Discover Top Posts Tagged with #.. luc ramires

Jan 8

Smash Bros

TIMING: fairly current LOCATION: shatterspace, netherville PARTIES: talia & luc ( @loveandluc ) SUMMARY: talia won't let luc ghost her. the two of them get together for a much needed session at shatterspace. CONTENT WARNING: minor references to sibling death

Once he’d moved away from San Francisco, Luc had gotten very good at maintaining long distance relationships. Sure, just with his mothers but he was great at regularly texting and making video calls. It was never as good as actual proximity though, and as soon as Luc had realized that leaving Wicked’s Rest was the right call, he’d figured that cutting ties and cutting his losses was probably the best way to go. He’d miss the people he’d gotten close to, obviously, but this had to be better for everyone.

A solid plan, except for the fact that Luc was really, really bad at saying no to people he cared about.

When Talia had demanded to meet, Luc’s attempts to turn her down had been underwhelming to say the least. Even trying to mask it as a last meeting, Luc knew it was purely a case of him folding. Just like he’d folded when Baz had insisted that their likeness to Sebastian was just a coincidence. At least going to meet with Talia didn’t make him feel stupid. Just a bit sad.

And then confused once he arrived at the location she’d badgered him into arriving at. Just casually descending into an elaborate cave system to meet a friend. “Are you sure you thought this plan out?” Luc asked once he finally found the markings for Shatterspace and, right outside of it, Talia. “Bringing someone like me down to a place like this?” Luc tried to joke, hoping to keep this, their probable last meeting, lighthearted.

—-

Talia was preoccupied with edging away from the cashier –“Rick Rager” was either trying to hit on her and was incredibly awkward about it, or wanted to eat her and she wasn’t sure which one she preferred– and didn’t notice Luc until he spoke up. She whirled around to face him though, already smiling. “Hi! No, it’ll be totally safe, I promise.” She couldn’t promise that, of course. The business advertised itself as such, but that didn’t mean much in Wicked’s Rest. And, Talia thought, maybe meant even less down here in Netherville.

“I figured it was fitting, since we met in a cave.” It still made her smile to think about, rescuing Luc from the cave full of melted cheese those months back. Thinking about Luc in general made Talia smile because he was such a light and a sweetheart, but lately she had been frowning at her phone about him. He seemed to be dodging her attempts to meet up. She wasn’t sure why, but she was determined to find out. And, she hoped, the chance to smash some garbage would help him with whatever he was going through.

She had already paid and taken care of the details up front and so it was just a short walk to their “rage cave” for the rented time. There was a hodge-podge of junk collected and the two of them were provided with protective gear and suits, as well as a selection of weapons to use in their smashing. Talia picked a sturdy aluminum bat for her first choice, but kept her eye on the overlarge wrench as an option to come back to.

“So,” she began, whirling the bat in an arc at her side. “Do you wanna tell me why you’ve been dodging my calls lately?” Her tone was light, curious not accusatory.

—

A promise that included both Luc and the word ‘safe’ was a very risky one but since it was coming from a smiling Talia, it warmed his heart all the same. Maybe he wanted to believe that anyone, especially someone as determined and kind as Talia, could keep him safe. Or he’d wanted to - any sort of bad luck now felt so miniscule compared to what had already happened. Something not even a non-human like Baz had been able to save Sebastian from so what chance did Talia have. “I hope that doesn’t mean we can only do cave-related activities,” Luc joked back, avoiding the subject of safety and promises. As much as he wanted to blame Baz for not keeping Sebastian safe, that hadn’t been their job - Luc had been the one ready to commit to that promise when he proposed. A promise he hadn’t even managed to keep for a single week.

Luc was even more confused when safety gear was shoved into his hands, but he still silently and obediently put it on, unable to stifle a grin as he watched Talia put on her own humorous safety glasses. “Suits you,” he teased, nodding towards the bat in her hand instead of the glasses. Which was a joke but actually, she did look quite comfortable holding it to wield as an item of destruction. Maybe she’d played baseball in high school or something.

Caught off guard as he’d been busy trying to find the ‘weapon’ least likely to cause him or Talia bodily harm by accident, Luc was at least happy that his face didn’t immediately give him away at her question. “Hmm?” The thought occurred to lie but Luc was a horrible liar and Talia didn’t deserve that. “Oh, I… it wasn’t anything to do with you. I’m moving. Hopefully, soon.” His voice was sad because it was sad, the thought of moving away and the reason behind it. Finally, picking out a hefty rolling pin before finally turning to face Talia. “Guess I was avoiding talking about it cause, well… met a lot of great people here.”

