Chapter Text
Elain
“I think that’s got all of it,” Jurian announced from the front door of their apartment. Elain watched as Lucien Vanserra moved out of the door with the last of the boxes, his red hair gleaming in the sunlight.
Wiping her hands against the front of her shorts, Elain blew an errant curl from her face, stepping aside to let Lucien pass as Vassa gave her a knowing look. Elain rolled her eyes. So what if she’d volunteered a little quicker when she’d heard that Lucien had flown in to help Jurian and Vassa move? So what if she looked a little too long when he’d lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat off his brow? Even if she was far from wanting a new relationship, she deserved a little eye candy. Didn’t she?
Technically she had met Lucien back in highschool. He’d been around occasionally when Feyre and Tamlin were dating, but Elain had her own group of friends and hadn’t really paid much notice to the gangly redhead a couple years younger than her.
Elain wouldn’t admit to herself that she’d taken much more notice when they happened to both be in Jurian and Vassa’s wedding two years ago. Gone was the gangly teenager- No, Lucien Vanserra had become a man. One that she’d had a hard time not thinking about, even with her recent engagement to Graysen. It didn’t help that as Best Man and Maid of Honor, she spent far more time at Lucien’s side than she’d anticipated. She still wasn’t sure if she’d imagined Lucien’s smug smirk every time they’d touched and Graysen had glared daggers their way.
Then the wedding was done and they all went back to normal life. Jurian and Vassa to their newlywed bliss, Lucien across the country to his fancy corporate job, and Elain grappling with the idea that she’d be in this small town forever.
But forever didn’t happen, and thinking back on it now, Elain was pretty sure she had already been questioning whether she actually wanted to marry Graysen and settle into the picture perfect life in the suburbs before he’d even proposed. Idly watching the picket fences and perfectly manicured lawns move past her as they made their way out of town and she found that she had not missed this place one bit. She had been afraid that coming back would trigger the ‘what if’s’ but all it did was remind her of exactly what hell she’d managed to escape when she’d broken off her engagement with Graysen last year.
At the time, it felt like everything had fallen apart around her. She’d quit her job and moved in with Rhys and Feyre in the city, promising that it would only be until she got her feet under her again. A couple of weeks. They had welcomed her with open arms, though she suspected it was in part because they didn’t mind having an in house babysitter for Nyx. Not that she minded, in fact she found she much preferred the company of her two year old nephew than her prying sisters.
It took another week and too many shots of tequila for them to drag the reason for her broken engagement from her. She didn’t want to admit that Graysen hadn’t cheated on her, hadn’t done anything wrong at all really. They had just grown apart and despite that, Elain still felt like it was her fault- If she had just been more interesting, just been a little prettier…. She didn’t want the pity of her sisters, or Rhys’s brothers as the truth tumbled drunkenly from her mouth.
”Want us to take care of him, Lainey?” Cassian had asked. She’d blanched when she looked up to see three feral smiles waiting for her response and quickly shook her head no, there was nothing to take care of. Someone, probably Az, had slid another shot of tequila towards her and that had been that.
Time lessened the ache in her chest. Her couple of weeks with Rhys and Feyre had turned into a couple of months while she halfheartedly looked for jobs until Rhys mentioned that he needed an event coordinator for Velaris inc. She’d insisted on interviewing, and Rhys humored her even though they both knew that he was going to give her the job. Shortly after, she’d moved into her apartment and life had gone on without Graysen.
There was very little that made her want to come back here, but when Vassa had called with the news that she had gotten a chance at a tenured position and she and Jurian were going to pack up and move across the country, Elain found she couldn’t make herself say no. So here she was, piling into the back seat of Jurian’s beat up Bronco, celebrating that at least they’d all managed to get out of this place.
____
Elain let out a groan as she made her way back to the car from the rest station, pulling her arms up over her head, her spine cracking as she stretched herself out. Giving a sigh of relief, she slumped against the door, deciding that she would gladly stay in the heat rather than fold herself back into her seat until they were all back and ready to go. She’d forgotten the toll of sitting cramped up in a car for hours on end could take on her body.
“You ditched Nolan, I see.”
Elain snorted softly as Lucien joined her. He motioned to her hand, devoid of the engagement ring that had been there the last time they’d seen each other. “You sound so disappointed.”
He gave a soft chuckle, leaning his shoulder against the car as he watched her, his auburn hair loose from the knot he’d tied it into, cascading down over his shoulders instead. “Can’t say I’m upset over it.” He shrugged.
“Figured you’d at least be sad that you lost another chance to make him jealous.” She could still remember the way Graysen had held onto her for the rest of the night after Lucien had whisked her out onto the dance floor at Jurian and Vassa’s wedding reception.
“Ah. If I remember correctly, you were just as eager to make him jealous as I was.”
