A/N: Hi all!
It was an incredibly long hiatus - but we are back!
We decided to break the chapter into two - the good news is that I upload both of them right now. :)
So...we have reached the end of the journey - and what a journey it was! I loved writing this story so much, and I hope you enjoyed reading it. I'm endlessly grateful to Tempest, my wonderful, dedicated beta reader, for her unfailing support, and to you all for your kind comments, and for sticking with me! So, here are the final chapters. :)
Chapter 24 - The light that you shine can be seen
Everything was going remarkably well. Pierce had had a decent funeral organized by the police department. Since the Detective and Pierce hadn't announced their relationship in the precinct, no one had expected her to take a more active part in the organisation. Not even Daniel and Miss Lopez. Miss Lopez knew the Detective's intention of breaking up with Pierce and she'd probably told Daniel about it. The knowing glances they had sent towards the Detective at the funeral indicated as much.
Lucifer had decided to go to the ceremony, not that anyone expected him to attend, as a civilian consultant, but he felt he had to be there. He wanted to make sure that the Detective was all right. And if he was honest, he wanted to see her reaction. Although the Detective had told him that she wasn't in love with Pierce, he couldn't help the insecurity that kept creeping back into his heart.
The Detective didn't cry. When the reverend finished the service, she regarded the simple headstone for a while, sad and thoughtful. People started to disperse, and eventually, Miss Lopez and Daniel made their way out as well.
When it was just the two of them left, the Detective asked quietly, "Where do you think he ended up?"
This was a question that Lucifer also thought about a lot.
"I – I'm not quite sure," he answered honestly. A slight guilty look came into his eyes, as he confessed. "I – uh – I might have popped down there, to see if he'd ended up there."
Chloe waited patiently for Lucifer to tell her what he found.
"He wasn't there. One might have assumed he would go to Hell –he was the world's first murderer, after all, cursed for millennia. But it seems he was redeemed at the end." Lucifer looked into Chloe's eyes but couldn't fathom the emotions she might have been feeling.
"One thing is certain, however. If he did end up in the Silver City, it was because of you. You were his redemption.
Chloe's eyes shone – she hadn't cried during the whole proceedings, but hearing that brought up emotions she herself couldn't quite place. She took one last look at the memorial and nodded at Lucifer.
"Let's go," she said, walking out, never to look back again.
The following week seemed a little easier, but in some ways, it was harder. The Detective returned from the leave she had been sent on after the events of the last case. They'd started to work on a new case, but he felt a certain tension. They had their easy banter when others were around, but when they were alone, they often faced an awkward silence. The Detective glanced at him occasionally, as if waiting for something or trying to say something, but, in the end, she never spoke. And Lucifer was afraid to ask. He wanted to give the Detective the space and time she asked for. But how could he know if she no longer needed it?
A possible solution presented itself to Lucifer: his birthday party next week. If the Detective agreed to come, she might be ready to take things to the next level.
He had been a little nervous about inviting her to the party, but he hadn't expected the burst of joy inside him as she said yes. The tiniest blush spread on her cheeks and her coy smile was just divine, as she nodded and glossed her fingers over the gold embossed letters on the invitation card. She only had one question – and even if it wasn't unexpected, it did catch him off-guard.
"So, Lucifer – what are you going to be?"
"Huh?" Lucifer had been distracted by her smile, so he hadn't even heard the question.
"Which Greek God are you going to be – you know, at the party." She waved the invitation in his face.
"Oh. I think I'll let it be a surprise for you," he grinned mischievously.
She rolled her eyes. "If you won't tell me, how am I supposed to match outfits?"
Match outfits?
This meant that the Detective hadn't just accepted his invitation, but possibly considered it as a date!
He tried to ignore how his heartbeat sped up. He dropped his cocky façade almost unconsciously when he answered. "You know who I am. It shouldn't be hard for you to guess what god I've chosen to be."
He was impressed as she nodded knowingly, even though he'd answered cryptically.
