Chapter Text
☀️☀️☀️
Amity is too shy with petnames, that's the one major thing that Luz learned this week. Luz is pretty liberal with terms of endearment for her girlfriend. She can relate to her girlfriend's reserved nature cause she too is nervous to call Amity terms of endearment in a language she understands. So she usually uses Spanish, thinking that Amity couldn't understand until she found a spanish dictionary in Amity's bookbag. Amity confessed that she bought it before their first date.
"So you know what I call you all this time?" Luz didn't know why she was so shocked. She knows her girlfriend is really smart. She guessed she just didn't expect it.
"To be fair, I only know after you use them for the first time." Amity tries to console her.
Luz admits, at first she didn't think Amity really cared about terms of endearment. She always calls Luz by name and by her complete name if Amity gets pissed. She tried to get Amity's opinion on what term she liked to be called. Amity told her she likes all of them, unsatisfied with this, Luz tried calling her every name to see her reaction to each one. To which Amity's response was to avoid her out of panic. Luz thinks Amity likes batata the most.
But Luz was completely fine with just hearing Amity call her by name until one day she was hanging in Amity's room as usual, studying. Whenever Amity studies, she never pressures Luz to do the same. She only needs to bribe Luz to get her to do something she doesn't like.
"If you complete your Physics homework, I'll bake you a cupcake." Amity says as she passes Luz a sheet of questionnaires.
They were both sitting on a carpet and working cross legged on a small table. Apparently, Amity likes studying like this more than working on her neat desk.
"I don't want that. I want cuddles." Luz negotiates as she sits up.
Amity relents. "Okay."
"And a kiss on the cheek." Luz adds.
Her girlfriend looked at her in fake annoyance then rolled her eyes. "Fine."
Satisfied with this, Luz started working on her assignment. Then she already made a mistake on the first answer to a problem. "Why does science have to have math?" Luz mutters frustratingly.
"Well math is science so..." Amity answers absentmindedly while doing her chemistry homework.
Luz pouts then she stood up. "Amity, do you have an eraser?"
"Mm-hmm." Amity nods without looking still engrossed in her homework.
Luz scans around Amity's desk, she hesitates opening any drawers cause she knows Amity doesn't like her stuff being touched so she asks. "Can you tell me where it is?"
Amity furrows her eyebrows as she writes and says. "It's in the left drawer, love."
Luz was stunned on the spot then she whipped her head to look at Amity so fast that she made herself dizzy. She stutters as she feels her face heat up, "wh—what did you just call me?"
Amity was still writing, oblivious to what she just said. "Hmm?"
"Amity." Luz's strides were fast and she almost rammed the table which startled Amity. "What did you just say?"
Amity looked at her confused. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Not wrong." Luz grabbed her face. "You just called me Love didn't you?"
Amity's eyes went wide as she realized and she tried to back track. "No, I didn't."
Luz was not letting this one go. "Yes, you did."
"I didn't!" Amity blushed and tried to pull away.
Luz started to smile. "You said 'It's in the left drawer, love.'"
"I said Luz!" Amity started to scoot back on the carpet.
But Luz crawled closer. "No, I heard it loud and clear."
Amity was bright red and thoroughly flustered now. Her back hit the bed so she couldn't move anymore. She was trapped with Luz cornering her with her arms. Luz smirks, very happy and amused.
"Luz, don't tease me too much." Amity pleads as she buries her face in her hands and tucks her knees to her chest.
"And here I thought you didn't have petnames for me," Luz fake pouts.
"I do." Amity admits. "I just don't say them outloud."
"Why not?" Luz pries Amity's hands away from her face.
"Cause it's embarrassing." Amity whispers.
Luz bites her lips to hide her smile. "Can you say it again?"
"No!" Amity protests but Luz pulls her close as she laughs.
"Okay," Luz kisses her hair. "I won't force you. It does make me happy though."
Amity was quiet for a moment then she buried her face on Luz's chest, gripping her shirt. "Thanks, love."
Luz couldn't contain the butterflies in her stomach nor the big wide grin appearing on her face. She holds Amity tighter, cuddling her. "You're so cute."
"Shut up," Amity whispers but Luz could feel her smile on her chest.
"You said them, what are the other names you call me in your head?" Luz giddily asks.
Amity pulled back and looked at her red and annoyed. She tries to change the topic. "Why are you getting cuddles when you haven't finished your work?"
"It's not my fault you distracted me." Luz reasons and holds her tighter. Then she gets back to more important matters than studying. "So what else do you call me in your beautiful mind?"
