Morning came all too soon for both of them.

Luci opened her eyes to find Angel's arm tossed over her waist. The rays of the sun leaked through the curtain. She ran a hand over his arm and across his shoulder before she rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb him. She tip-toed around the room to gather her clothes before she slipped into the bathroom to get ready.

Angel shifted in the bed but he kept his eyes closed, not quite ready to face the day ahead of him. He turned over, pressing his face into the pillow.

She curled her hair, filling it with loose waves as it hung just above her hips. Her makeup was neutral, a soft smoky eye and a nude lip. Clearly she wasn't aiming to impress anybody. Both Angel and EZ knew what she looked like without makeup. She dressed in a pair of jeans and a loose tank top before she stepped out of the bathroom. Running across the floor, she jumped onto the bed with a lighthearted laugh escaping her lips.

Angel groaned into the pillow. He wanted to sleep just a little longer.

"What the fuck Lu?"

Luci sat next to him on the bed with her back to him. She shrugged her shoulders in response as she picked at the holes in her jeans.

Angel sat up and leaned against the headboard, wiping the sleep from his eyes before he glanced over to see her face for the first time that morning. He noticed the makeup and the hair. But he didn't speak on it.

Luci swatted his leg. Maybe the excitement was getting the best of her.

"Go get ready dormilón."

The broken Spanish caused Angel to smile before he pulled himself off the bed. He stripped out of his t-shirt before he grabbed his bag, taking it with him into the bathroom. The shower kicked on and the door closed behind him.

Without noticing, her leg bounced up and down. A sign of her nerves and excitement all rolled into one. She continued fiddling, messing with the rips in her jeans and picking at her nails. The shower stopped and she stood up to pack her stuff back into her bag. She had to find something to do to keep her occupied until they had to leave. She zipped up her bag before she grabbed his t-shirt from the floor, folding it and tossing it on the bed.

Angel opened the door to the bathroom and he stepped out. His hair was drenched, soaking through the black t-shirt he was wearing. He tossed his bag on the bed before he threw in his dirty clothes.

"Are you ready to go?"

Luci inhaled a slow breath before she stood up, gathering her purse and her keys. She pulled the door open and walked ahead of Angel. She tossed her bags into the trunk before she climbed into the driver's seat.

Angel fell into the passenger's seat and he kept his eyes forward as he closed the door. He slipped a cigarette between his lips before he rolled down the window. He lit the cigarette, taking a long drag.

Luci didn't really mind. She understood that Angel was probably nervous to some extent. Hell, she was too. The prison wasn't much further away, about twenty minutes or so. Her fingers drummed along the steering wheel as the radio played in the background. The car remained silent until she pulled into the parking lot. She cut the engine but she didn't move to get out of the car.

Angel pushed the door open, walking around the car to lean against the hood. Now it was just a matter of waiting.

She eventually pulled herself out of the car, stretching her legs as she moved to lean against the car beside Angel. It felt like they'd already been waiting for hours, especially in the hot California sun. She lied back on the hood, closing her eyes while she basked in the warmth.

Angel leaned back beside her and he watched as the clouds rolled by, until he heard footsteps moving across the asphalt of the parking lot. He glanced over to see his brother and he jumped off the car, pulling him into a tight hug. He held onto his brother's neck for a minute longer before he released him. He was happy to see his brother, outside of prison, out of restraints. He knew EZ could make a life for himself.

Luci inhaled a slow breath as she pushed herself off the hood. She looked over at EZ with a soft smile before she moved towards him. At first, she was hesitant but she reached out for him and her arms snaked around his waist.

EZ's body was rigid but he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. His grip on her was tight and he wasn't ready to let go. He took in her scent, the smell of fresh linen mixed with a light floral notes. His chin rested on top of her head. It had been so long since he was able to touch her and actually hug her.

Luci was overwhelmed with emotion. She inhaled a shaky breath as she tried to hide her face, from both EZ and Angel. Her eyes stung, ready to tear up at any moment. She loosened her grip before she pulled away from him. A smile broke through her lips as she stared back at him.

Angel cleared his throat to break up the moment. Maybe he felt a twinge of jealousy.

The three of them had made it through Los Angeles. Luci was the one driving, while the other two were passed out. She knew she was in the home stretch with only a few more hours until they were home. The radio played quietly as she didn't want to wake either of them up. She knew how cranky they would be. Instead she was left alone with her thoughts. She had EZ back. Something she had wanted for years and years. But now she felt conflicted. She caught herself thinking about Angel more and more, and she glanced over to see his sleeping form in the passenger seat. Then her mind switched tracks, trailing back to how close she and EZ had always been. She looked in the rearview mirror to see EZ sitting straight up, eyes closed. Her heart was torn. Adjusting the seat, she relaxed as she put on cruise control.

