A Life Torn Asunder

Tender Moments: A Golden Week of Care

During the first week of May, known as Golden Week in Japan, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter for Masha and Lucifer. Both of them had moved to Japan together for high school, sharing an apartment as childhood friends. However, their relationship had always been a little more complicated than just being friends. The connection between them was strong and unspoken, something deeper than either of them had admitted aloud.

The peaceful Golden Week began with an incident that could have ended tragically but instead became the turning point in their bond. On the first day of Golden Week, Masha found herself being harassed by a group of boys while out in the city. These boys had no idea that she had Lucifer looking out for her, and they were in for a surprise. Lucifer, with his slender frame, long white hair, and delicate features often mistaken for those of a girl, didn't seem imposing at first glance. But his martial arts skills were a different story.

Lucifer handled the situation with impressive ease. He quickly took down the group, his sharp movements showing how capable he truly was. Masha watched in awe as he protected her, but in the process, Lucifer was injured, getting stabbed in his hand as he blocked a knife that was aimed at him. Despite the injury, the police soon arrived, and the boys were arrested. Lucifer, now injured, was left with a wound that would keep him from using his hand for a while.

This unexpected event set the tone for the rest of Golden Week. Masha was determined to make the most of Lucifer's injury, not out of malice, but because she wanted to spoil him. For as long as she had known him, Lucifer had been independent, often looking after her and rarely accepting help in return. But now, with his hand bandaged and his movements limited, Masha saw an opportunity to pamper him, to make him realize that he deserved care too.

---

Back at their apartment, Masha became the playful caretaker, constantly finding ways to tease and flirt with Lucifer while helping him with his daily tasks. The atmosphere between them shifted, becoming more intimate as they spent every waking hour together. Masha had always been kind and caring, but now she added a playful edge to her actions.

"Lucifer, let me help you," she would say, her voice dripping with teasing affection. She would guide him to the couch and force him to sit down, giving him a lap pillow as if she were his wife. As he rested his head on her lap, she'd run her fingers gently through his long, white hair, brushing it away from his face. The sight of him like this, so serene and relaxed, made her heart race, and she couldn't help but lean down to kiss him on the cheek, her lips brushing against his soft skin.

"W-what are you doing?" Lucifer would stammer, his face flushing a light pink, caught off guard by the sudden affection. He was always flustered by how forward Masha could be, especially when it came to physical closeness.

"Just taking care of my husband," Masha would reply with a mischievous grin, her words sending shivers down his spine. She loved seeing him react, and she would often do small things to make him blush—whether it was by pressing her chest against his face during a tight hug or by giving him small kisses on his forehead or cheek.

Lucifer, who always appeared calm and composed, especially in front of others, could never keep his composure around Masha when she behaved like this. Despite his kind and caring nature, he was easily embarrassed by her antics. He'd sit there, his cheeks burning, while Masha continued to act like his affectionate and playful wife, not giving him any room to protest.

One day during Golden Week, she took it further, deciding to take him out on a "date" to lift his spirits. She carefully helped him dress, knowing he still struggled with using his hand, and they went to a park nearby, holding hands as they walked. Lucifer, with his delicate features and long hair, often attracted the attention of passersby. Some people even mistook him for a girl, which only amused Masha further. She would hold his hand tightly, teasing him about how cute he looked, and he would try to hide his embarrassment behind his usual composed demeanor.

As they sat together on a bench, enjoying the cool breeze and the cherry blossoms still lingering in the air, Masha leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know, you look really pretty when you're flustered," she said with a playful grin, her fingers gently brushing against his bandaged hand.

Lucifer turned his head slightly to look at her, his expression one of gentle exasperation. "I don't know why you enjoy teasing me so much," he said, his voice soft but amused.

"Because you're so cute when you react," she replied, her smile widening. "And besides, I don't get to spoil you often. You're always the one taking care of me, so let me have this."

Despite his usual reluctance to show vulnerability, Lucifer appreciated Masha's attention. Her care and affection, though playful, meant a lot to him. He had never experienced this kind of closeness before, and it was both confusing and comforting.

Back at their apartment later that night, Masha continued her role as his doting caretaker. She insisted on brushing his hair, her hands moving gently through the silky strands. She enjoyed taking care of him in these small, intimate ways, and Lucifer didn't resist her anymore. In fact, he had begun to enjoy the attention, even if he didn't admit it.

One evening, as they sat on the couch watching anime, Masha sat beside him, snuggling close and resting her head on his shoulder. She would occasionally glance at him, watching his reactions to the show and smiling to herself. She loved being close to him like this, their shared silence filled with an unspoken connection. At one point, she playfully climbed onto his lap, her face inches from his, her breath warm against his skin.

"You're really comfortable, you know?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Lucifer, his face flushed again, didn't know how to respond. He could feel her warmth, her presence so close that it made his heart race. Their faces were so close that their noses almost touched, and for a moment, it seemed like time had stopped. The air between them grew tense, and Masha's playful grin softened into something more serious.

"I...I should probably move," she whispered, but neither of them made any effort to pull away.

The moment lingered, their faces so close that a kiss would have been inevitable if either of them had leaned in just a little more. But just as quickly as the tension had built, Masha broke the moment with a giggle, pulling back and flopping onto the couch beside him.

"You're fun to tease, you know that?" she said, though there was a hint of something more serious beneath her playful tone.

Lucifer didn't respond, his heart still pounding in his chest. He wasn't used to this kind of closeness, and Masha's teasing had begun to stir feelings in him that he wasn't ready to confront. He had always seen her as his best friend, but lately, something had shifted. Her constant flirting, the way she touched him, the way she looked at him—it all made him feel things he hadn't expected.

---

As Golden Week drew to a close, their bond only grew stronger. On the last day, May 5th, they spent the evening together, cooking a simple dinner and then settling on the couch to watch one final anime before the holiday ended. Masha, as usual, snuggled close to him, resting her head on his shoulder while their hands intertwined.

"Hey, Lucifer," Masha said softly, her voice serious for once. "Thank you for everything. For saving me that day...and for being here."

Lucifer turned to her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. "You don't have to thank me. I'll always protect you, Masha. You know that."

Masha smiled, her heart warming at his words. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek one last time. "You're the best," she whispered, resting her head against his shoulder once more.

As the night continued, the two of them sat in comfortable silence, their hearts full of unspoken feelings that hovered between them. It wasn't just the end of Golden Week; it felt like the beginning of something new—something deeper that they both knew was there but hadn't yet named.

And as they sat there, hands intertwined, their connection felt stronger than ever.