As soon as she was enclosed within the safety of her tiny apartment, Morrigan’s walls crumbled completely, leaving her shaking and with tears in her eyes. She’d messed up— and badly. Why on earth had she taken off her sweater? Why had she answered Lucian when he’d asked about her scars?
Now, he knew about her. She’d been exposed.
Morrigan didn’t realize that she’d grabbed a steak knife until pain was spreading along her forearm.
Lucian drove the short ways to his apartment complex. He parked the car and headed up to his apartment. Once inside, he let out a sharp breath. He leaned against the kitchen counter, his head hung.
(good afternoon!
skip or stay?)
(Hey, good afternoon to you too!
and we can skip. When do you think we should skip to?)
(how're you?
When would they next meet? Should we do another date, or just have them bump into each other?)
(I’m great, hbu?
and Lucian could have asked her out again)
(I'm good
Yeah sure, where to?)
(Good to hear
and uh he could have just asked her to coffee agin?)
(sure
do you want to start or should I? Say, a little under a week later?)
(Sure, and I can start. Should we say that Lucian was picking Morrigan up or no?)
(sure)
(Alright. I can start with that, then)
Lucian pulled up to Morrigan’s building. Because he didn’t know what her apartment number was, and to make her feel safer, he stayed in his car. He sent her a text, saying he was parked outside when she was ready.
(thanks)
Morrigan stared down at her phone, at the text, a soft exhale parting her lips. Relax, she told herself, though the word was thought harshly. It's a cold day. Your arms are covered, You're wearing makeup to hide the scars on your face. It's just Lucian. Apologize, and move on. She rolled the sleeve of her black shirt up, moving the shawl that also blanketed her torso out of the way. Her fingers grazed a series of fresh scabs, all lined up in neat rows from her wrist to her forearm. Relax.
Two minutes later, she was out the front door, carefully approaching Lucian's car.
Lucian looked out the window and noticed her. He unlocked the passenger side door to let her get in. This would be okay. He would just apologize for asking about her personal things so soon.
"Hey," she greeted, climbing in. A casual smile lingered over her features, wiping away any trace of the other week's panic. "Long time no see. How are you?"
Lucian looked at her smile. Was this one fake too? “Hey. I’m alright. How are you?” He asked. He had one hand on the steering wheel, but when she got seated in the car, he rested his other hand on the steering wheel as well.
Morrigan's smile softened slightly when he moved his other hand to the steering wheel as well. "I'm okay. Did you get up to anything interesting this week?" Her heart clenched– why wasn't he reprimanding her? Was this a trap?
“Mm, not really. I’ve been busy with studying and working. I’m considering this to be a good break,” Lucian hummed in response with a soft chuckle. “What about you?”
"Pretty much the same," Morrigan admitted, tugging on the tassels of her shawl.
Lucian smiled at that. “Well that’s alright. Do you have everything?” He asked her.
"Yeah. Not much to bring, isn't there?" She wrapped a loose curl around her index finger, trying to anchor herself in the moment instead of letting her fantasy run wild. He wasn't going to hurt her. That's what almost got you killed with Aaron. Be smarter than that. He could hurt you, he could not. Prepare for the worst.
Lucian chuckled again. He nodded his head at that. “I suppose not.” He switched the car into drive, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel as he drove out of the complex parking lot. “Oh, also. If you want to reach into the back seat, I-um, got you something.”
Morrigan's eyes went wide before she could stop them, her head turning to face him completely. "Oh– you did?" A gift? When was the last time she'd received once? Years ago, definitely. Was this some sort of cruel trick? Or was it sincere? Only one way to find out. She turned, doing as he'd instructed and reached into the backseat.
“Yeah,” Lucian hummed, a small smile playing on his lips. In the backseat, there was a bouquet of red roses, a few other types of flowers mixed in as well. And tied to it was a small stuffed animal- a pitbul, to be more specific.
(that's so adorable omfg)
Morrigan lifted the bouquet to the front seat, staring at it as if an angel had just descended from heaved and presented it to her. Her lips parted, giving way to a tiny "Oh.." Tentatively, almost afraid, she brought it up to her face, breathing in the heady, sweat scent. And for a moment, the mask was gone. It was just her, holding the bouquet and the plushie as if it was the most precious thing in the world. "Lucian– you didn't have to do this for me. Thank- Thank you."