i'll be catching fire

Michael held her close to himself still, just relishing in the way it felt to have her in his arms, amazed by her, by the feelings she awakened in him. "I do, though," he told her quietly, chewing on his lip, enjoying each time she kissed his forehead or head, enjoying any attention she gave him at all. "Because it means a lot to me."

Liz smiled slightly as she watched him, shifting to cup his face when he ducked his head, lifting his face again to run her thumbs gently along his cheeks, being careful of his black eye. "I like being with you, too," she assured him quietly, "I just wish you weren't in this situation, that you weren't injured."

Pea relaxed as Michal held her, exhaling happily as she rested her cheek against the top of his head, her thumb gently rubbing the nape of his neck, just wanting to comfort him somehow. "Well, you mean a lot to me. So, if the feeling is returned, there's no need for thank yous." She grinned, proud that she managed to find a way to stop him thanking her.

Luke wasn't sure if he was reading too much into Liz's kindness to him, or if she was genuinely showing an interest in him, but Luke decided not to say anything about it, smiling weakly as Liz cupped his cheeks, noticing how she took care to avoid hurting him. "Hey, I've got a great nurse, at least." He offered her a smile - broader, more confident.

Michael smiled slightly as he listened to her words, hoping, wishing that there was a double meaning behind her words, but he couldn't bring himself to ask about that. "I guess you have a point there," he murmured quietly in response, "I can't guarantee that will stop me from thanking you, though."

Liz laughed quietly with the mention of it and grinned, chewing on her lip for a moment. "I try," she murmured quietly in response. "I just wish you didn't have to go through this at all in the first place." He didn't deserve it. Nobody did, but Luke definitely didn't.

Pea smiled with triumph, kissing the top of Michael's head once more. "My Mom always says that women make great points because we know better." She teased, but her smile softened as she relaxed with Michael. "Well, how about this. Every time you say thank you, I just kiss you on the cheek? That could be my way of thanking you back." She murmured.

Luke smiled. "You succeed." He reassured. "My back doesn't hurt much now." His wounds still stung, of course they did, but Liz provided such a great distraction and comfort to him that he paid no mind to the pain, knowing that Liz was much more worthy of his attention instead. "It's okay... it led me to you." He promised. "You're the first nice person I've seen in a long time, Liz."

Michael offered an amused look, arching a brow, but still enjoying every moment of attention he got from Pea, finding himself growing increasingly comfortable around her. "Your Mom sounds like a smart woman. Are you close to her?" he asked, arching a brow, curious, hoping that Pea hadn't just been stuck in this house, feeling completely alone all this time. He blinked, though, to her offer, and stared at her with surprise, his cheeks warming in the slightest. "Oh, um, is that allowed?" Because, as much as he knew he would enjoy that, he didn't want her to get in trouble.

Liz smiled slightly with the mention of it, relieved to hear it. "I'm glad. If it starts bothering you too much, let me know and I'll get you some pain medicine," she murmured quietly as she watched him, really just taking him in, wanting to do whatever she could to help him. Her heart swelled slightly, though, and her smile broadened just a bit, at least happy that he was okay with her. "Look at you, being smooth," she teased, keeping her words playful to avoid the hope that she wanted to feel. "Who was the last nice person you came across?"

Pea laughed slightly with Michael's amused look. "What?" She smiled, kissing his forehead, but hearing his question about her mother, Pea exhaled. "I used to be." She explained. "She's changed a lot." She ducked her head. "She used to be so much kinder, I learned a lot of my compassion from her." Pea admitted. "But now, she's just as awful as my Dad. Me and them, we don't see eye to eye." She shrugged gently. "So I spend most of my time up here, by myself." Hearing Michael's other question, Pea laughed, kissing his cheek as his answer, feeling his warm cheeks under her lips.

Luke nodded with Liz's words. "Thank you." He smiled, becoming more confident the more time he spent with Liz, knowing she wasn't going to twist his mind, manipulate him or be cruel, she was such an incredible, genuine person, and Luke was honoured to just be in the same room as Liz. Hearing her question though, Luke ducked his head. "My Mom." He replied honestly, although it had been years since he'd even seen her, he wasn't even sure if she was alive anymore. Still, Luke shrugged the question off, taking Liz's hands within his own, wanting her comfort.

