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Chapter Text

With the backpack over her shoulder and her suitcase by her hand, Lucy Chen made her way through the train like a storm, tumbling over and bumping into people while occasionally stepping on at least three toes. Despite a constant chorus of “I’m sorry! Sorry! Oh gosh, sorry!” The glares followed her like storm clouds, but Lucy wasn’t about to let them rain on her parade. She had her eyes locked on the prize: an empty seat where she could finally sit down and catch her breath. It didn’t help that she had to sprint to catch the train. It was about time she bought herself a better watch that wouldn’t get stuck every other second. 

Not that it would’ve mattered today. 

She’d lost track of time, singing along to her playlist and blow-drying her hair like the hotel bathroom was her stage.

But she was here, she made it in time and that was all that mattered.

“Sorry, sorry.” Lucy brushed through some more people on the train, making her way closer to the empty seat. “I’m sorry.” Slightly pushing someone, Lucy made it but frowned when she saw that the empty seat next to the window was occupied by a backpack. “Sorry, is the seat taken?” she asked the guy sitting next to the window seat. 

Taking his eyes off his book, the man looked up briefly, then down at the backpack. “No. Sorry.” He picked it up and placed it on the floor without saying anything more.

Lucy exhaled, murmuring a quick “Thank you,” before collapsing into the seat. She sank back, finally able to feel her legs again. For a moment, she just let herself breathe, her chest still rising and falling from all the running to catch the train.

When her breathing finally slowed, she glanced at the man beside her. He was reading a book titled ‘Split Second Leadership: Leading Men in the Line of Duty’. Odd choice for a train ride, she thought. But then her gaze drifted to his face. Strong jawline, sharp features, and a focused expression. Lucy hadn’t noticed how attractive this guy was when all her attention was to finally sit down.

She realized she was staring when he slowly turned his head to meet her gaze, eyebrows slightly raised. Lucy cleared her throat and looked down, fumbling to pull out her notebook.

Her bucket list of LA. 

She had written down all the places she had dreamt of seeing before…well…before she would… die.  

Just a few weeks ago, her doctor had given her the kind of news that flipped her world upside down. Her doctor suggested her doing all the things she had been putting off for “someday”. She had only a month to live and Lucy decided to make that month count. Something about knowing that you are dying gives you a second life. A second breath. An energy boost. So when she found out, Lucy packed her bags, dropped out of university, and told her parents that she was going away without explaining anything. Keeping them in secret was better. Easier. 

She traced over all the places she aspired to see in one day before she would travel to her next destination. 

“This is my first time visiting LA,” she said, her voice light but with an edge of excitement. She turned to the man beside her, who was still absorbed in his book. “I’m excited.” 

He didn’t look up, just murmured, “I’m sure you are.” 

Lucy tilted her head. “Are you from here?” She ignored his sigh. They had about 3 hours left to drive so might as well get to know the guy who gave her the seat next to him. 

He lowered his book just enough to look at her. “We don’t have to do this,” he said, his tone dry. “The whole ‘getting to know each other’ thing. I’d rather sit in silence.” Lucy nodded but kept looking at him. “What?” he asked when he sensed that she was still looking at him. 

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I did.”

“No, you ignored it by saying you weren’t interested in getting to know me, which is not the same thing. But I’d still like to know the answer to my question.” 

“Yes. I live here,” he finally said, the words dragging out like it physically pained him to admit it.

Lucy’s lips curled into a triumphant smile. “Lucky you. You must love it here.”

The man finally closed his book with deliberate slowness, resting it on his lap as he gave her a look that was equal parts annoyed and exhausted. “It’s… fine. It’s boring,” he said, clearly trying to end the conversation.

“That can’t be true. L.A. has so many beautiful places to visit. You probably just haven’t gone further than your backyard.” 

“You just met me and already you are making assumptions about me while also insulting me.” 

Lucy shrugged, unfazed. “You haven’t been very pleasant,” she teased, her grin widening. “And, besides, was I wrong?”

For a split second, something flickered in his eyes that Lucy couldn’t catch and make sense of because it disappeared as quickly as it came. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, schooling his expression back into his natural scowl. Without another word, he opened his book again, clearly deciding to ignore her. “I answered your question. Now will you let me read in peace?”

“Fine, continue reading your book.” Lucy rolled her eyes and returned her attention to her notebook. Her list wasn’t going to plan itself. She had only 24 hours to see everything she dreamed of, and the clock was ticking. If only she could figure out where to start.

Rummaging through her overstuffed backpack, trying to find that one small thing, her water bottle dropped to the ground with a loud thud startling the grumpy man next to her. “Sorry!” Lucy’s apology came quick, her hands frantically snatching the bottle before it could wreak any more havoc. She offered him an apologetic grin, but it only earned her an eye-roll. When she finally found the map she’d been searching for, Lucy unfolded it with a satisfied grin, not noticing how it was creeping into her neighbor’s personal space. 

The map sprawled like a makeshift barrier between them. The corners of the map cutting off half his view. “Excuse me, what are you doing?” His voice was clipped as he reached up to move the map out of his face, revealing a pair of annoyed, piercing blue eyes.

Lucy blinked at him, pencil clamped between her teeth. “Planning my trip!” she declared brightly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Finally the man next to her suddenly showed some interest in what she was doing. 

“I mean what are you doing with the map?” His jaw was tight. “You’re taking up the whole space.”

“I have to plan my trip.” She said it like it was a do-or-die kind of situation. Well…for her it kinda was. 

“Can’t you do that at home?”

“No.” She replied simply. “When I get off this train, I have 24 hours to visit all of these places before I leave for my next destination.” She handed him her notebook with all of the places she had aspired to see. He took it reluctantly but scanned her list anyway. He saw places that were definitely touristy and not worth seeing at all but some of these places he even himself hadn’t heard of. 

“Hollywood Boulevard? Seriously?” Her wide smile turned to a frown. 

“What’s wrong with it? It’s in every ‘must see’ list on the internet.” She snatched her notebook out of his hands regretting showing him her list. 

“It’s predictable.”

“Well, sorry I didn’t plan my trip to impress an asshole like you.”

For the first time, a chuckle escaped him - a low, rich sound that startled Lucy more than the water bottle incident. “Fair enough,” he admitted, his smirk softening the edges of his grumpiness. “Good luck cramming all this into one day.”

“Is it that impossible?” 

“It’s not impossible but for someone who has never been to LA it will be quite difficult.” Lucy didn't like his answer at all. She didn't see a plan where she wouldn't see all of these places and it’s not like she could go and visit them some other time. She didn’t have the time. 

The man noticed her sour expression which looked weird on her. She was nothing but smiley and happy since he first met her, but now her confidence deflated like a popped balloon and she stared at her list with her shoulders sinking. The weight of the task ahead felt suddenly overwhelming. “Give me your list and map, let me help you plan it.”

Lucy’s head snapped up, eyes wide with surprise. “You’re…seriously offering to help?”

“Don’t dwell on it or else I will switch seats with someone.” 

Despite his coldness, Lucy couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you…umm…” She raised an eyebrow because she had never actually gotten his name.

“Tim Bradford.”

“Thank you, Tim Bradford.” She handed him the notebook and then put the map over both of their legs.

“No problem…”

“Lucy Chen.”

“Lucy Chen.” Tim nodded with a soft smile and returned his eyes to Lucy’s bucket list. 

Tim’s focus was intense as he traced routes on the map, muttering to himself. Every so often, he’d ask how much time she wanted to spend at each spot, and every time she responded that she wanted to spend there as long as possible. That only earned her an eye roll but eventually, he counted in those extra minutes for each place.

By the time they finished, the train began to slow into the station. Lucy glanced at her neatly crafted itinerary, grateful for Tim’s help. Sure, he was grumpy but surprisingly helpful. And unless she’d imagined it, he might have even smiled once when she made a silly little comment about his allergy to smiling — though it could’ve been a twitch. Either way, she’d take it.

As they stood to leave, Tim picked up her bag without a word, handing it over when they reached the platform. Lucy hesitated, unsure how to say goodbye. “Thanks again, Tim.”

“It wasn’t a problem.” Then, with a smirk, he added, “It got you to shut up for a while.”

Lucy gasped in mock offense, laughter bubbling up despite herself. “You are so rude!” she teased, though she couldn’t help but notice that same elusive smile tugging at his lips. There was something captivating about it. She couldn’t look away and she wanted to make more jokes just so she would see it again, even if it was just for a second. 

“And you’re annoying.” There wasn’t anything mean behind his words. He kept up with her teasing and she appreciated it. At least for a moment, she felt like a normal person, not someone who was dying.

“So, I guess this is where we separate.” Was it weird that she didn’t want to do that? Was it weird that she wanted to keep talking to him? She still stood by her previous statement though. He was an asshole.

“I guess it is.” He nodded and something flickered in his eyes but it was so quick that Lucy didn't even get the chance of understanding it. He extended his hand, and she shook it, both of them jerking back with a yelp.

“Ouch, static,” Lucy exclaimed, rubbing her palm. The tiny jolt was sharp, but it made her feel oddly alive. “Goodbye, Tim Bradford.” Lucy finally said looking up at him.

“Goodbye, Lucy Chen.” he gave her a soft smile and adjusted his backpack on his shoulder. When he turned around Lucy started biting her lower lip, usually something she did when she was deep in her thoughts. She didn't want to let him go. Not because she liked him, God, no. He was so not someone she would even talk with but he was the first person she had met on this trip who didn’t want to get in her pants. She didn't have the time for that. And he had helped her with the plan so…

“Wait, Tim.” She took her suitcase and ran to catch up with him almost tripping over her own legs but catching herself. 

“What?” He asked looking at her confused.

“Come with me on this trip.” Tim looked at her wide-eyed like she had gone completely insane and maybe she was. He could well enough be a serial killer. She didn't know him. She had just met him. But somehow she felt safe around him. Safe enough to offer him to come along. “You know LA, I don’t. All you have seen is the tree and the grass in your backyard but my list has stuff you probably haven’t heard of before. So, I am offering you to come with me and drive me around.”

Tim crossed his arms, skeptical. “Do you know how expensive gas is?” 

“I will pay for it. For it all. For the gas, the food, and if you want, accommodation too, although I am not planning on sleeping much because I do have 24 hours to visit all of these places.”

Tim looked at her considering her offer. She hoped that he would say yes. She needed that. Traveling alone was nice but sometimes it got lonely and then she made choices that she regretted later in the morning. As she waited for his answer, Lucy could hear her heart thumping in her ears. “I can’t believe I am actually agreeing to this.” he finally said. 

“Wait seriously?” Lucy clapped her hands, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Don’t dwell on it or else I will leave you at this train station.” Lucy rolled her eyes but couldn’t contain her excitement. “Just for the record, you are carrying your own bags.”

“Wasn’t thinking of you that highly anyway.” she quipped, grinning as she hurried to keep up with him. He had long legs so his strides were long too. Scurrying behind him she bumped into a few people once again muttering “I’m sorry.” 

Who would’ve thought that sitting next to a grumpy stranger on the train would land her a travel partner for the next twenty-four hours?

What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

10:12 AM

“So where was the first stop?” Tim asked, watching Lucy put her suitcase into the trunk. She struggled with it, clearly weighed down by its ridiculous heaviness. Had she been sleepwalking and packed actual bricks instead of clothes? Why else would her suitcase be so absurdly heavy?

“Need help with that?” he offered casually, just as she finally heaved it in with a triumphant huff.

“Oh, now you ask me.” He playfully smirked as he got into the driver's seat. Lucy followed him, settling into the passenger seat beside him.

“You didn’t answer my question. Where was our first stop?” Before she could respond, her stomach answered for her with a loud, unmistakable growl. She winced. Getting up at 5 AM to catch the train left her no time for breakfast, and now her hunger was taking center stage.

“Well,” she said, pretending to ignore the sound, “I was thinking we could grab breakfast at Republique.” 

Tim raised his eyebrows, surprised. “Seriously?”

“What now?” Her shoulders dropped in exaggerated annoyance. The excitement of having Tim as her travel partner was quickly being replaced by the regret of inviting a professional killjoy.

“Nothing, just…it’s a fancy place. Didn’t consider you to be like that.” 

Lucy found his response interesting. “And what did you consider me like?”

Avoiding her question Tim murmured “Whatever” under his nose and ignited the car. The sound of the car rumbling ready to take on an adventure was like a reminder of why Lucy had offered Tim to join her. It was convenient. 

Lucy despised the awkward silence, the monotonous hum of tires on the freeway doing nothing to make the ride feel less dull. Wanting to put a stop to this silence, she tried to put on some music but her hand got swatted away as soon as she touched the council. 

“No music.” was all he said.

“Wow, you are even lamer than I thought you were.” she quipped. After a few minutes of yet another uncomfortable silence, Lucy turned to study him, watching his focused expression as he drove. 

“So, tell me about yourself.” She tried asking him.

“No personal talk. All I am here to do is drive you from one place to the other, that’s it.” 

Lucy pursed her lips and heavily sighed. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any lamer.” She mumbled to herself but just enough for Tim to hear. Which he did but he ignored it. 

The drive to the café was awkward but when they finally arrived Lucy was ready to hop out and go straight for some fresh croissants. If Tim wasn’t going to fuel her spirit, at least carbs would.

The café was stunning, with sunlight streaming through wide windows and the air filled with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked pastries. Lucy immediately understood why it was a must-visit spot. Even if the food would somehow suck, the ambiance alone would have been worth the stop. Her eyes darted from pastry to pastry, each more enticing than the last, making it nearly impossible to decide what to try first.

“Do you know what you’re going to get?” She looked at Tim who was standing behind her and she only now noticed the height difference between them. 

“A black coffee.”

Her face dropped. There was no way he was being serious. “You are joking, right?”

“Do I look like a comedian to you?” 

“We are at the coolest café in LA and all you want is a black coffee?” 

“You can tell a lot about a place from their coffee.” He shrugged but then his own stomach betrayed him. Noticing, Lucy made a look to prove her point even further. “Fine, I’ll get the ham and cheese croissant.”

“How adventurous of you.” Lucy groaned dramatically at his plain palate and ordered for him. However, when it finally came to order for herself, the struggles of being indecisive came through. “I will have the milk chocolate almond croissant and the matcha strawberry raspberry bundt cake,” she was name-dropping several of the pastries as her eyes scanned the ones that looked the most exciting. 

Moments later, armed with their orders, Lucy took a bite of her croissant and moaned appreciatively as the warm, flaky pastry practically melted on her tongue. “Ooh!” she exclaimed, already fishing her phone out of her back pocket. “Tim, do me a favor - take a photo of me!” She handed him the phone and posed in front of the café, holding her croissant.

“I didn’t plan on being a photographer too.” He groaned but still snapped a few pictures so she could go over them and choose which one she liked the best.

“And would that be a dealbreaker for you?”

“Yes.” he simply nodded.

“I was not asking you to pose with me, just take a picture.” 

“I just don’t want to be standing here for days until I get the right photo for you.” He handed her the phone and surprisingly they weren’t half bad.

“Well, lucky for you, we don’t have days for that,” she sassed, sitting down on a bench near the café. Tim followed and sat beside her, their knees brushing lightly. Lucy half-expected him to scoot away to create more personal space, but he didn’t seem to mind. Oddly enough, neither did she.

They both sat in silence, enjoying their breakfast. Lucy offered him to bite off her delicious pastry from time to time but he always politely declined. 

“So why such a rush? Why cram so many places into just one day?” He asked, finally breaking the silence.

“I thought you said no personal talk.” She grinned and just as she predicted, an eye roll came next. 

“This isn’t a personal question.”

“Well, it is to me.”

“Fine, forget I asked.” Once again they were surrounded by silence. 

The silence returned, heavier this time. Lucy fiddled with the crumbs on her lap, her earlier excitement dimming. She watched him as he gazed straight ahead, his sharp eyes seeming to catalog every passerby. It seemed odd. His focus, the way he seemed to mentally log the details of strangers. Maybe it was just how he was. Observant. Vigilant. Hyper-aware.

“I don’t have much time so I need to visit all of the places I have always wanted to see.” No personal talk be damned. She had to spend the next 24 hours with him and if she wanted to enjoy these hours she wanted to feel comfortable around him.

Tim glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly. “But all these places... You could enjoy them more if you just extended your stay. Why rush?”

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the crumpled pastry wrapper in her hand. “Because I only have a month.”

“A month till what?” She looked at him hoping that he would understand her without saying the words. It’s not that she was ashamed of it or was scared to admit it. She wasn’t. She was dying and there was no going around it. But Lucy wasn’t ready for him to see her differently.

When she had mentioned her diagnosis people started to cradle her. Protect her from everything. A bug on her arm. The smallest drop of rain. It was like people put her in a sealed glass box. But they forgot about one thing. When they did that she was slowly suffocating in her own safety. 

“Let’s go. We need to make it in time for Hollywood Boulevard.” She changed the subject, taking his arm and looking at his watch.

Lucy knew that Tim noticed her avoiding his question but he didn’t ask it again. He let it brush off like the crumbs on her pants. 

“I seriously can’t believe you actually want to go there,” Tim said, frowning as he turned onto a quieter street to avoid traffic and get them to their destination faster.

“It’s a must-see,” she replied with a shrug. “Can you even say you’ve been to L.A. if you haven’t visited the Walk of Fame?”

Tim’s expression remained skeptical. “I think it’s weird to put celebrities on a pedestal. It’s just a giant marketing ploy. Everything revolves around money there. I don’t see the appeal.”

“Well,” she tried to formulate her thoughts. “I don’t think life is only black and white. For me, it’s just to have that one second of hope. Hope that maybe one day I will have my name there. That one second of allowing myself to dream before I am sucked back into the harsh reality of life.”

Tim’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. Lucy couldn’t tell if he was focused on the road or turning her words over in his mind. His brow furrowed slightly, a sign that he was thinking. “I guess I never looked at it like that,” he admitted.

“Why am I not surprised,” she teased, grinning as he pulled into a nearby parking lot.

“We’re here.” Lucy couldn’t believe that she could already cross off one place on her list. As she stepped out of the car, the vibrant energy of Hollywood Boulevard hit her like a wave. Street signs, colorful crowds, and excited voices. It felt like stepping into a movie. She darted from one spot to another, snapping photos with unfiltered joy.

Tim watched Lucy. He had never seen a happier and bubblier person than her. He could almost think that she was injecting herself with some happiness serum. She never took his grumpiness to heart and challenged him too. No one had ever made him change his views on something. For the first time, he saw Hollywood Boulevard as something more than just a crowded place where people would give you a nasty look if you ruined their photo.

Quickly looking behind her, she saw Tim looking around carefully and eyeing every person they walked past. “So what do you do for a living?” He was so focused that Lucy secretly hoped that he would have forgotten his previous rule on personal talk. And thankfully he did.

“I’m a cop.” 

“Oh.” Unknowingly Lucy made a face.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head quickly, but he wasn’t buying it.

“You made a face.”

“I did not make a face.”

“Yeah, you did. I saw it. You frowned.” She frowned again without meaning to, and Tim pointed at her. “Exactly, that face.”

“It’s nothing.” Maybe she did make a face but she wasn't entirely sure why. It’s not that she didn’t expect him to be a cop. It honestly made sense. His observant looks, the no personal talk, his grumpiness. Textbook cop. He had the muscles for it too. “Just means that I can feel safe around you now.”

“You couldn’t before?” He asked sipping his black coffee that had gotten cold by now.

“Don’t blame me,” Lucy quipped. “Blame men. Women always have to wonder if a guy we meet is abusive, a serial killer, or a pedophile…or, in some cases, all three.”

Tim winced because she wasn’t wrong. He had dealt with many men that no woman should trust. He just never thought that someone would think of him that way. “If I have ever made you feel unsafe, I’m sorry. Tell me what I can do to change it.”

Her eyes went a little wide. “Um…” She was rendered speechless. “Well, for starters you could drop the no personal talk rule. I need to get to know you somehow.”

“Fine.” Lucy smiled satisfied with how things turned out and they fell into a silent but comfortable stroll along the Boulevard. When they finally made it to the Walk of Fame, Tim had expected her to bother him with taking pictures again but she had only asked him to take a photo of her when they just got there and now she just walked around reading all the names on the stars. 

Finally being here felt thrilling and scary all at the same time. She was happy to be here but it also meant that she was just one step closer to her final days. Her smile faltered. Looking down at the celebrities' names she realized that even though she could hope for a second, in reality, she would never return here again. She can’t even have that one second of hope.

Tim noticed her change in demeanor. Her excitement had dimmed, and he hated it. After a moment of hesitation, he cleared his throat. “You want me to take a picture of you pretending to point to a star imagining it’s your name on it?”

His simple suggestion made her smile return, a flicker of light after the shadow he’d seen moments ago. “Look at you, coming around on photography,” she teased, brushing aside whatever had been weighing her down seconds before.

“I don’t want to sit in my truck and listen to you whine about how you didn’t take a single photo here.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes not totally convinced of his reasoning. “Mhm, sure.” Tim rolled his eyes, though the faint tug of a smile betrayed him, and took out his phone. To her surprise, he not only took a few photos but even gave her some tips on posing. She couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe he was enjoying this more than he let on.

From that moment on, it seemed that Lucy had gotten back her spark. She kept bouncing on her toes every time she saw something exciting and Tim even let her drag him by the hand when she wanted him to see something. But their time ended sooner than Lucy would have liked. They got back to Tim’s truck and putting directions for the next stop, they were finally off.

“Thank you,” she said softly, glancing at him.

“For what?”

“For asking to take a picture of me,” she clarified, a small smile on her lips.

“No problem.” He kept his eyes focused on the road. Lucy appreciated that he didn't ask her unnecessary questions and let her move on from what had happened without diving into it. 

But as they drove, Lucy’s thoughts swirled. She realized she couldn’t spend the next 24 hours with him without telling him the truth. And something about Tim, his steady presence, his lack of prying, made her feel like she could. Like he wouldn’t react the way everyone else had.

“I have a month left to live.” Tim blinked, his hands tightening on the wheel for a brief second before his grip relaxed. He didn’t say anything immediately, just nodded slowly, as if letting the weight of her words settle.

Maybe she made a mistake by telling him. What if now he would look at her differently or worse…treat her differently?

Chapter Text

11:48 AM

“I have a month left to live.” 

