A/N: Second part to last chapter :)
TW: Reference to abuse and use of a slur
Lizzie's POV:
"Scar, when's the last time you've slept?" I asked the woman sitting next to me on the couch.
Scarlett had agreed to me offering to stay with me while the trials for the divorce and restraining order were conducted. I said that I didn't mind Scarlett sleeping in the same bed as me as we have done on countless occasions, but Scarlett refused, probably thinking she was asking for too much. I could tell she wasn't sleeping though, based on the bags under her eyes and the way she could barely lift her head up. I know she's been hurting a lot, and I feel awful that she can't catch a break. All the more reason for me to break Kyle's neck.
"I've slept," Scarlett answered.
"Let me rephrase: how much have you been sleeping?" She looked down, ashamed. "Hey, don't feel bad. I just want you to be healthy."
"Maybe like four hours over the past three days."
"Scar, that's not enough."
"I know. It's just-" I could see she had tears in her eyes, so I reached for her hand, interlinking our fingers. "I'm so scared. My mind, it's a mess right now. It won't be quiet. Everything he said is constantly replaying in my thoughts, and I don't know what to do."
"Oh, love. I wish I could make all your pain go away. But I promise, this will be over soon. You're going to be happy one day," I told her with a squeeze to her hand.
"I don't know if I'll ever be happy. I don't think I've been happy since before I met Kyle."
"Come here," I said, opening my arms. She gratefully moved to cuddle me, resting her head on my chest while my arms wrapped around her waist. "Tell me, what does happiness look like to you?"
She was silent as she thought before opening her mouth. "Smiling. Like, true smiling. Ever since my marriage started, it's hard to smile. I guess being an actress makes you pretty good at pretending to smile. The only time I smile is around you or Chris or any of the other cast, but even that's hard. I want to laugh. Laugh so hard until my stomach hurts. I want to sleep a full eight hours each night. I want to open a business, but I still want to act. Maybe start a family, but I don't think that will happen any time soon. I want love. I want to be with someone who loves me for me. I want someone who accepts my sexuality, my personality, my body. That's what happiness looks like for me."
I listened carefully to every word. I wanted to tell her that I could be that person. I could make her happy. That I love her for who she truly is. That she is the most beautiful and sincere woman in the world. That I love her.
"You love me?" I heard Scarlett whisper.
My eyes widened. "What?"
"You just said that you love me."
"Did I say that out loud?"
She just stared at me, and I looked away, not being able to meet her eyes.
"Lizzie-"
"No, it's ok, Scarlett. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You're hurting, and you probably don't like me that way."
"Lizzie, stop." I still couldn't look at her. "Hey, look at me." she said, putting her hand on my cheek and making me face her. "Please don't shut me out. I need you," she whimpered as her voice cracked. "Please, don't leave me."
"Scar, I would never leave you," I told her, shifting our positions to rest my forehead against hers. "I promise."
"Are you sure you love me like that?"
"I am. I've been sure for a while now."
"I love you like that, too," she grinned, separating our faces. "Can we take it slow though?"
"Of course. We'll go at your pace."
"Thank you," she told me, leaning to place a small kiss on my cheek. I blushed. "Can I sleep in your room tonight?"
"Yes, love," I told her, already helping her to my room. I turned away as she got dressed, her doing the same for me. We got into bed, and she rolled over into my embrace. I kissed her head. "Go to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."
She snuggled into me further, falling asleep in an instance.
*
Scarlett was physically shaking as we walked into the courtroom. Today would be the day that the divorce was finalized, and we could start putting a restraining order in place. I took one of her hands in mine and rubbed circles on the back of it when I noticed that she was starting to nervously pick at her skin.
As soon as we walked in, our eyes spotted Kyle's, and I sent a glare towards him while Scarlett looked at him in fear. There was no way in hell I would let him touch her. I saw him looking at our interlocked hands and his expression turned livid. I brought Scarlett closer to me and sat her down up front before putting myself in a seat behind her, giving her a kiss on the side of her head and reminding her how much I love her.
The trial surprisingly went smoothly, but I could tell Scarlett was growing anxious while still being in the same room as him. I kept an eye closely on him if he tried to start something, and I could feel his eyes on me as well. I'd rather have him looking at me than Scarlett. I watched as his whole body stiffened at the mention of a restraining order. I felt terrible for Scarlett having to talk about and relive the moments in her relationship with Kyle to provide evidence. Luckily, there was enough evidence to start the process of a restraining order and possibly have Kyle placed in police custody.
Thirty minutes later, the judge stated that the divorce was official, and I heard Scarlett sob in happiness. I stood up, hugging Scarlett with all I could, and started to lead her out the courtroom. Suddenly, I heard a voice.
"Can't believe I was married to a fucking dy*e. Disgusting," Kyle said, making sure Scarlett heard.
I quickly covered Scarlett's ears as more insults left his mouth, and continued walking. Security made their way over to him, restraining him from trying to follow us. I could've killed him if it wasn't for me wanting Scarlett out as quickly as possible. I uncovered her ears the moment we left the room and made our way to our car before getting in.
"Please, Scar, don't listen to him. You are not disgusting, and you shouldn't be ashamed of who you are. He is a horrible person whose opinion doesn't matter, and I will make sure you are happy. I will make sure you have love. I-"
"Lizzie," Scarlett cut me off. "Kiss me."
"What?" I whispered.
"Kiss me."
"Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure about something in my entire life. I'm free now and I want to kiss you, so bad."
I wasted no more time as I reached over the console, taking Scarlett's face in my hands, and kissing her so, so gently. I put all of my love in it, and I felt Scarlett do the same. It was so passionate and so soft, and I realized I had fallen for this woman more than I thought. I pulled away when I tasted salty tears against my lips. I looked at Scarlett's moist eyes.
"What's wrong, love?" I asked her softly.
"I don't think I've ever felt so loved than when I'm with you. And I am so sorry it took us so long to find each other."
"Don't apologize, sweetheart. We're together now, and I love you so much. I'm never letting you go. You are so strong," I told her, connecting our lips in a series of kisses.
"I love you too, Elizabeth Olsen. I'm happy now," she said as we parted our lips.
"And I'm going to spend forever keeping you happy."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Feel free to leave suggestions :)
