Xavier

Our steps up the wide driveway slowed as we looked at Lucifer emerging from the forested perimeter of the property with Genesis and James at his side. They must've gotten a call too. When James' eyes landed on me, a wide grin spread across his face and I saluted him before returning a smile of my own. It wasn't like he and I were estranged at all- the three of us had him on the weekends.

He tore away from the pair before jogging over to Cleo and me. Cleo let go of my hand and opened her arm for him. He stepped into it like he always did, holding her hand over his shoulder as they walked. I tucked my hands into my pockets, letting the two stride ahead of me.

"I left my airplane set at your house," I heard James say to her.

"Don't worry, boo. The kids didn't touch it- I put it back on the desk in your room," she assured him. "I was super careful."

"Thank you." I smiled at the interaction, knowing it'd probably be the last good moment we'd have before we stepped into this place. I didn't know what was going on at all, but it couldn't be good. Syn wasn't even the one who called us.

As we stepped onto the stairs heading to the porch, Lucifer and Gen caught up, hand in hand. Lucifer gave me a nod and Gen let go of his hand, giving me a quick hug before doing the same with Cleo.

After Syn swore them off, things were rocky with all of us. Part of me blamed them for him slipping into his drug habit, but that wasn't fair— we each played a part. Every day that passed that we didn't notice, that part grew. And so did our guilt, especially mine. I should've known.

When I was having my issues with Capxica, he was the first and only person to realize it. I should've recognized the signs— the sudden mania followed by instant lows and depression. All the signs were there...but hindsight was 20/20. I was so busy dealing with my own crap that the thought of him needing someone wasn't something that ever crossed my mind.

He was Syn. None of us ever thought he'd need anything.

"Where's Cas?" Gen asked.

"Someone had to stay with the kids," Cleo replied. "So the two of us came tonight to see what's going on. If it's serious, he'll find a sitter."

Lucifer stepped forward, knocked on the front door, and sighed. "Does anyone know why we're here?"

"The guy didn't tell you on the phone?"

He shook his head, glancing back at me. "No. He told you?— who is he anyway?"

I shook my head. "He just told us to come to this address and that Syn needed our help."

"Same." He nodded. "Except, he told me to come alone. These two overheard and wouldn't let me leave unless I let them come."

"I was worried." Gen hit his arm and he rolled his eyes. "Here they come."

I looked at her in confusion for a moment before hearing the door unlock. A man stepped out once the door was opened, but to our surprise...instead of letting us in, he closed the door behind him. His eyes quickly scanned all of us before he clasped his hand together. "Hi, I'm Paris— the one that called."

"Paris what?" Lucifer raised a brow.

"Paris will suffice," the man replied with a curt nod before glancing down at Genesis and James. He let out a small laugh as he pointed toward the both of them, shaking his head. "This isn't good. There is a reason I asked you to come alone—"

"Well, Paris," Lucifer drawled. "You try telling a crazy woman and an underage gremlin that they can't go somewhere— it's impossible."

"Fine." He sighed. "But please, make yourselves scarce." He ran a hand over his dark hair, glancing back at the closed door before lowering his tone. "He's not doing well, at all. He hasn't spoken in the past hour— so I implore you all to not add to his stress. Whatever family problems you have, leave them here. He can't handle that shit right now."

"Handle?" Lucifer asked. "I'm afraid you don't know my son very well- he's capable of handling anything. That's not a word I can associate with him."

Paris looked at him for a long moment, his eyes slightly squinting before he nodded. "You don't know."

I froze for a brief second, knowing exactly what he was referring to. The drugs. I saw Cleo glance at me, thinking the same thing and we both looked at Gen and Lucifer. "Know what?" Lucifer replied.

"Nothing," Paris said and I relaxed a bit. "Come inside and like I said, tread lightly. We have serious things to talk about."

He opened the door and Lucifer strode inside, the rest of us following behind. We were greeted by immediate warmth- the smell of coffee floating through the air as we stepped into the white foyer. A crystal chandelier hung over us in the wide space- statues and paintings collecting dust against the double staircases ahead. "This way," Paris muttered and I tore my eyes away from the decoration— or lack thereof. I didn't know how anyone could live here. It looked like a museum.

