I didn't expect to see him.
Not like this. Not so soon. Not at all, if I'm being honest. But there he is.
Standing across the street.
Like nothing changed. Like everything changed.
My breath catches.
Because.
Of course it's him. Of course it had to be him.
I was just walking.
Just trying to clear my head. Just trying to not think about him for once.
And now. He's right there. Lucifer notices me a second later.
His movement stills. Completely. Like the world just paused around us.
For a moment. Neither of us moves.
Cars pass. People walk. Life continues. But for us? Everything is locked in place.
"…Hi," I say.
It comes out quieter than I meant. But he hears it. Of course he does.
"Hi."
Same tone. Same hesitation. Same everything.
God.
This is awkward. Not bad.
Just.... New. Unfamiliar.
Because this isn't a text. This isn't distance. This is real. This is right in front of me.
I shift slightly, unsure what to do with my hands. My body. My thoughts.
"You're—uh—out," I say.
Wow. Amazing. Great conversation skills.
Lucifer's lips twitch slightly.
"I could say the same thing."
"…Right."
A pause.
Then another. But it's not empty. It's full.
Of everything we didn't say. Of everything we almost said. Of everything still sitting between us.
My phone buzzes again in my pocket. We both glance down instinctively. Then back at each other.
And for some reason.... We both almost laugh.
"…This is weird," I admit.
Lucifer nods slightly. "Yes."
Another pause.
Then. "You texted me," I say.
"You texted me," he replies.
I blink.
"…At the same time?"
"It seems that way."
A small, nervous laugh escapes me. "Of course it did."
Because why wouldn't it? Why wouldn't we both break at the exact same moment? Why wouldn't this be as complicated as everything else?
Lucifer takes a step closer.
Not too close. Just enough to close some of the distance. And my heart....
Immediately reacts.
Stupid.
"…Are you okay?" he asks.
The question is simple. But it hits harder than anything else. Because that's what I almost asked. That's what I wanted to ask.
I hesitate. Then nod. "…Yeah."
A beat.
"…You?"
"I'm fine."
We both know that's not fully true. But neither of us calls it out. Not yet.
Not here.
The air between us feels lighter than before. But not settled. Not fixed.
Just… open.
Like something's starting again. Slowly. Carefully. Dangerously.
I shift slightly, glancing away for a second before looking back at him.
"…I was thinking about what you said."
Lucifer's expression changes slightly.
More focused. More serious.
"…And?"
I swallow. "I don't think you're the problem." The words come out steady this time.
No hesitation. Because I mean it. Lucifer goes still. Just for a second.
"…Thank you," he says quietly.
And something about that.
Something about how real it sounds. Makes my chest tighten again.
But not in a bad way. Not like before.
This time.
It feels like something building.
Not breaking.