They hadn't spoken about the party since then, except yesterday, when the Detective had declined his offer to pick her up, insisting she would arrive by seven. Lucifer glanced at his phone nervously. He still had half an hour until the Detective's arrival.
He looked at his reflection in the full-length mirror. He wore a special, custom-tailored outfit: black suit pants with a long coat, a black waistcoat, and a dark grey shirt. Although uncharacteristic, this time he also wore a tie with an embroidered green snake coiled across it, and his custom-made handkerchief was embroidered with a narcissus; the symbols of Hades. He really didn't need to hide anymore when it came to the Detective.
When he went down to the club a quarter of an hour later, a crowd was already forming. True to the theme of the party, everyone was wearing a costume: many were following the classic Greek style, and many others chose some re-thought, modernised version of it. As he reached the bar, Patrick handed him a glass of scotch. He took a large swig to calm his nerves and looked around. The Detective should be here soon.
Lucifer spotted her just as the song changed. His breath hitched. He couldn't help but look at her from head to toe as she descended the stairs.
She was wearing a floor-length white dress with a plunging neckline. The dress was decorated with red and pink flower petals all over, more scattered at the bottom of the dress, becoming denser around the bust. One of the straps was completely covered with flowers while the other slender strap was decorated with a pair of green leaves. The Detective's hips were encircled by dark brown roots, bulging out from the soft drape of the dress. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders as she looked around, searching for him in the crowd. When their gazes met, her gorgeous pink lips curved into a sincere smile.
The Detective was only a few steps away from Lucifer when someone on the dance floor stepped on the hem of her dress. She stopped for a moment and looked down at her dress. It was then that Lucifer saw the two braids that started from the Detective's temples and were held together at the back of her head by a tiny, shiny red, pomegranate-shaped clip.
Lucifer's heartbeat stood still - The Detective had taken the hint. She was Persephone. His Persephone, he added hopefully to himself.
"You look truly amazing, Detective," he mumbled instead of a proper greeting.
"Thanks, Lucifer," she beamed at him. "I think we match well don't you think?" a part of her was tingling with excitement from the way Lucifer had looked at her as she'd come down.
Lucifer's mouth quirked into an even wider smile. They held each other's intense gaze for a minute before Lucifer broke the silence.
"What would you like to drink, Detective? Wine, champagne, perhaps an IPA?" he joked, referring to the case when she went undercover as Lucinda.
"Sure, an IPA would fit well to a Greek goddess," she laughed. "No, I think I will have some wine."
When she received her drink, she raised her glass immediately for a toast.
"Well, happy birthday, Lucifer," she smiled as their glasses clinked.
After she took a sip, her brows furrowed, and she looked at Lucifer with a questioning gaze.
"So, how does this birthday thing work for you? Do you even keep counting the years?"
He chuckled lightly at the question.
"Well, you could say it's a day I set for myself. Defined in earthly terms, I don't know when my birthday would actually be."
The Detective nodded, and although her expression didn't change so much, she seemed somehow sad.
"Considering how long you've been existing, everything in my own life seems so insignificant and fleeting."
Lucifer opened his mouth to say something, but words failed him. The Detective still had a lot to process, and it wouldn't happen overnight. But he wanted to help somehow. He sighed and put his hand on her arm.
"Time was very different in Hell and very different in Heaven compared to Earth. Everything seemed endless, and that's why everything was so light. But since I've been here…" he sighed and stroked her arm with his thumb, "Ever since I've been working with you, everything has gravity. Meaning."
The Detective smiled at him again and he felt himself pulled towards that smile. Quite literally. But before anything else could happen, they heard cheerful screams from behind Lucifer's back.
They turned towards the sound and stood face to face with the Tribe in all its glory.
The Detective was almost swept off her feet by an overly enthusiastic Miss Lopez. "Chloe, you are stunning," Ella, ever so excited, hugged her tightly.