A month. Only a month. Suddenly it made sense why she had only 24 hours to visit all of these places in LA. Why she seemed to vibrate with a restless energy - it wasn’t just about seeing places. It was about squeezing a lifetime into the days she had left.

Tim opened his mouth to finally say something after a minute of silence “Don’t do that.” She said before he could as much as mutter a word.

“Do what?”

“Look at me like that and say that you are sorry.” She was over people having the same reaction. Every time they looked at her with pity in their eyes and then told her how sorry they were that she was going through it and to keep hoping. That miracles do tend to happen. She was over miracles. Fuck the miracles. She had a month left to live and no miracle would change it. It was better to accept the harsh reality and move on than to constantly think about it and hope for something to happen. 

“I wasn’t going to do that.” He quickly took his eyes off the road to give her a look.

“Yes, you were.”

"Stop assuming what I'm gonna do or say. I was not.” His voice was a little sharp like her accusations struck a sensitive chord for him. “I was going to say that it sucks.”

“Sucks?” Lucy repeated, her brows lifting in surprise. Of all the responses she had braced herself for, that wasn’t one of them.

“Yeah, it sucks. It sucks because you clearly have so much more stuff to see and you won’t be able to fully immerse yourself into the experience before you have to move to another destination. Also, you’re annoying and now I have to tolerate you even more.” 

A laugh escaped her, breaking the tension. If she had been uncertain about telling him, that doubt disappeared. She hadn’t made a mistake.

Lucy reached for the radio again, but Tim caught her hand and pushed it away with an exaggerated sigh. “Dying or not, you’re not playing your music.”

“You’re such a killjoy.”

“We will be there soon anyway.”

“Okay, if you don’t want to listen to some music, let’s talk.” Tim glanced her way, his expression neutral but his silence revealing how unenthusiastic he was about the idea. “What were you doing in San Diego?” 

He sighed, regretting his decision to avoid the music. But then Lucy’s curious brown eyes locked onto his, sparkling with a mix of mischief and genuine interest, and he relented. “Visiting someone.”

“Uuuu, someone. So a girl.” She wiggled her eyes and teasingly smiled.

“I didn’t say that.” 

“You didn't have to. Your tone said it all.” 

“My tone?”

“Yes, and the fact that you said ‘someone’ all mysterious. But then again mysterious is like your second name…I still think you visited a girl.”

“A woman.” Tim corrected her dryly.

“Defensive,” Lucy noted. “Just further proves my point.” 

“Forget about it.” Tim rolled his eyes turning into the Eaton Canyon parking lot. He remembered this on her list and if he was honest with himself, he had always wanted to come here. Somehow, he just never got around to it. Now, glancing at Lucy rummaging through her backpack with her usual excitement, he felt a flicker of gratitude that he was doing this with her. The place had a great reputation, and maybe her relentless optimism would make the hike even better. Wait. Hike.

“Uh…Lucy?” he said cautiously. She looked up, her face open and ready to hear him out. “I think you might have to do this one alone.”

Her shoulders and face fell. “What? Why?” She looked genuinely disappointed but then it changed to slight annoyance. “Don’t tell me you hate hiking too. I swear to god, I can’t please you-”

“I am not dressed properly.” She looked him up and down and he was right. He was wearing sneakers, jeans, and a grey hanley that sculpted the muscles on his arms quite beautifully but she wouldn’t admit that out loud.

She tilted her head, giving him a quick once-over. “You’re right,” she said, feigning agreement, though she wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. Spying his backpack in the trunk, she grabbed it. 

“Wait, what are you doing?” Tim exclaimed, watching in disbelief as Lucy unzipped his bag and started going through it.

“Here.” She threw him some shorts and a T-shirt. Tim looked at the clothing in his hands and frowned. “Good thing you have your stuff with you, am I right?” she said nonchalantly. 

“You went through my stuff without my permission.”

“But I found you something to wear, didn’t I?” 

Tim gave her a deadly look and then sighed heavily. He had completely forgotten about his backpack but he was at least thankful that she hadn’t discovered anything embarrassing in there. Not that he had. At least he thought so. “I don’t appreciate how you went through my stuff like that.”

“Too bad, sunshine.” She was unbothered by his protests, already digging through her bag for her own outfit. “You’re my travel buddy, which means no backing out. Now, will you excuse me while I change?”

“Sure.” He sighed and with one last glance at the clothes, he changed into them too. By the time he was done, Lucy emerged, and for a moment, Tim forgot how to speak. She had swapped her earlier outfit for tight black leggings that hugged her curves in all the right ways and a slightly cropped T-shirt that hinted at her toned figure. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and a pair of sunglasses rested on her face. A backpack slung over her shoulder completed the look, making her seem effortlessly put together.

“Ready to go?” she asked, her voice casual and bright.

Tim blinked, forcing himself to snap out of it. “Uh, yeah,” he mumbled, motioning toward the trail. He followed behind her and Tim tried everything in his power to keep eyes on the road in front of him. But he couldn't stop occasionally checking her out. He wasn’t blind. She was beautiful. If they had met under different circumstances he would’ve flirted with her and then maybe even asked her out. 

They hiked for a while, following the signs without any issues. The trail was peaceful, the sound of their footsteps mixing with the rustling leaves and distant chirping birds. At one point, Lucy paused to sip water from her bottle before casually glancing at Tim. “Who is the girl or woman who you were visiting?”

Tim didn’t really like talking about it. He felt like a failure every time he thought of it but weirdly enough he didn't feel that when he looked at Lucy. He felt that he could trust her. Talk to her without getting judged. And it wasn’t because she had been open about her illness. He respected her for saying it openly but he felt like he could talk to her before that. He was just scared of that. He had never found talking easy but the way she carried herself, like she could strip away all the unnecessary weight from a moment made his walls break down, brick by brick.  

“I was visiting my ex-wife,” he admitted after a moment. “She just got out of rehab and moved into a new place. I was dropping off some of the stuff she’d left behind.”

“Rehab?”

“She was an undercover cop,” Tim explained. “Got in too deep and ended up addicted to some pretty serious stuff. It took her getting shot to realize she needed help. I tried to get her into rehab earlier, but she just...disappeared. Took off for months. At one point, I wasn’t even sure if she was still alive.”

“How is she now?” 

Thinking back to his visit, he was pleasantly surprised to see Isabel so calm and…normal. He saw a glimpse of her he once knew. “Healthy. She got herself a small apartment in a safe neighborhood, she got a job, and bought many plants to take care of.” 

“That’s good.” Lucy nodded and put her water bottle back in her backpack to continue their hike. “When did you two get divorced if you don’t mind me asking.”

Tim didn’t flinch at the question. Somehow, Lucy’s curiosity didn’t feel intrusive. “We decided to separate when I visited her in rehab. It felt like the right thing to do for both of us.”

“I hope you don’t feel guilty about all of this.”

“I do,” he admitted.

Lucy stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. Her voice softened, but her words carried a strength that made Tim pause. “You could’ve dragged her to rehab, sure. But it wouldn’t have worked. She had to choose to get better, Tim. And she did. You gave her the space to make that decision for herself, and that’s huge. You also stayed in her corner, even when she was at her lowest. That’s not easy to do, especially when you’ve been hurt. You showed her that forgiveness is possible and that she wasn’t completely alone. You kept your vows, Tim. You didn’t abandon her when she was struggling. That’s something to be proud of.”

Tim stared at her, letting her words settle. For so long, he’d carried guilt like a weight on his shoulders, convinced he hadn’t done enough. But hearing Lucy’s perspective. Hearing someone validate his choices, chipped away at that guilt, bit by bit. Maybe he could forgive himself too.

“Thank you,” he said quietly, his voice thick with sincerity.

“Don’t thank me,” Lucy replied with a playful smirk, giving his shoulder a light shove.

With a new sense of clarity and a lighter heart, Tim and Lucy kept on walking. He was still deep in his thoughts about everything that happened with Isabel but that one conversation with Lucy shifted his perspective just a little bit. It wasn’t long until they saw a sign that made them stop in their tracks.

Dangerous path ahead!

Attempt only if you are a professional and at your own risk!

Lucy’s eyes lit up with excitement as she turned to Tim. “Ready to go?” she asked, her grin brimming with enthusiasm.

His face immediately fell, either she didn't read the sign or she was a crazy person. “The sign clearly says to attempt the path only if you are a professional and I don’t consider myself one.”

“Oh, c’mon. Are you scared of a little bit of adrenaline?” She fastened the straps of her backpack and adjusted her ponytail. “I at least hoped that you would be a little more adventurous.”

“I get enough adrenaline on the job, thanks,” Tim replied dryly, studying the steep, uneven trail. His gut twisted with unease, a feeling he’d learned never to ignore. “This is reckless, Lucy.”

“No, this is the thrill of living,” she corrected, already stepping past the sign. Pausing to look back, she gave him a dramatic eye roll. “Fine, I’ll go alone. But if I fall and die, it’s on you.”

She kept on going further and despite his gut feeling, he deflated “Fuck it.” He murmured under his nose and went to catch up with her. When he stepped next to her, she glanced at him with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying her small victory.

The further they went the stronger the weird tugging feeling in his stomach became. As a police officer, he never ignored it. Gut feeling wasn’t something to take lightly so he scanned the area more than he had done it before. It didn’t help that the path was becoming more difficult. The rocks were slippery and the path was steep. Actually, it was very steep. 

His heart nearly jumped out of his mouth when he saw Lucy slip and almost fall on a sharp rock. Thankfully he was close enough to catch her by the hand, helping her regain her balance. 

“Uh, thank you.” She chuckled like it was not a big deal. 

“Are you okay?” He looked at her ankle and then at her hand trying to search for injuries but saw none. 

“Relax, Tim, I’m fine.” She gave his shoulder a reassuring pat before continuing down the trail. This time, though, she slowed her pace, stepping more cautiously. The path soon turned into what felt more like rock climbing than hiking. Lucy took the lead, and Tim followed close behind, keeping a careful eye on her every move. But there was one problem. He was starting to feel that he was way too close to her. As she was trying to get on top of a big rock she was struggling to push herself up.

Tim reached out to help her up, but he didn’t think about where his hands landed. He pushed her upward without issue, and she climbed onto the ledge. When Tim pulled himself up to join her, she turned to him with her hands on her hips and her eyebrows raised.

“Did you just grab my butt?” 

Tim felt all of the life leave his body. If it was possible he might even say that all of his blood evaporated and he could be pronounced dead.  

“I- I wasn’t. I was just trying to push you up. It’s not my fault your ass was right in my face.”

Seeing him stutter, Lucy decided to torture him a little more. “You so wanted to feel me up. You know, I noticed you checking me out but I didn’t realize that you would take action so suddenly and boldly.” 

It was funny to see how his eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. “Lucy, I seriously didn’t mean it like that.” He put his hand over his heart to further prove his sincerity. “You were climbing up and struggling so I just impulsively tried to push you up. I didn’t even want to touch your butt.” 

But then, as if his words weren’t enough of a disaster, Tim noticed too late that his hands had instinctively started to gesture - his movements unintentionally mimicking the shape of her butt as he explained. Realizing how bad it looked, he immediately shoved his hands into his pockets, his face flushed.

“You think my butt is gross?” She narrowed her eyes.

“What? No!” His voice climbed an octave as he scrambled to backtrack. “I meant it wasn’t intentional! Your butt is beautiful.” The moment the word slipped out, Tim wanted to disappear. Beautiful? Is that really the word he landed on? 

“Beautiful, huh?” Lucy’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and she tilted her head, leaning in slightly.

“Wait, I didn’t mean it like—” Tim started, but his brain short-circuited as Lucy stepped closer. Before he could piece together a coherent sentence, she smirked, reached out, and gave his butt a playful smack.

“I think your butt is beautiful too,” she quipped before turning on her heel and sauntering off with a laugh, leaving Tim standing there, completely stunned. He hadn’t expected this to happen and he most certainly hadn’t expected her to flirt with him. But she was just teasing. Right? Seeing her glance back at him with a smirk he knew. She was just teasing. 

Turns out just a few more steps and they were finally at the top of the mountain. The sight of the waterfall below and the endless expanse of greenery took their breath away. It was stunning. It was the kind of view that made the hike worth every risky step.

Lucy closed her eyes feeling the wind blow on her face. The fresh air fill her lungs. She had made it. She was here and she was at peace. Just the one thing she had longed for. Peace. She extended her arms and let the breeze hug her. 

Tim stayed back, giving her space but keeping close enough to catch her if she stumbled. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Not in a romantic way, he told himself. Just to make sure she was safe. But something about the way she stood there, so free and radiant, made him reach for his phone. Without a word, he took a few photos, capturing her silhouette against the breathtaking view.

When Lucy finally turned around, her smile was soft and peaceful, as though she didn’t want to disturb the magic of the moment. “Ready to head back?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.

“Yeah.” 

The path down was a little easier. They still had to be careful to not slip or tumble, and Tim made sure to keep his hands to himself this time to avoid any more embarrassment. 

But then his stomach dropped. The gut feeling came back and then it all made sense. He knew he should’ve trusted his gut no matter what. 

“Lucy…” he started, his voice low and tense as she froze beside him, her eyes locked on the figure up ahead. Her face paled. “Is that a bear?”

Chapter Text

1:30 PM

“Lucy, is that a bear?”

“Well, it certainly doesn’t look like a dog.” She shot back whispering. 

He knew better than to ignore his gut feeling but he just couldn’t stand back. He wasn’t going to let Lucy go alone so, yes, he ignored the feeling and now he had ended up staring right in the eyes of a bear. This was the way he was going to die. Staring at a gun pointing directly at him didn’t scare him as much as the bear in front of him. How do you escape the bear? Which one did you have to intimidate? Which one was the one you only stared at not moving? Brown? Black? 

Maybe he could fight the bear? 

Could he fight it? No, that was insane. The bear would win.

They say your life flashes before your eyes when you’re in mortal danger, but Tim wasn’t seeing anything. Not his childhood, not his career, not even his regrets. Just…blank. Maybe that was a blessing.

But when Tim saw Lucy take a step forward to the bear with her hand outstretched and taking cautious and small steps, it wasn’t his life that flashed before his eyes. Rather the life of Lucy’s. What the hell was she doing?

“Lucy, what are you doing?” Tim hissed, frozen in place, his gaze bouncing between the bear and Lucy. The bear’s dark eyes glimmered with curiosity or was that hunger? She wasn’t even fazed. When she stepped on a branch the bear let out a sound that startled both of them but Lucy didn’t run. She kept on walking closer to it.

“Woah!” Was all she said before she took another step forward. “It’s a bear.”

“I know!” Tim whisper-yelled, trying to stay as motionless as possible. “That didn’t answer my question. What are you doing?” Tim asked keeping his eyes locked on the bear. 

“Hey, mama.” Lucy was a couple of steps away from the bear and the fact that it was still standing still and wasn’t running to them was quite surprising. Usually, he had heard people say that they used to chase the people. Not this one. Was it possible that the bear felt calm around Lucy?

“How do you know she’s a she?”

“It’s a woman thing. A connection,” Lucy said with a casual shrug, taking one final, fearless step toward the bear. The massive creature didn’t move. It just stood there, watching her, its body calm and unthreatening. Somehow, it almost seemed…curious. “Hey, mama,” Lucy murmured softly, her voice gentle and reassuring as she reached out.

Tim watched in disbelief as Lucy slowly placed her hand on the bear’s nose and it leaned into her touch, closing its eyes in what looked like complete trust.

She befriended a fucking bear. 

“You are beautiful,” Lucy whispered, her voice filled with awe as her fingers sank into the bear’s thick fur. The bear responded with a low, content sound, almost like a purr, as if it enjoyed the compliment.

Lucy giggled softly. “Thank you,” she said as though they were exchanging pleasantries. She turned her head to glance at Tim, catching him staring slack-jawed. Following the bear’s gaze to him, she added with a grin, “I know, right?” She talked to the bear like they spoke the same language. 

Tim was frozen, trying to process what was happening. Meanwhile, Lucy ran her fingers through the bear’s fur as though it were the world’s largest, fluffiest dog.

When she finally stepped back, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction, she turned to Tim and tilted her head. “Are you ready to go, or are you planning to stand there all day?”

“Did the bear give you the permission to go?”

“She did.” Lucy gave one final hug to the bear and grabbed Tim by the hand while dragging him down the path. Looking back, he made sure that the bear didn’t follow him but for a moment it looked like it stared him down to judge whether or not he was allowed to go with Lucy. 

“What was all that?” Tim finally exclaimed when they were a good distance away from the bear that Lucy could now call her bestie. 

Lucy tossed him a smug look over her shoulder. “I thought you might thank me. You know, considering I just saved both of our lives.”

“Have you done that before?”

“No.” She said nonchalantly.

“Did you know that it’s going to work?”

Lucy looked at him with wide eyes like she had been caught. “Also, no.”

Tim was starting to wonder if this was just a side effect of her diagnosis or was she always this reckless. But he couldn’t deny it. It was hot. Wait, no, attractive. No, scratch that—beautiful. No, cool! Yes, cool. That’s what he meant! What she did was impressive.

“What you did there was…” He trailed off, choosing his words carefully to avoid more internal spiraling.

“Stupid?” Lucy raised a challenging brow, clearly ready for him to criticize her.

“No. Impressive.” Lucy blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and she gave him a shy, almost bashful smile. The sight tugged at something deep inside him. She was cute. “Most of the guys I work with wouldn’t have even thought to try what you just did today”

Lucy chuckled softly, seemingly pleased by the compliment. “You know, there was a time when I thought I wanted to join the police academy.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“My parents made me go to psychology.” She gave a very fake smile that did not make her eyes sparkle the way he liked to see. 

“That’s a shame,” he said gently. “You would’ve made a great cop. Hell, you might’ve even been my rookie. And then I could’ve tormented you for months.”

“Oh, I am sure you would have.” She chuckled.

The trail down (if you take out the bear part) was relatively easy. It certainly went by faster than it did when they were walking up the mountain. And maybe it did feel like it went by faster because of their conversation that flowed easily but there was no way of telling. 

Talking to her was easy and if he were honest with himself he doesn’t remember the last time he had talked this much. This might be the first time he actually had talked this much. He noticed himself starting the conversation, asking her follow-up questions sometimes he even exclaimed when he wanted to add something to her story. And he didn’t hold back sharing his stories. They laughed and his cheeks were starting to hurt from how much he was smiling. If anyone who knew him would see him, well…they would definitely think that something was wrong with him and maybe would admit him into the hospital to check if he didn’t have a brain tumor. 

Brain tumor or not, it was all Lucy. Her radiant energy made him want to talk to her more and more. And maybe never stop. 

Tim didn’t even notice how they were at the finish when he saw the waterfall now from the bottom and how there was a pool of water were some people went for a swim. He looked at the sight in front of him. It was once again beautiful. He saw people taking pictures, kids laughing as they were splashing water on each other, Lucy taking off her clothes, the dragonfly flying across his nose- Wait. His eyes snapped back to Lucy who had already taken off her shirt and now was shimmying herself out of her dangerously tight leggings. 

She pulled her hair into a bun and was standing in nothing but a swimsuit. 

“Uh… what are you doing?” he managed to choke out. He was starting to lose count as to how many times he had asked her this question already. 

When she turned around her smile turned into a frown when she scanned his body up and down. “Why are you still dressed?” 

“Why are you undressed?”

“I am going for a swim.” She said as if it was common sense. “Aren’t you?” 

“No.” 

“Why?”

“Because.” His tone was clipped, and he refused to elaborate further. There was no way he was stepping foot in that water, and that was final.

“Fine. At least put this in my bag while I enjoy some cold, refreshing water.” She smirked, handing a ring to him, but just when he thought he’d escaped her teasing, she leaned in close, her breath brushing against his ear. “Enjoy the view, mister ‘I think your butt is beautiful.’ ” With a wink, she spun around and headed toward the water, leaving him completely dumbstruck.

He had to clarify what he meant with that because she was having way too much fun with this and he wasn’t sure if he would last long feeling this flustered. That woman had broken his brain way too many times today and if he wanted some normal brain function still intact, he had to draw some boundaries. 

But as he watched her float on her back, eyes closed, completely at ease, those boundaries started to feel less and less important. His gaze lingered on her as water glistened on her skin, sunlight reflecting off the droplets. She was… stunning.

She swam closer to him, her grin mischievous. “So, you’re seriously not going to swim?”

“No.” He replied with an even tone.

“Why not?” she asked, tilting her head to look up at him from the water.

“Because. You have no idea how many people have peed in there.” He gestured toward a man nearby who had his eyes closed and a suspiciously contented smile on his face. “Look at that guy. You can’t tell me he didn’t just pee.”

“You’re a control freak aren’t you.” She narrowed her eyes analyzing him. 

“I am not a control freak.”

“Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “So take a swim. Prove it.”

“I won’t” He crossed his arms over his chest not willing to fall for her trap. 

“Suit yourself.” She groaned, clearly annoyed by his lack of spontaneity. Then she extended a hand toward him. “Fine, can you at least help me out? The steps are covered in algae, and I hate the feeling of it.” Tim sighed and reached down to take her hand. The moment their fingers intertwined, she yanked him into the water with a surprising amount of strength. With his clothes on!

When his head popped out of the water, which was definitely full of piss, he heard her let out the biggest un fullest belly laugh he had ever heard. Her laughter was so infectious that he couldn’t help but smile. “You lied.” 

“You lied too. You are a control freak.” She swam closer to him. “Also it’s cute how you fluster whenever I do something that gets you out of your comfort zone.” He wasn’t sure what exactly she was referring to but the conversation about her butt was still spinning in his mind. “But I don’t have to try too hard because you yourself keep getting into awkward situations. Now tell me, is my butt really that beautiful?” 

“Lucy, I…” He took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable when I- when I pushed you up.”

Her laughter softened into a chuckle. “Relax, Tim. I am just messing with you.” Before he could process her words, she swam closer, so close that her arms slipped around his neck. His heart rate spiked as he struggled to keep both of them above water. Then she leaned in, her lips brushing the shell of his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. “But I sure do hope that you meant what you said about my butt because I definitely did.” She pushed herself away from him, winked, and then swam away from him. 

Whatever game she was playing, he wasn’t sure how much more he could handle. Was she flirting with him? Was she messing with him? Or was this just Lucy being Lucy?

“C’mon, sunshine. For how long are you going to splash around in there?” With a towel in her hands, she called out to him with a smirk on her lips. “Remember about the pee water.” 

