"A Lollipop Duet" by Nicholas Horne, a fan fiction.
The story that follows Lolli's runaway after the events of Valiant and follows into Ironside. This and the characters mentioned belong to Holly Black, and this is written purely for fandom-entertainment. It's rated T for violence, language, and some slight sexiness but the story overall is dark-esque. Pairings follow Holly's storylines and include: Val/Ravus, Dave/Lolli (sort of), Luis/Corny (later), and Kaye/Roiben (later).Thanks.
Chapter One – A decision
"I can't believe he would fucking do this to me." Lolli said to herself in the hallway outside the emergency room. Val's friend, Ruth, looked up at her incredulously and frowned. Lolli's head was a confusing mess of lies, betrayal, and her thoughts were heavy from the lack of Never and the after effects of sex. She continued to pace, wondering about Dave's body, so hot to the touch and the way his mouth and eyes were charred.
"How could he?" Lolli asked. Ruth sighed slightly, reaching a hand up to further smudge her make-up, and replied.
"Boys are assholes. Especially boys totally stoned out of their minds on faerie drugs."
It sounded so stupid, coming from Ruth, an outsider. Lolli glanced down at her monster fur coat. She looked tense and Lolli guessed that she looked no better than Ruth. In an instant, Ruth flagged down a nurse and asked.
"Hey, excuse me, miss, my friend here and I are going to step outside for a bit. If you could give us any emergency updates while we are out there, that would be awesome."
The nurse glared at Ruth's odd apparel and Lolli's filthy attire and merely nodded in agreement. Ruth led Lolli outside and lit up a clove cigarette as soon as they passed through the automatic doors.
"Do you think Val and Luis will be able to stop all this shit? I mean, do you think they can do it?" Ruth asked, trying to get Lolli's mind off of Dave. Lolli looked over at her and said.
"Yeah, maybe. Val's smart and so is Luis. I think they can handle it. But you know, I don't want them to." Lolli's mouth seemed to twitch in what seemed like sadistic pleasure at the thought of vengeance on Dave.
"How the hell could you say that?" Ruth asked, wide eyed.
"He practically fucking raped me. Plus, he's been screwing us all around anyway, not to mention killing faeries." Lolli replied, getting defensive.
"I know." Ruth said sympathetically, feeling odd to be in a comforting position for a complete stranger. Normally, with Val, she never needed to provide most support, Val has always been really self sufficient. Ruth was always thankful for that. Suddenly, Lolli writhed in what looked like extreme pain, gasping for air as if she had been suffocating.
"Lolli! Are you okay?" Ruth panicked, "What's going on?"
Lolli cringed; aquamarine locks of hair falling onto her sweat beaded face. "I need some Never." She said, struggling.
"No way," Ruth replied, worry in her eyes, "Drugs aren't going to make you any better."
Ruth reached out a hand to touch Lolli, only to have her pull away from Ruth's outstretched hand. Lolli started shaking in what looked like cold and said,
"I need to get the fuck out of here."
"No, Lolli, you need to stay here. Maybe we should get you checked out." Ruth said cautiously.
Lolli stood up, getting angry. "There's no way in hell I'm getting "checked out". Hospitals give me the creeps."
Ruth stared at her, wondering what to say as Lolli abruptly stated,
"I'm leaving." Lolli started to walk, and as Ruth reached a hand toward her to stop her, Lolli batted it away and moved faster.
Ruth started after her and at this; Lolli began to sprint, messy skirt flying up with the frigid wind coming off of the Hudson pulling it up.
"Damnit!" Ruth exclaimed, finishing a drag of her cigarette. She faced Lolli, who was still running off and wondered what to do.
Lolli ran about a mile before the cold and the lack of air got to her and as she slowed down, she could feel her body ache for Never, her veins twisting from inside her. She panted hard, trying to think of somewhere she could get her fix. Lolli turned down an alley and fell to the ground, chest heaving, making the ache for Never even worse. Sweat rolled down her face as her head began to feel like a clouded mess, her head and limbs feeling heavy and useless.
"Fucking hell-." Lolli started only to be cut off by a man's silky voice coming from further down the alley.
"You smell of glamour. It has seeped into your being. Tell me, girl, does it hurt to be covered by so much of it?"
Lolli looked sharply down the alley, feeling offended that someone was mocking her pain.
"Who are -?" Lolli started again but the man had again interrupted. As he walked closer to Lolli, she saw that his features were not human. He had long silken hair that reached towards his hips that shone as the color of butter. His ears were pointed and his cheek bones seemed to jet out from his face entirely. A cruel smile was wrapped onto his beautiful face as he said darkly.
"I am Adair. But I already know you." He paused, looking her up and down, "You are the troll, Ravus', little servant. Perhaps you are even the one who has been serving the death he creates."
"No, I'm not. That's Dave." Lolli gasped, the pain becoming more and more intense.
"Ah, I see. The other one is the poison giver. But anyway, my dear, I believe we can help each other greatly. I can provide you with the power your body aches for." Adair said, grinning, words slipping out of his mouth with terrible grace.
He held out a hand to Lolli, daring her to take it. Lolli wanted to make him happy; she wanted the feeling of power again. She reached up slowly, her hand trembling in pain and exhaustion. He leaned forward and took her hand and already, Lolli could feel power.