#{ so keep in mind that Luci being openly affectionate towards someone is often not him being romantically interested in someone

[aaetherius]

I wrote this all in the tags and then I realized how long it was and that tungle would probably cut me off so have an unintentional headcanon/ramble thing that was just supposed to be the little update in the tags on this post before I got carried away and I just do not know how to shut up, but, in my defense your honor I love him: 

But it sometimes comes up because for some reason Lucifer gets manhandled quite a bit in threads (which is totally fine - for the most part you’re free to touch him/pester him/toss him over your shoulder if you’re capable of doing so and he generally won’t do anything about it, so long as this is one of his default/post wmtsb verses). But post wmtsb/his revival verses, Lucifer can be very openly affectionate towards the crew. 

He’s a naturally very caring and warm person, but he never allowed himself to be physically or outwardly affectionate towards people when he was the Supreme Primarch (because people put him on a pedestal and thus shied away when he tried to reach out to them and by the time he created Sandalphon there was already this disconnect between himself and others so he was actually afraid to touch him. I imagine he did here and there when it was needed - he likely took care of Sandalphon’s wings/whatnot for a while, but even when doing so I also imagine he was very hesitant and his touch was very brief/hesitant/fleeting so despite the fact that he very much wanted to reach out to Sandalphon he felt as if he wasn’t allowed to, and thus kept his distance. Again, he was truly afraid to touch Sandalphon and uncertain of how he should interact with him, which likely made him come off as very distant despite not wishing to, but he also very much had this feeling of overwhelming loneliness about him. I can imagine there were countless times when he saw Sandalphon with his hair messy or maybe leaves tangled in it or his wings, and he would go to reach out to fix it and then stop himself because he felt like couldn’t/wasn’t allowed to touch him or that, if he did, Sandalphon would shy away from him as the others had, he was utterly terrified of losing him, which, obviously and ironically, resulted in his worst fear aka losing him to the rebellion where Sandalphon wasn’t aware of the terribly deep extent to which Lucifer loved/loves him because Lucifer himself wasn’t entirely aware of it either).

 I’ve mentioned this before, but he’s extremely touch-starved. So, he wanted to care for people. He wanted to express his feelings towards them openly, but couldn’t (or felt that he couldn’t. The exception likely being Lucilius, of whom I imagine he was a bit more openly affectionate towards because, though Lucilius very much put him on a pedestal, his relationship with him was still different from the Primarchs who more so viewed him as this perfect, very out of reach being that they had to respect and could not be close to because he was their leader so they always tip-toed around him or were so quick to bow their heads when he came near or they would excuse themselves out of fear/respect for him when he tried to have a conversation with them. But even with Lucilius he was still hesitant because Lucilius, obviously, isn’t a very touch-feely person, but he likely tolerated it when it came from Lucifer because it’s Lucifer. So, he would show physical affection towards Lucilius, but it would still be a bit muted/not as much as he wanted to show him because he’s well aware that while Lucilius allowed him into his personal space, he wasn’t likely to return the gesture to him, and might not have been too fond of Lucifer’s doting - if he was, Lucifer is awful at reading people and wasn’t aware he enjoyed it/was comfortable with it so he slowly become more hesitant with showing affection towards Lucilius over time and, eventually, he stopped doing so because he didn’t want to upset him. By the time the rebellion had started he had really withdrawn into himself and had become very hushed/seemingly far away from everything and everyone). 

So, upon being revived, and being a part of the crew, he’s still distant/hesitant for a bit, but as he begins to see more and more of the crew and how they interact with one another and how openly affectionate they allow themselves to be towards one another, he slowly begins to come out of his shell and allows himself to be affectionate towards others. This very much includes and is largely about purely platonic relationships (because let friends hug and kiss - though obviously this applies to romantic relationships as well where he is insufferably affectionate and terribly attached). So, he does tend to dote on others, especially once he’s comfortable around someone. And there are certain crew members he favors by default/is more comfortable around. For example, he utterly adores Lyria and will very much spoil her if allowed to do so (he’ll make her coffee-free lattes even though he knows Sandalphon would be appalled by the idea or brush/braid her hair, or help her with anything she asks for). He is incredibly grateful towards her for reaching out to, forgiving, and accepting Sandalphon, and for understanding him. So, he wants to repay her for all she’s done for Sandalphon in whatever way he can, so he’s naturally very friendly towards her (and he’s mildly protective of her, if someone upsets her in his presence or snaps at her/is cruel towards her, he will willingly defend and comfort her. He’s actually very paternal towards Lyria). This was mentioned in an old headcanon post, but Lucifer is very biased towards the people Sandalphon favors. Post wmtsb, he’s much more aware of Sandalphon’s feelings/emotions and is much better at picking up on them. He’s very in-tune to Sandalphon, and is very trusting of his judgement/him in general, therefore he tends to favor the same people Sandalphon does. This is all very unintentional on his part, he’s not actually aware of how heavily he allows himself to be influenced by Sandalphon, but because he has so little experience being around others, especially mortals, and actually being able to live his life independently (and thus doesn’t know how to), he’s fairly reliant on how Sandalphon reacts to people/things in order to form his own thoughts/opinions about them (again, in part because of just how deeply he values and trusts Sandalphon).       

