Work Text:
"Hey Gus, you busy?"
That's how it starts. A simple question asked when you were, admittedly, busy. Luckily for Luz, you have no qualms in setting down work. Especially since it was next weeks illusions homework.
"Not doing anything that can't be done later! What da 'ya need?"
You turn to face the crystal ball instead of your papers, tilting your head questioningly. You misse the nervous tone in her voice, and pay no mind to her awkward smile.
"Nothing big! I just . . . wanted to borrow your library card for today."
She tails off at the end, rubbing her neck sheepishly.
It's not a weird request, and you weren't planning on going there anyways, so you don't see the harm.
"Yeah, sure."
Shrugging, you grab it from the top of your stacked books. Illusions is mainly theory based, so the texts are needed. Even more so since you've skipped two grades. You don't get anywhere without putting in work. Or in this case, a lot of work.
Luz lights up on the other end, clapping her hands.
"That's great! Thank you so much! Do you want me to go over and - "
She's cut off by the card being placed in her hand by a tiny illusion Gus. While she was rambling, you've already completed a spell circle to send it to her. Your house is the opposite way of the library, and while Luz would walk it willingly, it's just easier this way.
"Oh!"
She pokes at the other Gus and watches as it giggles before proofing away. While she's awestruck by the display of magic, you can't help but wonder why she needed the card in the first place. There's no tests coming up that you know of.
"Hey Luz?"
"Uhhhhh . . . Yeah?" She stops trying to find the illusion and goes back to looking at you.
"Why do you need my card again?"
Her face turns red and she flicks her eyes to the left and right.
"Oh! Um . . . ya know, just . . . for stuff?"
It comes off as a question, and you see her grimace at the response. Unfortunately at the time, it flies right over your head. It's not the first time Luz has made up bad excuses to cover up adventures before (and it certainly wouldn't be the last), and she was always reliable enough to give things back.
So you smile wide, wave her goodbye, and push on through the homework. Luz gives you back the card after a few hours, very red at the door, and you chalk it up to her being tired. The door closes and that's the end of that.
And then two days later she shows up at your house again.
"Hey Gus! You busy?"
That illusions homework is taking a lot out of you this week, so you miss the next slew of weirdness.
First of all, why is she on this side of town anyways? As said before, you are close to literally nothing. The only real reasons would be because she got lost (something you truly doubt), or she needs to see you.
Secondly, she looks frazzled. There's a light blush on her cheeks, and her stance screams 'trying to look casual but failing'. There might have been a finger gun or two.
Even with all of this, you just smile and ask what's up. Which is when the library card is brought up again. There's less nervousness when asking than the first time, and her answer to your question of 'why' is slightly more planned out.
"There's a new book I want to read!"
Kinda vague, but better than last time.
You search for the card underneath the mess of papers strewn around the room. With a small triumphant humph, you pull it out and go back to hand it to her.
"Thanks a bunch Gus!"
And with that, she skips away.
Only to show up after another two days.
Three times in a week she's come to you asking for a library card. Each time evading your questioning and leaving quick. The only thing you can't figure out is why.
What's at the library that Luz needs to see on a regular basis? Could it really be a book? No, you decide, it can't be. If that was the case, she would've checked it out on the card.
So if it's not a book, is it a person? Who's at the library that she'd want to see?
It hits you a day after the fourth time (which happened a day after the third).
You actually went to the library to bring back all the illusion books you used. It was a boring process of waiting for the librarian to scan them back in, and it took even longer due to some of them disappearing only to be found hissing in a corner.
Boring.
The only good thing that came out of this was accidentally seeing her. Amity.
She had a working card on a lanyard, and was walking some little demons back to the kids corner. Her hair was down for once.
Oh.
That makes a lot more sense.
The fifth and sixth time Luz asks for the card, you don't say anything. It's a little funny to watch her try and not eat the beans (or was it spill?). You even brought it up to Willow, who tells you that on the days she doesn't ask you for the card, she's calling her to ask for advice.
It doesn't seem to be working.
Everything comes to a head though a day after the pixie incident. You don't feel particularly good about it, especially since Willow broke her arm. So when Luz shows up again making up weird nicknames, you don't even try to hide that you know.
"You need my library card to visit Amity, don't you."
"Yeah, not doing great at hiding that, am I?"
Fortunately, Luz is a good friend and puts her crush on the back burner (whatever that is) after seeing your dejected face. You've felt really out of it since getting hurt, like a weird pressure on your chest.
You've skipped two grades, but what's the point if you're still not any better?
She's quick to try and stop those fears, even giving you a few of her glyphs to impress the Glandus kids. Gosh, you're really lucky to have her. As soon as she sees you fell better however, she practically books it to the library.
She's a good friend indeed, but that doesn't mean you won't tease her later.
You get your chance during school.
Willow is good enough to go to classes, and you waste no time in telling her about your adventures with the Glandus kids. She doesn't really like that you tried so hard to prove yourself, but makes up for it with the hug given after explaining how you drove them off.
She's about to say something, but then her eye catches something in the distance, leaving her slack jawed.
"What is it?"
You turn behind you to get a better look, and oh my Titan her hair is pink.
Amity walks towards you guys, head held high as new strands of pink hair float in the wind. You think maybe the sides are shaved because of the brown peaking out, but you can't be sure.
She waves once she's close enough, and heads into the school.
What the heck.
Willow is as speechless as you.
Then Luz comes tumbling out of the tree you're underneath, making you both scream.
"Did she see me?!"
Willow shakes her head no.
"Are you hiding from her?"
Luz turns the brightest shade of red and panics.
"Whaaaaa? Of course not! It's not like I can't face her after what happened yesterday or anything. Not that anything even happened! Cause it didn't! At all! I should stop talking shouldn't I?"
Groaning, she slumps up against the tree, covering her face with her hands. Willow shoot you a look before sitting down next to her.
"Hey, whatever happened I'm sure it's fine. Do you want to tells us about it?"
You sit down too as she mumbles something in her hands.
"I uh, didn't quite get that."
She takes her hands off her face.
"She kissed my cheek."
Oh wow. You didn't think Amity was that smooth. It was all gonna blow up at some point, no one could miss the looks they gave each other, but you are surprised that it happened that fast.
"Does this mean I need to get another library card?"
"Gus!" Luz turns to you wide eyed, like she can't believe you ratted her out.
"In his defense, it was really obvious."
"Willow, you too?"
Laughing, you stand up again and give her a hand. She sighs and takes it, grumbling something about being a nose? Human idioms are weird.
Willow stands too and pats Luz's arm.
"Don't worry Luz, everything will be okay."
She looks at you both, a small smile on her lips.
"Really?"
"Yeah!" you exclaim, "besides, now she can let you in with her employee card!"
Running into the building, you catch her warbled out yell of shock.
Sorry Luz, but library cards are expensive.