We stop near a quiet street corner. No one around. Just us.
And the space between us that doesn't feel as big anymore. Lucifer turns slightly toward me.
I don't step back.
That's new. That's… important.
"…Can I ask you something?" he says.
"…Depends."
"Why did you really leave?"
The question hits straight. No hesitation. No way around it. I exhale slowly. Because he deserves an answer.
"…I got scared," I admit.
Lucifer doesn't interrupt. Doesn't judge. Just listens.
"Everything felt like it was happening too fast," I continue. "And I didn't know how to deal with it."
A pause. Then.
"I didn't want to mess it up."
Lucifer's expression softens.
"…You didn't," he says.
I shake my head slightly. "I kind of did."
"You came back."
That stops me. Because. He's right.
I did.
We stand there. Close again. Closer than before.
And this time, it's not as terrifying. My heart is still racing. But I'm not pulling away.
Lucifer steps just a little closer. Slow. Careful. Giving me time to react. To stop him. But I don't.
I stay.
My breath catches slightly. Because I know what this is. I know what's about to happen.
And this time... I'm not running.
His hand lifts slightly. Pauses near mine.
Then gently. He takes it.
Warm.
Familiar.
My fingers tighten around his instinctively. And that's it. That's all it takes.
The distance disappears again.
He leans in.
Slow.
Just like before.
Careful.
Like he's asking without words. Like he's waiting.
And this time. I don't hesitate. I lean in too.
Our lips almost meet.....
"Arlo."
We both freeze.
The voice. Sharp. Unwanted. Familiar. My stomach drops.
"…You've got to be kidding me," I whisper.
Because of course. Of course it's him.
Standing a few steps away.
Watching us.