Ew.

That was enough of a reminder for him to get out of the water as quickly as possible. Lucy tossed him a towel before turning away to get dressed. As she slipped back into her clothes, Tim caught her pulling out a notebook. She wrote something down, and then put it back in her notebook. He didn’t ask her what she wrote, mostly because he wasn’t sure how to continue the conversation after whatever just happened between them. 

“Ready for lunch?” she asked finally, packing the towels back into her backpack.

“Uh…yeah. Yeah, I am.” 

“Good.” There was something behind her smile. Something that didn’t entirely convince him, but to not make things more awkward between them he brushed it off. Ignored it. Tried to move on, but the feeling of her hands wrapped around his neck and the shiver that went down his spine still lingered, and he didn't know what to do with that. All he knew was that he liked her. 

At least that much he could admit to himself.

Chapter Text

2 PM

Lucy tried to keep her composure, but she couldn’t help glancing at Tim as he drove. His white shirt had clung to his chest, the damp fabric outlining the lean, athletic build that was revealed when she’d pulled him into the water. Stupid shirt. Stupid water. Stupid muscles. She sighed, forcing her gaze out the window.

It was like she had lost whatever self-control she had around him and she was doing stuff without even thinking. Maybe she was finally experiencing the effects of her illness…What was she even doing? Whispering in Tim’s ear, draping her arms around his neck, spanking him. And while she could admit that part was hilarious, it didn’t make her behavior any less impulsive or reckless. 

There was something undeniable between them, an energy she couldn’t explain but also couldn’t ignore. She’d let herself get too comfortable- too attached. And now? Now she had to pretend that she wasn’t starting to like him.

No, that she could handle. She’d blame it all on “messing with him” if he ever brought it up. Easy.

Except it wasn’t.

Lucy let out a soft sigh and sank further into her seat. She could practically feel her life mocking her. Of course, she thought bitterly, of all the times to meet someone like him, it had to be now.

When they had finally gotten back to Tim’s truck, she had tried her best to avoid staring at him. She had focused on anything else - the scenery, the car door, her shoes…anything but him . Changing into dry clothes helped, but knowing what was under the shirt didn’t exactly make things easier. Even now when he was wearing his gray henley, it felt like torture. The next 20 hours were going to be pure agony.

“This was nice, actually,” Tim said, breaking the silence as they stopped at a red light. “I should bring Kojo here someday.”

“Kojo?”

“Yeah, my dog.”

It made so much sense. He seemed like a dog person. Another check on the list of reasons why Tim was annoyingly perfect. “You have a dog? And you left him home all alone?” 

“I’m not cruel!” His voice pitched slightly in defense. “He’s at my friend’s house while I’m gone.”

“Tell me about your friends.” It was nice how she had gotten to know Tim in just a few hours but a lot could be told about someone from who their friends were. She was just hoping to hear that his friends would be horrible sexist men and that would be just enough for her to get over her silly little crush on Tim. 

“I don’t have a lot of friends. They are mostly the people I work with but Angela would probably hurt me if I didn’t mention her.” 

Lucy hadn’t expected him to say that he was friends with a woman. Maybe there was something between them. But before she could make any assumptions or silently cheer for her and have a reason not to crush over him he went and ruined it all. “She’s married,” Tim blurted out, glancing at her like it was critical she understood. “She’s like a sister to me. I’d never date her. Ever.”

“Oookay.” She slightly chuckled. “And what is she like?”

“Scary.” From all the words she had expected him to say scary wasn’t one of them. “And annoying.”

“Just like me?” 

“Not really.” Tim shook his head as he pulled into the parking lot. “You’re annoying, but it’s the kind that doesn’t bother you. Angela, though? She meddles. Constantly. She’s always trying to set me up with someone or calling me out on stuff. It’s like… sibling-level annoying.”

Lucy hopped out of the car, feeling a flicker of something she wasn’t ready to name. “Am I sibling-level annoying?”

“No.” The answer came quickly… too quickly. He didn’t even pause to think about it. Lucy bit her lip to keep from smiling. Yay! Wait, no! Pull it together, Lucy. Distance. Focus .

“And here I thought that I could hit you when you are annoying me.”

“You have the whole day for that.” He smirked and opened the doors for Lucy. 

Inside, Lucy was instantly overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. People moved through the lively Grand Central Market, arms full with fresh goodies. The scent of fresh bread and sizzling spices filled the air, mingling with the chatter of excited voices.

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with an enthusiasm that was practically contagious, her gaze darting from one place to the other. Meanwhile, Tim stood behind her, hands stuffed in his pockets, casting a doubtful glance at their surroundings. From all the trendy spots Los Angeles had to offer, this was the place she had picked - an overcrowded place that didn’t have anything that special about it. 

Lucy spun on her heel, her hair bouncing as she turned to face him. “So, what are you going to get?” she chirped, her voice laced with excitement.

“Whatever you are.” With his hands in his pockets, he looked around not as much as looking at her.

“So if I’m gonna say that I want to go and eat sushi you wouldn’t be opposed to it?”

“No.” He shrugged like it was no big deal. And it wasn’t. There wasn’t much that would throw him off when it came to food, except for one thing - mushrooms. 

“Fine. Let’s grab some sushi, then,” Lucy declared with a flair of triumph, already stepping toward the counter before he could even blink. She ordered an impressive spread - rolls of every kind, little towers of sashimi, and dishes whose names Tim wasn’t even sure he could pronounce.

By the time they sat down, Lucy was practically vibrating with excitement. Her fingers tapped against the table, and her legs bounced beneath it. Tim smirked, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. She was like this everywhere they went. Buzzing, beaming, entirely enthralled by the moment. And weirdly, he liked it. It was like watching sunlight in motion.

He realized then that he felt relieved that her trip seemed to be everything she’d hoped for. Or at least mostly.

She definitely hadn’t expected to start liking the asshole whom she sat next to on the train. 

“Why here? You could’ve chosen any other place in LA to have lunch, but you decided here,” Tim asked her, watching her look around excitedly. 

“My friend from high school had told me about this place. I have to admit that it didn’t sound very enticing at first but the story she told me, well, I had to see this place with my own eyes. She told me about how her grandparents had met here.” 

Tim leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand. “What’s the story?” 

“Her grandpa was selling fresh fruit here every day since he was a teenager and one day he sold fresh mangos to a beautiful lady. All he did was hand her the three mangos and when their hands touched, apparently they both felt an electric bolt go through them. Electricity.”

Tim raised a brow, intrigued despite himself. For a moment, Lucy hesitated, her mind flickering to a memory of the brief, electric jolt that sparked when their hands had brushed while getting off the train. She quickly dismissed it. Static. Nothing more.

“After that,” she continued, “he always set aside the best three mangos, hoping she’d come back. And she did. They’d chat a little every time. Eventually, she got frustrated and said he’d better ask her out already since she’d been buying mangos just to see him.”

Tim grinned, leaning in closer. “And? Did he ask her out?”

Lucy’s face lit up. “He did. That night, they talked until the sun came up. Two weeks later, he proposed.”

Tim couldn’t help but smile, her joy infectious. Her voice was like honey, warm and captivating as she recounted the tale. And though he didn’t say it, he realized he wouldn’t mind listening to her talk for hours.

“Every time she told me this story I had envisioned this place so I had to come here and see this place with my own eyes.”

“And?” Tim asked, watching her closely. “Is it what you thought it’d be?”

She looked around one more time before returning her eyes to Tim who looked at her with nothing but endearment. “Pretty much.” 

“Good.” As he nodded the guy brought them all of their sushi. Lucy’s mouth instantly watered. “This is so much food. Are you sure we are going to finish it all?”

Lucy looked up at him skeptically. “Are you afraid of a little bit of challenge, Bradford?”

“Not at all.” Snapping the two chapsticks he smirked as he rolled them in his hands. “Not at all.” He popped a sushi roll into his mouth and moaned as the flavors hit him. Lucy mirrored him, her eyes fluttering shut as she savored her first bite.

As they ate, Tim found his mind wandering, a question bubbling to the surface. He chewed it over, hesitant, but it refused to go away. Finally, he set his chopsticks down, his voice quieter now. “Can I ask you something? It might ruin the mood, though.”

Lucy froze mid-bite, already sensing where this was headed. She swallowed, her gaze steady. “Sure.”

“How are you so positive? Don’t you get scared?” 

The question caught her off guard. She’d been asked a lot of things about her diagnosis, but never that. She blinked, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. Tim didn’t rush her, his expression open and patient.

“At first, yeah. I was terrified,” she admitted. “But then I realized that being scared doesn’t change anything. It just keeps you from appreciating what’s right in front of you.” She gestured to the bustling restaurant around them. “I decided not to waste my time being afraid. If this is all I get, I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”

Tim nodded, his expression serious but warm. "So you’re not letting fear control you."

“No,” she said firmly. “Life threw me a curveball, and instead of letting it stop me, I decided to prove it wrong. I’m going to live life the way it was meant to be lived.”

Tim leaned back, contemplating her words. After a beat, he asked quietly, “Don’t you ever feel sad that it took a terminal diagnosis to make you finally chase your dreams? To do what you’ve always wanted?”

“No.” She shrugged nonchalantly like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Mad? Maybe. Sad? Never. I mean, it got me here, didn’t it? And how can I be sad when I’m sitting here, eating amazing sushi, and having a real conversation with someone for the first time in God knows how long?”

Tim raised an eyebrow at her last comment. “So I’m not an asshole anymore?”

Lucy’s lips twitched into a smirk, and she narrowed her eyes playfully. “You still are, but I’m starting to think you’re not completely hopeless. You’re earning points.” She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a teasing whisper. “But if you ever try to get me to boost your ego again, I’ll call you an asshole for the rest of the day.”

Tim smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. “You just gave me the best ego boost I’ve had all day.”

Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically, but it was clear she was holding back a smile. “What about you, though?” she shot back. “Why do you keep up this grumpy man persona when you’re obviously not like that?”

He took a long moment before answering, his gaze steady. “Why do you think I’m not?”

“Because when I first met you on that train, you were the coldest guy I’d ever met. You still try to keep up that ‘grumpy man’ act, but it’s pretty clear you like me too much to stick with it.”

“I need some time to open up to someone.” He shrugged. If he were being honest with himself, opening up to her was easy. It almost scared him just how easy it really was. “I have never had people that I could really trust so now I need more time than anyone else would need.  Trust isn’t something I hand out.”

“You opened up to me pretty quickly, though,” she observed.

“Because you’re relentless. I can’t seem to say no to you and that is annoying.” 

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. “That’s true. You’ve said yes to everything I’ve asked you so far, yes to coming with me, yes to taking photos, yes to hiking, yes to climbing the dangerous path to see the waterfall, yes to going for a swim-”

“That I specifically remember not agreeing to. You pulled me in.”

“Everyone has their own side of the story.” 

Tim shot her a knowing look. “What side of the story could you possibly have? I clearly said no, and you just threw me in.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“And now you’re playing dumb, nice.” The conversation faltered as their gazes locked, the air around them suddenly feeling different. The bustling sounds of the restaurant, clinking dishes, and murmurs of conversation faded into a distant hum. It was just the two of them now, and the world seemed to pause.

Lucy’s breath caught as her finger brushed lightly against his on the table. It was like an electric shock, a jolt of something neither of them could ignore. This time, neither of them pulled away. They simply sat there, frozen, locked in each other’s gaze.

Her mind screamed at her to look away, to shift the conversation, to break the tension before it consumed them both. But she couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away. Her heart pounded in her chest, and every thought, every instinct, screamed two words she desperately tried to ignore.

Kiss him.

Tim’s gaze softened as it locked onto hers. His thoughts raced, tripping over each other. He wasn’t just looking into her eyes, he was cataloging them. How they gleamed like coffee in the morning light. How they danced with mischief when she teased him. How they dimmed slightly when she thought no one was looking. Then, as if his brain decided to betray him, his focus slipped down to her lips.

Were they always that pink? He couldn’t help wondering. They looked impossibly soft, like the petal of a flower he wasn’t supposed to touch but couldn’t resist. His thoughts spiraled, and without realizing it, his gaze lingered too long. Down. Down. Until it was impossible not to notice the way her lips parted slightly, as if they were inviting him closer.

His hand twitched at his side. He wanted to reach out. To close the unbearable gap between them. He wasn’t thinking anymore, he was acting on instinct. Tim’s thumb brushed across her bottom lip as he cupped her cheek.

Lucy froze. Every nerve in her body fired at once as his warm hand lingered on her skin. She blinked rapidly, her brain screaming ‘What is happening?!’ but her heart quietly whispering ‘Let it happen.’

“Soy sauce,” Tim murmured, his voice low and almost apologetic as he swiped the offending spot from her chin.

“Oh!” She exclaimed when she felt him swipe off the sauce from her chin. It was like a wake-up call. Like the warm touch of his finger unfroze her from the world she was in. “That’s embarrassing.” 

"Don’t be," he said quietly, trying to mask the frustration in his voice. His fingers left her skin now that the moment was gone. 

Lucy, as if sensing the shift in the air, quickly changed the subject, clearly uncomfortable with the tension now hanging between them. "I’m full, but we should go now if we want to make it in time." She stood up swiftly, leaving a tip on the table.

“Wait, Lucy.” Tim’s voice was low, and hesitant as he reached out and grabbed her wrist. It wasn’t a forceful grip, but enough to make her stop. He was looking at her with those eyes that spoke volumes of emotions she hadn’t seen before. There was uncertainty there, a trace of disappointment, and… something else. Something that made her heart stutter for a second. Longing?

Her breath hitched in her chest. Oh no. He was feeling it too.

The same thing that had been building between them, unspoken and electric, now hung thick in the air, impossible to ignore.

Lucy exhaled sharply, trying to regain control of the situation, to break the tension that was suddenly too much to handle. "Let’s go." Her voice came out a little strained, her hand slipping from his touch as she stepped back, away from him, her body already moving toward the exit of the central market. She couldn’t look back, couldn’t face whatever that moment had been.

This was going to be awkward. So awkward.

Chapter Text

3:36 PM

Lucy did her best to ignore the way Tim kept glancing at her as they strolled toward the Balloon Museum. His gaze wasn’t just a look, it was heavy with unspoken questions, his brow slightly furrowed, lips pressed like he was holding back a thousand words. She could practically hear his thoughts. He probably thought he’d crossed some invisible line. But her ignoring it didn’t make it any easier for either of them. It wasn’t his fault she was a walking contradiction right now. She wanted to kiss him…desperately. But then there was the fact that she had just met him, and she was already, possibly, falling for him. And, oh yeah, the other small detail: she was dying. How’s that for a mood killer?

Tim on the other hand was confused. Suddenly the confident and flirtatious Lucy was closed off. Maybe he misinterpreted the whole situation with her. He actually almost convinced himself of it. Almost. Until she glanced back at him with those big brown eyes that seemed to strip him bare. That look, for a fleeting second, made him think that maybe she felt it too. But just as quickly, she turned away again, leaving him doubtful.

And so, Tim stuck to the plan or, rather, his lack of one. He didn’t make any moves, didn’t say anything remotely risky. He kept their conversation light and breezy. But every moment of silence was filled with the overwhelming questions in his head. He couldn’t stop imagining her lips. Would they be soft, like he thought? Or would they surprise him, firmer, commanding, just like the rest of her? What shade of pink would they be after a kiss? And her taste. God, how long would it linger? Long enough to drive him insane, surely.

He’d never felt this way about anyone, not even Isabel, and that realization hit him like a punch to the gut. 

“Oh, shoot! I forgot to take a picture at the market.” Lucy suddenly stopped, her eyes widening as the realization hit her like a train. Her abrupt stop nearly caused Tim to walk straight into her. She turned to him, biting her lip nervously. Could they go back? Probably not. Tim would think it was silly that her obsession with capturing every single moment was something she took so seriously. 

Tim tilted his head, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I already took care of it,” he said casually, shrugging like it was no big deal. “Got one of you ordering sushi. Oh, and another by the waterfall.”

Lucy blinked at him, momentarily stunned. “Wait, you what ? You took pictures of me when I wasn’t looking? After you made a whole big deal about hating them?” Her hands flew to her hips, but there was a playful spark in her tone that she couldn’t quite hide.

Tim’s ears turned faintly red as he scratched the back of his neck. “I didn’t make a big deal. And I only took them because you looked... happy,” he said, his voice softer now. “Photos were the last thing on your mind, so I figured I’d take a couple. I mean, I can delete them if it’s weird or anything-”

“Not a chance.” Lucy interrupted, the corners of her mouth lifting despite herself. “Not before you show me.”

Tim sighed but couldn’t keep from grinning as he pulled out his phone. He hesitated for just a moment, then unlocked it and handed it over, his fingers brushing hers briefly. “Here. Go nuts.”

She took the phone, surprised by the simple gesture of trust. She knew that Tim wasn’t the type to hand over his private stuff easily. He trusted her to not go snooping and that felt like a big deal. 

As she scrolled through the photos, her lips parted slightly, her breath catching. “These are… incredible,” she whispered. The lighting in each one was perfect, the colors vivid, the moments raw and alive. They weren’t just pictures, they were snapshots of magic. “Wait a second…” She turned to him, an eyebrow raised. “Do you have a secret photography hobby I don’t know about?”

Tim shifted his weight, his hands finding his pockets as his gaze dropped to the pavement. “Not really. I just…” He cleared his throat, still not looking at her. “I figured they’d be important to you, so I, uh, put in some effort.”

Lucy’s heart did a little jump, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. She tried, like really tried, not to let the warmth in her chest spill over into her face, but her eyes shimmered with something she couldn’t quite hide. Awe, maybe. Gratitude, definitely. “This…” She swallowed, her voice quieter now. “This might be one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me.”

Tim smiled faintly, though his eyes stayed focused on his shoes. “It’s no big deal.”

She hesitated, still feeling the weight of his small act of kindness. “Thank you,” she said softly, her fingers brushing over the screen one more time. “Do you mind if I airdrop these to my phone?”

“Go for it,” Tim replied, glancing at her briefly. His hands stayed in his pockets, but the thought crept into his mind, unbidden. It’d be a lot more comfortable holding her hand right now.

When she finished, she handed his phone back, and they both turned toward the museum ahead. The awkwardness that had settled between them earlier seemed to hang in the air stubbornly. They both opened their mouths to speak, almost in unison, then quickly snapped them shut when they noticed the other doing the same.

Tim chuckled under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “So… another trendy place, huh?” He nodded toward the Balloon Museum in front of them, a place Aaron hadn’t stopped raving about for weeks.

Lucy glanced at him, relieved he’d been the one to break the silence. “Why are you always so against trendy places?” she teased, crossing her arms but flashing him a grin. “They’re trendy for a reason, you know.”

“They’re full of people obsessing over the perfect picture or video,” he said, rolling his eyes for dramatic effect. “And god forbid you accidentally walk into their shot. Suddenly, you’re their enemy for life.”

Her smirk widened, her eyebrow arching just enough to signal she had him cornered. “You took pictures of me.”

Tim faltered for half a second, then shrugged with mock indifference. “That’s different. You’re not gonna post them on, like, Cliptalk or whatever.”

“And how do you know that?” Lucy shot back, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Maybe that’s going to be the last thing I do before I die - upload a viral montage of my greatest adventure.”

The moment the word die left her lips, she caught the faintest wince on Tim’s face like someone had yanked a thread too tight. Usually, she could joke about her situation without batting an eye. But now, an unexpected tang of frustration bubbled up inside her - at her condition, at his reaction, at everything.

Tim, however, recovered quickly, his voice softer but steady. “If you did that,” he said, “I’d think it would be pretty cool. Sharing your journey, capturing the beauty of time and nature, leaving something behind for the world? That sounds amazing.”

He was making it impossible for her not to like him. Every time he went and opened his mouth she found herself shocked that someone could be this down to earth and in touch with reality. It was refreshing. 

“Well,” she said, trying to keep her voice light, “if I don’t do it, you’ll have to post them for me.”

Tim snorted, shaking his head. “Not a chance. I’m never downloading that app.”

Lucy’s eyes twinkled with mock seriousness. “That’s my last wish before I die.”

He stopped walking for a second, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. “You can’t have two last wishes. I’m already helping with this whole ‘bucket list’ thing.”

Lucy was stunned. Tim didn’t treat her like she was fragile or like she’d break if he so much as teased her. He pushed back and challenged her the same way she challenged him. It wasn’t pity. It was real. And she couldn’t remember the last time someone had let her forget, even for a moment, that she was anything other than “sick.”

Her mouth fell open in exaggerated shock, and she quickened her steps to keep up with his longer strides as he approached the entrance. “Hey! I’m dying, so I get as many last wishes as I want.”

“That’s called being greedy.” He threw her a playful smirk, glancing down at her as if daring her to come up with a comeback.

Before she could find the perfect retort, a cheerful voice cut through their banter. “Welcome to the Balloon Museum!”

A young woman behind the ticket counter smiled brightly at them, clearly trying her best to ignore the snippet of their conversation she’d just overheard.

Lucy gave her a polite smile, stepping forward. “Two adult tickets, please.”

“Uh, actually,” Tim leaned in over her shoulder, his voice low and casual as he pointed toward the sign listing prices. “I’m ex-military. Do you offer a discount?”

Lucy froze, her breath catching as his proximity hit her all at once. He was close. T oo close. A nd the warmth of his voice practically tickled her ear. She turned to look at him, her eyebrow lifting in curiosity. “Military?”

“What? You’re getting a discount,” he replied with a casual shrug, completely missing the way her eyes silently begged for more of the story.

“Enjoy!” The woman at the counter handed over the tickets with a cheerful smile, breaking the moment.

Inside, they stepped into a world of colors. Tim had heard about the Balloon Museum and expected it to be just that - a room full of floating balloons. And while that description wasn’t exactly wrong, it didn’t capture the whimsical magic of it. The vibrant colors danced in the air, colliding with light to create a world straight out of a child’s wildest imagination.

Despite the breathtaking display, Tim found himself more captivated by Lucy. The way the shifting lights bathed her face in an ethereal glow made her look like she belonged there. It looked like she was part of the art itself.

As they wandered through a hallway wrapped in an arc of shimmering lights, Lucy glanced back at him. Her face lit up with the most radiant smile he’d seen from her yet, full of pure, unfiltered joy.

She was happy.

