Chapter Text
Amity woke up in a double sized sleeping bag. It took her a second to remember where she was. Her brain fogged from staying up late the night before. Oh yeah I stayed over. Amity thought. She realized that she was at the Owl House. Despite her surprise, at this point it was more common for her to stay over then not. She looked over to see her girlfriend Luz Noceda. Amity had felt so lucky that Luz had said yes to being her girlfriend a few weeks ago. She almost always spent late nights with her and got to wake up before her in the morning. Except right now Luz was nowhere to be found.
“Oh. She’s not here.” Now that Amity knew she was alone she started talking to herself. Her parents had always considered it a weird habit but she found it was a good way to get her thoughts organized. She couldn’t talk over herself at least. “Wait but does that mean…” Amity stood up and looked through the stain glass window. “Ugh you gotta be kidding me!”
Amity stared down at Luz from the window. Luz was wearing her purple and white hoodie along with her shorts and leggings combo. Amity always thought that outfit was really cute. It really fit her well. What was less cute was the fact Luz was already working on the portal this early in the morning. It had been a few weeks since Luz had tried her first portal experiment and ever since then she had seemed different. More reserved and a bit sad. Amity knew Luz had seen her mom but had refused to tell her much else. Worst of all Luz had gone headfirst into work to build a portal back to the human realm. It wouldn’t be a bad thing except it was coming at the expense of her health. Both physically and mentally. Selfishly Amity also felt like all of Luz’s time was being taken up by this project. She was still waiting to go on their first date with the human.
Amity opened the window and shouted down. “Someone’s up bright and early. Have you even eaten breakfast today?” Her frustration masking itself as concern for Luz.”
“Oh uh hi Amity! No I was just really excited to get to work ya know me always working! Day in and day out.” Luz tried to seem excited and peppy but her words just concerned Amity.
“You need food you dork, you should probably sleep too. I’m coming right down.” Amity closed the window before getting dressed. Luz had given her a pair of white cat PJs to wear but she swapped out of them to switch into her oversized black tunic and red leggings. Making sure not to forget her moon shaped necklace. She also tied her winter coat around her waist. Just in case she needed it. Lastly she slipped into her shoes and stepped outside to see Luz.
Luz immediately ran to hug Amity and squeezed her tight. Amity couldn’t help but blush. She came out to chastise Luz about not eating but how could she stay mad when Luz was hugging her.
Amity broke off the hug “I brought you a PB&J Luz. Eda made it so no need to thank me.” Amity handed her the sandwich and Luz devoured it quickly.
“Thanks Amity! I guess I was more hungry than I thought. You always know what I need. Well anyways back to work." Luz turned to go mess with some cables and magical junk she thought may help her before Amity grabbed her by her hood.
“You are not going back to work Luz. You’ve been different ever since the first portal test. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I just wanna see my mom again…” Luz’s voice trailed off as she talked.
Amity's voice sounded concerned all of a sudden. “Luz please tell me what happened. I mean I’m not some stranger, I'm your girlfriend and you said you saw your mom, so what did she say? What did you say? I mean does she even know about me?!” The witch found it hard to pretend this wasn’t weighing on her.
“I mean I may have mentioned you? I said so much it’s all been so crazy recently. I had so much to tell her. She didn’t even believe most of the stuff I said.” Luz’s mind was going at 100 miles an hour. She felt worry bubble up inside her the more she had to think about her mom. “Please can we not talk about this? Like, can we talk about anything else but this.”
“Okay. I’m just. I'm worried about you. I just want you to know I’m here. No matter what happened on the other side it doesn’t change how I feel about you. No matter how bad things get, I'm still your girlfriend right?” Amity gave Luz a side hug.
“Right. Just really don’t worry because nothing happened. She just. She told me to come back. I really wanna see her again” Luz chuckled to try and distract from her worries as she squeezed Amity back.
Amity didn’t buy it but knew it was better to lay off. Luz was not one to keep quiet, she barely even knew how. So when she did it must have been for a reason.
“So okay. What do you wanna do then? There’s gotta be something we can do to help clear your head.”
“Do you want to work-”
“Luz. We are not working on the portal today. You’ve been doing nothing but working. You need a break.” Amity was stern but her voice was filled with concern. This girl is going to end up killing herself if she keeps working like this.
“Wow, what happened to Miss Top Student? Going soft on me now that we’re dating?” Luz ribbed her girlfriend but Amity was not in the mood for joking.
“Only because you’ve been way too hard on yourself. When was the last time you went to sleep before midnight Luz?”
