Work Text:
“Does it hurt?” Lucy asks Tim and then she gently rubs her fingers over his face.
“Does what hurt?”
“All the bruises.” Lucy says and she runs her finger across his lips. “All the burns and cuts.”
“A little.” He admits. “Weirdly that wasn’t even the most painful part.”
“No?” Lucy asks looking surprised. “What was?” She silently counts the bruises on his face, on his arms. She hates it but she doesn’t want to look away from him nor does she want to stop touching him.
“Being apart from you.” Tim says and he puts his hand on her cheek. She has bruises too. She can feel them and they hurt but she tries not to show it.
It’s bad enough they were kidnapped but they were both hurt and in pain.
“Yeah that wasn’t fun.” She agrees. They were separated, and after awhile they were able to communicate in their own way.
But it was hard, yes the torture wasn’t a walk in the park. But being separated from Tim wasn’t easy either. It was like she was being pulled in both directions. She didn’t know if he was okay or if he was even still breathing.
She didn’t know a thing, and that’s what hurt the most. Not knowing.
They used him against her to try and break her but it didn’t work. They used her against him to break him and she knows he almost lost it. But he didn’t break.
They got all these bruises from fighting. From not giving in. They got these bruises from fighting for each other.
“Do your bruises hurt?” He asks softly. The truth is, he hadn’t said much since they got home. They just immediately curled up with one another. They would ask questions or say I love you. But it was very minimal. Lucy wasn’t used to hearing his voice. He was right next to her and yet he didn’t talk.
“A little.” She says. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“I know.” Tim says. “You are the strongest person I know.”
“You are too.” Lucy says. She wants to tease him and push at his shoulder but the bruises. “You hung on.”
“I had to.” Tim says in a matter of fact voice. “They were threatening you.” Lucy sighs and reaches down for his hand.
“I know.”
“I wasn’t going to just give in.” Tim says. “I wouldn’t have taken a lot more if it helped you get out.”
“You don’t always have to be the hero Tim.” Lucy says. It kills her sometimes that he always puts everyone over himself. Especially her.
God knows what would have happened if they hadn’t gotten out. Tim wasn’t used so beaten down.
It was awful.
This whole thing was about torture. This whole thing was about Tim not giving into Everett.
“He said I would regret it.” Tim says. “Everett and not taking the money.”
“Do you regret it?” Lucy asks. She knows the answer but she wants to make sure.
“No.” Tim says firmly. “I regret that you got involved.” Lucy sighs softly and leans over to give him a soft kiss.
“I’m proud of you for standing your ground.” She says. Tim nods and moves some hair out of her face.
“I regret that it caught up with me and involved you.” He says. “But I guess that was their plan.”
“What?”
“To use the most important person in my life against me.” Tim says. He closes his eyes, Lucy knows he’s struggling with this. It wasn’t his fault, she never for one second blamed him. But she knows he blames himself.
“Right after a perfect proposal too.” Lucy says. She moves her hand so she can look at her ring. “The bad guys really know how to ruin a romantic moment.”
“Yeah.” Tim says and he has a faraway look in his eyes. “Can I see your ring?” Lucy hesitates, she lost it once and Angela had found it. She didn’t want to lose it again. But she pulls it off and puts it in his palm.
“Why?”
Tim doesn’t reply instead he moves away and slips out of bed. He disappears from the room, Lucy stares after him until she finally realizes she needs to follow him. She slips out of bed and hurries after him. He’s already in the kitchen making coffee.
“What are you doing?” She asks. He turns to look at her and despite all the bruises he’s still handsome. He’s still Tim. The love of her life and soon to be husband.
“Come here.” He says. She goes to stand in front of him and she watches as he drops to one knee.
Again.
“Lucy, I know our first proposal didn’t go as planned. But our first date didn’t either.” He says. “We seem to like redos so this seemed pretty logical.” Lucy just stares at him like she did the first time.
“I love you and I think I love you even more now.” He says. “We have been to literal hell and back. We survived and we stuck together. You made me want to live, you made me want to survive and keep fighting because I want the rest of my life with you.” Lucy wipes the tears away, she’s not sure how he always says the right things.
“So Lucy Chen,” he says. “Will you marry me?” Lucy just lets out a laugh and nods. Her answer would be the same every time.
“Yes.” She says. “Yes.” Tim grins and slips on the ring and she gives him a kiss.
“I’m glad your answer didn’t change.” He mutters.
“It never will.” She replies and he laughs a little. She gently puts her hand on his cheek. “So were you planning on proposing again?”
“It was at the back of my mind.” He says. “I know this isn’t the beach at sunset.”
“It’s fine,” Lucy says. “It’s perfect. There’s less of a chance of us being drugged and kidnapped.”
“Always looking on the bright side huh?” He asks. Lucy nods and pulls him down for a kiss. He winces a little when she accidentally touches a bruise.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He mutters. “Keep going. It helps.” Lucy just smiles and kisses him again and again. And even with all their bruises… it’s good. Really good.