Apparently the logistics were going to be more complicated than he thought. Children, really. They supposedly need constant supervision, and Chloe couldn't go anywhere without her daughter. So troublesome. He wanted to go see Tony today, and he planned to take the Detective with him; she had such a novel way of looking at the world. She was relatable, a good cop to his bad cop.

Useful.

She shamelessly used him as well, of course, and she was gloriously good at it. He knew she didn't truly believe in his identity and abilities, but she was never shy using them to get results. Such drive was commendable.

"Oh bloody Hell! Let Maze take her! Your child wanted to go visit the other zoos, didn't she? Let her, she'll have fun," Lucifer said, experrated.

At once he became the target of two outraged pairs of eyes.

"I am not a baby sitter," hissed Maze.

"You weren't, but you are now," demanded Lucifer. "You like Trixie, you said so yourself. Consider it a girls bonding time."

"Lucifer, you can't just order someone to look after my daughter," Chloe said, glaring at him.

Such bother.

"What do you say, Trixie? Would you like to go to the Zoo with Maze? Maybe they have even more monkeys in one of the other ones. Go on, ask her if she would come with you," he nudged.

The child jumped on the bait, as expected.

"Can we, Maze? Please, pretty please?" she pleaded with her big dark eyes. It was surprisingly effective, very good technique.

It was satisfying to watch both women cave. Mission accomplished.

"Well, there you go. Excellent plan. Here, take this." He reached to take a wad of cash and offered it to Trixie.

"There you go. Spend it on anything your heart desires."

From the corner of his eye he could see Chloe put her face in her hand. Double win.

"Why are you so interested in the alien invasion, anyway?" Chloe broke the silence.

They were driving to the Stark tower in a car Lucifer rented. It was a glorious red colour, in fond memory of the three days spent with Tony.

"I mean, I get that you are curious. Hell, I am too. But… it's more than that, isn't it? Something else is going on."

So perceptive, his Detective.

"I believe I told you already. There is a shield encompassing the whole of Earth. A Shield of God, so to speak. It should ward against all intrusions from outer space, especially malicious ones. Somehow that shield was breached and unfortunately I became the one with the task to find out how. Anyone or anything capable of such a feat is going to be dangerous to face. But of course, who would miss the Devil?"

He was shaken from his black mood by a hand on his arm.

"I would miss you. So don't you dare do anything dangerous, at least not without me there."

He blinked at her, astonished. She almost died and already she's Inserting herself into another risky situation?

"You saved me, Lucifer. Allow me the opportunity to return the favour. I'll watch your back," she said, gaze solemn.

He swallowed, uncomfortable.

"Oh all right, if you insist," he said, dismissing her attempt for heart-to-heart. "Your inquisitive side wants to know more about this... unpreceded situation, too. Admit it!"

She just smiled at him, all indulgent.

Blasted woman.

They came to the Tower a few minutes later. It took a few charming words to get them a parking place in the Towers car garage, even if it was employees only. Evidently it suffered some damage that lessened the parking space within it.

The lobby was crowded as well, full of hurrying construction workers. In the midst of it all was an older, frazzled woman, barking orders. Since she appeared to be in charge, Lucifer thought she might have enough authority to grant him passage to the higher levels.

"Excuse me," he started, smiling charmingly. "May I disturb you from your job for a moment? I would like to see Tony Stark, if you would tell him Lucifer Morningstar is looking for him?"

"Sugar, do I look like a secretary to you?" she sneered, unimpressed.

Well, she seemed to be a tougher nut to crack. But then again, Lucifer liked challenge.

"No of course not! But I really do need to see him. I thought I should ask the most competent person here, which seemed to be you. I would take just a moment of your time…"

"I'm overseeing the workers, so they don't leave an even bigger mess then they've come to fix. If you want , find a secretary. I'm a cleaning lady. I keep places clean and tidy so people like you can have 'important meetings' in nice offices without the danger of chewing gum getting stuck anywhere unpleasant. Got that, cupcake?"

What was it with women? More and more of them were becoming immune to his charms. It was a travesty.

He heard a sound directly behind him. It was Chloe, snickering behind her hand. Supposedly she found his predicament amusing.

He huffed.

And started to open the buttons of his shirt. Meanwhile, he kept an eye out for any potential camera looking his way.

"Good Lord!" he heard the woman say. It sounded more outraged than reverent, and together with the God reference it caused him to blanch. What is it with women these days?

"Lucifer, don't you dare. You are not getting naked in the Tony Stark's lobby," exclaimed Chloe.

