patting a file in his hands and nodding approvingly at her. "Nice work today", he kept his praise short and sweet, but it was quite enough to put a smile on Isadora's lips, her heart already soaring in her chest as she glanced down and chuckled quietly.
"Thanks, Dan", she looked back up at him and leaned forward to gently nudge his shoulder with her fist. "Surprised you noticed, I would have dared to claim that a certain other woman had your attention all day", she feigned innocence behind her suggestive tone, hands folding behind her back as she tiptoed back and directed a widening grin at Dan, who didn't hesitate to choke out a laugh — the hint of pink that crawled over to his cheeks betrayed him, however, but it was quite endearing. Perhaps Izzy was not Ms. Richards' number one fan, and the thought of her clueless friend dancing around the Goddess in a human's clothing was one that kickstarted the need to protect, but Dan was worthy of happiness and right now, he looked pretty damn happy to her.
With an equally taunting lift of an eyebrow, Dan was narrowing his eyes at Izzy. "You're one to say, Mrs. Smith", he reminded her of who had been trying to resist giving her girlfriend a kiss earlier that day, and with the desire still vividly burning on the tip of her tongue, Izzy couldn't help but shake her head with a defeated smile. But, she went along with it.
"Mrs. and Mrs. Smith. Has a ring to it", she theorized with one last wink sent Dan's way, before waving him goodbye and parting ways. Of course, marriage was hardly at the top of Izzy's list of priorities, and proposing such a thing to Maze felt far too quick for now, but it was healthy to keep a more light side to the relationship, too. And, no doubt, Isadora dreamed of getting married one day, though for now, she was quite happy knowing that her relationship with the woman was heading into the right direction, slow and steady in its gradual progress. She made sure to cherish all those little moments too, instead of just looking for the next step to take, she basked in the stage they stood in now.
By the time Izzy finally arrived at the Decker residence, her uniform changed into a pair of skinny jeans and a button-up adorned with flowers, darkness had swallowed the city whole and the moonlit sky was casting a gleaming light on her red curls, only a few shades lighter than the wine she was bringing along — in her rush of making herself dinner-ready, she had nearly forgotten a gift to bring along, but Diane had shoved a bottle into her arms before she had left, leaving Isadora now standing at Chloe and Maze's doorstep with some alcohol and a radiant smile doing a decent job at hiding her nerves.
When the door swung open and the coziness indoors bled onto the porch, Izzy couldn't help but let it effectively widen her smile as she handed the bottle forth, before greeting Chloe with both arms wide open. "Thank you so much for inviting me!", the Holt gushed, a squeeze given to her friend before she let her grasp linger on her shoulders and her calculating gaze meet hers for a second. "And whatever angle you're working for the case, I got your back, okay?", she casually reminded the detective of her loyalty, both to her and the badge they both wore, and although initially it seemed like the Decker was caught by surprise — as if she hadn't expected anyone to notice her hidden intentions, but instead of an argument, she responded with a curt nod, buried in faint gratitude.
"Thanks, Izzy. I appreciate—", Chloe was on the verge of speaking up, but her hand was shortly dropped from the taller woman's arm and her kind eyes directed elsewhere when Mazikeen appeared from the kitchen, her curls bouncing and glossy lips curled upwards. And, as much as Izzy wanted to hear Chloe out, she couldn't stop her focus from swaying over to the brunette, who didn't hesitate to swing an arm around the woman's waist and push herself to her tiptoes to make granting Isadora a generous kiss significantly easier.
"You made it, babe", Maze was, quite frankly, beaming — that alone was enough to convince Chloe that her conversation was Izzy would have to resume some other time, and after shutting the door behind the redhead, she was stepping back over to the living room, where Mazikeen turned the two of them, as well. "Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Izzy", she introduced proudly, and with her mouth falling open at the sight that awaited, from the open pizza boxes on the table to the couch with not only Dr. Garrity, but Amenadiel seated on the cushions. It wasn't so much the idea of people, but the false illusion of arriving early when in reality, she was now the last one with the spotlight on her and it was causing Izzy's hand to rise meekly. And, while the flutter in her heart was far too satisfying to ignore, it was now out there that she was, indeed, this glorious woman's girlfriend and there were no take-backs.
