You're Not Alone Anymore

4~ Adaptation

TW!! Eating struggles mentioned and spoke a little bit about <3

{Nat's Pov}

It's been about a week since I brought Alyssa to the compound. She's only stuck by me and she hasn't slipped. I couldn't blame her, she was in a completely new environment with new people that she was having to try to trust.

I was currently making myself lunch as Clint and Tony gossiped/argued, switching back and thought every so often.

"But, I'm saying that, if you live here for free you could at least help with some groceries." Tony argued back. Clint and Tony had the same argument almost every two weeks, Tony insisted that Clint should help out and Clint insisted that he technically didn't live here and that he was only staying.

I continued to blank most of the boys' conversation out as I continued to do my thing. I saw from the corner of my eye that Alyssa had walked in. I knew it was her as I recognised my hoodie.

"Hey, Lys." I smiled as I continued to cook my lunch.

Alyssa came closer. "Hey." I barely heard as she looked over at the pot on the stove. I was only making a simple mac and cheese.

"Do you want some?" I asked and Alyssa was quick to shake her head. Her eating habits always worried me but right now wasn't the time to have this conversation.

Alyssa stayed quiet, getting herself a drink before coming to stand next to me. "What are they arguing about?".

I shrugged as I looked down to the girl, "I have no idea, I normally tune them out."

Alyssa nodded before she continued to watch me make food, she wasn't much of a talker. That concerned me too but I knew she was readjusting so I hoped this wasn't going to last forever.

Alyssa continued to watch as I poured the mac and cheese into a bowl. I asked one last time but she insisted she didn't want any. Of course I had to put hot sauce on my section.

I held Alyssa's hand as we walked back to my room, I decided to leave the boys to their arguing.

The both of us sat in silence for a moment as we sat on my bed, and I took small bites of food.

"Lys." I began, keeping my voice as soft as I could as I spoke. "I'm concerned, you don't eat that much."

Alyssa looked up to me, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just not that hungry."

I sighed and put my bowl on the bedside table before turning Alyssa to face me. "Alyssa..." I sighed as I paused, trying to find the best way to start this conversation. "I know you have been through a lot, but starving yourself won't help you."

Alyssa now sighed and looked down to her lap, where she was playing with her fingers. "I don't feel like I deserve to eat..."

I sighed and reached for her hands, holding in mine. "Alyssa. Don't put yourself through that because of your past..."

Alyssa stayed quiet and kept looking down to her hands before I pulled her into a hug.

"Trust me, hun. I'm here to take care of you. I know what it's like to put yourself through that, it's not worth it in the end."

Another moment of silence as I sighed and spoke again. "Let's make a deal," I proposed, earning a nod before I continued. "You try... three bites? And after that, you can either eat more or stop, then we can do whatever you like. Yeah?"

Alyssa frowned a little with confusion. "But, it's your food."

I smiled and shook my head. "Don't worry about that. Do you think you can try, for me?"

I could see that she hesitated before she nodded. I smiled and handed her the bowl, talking about anything and everything to keep her distracted as she ate.

Eventually she did have three bites, and a little more before she realised she had a few more than three, but I wasn't going to push her.

She smiled to herself as I congratulated her, pulling her into a hug. "Good job, I'm proud of you. Now what would you like to do?"

Alyssa smiled and pulled back a little, looking up to me. "Disney movie?"

I smiled and nodded, pulling her to lay down and get comfortable. "Disney movie."

A/n

Words: 726

I wanted to update this one but I was stuck on this chapter so it is short.

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