It was a bit late for that. He passed her the shirt and started on his trousers.

"Lucifer!"

His actions made them a target of the tower's security. Two men and a woman made their way to them, faces stern and muscles flexing. Very nice muscles at that. Maybe he should take his clothes off in public spaces more often?

"Sir, please remove yourself from the premises," said the one with the nicest biceps. Perhaps this was going just a little bit out of control.

"I'm so sorry about him. Lucifer, stop stripping! Sorry, sir. We just want to see Tony Stark. I tried to get in contact with him, I'm a detective. I have some questions about the invasion. Mr. Stark knows my partner, Lucifer Morningstar. If you could just give him a call?"

How devious, his Detective.

Nice Biceps frowned at them for a few moments, then turned away to talk to his headset.

"Mr. Stark will see you," he stated when he was done. "Please come with me."

They were ushered to what must have been a private elevator. Luckily Chloe managed to contain the insanity that was Lucifer and they weren't booted out the front door. It was amazing what sorts of skills you acquired when your partner was a troublesome Devil.

The elevator took them up without escort. It was quick and efficient, as was everything in the Tower.

And then they were at the top and stepped out into a luxurious penthouse with a spectacular view. Despite its showy nature, Chloe could see the damage it suffered in the attack. A dent here, an obvious lack of furniture there. There must have been some kind of fight going on right here, in this very room.

"Luci!" she heard from behind her. She turned just in time to see Tony Stark come around the corner, all giddy and smiling.

"I almost couldn't believe it was you, you said you were going to Los Angeles the last time we saw each other. But I couldn't possibly forget that body! A sight for sore eyes."

And Lucifer was still shirtless. Why was he shirtless? Chloe watched on, speechless, at a happy reunion.

"Tony," purred Lucifer, a wicked smile on his face.

They came together like… like long lost lovers, hugging with a lot more groping then was appropriate. Stark was grinning when they separated, all glazed eyed and dopey. Lucifer, she was horrified to see, wasn't far behind.

Hoping to gain their attention and stop this madness, she loudly cleared her throat.

"Oh, another beautiful person in my Tower. Terribly sorry, happy reunions, you know how it is. And who might you be?" said Tony, extracting himself from the embrace and sauntering towards her.

"Chloe Decker, I came with Lucifer," she managed.

"Not surprising, Luci always had good taste. Girlfriend?"

"Partner," she corrected. Luci? He called Lucifer Luci?

At Stark's leer she added, "I'm a detective. He's my partner from work. That's all."

Stark did a double take, then turned to Lucifer.

"That's all? Is she blind?"

"I asked myself the same question, Tony. She appears to be immune to my charms. It's quite sad, poor woman. She doesn't know what she's missing," said Lucifer, exaggerating his disappointment. She could see it in his eyes, he was enjoying this.

"I'll say! You are missing a lot. Trust me," said Stark solemnly.

Now there were two of them, egging each other on. Damn her life.

Stark seemed to see something on her face that made him change the subject. Either his instinct to poke at things until they go Boom, or reveal their secrets was a tiny bit smaller than Lucifer's, which she doubted, or someone trained him. He was rumored to be in a relationship, it might be that. Either way, she was grateful.

"Drink, anyone?" he asked. "Still drink scotch, Luci?"

"I love scotch," purred Lucifer, all flirty again.

She watched a little helplessly as they crowded the bar and Stark started opening the bottles. Somehow they decided to have a taste test, trying this and that brand and vintage, both moaning at each taste. It was scotch sex, there was no other way to describe it.

Somewhere along the way, she got a glass too. She was a bit stunned. Lucifer's attention was almost never so completely engaged as it was right then. If she wasn't there, they would probably be having sex, already. If they waited a bit longer, they might have it regardless.

"How about a toast, Tony? To happy reunions. But in memory to our last meeting, I'd like to lick this toast off your skin. Your lower back should do nicely," said Lucifer.

Right.

Stark swayed just a little in his direction, before clearing his throat and taking a step back.

"Oh, I'd love to, you have no idea. But... Pepper. I'm in a relationship, with Pepper." He sounded apologetic, but firm.

"Oh. Well then. A shame, but what can you do." There were a few tense seconds of staring at each other. "Well. Just a normal boring toast then. And lick it off her back, later. There should be some licking to be done."

Stark's face cleared again.

"Done. Any bottle you recommend for that?"

And they went right back to flirting, only with a foot greater distance between them.

