Hotline.

"that doesn't mean you're allowed to quit on this life"

(A/N; I originally wrote this on ao3 but decided to post it here to since I prefer this writing format, I'll update both though! Also tw for suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts & general mental health issues)

"Hello, what's your name?" George had ran through the standard call plenty of times, it maybe in grim circumstances but he always found it interesting learning about other people. And he liked when he made them feel better, which had so far, had been everyone that had called him.

"H-Hi I'm Bob I-I-" George thought he could recognize the voice but didn't bother to say anything.

"Hello Bob, what's been happening tonight?"

"I want to die so fucking badly" George winced, most people wouldn't be so outright yet the distress was blatant, he could hear sobs when he wasn't answering a question.

"Are you safe?"

"I don't think so" George became more alarmed, Bob's voice sounded a lot similar to his roommate with the same name. He shrugged it off, must just be a coincidence.

"I'm going to need you to go to a safe room, can you do that for me, Bob?"

"I-, uhm, yes?" Bob clearly sounded like he was caught off guard but George could hear footsteps and a door closing. Bob didn't bother saying anything, George could hear him starting to cry again.

"Reaching out like this was very strong of you and I just want you to think all of this through, okay? Everything is going to be alright" George was considering calling the police when Bob didn't answer, the only answer he got was a choked sob and wrangled breathing.

"Can you tell me about your family? Or friends?"

"I don't have any uh friends, I have a roommate?" George calmed down a little himself when he heard Bob speak again.

"Okay Bob, can you tell me about your roommate?"

"His name is George, he's uh studying botany"

Oh. Oh dear. This was in fact Bob, his roommate. George managed to not get too distracted by it.

"What are you studying?"

"Philosophy" Bob wasn't crying as badly, his breathing was still erratic though. At least he was calming down a little.

"You must be a very clever person to study philosophy"

"I didn't- I didn't mean to call you, I'm sorry for wasting your time" Bob's voice was barely a whisper. George was right back to fully alarmed.

"Stay on the line with me for a bit? Tell me about yourself"

"I don't know" George furrowed his brows, he knew Bob quite well but he could speak so cryptically.

"What do you mean Bob?"

"I don't know who I am anymore, just feel empty" George didn't really know what to say, he had a lot of calls but none were similar to Bob.

"Maybe if I end it, I can start again, do you believe in reincarnation?" It took George a few seconds for the words to register in his head.

"I do, but that doesn't mean you're allowed to quit on this life" George was cut off by the sound of beeping.

Oh this had gotten bad.

"Hey uh, can I head home? Tough call" George tried to not sound concerned when he spoke to the supervisor.

"Yeah, thanks for your volunteer work, George, you've really helped us out" George just smiled before hastily tossing his backpack over his shoulder and leaving the small office. There was only a 5 minute walk back to the dormitories but it felt like an eternity.

He made sure to not make a lot of noise when he got inside. Thank the stars he had replaced the squeaky floorboard a few weeks ago. He could hear crying coming from the bathroom. He pressed his ear against the door, Bob had a habit of talking to himself when he was at home.

"Fuckin' worthless idiot, ruined everythin', pathetic" George grimaced, he could hear water running and Bob shuffling around.

George didn't know how to react, he froze, continuing to listen to Bob's mumbling.

"It'll not be long, just press down, its not hard, just fuckin' do it" George heard water sloshing, he assumed Bob had got in the bath.

He closed his eyes before pressing the door open. The lock had been broken for a few days but neither of them had bothered to fix it yet.

George was still shocked to see Bob, sitting in the bath, staring at him like a deer in headlights. A small razorblade shaking in his fingers.

"I uh, George, your not supposed to be here" They continued staring at each other for a few uncomfortable moments. George was careful, he didn't want to startle Bob or scare him, couldn't risk it since he was so seemingly unstable.

"Can you give me the blade?" George put his hand out, smiling at Bob when he put it in his hand.

"I'm proud of you for that, I know its hard" George put it on the counter. Bob just watched him.

"Can I hug you?" George didn't really know why he asked but Bob nodded a little, George just knelt in front of him and wrapped his arms around him. He felt Bob's breath on his neck, George tangled his hand in his hair, feeling him start to shake.

"It's okay, I got you" George didn't mind the wet patch Bob was putting on his shirt, he was more just relived Bob was okay.