But, anyway, even in purely platonic relationships (which this post is very much almost entirely about), once he’s comfortable around someone he will be openly affectionate towards them. He’s very okay/comfortable with giving someone a hug, or a kiss on the cheek, or just holding someone when they’re upset/want to be comforted. He’s very willing to brush his fingers through someone’s hair, wash or brush their hair, or care for someone in general regardless of what care they need, he typically won’t shy away from it (even if there’s no real reason or need for it - and he’s more than willing to do so when someone is sick or injured). He’s very willing to let people lay their head in his lap as he sings to them, or lean their head on his shoulder, or just cuddle with him/share a blanket with him or whatnot (in other words, you are very welcome to let your muse manhandle him a bit/reach out and touch him - platonically (otherwise, obviously, your muse is open to do so romantically if we’re actively shipping) - without permission or anything because odds are, so long as this is post wmtsb, he’ll likely be okay and open to it. Let friends be openly affectionate and caring and loving towards one another my goodness it’s such good content). That being said, when someone else initiates affection towards him (kisses/hugs him, pulls him against their chest, runs their fingers through his hair - whatnot), he does become a bit hesitant, and is very clearly surprised most of the time. He’s incredibly used to being in the caregiver role (or being the one to initiate affection), so when someone else flips that around on him he’s often uncertain of what to do or how to react. He might even tense up because he’s so unused to it, but he will relax if he trusts the person after a bit, and then will very much melt into their touch. He does enjoy having affection returned or shown to him, but because he’s so unused to it he tends to be a bit shy/more withdrawn about it (but, as mentioned, if he’s comfortable with the person who does so, he will relax into their hold/touch and turn to putty in their hands because he is so so very touch-starved and having someone dote on him is really enough to make him visibly deflate and relax). In other words let people dote on Lucifer, he deserves to be loved and deserves to have friends who are openly willing to give him physical affection.

The only thing he dislikes or is very selective about (and this was also mentioned in another headcanon post, and very much post wmtsb related), is people touching his neck or wings or his side where the blade went through his core because it’s uncomfortable to him. He may not have scars there because he’s in a new body, but he still gets phantom pains from having his head and wings cut off and his core stabbed. He can very much still feel those sensations, and they tend to flare up when those areas are touched (he’ll visibly shudder/shiver if they are and will likely pull away, or he’ll stop someone outright before they can touch those areas). There are exceptions to this/people who are allowed to openly touch those areas and he’s largely comfortable with it (obviously Sandalphon is one of them, but Lyria is as well, mainly his wings in her case, as is Cagliostro given that she made his body so he honestly just tolerates anything she feels like she needs to do in order to keep him up and running - he might still shiver even in their cases, when the area on his side or neck is touched, simply because he’s so guarded about those areas that he’s even less used to them being touched so the feeling of warmth against them is very foreign to him, even more so than the rest of his body). However, another exception is all of the children in the crew (again, relating to his wings)! He actually has a soft spot for children, and adores them so he tends to spoil the ones that live on the ship when he gets the chance. He’ll very much watch over them/play with them. He makes for both a terrible and wonderful babysitter because he’ll let them get away with anything and everything, but he’ll also make sure they’re taken care of/safe/enjoying themselves. If left with them, he’s more than willing to take them on little flights around the ship, but he’ll often be found just with kids crawling all over him, poking or pestering him. He’s more than willing to let them put him in silly outfits or hang things from his wings (and more than willing to also let them sleep on/in his wings as well - they’re warm and soft so it’s a win-win), or play nonsensical games with them that he doesn’t know the rules for/anything about. And he’ll always have the brightest, but softest of smiles on his face when he’s interacting with them because goodness does he adore children (he also adores animals, as well - he can very much be found pestering Dante’s cats and will just let them use him as a scratching post without any complaints). Children (and animals) can more or less get away with anything when it comes to him.   

