Page 67 of The Hollowed

Luci rolled her eyes, a reluctant smile appearing on her lips. She stepped toward him and let her fingers brush the hem of his bloodstained shirt before slowly peeling it up and over his head, careful of the healing wound along his ribs.

“C’mon then,” she said. “Let’s get you cleaned up before our meeting.”

She wasn’t sure what the next hour would bring or where any of this would lead, but for now, they were together and that was enough.

The bathroom door clicked shut behind them, sealing off the noise of the outside world. Inside, it was quiet and comforting in a way Luci couldn’t exactly put words to.

She crossed to the shower tucked into the corner and turned the knob until warm water spilled against the tile. Steam filled the space, clinging to the mirrors and wrapping around them like a veil.

Alex hovered near the sink, silently waiting and watching her through tired eyes. The gauze Luci had taped to his ribs before was dark with blood.

“You should sit,” Luci said gently. “So I can take a look.”

He obeyed without a word so she knelt beside him and began unwrapping the bandage carefully. The gauze clung stubbornly to the dried edges of the wound, making her wince even before she saw the raw flesh beneath.

“It’s healing,” she said mostly to reassure herself. “But we’ll need to clean it properly.”

Alex didn’t flinch. He just nodded.

But Luci’s chest felt tight as she worked, heavy with something she couldn’t say. He trusted her with this and she knew, deep down, it had been a long time since someone had taken care of him.

Since someone had touched him with softness and genuine care.

She wanted to do that for him.

Not because he needed her but because he deserved it.

She didn’t bring up that she knew about the decision someone else made about his body and his future. She didn’t know if she ever would.

But she carried the cold, unforgiving knowledge like a stone in her chest.

As she gently peeled off the last of the gauze, she promised herself that no one would ever hurt him again. Not as long as she was breathing.

When the wound was exposed, she looked up to meet his gaze. “It might leave a scar,” she said softly. “But you’ll be okay”

He raised an eyebrow and laughed. “I have a pretty good doctor, so I’m not surprised”

Luci returned his smile. “Flattery is unprofessional, now get in the shower.”

A flutter of amusement passed over his face as he stood and stripped away the rest of his bloodstained clothes. Luci followed suit and pulled the clothes Myra had let her borrow off her body.

Steam curled around them as they stepped into the shower together, bare and bruised, but not broken.

Luci let the water run down her arms and over her face, washing away the remnants of everything they’d been through.

“Sit,” she said gently, gesturing to the titled bench behind him. “Just for a minute.”

Alex glanced over his shoulder then at her, as if to ask if she was sure. But ultimately he didn’t argue. He lowered himself carefully onto the bench with a quiet groan, the strain of the last week finally catching up with him.

Luci turned back to the shelf and grabbed one of the small shampoo bottles. The label had long since faded, but when she opened it, the floral scent felt familiar. She poured a small amount into her palm and stepped toward him before threading her fingers gently through his hair.

He closed his eyes as Luci’s hands moved slowly. Her fingers worked the shampoo through his curls with a tenderness that she hoped Alex would recognize.

This moment, having her hands in his hair, warm water running down her back — this was her way of saying I see you. I choose you. I love you, and no one will ever hurt you again.

“You’re not very good at letting people take care of you,” shewhispered as softly as the steam around them.

Alex huffed a quiet laugh and opened his eyes. “Well you’re not very good at pretending you don’t want to.”