Chapter 18: After The Solution

Waking up beside his soulmate reminded Xavier of the sheer joy it brought.

He had forgotten how much it pained him to be without Luka, but now that they were together, everything felt right. Nothing could separate them, and Xavier was determined to ensure it stayed that way.

As Luka slowly awakened from his slumber, the first sensations he felt were the tingles and pleasant shivers that ran down his spine at the presence of Xavier beside him.

And for the black angel, he had forgotten too.

He had forgotten just how incredible those shivers felt, how amazing it was to be held by his soulmate.

"Good morning, my love," Xavier whispered, tightening his embrace around Luka as if afraid he would slip away. "How are you feeling?"

Luka shifted and gazed into Xavier's eyes. The devil's usual red-grey eyes had turned completely grey, a sign that he had found peace.

Even if only for a fleeting moment, even with numerous challenges ahead, he was at peace with his soulmate by his side after their passionate night together.

"You're becoming quite the classic lover these days," Luka giggled. "My love." He mimicked Xavier's voice playfully and laughed, but Xavier couldn't muster any feigned anger or offense. Luka's laughter was the most beautiful sound to his ears—soft as silk and soothing like a waterfall.

"I simply adore you!" Xavier nuzzled his beloved, continuing until Luka's ticklish nature caused him to burst into giggles. "Heavenly Earth! I love you so much! I missed you, my soulmate!"

Luka smiled softly at the devil enveloping him with love. "I love you too, Xavier." The grey hue remained in the devil's eyes, with no hurry for the red to return. Their souls knew what they desired.

"But it's strange that my healing abilities aren't working right now. I feel a bit sore from last night's... activities..." Luka blushed, and Xavier cherished the familiar, beautiful innocence on display.

"It's part of the final step in the mating ritual," Xavier explained, kissing Luka's nose and admiring the cute red color that flushed his cheeks. "It temporarily suppresses your healing ability... Oh, fuck!" Lucifer suddenly cursed.

"What is it?" Luka looked at him with innocent confusion in his blue eyes. Xavier wore a troubled expression before managing a faint smile.

"It's nothing," Xavier replied, realizing he couldn't lie to his soulmate after completing the mating ritual. He met Luka's gaze, silently admitting his attempt at deception. Luka responded with a look that said, "Do I look like a donkey to you?"

"Sorry, my love. It's actually quite important, but I don't remember what happens next, and I can't provide you with answers based on knowledge alone. I promise I'll tell you when the time is right."

This time, Luka sensed the honesty in Xavier's words and smiled, easing his worries and providing comfort.

"I want to see William and Jonathan right away," Luka declared, kissing Xavier's cheek and flashing another smile. He knew Xavier preferred to stay in their king-sized bed for the entire day, but important matters required their attention.

"Can't it wait?" The devil disliked the idea of parting from his soulmate. The ongoing mission had left him feeling insecure about leaving Luka even for a moment. He didn't want anything to happen to his precious soulmate.

"And," Luka attempted to divert Xavier's question, playfully gazing at him with pleading eyes he knew Lucifer couldn't resist. "I want to pay that fucking idiot a visit."

"Did you just curse, Luka?" Luka rarely cursed, just as Xavier rarely smiled at anyone besides Luka. It was a rarity.

"It was fun, you know," Luka bashfully admitted, continuing, "Cursing when no one could hear me. Well, as a soul, I mean." Aside from the inability to provide physical comfort, being a soul was a bittersweet experience for the half-angel.

"You've left me speechless," Xavier deadpanned. "If you wanted to pass through walls and speak without anyone noticing, I could have granted you that ability."

"Enough teasing, soulmate!" Luka mimicked Xavier's voice once more, bursting into laughter. "Now please release your grip, and I promise I won't vanish." Xavier smiled softly and loosened his embrace, finally allowing Luka to move.

"Ouch!" Luka exclaimed as soon as he sat upright, shooting a glare at Xavier. The devil couldn't help but chuckle at his soulmate's adorable expression, despite his concern for Luka's well-being. "You foolish devil!"

Xavier snickered and pulled his soulmate back into his arms. Luka rested on top of him and huffed. "Xavier, you knew this would happen, didn't you?"

"I had a feeling," the devil chuckled, planting a small kiss on Luka's lips. "Now stop pouting, my dear. It was rather amusing, don't you think?"

"Was that a retort for when I said being a soul was fun?" Luka rolled his eyes, already aware of the answer. "Are you really that childish, Xavi?"

"Only when it comes to you."

Something in Xavier's response softened Luka's gaze, and he ceased his pretense of annoyance.

Then it clicked, and the weight returned. Xavier was waiting for his soulmate to grasp the truth and synchronize their understanding.

It was a crucial reason for Xavier wanting Luka to spend the entire day together—to be there for the person dearest to him.

Luka sat upright, and Xavier mirrored the action. They locked eyes, brimming with love, yet Xavier worried about his soulmate, who teetered on the edge of despair.

"Xavier..." Luka began, but a lump in his throat prevented further words. However, none were needed, as Xavier drew his soulmate closer and enveloped him with love and passion.

"Oh, Luka..." The devil held his soulmate tightly, allowing their souls to intertwine as they were meant to be. He conveyed his love for Luka both physically and emotionally.

"I thought I'd never feel you again!" The little hybrid wept in his soulmate's arms. "What if William hadn't found the cure?" Luka sobbed harder, the weight of harsh reality crashing down on both of them.

From the very beginning, they had faced countless challenges, with each passing day spiraling further out of control. More secrets. More mysteries. More pain. And they couldn't predict or halt any of it.

"Hush, Luka," Xavier cooed, running a soothing hand through Luka's soft, black locks. "One day, it will be alright."

He didn't claim everything was okay or that they were fine. He said it would be alright one day. And that was one of the reasons Luka cherished Xavier so deeply.

The devil wasn't inherently optimistic, but for now, he wanted to be one desperately. His soulmate needed him.

"But what if it won't?" Luka peered through teary lashes as fresh tears welled up. "What if it never ends?"

The sight of Luka's tears reminded Xavier of the past week when his soulmate shed crimson water instead. Blood. The sight terrified him, an image he struggled to erase from his mind.

"It will end because we deserve it," Xavier smiled amidst the pain. "Because you, my soulmate, deserve more than this universe can offer." He kissed the tip of Luka's nose. "Because you deserve all the good things in the world."

Connecting their foreheads, he smiled once more. "Because you are the most incredible person in this world." And with those words, Xavier closed the exasperating distance between them and kissed him.

They had endured so much, and undoubtedly, there were more frightening and unpredictable adventures ahead. But they were together.

They were together because they were lovers. They were together because they were soulmates. They were together because, in the end, it would always be the two of them against the world.

And this time,

They would both ensure it.

It was a promise that bound them together. Love alone might not save them from all their troubles, but this vow would.