—-

Talia grinned at Luc’s compliment, hamming it up with a pose like an old-fashioned baseball card. That levity fell away quickly as he revealed the reason for his distance and something like shock draped over her. “Wait, what?” The bat fell to a loose hold at her side, nearly forgotten as she searched Luc’s face. Or tried to, he didn’t look at her until the last minute. She didn’t detect any hint of tease or joke in his tone or expression. And anyway, she didn’t think Luc would pull that kind of prank on her. But it had to be. He wouldn’t just drop news that big out of nowhere. From context, she gathered that he didn’t just mean moving from one neighborhood in Wicked’s Rest to another. No, Luc was planning on leaving town altogether.

“What do you mean, moving? And why do you hope it’ll be soon?” While Talia knew that she and Luc weren’t best friends who told each other each and every secret, she did like him. A lot, actually. There was something incredibly genuine about the man that made her so fond of him it ached. They had fun when they were together or were chatting and… Well, you don’t rescue someone from a cheese cave and just never see them again! They were bonded, as far as Talia was concerned. Setting the bat to the side, she slid her goggles up to rest on the top of her head. Rage-caving could wait. Luc couldn’t just drop that information and not expect to have a conversation about it.

“Did…something happen?” That was all she could imagine would cause such an about-face. Why else would he hope the move would be soon? And after he had met a lot of great people, as he admitted himself. Herself included, Talia was sure. Whatever it was that had prompted this decision, though, she wanted to get to the bottom of it. Maybe it would be for the best, and if that was the case, she would be sad but supportive. And if it wasn’t for the best, Talia would have no problems telling him so.

—

Just as much as it was to hide his own face, Luc had savored every second that he hadn’t needed to look at Talia, her tone of voice already plenty to make his chest constrict. Once he finally did, not even the humor of the goggles helped disguise how genuinely disappointed she looked over the news - which was very conflicting. One on one hand, Luc’s heart swelled at the fact that someone cared this deeply about him leaving after only a few months but… well, he was leaving, which was a bad feeling. Her questions were valid, and expected and honestly, part of the reason Luc had been avoidant of this exact moment. Talia wasn’t rude but she also wasn’t the type to politely accept things without pushing back. Luc wasn’t great at dealing with push back.

“I mean getting away from this town,” he answered meekly, wanting to avoid her gaze but giving her the respect of holding it, even though her visible concern made the ache burn stronger. Oh, how Luc wished he could lie, tell her it was alright, that Talia didn’t need to worry. Luc fiddled with the rolling pin in his hands, allowing himself a momentary reprieve from her searching gaze. Yes, something had happened. It had happened over half a year ago, its shadow growing longer and longer every month, waiting for the time it could finally make its true nature known and engulf Luc completely. The darkness was thick in a way Luc had never dealt with, never even expected to deal with, so the only solution he could come up with was to run.

“My fiance died. Back in London, a… while ago. I didn’t know, I thought he was missing, thought he was here but… he wasn’t. It was… just someone wearing his face, which is definitely weirder than a cheese cave but… yeah. That’s what happened, give or take.” Even though Luc had explained this already to a few people, it continued to sound surreal to him. Still made the lump in his throat, which had been ever present since the talk with Joel and Baz, grow and make his voice thick, made tears from the seemingly endless supply spring up.

—

When Luc confirmed that it was all of Wicked’s Rest he was looking to leave behind, Talia felt her chest contract. Of course that had been what he meant. Why else would he have wanted to avoid her? She didn’t take that part personally. Or any part of it, really. She could understand the desire, the need even, to avoid a difficult conversation. Even if only for some time, to get yourself to the place where you could finally face it head on. Hadn’t she taken ten years to come to grips with the reality of her family and her pack, after Tabitha died?

But that didn’t mean she was happy to hear it. Less so, as Luc explained more. A furrow formed in Talia’s brow as she tried to determine what exactly he meant by “wearing his face.” Given the context, she thought maybe he meant…literally. She didn’t know of any shapeshifters that could become another person, but it sounded like it could maybe be fae magic. Almost like how a glamour functioned?

