We are what we are (But we don't have to be)
Turns out there was a lot that came with quitting your former life to join S.H.I.E.L.D.
Lucy hated being stuck in bed, and the day after she woke up she was already struggling to her feet, much to Simmons' chagrin. It was somewhat convenient, however, as it meant that she was able to go with May and Coulson to break the news to the rest of her family. She'd also made the decision to leave Pippin with her nan, which felt like losing another family member all on its own. He hadn't been there long, but the Bus already felt a lot quieter without him.
All of it was hard, and she left each encounter in tears, but honestly the fact that she managed to be there at all took a surprising strength.
After they'd spoken to both sets of grandparents and she'd effectively withdrawn from college, there was one more person she needed to see.
"Uh, Sir?" she asked Coulson. They were in the SUV, having just left Lucy's college following the final exchange of paperwork.
"Hmm?" He enquired kindly. She fidgeted with the strings of her hoodie, clearly nervous.
"Can we..." She took a deep breath. "Can I go and tell my girlfriend? I need- I need to break up with her. It's not fair to her otherwise."
To his credit, Coulson didn't try to make a big deal of it. He simply smiled sympathetically and replied "Sure. Does she live near here?"
She nodded, and quietly directed him there. Before she got out of the door, May put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you soulmates?" She knew how painful it was to be separated from a soulmate- she wouldn't wish that on anyone and it would only make Lucy's trauma worse.
"I- I don't think so." She shrugged, trying to remain nonchalant and failing. "We've known each other more than a year and not bonded, so probably not."
May let her hand drop. "Do you want us to come in with you?"
She nodded minutely, her eyes betraying her uncertainty. May and Coulson followed her without question.
#
Knocking on the door was one of the hardest things she'd done yet. Katie's mum opened the door, eyes widening when she realised it was her. "Lucy? Katie told me you were at the terrorist attack. It was on the news- I'm glad you're okay." She hugged her, Lucy stiffening slightly before relaxing into her embrace despite the pain in her shoulder. The older woman was so shocked by her presence that she failed to notice the two S.H.I.E.L.D agents behind her.
Lucy forced herself to pull away. "Is it okay if I talk to Katie, please?"
"Of course." Her girlfriend's mum called up the stairs and the dark-haired girl raced down the stairs, almost falling over in her haste when she realised who was there.
"Lucy!" The two girls collided in a soft embrace and Lucy let out a breath, feeling safer than she had in what felt like years. "I thought I'd lost you," Katie whispered in her ear, sounding close to tears.
"I'm okay, 心肝. I'm okay." Lucy murmured. May, observing, thought she understood something about their relationship. 心肝 was a very close nickname for someone just dating.
They rested their heads together, looking into each other's eyes. May definitely thought she understood something about their relationship.
If these two weren't soulmates, then she was just the pilot.
Lucy spoke softly to her girlfriend, the two of them never letting go of each other the entire time as she explained the situation. To her credit, Katie wasn't angry. She understood that this was something Lucy had to do, that she wouldn't be able to live with herself otherwise, and she respected that. Her fierce loyalty to her loved ones was part of why she fell in love with her, after all. That didn't stop it from hurting, and by the time they'd finished talking they were both wiping their eyes.
May and Coulson had the almost-equally difficult task of explaining to Katie's mum why Lucy couldn't just live with her family until she was ready to go to university.
"She's still a minor!" she argued, unwilling to let her go that easily.
Coulson opened his mouth to intervene, but his Soulmate beat him to it.
"It's her choice," May said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. She softened. "Lucy needs this. She's old enough to understand the risk and to make this decision for herself. It's nearly impossible to go back to a normal life after experiencing a trauma like this. Training will help her to regulate her emotions and deal with what happened."
The other woman was still unhappy about it, but at this she relaxed a little.
Before they left, Lucy and Katie hugged each other tight, neither really wanting to let go.
"I'm so sorry," Lucy whispered, "You deserve better than this."
Katie tried a sad smile. "It's okay, love. Go save the world, but stay safe."
Lucy was silent the whole ride home, and May and Coulson let her be.