Life is Strange [TAG: Lucas]

"Get rid of you? Never." He said. It was in almost a joking tone, but he actually meant it. He didn't want to be rid of her. One possible benefit of this trade would be she would be closer by. Sure she played for teams in the US, but she had a lot of connections to the UK. Plus the UK and US were a lot closer than either were to Australia. But now he was on a team with Oliver Wood. Well he was on the reserves, but close enough. He didn't know what the status of that was, he hadn't asked. He had known a few weeks ago they had seemed pretty close. But he had promised her he'd try be okay with it for her, so he wasn't going to ask. Plus that would put even more of a damper on the evening.

He nodded when she asked about his agreeing to stay "Really really." He couldn't believe he was actually agreeing to stay. He had stayed the night at various women's places before, but not in a sense like this. In the sense of what they were going to do earlier, sure, but not this. "Absolutely the worst." He said with a chuckle and a head shake. Playful. That's what their relationship was. It was comfortable. Plus the alcohol loosened them both up just a little bit. Without the alcohol he wouldn't have told her about what his dad had done. Then again without the alcohol, they wouldn't be here in the first place.

"What if I get lost looking for you?" he teased mildly. These interactions were far from normal for the pair of them, and yet it felt so right. Every touch left him wanting more. Her kisses still left him breathless. Then she asked about why he had been at the pub that night while leading him to the bed and giving him a quilt, which he wrapped around himself as he sat on her bed. "I was just visiting town and needed to blow off a little steam." Well a lot of steam. He had seen his father that afternoon to demand to know why he had gone after him. That had gone less then stellar. "It did feel a little like Hogwarts again, yeah." he said with a smile. "I did think how beautiful you looked in that dress and how nice your smile was." Well he had been about to get that dress off before she found those scars so he supposed he could say that. He took the bottle from her and took a drink before offering it back to her.

Ah the offseason party. Yes he remembered that quite well. He had spent most of it either in the corner or being dragged to dance by Romy. It had been the day before he had left back to Australia. Who knew just a few weeks later he'd be back. He was sure Romy would be excited with the change though. "I remember." he said before saying "I was there for most of it. Just kind of off to the side, watching." Well that and Oliver had made it quite clear he wasn't allowed to approach Amelia. What else was he supposed to do. He wasn't someone who enjoyed huge amounts of attention like that. "It was a good party. Everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun." he said nodding. He had spent enough time observing to see that "Then again Romy seems to have a good time at those sorts of thing."

"Lost? You? Nah. You're the one of us that actually knows what they're doing." She corrected him with a friendly, reassuring smile. She felt that much was true. She was thrown into this world she originally couldn't make heads or tails of. In some ways she still couldn't. Lucas had been brought up here. Brought up in money and with culture. He had better footing than she could ever dream to have. Even inebriated like he was now. "You'll always find me." She squeezed his hand. She wasn't sure of much in this world but that she would bet money on.

Steam? What had upset him? "Why?" She felt like she could press it because it may have been manageable. It wasn't like it had been with Oliver where if you asked him how his day was he would bite your head off. When he called her beautiful she flushed and still trying to play at being tough she lowered her gaze and bowed her head trying to hide the redness in her cheeks. "Yeah whatever..." How did he do that? Make her face burn just by saying nice things about her? Things that had nothing to do with the wizarding sport that she was so skilled at. How dare he! The nerve! "I look dumb." She brushed off his compliment. She never felt at home in a dress, not even in school, and old habits certainly died hard or not at all.

Taking the bottle from him after he had a sip she took another swig. Amelia could hold her own drinking. Blame that on being around men day in and day out. You learned drink your weight and then some in booze with boys who made drinking a competitive sport and Amelia was competitive by nature at her core. "I didn't see you." She frowned, studying him closely as if trying to figure out if he was pulling her leg. "You didn't even come say hi... Didn't you want to?" She seemed hurt by this but she probably already knew why. Wood had barely left her side that night and his hand didn't leave her wrist or back.