She looked like a child stepping into a dream they thought only existed in their head.

Tim silently thanked whatever cosmic force had eased the awkwardness lingering from their earlier near-kiss. Now, with her hand tugging him from place to place, he was more than happy to follow her anywhere. 

Sure, he probably should’ve been paying more attention to the exhibit, given the overwhelming ticket price. But instead, he kept stealing glances at Lucy, knowing full well he was missing at least 65% of the cool stuff he was supposed to see.

Eventually, they wandered into a room designed to look like a starlit sky. Lucy immediately found a spot on the floor, sitting cross-legged and leaning back against the wall as she gazed up at the virtual constellations.

“Sit down.” She patted the floor beside her, and Tim didn’t hesitate. He settled in, their legs brushing lightly, neither of them flinching at the contact.

“So why here?” Tim asked and Lucy turned her curious gaze on him. “I mean, you seem to have a reason behind every place we’ve been today. What’s the deal with this one?”

“You’re very observant, Tim Bradford.”

“I have to be. Wouldn’t be a great cop if I weren’t,” he replied with a playful smirk, chuckling when she giggled in response.

“Do you do that a lot?”

“Do what?”

“Compliment yourself?” she teased, biting her lip to hold back a grin.

“No need to,” he quipped, leaning back on his palms. “I already know the truth and the truth is, I’m amazing.”

Lucy laughed, shaking her head. “You are horrible,” she muttered, but her smile lingered as she looked back up at the stars.

“So are you.” Lucy gasped in mock outrage, giving his arm a playful slap. “You ignored my question as to why here.” 

“I didn’t ignore it.” Lucy chuckled, shaking her head in amused disbelief, which caused a loose strand of hair to fall from behind her ear. Tim’s fingers twitched with the urge to tuck it back, to fully uncover her face now glowing under hues of red and blue. “We just got a little sidetracked,” she added.

“We’ve been doing that a lot lately,” he said, offering a small smile as his gaze flicked up to the virtual stars above.

Tim caught the subtle tension in her posture and decided to leave his statement hanging. He didn’t want to disrupt her or force her to acknowledge the moments lingering between them, especially the almost kiss they kept dodging.

Lucy broke the silence, her voice soft. “When I was a kid, my parents never let me have balloons. They said it was silly to waste money on something that would pop as soon as I got it. So, no balloons on my birthday, no cake, no party. Just a gift card and a cupcake. After a while, I stopped celebrating altogether. Birthdays didn’t feel special anymore. But now, knowing my days are numbered, I wanted to do it all. Balloons, fancy pastries, and even a beautiful hike. The perfect birthday.”

Tim let her words settle before speaking. “Your parents suck.”

Lucy laughed, a full, heartfelt laugh that made her close her eyes. When her head came to rest against his shoulder, Tim froze and stopped breathing altogether. It was such a simple gesture, but to him, it felt monumental. If he could preserve this fleeting moment, put it in a snow globe to revisit whenever he wanted, he would.

“It’s fine,” Lucy sighed after a beat, lifting her head. “I’ve rebelled enough to make them regret every bad choice they made with me.”

Tim hesitated, his tone gentler than before. “My dad told me once that he never wanted me. He apologized later, but it stuck. For a long time, I felt like I wasn’t supposed to be here, you know? Like I didn’t belong. Then I decided, if I’m crashing this party called life, I might as well make it mine.”

“Making life your own doing,” Lucy added.

“Exactly.”

Lucy tilted her head, her eyes soft with understanding. “I like that,” she murmured, inching just slightly closer to him.

Tim’s eyes dropped to her lips unintentionally, but he didn’t fight it. In the shifting light, they seemed even softer than he’d imagined.

But just as the moment stretched between them, Lucy blinked and straightened, clearing her throat as if shaking off a thought. “We should go,” she said, flashing a quick smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes.

Tim watched her, a weight of confusion settling over him. Just hours ago, she’d been fearless and bold, the kind of woman who left him tongue-tied. But now, she seemed hesitant, retreating when they both clearly wanted the same thing.

What had shifted?

Their moment by the lake, their almost kiss at the Grand Central Market - something had changed in the in-between, and Tim couldn’t figure out what. But one thing was certain: he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to close the distance she kept creating.

Now, he just had to figure out why she was pulling away.

***

As they were in a room with floating balloons arched overhead like a pastel-colored bridge to nowhere, swaying gently with every draft, Lucy twirled under them with her usual lively energy, her devious smile lighting up like a neon sign.

“What?” He looked at her a little confused and somewhat scared. If he had learned anything about her in the past few hours was that if Lucy had an idea, she would make it happen despite his reservations. 

She sauntered closer, holding out her phone like it was a golden ticket. “Take some pictures.”

Tim raised an eyebrow. “Oh, great. So now I’m not just your chaperone, but your personal photographer too?”

“See? You’re starting to understand.” She flashed him a big smile and gestured for him to take the pictures. 

Tim sighed, shaking his head as he reluctantly took the phone. Muttering something about “better pay” under his breath, he positioned the camera and began snapping pictures. Despite his mock complaints, he couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly alive she looked, her energy radiating through every frame. Sure, the lighting and colors were great, but it was Lucy who made the photos beautiful.

When she bounced back to check his work, her face broke into a radiant smile. “You’re good at this. A professional,” she said, her tone softening.

“Yeah, right,” he grumbled, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward despite himself.

They wandered through the last few rooms, each one a different party of colors and lights. Lucy’s eyes were wide with undying wonder. Tim trailed just a step behind, watching her with an expression that was equal parts amusement and awe. There was something magnetic about her happiness.

When they had finally made their way out from the museum and back to the parking lot, she felt the one question weighing down on her. “Can I ask you something?” she said suddenly, spinning around to face him, her tone unusually serious.

Tim cocked an eyebrow, opening the truck door. “Will you actually listen to me if I say no?”

Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically, a chuckle slipping through her smirk. “Of course not.”

“Well, then go ahead,” he said, sliding into the driver’s seat with a resigned sigh.

She climbed in beside him, shutting the door with a satisfying click. “Why did you agree to come with me today?”

The question hit him like a surprise, and for a moment, he froze, fumbling to start the engine as his brain scrambled for an answer. “Uh… well, I mean…” He trailed off, making a series of incoherent noises that only made her grin widen. 

“Not good enough,” she said, leaning back in her seat with a playful groan. “I need the real answer, Tim.”

“I did give you the real answer,” he protested, his tone defensive as he focused on adjusting the rearview mirror. “I told you. I can’t say no to you.”

Lucy snorted, shaking her head. “Oh, please. That’s such an unserious answer, and you know it. Why’d you really say yes? You barely knew me. And, honestly, I think you hated me a little.” Her voice softened, her teasing giving way to genuine curiosity. “You could’ve said no. So why didn’t you?

Tim paused, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter as the memory washed over him. He could still picture her from this morning. Running toward him, suitcase by hand with determination so fierce it was almost comical. She’d nearly tripped over her feet, and yet she’d kept going. 

“For starters, I didn't hate you. I found you annoying.”

“Found me annoying? Like in a past tense?” She smirked, turning her head to look at him.

“You still are,” he shot back with a smirk, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. “But I guess I’ve… gotten used to it.”

He sighed, his expression softening as he continued. “But that day, when you almost tripped over your own suitcase trying to catch up to me, I was…”

Lucy leaned in, her eyebrow arched, her lips twitching with anticipation. “You were what?”

He hesitated, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Charmed by you.”

The words came out quieter than he intended, but they hung in the air like a confession, raw and unpolished. Lucy blinked, caught off guard by the vulnerability in his tone.

“The way you looked at me,” Tim went on, staring straight ahead at the road as if the horizon could save him. “You had this… spark. Like you saw the whole world as this amazing adventure. I’d never seen anything like it. And in that moment, I knew… one fleeting moment with you wasn’t going to be enough.”

Lucy sat there, stunned, as his words washed over her. She felt a rush of emotions like warmth, confusion and fear all tumbling over one another in a way that left her breathless. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Lucy, I-” Tim started, his voice firmer now, more sure of itself. “I am charmed by you. There’s something about you I can’t-”

“Stop.” Her voice was sharp, cutting him off mid-sentence. “Just… stop.”

Tim turned to her, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Lucy-”

“Please,” she said, her voice softer now, almost pleading. Her eyes finally met his, and for the first time, they both saw something unguarded, something raw in each other’s gaze that they hadn't seen before.

Tim’s confusion deepened as he saw fear flicker in her expression, while Lucy struggled to hold back whatever storm was brewing inside her. The air between them shifted, thick with tension and unspoken words. Their usual banter was replaced by something heavier.

Neither of them knew what to say or how to bridge the whole of emotions and feelings that had opened between them.

And for the first time all day, the silence between them wasn’t comfortable. 

It was excruciating.

Chapter Text

4:52 PM

The rocks clattered against the truck, a constant rhythm that gnawed at Lucy’s nerves. She crossed her arms and slumped further into her seat, staring out the window as the world passed by. Music would have been a lifeline, but even the thought of reaching for the radio felt like too much effort and movement. All she wanted now was to disappear into the seat, into the road, into thin air. Anywhere but here, trapped with Tim and his… words .

Her question had been meant to tease, to poke a little fun and maybe get him to admit something goofy. Instead, it had backfired spectacularly, opening up a Pandora’s box of feelings she wasn’t ready to deal with. He had gone and said it out loud, confirming the thing they’d both been dancing around all day. There was something real between them.

Something she didn’t want.

Something she couldn’t have.

Because Lucy was sick. And sick people didn’t get to have happy endings.

And for what it was worth she had only 18 hours with him. What was she supposed to do with this…development? 

Tim broke the silence first, his voice low and hesitant. “Do you want to listen to some music?”

His words startled her. She glanced at him briefly, then shook her head, biting her lip. “I’m good.”

“You sure?” His eyes flickered to her, concern etched into his face. She could feel his gaze even when he wasn’t looking directly at her, like he was trying to read her thoughts.

“I’m fine.” The words came out clipped. She didn’t mean for them to sound harsh, but they did anyway. She winced, hoping he’d let it drop.

He didn’t. “Lucy-”

“We’re here!” she blurted out, spotting the sign for their next stop. Without waiting for him to park fully, she unbuckled her seatbelt and all but leapt out of the truck. Her shoes crunched against the gravel as she landed, and she inhaled the cool, crisp air like it was a lifeline.

Tim climbed out slowly, exhaling as he joined her by the wooden sign and read the words written on it. 

Self-realization fellowship

Lake Shrine

Lucy plastered on her brightest smile, the one that she knew didn’t reach her eyes. “Ready to go?” Even if he had known her for a couple of hours, he had cataloged her every smile by this point and he could tell that whatever smile she was giving him right now was her fake smile.

“What are we doing here?” he finally asked, his voice low and wary. His hands were jammed into his pockets, and his eyes darted around like he wasn’t sure if he was about to be ambushed.

“We’re going to meditate,” she said, brushing past him toward the main path.

"Meditate? ” His voice shot up an octave as he hurried after her. “Lucy, I don’t do meditation.”

“Perfect!” she chirped, walking faster just to make him work for it. “Today can be your first time.”

Tim froze mid-step, staring at her like she’d just asked him to leap off a cliff. “You’re not serious.”

Lucy turned, her expression perfectly composed except for the faintest glint of mischief in her eyes. She patted his chest lightly, her fingers lingering over the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “Oh, I’m completely serious. Now, come on.”

Before he could muster a proper protest, she turned on her heel and strode ahead with purpose, leaving him gaping after her. After a moment of disbelief, Tim exhaled sharply, muttered something under his breath, and jogged to catch up.

When they reached the entrance, a calm, composed woman stood waiting for them, her hands folded neatly in front of her like she’d known they were coming all along.

“Welcome,” the woman greeted them softly, her voice almost melodic. “May I see your reservation confirmation?”

Lucy dug into her pocket for her phone, flashing the email with a triumphant grin. She couldn’t resist one last glance at Tim, who stood behind her, shifting his weight restlessly. 

A short while later, they were inside, seated on cushions in a quiet, dimly lit room.

“Take off your shoes and sit down,” Lucy instructed, already settling into position. Tim followed suit, mimicking her as she adjusted her legs and straightened her back. She sat poised and serene, radiating a calm he didn’t know if he could match.

“Okay,” she began gently, “find a position that feels comfortable. You’ll need to stay still for about twenty minutes. This one works best for me.” She glanced at him and smiled faintly when she saw him awkwardly mirroring her pose. “Perfect.”

Tim gave her a wary look. “And then what? Just sit here and try not to think?”

Lucy chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. “Not exactly. When the gong sounds, either close your eyes or focus on the ground, whatever feels natural. Then, pay attention to your breathing, your heartbeat, or even the way your clothes feel against your skin. The key is to notice your thoughts without clinging to them. Let them drift by like clouds or visitors passing through a room.”

Tim raised an eyebrow, shifting uneasily on his cushion. “That sounds like a lot of work for something that’s supposed to be relaxing.”

Her laugh was softer this time, tinged with fondness. “It takes practice. The hardest part is bringing your focus back when your mind wanders. It’s not about getting it perfect, it’s about trying. Breathe. Feel. Hear. Whatever works for you.”

He sighed dramatically, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “This would be way easier if we weren’t doing silent meditation.”

Lucy glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

“Because I wouldn’t mind spending the next twenty minutes just listening to your voice.”

Her cheeks warmed instantly, a blush spreading up to her ears. She opened her mouth to respond, but thankfully, the sound of the gong saved her. Tim’s playful grin lingered as he closed his eyes, leaving Lucy to wrestle with her racing thoughts.

She tried to focus on her breathing, inhale, exhale, slow and steady, but all she could sense was him. His presence filled the space beside her, along with the faint trace of his cologne and the soft rhythm of his breathing. Her heart thudded unevenly, each beat reminding her how undeniably drawn she was to him.

And then the flood of thoughts came.

She thought of sitting beside him, of how he’d helped her navigate through her list of must-see places. How he took pictures with surprising patience and effort. The way he smiled, the way he laughed. The touch of his hand against hers, the almost kiss that lingered in her memory. How he listened, how he just got her in ways she didn’t think anyone ever could.

Her heart raced faster, and she couldn’t steady it. Not when the other thought came crashing back.

She was back in the doctor’s office, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling the room. The doctor’s somber voice telling her she only had a few months left echoed in her mind. Her chest tightened as she remembered why she couldn’t let herself fall for Tim.

It would be too complicated.

She felt herself beginning to spiral, the weight of the moment threatening to pull her under. And then, like he somehow sensed her distress (or maybe he felt it) Tim reached over and took her hand in his. His fingers intertwined with hers, grounding her instantly.

At first, she told herself not to pull away because it might help him. It’s his first time meditating, he probably needs the support . But soon, the reasons shifted, and she realized she didn’t want to let go. Not for him, but for herself. His hand in hers became her new focus, a tether pulling her back into the moment. For the next fifteen minutes, it was the most peaceful meditation she’d ever experienced.

When the gong sounded, she opened her eyes. Tim was still seated, his eyes closed, holding her hand firmly.

“You can open your eyes now,” she murmured softly.

“I need a moment,” he replied, his voice calm but distant. She hummed, signaling she understood, and let the quiet stretch between them. Her eyes fell to their joined hands, and despite everything, a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.

Tim eventually opened his eyes, his gaze warm and softened with gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” she whispered, breaking the eye contact that felt too intimate and revealing. Rising to her feet, she gently withdrew her hand and slipped her shoes back on. “Ready to walk around the garden?”

“Y-yeah,” he stammered, his tone faltering at the loss of her touch. He hurried to put on his shoes and followed her out.

Lucy stepped out into the crisp air, gripping the railing outside as though it might steady her racing heart. She took a deep, grounding breath, trying to shake off the overwhelming tide of emotions.

“Are you okay?” Tim’s voice was soft, his hand finding her back. His touch sent shivers through her and it became too much, too soon, too everything. She squeezed her eyes shut.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” she lied, her voice shaky. “I just need a moment alone, please.”

Tim hesitated before stepping back. “Okay,” he said quietly, retreating to give her space.

She hated how easily she pushed him away, the pang of guilt settling deep in her chest. She knew she owed him more, a real explanation, an honest conversation. But she couldn’t do it, not now. Not when she felt so vulnerable. Maybe later she’d find the strength.

After a steadying breath, Lucy turned to find Tim standing a little further down the path, his attention fixed on a cluster of flowers.

“Do you like flowers?” she asked, walking up beside him. He looked at her, caught off guard, but didn’t question her sudden shift in mood.

“Uh… yeah, I guess,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “I mean, it’s not really something men think about. We’re not exactly the ones who get flowers, you know?”

Lucy arched a brow at his response. “Who told you that kind of nonsense?”

Tim blinked, startled. “Well, it’s just… I don’t know. It’s always the women who get flowers, right?”

“And does that mean you think women should be stuck in the kitchen, cooking dinner and raising kids, too?”

His eyes widened in alarm. “No! Of course not. Do you seriously think I’m like that?”

She smirked, shaking her head. “No, I don’t. I’m just making a point. If you don’t buy into old-school stereotypes like that, why would you believe men can’t receive flowers? They’re a symbol of care, of love. You nurture them, watch them grow, and when you give them to someone, it’s a piece of that love.”

Tim went quiet, his gaze dropping to the rose bushes in front of them. A faint smile touched his lips. “I like water lilies.”

Lucy tilted her head in surprise. “You do?”

“Yeah,” he said, his voice soft with nostalgia. “My grandmother had a lake near her house. There were these gorgeous yellow water lilies that grew there. Whenever I went out rowing, I’d bring her one. The way her face lit up when I gave it to her…” He trailed off, his smile deepening. “It was the best feeling in the world.” 

 Lucy studied him, her heart warming at the tenderness in his voice. As their eyes met, they silently agreed to keep walking, falling into an easy rhythm as they strolled through the garden.

“Were you and your grandmother close?” she asked after a while.

“Yeah,” he replied, nodding. “She always made me feel like a kid again. What about you? What are your favorite flowers?”

“Sunflowers and daisies,” she said without hesitation.

He chuckled. “Of course you do.”

She gasped, feigning offense. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Tim grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. He considered teasing her further but relented quickly, his expression softening. “Your smile is as bright and radiant as a sunflower, and you’re as effortlessly beautiful as a daisy.”

Lucy’s breath caught, her cheeks flushing at his words. They weren’t the kind of rehearsed lines she’d heard before. His compliments felt real and heartfelt, and they hit her harder than she’d expected.

Noticing her sudden quietness, Tim reached out, gently taking her wrist as they strolled over a small bridge. He stopped, turning her to face him.

“Do you know why I took your hand?” he asked, his question leaving her momentarily puzzled. Lucy glanced around, taking in the idyllic pond surrounded by trees and wildflowers. It looked like something straight out of a Disney movie. 

“You wanted me to stop and admire this place?” she guessed.

“No.” Tim sighed, his free hand moving to scratch the back of his neck while his other hand held onto hers. “When I was meditating earlier.”

“Oh, well, I figured you were scared and far too embarrassed to admit it.” she quipped, a smirk tugging at her lips. His soft chuckle followed, but when he met her eyes again, his demeanor shifted, becoming serious.

“Well, that’s partly true, but not entirely,” he admitted, stepping closer. The space between them shrank, and Lucy instinctively glanced down at their feet.

“I took your hand because I wanted to feel closer to you. Ever since the hike, you’ve been pulling away from me, and I-” He hesitated, his voice catching. “I can’t stop wondering what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, trust me,” Lucy said quickly, shaking her head.

“Then why are you distancing yourself? Don’t tell me I’m imagining this. You feel it too.”

The desperation in his voice was unmistakable, a plea for answers, for clarity. Lucy raised her gaze, meeting his intense blue eyes, swirling with emotion.

“It’s not that simple,” she murmured.

“Nothing with you ever is,” he replied, a hint of exasperation mingling with his affection.

“That’s a way to make a girl feel special,” she teased, though it did little to dispel the tension between them.

Tim took her hands in his, stepping even closer until only the slightest gap remained. “Lucy, I need you to take me seriously for a moment. Do you know what I was thinking about when I was meditating?”

“Breathing, hopefully. You’re not supposed to think much while meditating, it defeats the purpose,” she joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

“I was thinking about kissing you,” he confessed, his voice dropping. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since you told me that story about your friend’s grandparents. I wanted to kiss you back at the museum, and now-” His eyes flickered to her lips, his voice husky as he finished, “I want to kiss you now.”

Lucy froze, her heart racing as he leaned in closer. She could hear his heartbeat, or maybe it was her own pounding in her ears. She felt herself inch forward, drawn to him despite her better judgment. With one final glance at his lips, she closed her eyes.

His nose brushed hers, his breath warm against her skin. Their lips barely grazed before she abruptly pulled away, her eyes wide with fear.

“Tim, I’m sorry. I can’t,” she blurted out. Seeing the confusion and hurt etched across his face made her chest tighten.

“You’re an incredible man, but I-” Her voice faltered. “I’m dying, Tim. I can pretend to be happy because I don’t have much to lose, but if I kiss you… I will. We only have a few hours left, and I don’t want to complicate that.”

“You won’t,” he said softly but firmly, his voice laced with resolve.

“Tim, I can’t kiss you.” 

“Why not?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

“Because I like you.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” He stepped closer, but she took a step back, keeping a fragile distance between them.

“Kinda. If I kiss you I might want to kiss you more and more and I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.” 

A smirk played on his lips. “I don’t see where’s the problem in that.”

“Of course you don’t. Look, I can’t do a one-night stand with you. You are far too wonderful for that.”

“This doesn’t have to be just one night,” he countered, his tone serious and his sincerity evident.

“Tim, I have to keep traveling before my illness takes over. After that, I’ll be too sick to come back. Even if I did, I’d only be a burden to you. I can’t do that to you.” Her voice wavered, her eyes pleading with him to understand.

“I don’t care. I’ll stay with you until your last breath if that’s what it takes.”

“No, Tim. I’m sorry, but I can’t.” She began stepping back, putting more space between them. When he instinctively moved to follow, she raised a trembling hand. “Please. Just give me a moment. I need to be alone.”

Though he didn’t want to let her go, he saw how close she was to breaking and nodded reluctantly. “Okay,” he whispered, taking a step back.

“Thank you,” she murmured before turning and hurrying away. As she wiped the tears streaming down her face, Lucy couldn’t help but think how something so beautiful had turned into such a mess.

