Sunshine

"How long have I had Jurian?" Elain read the message aloud. "Technically, only a few months since the boyfriend and I moved in together. Jurian is his cat, but between us, Jurian prefers me." She couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Lucien's reaction when she mentioned it to him.

"He doesn't love you more than me." Lucien said, his chest puffed out.

Elain smirked as the orange bundle snuggled into her chest. "You say that, but I don't recall ever seeing him snuggled up like this with you." She teased.

Lucien got up from his chair to Elain, his hands cagging her into the seat. Her cheeks burned as her arms loosened, the orange cat sneaking away knowing what his parents were going to get into.

"You love being a brat, don't you you." Lucien's voice was husky, leaning into Elain.

Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as he used his professional side of his flirting, the vowels sinking in sin. It has been some time since the last time Lucien spoke like he used to when he was online. Elain's face turned to similar shades of Lucien's hair, failing to hide how much he effected her.

Taking her chin, Lucien tilted Elain's head up, making her look into his gaze. "I'm waiting for an answer, Lady."

ALL the kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/KsndWzq/all-the-kudos.png" alt="all the kudos">

Chapter kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/9ZSmqrp/Chapter-kudos.png" alt="Chapter kudos">

Elevenses kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/6P4JTsP/elevenses-kudos.png" alt="elevenses kudos">

Heaps of kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/GvRw2HS/heaps-of-kudos.png" alt="heaps of kudos">

Kisses your forehead kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/6nph6nM/kisses-your-forehead.png" alt="kisses your forehead kudos">

Reading in public kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/f1HDR2K/reading-in-public.png" alt="reading in public kudos">

Re-read kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/jWYQ8bt/re-read-kudos.png" alt="re-read kudos">

Should be working kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/26WJHKg/should-be-working.png" alt="should be working kudos">

Read the whole fic in one go kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/jMHrgSk/the-whole-fic.png" alt="read the whole fic in one go kudos">

Ungodly hour kudos: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/84300T6/ungodly-hour.png" alt="ungodly hour kudos">

ATLA Characters vs ACOTAR Characters

Let's start with the characters themselves.

We have Prince Zuko, the exiled and scarred prince of the Fire Nation, who was banished after his evil, power-hungry father (the Fire Lord) horribly punished him for embarrassing him with his kindness (not wanting innocent soldiers to be used as bait in war), which he viewed as morally inferior and weak. It is implied his mother, a gentle-hearted woman, was abused in the marriage. She disappeared when he was young to maintain her husband's political power, only so that her children would live. The loss of his mother is his greatest trauma, along with his desire to go back home and gain his honor and father's acceptance.

Then we have Lucien Vanserra, exiled and scarred son of the Autumn Court, who had to flee after his evil, power-hungry father (the High Lord) horribly punished him for embarrassing him with his relationship with a lower-Fae female, which he viewed as repulsive and below their High Fae status. It is implied his mother, a gentle-hearted woman, was abused in the marriage. His lover was brutally murdered by the hands of his father/brothers and he had to flee, never having the chance to see his mother again. Losing Jesminda is his greatest trauma, likely along with losing his home, Court, and family.

Let's also not forget...they BOTH WEILD FIRE! I do think the Lucien/Zuko comparison is quite obvious and direct, where the Elain/Katara is a bit more symbolic.

For our ladies, we have Katara, master waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe. She is the youngest daughter of the Chief. She begins the journey as someone untrained and incapable of bending her own element, in a small, impoverished village due to the effects of war and destruction on their nation/culture by the Fire Nation. Her mother was tragically murdered by the Fire Nation in order to save her daughter's life. This is singularly her greatest trauma. Throughout the show, we see Katara become a powerful and master bender.

Finally, we have Elain Archeron, who was once human and is the middle sister in her family. She was the daughter of a once-successful merchant. She also loses her mother and is very close to her father, who she also tragically loses in the war. She loses her humanity and her fiance, Graysen, in one fell swoop when they put her in the Cauldron. This is singularly her greatest trauma, one that we see she has trouble letting go, even becoming practically comatose when it first happens. We later learn Elain possesses magic and is a seer.