"You're impossible." Amity looked peeved.
Luz chuckles thinking that Amity's angry face is the cutest thing. She gives up teasing and lets go before Amity gets angry for real but Amity’s hold on her shirt never loosened. "Amity?"
"Love." Amity mutters as she looks away, face completely red.
The butterflies in her stomach went wild again so she scooped up Amity and placed her comfortably on her lap. Amity lets out a little squeal and refuses to look at Luz.
Luz smiles. "What else?"
Amity gulps and closes her eyes which Luz thinks is funny since she's already looking away. "Darling."
"Darling?" Luz bites her lips to try not to laugh. She never knew that Amity had such an affinity to old victorian style pet names. She's absolutely obsessed with that thought and thinks it's hilarious and endearing.
Amity looked at her, still slightly annoyed. "Sunshine."
Luz froze and she swore she could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears. "Uhh."
"Amor." Amity continues and touches Luz's face.
"A–Amity." Luz laughs nervously.
"Buttercup." Amity ignores her.
"You can stop now." Luz insists.
Amity shook her head. "Baby."
Luz inhaled trying to remember how to breathe. "I get it. I won't tease you anymore. Please stop."
Amity was smiling now. "Beautiful."
Luz shook her head and covered Amity's mouth. She felt like her ears were burning.
Amity giggles and takes her hands away. "My jewel."
Luz couldn't take it anymore so she did the only thing she knew how to make Amity stop talking. She grabs Amity's face and presses her lips to hers. Amity let out a surprise noise. Luz waits till Amity relaxes before continuing, lacing her hand in Amity's hair and kissing her more.
Amity blinks once Luz pulls back. Luz catches her breath which was weird since she wasn't even holding it. Kissing Amity always felt so exhilarating to her.
Amity looked like she was still gathering her thoughts.
Luz laced her hand with Amity's.
"Lovebug." Amity continues.
"Damn it!" Luz groans.
Amity giggles. "Angel."
Luz shook her head and smiled, giving up. She resigned to burying her face into the crook of Amity's neck hoping her scent would calm her down.
"The very first name I gave you is Beanie." Amity took off Luz's beanie and put it on her head.
Luz looks at her and chuckles. "It is eye-catching."
She reaches up and adjusts the beanie on Amity's head.
"It's very warm." Amity comments then took it off.
Luz pouts. "You look good with it."
"Don't lie. I don't." Amity rolls her eyes.
"You look good with anything." Luz states as a matter of fact.
Amity lets out a pfft and puts the beanie back on Luz's head. She adjusts it carefully before leaning back to take a look. "It suits you better."
Luz gave her a smile to which Amity's response is kissing her cheek then letting go but Luz held on preventing her. "Wait, can you say my name?"
Amity looked confused but obliged. "Luz."
Luz's smile grew wider as she nodded. "Yep, that's my favorite one."
She wasn't lying. Hearing Amity say her name is the best feeling out of all of them. No matter how excited or elated she feels hearing Amity call her endearments, she would trade all of them just to hear Amity say her name.
Amity laughs in delight then she leans in and whispers. "My Luz." Before giving her a kiss that could very well take her life.
Amity never called her any pet names after that until 3 days later she got really riled up. Luz was put in a very uncomfortable situation. Jerbo and Barkus were also uncomfortable but significantly less than their friends.
Amber stared at them smiling as if she didn't notice their discomfort. "So when do we do this?"
The thing she was talking about was their Biology project their ancient teacher assigned to them. Again Luz was fine working with just Jerbo and Barkus but Amber was forced into their group since 4 was required. Since Miss Snapdragon already saw them working together last week, she figured having them grouped together was not bad.
"We'll work on this as soon as possible." Luz answers for the group. The sooner we get this finished, the sooner I can go back to not interacting with her.
"Great!" Amber looked happy. "Where?"
"My house isn't big enough." Jerbo says. "Barkus' place is under renovation."
They all looked at Luz, she frowned. Amber looked a little too excited. "Not mine. We'll do it at CAT's."
Jerbo and Barkus nod. Amber looked confused. "I don't know where that is. You're going to have to drive me there."
"I don't have a car." Luz answers.
"Your bike."
"No helmet."
"But I swore I saw you with two helmets a long time ago." Amber asks.
Luz said with a fake polite smile. "As I've said, ‘no helmet.’"
Jerbo cleared his throat. "That's settled then, CAT's tomorrow after school."
Luz nods and the bell rang, which was her signal to get the fuck out. But Amber followed her again.
