Pairing: Lucien x Female Reader
Summary: If they survive the great war, will they dare to love each other?
Warning: Angst, tension, death, but nothing graphic. I think that's all, let me know if something is missing.
Notes: I hope you enjoy this story about our favorite redhead. As always, feel free to leave your comments, suggestions, everything is welcome as long as it is respectful and with the aim to teach.
English is not my native language, so I apologize for any spelling or grammar issues.
This is an original story, written by me. Please do not copy or plagiarize my work.
I appreciate any comments, reblogs, and likes I receive.
“Elain, where is Lucien?” Y/N asked, gasping.
Things had gone wrong; the war was unfolding too close to both women, and their friend had disappeared.
“I don’t know,” she replied, in shock.
Elain had killed the king of Hybern; she still held the Truth-Telling in her delicate, blood-covered hands. She had been very brave to plunge the dagger into his heart. So she thought her favorite redhead would be with her.
The Illyrian scanned the battlefield, straining her vision as much as she could, trying to distinguish among all the heads that made up the war legion led by Cassian.
But that red spark was not among them.
A sense of panic began to engulf her body; her fingers started to go numb, and her breathing quickened.
She heard footsteps approaching, crunching the fallen leaves that covered the forest; she turned too quickly when the noise reached her ears, but disappointment crossed her eyes.
It wasn’t Lucien; it was Nesta.
“Have you seen Lucien?” she asked again, hopefully.
Nesta arrived beside Elain, checking on how her sister was doing.
“No,” she replied coldly. “The last time I saw him, he arrived with the ships. He’s probably among the dead,” she added. She only cared about the well-being of sweet, delicate Elain—only her and her own.
Hearing that, with the breath she had left, she dashed into the center of the battle, praying to the gods that the harsh words of the older Archeron wouldn’t come true.
With her sword in hand and senses alert, she ran and ran, shouting the redhead’s name.
“Lucien! Lucien!” she cried desperately over and over; a knot was beginning to form in her throat.
She killed the enemies who crossed her path, stabbing and pulling the sword out of each body and its clothes, getting more and more covered in blood.
One blow, then two, the steel ringing in her ears. And there was no sign of the fox.
Fatigue was beginning to take over her body, her heart racing. A few meters away, she saw the body of the general, exhausted like everyone around him.
“Cas… Cassian!” she shouted with a hoarse voice.
“Hey! What are you doing here?” he said, surprised to see the healer in such a dangerous place. “Are you crazy?” he yelled, frightened upon seeing her tunic stained with red liquid and the sword in the same state. “You could’ve been killed. You need to go back with the others. This place isn’t safe, and where did you find that?”
“Have you seen Lucien?” she whispered, exhausted, ignoring everything her brother had said.
“Did you hear what I said? You’re going to get a sword through your heart; go back to the healers’ camp right now,” the warrior ordered.
Just then, a man appeared behind the Illyrian, trying to kill him. And as if she were the wind itself, she moved as quickly as the desperation coursing through her veins. With the agility of a hawk, she cut off his head, and the general could only watch in shock.
While her sister had been training for years, he never thought she would possess such skill, let alone put it to the test.
“Damn!” he whispered softly to himself. “Who taught you that?” he asked, curious and a touch proud.
“Tell me if you’ve seen Lucien Vanserra,” she insisted to her brother.
“The last time I saw him, he was near the other side of the forest, with Vassa,” he informed her, sweat and dirt covering his face. “And have you seen Azriel?” he questioned.
“I thought he was with you,” she replied.
Now two males were missing.
“Great, we’ll have to search for them among all the bodies,” he said, exhaling and praying not to find them among the lifeless limbs.
Both headed toward the place where they last saw Lucien, hoping to find the Shadow Singer with him.
The line between saving and killing began to blur as the battle continued.
The two moved quickly through the chaos, the sound of clashing swords and screams filling the air. Her heart raced, her eyes frantically scanning the battlefield for any trace of the fox or the Shadow Singer.
In the distance, they saw a red flash among the tangle of warriors, and Y/N immediately recognized Lucien's unmistakable hair.
He stood fighting with a ferocity she had never seen in him before. His movements were precise, lethal, and his skill with the sword was evident as he took down one enemy after another.
The healer felt a mix of relief and awe. She had run through the battlefield, convinced that the redhead was injured or worse. But seeing him in action, fighting with such skill, ignited a new spark of hope within her.