A little less here, but I am not surprised. Katara and Elain, personality-wise, are very different. However, I will add that both Elain/Katara are often associated as symbols of HOPE in the narrative. But this brings me to my next point which is where I believe SJM was influenced by Zutara when writing Elucien....

Shared Grief as the Catalyst

Every Zuko/Katara shipper knows the crux of their relationship is from their shared trauma. Despite being on opposite ends of the war, they both carry an immense grief in losing their mothers to the war. It is the first thing they realize they have in common, the first moment they share a genuine, sincere connection, enough for them to reach out and open up to each other.

Elain and Lucien also have a shared trauma. They both lost their first loves/fiances. Lucien lost her tragically. Elain lost him in a brutal rejection. It broke both of their hearts, and they both carry grief and complicated emotions around it.

The hurt and pain brought Zutara together. As a result, they understand each other in ways others can't. I have no doubt that Elucien will spark from a similar place of understanding.

Complimentary Symbolism

One of the most beautiful parts of Zuko/Katara is the use of opposite/complimentary symbolism. Two halves of a whole. Balance and unity.

Zuko= Fire and Sun and Blue Spirit Katara= Water and Moon and Painted Lady

Lol can you believe we got the line below...I couldn't come up with a more romantic symbolic line if I tried and that's canon folks

Lucien = Day and Fox and Spring/Loss

Elain = Flowers and Fawns and Spring/Life

Elain, often associated with gardens and flowers and roses, was asked what she needed at her lowest point. She said "Sunshine." Enter Lucien, the secret heir to Day Court and Helion, whose name means Light. The Fox and the Fawn. Elain "Made for Spring" Archeron and Lucien "Spring Court Emissary and Courtier" Vanserra. I wrote Spring/Loss and Spring/Life because Lucien had to see Spring become ruined/flee the one place he called home. There is strong foreshadowing that Elain will help in some way to revive spring and possibly bring it back to life, hopefully with Lucien's help.

Let's also not forget that Elain was formerly human and now living as a High Fae in the Night Court. Lucien is a High Fae who looked down on humans and now lives in the mortal lands. It's an interesting dynamic!

Betrayal

Okay buckle up. This one is important. The feeling of betrayal is important to the development of both ships. Let me break this down.

Katara is a victim of the Fire Nation. Zuko is the prince of the Fire Nation who once hunted them down to retrieve the Avatar. She often conflated her feelings toward Zuko with her feelings regarding her mother's murder by the hands of the Fire Nation', as evidenced here.

Katara: I'm sorry I yelled at you before. Zuko: It doesn't matter. Katara: It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face.

We see these messy emotions come back when Zuko joins the team to teach Aang firebending.

Zuko: This isn't fair! Everyone else seems to trust me now! What is it with you? Katara: Oh, everyone trusts you now?! I was the first person to trust you! [Places her left hand on her heart.] Remember, back in Ba Sing Se. And you turned around and betrayed me, betrayed all of us! Zuko: What can I do to make it up to you? Katara: You really want to know? Hmm, maybe you could reconquer Ba Sing Se in the name of the Earth King. Or, I know! You could bring my mother back!

Now, at this point, we know she has not forgiven him for Ba Sing Se. Remember, this was the moment they shared their intimate connection over their shared Dead Mother trauma. (In an episode called The Crossroads of Destiny nonetheless). She offered to heal his scar, and later when given the chance to choose between what is right vs. what he wants....he chooses what he wants, which is to return home to his father for his acceptance. Katara took this as a personal betrayal and we see she still imagines his face as the enemy by demanding he bring her mother back (even though it isn't possible/he isn't responsible for it).

You know who else has mentioned betrayal?

