I just want to thank you all for the support. After re-reading the last chapter, I decided I'm pretty happy with it. This chapter is a bit of a filler, but please enjoy nonetheless!
Lucy's eyes fluttered open to the sun pouring through the blinds. Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the light as she squinted her lids open. She remained deathly still for several moments before she moved her fingers. They ached more than ever and she could almost bet they were bruised. She wiggled her toes and stretched out her legs, her back arched.
Lucy turned her head to find Will looking over her. Lucy jumped in fear and clutched the bed sheets.
"Will! What're you doing here?" Lucy asked in bewilderment. She pulled the bed sheets up to her chin and leaned on the edge of the bed.
"I didn't want to leave you to wake on your own," he murmured. He folded his hands together and looked away. Lucy let her arms fall to her sides along with the thin cotton blanket. She felt her body warm and the tips of her fingers jolt to life again.
"You didn't have to do that Will. I must've slept for pretty long," Lucy muttered. She ran her fingers through her knotty, messy hair and cringed at the rough, frizzed texture. She could bet she looked absolutely terrible.
"About twelve hours," Will said with a shrug. "I didn't mind all that much," he told her. He loosened his tie and a few buttons on his collared shirt. Lucy noticed his hair was a little messy, but otherwise he looked fine. He didn't look as though he had been sitting in a chair for twelve hours straight. He didn't even look tired.
"Will I-I'm not sure how I'll ever repay you," Lucy said with a tender smile. Will reached out and took one of her hands in his. He examined the small, soft hand and looked at the tip of each finger to the base of her wrist. He held it warmly between both his large, delicate hands.
"You can start by telling me what has got you so distraught," he said, his eyes looking straight at Lucy's.
There was something about the way he looked at her that had such a profound effect. Lucy felt herself swimming in his glossy green eyes. She felt so small, so insignificant compared to him. She felt like a dainty little flower that he could so easily pick apart.
Lucy hesitated and worked her hand from his grasp. She clamped onto the bed sheet once again and peered down at her hands. She hadn't told anyone about her family except for Roxie, and it hadn't been the full story. She left out numerous details about The Accident, only saying it was a car crash.
"Lucy," Will repeated, this time with a bit more dominance in his voice.
And then, Lucy felt the words flood out of her mouth.
"I was thirteen, and my brother was seventeen. We were heading to a family party along with my dad and mom. We were fighting, my brother and I, over something so stupid that I can't exactly remember. My father turned to us in the back seat and told us to stop, but we didn't. And then, all I heard was a really loud honk, and then the loudest sound I've ever heard. The car was tossed around and flipped over. Then, we were hit again, by someone else. And we went spiraling again. Oh God, there was glass everywhere, and I could smell rubber burning. I saw a little slit in the car, and I squirmed out from under the seat belt. And I crawled and fought my way out for what seemed like hours," Lucy said, her voice cracking.
"My first thought was to find my parents. And I did find them rather quickly, sprawled out like-like rag dolls on the concrete. My mother…I could barely make her out that's how ripped apart she was. There was blood everywhere. I tried to shake her, to get her to wake up, but she wouldn't. And so, I crawled to my father, who was in similar condition. My legs had gone weak and I had to pull myself away by my arms. And then I heard my brother call out for me. He yelled and screamed for someone to help him, and I pulled and pulled myself to his side. His face was completely ripped to shreds and bleeding all over the place. And his legs were stuck under a big piece of metal. And I tried to lift it, but I couldn't…I was too weak."
Lucy choked on her own words, but swallowed down the taste of copper in her mouth.
"And then he looked at me for a really long time. And then, he spoke for the last time. And you know what he said? He said he was so sorry, and then he passed out. And he's been in a coma ever since. I've been paying to keep him in the hospital, but I don't have the money anymore. And if I can't pay, then they'll take him off life support. They'll kill him Will."
Lucy didn't feel tears stinging the back of her eyes. She was too exhausted to cry anymore. She had spent countless hours sobbing over her situation she couldn't find the strength to summon tears. So, she remained silent, holding the blanket tightly in her hands. She twisted the sheet until it remained a crumbled mess.
Will seized her arms in his hands. Lucy's head jolted upward to find Will's face so close to hers. She felt so comforted by his closeness that her problems seemed to melt away. She looked at his lips, thin and assertive. She wondered if they were soft against hers.
No! Lucy exclaimed in her head. This was not the time to be thinking of such things. There were pressing matters afoot and she could not think about Will. She had to think of Max, and finish those paintings. If she didn't, she would have nothing.
"Is this why you're working so hard on those paintings?" Will asked her, his face ducked close to hers. His brows were raised in a look of worry.
Lucy nodded, unable to think with him so close to her, touching her. She felt genuine worry flow into her like a wave from Will. She could not believe such emotion was coming from him. Just a while ago he had been so unclear in his attachments. And now, he was full blown worried for her.
"Lucy, I know you can do this. I know you will sell every one of those paintings you made," Will promised her. "I will be here every day if I need to be."
Lucy wasn't sure what came over her, but she sprang to him. She wrapped her arms around his strong frame and buried herself in his chest. He wrapped his large, strong arms around her and brought her closely. She felt comforted in the way her edges fit into his perfectly like puzzle pieces. Every inch of her buzzed with electricity. She craved the feeling of his skin against hers as she remained nestled against him for a few moments. She clamped her eyes shut and took in his smell of peppermint until it burned the inside of her nose.
Slowly, the two broke away, but remained in each others' arms. Lucy kept her eyes on his, melting in his green pools. His lips parted as if to say something, but he remained silent. With a gentle hand, he stroked her cheek tenderly, and pulled a stray hair away from her face and behind her ear.
