Another mini fic for the flower prompt exchange @bobbole @windsweptinred and I are doing. It's a little rough, and I might actually add more to it before cross posting to ao3. But I think I might start writing more for this pairing because I loved this.
I hope you enjoy!
Dream and Lucienne: Clematis, evergreen, Paper Ring Wedding, Prompt if you fancy, include the words, "I know it's not much... "
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It’s only when she gives Dream the ring that Lucienne realises it’s probably a stupid idea.
The very feeling of that is strange—this sudden anxiety foreign, bubbling up like butterflies in her stomach—insecurity like this not something she’s used to at all.
Lucienne is always certain, always sure; precise, methodical, should be equally meticulous even in gifting Dream this thing she feels may risk mistranslation, may reveal itself to be poorly worded. The feeling shifts when she tries to examine it, for all Lucienne is nervous it doesn't hurt, isn't truly uncomfortable, an investigation that nonetheless reveals a shyness she’d not expected to find. It’s not that she considers her offering poorly made, not that Lucienne thinks she isn't worthy.
It’s not that at all.
Just an awkwardness in allowing herself to be so easily perceived.
The band of the ring is slim, formed of interwoven strands of paper, improbable in the Waking World but more than possible here. If one looked closely enough it is possible to see words. If one was allowed close enough they could see it’s inscribed with words chosen from the books in Lucienne’s library. Dream’s gift to her, her gift to him; painstakingly written out—lines they've both enjoyed, quotes, little favourite phrases—these things she’d wanted to give to him to carry wherever he goes. Not weight. Lucienne would not add that. And it's not to lighten a load either.
Perhaps a grounding, perhaps reminding, perhaps she’d wanted to add reasons for the appearance of his smile.
Dream smiles now.
He slips the paper ring onto his finger, so careful as he settles it into place, because even in the Dreaming paper is still delicate enough to be easily torn.
Lucienne’s own ring sits gold on her finger; simplicity, elegance in the lack of intricate adornments, bland only in contrast to the crown Dream had wanted to give her alongside it. Not to buy her affections with splendor, but to forge something reflective of her worth, to smelt love into metal. Lucienne had wanted to give him something too, this exchange of rings not only a tradition to be followed, yet what could she give to him when he could make anything he desired? What unique thing could she add when Dream had made this realm, this palace, this library, all of it so achingly beautiful, so exquisite even in darkness.
Lucienne opens her mouth—
Dream anticipates.
He knows as he always knows.
“My Lucienne,” He says softly, eyes lifting from the ring as if he’d found a palace there, a sun in her. “Your love could never be inadequate; a treasure, an oath, a gift from my first raven, a tether from my wife.”
The insecurity stabilises, relief uncurling the tension from Lucienne’s shoulders, until all that's left is what inspired her need to get this right. A blossoming of affection soft and fond at hearing Dream’s solemn but earnest tone, a love so deep her shyness only rippled the surface, a feature not a detriment. There is no lie in Dream's voice. He has no need for that; if he didn’t love her he’d say so, if she didn’t love him she’d do the same. And Lucienne knows that she should not have worried, feels pleased by the reminder anyway, finds contentment in the proof of Dream’s appreciation for small things, for paper as well as gold.
“Then you like it?”
Lucienne asks despite already knowing the answer.
Dream glances back down, smiles again, soft in fascinated distraction, as if he is reading all of the words she’d written across the band of that paper ring. He is, Lucienne reminds herself, is brushing against them to feel the curve of her pen, the time she’d taken to write this ring into being, all she'd given to it.
“I will never take it off.”
“It’s settled then.” Lucienne teases. “Eternity it is.”
“Eternity.” Dream repeats; his own tease in how he plays at testing the word as if he doesn’t yet know what it means, as if it is still a new thing for this Endless being to learn.
“Did you ever think I would give you anything less?”
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i would have MUCH interest in the dream/lucienne fic! Such a juicy ship full of potential, and for which there is simply not enough content out there
:D good to know! @stardustedknuckles is fully responsible for making me fall in love with their dynamic--if there is a ship that could be weird, immortal, alterous attraction type fondness, one of us is absolutely going to find it. thank you anon <3
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