For a long moment, Elain’s face did not shift, but those eyes seemed to focus a bit more. “Lucien,” she said at last, and he clenched his teacup to keep from shuddering at the sound of his name on her mouth. “From my sister’s stories. Her friend.” “Yes.” But Elain blinked slowly. “You were in Hybern.” “Yes.” It was all he could say. “You betrayed us.” He wished she’d shoved him out the window behind her. “It—it was a mistake.” Her eyes went frank and cold. “I was to be married in a few days.” He fought against the bristling rage, the irrational urge to find the male who’d claimed her and shred him apart. The words were a rasp as he instead said, “I know. I’m sorry.”

Elain associates Lucien's involvement with Ianthe/Hybern/The Cauldron as a personal betrayal. Lucien, much like Zuko, is sorry for his actions that have hurt her.

Both Zuko and Lucien don't argue about the anger/accusations of betrayal. They own it. They just want to make it right.

In the same episode of the snippet above ("You could bring my mother back!") Zuko and Katara go on their infamous "field trip" or journey together, just the two of them. Despite Katara's anger, the two of them are in perfect sync. They are the perfect team and pair, moving fluid in their elements, sneaking around enemy ships. Zuko defends her desire for closure (however dark it may be) against her friends and family wishes. He never questions her. He supports her emotionally. He yells at an enemy solider- "Don't lie! You look her in the eye and you tell me you don't remember what you did." (OH COME ON, what is hotter than that!?) In the end, she forgives him. Not because of what he did. But because he understands her and gives her space and places no expectations of who she is or what she should do. He accepts her. All the dark and pain and light inside.

Don't mind the romantic sunset in the background

Going on an adventure? Likely against the wishes of friends and family due to it being dangerous? Doing whatever is necessary to help the girl forgive you/trust you? Giving her the necessary space and support to do what she has set her mind to? Helping her find closure and healing along the way? Falling love? Sure sounds like an Elucien book......wonder where SJM got the inspiration?

Azriel vs Aang

I cannot write this post without mentioning Aang and Azriel. This is NOT an ATLA shipping discourse so please no comments regarding the Kataang/Zutara ship war. I am using this as a comparison to Elucien/E/riel.

I have a feeling that SJM has written Azriel (specifically in the Bonus Chapter) to serve as a foil to Aang's dynamic to Katara. Which is that both characters feel entitled to their crush.

Aang, the young hero and savior of the world, has a long-standing crush on Katara that is not really reciprocated romantically throughout the series.

When the group goes to watch a play based on themselves, there is scene where the actors on stage go:

Actor Zuko: Wait, I thought you were the Avatar's girl! [Aang in the audience nods in agreement.] Actress Katara: The Avatar? Why, he's like a little brother to me! I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way. [Aang in the audience grows concerned.] Besides, how could he ever find out about ... this? [Actress Katara and Actor Zuko embrace and hold hands while Actress Katara pops up one leg. Aang gets up from his seat to leave.]

It can be interpreted that his nodding and getting upset is attributed to feeling possessive of his crush on Katara. That she belongs to him, as he is the Hero and the Avatar, and should get the girl. He is jealous of something that didn't actually happen between the actors on stage (he is only 12 to be fair).

Further evidence here:

Aang: But it's true, isn't it? We kissed at the Invasion, and I thought we were gonna be together. But we're not. Katara: Aang, I don't know. Aang: Why don't you know? Katara: Because, we're in the middle of a war, and, we have other things to worry about. This isn't the right time.

...and then he kisses her, and she doesn't want it/isn't expecting it, and runs away back to the theater. We won't get into that here.

Hm, this story sounds familiar....

Azriel ignored the question. "The Cauldron chose three sisters. Tell me how it's possible that my two brothers are with two of those sisters, yet the third was given to another."

There is a similar sense of entitlement, that also ended with Elain running away from the scene, upset. The difference being he rejected her at the urging (and convincing) of Rhysand because he knew it was a mistake.

Tension & Healing & Growth (What's Next)

"There is a great deal of tension, growth, and healing to be found for both of them (together)." - from Sarah J Maas herself. If she was a Zutara shipper, I can totally see her inspiration in elements of Elucien.

