After the mid-term exams ended, the atmosphere at school shifted from the tension of studying to the excitement of upcoming events. The faculty announced plans for a school picnic, and the student council was tasked with organizing it. To Masha's dismay, Lucifer was asked to assist the student council, which was primarily made up of girls. Masha had been looking forward to spending more time with him after the exhausting exam period, but now she would have to go home alone while Lucifer helped plan the picnic.
Lucifer, with his ethereal appearance—pale skin, soft white hair that flowed down his back, and delicate facial features—was often mistaken for a girl. His slender build and innocent baby face didn't help matters either. The girls in the student council, all of whom adored him, couldn't resist teasing him. On the first day of the planning, when he entered the meeting room, one of the girls playfully remarked, "Lucifer, you're too cute to be real!"
Lucifer, used to such comments, just smiled lightly and shrugged. He didn't mind their teasing much, and honestly, he found their attention harmless. He knew they meant no ill will, and besides, he had always been adaptable in social situations, preferring to play along rather than cause any friction.
The girls weren't shy about taking advantage of Lucifer's easygoing nature. They would often try to style his long hair, brushing it out and tying it into various braids or pigtails. One day, during a particularly long meeting, one of the girls, Tanya, brought a hair clip and said, "Lucifer, let me see how you'd look with this!"
Before he could protest, Tanya was already working on his hair. Another girl, Nina, giggled and held up a cute pastel-colored dress. "Oh, Lucifer, this would look amazing on you!" she said, holding it up to his frame.
Lucifer glanced at the dress, momentarily unsure. "I'm not really sure about this..."
But the girls wouldn't hear it. "Please, Lucifer! Just once! It'll be fun!" Nina pleaded with a grin, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Sighing, Lucifer gave in. "Fine, just this once."
Before long, he found himself dressed in the outfit, his hair styled with the clip, and the girls cooing over how adorable he looked. "Oh my gosh, you're the cutest thing ever!" Tanya exclaimed, taking out her phone and snapping a picture.
Lucifer blushed slightly but played along, even striking a few playful poses for them. "If it makes you happy," he said with a small, resigned smile.
The girls laughed and complimented him, calling him "cute" and "adorable" as they worked on finalizing the details for the school picnic. Despite the teasing, Lucifer managed to stay focused on the task at hand. They eventually settled on a plan to visit the mountains, where there were hot springs and cozy log cabins, a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.
For the next week, Lucifer worked closely with the student council to make sure all the arrangements were in place—transportation, lodging, meals, activities. It was a lot of work, but the girls made it fun, especially since Lucifer had become their unofficial mascot, someone they could dote on during breaks.
Meanwhile, Masha was feeling increasingly lonely. Each day after school, she walked home alone, missing Lucifer's presence by her side. She had grown used to their routine—walking together, sharing stories, and unwinding after long days. Without him, the house felt emptier, quieter. She didn't begrudge him for helping the student council, but she couldn't help feeling a little neglected.
By the end of the week, Masha could hardly wait for the picnic planning to be over so things could go back to normal. When Friday finally came, she hoped Lucifer would come home early, but it was late by the time the front door finally creaked open.
"I'm home," Lucifer's voice was faint as he entered the house.
Masha rushed over, her face lighting up with a mix of excitement and relief. "Lucifer, you're back!" she exclaimed. But before she could say anything more, Lucifer collapsed onto the floor, his body sprawled out, face-down, as if all the energy had been drained out of him.
"Lucifer!" Masha gasped, kneeling beside him, her heart racing with concern. She quickly checked his pulse, her hands trembling slightly, but when she realized he was just sleeping, she let out a sigh of relief. "You scared me," she whispered, brushing some of his hair away from his face.
Despite how heavy he was, Masha managed to lift him up and carry him to his room. She laid him gently on the bed, pulling the blankets over him. He didn't stir once, completely knocked out from exhaustion. Masha sat on the edge of the bed, watching him for a moment, her worry fading into a soft smile. Even in his sleep, Lucifer looked peaceful, his long hair splayed out across the pillow.
After a while, Masha decided to draw a bath. She knew Lucifer would probably feel better after a good soak. Slipping into her own bathing suit, she returned to his room and gently shook him awake.
"Lucifer," she whispered, "Come on, let's take a bath. You'll feel better."
He stirred, blinking groggily as he sat up. "Masha...?" His voice was heavy with sleep.
"Yeah, it's me. Come on, you need to relax after all that work," Masha said, tugging on his arm gently.
Still half-asleep, Lucifer allowed Masha to lead him to the bathroom. The warm steam of the bath filled the air as they stepped into the tub together. Lucifer leaned back against the edge, his eyes half-closed as Masha started to shampoo his hair.
"You really wore yourself out this week, didn't you?" Masha commented, her fingers massaging his scalp gently as she worked the shampoo into his hair.
Lucifer sighed, the tension in his body melting away under her touch. "The girls...they're a handful," he murmured.
Masha chuckled softly. "Yeah, I bet they are. But I'm sure they loved having you around."
Lucifer gave a small, tired smile. "They did. They kept calling me cute and making me wear...all these clothes..." His voice trailed off as if he were too tired to recount the details.
Masha laughed, her fingers moving through his hair in smooth strokes. "I can only imagine. You're too nice to say no, huh?"
"Maybe," Lucifer admitted with a soft chuckle. "But it was fun, in a way. They were all really sweet."
Once Masha had finished washing his hair, she leaned back, admiring her work. "There, all done," she said, rinsing out the last of the shampoo. "You're like a new person now."
Lucifer gave her a grateful look. "Thanks, Masha. I needed that."
After their bath, Masha helped Lucifer dry off and guided him back to his room. He collapsed onto the bed once again, utterly drained. Masha smiled and joined him, climbing onto the bed and curling up beside him. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close so that his head rested against her chest.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Masha simply stroked his hair, enjoying the warmth of his presence. This had become her favorite pastime lately—holding him close like this, feeling his steady breathing against her.
"You're always so busy," Masha murmured, her fingers gently combing through his white locks. "I miss you when you're not around."
Lucifer shifted slightly, his eyes still closed but his lips curving into a faint smile. "I'm sorry, Masha. I didn't mean to make you feel lonely."
"It's okay," she replied softly, pressing her cheek against the top of his head. "You're here now."
They lay there in comfortable silence, the weight of the past week fading away as they held each other. Masha continued to play with Lucifer's hair, twirling the silky strands between her fingers. It was soothing, not just for him but for her as well. It was in moments like these that she felt closest to him, their bond deeper than words could express.
Eventually, Lucifer's breathing grew slower and more even, signaling that he had fallen asleep once again. Masha smiled, her heart full of warmth as she watched him sleep. She pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head and rested her cheek against him once more.
As they drifted off together, the world outside seemed far away, and in that quiet, peaceful moment, all that mattered was the comfort they found in each other's presence.
YOU ARE READING
A Life Torn Asunder
RomanceA story about Shadows of Loss, Light of Friendship follows the heart-wrenching journey of Lucifer D Arcadia, a five-year-old boy who lives a happy, carefree life with his loving parents. But everything changes in an instant when a tragic accident ta...