B L U E  T U L I P

Sleep in Will's apartment was heaven compared to the cold floor in Lieselotte's lab. It wasn't the same feeling of being weightless like it was at Avengers Tower. Instead, it was like being hugged by every one of her friends. She felt secure in the bed's embrace, and she didn't want to ever get up.

Sinking deeper into the bed, Elena yawned and shielded her eyes from the sun rays that peeked in between the blinds. She flipped onto her side, groaning. Getting up would mean figuring out what to do with everything, and she didn't want to deal with any of it. She just wanted her problems to disappear and never return. Blinking her eyes open, Elena shook her head against her pillow before sitting up. She pulled back the covers and swung her legs to the floor.

Elena grimaced at the cold floor, pulling her knees up to her chest. She shivered, pulling on her white lab coat. Bracing herself this time, Elena stood. She scrunched up her face, hopping on one foot as she crossed the room to her shoes. She had never felt so grateful for socks.

Will must have still been asleep based on the light snores that came from the room next door. Elena didn't mind. It had been one night, and he had done so much for her. They didn't even know each other too well, but Elena didn't think she would feel safer with anyone else. The Avengers didn't offer such hospitality though that may have just been her being stubborn. Instead, Elena took the time to look around the apartment. She didn't want to problem solve just yet.

Will's sister's was small and cozy. The bed was soft with a massive, colorful quilt and the fluffiest pillows Elena had ever seen. Several paintings hung on the walls, and when she looked closer, Elena found that they were all homemade. One particular painting caught her eye. It was a lone daisy in a wide grassland, and in the background, a lawnmower casually trimmed the field while the trampling feet of playing children danced. In the midst of it all, the daisy managed to survive and withstand anything that was tossed in its path.

Elena didn't know why it resonated in her so much, but it had strummed at her heartstrings the way Thor loved his Pop-Tarts. She made a note to herself to ask Will about it later.

The only thing that struck Elena odd was the lack of photographs. Amongst all the knick knacks that decorated the bookshelves and desk, there was no picture of Will's family. When she wandered off into the main room, she was met with the same result. With what little she knew of Will, she would've pegged him as the type who loved his family.

The way he spoke of his sister was proof of that. His voice would soften whenever he would mention her, and the far-off look in his eyes spoke plenty. Elena tilted her head to the side. She knew it was rude to probe, but she couldn't help to wonder if something had happened between them.

Based on the apartment, Elena assumed that Will was of the lower-class. He was poor, and it didn't make sense that a family member would just move out. Where would they have gotten the money to, and if they really had the money, why did Will stay?

Elena scratched the back of her head. She laughed quietly at herself. She hadn't wanted to analyze her own problems and so she had wandered off to someone else's. It wasn't any of her business, and she sighed. Pushing her questions away, she turned to her own.

But that was easier said than done. Whenever someone said not to think of a certain color, the only thing in your head would have been the color. It was the same with Will's family. Elena couldn't get it out of her head, and when Will finally emerged from his room, she just had to mention it.

"You're up early," Will yawned as he shut the door to his room before him. His bedhead looked a lot like the state of Elena's hair the night before, but he didn't seem bothered by it. He scratched his neck and nodded to her.

"Just a habit," Elena replied, looking up from where she had been looking at another painting.

Will joined her, rubbing his eyes. Shaking his head, he cursed under his breath as Elena chuckled. He looked at the painting. "My sister painted that," he said. "She's pretty talented."

Elena nodded. She had thought as much. "It's very beautiful," she agreed. "There was one in her room. The one with the daisy?"

Will's eyes lit up in recognition. He smiled widely, nodding. "Yeah," he softly laughed. "That one was her favorite."

"Really? Is there some special meaning behind it?"

"Probably," he said, stretching. Walking towards the coffee pot, he continued. "That painting is the only painting I don't know the answer to. She's told me all about the others."