"Maybe we should get started on the portrait," Lucy whispered. Will nodded, but did not move an inch. He kept his hands clasped firmly on her arms, and Lucy didn't object.
With one fatal swoop, Will dove in like a lion claiming its prey. His face molded perfectly to her, his lips brushing the smallest bit. Lucy felt her heart swell with anticipation as he pressed harder. Lucy leaned in further and clamped her eyes tightly. Her entire body trembled under his kiss, her finger tips on fire. She felt his fondness wash over her entire body like a warm summer breeze. She could feel every bit of excitement and wonder in his kiss.
Slowly, he parted and she felt the electricity simmer to a hum. He then pressed his lips again to her forehead and stood.
"I feel terrible to leave you like this, but I'm afraid there are a few things I must tend to, little bird. Forgive me," he murmured. He grabbed his jacket off the back of the seat and tightened his tie. Lucy climbed out from the bed and walked him to the door.
"Good-bye Will," she whispered. He turned to her, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and parted.
Lucy shut the door behind him and leaned against it for support. For a moment, she thought her legs may give out. She couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face and the blush that settled on her cheeks. She kept in a girlish squeal.
At first, she had been so sure that she would and could never have feelings for Will. But the kiss had rendered her doubtless – she had fallen for him. It had all happened so quickly Lucy could barely believe it. But she felt such emotion from him in that kiss that it didn't matter. What they had felt collectively was enough for her right then. She didn't need labels for their relationship. If Will had the passion, Lucy was more than willing to spend time with him.
Lucy searched the kitchen for her phone, and eventually found it on the counter. She smiled as she thought of Will, who had given her the phone as a present. She was even happier when she found Will had set up all her contacts.
Lucy dialed Roxie's number and patiently listened to the dial tones.
"LUCY! What the hell happened to you?" Roxie exclaimed. Lucy quickly pulled the phone away from her ear to avoid damage. She could hear Roxie causing some sort of ruckus over the phone. It sounded similar to throwing a bunch of pots and pans onto the hardwood floor.
"I'm really sorry Rox. It's just been really chaotic these past few weeks."
"Yeah, well your apartment better have burned down or something cause I've been worried sick about you!" Roxie exclaimed. Lucy strained a laugh and began to tell Roxie everything, from the rejection to the destruction of her studio, and lastly, her kiss.
"Jesus Christmas, Luce. We don't talk for a week and you got some whirlwind romance going on. Makes me feel a bit jealous," Roxie joked. Lucy shook her head and switched the phone to her other ear.
"It was just a kiss," Lucy giggled. But Lucy knew it was so much more than that. It was the emotion she had felt from Will – honest, raw, real. The very thought of it made her skin erupt in little goosebumps.
"Well I'd say that's pretty big for the Virgin Mary," Roxie muttered. "No offense," she added to her insensitive statement. Lucy blushed at her experience, or her lack thereof.
"And what about you? Are you still talking to Steve?" Lucy asked. Roxie laughed heartily at her question.
"Steve and I are just friends. I don't think even understands what dating is. Besides, he's not really my type," Roxie scoffed. Lucy laughed at her once again.
"Really Roxie, have you ever thought of dating a decent guy?" Lucy joked.
"Me? A decent guy? Luce you know I have a terrible weakness for those dark, rugged types," Roxie said in a husky voice.
"I don't know, maybe you and Steve would be good together," Lucy shrugged.
"Uh-uh no way. I think I'll stick to the friends deal," Roxie refused. "Speaking of which, I'm taking Steve to the museum. Do you wanna join?" Roxie asked.
"I can't. I gotta finish this painting," Lucy said. The two friends said their goodbyes and ended the call.
By no means were things in Lucy's life in order. Oddly enough, she felt calm, peaceful even. Her head was cleared and her heart was no longer all over the place. She could see clearly that she could finish all six paintings for the expo at the end of the month. And she would sell each one – she had to.
With a new sense of determination, Lucy set up a blank canvas. She grabbed her paints and simply began without really determining what to paint. She created from the heart, and that would make it good enough to show. She wasn't sure how long she remained in front of the easel, but she enjoyed every minute. With every stroke, she thought of Will and of their kiss. It pushed her to work her hardest even as the clock ticked loudly in the back of her head. There was something so wonderful about what they had shared that Lucy painted without a care. Her fingertips pulsated and buzzed with a blissful feeling.
Things were not perfect, Lucy knew that. But they were good enough.
Loki entered the forest in which he had landed in on the first day of his descent of Midgard. He breathed in the thick, cold air and smirked at the prize he had won. Lucy was all his, at last. And this time, he would not lose the prize he had so rightfully won.
Truthfully, he hadn't wanted to leave her this morning. She was so delightfully weak that he enjoyed controlling her a bit, feeling her tremble with each touch. He had wanted to wrap himself around her for a bit longer, but he knew there was business he had to deal with.
From his research through his dear friend Dr. Selvig, Loki had collected data that revealed an initiative to protect the Tesseract. Heroes from all around the world were collected and informed of the necessary protection.
One of those buffoons including his brother, Thor.
Loki would need an army, a bit of muscle. There would be only so much Lucy could do, seeing as she was only one mortal girl. Although her power was immense, she couldn't sustain much damage without defeat. He would need a bit of backup in order to take care of those worthless "Avengers". Lucy would then be engaged when he needed her most;
To seize the Tesseract.
Loki knew exactly who to recruit for his little army. It would take a bit of negotiating, but it would be quite worth it in the end.
With power brimming from his scepter, Loki dissipated into the thick fog that had settled in the forest.