"It was ok." She shrugged. She only got to do a little bit of dancing with Romy before Wood had taken over so a lot of the party was spent holding conversations and being at his side as a trophy of sorts. "I'd like to throw another one now." That Oliver wasn't in the picture but she probably shouldn't mention that. It may have been clear already considering what they were about to do. "Where I could talk to whoever I want and dance with whoever I want." She turned her head to look at him. "And this time you'll dance too right? Right?" She smiled launching on top of him to pin him on the bed tickling him for a second before stopping and just looking into his eyes. There it was again. That heart flutter. It was unmistakable. Suddenly very self aware she crawled off of him and laid next to him. She didn't want to push her luck and she definitely didn't want to make him uncomfortable. She took another drink before handing him the bottle. "Take a big boy one this time." Maybe then he wouldn't be so annoyed by her acting like a dope.

"Does anyone know what they're doing." he asked. He didn't feel like it sometimes. He felt like a poser at times as well. It was worsened by the number of people who thought his position on the teams was only because of his father. It was about to get worse with his yet to be announced trade. Who wouldn't think that with him now being on his father's team. He'd just have to work extra hard to be the best he could be. But he knew even then he'd just have questions. It just seemed so unfair. "I hope I will. Well as long as you want me to anyway." What if she grew sick and tired of him? That would be horrible.

He wasn't going to tell her of the trade. Not right now. Plus it hadn't been announced to the world yet. He could ignore it was happening for a little longer. "I had the pleasure of seeing my father today." Well that was true, and was, for the most part, the root cause of needing to blow off steam. There was a reason that more or less he hadn't seen his father in the last 5 years, even though he had been back to the UK several times. "You don't look dumb Amelia. You look beautiful." Of course it wasn't just because of the dress. No matter what she said, he thought she was beautiful. Even if she was uncomfortable by him saying that, evidenced by her bowing her head and looking away.

He let her take the bottle out of his hand. He could drink, but he didn't do it that often. But he wasn't to a point where he would struggle the next day. Especially since they had had a break before drinking this bottle. "You were busy talking to people most of the night. Plus Romy get me quite busy." Nothing about Wood. Nothing about how the guy had stopped him when she was in the bathroom to warn him off. Lucas hadn't wanted to make a scene so he had just kept to himself mostly. Talking to people here and there. "Of course I wanted to, but you were busy. You know how it gets." They had both had times they had run into each other but been busy and unable to say more than a couple words to each other.

"I'm sure it'll be well attended again" He said with a nod. He was sure Romy would drag him, even if he didn't want to come and see her. That's what he tended to do. "You need to get me pretty drunk to be comfortable dancing like that." he said with a chuckle. Especially in a larger group like the parties ended up being. In smaller groups of close friends it took less to get him comfortable. He much preferred to be off on the side and observant at those things. Of course there was also home with a book and a cup of tea.

Before he even knew what was happening, he was pinned and being tickled. He squirmed a bit, but then she stopped and he was left looking into her eyes. It was just for a few moments, but he almost felt as though his heart was beating just a little faster. If she hadn't rolled off of him, he would have been tempted to kiss her. Why did he feel like this? It wasn't like this was the first time he had been in a bed with a girl like this. But she wasn't any other girl. And this wasn't those other times. But at this point doing anything would be weird right? They were just talking. Right? When she handed him the bottle, he took a big gulp of it. He didn't need her to tell him twice. All to try and numb these feelings. Because it was clear that wasn't going to happen right? What would she see in him anyway? "That meet your requirements?"

"I sure don't and I think that's grossly apparent wouldn't you say so?" She mused quietly, trying to get a smile out of him with the face she was making. It would all be worth it then. All of the hurt and not knowing the last few years, the severity of what she had learned about him just tonight, the intensity and weight of that knowledge... It all could disappear with just one of his smiles no matter how small so she would try for it. Making him feel better made her feel useful and it wasn't because of any sport (no matter how much she loved said sport). It meant something because it would have to do with her as a person. Who she truly was when she wasn't on a broomstick keeping balls out of three hoops. It was because she was Amelia. At least... She hoped so.