“I. Well. Some of those were your fault! Keeping me up late with your abominations.” Luz grumbled as she deflected the question. She was getting flustered. She knew Amity was right. She had felt so bad about what happened with her mom that she couldn’t help but work even harder after getting to talk to her.
“If you can’t pick, I'm going to pick for you. We’re going on a date today. I mean, how can we be dating if we’ve never been on a date yet?” Amity hated to admit that this fact was weighing on her. She always kept worrying that there was a reason that Luz didn’t want to spend time with her. The rational part of Amity said that it was just because Luz was busy with the portal but Amity wasn’t entirely rational.
“Oh god have we never been on a date?” The realization hit Luz just as Amity said it. Luz felt bad that she hadn’t even thought about it. She knew she had been focused on making a portal home but didn’t realize what was coming at the cost of that.
“I’ve been waiting for you to ask but you’ve always been too busy. Come on.” Amity grabbed Luz’s hand.
“I’m so sorry Amity. I just haven’t been thinking lately. I’ll spend more time with you, I promise.” How did I forget to ask my girlfriend on a date? You're totally gonna ruin this. Amity probably hates you already!
“You’re right. You haven’t been thinking. It’s okay though. I understand it must be hard, the situation you’re in with your mom, but today isn’t about that, it's about us going on our first date.” Amity pulled Luz by the hand. You’re fine Amity. See Luz wasn’t ignoring you she just forgot to go on a date with you which is uh. Normal let’s say it’s normal.
“Wait where are we going” Luz asked as she was pulled by Amity
“Well I thought we’d head to Bonesborough, get a meal or just a drink somewhere. Something small you know."
“That’s so sweet Amity but if you want something lowkey, do you wanna see the forest?” Luz seemed to be excited by the idea.
Amity seemed confused by this question “I mean it’s just a forest? What is there to see? I don’t know if this is much of a date spot.”
“You did not just say that! I love this place! It’s so peaceful here and there's so much secret stuff!” Luz squeezed Amity’s hand and ran ahead. Excited to show Amity all her little spots and secrets.
Luz and Amity were walking through the orange forest around the Owl House. Amity was a bit put off by such a quiet and odd spot to have a first date in but she knew this place meant a lot to Luz. Luz was pulling Amity around. The human girl seemed to be on the hunt for something.
"Luz what exactly are you looking for?" Amity tried to hold back any sort of scorn.
“It's a surprise Amity. Oooo here it is. Amity look at this weird rock I found! It’s all smooth and flat.” Luz laid on the rock without even thinking about it. “Come on Amity, relax with me.”
Amity laid next to Luz but seemed annoyed by something. “Noceda, is your idea of a date really taking me to lie on a ‘weird rock’ you found in the forest?”
Luz tensed up. While she was sure Amity didn’t mean it this way being called Noceda always flared up some anxiety in her. “Well if I’m honest. I don’t really care where we go out or what we do on our date. As long as I get to do it with you.”
Amity blushed and reached her hand out. Luz was looking up at the sky but knew exactly what to do without looking. “You’re such a goofball.” Amity said as she squeezed Luz’s hand.
“That’s why you love me right?” Luz squeezed back even harder. “And I know it’s just a rock but you can see the sky from here. It’s always been my place to think.”
“What are you thinking about right now, then?” Amity watched as the wind shook the trees. She didn’t realize how calm the nature around the Owl House was. Being here with Luz made her feel at ease.
“I’m thinking that I’m really upset that I hadn’t gone on a date with you sooner. I know I’ve been so focused on this portal but that’s no excuse to ignore you. I feel really bad about it. I hope you aren’t mad at me” Luz felt the butterflies form in her stomach as she said it. Nervous beads of sweat starting to form.
“Well, I can’t admit I wasn’t worried.” Amity said as she schooched closer together on the rock. “I was so scared you didn’t actually like me but, I promise you’re still an awesome girlfriend. We will get through this.”
“Thank you so much Amity. You’re an awesome girlfriend too. If you ever need to talk to me or need to lay on a weird rock with me you can. I wanna be the best version of Luz I can be for you.”
Amity chuckled. “Look I hate to admit it but... the rock is nice. Oddly comfortable.”
“Hah! I told ya so! Luz shot up. Oh I have another idea. You’re gonna love this, it's a human thing. We just gotta find the right tree.” Luz reached her hand down to help Amity up. It was only then they both realized how red their faces were.
Luz had been looking around the forest for about ten minutes. She was scoping out trees. Not really sure what she was looking for but she needed to find the right one.
“Luz tell me what we are looking for again?”
“A tree!” Luz answered as if that was specific enough.
Amity looked all around to check. “Uhm we are in the forest right? It’s all trees.”