As she passed the 'welcome' sign, she pressed the brakes and slowed her way into town. The streets were empty as it was well into early the next morning. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she pulled into Felipe's driveway. She reached over to squeeze Angel's knee.

"We're finally home."

Angel yawned before he opened his eyes and he smiled over at her.

She parked the car but she almost didn't want to get out. She wanted to get home. She stayed planted in the driver's seat. She leaned on the window, watching as Angel gathered his brother's stuff before they walked into the house. Her eyes stayed glued to him a moment longer before she prepared to put the car in neutral. Only to hear footsteps coming up to her window. She glanced over to see Angel mere inches from her face. She blinked a few times before she pulled back, suddenly aware of how close they were.

Angel leaned against the window as he rested his head on his arms before he opened his mouth to speak.

"Thank you for going Lu, I'm sure he appreciated it."

She just shook her head in response. It wasn't a big deal to her. She wanted to see her old best friend, even though they had grown apart. She only hoped that they could fix their relationship at some point.

"I don't mind, Ángel." She smiled.

It caused him to chuckle but he hovered a moment longer.

"Come here." His voice was gentle.

Luci stared back at him before she moved closer. She felt torn but she leaned in and her nose brushed against his. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest.

Angel was slow to move. He didn't make any sudden moves. He didn't want to spook her.

Their breath tangled together, mixing with the chill of the desert night.

He pressed his lips to hers. It was soft and sweet, but not rushed like the last one. He was gentle with her.

Her breath hitched in her throat at the feeling of his lips on hers. All she could focus on was this moment, the way his lips melded against hers. She didn't move to pull away from him.

He pulled away, only to speak, "just stay here tonight, Lu."

She wanted to fight him but deep down, she knew she couldn't. She was exhausted.

"I need to go home," she whined.

Angel kissed her again with a smirk on his lips.

"No, no, just stay with me tonight."

It was an uphill battle and Luci was losing big time. She inhaled a slow breath before she leaned back in the seat, defeated. She looked back at him with a soft smirk on her lips.

"If I get in trouble, this is on you cabròn."

Angel rolled his eyes as he pulled her car door open.

Luci pulled herself out of the car and followed him into the house. She tiptoed down the hall, passed EZ's room and pushed the door open to Angel's room. Not a whole lot had really changed since she had last seen it. She was sure the only thing he did was drop in to sleep from time to time. She crawled into the bed, pulling the covers up to her chin as she enveloped herself in Angel's scent. She listened as the shower kicked on but she didn't move a muscle. Her gaze fell on the ceiling and she wondered what she was doing. It had been so long since she'd even had a real relationship, and now she's trying something out with Angel.

Angel stood underneath the shower, letting the scalding water rush over him as he craned his neck from side to side. His muscles relaxed and he closed his eyes, just glad to finally be home. He stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist before he sauntered into his room, closing the door behind him.

Luci listened as the door creaked open and she looked up to see Angel, only to see him drop his towel to the ground. Her eyes grew wide but she didn't turn away, at least not quickly.

Angel rolled his eyes as he pulled on a pair of boxer-briefs before he fell on the bed next to her.

The air around them was charged with want.

He wrapped an arm around her waist before he pulled her flush against him. He combed his hand through her dark hair, pushing it away from her face before he kissed her.

It was lazy and gentle, something Luci didn't quite expect. But they were both equally exhausted. Her lips moved against his without haste. She was savoring the kisses, the taste of his lips.

"What are we doing?" Her voice came out a low whisper.

Angel didn't answer. He didn't even really have an answer for her. Maybe he just wanted to test the waters, though deep down, he didn't think he was really meant to be in a relationship.

"We'll figure it out along the way, mija."

She couldn't argue. But maybe that was just the exhaustion. She rested her head against his chest as she felt herself drifting.

He leaned down to kiss the top of her head as he ran his fingers through her hair. For the first time in a long time, he felt at ease. His eyes grew heavier and heavier with each moment before he finally stopped playing with her hair, falling asleep.

Title Credit - We're Not Friends by Ingrid Andress

happy mother's day to anyone who's a mother out there! enjoy your day for you :)

i hope y'all enjoy this next chapter! please leave a review because i love reading them 3

ps to the reviewer who was rooting for angel (me too!)

i guess we'll just have to see what happens when EZ finds out *dramatic music*