"What do you want?" I snap.
No hesitation this time. No confusion. Just irritation.
Daniel raises an eyebrow slightly. "Still defensive, I see."
"Still annoying, I see," I shoot back.
Lucifer's hand tightens around mine slightly. Grounding. Present. I don't let go. Daniel notices. Of course he does.
His expression shifts.
Just slightly.
"…You're moving fast," he says, looking at Lucifer now.
"Don't," I cut in immediately.
"This isn't your business."
Daniel sighs like I'm the problem.
"I'm trying to help."
"No, you're not," I say. "You're interfering."
A pause.
Then.
"He's going to hurt you," Daniel says.
The words land. But not the way he expects. Because this time....I don't hesitate.
"No," I say firmly. "He's not."
Lucifer goes still beside me. Daniel frowns slightly. "You don't know that."
"I do," I reply.
Because I trust him. Because I want to trust him. Because I'm done letting someone else decide what this is.
Daniel's gaze shifts between us.
"…You're serious," he mutters.
"Yeah," I say. "I am."
A long pause. Then he exhales sharply.
"…Fine."
He looks at Lucifer.
"Don't mess this up."
Lucifer doesn't respond. Doesn't need to. Because he won't. Daniel looks at me one last time.
Then, he leaves.
Just like that. No drama. No big scene. Just… gone.
And for the first time.... It actually feels like the end of that chapter.
Not something lingering. Not something unfinished. Just over.
I exhale slowly.
"…Finally."
Lucifer lets out a quiet breath beside me. "…Are you okay?"
I nod.
Then look at him. Really look at him.
"…Yeah."
And this time, I really do.
I mean it.