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There was no way of predicting when the bad days would hit hard. He’d been doing so well over the last week, not focusing on the itching at the back of his mind that it wouldn’t last. That he was too much, or not enough. He’d been getting some satisfaction out of picking at the Radio Demon, but the little twat ditched the Hotel a few days ago and hadn’t returned. Charlie was spiraling after her failed interviews, Vaggie was getting overwhelmed, the whole damn situation was a fucking mess! Some innocent rubber duck minding its own business next to him was the victim of Lucifer’s sudden rage as he grabbed the object tight and hurled it at a wall hard enough to crack the plaster. It really said something about his creations that the duck was fine as it landed on the floor with a sad squeak.
A soft knock on the door stopped him from destroying something else. Most likely it was Charlie or Elijah, though Traci had also been visiting him just for fun as well. Without looking at the door, he waved a hand to unlock it, trying to compose himself. He was silently relieved that it was Eli who stepped through the door, closing it gently behind him. Lucifer was somewhat amused by the flowery pink sweater he was sporting with his black jeans. Traci’s work, no doubt. His heavy boots were quiet on the plush carpet as he strolled up to the Devil and pulled him in for a tight hug.
“You haven’t come down since dinner last night. It’s just passed lunch so I wanted to check on you.” Eli’s voice was soothing as he brushed his fingers through Lucifer’s short hair. His grip tightened on his Sinner, feeling ashamed. Of course his sweetheart was worried. Eli pressed a kiss to the top of Lucifer’s head, easing him out of the hug and pulling him over to sit on the bed. It was moment’s like these he was grateful for Eli’s arrival to the hotel and their relationship, he’d been going to therapy lately to try to get a handle on restraining the homicidal urges that occasionally overwhelmed him and had also started applying his lessons to others at Charlie’s urging. He made Lucifer feel safe enough to just exist, in a way he hadn’t felt since Lilith.
They sat on the edge of the bed, snacking on some caramel apples Eli had summoned from the kitchen, just enjoying the other’s presence, and Lucifer hadn’t even realized he’d started crying until he felt Eli’s warm hand brushing his cheek. All of his stress, his fear, his anger, just burst forth at that small action. He ranted about everything that was happening, about how he felt like a failure to Charlie, pacing the space near the bed as Eli listened, expression blank. The Devil wasn’t sure how long he vented, (nor had he noticed Eli pull out his phone and tap on the screen) but once he started to wind down, gritting his teeth as he simmered, he noticed the soft smile on his Sinner’s lips. Something about the sweetness on his pretty face and the warmth in his eyes brought a light gold flush to the Devil’s cheeks, his heart fluttering in his chest. Lilith and Elijah were the only ones he’d ever known who could get that kind of reaction from him.
A soft, deep melody filled the air as Eli sat on the plush mattress. His smile taking on a more sardonic cast as he leaned back on his hands and parted his lips.
You stumble through your days, Got your head hung low
Your sky's a shade of gray
Like a zombie in a maze, You're asleep inside
Eli stood, taking Lucifer’s hand, lightly tugging him closer.
But you can shake awake
They moved to the tempo, Lucifer slightly confused yet enamored at the display.
'Cause you're just a dead man walkin', Thinkin' that's your only option
But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day
Magic swirled in the air, pushing the slightly parted curtains completely open and amplifying the filtering red light.
Sun is up and the color's blinding, Take the world and redefine it
Leave behind your narrow mind
You'll never be the same
Eli’s wings, a very recent addition to his growing powers, shimmered to life like a framed aurora, encouraging Lucifer to unfurl his own as the Sinner pulled him into an airborne twirl.
Come alive, come alive
Go and light your light, Let it burn so bright
Reachin' up, To the sky
And it's open wide, You're electrified
Lucifer was pushed higher, catching sight of Heaven’s glow outside his window as the music swelled and Eli’s shimmering magic altered their surroundings into Lucifer’s favored Circus theme.
When the world becomes a fantasy, And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
The easy grip on Lucifer’s shoulders as he was turned to face the polished Golden Gates was grounding as he noticed the facsimile of angels crowded behind it.
