A Life Torn Asunder

Hot Springs

The second day of the field trip began with crisp mountain air and the sun rising above the horizon, casting a golden glow over the lush greenery. Lucifer, Masha, and the girls from the student council decided it was the perfect opportunity to explore the scenic trails that wove through the mountains. The excitement of the group was infectious, with laughter and chatter filling the morning air as they prepared for the hike.

Masha tightened the straps of her backpack and glanced at Lucifer, who stood out effortlessly with his long, snow-white hair that shimmered like silk in the sunlight. His delicate, almost ethereal features often led people to mistake him for a girl, and his calm yet cheerful demeanor only added to the mix of admiration and intrigue.

"Lucifer, your hair is something else," Masha teased as they started the trail. "Do you even brush it, or does it just naturally look like you've stepped out of a shampoo commercial?"

"Shampoo commercial?!" Lucifer raised an eyebrow, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "I brush it like any normal person, thank you very much."

"Normal person?" one of the girls, Clara, chimed in with a grin. "Do normal people have hair that sparkles in the sun? You look like a prince from a fairy tale. Or... maybe a princess?"

The group erupted into giggles as Lucifer sighed dramatically, though his amused expression betrayed his mock annoyance.

"Keep it up," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "If I'm a princess, then you all must be my loyal subjects."

"Subjects? More like we're here to protect you," Masha retorted, nudging his arm. "Who knows? You might trip over your own hair."

As they continued, the girls couldn't resist pointing out how Lucifer's hair fluttered gracefully in the breeze. They compared it to everything from angel wings to enchanted threads of silver, much to his exasperation.

"Are you all done yet?" he asked, turning to them with a smirk. "Or should I tie it up so you'll have nothing to comment on?"

"Don't you dare!" Clara exclaimed. "It's part of the scenery now. You'd ruin the aesthetic."

Hours passed as they made their way deeper into the mountain trails, the dense foliage occasionally giving way to breathtaking views of valleys below. The group stopped for breaks, sharing snacks and stories as they caught their breath. Lucifer found himself in the middle of most conversations, his cheerful personality making him an easy target for both teasing and admiration.

Eventually, they stumbled upon a hidden path that led them to a secluded cave entrance. The group hesitated for a moment, peering into the darkness.

"Should we go in?" Masha asked, her adventurous spirit already pulling her forward.

"Why not?" Clara said, adjusting her headlamp. "It's not every day you find a mysterious cave."

The group agreed and carefully ventured inside, their laughter echoing off the cool, rocky walls. The air grew warmer as they went deeper, and soon they were greeted by the sight of a natural hot spring. Steam rose gently from the water, and the faint glow of sunlight filtering through cracks in the cave ceiling gave the entire space an ethereal ambiance.

"A hot spring?!" one of the girls exclaimed. "This is amazing!"

The excitement was unanimous, and it wasn't long before someone suggested taking a dip.

"Let's get in!" Clara said, already pulling off her hiking boots. "This is too good to pass up."

"What about swimsuits?" Masha asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We have our hiking clothes," Clara replied with a shrug. "They'll dry. Besides, it's not like anyone else is here."

The girls turned to Lucifer with mischievous smiles. "Lucifer, you're joining us, right?"

He blinked, taken aback. "Me? Are you sure? Isn't this... kind of a 'girls only' thing?"

"Come on," Masha said, tugging at his sleeve. "You're one of us. Plus, you've already been mistaken for a girl a million times today. What's one more?"

Before he could protest further, the group's enthusiasm swept him along, and soon they were all soaking in the warm, soothing water. The girls wasted no time splashing around, their laughter filling the cavern. Lucifer, though initially hesitant, relaxed as the tension melted away.

"This is incredible," he admitted, leaning back against a rock. "I didn't think we'd end up here today."

"Neither did we," Masha said, floating nearby. "But that's what makes it fun."

Clara swam over to Lucifer and grinned. "Your hair is even prettier when it's wet, you know."

"Here we go again," he muttered, though he couldn't help but chuckle.

Masha joined in, gently tugging at a strand of his hair. "Do you ever let anyone style this? We could braid it for you."

"No thanks," Lucifer replied quickly, though the light blush on his cheeks betrayed his embarrassment.

"Oh, come on," Clara said, gathering some of his hair in her hands. "It's just for fun. Don't be a spoilsport."

Despite his protests, the girls started experimenting with different braids and hairstyles, giggling at their handiwork. Lucifer eventually gave up resisting, leaning back with a resigned sigh.

"You're lucky I like you guys," he said, closing his eyes. "Otherwise, this would be crossing a line."

"Admit it," Masha teased. "You're enjoying the attention."

"Sure," Lucifer replied with mock seriousness. "This is exactly how I wanted to spend my day."

After what felt like hours, the group reluctantly decided it was time to leave the cave and head back to their cabins. The hike down was filled with lively conversation, and by the time they returned, the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.

Dinner was a casual affair, with everyone gathering around the table to share stories from the day. Lucifer found himself at the center of attention once again, with the girls recounting their hot spring adventures in exaggerated detail.

"Lucifer, you were such a good sport," Clara said, raising her glass in a mock toast. "To the most patient honorary girl of the trip."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, earning another round of laughter.

After dinner, the group decided to wind down with a game of cards. The room was filled with lighthearted banter and the occasional groan of frustration as someone lost a round. Masha, competitive as ever, was determined to win, while Lucifer played with a calm focus that seemed to unnerve his opponents.

"You've got a poker face, Lucifer," one of the girls commented. "We need to take you to Vegas."

"Only if you promise not to braid my hair while we're there," he shot back, earning another burst of laughter.

As the night wore on, the group began to feel the exhaustion of the day settling in. They bid each other goodnight and retreated to their cabins, knowing that the trip would come to an end the following day.

As Lucifer lay in bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, he couldn't help but smile. The day had been filled with unexpected moments, from the teasing to the hot spring to the card games. Despite the playful jabs and relentless comments about his appearance, he felt a deep sense of camaraderie with the group.

And as sleep claimed him, he realized that, for the first time in a long while, he felt like he truly belonged.