"Can you just text me the address?" Amber asks.
"You could've just asked Jerbo." Luz's brows furrowed.
"Yeah, but he doesn't have my number." Amber asnwers.
"I don't have your number."
"I gave you my number."
"I lost it."
"Don't lie. You gave it to her." Amber crossed her arms.
"So? I didn't need it." Luz was tired of explaining herself. "Why can't you just give Jerbo your number?"
"I don't want him texting me. I know guys like him." Amber looked disgusted.
Luz balls her fists and grits her teeth. She can't believe this girl had the audacity to judge her friend like that. Suddenly, a cold hand held her fist which immediately calmed her down. She didn't even need to look. She knows what her girlfriend's hand feels like. Her fingers automatically intertwined with Amity's.
"Hi, love." Amity smiles at her innocently.
Luz was well aware of how hot her face feels right now and all of the anger in her body disappeared with just two words. "H–hi, Aimes."
"Is there something wrong?" Amity glanced at Amber who was looking at their hands.
"Nothing, I was just asking the address for the place we're going to meet up for our project." Amber looked unamused now.
Amity looks at Luz.
Luz answers. "CAT's."
"Oh, I could give you the address. Let me just write it down." Amity smirks teasingly.
"I still have no way of going there." Amber looks like she would rather not accept Amity's help.
Get a fucking cab!
Luz felt the air was getting colder by the minute. She looked up to check if there was a vent above them.
"Then you can use my car." Amity squeezes Luz's hand.
Luz looked at her really confused.
"That should solve your problem won't it?" Amity looked like she was scheming. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have other places to be."
Amity turns around and drags Luz with her before Amber could say a word. As soon as they left Amity's eyes turned sharp and the polite expression on her face disappeared. Somehow Luz found this more attractive.
She's so pretty when she's mad.
"Wait," Luz stops her before they arrive at class. "If I'm using your car tomorrow then what are you using?"
Amity's eyes soften as she looks at Luz. "I'm coming with you."
"Really?" Luz smiles. Amity's company always made her excited. No wonder she's often viewed as a puppy by her friends. She takes that as a compliment though.
"Yeah, I told the CAT's that I'll be going more often then they tightened my security and we never had the chance to come back after our date." Amity explains. "I was starting to feel guilty."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Luz asks.
"I don't know. Maybe I was scared to go anywhere other than school and our house in case Odalia's people do something. And I didn't want you to be involved." Amity looked worried for a moment then she smiled. "But since it's been days and she hasn't made a move, I feel a bit more confident."
There it is again. The pain in Luz's chest felt like heartburn. She felt like the guilt was literally eating her alive. "Amity, about that—"
The bell signalling for next class cut her off. Amity looked annoyed at it. "I gotta go. Next class I need to do a presentation. I'll see you later."
Amity tiptoed and planted a fast kiss on Luz's cheek before running to her classroom. Luz blinks trying to remember what she was going to say. She touched her cheek which felt very warm but she also clenched her chest which felt very tight. What a complicated feeling. You're happy but you're plagued with a lie.
☀️☀️☀️
For some reason, Amber was shocked to see Amity waiting with Luz by her car in the school parking lot.
"You're coming?" Amber asked.
Amity looked at her like she's dumb. "Yeah, it's my car."
"It's your daddy's car." Amber retorts.
"Still under a Blight’s name." Amity looked like she's forcing herself to keep calm. She turns to Jerbo and Barkus, smiling. "Hey, Jerbo. Nice to meet you Barkus."
Barkus shook Amity's hand with a pleased expression.
"Hi Amity, it's been a while, right?" Jerbo gave Amity a fist bump.
"Yeah. You look great though, definitely took my advice on keeping the bangs but that's still a little short." Amity points.
"Really?" Jerbo frowns. "I'll have my hair stylist know."
"You two know each other?" Luz's brows furrowed.
"I forgot to tell you that I was her Chemistry partner during our first year." Jerbo says. "She was the best project partner."
Barkus gave a little disapproving grunt.
"Ah after Barkus, of course." Jerbo corrected.
Amity giggles. "You guys ready to go?"
Jerbo looked confused. "Barkus and I were just going to take the bus."
"Non-sense, we're all going in the same destination so we go together." Amity smirks.
"What?" Amber looked annoyed.
Luz smiled smugly. "Her car, her rules."
Jerbo looked at Amber cautiously but nodded. "Thanks, Amity."
Luz blocked Amber from riding shotgun and opened the passenger door for Amity.