It wasn’t the time to solve that mystery, though. (She could, and likely would, investigate that later.) Right then, her friend was standing in front of her, clearly about to fold under the weight of what he had just told her. “Oh, fuck.” Setting the baseball bat aside, she reached for Luc, remembering how he had told her that he was a hugger. Tucking his close, she didn’t say anything for a moment, just let her physical presence offer whatever comfort it could. “That sucks,” she said emphatically, when she pulled away. “I’m really sorry that happened, Luc. Really.” No one deserved that kind of loss –or the awful mess-around of someone else pretending to be the person they had lost– but least of Luc, who was one of the kindest, brightest people Talia knew.

“I…don’t blame you for wanting to get out of Dodge.” If Talia had been in his place, she would have slipped away in the night, never to be heard from again. “If you need any help arranging things or whatever, just let me know.” She was sorry to know her friend was leaving, but what he was going through was bigger than that. And if leaving would help him, then Talia would do whatever she could to help him.

“For now though… Do you wanna beat the shit out of this trash?” Talia brought up a game grin as she asked, gesturing around them at the collection of junk that had been positioned for them to let their rage out on. Moving seemed like a vital step for Luc, sure, but maybe whaling on a decrepit TV set with a rolling pin could be a part of the healing process too.

—

In a slight improvement, Talia’s face did morph from just sad and worried to also being confused. It hurt slightly less and, for a moment, Luc did wonder if leaving would be made easier by Talia thinking he was crazy. Luc really needed to get better at easing into the whole ‘wearing my dead fiance’s face’ part of his explanation, as that was usually the part where he lost people. Monica had looked very worried and disturbed at that, too. Which was totally fair. Instead of freaking out or chastising Luc for messing with her or being a liar, Talia was just moving in for a hug.

Despite being the taller and broader of the two, Luc very much felt enveloped in the hug, squeezing back as tight as he could with the dang rolling pin still dangling from one hand. Talia had mentioned her siblings before, something he very much envied his friend for but maybe, this was like getting a taste of not being an only child. Eventually, the hug had to end, as much as Luc wanted to stay in the perceived safety of it forever, only a tiny bit to hide how his eyes had started to burn.

“Yeah, well…” he replied lamely, still struggling to find a good answer to that sentiment. His usual response to people telling him ‘sorry’ was ‘it’s okay’ but there wasn’t really much okay about any of this. Talia’s offer to help was another story, something with an easier answer but not much easier to think about. He wanted to expedite the process, sure, but having the people he really didn’t want to leave help him with leaving? Luc managed a sad smile. “Thanks. I will. Just… need a reliably paying job first, I think.”

As if suddenly remembering where they were and why Luc was still holding a busted rolling pin, he looked around at all the items waiting to get smashed. He felt tense, sure, but full of energy? Not really. Just heavy. But the alternative was shooting down Talia’s idea, when she clearly really wanted to do something to help. Nodding, Luc fixed the goggles back on his face, finding an old toaster sat on top of one of the dented barrels. Glancing over at Talia, as if for confirmation, Luc took his first (very tentative) swing. The toaster made a very dainty noise, barely moving and, after another look towards Talia and gauging that yeah, he could probably do with a bit more power, Luc swung again. The toaster bounced that time, now with an almost impressive dent in its side and the heaviness gave way to… something. Luc blinked at the broken appliance, heart thudding a bit heavier now. Then he swung at it again.

—-

There wasn’t much left to say about it – not then. At another time, Talia might ask Luc what all he knows about supernatural beings. Whether he knows exactly what the thing wearing his fiance’s face was. She’ll warn him, too, that if they are fae, he should be careful with his words and his promises and his name around him. At another time, she’ll reach out to Teagan and asks if she knows about a kind of fae that can mimic the face and shape of another person. She’ll ask her to tell her everything she knows about it and then offer that information to Luc, if he wants it.

But right then, she couldn’t do anything with any of that. The information wouldn’t help. Only feeling the feelings would. When Luc looked over to her as if for permission, Talia offered him a big, reassuring smile and nodded. The first hit was a little lackluster, but she couldn’t really blame him. She didn’t imagine Luc had had a lot of experience hitting things. The next was better and then even better and better. Talia let out an encouraging whoop and clapped. Knowing what had been going on with Luc all this time made her feel ever more sure about the choice of activity. Sometimes you just need to beat the shit out of some trash to get the rage out.