Why did she have to be dying?

Chapter Text

5:27 PM

Lucy’s breath hitched unevenly, her vision blurry as she stumbled down the uneven trail of a quaint little garden she hadn’t realized she’d wandered into. Her heart pounded like a drum, each beat louder than the last, and though her feet carried her forward, her mind was spinning somewhere far behind.

Tim. 

The thought of his name sent a bolt of conflicting emotions through her. Something that was yearning and panic twisted into a messy knot in her chest. His presence was magnetic, pulling her in with an unbearable force, yet every fiber of her being screamed to escape. She wiped furiously at her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Get it together, Lucy. Just… breathe.”

Her shaky legs led her to a wooden bench tucked under the shade of an old oak tree. She collapsed onto it, her knees practically giving out, and hunched over. Elbows propped on her thighs, she buried her face in her trembling hands. For a moment, the world was silent except for the erratic rhythm of her breath and the faint rustling of leaves overhead. But peace wasn’t something that stayed for her. 

She remembers the day she found out that she was dying all too vividly. The movies always showed a doctor's office and everything becoming a blur once the news was delivered. Lucy was hoping that would happen but the eary sound never turned on. She was stuck with the reality of it all. The doctor gave her a tissue box waiting for her to break down but she never did. All she did was look at the doctor shocked and confused. 

It was supposed to be an annual checkup. Nothing she had to worry about. But the words still rang in her ears. “I would advise you to take this as an opportunity to do the things you’ve always put off as ‘someday.’”

Someday. What kind of advice was that? Her mouth had opened, but no words came out. It wasn’t until hours later, sitting in her car, that it hit her: she was dying . And there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.

At first, she refused to believe it. She felt fine. Better than fine! But as the reality sank in, so did a newfound sense of urgency. It was as if her life had been turned into a ticking clock, and she was hellbent on making every second count. She was like a tornado that ran through life. Friends were confused by her sudden goodbyes, but she couldn’t bear to explain. Her parents, of course, made a scene, but Lucy left without looking back.

Every place she had been so far was amazing. Traveling alone was fun and liberating. She didn’t have to be responsible for anything. There was no one to answer to, no expectations to meet. She could meet new people, have fun, and move on. But then she sat down on that train next to him , and everything changed.

Tim was the definition of the broody and cold guy that was just a softy inside. His coldness was the first thing she noticed. He didn’t even glance at her when she flopped into the seat beside him, exhausted from trying to catch the train. But then he quipped something sarcastic and Lucy found herself intrigued in spite of herself. The barrier between them melted faster than she expected, and soon, she found herself wanting to spend more and more time with him.

He teased her, challenged her, and somehow coaxed out feelings she thought she’d buried long ago. For the first time in forever, Lucy felt truly alive. And that scared the hell out of her.

She was afraid of getting too close to him and then hurt him by leaving. He had told her about his ex-wife and she didn’t want to put him through loss again. 

And then she felt angry that she was in this position where she had to say no to her heart. Why did she ask him to join her? Why did she sit next to him? Why did she ever go to that doctor's office? 

She was spiraling, lost in the storm of her thoughts when she felt the soft creak of the bench as someone sat down beside her.

“A beautiful girl like you shouldn’t be crying like that,” said a gentle yet steady voice.

Lucy blinked and looked up, her teary gaze meeting the serene face of an elderly woman. The lady had an air about her - graceful and timeless. Her silver hair floated delicately in the soft breeze, and her striking green eyes seemed to radiate a calm that made Lucy want to crumble and be held all at once.

“Uh…” Lucy stammered, caught off guard. She hastily wiped at her cheeks, trying to collect herself.

The woman smiled, her expression warm and inviting. “It’s okay. You can cry. Sometimes, it’s the best thing you can do. But if you feel like talking, I’m here. Just a stranger, no strings attached.”

Lucy sniffled, her chest tightening at the kindness in the woman’s tone. She nodded hesitantly. “Thank you,” she managed, her voice cracking slightly.

At first, she didn’t want to speak, didn’t want to spill her emotions onto someone else. But there was something about this woman’s presence that made the weight feel a little lighter. And she needed that right now. Someone who wasn’t Tim, someone who had no emotions concerning what she was feeling.

“I’m just a little mad at the world right now.” Lucy finally murmured after a moment of silence.

The woman tilted her head, a soft understanding in her green eyes. “That’s the worst part of being a grown-up, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Lucy nodded, exhaling shakily.

“Is it that boy you were talking to on the bridge? Is he the one making you mad at the world?” The woman’s tone was soft, making Lucy feel safe.

Lucy blinked, caught off guard. “You saw us?”

“Oh, it was hard not to notice the sparks between the two of you.” The woman smiled knowingly.

Lucy chuckled bitterly, the sound hollow even to her ears. The woman’s smile faltered, her frown reflecting Lucy’s turmoil. “So, is he? Is he the one making you mad at the world right now?”

“No. Yes? Ugh, I don’t know.” Lucy shook her head, pressing her palms into her thighs. “It’s not in the way you think.”

“And what way is that?”

“The bad way,” Lucy clarified, her voice growing strained. “You probably think he’s a jerk, or he’s hurt me, but it’s the opposite. He’s… wonderful. He’s amazing. He makes me feel amazing. He makes me feel seen, like really seen . And I can’t-” Her voice broke, and she let out a groan of frustration, fresh tears welling in her eyes.

The woman’s expression softened. “If a boy makes you feel all that why are you crying and not going after him?”

Lucy lifted her tear-streaked face, despair etched into every feature. “Because I’m dying.”

The woman let out a loud and unexpected laugh utterly startling Lucy. She stared at her, bewildered, her tears momentarily frozen in place. “Honey, everyone is dying.”

“No, I mean I’m going to die in a few months,” Lucy said, her voice cracking, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

“And you might die tomorrow.” The woman reached out, gently stroking Lucy’s hair with a motherly tenderness. “If we all spent our time worrying about dying, would we ever really live? Or love?”

Lucy swallowed hard. “I only have today with him. One day before I have to leave him forever. I can’t let us cross a line and develop more feelings. It’s better this way.”

The woman was silent for a moment, her gaze steady. Then she spoke with quiet conviction. “Life isn’t about staying safe, sweetheart. It’s about taking risks. If you truly only have a few months left, this is your time to be selfish. You can’t ignore what is there. And for what it’s worth it seemed that you two already crossed that line it’s just a matter of taking that one final leap.”

Lucy’s chest tightened. “But what about him? I can’t just think about myself.”

“Does he know?” the woman asked simply.

“Yes.”

“And he still wants to be with you?”

Lucy nodded. “Yes.”

“Then he knows what he’s signing up for. He’ll deal with the consequences in his own way. He knows what he is signing up for but at least he’ll have this one perfect memory to hold on to.”

Lucy’s gaze dropped to her lap. “I don’t know.”

“Do you like him?”

Lucy looked up sharply, startled by the bluntness of the question. But the answer was easy, so easy it practically leapt from her lips.

“Yes,” she admitted softly, her voice trembling. “I do. I like him a lot.”

The woman’s face broke into a knowing smile, her hand reaching to rest over Lucy’s in a gesture of comfort and encouragement. “Then go be selfish, my dear. For the both of you.”

Lucy blinked, her mind racing, but the argument she’d been clinging to dissolved. Her gaze lifted, and there he was. Standing a few yards away with his hands stuffed in his pockets, absently kicking at a cluster of small rocks. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat, the pull of him as magnetic as ever.

He was right there. 

Waiting.

Lucy’s pulse quickened. She’d made herself a promise to make this journey unforgettable, to live boldly and without regret. So why was she holding herself back from the one thing she wanted most? Tim knew her truth and was still here, ready to risk it anyway.

She stood, her legs shaky but determined. Her heart raced as she stepped toward him, each movement feeling like both a leap of faith and the most natural thing in the world.

Lucy had made her choice.

***

Tim stood rooted in place, watching her walk away, the sight cutting deeper than he’d ever admit. Lucy’s retreat wasn’t just a step back—it was a battle, her crumbling walls on full display. For the first time, he saw the raw pain and sorrow she tried so hard to mask.

And it pained him even more to realize he was part of the reason for her struggle.

She sniffled as she sat on the bench, her head buried in her hands, and Tim let out a heavy sigh. 

He felt like a total jerk. She was dealing with so much. Things he couldn’t even begin to fathom and yet here he was, dumping his feelings on her without giving more thought about how it affected her. The last thing she needed was another complication, and yet he’d somehow become one.

Tim shifted on his feet, his gaze darting between Lucy and the ground. Should he go to her? Leave her alone? Apologize? His thoughts raced and he couldn’t stop them.

He started pacing in tight, aimless circles, his shoes scuffing against the gravel. “Okay,” he muttered to himself. “Lucy, I know you’re scared, and I shouldn’t have- shit, no, that’s not it.”

He stopped mid-step, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Lucy, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable…” His voice trailed off, the words tasting wrong in his mouth. “No. That’s even worse. Damn it.”

He groaned, kicking a pebble with the tip of his shoe. “What the hell do I even say?”

His frustration grew more and more. He didn’t want to apologize for what he said because every word had been true. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted more than just one fleeting night. And he would follow her to the ends of the earth if she asked.

But how do you tell someone that when they were already carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders?

“Lucy, I- You’re wrong-”

“Am I?”

Tim spun around at the sound of her voice, his heart jumping to his throat. She stood there, her red, puffy eyes betraying the tears she’d shed, but her lips curved into a soft, tentative smile.

For a moment, he could only stare at her, dumbfounded. “Uh… yeah.”

Lucy arched a brow, a teasing spark flickering to life in her expression. “What exactly am I wrong about?”

Her teasing caught him completely off guard, and he felt his brain short-circuit. She had a way of doing that, breaking his composure with nothing more than a look.

“You’re wrong about wanting to stay back,” he managed, his voice low but steady. “But I get it. I get why you’re afraid. And I’m sorry for pushing you. I can-”

Whatever he was about to say evaporated when her lips met his and it was like he got injected with adrenaline. It took a second to realize that he was kissing Lucy. That her lips were demanding dominance and that her hands were framing his face but when the realization kicked in he was ready. Tim’s hands found her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. He tilted her back slightly, savoring every second of the moment he’d been dreaming of since the first time she smiled at him. Her body fit against his as if they were made for each other, her warmth searing through his skin, and he couldn’t get enough.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Tim’s mind was still spinning. “Wha-”

“I’m being selfish,” Lucy confessed, her hands still cradling his face. Her smile was soft, her eyes shimmering with something that looked suspiciously like hope.

Tim couldn’t help but grin back at her, his heart full to bursting. “Why now?”

His hands tightened slightly on her waist, anchoring her to him like she might vanish if he let go.

“When I told my parents about this trip, they said I was being selfish,” she said, her voice steady but raw. “And I hated it. I hated that they didn’t want me to enjoy what little time I have left. But they were right. I was selfish. And that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This is my last chance to live. So I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to kiss the guy I like and have the breathtaking romance I’ve always dreamed of. I just need to know… Are you willing to accept my selfishness and spend these last few hours with me?”

He looked her in the eyes with nothing but awe and adoration. She was incredible and he couldn’t believe that he had met someone as great as her. 

“I agreed to it before you kissed me,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “But now that you have, how could I ever say no?”

Her smile widened, and before he could say anything more, he lifted her up and kissed her again. This time, there was no hesitation, no second-guessing, just the pure, unrestrained joy of finally being with her.

When they pulled apart again, Lucy laughed softly, her fingers toying with the hair at the nape of his neck. “As much as I’d love to keep kissing you, I still want to see more of this beautiful place. What do you say we go for a walk?”

Tim chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “I’d love nothing more.” He pecked her lips and put her down, immediately taking her hand into his. He was right. Walking with her hand in his was way more comfortable and he enjoyed it a lot. 

As they walked hand in hand through the picturesque landscape, Lucy felt a sense of serenity wash over her that she hadn’t experienced in years. Tim’s fingers intertwined with hers felt so natural and so right that it seemed that their hands were made for each other. 

“So…” Tim ventured, breaking the silence with a shy tone. “What are we now? Just friends or, uh, boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Lucy smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she glanced at him. His awkwardness was endearing, and she was happy that he was the same guy she had fallen for back when they were hiking. “What do you think?”

Tim flushed, his ears turning an adorable shade of red. He stammered, trying to piece together a response. “Well, uh… I don’t usually kiss my friends.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “You don’t?”

“No.” He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “I really don’t.”

“Then who do you kiss like that?” she teased, her tone innocent but her grin wicked.

Tim looked down at the ground, avoiding her gaze as his lips curved into a lopsided smile. “Usually… someone I’m dating.”

Lucy hummed in mock contemplation, biting her lip to keep from giggling. “Then I guess we’re dating. For these few hours we have left, we’re a couple.”

“I like that.” Tim softly smiled leaning down and kissing her softly. But when he pulled back, his voice turned serious, his expression earnest. “This doesn’t have to be just for a few hours, Lucy.”

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with possibility. Lucy’s smile faltered, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of his jacket.

“Let’s not,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “We can talk about this again when it comes to that, but right now, I just want to be with you without worrying about the future. Can we do that? Can we just… be in the moment? Please?”

Tim searched her eyes, seeing the mixture of hope and fear swirling within them. He wanted to tell her that they had more than just this moment, that he’d follow her wherever she went, but he could also see that pushing would only make her pull away again.

“Yeah, we can,” he said softly, his thumb brushing along her cheekbone.

The relief in her eyes was instantaneous, and he leaned in, kissing her slowly, as though savoring every second. If these truly were the only hours they had together, then he was determined to make every single one count.

As they continued their walk, Tim couldn’t help but steal glances at her, memorizing the way her hair caught the sunlight and the sound of her laughter as it danced in the air. And though the future was uncertain, at this moment, everything felt perfect.

Chapter Text

5:45 PM

They couldn’t stop kissing or giggling, their laughter weaving together like a silly melody only they could hear. From a distance, they might’ve looked like love-drunk teenagers who didn’t know when to quit or how to. Except they weren’t teenagers. Still, you could argue there was something undeniably tender beneath the surface. Something they both felt but neither dared to fully explore, let alone say out loud.

Their romantic detour had completely derailed the original purpose of their walk. What started as a few innocent pecks, each stolen between shared jokes and playful nudges soon spiraled into longer, deeper kisses. The softness of each other’s lips was intoxicating, magnetic even, and the urge to keep going became impossible to resist. And really, who were they to fight it? Without a word, as if answering the same unspoken question, they leaned in again and again.

Only when Lucy looked at her phone did she realize that they had to get going to see one of the movies she wanted to see. She had heard about this place where movies were screened outside, and while her previous plans were to watch a movie while enjoying the air outside, now she knew that it was the perfect place to sit close to Tim and enjoy his company while he held her in his arms. 

Yup, she was definitely looking forward to the movie. 

“So, where are we off to after the movie?” Tim asked casually, his hand warm and steady as it held hers while he drove. 

She stared at him, a dreamy smile spreading across her face as she admired how effortless he looked behind the wheel. This was new. The hand-holding, the way her thumb brushed his knuckles like it was second nature. She liked this development. A lot.

Brushing her thumb over his knuckles again, she sighed contentedly and melted into her seat. “After the movie, I thought we could grab dinner, maybe stop by the observatory, and then… find a place to stay for the night. Why?”

Tim hummed, his lips quirking up in thought before he glanced her way with that grin of his, the one that always managed to short-circuit her brain. “What if I took you out on a date?”

“A date?” Lucy tilted her head, intrigued but immediately skeptical. “What about the observatory?”

“We’ll still go,” he said with a shrug, his grin widening. “It’s just… everything else will be on me. The rest of the night is my treat.”

Lucy’s nose scrunched in protest, the idea of him paying for everything was not sitting well with her. “Tim, no. We agreed you were coming along as my driver-slash-sidekick. I’m covering all the expenses!”

“And I agreed to come, sure, but not exactly for selfless reasons,” he countered, a teasing lilt creeping into his voice. “Besides, we couldn’t have predicted… this.” He gestured between them with a hand, still keeping his eyes on the road but smiling softly. “If this is the only night I get, I want to do it properly. I want to take you on a real date. No agreements, no plans, just us.”

Lucy blinked, stunned by how much he’d just said. Tim wasn’t exactly a man of many words and hearing him ramble on like that made her laugh under her breath. “Wow,” she finally said, smirking.

“What?” he asked, frowning slightly, though the corners of his lips still tugged upward.

“I didn’t know you could talk this much.”

Tim groaned, rolling his eyes with mock exasperation. “I just pour my heart out, and that’s what you focus on?”

Lucy grinned, leaning closer to him with a playful glint in her eyes. “You’ve gotta give me some credit, Tim. It’s not like you were the most talkative person when we just met.” 

“No, no. I’m sorry,” she said quickly, her teasing fading into something softer. “I mean, I would love nothing more than for this to be a date, but… I don’t want you to feel like you have to do this.”

Tim glanced at her, just for a second, but the look in his eyes was steady and sure. “I don’t feel like I have to do anything. I want to.”

The sincerity in his voice, paired with that brief look of pure honesty, melted whatever lingering resistance she had.

“Okay,” Lucy murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She bit her lip and nodded, unable to stop the shy smile breaking through. “I would love to go on a date with you.”

“Amazing,” Tim said, grinning as he flipped on the turn signal.

Lucy furrowed her brow, watching as he steered into a nearby parking lot. “Wait… where are we going?”

He parked and turned off the engine, already half out of the car before he answered. “We’re getting snacks for the movie. And something else for the date.”

Before Lucy could even react, Tim was by her door, pulling it open with that annoyingly charming grin of his. “Come on,” he said, offering his hand.

She placed her hand in his and jumped out, landing just a little too close, her chest brushing against his. Standing tall, she leaned in and kissed him softly.  Tim’s smile grew as their fingers intertwined, and together, they made their way into Target.

“Do you like cooking?” Lucy asked as they found themselves in the kitchen aisle. She picked up a frying pan, twirling it in her hands as memories of her long-abandoned love for cooking came flooding back. “I used to love it, but… cooking for yourself gets boring after a while.”

“I do,” Tim replied with a small shrug. “Not all the time, but yeah. It’s fun when you’re in the mood for it.”

Lucy nodded thoughtfully before noticing the faint smirk creeping across his face. She raised an eyebrow in suspicion. “What’s that look for?”

“Nothing,” he said, though his expression suggested otherwise.

“Tim,” she pressed, narrowing her eyes.

“Really, it’s nothing.” Still smirking, he gave her a gentle nudge, his hand resting briefly on her lower back as he steered her toward the next aisle. It was lined with candles, rows and rows of them in every color and scent imaginable.

“It’s definitely something, ” Lucy said, stopping in her tracks to put her hands on her hips. “Do you think I’m a bad cook?”

Tim snorted, reaching for a candle and dropping it into the basket without even glancing at her. “I never said that.”

She noticed the candle, her curiosity piqued, but she chose not to comment for now. Instead, she folded her arms and shot him a look. “So, what’s this ‘nothing’ about, then?”

Tim’s lips twitched into a grin as he started walking again, the basket swinging lazily in his hand. “I just like getting to know you more,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at her. “Your antics and all.”

“My antics ?” Lucy repeated, hurrying to catch up with him.

“Yup.”

She fell into step beside him, tilting her head up to study him with mock seriousness. “Like you even know any of my antics.”

Tim stopped mid-step, turning to face her. He towered over her just enough to make her tilt her head back to meet his gaze. “Every time you want to prove a point, you point with your finger,” he began, his voice low but certain. “When you’re thoughtful, you purse your lips like you’re trying to solve the mysteries of the universe. When you see a bug, you don’t freak out at first. You just stare at it for a second before letting it go gently, like it’s some rare treasure but deep down you were scared. And every time we walk past a dog? You ‘aww’ like it’s the first dog you’ve ever seen in your life and call it ‘a beautiful pup.’”

He stepped just a little closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “In the car, you hum melodies. You don’t even notice it, but I do. So how’s that for not knowing ?”

Lucy stood frozen, her words caught somewhere between her brain and her lips. She stared into his deep blue eyes, feeling like he had just peeled back the layers she didn’t even know existed. Ever since meeting Tim, she knew he saw her, but this? He paid attention. He listened. He remembered. “Wow,” she finally breathed.

Tim grinned, his confidence soaring as he leaned in a little closer. “And now, I can officially say I’ve made you speechless.” He wiggled his eyebrows for dramatic effect before closing the space between them. His lips met hers in a soft but deliberate kiss, leaving her absolutely dumbfounded as he pulled away with a wink and started walking again as if nothing had happened.

Lucy blinked herself back to reality and hurried to catch up. “Okay, fine. If you know me so well, why don’t you tell me something about you that I don’t know?” she challenged, her voice teasing but curious. “Since we’re in the business of getting to know each other better.”

“There’s not much you don’t already know,” Tim replied with a shrug, keeping his tone casual.

“Oh, c’mon. All I know is that you were in the army, you have a dog, you’re a police officer, your best friend seems… intense, you have a sister, and you were once married. That’s it.”

“That pretty much sums it up,” he said nonchalantly, turning into an aisle stacked with cozy blankets. Without so much as a glance at the price tags, he tossed two into the basket he was carrying.

That’s when it hit her. He was planning a picnic.

“You’re impossible,” Lucy said with a shake of her head, though the giggle that escaped her betrayed her amusement. “You know, we don’t have as much time together as most couples, so I’d really like to know more about you while I can.”

Tim’s hand tightened slightly on the basket handle, and she caught the flicker of something in his eyes. Fear? Worry? Sadness? It passed quickly, but she knew it had everything to do with her comment. 

“When I was twelve, I broke my arm riding a motorcycle,” he said, switching gears with practiced ease.

Lucy blinked. “You rode a motorcycle when you were twelve?”

“I didn’t spend much time at home because of my dad,” Tim explained, his voice softening. “I used to hang out by the high school football practices every day, and eventually, the seniors noticed me. They kind of… took me under their wing. Taught me a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have been doing at twelve.” He smiled faintly at the memory, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “They even took me to a Rams game. That’s how I fell in love with football.”

Lucy listened carefully, catching the way his tone subtly shifted whenever he mentioned his dad. It was like he put up a wall, not completely closed off, but enough to make it clear the subject was complicated. She didn’t press him, knowing better than to dig into wounds that hadn’t fully healed. Instead, she gave him a small, understanding smile. “So I assume that makes you a Rams fan.”

