"I had no idea that facet of you even existed, until... well," Lucifer said, impressed.
Chloe's response was matter-of-fact. "You're the only one who does."
Surprised by how quickly and easily her seemingly distant words cut into him, he snapped back, "I get it, Detective. You're done with me. At least as anything more than this. You don't have to keep rubbing it in," he said, keeping his voice steady but only just.
Her expression suddenly changed from inscrutable to distinctly affectionate. "That you're the only one who's seen that part of me has a flip side, you know."
Surprised but skeptical, Lucifer asked, "How so?"
"You're the only one who's ever cut deep enough to expose it," Chloe said, reaching for and taking his hand. He didn't so much as twitch a muscle to acknowledge her touch. Chloe allowed herself a bitter smile. "Still haven't forgiven me, have you?" she asked rhetorically.
"Haven't had a reason to try 'til just now."
Tears coming to her eyes, Chloe nodded, taking a step back. "If I could go back and stop myself, Lucifer, I would," she said, meeting his gaze unwaveringly.
He nodded in glad acceptance of that fact. "You weren't wrong, Detective," he said, letting his hand relax around hers, even if only slightly. Her expression turned bitterly sad again. Still just 'Detective'.
"What I said wasn't. How I said it, was. And I am sorry." Chloe's tone of voice as she said the word 'sorry' revealed a regret so deep it was a marvel she wasn't drowning in it. Hearing the unique sound of Eve's high heels approaching outside the observation room door, Chloe moved back away from him slightly more offering up the case file she held in her hand. "Have a look. Lemme know when you're ready to go in," she said, bringing the more professional facet of her personality back to the front burner as Eve stepped through the door. "Eve." On the heels of the respectful acknowledgement, she walked away, leaving the two alone. The proffered folder in hand, his unwavering gaze followed Chloe out of the room. If the air around them had been any heavier it would've fallen to the ground.
#
"I think I've worked out what it's going to take to forgive you," Lucifer said, a slightly playful undercurrent to his voice.
"Oh yeah? And what's that?" she asked, playful in kind and feeling less defensive than she thought she would have.
"Be honest with me..." He stepped closer, leaving little if any space between them. "Say it... Chloe." She was taken aback momentarily. Her actual name hadn't passed through his lips between them since the day he'd dispatched Pierce.
"Say what...?" Chloe asked, looking him over searching for an answer. She shrugged. "I love you." There wasn't so much as an iota of doubt or insincerity in her voice It was the natural truth. Down to the marrow in her bones, through and through it all, she did. She had. Lucifer subtly shook his head. Chloe let out a short laugh. Of course, in fine divine tradition, he wasn't just going to give her the answer. She laughed again, incredulous, at a loss as to what he wanted her to say until...
It dawned on her. "I... uh... bloody hell," she said, frustrated. She knew what he was asking for but her damned pride... tears started coming to her eyes. She started to look away but Lucifer took hold of her face between his hands and firmly but gently kept it pointed directly at him. She didn't fight it but she had to close her eyes, tears falling down her cheeks as a result, unable to meet his gaze for the first time since she'd known him. From the quivering he could feel against the steadiness in his grasp, he could tell her whole body was shaking.
For an agonizing few moments that seemed to pass as if he were in Hell, Lucifer was afraid she wouldn't be able to say it. If I'm worth saving – redeeming – at all, say it, please, he prayed silently as his fears began to show through in his expression.
Her expression changed as she took in a steadying breath, covering both his hands with hers. Her seemingly uncontrollable quaking quieted. In that moment, his fears evaporated into the ether. She forced her eyes open, looking up from the cleft of his collarbone to meet his gaze. "I want you to choose me."
Lucifer exhaled the breath he'd been holding for what seemed like an eternity and smiled, as much from relief as from gratitude and joyful affection. "I already have." He kissed her and quickly graduated to holding the rest of her as close as he could, everywhere he could.
#