Not that she would have wanted any, but she could feel the underlines of pressure delve in slowly but surely. Well, it was going to be interesting, if nothing else.
While Maze inserted herself on the chair between Garrity and Chloe, hellbent on playing matchmaker, Izzy was slumping down next to Amenadiel, who was quick to offer the woman some pizza. The sight of pineapple, however, encouraged her to politely decline, but she didn't hesitate to accept the glass of wine he poured for her next. A gentleman, as always. "So, uh, Izzy, you work with the LAPD too, correct?", the doctor — Liam — directed an intrigued glance towards Isadora, who gulped down her sip and nodded vehemently to confirm his suspicions with pride — it would be a cold day in Hell when Izzy would carry her mantle of a deputy with anything but great honor.
"Uh-huh", she smiled while lowering her glass, "always wanted to be a cop, always worked toward it, and finally on my first year as an officer. It's... had its ups and downs but I wouldn't change it for another job, ever", a sense of courage and duty evident on her features as she looked up from her hands and met Liam's keen gaze. She failed to notice everyone else's expressions, however, from the approval shining in Chloe's eyes to the affection twitching behind Maze's lips or the agreement Amenadiel nodded with — of course, he wasn't a police officer, but in a way, he knew his way around law enforcement too. Just on a more celestial scale, but nonetheless, he was no stranger to responsibility and rules.
"I know the feeling, I love my job", Liam nodded with a similar hint of passion, before turning over to Maze, "and, uh, where are you from, Maze?" Albeit Isadora was already trying to gesture at the demon to respond with something less demonic than usually, it didn't take more than a split second for her to deliver a dead-serious answer without a blink of an eye.
"Hell", she didn't hesitate, but before her cryptic answer could quite sink in, she was talentedly steering the conversation elsewhere. "By the way, I changed the sheets on Decker's bed. She's good to go", Mazikeen smirked up at Liam, and as Izzy was already choking on her red wine, she merely proceeded, "oh, and you won't have to worry about me interrupting anything tonight, you know, since I have my own sex—", but before she could come up with anything rather creative for Isadora, the aforementioned lady was jumping up from her seat and stepping towards her lover's.
"Uh, how about we give these two a little privacy?", Izzy was grinning with a hint of panic, her hand gently wrapping around Maze's muscular arm and wiggling her up from her chair in the process, and when she turned back around to give Amenadiel a look to invite him along, the man was already gathering the empty plates from the table and kindly exiting the situation. Poor angel, used to being the third wheel — perhaps one day, he would find a date of his own.
As Izzy guided the two of them towards the kitchen, she caught the relieved look Chloe sent her way, and while suppressing a smile, the deputy strode over to the countertop she grasped for support in her mission to effortlessly hop onto the marble for a seat. As Amenadiel, a dream guest as he was, began to load the dishwasher with the dishes Maze had carelessly tossed in with the remains of pizza still on, the bounty hunter herself found a place of utter comfort between Izzy's long legs, head resting back into her chest while they both eyed the only man in their company.
"Hey, I can give you a hand—", Isadora finally insisted, but as Amenadiel took that very moment to shove the dishwasher shut, Maze interjected — possibly because she was far too cozy like this, and letting Izzy do the job for an angel who could very well handle it, was out of the question.
"So, why are you here, exactly? This was kind of supposed to be a double date, and I doubt Izzy's still down for a threesome...", the demon rolled her head back enough to spot the redhead rolling her eyes as if to say you don't think while sipping on the wine glass she had made sure to grab with her, "and I'm not really feeling it either. Really trying this settling down thing, you know." With her dark eyes narrowing at Amenadiel, who scoffed — as if he had been dreaming of such a thing either — and leaned against the other countertop with his own glass in hand, Maze clearly kept reviewing the man, in a way that Izzy had learned to recognize by now. She was often calm and cracked jokes, but there was not a second of the day when she wasn't always flawlessly aware of her surroundings and the people in it, every detail taken in for the sake of safety.
And for the first time in a long time, it wasn't just her, or Lucifer's safety she was concerned about.
