I've been wondering just what would peace be like ☮︎
He knows he's supposed to pray if he needs to see Amenadiel, but John is anything but good at following orders. And it's in his nature - to pull at threads whether they were left unraveled for him intentionally or not. He's been pouring over research, reminded of when he first encountered Manny except he manages to find something more solid this time around. The most challenging part is keeping his word and not telling the Legends what he's up to. Old Constantine had no problem keeping them out of the loop, but it would seem they'd changed him even more than he's willing to admit.
Thankfully, Gideon isn't exactly a family member as fond as he'd surprisingly grown of the computer. He still is careful to have her track a one Lucifer Morningstar rather than the target of his probe himself. It seems safer that way and as he soon finds out, it isn't as if the Devil is a fan of subtlety. Once upon a time, he may have thought it was his mission to destroy Satan come to Earth, but apparently, Lucifer has been living in LA of all places for years without deforming the timeline once. Maybe he should be a Legend. John has to admit he's mighty curious about the Lord-of-Hell-turned-nightclub-owner-slash-crimefighter. It's just ridiculous enough to make a strange sort of sense.
By some miracle, he manages to filch a jumpship without anyone being the wiser and all he can do is hope he's making the right choice to ditch out and try to gain some intel on their mysterious kidnapper. That's how this whole an-exorcist-walks-into-the-devil's-bar thing is going at the moment and he does his best to lean on his usual confidence as he takes up a stool in the middle of Lux to get a good view of everyone in the place. He orders a whiskey to blend in better, though his iconic look does leave much to be desired in a place like this. If he'd been allowed, he probably would have sought Zari's expertise over wardrobe, but then he would have had no choice but to bring her along for the ride and he's not sure what kind of danger he's in - if any.
A distracted Lucifer breezes past him and it drops his jaw, to see the literal Devil fussing over guests and acting every bit the human part he's playing. Before he can do (or say) something stupid, Amenadiel strolls in with an infant strapped to his chest. That's somehow even more shocking than Lucifer's deal, but it immediately steals all of his attention for obvious reasons. John polishes off his drink and sets it down with a few crumpled bills before standing to track the pair down.
John blocks Amenadiel's path so that he can't be missed even in the crowd, unable to keep the smile off his face when Charlie laughs in delight. This is beyond surreal, but somehow the whole scene feels familiar, too, like something from a lifetime ago. He clucks his tongue once they come within earshot, portraying his former self though he has less than any idea what he's doing here.
"Well, well. Who's this little cherub?"
Thankfully, Gideon isn't exactly a family member as fond as he'd surprisingly grown of the computer. He still is careful to have her track a one Lucifer Morningstar rather than the target of his probe himself. It seems safer that way and as he soon finds out, it isn't as if the Devil is a fan of subtlety. Once upon a time, he may have thought it was his mission to destroy Satan come to Earth, but apparently, Lucifer has been living in LA of all places for years without deforming the timeline once. Maybe he should be a Legend. John has to admit he's mighty curious about the Lord-of-Hell-turned-nightclub-owner-slash-crimefighter. It's just ridiculous enough to make a strange sort of sense.
By some miracle, he manages to filch a jumpship without anyone being the wiser and all he can do is hope he's making the right choice to ditch out and try to gain some intel on their mysterious kidnapper. That's how this whole an-exorcist-walks-into-the-devil's-bar thing is going at the moment and he does his best to lean on his usual confidence as he takes up a stool in the middle of Lux to get a good view of everyone in the place. He orders a whiskey to blend in better, though his iconic look does leave much to be desired in a place like this. If he'd been allowed, he probably would have sought Zari's expertise over wardrobe, but then he would have had no choice but to bring her along for the ride and he's not sure what kind of danger he's in - if any.
A distracted Lucifer breezes past him and it drops his jaw, to see the literal Devil fussing over guests and acting every bit the human part he's playing. Before he can do (or say) something stupid, Amenadiel strolls in with an infant strapped to his chest. That's somehow even more shocking than Lucifer's deal, but it immediately steals all of his attention for obvious reasons. John polishes off his drink and sets it down with a few crumpled bills before standing to track the pair down.
