The awkwardness between Eliza and Lucifer didn't disappear overnight — but slowly, it started to melt away.
They talked more, laughed again, slipping back into old habits. But it wasn't quite the same. It was softer, more deliberate — like every glance, every smile, carried something unspoken. Something only they understood.
Lucifer leaned against her desk during class, stole her fries at lunch, and waited by her locker after school. His touches became more frequent — a hand on her lower back guiding her through crowded hallways, his knee brushing against hers under the cafeteria table, his pinky hooking around hers when no one was watching.
And Eliza loved it. She wasn't sure if they were still in that weird in-between stage or if they'd crossed over into something more — but whatever it was, she didn't want to lose it.
Lily, however, wasn't loving anything.
She tried easing her way back into the group, flashing her sweetest smiles and acting like nothing had happened.
"Hey, guys!" she chirped one day at lunch, sliding into the seat next to Ava. "Mind if I join you?"
The table went quiet.
Lucifer didn't even look up from his sandwich. Ava stared at her like she'd grown two heads. Ryan raised a brow, clearly entertained.
Eliza? Eliza didn't hold back. She leaned on her hand and smiled — slow and smug. The kind of smile that said, Nice try, sweetheart. He's mine.
Lily faltered for a second, her eyes flicking to Lucifer. He didn't react.
"Actually," Ava said after a beat, voice flat, "that seat's taken."
Lily blinked. "By who?"
Ava grabbed her bag and plopped it down in the chair. "My backpack."
Ryan snorted. Lucifer bit back a smirk.
Eliza leaned her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling as she watched Lily's face flush pink.
"Sorry, Lily," Eliza said, voice dripping with fake sympathy. "Looks like there's no room."
Lily's mouth opened like she wanted to argue — but then she glanced at Lucifer again, who still wasn't paying her any attention. Her shoulders sagged. Without another word, she walked away.
Eliza's smug grin widened.
"Damn," Ryan whistled lowly. "That was cold, Ava."
"Felt right," Ava shrugged, popping a fry in her mouth.
Eliza chuckled, feeling victorious.
But Ryan? He wasn't done causing trouble yet.
Whenever Eliza and Lucifer found themselves caught in one of those quiet, almost-something moments — Ryan appeared like a walking disaster.
Lucifer would lean in to whisper something, and Ryan would magically trip over his own feet and crash between them with an exaggerated, "Whoops! Did I interrupt something? My bad!"
If they were walking side by side, shoulders brushing? Ryan would pop up out of nowhere, throw an arm around both of them, and say, "Group hug!" like an absolute menace.
It was driving Ava insane.
One afternoon, the four of them were stuck in class after school, cleaning up for a teacher who'd guilt-tripped them into staying late. The room smelled like old chalk and stale air, sunlight streaking through the dusty windows. Lucifer and Eliza were off to the side, laughing quietly about something — and, of course, Ryan spotted them. He headed straight for them, that stupid grin plastered on his face.
But this time, Ava beat him to it.
She stepped right into his path, blocking him.
"Hey," she said sharply. "I've had enough of you."
Ryan blinked in mock surprise. "Me? What'd I do this time?"
Ava glared. "Why are you always so annoying?"
Ryan's smirk widened. "It's part of my charm."
Ava let out an exasperated groan, crossing her arms. "You know what's going on between them. So why do you keep interfering? Huh?"
Ryan leaned against the desk beside him, tilting his head. "What? Are you jealous or something?"
Ava sputtered. "Wha—no! I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "You tell me."
Ava huffed, her cheeks turning pink. "I'm just… tired of watching you act like a kid, okay? Grow up."
For a second, Ryan didn't answer. He just watched her, his usual cocky grin faltering — but only a little.
Then he stepped closer. Not enough to crowd her, but close enough that Ava's breath hitched. His eyes lingered on her face for a beat too long, something playful — but softer — in his expression.
"You know," he murmured, "you're kinda cute when you're jealous."
Ava's eyes widened.
"I'm not jealous," she said again, but her voice wasn't nearly as strong this time.
Ryan chuckled, low and warm. "Sure you're not."
For a second, neither of them moved. Ava stared at him like she wasn't sure whether she wanted to slap him or... kiss him — and Ryan looked like he'd be fine with either outcome.
The air between them felt heavier than before, like something was shifting. Ava swallowed hard, trying to fight the warmth rising to her cheeks.
Ryan leaned in a little more, his voice dropping just enough to make her shiver. "You know… you're kinda cute when you're all flustered too."
Ava's lips parted slightly, like she wanted to argue — but nothing came out.
But then Eliza called her name from across the room, and the moment shattered.
Ava stepped back quickly, cheeks flushed.
Ryan smirked again, but this time, it looked a little less smug. More thoughtful.
"See you around, Ava," he said, his voice annoyingly smooth.
Ava rolled her eyes and turned away — but not before Eliza caught the way her lips twitched, like she was fighting back a smile.
And Ryan?
Well, it looked like he finally got what he wanted.
To be continued....
💬Author's Note:
Soo... did a new ship just unlock or what?! 👀 Did we just switch from RyanEliza to... RyanAva?? I'm not saying I'm shipping it... but I'm totally shipping it.
Also, Ryan — we love your chaos, truly. But if you keep crashing Lucifer and Eliza's moments, don't be shocked if Lucifer "accidentally" buries you behind the gym. He's holding back. For now.