Not wanting Luc to feel alone, Talia hefted the bat she had chosen and began whaling on the big-screen television up against one wall. Her first hit was a little anti-climatic, only barely cracking the screen. But the next one shattered the glass casing, cracks spiderwebbing out along all 52-inches. “Hell yeah!” she yelled. Talia didn’t have a dead fiance or a fae-something wearing said fiance’s face, but there was a hunter who had murdered her sister walking around Wicked’s Rest. There was some fuckery going on with the magic in the town that was making her control wonky. There was a series of text messages from her eldest brother that she had been ignoring for going on a year now.

A few more solid swings against the television and Talia took a breather, leaning down to rest her arms against the bat. She cast her eyes over to Luc and couldn’t help but smile. “How did that feel?” It seemed to provide some kind of catharsis for him. She hoped so, at least.

—

Talia’s cheers helped, a lot. Once Luc actually got into it, managed to enjoy the release that came from smashing up a poor toaster in a way that just running or weightlifting hadn’t provided, he hadn’t needed more encouragement but her clapping got him on the right track. From that point on, the sound of Talia destroying her own choice of appliance was an odd sort of camaraderie and when she shouted, Luc found himself doing the same - a very rare and pointed ‘fuck. you’ following a couple of his blows.

Once the toaster was very thoroughly dented, its future for toasting anything utterly ruined, Luc took a step back and let the rolling pin drop to the floor. The surge of anger and relief and release felt strange now that he’d stopped and Luc expected, again, for tears to spring to his eyes, what with all these emotions swirling around. But they didn’t and that was a relief, too. “Weird,” Luc replied with a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Good weird. I think. I’m not really an… angry person, or a violent one. But that felt… yeah. Feel kinda bad for imagining Baz for a moment there, it’s not like I actually want to hurt them and it’s even worse because their face is…” Luc’s eyes widened for a moment and he pushed the safety goggles up, taking a few steps towards Talia. “Shit, I didn’t… I mean, I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to tell anyone that they’re, y’know, not human. You won’t tell anyone else, right?”

—-

Talia couldn’t help but smile back at Luc as he assessed the experience as weird. She expected as much, from a normie like him. “It’s not so much about being violent, I don’t think. Or actually wishing violence on someone in your life. But just…allowing yourself the outlet, so that you can be a little more regulated out in the real world.” Like a steam-pipe with an escape valve – it kept the whole system from blowing to high heaven.

Before she could wax therapy any longer, Luc dropped a familiar name and it didn’t take a rocket science to add two and two and come up with four. Especially once Luc’s eyes went all big and he started backtracking. “Oh my god. Baz is the one who has been wearing your fiance’s face? They’re such an asshole. No wonder you needed to bash a toaster about it.” The situation as Luc had described it was bad enough, truly, but then to have to be dealing with a selfish, aggravating person like Baz on top of it? Talk about insult to injury.

True, Talia had really only encountered them the once, but that was more than enough in her book. “Makes sense they’re a fae, really.” She hadn’t met any of the species before coming to Wicked’s Rest, but her impression of them had always been tricky and self-obsessed and pathologically incapable of taking anything serious. “I won’t tell anyone else, don’t worry.” Unless she came across someone that she needed to warn about Baz. Which…

“Hey. I know you’re looking to leave and everything, but in case you run into them before you get out of Dodge. Do you know the ground rules when it comes to fae?” Luc’s luck was bad enough, Talia had learned. She didn’t need him losing his name or promising his remaining years away or something.

No doubt Baz would just love to trap him in some further misery.

—

An outlet. It made sense and Luc genuinely liked the thought, was no stranger to trying to regulate his emotions but never like this. Working out had always helped clear his mind some, as well as yoga and meditation (it was fifty/fifty on whether he actually managed to silence his speeding mind) and just pushing a general positive attitude but taking all of the bad feelings that the yoga and the positive thinking were supposed to silence and letting them out all at once, just like that? It was a scary thought, and why Luc never would have dreamed to come here by himself. Now that he had, he liked it. A controlled outlet. Much better than the way he’d just been crying about everything and nothing these past few weeks, which wasn’t controlled at all.

And Luc definitely did feel lighter, but Talia’s presence definitely had something to do with that, too.