John blocks Amenadiel's path so that he can't be missed even in the crowd, unable to keep the smile off his face when Charlie laughs in delight. This is beyond surreal, but somehow the whole scene feels familiar, too, like something from a lifetime ago. He clucks his tongue once they come within earshot, portraying his former self though he has less than any idea what he's doing here.
"Well, well. Who's this little cherub?"

no subject
At least that was the plan for the man Father put in his path appears in his literal path. Amenadiel is anxious for the whole five seconds it takes for his son to react to this new person. He smiles on reflex at his son's happiness. Charlie kicks his feet in excitement which does a lot to ease the dread in his stomach at mention of cherubs. He has to remember people always compare babies to angels. No one is going to find out and try to snatch his son again.
"This is Charlie." The fatherly pride is unmistakable in his voice. He realizes it's not even worth pretending he's only watching someone else's child. Every patron here knows Charlie and his dad. He literally looks like a tiny, squishy version of Amenadiel to anyone with working eyes. John seems more interested in playing with his son than anything. What's the harm in asking what he's doing here instead of at his post? "We were going to go to the library, but something tells me you're here to talk. They tend to frown on that." For a second, Amenadiel looks a million miles away. He tried to rope Lucifer into it once. Never again. "Do you like parks?"
no subject
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, good sir. I'm Johnny." He telegraphs a dramatic wink which only seems to wind Charlie up further, and he looks from son to father with an inscrutable expression. He has been kicked out of a library or a dozen in his lifetime, surely. "You're lucky I remembered my spf." What? Zari is a good influence on him, it would seem.
He can't help a glance back at Lucifer, now sitting at the piano. For a second, their eyes lock and he whips his head back around to meet Amenadiel's calm gaze by comparison. So much for blending in.
"That's really...?" he can't help but ask in a stage whisper. He isn't sure whether to be starstruck or terrified. Strangely, he feels neither in this moment.
no subject
Something steels behind his eyes. He likes John. He thinks he could be another Daniel aka a good friend. Dan also shot his brother once thinking he was serving the world. He can't pretend anyone is immune to being talked into all kind of horrors where Lucifer is concerned. "If you try to pick a fight with my brother based on whatever you think you know about him, I will cover my son's eyes and punch you very hard. Do you understand?" His arms are half the size of John's torso so it's not bad as far as threats go.
no subject
"Oh, I read you loud and clear, mate. Think I know quite a bit considering my researching him led me to you-" John's bemused gaze shifts back up to Amenadiel as he inclines his head to indicate he's ready to leave. "Didn't come prepared to unpack that can of worms today anyhow. Now that my soul coin's out of Hell, seems like I should save any words I've got for when we inevitably meet each other down below." Which, of course, doesn't mean he's dropping the subject, but John doesn't really enjoy talking about people while they're in the room, as a general rule.
no subject
The rest makes his brows knit, another thing to look into more deeply. The only thing he knows about soul coins is that Father takes offense to them. He wouldn't be surprised to find out whoever made them will inevitably be hunted down by his siblings sooner or later. (A human going to Hell, even one he kind of likes, isn't shocking news to him. It's always a possibility.)
Amenadiel takes the cue to go, walking towards the bar only to retrieve the baby bag he stashes there during the visits. He leads John out of the bar, only briefly waving to his brother on the way out.
"Thank you. I try not to be violent around, Charlie. It's incredibly toxic for developing brains." He explains as if this is vital information all people should know. Amenadiel quickly circles back to his least favorite task of veiled threats. "You're taking this well. The last time someone found out about Charlie, they tried to take him to Hell. Didn't end well for them." He's just pointing that out for no reason whatsoever.
no subject
no subject
He decides to trust him further, leading John to the parking garage where the safest car he could find is there. Naturally it's a mini-van that literally everyone makes fun of him for but, comes in handy when you have like eight friends who get into hijinks on a regular basis.
