Edelweiss
Prompt: Apprentice comforts Lucio in the Magic Realm/Confronts the Devil
Fandom: The Arcana
Paring: Lucio x Hazel Lily (my fan Apprentice)
Word Count: 2,738
Warnings: mid language, angst
There he was, in the middle of the room, red hot chains around his wrist as he knelt to the floor. The Devil took him away from his own Masquerade, away from her, and now all she wanted to do was stop e Devil’s plan and bring him home. Hazel sprinted across the room to him. “Lucio!” Lucio’s face was drenched in tears, his eyeliner running down his cheeks. He looked weaker than before with his arms growing tired. “Hazel...” he croaked. Hazel ran her hands all around his face. “You’re okay...A-are you...?” Lucio shook his head violently. “No. No, I’m not okay.” Tears were forming once again in his eyes. “You’re just an illusion. Created by the Devil to haunt me. To draw out my frustration and emptiness.” Hazel looked at him sincerely. “Lucio,” she whispered, “it’s me. It’s really me.” Lucio just shook his head violently. “No, you can’t be! How can you really be Hazel? The real Hazel?” How long was he tortured like this? It’s only been several minutes since he was gone, but he looks like he’s been here for days. There was nothing she could do. She took his face gently in her hands and pressed her lips against his. Lucio’s eyes widened at the touch. She was gentle at first, but she slowly deepened the kiss, darting her tongue in his mouth and wrestling with his. This was Hazel. The real Hazel. He knew that kiss anywhere. Hazel broke away from his lips and Lucio chuckled tearfully. “Hazel...!” he breathed as he reached up to her face, caressing her cheek with his fingertips. “My Hazel.” He lurched forward and slammed his lips on hers in a passionate, heated kiss. “Where have you been? I’ve been here forever.” Hazel brought her hands up to his cheeks. “It’s only been a few minutes,” she explained. “I’m going to get you out of here.” For a moment, Lucio caught a gleam in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” Hazel places her hands in her laps when a small blush appeared on her face. “Nothing,” he answered softly. “I was just remembering how cute you looked.” Hazel’s lips curled up into a smile, but then Lucio looked down in despair. “Hazel,” he muttered, “there’s something I should tell you. About your death...”
“Oh, I’d love to hear this tale,” a deep, menacing voice from afar spoke. Hazel turned with a start and there he was. The Devil Arcana. “You!” Hazel shot up and readied her hands to blast him back, but with a snap of his claws, Hazel was bind in the same chains as Lucio and brought to her knees. “Tsk, tsk, tsk,” the Devil clicked his tongue. “I wouldn’t waste your magic here. Didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to interrupt?” Hazel’s breathing became choked as the chains around her tightened. “Stop!” Lucio screamed. “Let her go!” The Devil grinned at Lucio’s heartfelt cries. He snapped again and the chains around Hazel slithered away, leaving Hazel limped on the floor, gasping for air. “Now, I do believe you were about to tell your precious magician about her untimely demise?” Lucio looked at the weaken magician on the floor, looking at him with soft eyes. “Well, Lucio,” the Devil pulled Hazel up by the hair and used his other clawed hand to squeeze her cheeks, causing her to whimper in pain. “Stop it!” Lucio demanded, pulling at his chains until the disappeared with a snap. The Devil gave him a throaty chuckle. “Why don’t you tell her who’s responsible for her death all those years ago?” Hazel gasped softly. “What?” Lucio’s lips trembled as he spoke. “I am.” Hazel’s eyes widened at him. “You died because of me. And nobody knew it.” The Devil released his grip on Hazel’s hair. “You were my friend,” Lucio continued. “No, more than that. You came to the palace nearly everyday.” Hazel places her hands on her head. “Lucio...” Lucio stepped closer to her. “But I got sick. I was dying. You didn’t want me to leave you.” Hazel ran her fingers through her hair. “Lucio...stop...” her breathing became shallow. “And then you got sick because of me. You sent me a letter...and like a cold-hearted bastard, I threw it away and never read it. And you died.” Hazel became dizzy with all this information, her vision soon became cloudy, and every noise around the realm was muffled out. “Hazel...?” Lucio caught her as she lost her footing and passed out. “Hazel!” The Devil chuckled lightly. “Oh, my. Didn’t anyone tell you that if your dear friend to remember her past life, she would get miserable migraines?” Lucio growled at him. “You bastard!” But before he could throw a punch, the Devil vanished in a cloud of red smoke. Lucio went back down to cradle Hazel in his arms. “Hazel...” he mumbled while tracing her hairline. “My sweet magician...I’m so sorry...” Lucio placed a kiss on her temple and held her close. He hummed a small melody against her hair while he cradled her.
