Chapter 185 - Love And A Little Courage!

"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry Mia.."

"I'm sorry for being so weak.. I'm sorry for not protecting you.. I'm sorry!!"

"I love you Mia.. I've always loved you and only you.. Mia!"

Ethan raised his head that was buried between his knees as he sobbed like a child looking for it's mother stranded alone on a stormy night, wretched.

His eyes were the color of blood with dewy drops of tears trickling down his chiseled face in clear streaks.

Wiping the remnants of his grief and sorrow from his puffy black eyes, Ethan looked at the smiling girl with golden hair and deep green eyes, exactly like Alex's.

A pang of guilt shot through him as he studied Mia's soft features in the light.

The sun was rising over the horizon creating an amalgamation of beautiful shades of pink, orange and liquid gold.

Meanwhile, Lucifer's red Ferrari was parked few meters away from Ethan's Black Maybach. His sparkly gray irises eyeing the hill glowing under the yellow sunlight with guilt and despair in them.

He turned his heavy gaze to the beautifully tied bunch of sunflowers lying on the seat beside him before heaving a sigh.

Lucifer shows up every year around the same time as Ethan that is before dawn. He parks his car away from Ethan's and tries to remain obscure from his eyes.

Sitting in his car and waiting for the latter to climb down the hill so that they don't have to face each other.

The friends who are apparently bestfriends, the true symbol of friendship especially after facing such a tragedy together were in fact not so friendly on Mia's birthday. Which also happens to be the same day when the catastrophe befell on their harmonies lives ruining them to dust.

It is sad but the truth is that Ethan and Lucifer would every year spend this day in solitude locked in their own comfortable spaces. Completely alienating each other and the whole world.

Lucifer was aware that deep down within himself Ethan blamed him for whatever happened that night. He knew what his friend felt. Ethan's eyes would speak for the disappointment and despondency in them.

Even if Ethan wouldn't tell Lucifer directly and call him out for the innocent lives that were taken ruthlessly by his so-called biological father, Yang Deming.

Lucifer was conscious of Ethan's feelings and his innermost emotions, for he was his dear friend and brother.

Yang Deming!!

What a flood of memories, horrid, menacing, that name evoked!

After the sun was finally risen to it's glory and shining brightly with new hopes Ethan looked up at the sky.

He finally found the strength to stand up as he staggered. His legs were numb from kneeling for so long.

A figure in black was standing behind a withering tree and watching Ethan from afar, eyes filled with envy and hope. Hope for love.

It was there even before Ethan's long legs climbed the hill. Waiting for him. Just to catch a glimpse of him, his undying love and endless misery.

- - - - -

The Night Before Mia's Death

A smiling figure stood under the dim lights of his room, gazing deeply at Mia under the covers on the bed with a soft glow on her face and twinkling green eyes.

Strolling ahead with a grin and crawling into the bed, he snuggled close to her and put an arm around her waist.

"I love you..", he sniffed her hair, a fruity fragrance with a hint of jasmine enveloped his senses making him feel at home.

"I love you too..", she kissed his nose and winked at him earning a throaty laughter.

"What happened? You look sad..", Ethan looked at her face, clear mist fogged her green eyes making her look alluring in the tranquility of the night.

"You know Ethan, I.. I know that you cannot promise but.. Please treat my brother well, no matter what..", Sighing, her voice filled with emotions as she choked while expressing herself.

Ethan furrowed his eyebrows, his hand reaching to wipe away those pearly tears.

"You might not know.. but, he.. he's in a lot of pain and I know.. Because I have seen with my eyes..", Mia stopped his hand, holding it firmly she continued.

"Sleepless nights.. Haunting nightmares.. I, I don't want you to hate my brother.. If one day.. Something happens to me..", Ethan hugged her closer, his chin resting on her head while she sniffed against his shoulder.

"Please.. please become his pillar of strength!"

Those were the last words Mia had murmured before drifting to sleep, even in her sleep she wasn't able to rest at ease.

And this was the only reason why Ethan never blamed Lucifer despite of how much his heart ached.

- - - - -

Heavy footsteps broke the silence in the air, Ethan remained stationary without any intention of questioning the trespasser.

As though he was already aware of his identity a faint smile graced his somber face, when a hand placed the neat and beautiful bouquet of sunflowers before Mia's tomb.

Lucifer didn't say anything, his gaze was dim with no trace of emotions in them as he stared at Mia's portrait. He abruptly closed his eyes after a brief glance.

"Brother.. I love you"

"Brother, look.. This is for Ethan!"

"Brother!! You meanie.."

"I hate you! I only love my Ethan!"

"Dad.. Look, Brother is bullying me!!"

"Let's get some icecream.. icecream! Icecream!!"

"Brother.. ROSE! ROSE.. Private room.. 09! Ah!", Mia was panting, her voice hoarse as she called him that night on his emergency number that was only for her.

The blood curdling scream was what Lucifer heard that unfortunate night before the phone was snatched from Mia.

Lucifer's eyes shot open with a strange dark aura surrounding him, his gray eyes sharp flashed with a dangerous glint.

"Brother..", a soft voice resounded within him, his gaze turning warm and gentle, a large drop of salty tear rolled down his left eye. His lips curled into the most heartwarming and sincere smile ever.

Ethan looked at him, his eyes didn't miss the changes in him. Even the single drop of tear was clear to his keen eyes, his heart trembled looking at the vulnerable Lucifer.

Then they remained for a moment confronting each other's demons, mute and menacing before Ethan broke away from his shackles and yanked Lucifer.

What followed next was a high impact punch in Lucifer's guts.

"Ugh!", Lucifer grimaced, the attack caught him off-guard however the next second he was astounded beyond words.

Ethan hugged Lucifer tightly, it was nearly a bone-crushing hug which was full of love, affection and brotherhood that these two friends shared.

The broken fragments of their hearts were fixing piece by piece with this little gesture of Ethan along with love and a little courage.