Granted, the momentary relief didn’t last long, giving way to worry because of his big mouth. Even worse, Talia’s face lit up with recognition and her words indicated that she had not been aware of Baz’s secret identity. Identities? Real true self? Whatever the case, Luc had spilled a secret, most likely Baz’s biggest secret. He winced as Talia continued, calling Baz an asshole which was… mostly uncalled for. Hiding all of this from Luc, lying to him, had been a bit uncalled for sure, but were they an asshole? “Well…” was all the argument Luc mustered on Baz’s behalf, causing the guilt to snowball further and grow bigger. Good thing they were still here as Luc was feeling like maybe taking one of those golf clubs and smashing it into that already cracked mirror in the corner…

A small blessing as Talia promised to keep the secret, even though her opinion of Baz was far from high, meaning it was probably more a favor for Luc than for the fae. Luc’s smile was timid but visibly relieved. “Ground rules?” Luc parroted back before shaking his head no. “I found out they were a thing just a few weeks ago and I’m still sort of just wrapping my head around that.”

—-

Talia raised an eyebrow when it seemed for a moment like Luc was going to defend Baz. “I’ve had a few run-ins with them,” she explained. Nothing as high stakes as what Luc had going on, obviously, but enough of a taste to know she wouldn’t want to be entangled in any kind of situation with the fae. Certainly not one as messy as dead fiancés and identity theft. The dead fiancé” of it all clung to the edges of Talia’s mind, then. Right – Luc hadn’t just discovered that the man he thought was his fiancé wasn’t. He had learned that the man was dead. Fuck.

Her face softened as she took the few steps toward him and laid a hand to his shoulder. “And hey. I’m really sorry, about your fiance. That’s a catastrophically shitty way to find out about a thing that’s already terrible.” Up to that point, Luc had just thought he had been looking for the man he loved who had disappeared. All that had changed in an instance. And on top of that, he had to learn about all the freaky fae stuff.

Her face wrinkled up some as Talia tried to place all that she knew about fae and their rules. “Yeah, their powers are…strange. A lot of it is tied to words, I guess? Most importantly, is to not promise anything to any fae. Or anyone who could be fae. I think they can steal your name, too? Not exactly sure how that works.” Maybe she wasn’t the best person for this. “If you’re around Baz again, I would just be really careful with what you say and how you say it.” She huffed out a breath, annoyed she couldn’t be of more help. “I have a friend who’s a fae. Different kind than Baz, but I think the rules apply to all of them? I can ask her to give you some pointers, if you want. I trust her, at least.” That was one thing she could say about Teagan, if not other fae.

“In the meantime. Do you want to crush some more of this junk?” She was happy Luc ended up telling her all that was going on, but that didn’t mean he didn’t still have some anger. And, to sweeten the pot… “I can tell you about the guy I’m sleeping with, if that will make you feel better.”

—

Luc’s head raised as Talia admitted about more than one run in with Baz, meaning her opinion on the fae wasn’t just based on a single, unfortunate mishap. Maybe a few unfortunate mishaps? Baz certainly was a… character. Strong willed, very chatty, someone who might come across as purely selfish at first glance. Luc knew they weren’t entirely selfish. Not purely selfless either, but Luc wanted to believe that the secret keeping had, to some extent, been for Luc’s benefit. Baz had seemed genuinely sorry for him and they had really loved Sebastian. “Yeah, Baz is… something,” Luc settled on, also not wanting to make Talia feel that her opinion on the other was wrong.

Suddenly, Talia was closing the distance between them and Luc could have thrown himself into a hug. The hand on the shoulder was alright, too, though. Luc mustered a sad smile, shrugging one shoulder in a ‘what are you going to do about it?’ kinda way. Really, what did one even do in this sort of situation? Man, would he love if someone had the answer to that one. “Thanks.”

Hearing it described as powers was definitely funky and, not for the first time since moving here, Luc was forced to wonder who had written the script for this TV special because how else was this actually happening? Powers tied to words? “I like my name,” Luc informed her worriedly, eyebrows furrowing. Baz hadn’t made any attempts to steal it (they’d just stolen everything about Luc’s fiance instead) but now knowing that was an option, Luc wondered how his big mouth hadn’t gotten him into trouble already. Maybe it had? How many people had he made promises to? Did that include Baz or the pretty lady from the lake? Shit. “That’s going to be a problem,” Luc sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Tendency to talk a bit faster than my brain can keep up with. But I would definitely love some more help, if your friend is willing. The only fae I’ve met, and known about, are Baz and a woman who… killed someone - to save both of our lives, for the record! Meeting a nice, chill fae would be great.”