Basically, what I’m saying is, let friends (or partners) love each other shamelessly and without hesitation. Let Lucifer openly dote on/show physical affection towards people, and let them do the same for him in return. Let him comfort and hold and touch others platonically/affectionately, and let others do so in return for him. Aka, feel free/don’t hesitate to let your muse be affectionate towards him and let them seek affection from him because he will happily give it in most cases. Also, let him babysit children and animals! Lucifer is kind and soft (so very soft) and very loving when he’s allowed to be, and he very much wants to be, but he sometimes just needs a little push/needs to know he’s allowed to be physically affectionate towards someone!  

Can you believe I wrote all of this in the tags before rewriting all of it in the post itself.

[riverofmemoriesft]

. Between the Lines . 165

Lucy thought her ribs were going to break when she was tackled by an overjoyed Natsu after finally getting to Hargeon the next day. Cobra cackled as she struggled to push him off. "I can't breathe," she gasped.

"Sorry!" Natsu pulled back and happily kept a grip on her good arm. She could see his sharp onyx eyes studying her. And then he gave her his signature grin, looking exceptionally happy as he told her, "I missed you."

Lucy had to fight back the urge to snort at his behavior. "I can see that." She patted his arm gently, letting her happiness at being with him again show through the gentleness of her touch. She wouldn't say it aloud, but she'd missed him and been a little lost without her excitable partner in crime.

"Lucy!" Wendy cheered as she tackled her in a lighter hug. Lucy laughed and hugged her and then let Happy join in.

"It appears you were missed by more than just Natsu," Jellal mused with amusement, Charle standing awkwardly at his feet as people openly stared at the group. A few looked annoyed, some hateful. More than one looked excited and whispered to one another, pointing their way.

"I missed her most though!" Natsu crowed, slinging an arm around her shoulders.

"Who the hell cares who missed Blondie most?" Cobra huffed. "Can we go now?"

"Yes," Lucy reassured with a laugh. He just wanted to see Kinana. As if reading her mind, he gave her a dark look. She pretended not to notice and leaned into Natsu's side as she greeted Jellal.

They made their way out of the airport and down the street. The train station wasn't too far away, and Lucy found herself exceptionally relieved to finally be getting home. She hadn't minded taking the job that had been requested of her - it hadn't been too bad, actually. But she'd missed her boyfriend and team, and she'd found herself expecting someone to react in a way the didn't.

When they climbed on the train, Natsu looked hopefully to Wendy, but she shook her head. "I don't want it to stop working on you," she explained. "I'll do my Troia for you though, if you'd like," she offered to Cobra with a beaming smile.

"Troia…?" He squinted suspiciously at her, as if not entirely looking forward to whatever she was suggesting.

"No more motion sickness," Lucy explained with a grin. "Natsu's favorite spell."

Cobra seemed to contemplate this for a moment before reluctantly agreeing, and Wendy murmured under her breath to herself as she went to work. He watched her with a wary look, and from where she was being carried gently by Jellal, Charle scolded, "Don't overuse your magic on something so ridiculous, child."

"I'm not," Wendy promised.

Lucy turned her attention back on Natsu, furrowing her brow in thought. "Natsu," she said, and then added, "Jellal, you too…these people we went after. They lured us in, as well as Sabertooth. They were after my keys, and Yukino's, too, I think."

There was a moment in which she was stared at, and then Natsu proceeded to burst into flames. Lucy gave him a glare; just because they weren't required to keep magic hidden didn't mean that he needed to promptly light himself on fire!

Jellal was far more quiet in his response, saying slowly, "I don't know why, but it doesn't surprise me. Many people would come after the Zodiac keys, Lucy."

The blonde touched the metal lovingly. "And no one will ever touch them," she muttered darkly.

"Lucy," Wendy said, turning to glance at her. "Would you like me to look at your arm on the train?"

"I'd appreciate it a lot," Lucy said honestly. "It can wait until we get home if it needs to though."

"I'll do it on the train," Wendy hummed. "I don't get to heal broken bones often. It's good practice." Lucy gave her a long look, as if uncertain as to whether or not that was a normal thing for someone with magic that healed to be saying. But she shrugged and moved on, turning to Jellal again.