~~~
It was late. The room was silent. Lucio was pacing back and forth in front of his bed, a bottle of red wine half drunk near the table. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. It racked his brain that she cared so much about him. He had nightmares about her, nightmares of her leaving him. He couldn’t sleep for hours now. Lucio even gave her a guest room near his wing whenever she would be over. Mercedes came up to him and nuzzled her head on his leg with a small whimper. Lucio knelt down to her side to giver her some ear scratches. “Daddy is having a hard time sleeping, my princess.” Melchior joined them as Lucio sat with his pups. He looked at the wine and shook his head. “Maybe I should go see her? I wouldn’t want to disturb her if she’s asleep.” Mercedes and Melchior nudged him up from his spot. “Okay, okay,” Lucio spoke. “Let’s go see her.” He walked out of his room and padded down the hall to the guest room. He bit his lips nervously and raised his knuckles, knocked softly on the marble door, and fidgeted with his hands. When the door opened, Hazel was rubbing her eye gently. “D-did I wake you?” Lucio asked fidgeting with his hands and gently pushing the dogs behind him. “I’m sorry, I just...”
“I was already awake,” Hazel answered with a small yawn. “I couldn’t sleep. Are you okay?” Lucio bit his lip gently and rubbed his neck. “I-I...I can’t sleep...” Hazel took a step closer into the doorway, taking a small whiff of his breath. “Have you been drinking?” she asked. “I drink when I have insomnia,” Lucio answered. Hazel took a hold of his flesh hand. “Well, that doesn’t seem healthy.” She lead him inside her room and sat him down on the bed. The dogs followed him inside. “Here,” Hazel poured Lucio a glass of water from the pitcher and he chugged the water down, small droplets falling down his neck. “Feel better?” Hazel asked taking his glass. “A little,” he mumbled. “Lucio,” Hazel places her hand on his forearm, “tell me what’s wrong.” Her voice was soft and soothing to him. Lucio laid his head on her shoulder and shuddered lightly. “I’m having a constant fear that you’ll leave me,” he spoke. “That you’ll go somewhere I can’t follow. Nobody would...love me or care about me.” Lucio took her hand in his and squeezed lightly. “Lucio...” Hazel whispered his name like a wind in the field. “Do you want to stay with me tonight? The dogs can stay too.” Lucio looked into her hazel eyes and gulped softly. “Y-yeah...” he answered. “Yes. It might help me sleep better.” Hazel laid down with Lucio lying on her chest listening to her heartbeat. Hazel ran her fingers through his hair gently, humming a gentle tune. “What is that?” Lucio asked. “It’s a lullaby my grandmother use to sing to me.” Lucio smiled and nodded gently. “Sing it, hummingbird,” he whispered. Hazel’s cheeks blushed softly. “Are you sure...?” she stuttered. “It’ll help me sleep,” Lucio teased. “O-okay...” she cleared her throat and began singing the lullaby to him.
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my home-land forever
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my home-land forever
“Feel better?” Hazel asked, but the only sound she heard was the peaceful silence of the room. Lucio asleep on her chest, letting her heartbeat soothe him as he slumbered. Hazel smiled and pulled the blankets up to his shoulders. “Goodnight, Lucio...” she whispered as she placed a small kiss on his temple. She drifted off to sleep shortly after, with the Count in her arms.
~~
Remembering the lullaby, Lucio did his best to sing softly to the magician in his arms.
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my home-land forever
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Bless my home-land forever
Lucio strokes her short hair with his human hand. “For what it’s worth, you made me feel like I could’ve been a better man...” Hazel stirred softly in his arms, a moan escaping her lips. “You...still can...”