We followed Paris into a pair of double doors and the entire environment seemed to switch. The living room was warm and inviting- a stark difference from the plain entryway. Warm colors painted the room, an exposed brick wall lessening the luxury of the place yet providing the needed comfort. To the left against the far back wall was a kitchen area, a large wooden island sat in the middle accompanied by matching chairs.

Behind the island, I could see a man with his back to us. He turned to face us and my eyes widened in shock. Drake?

"Oh, absolutely not." He shook his head, pointing at us. "I said to stay until your clothes were done washing— not have a fucking family reunion! This is my home— not a shelter!"

"A shelter?" Lucifer scoffed. "Do any of us look like we'd be in a shelter?"

He tilted his head side to side in thought and I scoffed as he replied, "Do you want me to be honest?"

"Do you know who we are?!" Lucifer shot back. "What makes you think—"

"I know exactly who you are and I don't care," Drake said. "Sorry."

"Who the fuck is this guy?!" Lucifer snapped at Paris.

Paris held back a grin at Lucifer's sudden anger and I found myself doing the same. Before Paris could respond, Drake spoke up. "First name; Drake. Last name; Kincaid. You have my full name and you know where I live now. Whatever will you do...?" He took a sip of his coffee.

Cleo broke the silence with a laugh and when we all turned to her, she shut her lips into a thin line, sending a fake look of disapproval toward Drake. Lucifer opened his mouth, taking a step toward the kitchen where he was before a voice halted his steps.

"That's enough."

We all turned toward the low voice and our eyes landed on Syn. He tore his eyes away from the fireplace in the living room and stood up from his chair, heading our way. His eyes were dead, devoid of any shimmer of feeling as he looked at his father. "I see you haven't changed."

Lucifer crossed his arms. "I wish I could say the same. You look like shit."

"Amen to that," Drake chimed in and Syn's eyes snapped to him, making him roll his eyes and set his coffee down. "Fuck this. I'm going to need something stronger if I have to be in a room full of motherfuckers with daddy issues." He turned and headed to a door past the dining area, leaving us to deal with the massive tension suffocating the room.

"Syn," Genesis stepped toward him hesitantly. Her small fingers reached out to touch his face and he shook his head, taking a step back. I could almost see the second her heart broke, but this wasn't about her. It might've hurt but it could wait. They had an eternity to work through their shit and if anyone could hold a grudge it was Syn— but never forever; especially not with his mother.

"Don't," he told her, his command not giving way for negotiation. She dropped her hand at her side, the misery evident on her face. but he ignored it before looking at me. Stoic and unreadable as always, but I knew better now. I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around him for a hug and he stilled. "I'm here, man. Whatever the fuck is going on," I said lowly.

He pat my back awkwardly for a moment, nodding as I pulled away. I could see the quick flash of appreciation in his eyes before it disappeared and the emptiness came back. Cleo spared no second to catapult herself into him for a hug, pulling his large shoulders down to her level and a look of shock filled his features before he gave her a tight squeeze and let go.

Her hands moved to his face, cupping his cheeks as her eyes watered. "Are you okay?"

He took her hands into his, lowering them from his face before sighing. "No," he said, squeezing her hands tenderly before releasing them. "I'm not okay. I'm the worst I've ever been," he said, his eyes moving past Cleo to his father. "Because of you, again."

"Yes, yes." Lucifer waved his hand. "Do as the rest of the world does and blame everything on me. Same story, different messenger."

"I assure you that this is different," Syn replied through gritted teeth. "I suggest you watch your words very carefully. My patience is very thin right now and I'm sure you would hate for your wife's last memory of you to be curated by me."

Lucifer scoffed. "What can you do to me that I haven't taught you myself? We're the same, whether you like it or not."

"No, we are not the same," Syn snapped. "I'm better than you— that's the only reason why you're still breathing."

Lucifer's jaw clenched and I remained silent, waiting for the next words from him that would send Syn off the edge— he was close. But instead of replying, he let out a silent huff of laughter and shook his head. "Now," Syn continued. "I didn't know Paris was calling everyone." He glanced at Cleo and me. "But I am thankful to have you."

We both nodded in response as he looked at us before his eyes moved past us. I prepared for him to say something to his mother or father, but the sudden sadness in his eyes made me follow his gaze to James.

Shit.

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Anyways.
Not too much y'all 😂 I can already tell what this comment section is going to be like😖🫣.
Let's lead with love folks.

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