"I recommend," Jellal said, continuing their conversation. "That you make sure to go nowhere alone. You're far more powerful than you were - particularly with how you've mastered that spell of yours. But just to be safe. There are ways that people can catch you unprepared. Your magic is unlike ours. You can't just summon it with your soul just yet. You require the touch of your keys and words."

"You mean I just can't suddenly breathe fire," Lucy murmured in understanding, eyeing Natsu, who was still leaking smoke from his nostrils. She gave him a glare until he stopped. "I get it. I'll make sure that someone's with me at all times," she promised, and then beamed a thoughtful Happy dropped onto her head, lightly using his claws to stay in place. He made sure not to hurt her head too badly with them.

Natsu tugged his scarf from his mouth and then subconsciously rubbed his chest, looking off into the distance without another word, even as Lucy questioned him.

Something's wrong, he decided, but it didn't bother him so much.

At least Lucy was with him now.

Evening found Lucy happily sitting at the bar in Fairy Tail's headquarters with Natsu on one side of her and an exhausted Gray on her other. A paper was before her, a carefully handwritten report filled out, and she was just signing her name as she asked, "What's up with you, Gray?"

"Training," he moaned. "Against Erza."

Natsu flinched in sympathy, but taunted, "Not strong enough to fend her off?"

"On the contrary," Erza's voice cut in. "He managed to accidentally cut my cheek."

The trio of mages glanced up as she came over, her hands on her jean-clad hips. Indeed, a long cut stretched from her temple to her chin. "Wendy offered to heal it, but every mage likes their scars. How's your arm, Lucy?"

"Sore," she admitted, eyeing her healed arm. She flexed her hand and grimaced. "She said that they would be for a day or two though, so…"

"You'll have time to heal before the Grand Magic Games then," she said firmly, beaming. Erza's eyes glowed as she told her, "We leave soon. It'll take us a good day or so to get the entire guild there. The Council's set up people to defend Magnolia in our absence."

"Everyone's coming?" Lucy said in alarm.

"Everyone," Erza confirmed. "They've built a magically enhanced stadium for it. They're broadcasting it across Fiore on every television."

"Great." Lucy sighed. So she'd fail in front of everyone. She sucked her lower lip between her teeth and chewed on it, her dark eyes troubled. Gray noticed and squinted at her from where he'd rested his head on the bar.

"What?" he grunted. "Don't want to compete?"

Natsu whirled in his seat, his onyx eyes landing on Lucy with a sharp look. "You don't want to compete, Luce?"

Lucy flushed as Erza looked her way, too. She raked a hand through her long hair as she sat back, shaking her head. "No, I do. I'd like to try, just...I don't think I'm going to do well. There are so many other mages who would have been a better choice. I wish Master had picked someone like...you guys, who's been using magic for longer than a year."

"Lucy," Gray drawled, sitting up and speaking hastily before Natsu could launch into his speech. "Listen. You're not the strongest. We aren't either. That title belongs to someone like Gildarts, maybe even a mage in another country. Here's the thing: your potential magic is incredible, surpasses quite a few of us."

"I believe it may surpass my own abilities," Erza added. Lucy squirmed uncomfortably at the compliment.

"And the rate at which you've improved and trained over just one year is incredible," Gray continued. "Do you know how long it took me to master making one weapon with ice? Or how long it took Natsu to manipulate the fire like he does? It took Erza years to entirely master and control the magic she uses."

"What the moron is saying," Natsu cut in impatiently, "Is that you're badass and Master picked ya for a reason. And if ya lose a match, you lose it. No big deal."

"That," Gray muttered, waving awkwardly at his rival. "What he said."

Erza only smiled warmly at her.

Lucy flushed a brilliant red and tried to blink back tears, honored by what they'd said about her. "I guess," she finally managed to get out, voice thick with emotion. "Thanks. All of you."

Gray gave her a grin and ruffled her hair affectionately before going to sit with Juvia, who'd begun to hesitantly approach them. But she'd stopped with an uncertain look, her eyes wide. Erza slammed Lucy into her chest for a hug, and Lucy gave a grimace of pain that Natsu cackled at.

When Erza had gone Natsu suddenly leaned towards her, getting in her personal space. Lucy narrowed her eyes and leaned back. "What are you doing?" she demanded, and he suddenly gave a beaming grin. Aware that Mirajane was watching them, Lucy arched a brow.

