"Even if it hurts you?" Red asked between her sobs, looking at him innocently.
"Even if it hurts me." He smiled, cupping her cheek with his one hand, dearing the warmth and wiping the tear with his thumb.
"Why are you so indulgent with me!? Why can't you say what's in your heart?! Why can't you say you want me to be yours?!" Red asked, crying again, hitting his chest.
"Because my words would become an obstacle to your path and I want you to choose the path to solace." He said, holding her face and pulling it close to her, boring his eyes into hers.
"But Erich.. I.. I.." Red sniffed, trying to say something.
"It's okay." He whispered.
"I can't do this..." She whispered back.
"Shh. Don't think about it more. Your joy matters to me." He said, stroking the side of her face with his hand, removing the tears which stained her charm.
"I am sorry. I am so sorry.. Please forgive me..." Red weeped, lowering her head in shame. "Red, can I ask for something?" He asked. "What?"
"A picture with you and you should be grinning genuinely in it. Could you do it?.. So if you don't come back, I will treasure it." His voice came out sweet. She sniffled and wiped her eyes, giving him a nod. "Sure.."
"Be happy." He grinned, kissing her forehead and pulling away.
"And you?"
"There are no longer any shackles around me which can bind me to you. I am sure I will move on." He did a great job in hiding his pain behind a smile and prioritizing her smiles.
"Erich.. please.." Red opened her mouth to say something but he pressed his thumb over it, shushing her.
"Just promise me you will stay with the person you love." He said gently yet firmly. Red looked at him for a few seconds and couldn't help but to give him a vague nod.
•~~•~~•
To Lucifer who was lost in his despondency and talking to himself while looking down from April's apartment to the city.
"What is left for me now? Maybe she is truly happy with Erich and that idiot is still stuck on that. I don't think I need to be a part of her life anymore. Maybe she wants to move on, thinking of me as her yesterday..." He told himself. The reality which took his smiles and love away from him but there's no denial of it.
"And me? What about me? Can I move on?" He asked, lowering his head, letting out a short laugh at his absurd question. "What am I saying? I could never do it."
He said and packed his stuff, believing there's no point in him staying here. He was ready to leave and never enter Red's life again, letting her live the life she chose even if it includes trampling his love.
He was on the call, telling the person he is leaving but-
"At least, let her choose."
Lucifer groaned but eventually agreed for it, "Huff.. okay."
He cut the call and went to see Red for the last time, to know who she truly loves, what her heart seeks and to ease the uneasiness of his heart as well.
His heart thumped loudly in fear to know he might not meet Red ever again in his life. They were standing on the rooftop of her outlet, looking at the sunset. Lucifer hands were in the pocket of his shirt while Red hugged her sides, watching the sun drow in the horizon.
"Don't you have any other work?" Red asked after a while with a sigh. He smiled emptily, "Important things first." She returned the same smile with Erich's words in her mind that she should tell him what's truly in her heart.
Mustering courage, both of them spoke at the same time, "Red"
"Lucifer."
Again, "You first." Lucifer said. "No, you first." Red insisted.
Erich sighed and nodded, "Oh, okay..." He cleared his throat, made up his mind and began to say, "Red... Please forgive me. I didn't know you were getting married to Erich with your consent, that it was your choice. Believe me if I knew, I wouldn't have entered your life and wreaked havoc, I would have let you live your life happily." His tone changed into a dolorous one.
"I want nothing but the serenity to your heart, I didn't want to hurt you. Please forgive me." His voice was hopeless, pleading with her.
Red's grip around her tightened to hear his words, she nibbled on her lips and responded nervously, "And Lucifer.. If I say... I did this to make you come back?"
His eyes widened in shock to hear this, "What.. Do you mean?"
She let out an anshemed laugh, telling him how depraved she became just for him, "Meaning I did all this just to get you back. I know when you hear about this news, you will come back. And look, you did."
Lucifer was at a loss for words, not believing it's real. "Meaning you truly used-"
Red quickly replied. "Yes. I used Erich for you. I... didn't know the truth, I considered him a stalker and did this.... Anguished both of you..." She said the last part to herself, lowering her head in shame.
"Why Red..? What happened to you?" Lucifer sadly asked.
"I don't know, Lucifer. I was angry at you that you didn't come back. I want to punish you for it. Make you feel what I did." Red's voice faltered in between and mixed with pain.
"Red... I.. Red I can't tell you how much I cried for you every moment. Each passing moment broke me, thinking I let you go. There was not a single moment where I didn't miss you. I cursed myself for breaking your heart. It killed me every second for not having you beside me..." Lucifer told her what he felt all this time in the same tone, a tear fell from the corner of his eye, letting her know about his dismay.
"I lost my ability to think at that time. When Erich tried to talk it out, I realized you were right about not coming back. You were using your mind and my stupid heart wants to ruin it. It was my fault, I should have waited for you till my last breath." Red said, losing her breath, at the edge of breaking the walls she built which tormented everyone.
"Red, I had no choice... Please forgive me.. I.. I love you so much. I cannot live without you.. I love you with my every inch of my heart." Lucifer confessed, breaking into sobs with tears involuntarily realising from his eyes.
"Lucifer, you are my lost past." Red whispered, holding herself tightly, letting out a tear as well.
"Were memories made to be forgotten!?" Lucifer asked, raising his voice. "Were those moments spent meant nothing?"
"I know you want to start your life with Erich but I..." He sniffed, wiping his eyes and forcing out a smile. "I won't stop you. I will pray for your happiness." He said, smiling, trying not to cry.
"Lucifer... Erich has been razed because of me and I don't want him to be wallowed in despair anymore. Why would he bear this!?" Red asked in a low tone but raised her voice in the end.
"And what about my affliction!? I can't live without you as well." He yelled.
"So do I! My heart also has your name! I love you as much as you love me! My soul has your name. I ONLY LOVE YOU!" And now, it shattered, She let out her true emotions. With a thundering sob, Red fell on her knees, tears glistening on her face, holding the hem of dress and continued, "I connected my heart with you. My soul is yours. I live with your name!"
Red shut her eyes, the sun set, an enticingly crepuscular sight spread everywhere and there Red screamed with her weep, "LUCIFER I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!"
Lucifer came closer, bending on the ground and holding her shoulders, breathless, agonized and asked, "Red... when you love me this badly then why are you not coming with me? Red take my hand, I swear I will give you all the blessings I can. I will never let go of your hand. There won't be Iris anymore. Just you and me, I swear, I will love you limitlessly."
"I know.. I know... but.. What about the restraints which bound me to Erich? The ocean of guilt? The fear of it... won't let me hold your hand." Red asked, letting out loud sobs, putting her head on his chest.
"And are you going to destroy your life because of it?" He asked, pulling her in his embrace, looking at the silhouette of the crying shadow in compassion.
Red held his collar and looked at him, whispering the answer, "No... because Erich already told me to choose the person I love."
Erich, who was there the whole time, spoke up with tears streaming down his face, curling his hands to be strong. "Then leave my domain and take his hand."
"Erich..." Red's Grip on Lucifer tightened when she saw Red, panting, worried.
"I already told you to be with the person you love so what's stopping you, Red. Go ahead." Erich said, smiling while wiping his tears.
"How can I when you are tormented because of me." Red asked, crying again.
"Just do it.." He whispered.
"Please forgive me..." Red begged with tears streaming down her face. Heart aching in incomprehensible agony as she joined her hands together.
"What apology Red!?... It was me who loved you eternally... me who devoted my heart..." Erich's voice was broken with tears gleaming on his face. Immersed in woe, his life shattered as he continued with a sob, "What faith shall I place in you when you did nothing?"