Lucas Gives A Friendly Chuckle At The Jokes.

Lucas pulls his hand back with an eyebrow still raised.

"Ana isn't the only one going through shit," he says matter-of-factly. "But she knows her limits."

He leaves the "Do you?" unsaid.

He gets caught up in his own personal dramas and emotions, too. He's in no real position to judge or make assertions, but he's also more stubborn than most of the people he works with or even is friends with. So, making these judgments and assertions usually leads to people recognizing when he's right.

"oh, i don't mean lie to her or keep shit from her, she'd kill both of us if you did that. i just mean, like, come to santi or me first, see if we can find a solution before making her deal with more shit." she was sure anastasia would probably hate it if she knew cameron was doing this, but after everything she said the other night, she wasn't sure how much more ana could take. "no, no it's fine, i can handle it, don't worry lucas," she said as she put a hand on top of the folders.

"That's awesome. Glad to hear my new boss is also a good person."

He snickers. Then his head snaps up.

"Really? I'm there too! We totally need to hang out or something after dark."

"yeah, i guess when everything is so scares and random, gotta make use of everything," charlie said with a shrug as she looked around the shop. she was still trying to take everything in around here, it was interesting how everyone did their part and it all seemed to work, at least for the most part. "that sounds like them," she said with a smile. "they kinda saved me on my first night here and let me crash in their house." that night was still a blur but she was glad it was el that let them in. "you can say that again, this place is fucking crazy. still trying to wrap my head around it all." she's not sure if she ever will. "i'm up at colony house, what about you?"

Lucas let's out a small wet laugh.

"That's actually really comforting."

He wipes his face and stands up straight. He turns to face the man.

"I'm Lucas," he says, holding out a hand. "One of the sheriff's. You're Hollis right?"

The mention of the blood trail sends a chill down Hollis' spine, but he tries not to let it show. Instead, he steps a little closer, careful not to get too close, but enough to feel present. "I'm sorry," he murmurs.

"I don't think...you ever really get to say goodbye. Not in a way that feels right, anyway." His gaze drifts back to the grave. "But...maybe that means they're still here, with you. Somehow."

It wasn't exactly comforting, but, it was the only thing he could think to offer. The same uncertain, fragile connection that he clung to himself.

Lucas nods and places a handbon Mara's shoulder, gently guiding her away from the loud part of the party and toward the stairs.

"So, when do you think you'll be convinced to actually dress up for this?"

He asks it teasingly, not wanting to hurt her feelings, though he doubts he can, at least about this.

she was grateful lucas knew that she wouldn't understand the reference, but even with his explanation, she was still lost. sometimes she hated how little she knew about the world outside of this place. what was it like to watch tv and movies? "oh, okay," she says simply because she doesn't know what else to say to him.

when he offers to take her somewhere quiet, she nods enthusiastically, wanting nothing more than to get away from this party. "yes please."

RAFAEL SILVA — Instagram (2024)

"Survival instincts," Lucas answers. "Passed down from our ancestors to help us live on through the ages and the bullshit. Wish it wasn't so jumpy, but it is what it is. Just need more distractions, I suppose."

He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment, feeling the sunlight on his face. It feels nice. A warm embrace that would otherwise hurt.

"Alright, penny for your thoughts?"

Muz’s smile softens as he watches Lucas, noticing the flicker of tension as he talks about the storm. There was something brittle that the storm had stirred up in everyone. He nods slowly, leaning back, fingers absently tapping the bench.

'Storm’s got everyone a little on edge,' he admits. 'Makes sense, y’know, the way it just settles in the back of your head. You ever wonder why we’re all wired like that? Could be calm as anything, but you hear one little sound and bam—you’re back there.'

Lucas sighs and stands.

"Didn't mean any disrespect, Montana. Just had a lot of new people recently. Can't let them go off on their own."

He turns and nods in a greeting to her.

"It's my job to always be on edge," he says. "Trying to make it so you guys don't have to be. So what are you doing out here?"

"Oh, I see someone's not even bothering to look up anymore, huh Luc? -- Now what the hell would I be doin' all the way out there anyway?" she did it before, secretly, he didn't need to know that though. As far as everyone was concerned, she was just a poor shot and a squeamish lil repair gremlin. "Hey don't take this the wrong way man, but why you always so on edge?"

he's the loml 🤍

where: colony house when: Halloween night whom: @hcartcorruptcd Anastasia

Lucas stands to the side, watching as the party gets started. They've had an influx of young people, and it's so nice seeing them be happy and young.

He'd been around their ages when he came here. It's almost like he gets to feel young again through them.

He sighs and shakes his head. He's not old yet. He can still have fun.

He finds Ana and sidles up to her.

"Please tell me that we can fuck around and be dumb tonight," he says with a chuckle. "All these young people are making me feel older than I actually am."

Mary Oliver, from a poem titled "Six Recognitions of the Lord," featured in Devotions: Poems