“Hazel!” Lucio hugged the magician close to him. “You’re okay. Are you?” Hazel nodded weakly. “Just a headache,” she spoke softly. “I remember...” Tears were building up in her eyes. “I remember everything. You were kind to me. I was always with you. You told me you always enjoyed my company. I remember your masquerades. Your birthdays...we would dance for hours...and I would fall asleep in your arms...but then...” she started swiping violently at her eyes, threatening any tears to not fall from her cheeks. “Then you were so cruel. You hurt me...And I was a fool...because...because I...” She couldn’t stop. Tears were drenching her face, falling viscously from her eyes. “Hazel...” Lucio whispered softly as he placed his hand on her wet cheek. “I’m so sorry...” He lurched forward, embracing Hazel in his arms. “I lost you...You died because of me. Because I was selfish... I don’t want to loose you again, Hazel.” Lucio started shedding tears of his own, sniffling and sobbing into her shoulder. “Lucio...I’m here now...I’m not going anywhere...” They stayed until each other’s embraced for a little while. Hazel broke away gently and took in Lucio’s appearance. “Lucio, you’re a mess,” she took a napkin from her pocket and dabbed his eyes gently. “Here.” Lucio couldn’t resist turning his head gently to kiss her wrist. “Thank you,” he spoke. “I-I feel better now.” After helping him up, Hazel felt a chill down her spine. “Hazel?” Lucio took a hold of her arm gently. “You’re freezing.” They looked around to see the floor covered in frost, the ceiling dusted the realm with snow. After looking back at Hazel shivering lightly and rubbing her arms, Lucio immediately unhooked his cape from his shoulders and wrapped it around the magician. Hazel gasps lightly at his actions. “Lucio,” she spoke softly. “Your cape...” Lucio held up a hand to silence her. “I can always have another one made.” Hazel placed her hands on her shoulders. “But you’ll freeze.” Lucio shrugged lightly. “I’ll get used to it. I’m from the South, remember? It’s like this all the time.” Hazel snorted softly from her nose in a small laugh. “Why is it that whenever we’re in the magic realms together, we always end up with snow?” Hazel took Lucio’s hands and tugged him closer to her. Lucio rubbed her back for warmth and searched the area. “We need to find a warmer place.” Hazel moaned softly against his chest, her eyelids heavy. “Hazel?” Lucio lifted her up from her feet. “Think, Lucio,” she spoke weakly, “think of a warmer place. To rest.” Lucio looked at the weak magician in his arms. He knew the magic realms did work differently than the real world, and everything was connected to his emotions. He closed his eyes to think. “A warmer place,” he muttered. “A warmer place.” But all he could think about was Hazel, resting peacefully in his arms. He thought about her shop, being in the palace, running in the garden, laughing, playing with him and the dogs, dancing at the masquerade, bringing him back to life on his bedroom...His bedroom! Lucio’s head shot up as he thought long and hard. He closed his eyes again and thought carefully. In an instant, he and Hazel were in his bedroom back at the palace. It even had his old painting back on the wall. “Right,” Lucio chuckled. “Magic realm.” Lucio lied Hazel down on his bed, placing the blankets around her shoulders. Hazel stirred softly and opened her eyes to see the count sitting next to her side. She took in the interior of the room. “How did we get back to the palace?” Lucio stroked her hair lightly. “We didn’t.” He pointed at the portrait above them. “It was all I could think of that was warm.” Hazel gave him a light smile and placed her hand on his. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I like it here.” She snuggled closer to Lucio and he placed his hand around her shoulder. “Hazel?”
“Mmhmm?” Lucio ran his fingers through her hair gently. “When we get back, if we win...I want to give you whatever you want as a reward.” Hazel’s head shot up gently to look at him in the eyes. “You name it. Jewels, fur, silks. Maybe even your own exotic pet. Or your own portrait.” Hazel shut him up by lying her head on his shoulder. “I just want you,” she whispered. Lucio’s face grew hot and red instantly. “Hazel...” Lucio whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I’m not the one for you...I’ve made so a lot of oop...” he shook his head like a wet dog, “mistakes in the past. I probably can’t forgive myself for it.” Hazel breathed in his scent and let out a light moan. “Lucio...your past doesn’t define your future. Who you are right now is what should matter to you. Nobody else should matter to you more than yourself.” Lucio watched Hazel’s eyelids get heavy. “You matter to me...” he whispered against her lips. Hazel lightly nudged his shoulder in comfort. “You should rest,” Lucio spoke as he lied her back down on the pillow. “Get your energy up.” Hazel took a hold on his human hand, her eyelids growing heavier. “You need rest too.” Lucio looked away shamefully. “But I don’t have magic like you. I can’t conjure a fire in my hands, or heal a headache like you can.” Hazel gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “But you lead us here. You thought of this place when I couldn’t. You don’t have to be magical, Lucio.” She yawned softly. “Just have faith in yourself. I do.” Lucio swiped at his eye threatening to shed some tears. “Sleep with me,” Hazel spoke lightly. “I want you by my side.” Lucio nodded lightly and snuggled next to her under the blankets. “I won’t leave,” he kissed her temple lightly. “I’ll stay by your side.” Lucio watched her eyes closed as she fell into a small slumber. “I’ll stay with you forever if you ask me.” He lifted his alchemical arm and quickly removed the sharp parts of his fingers. Looking at his gauntlet, he rubbed gentle circles into Hazel’s back while she slept. “I’ll fixed my mistakes,” he whispered against her. “I’ll become a new man. I’ll do it for you.” Placing a kiss on her forehead, Lucio held onto Hazel as she slept, falling asleep with the magician in his arms.
