Femslash Ficlets Prompt #358: "Pride"
Fair warning, there are spoilers ahead. This is my idea of what might happen at the end of season two.
"Come on, don't tell me that you don't think this doesn't sound just the slightest bit ridiculous. They want to make me," Luz said, gesturing towards herself, "empress."
Amity tapped her chin. "Honestly, I've heard weirder. Besides, it's not like you'd be the first human who claims to be best friends with a Titan to rule the Boiling Isles."
Luz brought her hands over her eyes and groaned. "Not you too!"
Did anyone on this archipelago know how to say no?
King had quite literally jumped on the idea, nearly knocking her over in the process.
"See!" he'd cried, pressing his face into her chest and clutching her tightly. "I'm not the only one who needs you to stay!"
Lilith had patted her shoulder. "I'd be proud to serve you."
"Yeah," Eda had added, winking. "You can't be any worse than the last guy!"
And okay, maybe considering her family's reactions, her friends shouldn't have been too surprising.
Hunter had prostrated himself at her feet, his eyes to the cobbled street beneath him. "Say the word and I'll give you my life."
At least Willow and Gus had had the decency to stay on their feet.
"Did you hear that, Gus?" Willow had pumped her fist in the air. "Luz is gonna be in charge!"
Gus had slung his head back and roared. He'd been so loud that people could probably hear him in the human world.
Luz's face had burnt hotter than a bonfire. It would have been a blessing if the ground had suddenly torn open and swallowed her whole.
But still, they were her friends. Could she really fault them for getting excited?
Luz wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself. The image flashing through her mind - her in an ankle length white robe with a glistening crown atop her head and a golden sceptor held at her side - would have brought a laugh to her throat if her stomach wasn't churning. Just a few months ago, the idea would have been nothing more than a wild fantasy. But then again, hadn't magic itself been that to her once too?
Amity's face softened. She reached a hand forward, resting it on Luz's lower back. "Luz, you're the only reason we still have a Boiling Isles. Surely some part of you must understand why everyone likes you so much."
"'Like' isn't the word I'd use."
It certainly wasn't the first thing that had come to her mind when she'd woken up that morning to find a clamoring mob at her door!
"And I wouldn't call you becoming empress crazy," Amity replied. She leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to Luz's forehead. "Honestly, it's one of the best ideas I've ever heard."
Luz's cheeks were hot enough to cook eggs on. "You're just saying that because you're my girlfriend."
Amity chuckled. "So what if I am?" She wrapped Luz's hand in her own and gave it a firm squeeze.
Luz sighed. "I can barely wrap my head around the past few weeks already. Now, everyone wants me to become empress. It's a lot to take in."
Luz's throat tightened. Belos' scream as the doorway to the human realm burst in an explosion of golden light echoed in her ears. When she'd finally been able to open her eyes again, all that had been left behind were a few smoldering pieces of cloth. Just like that, everything had been over.
She could, theoretically, build another doorway. Oh, it would take time and effort, but Luz certainly wouldn't have to struggle to find help...
"When I first came here, all I wanted to do was make friends and learn magic. I had no idea that anything like this was going to happen."
"No one did, Luz."
The edges of her eyelids stung with salt. "You're right, Amity, but..."
But Luz was still Luz. Being a badass hero was one thing and the ruler of a place that even now wasn't quite home was another. This was one problem that she couldn't solve by waving a sword around or drawing a glyph.
Amity pulled her into a hug. "Oh, Luz, no matter what happens, it's gonna be okay. Whatever happens next, you won't face it alone."
Luz sniffled but couldn't push back a smile. The universe was really trying to hammer that message in today, wasn't it?
