A/n: I know this prompt was probably meant to be angsty, and maybe it still will be, BUT England just made it to the UEFA Euro Finals and I'm in a really good mood because of it so I can't promise that any possible angst will be good.
Lockwood turned the page of his book, but froze when Lucy shifted next to him. He waited until she settled down again, head nuzzled against his chest with his left arm wrapped around her. With her movement, the blanket had fallen off of her shoulder, so he - carefully and slowly - readjusted it, having to pass the book over to his left arm so he could reach over with his right arm to do so.
Lucy smiled faintly in her sleep when his hand brushed her shoulder, and he hid his own little smile. He moved the book back to his right hand, and continued reading.
He was distracting himself, of course, so that he wouldn't go mad worrying about Lucy. It had been his fault that he hadn't warned her about the unsteady lamp she'd been standing under, so when he'd slammed into the wall beside it, it had fallen and given Lucy a right nasty bump on the head along with a concussion.
If she was awake, she'd probably tell him off for not resting himself. Sure, he'd gotten a few bruised ribs from all of the jumping and being thrown about, but he'd dealt with bruised ribs before and this was nothing. Besides, he'd argue that staying at her bedside was the most effective way for him to rest because as she'd just proved, he didn't dare move for fear of waking her, so there.
It didn't stop him from feeling guilty, but he doubted anything could stop him from that. For now, reading an old romance novel would have to do, and if he started feeling restless, then he'd just start running his fingers gently through Lucy's fiery hair.
He was just about to turn the page again, having to shift slightly so he could use his trapped left hand to flip the page - he really should just learn to do it with one hand, it would make things so much easier - when he found himself soft brown eyes watching him groggily.
"Hello," he said gently, smiling softly. Lucy yawned, burying her head deeper into Lockwood's side.
"F've m' min's," Lucy mumbled, and Lockwood set down the book on his side table so he could brush her hair behind her ear.
"Alright." He breathed out a laugh. "Take your time."
She peeked up at him, squinting against the dim light filtering through the curtained windows. "Read to me," she asked simply, shifting so her head lay on his shoulder.
He looked down at her. "You won't fall asleep again?" he asked, only for her to weakly hit his arm.
"Rude."
He laughed. "Sorry. Now, just give me a second, I need to reach my book." He awkwardly twisted so he could grab the novel without disturbing Lucy even if it made his ribs twinge slightly. Once he had the book in hand, he gently shifted his arm that was wrapped around Lucy so both of them could be comfier. "Alright?"
She hummed contently as they both settled down and as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, he felt her smile, making his own smile bigger.
Opening the book, he searched for where he'd left off on the page. Once he'd found it, he read the words aloud.
"'Don't go where I cannot follow you,' she pleaded, holding his hand. 'I would not be able to live without you.' 'I have no choice, my love. I do this to protect you,' he replied, bringing his hand to cup her face. 'Protect me by staying by my side,' she said, a tear dropping from her eye only for him to brush it from her cheek. 'Remember me fondly.' He kissed her and for a moment, the world was at peace. Then he pulled away, releasing her from him as he turned to face the looming threat. She fell to her knees, tears falling freely now that there was no one to brush them away for her."
Lucy shifted so she could look up at him. "Such a sad story," she frowned.
"Hmm," he agreed. "Let's not make it ours." He brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed them gently.
She smiled at that, and all he could think was how much the world was better for it, how much he was better for it. He vowed in that moment to never be the reason that smile disappeared.
"I love you, so much, Luce, do you know that?"
She hummed. "I do."
He kissed her again, this time on the lips, and she kissed back and in that moment, everything was perfect.
A/n: Took me way too long to finish this sorry. Not that you guys know but whatever. Hope you enjoyed it anyway.
Stay safe, be nice, and see ya soon.
- CrowofArcadiaOaks