A genuine smile replaced the sad one now and Luc nodded. Smashing stuff had felt pretty good and they were already here. Goggles down once again, Luc moved for a new weapon, a mission that was halted by Talia’s sudden gossip. Luc gasped dramatically, eyes crinkling with amusement. “That would definitely make me feel better, yes.”

—--

At the mention of another fae encounter that had left Luc in danger, Talia fought the urge to drop her face into her palms. “Dude. I swear. I’m wrapping you in bubble wrap, okay?” Luc, she imagined, would be able to find trouble in an empty room with no windows or doors. Not that any of it was his fault – he just seemed prone. “We’ve probably had enough trauma talk for one day. But at another time, you are going to tell me about this other fae that had to kill someone to save your life.” She supposed that was a positive, at least? That this mystery fae had saved Luc’s life and hadn’t bonded him into some soul promise? At least, as far as he was aware of… Talia was definitely going to have to reach out to Teagan and see about teaching Luc to be a little safer when it came to fae.

Luc immediately lit up at the mention of a more happier topic for girl talk and how could Talia disappoint him? The truth was, she felt giddy at the chance to talk about Daniel. Which just concerned her. She had never really felt like that before, not really. But she had never really had any repeat encounters before. Of course, there were people now, in Wicked’s Rest, who she had slept with more than once. She liked them, obviously, but they didn’t inspire the same silly, stupid fizzle through her chest.

“He’s a real dreamboat,” she began – focusing on the physical seemed like the safest route. Objectively, Daniel was attractive, anyone could see that even someone who hadn’t developed any kind of feelings for him. Not that she did. “He’s a hiking guide in the Pines, so he’s all strong and rugged and good with his hands.” Talia paused to send a saucy wink to Luc. Following his lead, she laid down her baseball bat and went for the oversized wrench that had drawn her attention earlier. “But that’s how we met, too. Just kept seeing him around the trails. And we both like camping and nature and, you know, all that outdoor shit.”

(It was more than outdoor shit – she loved how Daniel rambled on and on about the family of deer that he saw in the woods behind her cabin or ranted about the damage done by invasive species. She loved the care with which he tended to plants and animals and the stupid grin on his face when the puppy came loping up to him. He understood the way Talia felt about the natural world around them.)

She shook her head a little and, in one fluid motion, swung her wrench and sunk the business end into a stereo set. The netting on the speaker collapsed with a satisfying crunch. “I mean. I don’t really know that much about him.” Which Luc’s fiasco with Baz had served to remind her. She hardly knew Daniel, had only just been to his place, had only been sleeping with him for what, a little over a month? “But he’s a great lay.”

—

There was nothing to say to that so Luc simply rolled his eyes fondly, immune to threats of locking him up somewhere safe. Talia was not the first and almost definitely not the last person to make such claims but of course, Luc couldn’t be protected from life - and that was all this was. Just life happening, in a slightly odd place which meant the happenings were more odd. A little bit deadlier, too. “I really am trying to be careful, you know?” he shot back playfully, even though he now knew better than to go for a run around the lake all by himself. Luc was adapting! Moving to a new town took time, like knowing where not to eat to avoid food poisoning or where the fae lived that could drown people on dry land. It’s fine, he’d get there! Or try to learn for as long as he was here for, anyway.

Always grateful to escape the topic of his supposed bad luck aka coincidences and life happening, Luc latched onto the topic of Talia’s new friend and oh. Luc knew that look well. He wore that look proudly until the object of his affection had vanished into thin air. But Talia had called this guy the one she was just sleeping with so Luc wouldn’t interject, even if a coy smile played on his lips while he reached for a gold club. That slightly cracked mirror was calling his name. “Good, you deserve a dreamboat.” Luc had just hoisted the golf club when her tone turned sly and he stuttered, his incredulous look turning to her just in time to catch the wink. Luc shook his head, smile still firmly planted on his lips. “And he’s… nice?” Luc fished - rugged mountain man could swing either way, really.

