–6 years-
His heart pounded rapidly in his chest, his hooves slapping against the marble floor of the palace as he ran. He could feel the wind whipping through his messy blonde hair, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
Lucifer noticed the forked hallway ahead, picking up speed as he quickly turned the corner. A laugh bubbled in his chest. The blonde nearly crashed into a servant, dropping down to slide beneath her legs before hopping back up behind her. He completely ignored her yelp as he continued to sprint. The boy barked out a laugh, impressed with himself.
The sound of his pursuer was distant, enough so that he slowly came to a halt, holding his chest as he sucked in breaths. His hair stuck to his forehead with sweat.
He turned to look behind him, laughing again at the absence of his playmate. "Won again." He said to himself in victory. He smugly spun himself around to strut down the hallway toward the previously determined home base.
The small angel heard a faint noise behind him. Before he had a moment to react, he was being tackled from behind. A thud echoed through the empty hallways as Lucifer made contact with the floor. The young boy's arm was twisted behind his back, his captor keeping his face on the cold ground. "Say it!"
The blonde grumbled. "No."
He felt his side being grabbed, clawed fingers digging into it, effectively sending him into hysterics as the tickling didn't cease. "I yield!" He squealed, wiggling to escape.
When Lucifer was freed, he rolled onto his back to glare at the captor standing above him. "That was cheating, Alastor!" He complained.
The younger boy laughed, his red hair was askew, his chest heaving from the chase. "No," he teasingly drawled. "I just waited for you to let your guard down! I beat you." Alastor had a smug grin on his face, displaying his sharp teeth. He wiped his hands off on his loose red shirt.
"Nu uh!" Lucifer argued, hopping to his feet. "You only won four times. I won five times. So that means I beat you!"
"But I beat you at hide and seek." Alastor crossed his arms.
Lucifer pouted. "That's because you cheated."
"You're just saying that because you're a baby."
"I'm older than you!"
"Shorter than me, too."
Lucifer scoffed, pushing the hair out of his face. "Father told me I'll get just as tall as him when I grow up."
Alastor laughed. "In your dreams, idiot."
"Butt face!" Lucifer shot back.
"Short stack."
"Fart breath!"
"Duck kisser."
Lucifer blew a raspberry, causing Alastor to raise his arms to block his face. "Gross!"
"Your majesty!" A voice chided. The two boys quickly whipped around to face the voice. An older angel with a long mustache shuffled toward them, his wrinkled face distorted with disappointment and anger.
"Uh oh." The boys said in unison.
The angel stepped in between the two, grabbing Lucifer by his upper arm. "That behavior is unbecoming of a crown prince." He scolded. He turned to Alastor. "Perhaps Master Alastor is a bad influence."
Lucifer fought against the old man, trying to free his arm. "Let me go, we were just playing!"
The angel pulled Lucifer roughly with him as he tried to drag the child down the hall. "You both were supposed to be at your lessons fifteen minutes ago! Tardiness will not do."
![Once upon a dream [Radioapple story] by Yuzunny](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/370399788-80-k576883.jpg)
The man turned to Alastor. "Master Alastor, to your classes, now." He commanded with an authoritative bite. The redhead kicked at the floor, frowning.
"Bye Al, see you later." Lucifer called out in a defeated voice, frowning as he was dragged away from his friend who reached out just slightly toward the blonde.
⚔️⚔️
Lucifer was nearly bored to tears. He faintly heard the voice of his tutor somewhere distant, blabbing about who knows what. The boy instead stared out the window, watching as the other children played in the gardens on their break.
It was easy to spot Alastor, even from a distance. The redhead was seated beneath a tree away from the other children. He had his knees tucked into his chest as he absentmindedly fiddled with a loose thread on his trousers. His ears were pressed flat against his head as he watched the children play without him.
Lucifer frowned. He knew the other kids living on capital grounds were afraid of Alastor. The fawn had been born with a power that already far surpassed the other kids. His teeth were sharp, his claws could be deadly if he used them correctly, but Lucifer wasn't afraid.
Ever since Alastor started living in the capital, his home being only a few yards away from the palace's inner walls, Lucifer was instantly drawn to him. The two boys often found company with each other when their parents were busy. Lucifer hardly saw his own father, but the seraphim filled the parental role, at least where discipline was involved.
"Your highness, are you listening?"
The blonde started, not realizing how long he'd been staring. The old angel narrowed his clouded eyes at the young prince. He stroked at his mustache absentmindedly. "Have you not been listening?" He asked.
Lucifer crossed his arms petulantly. "I want to go play with the other kids. How come they get a break and I don't?" He griped.
The angel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Those are servant children. They will never have to learn as much as you."
Lucifer tilted his head. "Why not?"
"They will never have to rule this kingdom. That prestigious honor lies with you."
The young boy sighed. "How come Gabriel can't do it? Or Michael? They're older than me!"
The old man rolled his eyes. "We've discussed this, my prince. Your brothers were created for different purposes. Ruling this kingdom will land upon you, the beloved youngest son of our king."
"I don't want to rule. Can someone else do it?" Lucifer protested.
"No, your highness. Only someone clever, educated and with integrity can rule the kingdom." The man explained.
"Alastor is really smart. He could be a better ruler than me." Lucifer said, glancing back out the window at his friend.
"The servant boy could never rule. Not unless he had royal blood or you had a sister he could marry." The angel turned back to the chalkboard he had previously been writing on, erasing the contents so he could repeat the lesson. WITH the prince's attention this time.
"I could marry him. Then he could rule instead."
The chalk broke in the teacher's hand, his body tensing from even the suggestion. "Child, do not speak such nonsense again. Now, pay attention."
⚔️⚔️
Lucifer groaned dramatically as he unceremoniously fell onto the grass, his head landing on Alastor's stomach with an "oof." From the younger boy.