“Yeah but it’s gotta be special. Like I can’t just pick any-“ Luz interrupted herself and gasped “That's the one!” She pointed at a big tree with plenty of space around it. She ran over to the tree all excited. “Come on! You’re gonna like this.”
“Gimme a second Luz.” Amity walked over to the tree. “Huh it’s kind of hot here isn’t it?”
“Maybe a little. Probably just the sun. So Amity, my girlfriend. What we are here to do is.” Luz patted herself down. “...I just realized I don’t have a knife. You wouldn’t happen to.”
Without a word Amity pulled a dagger from her jacket wrapped around her waist and passed it to Luz.
“Holy shit?! Amity you carry that thing on you?!” Luz was stunned as she took the dagger out of its holder to reveal a jagged blade. “Hm. Seems familiar.” Luz started at it wondering if she had seen it before.
“Oh weird it’s probably nothing.” Amity was clearly deflecting from something. “And yeah. I started taking it places after me and Eda went to Eclipse Lake. I need to be more careful after what happened there. I can’t keep messing up. So anyways tell me. What’s this human ritual?”
“Oh well first I need to make a heart.” Luz started carved a heart into the tree. She wasn’t super good at it. It was clear she hadn’t done this before. After a little time however she was able to carve a pretty nice heart shape. After that she stopped to look at the dagger again.
“No Amity really. I swear I’ve seen this somewhere before…” She squinted at it before her eyes flashed with recognition. The light bulb going off in her head as her eyes opened wide with shock.
“Wait a second. This is… wait really? Why do you have this?!” Luz glared at Amity and jammed the dagger into the tree so she could wave her arms around without hurting herself or Amity.
“Bump gave it to me. I didn’t even want it I just. I did well on an assignment and he felt I should have it. Just. Calm down Luz okay?” Amity seemed panicked she put her hands up defensively.
“I am calm. Like no seriously, I am calm. I’m not that mad.” Luz took a couple deep breaths in and out. ”It’s just. Look you have to admit it’s pretty weird, that you have the dagger that almost cut me open the first time I went to Hexside.”
She took the dagger out and stared at her reflection in it. She was surprised to see her face was red with anger. It was a shock to Luz how scary she had looked. Regret and shame filled her. “Is this how I look to you? Amity I’m so sorry.”
“No look. I shouldn’t have brought that. I shouldn’t even own this stupid thing. I feel so bad. I mean I almost got you cut open. How can I claim to be here for you after that. You’re right to be mad at me.” Amity wasn’t taking Luz’s anger well
“I don’t want to be mad at you, I'm sorry if I worried you. I promise we are past that. You’re an awesome girlfriend now and that’s what I care about.” Luz held Amity tight “It’s just a bit weird to see it again, you know?”
“I understand. I promise I’ll get rid of it when we get back to the house okay. Speaking of which. Do you wanna go back?” Amity pulled the dagger out and placed it back in her coat wrapped around her waist.
“That sounds alright. Hey maybe we can work on the portal a bit?” Luz just defaulted to thinking about the portal. It took up so much of her time when she was at home. She couldn’t imagine not thinking about it.
“Luz. I told you we aren’t working on the portal today. Today is our day off. We can do anything except work.” Amity tried to be both gentle while remaining stern as she broke off the hug. “We can go home but we will not be working.” Amity started walking in the direction she thought was back to the Owl House but immediately fell into a ditch only a few feet away.
“Amity, are you okay!” Luz jumped into the ditch and looked down at her. She noticed Amity was sweating. Then Luz noticed she was sweating. That’s when she looked up. “Oh no.”
Firebees. Their giant tree glowing with permanent red and orange fire. Just the sight had started to hurt Luz's eyes. She knew they were territorial and had already seen them going to attack. Before she could think to do anything else she reached for her glyphs and put up an ice wall. She heard the sound of bees slamming on the ice and the sound of the ice turning into steam.
“Amity we gotta go!” Luz made panicked noises and her voice was shaky
“Luz what in the world are those!” Amity was hyperventilating a little as she suddenly realized they were being attacked.
“Firebees! I only have a couple more ice glyphs so uh here.” Luz picked up Amity and carried her out of the ditch. Both of them sitting and out of breath from the sudden adrenaline spike. “They’re very territorial, they shouldn’t chase us out here.”
Right as Luz said that a small swarm of firebees flew over their heads. Nearly singing their hair.
“What was that about not chasing us!?” Amity jumped up and grabbed Luz’s hand before she started to run as fast as she could. Dragging her girlfriend along. Luz used an ice glyph to shoot out a spread of ice to disperse the bees. There was still some left after them however.