Michael watched her quietly as she spoke, taking in everything she was saying, and his expression softened. "I'm sorry," he told her quietly, frowning gently with the thought of what she must have gone through. "That couldn't have been hard, watching somebody you love and care about change in front of your eyes." And, he felt so badly for her, that she'd had to experience it at all. Feeling her kiss his cheek, though, his eyes widened, his cheeks warming, and he swore his heart could burst with the happiness he felt in that moment.

Liz listened to him quietly, though feeling him take her hands, feeling him initiate contact, she felt her heart swell happily, and she squeezed his hands gently, running his thumbs over his knuckles gently. "Was she like you? A... Um, slave?" she asked quietly, chewing on her lip, "Maybe I can try to find her for you?" She wanted to do whatever she could for him, whatever it took to make him happy.

Pea smiled at Michael. "Please don't be sorry." She told him. "I uh, I..." She rubbed the back of her neck, wondering if she could voice her opinion of her parents to Michael, not even knowing his situation with his family. "I don't like them very much." But shifting the conversation, Pea looked to Michael. "What about your family?" She asked, holding him a little tighter when she asked, knowing it might not be a smart move. But when she saw Michael's eyes widen with her kiss, Pea smiled, unable to stop herself, pressing another kiss to his cheek, loving his reactions.

Luke heard Liz's question, toying with his lower lip. "My Dad hated us." Luke explained. "Sold us both on. I was only nine, and I was taken from my Mom. I'm twenty two now, and I haven't seen her since then." Luke ducked his head, not wanting Liz's sympathy, knowing she had her own family struggles. "But she went to some pretty awful people - worst than your Dad. She's probably dead by now." Luke frowned. "But I uh, I've made my peace with it, Liz." He told her, wanting her to see that he didn't want her to feel sorry for him, but it was rarely Luke every spoke about it, because he was never asked.

Michael ducked his head a bit with the mention of his own parents and he chewed on his lip anxiously. "I got lost when I was a kid, in a store. Somebody grabbed me and that's how I got brought into all of this," he told her quietly, "I don't know what happened to my parents, if they searched for me, if they missed me, if they had other kids, or if they're dead." He shrugged weakly, though he felt his cheeks warm again with the kiss she'd placed to his cheek.

Liz's heart broke as she listened to Luke quietly and she shifted, wrapping her arm back around his neck to pull him close, not wanting to touch his back for fear of causing him pain, her free hand running through his hair gently. "I'm so sorry, Luke," she murmured quietly, "You may have made your peace with that, but you shouldn't have had to. Everything that's happened to you - God, it's awful, and you don't deserve it."

Pea felt her heart break in her chest when Michael explained about his family, feeling tears come to her eyes. "Michael, I -" She cleared her throat as her voice broke. "I'm so sorry." She whispered, knowing if she spoke louder, she'd cry. Pea made a mental note though, to try and locate Michael's parents without him, or her parents, knowing. But still, she held him a little tighter, pulling him a little closer, making sure to avoid his back. "You don't deserve any of this."

Luke blinked, but followed Liz's lead as she pulled him close, resting within her embrace. Feeling her hand run through his hair once more, Luke blinked his tears away, knowing if he looked to Liz now, he'd cry, just so touched by the love she was showing him, wondering if he should get his hopes up that it was more genuine affection than just out of sympathy. "Thank you, Liz." His voice broke, although he tried to disguise it. "I uh, yeah, it's okay." He bit his lower lip.

Michael leaned into her hold, chewing on his lip anxiously, trying to push away the pain he felt with his own reminder of his past. Normally, he wouldn't have talked about it, but Pea was such a kind woman, and he couldn't bring himself to lie to her, almost feeling as though he'd be betraying her trust, betraying her, and he didn't want that, not at all. "It's okay," he told her quietly, allowing his arms to slide around her since she'd allowed it before, and he swallowed hard, clearing his throat. "I'm okay. Really."