"I always want you to." She corrected him gently not letting him feel sorry or poorly about himself, when it came to her, for even a split second. Not on her watch. She couldn't have that. But the mention of his ever present father had her feeling not so sure that she would be able to cheer him up. "Yeah? What did he say?" She couldn't help but be curious. She wasn't the best at censoring herself. Blame her American heritage she was normally blunt and forward (why else would he be in her bedroom?). The best she could have hoped for was that he and his old man had been in the same room and hadn't said two words for each other but she doubted that they would be so lucky. "He didn't say anything did he?" Hopefully he didn't because if he did she would be on her feet with her wand again.

He called her beautiful and that made her turn even more red. "Seriously. Knock it off. I hate that." She warned quietly, trying to hide her face behind her hands and the liqour bottle. "No. I don't know how it gets." She corrected him sternly not for one second liking his excuse. "If I was over your house at your party I would at least say hi." She lectured him with a slight eye roll taking another drink from the bottle this time very much needing it. "You don't have to come to any of my parties if you don't want to. I'm not going to make you and Romy shouldn't either." She shrugged watching him take a drink. "Yeah." Her requirements. There was something about that phrasing that she just didn't like. "Really Hart, don't you ever just do something because you want to?" She sighed, chastising him as she set the bottle on the floor then turned back to face him on the bed lying beside him her head on the pillow and brow hair all messy. She didn't mind in the slightest. "Like right now. What do you want to do?" The Keeper asked genuinely interested in the answer.

"I don't know. You do quite well for yourself on the pitch." he said with a light smile. She really did. He had watched her play too many times to count. He had played against her quite a few times as well. She was a natural. He had to work so hard to play at the level he did, and she could probably still turn circles around him. She also somehow knew how to make him feel better. And she didn't even need to do anything to do that. Just be herself. Even just lying here next to her was making him feel better. Sure it wasn't quite the evening he had thought of when he had gone out for a drink, but it was a nice change of pace.

"You still don't know that. I could end up driving you bonkers." They had never really spent any extended time alone together. In school they had always been around friends if they were together for more than 5-10 minutes. Being around each other more might drive them crazy. Or maybe it was because he knew he couldn't have her. "Nothing of value really. We were in a room with other people. He tends to be docile when that happens." Well the other people hadn't been there the whole time, but he didn't want to rehash how apparently his whole career thus far had been a set up by his father. It had just made him question his abilities all over again. Had he really had the spot in Australia because he had earned it, or because his father had apparently paid for it? Or was his father making it up? Too much to think about, with too much alcohol.

"Hate what?" he said with a slightly mischievous grin. He saw her as beautiful. That was enough for him. And he'd try make her see herself that way. One day maybe. "Well it was quite busy. And I ended up getting wrapped up." He said before adding "I do apologize. I wanted to come and say hello, but it just didn't work out. I'll make it up to you." He could still feel Wood's hand on his wrist and hear the words he said. But she didn't need to know that. "I do want to come. I enjoy watching everyone. I'm just not comfortable with attention or the dancing thing." That was the truth. He wouldn't have kept going to them if he didn't enjoy them at least a little bit. There were plenty of books at home to read. "I play quidditch because I want to. I read because I want to." What else did he do because he wanted to? Those were really the two things he did. Oh and play with his dogs. As for what he wanted to do right now? Just looking at her there with that relax look and that messy hair and he knew what he wanted. And he had enough alcohol in his system to admit it. "What I want to do right now is kiss you again." He said before pausing "If you really wanted to know."

"You already drive me bonkers... But not enough for me to ask you to leave." Amelia admitted with a knowing little smile, curling up next to him but not touching him. She oddly (considering what they had almost done) wanted to respect his physical boundaries especially after the latest bit of information that he had shared with her. "I guess that question is if I drive you crazy and if I should leave you alone." Though she was joking a part of her was worried that he would take her seriously and ask her to give him space. Of course she would honor this if it was asked of her but that didn't mean that she had to like it. She did plenty of things she didn't like often times while sassing off by the mouth the entire time but somehow this case was different. She'd take her lumps and deal with the sadness on her own.

