Lucifer
I stared blankly at the TV and tried to make any sort of sense out of the mess that was playing. James stuffed his face with waffles and stared brightly at the television. "This shit is so boring," I muttered.
He turned to me and held his hand out without saying a word. As usual, I fished in my pocket for a dollar bill and passed it to him. "I'm going to be a billionaire because of you, Grandpa," he joked.
"Grand-who?" I asked as I sat up from the couch and looked down at him. Sure he and I had gotten closer in our last few years together, but I drew the line at anything beginning with the word "grand-". Unless it's grandmaster, that had a nice ring to-
"Grandpa," he said once again.
James was a good kid so there was no reason for me to ever ground him but maybe it was time. Perhaps my leniency was the cause for his choice of crappy nicknames. I held my finger up in his direction and raised my brow. "I'm warning you-"
"You warned me ten times ago," he said with a full mouth. The boy knew I hated the name so I didn't doubt that's why he insisted on calling me it. My temper over the years had become almost nonexistent so maybe that's why he wasn't afraid.
"Grandparents are old," I argued.
He laughed. "You told me you were thirty. I learned in class today that you were here when the world started!" He ranted excitedly. "You're a dinosaur!"
"A dino-." I coughed loudly and hit my chest to calm down. "Age is nothing, James. I LOOK too young to be called such a thing."
"To be called such a thing like 'Grandpa'?"
"Yes!"
"Okay I'll stop, grandpa," he said.
"You know what? If I hear the word grandpa again, you're grounded," I said sternly. When I noticed him hold back a laugh, my confidence seemed to float away. "I can do that right?"
"Sure you can," he said.
I furrowed my brows and he looked back to the television. "You're so weird," I mumbled. He snickered at my compliment and I sat back down on the couch. James yawned again beside me and I turned to him. "Tired?"
He nodded and rubbed his eyes. "I couldn't sleep again."
"Because of Syn?" I asked and he nodded in response. Ever since Syn died, James had nightmares. He wasn't there when Syn was shot but he did see his body. He stayed awake for nights and whenever he slept, he'd scream out for him. That lasted for a while until I took him to a therapist. Now he still had bad dreams but it was bearable.
Me on the other hand, I'd be lying if I said I was completely fine. I missed my son every day. Anytime I spoke or looked at James, I was reminded of my failings as a father. If I could go back I'd take Syn out of Hell and take him somewhere...happier. Maybe then he'd be alive.
A part of me would always think like that but I let it go for the most part. I could be the parent to James that I never was to Syn. One he would've been proud of.
"I miss him," James said.
"So do I," I said in agreement. "But do you think he'd want us to sit here and bitch about it while watching his favorite show?"
James laughed and shook his head. "No, he wouldn't like that." I smiled and turned my attention back to the TV. "My money please," he requested as he held his hand out.
"What?"
"You said the b-word."
I groaned and laid another five-dollar bill in his hand. I had no idea why I agreed to do this shit when I knew I had a sailor's mouth.
My phone rang on the table beside me and I frowned when I saw Jack's contact on the screen. I was always kept up to date with matters in the Underworld but Jack was usually in charge of making souls repent. The only times he would call me was when there were clones of Syn. I knew my son would never come back but I couldn't stop myself from going to check every time if it was him.
"Hello," I said into the phone as I stood up and went to the balcony. The cold breeze made me roll my eyes but I focused on the call.
"Another clone," he said.
I knew what to expect for the most part but my chest still pained. I glanced back in James's direction and sighed. I needed to go, I wanted to go. But what was I doing chasing after a ghost when I had someone to take care of?
I shook my head and looked back out to the city view. "Just do what you need to. I won't be coming this time."
"Sir, I think you should come."
"Why?" I asked.
"This clone is...it's different than the others."
I stood up straight and scrunched my face in confusion. "What do you mean different?"
"All the other clones always asked for Queen first. This one is asking about you and James," he said. "I can torture him for info but I think you should speak to him."
I felt a flutter of hope that I felt in years but I suffocated it with a deep breath. It's not him. I knew it wasn't him, my son is dead. He's gone...but what if? I could never forgive myself if I didn't make sure.
"I'll be there in a few minutes," I said. I quickly hung up the phone and walked back to James. "I need to go."
He looked up at me and frowned. "Where?"
"Don't worry about it," I smirked. I walked down the hall and saw Lena, our housemaid cleaning up her room. She was startled when she saw me but she relaxed when I smiled. I was used to people being afraid of me but I didn't believe I was that bad of a boss.
"Would you mind keeping an eye on James? I need to step out," I said.
She smiled and nodded. "Of course, take your time sir."
I nodded and hurried to my room to throw on a pair of shoes. When I was done, I snapped my fingers and appeared in front of the fiery gates of hell. I glanced at the demons guarding the gate and no words needed to be exchanged for them to open the door for me.
I looked down at the obsidian trail and masterfully avoided falling into the fiery pit where souls were screaming. I had to admit that I missed those sounds. I missed the smokey smell, the endless lava pits that spread across for miles. I even missed the annoying fairies that lingered in the air. I let out a bittersweet sigh and shook my head. I was here for a reason.
"Syn SinClaire," I whispered into the air.
Black smoke appeared in front of me and as it disappeared, a red door stood in its place. I knocked on it and Jack immediately opened the door and bowed. "My lord, come in."
He stepped out of the way and I walked into the cell-like room to see what looked like Syn bound with his arms above his head to a chain in a ceiling. I stepped further into the room and he looked up at me. I noticed what looked like relief pass his features and he scoffed. "It's about damn time, tell Jack to let me go."
I studied him and when I didn't speak, he rolled his eyes at me. "What the hell is wrong with the both of you? You act like you don't know me!" He growled.
I tapped my chin and looked at him long as my eyes landed on a white item in his pant pocket. I quickly pulled out the burned piece of paper and opened it. It was hard to read and barely visible but I could make out the few words and it made my heart stop.
Queen, he doesn't remember you & there is no bond.
- Dad
Adam?
I looked back up at Syn and he looked at the paper in my hand in confusion. "What's that?" He asked.
"Do you remember me?" I asked softly.
"Why wouldn't I remember you?" He questioned.
"Do you remember Queen?"
He blinked a few times and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked back at me and shook his head. "Who?"
Shit. This felt like the real Syn but I couldn't be sure. If this was a clone sent to hurt Queen again, why wouldn't he remember her? Why was there a note on this one and not the other ones? There was only one way right now that I could see if it was truly my son.
"Jack pass me the knife," I said.
Syn's eyes widened but Jack immediately followed my instructions and gave me a small dagger. I used my free hand and to call Queen and she picked up on the first few rings.
"Hello?" She said.
"I'm sorry," I said into the phone.
"For-"
Her words were cut off by a scream as I stabbed Syn. He groaned and my eyes widened. "Queen, where did you just get hurt?" She winced and I felt bad that I had disoriented her, but I had to know. "Where Queen?!"
"My stomach," she mumbled weakly. "I'm bleeding. I need to go."
She hung up the phone and the quiet cell echoed as I dropped my phone and knife to the floor. "Syn," I said in awe.
"What the fuck was that for?" He snapped.
"You're back," I said in disbelief.
"But I should be dead," he said. "Why am I here?"
꧁꧂
Author's Note
😭Ahahsgwhahgshshshshs😭
Syn is back😭.
How will everyone react to it though? I wonder if this will change anything that's happened so far like Queen and Dimitri or Lucifer and Gen👀
We'll see....
I was in a good mood so today will be a double upload. ❤️
Lmk your thoughts ✨