11.2 Acceptance

Hot, humid air fills your lungs as you inhale deeply. Glancing up, you let your gaze slowly travel over the man’s weary yet determined face. Something about the familiar look in the young man’s eyes seems to steer your forward. Absentmindedly shaking your head, you take a step back to allow him entrance. Wordlessly he follows you inside the dimly lit living room. A light blush finds your cheeks as you catch the man giving a wary glance around the slightly disheveled area. Though the curtains have been drawn tight, enough light peaks through to palely illuminate the mess your life has become.

"Lill." He sighs under his breath, his eyes briefly glancing at you before turning to the covered windows.

"Wait!" You quickly interject when he reaches for the drapes.

He pauses, turning back to you, prior to raising a brow questioningly when you don't continue. You bite your lip, considering whether or not to tell him the truth. That being that light seems to have grown increasingly harsh the last few days, making you more averse to it. The only reason you were able to greet him at your door earlier is thanks to shade provided by the overhead awning and surrounding trees. You're acutely aware of the man's linger gaze upon you, still awaiting some form of answer. Anxiously brushing a lock of hair behind your ear, you take a step towards him.

"Don't worry about all that." You tilt your head towards the direction he had been moving towards. "This is more important."

"What is that?" His deep voice resonates deeply, its familiar tones seeming to invade your very being.

"This," You repeat, gesturing between the two of you. "This issue."

"Issue." He echoes, tilting his head down to look at you further. "Is that what you see me as now?"

His dark eyes seem to probe further than they should, penetrating past your surface level. An unfamiliar look has come over his face, one that takes you a moment to recognize. You're not used to seeing uncertainty cloud his typically assured expression. You feel your nerves waver for a moment as you take in this new, slightly **** state. The assertive and slightly arrogant man who confronted you at the hospital is not the same that stands before you now.

"No." You finally speak in a low, though significantly softer tone. "Not exactly. I'm not quite sure what to view you as any more."

"My view on you hasn't changed."

You were concerned this was the case, though why it's such a bad thing has inexplicably slipped your mind. Lost in thought, you take another step forward. You can feel heat radiating from the man's broad, imposing figure. All at once the heat appears to be your own. Beads of sweat appear on your brow as you struggle to form your next sentence.

"Be that as it may." You clear your suddenly dry throat as the words seem to stick inside it. "Mine has, and you're well aware of why."

Luke's eyes shift away for a moment, indicating he's more than versant with what you're alluding towards. You can all but taste the tension in the air as he silently mulls over your response. Despite the suspense, you find yourself feeling oddly calm and somewhat accepting of whatever his response may be. Perhaps its the familiarity of your proximity or the strange heat that causes your next move. Regardless, you're equally taken aback by the action as the man before you. His brow raises again when you reflexively reach up to push back his hair. The somewhat intimate gesture causes you to pause as your fingers brush against his warm skin. You realize how long it has been since you've felt your touch against him.

"{Nick_name} -" He begins to speak before the sudden rap at the door draws both your attention.

Blinking in surprise, you quickly pull your hand away and turn to the sound. Breathing out slowly, you shift your focus towards the door. With some **** you step towards it and pull the door open. Your heart instantly drops at the sight before you. Leaning against the doorway is a tall, athletic, and all too casual figure.

"Doctor." You mumble in surprise, tangentially aware of the presence of Luke standing behind you.