Chapter Text
Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today
To watch a big mistake
Lucy, Invasion Day, 12:00pm
Lucy starred at herself in the mirror; hair done in a fancy updo partially hiding the white veil attached to the back. Her makeup was heavy, a matching pink blush, lips, eyeliner that had somehow managed to not run, and eye shadow bright red to both match her groom-to-be’s outfit and disguise the lingering red from her crying.
The white dress was beautiful, in its own way. A sweetheart neckline and sparkly beading. Had anyone else been wearing it, she’d say it was stunning and maybe cry happy tears. Instead, anger and sadness filled her heart, currently aimed at one of the two women behind her.
Lucy turned to face them; she wasn’t mad at Dan-Bi. Despite her being here it was clear it wasn’t her choice – just another unlucky person who had happened to be chosen because the minister felt she could control her. It wasn’t clear if Matilda was telling the truth that Duvos had Rian and he’d only be released if Dan-Bi cooperated but given what Lucy was giving up to protect her town she couldn’t hold a grudge against her for the hope of saving her husband.
Matilda, however, Lucy would forever curse under her breath.
Malilda had betrayed them. Matilda was the one calling the shots. Matilda was the one who had offered her house to the commander and said it would be great for a new jacuzzi. Matilda who convinced Pen that marrying Lucy would be the best for him and Duvos. Matilda, who told her the only way to save Sandrock was to say yes.
Despite this, Matilda had the gall to have a small sad smile on her face while handing Lucy a small tub of numbing cream...
...wait numbing cream?
“What is this for?” Lucy asked, the defeat in her voice speaking louder than the words.
“It’s a... rather antiquated Duvos tradition that the groom brand his wife as part of the ceremony.” Matilda shook her head slightly, “My dear sweet husband, may he rest in peace, said that burning my hand on the stove a week prior was good enough. Pen however...well you know he loves those gauntlets of his...” She trailed off, Dan-Bi couldn’t hide her gasp, a hand covering her mouth. Lucy gulped but nodded.
“I’d recommend putting it on your chest, and quickly. The commander will be here soon to walk you down the aisle. I have some other business to attend to, so unfortunately, I’ll be missing the ceremony.” Matila finished before grabbing her cane and turning towards the door.
“Why are you doing this? Why me?” Lucy asked, voice shaking.
“Oh Lucy, darling, I’d do anything for my country and even more for my children. I’m sure you understand. I mean, look at what you’re doing for your childhood town and friends. Even Logan...I wonder if he even remembers the promise he made all those years ago.” She tsked, turned, and left, leaving Lucy defeated and Dan-Bi confused.
Lucy sniffed lightly, tears starting to flow again, before handing Dan-Bi the cream. She took it but looked at the builder.
“Lucy...what does she mean the promises Logan told you? What’s going on?”
“I...” She sighed, grabbing a tissue, “I need to tell you something Dan-Bi. But you can’t tell anyone until I’m long gone.”
12 Years Prior
Lucy giggled as Logan pushed her against the wall, a finger to his lips as they both tried to quiet their laughter. Maurice and Owen ran by, calling out for both of them. They might all be a little old for hide-and-seek but if those two insisted on not giving the couple any privacy, then they would continue being childish.
Once their voices faded to the distance, Logan backed up with a goofy smile on his face.
“I think we outran them.” He said quietly.
“As if that’s a surprise.” Lucy teased. The four of them had grown up together; Lucy and Logan had always been the fastest – once Lucy started walking of course. The four of them had been inseparable – they would go sandfishing together, ‘sneak’ food from the Inn (Owen’s dad always knew, but they didn’t know that), and even learned how to shoot together on Logan’s 16th birthday a few weeks prior. Turned out both Logan and Maurice were natural shots, much to the chagrin of Owen and Lucy, but given Logan spending time with his monster hunter dad and Maurice’s goal of being in the civil corps it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Logan held his hand out to Lucy, which she gladly took while blushing. That was one thing the boys didn’t share. Maurice and Owen had always placed her firmly in the little sister category while Logan held a solid, not so secret, crush on Lucy which she reciprocated. They were finally at the age where the sleepovers had been stopped and doors had to remain open if it was just the two of them.
Not that they had even kissed, just giggled and held hands in the few moments they could get alone.
“It will always be you, Lulu, we ain’t got to rush anything we ain’t ready for.” Logan would say when Lucy got upset about Maruice teasing them, or Owen telling them about his ‘teenage escapades’ despite only being 18.
Tonight though, felt different. The sun was setting and an orange glow filled the sky. The adults in town had made their way to the Moon and Logan and Lucy had finally gotten away from the other two.
Lucy tugged lightly on Logan’s hand, pulling him with her as they headed towards the oasis. They walked slowly, arms swinging between them. They made it to the stairs that lead to down to the ground, opting to sit on said stairs rather than in the dust.