Amity looked like she was about to protest.
"We agreed that I drive after school, remember?" Luz playfully dared her to argue.
Amity rolled her eyes but got in and let Luz close the door gently. Luz watches the rest of the gang file into the back seat as she gets in the driver's side.
Luz reaches over to Amity's side and buckles her seatbelt for her. Amity froze, eyes wide. "Uh, Luz?"
She didn't know when this became a habit but it did. She thought Amity got used to it by now but apparently she wasn't used to it when there were other people in the car. Luz glanced at the people in the back. Amber looked like she was uncomfortable, Barkus looked like this was normal, and Jerbo was smirking.
Luz nervously laughs as sat back and buckles her own seatbelt. "Sorry guys, force of habit."
As Luz drives, she automatically rests her other hand open next to Amity's seat. Her girlfriend laced her fingers with hers then kissed her hand. Luz tensed from surprise.
Then Amity let's go. "Later, mi amor."
Luz tries really hard to concentrate on the road as she grips the wheel with two hands now. "O-okay."
Amity didn't let the air feel dead with the lack of conversations. "Since you guys are doing pulmonary diseases, I brought my sister's Medical Encyclopedia."
"Thanks, Aimes." Luz smiles.
"So what? You're just going to hang around while we do our project?" Amber asks.
Amity smirks. "No, I don't force myself in situations where I'm not wanted."
Jerbo tried not to smile.
"I'll just be in the break room." Amity continues.
"Guys, that car has been following us for like a while now." Jerbo looked behind.
Luz's heart dropped for a moment until she looked at the rearview mirror and chuckled. "Haha that's normal. Don't worry, they protect us."
"You mean to say she has bodyguards?" Amber jerked her thumb towards Amity.
"Yep." Luz answers nonchalantly.
"Daddy's too overprotective?" Amber mocks.
"More like I pissed someone off and now they're out to get my head." Amity lied.
Amber looked scared. "Isn't it dangerous that we're here? In your car?"
Luz shrugs. "Maybe."
Jerbo and Barkus did not look fazed at all while Amber kept watching the car behind them.
Luz pulls over CAT's and unbuckles quickly to get out and open Amity's door. The black car that was following them parked a little further away and two women dressed in black came out. One went inside CAT's and the other one ran around the perimeter.
Luz recognized these two from the profiles that Darius gave her. The red-head is Tinella and she kind of looks like Lucy from that movie with walking yellow pills. The brunette is Severine, Darius mentions that she also worked as a double agent sometimes.
They went into CAT's as Tinella came out and stood by the entrance. Katya was manning the register with a bored look on her face. Must be a slow day because there weren't any customers.
"Luz! Amity!" Katya's expression immediately brightens when she sees them. "Jerbo and Barkus too?!"
Jerbo waves. "It's been a while."
"I'll say." Katya shot a peeved look towards the couple. "You two, I expected you to come sooner."
Amity smiles apologetically. "Sorry."
"Ey I know about that. Darius gave us a briefing since you two come here often." Katya shrugs.
Amity says. "I keep forgetting that this is a small town and everybody knows each other."
"Who's your new friend?" Katya peeked at Amber who was looking around and didn't bother to introduce herself.
"Just a classmate." Luz frowned as she glanced at the girl. "We're doing a biology report here."
Katya nods.
"Not me. I came here to seek lessons." Amity smiles.
Katya slams her hand on the counter out of excitement. "Finally."
"But we still want coffee." Luz adds.
"Damn it." Katya groans. "Fine, order up. Make it quick!"
Luz laughs a bit. Once they placed their order and took a seat, Amity gave them 4 volumes of the encyclopedia and immediately went to talk to Katya. Luz opens the encyclopedia to mark all of the important pages. Jerbo and Barkus also grabbed one and Amber just sat back and typed away on her phone.
Luz scowled at her but didn't say anything, thinking that it was better than her talking. She was fine with this. Jerbo and Barkus discussed what 5 diseases they could go with and asked all of them if they were fine with the final list.
Luz agrees but Amber just kept texting and scrolling. Assuming she was okay with the list, Jerbo gave it to Luz for illustrations. Luz was in the middle of drawing the 3rd one when Amity came back with the drinks.
"Where's mine?" Amber asks.
"You didn't order any." Jerbo frowns.
"I thought you would order for the whole group." Amber looked annoyed.
"Sorry but that's not how we run things here." Luz says casually and takes her coffee. She smiles at Amity. "Thanks."
Amity placed a blueberry pie in front of her. "Here's a snack."
