Umbrella
He had messed up again. He was always messing up. Nothing he did was right, and he couldn't get Chloe to see that he was trying, trying so hard for her. It was raining and he'd gone for a walk in it like a bloody cliché. That was all he was now, a cliché. Drenched through he sat on a bench in the rain and wondered whether he would be able to save the suit, and whether he should just pack it all in and go Home…
A snick noise attracted his attention and suddenly he wasn't getting rained on anymore.
"Hey dude." Ella plonked herself down on the bench next to him, holding the umbrella over his head with one hand and taking a bite from the sandwich she held in the other. Lucifer turned his head slowly to look at her like she was crazy.
"What are you doing?" he asked in disbelief, again his tone indicating thoughts implying she was not in the right mind.
"Having lunch," Ella replied casually, swallowing her bite before scrolling her head to look at him for the first time since she sat down. "Want some?" She flicked the sandwich in his face and he gave his best disgusted look.
"I'll pass, thanks."
She shrugged. "Suit yourself," and, turning away again, continued to eat. He continued to be struck speechless and she continued to ignore him, save for the umbrella. He shook his head slightly, as though to clear some fog she had placed on him.
"I mean, yes, I can see you are eating your lunch, but why here? With me."
She took another bite. "You seemed like you might need some company," she replied casually through the food, an undercurrent in her voice.
"I can assure you…" he started formally but she cut him off bluntly.
"I said need. Not want." He was without words again. "I know the look," she continued. "Don't beat yourself up. We all have bad days." She finished her last bite and brushed her hand against her leg, before looking at him directly again. "You heading back?" He stared at her without speaking a moment longer. She raised her eyebrows and got up. "I'm taking the umbrella," she threatened. "I already got my butt wet for you, sitting on this bench."
"I didn't ask you to," he said snarkily before adding, despite himself, "I can't believe you own an umbrella."
It seemed so mundane and…ordinary of her…and such a normal, boring, blue colour. She smiled at him then, a soft empathetic one.
"I know, right?" She jerked her head back towards the precinct. "C'mon. I know you keep a spare suit in the car. You're the type."
"Right," he murmured slowly, looking at her strangely, and got to his feet. She thrust the umbrella into his hand.
"You're carrying."
She started to walk and he found himself strolling to keep up, keep her from getting wet. The precinct came into sight after only a moment.
"Here's my stop," she grinned. "I'm expecting to see you back in work in ten minutes, dry. I have some stuff for you and Chloe to see."
He didn't move for a second though, something still puzzling him, one burning question.
"Why did you come after me?"
She looked at him now with her eyes and smile soft.
"It's what friends do," and then she was gone, through the doors, leaving him holding the umbrella.