CHAPTER 518: LIKE DIRTY LAUNDRY

Chapter 518 – Like Dirty Laundry

Sira didn’t say a word. Didn’t announce herself with a snarky quip or dramatic eye roll. She just walked up to him—elegant, poised, impossibly silent—and wrapped her arms around him.

No demands. No sharpness. No pride.

Just... a hug.

Lux blinked slowly, red eyes glowing in the dim light as he finally let himself exhale. His arms came around her without hesitation. Her body was tense, spine taut like a drawn bow, but her grip on him was firm.

She didn’t tremble, but he could feel it.

The fear. The what-if.

He leaned down a bit, speaking close to her ear. "Hey. I’m here."

His voice was low. Real. Raw. "They won’t take me, Sira. Don’t worry."

She didn’t reply. Not immediately. Her face stayed pressed against his chest for a second longer, and then she let go.

Just like that. Like nothing happened. Like she hadn’t just panicked in silence.

"I just needed to make sure you’re still real," she said, her tone sliding back into that cool, controlled cadence she used when she didn’t want to crack.

Lux gave a small, knowing smile. "I’m not a projection. Yet."

Her eyes flicked up to meet his. Still sharp, but softer around the edges.

"You were too quiet earlier," he murmured. "That’s how I knew it hit you."

She didn’t deny it. Just brushed invisible lint from her sleeve. "You talked to them like they mattered."

"They do. Sometimes."

Sira made a face. "I don’t like them."

"I know."

"I really don’t like them."

"I know, sweetheart."

She sighed. It wasn’t a dramatic sound. Just a tired one. "You stood next to them. Smiling. Joking. I thought they were gonna... fix you."

"Fix me?" he held his chuckle.

"Wash away the demon in you. Whisper some holy spell and take you upstairs."

Lux raised an eyebrow. "You think I’d let myself be laundered like dirty laundry?"

Sira glanced away. "You let them sing."

"Because it wasn’t a spell. It was a song. And I let it pass. But don’t worry." His hand cupped her cheek gently. "I know where I belong."

She leaned into his palm, just for a breath, then pulled back fast like it never happened. "Whatever. I’m going back to my room."

He didn’t stop her. Just watched her walk away with that perfect, proud back and that careful, careful pace like she hadn’t just confessed a fear so big it could choke gods.

"I’m going too~!" Lullaby chirped, floating after Sira like a sleepy cloud. "Sira needs cuddles~!"

Lux watched them disappear up the stairs.

Behind him, Mira crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. "Mind explaining that?"

Lux turned toward her, shoulders rolling with a quiet sigh. "She’s afraid the goddesses will wash my sins and take me up there."

Mira blinked. "Up there. You mean—"

"Yeah. Celestial realm. Holy redemption arc."

Rava, lounging with a glass of grape juice, raised an eyebrow. "Is that... possible?"

Lux shook his head slowly. "Not for me. I’m not a regular demon. I’m royal born." He tapped his chest. "First blood of Greed and Lust. There’s no redemption clause in my contract. I’ve checked."

Mira tilted her head. "But hypothetically—"

"I’ve never heard of a royal demon being redeemed. Not even the King of Hell has celestial favors like that."

Naomi, who had been quietly observing with her arms wrapped around a throw pillow, finally spoke up. "I think you should talk to her."

"I did," Lux said. "Or tried. But you know Sira."

"She looked like she wanted to slap a goddess," Mira said.

"I think she would’ve if Solara looked at me one more time like I was a ’project,’" Lux muttered.

Naomi frowned, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Do you want me to talk to her?"

He looked at her, red eyes dimmer now. Not tired. Just... carrying weight. The kind of weight only Sira ever dared to touch.

"You can," Lux said. "She might listen. Or growls."

Naomi smiled faintly. "It’s a risk I’ll take."

"You sure?"

"I’ve been stabbed emotionally before. What’s one more?" She stood, setting the pillow aside. "But honestly, I think she needs to hear something different."

"Like?"

Naomi looked at him with that human softness none of the others had. "That you don’t want to be taken away. Not just that you can’t be."

That made Lux pause. His smile faded, just a little.

"Even demons need to be wanted, Lux. Not just by contract."

He didn’t answer. Just nodded, gaze dropping to the floor for a moment.

Rava raised her glass lazily. "She’ll get over it. Eventually."

"She shouldn’t have to," Naomi said without looking at her. "Not alone."

Lux stayed silent again.

Then finally, softly, he said, "Thanks."

Naomi turned and padded toward the hallway. "I’ll be back. Or... she will."

After the echo of her steps faded, only Mira and Rava remained.

Mira walked closer, watching him. "You ever think about it?"

"What?"

"If they tried to purify you. Redeem you. Take you in."

Lux chuckled darkly. "They’d need an entire heaven-wide budget just to process my tax forms."

Mira smirked. "You’d bankrupt them."

"Exactly." He leaned against the back of a chair, arms folded. "I’m not scared of heaven. I just hate being... considered a target. Like a prize."

"You are a prize." Mira’s smile curved. "A very expensive one."

Lux rolled his eyes. "I’m not for sale."

She stepped closer. "You’re not. But you are... afraid of being taken."

He didn’t deny it. "I’ve clawed my way up through layers of hell bureaucracy, royal drama, bounty hunts, and celestial politics. I didn’t survive all that to be ’fixed.’"

Mira touched his shoulder lightly. "Then remind her. You’re not some soul waiting to be judged. You’re a demon who already chose."

He looked at her. Smiled a little.

"Thanks, Mira."

"Don’t thank me yet. You still owe me a date."

"I owe everyone something." He pushed off the chair.

"You especially owe yourself something," she said softly.

That hit harder than he expected.