Luz frowns. "What about yours?"
Amity shook her head. "Not hungry."
"Hermosa, you need to eat." Luz insists.
"I'll eat at dinner." Amity protests.
Luz grabbed her arm before she could leave. "You hardly ate anything at lunch."
Amity pouts but then she leans down and murmurs in Luz's ear. "I promise I'll eat at dinner, Love."
Luz's eyes widened and she felt her face heat up. This is unfair. How come she can make me like this with just one word?!
Amity chuckles and leaves as soon as Luz lets go of her arm. Luz watches her, slacked jawed. Amber taps on her hand and Luz jerks back in reflex. She scowled at the girl but Amber didn't seem fazed.
"I need to go in 30 minutes." Amber was still holding her phone.
All of them looked at her in disbelief.
"Bria said she needed me for something." Amber says.
"This can't be done in 30 minutes." Jerbo frowned.
"I know but I'll make it up to you guys, I'll do most of the presentation." Amber pleads. "I can't ignore Bria. She'll have my head."
Barkus looked mad and Jerbo was about to protest but Luz held up her hand to stop them. "Leave her be. We can finish it ourselves."
Amber looked very happy and Luz wondered why but couldn't be bothered to care. They heard piano music and turned towards Amity playing on the stage with Katya directing her.
Luz smiles as she recognizes the song as a soundtrack of Amity's favorite movie. Luz turns back to her work and starts helping Jerbo by reading what he should type. Amber was still texting on her phone, not doing anything nor offering to help.
Amity played another song which at first Luz didn't recognize but when it reached the chorus it dawned on her. Her girlfriend was playing Steve #1. Katya was smirking at Luz and there was a faint smile on Amity's face.
Willow must've given Amity the sheet music of the song. It sounds like she's been practicing because it was near perfect. Luz was mesmerized and rested her chin on her hand, unable to look away.
"Hey, Luz." Amber called her.
Luz ignored her and hummed along to the music.
"Luz, I really need to talk to you before I go." Amber says.
Luz shushes her. "Please shut up for a minute."
Amity glanced at her and quickly looked away once she found out Luz was watching her. Luz chuckled but was impressed that Amity didn't make a mistake even though she was caught off guard. When she finished, Katya sat next to her blocking Luz's view and started teaching her basic jazz songs.
Luz looks away to get back to working but Amber grabs her hand. Luz tried to pull back but she held tight.
"I really need to tell you something before I go." Amber insists.
Jerbo and Barkus looked nervous and Luz looked pissed. "Get on with it then and let go of me."
Amber lets go. "Not here. Alone please."
Amber stood up and grabbed her bag then waited for Luz to follow. Luz stood up and thought, let's get this over with.
They walked out to the parking lot away from the people's view. Severine followed them but stayed 10 meters away.
Amber looked at the security. "Can she go away?"
"No, she's there to watch me at all times. She won't interfere nor listen to the conversation." Luz made eye contact with Severine to which the bodyguard responded with a small nod.
"I thought they were only watching Blight." Amber's brows furrowed.
"That's none of your business." Luz shot that topic down. "What do you need to tell me that's so important?"
"It's about Blight." Amber answers quickly.
"What about Amity?" Luz's interested now.
"She's not what she seems." Amber looks at her with serious blue eyes.
"Tell me something I don't know." Luz looked bored again.
Amber grabs her arm sleeve. "Luz, before you were dating she threatened Bria and I to stay away from you. She almost broke Bria's arm, just because we were talking about Boscha. Her ex."
"As if I'd believe any of that." Luz had to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Then she tried to shake off Amber's grip. "Can you stop touching me?"
Amber grabbed her other arm. "She kept texting me threats since you gave her my number. And now you need a bodyguard because of her? Luz, she's not good for you. She's too violent and too controlling. I care too much to let you date her."
Luz was angry now. "Who are you to tell me what's not good for me? Nobody can tell me what's good for me. And who are you to judge my girlfriend like that?"
"Luz." Amber looked pained as she stepped close to Luz. "Have you been listening? I like you."
"I don't." Luz rejected her immediately. "Now let go of me so I can go back to making the damn report."
"What the fuck are you doing?!" A furious voice yells.
They turned to see Amity bright red and the angriest she's ever been. Luz's eyes went wide and pushed Amber away which surprised the girl and she staggered backwards.
Amity looked like she was about to pummel someone to death. Seeing Amity this angry makes Luz's blood run cold.
"Batata, it's not what it looks like." Luz starts to walk towards Amity.