Laying there looking up at him she was a bit surprised, and her face showed it, when he so freely admitted what his desire was. To kiss her. Warmth rushed into her face but she paid it no mind choosing instead to smile truly touched by his admission for a number of reasons. One, that it was something he wished to do and two, that the shy boy actually took a risk and said it aloud. "Yeah?" Her smile grew in anticipation and she lifted her head, her right hand gently clasping his cheek, and kissed him softly rewarding him for his boldness. She knew it took a lot for him to ask. It wasn't like the series of kisses earlier. Less frenzied, more patient, and more pure. There was no end game in mind merely a desire to be connected to this particular person.

Pulling back she once again felt like the air had been sucked out of her in the best possible way but she tried to not let it show. "See what happens when you ask?" She teased him lightly, giving him a wink. Lying on her stomach she rested her hands on his stomach and her chin on top of her hands just gazing into his eyes. What a handsome face he had. No wonder all of the girls were gaga for him during their schooling days. Deep down she supposed she had been as well. "Know what could be fun? I saw that there's a street fair and maybe we can go." Together? She was talking a mile a minute now. "I know you don't have a change of clothes or anything but you could totally shower here and then apparate back to your hotel then come back here? Or apparate there, shower, come back, then we can go. I don't have practice or anything and it could be a lot of-" She stopped. Maybe that was getting way ahead of things. Maybe she looked too desperate. Too excited. Sighing she bit down on her bottom lip and looked away. "Never mind."

"Well good to know I haven't driven you too bonkers." He said with a smile. He watched her curl up in the spot next to him, but without touching. He wondered if she was thinking he didn't want the touch. But he wouldn't mind it. Unlike his father, she hadn't given him any reason thus far to distrust her or think she would hit him. "You drive me crazy, but not in a way to drive me to not want you around." And it wasn't in a way just because of her joking around. But just how much she meant to him but knowing it likely wouldn't go anywhere.

The surprise at his admission showed on her face. But he was saying the truth. "Yeah." He said softly, confirming that was what he wanted. And he was rewarded with a soft kiss. It was such a nice feeling to kiss her. It always felt the same. "I do." He said with a smile looking at her after she pulled back. But he couldn't just keep asking her to kiss him, no matter what he wanted.

They spent a few moments just in the quiet looking at each other. She was really beautiful to him. And he loved looking into her eyes. It was a shame he didn't get to do this more. Then she started off talking about going to a street fair. It sound like a really fun day. But he knew tomorrow was going to be busy with a lot of activities. "As fantastic as that sounds." He said honestly "I actually have a busy day of meeting tomorrow. Maybe we can do something another day?" Well it would make sense to have a lot going in even if he wasn't going to be staying here. He hadn't been back from Australia too often. "It was a good idea though" he said trying to cheer her up and stop her feeling sorry for herself.

Even his little yeah was extremely cute. If she was sober she would have been a bit more cautious and, shockingly, reserved. It wasn't normal to be this taken with someone especially someone you had never been in a relationship with. And yet here she was. She liked this man, a great deal, and always had even if she hadn't wanted to admit it to herself. Beyond that he had never given her a reason to note like him. Little did she know how all of that would change by the morning hours.

His I do was spoken for the briefest of seconds against her mouth and she mushed her mouth against his now in an attempt to shut him up (playfully of course). "Sh..." She warned him trying not to laugh as she finally backed away. She didn't want to push her luck. Not with him. He was more than a roll in the hay no matter what she wanted to convince herself of.

The quiet that followed wasn't uncomfortable to either of them. Honestly she could have just watched him, taking him in, for far longer just basking in the calm and fuzziness of the moment. It was a sort of moment that she didn't get to experience often let alone be a part of. But that glass house, so delicate and beautiful, came crashing down when he said no thank you to spending the next day with her. And boy did it show on her face. But there was no anger, only hurt, maybe even devastation. "Oh. I..." She fumbled with her words trying to garner her footing again as she moved away from his chest and sat up on the bed beet red. "Maybe. I might have practice that day." She covered quickly and miserably despite not knowing what day he was pitching. She was just embarrassed.

It was a good idea though. Lot of good that did. "Yeah. Sometimes I have those I guess." She shrugged still feeling horribly silly she moved to stand. Perhaps this was silly to even think that this, any of this, was possible.

