dadbeatdad | Seasons - Lucifer's Voicemail

Not really. I just...this can't keep happening. It's only been twice that I know of, but that's twice in less than a year, since it's only just coming around to a year that I've been here.

I want him to think about that. For someone like MK, who lives like a mortal, since that's been his life, a year's still not that long. For someone like me, or you, or Red Son...a year might as well be a few days. It's no time at all.

You want him to consider MK. Consider why this has happened twice and for him to, perhaps, try to change things so he doesn't do it again. That's what it sounds like.

What about MK? All of this can't be good for him. Is he fragile? Has he always been fragile? The way you talk about him, it seems he has a few weak spots. And all this is hitting them pretty hard.

Pretty much that.

MK is...not confident. At all. He either tries to brute force his way to succeeding while acting like things are fine, or he blames himself for everything that goes wrong or for not being able to fix it.

He's attacked by Red Son's mother before he has my powers and robbed of my staff, that's his fault. His energy is stolen by a spider demon, when he has the spider phobia, also his fault. Me dying to protect him and Red Son here when they were literal children in danger...you get the picture. It's why my first instinct when having him apologize for being killed by Red Son is regretting my no-murder stance.

Between that and how afraid he is of himself, and how much he struggles with himself and where he fits into people's lives...yeah, I'm pretty sure he's always been fragile but we're all the first time he's seriously had to try to work through it all.

That is a lot. A lot of self blame and identity issues. Not to mention holding himself up to impossible standards.

I see why you're struggling to feel like you can do anything. ...He clearly looks up to you. Maybe when you praise him, remember that someone as amazing as you truly is proud of him. Go into that. Not just that you're proud but why. Explain it to him.

Maybe that will help it sink in more. It will also have you really think more about what you are proud of, and help point out what he is overcoming and why you are proud of him for it.

Maybe. It might have been expecting a bit much to expect him to read between the lines.

[His tone makes it obvious that's not an insult. That's just not really been MK's strong suit.]

Well, he is. But he's reading the worst version of what's between the lines. If you want him to read the best between the lines, best to show him what to actually look for.

I get that, I just don't get where I there's a negative to find for "Better! Way way better! You're getting good."

I do get where pretty much every point I've been frustrated was...even though that's almost never compared to that.

But that's not a him problem so much as the "Me never having to worry about confidence or insecurity" thing.

So you're not wrong.

When you say better. Way way better. Did he win whatever it was that was about?

Because what you see is improvement, he may see as the gap between where he is and where he wants to be.

So though you see how far he's come, he only sees how far he has to go.

Alright, fair.

Because, no. He didn't win, since he was sparring against me...so unrealistic expectations.

But fair.

And you just found the problem. Unrealistic expectations.

He is measuring himself up to you instead of his past self. Or rather not also with his past self.

Let's face it. You are a very hard act to follow in a lot of ways.

You're not wrong, again.

It's just getting him to not do that, I guess? I mean, he's also done an amazing job of bailing me out of trouble.

Which I maaaay need to spell out past thanking just him for always doing that.

Just spell it out a few times then have him practice confirming what you're saying. Ask him to read between the lines. That way you can make sure he's learning.

That could work. Asking him if he means something a certain way has helped some, and this isn't much different.

Exactly. You can help to use similar things to get the point across. And you are patient with him. That's what it sounds like he needs most. Your patience.

Well he already has that. So maybe changing my approach a little will help more.

Think of it as expending the approach you're already doing. Just more. Since you're already on the right track.

Heh, at least someone thinks I am.

Sometimes all a person needs is a little support and someone to believe in them to keep going.

Now just imagine if more people heard the devil giving pep talks.

...but seriously. Thanks. All I was asking for was for you to give me an outlet so I don't do something stupid.

They'd be shocked and it would be so funny.

Well I mean, giving you an outlet also means giving you a pep talk. You're doing what you can. And no matter how it does, good or bad, you are trying. That's what matters.

You know, I actually kind of hate that I had to come to another world to start hearing that?

[He grumbles and turns to lay on the couch, the top of his head almost touching Lucifer's leg and his legs hanging over the couch arm.]

Every world needs a scapegoat. One the world can lay the blame for their sins upon. One heaven can declare is the villain.

[His fingers gently run through Wukong's hair. Just combing it through.]

But here? Heaven has jurisdiction. Your heaven, or mine. Here, we get to choose. And if some can't let that go, that isn't an us problem.

...has anyone been giving you problems with that?

My wife.

[The answer is spoken softly. His fingers still running through orange hair.]

Before she left me. The mortals of my world, so many of them. All of heaven. Even...Sara.

[He should have specified "here", but that's still heartbreaking and he reaches back to wrap both arms around Lucifer's waist in a firm hug.]

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