The breeze blew softly around them, rustling the leaves on the tree in front of them.
“Hey Lo?” Lucy asked,
“Yeah?” He looked at her, breath catching slightly at the way the sun was hitting her face.
“I have a kinda...embarrassing question. You don’t have to answer, of course!” She rushed out, he laughed, sending flurries into her stomach.
“I’ve seen you throw up after a rough yakmel ride, ain’t nothing you can say that would be embarrassing.” He said, laughing harder and rubbing his arm after she punched him.
“Stop bringing that up!” She huffed. “Anyways I wanted to ask...what was your first kiss like?”
“Huh?!” His head snapped to hers as blood rushed up his cheeks.
“Kissin’! Heidi was telling me hers was weird, and some of the kids from the villages said the same. I trust you and thought that...I don’t know, maybe you could tell me what yours was like...” Lucy looked at the ground, embarrassed. Logan was stunned,
“Lulu I... look, I know there’s...Maurice said...Man I ain’t had my first kiss!” He finished grumbling. Jealously filled his stomach, he finally asked, “Why are you askin..? Did you..?”
“What? No! Of course not. Geez Logan. I was just wondering because I wanted to kiss you and I didn’t want to make a complete fool of myself!” She laughed awkwardly, not realizing what she said until it was too late. She gasped when she realized and looked at Logan whose eyes were practically saucers.
“Oh my light I said that out loud.” Logan just nodded. They both starred at each other as the minutes ticked by. Logan was the one who finally broke the moment, his voice barely audible,
“Do you...want to try?” Lucy bit her lip, before nodding slightly.
“Ye-yes. I want to and I trust you, I’m just a little scared.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want things to change between us, Logan! What if I’m a terrible kisser? I’m already doomed to be three heads shorter than you if you get any taller. What if I’m-” He held her hand, cutting her off.
“Lulu, listen to me. We may be young, but I’m promising you this; you’re it for me. It’s you, it’s always been you, and it will always be you. We have time to figure things out, but I don’t want it to be with anyone except you.”
Lucy smiled, heart swelling at Logan’s words. He nodded slightly, leaning towards her, she followed suit. Soon their faces were inches apart and they closed their eyes...and Logan’s nose poked her eyelid.
He swore under his breath as she laughed. They tried again, except this time they’d both missed, which resulted in only their cheeks brushing.
The third time he was too tense and even though their mouths met his lips were so tight he felt nothing, the fourth attempt Lucy giggled as their lips met resulting in them both losing themselves to laughter.
“Well damn, no wonder Heidi said this would be awkward!” Logan managed to get out; Lucy wiped a tear from her eyes.
“Right? And her’s was some random tourist!”
Their laughter continued for another moment before they both calmed down and looked at each other, huge smiles on their faces. They both leaned forward and finally their lips met, slightly dry but definitely the correct way this time. A few seconds later they pulled away, both blushing like crazy but smiling.
“Better?” Lucy whispered, Logan nodded before leaning in and kissing her again. This one lasted longer and probably would’ve continued had a bucket of water not been poured over both of them, causing them to jump up and apart.
“Found ya!” Maurice laughed, bucket in hand with Owen laughing behind him.
“Oh you’re dead, Maury boy!” Lucy yelled before tackling him, causing Owen to laugh harder with Logan joining him.
“Get em, darlin’!” Logan called out, causing Lucy to grin and pin Maurice on his front; leg and arm pinned behind his back. To his credit, Maurice was struggling well but didn’t want to hurt the girl on top of him.
The struggle continued, but Owen patted Logan on the back.
“That crush going anywhere?” Owen asked. Logan shook his head,
“Never.”
Lucy, Invasion Day, 12:15pm
“...Ever since that day, I haven’t kissed anyone else. Willingly at least.” Lucy finished, wiping her tears away. Dan-Bi hasn’t bothered to wipe her tears away.
“Oh Lucy! That’s so romantic!”
“Romantic sure, but when I came back last year...I don’t think he remembers me! Nobody else does!” Lucy cried, putting her head in her hands. “I even introduced myself to Owen, OWEN, who doesn’t forget a damn thing. He didn’t know who I was, so I figured everyone just forgot about me.”
“Lucy, you have to tell them! Before the wedding! They’ll want to know!” Dan-Bi practically begged. The woman and question shook her head before putting a hand on the other’s shoulder.
“If everyone knew, they’d try to stop me. I can’t let them do that. I need them safe, Dan-Bi, even if I have to marry Pen.”
The door slammed open, Lucy jumped in front of Dan-Bi, fists up hoping whoever it was didn’t know she could fight. A tall figure came into the house, causing Lucy to gasp. The figure tossed a person at her feet, white hair sticking out from behind a full coverage mask. The figure moved forward, looking up, the light revealing his bright blue eyes.
“Can I object yet?” Logan asked.