Chapter 11: It's My Favorite Place

Everything appeared perfect, and for Luka, nothing could mar the moment. Not the looming possibility of war, not his parents' hidden secrets, not even the fact that they were in hell—because, oh god, hell was even more breathtaking than heaven.

"Xavier?" Luka called out to his soulmate, his heartwarming smile still gracing his face. "If this is hell, then why are people scared to come here? It's even more beautiful than heaven's garden."

Lucifer scoffed. "Darling, you have no idea about the Withered Hall." A smirk played on his lips.

"Withered Hall?" They sat in the Narcissus Garden, surrounded by a multitude of beautiful and vibrant narcissus flowers. "I haven't come across anything creepy so far."

"You think I would take you to a place filled with demons torturing sinful souls?" Xavier replied with a hint of sarcasm. "Sorry to disappoint you, my dear, but no."

Luka brushed off the devil's response and his peculiar question. "What's gotten into you today? What's with all these 'darling' and 'dear' things?"

"I suppose I'm just really happy today." Xavier smiled broadly. "And it's not like you have a problem with that. I know you love it, don't you, sweetheart?"

"Now that's a bit creepy!" Despite his remark, Luka knew deep down that the devil was right. He did love this affectionate and emotionally open Xavier, and his endearing nicknames never failed to bring a smile to the half-angel's face. "Look at me! I'm quite something! I made the devil blush, and now I've turned him into an affectionate person!"

Xavier gazed at his soulmate's radiant features. Initially, Luka would always blush and stumble over his words, and Xavier knew that wasn't the real Luka.

This happy and confident version of Luka was the true one. He couldn't help but fall for him even harder with each passing minute they spent together, if that was even possible.

"My little soulmate, you've completely won me over, and you have no idea how happy that makes me." Lucifer leaned closer and whispered in his soulmate's ear, "You have no idea how much I love you and what you mean to me."

Then he stole a tender kiss from Luka's soft, pink lips. Unholy hell! Xavier adored this sweet young man before him. Everything about him was perfect, and he cherished every little thing about Luka.

"I've stolen a kiss from you!" Xavier announced to his blushing soulmate. "Do you want to take it back?" He was feeling playful today, and nothing could spoil his mood.

Luka turned away, hiding his crimson face from the devil's view. "No! You can keep it!"

"If you don't take it back, I'll just have to steal more!" Xavier stated with a mischievous smirk. No matter how confident Luka became, his blushing never ceased, but that was just another aspect Xavier adored about him.

"Xavier, stop!" Luka wore a slight smile on his face, even as he tried to sound stern. "Stop making me blush! It's hard to blush every single minute!"

"Oh, my dear Luka. Your blush has the power to make my entire year!" Xavier chuckled, thoroughly entertained. It was fascinating how comfortable things had become after spending just one night sleeping near each other.

"Xavier!" Luka laughed and playfully punched the devil's arm. "Where did all this flirting come from? Who are you, and what have you done to my Xavier?"

Lucifer's smirk transformed into a wide smile.

"Your Xavier?" Xavier feigned contemplation. "Do you own the King of Hell?"

"Yep! I'm pretty sure I own every inch of him!" Luka beamed, his silver-blue eyes shimmering with happiness. "And here's the funny thing—he owns every inch of me too. It's a bit cliché, isn't it?"

"I'm sure he is such a lucky person to have you. I envy him!" Xavier wrapped his arms around Luka from behind and nuzzled his neck, his smile evident in his voice. "Oh, how I envy him!"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Luka burst into laughter. "I can't believe we just had that conversation!"

"Neither can I!" Xavier grinned once more. Luka had the power to make him smile with every little action; he was simply adorable and irresistible. "Come on now! We've been here for a while; let's go somewhere else!"

"But I love it here!" Luka protested, finding the Narcissus Garden to be his favorite place in the entire mansion. The fragrance of the flowers and the calming aura had a special charm.

"But my butt hurts from sitting too long!" Xavier complained with a frown.

There was a moment of silence as both Luka and Xavier tried to process the latter's words, wondering why he had blurted them out.

"I can't believe you just said that!" Luka chuckled, surprise dancing across his face.

"I can't believe it either, but I said it, and I can't take it back." Xavier shrugged. "This is all your fault!"

"And here we are, with you acting like a child." They laughed together in perfect harmony. "I thought I was the childish one here!"

Xavier's little soulmate had such a beautiful smile that he couldn't help but smile back at the enthusiastic boy before him.

"Yes?" Luka asked, puzzled by Xavier's sudden shift in demeanor. "What is it?"

Xavier's eyes darkened slightly, revealing more of the grey than their usual red color. "Can I kiss you?"

Blushing at the sudden request, Luka valued both Lucifer's and his soulmate's comfort, so he nodded. He closed his eyes as Xavier moved closer until there was no space between them.

Xavier pressed his lips against Luka's, kissing him with passion and love. The kiss was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. They kissed softly for what felt like an eternity until Xavier pulled Luka onto his lap. As Luka tangled his fingers in Xavier's black hair, Xavier deepened the kiss.

In this moment, they had nothing else to worry about; all that mattered was each other. The kiss grew rougher and less gentle as Xavier pressed their bodies together.

Xavier paused for a moment, taking in the mess he had made of his soulmate. Luka's black hair stood in every direction, and his face was completely red from the deep blush that extended to his neck. His eyes shimmered in silver, and he was panting, breathing heavily.

"My soulmate is the cutest..." Xavier stole another kiss. "No one knows how much I love you..." Another kiss. "You drive me crazy..." Another kiss. "I love you so much." Another kiss, this one more passionate.

Luka smiled softly and cradled his devil's face with delicate hands. "My soulmate is the best person I've ever known..." He leaned in and kissed Xavier's forehead while the devil closed his eyes, focusing on his soulmate's touch.

"I've known him for only a few days, but now I can't imagine my life without him..." Luka kissed Xavier's right cheek. "And he has no idea how much I want him..." He pecked Xavier's nose, bringing a smile to the devil's lips. "And I already love him more than anything in this world." Finally, he planted a sweet kiss on Xavier's smiling lips.

"When did my little soulmate grow his confidence so much?" Xavier playfully teased, pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.

Luka blushed and rested his head on Xavier's muscular chest. "If you're going to tease me like this in the future, I'll stop saying these kinds of things to you!"

They both knew he was lying, but Xavier decided to play along. "But you're cute when you blush! Well, you're always cute, but whatever."

Luka smiled and embraced his devil tighter, and Xavier gladly reciprocated, holding him close. They stayed silent, cherishing the moment. The clock ticked on, and although they were unaware of the impending war, they chose to live in the present.

Little did they know that time was running out. Their time together was nearly over, yet they remained oblivious.

"My Lord!" Suddenly, a demon rushed into the garden. "There's an angel at the gates!"