safe in my arms | solangelo au | under editing

Chapter Thirteen

tw: mentions of self-harm, blood

Nico

"I... I didn't know."
"Nobody does." Will sighs.
"Why?" I ask quietly. Will closes his eyes.
"My two big brothers. They both died. Then my little sister. I'm the only kid in my family who's still alive."
"Will, I'm sorry. I know that probably won't mean anything, but-"
"It's okay." He sighs. "It was a long time ago."

He walks over and takes my hands, despite one being covered in blood. "Please don't do it again." He says.
"But it helps." I let out an involuntary sob, then push down the next one that threaten to emerge.
"It doesn't." Will insists. "There are better ways."
"Like what?"

"Lots of things." He says. His voice sounds slightly... Hopeful.
"Like what?" I raise one eyebrow.
"Well, first we need to know what's broken." He says. I frown.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you self-handing?" He asks gently.

"I'm just... Sick of everything." I frown. "Luke."
"So your heart is broken." He nods.
"What?"
"You need to realise that love exists. That not everybody is like Luke." He leans closer and my eyes widen.

Oh.

I move my head away, and he stops moving closer.
"Sorry." I mumble. "It's just..."
"I get it." He murmurs, pulling back. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay."
"Come on, I'll sort out your cuts." He leads me to the bathroom, and I oblige.

~~~

He rinses my wrists under the two, then bandages them gently.
"Please don't do it again." He says. I stay silent. "Nico." He takes my chin between his thumb and index finger and makes me look at him. "Please..."

"I'll try." I say.
"Promise me."
"I promise I'll try."
"No," he says, "promise me you won't. Promise me that you'll come to me if you ever feel like you have to. Promise me that."

I look into his eyes, a beautiful sky blue, which are clouded with despair. I take a deep breath and nod.
"I promise."

I know I'm lying.