However, not everything was in his favor. Despite his prowess, he was surrounded, outnumbered by several enemy soldiers.
Y/N and Cassian exchanged a quick glance, knowing they had to intervene.
“Cassian, to the left!” she shouted as she charged toward the enemy's right flank, her sword gleaming in the air.
The warrior nodded and moved with the speed of a predator to the other side, attacking the soldiers surrounding Lucien. She arrived just in time to block a strike that would have injured her friend.
Lucien cast her a quick look of acknowledgment, a spark of gratitude in his eyes, but there was no time for words. Together, the three of them fought, forming a small but impenetrable barrier against the enemies.
After a series of deadly blows, the enemies began to retreat, leaving them standing, breathing heavily amid the chaos. The fox lowered his sword, his face covered in sweat and dirt but unscathed.
“Y/N…” he began, his voice hoarse from exertion.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and anger.
“I was about to lose my mind looking for you!” she exclaimed, though the relief in her voice was undeniable.
Lucien felt the tension in his battle-worn muscles ease at her words.
He took a step closer, closing the space between them, and wrapped her in a firm, swift embrace filled with intensity. It wasn’t the gesture of a friend or someone merely grateful. It was something deeper, something that had been silent for too long.
When they pulled apart, his hands lingered on her waist for a second longer, as if he didn’t want to let her go so quickly.
Cassian also chimed in, a crooked smile on his face.
“Well, now that the fox is safe, has anyone seen Azriel?”
The general had already begun scanning the area, as if expecting to spot his winged brother in some corner of the battlefield.
“He can’t be far,” he murmured, a mix of hope and urgency in his voice.
Lucien was alert too, his gaze focused on the chaos around them.
“The last time I saw him, he was facing a group of soldiers near the river,” he added, wiping the blood from his sword into the fabric of his pants.
They barely had time to recover before the weight of worry for Azriel hit them again.
Without a second thought, Y/N began to move in that direction, her heart pounding in her ears. The ground was littered with bodies, both allies and enemies alike, making every step more difficult.
The sounds of combat still echoed; as they approached the area Lucien had mentioned, they found remnants of a fierce battle. The marks on the ground and the fallen bodies made it clear that a strong fight had taken place there.
Then, Y/N spotted one of the daggers from the Master of Spies, embedded in a soldier’s chest.
“This is Az’s,” she announced softly, picking up the bloodied weapon.
The two males quickly moved closer. The trail of blood continued, leading toward the thick underbrush near the river. They began to follow it, their hearts filled with fear for what they might find.
Among the trees, she distinguished a fallen figure among the branches and leaves.
“Azriel!” she shouted, running toward him.
The Illyrian lay on the ground, his wings spread out with a deep wound in his side. His breathing was irregular, but he was conscious. Around him, several fallen bodies indicated that he had fought to his last breath.
With evident effort, he tried to sit up upon seeing his friend approach.
“No… I’m…” he tried to say, his voice barely a whisper.
The healer fell to her knees beside him, her trembling hands assessing the severity of the wound. Lucien and Cassian arrived a moment later, watching with concern.
“Stay with us,” she murmured, trying to contain the wave of relief she felt at finding him alive.
“Y/N,” Cassian interjected, looking around, alert for more enemies.
She began to work immediately at the urgency in her brother’s voice. Her healing magic started to flow from her hands into Azriel’s body, but it wasn’t easy. The wound was deep, and while the magic could stop the bleeding, the Shadow Singer needed more time to heal completely.
Azriel looked at her with those eyes full of gratitude, though he could barely speak.
“It’s… nothing. Just… another wound,” he said with a weak smile.
Cassian and Lucien had kept watch around them, protecting them while Y/N worked. At that moment, there was only one thing on her mind: keeping Azriel alive.
“He’s stable,” she announced, her hands stained with her friend’s blood. “We need to move; we can’t stay here any longer.”
Lucien stepped closer to Y/N and helped her up. Meanwhile, Cassian moved closer to his brother.
“You did well,” he whispered to her.
She relaxed her shoulders, if only for a moment. Her body was growing weary. They needed to reach the healer camp soon.
He prepared to help the general move the Master of Spies. The four of them headed toward the camp.
