The problem with where they currently stand is that he can show him many things, and Istredd will accept it because who he's shown himself to be is not the same. It isn't that his hunger for revenge is not concerning. It is concerning. Lucifer is problematic. He could slippery slope backward. Istredd isn't an idealist, blind to the downfalls of people. But he also has watched how his care for other people has made him fight the very things that kept him going for his long, long years.

And Istredd has a history of weak spots for certain types of people. Power hungry and angry, but also desperate for something to hold onto about themselves or others that isn't shitty.

He laughs and follows his lead, more than willing to sit down on a bed again. He feels he will be strong enough to get to the banquets tonight, albeit needing an early night. At least it isn't a ball where the threat of dancing is over his head. "Sorry I've made your life more complicated."

Istredd does reach out to pat Lucifer's arm, but then nudges him playfully and drops his hand. Careful of his boundaries even if he is not the same with Istredd's mind. Did anything big happen today while you were babysitting?