"Yeah, Decker. I told you it would suit you to show a little more skin," Maze snickered. Chloe glared at her over Ella's shoulders, but she couldn't suppress a small smile. She was happy that they had managed to clear everything up in the last few weeks. Once she had discussed the truth with Lucifer, it had been a little easier to accept Maze's identity as well.
The demon was wearing a tight dark green crop-top with an Amazon-style black leather skirt, and a traditional quiver on her back that indicated she was Artemis. Lucifer was impressed with her choice: a strong, independent goddess, unmoved by conflicts of love.
"Everyone has outdone themselves," Linda remarked with a huge smile. "You all look so stunning." She looked around the group, cocktail in hand. She herself was styling a beige chiton-like dress with an ornate gold bodice, somewhat resembling a chest plate. She had accessorized in a true Greek fashion – wide bracelets, a warrior's helmet, and high heeled sandals, all golden.
"A true Athena!" Lucifer exclaimed. "And you, Miss Lopez. Let me guess!" He gave the tiny, bouncing woman a once-over. Ella was wearing a light blue mullet skirt with a narrow gold belt and two impressive gold wings inserted in her long black hair. "You're modelling a female Hermes, am I right?"
"That's right, Luce," she grinned and turned to give him a crushing hug as well. Lucifer was squirming as usual, but he had to admit that he found Miss Lopez's trademark hugs less and less uncomfortable.
But he didn't really have the chance to appreciate the hug this time because Miss Lopez pulled back and squeaked as a new song came on.
"Ooooh, I LOVE this song! You guys, you all have to come dance with me. Come on, Maze," Ella took the demon's hand, herding Linda, and the Detective between them towards the dance floor. The latter sent an apologetic look toward Lucifer before she blended into the crowd with her friends.
Lucifer sighed longingly at the spot where she'd disappeared from. Sipping his second scotch, he could see the entire crowd from where he stood. The club was now reaching full capacity, and his guests seemed unusually exuberant. Perhaps it was him. He must be projecting his own unbound joy onto the crowd and their enjoyment.
Making his way through the crowd from his right, Lucifer spotted his brother. Amenadiel's choice of costume was an obvious choice, according to Lucifer. Well, his brother, despite having evolved a bit since his time on earth, reverted inherently to his traditional nature. Of course, that said, Amenadiel looked fairly handsome in a classic Greek tunic and cloak around his neck, symbolizing Cronos, the time-manipulating Titan. Rather corny representation, thought Lucifer, but he carried it well anyway.
"Happy earthly birthday, brother," he raised a violently pink liquid containing glass. Probably a cosmo in there. Lucifer wanted nothing but to knock out that silly drink from his brother's hand. His eyes had a naughty glint as Amenadiel brought the glass near Lucifer's drink.
Lucifer snatched the glass from Amenadiel's hand before it clinked with his own, throwing it far away behind the counter. "Thank you, brother, but you cannot possibly hope to raise a toast with a drink that colour!" He waved to the bartender, pulling his brother closer with a handshake.
"You know what I mean, right, Patrick?" he asked with a devilish grin.
Patrick grinned back and nodded before he disappeared for a few minutes.
"So, what do you propose I raise a toast with? Whiskey? Scotch?" Amenadiel smiled amicably.
"This, my dear un-fun brother," said Lucifer, pointing at Patrick, who had just returned, balancing a tray with ten shots, ten slices of lemon and some salt.
"C'mon, Luci." Amenadiel seemed hesitant.
"It's my birthday!" Lucifer protested, and that's all it took for Amenadiel to agree.
With a lick of salt, a shot of tequila, and a squeeze of lemon, both brothers made the liquor disappear at a supernatural speed. After they finished their last shot, they both gasped.
"I have to admit, brother, this is fun." Amenadiel shivered a bit as the alcohol burned down his oesophagus.
"Well, that's exactly the point. It's fun, especially when the drink limit for us is exceptionally high," Lucifer smirked, referring to their divine metabolism – but he was starting to feel a buzz anyway. He looked around confused, and then as he spotted Chloe's blonde curls, it clicked. Perhaps the vulnerability came with this effect too.