Amity bolted towards Amber, knocking her to the ground which surprised Luz cause she was sure Amity was angry at her. Amity pinned the other girl down with her knees on her shoulders and slapped her.
"I told you not to touch Luz but you really are testing me." Amity sneers.
Amber squealed in pain as the pressure of Amity's knees dug on her shoulders. "Please stop!"
"You're not very smart are you?" Amity pulled the girl's hair back to make Amber look at her. "I gave you lots of warnings. How stupid of me to think that'll work on someone like you."
"It was Bria's idea!" Amber pleads and kicks the ground trying to get leverage on Amity. "She was pissed that you broke Boscha's heart and wanted to do the same."
A confused Severine appeared next to Luz. "Is this...am I supposed to stop this?"
Luz snapped out of her trance and pulled Amity off of Amber. "Amity, stop. That's enough."
Amity relents and lets Luz hold her. Luz examined her girlfriend, aside from the messy hair she looked unscathed. She wishes she could say the same for the other girl. Amber sat up, her hair was ruined, dirt caked her clothes, and there was a scratch on her face that was bleeding slightly. Despite all of this, Luz knows Amity held back.
"You're crazy!" Amber stood up.
"Oh that's not even the end of it." Amity calmly fixed her hair. "Say goodbye to your cheer squad position and tell Bria she better sleep with one eye open."
Amber looked like she was about to cry. She looked at Luz for help and Luz just stared at her in disbelief.
Amber sobs. "I was serious when I said I like you. And this is unfair, I liked you first."
Amity looked murderous but Luz held her hand tight. Luz scowled at Amber. "That doesn't excuse you for using me for petty revenge."
"I'm sorry." Amber tried to take a step towards Luz.
Amity stepped in front of her girlfriend. "You wouldn't do that if you still want your hair to be attached to your head."
Amber squeaked and grabbed her bag then bolted away. Amity sighs and she turns to Luz. Luz immediately pulls her in for a hug, holding her tight and kissing her hair and temples.
Severine looked like she was intruding so she slowly backed away and turned around.
"I've never seen you that angry before." Luz chuckles.
"Sorry but I do regret not choking her while she was down." Amity wrapped her arms around Luz's waist tighter.
"Is there any truth to what she said?" Luz asks.
Amity pulled back and frowned. "Do you doubt me?"
"Hell no," Luz cups her face and moves it left to right slowly. "I would never but I do feel like you're hiding something from me."
Amity looked guilty. "Okay, what did she tell you?"
"You threatened them to stay away from me?" Luz says.
"Yes." Amity nods.
"Honestly, I don't really care but I'm curious." Luz fixed a strand of Amity's hair.
"They were saying unpleasant things about you and your friends."
"Like?"
"You don't need to know." Amity insists.
"Okay now that's not right." Luz pouts. "You said so yourself. If it's about me then it concerns me."
Amity sighs. "Damn it, why do you have to use my own words against me?"
Luz chuckles and kisses her nose.
"They were saying that you're into some dark harmful shit like self-harm. And that you hanging out with Hunter is weird." Amity admits.
Luz nods in understanding. She's heard that before. Back before Hunter enrolled in Hexside, he was the talk of the town. His uncle committed a few crimes being a mafia boss and a conglomerate tycoon but his most famous crime was child abuse on his nephew and murder of his family. Everybody was reluctant to interact with Hunter in his first year of Hexside.
Luz asks. "What about breaking Bria's arm?"
"That's true but in my defense she would've burned me with a cigarette." Amity didn't look guilty.
Luz laughs. "That's my girl."
Amity looks at her in shock and then laughs. "Is that a kink for you or something?"
Luz nuzzles her neck and jokes. "I love a girl that can beat me."
Amity giggles and pushes her head away.
Luz asks another one. "What about Boscha being your ex?"
"I already told you that's a lie." Amity rolls her eyes.
"I know," Luz smirks. "Just checking. What about the threats you sent Amber?"
"That's true but they're mostly warnings she didn't listen to." Amity confirms and she whines. "Now I'd have to send her phone conversations to her parents."
Luz smiles remembering that Amity always keeps her word. Whether it'd be promises or threats.
"Have you calmed down now?" Luz asks.
Amity's expression softened. "Yeah. Sorry you had to see that, I just got really upset that she was touching you. I know you don't like that."
Luz grabs her chin and gives her a feather light kiss. Amity's surprised face is red again. Luz chuckles and sighs in relief. "Sorry I needed that."
