If I offer you the moon on a string

Will you give me a kiss, too?

[flamesofday]

FLAMESOFDAY.A private, selective Lucien Vanserra from Sarah J. Maas' ACOTAR. 21+ only please. Written by Kenzi (she/her/hers.) (PST timezone) Established November 2024. Please see rules if you've been unfollowed.

"I've spent my life caught between two worlds, never truly belonging to either," Lucien said quietly, a flicker of old pain crossing his amber eye. "I've been a courtier, a warrior, a friend—and a traitor, depending on who’s telling the story. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we are more than what the world expects us to be. I am more than my past, more than my scars."

Graphics by @flamesofday Divider/Promo: @floragfx

RULES MEMES

[flamesofday]

We got to see baby peach for the first time today and I don't know how to describe that moment of 'oh my gosh, you are real' and so all I can do today is think about that <3 Like seeing a little heart beating, seeing you wiggle. I can't wait for my next appointment.

[promiseofspring]

Try as she might to push away the images of what had happened between her and Azriel not more than an hour ago, Elain cannot stop his words from echoing in her mind, he might as well still be standing in front of her: This is a mistake. 

Elain's head continues to spin, her eyes sting, and she would very much like to reach her room before anyone catches her or worse, starts asking questions. She tries not to think about the look on Azriel’s face when he said it, or the necklace she has just left behind. She tries not to think about anything except one question she cannot silence: for once, what would not be a mistake?

Elain quickly shoves that thought down and hurries her pace. But in that small reprieve of trying to not think about anything at all, it occurs to her she has forgotten entirely, amidst all that chaos, that Lucien is staying in the house tonight. She had been so consumed with not being seen by Azriel on her way back that she had not once considered —

Surely he would be asleep, occupied elsewhere, anywhere other than —

Elain nearly bounces when she collides into something solid. Strong hands are quick to catch her while her own betrays her conscience and lands on Lucien’s arms — if only for a moment, to steady herself from the unexpected collision.

“ I am well, ” she answers curtly. Her hands leave him, though she doesn’t move to free herself from his. Even as he continues to look at her with eyes that have no business seeing as clearly as they do, saying that word again — as if it is not the very last thing she wanted to talk about. 

Her eyes still sting, but she ignores them. “ Do you do everything 'the bond' tells you? ”

[flamesofday]

The bite in her tone does not surprise him in the least, although the ache of her distain is clear in his own emotions. Lucien isn't entirely sure what he has done— except blab out loud the startling discovery of their bond— to draw her ire, but it is the one constant between them. Elain hates him, and all he can do is remain at her whim. "Well?" He echos, his gaze once more looking over her features. He isn't sure that is the word he would use, but he wouldn't dare name out loud the emotion he believes she's shooting down the bond. Likely unintentionally.

"You should try it" His head tilted, turning just slight to put the mechanical eye in the shadow of the hallway. "Listening to the bond, I mean. It can be very disorienting when the other person is sending all these feelings down the bond and suddenly pulling—" Lucien thinks for a brief moment, the whiskey getting the better of him as he gently gives the bond a tug as if to emphasize it. "You out of the shower, worrying you senseless." Lucien softened his smile, the hold around her elbows loosening. Never caging her, never giving Elain anything but a choice in all aspects of their situation. "Seems unfair to criticize it before you've ever tried"

Lucien pauses for a few heavy seconds, sobering just slightly. "My apologies if my concerns for your well being are inconvenient...I was worried—" Not that Elain would ever need him, and saying or implying felt like a step in the wrong direction. "I understand it isn't my business, Elain. I thought you knew you pulled it"

[fawnedat]

she was so foolish, how could she let this happen? elain should've known better, she should've gotten at least cameras . . but being so new to it all, she didn't know better. she was so stupid and naive that she thought her ex wouldn't bother with her, she thought he would've moved on by now. elain is grateful for the man under her, she inhales deeply allowing his scent to ease all her worries. he was hardly presentable himself, a loose olive green shirt clung to his muscles, grey sweats hugged his hips, she could feel all of the planes of his muscles. the major difference between how she feels when she is with lucien, and without. a part of her wondered was she becoming too co-dependent on him? would he hate that?

she's nodding at his every word, she agrees with him. ❝ i would be so grateful for your help lucien, i wouldn't need to use my step latter every five seconds. ❞ she tries to laugh, but it ends up coming out a little raspy, making her cheeks pink. ❝ i know lucien, but it's okay. security is definitely needed at this point. anything you can recommend? i know your family likes their privacy. ❞ her fingers comes up to place on his chest, allowing the familiarity to seep in. ❝ how, how are you lucien? how was your trip? ❞

[flamesofday]

Lucien's gaze flickered to her face when the laugh caught in her throat, lingering for a beat too long on the pink blooming across her cheeks."Well, we can't have that," he said lightly. "A beautiful woman shouldn't be risking life and limb every time she wants a coffee mug from the top shelf."The corner of his mouth tugged upward as his hand settled briefly over hers where it rested against his chest.