"No, it's not okay, and you don't have to pretend it is," Liz told him gently, not moving, just holding him there, wanting to be a safe place for Luke, wanting him to know he was safe with her, that he could trust her, that she'd be there for him and protect him. "You never have to pretend with me, Luke. Never." And she squeezed around him gently in assurance, her fingers running through his hair, wanting to comfort him as much as she could.

Pea watched Michael closely, pulling him even closer as he wrapped his arms around her. "You don't have to pretend, Michael. That must of been so terrifying for you." She murmured, sorry for asking, or bringing it up. "It's okay to be sad, Michael, and it's okay to cry." She reassured him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, burying her face into his hair as she thought about how lucky she was in comparison. "It's okay not to be okay." She promised, biting her lip. "I promise, I'm going to make your time here amazing. No harm is ever going to come to you."

Luke let a few tears escape with Liz's words, his exhaled breath shuddered as all those emotions he'd kept in for so long came to the surface. Whenever Luke cried, he always got some sort of punishment, but he knew that around Liz, he could allow himself to show some sort of emotion, sick and tired of being emotionless. "Thank you, Liz." His voice broke a little more, not bothering to hide it anymore, nuzzling into her without realising, needing and wanting her comfort as he took in the scent of her perfume once more.

Michael ducked his head as he listened to her, trying hard to keep his emotions inside, not wanting to upset Pea, not wanting to put her through the trouble of having to deal with him. But, the more she spoke, the more everything weighed on him, and, while he didn't want her to worry, he couldn't help the tears that eventually broke the surface. Closing his eyes tightly, he sniffled. "You really are too good to be true, Pea," he whispered, his voice breaking as his tears began to fall and he cried, not understanding how he was blessed enough to be able to meet this woman after everything he'd gone through.

Liz swallowed when she heard the way Luke's voice broke, her eyes watering with hearing it, and she closed her eyes tightly, holding him close, just wanting to be there for him. Her heart broke for the pain Luke was going through, emotionally and physically, and she just knew he was the strongest person she knew if he could go through all of this and not give up on life. Shifting, she buried her face in his hair as she held him, silent, wanting to let him cry without judgment, without words, without interruption, knowing he needed it.

Pea held Michael tighter as he sniffled, feeling her heart break even more, although she couldn't help the tears that escaped her own eyes, hating to see Michael so upset, so torn up. When his voice broke, however, Pea sniffled, running her fingers through Michael's hair, wanting to bring him some comfort. "Hey," she whispered, her own voice breaking. "You deserve kindness, and don't you ever let anyone tell you differently, because I won't let anyone tell you differently." She shifted though, guiding Michael to lay on his side as she lay next to him, letting him rest his head on her, running her fingers through his hair, staying silent.

Luke exhaled as more tears escaped, and Luke couldn't stop them, he couldn't hold them back this time. Feeling Liz press her face into his hair though, Luke held around her, not being too rough, not holding her too tight, but he sniffled, his shoulders shaking as he cried silently, having gotten used to doing so, and he was only ever caught once. But knowing Liz was right there, beside him, brought Luke so much comfort, he almost couldn't understand it. Squeezing around her, Luke took a few moments to gather his emotions, and he cleared his throat, just staying silent, making sure Liz wasn't bearing all of his weight as she held him.

Michael closed his eyes tightly as he listened to her words, his fingers curling into his shirt as he clung almost desperately to her, relishing in every ounce of comfort she brought him. Sniffling quietly as he began to calm down, he tried to swallow back his tears and he cleared his throat, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Pea," he whispered quietly, "I just... Nobody's treated me the way you have." And, he let her guide him to lay down, he listened to her heartbeat, finding it soothing, comforting, glad to hear it, surprised she was letting him be this close to her.

Liz had continued to run her fingers through his hair, holding him close, though she breathed out when she felt his arms around her in return, causing her to gently tighten her hold on him, just wanting to help him, hold him. She waited for a while, listening to the silence, and she shifted, kissing the side of his head gently. Closing her eyes, she discreetly wiped at her eyes for a moment before continuing to hold him. "Better?" she asked him gently.