Part of him wondered what it would be like to be here because they were together, not because of a chance run in. How nice it would feel to just fall asleep next to her. This night had started as what looked like a chance hookup, but it had turned into just time to talk and deepen their relationship a bit. Mixed in with the occasional kiss or tender touch. It was quite a nice night. He was enjoying it. He even got another kiss when he have said he understood what he got when he asked. The alcohol in his system helped him out. His confidence in situations like this when he was sober could use some work. Maybe a lot of work. But right now he didn't need to work on that.

This night was a night he'd remember for a long time. Even with how the morning would turn out, the night would be something he would cherish. The calm of the night, and the just connection they built was something he'd never experience with anyone else. But was it ruined by him turning down the great day she had proposed? He wanted nothing more to go. He had even thought of all the meetings he had scheduled the next day between the team physical, meeting with the coach and team, press conference to announce it, and so on, and there wasn't a single one he could move or get out of. He was back to having no control over his life. But here she was looking... hurt? "Amelia, you have no idea how much I want to do that with you." he said, trying to explain "If I could move any of the meetings I would. You have to know that."

But it didn't seem to matter as she was moving to stand up. He just sunk into his bed. He so hated this feeling of not having any control over his life. He knew he was going to be under the thumb of his father. One wrong move and he could be out of the sport for good. Yet the one thing he wanted just as much, if not more than the ability to play quidditch, whether or not he realized it, was disappointed that he couldn't spend the next day with her. "We could find a day we're both free. Or find something that works around your practice." He said, trying to offer a solution. He didn't want her to feel bad. "You have them more than sometimes Amelia."

He seemed happy. At least he looked it. Sure she couldn't be sure, in reality it was just best guess and her reading into things that she really shouldn't, but it was nice to think about. But that momentary happiness was shattered by her reacting emotionally and suddenly to him not wanting to hang out the next day. She knew that she shouldn't be so dramatic but she couldn't help but take it as a personal attack. Rejection was difficult and Amelia wasn't used to it on a personal standpoint because she didn't have much experience in that area choosing instead to focus on her beloved sport and other non social related things.

"Sure you would." Now standing she reached for her team USA hoodie draped carelessly over a side table and threw it on. If she was going to be hurt she might as well be a warm walking bit of vulnerability. "When the heck are we both ever going to be free, Hart?" She insisted with a heavy sigh, turning to face him her arms crossed over her chest expectantly. Maybe she was being over dramatic but she really couldn't help herself. "Sorry." She sighed sadly realizing how difficult she was being.

He was happy. Well as happy as he could probably be. Spending time with her, even with the weight of the revelations, was more than he could have really imagined. Even if it had somewhat come crashing down with him saying he was unable to go out the next day with her. How unfair was it that when he actually had an opportunity to have a day with her, he had to appease his father and spend all day in meetings and in front of the press. Especially as he didn't want even want to be traded to Puddlemere. Sure Romy was on that team, but it was owned by his father. He'd rather spend his years his Australia. But that would mean not seeing the woman in front of him now. Of course would she even want to see him after this?

"I really would." he said, hoping the truth would show on his face. He just laid back looking at the ceiling trying to figure out how to fix this. He wasn't good at this sort of thing with girls that weren't Amelia. With her, everything was different. There wasn't anyway to prepare for being around her. "I don't know Amelia." he said before saying "But I'd make time for you when I could." But then she turned back and apologized with a sigh. "Don't be sorry Amelia." He said looking towards her. He straightened his arm out on the bed, almost inviting her back to the bed. "We could make it work if you wanted to. I'd like to make it work."

"Whatever you say, Hart. Whatever you say." The Keeper sighed her back to him as she began to rise from the bed. He could keep saying he would. Could have, should have, would have. They were all just words and broken promises as far as she was concerned. They didn't hold any weight. Actions did. Showing up did. Not that anyone did much of that lately unless there was something in it for them.

