A Job

"I hate this job," Satan grumbled to his father.

"I know," God replied, rolling his eyes. "Luci, this is the billionth time you told me."

God had not be exaggerating. Surely, in the eons that Satan, had been doing this job, he complained billions of times. Honestly, a billion might be an underestimate.

"Well, it sucks," Satan stated, kicking a rock on the ground. "Everyone sees me like I'm evil."

"I know."

"I'm not evil, Dad!"

"I know you aren't evil, Luci," God smiled. "You're a good boy who took on a very hard job."

"I have a bad reputation, you know. Like I want the humans to do terrible things. Like I want them to suffer for all eternity."

"I know."

"I don't. I swear I don't. I hate this job. I hate punishing them and seeing them suffer," Satan's voice broke and he looked away from his father's gaze. "I'm only doing it because you asked me to."

"You are doing a wonderful job, Luci. I couldn't ask for anything more of you, my son."

"Why did you have to make me the bad guy though?" Satan questioned. Even after all this time, it bothered him that his father made him the bad guy, especially when he was the only one out of all his brothers and sisters willing to accept such a difficult job.

"We've been over this, Lucifer," God's voice boomed. He was sick of having this conversation.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. 'Every great story needs a great villain.' That bull again," Satan crossed his arms, refusing to meet his father's gaze.

"Lucifer," God warned.

"I know, I know," Satan shrunk under God's look of disappointment. "It's just a job and I'm just the villain in your story. Like Judas."

"Do you really have to bring him into this?"

"You asked him to betray your son!" Satan spat, returning his attention to his dad. "He went down in history as a selfish jerk who betrayed and killed one of his best friends."

"It was necessary, Lucifer. We've been over this countless times. Judas was simply obeying my wishes. Like you. He was a good man, and he is safe in Heaven."

"Must be nice." Satan scoffed, looking away once more.

"I do not appreciate your attitude, son."

"What else is new?"

"Lucifer, listen to me," God's voice boomed, shaking the ground beneath Satan's feet. He looked up in terror. God softened his tone as he continued talking. "I understand that you feel betrayed by me and your brothers and sisters. I know you hate the reputation that I have cursed upon you, but you are doing a wonderful job. I understand it is a hard job and that you wish nothing more than to come back to Heaven, but I trusted you. I trusted you with a job and I expect you to see it through."

Satan sighed. "Of course, I will. I promise."

"Good. Now Lucifer, I want you to understand that I love you, son. I always have and I always will. That's why I entrusted you with this job."

"I know. I love you too."

"And honestly," God grinned. "You should be happy you aren't in Heaven. Your brothers are a handful. Raphael and Michael can't get along to save their lives, and don't even get me started on what a brat Gabriel is."

Satan chuckled. "Guess I have the easy life." He put his hands behind his head. "Living on my own. All grown up."

"Yeah, maybe we'll send your brothers down."

Satan shook his head, laughing. "Oh, God, no. You can keep them, Dad."

Waving goodbye, the father and son returned to their rightful places: God in Heaven and Satan in hell. Satan was pleased with the conversation, thinking it went over well. God was thankful it was over, but knew it was only a matter of time until the two would meet again.

Lucifer definitely fit in with the angels, God thought to himself, he was a handful just like his brothers.