Chapter Text
Luz does not rise to the wailing screams of a monster clock or the hooty’s annoying wake-up call, but rather the sweet chirp of the birds in the human realm. It took her a second to take in her surroundings which were so different from that of the demon realm. It was only yesterday that she returned home, under some less-than-ideal circumstances. She rolls out of bed, still stiff from the previous battle. She carefully maneuvers over Amity and Willow's sleeping bag heading towards her closet. She picks out basic gray trousers, a white shirt with red sleeves, and a baseball cap to match with a fish print. She was about to head downstairs when she stopped in the door frame and looked back at her desk. She spots her green fanny pack, and just inside are her glyphs. Just on a whim, she grabs the bag; It's not like she needs it, but she isn't quite ready to give it up yet.
She heads downstairs and is lured in by the sweet smell of breakfast. How long has it been since she has had a normal breakfast? Nothing is wrong with the food on the boiling isles but it'll be nice to have something from home again. She arrives at the table to see Willow, Amity, and Hunter sitting at the table enjoying breakfast. Vee is in the kitchen with her mom chatting.
“Hey, Luz!” Willow exclaims while waving her hand. Luz looks across the table to take in everyone's new looks. Their styles aren't that much different, but human fashion looks different on them; Amity especially. She has one of Luz’s rompers on that she almost never wears. It does match Luz’s style but fits Amity’s well. The plum matches her cotton candy hair that is tucked back by a headband that matches her outfit. A small bow resting on its side. Luz takes the spare seat between Hunter and Amity.
“Where is Gus?” Luz asks after noticing that one witch in their merry band of heroes was not at breakfast.
“Oh yeah, we decided that it would be best if we let everyone catch up on their rest so he is still asleep downstairs,” Hunted stated right before taking a bite of scrambled eggs. Luz understands why they didn't want to bother Gus. He needed his rest, they all did. They were all clearly worried but the mass panic last night seemed to have mostly blown over as they start to settle into their new home.
“Here you go, Luz! Bacon and eggs, Camila said it was one of your favorites so I hope you like it,” Vee cheerfully exclaims as she set a plate of warm food in front of Luz. She stares blankly at the dish of food. The stream brushes past her face and her cheeks absorb the warmth. “I’ll be right back with a glass of orange juice for you,” Vee offers, snapping Luz out of her trance. Vee heads back into the kitchen. After watching her slither past, Luz picks up the fork and twiddles it in her fingers before skewering a piece of bacon and placing it into her mouth. The flavor fills her mouth. It was a perfect mixture of smoky and sweet filled with savory delight. She dove in for a second bite.
“Well since no one else is gonna say it I will, What are we going to do now? We don't know the first thing about building a portal, and even if we did there would be no way to power it.” Willow bluntly states. The whole reason they were stuck here in the first place. Amity let out a sigh, guess it might not be something everyone is ready to handle yet. Silence fills the room, the tension so thick it could be cut with an emerald dagger from the night market. It only was disturbed once Vee approaches the table and places a beverage in front of Luz and sits down with her own plate of food.
“I guess we'll have to figure that out, it won't happen all at once and we won't have the answers right away but we have to try,” Luz declared, confidence masking her uncertainty.
“Yeah, we will find a way to get back, it's just a matter of time,” Amity reassured as she places her hand on Luz's shoulder to comfort her. It was just what Luz needed, to be reminded that she is not alone at that they will solve this problem together. She has her friends and her awesome girlfriend by her side… Awesome girlfriend… girlfriend. Luz has never told her mom that she likes girls. There was never a time to bring it up before. How would she react? Oh no what if her mother wasn't accepting, what if? what if? what if?
“Luz!” Amity calls out. Luz looks up to meet her eyes and sees a worried expression of dread and distress. “Hey, you know that you are not alone in this, we will be with you the whole way.”
“We have your back, don't put too much pressure on yourself,” Hunter affirmed to show support for his new friends. If anything he knows what it is like to feel alone, but this is so different.
“Yeah. I know, but this is something different. I- I don't know how to- how to do this I Just- nevermind…” Luz stutters as she holds herself and tries to fight the tears forming in her eyes. Luz can't bring herself to look anywhere but her lap.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Willow suggests, with a sweet, sugary voice filled with care and comfort. Luz sits in silence as she ponders her answer. She slowly nods her head.