“The biggest,” Tim replied, tossing a pair of glasses into their basket with a practiced nonchalance. “What about you?”

Lucy blinked at him, caught off guard. “Me? Oh, I don’t really watch football.” She shrugged, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Tim gave her a look, his lips curving into that faint smirk that always made her heart skip. “No, I meant what’s the first thing you ever fell in love with?”

“Oh.” Her steps faltered slightly as she processed his words. She hadn’t expected that question, but now that it was out there, she couldn’t help but love it. It wasn’t just clever, it felt like he genuinely wanted to know. “When I was little, I had this tiny dog toy,” she began, her voice softening with nostalgia. “It was the cutest thing. Big, goofy eyes, and a bright blue tongue. I took it everywhere with me, every sleepover, every trip, everywhere. It’s still in my bag, actually.”

Before she could even process the vulnerability of sharing something so personal, Tim leaned down and kissed her. Right there, in the middle of the meat aisle, with the faint hum of freezers as their only audience.

Lucy blinked up at him, stunned and a little breathless. “What was that for?” she managed to ask, her words barely above a whisper.

Tim smiled sheepishly, his eyes sparkling. “I just… had an urge to kiss you.”

She didn’t have time to argue or kiss him again, because he reached for her hand, interlacing their fingers, and tugged her toward the snack aisle.

“Okay, snacks. What are your favorites?”

Tim didn’t even need to finish his sentence before Lucy lit up like a kid in a candy store. Quite literally. She began piling candy into their basket with zero hesitation. Chocolate, gummies, chips, cookies, the basket was quickly becoming a pile of sugar and salt. Tim tried sneaking in a bag of grapes, but Lucy’s snack storm overwhelmed his weak attempt at balance.

They moved through the aisles talking about things that they seemed important that each other knew. Like their favorite fruit, how they make their eggs, what was their preferred lazy sunday when they were kids, what is their dream destination and what is the one thing that annoys them the most.

It was all so simple. Easy. The kind of conversation that didn’t need to be forced. Tim held her hand the entire time, pausing occasionally to kiss her with brief, sweet kisses that somehow felt like promises. And Lucy couldn’t get over how easily he let his guard down around her. How he wasn’t afraid to show her little cracks of vulnerability, even though they’d only known each other since this morning.

“Can I ask you something personal?” Lucy’s voice broke the comfortable silence in the car. Tim’s hand was still wrapped around hers, his thumb idly tracing patterns on her skin, and the quiet hum of the road made her bold enough to ask the question that had been on her mind.

“Yes, you can put on some music,” Tim teased, a hint of a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“No, no. Not that.” Lucy laughed, her eyes crinkling. “But thank you for giving me the privilege.”

Tim glanced at her briefly, his smirk softening into something gentler. “You can ask me anything, Lucy.”

She bit her lip, nerves bubbling up, but his calm presence gave her the courage to speak. “Okay. The same goes for you too, by the way.”

Tim kissed her knuckles, a small but powerful gesture, and it gave her the push she needed to finally ask. “If I hadn’t changed my mind about us… would you still be here? Driving me around, spending time with me?”

Tim didn’t even flinch. “Yes.” His answer came so easily, that it sounded more like instinct than thought. “Of course I would. Why wouldn’t I? Even if we were just friends, why would I choose to spend no time with you at all, when I could still be near you? Though,” he added, glancing her way with a small smile, “I’d much rather kiss you whenever I want.”

Lucy couldn’t help but smile at that, but she pressed further. “And… don’t you think it would’ve been awkward? Uncomfortable?”

Tim sighed lightly, his fingers tightening slightly around hers as he turned on the blinker. “At first? Maybe. But I think we’d figure it out. I’d rather deal with a little awkwardness than not have you in my life at all. Why are you asking this, though?”

Lucy exhaled, her shoulders relaxing as if releasing a weight she hadn’t realized she was carrying. “I guess… I wanted to know what might have happened if I let my fears win. But now that I’ve heard your answer, the one I was hoping for, I’m even more glad I risked it.” She leaned over the console, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

Tim’s smile widened, and his voice was warm when he replied, “I’m glad you risked it too.”

Just then, a familiar tune began playing through the speakers. Lucy brightened immediately, turning up the volume and starting to sing along. Her voice was soft at first but grew stronger with each note, and Tim found himself transfixed. He hadn’t known she could sing, hadn’t known she had a voice like that.

If he’d known sooner, he’d have cranked the music up a long time ago just to hear her. She looked so happy, so carefree. Like the weight of the world had lifted, even if just for a moment.

Watching her, Tim felt something shift deep inside him. This was what living felt like. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he felt alive. And Lucy was the reason why.

That’s when he made his decision.

When the time was right, he would tell her. He wasn’t going to let her go, not after today. Wherever she was headed, he would go too.

He had the savings, the time, and the freedom to make it happen. He wanted more than just one day with her.

24 hours wouldn’t be enough. It would never be enough.

***

“What movie are we watching?” Tim asked, balancing an armful of popcorn and drinks as they searched for a spot on the grassy field.

“Scream,” Lucy replied with a casual shrug, scanning the area. She found a spot not too close to the crowd but close enough for a good view of the screen. Setting the blanket down, she took the drinks from Tim’s hands to free him up.

As soon as they sat, Tim wasted no time pulling Lucy back against him, settling her between his legs with her back resting against his chest. His arms wrapped around her as though it were second nature.

“You’re such a cuddler,” Lucy teased, grinning at the way he kissed her neck and let out a contented sigh.

“I’m not,” Tim countered, though his actions said otherwise.

Lucy tilted her head up to look at him, her smile soft but playful. “You do realize you’re literally holding me in your arms right now, don’t you?”

“And that automatically makes me a cuddler?” he asked, raising a brow but unable to suppress the warmth in his smile.

“Yes,” Lucy giggled.

“Well,” Tim said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her hair, “I guess I’m a cuddler when it comes to you.” He handed her the popcorn, stealing a few pieces for himself before tossing them in his mouth.

As the opening scene of the movie began, Lucy tried her best to focus, but Tim had other plans.

“Tim,” she warned as he nuzzled against the side of her neck, his lips grazing the edge of her tattoo.

“I’m watching the movie,” he murmured against her skin, clearly not making any effort to move.

“No, you’re distracting me.”

“Am I?” he asked, his grin evident in his tone. “Guess that means my plan’s working.”

“And what plan is that?” she challenged, unable to hide the amusement in her voice.

“To spend the next two hours holding you and kissing you while everyone else is too busy with the movie to notice.”

Lucy rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face. “I came here to actually watch the movie, you know.”

“Oh, sure,” Tim said with a teasing smirk. “And you just happened to pick a spot far from everyone else, huh?”

Her cheeks flushed as she bit her lip, caught red-handed. She had definitely hoped for a little privacy, though she wasn’t about to admit that outright.

“At least give me a proper kiss until you leave a hickey.” 

Tim chuckled, tilting her face toward his as he captured her lips in a slow kiss. When he pulled back, a mischievous smirk crossed his face. “Too late. Already left one.”

“Tim!” Lucy’s hand flew to the side of her neck as her cheeks turned bright red. “Are you serious right now?”

“No,” he admitted with a chuckle, finding her reaction adorable. “But now I’m thinking maybe I should.”

“And why would you do that?”

“Because,” he said, his tone soft but sincere, “then no one else would even think about flirting with you.”

Lucy pulled back slightly to meet his gaze, her brows raised in disbelief. “You want to mark me? I didn’t know you were the possessive type.”

“I’m not,” Tim said quietly, his voice steady but with an underlying vulnerability she could sense. “It’s just… you keep saying this is our last night together, and I don’t think it has to be that way.”

Lucy saw the slight tremble in his voice, the way he tried to mask his emotions behind a calm exterior. He was good at hiding his feelings, but not good enough to fool her.

“Tim, I don’t want to talk about this right now.”

“But you promised we would,” Tim murmured, his voice tinged with quiet desperation.

“Later,” Lucy assured him, her eyes locking with his, pleading for him to understand. “Not now. Can we just enjoy this movie together? Please? It’s one of my favorite horror movies.”

Tim held her gaze for a moment, searching her face for something unspoken before finally nodding. “Yeah, okay,” he said with a faint smile, though the disappointment in his voice was hard to miss. “Let’s watch the movie.”

Leaning forward, Lucy pressed a quick kiss to his lips, then settled back into his arms. She hadn’t planned for Tim to be a part of her last adventure. She’d always imagined herself facing it alone, not because she wanted to, but because she thought she had to. The thought of being a burden when her illness inevitably caught up with her was unbearable. Especially to someone she already cared for this much.

Almost as if he could sense her inner struggle, Tim tightened his arms around her, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “I know what I’d be signing up for. Just think about it. And by the way, your taste in movies is questionable.”

Despite herself, Lucy chuckled softly. “It’s a good movie. Don’t judge.”

“It’s mediocre at best,” Tim teased, his voice lighter now, though his grip on her didn’t loosen. “But I’m not complaining because it gives me an excuse to keep kissing you through it.”

“Then why are you still talking?” she shot back, a playful smirk crossing her face.

“Oh, you are definitely trouble,” Tim said with a grin before leaning down to kiss her again.

As Lucy melted into him, she tried not to think about how hard it would be to let him go. How much it hurt to imagine walking away from the way her heart raced whenever he looked at her, the way his touch seemed to quiet every chaotic thought in her mind.

Maybe this wasn’t just a fleeting attraction. Maybe it was something more. Something deeper.

Maybe it was lo-

No.

She stopped the thought in its tracks, her chest tightening.

Lucy, keep it together.

Chapter Text

9:36 PM

Lucy’s heart thudded so loudly she was sure he could hear it. It wasn’t just racing, it was ready to leap straight out of her chest and bolt down the street. Her thoughts, usually sharp and quick, were now a jumbled, tangled mess, every logical conclusion drowned out by one terrifying realization. A realization she was far too scared to think about, let alone name.

She wasn’t in l-

No.

She couldn't even admit that to herself.

She just met the guy. 

But it was Tim . 

“Hey, is everything okay?” His gentle voice and the squeeze of his hand brought her back from her thoughts. The way he tilted his head, his soft eyes scanning her face, and that signature easygoing smile tugging at the corner of his lips, how could he look so effortlessly perfect? So annoyingly, devastatingly perfect?

Her chest tightened again. She was in lo-

No. 

Absolutely not.

“Yeah,” she croaked, her voice too high, betraying her attempt at cool indifference. She swallowed and tried again, her tone steadier this time. “I’m good. Just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?” he asked, one brow quirking upward. Then, as if he couldn’t resist, that lopsided smirk of his appeared. It was playful, a little too cocky, and dangerously effective. 

“What are you thinking about?” she countered, her suspicion growing by the second.

“Oh, nothing.” His lips twitched as he fought back a laugh. “Except… I think I cut my lip while we were eating tacos.” He leaned in closer, feigning a tragic expression. “Do you think you could kiss it to make it hurt less?”

Lucy blinked at him, torn between amusement and exasperation. “You are unbelievable, ” she said, but her voice betrayed her smile. Still, despite herself, she grabbed his collar, pulling him down until their lips brushed.

“How are you feeling now?” 

He tilted his head as though deep in thought. “Hmm… I think I might need another one. Just to be sure.”

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, rolling her eyes, but her resolve softened the moment he grinned at her. “And you’re annoying.”

“You’re the annoying one. I was supposed to be the asshole.” 

“Oh, don’t worry. You’re doing great at that. Your lip is gonna be just fine.” She shot him a pointed look, her lips twitching into a sarcastic smile before she spun on her heel and began walking away.

“Wait, what?” Tim called after her.

“You called me annoying,” she reminded him over her shoulder, her pace steady, confident.

He muttered something under his breath, but she knew he was scurrying to catch up. She didn’t look back, but she could hear his steps quickening behind her. 

Just as she was congratulating herself for holding the upper hand, his hand circled her wrist. Before she could process what was happening, Tim spun her back toward him. His other hand cupped her face as he leaned down and kissed her deep and deliberate, as if to erase any chance she had of pretending she wasn’t affected by him.

The instant his lips met hers, her thoughts scattered, and all of her carefully crafted plans dissolved. When they finally broke apart, her breath hitched, and her heart did somersaults in her chest.

“And you called me an asshole,” Tim said, his voice low and amused. “It’s kinda our thing, don’t you think?”

“Oh, so now we have a thing?” 

“Like all great couples do,” he quipped, flashing her a boyish grin that made her want to kiss him and roll her eyes simultaneously.

“We should get going before the observatory closes.”

Lucy tugged his hand, leading the way down the path, her heart fluttering in a way she didn’t entirely want to admit. The observatory had been her carefully curated plan for the evening. Just her, the stars, and a quiet moment of reflection. But then Tim happened, and suddenly her plans had shifted in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

The only thing that really changed was that stargazing now came with the warmth of a strong hand holding hers and the steady comfort of a broad shoulder she could imagine snuggling against.

As they strolled along the winding path, the cool evening air brushing against their skin, Tim’s thumb traced absentminded circles on the back of her hand. It was maddeningly sweet. “Tell me more about your friend. Angela was her name?”

“Yeah, Angela. What do you want to know about her?”

“Like how you two became friends. What is she like? And don’t tell me she is annoying.” 

Tim let out an exaggerated sigh, his lips twitching into a grin. “Fine. She’s not annoying…most of the time. Angela and I became friends at work. She was actually closer to Isabel at first, you know, my ex-wife I told you about, but when everything… went down, Angela stuck by me. She’s relentless, but she’s got a heart of gold.”

“She sounds like a good friend.”

“She is,” he agreed, his lips curving into a genuine smile. “She’s married, got a little troublemaker of a kid named Jack. Good kid, though. And her husband, Wesley, is a lawyer.”

Lucy snorted, her laughter bubbling up before she could stop it. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Tim shot her a playful glare. “I’m a cop, remember? We’re not exactly trained to love lawyers.”

She giggled, the sound light and easy, but then, out of nowhere, a question slipped out of her mouth before she had the chance to second-guess it. “Have you ever wanted kids? I mean… do you still want them?”

Her heart picked up its pace, galloping so fast she was certain Tim could feel it through the hand he was still holding. It wasn’t like she was asking about their future. She wasn’t that delusional. But a small, secret part of her regretted the question the moment it hung in the air, afraid of what his answer might reveal.

Tim slowed his steps, his expression unreadable at first. Then he looked down at her, his gaze so steady it sent a shiver down her spine. “I always thought I’d have kids by now,” he admitted, his voice low and honest. “But after Isabel… I guess I gave up on that idea. How about you?” 

She bit her lip, glancing down at their joined hands. “I love kids,” she said finally. “But… I guess I don’t think about it much anymore. There’s no reason to.”

Tim stopped walking entirely, turning to face her. His hand brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering just a little too long. “You’d make a good mom, you know.” His voice was steady, but the way he looked at her made her shiver. 

Lucy smiled, though it felt bittersweet. “And you’ll make a good dad someday,” she said, meaning every word. But even as the words left her lips, a sharp pang of something unfamiliar and unwelcome stabbed at her chest. The thought of him building a life with someone else, someone who wasn’t her, left her feeling oddly protective of whatever this was between them.

It was selfish. She knew that. Especially since she wasn’t supposed to see him again after tonight. But her heart didn’t seem to care about logic.

Tim, mercifully, changed the subject. “You know, I think Angela would like you,” he said with a grin. “Actually, she’d probably tease me for dating so far out of my league.”

“Oh, she would be right about that one. I am in fact very hot.”

Tim let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting mischievously as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. “With that, I have to agree.” Before Lucy could process what was happening, he leaned down, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that left her head spinning. “You are very, very hot,” he murmured against her lips.

“Stop,” she giggled, shoving his shoulder, even though her cheeks were burning in a way that only Tim could cause. “Come on, let’s keep moving. I want to see the stars!”

“You won’t see anything here.”

Lucy turned to him, her lips quirking into a challenge. “Wanna make that a bet?”

Tim raised an eyebrow, clearly already sensing where this was going. “Fine. If I win and we can’t see any stars, you have to agree to anything I ask for.”

“What kind of bet is that?”

“The fun kind.”

“Alright. But if I win and we do see the stars…” She paused for dramatic effect, watching his curiosity shift to apprehension. “We’re going skinny dipping tomorrow morning.”

“Ski- Lucy!” Tim’s eyes widened, his expression somewhere between shocked and amused. “I am not going skinny dipping.”

Lucy could barely hold back her laughter at the way he whispered the words “skinny dipping” like someone might overhear him. “A deal is a deal,” she teased. “Or are you afraid of losing? You don’t strike me as the scaredy-cat type.”

His jaw twitched as he narrowed his eyes. “I’m not scared. You’re on.”

“Good.” She grinned triumphantly, intertwining her fingers with his and pulling him along the path toward the observatory.

The walk was quiet, save for the crunch of their shoes on gravel and the occasional exchange of small smiles. Lucy’s excitement bubbled just below the surface, but when they finally reached the observatory, her heart sank.

The clouds blanketing the sky were thick and unyielding. She hadn’t noticed them before. Now, the stars she’d dreamed of seeing were completely hidden. Tim stood beside her, hands in his pockets, gazing at the cloudy sky. But instead of smugly declaring victory, as she’d fully expected, his expression softened with genuine disappointment.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, turning toward her.

Lucy forced a small smile, determined not to let the moment ruin the evening. “Are you sad you won’t get to go skinny dipping with me?” she teased, sliding her arms around his waist and tilting her head up to meet his eyes.

Tim’s lips twitched, but his gaze remained steady. “Skinny dipping with you does sound amazing,” he admitted, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “But no… I’m just sad to see you disappointed.”

Her heart clenched a little at how sincere he sounded. “It’s fine,” she said softly, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

“It’s not fine.” 

“It is,” she insisted, her smile faltering. “I couldn’t expect to cross off everything on my list. You can’t plan the weather, right?” She tried to keep her tone light, even playful, but her chest tightened at the thought of letting this dream slip away.

Tim studied her for a moment, his brow furrowing like he was deciding something important. Then, with a nod of determination, he said, “Okay.”

Lucy blinked. “Okay… what?”

“If I remember correctly, you have a date to attend.”

 “Is this the thing I can’t say no to because you won the bet?”

“Nope.” His grin turned devilish. “This is the kind of thing you agreed to before the bet. I’m collecting my prize later.”

“Uh-huh…” Lucy raised an eyebrow, trying to decide whether to be intrigued or nervous. “What have you planned?”

“You’re just going to have to trust me,” he said simply, his tone light but his smirk doing nothing to ease her growing curiosity and anxiety.

***

Tim was practically bursting with excitement, but he was playing it cool… too cool. His lips kept twitching into a smile, and his eyes held the kind of mischief that drove Lucy crazy. Every time she asked where they were headed, he dodged the question with maddening ease.

Finally, when the car rolled to a stop in a quiet, dimly lit driveway, Tim grabbed a bag from the backseat and stepped out, walking around to open her door. He extended his hand, his eyes sparkling with something she couldn’t quite place.

“Are you going to tell me where we are now ?” Lucy asked, slipping her hand into his.

“Patience,” he teased, helping her out of the car.

With a small bounce in her step, she let him lead her onto a forest trail. The air smelled earthy and fresh and with every twist and turn of the path, Lucy’s curiosity burned brighter.

“Okay, now you have to tell me where we’re going because if this ends in me getting murdered in the woods, I’m haunting you forever.”

Tim chuckled and looked down at her, “Just five more minutes. And for the record,” he said, squeezing her hand, “I would never hurt you.”

And somehow, believing that was the easiest thing Lucy had ever done.

He made her feel safe, safer than she’d ever thought possible with someone she’d only recently met. Maybe it was reckless, or maybe it was just Tim. The way he carried himself, the way his hand wrapped protectively around hers, the way he looked at her like she was the most important thing in the world.

It all left her completely disarmed.

Exactly five minutes later, Tim stopped and grinned. “We’re here.”

Lucy stepped out of the tree line, and her breath caught in her throat. The field before her was nothing short of magical. They stood on a hill overlooking the glittering city below, a view that stretched for miles. A giant oak tree stood proudly at the center of it all, its branches draped in soft, glowing fairy lights that twinkled like stars. Nearby, a small pond reflected the faint light, its surface shimmering in the night.

Lucy spun around to face Tim, her eyes wide. “Do you bring every woman here?” she teased, though her tone lacked any real bite.

Tim’s response was immediate and sincere. “No. I’ve never brought anyone here before. It’s…the place where I go when I need to think or just be alone.”

She tilted her head, her curiosity deepening. “So why bring me?”

“Because you can see the stars here.”

Lucy blinked, startled. “Wait. Did you know we wouldn’t see stars at the Griffith Observatory?”

Tim glanced past her for a second before returning his gaze. “I couldn’t predict the weather,” he admitted softly. “But… when you kissed me, I wanted to show you a part of myself I’ve never shared with anyone else.”

Her heart clenched, the weight of his words leaving her speechless. Overwhelmed, Lucy rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him. It wasn’t hurried or passionate, it was slow, tender, and achingly sweet.

It felt incredible.

It felt… right.

It felt like lov-

No.

Lucy pulled away abruptly. She turned and took a few hurried steps away, pretending to study the field and the lights, but really just trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions that had overtaken her.

She felt his eyes on her, and when she finally turned around, the way he was looking at her like she was the only thing in the universe, made her knees weak.

“Why are you standing all the way over there?” she called out.

“I’m giving you a moment to enjoy the view alone. You seem to like doing that.”

Lucy rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling as she gestured for him to come closer. “Get over here. This is much better.”

He was in front of her in two strides. Gently, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering just a second too long. “You’re far less annoying when you’re this close.”

“And you’re far less of an asshole,” she shot back, her voice light as she leaned in to kiss him again. “Let’s set up this place.”

Tim got to work with an efficiency that made her laugh. He spread a thick blanket beneath the oak tree, set out some candles, and lit them with a small flick of his lighter. Then came the snacks, which he laid out with surprising care. 

Lucy took it all in, her heart swelling at the sheer thoughtfulness of it.

Once everything was ready, Tim sat down against the tree and opened his arms with an inviting smile. “Come here.”

Without hesitation, Lucy crawled into his lap, settling against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. His arms wrapped around her, strong and steady, and she let herself melt into him.