"And yes, unfortunately, my family has turned paranoia into an art form." He huffed a laugh. "I'll take care of it. Cameras, sensors, reinforced locks if you're worried about someone getting inside again."His thumb brushed once against the back of her hand before he seemed to catch himself.At her question, something softened in his expression. "I'm alright darling." A lie, perhaps, but an easy one. He was concerned for her, angry that Grayson had decided to act in such a way....and Elain...he'd never seen her look so small."The trip was good. Long. Too many meetings, too many people asking for things." His smile turned wry. "Though I did bring you something back." He tilted his head."But enough about me. How are you, really?"

[flamesofday]

Drinks with Cassian had proven a great distraction, it had given him enough of a buzz that the aching sensation of another solstice that he had been ignored. His gift apparently unopened. Lucien had stepped out of the shower when he felt the first tug at the bond, so faint Lucien is sure that it is an accident. It is when he is dressed and hair damp that the second pull happens, this time it feels almost....urgent, as if something had set her fleeing and she sought him out. The haze of alcohol had his heart thumping, one pull was...well it could be an accident but two?? Lucien tugged on the worn black leather boots, his dark trousers and a loosen linen sleeping shirt. He had intended to sleep off the drink, but that humming thread and pull wouldn't leave him alone. He just had to make sure she was okay.

The hallway was faintly lit, making each and every one almost identical to the last. Lucien rounded a corner, startled as a warm and shorter body collided with his own. His hands gripped around her elbows to steady them both, surprise etching onto his features as he stared down at large brown doe eyes. "Elain?" His voice was rough and warm, and while still faintly intoxicated, he didn't smell like it. Instead the shower had given his scent of smoke and wood a fresh wash, clinging to every inch of his frame. "Are you okay, what happ—" He can smell it then, the faint scent of Azriel on her, the way it is so faint but there. A knot forms in his throat, his gaze narrowing as he assess her with a quick glance. She looked alright physically, aside from the obvious signs something had distressed her. Her face looked puffy, and if he wasn't mistake...she looked on the verge of tears. "Elain" He isn't sure why her name slips easier off his tongue, but it is softer, calmer than he should of been in the moment. "...You pulled at the bond, are you okay?"

@promiseofspring

[fawnedat]

“ It’s okay to fall apart. I’m not going anywhere. ” @flamesofday

tears flow down her cheeks as she continues to tremble. arms are crossed tight to her chest as digits dig into her arms, nailed unknowingly digging so deeply into her arm she bleeds. her hair hasn't even been tamed yet for the day as she talks to the nypd, nodding her head as the police officers keep pointing to all of the mess — the break in. to her most prized and favorite place, her shop. books, pastries, all of her florals damaged. elain isn't a fool, she knew who exactly planned this. her ex. he must've somehow seen her social media post, her hard launch of her boyfriend lucien vanserra. speaking of, out the corner of her eye and the sea of the crowd she spots his fiery hair, and that face . . how could anyone not see him? ❝ please let him through, he's with me— ❞ as soon as his warm hands cup her cheeks, the rest of the few hours were a blur.

with swollen eyes elain finally looks at lucien as they sit upon his couch, elain was fully in his lap, his hand stroking her hair as she cried. the past month, it had been too much. she hadn't seen her boyfriend, he was so busy with work today had been the day they were supposed to meet for breakfast. ❝ i have missed you so much, i'm sorry this is what you come back too. ❞ she confesses to him, slipping her head under his chin, the top of her nose brushes against his neck. ❝ with all the new customers and new products, i was so overwhelmed i didn't notice he found it. this is so hard. ❞ elain had purposely used an alias name when she purchased the building. his next words, it’s okay to fall apart. i’m not going anywhere. they break her, just a little bit more.

[flamesofday]

Lucien had never felt panic like this before, the trembling sound of Elain's voice...the flashing of the police lights as he rushed through the crowd. He was ure his heart had stopped beating for a fleeting second until he saw her, and it only resumed once he had wrapped her up in his arms. The shop could be fixed, the books replaced and the plants replotted...but fixing the emotional state of Elain....of providing her with that sense of safety and comfort...That would be the challenge. It was one of the reasons he insisted she stay with him, at least for a few days. Lucien had an idea of who trashed her shop, the ex she mentioned briefly and never in a good light. His stomach twisted at the thought, that somehow their relationship had caused such a reaction.