Amity nods. "It's f-fine. You can have as many as you want but the others might be looking for you so maybe later?"
Luz laughed and gave her a tight hug. "Okay."
When they got back, Katya was smirking at them. "I forgot to tell you guys that Raine put up cameras outside a week ago."
Luz and Amity turned bright red. Katya laughed and promised not to tell anyone what she saw. Amity helped Luz, Jerbo, and Barkus finish their report which went a lot faster than expected. Lus wonders why she's so surprised at Amity's ability to finish school tasks.
Jerbo and Barkus agreed to kick Amber off the group after they heard what happened from Luz and Amity.
"She wasn't carrying her own weight anyways." Jerbo shrugs.
"Home-wrecker." Barkus muttered.
Luz and Amity stared at him in shock, hearing that word coming from him was the last thing they expected. Once they were done, Luz dropped the guys off to their houses and drove to Amity's house for dinner.
As they walk towards the door, Luz looks back to the gate and sees that Tinella and Severine parked next to it and began scouting the area as soon as they got out. Luz's brows furrowed, usually they just drove around the perimeter before driving away. The Blight Manor is a relatively safe place with new systems installed. Amity gave her the key code and the lock down code for emergencies. But their security’s actions make her think that something must've happened.
"Luz, you coming?" Amity held the door open.
Luz felt the uneasiness wash away as she followed her inside.
🌑🌑🌑
Amity's dad wasn't coming home today and the housekeeper didn't show up so she suggested ordering take out for them. But Luz insisted on cooking. Amity protested since she had a long day but Luz just waved it off and said she wanted her corn and hotdog fried rice.
"What?" Amity looked disgusted.
Luz smirks. "Don't knock it till you try it."
Amity knows that Luz is a good cook. She reasons that her mother is always working and she has a lot of time to learn. And it made sense that Luz knows how to handle a sharp object, she is a carver after all. That's when Amity realized that she was attracted to hands, they way that Luz's hands expertly chopped the onions without hesitation or fault.
Amity couldn't help but stare in awe. Even her sister wasn't this good. She doesn't know why such a mundane thing made her heart skip a beat. Seeing Luz in the kitchen, with an apron on, and gracefully cutting vegetables shouldn't be this attractive but it is.
Amity tried to think of some scientific explanation behind it. Like an animal being attracted to a partner who can provide or feed you.
Maybe it's that.
Or maybe it's the way her hands and arms looked muscular—
Shut up.
"...your dad and he said it was okay." Luz explained.
Amity blinks out from her trance and realizes that Luz was talking. "I'm sorry, what?"
Luz sets down the knife and looks at her with worry. "Are you tired? You can go sit down if you want."
Amity shook her head. "No, I'm fine. What were you saying?"
Luz looked hesitant at first before answering. "I asked your dad if I could stay over since I didn't want you alone in a big house. He said it was okay."
Amity frowned. "You didn't have to do that."
"But I want to do it." Luz says as she washes her hands. "I can't sleep knowing you're alone. I know your house is rigged with a really good security system but the moral comfort of having someone with you cannot be replaced by a machine."
"Luz, when was the last time you visited the Owl House?" Amity glanced at Luz's bracelet.
Luz looked guilty. "I went there last Sunday."
"And when was the last time you carved something?" Amity asks.
Luz was quiet.
"Luz, as much as I want you around, I can't help but feel that I'm an encumbering factor." Amity looks down.
"No!" Luz squeaks, then she cringes and shakes her head. She walked over to Amity and grabbed her hands. "Please don't say that. Please don't think that. You might be thinking I'm doing this for you but I'm doing this for myself. Even if you take out the fact that your mom is out to get your family, I would still not leave you alone in an empty house."
Luz massages Amity's hands. "If you want, we can spend more time in the Owl House or at my house more. Honestly, I don't know why I haven't thought about that, Mami would love to see you more."
"Really?" Amity felt lighter.
"Yes, but since we're here now. I'm gonna finish cooking and then let's build that Lego piano that I bought out of impulse." Luz smirks.
"Why?"
"Because I remember you saying your mom never lets you buy one so you've never experienced putting one together." Luz kisses Amity's forehead. "Plus we can stay up late tonight since it's Saturday tomorrow."
Luz lets go of her hands and goes back to cooking. Amity took initiative to set up the table but changed her mind midway since it's only two of them, they might as well eat at the island counter.