In the end, many Zuko/Katara shippers really believed these two brought out the best in each other in the best possible ways. (I know I did). And I think that's a big reason a lot of Eluciens ship Elain/Lucien...the potential of how they'll complement each other is so huge.

Just as Katara and Zuko were once extremely tense in their relationship, they underwent an incredible and beautiful journey of healing and growth. One that ended in....Zuko sacrificing his life for her. Animated in slow motion with romantic/epic musical scores. For the girl who lost her mother (who sacrificed herself to save her daughter). An epic friendship but no romance....which Sarah herself agreed she wasn't a fan of....

Chapter 1: A Knife in a Box

“The reason why the humans are become so rigid when I’m around is because I’m not nearly as present as much as I could be.”

“No. The reason why humans become so rigid around you is because your people enslaved them for thousands of years.” Lucien uncrossed his arms, moving away from the window to face Jurian as he continued his argument. “That or, if you’re thinking about the other kind of rigid…” Lucien rolled his eyes at Jurian’s small wink, the light of the afternoon sun glinting off his golden mechanical one. Vassa stood only a few feet away, eyes stuck on the desk at the end of the room. Shallow towers of parchment and ink were stacked atop it, missives and invitations and disputes whose handlings she struggled to catch up on, even with the aid of both her friends.

Lucien took a deep breath, and shot his palm to Jurian. “I realize this is like pulling teeth for you, but can we please be serious for a moment? I can try to be present at more human functions, maybe…show them I’m more than willing to learn and understand how things are done.”

“Oh, they’ll marvel at that,” Jurian scoffed, throwing an arm up, “What a skill, to be able to shut up, sit back, and listen.” Lucien’s lips parted to retort, but Vassa, standing between them, held up a hand.

“It doesn’t matter, Lucien…” The queen dropped into one of the seats beside them, defeated. “We can introduce and show you off to the people all we want. You’re still an fae. After Hybern, they don’t trust you. Hells, they barely trust me, and…once I have return to Koschei’s cage, and we tell them I have to leave control of the lands to you and Jurian?” She sighed. “It’ll be uproar.”

“More than that,” Jurian replied, “It’ll be rebellion. We’ll be stuck between figuring out how to free you, managing a kingdom who distrusts their leadership, all while trying to key an eye on the politics in Prythian.” Despite his joking tone, Lucien could feel Jurian’s worry, the warrior placing a gentle hand on his queen’s shoulder.

Vassa rubbed the center of her brow. “I’m running out of time. I don’t know what to do.” For once Jurian kept silent, moving to sit beside her and rubbing her back in a way that make Lucien itch, not because he was fond of Vassa in that way—he knew that she and Jurian grew quite close in the year since the war, and wholly respected that closeness—but it made him want to raise a hand, and tug on that invisible thread at his rib.

Just once.

Then he shut the thought down, hateful cold killing the slight heat he initially had at the thought.

“Should I bother asking if the Night Court’s produced any answers?” Lucien perked up at Jurian’s question, giving a venomous scoff as he let his fingers interlock behind his back.

“They couldn’t find a way to save their High Lady from bleeding out at her son’s birth. I wouldn’t put much stock in them having any answers.” He knew it was a bitter thing to say, but bitterness was more and more the only thing he felt when it came to the Night Court. The entire Inner Circle’s distrust, Rhys’ constant secrets, Feyre’s dismissive attitude and willingness to just accept whatever her dear mate spouted out?

It was all too much, so much so that verballing sparring with the eldest sister was becoming the only thing he could look forward too. Despite their barbs to one another, Nesta had softened on him, all while Elain had made exactly zero in progress in figuring out what she wanted.

At least, where he was concerned. She made it very clear what she wanted that night on the stairs, when she let herself be touched and nearly killed by that skulking, murderous—

Lucien cut the thought off at the head, knowing the bond and his fae instincts were the culprits behind it. Azriel wasn’t…bad. He was just there. His brothers would say he was ‘in the way’ of what was rightfully his, and by the cultural standards of the fae, they would be right.