“Why haven’t you brought anyone here though? It’s nice.” The view overlooking the city and the quietness surrounding them was a contrast she quite enjoyed. “I would assume that you would bring someone here to impress them.”

Tim let out a low chuckle that rumbled through his chest and into her. “I’ve never brought anyone here because I never felt like I could trust anyone enough to share it. I don’t exactly date,” he admitted, his tone matter-of-fact but with a hint of vulnerability. His eyes dropped to hers, and there was something unspoken in them. “But you’re different.”

Lucy’s breath caught, her heart stuttering for a moment. There it was again. That feeling. He was saying so much without saying anything at all, and while she wanted to acknowledge it, she wasn’t sure she could handle what it might mean.

“So,” she said, aiming for lightheartedness and ignoring the lump forming in her throat, “what is this mysterious thing you’re going to make me do that I can’t say no to?”

“Later,” he said simply, before guiding her by the shoulders to lie back on the blanket beneath them.

Lucy’s pulse quickened as she found herself flat on the ground with Tim leaning over her. Her breaths came shorter, her chest rising and falling in rhythm with his. They had never been this close before, and she could feel the warmth of his body above hers, their faces only inches apart.

She had imagined this of course. While she was sitting in his car, with his hand on her thigh, she couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel when he would touch her when there would be no clothing separating them. How it would feel to feel his lips, soft and warm on her skin setting her on fire. How it would feel to feel his weight pinning her down.

Her heart was hammering in her ears and her lips parted when she noticed his breathing hitch and his eyes flickering between her eyes and her lips but before anything could happen, he sighed softly and rolled off her, lying down beside her instead.

Lucy blinked, momentarily stunned by the shift, before she finally noticed the sky above them. It was breathtaking. The stars stretched endlessly in every direction, the clearest sky she had ever seen. It was nothing like the view she had hoped for at Griffith Observatory. Here it was raw and unfiltered, with no clouds or city lights to block the endless expanse above them.

“Why did you want to see the stars so badly?” Tim asked, his voice quiet as he reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together.

Lucy turned her head to look at him, her expression softening as she searched for the right words. “I try to stargaze everywhere I go. It’s… grounding. When I look up at the stars, it reminds me that there’s so much more out there. More than me, more than my problems, more than anything that feels overwhelming at the moment. Suddenly the feeling of dying feels smaller and less significant.”

“I like that.”

Her lips curved into a small smile as she glanced at him. “Yeah? Do you like the stars too?”

“I do.” He said looking deeply into her eyes. “Your eyes are the most beautiful stars I have ever seen.”

“Stop,” Lucy said with a laugh, her cheeks instantly heating. She tried to look away, but his fingers gently tilted her chin back to face him.

“You’re blushing, Lucy Chen,” he said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a teasing smile.

“And whose fault is that?” she muttered. “When you say things like that, I can’t help it.”

Tim smirked, propping himself up on an elbow to look over her. “I’ve said a lot of things today.”

“You have,” she murmured, her voice catching as she bit her bottom lip.

“And I’m not done yet.”

“What, so you can make me fall in l-” Lucy stopped herself, cutting off the words that almost escaped. Her gaze darted back to the sky, desperate for a distraction.

But she could feel him watching her, his eyes practically burning into her. She fought it as long as she could, but eventually, she turned to meet his gaze.

“I want to go with you.” Tim blurted out the moment their eyes met. “And this is not something you can say no to, because I am using my win now. I won and you agreed you were going to say yes to whatever I ask you. This is what I’m asking you. Can I go with you?”

Lucy’s mind raced for a reason to refuse, but she couldn’t find one. Not when he was so close, not when his lips were almost brushing hers, not when the ache in her chest was so sharp. “Wait. No-”

“You can’t say no.” Tim reminded her with pleading eyes. 

“Tim, please. Don’t do this.”

“Do what? Offer to spend more time with me? Is it really that bad?”

Lucy sat up, needing the space, needing to meet him on equal footing. But the more she looked at him, the harder it became to resist. She wanted to pull him close, to let him consume her entirely, but she couldn’t.

“You know I want nothing more than more time with you, Tim, but I don’t have that. I can’t promise you time. I can’t promise you a future. I can’t promise you anything except for one thing. And that is that I will die. I will leave you and hurt you, that’s why I can’t let you get too close.”

“Then why did you take the leap with me?” 

“I already told you why.”

“No,” Tim said, shaking his head. “You told me that you were being selfish. I told you why I am willing to take the leap.  I told you I don’t care if it hurts in the end, that I’m choosing this anyway. But you haven’t told me why you gave in.”

“Because I didn’t want to resist you!” Lucy’s voice broke as the words burst out of her. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking a shaky breath to calm herself. “I didn’t want to leave without knowing what you taste like, what it feels like to be pressed against you, what it’s like to have your arms around me. I didn’t want to miss out on that chance.”

Tim’s voice was steady, unwavering. “But I’m offering you more than a chance. I’m offering you more than a day.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

Tim shook his head, his eyes full of emotion. “You’ll hurt me if you walk away now. Whether it’s now or after we’ve had amazing months together, it’ll still hurt. But it’s hurt I’m willing to face because what I’ll get with you in the meantime will be worth everything.”

“I can’t promise you months, Tim,” she said, her voice cracking. Her hand cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing tenderly against his skin. “I don’t want to become a burden to you.”

“Taking care of you wouldn’t be a burden. It wouldn’t be a responsibility. It’s something I want to do,” he said softly, cupping her face with both hands as if she might break. “Why won’t you let me?”

“Why? You don’t even know me.” 

Tim chuckled a little. “I think I know you well by now. And even if I don’t I want to get to know you because I felt the electricity. It wasn’t just static between us. I would put 3 mangoes for you aside too if that would mean that I would get to see you someday. But instead of waiting, I am asking you now. Can I please come with you?” 

And in that moment Lucy knew. 

She was in love with him. 

It was love. 

“Yes,” she breathed, the word barely leaving her lips before she crushed her mouth against his.

Tim didn’t hesitate. He laid her down gently, his weight pressing against her as his lips moved against hers with a want that matched her own. Her hands roamed across his body, desperate to commit every part of him to memory. It was a symphony of touch, an orchestra building toward a crescendo they both felt coming.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, erasing any space that dared linger between them.

“Wait,” Tim murmured against her skin, his lips brushing her neck. “We need to stop before we go too far.”

Lucy’s breath was ragged as her fingers tangled in his hair. “I don’t want to stop. Do you?”

“No,” Tim admitted, his voice rough as his mouth found hers again. His hands found the hem of her shirt, tugging it upward. In one fluid motion, she pulled it over her head, mirroring him as her hands slid under his shirt, eager to feel him.

“Wait.” Lucy pressed on his chest to stop him. “Can’t we go to jail for this?” 

Tim blinked down at her, momentarily stunned, then groaned, dropping his forehead to her shoulder. “Technically, yes. But no one knows about this place. We’re completely alone.”

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes,” Tim reassured her, but when he leaned in to kiss her again, she turned her head slightly, still unconvinced.

“How can you be so sure?”

Tim groaned again, burying his face in the crook of her neck like he was trying to gather his patience. Finally, he mumbled, “Because I own this place.”

Lucy blinked. “What?”

Tim pulled back, meeting her gaze with a sheepish look. “Because I own this place. I bought it. Who do you think put these fairy lights on the tree? What do you think is all that space back there for? It’s the land for my future house where I planned to live with my family. A place where I would spend all my quiet moments with the people I love.”

Lucy stared at him, her eyes wide, blinking in disbelief. For a moment, she wasn’t sure if this was some kind of unintentional confession, but the way his expression softened and then shifted with the realization of what he had just said made it crystal clear.

He felt the same way she did.

“What are you trying to say right now?” she whispered, her voice shaky but steady enough to demand an answer.

“I think you know.” 

Lucy shook her head. “No. I need to- I want to hear you say it.”

Tim’s lips grazed hers as he murmured the words that made her world tilt. “Lucy, I love you.”

In that instant, all the weight she’d been carrying seemed to lift, replaced by a lightness she didn’t know she could feel. Without hesitation, she flipped their positions, straddling him as she rained kisses over his face, his neck, and his chest. “I love you too, Tim,” she blurted, breathless, her words tumbling out before she claimed his lips in a searing kiss.

Her hands moved to unbuckle his pants, her movements urgent but deliberate.

Tim caught her wrists gently, his voice soft but serious. “Are you sure you want this? We don’t have to rush. We can wait.”

Lucy met his gaze, her lips curling into a playful, determined smirk. “I don’t want to wait. I want this. I want you . So maybe... less talking, more doing?”

Tim’s lips twitched into a smirk of his own before he flipped them back, pinning her beneath him with a mix of tenderness and passion.

In no time, their clothes were discarded, and they found themselves skin-to-skin under the blanket of stars.

Lucy was right. His touch was electrifying, every caress igniting a fire within her. His lips were soft yet commanding, and his strength made her feel safe in a way she hadn’t felt in years. He was gentle, attentive, and so full of love that it seeped into every movement, every kiss, every whispered word.

This wasn’t just lust. This was way more. It was something they’d built in a matter of hours, yet it felt like it had been growing between them for a lifetime.

It was perfect.

As their breathing finally slowed and their bodies melted into each other, tangled under the warmth of a blanket and the glow of the stars, Tim pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. He adjusted the second blanket over them, shielding her from the cool night air.

“I’m so glad I had that spot free on the train for you,” Tim murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he stared up at the clear sky.

Lucy’s finger lazily traced patterns on his chest. “Your backpack had the spot. I was just bold enough to ask you to move it.”

“No, you asked if the seat was taken and it wasn’t. I just happened to have my backpack there.”

Lucy tilted her head up, her brows arching. “We’re seriously arguing about how we met on the train?”

When Tim looked up at her, his eyes were filled with an unmistakable love that made her breath catch. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m happy our paths crossed.”

Her lips curled into a warm smile as she leaned down to kiss him gently. “I’m happy too.” After a beat, her grin turned mischievous. “So… are we taking Kojo with us?”

Tim stiffened for a moment. “Wait, so you agree with me going with you?”

“Only if you are okay with the consequences.” She said a little unsure. 

“Yes. I want this. I want you for more than today.”

Her smile widened as she rested her head on his chest, her leg tangling with his. “Then I’m taking you with me.”

Tim closed his eyes, his arms tightening around her. “We can grab my stuff and Kojo tomorrow morning,” he murmured, his voice trailing off as he began to drift off.

As sleep began to pull her under, Lucy heard the faint buzz of her phone nearby. She ignored it, choosing instead to stay in this perfect moment, wrapped in the arms of the man she loved. A man who loved her just as fiercely.

Her future. 

For as long as that may be.

Chapter Text

8:00 AM

Lucy’s alarm buzzed sharply, pulling her from her sleep. Groggily, she reached out to silence it, her eyes barely opening as she snuggled back into the warmth beside her. A soft smile spread across her face as she felt Tim’s arm wrapped securely around her.

It was unbelievable how drastically life had shifted in just a single day. And while it should scare her, she felt oddly at peace with the progress. In only 24 hours, she’d fallen in love with a man who she now pictured spending her last days with.

And last night...last night had been extraordinary. As fragments of their shared intimacy flashed through her mind, Lucy’s heart fluttered. She felt giddy, almost weightless with excitement, especially now that he was coming with her.

“Good morning.” A gentle voice broke through her thoughts, accompanied by the soft press of Tim’s lips against her neck.

“Good morning,” she murmured, turning to meet him with a slow, tender kiss.

“How’d you sleep? Were you warm enough?”

“I slept amazingly,” she said with a grin. “And I wasn’t cold at all. What about you?”

“Same.”

For a moment, Lucy let herself savor the feeling of waking up next to him, but the tug of reality quickly returned. They had things to do, and sticking to her schedule was critical even if being with Tim made her want to forget it all.

“Alright, we need to get moving,” she said, reluctantly sitting up. “We have to grab your stuff and Kojo before heading to the bus station. We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

Tim groaned but complied, pulling himself up to start packing away their snacks and candles. They worked together, folding blankets and gathering their things, but just as Lucy slipped her phone into her pocket, it buzzed.

“What is it?” Tim asked, noticing the way her brow furrowed.

“It’s my doctor,” she said, her voice laced with confusion. Why would she be calling her now? What could she possibly have to say after everything? “I have to take this.

“Of course.”

Stepping a few feet away for privacy, Lucy felt a wave of unease. Her doctor had made it clear before, there was no hope. Why call now? Her hands shook slightly as she answered.

“This is Lucy Chen,” she said cautiously, the familiar voice on the other end instantly bringing back a flood of memories she’d tried to suppress.

“Hi, this is Dr. Crest. You may not remember me-”

“I remember,” Lucy interrupted, her voice tight. “You’re the one who told me I’m dying. Hard to forget something like that.”

There was a nervous pause. “Right. I’m so sorry.”

Lucy’s stomach churned. Something wasn’t adding up. “Why are you calling me?”

“Well,” the doctor began hesitantly, “we were hoping to see you in the office, but after contacting your family, we learned you’re out of state. There’s been a mix-up with your test results, and-”

Lucy’s heart thudded in her chest as silence stretched between them.

“We need to inform you that you’re perfectly healthy.”

The words didn’t register at first. Lucy blinked, her mind scrambling to make sense of them. “I’m sorry, what?”

“There was an error,” Dr. Crest explained. “The results we discussed with you were from an old case, a different patient who passed away last year. Our system experienced a crash, and unfortunately, your information was mixed with theirs. After reviewing your actual results, I can confirm there are no anomalies. You’re in perfect health, Miss Chen.”

“O- okay. Um…Th- thank you.” Lucy’s words stumbled out as she hurriedly ended the call. The phone slipped from her fingers as she dropped to her knees, burying her face in her hands. Hot tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Tim was at her side almost instantly, as if he’d been keeping a watchful eye on her the entire time. “Hey, hey. What’s wrong?” His arms encircled her, his warmth and steady presence offering comfort, but she could feel his concern radiating through every touch. His heart was pounding, mirroring her own turmoil, and a pang of guilt flashed through her chest.

“I- I need a moment alone, please,” she managed, her voice shaky and raw.

Tim hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded. Reluctantly, he stood and stepped away, giving her the space she so desperately needed.

As soon as he left, Lucy’s thoughts spiraled, her mind overwhelmed with questions and emotions. What was she supposed to do now? Was this real? Was she really not dying? How would she explain this to Tim? Would he even believe her? Should she go back home? Or should she continue her journey, even though everything had now changed?

The weight of it all pressed down on her, suffocating and relentless. For months, she had accepted her diagnosis and convinced herself not to question it. The absence of pain, the lack of symptoms. She had chalked it all up to her body numbing her to the inevitable. She hadn’t dared to second guess the results.

If only she had stayed home a little longer. If only she had gone in for another checkup. This entire ordeal could have been avoided.

Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, and she pressed a trembling hand to her chest, forcing herself to take slow, steady breaths.

I’m alive.

I’m not dying.

She repeated the words like a mantra, grounding herself in the moment. The warm breeze brushed against her skin, and she focused on the sensation. In the distance, birds chirped, their melodies a reminder of life’s quiet, persistent beauty.

I’m alive.

I’m not dying.

The sound of footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts, and she flinched slightly as Tim’s hand rested gently on her shoulder. Looking up, she met his deeply worried eyes, silently pleading for her to let him in. “It’s been 20 minutes,” he said softly, his voice tinged with anxiety. “I’m worried. Are you okay?”

Lucy hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Was she okay? Physically, there was nothing wrong with her, but emotionally, she was in complete disarray. The storm within her raged on, and seeing the fear in Tim’s expression only added to the heaviness in her chest.

She reached out, her hand trembling as she took his. With his help, she stood, brushing grass off her knees. “We need to talk,” she said quietly, her voice steadier than she felt. “But not here.”

Not where the memories of the previous night still lingered. 

Tim’s brows furrowed in confusion, but he nodded. “O-okay. We can go to my place.”

“Okay.” She forced a weak smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. Without waiting, she began walking in the direction they had come from, leaving Tim standing there, bewildered.

The drive was the most silent one they had ever shared. Tim barely moved, barely even breathed, as though afraid any small sound might shatter the fragile moment. He didn’t try to look at her or reach for her hand, but Lucy could sense the tension radiating from him. Despite her own turmoil, she couldn’t bear his unease. Slowly, she reached out, her fingers brushing his on the console before intertwining them.

The audible exhale he released broke her heart a little, and she clung to his hand, even as the weight of her thoughts pressed harder on her chest.

What was she supposed to do now?

When Tim finally pulled into the driveway of a small, modern house, Lucy couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of recognition. The house was simple, and practical just like Tim. Since she had taken his hand in the car, some of his earlier hesitation had disappeared. As they stepped out, he reached for her hand again, as if needing the contact to ground himself. She didn’t pull away. She held on, even as the confusion in her mind swirled.

Even inside the house, the furniture and lack of decorations reminded her of Tim. It was very simple, very neat, and nothing out of place. Lucy noticed some pictures framed on the wall, and looking closely at them, she saw what probably was Kojo. Then she noticed a picture of a couple looking very happy and an annoyed Tim holding a little boy in his lap wearing a Santa costume.

“Is this Angela’s family?” she asked, pointing to the picture as Tim entered a code into his security system.

“Yeah. She made me dress up as Santa for Jack last Christmas.”

“You don’t look very thrilled about it,” Lucy teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Angela wouldn’t stop teasing me the whole time,” he admitted with a shrug. “Anyway, can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?”

“Tea would be nice.” She smiled, this time a little more genuine. For the first time since the phone call, she saw Tim’s lips curve into a soft, shy smile in return. It was endearing and, for a moment, it lightened the heaviness in her chest.

As Tim busied himself in the kitchen, Lucy wandered to the backyard. The small outdoor space brought a faint smile to her face as she remembered their first encounter and how she’d teased him about not seeing anything beyond his backyard. She stepped out, the cool air brushing against her skin, and curled up on a lounge chair, tucking her legs under her chin.

It wasn’t long before Tim joined her, a steaming cup in his hands. “Here’s your tea,” he said, handing it to her carefully.

“Thanks.” Lucy took the cup and held it between her hands, savoring its warmth. She could feel Tim’s eyes on her, could sense the questions he was holding back.

“Lucy,” he finally said, his voice almost pleading. “Please. Talk to me. I’m losing my mind here.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I just…I don’t know where to start.”

“Okay,” he said gently, sitting down beside her. “ Start with what the phone call was about.” He reached for her hand again, and she didn’t resist. Instead, she let his touch ground her.

Lucy took a deep breath, then another, before setting her tea on the small table between them. “It was my doctor,” she said slowly, her voice trembling. “She told me there was…a mix-up with my test results. What she told me before it wasn’t true.”

Tim’s brows furrowed, confusion written all over his face. “I don’t follow.” 

Lucy swallowed hard, meeting his gaze. “The results weren’t mine. There was a mistake. I’m not dying, Tim.”

At first, Tim just sat there, staring at her, his expression unreadable. Lucy nervously chewed on her bottom lip, trying to focus on the warmth of his hand still holding hers while he processed the shock she had just dropped on him.

Tim exhaled sharply before a smile spread across his face. It was wide, too wide, and it made Lucy feel nauseous. He had clearly let himself get hopeful. “Lucy, that’s incredible.”

Before the wrong idea could take root, she gently pulled her hand away from his. His smile faded immediately. “I don’t know what to do, Tim. My whole world just flipped upside down, again, and I don’t even know where to start. I have so many questions. I know you probably have questions too, but I’m not sure I can answer them the way you want me to.”

“I’m not looking for answers right now. You’ve already given me what I needed to know. I can just be here for you, to listen to whatever you need to say.”

Lucy hesitated, torn between wanting to keep him at arm’s length and the pull to let him in. It was him, though. He understood her in a way no one ever had. Maybe that counted for something.

“I’m not sure what comes next,” Lucy confessed, her voice shaky. “I don’t know if I should go back home and get more tests or keep going down the path I’ve started. I had everything planned out, Tim. I left school, I left home, I cut off people and things that didn’t make me happy. I’ve realized so much, and one of the biggest things is that I don’t want to go back to the life I had. But now...now I don’t know what my options are.”

Tim listened quietly, his eyes never leaving hers. After a moment, he spoke softly, “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. You’re in an impossible position. It’s okay to take time to figure out the next steps.”

Lucy nodded slowly, his words sinking in. As much as the uncertainty overwhelmed her, she did feel like she had a clearer view of what she needed to do. At least in the near future. “I’m not going back home,” she said firmly.

Tim gave a small nod, waiting for her to continue, his gaze filled with quiet hope. Lucy knew what he wasn’t asking, he wasn’t asking where he fit into her future, though she knew he was thinking it.

“I think I want to continue the trip but- I’m not taking you with me.” Tim’s shoulders visibly slumped. “I need to do this alone. I need to take my time thinking about what I want and I can’t do that while you are next to me because when I’m with you I forget about the world outside of our own little bubble. I need to remember the world outside of us. I need to make decisions based on what I want, not because of what we have together. It’s too confusing right now.”

The words cut deep, and she knew it. They hurt coming out of her mouth, and she could only imagine how they felt to hear, especially after everything they had been through, the night they had shared, and the confessions of love.

Dammit. 

She loved him. 

Tim didn’t look at her. He kept his gaze fixed forward, his jaw tense, his posture closed off. It reminded her so much of the first time they met that it sent a shiver down her spine.

He was pulling away.

Panicked, Lucy reached for his hand, gently placing her other hand on his cheek, forcing him to meet her eyes. “It’s not because my feelings for you changed. Wait, no. It did change-”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to explain,” Tim interrupted softly.

“Crap, that sounded awful.” Lucy groaned, shaking her head. “I meant…my feelings did change. I didn’t expect to fall in love with you. But now that I have, I need this time to reflect and figure out what I want. If I bring you along, I’ll just shut you out while I’m trying to process everything, and you don’t deserve that. I don’t want to put you through that.”

Tim opened his mouth to respond, but she quickly cut him off. “Before you say anything, please just try to imagine what you would’ve done if you were in my position.”

He sighed deeply, running his hands through his hair, his elbows resting on his knees. She could almost see the gears turning in his mind as he processed her words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. “I know what I’d do. And that’s what makes this harder to accept because I know I would’ve done the same thing.”

“I’m sorry,” Lucy whispered.

