2022 Advent Challenge

Lucifer stepped into the warm, welcoming interior of the Bubble & Squeak, the family pub owned by his friend Gin, and couldn't help but gaze around in wonder. Two huge Christmas trees dominated the scene, and streams of tinsel and coloured paper swung across the ceiling like festive spiderwebs. The pub smelled of cinnamon buns, coffee, chips and steak. This is incredible! And I'm already getting hungry...

Nobody paid the little white dragon much mind as he strode up to the bar. The last few years had done wonders to improve Lucifer's confidence. Though he still fumbled, and there were still many things about the world that he didn't understand, he had matured considerably from the shy, naïve boy who'd first walked in here so long ago. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

'Heya, Gin!' he called out to the tall blue dragonman who stood behind the bar.

'Lucifer!' Quick as a flash, Gin stepped out and enveloped Lucifer in a boundless hug. 'It feels like so long since I last saw you!'

'Heheh, yeah. But I'm here now! Is there anything you need help with?'

'Oh, you don't have to do anything. You don't work here, and it's my responsibility.'

'I know, but I really want to do something. Please?'

Gin relented and led him around back to the kitchen. It wasn't massive and was often chaotic, but Lucifer had always liked being here, in the warmth, surrounded by the smell of delicious foods.

'There's a tray of buns that needs to come out in five minutes,' said Gin, pointing to a nearby oven, 'and another tray that needs icing. Would you like to deal with them for me?'

Happily agreeing, Lucifer got to work trickling icing all over the warm, cinnamon-scented buns. It took a lot of self-control not to eat one – while Gin wouldn't be mad, he didn't want to paint himself like that. So he focused on the task at hand, and then hurried to the oven to remove the second tray of buns, which looked even more delicious than the first.

It was during these few minutes of being alone in the kitchen that Lucifer started to have... thoughts. They weren't really anything new, but it had been a while since they struck him this powerfully. One particular thought simmered in his mind, slowly moving closer and closer to the surface. The longer he mulled it over, the more he became convinced that it was right. Gin wouldn't say no, would he?

Please let him say yes, Lucifer thought fervently. I can't think of anything I'd rather do. And I don't know why it took me so long to realise.

The second batch of buns were too hot to ice, so he carefully set them aside for now. Holding trays and cooking tools in his clawed paws had always been a challenge, making him rather wish that he had the ability to turn into a humanoid like some dragons could. But the idea of accidentally dropping food on the floor horrified him so much that he'd become good at it.

'Everything OK, Lucifer?' asked Gin, popping back into the kitchen after a round of serving customers.

'The first buns are iced, and the second are just cooling,' said Lucifer. Gin beamed at him.

'Good work! I need to serve these – we've had a lot of orders for buns. Are you hungry at all?'

'Yeah,' Lucifer admitted. As much as he wanted to keep working, he couldn't ignore his hunger much longer.

'What do you want to eat? You can find a table, sit down and I'll cook you whatever you want.'

'Anything?'

'Anything. I promise it's not an inconvenience.'

Lucifer thought, but not for very long; there was one thing he craved above all else. 'Could I have... a chicken and gravy pie, with chips? And maybe a cinnamon bun for afters? I love those.'

Gin clapped him on the shoulder, happy but flustered by the compliment towards his cooking. OK, the pies and chips were cooked from frozen, but the cinnamon buns were completely homemade using Gin's own recipe, and Lucifer liked to remind him of how good they were. Gin didn't get nearly enough appreciation considering the effort and passion he put into everything. If Lucifer had ever had a role model, this was it.

It only cemented his earlier thought.

'Uh, Gin?' he said tentatively. 'I wanted to ask you something.'

'Oh? What is it?' said Gin.

'I was wondering... It's OK if you don't need anyone, but... I'd really like to work here. Like, properly, not just helping out sometimes. Is... is that possible?'

He was trying his best to sound offhanded, as if being turned down wouldn't bother him, but his heart was beating fast and he couldn't quite look Gin in the face. If he had, he would have noticed how stunned his friend appeared.

'Are you sure you'd really want to do that?' said Gin, with a hint of worry. 'It gets very busy here sometimes, and, well...'

'Well what?'

'I know you haven't really had a proper job before. I don't want to overwhelm you with how this place can be.'

'I love it here. Honestly, I don't mind how busy it gets. I like seeing all the people, and helping out in the kitchen, and...'

'And you want to be more independent, don't you?' said Gin, his tone indicating that he was beginning to understand. Lucifer nodded quickly.

'Yeah. I want to do something for myself, and have my own money, and... y'know, do what other adults do. But I'm not interested in doing any job; I want to be here. It's so fun helping out with the cooking and everything. And you're a great friend of mine.'

Gin adjusted his glasses, looking a tad embarrassed, but happy. There was still a part of him that was hesitating; Lucifer could see that. But he hoped it would melt away in time.

'Well, if you're absolutely certain... then yes. You're hired,' he said, and Lucifer grinned at him.

'Really? No paperwork or anything?'

'I know you, Lucifer. I don't need you to sign a bunch of silly forms. But I do need to train you for the job so you won't get too overwhelmed! Now go and find a nice table and sit down. I'll bring you dinner shortly.'

Feeling like he was floating into the clouds, Lucifer did as he was told. He couldn't stop smiling and couldn't remember the last time he'd been so genuinely happy. He wasn't a naïve little kid anymore; he was a strong, mature adult dragon, and he was going to do a job he adored. Next year is going to be one of the best ever.