Mates were seen as destined for one another; the cosmos themselves ordaining the union to result in the strongest relationship possible, as well as the offspring.

But it wasn’t like that for humans. There was no thread. No bond. No esoteric, magical claim.

Elain may be fae now, but she was human, and bond or no bond, he had no right to her if she didn’t desire him. Even with the binding at both their hearts, and the ravenous desire he had to yank and pull and tug on it to bring her clsoser to him…he would not do it.

Not until she yanked first.

That’s when a knock came at the door, Vassa calling for whoever it was to open it. Once of the elderly servants poked his head in, grayed moustache shuddering with every word.

“Your grace, a package has arrived for Lord Lucien.”

“A package,” Jurian asked, all three watching as the old man walked up and placed a small foot-long wooden box on the table. With a nod, he vacated the room, Lucien leaning down to the pick the box up and slide off its thin, ornate top.

Inside the velvet-cushioned interior lay a dagger, ornate with a handle wrapped in dark leather, the blade itself an obsidian sheen with runic writing in silver along the flat of it. Lucien had seen the weapon exactly once, twisting in Azriel’s hands as he watched the shadowsinger train the Valkyries during a visit.

Now it was here, sent to him in a box, and he knew exactly what it mean.

“Tell me that’s not what I think it is,” Jurian groaned, rubbing his hands over his face and trying to bite back a laugh.

Lucien sighed, “It is.”

“What’s going on,” Vassa asked, standing up to see the knife up close. Lucien turned to her, and felt a small appreciation for the worry in her eyes—the protectiveness she had for him. In her defense, it’d be alarming for anyone to be sent a knife via postage.

He spoke, “Azriel? The Illyrian who’s been…courting my mate?” He let the anger show in his voice. “He’s issuing a formal challenge.”

“Challenge?” Vassa parroted.

“Ah yes, a Blood Duel, first one in centuries.” Jurian gave a thoughtful look. “Or at least, the first notable one anyway.”

Vassa glanced between the two of them. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s an Autumn Court tradition. When a mated fae is being courted by someone who isn’t their mate, either the mate or the interloper can challenge the other to a duel for their claim. It’s…usually a fight to the death.” Vassa’s eyes widened at that, and Jurian stood up, snatching the knife from Lucien’s hand.

“The Shadowsinger challenging you for your mate,” he laughed, spinning the blade and letting it dance in his fingers before handing it back. “The fucking nerve. I’d be livid.”

“I am.” Taking the weapon back, Lucien tossed it back into the box and slid the lid back on, letting the container rest in his trembling hands. Nostril twitching, an ancient, simmering wrath coiled through his bones, one older far older than this slight.

Older than the mating bond, and the war, and even that fateful day, when Tamlin lumbered back to the Spring Court with Feyre at his side.

“I’ve been nothing but respectful,” he hissed, doing everything in his power not to crush the box to splinters and ash. “Respectful, and quiet…” Lucien didn’t see Jurian take a step back, the fae’s stare piercing through the wall, than the forests, than the mountains, all the way to a court of stars and darkness, where so many seemed so complacent to disrespect him.

It was no different in Autumn, or in Spring, or anywhere else…and Cauldron boil him alive, he was tired of it.

“Lucien?” The softness in Vassa’s voice called Lucien back from the flames, and his eyes fell upon hers in subtle, wordless gratitude. He hated that fire, hated being angry and dangerous and sitting in the cruelty of his own thoughts.

He promised himself, would never be anything like the male who tormented his mother, but there were times where his wish to be kind—if a bit biting and playful—faltered, left vulnerable to the threat of embers hungry for kindling.

He shifted the box under his arm, loosening the grit of his teeth. “I need to go.”

Vassa reached out for him as he turned away, the concern on her face only growing. “Where?”