"It's okay, Elain" He hummed against her head, his hands running over her arms with reassurance. "I'm not going anywhere for awhile, and I'll be able to help you when you're ready to go back to the shop.....I don't think you should be doing it alone" His brows furrowed together, a stone dropping in his stomach. "....I don't want you to do it alone" he amended, his voice softer. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there. But I'm glad you called me" Even if had committed a few...red light violations to make it to her. He knew nothing was going to stop him when she had called, and especially not when he saw the amount of anger that someone had inflicted on the place she poured her heart into.

"...I'd like to get some security...." He proposed, worried how she'd take that news.

[bornofthedawn]

she should be mindful of their forced time together. she should be of the mind that their night shared together was foolish and traitorous — but she wasn't. the princess was reckless and she would shamelessly admit that. aurora leaned into her desires, without so much as a second thought; her lips were on his bare shoulder, her lithe touch on his back. the way her name sounded on his lips was enough to put the princess on her knees, had he not beat her to it.

" so don't, " the beauty whispered, her fingers coming up to lightly touch his chin, trace his jawline — make him look at her. " if your honor is what keeps you from me, then cut the thread. get rid of it and be mine. " her betrothed could be damned, for all she cared. she had yet to meet the prince she was to wed, yet this journey had shown her more then she'd ever predicted and most importantly — aurora was certain she was falling in love.

[flamesofday]

Few could bring him to his knees, but Aurora could. With a few brushes of her fingers and one swipe of her lips he had been brought to his knees. Honor and duty would dictate that he should leave, that he should reject her advances and yet— Lucien bolted up to steal a kiss from her mouth the second she commanded him to be hers. As if that permission was the breaking point, cutting the thread that had held him back. His arms tangled around her in a fury, anchoring her into him.

Lucien could no longer deny this growing weight in his chest for her, the worry that furrowed his brow every step closer to the castle. The Prince was...fair, by all accounts handsome and yet Lucien did not want to give her away. Did not want to subject Aurora to the life he knew waited her. She was more than a pretty trophy to be shown off, she deserved to live and be loved.

[works-of-heart]

I've been away for 3 weeks at a hotel since they are doing renovations on my home. Here's my finished picture of Lucien in a pony tail!

[colins-bridgerton]

kate's 365 days of ships:

day 94: buttercup & wesley the princess bride

[griefseason]

❛    trying  to  cloud  my  thoughts  ,  lucien  ?    ❜        amusement  twinkles  in  her  gaze  as  one  hand  rests  on  his  neck  ,  black  manicured  nail  tracing  his  jawline.      there  is  a  dazed  sort  of  look  to  her  –  she's  young  ;  never  been  kissed  or  held  this  way.       ❛    i  bet  you  have  no  trouble  doing  just  that  with  whomever  you  like.      dangerously  handsome.   ❜        a  gentle  huff  of  laughter  ,  a  flash  of  white  teeth  in  a  smile.         ❛    but  if  the  plan  is  a  mutual  arrangement   …    suppose  we  have  a  very  long  time  to  kiss  each  other  ,  hm  ?    ❜       a  wink  ,  then  her  hands  smooth  down  his  neck  &*  chest  to  rest  at  his  lapel.        

❛     does  he  fully  plan  to  name  you  heir  ?   ❜       she  muses  curiously  ,  head  tilting  so  dark  hair  cascades.         ❛   what  happens  to  your  mother  in  this  exposure  ?      beron  is  not  known  for  his  easy  going  nature.     i  sincerely  hope  you  don't  intend  to  let  her  take  this  fall  alone.     ❜      it  would  not  surprise  her  –  at  least  it  wouldn't  were  he  eris  or  any  of  the  other  autumnal  heirs.     she  can  only  hope  lucien  is  not  a  con.     

[flamesofday]

Time is not particularly a concern to either of them, that he is sure of. Although it is very amusing to hear Selene wield her words in a flirtatious manner, so much so that it draws a smile onto his face. "I have no intentions of doing it with anyone else but you" His brow arches, sincerity dripping in his tone.

While his reputation may be similar to his Helion, Lucien is an honorable male. If they were truly going to do this, he has no mind to court or sleep with anyone but her. "You just tell me when and where you'd like to be kissed and I'll happily oblige."

