Work Text:
Lucy’s POV
“What?”
I hold back another sigh at Chris’ obvious confusion, I’m still unsure exactly how he has continued to fail to notice my lack of enthusiasm and general hesitation and avoidance at moving in together but I know we need to break up and while it is mostly because I want to be with Tim, that I can be with Tim now there are other reasons like the many red flags I’ve continuously ignored in favor of not being alone and keeping things from getting weirder with Tim after the UC op —
I hear myself blurt out exactly what Tim suggested and the very thing I said I wouldn’t use.
“Um… I need you to give me your playbook.”
I hold back a wince knowing that wasn’t how I’d planned on doing it but feeling utterly relieved that it’s out
“Wait. What? Are you breaking up with me? ”
I’m honestly a little surprised he knows what that means because Chris doesn’t really follow sports much.
“You know what that means?”
I honestly didn’t mean to ask I know it’s not the time but the genuine surprise seems to have disconnected my mouth and brain temporarily, but he doesn’t seem to even notice.
“I thought things were good.”
— he exhales sharply —
“I thought we were, uh…”
Trying to stay on track and be more gentle in my approach knowing this is coming completely out of left field for him even if it’s been a long time coming for me.
“Okay l-let’s sit down.”
I want to talk this out to make it easier on him and help him understand
“No. I-I-I can't stay. No. I have to go.”
I’m surprised and concerned as he begins to gather his stuff clearly trying to rush out.
“Wait. We should talk.”
“What's there to talk about?”
— He scoffs —
“You don't love me. What else is there?”
I can’t even deny it as he leaves, I don’t love him, not like that not the way he wants me to, not the way he thinks he loves me although I don’t think he truly loves me either…
Shaking myself as he leaves I immediately grab my stuff again pausing for a second to fluff my hair a little bit before locking up my apartment so I can get back to the station to Tim.
I know I probably should wait until the morning to tell Tim to wait at least the night for my ended relationship before pursuing another one but I don’t want to, I’m tired of waiting, he’s waited long enough, we both have.
As I’m headed towards my elevator I notice it’s in use I absently think Chris must be on it and decide to take the stairs it’ll be faster anyways as I book it down the stairs.
Chris’ POV
I feel numb and completely and utterly bewildered by the turn of events this morning I had my beautiful girlfriend and I was looking at houses for us, I thought we were moving forward, building a life together and now I’ve been dumped and by a sports reference at that? I’m confused by her choice of language in the breakup but can’t be bothered to think too much on it as I’m stepping out of the elevator I see Lucy coming out of the stairway and I begin to fill with hope and love thinking she’s realized she made a mistake and she does love me and wants this life I’ve been thinking about and planning even and I know I’ll take her back in a heartbeat, but just as quickly as it begins it crumbles as she doesn’t even notice me speed walking almost running past me to her car and I’m left devastated and even concerned on where she could be going in such a hurry after our breakup…