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redqueen-hypothesis · 3 years

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bare ➳ lucien (mlqc)

➳ PAIRING: reader x lucien xu (mlqc)

➳ WORD COUNT: 2199

➳ GENRE: fluff

➳ SYNOPSIS: lucien treats you to a bath after a long day at work.

It’s been a long day.

Your feet hurt with each step you take, usually heels don’t take this much of a toll on you since you have emergency slippers that you put on at the office, but today had consisted solely of running around the LFG’s company building - from sweet talking investors and executives to attending budget meetings. If your toes could speak, they’d be crying right now.

Almost stumbling into the lift of your apartment building, you shift uncomfortably on your feet as the elevator ascends. Your headache only climbs with the height, the momentary lapse in action increasingly filling your mind with things that you need to finish by this weekend. A groan escapes you at the mental to do list that only seems to grow, and you reach the door of your apartment feeling more weary than when you’d first left the office.

There’s one positive to coming home, though.

Unlocking the door, you open it and are greeted with your favourite sight in the world: Lucien lounging on the sofa in a pair of comfortable black sweats and a white cable knit sweater, reading glasses perched on his nose and eyes intently focused on a book in his hand. You lean against the door frame for a moment to appreciate the view, a warm smile spreading over your face.

Lucien notices you far too soon, almost instantly, and the enrapt expression on his face melts into a tender smile in a mere second. He sets his book to the side, rising to his feet and crossing the room so that he can welcome you back home properly.

“You’ve had a long day.” The low hum of Lucien’s voice is music to your ears, and you nod, tilting your head up. Fingertips gently stroke your cheeks for a brief moment before he dips down to capture your lips in a soft, demure kiss. “Do you want me to run a bath for you?”

You shake your head, pressing your face into his shoulder. The fabric of his sweater is a soft wool and the fuzz tickles your nose lightly. He smells of the lavender scented fabric softener that the two of you use, and that makes you smile a silly smile. It smells like home.

Reluctantly, you pull your face away from the soft comfort of his sweater to shake your head, although you’re loathe to remove those firm arms wrapped gently around your waist. “No, I have a lot of work to get to, and I should probably get started on it tonight. Just turn on the heater for me, please?”

Lucien tilts his head to the side slightly, lips brushing your temple. “If you say so.” He finally says, but he sounds a tad reluctant. Lucien must be worried about your well being.

“I promise I’m not overworking myself.” You tell him earnestly, rocking back and forth comfortably in his embrace. His soft violet eyes peer into yours thoughtfully, studying your face. “It’s just a busy week for the company, since a lot of foreign business partners for the LFG have flown in. They’ll be gone by next week.”

“Hmm.” The pad of his thumb traces the dark circles under your eyes, painting care and concern over your skin. “Well, I suppose I can be patient another week. I don’t like coming home before you.”

You frown, glancing up at him. “Why not? Isn’t it nice to get home early and get to rest a little more?” You poke him int he chest playfully. “You, sir, work far too hard.”

Lucien nuzzles your nose with his, and you let out a tiny ‘eep’ of muffled giggles, his breath hot against your lips. “Because you’re not there to welcome me back. I like it more when you’re here.”

A pink blush tingles along your cheeks. You’ve never quite dulled yourself to Lucien’s honeyed tongue. “So sappy,” you mumble, pressing another kiss to the tip of his nose. His eyelashes flutter. “Now you understand how I feel. Come home earlier next time, won’t you?”

Lucien nods seriously. “Of course. I wouldn’t think of putting you through such torture again.” He buries his face in the crook of your neck, arms tightening around you as if he doesn’t want to let you go. You giggle at the ticklish feeling of his breath hitting bare skin, and swat lightly at his shoulder.

“Don’t put your face there! I haven’t showered and I stink.” You scold, extricating yourself from his grasp. You’re far from willing to leave Lucien’s arms, of course, but you simply have too much on your plate this weekend. “Help me turn on the water heater, thanks!”

Lucien sighs with a fond smile on his face. “Hardworking little fool.” He chides, brushing your hair back and kissing your forehead before he heads for the bathroom. “Don’t work too hard, okay?”

Giggling, you slip your heels off and pad quietly into your shared room, pulling out a fresh change of clothes. Briefly, you consider picking up some ointment to soothe the ache in your ankles and toes, but then decide against it - you need to get to work as fast as possible. You can pamper yourself next week after the investors leave.

Turning around, you step out of the bedroom and are surprised to hear the sound of running water, a pleasant scent drifting lazily through the air. Curious, you tiptoe to the bathroom and poke your head in, only for a towel to be tossed over your head.

“Lucien, I thought I told you to turn on the heater for me, not draw a bath-” You start but Lucien picks you up by the waist before you can finish your sentence. You squeal, nearly dropping all of your clothes. Gently, he sets you on the ledge of the bathtub, lifting the towel off your head so that you can see once more.

“You should take tonight to rest and recharge, before you tackle your work with a clear mind tomorrow.” Lucien explains, busying himself with swirling the water in the tub; presumably mixing something into it. “You’ll work faster, and you’ll make less errors with your work, am I right?”

You pout, knowing full well that he’s right. “Well, you’re not wrong...”

In the corner of the bathroom he’s lit an scented candle, and you can see a couple bottles of essential oils sitting on the counter. Lucien turns to card his fingers through your hair, eyes tender with affection and a satisfied smile on his face. The gentle pressure of his fingertips against your scalp has your eyes fluttering closed, enjoying his touch.