Lucien's smile widened agained, Selene catches on quickly. "Ah, the other part of the plan." He hums softly, "Have you noticed Beron is absent tonight? That Eris is surprisingly late and rather quiet" And also wrapped in a few wards, enough that by tomorrow it'll be known. Lucien leaned down, his lips ghosting the shell of her ear. "Beron is dead, and the only threat left is those who will not fall in line in Autumn" Lucien straightens again, his palms smoothing around the curve of her hips. "None of this could of happened without it, and now Eris is the High Lord of Autumn" He knows the upset tomorrow will be monumental, that the courts as they know it will be momentarily off kilter. It will not just align Night with Day, but also a bridge to Autumn.

[bornofthedawn]

Ticket

send in; 🎟️ [ ticket ] for me to make a moodboard with four-nine photos for our muses/ship. feat. @flamesofday ( main verse. )

[flamesofday]

Who would like to write with Lucien?

[lcstinthewoods]

The anticipation of what he would do sent Elain's stomach into knots, and the moments seemed to drag on endlessly. For a brief second, Elain had to wonder if she had gone too far, if she had read into things so disastrously that her coyness would only bite her and --

His lips were upon hers before her thoughts could spiral any further, and Elain released a brief sound of surprise from the back of her throat before instinctively melting into his embrace. His kiss was so unlike the chaste ones she had shared with Grayson, who touched her as if she were something delicate and easy to break. And while Lucien, too, held her as if she were something delicate, it was hard not to feel devoured by the way his lips molded to hers, as if she were something to be worshipped. His lips were electric and warm against hers, and Elain felt positively consumed by him.

Too soon, he was pulling away, and Elain was left dazed. She never wanted him to stop, and the thought was enough to startle her. A quiet whimper built within her as his lips grazed against hers teasingly, and his words sent a warm flush through her body. "Then perhaps we should go back home." She murmured against his touch, emboldened by the drinks and his touch.

[flamesofday]

What had gotten into them? Drink, most absolutely but perhaps even more than that— they each were tired of the tension that had been building the last few weeks. Lucien was sure that if given the chance, he'd never stop kissing her. His whole body felt as if it had been zapped by lightning, tingling from the tips of his ears to his toes.

"I believe that is a good idea" He mumbled back against her mouth, drawing Elain back into his arms before winnowing them away from the pub. When they landed, Lucien had altered the course slightly to his private apartment in Velaris. His throat bobbed, "I don't think either of us need your sisters walking in" He brushed a few stray curls from her face, his gaze immediately dropping back to her lips.

"I don't think I can stop kissing you, Elain" His words were edged with a tease, the corners of his mouth lifting at his tilted his head back down as if he was going to kiss her again. Lucien however, was a bit of a glutton of punishment, and couldn't help the urge to see exactly how bold Elain might feel in the moment. Especially when there was no one else around to witness this moment between them.

[lcstinthewoods]

For a while, Elain wanted to know absolutely nothing about the bond that had been declared for her. Why should she, when she wanted nothing to do with it? She had been stubborn in her insistence, and Nesta had been all too happy to encourage her stubbornness even after what she had with Cassian developed. Feyre had tried at first to talk to her about it, but eventually gave up. When Elain finally did approach her about it, her sister seemed at a loss as to how to describe it, finally settling with 'you just know'. That hadn't been very helpful to her at all, and so Elain was left to stew in her confusion.

"I would like that very much," it was almost embarrassing to Elain how quickly she had perked up at the idea of simply being friends. But to her, it meant that there were no expectations, at least, she hoped not, and they could simply get to know one another. "I don't even know where to begin," she admits bashfully, peering up at him through her lashes. "But... I think being friends would be a great start. I would like that very much."

[flamesofday]

In truth, Lucien was not entirely sure where to start either. It was not for a lack of imagination, but rather an unsureness how to proceed without being overly excited. His mouth curved into a warm smile, glancing back at the ball they had both stepped away from. That felt overly formal, too many eyes and expectations to couple up for a dance. If he had to wager, he'd assume Elain wasn't quite ready to waltz back in together even as friends. "Would you like to walk the garden together?" He motioned towards the small lit garden off the side, it was where he had been heading but now it felt like a olive branch between them.

"Are you having fun at the party?" Lucien's steps were slow, deliberate as his hands tucked behind his back. "I would not blame you if you wanted to return, I am...woefully exhausted playing emissary up there." Lucien paused briefly, searching for another topic or something to keep the lightness of what felt like their first conversation. He knew she hadn't used the gloves he'd gotten her, but perhaps the garden was still a good place of conversation. "All of the flowers are blooming in Spring, are yours blooming yet?"

