The moment doesn't last. Of course it doesn't. Because nothing good ever does.
My phone buzzes. Loud. Sudden. Jarring. I flinch slightly, instinctively pulling one hand away to grab it from my pocket.
Lucifer's hand lingers for a second before letting go. And I feel that immediately. The loss of warmth. The space. I ignore it. Focus on the screen.
Unknown number. I frown. "…Weird."
"Are you going to answer it?" Lucifer asks. I hesitate. Then.
"Yeah. Might be important." I swipe to answer. "Hello?"
Silence. For a second, there's nothing. Then-
"…Arlo."
My entire body goes still. I know that voice. I don't even need to think. My grip on the phone tightens.
"…Daniel."
The name feels wrong in my mouth. Behind me, I feel Lucifer shift. The air changes instantly. Sharp. Tense.
"How did you get my number?" I ask, my voice colder than I expected.
A soft chuckle comes from the other end. "Not that hard." My stomach twists.
"I wouldn't call just to chat," he continues. "I thought we should… clear something up."
"I don't think there's anything to clear up."
"Oh, I think there is."
I glance toward Lucifer. He's watching me now. Fully focused. Jaw slightly tight. "Say what you want," I say.
There's a pause.
"You seem nice," Daniel says. "So I'll be honest with you."
I hate the way he says that. Like he's doing me a favor. "Lucifer isn't what you think he is."
My chest tightens. "I didn't ask—"
"He gets attached," Daniel continues, cutting me off. "Fast. Too fast. And then when things get complicated—"
"Stop," I say sharply.
Silence. "…You don't get to talk about him like that," I add, my voice quieter but firmer.
Behind me, I feel something shift. Lucifer. Daniel lets out a quiet breath.
"…He didn't tell you, did he?" My stomach drops. "Tell me what?"
Another pause. Longer this time. Like he's choosing his next words carefully. And I hate that. Because now I want to know. Because now I'm listening.
"…Ask him why we actually ended," Daniel says.
My grip tightens around the phone. "What does that mean?" But the line... Goes dead.
"Daniel?" I say, pulling the phone away slightly. "Hello?"
Nothing. Call ended. "…What the hell?"
The silence in the room feels suffocating. Slowly. I turn. Lucifer is already looking at me. His expression unreadable. Tense. Guarded. And suddenly.
That comfortable feeling from before? Gone. Replaced with something colder. Something uncertain.
"…What didn't you tell me?" I ask quietly. The question hangs between us. Heavy. Dangerous.
Lucifer doesn't answer immediately. And that—
That scares me more than anything.