“Take off your clothes.”

You squint at him, trying to fight a smile of amusement. “It’s not like you to be so forward about this-”

“I was just about to tell you to get into the bath and relax, but I’m not opposed to other activities as well.” Lucien laughs, a clear sound in the small bathroom, dipping his hand into the water. “The temperature should be just right, I checked it earlier. Get in and I’ll massage your feet.”

You blink in surprise as you begin to undo the buttons on your blouse. Lucien steps forward to help you, brushing your hair out of your eyes. “Why a massage?”

“You were shifting around on your feet a lot earlier, they must be sore.” Lucien explains simply, slipping the fabric of your blouse off. You shed the rest of your clothes easily and climb into the bath, letting out a moan of relief when the warm water laps against your skin. It’s almost like the warmth is leeching out the exhaustion from your limbs.

“Don’t make such noises, unless you want things to escalate.” Lucien warns you teasingly, sitting at the ledge of the bath. The water is scented with floral notes of jasmine and lavender, and you just want to sink into its warmth forever. “Give me your foot.”

Too blissed out to resist much further, you lift your leg out of the water and Lucien settles it in his lap, his hands slicked over with scented oil. One hand gripping your ankle, he begins to rub firm circles at the instep of your foot. “Is this alright?”

“Better than alright.” You sigh, resting your head against the back of the bath. This is the most relaxed you’ve felt in a long time, you realise. Lucien’s fingers move over your heel, rubbing with measured strength. “That feels good.”

Lucien lets out a long sigh. “I don’t understand why you must torture me so.” He says, but there’s a warm smile on his face as he continues working on your feet, easing the aching knots there. “You could buy shoes with lower heels, surely that would put less strain on your feet.”

“I haven’t had time to go shopping recently, and my last pair broke.” You tell him mournfully, and let out another soft groan when his thumb digs into the arch of your foot. “Ah, ah, ah. A little sensitive there.”

“Does it hurt?” His voice is gentled with concern, and you shake your head. “No, it feels good. Other foot?”

He takes it and begins working on it, the expression on his face shifting into one of contented focus, resembling the one he makes when he’s absorbed with work. While you enjoy watching him wear a peaceful, warm smile on his face, you also enjoy seeing him concentrate like this - to put it plainly, it’s attractive. You like that about him.

You find yourself dozing off, lulled into a sense of enveloping comfort at the warmth of the bath and Lucien’s skilled fingers. It’s not until a gentle, damp hand cups your cheek that you’re even aware you’ve nodded off in the first place. When you blink your eyes open, both your legs are in the water and Lucien is crouched next to you, chin resting on his arms as he watches you with a fond expression on his face. “Finally awake, sleeping beauty?”

“No.” You let your eyes slip shut again, keeping them firmly shut. “I need a kiss from a handsome prince to wake me up.”

You hear a soft huff of laughter from Lucien next to you, before his lips dip down to touch yours, warm and plush. Soft hair tickles your nose and forehead. “Is this enough, princess?”

You nod, eyes twitching open a crack to see him rise to his feet. “I’ll leave you to wash up, then.”

A lazy hum escapes you. You don’t really want to leave the comfort of this tiny cocoon of warmth you and Lucien are enveloped in right now. Your hand reaches out, fingers fisting in the material of his sweater. “Is it okay if I ask you to spoil me?”

He takes your hand, brushing his lips against your knuckles. “The only question is whether you’d let me spoil you, darling.” You laugh sheepishly, remembering all of Lucien’s attempts to spoil you with affection. “Well, today’s different. Can you wash me?”

Lucien looks at you for a moment, before soft laughter suddenly spills form his chest. You blink up at him, confused. “Ahh, you’re truly a cruel woman, making me exercise all of this self control.”

You plant a trail of placating kisses along the underside of his jaw. “I’m sorry,” you say, not apologetic in the least. A smile settles on your face as you regard him.

Lucien sheds his clothes, before stepping into the bath behind you. You scoot over to give him some room, water swirling about, and when he’s seated, comfortably settle yourself between his legs. His chest is warm against your bare back, and his hands come up to embrace you tight, pulling you against him.

He cups some of the water from the bath, spilling it over your hair before he gathers a few pumps of shampoo in his palm, lathering it up. When his fingers sink into your hair, massaging gently, you let out a happy sigh and curl up against him, boneless. “You’re good at this.”

“Good at what?” His voice is soothing next to your ear, fingernails scratching lightly along your scalp. You let out a soft hum, trying to find the right words. “Well, not just at massaging or washing my hair. You’re good at... well, making me feel loved.”

“I should hope so, considering the fact that I love you very much.” He pulls a lock of wet hair behind your ear. “But thank you for the praise. I’ll keep it close to heart.”

“Lucien?”

“Yes?”

“I really don’t want to get out of this bath.” You tell him sheepishly, and he laughs, leaving a dollop of foam on your nose.

“You’ll get all pruney.” He warns, his arms tightening around you, but you can hear from the smile in his voice that he thinks the same as you do. Lucien’s arms wrap around you, dropping soft, open mouthed kisses along your bare shoulder. “But a short while wouldn’t hurt, I suppose.”

You close your eyes and rest against him again, bare skin to skin.

“I love you, Lu.”

Bare heart to heart.

“I love you too.”

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