"I wanna go on a date when we're in Crocus," he told her and she blinked in surprise. "And I don't want to do something like we've been doing. I want to do something else."

"We can do that," she said slowly. She thought over all of it, narrowing her eyes as she contemplated what they could do in the city she'd lived in for quite some time. She came up blank, however, and frowned. "We'll have to see what's available, 'cause-"

"There's gonna be a small festival in town," he cut in. Lucy's lips parted; he'd already looked into this! "There's gonna be food and music and stuff, so I thought we could mess around there. It's not as big as our Fantasia Parade and stuff, but…"

"That sounds like fun, Natsu, let's do it," Lucy agreed, amused with him. She reached out and tapped his nose once. "So long as you're rich self pays for it, because my money is going towards rent."

"I can pay rent for you, too," he offered, and she shot his cheekily smiling self a glare before bidding him an amused farewell so that she could go and see what Wendy wanted when the girl waved for her attention. Natsu watched her go and then grimaced, rubbing away a phantom pain in his side.

Mirajane sashayed her way over and gave him a smile as she hummed, "Plotting with Lucy, Natsu?"

"Not plotting," he huffed. "Planning."

"Good. Take Gray and Juvia with you when you go, or Erza and Jellal. Even my brother and Evergreen. I need someone to screw with and tease since I can't affect you anymore." Her lips pulled into a pout.

He rolled his onyx eyes. "Go mess with Lisanna. She's been hanging out a lot with Bickslow, hasn't she?"

She sighed heavily. "Yes, but Bickslow complains to Laxus. I don't want Laxus being grouchy." As if this was the worst thing that could happen to her, the S-Class mage slouched across the bar and pleaded, "Tell me if you think Kinana would be a good victim!"

Natsu smirked, entirely amused with this. Mostly because he wasn't on the receiving end of this. "Nah, Cobra would get too pissed off. I think ya should mess with Levy about the whole marriage thing. Or Romeo and Wendy."

Mirajane clasped her hands together happily. "You," she said with a laugh, "Are one devious person, Natsu."

Natsu beamed like some kind of innocent child. "Only 'cause I can use it against 'em later."

Cobra, who'd passed by with thoughtful look, paused to squint at him. "...hey, lady," he said, addressing Mirajane. "Have him tell you 'bout how he's being a little clingy."

Natsu whirled on the other dragon slayer, bristling. "I am not," he snapped.

"Ooh, such a response," Mirajane teased.

Natsu scowled, suddenly aggravated. He was more than grateful when someone called his name - Wendy, he realized, a troubled look on her face. He scampered over as fast as he could, blowing a streak of fire at Cobra. He ducked to avoid it, cackling to himself.

"What's up?" he huffed as he reached Wendy, shoving his hands into his jean pockets. His onyx eyes shone with annoyance.

Lucy, who was seated on a bench, looked pale, he realized, and it made him suspicious. "What's wrong?" he demanded, furious suddenly. He found himself stressed as he rubbed his chest. What the hell was going on?!

"Lucy," Wendy said hesitantly, sensing that he was ready to blow. She faltered, suddenly nervous, and that just upset him further.

He'd done nothing to make her nervous of him!

Smoke poured from his nostrils as he huffed and Lucy sighed softly. "Walk me home," she ordered more than asked. It only proceeded to make him scowl. Lucy sent Wendy to the bar to get some water and they left soon after.

"Lucy!" Natsu demanded as they made their way through Magnolia. He could feel the desperate pressure in his chest that told him something was wrong, tearing at him, trying to claw its way free.

"Remember," she said quietly, "When I asked what people knew about anti-ethernano tumors? Back before we left Hargeon for Tenrou Island?"

Not liking where this was going, he nodded.

"I'd gotten one when I was little according to Momma's diary." Lucy's voice trembled now. "When Wendy was helping with my arm, she thought there was something off. So she took a look and found one here." She tapped her side. "I just...Natsu. Compared to you guys, how much magic have I truly used?" Her voice rose a little, confusion flashing across her face.

He was stunned. Anger flooded him, but then he shoved it down, not wanting to upset her further. "You'll...you'll be okay though?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Porlyusica's going to come and help Wendy remove it within the next few days." She took a shaking breath. "I just...don't understand." She threw her hands in the air, desperate. "Why is this not happening to you and the others? You use magic so much more often than I do!"

"I don't know," he admitted, and then scowled.

But he was sure as hell determined to find out.