Never Let Me Go

Chapter 9. Mutual Love

The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow across Lucy's pale features as Tim entered the room. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing dark circles that betrayed her restless night. Gently, he sat down beside her, stroking her face and carefully tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Hey, sleepyhead," he murmured softly, concern evident in his voice. "I made breakfast." He hated seeing her like this, but he refused to let her pain consume her entirely. Instead, he chose to be her beacon of light, guiding her towards a better tomorrow. Tim leaned down, pressing a feather-light kiss to her forehead. "You need to eat something," he urged, his tone laced with gentle insistence. He knew it wasn't easy for her, but he also understood that taking care of herself – even in small ways – could make a world of difference. Lucy offered him a weak smile, reaching up to cover his hand with hers. "For you," she whispered, allowing herself to be pulled out of bed and into his warm embrace. As they walked to the kitchen, she leaned heavily against him, drawing comfort from his strength. Together, they sat at the table, sharing a simple meal of scrambled eggs and toast. The silence between them wasn't awkward; instead, it was filled with understanding and love. Tim kept a watchful eye on Lucy as she nibbled at her food, reaching out every now and then to brush away a loose strand of hair or trace the outline of her hand with his thumb. He wished he could take away her pain, but for now, he settled on being there for her – a constant presence, a source of comfort in the midst of her turmoil.

Lucy's appetite had always been delicate, but today he realised how bad her eating habits truly were. Tim watched her push the food around her plate, taking only small, unenthusiastic bites. He knew better than to pressure her – she was already dealing with so much – but he couldn't ignore the worry gnawing at his heart. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and shield her from the world, to somehow erase the darkness that had taken root within her. Instead, he settled for reaching across the table and covering her hand with his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Lucy," he began, his voice low and steady, "you don't have to force yourself to eat if you're not hungry, but please promise me you'll try to take better care of yourself." He searched her eyes, hoping to find some semblance of agreement there. In response, Lucy offered a faint smile, her fingers curling around his in a silent promise. They sat there for a while longer, hands entwined, until she finally pushed her plate away, the food mostly untouched. Tim swallowed the lump in his throat, knowing this was a battle he couldn't win right now.

Tim's heart ached as he studied Lucy's drawn expression, the shadows beneath her eyes telling a story of sleepless nights and endless worries. He understood that she needed space, but he couldn't ignore the distance that seemed to be growing between them. Taking a deep breath, he turned towards her, his voice gentle yet firm. "Lucy," he began, "I know things have been really tough lately, and I want you to know that I'm here for you – always." He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "But I think we need to talk. Really talk, about everything that's been going on." He could see the apprehension in her gaze, the fear that threatened to swallow her whole. Still, he held her hand, offering her a reassuring smile. In his mind, *Maybe if we can just open up to each other, we can start to heal together*. He squeezed her hand once more before releasing it, allowing her the space she needed to process his request. The room seemed to hold its breath as they sat there, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions. Finally, Lucy nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Okay, Tim. Let's talk."

Tim's eyes widened as Lucy began to open up, revealing the pain she'd been carrying for so long. He listened intently, his heart breaking with each word. He could hear the tremble in her voice, see the way her hands shook as she clutched the edge of the table. She spoke of her parents' disappointment in her career choices, how they belittled her dreams and aspirations, and worse – how their disapproval often turned physical. Tears streamed down her face, leaving salty trails on her pale skin. *How could they do this to her? She's so talented, so full of life*, he thought, anger simmering just beneath the surface. But he knew that now was not the time for anger; Lucy needed him to be her rock, her safe haven. He reached out, pulling her into his embrace, and simply held her as she poured out her heart. "Lucy," he murmured against her hair, He felt her sob against his chest, her body trembling with the force of her emotions. As she continued to speak, he made mental notes, promising himself that he'd help her find a way to stand up to them – together. For now, though, he focused on offering comfort, letting her know that she wasn't alone anymore.

"Nobody wants me.." Lucy whispered with tears streaming down her cheeks. Lucy's words cut through Tim like a knife, her sobs tearing at his very soul. He pulled her closer, his heart aching for her pain. As she cried into his chest, he whispered comforting words, his hands rubbing soothing circles on her back. He wished he could take away her hurt, replace it with happiness – anything to make her feel loved and cherished. When her sobs subsided, he leaned back just enough to look into her reddened eyes. "Lucy," he said earnestly, "you're wrong. You're amazing, and I want you – i want you to be my girlfriend, my darling." He took a deep breath, his pulse quickening with each word. "I want to be there for you, through thick and thin, supporting you in your career and helping you navigate through whatever your parents throw our way." He hesitated for a moment, searching her face for any sign of hope. Seeing none, he continued, "I know it won't be easy, but I believe in us. I believe in you." His confession hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. In his mind, he prayed she'd see how much she meant to him, that she'd accept his love and allow him to share her burden.

Relief washed over Tim as Lucy sniffled and looked up at him, her eyes glistening with fresh tears. She whispered, "Yes, Tim...I want to be your girlfriend." Her voice trembled with emotion, mirroring the way her hands shook in his. At that moment, he felt like the luckiest man alive. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, sealing their newfound bond. In his mind, he made a silent vow to protect her, to love her fiercely, and to never let her doubt her worth again. They sat there for a while longer, simply holding each other, the weight of their shared confessions settling between them. As Lucy's sobs subsided, Tim couldn't help but think, *This is only the beginning of our journey together, but I'm ready to face whatever comes our way*. He gently brushed away her tears, smiling as he saw a spark of hope flicker to life in her eyes. He knew they had a long road ahead, but with love guiding their steps, he believed they could overcome anything.