[lcstinthewoods]

Slowly, hesitantly, Elain closed the distance between them until she was only standing a step above him on the stairs. She could see the moment his posture loosened, and her own body mirrored the motion.

"You needn't apologize," Elain quietly assured, fiddling nervously with her fingers. She didn't even know where to begin explaining all that went through her head, all that she felt in her heart. She couldn't even understand what she felt; how could she expect him to? "I just don't understand all that I feel." She lowered her gaze to his chest, unable to meet his eyes as the words tumbled past her lips with a quietness that drifted in the wind. "I don't understand how it is that I am always able to feel you, even when I cannot see you. Or why I always feel this..." she trailed off, shaking her head as she struggled to describe what she felt as her hand hovered unsurely over her chest in a gesture. "-this... pull every time you're near. I am told it's a bond of fate, but I just... don't understand." How could some all-knowing power dictate who she was meant to love? "Please, don't misunderstand me. I simply can't understand how one is simply meant to know."

[flamesofday]

She was bathed in a halo of light, so much so that for a brief moment Lucien swore she was glowing. His chest ached at the sight, that quiet thread pulling taunt as she drew near.

His expression softened as she spoke, the confusion of every sensation she did not understand. Lucien briefly thought of her sisters, each struggling in their own way through the mating bond. What he did not understand however, was that neither had explained any of it to her. "I can't say that I have much experience with it...Just stories and tales of those who have one" His palms open towards her, trying to lighten the atmosphere between them. He watched her hand gesture to her own torso, and his own sought out that spot below his ribs and heart where that thread seemed to pull. "Would it help if we....got to know one another? To be friends?" There is a tone of hopefulness in his voice, a genuine offer. "...It is confusing...to feel another's emotions, to know when you're...upset or happy and not know the reason why. When you're near I....all I want is to be next to you, Elain. But if that is not what you want, then I will go far away." Lucien looked up at her, his throat bobbing as he tentatively reached for her hand. "But if you wish for answers, then I promise to tell you every answer I possess"

[mcflymemes]

"STOP PUTTING YOURSELF INTO DANGER!" PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue for expressing your fear that the person you care about might get themselves hurt if they keep acting like this, adjust as necessary

i thought i told you to stay back.

i love you too much to let you get hurt like this.

this affects me, too, you know.

every time you leave, i sit up all night waiting, praying you'll come back alive.

you keep pulling stunts like this and something bad will happen.

do you have a death wish or something?

this isn't fair to me.

i deserve better than this.

i didn't get any sleep last night because i was so worried about you.

you promised me you'd stop going out at night.

i don't like hearing this.

you've been risking your life, and for what? so you can feel like a goddamn hero?

i said i would handle it.

what the fuck are you doing here?

you told me you'd stay put.

so much for laying low.

you remember how bad it was last time.

seems like you haven't learned anything.

i believe you promised me you'd lay low.

i can't keep doing this.

don't give me that look.

we'll discuss this later.

this stops now.

i'm tired of picking up the pieces once you've left.

you keep throwing yourself into danger.

you don't give a shit about yourself, do you?

i'm sitting here, worried out of my mind, while you're out doing god knows what.

that was really stupid of you, and you know it.

i thought you knew better than this.

what's your excuse this time?

you do realize what this does to me, right? seeing you get hurt like this? you know it hurts me, too?

you really don't give a shit how this affects me, huh.

that was the dumbest possible thing you could have done.

i need you to stop throwing yourself into harm's way.

that was completely unnecessary.

they had it handled.

you didn't need to step in like that.

why do you think you're invincible?

the last time you pulled a stunt like this, it nearly got you killed.

i can't just sit here and watch you get hurt.

what are you trying to prove?

you just like fucking with my heart, don't you.

this shit hurts me, too, you know.

you're not the only one affected by this shit.

you've got a lot of people counting on you to come home every night.

what happens if you don't come back?

you think we can just carry on without you?

you think i can handle things if you end up dead?

i'm not sticking around to watch you get hurt.

you're not even slick.

you think you're invincible, don't you.

quit pretending you've got everything under control.

let someone else do it for a change.

you can't keep putting yourself through shit like this and expect me to just sit back and watch.

i'm done with this.

next time you do this, i'm not coming back.

promise me this is the end.

look me in the eyes and tell me you'll stop doing this.

let the authorities deal with it.

you're making a big mistake.

is it worth dying for?

i've dealt with enough pain over the years.

[flamesofday]

So while gone my blog was overrun with spam likes and shit, so I'd love to get a few new things going while I sort through it trying to figure out what I owe. Who would like some things from Lucien? Like for me to come plot.