#also first time posting ficcy in tumblr pls be gentle

[dumpsterfiresons]

LB:MR Secret Santa ‘17

To dearest @introvertedphantom, I bring thee an entire frickin’ AU for your viewing pleasure, as well as a snippet of a scene from it! It’s a bit late and I may be new to the PL fandom but I’m still giving it a shot!

I recommend reading the entire AU summary in the link before indulging in this little snippet. Enjoy!

November 13, 1XXX

It's been one dead end after another. Al and Kat have been at each other's throats more and more, and Hilda and I can only do so much. Kat refuses to leave until her brother does, and Al refuses to leave until we have more information, or at least a plan. It's been one dead end after another, with only the two of us out and about, and pretty soon, someone's going to do something rash.

I just hope things’ll

~0~

The brisk fall wind nips at Lucy's face as she made her way to the cafe. It was one of the few respites she has these last few weeks, the only place she feels free to be herself in. As usual, the cafe was near-empty this time of day, and Anne was there, smiling sweetly and waving at her. She smiles back, and takes her usual seat in the corner. She's been here often enough that Anna didn't even take her order, only going into the kitchen with a small, soft smile on her face. Lucy smiles back, but turns her eyes out the window, worry furrowing her brow.

"In five days," Al said, running a hand through his hair, "And I doubt I'll be able to last much longer with you sorry lot, but in three days, I propose we spring our own trap and see who bites."

"Eh? What're you goin' on about, Al?" Lucy asks.

"What I'm saying and this is a terrible, terrible plan but we have no bloody choice now, do we? What I'm saying is that I'm going straight outside, and I'm going to let myself be bait. You hear that? Terrible idea, more fitting for troglodytes who can't even see the obvious, but the only one we have right now! We don't have much to go on, Hilda can't go digging too far without alerting whoever the traitor is, and I am bloody SICK and TIRED of BEING HERE!" He says, slamming his hand on the table for emphasis. Hilda looked worried, but nothing could ever beat the sheer horror of Kat's expression hearing it. "No. NO! Al, you can't just do that!"

"And why not? You know as well as I do that we've been hitting a wall one after another, this might be the only option left, Kat. The longer we wait, the greater the risk of the spy finding us. And..." Al trailed off, sighing gustily. "I'm tired. I want this done and over with."

"It's still risky! Who knows what'll happen when you come back! You almost died, Al!" Kat

Hilda looks away from Kat. "He... has a point, Katrielle. At this point, we don't know where Makepeace is, and I'm no closer to finding out who sold us out. If we do this, I can arrange for witness protection, but we'll need trustworthy-"

"No, don't even attempt to veto anyone out. The idea is to draw the traitor out with my presence, and my surprise return should shock our spy into making some hasty decisions."

"But you might get hurt! I... I can't stand the thought, Al." Kat whispered, looking distraught, and a hurt, conflicted look crossed his face before he sighed.

"Fine, if you have any other ideas, say so. But once I step out, we only have one shot at this."

... And yet nobody could think of a better idea. And all the time they had left was spent planning, tempers running higher as the possibility of Al being hurt lingered in the air. The man had been frantically muttering to himself before Lucy left the flat, plotting out safe routes and contingencies and making worried glances at his sister when he thought she wasn't looking. If anything, he seemed more concerned about Kat's safety than his.

The sound of ceramic on wood startles Lucy out of her musing and turns to see Anne's smiling face and a steaming cup of cocoa on the table. "Tha’s a lifesaver, Annie!" Lucy says, taking the cup into her hands and savoring the warmth.

"Anything for my favorite customer!" Anne replied, tucking back a lock of blonde hair that escaped her ponytail. Lucy smiles, but it falters a moment later, something that didn't escape the waitress' attention.

"What's wrong?"

... Right, there's a reason she went here. One thing she never wanted to do.

"... Anne? I'm leavin' t'morrow. Back't London."

Today was the fifth day. And tomorrow… There’d be no turning back.

"Oh. That's... Sad to hear."

"Don' worry, Annie-lass! You ent' seen t'last 'o me! I'll be back b'fore you know it!" Lucy says, trying to keep her voice enthusiastic.

For a moment, Anne looked hesitant, before Lucy's efforts were rewarded with Anne's bright, sunshine-y smile. "I'll hold you on to that, then! Can't lose our favorite customer, after all!"

"If tha' were true, where's me extra whipped cream?" Lucy teases, and they settle into light banter until the sun's rays start disappearing into the horizon.

Tomorrow, they'll be leaving for London. And whatever comes next, they'll hopefully be ready for it.