Along the way, they dispatched more soldiers, the three of them taking turns to protect Azriel. The war lord had his brother’s arm around his neck, while his sister and the male who would soon become his brother-in-law— or so he hoped—fought against every enemy. The two moved in perfect sync, a well-executed dance.
They were only a few meters away; soon they stopped when the sound of clashing steel and the cries of the wounded began to fade.
The echo of war drums, which had resonated loudly across the battlefield, slowly quieted into a distant murmur.
In the distance, the remaining enemy forces retreated. Victory was theirs, but there was no celebration on the faces of the survivors, only exhaustion and pain. The silence that followed was deafening.
After so many hours of chaos, the calm felt surreal.
Cassian, still breathing heavily, raised his sword in a sign of triumph, though his eyes filled with sadness at the sight of his army's losses. The remaining Illyrian warriors raised their fists in the air.
The end had come, but at a cost that would resonate within them for a long time.
Y/N looked around, searching for her friends. In the distance, she saw Feyre embracing Rhysand; her gaze located Mor not far away, Amren, and the rest of the High Lords.
“It’s over,” she murmured, almost in disbelief. The words felt strange on her lips, as if the idea of peace were foreign after so long of fighting.
“Yes, we did it,” Cassian said, his voice deep but tinged with relief. However, there was no smile on his face, only a glance toward the fallen, those who would not see the end of the war.
The air smelled of ash and blood. The rays of the sun began to break over the horizon, bathing the battlefield in a golden light, as if the world wanted to forget the darkness it had just witnessed.
With one last look at the field, the general gestured to the few remaining warriors, ordering them to return to camp.
The group began to walk back as well, helping Azriel to stay upright.
The three entered the tent that the Master of Spies occupied; Cassian carefully placed Azriel on the makeshift bed.
The healer searched for some water to bring down his fever. The effort her friend had put forth during the journey was taking its toll on his body. She placed a cloth on his forehead and let him rest.
“I’ll go attend to the other wounded,” she told the general, leaving some tea on the table. “When he wakes up, make sure he drinks it. I’ll be nearby.”
“Your father would be proud of you,” he suddenly said, his gaze fixed on his brother’s body.
Her heart began to race. It had been a long time since anyone had mentioned her father. Her father, who had given his life for her; she couldn’t remember anything about him. He had left centuries ago.
Lucien felt the tension in the air, so he quietly slipped out of the tent.
“And Mom would be proud of you,” he replied; her eyes met her brother’s.
Cassian approached her and wrapped his arms around her. His heart raced with fear at having seen Y/N with a sword in hand and blood staining her clothes. He hugged her tighter, and she returned his affection.
“Next time, let me know you’ll be with us. I almost went to the Mother when I saw you running to your lover. Very romantic,” he whispered in her ear, his voice breaking, and kissed her forehead.
No matter what, she was his little sister. The one he had watched grow up and had tucked in a few times; he would always protect her.
Her cheeks flushed; she was sure he would never stop teasing her about it.
“Enough! I have to go; take care of Az.” A smile spread across her face.
The general only chuckled, a low laugh. A sign that things would get better soon.
Lucien had settled under a tree near the camp where Y/N was working. He watched her move skillfully among the bodies, just as she had on the battlefield. He hadn’t seen her wield a weapon in years.
And when he saw her saving a life, his mind flooded with the first time he met her; she had pointed a dagger at his throat, and today, she had thrust a sword into someone else's throat.
The fact that she, so strong and brave, had traversed the chaos of the battlefield with him in mind left him momentarily bewildered. A mix of warmth and vulnerability settled in his chest.
It was different from what he had felt with Elain. With her, there was an inevitable, mystical connection dictated by the bond. But this, what he shared with Y/N, felt real. Human.
It wasn't based on ancient magic or a predestined tie, but on something more tangible, more painfully beautiful. For a moment, he wondered if he deserved that concern, but seeing her face, he knew it didn’t matter.
She had done it. And that changed everything.
The female smiled at him from afar. He could see her eyes shining with adoration when he returned the gesture.
His heart raced with the intensity of an electric jolt; he felt his cheeks heat up, and his soul flooded with warmth as she approached. For the first time in his life, he felt very nervous. The palms of his hands began to sweat, and his breath quickened; that was the effect she had on him.
“How are you?” she asked; he didn’t know what to say. Lucien’s mind was occupied memorizing her face—her eyes, her lips, the shape of her nose, every detail he could absorb from her.