Scooping out some coffee beans, Will nodded at the one she had been looking at. It was a depiction of a fiery phoenix. "That one's about moving on from Mom's death."

Elena blinked, turning back to the phoenix painting. She looked back and forth between it and Will. She had not expected that. She gulped. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he sighed, wandering back. He leaned against the sofa. "I can't miss her if I don't remember her. I honestly don't think Swish is over her no matter what she says. I don't think she would've painted it if she was."

"Swish?"

Will blushed. "Schwester," he said. "It's German for sister. When we were children, I couldn't pronounce it properly and the name stuck."

Snorting, Elena covered her mouth. "Why'd she move out?" she asked. "You two sound close."

"I'm glad she left," Will sighed as Elena took a seat. "We can't live together for our whole lives. It's time she started to live her own life. She deserves to find her happiness."

Elena gulped, having a feeling that she had just trod on sensitive territory. She bit on her tongue, silently cursing herself out.

"Dad isn't really the best father. He was always too invested in work, and I don't remember him coming home in time for dinner ever. It was always just Swish and me."

"Is that why there aren't any photographs around?" Elena couldn't help but ask. Everything was starting to piece together.

"Yeah." Will nodded, straightening when the beep of the coffee pot sounded. "She doesn't like remembering. I don't blame her though. It must have been hard to take care of someone like me at such a young age."

Will started laughing as he pulled out two mugs from the cabinet. "It's still hard to take care of me. That's probably why she moved out. Because she's so tired of my whining and games."

Elena tried to smile at that. She gratefully took her coffee. "I'll play as many games as you want," she trailed off, frowning.

"You can stay as long as you need," Will quickly jumped in, sensing her hesitation. "I don't know any of your problems, but please stay. I don't mind. Company is good."

"Thanks—"

"Nuh uh," Will broke in. He took a sip of his coffee. "I'm being selfish."

Blinking, Elena just stared. "Right... "

The silence drew out for a moment, but for once, it wasn't uncomfortable. Elena settled down on the couch, nursing her mug with delicacy. She looked up when Will spoke.

"What about you?" he asked. "Any siblings?"

"No, I'm an only child."

"Are your parents nice?"

Elena went quiet. Were they? She honestly had no idea. Her resentment towards them for naming her Heiyue had always been too strong for any good. She supposed she hadn't given them a good chance to prove their kindness. It was just a name too.

Frowning, she gulped. But it was a horrible name and she hated it.

"Sorry," Will muttered.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Your face just went through so many emotions I thought I might've broke you."

Elena laughed so hard she had to set down her coffee mug. She grabbed a pillow, pressing it against her mouth. "No, no," she managed between her gasps. "There isn't much of me to be broken. To answer your question, I don't know."

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. "I never really gave them a chance. I'm sure they're lovely people though."

They chatted for a bit longer before Will stood up, causing dust to fall up onto his head. He glanced up at the ceiling with an arched eyebrow. Touching his hair, he sighed. "I need a shower," he said, leaving the room.

Alone again, Elena reached for her pocket only to realize she had lost her phone. She sighed. So much for trying to solve her problems the easy way. Leaning forward, Elena bit on the insides of her cheek.

She couldn't take any money from Will to travel back to New York. He needed his money for himself. Walking was definitely out of the question. Elena rubbed her wrist. And who was to say Lieselotte wouldn't find her again. She always appeared when she least expected it.

"Wilhelm!"

Elena glanced up at the footsteps that sounded from outside. She guessed that it was Will's sister, but he didn't mention anything about her visiting. Elena stood when the doorknob turned, glancing at the bathroom door.

"Surprise!"

The door swung open.

And Elena met her pale eyes.

...

And I oop-  

gosh i'm never saying that again. 

OKAY GUYS I CANNOT BELIEVE WE HAVE ONLY TEN CHAPTERS LEFT(plus an epilogue)!!! I honestly can't believe that. It doesn't feel like it's ending at the moment, but it is and I'm freaking out.