Elain blushed as she looked away. So maybe she’d relished a little bit in Lucien’s attention, but she hadn’t realized that he’d actually noticed.
“Well.” She cleared her throat, her attention going back to him as he pulled his hair up off of his neck, watching the tendons in his forearms work as he tied it back up. “He’s long gone now.”
“You sound so disappointed.” He smirked, throwing her words back at her, and she couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“I was, at first.”
“And now?”
“Not anymore.” She shrugged, deciding there was no point in lying. She wasn’t disappointed that Graysen was no longer in her life, in fact she felt quite relieved about it these days.
“Ready to go?” Jurian clapped Lucien’s shoulder as he unlocked the car, Vassa following closely behind with a quick ‘shotgun!’ before scrambling into the front seat that Lucien had claimed earlier in the day.
“You heard the lady!” Jurian laughed and Lucien rolled his eyes with a feigned sound of protest, offering Elain a smile as Vassa’s door slammed shut, sealing the decision.
Pushing off of the car, Elain shook her head in amusement as Lucien pulled the back door open, offering a hand to help her in as if the car were a golden carriage and not some beat up clunker. “After you, my lady.”
“Why thank you, dear sir.” She played along, taking his hand as she stepped up. He held on until she had settled into the car and she found herself somewhat reluctant to let go as she slid over to the other side, making room for him to join her.
After a couple minutes of Jurian’s careful maneuvering, they were back on the highway, flat farmland passing them by.
“So, who wants to sing karaoke with me?” Jurian asked, fiddling with the stereo to try to find a station in range.
“God, please no.” Elain groaned, “Can’t we just play a game instead?”
“Oh! What about never have I ever? I’ll start!” Vassa beamed as she straightened and held her hands up. “Never have I ever had a crush on someone in this car.”
“Vassa! You’re married to someone in this car. That doesn’t count.” Elain snorted, refusing to put a finger down, though another blush stained her cheeks at the prospect of it.
“Jurian’s gross and he knows it.” Vassa shrugged.
“She just doesn’t want to admit that she entirely skipped the crush stage because she fell in love with me instantly,” Jurian boasted, but put one of his fingers down against the steering wheel, “I, on the other hand, have harbored a massive crush on dear Lucien since I laid eyes on him.”
Lucien rolled his eyes and put a finger down as well, but didn’t bother to elaborate.
“Elain.” Vassa turned in her seat to give her a pointed look.
“Fine.” She sighed, putting a finger down, noting the raised brow that Lucien shot in her direction. “You look good in a suit,” she blurted out, suddenly wishing she’d spewed off some nonsense about being into Vassa instead at the smug look on his face.
“Oh, do I?” Lucien smirked.
Elain flushed under his gaze and turned her attention back to Jurian, her voice coming out louder than she’d meant it to. “So, How about that karaoke!”
____
Lucien
Fuck it was hot.
Lucien had dragged his auburn locks into a messy knot at the back of his head to keep his hair off of his neck, and he could feel the tendrils that had escaped sticking to his skin.
They were a week into their road trip to move Jurian and Vassa across the country that should have only taken a handful of days. Everything that could go wrong had.
First, the tire of their trailer blew out, resulting in an extra two days in a dilapidated motel in the middle of nowhere.
Second, the air conditioner of the car had stopped working yesterday, leaving the entire group hot and grumpy.
Third, Elain Archeron had a bead of sweat rolling down her skin along the soft curve of her breasts, and there was absolutely nothing Lucien could do about it.
“Hey, pull over at the next exit,” Elain piped up from the back seat as they passed a worn out sign advertising ‘The Oasis Truck Stop- 5 miles ahead!’
“What?” Jurian asked, turning the music down and glancing back at them.
“Pull over at the next exit!” Vassa repeated for Elain.
“We just stopped,” Jurian protested, but put on his turn signal as he spotted Vassa glaring daggers at him through the rearview mirror.
“It’s hot, and if I have to listen to you and Lucien duet ‘Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart’ again, I might murder someone,” Elain huffed.
“Excuse me, I make a beautiful Kiki Dee.” Lucien placed an offended hand on his chest as he turned to look back at her, unsure if the flush in her cheeks was because of his stare or the heat.
“You make a tone deaf Kiki Dee, at best.” Vassa rolled her eyes.
“Don’t listen to them, baby, you make the best Kiki Dee,” Jurian countered, reaching over to pat his cheek, his other hand still on the steering wheel. “And your hair is much prettier than hers was…”
‘The Oasis Truck Stop’ felt like a step back into the 70’s as they made their way in, a soft bell tinkling above the door. They gave a collective sigh at the cool air and then went their separate ways with an agreement to meet back at the car.