Luz wasn't one to complain about it either. She mentions to Amity once that their dining table intimidates her. There's also something more intimate in just casually eating in a place where you're not meant to eat. Her mother always insisted on eating in the dining room. To Amity, meal time wasn't a relaxing time. It was always constant proper posture and doing things the eloquent way. Pick up the right spoon for soup, cut your steak in the middle, never ask for seconds, make sure your utensils don't make too much sound, and never do anything distracting. She was shocked that she lived through the indigestion her overbearing mother caused all those meal times. Even now her and her siblings still uphold the same rules with their father despite their mother being out of sight. Only when they noticed their father's lax personality start to come out during mealtime that they slowly start to lower their guard.
But meal time with Luz was different. Meal times with Luz, she laughs. She can lean on the table. She can complain about the taste of the food. She can use any spoon available. She doesn't have to use chopsticks for every Asian food.
Mealtimes with Luz feels like home. The real kind. And Luz was right, her hotdog and corn fried rice is great.
Luz smiles as she shovels a heaping spoonful of rice. "Dad used to make this for me when Mom came home late. It's very simple."
Amity noticed that Luz started to talk about her dad more. Willow told her that Luz lets her guard down over time, Amity thinks it's a relief. She wants Luz to feel more comfortable around her. Amity set down her spoon as she finished and propped her chin on her hand. "Do you have any more secrets?"
Luz almost chokes on her soymilk and coughs, spilling some on the counter. Amity immediately got up and grabbed some tissues. Luz chuckles and coughs awkwardly at the mess. "Sorry."
She gratefully takes the paper towels from Amity and begins to clean up the spill.
Amity frowns and takes more towels, grabbing Luz's arm to make her stop. "Luz, clean yourself first."
Amity pulled on Luz's arm until they were at eye level. Luz couldn't help but blush, seeing Amity up close. Amity smiles as she wipes Luz's chin and face.
"I—I can do it by myself, you know." Luz pouts.
"Yeah but I want to do it." Amity smiles wider.
"You're very pretty." Luz murmurs in awe.
"And so are you." Amity tilts her head while rubbing her thumb on Luz's chin. "It's fine, you can keep your secrets for now."
Luz frowns. "Hermosa, I..."
"I said it's fine." Amity whispers softly and gives Luz a kiss on the corner of her lips. She giggles. "You taste like milk."
Luz's smile was wistful for a moment but her eyes brightened at the sound of Amity's laugh. Amity pulls away and Luz starts to clean up the counter.
Once they went upstairs, Luz went straight to Ghost. "Hello there, Your Majesty."
Ghost meowed at her casually then Luz pulled out something from her backpack and presented it to him. Ghost immediately perks up and tries to swipe Luz's hand reaching for the thing. Luz throws it on the ground and Ghost leaps down the bed to play with the toy mouse.
Amity was confused. Ghost never was big on mouse toys, he only likes feather wands and Amity's hair ties. Luz put her hands on her hip, satisfied with Ghost's approval. "It's filled with catnip. He's gonna be so high tonight."
Ah so that's why. Amity chuckles while she places her bag on her desk. "You wanna use the bathroom first?"
"We changing to nighties already?" Luz asks.
"It'll be more comfortable." Amity shrugs.
"Okay." Luz strolled into the bathroom with her backpack which left Amity confused since she hasn't given her a change of clothes.
After 5 minutes, she comes out in a grey tanktop and purple pajamas. Amity tries not to stare at Luz's bare arms but the trying was unsuccessful.
Luz notices and chuckles. "Like what you see?"
"Uh..." Amity could feel her blush spreading to her neck. Then she realized something. "You planned this?"
"What?" Luz looked confused.
"You brought a change of clothes. You plan to stay the night even before you knew my dad wasn't going to be home." Amity crossed her arms.
Luz laughed and crossed her arms as well. "Why, Miss Blight, I did no such thing. Why do you accuse me of impure actions?"
Amity raised her eyebrow. "I never said anything about impure actions."
Luz's smile disappeared and she began to blush. "Wait. No. I pack extra clothes just in case something like this happens. I was just—"
Amity laughs and walks towards Luz, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's waist. "Just in case?"
"As much as I like wearing your clothes, I figured I'd just bring mine since I'm always here in this place." Luz didn't waste any time, wrapping her arms around Amity. "Also to minimize the weird rumors when I come to school wearing your shirts."
Amity smiles. "I like a girl with a plan."
Luz nervously laughs and clears her throat. "Then I'll uh set up the Legos."
Amity pulls away and goes into her closet to get her pajamas. She looked at the shelves pondering before emptying one and placing the clothes that Luz used before in it. There she has a place for her stuff.