Elizabeth Olsen's Bodyguard

Chapter 29

Lizzie POV

I slowly open my eyes and get scared immediately when I realize that I fell asleep. My gaze lands on Y/n. Seeing her steady breathing calms me down. She's still connected to all those tubes and wires, but she's alive and that's all that matters.

My heart aches the longer I look at her. I don't know why it took me that long to realize that I love her. Maybe because it never happened with a woman before. But I wanted to be near her all the time, wanted to see her, to text her and know everything about her. Being with Robbie suppressed those emotions for a while, only for them to come back stronger than ever as soon as I saw her shot on the ground.

I squeeze my eyes shut as these images flood back into my mind. I've never felt such a strong fear in my life before. Not knowing if she'll survive or if she'll die was the worst feeling I've ever experienced. It's the waiting. The suspense of not knowing what happens that kills you.

I let my fingers graze over her cheeks. Her long lashes cast shadows on her high cheekbones. She looks almost relaxed. If there wasn't this tube going down her throat I could've pretended that she's just sleeping. My eyes wander over her features as I take in her natural beauty. She's beautiful inside and out. And I hope I get to tell her that. I hope I get the chance to tell her that I love her again.

Kara's head rests on the bed. Her neck twisted uncomfortably. She's still sleeping, clinging on Y/n's hand for the whole time. I decide to grab myself a coffee. Feeling my muscles stiff from the uncomfortable sleeping position, I know that a walk will be good for me.

I make my way to the cafeteria and get a cappuccino. I walk out of the building and find myself in a little park. There's a cute pond with a little bridge over it and a few benches around it. I take a seat on one of the benches and watch some ducks that are diving their head under water to get some food.

My mind circles back to Y/n. What will she say when she wakes up? Is she mad at me? I mean she has every right to be. I treated her terribly those last weeks and I have to apologize and make it up to her if she lets me. And if she stays. She said she wants to go back to Afghanistan. The thought alone makes me nauseous. She would be in a foreign dangerous country where I can't protect her. Not that I would even be physically able to protect her. But I just want her to be safe. I sigh and take the last sip of my coffee, before I decide to go back in. I don't want to miss it when she wakes up.

Before I get back to Y/n's room, I see Kara's girlfriend standing in front one of those big windows they have in the hospital hallways, her arms resting on the railing.

"Hey.", I say as I approach her cautiously.

"Oh hey, good morning.", she answers and turns with a smile.

"You're Lena, right? Kara's girlfriend?", I ask her.

"Yes, exactly."

"Sorry, I was a mess yesterday and didn't really pay attention when you introduced yourself, so I wasn't entirely sure.", I apologize.

"No need to apologize, I totally get it. If it was Kara laying in that bed, I would be a mess too."

I nod and realize that she holds something in her hand. A piece of paper which looks like it has been folded and unfolded many times.

"What is that?", I ask before I can stop myself. My curiosity getting the best of me.

"Oh, uhm. It's a poem. Kara is a reporter, you know. She's a great writer. The greatest in my opinion, but she's normally more into objective and informative writing. At the beginning of our relationship though she wrote that poem for me. She's not entirely happy with it and complains about it all the time, but I love it.", Lena explains. Her eyes full of love as she speaks about her girlfriend.

"Wow, that's so sweet.", I answer.

"Y/n and Kara wrote together a lot when they went to college together. But whereas Kara made it her job, Y/n joined the army. I always thought that if something bad would happen to her, it would be in Afghanistan and not here in our home.", Lena shares with me and I feel the guilt nagging at me. If it wasn't for me, Y/n would've never been shot.

"Do you want to read it?", Lena asks.

"What? Are you sure? I mean it's pretty personal.", I stutter, almost overwhelmed by Lena's open personality.

She chuckles. "I'm surprised by myself honestly. Normally I don't share that much private stories. I find it hard to trust people. But you mean a lot to Y/n and that means a lot to me."
She hands me the paper and I read the few lines written on it.

Your sapphire eyes sparkle in the sun
And I think to myself
If I have to die
I want to drown in those pools of blue
Lost at sea
But I'd be home

"It's beautiful.", I whisper truthfully.

"Yeah, thank you. I think so too. Maybe Y/n writes you a poem too.", she jokes and I laugh lightly.

"I just hope she forgives me for those last weeks and gives me a chance to prove myself. She really means a lot to me.", I express.

"I'm sure she will. Just explain her everything.", Lena assures me.

Suddenly nurses and a doctor run into Y/n's room. Panic creeps up in me.

"What is happening there?", I ask scared and run after the nurses, with Lena right behind me.

At the door I stop in my tracks. What will await me when I walk in? I can't bear the thought of seeing her dying. It would all me my fucking fault. A hand on my back pulls me out of my thoughts.

"Keep going.", Lena whispers.

My body reacts before my mind does and I slowly step inside. I can't believe my eyes when I finally see what's happening. Y/n sits in bed slightly leaned back against the backrest of the bed. The usual smile drawn on her face, which only grows once she sees me. The doctor is putting away the tube that helped her to breathe and I realize that she must've just woken up and the tube was probably choking her. So that was the reason they all came in so quickly to help her.