“No, don’t apologize,” Tim said quickly. He turned toward her, his knees brushing against hers, and took both of her hands in his. “You have every right to do this on your own. I’m just…the guy who happened to tag along. Though, I’ll admit, it sucks, because now I have to come up with a new thing you can’t say no to. Collect my prize and all.” 

Despite herself, Lucy laughed at his sheepish grin. Relief washed over her at his attempt to ease the tension. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his, her eyes fluttering shut as she took a deep breath, letting his familiar scent calm her. “Thank you for understanding.”

“That’s what you do when you love someone,” he murmured, his voice steady, reassuring.

Lucy exhaled softly before kissing him, a gentle, lingering kiss that said all the things she didn’t have words for.

When she pulled away, she gave him a small smile. “Can we grab breakfast before I catch my bus?”

Tim smiled back, a little brighter this time. “Of course.”

Even though she knew she was doing the right thing, the ache in her chest didn’t subside. She memorized every moment of that morning. The way he held her hand while driving, how he glanced over at her with that loving smile, how he paid for their breakfast and insisted she try his sandwich, and how he swapped meals with her without hesitation when his turned out to be better.

Their breakfast was shared over a conversation about her next plans of where was going to go and what she was excited to see. They didn’t talk about what their future looked like because both were scared to bring the subject up. 

But eventually, the moment came.

“So...the bus is here,” Lucy said softly, gripping her suitcase in one hand and her backpack in the other. Her voice wavered, but she pushed through. “Thank you for...everything. For helping me plan this trip, for driving me around, and, well...for last night. It was really romantic. I wasn’t expecting it.”

Tim raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. “What? You didn’t think I had it in me?”

“I just assumed you weren’t the big romantic gestures kind of guy.” She smirked at him, trying to lighten the weight in her chest.

He rolled his eyes, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You assume a lot of things about me, don’t you? We’ve been over this, Lucy. You’ve got to stop doing that.”

His tone was light, but there was a deeper meaning behind his words that neither of them could miss. Lucy hesitated, then surged forward, wrapping her arms around him and holding on tightly. Tim reacted immediately, pulling her close, one hand cradling her head and the other resting firmly on her back.

“Lucy?” His voice was soft, hesitant.

“Hm?” She looked up at him, her wide eyes shimmering, unwilling to let go just yet.

“I know what I want to ask as my victory prize,” he said, his voice warm but steady. “Take as much time as you need. Be selfish, okay?”

Lucy nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I promise.”

“And if you ever decide to come back,” Tim added, trailing his thumb gently across her cheek, “give me a call, Lucy Chen.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Tim Bradford.” She smiled back and pulled him down to kiss her. It was a kiss of ‘see you later’ rather than ‘goodbye’. It was a kiss of ‘I’ll still love you and I will miss you’. 

When they broke apart, she leaned her forehead against his, whispering her final words. “I promise I’ll come back.”

This time, she kissed him again not to say goodbye, but to seal her promise. Then, with trembling resolve, she stepped back and turned toward the bus.

Tim’s hand slipped from hers as she disappeared into the crowd of passengers boarding. He stood there, rooted in place, watching until she was completely out of sight.

For Lucy, every step felt heavier than the last. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had left a piece of her heart behind with him. The ache was immediate and consuming.

But when she glanced at her phone, a realization struck her.

10:17 AM

It had been exactly 24 hours.

Chapter Text

It took Tim about half an hour before he finally convinced himself to leave the bus station. He hated admitting it, even to himself, but a part of him had held onto the hope that Lucy might change her mind. That any second now, he’d see her dark hair whipping through the crowd as she came running back to him. But with each passing minute, that hope slowly faded.

Maybe he just wasn’t ready to accept that their time together was really over. She had promised him 24 hours, and that’s exactly what she gave him. 

She gave him the best 24 hours of his life. 

Sliding into his truck, he immediately felt the emptiness beside him. His gaze drifted to the passenger seat, and the memory of her just being within reach hit him like a punch to the chest. As he turned the key in the ignition, the silence felt deafening. He already missed the way she would hum softly without even realizing it.

He missed her desperately.

Tim could only hope that, in time, the ache of her absence would fade. That maybe, just maybe , he’d get used to being alone again. Perhaps Kojo would help with that.

With that thought, he pulled up outside Angela’s house, already bracing himself for the inevitable lecture.

He considered ringing the doorbell but hesitated, remembering that Jack might be asleep. Instead, he knocked lightly.

The door swung open to reveal Angela whose hair was messy and a piece of banana was somehow stuck in it while Kojo bounded up beside her, tongue hanging out, tail wagging enthusiastically.

“Aren’t you a sunshine.” She remarked when her eyes took in the lines on his face that had gotten deeper and his eyes filled with sadness. Something she hadn’t seen in years.

“Hey, sorry for not giving you a heads up I kind of got caught up in something.” He stepped into the house and scratched behind Kojo’s ear. The house was a disaster zone, and guilt crept in as he realized how much of a handful Kojo must’ve been.

“Where are Wesley and Jack?” he asked, glancing around.

“Wesley took Jack to his mom’s,” Angela replied, scooping up a few stray toys and tossing them into the toy box. Tim immediately crouched down to help.

She didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “So, am I going to have to drag it out of you, or are you just going to tell me why you’re here picking up Kojo a day later than planned? Is it Isabel? Did something happen between you two?”

Tim’s head snapped up, his sharp glare meeting her knowing smirk.

“No. This has nothing to do with Isabel,” he stated firmly, shutting that idea down before she could run with it.

Angela frowned, clearly thrown by his response. “Okay…so what happened?”

Seizing the opportunity, she plopped down onto the couch while Tim continued cleaning up. Given the circumstances, Tim was willing to clean all of her house if that meant they would be even for leaving her with his dog for more than they had agreed on.

“It went fine,” he said simply. “I dropped off her stuff, stayed for coffee, we talked, and then I said goodbye.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes, I already told you that nothing happened,” he confirmed, picking up a toy and studying it. 

It resembled the one Lucy had once described to him, and the resemblance hit harder than he expected. As the memory of her telling him about the dog toy with a blue tongue surfaced, so did a deep, aching loneliness he couldn’t shake.

“What just happened?” Angela asked, noticing the faint but somber smile. 

“Nothing.” Tim tried to brush it off, but Angela wasn’t the type to let things slide. 

“No, it’s definitely something. Something’s changed.” She studied him for a moment before adding, “Is this about Isabel?”

“No,” Tim groaned. “Nothing with how I feel is related to Isabel. I’m happy for her. It’s-“ Tim looked at her and immediately tried to back out of the conversation. Just mentioning Lucy alone would break his heart. “Nothing.”

“It’s definitely not nothing. You look like someone just ran over your dog, and I know for a fact Kojo is very much alive.” As if on cue, Kojo barked from across the room. Angela smirked, pointing at the dog in confirmation.

Tim exhaled, his eyes drifting back to the toy. The image of Lucy flashed in his mind. The way she had barreled through the crowded train, slightly out of breath, wild hair, and a smile that could light up the darkest tunnel.

“I met someone on my way home.”

Angela raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She knew her best friend well enough to know that he wasn’t the type of person who would date. No. He rarely even spoke about women. But the man in front of her right now was a man who was heartbroken because of a woman. 

“Met someone?” she repeated, though it was more of a statement than a question.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “Lucy. She sat next to me on the train.”

Angela leaned in, sensing there was much more to this story. “Go on.”

“She had this whole plan, 24 hours to see as much of LA as possible. At first, I had no intention of talking to her. She was annoying me, invading my space with this massive map she was holding upside down.” He let out a short laugh at the memory. “But there was just… something about her. Something I couldn’t ignore. I had to get to know her.”

Angela remained silent, watching him closely. Tim Bradford wasn’t a man who got attached easily. But now, sitting in front of her, he looked like a man who had just lost something, no, someone he wasn’t ready to let go of.

“When we got off the train, she asked if I wanted to come with her. At first, I figured she only invited me because I had a car, and I wouldn’t blame her for that.” He shook his head, smiling faintly. “I didn’t expect to enjoy it. The places she dragged me to, the way she saw the city…it was different. And then-” He swallowed hard, looking down at the toy again. “Angela, I fell in love with her. I never thought it was possible to love someone so completely in just 24 hours. But I did.”

Angela sat back, absorbing his words. If she didn’t know Tim as well as she did, she might have thought he’d lost his mind. But there was no mistaking the way he spoke about Lucy. It was raw. Honest.

And it told her everything she needed to know.

After a moment, she asked, “Well…where is she now?”

“She uh…she had to leave.” 

“What?! Why?”

“The whole 24 hours thing was because she thought she was dying. Her doctor told her that she only had a few months to live but when she woke up this morning she got a call from her doctor saying that there was a mixup. So our plan of leaving together changed.”

Angela sat up straighter, still processing. “Wait, wait, wait. You were going to leave? And just dump your dog on me?”

“No, I would’ve taken Kojo with us.” 

She blinked at him. “Okay. And what about work?”

Tim rolled his eyes, finally tossing the dog toy in the toy box before picking up the next thing off the ground. “I would’ve used my vacation days.” Then, turning to her, he met her gaze with a conviction she rarely saw in him. “Listen, I know this sounds insane, but if you had met her, you’d understand. She’s one of a kind.”

“I believe you.” She replied simply. “I can see it in your eyes when you talk about her. And to get to Tim Bradford’s heart you have to break through many layers.”

“Yeah,” he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “She did it like it was nothing.”

Angela hesitated before asking, “So…what does her leaving mean for the two of you?”

Tim exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know.” And that was the worst part because he had no idea. “I’m sure I’ll hear from her again, but right now, she’s figuring everything out. What she wants. What to do with her life.”

“That’s understandable.” She nodded. “How are you feeling about all of this?”

“I miss her.” The words felt heavier than he expected. He stood up, scanning the room. With no more toys left to pick up, he gave Angela a half smile before reaching for Kojo’s leash near the door.

Angela watched him for a moment before getting up as well. She handed him a bag with Kojo’s things, her expression softer now. “You’re a good man, Tim. If she saw that, I’m sure she’ll find her way back to you.”

Tim swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Yeah. I hope so.”

Before he could react, Angela pulled him into a hug, her hands rubbing soothing circles on his back.

“Thank you,” he murmured, appreciating her more than words could say.

“There’s nothing to thank me for,” she assured him with a small smile. “That’s what friends are for.”

As she stepped back, he gave her one last nod before heading for the door.

Glancing down at Kojo, he couldn’t help but picture Lucy in his life, how she would’ve played with his dog, how she and Angela would’ve gotten along, how easily she fit into his world.

“Let’s go home, boy.”

But even as he said it, he knew that home wasn’t his house anymore.

It was miles away, on a bus.

-3 weeks later-

The first days without Lucy were rough, there was no denying that. Everywhere he looked, there were reminders of her, little pieces of their time together that hit like a knife to the gut.

At first, Angela gave him space, letting him work through his emotions on his own. But then (at least in Tim’s opinion) she decided she was done with his sulking. She dragged him out of the house, forcing him to spend time with the guys from the station. He would’ve preferred to just go home, but he had to admit…it helped.

Still, distraction only worked for so long. He threw himself into running, spent extra time outside with Kojo, experimented in the kitchen, and even picked up a few extra shifts at work. But no matter what he did, his mind always found its way back to Lucy.

He went to Hollywood Boulevard, even though he still hated the place. Had lunch at the Grand Central Market more times than he cared to admit. Stargazed at their spot. He even tried watching ‘Scream’ outdoors, hoping to lose himself in the movie but when all he could think about was Lucy beside him, he got up and left halfway through.

Bottom line? He wasn’t over her. Not even close. He missed her every hour of every day.

But he wasn’t the only one.

Every once in a while, Lucy sent him a picture from wherever she was. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, Tim dropped everything just to use the small window of time to chat with her.

Their conversations were always about her travels, the places she’d been, the adventures she’d had. Tim never asked about them or what she had decided for her future. He didn’t want to push.

He just hoped that the fact she was still texting him, still keeping him in the loop, meant something.

He really, really hoped.

But the days off work were the toughest ones. And today was no different. He woke up and already checked his phone hoping that maybe he got a message from Lucy. Seeing his phone clear from notifications, he got up took a shower, made breakfast, and walked Kojo. By the time he stood in the middle of his house, hands on his hips, he had no clue what to do with himself.

Lucy was right for saying that all he had seen of LA was the tree and grass in his backyard.

But she had also shown him places beyond that, places he would’ve never gone to on his own. And there was one in particular that had stuck with him. Maybe going there again would help him clear his head. The only downside? It looked like he’d be going alone. Kojo curled up in his dog bed, barely lifted his head before letting out a deep sigh clearly showing no interest in the words “walk” or “out” no matter how Tim tried to say them.

Tim drove in silence for a while before eventually putting on some music. Ever since Lucy, he found himself doing that more often. He used to hate it, background noise while driving had never been his thing. But now it was a small reminder of her, and he wasn’t ready to let go of that just yet.

By the time he reached Eaton Canyon, the day was winding down. There weren’t many people around, which suited him just fine. He hadn’t been back since the last time with Lucy, and to be honest, he was still a little shaken up by the whole bear experience.

But really, what were the odds of running into the same bear twice?

…Right?

Tim followed the familiar trail until a sign caught his eye.

Dangerous path ahead!

Attempt only if you are a professional and at your own risk!

For a moment, Tim hesitated, considering turning back. But something about the path ahead was strangely compelling. He couldn’t quite explain it, but it was as though the trail was calling him. Before his mind could fully process it, his feet were already moving forward, ignoring the caution.

A few breaths later, he found himself hiking up the hill, but suddenly, a noise behind him made him freeze.

There was no way that this was happening again…

With his hands raised in a cautious gesture, he slowly turned around, and to his surprise, he found himself face to face with the same bear that Lucy had once befriended.

“Hey, girl,” Tim muttered weakly, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. The bear took a step closer, looking more self-assured than it had the last time they crossed paths. He knew it. The freaking bear liked Lucy more than him. Was that really a surprise though? Not really. He liked Lucy better than the bear too. 

“Whoa, okay. Easy,” Tim tried to keep his voice steady. He took a step back, but the bear closed the distance, then stopped and looked up the hill. The sound it made was low, almost like a command.

“I don’t speak bear,” Tim muttered, trying to make light of the situation.

The bear looked at him once more before making another, more urgent sound, then stepped back, glancing at the path ahead. Tim couldn’t help but wonder if it was trying to tell him something. His thoughts raced, and then, like a sudden jolt, it clicked. The bear was directing him up the hill.

But why?

There was no way that it was trying to tell him that Lucy was there too…right? 

No. That was crazy. She had promised that she would give him a call whenever she would come back and she hadn't. And the last time she had texted, she was in Arizona. 

Cautiously, trying not to provoke the bear, Tim began to climb the hill. He kept his eyes on the animal, and when he saw it stay put, he continued, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but it was getting harder to ignore the possibility.

When he finally reached the top, the sun was setting, casting long shadows over the landscape. Tim squinted, struggling to make out shapes in the dimming light. And then he saw her. A woman, standing in the same spot where Lucy had once been, her arms stretched out as if embracing the view.

His heart skipped a beat.

There she was.

Taking slow steps toward her, Tim’s voice caught in his throat. “You’re here. Wow. I-” His mind scrambled for words to say. He had imagined many scenarios where he would see her but now that he had the opportunity to say anything, his mind was blank. 

“It’s good to see you. I missed you.” He took another step forward, but the moment she turned around, his heart dropped.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” The stranger, definitely not Lucy, looked at him with confusion.

Tim felt like an idiot. Of course, it wasn’t her. She hadn’t called. Why would she be here?

“No, I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

Just as he was about to turn away, a familiar voice rang out behind him.

“I leave for three weeks, and you’re already hitting on someone else?”

His head snapped around so fast it nearly gave him whiplash. And there she was. Lucy .

For a split second, he wondered if his mind was playing tricks on him. But no, she was real. She looked the same, yet there was a newfound lightness to her, a sense of calm that hadn’t been there before.

“You- You’re here.”

“Oh, thank god, nothing is wrong with your eyes. For a moment there you got me worried.” she teased, stepping a little closer but still maintaining some distance. Tim wanted nothing more than to close that space, but he wasn’t sure where they stood. So instead, he mirrored her, taking a small step forward as well.

“You didn’t call.”

Lucy gave him a soft smile, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. “I wanted to, but I just got back today. When I picked up my phone, I wasn’t sure what to say to you.”

“‘Hey, I’m in LA, want to meet up’ probably would’ve been a great start.” He smiled softly at her and was happy to see her tilt her head to the side mirroring his smile.

Before she could respond, the woman he had mistaken for Lucy earlier approached them. “Lucy, are you ready to head down?”

Tim glanced between the two women, confused, before noticing the subtle smirk playing on Lucy’s lips.

“You two know each other?”

“I met Emma on the way up. She froze the moment she saw my friend.”

“The bear?” Tim asked, amused by the way Lucy casually referred to the animal as if it were an old pal.

“Yup. I’m actually surprised you made it up here. Last time, the bear didn’t seem too fond of you. Did you run into her again? God, I missed her so much.”

Tim chuckled, shaking his head. “Only you would befriend a bear.”

Lucy grinned. “You’re just jealous that I’m more charming than you.”

He laughed, knowing she wasn’t wrong. Her charm was part of what made him fall for her in the first place.

“Wait,” Emma suddenly said, turning to Lucy with wide eyes. “Is this Tim? The guy you told me about?” Tim smirked as he caught the way Lucy’s face instantly flushed. So, she had been talking about him. And better yet, not just at some point but within the short time she and Emma had known each other.

“You’ve been talking about me?” He didn’t even try to hide his cockiness.

“No!” Lucy shot him a glare before sighing in defeat. “Yes, this is him.”

Emma glanced between them, her expression turning amused. “I’ll leave you two alone and, uh, wait over there…somewhere.” She giggled before stepping away, leaving them standing face to face.

Tim cleared his throat. “So, how was your trip?” He kept his tone casual, steering away from the unspoken weight lingering between them.

“It was great. I saw a lot, met so many people.” She mirrored his casualness before her face turned more serious. “I visited all these places, and on the bus to Arizona, I tried to pick my favorite one. But then I realized something. I liked every place just the same, but LA…LA stood out the most.”

“It is a beautiful city,” he agreed.

“It is,” she nodded. “But that’s not what made it unforgettable.” Her voice softened as she took a step closer, closing the small space between them. “It wasn’t what made it so unforgettable but rather who ”  She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice quieter now. “It was because of this one guy that I met.”

Tim’s heart pounded at her proximity. He could smell the familiar scent of her shampoo, and see the freckles on her nose. “Oh yeah?” He swallowed. “What’s he like?”

“Very annoying,” she said, feigning exasperation. He chuckled, but the sound caught in his throat when her arms draped around his neck.

“He’s grumpy,” she murmured, her touch sending warmth through him. “But deep down, he’s just a big softie with an even bigger heart. And my favorite part is when he smiles.” She gazed at him, eyes tracing his features like she was memorizing them. “Because when he does, his eyes sparkle and it makes my breath hitch.

His lips curved instinctively into a smile, and the moment he did, she mirrored it. Tim didn’t hesitate this time, his hands found her waist, pulling her close, fitting her against him the way he’d imagined doing for weeks.

“Just like that.” Lucy’s smile softened as she inched even closer. The next words left her as a barely there whisper. “I guess that’s what I fell in love with.”

Tim’s breath hitched. His fingers trailed up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin as he leaned in. But just as their lips were about to meet, he paused.

“Were you assuming I was going to kiss you?” He raised a teasing brow. “You really have to stop assuming, Lucy.”

She groaned, rolling her eyes. “Oh my god, just come here.” With a frustrated sigh, she closed the distance herself, crashing her lips against his.

The second their mouths met, everything else faded away. He had missed this, missed her so much that the moment their lips touched, a spark ignited between them, just like before. The same electric current that had jolted through them the first time their hands brushed as they stepped off the train.

Their lips slotted together with desperation and tenderness. It was a mix of everything they both felt for each other. And as their need for air grew, they finally slowed, their lips parting, though neither stepped away. Foreheads pressed together, not ready to let each other go just yet. Maybe not ever.

“You have no idea how much I missed this. Missed you,” Tim murmured, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek.

Lucy smiled softly, her eyes filled with warmth. “I think I do because I missed you just as much.”

Tim leaned back slightly, searching her gaze. “So, where are you off to after this?”

The moment her lips curled into a smile, his heart felt lighter, like he already knew the answer before she even spoke.

“I don’t have any plans beyond this,” she admitted. “I think I’m done traveling for a while. Now, I just want to stay here and get to know you. Explore…us.”

Tim arched an eyebrow, his smirk already forming, mischief glinting in his eyes. “And where exactly are you planning on staying?”

Lucy hesitated for a beat, her teeth catching her bottom lip like she was debating whether to actually say it out loud. “I was thinking that maybe I could crash at your place? Just while I figure out my living situation.”

Her small little shrug was so adorable that he couldn’t help but tease her a little, “Oh, I see how it is.” He crossed his arms, tilting his head in mock accusation. “First, you use me for my car, and now you’re after my house? What’s next? My dog?”

Lucy’s glare was immediate. “You are not funny.”

Tim grinned, utterly unfazed. He loved riling her up, loved the way her nose scrunched when she was annoyed and how her eyes sparkled when she fought back. But he also knew when to stop. And right now? Now, he just wanted to soak in the fact that she was here. That she was staying. That for the first time, he wasn’t racing against a clock counting down their last moments together.

This wasn’t just another 24 hours.

“I love you, Lucy Chen.” He had wanted to say it for so long, but held back, not wanting to overwhelm her while she was still figuring things out. But now? Now, there was no hesitation. No second-guessing. Just the truth.

Immediately Lucy’s face broke into the kind of smile that made his chest ache in the best way. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her entire expression soft and radiant. “I love you too, Tim Bradford.” She leaned up and met him halfway for a kiss. 

And while it still was a little new and a little fast and also just a little scary, they both knew that this was what coming home felt like.

This felt like destiny. One empty seat beside him. One big dream. An enormous map, full of possibilities, stretched out before them. A busy city at their feet, with endless places to see and countless conversations to have. One unforgettable night that had changed everything.

24 hours was all it took them to find the biggest treasure from this whirlwind of adventure. 

Each other. 

Now it wasn’t just 24 hours. 

Now they had all the time in the world because from now on they would go on this journey together.