"We'll have to drive. There are parks around here, but I didn't manage to fix them before Charlie was born. Apparently that's a city job. They kept interfering." He rolls his eyes!!! (And secretly plans to get back to it someday.) He pulls out his key, presses the button to unlock it, and goes through his familiar routine of loading Charlie and his bag in.
no subject
He never does though. John reluctantly reaches for his seatbelt only after the car starts to chime angrily at him, making a face in the rearview mirror for Charlie's benefit.
no subject
Charlie fusses at the angry nose, only to quickly recover with a laugh at the silly face directed his way. They're soon off with Amenadiel being a model driver as they exit the parking lot. "You know this is the safest car you could be in this year." He tacks on as they go. Don't knock it!!! "We can take the scenic route if you want. Charlie loves car rides. His mother will be working late tonight so we have time." New patient and all that. The paperwork is always insane for those.
no subject
It has been a long time since he's seen this coast, after all. He won't mind checking up on it even if it's mostly and unfortunately changed for the worse. John alternates between looking out the window, looking in the mirror at Charlie and turning around to grin at and check on the infant like he doesn't believe his reflection alone.
"Your wife must be a special woman to have produced this little man," John says cheekily as he reaches back to grab an adorable foot, getting Amenadiel back for his comment about Zari.
no subject
A fond smile crosses his lips as his son and John play out of the corner of his eye. It's actually very sweet the way he keeps looking back at him. Amenadiel feels himself melting further.
The smile dims a little at the mention of wife. He shakes his head. "She turned me down. His mother is a special woman. Brilliant, beautiful, compassionate..." He sighs fondly. Amenadiel still loves her deeply even if they are not romantically together anymore. "Father willing he'll be more like his mother than me."
no subject
"Cheeky little bugger, aren't you? I dunno if you'll get your wish, Amenadiel." A beat as he amends, strangely respectful today, "Prayer."
He almost feels bad for touching on a touchier subject than his relationship, but as he's thinking about it he realizes they may actually be able to commiserate quite a bit on this subject even if children aren't in the cards for Zari and himself.
"Maybe she'll come back around. You never know with women, especially the smart ones. Anything could be going through their heads." John reluctantly peels away from the baby to sit in his seat only after his seatbelt starts to actively choke him.
no subject
"I did promise her everything would be okay. I suppose that counts." He asks suddenly: "How did you convince your wife to marry you? Did you give her a child too?" Yes, he still thinks they're married with possible babies.
no subject
"That isn't in the cards for us, but we're committed and that's enough." Or it will have to be until he can crack the time stream, he supposes. "Besides, mate, a time ship is no place for a baby." He's nervous enough about Lita being there, which is perhaps why he hasn't spent much time around her since she started visiting her father onboard.
He focuses back on Amenadiel and Linda, sure that he has better advice for his newfound friend than he does for himself by a longshot.
"Your first mistake was thinking you knew what she was thinking - next time ask her even if you're sure." John nods once for emphasis, hoping that by the end Amenadiel can get this. "She said no because it felt like you were only asking out of obligation. Because of Chaz here. That's not romantic enough for a lady, I'm afraid. Especially not a classy one, like you describe."
no subject
"What would be romantic? Should I ask Linda?"
no subject
"You're bloody adorable, you know that?" He has to shake his head as he considers how strong a lady Linda must be to turn down a literal angel when he proposed to her. Even he doesn't think he could do it. "No, mate, you can't ask her. You've gotta woo her, alright? See to it she gets everything she needs whenever she needs it. Husbands are mostly just glorified servants, after all."
no subject
Amenadiel weighs the words and smiles so wide that his teeth show. This is something he feels confident in doing. "I can do that. I'm an excellent servant." He says proudly as he signals to take a turn towards their destination. It won't be long now. "Is that how you wooed your..." He takes a moment to think of a title. Lucifer and Chloe spring to mind immediately. "...partner? You did serve her well when we met." He points out with approval. Clearly he's gone to the right person for advice!