Lucien took his time at the drinks cooler, grateful for the cold air against his skin before making his way back up to the register, setting a few bottles of water on the counter. Jurian added a case of beer to the collection as he joined him.
“Eager to re-experience college?” He raised a brow at the case of wine coolers that followed.
“Vassa never let them go.” Jurian snorted, his eyes scanning for her. “Speaking of, we should probably attempt to round her up before she buys the entire candy aisle.”
Giving a soft sound of agreement, Lucien pushed off of the counter. “I’ll find Elain. Surely where one is, the other isn’t far behind.”
It didn’t take long before Lucien spotted Elain at the back wall of the truck stop which sported a long row of pinball machines and arcade games, one with a sign that boasted ‘Estrella’s Prophecies Fortune Telling’. He could see ‘Estrella’ moving behind the glass as he wandered closer.
“I hope you don’t need a fortune to tell you I’m great in bed,” Lucien admonished at the same time as Elain pulled the fortune card from the machine. She turned quickly, pressing the card to her chest, her startled gasp sending shivers up his spine. Oh how he’d like to hear that gasp again.
“In your dreams, Vanserra,” She scoffed. Lucien couldn’t help the smirk that pulled at the corners of his mouth. Leaning in closer, he caged her between his body and the machine, his hand pressing against the wooden side behind her head.
“Oh, you have no idea what we get up to in my dreams, Elain…” The words rumbled from him, and god was he almost ruined as she looked up at him through her lashes before her gaze shifted to his mouth. Dipping his chin down, he could feel her sharp inhale against his lips as her eyes fluttered shut and she tilted her head, her nose ghosting against his.
“Elain!”
Elain started, pushing the fortune card against his mouth as she dipped beneath his arm to follow Vassa’s call from somewhere in the snack aisle, leaving Lucien to stare at Estrella the fortune teller in her wake. Adding a fourth thing to his list of everything that had gone wrong, he let his forehead fall against the glass case with a pained sigh before righting himself, pocketing the card that had fluttered to the ground.
He was so, so fucked.
____
Night brought a welcome reprieve from the desert heat as the temperature dipped with the sun. Lucien found himself seated by the pool in a lawn chair that had seen far better days, but was fairing better than Jurian’s, which was missing half of its slats. Music played softly from Vassa’s phone and the droning chirp of cicadas filled the air
“You said there was a pool…” Vassa scrunched her nose as she looked down at the algae covered stairs that led into the water.
“Is that not a pool?” Lucien asked as he passed another beer to Jurian, ignoring the middle finger Vassa shot in his direction.
“I wouldn’t get in that,” Elain declared, helping herself to the cooler that they’d dragged from the back of the Bronco. Grabbing a couple more drinks, she handed one to Vassa and swayed slightly as she made her way back to the lounge chair that she and Vassa had been sharing.
“Another wine cooler and you may not have a choice,” Lucien mused and although he would enjoy seeing the way her sundress would cling to her body from being soaking wet, the last thing he wanted was for her to fall in.
“I can handle myself, thank you.” She huffed, taking a long drink from her wine. Lucien held his hands up in defense, smirking at the annoyed look she gave him.
“Oh, I love this song!” Vassa exclaimed as a familiar song played from her phone, reminiscent of his college days when he’d been more likely to frequent clubs on his Saturday night. Before Elain could make it back to her seat, Vassa swept her into her arms with a squealed. “Dance with me!”
Setting her drink down, Elain laughed and allowed Vassa to pull her into the dance.
ucien felt his mouth go dry as he watched, Elain pressed against Vassa’s front, her hands moving back to tangle Vassa’s hair as Vassa let her hands skim down the front of Elain’s dress, their hips moving in time with the music.
“Does this happen often?” He asked offhandedly to Jurian, unable to tear his eyes away.
“More than you’d think,” Jurian offered, just as engrossed in the pair as he was.
Elain gave a satisfied sigh as they moved together, her head tilting back against Vassa’s shoulder and Lucien gave a soft swear as Vassa allowed her mouth to roam against the exposed column of Elain’s neck.
“And that’s my cue.” Jurian finished off the last of his beer and grabbed Vassa’s phone before hefting himself out of his chair and making his way towards the pair.
“Baby! You came to join us!” Vassa grinned at him as he neared, her hold on Elain loosening as she turned towards her husband, attempting to pull him into their dance as well.
“C’mon, wife.” He laughed at her and Vassa let out a squeak as Jurian threw her over his shoulder before making his way towards their rooms, the music fading with them as they went.
“Bye, Vassa!” Elain called out, her wave cut off as she stumbled, falling onto the lounge chair, breaking into a fit of giggles.
Running a hand over his face, Lucien took a moment to gather himself before rising from his chair. “Think you can make it back to the room without falling?” He questioned, gathering up the remnants of their drinks and throwing them into the cooler.