"Hey.", she greets me. Her voice is raspy. Her throat probably sore after having a tube in it for several hours.

"Hi.", I speak softly.

"So far everything seems to be okay. We come back later to check on you, but we'll give you all a moment to check up on each other.", the doctor explains and I give him a grateful nod.

"That's great to hear, thank you.", Kara says and smiles once her girlfriend walks up to her and gives her a kiss.

"Good to see you.", Lena says to Y/n.

"Good to see you too.", Y/n responds with a smile on her lips. "It really has been a while. I guess I have to get shot to see you two."

Kara slaps her arm playfully. "Don't say that, you idiot. I'm furious about what happened, you know? I mean, what was going on in that brain of yours? Do you have a death wish?"

"Hey, I asked her that too.", I throw in but shut up immediately after receiving a death stare from Kara.

"First, I hear from Jamie that you plan to go back to Afghanistan without telling me a single thing about that. And then you throw yourself in front of a bullet? At least I can keep you here now, because you're not going anywhere with that wound! But what the hell were you thinking these last weeks? Were you even thinking? Because your actions don't really speak for it.", Kara continues her rant.

"I'm sorry Kara. I didn't mean to worry you.", Y/n apologizes and my heart glows at the sincerity in her voice.

I feel weird for just standing near them and observing the scene, but at the same time I'm amazed by their friendship and love for each other.

Kara's gaze softens and she sighs. "I know."

Silence follows, which Lena decides to break.

"Hey, maybe we should go for a walk and get you a coffee.", she suggests to her girlfriend.

Kara opens her mouth like she's about to protest but closes it again, when she follows Lena's look to me and then to Y/n.

"Okay.", she agrees and stands up. "See you later, Y/n."

"See you later, Kara.", Y/n says and waves goodbye.

Awkward silence fills the room again once the two left. I shift on my feet, my eyes wandering around in the room, but avoiding her.

Come on, get a grip. Just talk to her.

"How are you?", Y/n asks me and I shift my gaze to meet her eyes.

Is she seriously just asking me how I am doing? She's been shot but is worried about me. My heart warms at the thought that despite how I treated her, she still cares for me.

"I'm better now that you're awake. But what about you? How are you feeling?", I answer and make my way to the chair I've sat on the whole night.

"I'm okay.", she gives me a half smile.

Her eyes look tired and even though she tries to hide it, I can see that she's in pain. Physically but also emotionally. All I want is to crawl into that bed with her and hold her, stroking her hair and telling her that everything will work out.

"Can I ask you something?", Y/n wants to know.

"Sure, anything.", I reply.

"Uhm, when I got shot... right before I lost my conscience, I think you said something. But I'm not sure if it was real or just my imagination.", she begins. "Because if it was just my imagination it would be pretty embarrassing to ask, but if it was real-"

"You told me that you loved me before that event started.", I interrupt her. "And I was too overwhelmed to say anything. I was confused and everything seemed to be a blur. It's cruel that all of it became clear the second I thought you were dying. But I love you too. So if that's what you heard, it was all real."

"It was all real.", she whispers.

"Yeah.", I lean forward to take her hand and squeeze it.

My eyes search her face – for what, I'm not sure. But I'm trying to take her all in. Afraid that if I look away I could miss something important.

"A quote just came up to my mind.", I say quietly.

"Tell me.", she requests.

"And I turn my head to look at you
To watch your every step
Just like sunflowers turn their heads to follow the sun
You are my sun, Y/n. And I'm sorry that it took me that long to realize. But no matter how much I tried to distance myself, I always found myself looking at you. You're mesmerizing and I don't want to miss a single thing about you anymore. If you let me, I'll make it up to you. I know, we have a lot to talk about. But just know that I'm sorry. And that I'm here with you now."

"Please just kiss me already."

And I don't wait another second before I lean down to her. My hands cup her cheeks as I kiss her softly. Our lips dance together perfectly as if they were made to only kiss each other. Her hand settles on my hip and she pulls me closer to her. I run my hand through her hair, stopping at her neck where my nails scratch lightly on her warm skin. The kiss grows stronger and rougher, not driven by lust but by love. I throw all my emotions in trying to show her just how much I love her.

I pull away for air and smile when I see her slowly open her eyes. She returns the smile and her eyes sparkle with joy. I swear I'm trying to keep this spark of happiness in them as long as I'm alive.

"Do you want to watch a movie?", she asks sweetly. "Or do you have to go to work?"

"I'd love to watch a movie and no, I don't have to work today.", I say and she beams at my answer.

"Perfect."

Y/n makes room for me in her bed and I shuffle closer to her. She puts on a movie and rests her head on my shoulder. I lay an arm around her shoulder, pulling her even closer. She hums contently.

Yeah, I could get used to this.

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Hey guys! I'm not entirely happy with that chapter but I think I like it. Those two poems are written by me lol. I'm really throwing my soul out there. So let me know what you think.
I love to read your theories about the shooter, but so far no one guessed it right who it was or why it was done.
I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend.
See you in the next chapter!