Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Everyone is so happy.” Lucy says. Tim looks over at her and she looks a little sad. He looks around too and it’s full of couples. Wesley and Angela. Luna Grey and Grey. And of course Nyla and James—the reason why they were all here.

“It’s a wedding.” Tim says and his eyes are back on her. “I would be concerned if someone wasn’t happy.” 

Lucy doesn’t say anything just keeps her eyes out on the dance floor. “I wish I had something like that.”  

“Like what?” Tim asks and his heart picks up a bit. Lucy looks at him, and then gives him a smile.

“I believe you owe me a dance.” She says. Tim frowns at her a little, they had just finished dancing.

“I already did.” Tim points out. “Just a few minutes ago.”

“Who said you couldn’t dance with me twice?” Lucy asks. Tim immediately holds out his hand, and Lucy takes it. He leads her out to the floor, and this time it’s a slower dance. Tim keeps his eyes on her.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend?” He asks and just saying the word makes him a little sick to his stomach. She deserves better than Chris Sanford, he was a little clueless and he barely put in the effort for Lucy. 

She deserves better.

So much better.

“Not anymore.” Lucy says and she ducks her head down. “I asked him to come to the wedding and he said he didn’t want to. It didn’t interest him.”

“What?” Tim asks and his grip on her tightens. “So—”

“I told him to fuck off and leave.” Lucy says. “I don’t have time for someone who doesn’t put in the effort for me but expects me to do stuff with him.”

“Good for you.” Tim says. He looks around again and he suddenly realizes what she meant earlier. She wants to be happy with someone, she doesn’t want a half assed relationship. She wants something real like everyone else has.

“What about you?” Lucy asks as they continue to sway in place. “Ashley?”

“It’s over.” He says. “It was never serious and she was never serious about me. It was never going to work.”

“Oh.” Lucy says. “I’m sorry.” Tim shakes his head a little in amusement. She doesn’t look sorry, he knows Lucy was never the biggest fan of Ashley and now that Tim is no longer with her. He realizes it was never anything, Ashley just saw him as arm candy. Someone to make her look good. 

There was also the thing Ashley told Tim before she walked away. It was something that ignited something in him.

“You never look at me the way you look at Lucy.” Tim tried to deny it but—

She wasn’t wrong.

“I’m not.” Tim says and he leans in to brush some hair out of her face. It’s a quick move and she stares at him in surprise.

“Sorry.” He says. Lucy shakes her head and presses closer to him. 

“It’s okay.” She says and she looks up at him, her face soft. He leans in too and he can smell her. He can feel her heart beating against his. 

It’s good.

It’s so so good.

“Lucy,” Tim says and she blinks at him. “You will find that someone. You are incredible and anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“Yeah?” Lucy asks softly. 

“Sanford is an idiot.” Tim says. “To let you go. He didn’t know what he had.” 

“You really believe that?” Lucy asks again and her voice is still soft. 

“Absolutely.” Tim says. “You deserve someone who is worth the effort and puts effort in for you.”

“Do you know anyone?” Lucy asks and her voice is teasing but he hears the sincerity in it. 

“Maybe.” Tim says and he leans even closer his lips ghosting hers. Lucy smiles at him and her eyes go to his lips.

“Maybe he is right in front of me.” Lucy says. Tim’s heart picks up a bit, and he stares at her. 

“What?” Tim asks his voice soft but he never takes his eyes off of her.

“Maybe the reason our relationships didn’t work out is because the right person was right in front of us.” Lucy says. “Maybe.”

“I think you are right.” Tim says. “Maybe the right person was in front of me all along.” Tim sees Lucy swallow and then she leans in. He’s not sure who leans in first but their lips touch and it’s everything. 

Lucy nips at his lips and then pulls away. Tim chases her lips and then pulls her closer and presses his forehead against hers. 

“Lucy.” He mutters. 

“Yes?”

“I think I have found the right person.” He says. Lucy tilts her head at him. 

“You think?” She asks and a smile twitches on her lips. “Or you know.” Tim leans in to kiss her again. 

“I know.” He says with confidence. “She was right in front of me all along.” Lucy smiles and Tim lets out a breath.

This was just the beginning but he has a feeling it will be very, very good.