His golf club cracked against the mirror, spiderweb cracks trickling up the glass as bits and pieces fell to the ground. It felt better now, less conflicting. Talia smashed up her own appliance victim, her tone lacking the same playful cadence from before. So she did want to get to know him better, huh? Luc had totally called it from her expression. “Sounds like it,” Luc chuckled, shooting her a look that he hoped translated as ‘I know your secret.’ But if Talia didn’t know her own secret, it would just look like a ‘I’m amused by this conversation’ look, which he definitely was. “Good for you, anyway. It’s nice, having someone. Even if it’s just that.” The mirror smashed further. Luc couldn’t even begin to imagine meeting someone new, not even if that someone was rugged or pretty or good with their hands. “Seriously, you do deserve a dreamboat.”

—-

Talia wished Luc would try a little harder to be even more careful, if she were honest. But, she also knew it wasn’t exactly his fault. For not the first time, she wondered if there was something supernatural to her friend’s truly terrible bad luck. Maybe she could ask Rosemary – it seemed like the kind of thing that could be caused by a curse. Would he be safer moving someplace more normal? Or did the insanity of Wicked’s Rest actually provide a buffer for Luc’s misfortune? Well, other towns didn’t have any cheese caves to get caught in, so maybe that answered that question.

At least the topic of Daniel was slightly more upbeat, if also more complicated for Talia, personally. She wasn’t sure that she deserved a dreamboat, as Luc put it, but she sure as hell was going to enjoy it while she had it. “He’s… Yeah. He’s really nice.” Daniel really was. Maybe not to everyone, or not in a way that everyone understood. But it was exactly the way she needed, and wanted. “You should see him with his puppy. Total softie.” And with her, most times, when she needed it. She couldn’t help but smile back at her friend, touched that he cared enough to do the whole is he good enough for you thing.

And if her sex life could provide Luc with a much needed distraction, Talia wasn’t going to disappoint. He seemed entertained, at least, which she would take.

After another whoop when he let it rip at a mirror, Talia shrugged at what he had said about just that. Right. Because that’s all it was, having someone around, to both her and Daniel. The whole living with her thing had more or less happened by accident. Not that Talia was complaining, at all. If it weren’t for Daniel’s less-than-ideal living situation, she was sure they would be seeing a lot less of each other. In fact, she wasn’t even sure what would happen come spring. Sure, Daniel had talked about helping her with her garden, planning out the plots and all that, but that could just be talk. He had made it clear that he had a habit of moving on. “Exactly. Even if it’s just for that.”

Another hard, well-placed swing and the stereo tumbled back, clattering to the floor. Not satisfied, Talia gave it a few more bashes. When she finished, she heaved a sigh and looked over to Luc. “You deserve that, too, you know. I mean, take your time and all. Focus on moving and on you. But. You deserve it, too.” Of all the people she knew, Luc was probably her friend who deserved it the most.

—

It was nice, to at least get to experience the purity of this through someone Luc cared about while the concept of it for himself was still extremely foreign. A part of him was forced to wonder if Talia had ever experienced anything like Luc had, if she’d ever had a serious relationship, been engaged or really, even just deeply in love. If she had, and had managed to find something that sounded this nice in spite of it, surely that could only mean good things for Luc’s future, right? Granted, Talia probably would have mentioned if she also had someone in the past who had gone missing only to be revealed to have been killed, so… not totally comparable. Whatever, he was getting ahead of himself. “He has a puppy? Now you have to let me meet him. The puppy, and I guess I can meet your guy as well.”

Luc watched the stereo clatter to the ground, feeling that there was definitely something to be read from that. But he wasn’t the type to push. Hopefully, Talia and her secret guy would realize they were head over heels for each other and Luc would be invited to the wedding. A summer wedding wasn’t entirely unrealistic… He could even help Talia plan it, use some of the ideas that had sprung to mind the second Luc had realized he’d found the man he wanted to marry. It was a pity to let them go to waste.

Smashing what remained of the mirror while Talia finished off her stereo, Luc mirrored her satisfied sigh, raising his goggles again. A bit too early, since Talia wasn’t done being sweet and his eyes welled over with tears, again. Looking away bashfully, Luc smiled and made a motion that was sort of a nod. Right. The moving. He could still attend a wedding here even if he moved, right? Clearing his throat, Luc abandoned the golf club. “All of that made me really hungry. Food?” Luc managed a grin and it actually felt genuine. “And then you tell me even more about this casual mystery guy? Show me some photos, maybe?”

#sibling death tw #.. luc ramires #luc; threads #war stories

taliasshaw