no subject
"Then you'll do just fine." It's John's turn to smile at the word, one Zari is fond of. "Yeah, well, it's not just me. What Zari wants, Zari gets." He couldn't sound more endeared by it.
no subject
"Linda is a psychiatrist. She spends her days helping mentally-ill human beings. It's a very admirable profession."
no subject
John loves what Zari does but he sure has no idea how to explain it. This actually might be his one chance to relate to someone who isn't part of this weird modern era internet culture thing.
no subject
"How does that work? You can't fit millions into an office." Amenadiel hops out of the front seat to go get Charlie in the back and get him back into the harness. He's thinking way too much about this. We're all shocked.
no subject
"Your daddy is so silly, isn't he?" he questions the infant before crossing his eyes to get a giggle from him. Only then will he actually get out of the car and facilitate moving this along. Once Charlie is safely strapped in again, this time to Amenadiel, John finds a place by his side at a comfortable distance before even attempting to correct the angel's assumptions. "She doesn't have an office, per se. At least, not one anyone else would go to. She makes videos that a ridiculous amount of people watch, is the simplest way I can explain it. These people have never actually met Zari, like I said, but they feel like they know her anyway."
no subject
He catches onto the conversation a beat later as he enjoys the feeling. "Like the cat videos?" Amenadiel's teeth flash as he recounts the one where the cat is chasing a light. That was pure art. "I love those! What's the account name? I'll subscribe." He has made it that far... if only because Trixie pointed out that was easier than typing in cats all the time.
no subject
"Not sure she's started it yet. What is it now, 2019?" Stupid time-travel, he literally forgets all the time. "She's barely out of primary school, unfortunately for you." Even John likes her channel OK and he likes nothing.
no subject
no subject
no subject
"Does your partner have a gold necklace encasing a red stone?" It seems like a safer question than has your partner harnessed an element lately.
no subject
"The air totem?" he confirms needlessly before going on. "They made it into a bracelet. Behrad and Zari share it."
no subject
"That's a shame. Father likes necklaces." He taps the one on his neck to indicate what he means. Charlie immediately tries to go for it and pouts as once again he realizes it's too far away. #someday
Amenadiel keeps walking like he never brought the subject up at all.
no subject
"That's it? 'God likes necklaces.' What am I supposed to do with that little nugget, then?"
no subject
If it isn't clear what he means, Amenadiel pauses to explain further. "Father has a way of setting things in motion. I can't tell you what the outcome will be. It may not even be obvious until long after it comes to pass. All I can say is I find my connection... troubling. Father has only linked me so closely to a human's life once before. The end result was..." He smiles fondly as he recalls Chloe earnestly asking if he was her father. "Wonderful. But, it goes without saying that if the first of the angels is here, it is because he needs to be. That doesn't bode well for any of you." They are going to suffer, but isn't that inevitable? Amenadiel wonders if he should have said nothing. John didn't need the burden.
no subject
"That's about what I expected," he admits belatedly, and when he looks back up at Amenadiel he's actually smiling. "The Legends have been through their share of apocalypses, mate. But they've never had an angel on their side before." Seems like a better last resort than Beebo, to be sure. John claps Amenadiel's shoulder companionably before starting down the sidewalk again.
no subject
"Don't worry, Charlie. Daddy's got this." He bounces him once for good measure. Too bad Daddy's still a little tense.
no subject
This is all pretty casual for John, but that's to be expected, isn't it? Instead of a fallen angel gaslighting him, the first of God's warriors is giving him a line to reach him like a Celestial 911. It's a big step up in the world, even if it's killing him not to be able to tell his family about it. He notices Charlie's distress at the platitude and moves in Amenadiel's path so he can walk backwards and look at the baby at the same time.
"Charlie-boy, sorry we're talking about lame adult stuff. Bored you literally to tears, didn't we?"
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
"Father has more of a hands-off approach, but He loves all of you very deeply, even if it might not seem that way all the time." It is as tempting to blame God as it is his brother. Amenadiel gets it now that even he was guilty of it once. He gently pushes his son's swing. "The Earth will survive. Anything more than that is in the hands of your team."