Chapter 33: This is a totally valid title

Luke ambled down the sidewalk, replaying the day's events in his mind. A goofy grin was pasted on his face as he reminisced about the time spent with Gwen. However, as he drew closer to home, a realization slammed into him with the force of a wrecking ball.

He had kissed Gwen. On the cheek, yes, but still.

Luke froze mid-step, eyes widening almost comically. "I did what?!" he whispered fiercely to himself. Passersby shot him strange looks, but he was too preoccupied by his own spiraling thoughts to notice.

What had possessed him to kiss Gwen so brazenly? Sure, they had grown closer over the course of their adventurous lunch date, but they hardly knew each other. He raked a hand through his hair, mortification sinking in.

The pain medication. Of course. Some of its effects must still be muddling his judgement, lowering his inhibitions. That was the only logical explanation for his reckless display of affection.

Luke grimaced, resuming his walk at a more frantic pace. How was he going to face Gwen again after this? She had seemed delighted in the moment, even playfully admonishing him. But upon reflection, surely his presumptuous assumptions would anger her.

By the time Luke arrived at his apartment building, his thoughts were a tempestuous whirlwind. He jabbed impatiently at the elevator call button, bouncing on the balls of his feet. The sooner he could lock himself away to properly deal with this aftermath, the better.

Safely ensconced in his room, Luke began to pace. His lips were pressed into a thin line, brows knitted together. "Stupid, stupid!" He berated himself under his breath. In his medicated state, kissing Gwen had seemed like a brilliant gesture of affection. But sober clarity was stripping away that fanciful notion.

Worry gnawed at Luke as he replayed Gwen's reaction. The melodic sound of her laughter echoed in his ears. Surely she would have objected if his advance was truly unwanted? A spark of hope flickered in his chest. Could her receptiveness mean there was a foundation between them to build upon?

Luke sank down onto his bed with a grunt, the chaos in his mind unrelenting. He simply couldn't predict how Gwen would receive his impetuous kiss in the clear light of day. Would it deepen the fondness blossoming between them? Or ruin this delicate thing before it had a chance to truly unfurl?

"Ugh, I really need to stay away from questionable medication," Luke grumbled, dropping his head into his hands. His judgement was far too impaired under pharmaceutical influence to trust. With an agitated huff, he flopped onto his back, steeling himself for what tomorrow might bring.

Laying sprawled on his bed, willing his chaotic thoughts to quiet down. He really ought to just get some rest and face tomorrow when it arrived. Turning over with a sigh, he attempted to find a comfortable position to drift off to sleep.

However, as he rolled onto his side, a bolt of fiery pain shot through his injured shoulder. Luke recoiled with a strangled yelp, jolted rudely back to full alertness. How could he have forgotten about the blasted bullet wound?

Gingerly, Luke sat up, tentatively prodding the offended area. The wound was healing remarkably fast, accelerated by his supernatural physiology, but clearly still tender. He grimaced as exploratory fingers hit a particularly sensitive spot.

As Luke cautiously probed the torn flesh, memories of sustaining the injury flooded his mind. The chaos of the police station, the crack of the bullet, his subsequent threats towards the officers there. His blood turned to ice in his veins as he recalled his ominous vow as Nightling:

"Just so you know, Captain, when I wipe out your comrades at the station, I'll graciously spare you."

Luke dropped his head into his hands with a tortured groan. How was he going to uphold his image as a dangerous, ruthless villain when he was now irrevocably tangled up with the police captain's daughter? His villainous persona clashed horribly with his blossoming affection for Gwen. It was a catastrophic conflict of interest!

Could he really go through with attacking the station, knowing it would devastate Gwen? Was maintaining Nightling's notoriety worth sacrificing this tender new bond with her?

Luke fell back against his pillows, throwing an arm over his eyes. This situation was spiraling out of his control, complications piling up by the minute. With an explosive sigh, Luke attempted to force his mind quiet, yearning for the oblivion of sleep. But his thoughts churned relentlessly, a tempest that refused to be silenced.