"I just... There's not much time before we're gone", the tall-dark-and-handsome shrugged, almost melancholic suddenly, his velvety voice welcoming a thick silence into the kitchen as he glanced down at his feet. Those words alone were enough to knit Izzy's eyebrows together as she turned her gaze from her drink to the man, and then Maze, who, despite her usual alertness, only chuckled and failed to see the rising issue in the horizon. But, whereas Mazikeen spotted the more conventional, literal threats, she was yet to develop the skill of hearing it someone's voice, seeing it someone's eyes, just feeling it in the air that something was wrong. And as much as Izzy tried to split her concentration between the now and there, and the case, she was starting to feel the uneasiness slip into the atmosphere.
"So, what, you're going on a vacation?", Maze shrugged, not intimidated, though she could undeniably feel the clench of Izzy's thighs around her hips, which alone was something of a warning sign.
With a short laugh that was anything but amused, Amenadiel still neglected to look up at the two women. "I'm not sure I'd call what Lucifer, Mom and I are doing going on a... vacation, but...", his voice, full of doubt and wonder, trailed off into the quiet evening, and at last, the comfort in Mazikeen's stance was beginning to melt away, as well. Concerned of what was to come, and how it was going to affect the woman she cared about, deeply, Izzy was reaching out instinctively and caressing Maze's arm softly, her fingertips barely grazing her smooth skin but quite enough to remind her that she was there.
And when Amenadiel sighed, adding, "Lucifer didn't tell you", it only added fuel to the fire.
Izzy didn't know what to say, or more accurately, how to say. Every word she could have possibly spoken out loud got stuck in her throat, every scenario already galloping through her mind leaving it numb to the thoughts, her heart rising to her throat in a manner she did not enjoy. But she imagined that Maze was feeling even worse, like she had been betrayed by the sudden realization that her closest friends knew something she didn't, and when she demanded Amenadiel to share what he was holding back, that bitterness was painfully confirmed. So, Isadora settled for sitting back and gently touching the woman — not enough to restrict her or suffocate the need to feel or move or breathe, but just to keep her grounded and level-headed. Which, in some cases, was far too distant of an option for the demon.
"Tell me what?", Maze gritted out for what had to be at least the third time by now, her attempts barely getting Amenadiel closer to speaking up, but her tone had shifted from frustrated to enraged, and she was not one of the fires that were safe to play with. People were more than eager to warn others about dancing with the Devil, but as Izzy nudged herself off of the countertop and carefully followed the situation, she was certain that none of those people had ever heard of the Devil's favorite soul torturer. Mazikeen was a great force, not to be trifled with, capable of love but ultimately driven by the heat of other emotions — anger, jealousy, pain, the need for preservation and defense.
For a split second, Amenadiel's pained eyes flickered from the seething demon in front of him to the woman standing right behind her, and although Izzy remained silent, she didn't hesitate to give him a look that was something of encouraging, but in some manner, warning. Whether that warning was about Mazikeen raining hellfire down on him, or Isadora personally giving him a piece of her mind if he were to cause the brunette torment of any kind, she wasn't quite sure. But, luckily, it was the shove he needed.
"We're all going back to Heaven", he admitted, and in an instant, an anvil of silence collapsed between them, shattering the remnants of peace, accompanied only by the shaky gasp that Maze's betrayed heart enforced. It didn't take a detective to feel the discomfort and hurt that enveloped the air in its merciless grip, but nonetheless, the cop inside Izzy was already starting to mull through the reasons, the explanations, the outcomes of what Amenadiel had revealed. Lucifer hardly seemed like the type to yearn for his old home — especially when he refused to even call it home, but Isadora did remember the mention of a divine weapon, the Flaming Sword. And no doubt, Charlotte had to be the mastermind behind it all.
Whatever was in the past and in the future for them, however, hung in the present heavily enough to drive Amenadiel out of the kitchen while Izzy melted closer to Mazikeen, her hands wary in case the latter had no interest in being touched, but when her gentle comfort was accepted, she didn't deny herself the desire to reel the demon into half a hug. Maze, undeniably, felt stabbed in the back, and as the unfamiliar feeling of being left out of things sucked her in, Isadora was slowly beginning to fathom the gravity of it all — if it was to be true, if every day was taking them closer to saying goodbye to Amenadiel, to Lucifer, if she was going to be, once more, ripped away from another loved one.
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thank you so much for 30K!!
exploring maze and izzy's relationship is so much fun, and i hope you guys liked this chapter too (: i'll save you from a long note though, and just say merry christmas and thank you for reading ❤️❤️