He didn't know? "That makes two of us I guess." She responded to his little plea from where he laid on her bed. Well, at least he was being honest even if he was being uncharacteristically a dimwit. Finally turning to look at him with hands on her hip as he gestured for her to lie back down her gaze hardened. "Make what work?" A day trip? Play pretend? Or a real date? Something more? Merlin, she really shouldn't put that sort of pressure on him. It really wasn't fair and she knew it. Letting out a heavy sigh her shoulders slumped and she looked dejectedly at the floor at a loss.

"Yeah I know, I don't mean to bite your head off. I guess the buzz is just wearing off and I'm tired... I don't know." She shrugged wishing she was able to get to the liquor bottle but it was well under the bed by now. His arm still outstretched she raised her brow at him in question. "What?"

Why did he feel as though he could never do things right? He actually had a chance to spend time with her outside of quidditch or a party without others around, and it had to be the one day he didn't even have down time from when he was due to report to the team doctor in the morning until after dinner time. He wished he could push all of that back, or at least some of it, to spend time with her. But not with his father as the owner. "I mean it. If I could move stuff I would in a heartbeat."

He didn't know how to make any of this work. "I guess so." He could cast plenty of spells. He knew all the ins and outs of Quidditch. He could brew potions. But asking a girl he liked, much harder. Even with girls who weren't Amelia, it wasn't something too easy for him. There hadn't been a Dating 101 class in school. And how to explain that he wanted nothing more than to be with her. "Make a date work. Or even just spending more time with you." Even if she didn't want to go on a date with him, she was his friend and he barely ever got to see her. Not since he had graduated anyway. He missed spending time with her.

"I'm a big boy, I can handle it, don't worry." he said with a small smile, trying to lighten it back up. It had been a heavy evening so far, maybe they could end on a decent note. "Nothing." he said pulling his arm back, realizing he probably looked like an idiot. "I suppose if you wanted to get some rest, I could go bunk on the couch." he offered. She had told him to stay here, but he wasn't sure where he stood with her after revealing he couldn't hand out he next day.

His arm withdrew and she frowned a little bit. Now she was just as confused as ever. Why had he done that? Why had he offered it in the first place? Really, he wasn't going to give any explanation? This was just a night of guessing games. Then again, their whole existence between one another had been just that so why should now be any different even with alcohol involved?

The cough? "What? Why? No." Her frown deepened and she took a quick step toward the bed to argue otherwise but then stopped herself from moving any further. She didn't want to risk her luck nor did she want to scare him away. She swallowed down her nerves or, at least, tried to. "Don't do that." But did he understand? Was he truly listening? "I still want you to stay... I mean... If you want to. I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do." Her throat still burned slightly from the alcohol that she had forced down that was beginning to hit her more now as she stood there still a bit to worried to approach her own bed without his consent.

Looking down at the floor in the quiet she then slowly forced herself to look up, somewhat shyly, at him. "Please stay." That didn't sound too horribly pathetic did it? Ugh. She wouldn't blame him if he laughed right in her face. It was probably a funny sight. Swaying slightly on her feet she rested her hand on the nightstand so to keep standing and not bump into anything. 

Lucas honestly had no idea what he was doing. All he knew is what he wanted. But it wasn't something he was about to say right now. He was a little more truthful with the alcohol, but he wasn't about to admit that he had wanted to ask her on a date or be with her more than just friends. How he wished it wasn't a question that they would spend the night together. But how was he going to articulate that to her? This wasn't something he was used to doing in the slightest.

She moved when he said the couch. That was... weird? "Well I just don't know, seems like maybe you wouldn't want me on the bed." he said, trying to stay calm. He really just didn't get any of this. "Don't do what?" he asked, curious. For someone as smart as he was book wise, he wasn't very smart in this sense. He was often oblivious to body language like this. "I want to stay. I... just didn't know if you wanted me to stay here." Meaning the bed. He was nervous. He wouldn't admit it, even to himself, but he was nervous. Nervous she'd want nothing to do with him after that night.

He pushed up to his elbows, letting the quilt she had given him fall back, leaving his back exposed to watch her. Why did she look so shy? "Amelia if you want me to stay I will." he said quietly. "For you I'll do anything." That was probably one of the truest statements of the night, even if it seemed harmless enough. He'd been doing all the could for her, within what she wanted for longer than he probably realized.