Giving a soft sigh, Elain fell back onto the lounge. “I’ll just sleep out here,'' she mused.
Watching her for a brief moment, he shook his head and picked the cooler up, lugging it up the sidewalk to set it outside of their rooms before making his way back for her.
“You can’t sleep out here.”
“It’s so nice though,” she mused, closing her eyes. She wasn’t wrong— it was nice out, but that didn’t mean he was going to let her sleep here. Before she could protest, he leaned down to pick her up.
“Oh!” Elain gasped, throwing her arms around his neck as he slid his arm under her knees and lifted her. “You’re so tall,” she whispered, clinging to him tighter as she looked over her shoulder towards the ground.
He gave a soft chuckle as he made his way towards the room, doing his best to ignore the press of her body against his. Stopping as he reached the door, he set her down, still supporting her as he fished for the key card in his pocket.
“Where’d these come from?” Elain asked, leaning further into him to reach up and trace the scars that ran over his left eye.
He fumbled with the key card, hyper aware of the way her breath fanned against the bottom of his chin as she looked up at him. “Car accident,” he swallowed thickly, finally getting the door open.
“Mm… They’re pretty.” She sighed, her other hand sliding along his chest where he’d unbuttoned his shirt. “You’re pretty.”
Before he could process what she’d said, she pulled him down into a kiss, her mouth hot against his own. A soft sound of surprise escaped him and he couldn’t help himself as he returned the kiss, tongue sweeping against hers as she opened for him, the taste of peach wine cooler reminding him exactly why this was a bad idea.
He pulled away with a sharp breath and tilted his head back in a silent prayer for his sanity. “You’re drunk,” he said, as much to remind himself as to remind her.
Elain giggled and let him go to stumble into the room, leaving him to follow in her wake. “I’m not drunk. You’re drunk.” She snorted, falling onto one of the beds as she bumped into it, kicking her flip flops off.
“Whatever you say, Princess.” He shook his head and closed the door. Buzzed, sure, but he certainly wasn’t drunk.
“I’m not.” She pouted, pushing her hair out of her face and Lucien did his best to ignore the way her body spread across the mattress as she got comfortable, busying himself with rifling through the duffle bag he’d tossed onto the bed earlier.
“Lucien?”
“Yes, Elain?”
“Do you really dream about me?” She asked.
His eyes flicked up as Elain stretched out her arms over her head, the front of her sundress pulling tight across her chest as her back arched against the bed.
“What?” He rasped out.
“Do you really dream about me?” She repeated, pinning him with her stare. Lucien could feel his heartbeat in his throat as he gripped at the duffle bag.
The muffled moans and sound of a headboard banging against the wall of their adjoining room saved him from having to answer as Elain burst into a fit of giggles. He couldn’t help but huff a small laugh of his own.
“Well, looks like you’re stuck here tonight.” He tossed one of his t-shirts at her before settling on the bed across from hers and turned the TV on to attempt to drown out the sound.
“Mm… I bet we could be louder,” she mused, sitting up on her knees to pull her sundress up over her head.
“Don’t even think about it,” Lucien warned, keeping his eyes firmly on the television as she pulled his shirt over her head, the hem of it falling against her thighs, covering just about as much as her dress had. Unfortunately, he hadn’t anticipated the feeling of absolute want and lust that seeing her in it brought.
“C’mon, Lucien,” she pouted, spanning the distance between their beds to climb into his lap, straddling his hips. “Play with me…”
“Elain,” he groaned, as his head fell back against the headboard and she took the opportunity to lick up the column of his throat. She let out a satisfied sound and rolled her hips against his, sending a spark of pleasure up his spine.
God did he want to give in, her body so warm and pliant against his… But not like this. Despite how much he wanted everything she was willing to give him in that moment, he wanted her to be fully present for it. Wanted her to actually want him, not because she was drunk.
Doing his best to tamp down his arousal, he gripped at her waist and lifted her off of him, depositing her onto the bed. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath through his nose. “Ask me again when you’re sober.”
“Fine.” Elain drew out the word with a petulant sigh but thankfully relented, rolling onto her stomach and pulled a pillow under her head as the moans from the other room reached a crescendo before going blissfully silent, only the soft murmur of the television filling the room.
The moment of stillness stretched between them as Lucien attempted to collect himself, resigned to being half hard for the rest of the night.
“Elain?”
“Hm?” She answered, already half asleep where she’d curled up against his side, warmth radiating from her small frame. Lucien was mentally kicking himself for turning down the opportunity even though he knew it was for the best.
“I mean it,” he admitted quietly. Elain hummed softly and Lucien seriously doubted that she’d remember to ask him again, but if she did, he would be putty in her hands. “Ask me again when you’re sober and I’ll do anything you want.”