𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 | 𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫

1. Good Things Matter

Standing in front of Lucifer right now is a full-bloomed cherry blossom tree. A pink petal that falls from it's branches landed on his palm that he stretched forwards before admiring it. The petal's color looks vibrant in comparison with the color of his white palm, but Lucifer can still see the soft strokes and grace it holds.

It's beautiful, he thought. How a mere petal out of thousands from the cherry blossom tree can shine this brightly upon his eyes reminds him of a certain someone. A human, that lived along him and the other brothers in that big and famous mansion in Devildom.

While he's staring off the beautiful tree alongside of the festival's market, his ears landed on a conversation lead by a couple not far away from his seat. The woman which Lucifer suspected is in her 70s talks in a very cheerful and excited tone when a young man appears in front of her.

"Anata..." Lucifer can imagine a smile forming on that elder woman face. The softness of her voice as she calls to her partner almost make Lucifer smiling ear to ear himself. Not to mention the word of affection that woman utter was one of the old way of calling your other half with so much love.

"Grandma, I'm not your husband remember?" The young man reply after a slight chuckles. Lucifer turn his head towards them, smile fading, the same with the elder woman. "Right. I'm here to commemorate my late husband."

"Oh my word, it's a very special day today. Don't feel bad, Haku. I'm fine." The elder woman smile again, this time looking more soft and genuine. Lucifer who were watching all this time unintentionally approach them as if his legs are walking on their own will.

The moment Lucifer arrive in front of them, his facial expression stiffen, almost flustered by his own action.

"Oh? What can I do for you sir?" The young man greet with a bow and smile, which Lucifer clumsily reply with the same action before looking at the elder woman direction.

"I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but I listened to your conversation just now. I thought this will look good on you, Ma'am." Lucifer take out a beautiful pin from inside his yukata along with a few petals of cherry blossom adorn on the plaid soft blue handkerchief.

"I'm sure your late husband would love to see you dress-up a bit for the occasion." Lucifer smile again when the elder woman take the pin in her hand, analyzing it's beauty in awe. "Young man, I shouldn't take this. It must be an important piece to you."

"Not at all. I really want you to cherish it." Lucifer hold the elder woman's shoulder warmly before taking a step back to bow and bids farewell, but the elder woman holds him by the arm.

"Please, walk with us around the festival." To Lucifer's surprise, the elder woman looks really happy in his gaze because of the simple gift. Either way, Lucifer agreed to walk with the two.

Three of them was silent throughout the walk, savoring each moments under the lantern lights, breeze of soft winds and delicious aroma from the food stalls. They occasionally stop by some stalls to buy snacks before reaching the end of the pathway.

"Haku, is it the time to go home?" The elder woman ask her grandchild.

"If you want to grandma."

"Let's go home." She smile through her wrinkles. "Then, please wait here for a moment. Mom wants something from the festival." With that, Haku put his phone back down before kissing his grandmother's cheek. The elder woman only nods, watching as Haku run back to the heart of the festivals.

"Thank you for the pin, dear. Somehow it reminds me of something - no, somewhere that I used to call home." The elder woman chuckles, turning her head to gaze on Lucifer who's standing tall next to her. "Do we perhaps know each other from another life?"

"Do you believe in reincarnation, ma'am?" Lucifer smile, didn't dare to look again through that beautiful and longing eyes of the elder woman.

Lucifer's question met the silence between them. The elder woman didn't reply, nor did she give any reaction. She just stare at Lucifer out of curiosity.

"Young man..." The elder woman old and wrinkly hand reaches Lucifer's cheek, cupping them as Lucifer turn his face to her side.

"Fate or destiny? I didn't conclude my thoughts that far enough, but I'm sure we will meet again." The warm in Lucifer's small smile sending some kind of emotions down to the elder woman's heart.

She feels safe, as if someone is there to be her home; to keep her away from evil. As if his smile is something that she's been yearning for her whole life, a sense of belonging.

"Until next time, Lilith."

———

ashfreak