And you know you can't go back again, To the world that you were living in
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
So, come alive
(whoa)
The visual flipped as they touched down again, the shadowed outlines of Charlie, Lilith, and their friend’s at the Hotel surrounded them with a subtle warmth. Tears seemed to be Lucifer’s theme today as he felt the burning in his face.
I see it in your eyes
You believe that lie, That you need to hide your face
Eli’s hands covered his face for a brief moment before gently moving to frame his chin. There was a mischievous glint in his vibrant eyes.
Afraid to step outside
So you lock the door
But don't you stay that way!
The door to the suite opened, everyone filing in, obviously having waited for their cue. He didn’t miss the shadow that quickly wound around him, taking the shape of someone he hadn’t seen in so long.
No more living in those shadows
You and me we know how that goes
Lucifer didn’t have time to react to Lilith’s sudden appearance as Husk joined in, apparently in a damn fine mood!
Cause once you see it, oh, you'll never, never be the same
Alastor seemed to be the only one not here, and Lucifer was fine with that as Eli and Lilith pulled him over to Charlie and their mismatched family. Joining into the chorus as he began to feel lighter.
We will be the light that's turning, Bottle up but keep on shining
You can prove there's more to you
Elijah swirled the magic away, restoring their surroundings as Lucifer smiled.
You cannot be afraid
They were suddenly in the hotel lobby, new Sinner’s milling about and waiting to check in. The current residents and staff broke off from the group, approaching the newcomers with smiles and warmth.
Come alive, come alive
Go and light your light, Let it burn so bright
Reachin' up
To the sky
And it's open wide, You're electrified
While the song alone was enough to bring smiles, it seemed the underlying message caught everyone’s attention as even the new Sinner’s joined in with the singing.
When the world becomes a fantasy, And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
And we know we can't be go back again, To the world that we were living in
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
So, come alive
Traci zoomed to the doors, throwing them open and grinning widely at the Vox-Tech drones that had been hovering over the Hotel for weeks.
Come one
Come all
Come in
Come on
Charlie stood at the entrance, arms open with watery eyes.
To anyone who's bursting with a dream
Their little crow flew into one cameras’ line of sight, filling it with her contagious grin.
Come one
Come all
You hear
The call
Lucifer surrounded the hotel with chain’s of light, letting the visual sink in before breaking them in multiple places to fade away.
To anyone who's searching for a way to break free
Break free
Break free
When the world becomes a fantasy, And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
And we know we can't be go back again, To the world that we were living in
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
(Hey)
There were more Sinners just down the hill, some just watching, others, curious about the commotion, walking up the path to the building. They were quickly welcomed into the fold, tension fading in the obvious safety of the Hotel.
When the world becomes a fantasy
And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open (the world becomes a fantasy)
(Yeah, yeah)
And we know we can't be go back again
To the world that we were living in
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
So come alive
(come alive)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Of course, Angel couldn’t resist a dramatic ending, belting out the final lyrics from atop the bar, but it seemed even Husk couldn’t be mad about that as he laughed heartily at the porn star’s theatrics.
The music faded, but the atmosphere, now charged and lively, couldn’t be extinguished. Sinner’s, new and old alike, conversed with a feeling of lightness and peace they likely hadn’t felt since before death. Charlie was hugging her girlfriend tight as she surveyed her surroundings, tears falling down her face as she smiled. Lilith, graceful as ever, stood near the stairs her eyes soft as she watched Lucifer embrace his Sinner before turning to stare at her as though wondering if this had all been a dream.
Glancing between the two royals, Eli nudged his King, subtly motioning for him to go to his wife. He had barely blinked and Lucifer was suddenly in his Queen’s arms, sobbing incoherently. Eli knew he’d missed her horribly, and truth be told, he been hoping to meet her soon anyway. Although Lucifer had often reassured him that Lilith would love to get to know the newcomer, Eli still often times felt like an intruder. Seeing them together, happy and still very much in love, that feeling swelled up in him again.