“I’m fine,” she said, laughing at seeing her redhead distracted.
No one could lie to Lucien Vanserra; he could see through her that she was tired, exhausted. Even though she smiled, he knew her perfectly.
The redhead stepped closer and embraced her. Y/N leaned against his toned body and sighed. They both needed that, to be in each other’s arms.
He held her while stroking her back slowly and soothingly. He inhaled her scent. Despite the blood, mud, and sweat, Lucien felt at home.
He had grown accustomed to being the outcast, and he had finally found his home.
She always had been, and it was time to accept it.
With a gentle motion, he pulled her away from his body; he held her face in his hands, stroking her cheeks.
She focused her gaze on Lucien's eyes, a beautiful golden color and another mechanical reddish hue, so lovely. In her eyes, he had always been beautiful; she could spend hours admiring his beauty. Perhaps a whole lifetime if they were allowed.
But maybe that would never happen. The mere thought made her chest ache.
Lucien kissed her forehead, and instinctively she closed her eyes. The redhead moved and leaned against the tree, making space between his legs and gesturing for her to sit. Y/N's back met Lucien's warm chest, and a sigh escaped her lips.
Their breaths intertwined as he pulled her closer with his strong arms.
“One of the wounded didn’t make it,” she whispered, his voice breaking, “and his wife will be waiting for him to come home…”
The dam broke, and the weight of guilt settled in the air. Tears flowed freely, and Lucien wiped each one away, holding her close and sharing her pain; his Y/N had been so brave. And he could never blame her for that.
“You did the best you could,” he murmured, kissing the crown of her head. “My beautiful and brave Y/N.”
She turned; her gaze roamed his face, and she could see his eyes shining with deep affection. Y/N leaned in, their foreheads touching, debating whether to cross the line.
Lucien placed his hand on the woman’s neck, tangling his fingers in her silky hair. Closer and closer, their lips brushed together, and he couldn’t resist any longer. He gently drew her in, giving her the chance to pull away; but she closed the space, and their lips met in a kiss filled with all the affection they held.
They separated, breathing heavily.
Lucien kissed her nose, and she embraced him, burying her head in his neck.
“I would run into every necessary war just to be in your arms,” her voice muffled against the redhead’s shirt. “I will always find you.”
The redhead's heart stopped for a second upon hearing those words. He felt the intensity of the moment, the warmth of the healer's body enveloping him like the only thing keeping him standing after the battle.
He slowly released the embrace; but without stepping away, their chests were still pressed together. He gently stroked her hair and tucked a strand behind her ear. He softly traced the base of her neck until his hand rested on her cheek.
He looked at her, and the world made sense again.
“I love you, Y/N,” he said quietly, his gaze deep and warm. “I don’t know how to make grand promises or beautiful speeches, but… Every time I close my eyes, it’s your face I see. Every time I think about what I want… it’s always to be with you.”
He paused for a moment, as if the words were a weight he had finally decided to bear.
“You’re the reason I keep going,” he added, his voice soft yet firm. “And I don’t care if the world changes or if everything collapses around us. My heart will always find its way back to you.”
Y/N’s pulse quickened. She felt the heat of his body, the way his words wrapped around her like a dangerous promise, impossible to ignore. Lucien's eyes, the golden and the metallic, looked at her with an intensity that made her hold her breath.
“But… Elain. She’s your mate,” she interjected.
He knew that Elain and Azriel spent too much time together, and she would be okay in the arms of the Master of Spies.
“And you, will you be okay?” she asked curiously, wishing for him to stay with her.
Lucien chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the woman’s chest.
“My soul is right where it wants to be, by your side, darling,” he said. He gently drew her in, and their lips met in a sweet kiss.
In the air vibrated a promise: together, they would face every battle to come. They would make the world burn for each other to be together again.
At the entrance of Azriel's tent, the general saw how two of the most important people in his life were with the ones they belonged to.
The seer was stroking Azriel's hair, and the fox was smiling at Y/N as if she brought forth the sun each morning.
The sunset gave way to night, and Cassian knew that tomorrow would be a better day.
*divider by @tsunami-of-tears , thank you <33
A/N: A/N: It took me a while to write this one shot, it may not even be perfect and it may have some spelling mistakes, but I didn't want to waste any more time lol. You can always tell me what you think about this. I hope you liked it. I love you guys.