Chapter Text
“Hey, Lucy?”
Lucy was almost sure Holly would say something sooner or later. It’s the way she’s been looking at her that gave her away. Not that talking to her was completely unwelcomed, it’s… just different? After all the months away from Lockwood & Co, meeting Holly once again is different, and Lucy no longer feels the burning rage that the other used to ignite. First, their joint case, then this cursed village, Aldbury Castle. They share a room, and somehow… Lucy feels a little happy?
“Hey,” Lucy smiles back.
Holly pats the bed next to her, and Lucy decides to take the invitation and lies down next to her. They’re tired after the night, and yet neither seems to be eager to fall asleep. They talk about the Skull and all the ways he suggested Lucy got rid of Holly, they talk about Lockwood, and George, and a lot of other things, and yet-
“Can I ask you something personal?”
Finally. Lucy had a feeling Holly wanted to discuss all that but also something else.
“Sure. Won’t promise to answer, though.”
Holly nods, “What’s between you and Lockwood?”
Hm? Where did this come from? Lucy pauses for a while and muses it over. She feels nothing of the past things. So she won’t lie and reply after all.
“Currently, nothing. We used to date but it just didn’t work out, we both could see that.” Lucy thinks about it a bit more. “I still care for him, he’s a good friend but anything remotely romantic? No, thanks.”
Holly chuckles. “Good.”
“Don’t think he’s into you, though,” Lucy jabs her lightly.
“Oh, not me either,” the other huffs. “I will show you tomorrow.”
“Today’s already tomorrow,” points out Lucy just to be petty. For the old times' sake.
Holly rolls her eyes, yet both soon fall asleep without talking again.
***
“What did you-“ starts Lucy the next night, yet Holly grabs her hand.
“Sh-h,” Holly shushes quietly and points out… Kipps?
Yeah, he’s been pretty annoying for the second day in a row, right after George has given him those glasses.
“… there’re two more Shades over there, and here, closer to…” Kipps goes on and on, watching the spirits outside through the window.
Lucy gets it, it’s been hard for him since his Talent abandoned him long ago. She never gave it any thought about what she would do. If she makes it through. She’ll decide once she makes it through with her life.
Lucy gets it, and yet Kipps is annoying.
“… oh, look, that child looks the most modern-dressed of them, do you think he’s less than a century old? He doesn’t look strong as well…”
Lucy narrows her eyes at the just too-excited Kipps. Then turns to Holly. She doesn’t jump to the conclusion that Holly likes Kipps – because why did she ask after Lockwood then?
“Just say it,” grumbles Lucy because she doesn’t get it.
Holly smiles and tugs on Lucy’s sleeve, turning them both a bit more left.
Lockwood sits on the floor with his rapier out. He’s keeping watch and yet... hm. Glances up from time to time, Lucy follows his gaze to land on… Kipps? She blinks and tries again, no, really. Really?! His gaze is too easy to tell. That has “besotted” written all over it.