Falling for you (Lute x Male reader)

(Farewell) Part - 16

As (Y/N) gazed around their office, a sense of finality washed over them. The familiar surroundings, once a sanctuary amidst the chaos of their duties, now felt empty and devoid of purpose. With each box they packed, the weight of their impending departure grew heavier, casting a shadow over their last moments in Heaven.

With a sigh, (Y/N) finished packing the last of their files and notes, carefully arranging them in the boxes strewn across their desk. They spared a moment to glance around the office, taking in the memories of the countless hours spent within its walls, now, it was time to leave it all behind.

Stuffing their notebook into their coat pocket, (Y/N) took one last look around the office, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of their lips. "Those were certainly my last fun couple of days in Heaven," they mused.

But amidst the fond times, a pang of regret gnawed at (Y/N)'s heart. Despite their best intentions, they had been unable to muster the courage to tell Lute the truth about their feelings and their true identity. The weight of their unspoken words hung heavy in the air, a constant reminder of their own shortcomings.

As they gathered their essentials and prepared to leave their office for the last time, (Y/N) couldn't shake the sense of disappointment that washed over them. They had wanted so desperately to confide in Lute, to share their true self with her and lay bare the feelings that had been swirling inside them for so long. But fear and uncertainty had held them back, leaving them with a bitter taste of regret. "I still couldn't bring myself to tell her," (Y/N) muttered, their voice barely above a whisper. The pain of missed opportunities and unspoken truths swelled inside them, threatening to consume them whole.

(Y/N) stood at the threshold of their office, preparing to leave behind the familiar surroundings that had become their sanctuary, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness tugging at their heartstrings. They took one last lingering glance around the room, committing every detail to memory before finally turning away.

Stepping out into the hallway, (Y/N) found themselves face to face with Emily and Sera. A small wave passed between them, though (Y/N) couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the realization that they hadn't yet told Emily about their impending departure. 

The thought nagged at the back of their mind, leaving them to wonder if it was a conversation best left unsaid. Sera's gaze bore into (Y/N) with an intensity, as if she could sense the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. Emily, on the other hand, offered her usual cheerful smile and wave, oblivious to the weight of (Y/N)'s unspoken secrets.

With a heavy heart, (Y/N) turned away from them and made their way towards the front door of the celestial office. As they stepped outside, the bright, azure sky stretched out before them, a stark contrast to the usual crimson haze of Hell. The beauty of it all only served to deepen (Y/N)'s sense of longing, reminding them of everything they were leaving behind. But before they could take another step, a gentle hand touched (Y/N)'s shoulder, causing them to startle in surprise.

"So, (Y/N), where are you off to?" Emily's voice rang out with her usual cheerful demeanor, her bright smile lighting up the hallway.

(Y/N) paused for a moment, feeling a pang of guilt at the thought of leaving without telling Emily the truth. "I... I'm moving to a different area to continue my work," they replied, their tone tinged with sadness.

Emily's expression softened, a hint of sympathy in her eyes as she regarded (Y/N) with understanding. "Well, regardless of where you're going, just know that you'll be missed here," she said sincerely.

(Y/N) chuckled awkwardly, trying to lighten the mood despite the heaviness of the situation. "Yeah... duty calls, I guess," they replied with a forced smile.

Emily regarded (Y/N) with a knowing look, her gaze piercing through their façade. "You're not really sad because you're moving... You're sad because you're moving away from Lute," she stated matter-of-factly.

(Y/N) felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up their cheeks. "I-I... No, that's not..." they stammered, trying to deny Emily's observation.

Emily let out a soft giggle, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You two are really close, you know," she continued, her tone gentle yet perceptive. "I've always seen Lute on her duties, never wasting a moment. But when she's with you... I feel like she's living in the moment, ya know?"

(Y/N) felt their blush deepen at Emily's words, a mixture of embarrassment and longing swirling within them. "N-No, we just... see eye to eye in our duties... Doing our job to protect Heaven," they insisted, though the truth of Emily's observation lingered in the back of their mind.

"Come on, (Y/N), you can't fool me that easily," Emily said with a grin. "I've seen the way you two look at each other. It's written all over your faces."

(Y/N) felt a sense of unease settle in the pit of their stomach at Emily's words. They had tried so hard to conceal their true feelings for Lute, but it seemed that Emily had seen right through their façade.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," (Y/N) replied, their voice wavering slightly as they struggled to maintain their composure.

Emily's smile softened, her gaze filled with understanding. "It's okay, (Y/N)," she said gently. "There's no need to hide it from me. I'm just glad to see you both happy."

Despite their attempts to brush off Emily's observation, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel a sense of pain gnawing at them. They knew they couldn't simply confide in Lute or Emily about everything.

(Y/N): "It's just... I can't bring myself to tell Lute how I feel, Emily. And besides, I think Lute's too focused on her duties."

(Y/N) glanced away, their gaze drifting toward the expansive sky above, a vast expanse stretching endlessly. The beauty of the celestial canvas provided a temporary distraction from the weight of their thoughts.

Emily regarded (Y/N) with a sympathetic expression, understanding the turmoil that churned within them. "I get it," she said softly, her voice laced with empathy. "It's not easy, opening up about something like that. Especially when you're not sure how the other person will react."

Emily's words were meant to offer support, but they only served to stir up (Y/N)'s inner turmoil. They felt a lump form in their throat, the weight of their unspoken truth bearing down on them.

(Y/N): "It's just I'm...." they paused, the words catching in their throat as they struggled to articulate the tangled mess of emotions inside them. But before they could continue, they stopped themselves, the weight of their unspoken words pressing down on them like a suffocating blanket. "N-Nothing....nevermind..."

Emily regarded (Y/N) with a mixture of concern and understanding, sensing the turmoil that churned beneath the surface. She offered a sympathetic smile, knowing that sometimes words were insufficient to convey the depth of one's emotions.

"It's okay," she said softly, her voice gentle yet reassuring. "You don't have to say anything if you're not ready. Take all the time you need."

There was a moment of silence as Emily offered a smile towards (Y/N), her warmth easing some of the tension in the air. Sensing an opportunity to express their gratitude, (Y/N) decided to open up to Emily, if only for a brief moment.

(Y/N): "Well, Emily, thanks for accepting me around here. You've been a great friend here, showing me around and all, thank you" they said, a hint of sincerity lacing their words.

Emily responded with a light giggle, her expression filled with genuine warmth. "What do you mean?" she asked, curious about (Y/N)'s sudden display of appreciation. However, (Y/N) remained silent, with that (Y/N) offered Emily a grateful smile before turning to leave. "Well... I oughta get going to say my goodbyes to Lute. Sorry I didn't get to tell you earlier that I was leaving."

Emily: "It's okay!" she smiled warmly. "I hope everything ends up alright!"

With a nod and a smile, (Y/N) waved at Emily as they turned to leave. Emily returned the wave, her cheerful demeanor offering a small sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty that lay ahead.