Pea let Michael cling to her, running her fingers through his hair gently. "Hey, hey," she spoke softly, not wanting to startle him as his head rested on her chest. "You never have to thank me, remember?" She smiled, kissing the top of his head. She twirled a strand of his hair around her fingers, keeping herself calm, wanting to influence him to be the same. Still, she cuddled him close, never wanting to separate from him.

Luke stayed for a few long moments in Liz's embrace, his fingers curling into her t-shirt as he just settled with her, so grateful for the comfort she was providing him. When Liz kissed the side of his head though, Luke relaxed even further, nodding when she asked if he was better. "Yeah," he spoke softly. "I can't thank you enough, Liz. You're the best person I've ever met, I feel so lucky to know you." He told her honestly, not wanting to part from her, just wanting to be in her arms.

Michael closed his eyes with the contact between them, breathing out quietly as he relaxed, chewing on his lip. "I know I don't have to, but I want to," he whispered, feeling himself relaxing under her touch, just enjoying being as close to her as he was. "Because you're an amazingly kind person and you deserve to know the impact you have on people."

Liz nodded slowly as she ran her fingers through his hair still, never wanting to let him go. "You don't have to thank me," she whispered, "Really." Offering a small smile, she kissed the side of his head before she shifted, moving to lay down, gently guiding him with her, holding him close still.

Pea smiled with Michael's words, enjoying having him this close to her, wondering if anything could ever happen between them. She knew her parents wouldn't approve, but Michael, in the short time she'd known him, had already made a lasting impression on her, and Pea was certain Michael would make her a better person. "You're amazing, Michael." She told him honestly, kissing the top of his head once more. "You're the only one who deserves love."

Luke followed Liz's guidance. "But I want to thank you, for being such an amazing woman." He spoke softly, almost meekly, but as he lay down with Liz, Luke felt himself relax, contently listening to Liz's heartbeat, the sound being the most comforting thing he'd ever heard. Wrapping an arm around Liz's waist, Luke stayed silent, his tears having exhausted him a little, having never really opened up to anyone. Luke nuzzled into Liz's shoulder subconsciously, closing his eyes.

Michael relaxed with being close to Pea, taking in her scent, her heart beat, just her presence in general, so amazed by her that it really drove home how happy he was to be near her. "You're the best person I've ever met, Pea," he whispered, breathing out happily, glad that she was there, that she was the person he'd been taken to. At this point, being this close to her, he couldn't imagine anywhere better, causing him to slide an arm around her carefully, wanting her close, wanting to protect her, though he blinked, watching her. "Love?"

Liz blinked with surprise, watching him after she processed his words, surprised with how much his words meant to her already. "And you're an amazing man, Luke," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair as she held him close, though she smiled with feeling his arm around her waist. Holding him close, she kissed the top of his head as she relaxed. "I'm glad I met you. I'm lucky I met you." But, breathing out, she closed her eyes, falling silent, not wanting to disturb him further.

Pea realised what she said, and suddenly her heartbeat increased a little, but she still held around Michael, wanting to protect him, show him that she really cared for him, and when she felt his arm around her, Pea just felt a rush of love course through her veins. "Yeah, you know, uh," she tried to think of a way to explain without being too out there, not wanting to scare him off. "Respect. Someone to hold you, listen to you, care for you." She smiled weakly, jumping as someone knocked her door, telling her dinner would be ready soon.

Luke kept his eyes closed, but he listened carefully, smiling slightly. "I'm the lucky one, Liz." He reassured quietly, tightening his hold on her. If Luke had any wish he could of made, it would be that Liz never let him go, that her affection never left him, that she continued to be a source of light in his life - and although Luke couldn't tell this to Liz directly yet, he hoped that she would always be his, in the sense that she would always care for him in this way, because Luke could feel himself falling for her, and yet he couldn't place the emotion, having never felt anything positive for a long time.