Missy let out a slow breath the moment she stepped into Raven's shop. Only then did her lungs seem to work again.
Somehow… it was easier to breathe here.
She turned, hesitating, her gaze lingering on him.
"Who are you, really, Raven?" she whispered.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Hmm... impatient."
He didn't answer.
Instead, he walked past her, unhurried, into the space behind the shop—toward the small kitchen.
The quiet clink of porcelain followed.
Water poured.
Steam rose.
Simple things.
Too simple.
By the time Missy stepped in, two cups of warm tea were already waiting on the table—along with a plate of biscuits.
Raven gestured lightly.
"Sit."
The calm, domestic gesture made her obeyed.
Almost without thinking.
The warmth of the cup seeped into her fingers as she lifted it, taking a cautious sip—and just like that, the tension inside her began to loosen.
Strange.
"Now—"
"Now...." Raven cut in smoothly, "try the biscuit."
Missy blinked.
"What?"
"A new recipe."
She frowned… but still reached for one.
A small bite.
A pause.
"…it's good," she admitted, nodding as she chewed—her way of approving the taste.
Raven watched her, amused.
For a moment, the tension slipped.
Like this was normal.
Like they were just two people sharing tea.
Missy straightened slightly, regaining herself.
From her expression, he knew she was serious again.
Even so, he was certain that if he offered more food, she would get distracted again. And—like an obedient, sweet kitten, she would eat it.
Missy and food—one thing Raven now knew for certain: they were inseparable.
Cute.
"Listen… I'm ready now. There's nothing else that could possibly—"
"Well, that's disappointing."
The air shifted.
Missy flinched.
A swirl of wind twisted lightly through the room—and someone was there.
"Hello, human."
Missy's breath caught.
"Akh—! Devil…" Missy let out a small yelp, startled by Lucifer's sudden arrival.
A soft laugh.
"Careful, little girl," Lucifer murmured, stepping closer, his gaze sharp with interest. "That mouth of yours..."
Missy instinctively covered her lips.
"Lucy," Raven said calmly, "don't."
Lucifer clicked his tongue, unimpressed, and casually took a seat beside him—grabbing a biscuit like he owned the place.
"What was that you gave me earlier?" he complained. "That old man's soul was disgusting."
Raven ignored him.
"I only ever get the worst from you," Lucifer continued, chewing lazily. "Murderers. Filth. It's getting boring."
Missy watched them.
Confused.
Curious.
They were… strange.
Strangely unique.
And yet—there was something familiar in the way they spoke.
"Devil… um…" she tried.
"Lucy... Lucifer," he corrected.
"Lu… Lucy," she said anyway, unable to stop the small smile tugging at her lips.
His eyes narrowed.
"Funny?"
"Unique," she corrected quickly.
A beat.
Then—
"You think my name sounds like a sweet nickname for a little girl? Well, thank him, he's the one who gave me that sweet little pet name."
Missy froze.
"W… what?"
"I can hear that," Lucifer said lightly.
"Your thoughts, Bunny." He leaned closer. "Every single one."
Her breath hitched.
Missy turned to Raven—
"Remember," he said simply, "he's a devil."
Lucifer laughed softly.
"You still think this is a dream, huh?" he said, amused. "A handsome man like me standing right in front of you, like a perfect supermodel but he's a devil?"
Missy didn't answer.
She just stared. Stunned.
Trying to understand.
"Slowly, Bunny..." Lucifer chuckled. "One question at a time."
"You want to know who Raven really is? And whether you're a corpse walking?"
Lucifer burst out laughing.
Raven tensed slightly.
Then, with a glance toward Raven—
"Since you're so curious… I'll answer for you."
Missy stilled.
"You're human, still. And he collects souls," Lucifer said casually. "Takes what's left when life ends."
"I give him existence, he gives you life."
"You're his subordinate, he's mine. Technically, you both belong to me."
Her fingers tightened around the cup.
"Yes, Bunny... a grim reaper, as you humans call it," he added.
Silence.
"And you…" his smile sharpened, "you'll be doing the same."
Missy's breath faltered.
"For me."
Her gaze snapped to Raven.
"L… like what you did to Mr. Alan?"
He didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Missy swallowed.
"I… I can't— I've never— I mean... taking lives or..."
She wet her lips unconsciously—soft, slow, a nervous habit she didn't even realize she had.
Lucifer's gaze dropped.
And lingered.
Then—
A low, amused sound escaped him.
"Mmmh… now I understand," he murmured. "Why you couldn't let her go."
Missy frowned slightly, confused. "Understand what?"
Lucifer tilted his head, eyes glinting with something darker—something knowing.
"Why he keeps saving you."
Raven went still.
Just for a second.
Lucifer's smile widened, wicked and delighted.
"That mouth of yours…" he added softly, almost teasing—almost not.
"No wonder he couldn't resist."
Missy's breath caught.
"What are you talking about?"
Lucifer chuckled, leaning back as if savoring a private joke.
"Ask him, Bunny," he said lazily. "Why he saved you and how you bonded with him. After all, he's kissed you more times than you remember."
Silence.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Raven's voice cut through it.
"Leave."
This time, colder.
Lucifer sighed, standing.
"Fine. I'll let you talk."
Another biscuit.
A grin.
And he was gone.
Silence settled between them.
But it wasn't quiet.
It pressed.
It lingered—heavy, uneasy… filled with words that refused to be spoken.
Missy didn't move.
Her fingers were still wrapped around the warm cup, but she wasn't drinking anymore.
Her mind echoed.
He's kissed you more times than you remember.
Her throat tightened.
Slowly… almost cautiously… she lifted her gaze to Raven.
He looked the same.
Calm.
Composed.
Untouched.
And somehow… that made it worse.
"…Is it true?" she asked softly.
Raven didn't answer right away.
His eyes shifted slightly—just enough to betray that he had heard, that he understood exactly what she was asking.
Missy swallowed, her hand unconsciously rising, brushing lightly over her lips.
"When I was drowning…" she continued, her voice softer now, "…that was you, right?"
A pause.
"Yes."
Her chest tightened.
"And… what he said…"
She hesitated.
"…about the kiss."
For the first time—
Raven looked away.
Subtle.
Quick.
But enough.
Missy caught it.
Her brows drew together slightly.
"Well?" she pressed, quieter this time.
Raven exhaled faintly, as if weighing his words.
Then, finally—
He reached for his cup, taking a slow sip before answering, tone returning to that familiar calm.
"You were drowning," he said simply.
"I gave you air."
Missy blinked.
"A… Air?"
"Artificial respiration," he added flatly.
"Nothing more."
Silence.
Missy stared at him.
Something about the answer… felt right.
Logical.
Reasonable.
And yet—
Her fingers lingered near her lips.
"Then why…" she murmured, almost to herself, "…does it feel like something else?"
Raven's grip on the cup tightened—just slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But it was there.
"You're overthinking," he said, a little too quickly.
Missy looked up again.
Their eyes met.
For a brief second—
Something unspoken passed between them.
Raven was the first to break it.
"Finish your tea," he said calmly, setting his cup down.
"It's getting cold."
Deflecting.
Avoiding.
Clear as day.
Missy didn't move.
Didn't argue.
But she didn't look away either.
Her gaze softened… just a little.
"And what about the bound he was talking about?"
Curious.
Suspicious.
"Raven," she called softly.
He paused.
Not turning.
"Nothing..." he said quietly.
"It's just the consequence of saving you."
A brief pause.
"The important thing is that you're alive," he said, already turning away.
But Missy wasn't satisfied with that answer.
Not yet.
"What aren't you telling me?" she whispered softly.
***