Lucifer truly was a sight for sore eyes. Those three days were still fresh in his memory, filled with glorious sex and laughter and full of indulgence. It had been soon after Afghanistan, after Obie ripped the arc reactor from his chest. He tried to go clubbing, to find a woman to warm his bed, make him feel human again. He hadn't managed it, not the first time, nor the second. Too many insecurities about his scarred body, too much fear of death.

Then he met Lucifer, and for once he was the conquest. Lucifer wanted him and he reeled him in, smothered him in his presence. But it was plainly evident that his only goal was getting laid. He didn't care Tony was famous, rich, Iron Man. Lucifer was interested in the Playboy Stark and he used his not-inconsiderable charms to get him.

The sex had been amazing. Liberating. There was no judgement, no expectations except to be shown a good time. For three days.

And now here he was, exactly the same, drinking scotch.

Lucifer's partner was on the other side of the bar, wearing a Pepper expression. It was something between longsuffering, indulgent, and experated.

Speaking of Pepper...

He could hear the sound of her heels as she came closer. He went to meet her right before she rounded the corner.

"Pepper! Let me introduce you to Lucifer Morningstar and his detective friend. Luci, Partner, this is my better half and CEO, Pepper Potts."

He could see the confusion on her face, so he explained.

"Do you remember, about two, three years ago? When I brought someone home for three days, and I told you later it was the best sex I've ever had? That was Lucifer. He was in town and came say hello."

"Nice to meet you, ," greeted Pepper. She was amazing, not even batting an eye at the introduction to his ex. Ex? Get a grip, Tony, it was three days of mind-blowing pleasure, not marriage!

"And I love you, really, but that still stands. About the best sex, I mean. So, if you ever want, (and no pressure), if you ever want to try a threesome, I nominate Lucifer. Trust me," he continued, because he had no brain to mouth filter.

"Tony!" she admonished. "Sorry, Mr. Morningstar, Tony has no…"

"Oh no, I agree with Tony wholeheartedly! Anytime you want a threesome, don't hesitate to give me a call." And now Tony was imagining it, these two amazing people, in his bed, together. Yup, that's a boner. And both Lucifer and Pepper noticed. Oops!

Pepper called his name to get his attention.

"You have a meeting, Tony. In an hour. We need to be there, you really can't miss this one." She turned to Lucifer.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Morningstar. I hope you can continue this some other time."

"Ah, yes, I hope so too. I actually came to New York to investigate the alien invasion. I remembered I could simply ask Tony, since he was in the heart of it. And seeing him certainly wasn't a hardship."

"Sorry, but most of information about the invasion is classified, and for a reason. Tony can't talk about it," explained Pepper. Which would be true, if Tony gave a damn about what SHEILD wanted. He flew a nuke into a portal because of them, they have no leg to stand on.

"I have some information that might interest him as well. We could swap, that would be fair, wouldn't it?" Lucifer looked at him, asking for confirmation.

That made up his mind. Information about the extraterrestrial event was scarce, much too scarce for his liking. He worked best with hard facts and the whole thing with Loki was a mess of contradictions and hidden meanings. Even when all was over, they still didn't get all the answers. Tony knew it was more to it than an alien God with a grudge. That army must have come from somewhere, that was obvious. And he had learned a lot about armies and terrorists in the last years. You cut off one head and another takes its place. Iron Man would rather not deal with aliens again a few years down the road, thank you.

"I totally agree! Let's make a party out of it. We should meet after this boring meeting is over." He went to the work table by the wall, rummaged around in one of the drawers, and with Aha! brought out a Starkphone.

"JARVIS, program this to be Lucifer's phone, will you? With my number."

"Done, sir," announced JARVIS after a few moments.

"You are a treasure, J," quipped Tony.

"For you, always, sir."

The inventor grinned.

"Here you go." He gave the phone to Lucifer. "Call me whenever you have the time. You owe me a drink."

Lucifer and Partner (he'll never not call her that) left soon after. Tony was a little regretful, because he really hoped to spend more time in his company, and learn more about that Detective of his. There must be a hilarious story behind that partnership.

He couldn't help but hope Lucifer would call.

"You better console me," he said teasingly to Pepper. "The second most attractive man on Earth just walked out of my door. I'm devastated. Crushed! You have to lift my spirits. Help me, Pepper!" He pretended to faint, enjoying her laugh.

He felt light. Better than he felt in months.

"We still have time until the meeting, right? We can be a little late. Keep it authentic."

Pepper glared at him, but didn't protest when he started kissing her shoulder.

What a great day.