“Amity I only have one glyph. Jump into that ditch! Cut through the bushes there!” Luz shouted as she pointed to the right.
“Sounds good!” As Amity turned them Luz set up her last ice glyph to make a wall. Hoping the bees would lose track of them.
Luz waited until she could no longer hear the bees “I think it worked! That was such a close call. All's well that ends well right?”
“Uhm Luz. We’re in a muddy ditch now.” Amity stood up before moving to a stump stuck in the mud.
“Wait Amity this isn’t just a muddy ditch? This is where I offered to be Grom Queen, isn't it?” Luz looked around. “Yeah this definitely seems like it.” Luz kneeled down to be eye level to Amity.
“I’m still sorry about that night. I should have fought Grom myself.” Thinking about that seemed to crater Amity’s mood. She fell to a whisper as she talked.
“I understand Amity. Please don’t feel bad. I mean. You saved me at the end there and, I completely understand being scared that night. I mean how could anyone imagine me dating you right?” Luz joked, not realizing how Amity would take it.
“Yeah. How could someone like you date me?” Amity had shut down. The fear and anxiety got to her. Even if she knew Luz was joking just hearing her say that hurt her.
“A-amity I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just. I mean because now we are dating you know?” Luz had started to panic. Not getting any response from Amity really got Luz’s anxiety high.
“It’s not that I’m upset at you Noceda... It’s just that. I’m worried that you don’t deserve someone like me. I mean you’re always rushing head first to save me. At Grom, to get me my job back, and even today with the stupid firebees. What do I do for you? Well I almost got you cut open and you got expelled from Hexside just for being my friend. All I do is get you hurt.”
Luz grabbed Amity’s cheeks and forced her to make eye contact. “Amity Blight. You are my awesome girlfriend. I promise.”
“Well I don’t feel like an awesome girlfriend. You’re sweet Luz but don’t waste your time with someone like me.” Amity's voice was sapped of energy. She felt totally dejected and went to lay in the mud but Luz caught her.
“You definitely aren’t getting rid of me that easily.” Luz stuck her tongue out as she looked down at Amity. “But seriously stop it.” Luz was more serious now. “Who got me the echo mouse? Who got me back into school? Saved me from Grom? Helped me in grudgeby? Got me Titan blood?”
“I guess those were me. Still I’m a mess. It doesn’t mean I haven’t hurt you.”
“You’re too in your own head. I’m better than I’ve ever been because I’m with you. I mean that. You’re thinking too transactional. It isn’t about if you help me more then I help you or if I get value out of your actions. None of that matters. You don’t need to be perfect for me to love you. I’m your girlfriend because I love how excited you make me feel, and I love staying up late at night and talking to you about literally anything, and I love when I make you laugh and you smile at me. You make me want to be the best version of myself and I didn’t want to say this on the first date but I do love you, Amity Blight…. uh you okay Amity?”
Amity’s face was red and she was almost crying at this point. She was so overwhelmed from hearing what Luz said about her. “Luz. I’m sorry I was acting stupid. Thank you for telling me you love me. I love you too. I really mean that.” Amity kissed Luz on the cheek. Just a gentle little peck. She was too scared to go further for now. She was shocked when Luz kissed her back at all.
“Hehe I finally got to do that.” Luz had to admit she enjoyed surprising Amity like that. “I’m not gonna leave you. I promise. Like you said, no matter how bad things get, I'm still your girlfriend right?” Luz patted her girlfriend on the head.
“Right. You’re my girlfriend and you love me.”
“Now how about we stop wallowing in mud and go get cleaned up okay?” Luz stood up and dusted off her legs out of habit.
“That sounds good. Before we leave though let me show you something.” Amity moved off the stump. “It’s a bit embarrassing but… look at it.”
Luz looked over the stump and found a small carved heart. It seemed to be very well made. She immediately knew what she was looking at. “Seems it isn’t just a human ritual. AB plus LN huh? I wonder who those are.” Luz said sarcastically.
“They’re me! And you of course. Amity Blight and Luz Noceda. I made this pretty soon after our dance that night and well I was always embarrassed by it.” Amity’s whole face was red. She felt so awkward trying to explain it.
“I knew who they were, ya little cutie. Also it’s not embarrassing, it's super sweet. Give me the dagger.” Luz reached her hand out and Amity placed the dagger into it so Luz could carve her own heart next to Amity’s. With “LN + AB” carved into the center. She stood up next to Amity and hugged her from the side. “There, now we’re even.”
“You’re such a dork Luz.”
“Yeah. That’s why you love me though.”