“Maybe, but after we finish breakfast,” Luz mumbles. The five of them finish up with their food, put their dishes away and head up to Luz’s bedroom. Each of them takes a place on the floor surrounding her bed where Luz sits with Amity beside her. So many thoughts are racing through Luz’s head. How is she supposed to explain her worries to people that grew up without the slightest idea of what homophobia was? Even the terms and labels don't exist on the boiling isles. It's just natural for everyone but her.
“We are ready to listen if you are willing to share,” Willow affirmed. Just as Luz was about to say something. Gus stumbled into the room. He clearly had just woken up from his tired expression to the sagging pajamas he still had on. Gus let out a soft yawn before he spoke.
“Hey guys, Camilia said you were all up here so I figured I would join you.”
“Hi Gus,” Hunter chirps.
“Hi Hunter. So what are you guys talking about?” Gus asks as he takes a seat on the floor next to Hunter.
“Well Luz said she had something worrying her, she was just about to tell us what it was,” Willow informed him. All of her friends looked at her expectantly ready to listen to whatever she had to say. She took a deep breath in.
“It wasn't something that I thought of before, but now that we are all here, I don't know how to tell my mom that Amity and I are dating,” Luz admitted. Her gaze never left the floor.
“Camila already is kind to all of us, so there should be no issue with the two of you dating,” Gus insisted. Luz grips the sheets on the bed. There should be nothing wrong with them dating, Camila already likes Amity, but dating is a whole other level.
“I- um- well you see, it's- it's not that easy is just that um…” Luz stutters, each word pushing her tears and worries further to the surface. She remains silent as a single tear rolls off her cheek.
“Are you worried that your mom won't be okay with you dating Amity?” Vee questions. The delicacy in her voice is floating on a cloud to comfort her. Luz nods her head in affirmation and slowly lifts her head to meet her friend's eyes.
“Because Amity is a girl.” Luz mumbles, tears starting to form in her eyes as she desperately tries to hold them back. Willow's eyes still hold the same amount of care as they always do, Hunter and Gus for the most part look confused, and Vee shows compassion and understanding of Luz’s fears. I guess your caretaker finding out you're a demon isn't that much different than coming out to your mom as bisexual. She turns her head to look at Amity, only to see eyes swirling with a mix of confusion and concern. Luz snaps her head back down and grips the blanket more.
“Woah, Woah, Woah, Hold up, I'm confused. What does Amity being a girl have to do with anything?” Gus ponders.
“I'm confused as well, why would you be worried about that of all things?” Hunter adds. Oh, how Luz wishes that this could be easier to explain. She wasn't prepared to explain all the downsides of humanity to her friends quite yet. Well, there is no going back she placed all her trust in her friends to listen to her free of judgment. Breathe in. Breathe out.
“In the human realm, some people look down on people who date others of the same gender. I’m just worried since I don't know how my mom would react to me dating a girl. I’m sorry, I know it’s stupid, it's just-” as Luz explains she feels someone squeezing her hand. She lifts her gaze ever so slowly and her eyes meet Amity. Two ponds of liquid gold mix with sorrow, then confliction, and evidently resiting on compassion. Amity opens her mouth just enough to separate her lips, ready to say whatever loving words of comfort are about to glide into the air.
“You should never, ever, have to apologize for who you are or who you love, and if someone can't see how happy you are being you, that's on them.” Amity declares she holds Luz’s hand, so soft and gentle. Luz turns to face Amity and lifts her free hand to hold her girlfriend’s soft face. Amity leans into the gentle embrace. Luz pulls her closer, turns her head just a tad to the side, and leans in until their lips meet. It was just as delicate and sensational as their first kiss. Amity’s lips were very soft, like eating peach ice cream, except this was warm. She felt safe with Amity’s touch. Their fingers intertwined, and tighten as they nuzzle each other. Luz wishes she could stay like this forever, never facing the horrific world around her. Stay here safely with Amity for the rest of her life.
“Ah-hem, we're still here,” Vee chimes in. The two pull away, Luz’s hand dropping to her side, the other still holding her partner’s hand tight. Her disappointment soon fades as she looks over to her friends and feels a rush of blood flushing her cheeks. Amity is equally embarrassed as her whole face goes bright red.
“So what is the deal with humans not liking people to date certain people based on gender?” Gus asks, clearly still not entirely understanding how something so seemingly insignificant would cause Luz so much worry.
“I guess I should explain that. Let's start with the LGBTQIA+ community…”