Amenadiel's brotherly pat on his back brought him back from his thoughts.
"As entertaining as this is, I'm not sure that it is my company that you desire now." Amenadiel smiled at him knowingly.
Despite their constant conflicts, Amenadiel knew him so well.
"The Detective is having a good time with her friends, and I don't want to bother them," he shrugged nonchalantly.
Amenadiel laughed heartily.
"Oh, come now, brother! I haven't seen you so restrained – well – ever. I thought things are going well with Chloe."
"They are. I just…" Lucifer trailed, wondering what exactly it was that kept him so – restrained, as his brother had put it. "I just don't want to screw this up. Again."
Amenadiel's expression softened, all mocking gone. He squeezed his little brother's shoulder encouragingly.
"You won't." He glanced at the crowd and added, "And I think you will soon have the chance to prove it."
The Detective, Miss Lopez, Linda, and Maze were heading back to the bar from the dance floor. The Detective's face was flushed, and she smiled brightly at him.
"Another drink, ladies?" Lucifer asked, and they all nodded in agreement.
"Nothing strong for me, or else I'll dry out completely," Chloe added, seeing the row of shot glasses on the counter. Lucifer nodded and ordered a round.
They occupied a booth that Lucifer had kept empty for the company. Magically, their friends seated themselves in such a way that Lucifer and Chloe were not only placed next to each other but needed to share a very small space. Not that they minded.
At some point, Daniel and Charlotte joined the company. Lucifer – and perhaps even all of his friends, had observed the choice of their matching costume with interest. Daniel was wearing a war costume, portraying Ares – poorly but to his best effort, thought Lucifer. And Charlotte was a radiant Aphrodite in a complicated red dress, that left little to the imagination.
It was obvious that they had grown quite close, and although Lucifer – driven by some old instincts – was kind of upset when he saw Charlotte in male company, he was actually quite happy for them.
They talked, drank, and laughed; it was a merry company all around. The spirits only rose as Lucifer moved to the gleaming piano-forte at the DJ's announcement that the host would play for the audience. With a glint in his eyes, he opened with a medley of '60-'90s hits, beginning with Walk like an Egyptian by Bangles. Continuing with Venus, by Shocking Blue, he stole covert glances at their corner booth, at the Detective. He perked up immensely to see her enjoying his performance. She laughed at his naughty bits, and smiled with closed eyes, swaying at the sombre, gentle bits.
As he geared up to play the last song of the night, he pulled the small mic near him. "This song is for someone very special to me," he said, his gaze soaring over the crowd to finally finding hers. "A dedication to the one I cherish the most."
"There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
You became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen?"
Lucifer's free-flowing, velvety baritone intensified at the chorus.
"Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey."
Time stopped. Chloe's gaze was arrested – she couldn't look away from the piano, from Lucifer. She could hear faint whispers, pining after Lucifer, but she was his only object of attention tonight.
The Lord of the Underworld sang only for her. She couldn't suppress a smile at that thought. The fact that he was the actual Devil still fascinated her. But somehow, she no longer felt frightened. The strange fear was gone, replaced by a completely different emotion.
"There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
To me, you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey."
She knew it – she didn't want to wait any longer. This moment, this day, this time – it was perfect for taking the next step because it felt like Lucifer was finally opening up for her.
The last notes still echoed in the air as applause erupted from all around. As if a spell had been broken, Lucifer turned his gaze to the crowd, stood up from the piano and made a few theatrical bows.
By the time he returned to his seat, the group, including the Detective, were standing up already.
"Lucifer, this was…amazing," she said. It seemed like there was more to it, something else she wanted to say, but suddenly she became very aware of the subtle yet intense attention that the others were giving them both.
They stared at each other for another moment, until the music system came to life again.
The Detective grabbed Lucifer's hand.
"Wanna dance?" she asked him, enthusiastically.