#sjm you were so wrong for letting us know they were the original otp

[busterswritehand]

You're Timeless To Me

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Roughly 180 years after the events of ACOSF, Lucien looks up to find that he is surrounded by strangers. Meanwhile, Nesta realizes she has stayed still while the world around her keeps moving. Misery loves company, but these two can hardly make small talk.

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Part 1

Strangers. Lucien Vanserra was completely and utterly surrounded by strangers. He sat at the council table created by him and his friends. His family. A small band of exiles that dared to dream - to want more for themselves and others below the wall. He had always known that he would outlive them. Mourn them. That he would be responsible for keeping their memory alive. He never considered, however, that everything he had built with Jurian and Vassa would outgrow him.

Lucien looked around at a council of human nations and territories. Some leaders were human or half-fae, some represented monarchies or democracies, but they all ignored him. He led the first generation of leaders alongside his friends, the second generation revered him as a sage, but this lot treated him like an ancient relic. They often bickered over each other as they were doing now. If they weren't arguing, they were scheming and schmoozing. In that way, they reminded him of the courts above the wall.

He wasn't sure why or how it had not hit him sooner, but Lucien missed his home. Not the Autumn or Spring Court or even Velaris - but Prythian. He had not returned since Elain's wedding, where her viper of a sister nearly bit his head off. Lucien couldn't believe it, but in that moment he missed Nesta too.

He missed familiarity - some sense of stagnation. Humans changed quicker than the seasons and developed new technologies too fast for him to keep up these days. Hell, with more readily available access to magic the human territories started to see an industrial boom. Lucien hated the isolation and unfamiliarity that plagued his everyday life. Once again he was without a true home.

He fidgeted with the crisp paper in his hands, his thumbs stroking over the creases left by his back pocket.

Dear Lucien,

I hope the human territories have continued to treat you well. I apologize for not reaching out sooner or more frequently.

Starfall is coming up. Maybe you would consider visiting us back in Velaris. The Night Court misses its old emissary, and I miss my friend.

Best,

Feyra

Lucien smiled faintly at the letter before looking back up at the dysfunctional group in front of him. When had everything devolved so much? They swore like sailors and acted like petulant children.

He sighed. Maybe it was time to return to Prythian.

-

Lucien knocked on the door of Feyre and Rhysand's river house in Velaris. He stood at the front steps, shifting in his clothes. As he waited, he peered back over his shoulders to look at the town.

Velaris beamed with the same technologies that thrived in the human world. Factories were being constructed on the outskirts near the edge of the mountain valley. The wealthier citizens drove around in their brightly colored automobiles on the cliffside roads bordering the city. He watched as tints of blue, red, and purple flashed past and around the city. They were accompanied by shrill honks and deep revving of engines as fae raced by.

Lucien's attention was swiftly ripped away from the city by the front door swinging open. Nesta stood past the threshold, staring down at Lucien. He took a step on the next stair and opened his mouth to speak. The door slammed shut - inches from his nose.

Lucien blinked, utterly baffled. He knocked again.

"Nesta," he said, "could you let me in?"

Silence. He knocked again. Stubbornness and pride kept him planted on those steps. He'd wait there all night if he had to. After all, he was invited to be their guest.

With his fae hearing he could make out the sound of shuffling footsteps then two female voices bickering. He listened closer. A satisfied smile peeked out from Lucien. It sounded like Feyra was chastising Nesta.

Sure enough, Feyra opened the door a moment later. A strained smile plastered her face. Nesta stood behind her in the shadows, glaring at the two of them.

Feyra's expression softened as she pulled Lucien into a welcoming hug.

"Sorry about her," Feyra said.

Lucien chuckled, "It's good to see that she hasn't changed a bit."

He watched the sour female silently scoff and walk toward the sitting room. Feyra leaned back, planting firm friendly hands on his shoulders.

"It seems like you haven't either."

As they studied each other, Lucien realized she had cut her hair into a short bob. The front pieces of her hair were braided towards the back. He contorted his face into comical shock.

"Has empty nest syndrome gotten to you that badly?"

Feyra rolled her eyes, shoving him playfully.

"Can a lady not change her hair once in a while?"

They laughed as Feyre welcomed him into her home.

#acotar #nesta archeron #lucien vanserra #lucien x nesta #they're just two old people in love #sjm you were so wrong for letting us know they were the original otp #how dare you #it's all I can think about now #acotar fanfiction #you'retimelesstomeacotarfic #lucnes