Sniffling back, Lucas whispered into Peyton shoulder, "I'm fine." It took him a moment before he could pull back and look her in the eye. He just needed to regain control of his emotions. "I'll be alright," he stated, hoping that it was the truth.
Watching Lucas and trying to read his body language, Peyton nodded. She still held him close, stroking his back. But caring too much to just let him go, she questioned, "You sure?"
Lucas nodded briefly, wiping the tears off of his face. "For now," he answered, staring into her eyes. He took deep breaths and glanced downwards, slightly embarrassed for letting her seem him at his weakest. As he was looking down, he noticed a red stained dragged across a short distance of the carpet. He shifted his weight quickly, turning his body just enough to get a view of her wound leaking a scarlet liquid. "Your leg, Peyton!" he exclaimed, pointing out the injury. It only took him a second to realize what had caused its reopening. "I'm sorry!"
Peyton tried her best to hide her pain, placing a faint smile on her face. "It's not so bad," she commented, trying to convince both herself and Lucas. "It could be worse," she whispered, still reeling from the fright of the previous day.
Kneeling down on the floor, Lucas propped himself in front of Peyton. He ran his finger underneath the bullet wound, trying to measure the intensity. "You sure?" he asked, caring too much in the same way as Peyton.
Not exactly wanting to lie to him, Peyton reached out for Lucas' hand and pulled him up as she stood. She used his help to balance herself before hopping towards the bathroom. Peyton painfully tried limping on it, only cringing when Lucas wasn't looking. "Just help me clean it up."
Without any hesitation, Lucas followed after her. And even though he couldn't see her face, he knew what she was doing. Putting on a brave face was the way both of them acted. Neither of them liked to be vulnerable, and they hated showing it even more than that. So without her asking for help, he would help her. He took a few large and quick steps to catch up with her and placed his hands on her hips, guiding her into the bathroom. Helping Peyton over to her shower, Lucas waited to lower her down to sit on the edge of the bathtub. As she sat, he reached for a clean towel and rinsed it with water. He brought it back to Peyton and dabbed over the wound as gently as possible, not wanting to cause her anymore pain. She had had it so rough lately, Lucas felt like it was the least he could do to make her feel better.
Trying to think of something to take the sting off of her mind, Lucas remarked, "Sorry for having that breakdown on you."
"Don't be," Peyton instantly remarked. She looked up at him, slightly pleased, but quickly looked back down. She knew it must've sounded really random, but she had her reasons for her thinking. "You've seen me through some pretty tough times, Luke. And you're always there when I need you," she started. Peyton stopped for a moment, not really sure how to put the rest of her feelings into words. Honestly, she was just happy that he trusted her enough to let his guard down around her, even if she still had problems doing that around anyone. "But you do not have to put on a brave face for me," she finished finally.
Lucas looked up at Peyton, somewhat surprised. He thought that what happened only made him look like a fool, but it actually meant something to Peyton. And the way that she was staring into his eyes, he knew that she was opening up to him as well. "That means a lot, Peyton," he replied softly. He took the towel off of her wound and simply took a minute to stare up at her angelic-like presence.
Peyton smiled, but she couldn't help blushing. "It is a lot," she joked, making a pondering face. It was easy to hide behind her humor when things got too serious. Even if it was the perfect time to confess things or make points clear, she would always let her fears get the best of her. Only after a moment of hesitation and much deliberation was she able to coo, "But you're worth it."
Another flash of shock, Lucas stared up at her once more. He swallowed hard, thinking about what he wanted to do. It was one of those moments that he couldn't help but want her as more. She couldn't say those kinds of words to him and think that all they were are just friends. And feeling that in his heart, more and more by the second, Lucas raised himself from the ground and inched closer to her face. He moved closer to her slowly, not wanting to jump the gun or take advantage. His lips were so close to hers he could almost taste them, but he couldn't hit the target. Luke's fears got to the best of him as he turned slightly and simply huddled tenderly in her arms, giving her a hug.
Pulling away, Lucas stood up straight and stated, "Let me go see if I can get you those pancakes." He held his hands out for hers, helping her stand as well. He then added, "Otherwise you're drinking them."
Letting out a faint giggle, Peyton stared at Lucas strangely. She appreciated the hug he gave her, but she got a weird vibe from it. Just the way that he approached her was enough to send shivers up her spine. There was something about that particular feeling that she knew she could only get with Luke, and only when they had a connection. Even though she was aware he only held his hands out to help her stand, Peyton kept a hold of him. "Let me come with you," she stated, subtly holding his hand in her own.
Lucas tilted his head as he looked at her, thinking over the idea. "I don't know," he muttered skeptically. He glanced downwards at her leg and worried for her wellbeing. "Are you sure you can be out of bed?" he questioned, massaging her hand gently with his thumb.
With a touch of feistiness, Peyton raised her eyebrow at him. She remarked with ease, "I can do whatever I want, Luke."
Nodding, Lucas expected her to say something to that degree. He meant well with his concern, but he also knew that Peyton was as stubborn as they come at times. "I just don't want it to get worse," he explained, still cradling her hand without any intention of hiding it.
"Things are always better with you," Peyton declared with a smile on her face. She couldn't believe that she said it out loud, but she did and it felt good.
Her words also brought a smile to Lucas' face. He always had his doubts when they'd disagree or grow distant, but these moments made it clear that their connection was something real. Lucas held on tight to her hand, but used his other arm to wrap around her in a hug. "I don't want anything else to happen to you," he admitted. "You've been through enough."
"Well, I'll be with you, right?" Peyton inquired, obviously with a point behind her question.
A little confused, Lucas nodded. "Yeah," he responded, waiting for her to continue.
Reaching out for her crutches, Peyton let go of Lucas' hand. She still kept him close however, brushing up against him as she passed. And even though she was dressed in a pair of short and an oversized sweatshirt, she was heading towards the door. "Then I don't think we need to worry, hero," she remarked with a smile at Lucas. She nodded her head towards the door and added, "Let's go."