When a knock had come to the hotel doors that morning, just after breakfast, Charlie had opened it faster than anyone could blink and absolutely froze. The tall figure was instantly recognizable to anyone who had spent any amount of time in Hell. Her blonde hair was longer than any woman’s Eli had ever seen, flowing in a non existent breeze. Unlike her family portrait her horns were hidden at the moment, and no portrait or picture could have done her soft smile and warm violet eyes justice. She was beauty, independence, and grace incarnate as she opened her arms for her daughter. He shouldn’t have been surprised by the tears that flowed down the Queen’s face as Charlie cried hysterically in her arms. Whatever she’d been doing while she was away, she’d still been separated from her family, from the husband who had fallen with her, from the daughter she’d loved and raised.
Eli had been scared at the time, already worried that Lucifer had seemed to shut down last evening and had gone to bed alone at his own request. He glanced down at the phone in his hand, ready to text his lover, when an idea suddenly smacked him as he saw Lucifer’s profile pic. Apparently Charlie had been thinking along the same line, but when she reached for her phone after shouting that she needed to get her dad, Elijah had grabbed her hand in both of his, much to everyone’s surprise. After asking her to wait before she spoke to her dad, he’d turned and introduced himself to Lilith with a sweeping bow. He’d expected at least some modicum of annoyance at the very least when he mentioned his relationship with Lucifer, but her enthusiastic reaction had surprised everyone.
“HA! I KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN!” This graceful, supposedly demure Queen had just sounded exactly like her daughter in a manic moment. It was both refreshing and absolutely hilarious! After settling on the couches of the lobby, with Vaggie and Husk bringing refreshments for all of them, Lilith explained that although she couldn’t reveal everything just yet, she still didn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle, she would fill them in on what she could. Unfortunately, the threat to her daughter had overridden any need for answers and she’d been forced to return to protect her family. It seemed Mama Bear mode had been activated.
When Lilith turned to face Eli, wondering why he didn’t want to inform Lucifer of her arrival yet, Eli flushed, his hair flashing to those annoying pinks and gold’s as everyone waited. Eli told her about how Lucifer was beginning to spiral again and that he wanted to do something to help him before it went too far again. While he knew space could be a good thing for some situations, Lilith’s arrival was a perfect way to cheer him up.
After explaining what he had planned, and practicing the lines for a couple of hours or so to make sure everyone knew what to do, Eli had excused himself to the kitchen and prepared a plate of Lucifer’s favorite caramel apple slices, setting them in the fridge to be summoned later if needed. Traci had snuck up behind him as he crossed his arms in a feeble attempt to ward off the sudden nerves, and he hadn’t noticed until a soft pink sweater was being forced over his head with a cawing giggle. Eli had flashed her an annoyed smile as he shoved his arms into the sleeves before pulling her into a loose headlock and ruffling her hair.
Honestly, Eli hadn’t expected Lucifer to perk up so well when he’d first thought of this little scheme, but seeing him with his family now, smiling brighter than Eli had ever seen and standing tall, (Well, as tall as the Short King could.) he could allow himself to feel proud of the outcome. He’d been about to head to the kitchen for a drink when Lucifer pulled him into the little family grouping, bragging about how Eli was quickly coming into his powers and had been instrumental in helping the Hotel, more than Bambi, anyway. Eli was biting his lips to keep from laughing as Charlie admonished him, Lilith seemingly studying the Sinner. This was kind of embarrassing, really.
It didn’t take long for check-ins to start, and even though not everyone stayed, Charlie was happy they’d at least gotten 4 new guests who seemed willing to give Redemption a try. With all the chaos and commotion of the day, she decided to let everyone settle in and acclimate to their new surroundings. Lucifer had stayed close to Lilith, his hand gripping Eli’s tightly as the three of them got acquainted, or at least Lilith and Eli did. Charlie had left the room quickly when Lilith’s tone turned unmistakably suggestive, she’d been intrigued by Eli’s changing hair colors and spent the rest of the evening trying to make him blush. Successfully. They hadn’t realized the light outside had long since dimmed and most everyone had already gone to bed until Lucifer glanced out the window and suggested they turn in for the night.
The King and Queen insisted on Eli joining them tonight, and after some adjustments to the bed size the three of them curled up together to sleep. Lucifer was curled up on Eli’s right, Lilith on his left, as they dozed, with one last bought of giggles as Lucifer quipped sweetly, that Eli’s little stunt had certainly made him ‘Come Alive'.