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Rufus corners her in their makeshift kitchen, his hands folding nervously around his half-filled coffee cup. It feels like a near deja vu, like a replay of how she fidgeted when Jessica offered to make her tea, and she expects awkwardness instantly. She leans up against the counter, waiting for the coffee pot to fill, despite her reservations.
It would be easier to pretend she has no idea why his demeanor is suddenly unnerved, but she knows exactly what it’s about. Jiya has already broached the subject with her, and Rufus knows even more about her than their other resident tech wiz. Mason and Agent Christopher are likely the only oblivious people in the bunker, and even that is hard to believe with the atmospheric tension in their hidden and thus rather tiny space.
“Lucy,” he says carefully, his dark eyes attaching to her own as she looks up to meet him. She loves Rufus like a brother, and he’s basically the most precious, sensitive guy around, but she doesn’t think she really needs his impending pep talk. Still, she stands across from him pensively, letting him finish. “I can’t even pretend to know what you’re going through.” He tilts his head in a Rufus-esque way, half ponderance and half wry wit. “Although I’m sure that no one in history really has either.” He quirks his lips up awkwardly. “At any rate, I know this whole thing really fucking sucks, and I’m proud of you.”
It’s the way he says he’s proud of her, with such force and drive. He continues, with a burst of momentum, gesticulating as he goes. “You, right now, are probably going through the craziest situation out of all of us, with your mom, and Emma, and...well, the Wyatt-and-Jessica-thing,” he adds, settling his own impending doom to the back burner because he’ll be alive until he’s dead and that’s all that matters now. “And look at you, you’re still standing, and you’ve never given up.” His eyes shine at her.
Lucy can feel her eyes wetting and she quickly shakes herself, strolling casually towards Rufus and the coffee and reaching past him for a mug. It’s not until she’s pours herself a glass of the steaming, prepared drink and finally settles it down on the counter that she turns and looks at him. He’s giving her an expectant expression, not fearful, but rather concerned.
She straightens her face into a smile, and this time she means it. “Thanks, Rufus,” she acknowledges. “But we’re all having our own little battles,” she reminds. “Jiya’s new medical condition, Mason losing basically everything he’s ever owned, Flynn being out of lockdown - I mean, Agent Christopher was essentially assaulted by my crazy mother.” Lucy gives a sarcastic, embittered laugh. “And Wyatt - well, he’s manning up,” she justifies. “He needs to make the right choice.” It’s left unspoken what she thinks this right choice is, but Rufus knows well enough how Lucy is.
He would certainly never ask to be in Wyatt’s position, at any rate.
Then she fixes him with a knowing expression. “I know you, Rufus. I’ve known you for centuries, if we’re counting,” she remarks with a slight smile. “And I know there’s something you’re battling, something you haven’t told me - us - yet.”
Rufus starts to mutter words, but Lucy’s fingers find his wrist. She’s genuinely looking at him now. “Hey, you can tell me all about it when you’re ready to, okay? Just know that I’m here for you.” She removes her fingers as an afterthought, but her next words qualify her comforts. “I know that Jiya is, too, of course, but I’ll always lend a listening ear.”
And just that is enough to put Rufus’ quirky smile back on his face.
Flynn finds them two hours later, where they’re still in the kitchen, their coffee cups empty but their hearts utterly full.