evan peters + ahs imagines

tate langdon: its okay

tw: self harm
word count: 799
——

there was a small knock at my window, and at first i just figured it was the pouring rain until i heard a faint voice.

i opened the curtains to see tate, he looked sad, scared, and beaten up.

"tate? what are you doing here? it's late.."

i opened the window, letting him in. he was shaking but i couldn't tell if that was from being scared or from being cold and wet.

he started to sob, and i pulled him in.

"hey it's okay, it's okay." i cooed.

"i'm sorry. i just needed you." he cried into my shoulder.

i hugged him for a little while, stroking his back and trying my best to make him feel better, even though i had no idea what was wrong.

i pulled away from him and moved my hands to cup his cheeks.

"i'm sorry i woke you." he said, holding in his cries.

he never came to me, crying, so late at night before.

"you didn't." i cooed, "what happened?"

a soft sob broke through his lips, and he moved to lift up his sweater.

there was a huge gash on the side of his stomach, and it looked really really painful and fresh.

"a few kids-kids from the highschool." he said, "kicked the shit out of me."

as i looked at him, i noticed more cuts and bruises i hadn't seen before. some on his stomach, then on his face.

"god-this is so stupid." he said, pulling his shirt down and turning around to leave.

"no, no. stay." i said, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a hug. he lightly started to cry. "it's okay."

i held him for a minute before he stopped crying, and then i pulled back.

"let's clean you up."

we went into my bathroom, and he sat down on the toilet.

"thank you." he mumbled, but i couldn't hear him as i was opening cabinets trying to find medical supplies.

"take off your shirt." i said, and he hesitated at first before taking it off. tate hid his hands behind his back.

i bent down beside him and started to apply the medical alcohol to his cut, causing him to wince.

"sorry."

as i applied the bandage, i noticed his arm. he was trying to hide his arms, but my wondering eyes saw his secrets.

his wrists were covered in cuts, burns, and other self inflicted injuries. some were fresh, some were scarred.

"tate..." i said, in horror of what i'd seen. i grabbed his arm, but he quickly pulled back and stood up, backing away.

"it was the kids."

"no it wasn't tate." i replied, tearing up.

he was trembling now, and i stepped forward. his worst nightmare had come true, he was so ashamed.

"it's okay." i mouthed, hugging him.

his cries were loud, and full of guilt and sadness. his crying hurt worse then being punched hurt. it hurt so badly. he was in so much pain.

"i'm sorry." he choked out.

"i love you. it'll be okay."

i cupped his cheeks in my hands, brushing my thumb under his wet eyes.

it took a minute for him to calm down, but eventually he was able to breathe and stop crying. when he did, i looked down at his cut up wrists.

"it's alright, i'm not mad."

he nodded, wiping away his tears.

"i didn't mean for you to see that." he whimpered.

i let go of his arm and hugged him quickly before pulling away.

"i'll give you a second, okay?"

he shook his head, and i left the bathroom.

tate put his sweater on, and looked at himself in the mirror. he pulled himself together, the best he could at least.

i was sitting on the bed when he came out, trying to prepare myself for giving him my full attention but also trying to calm myself after seeing that on the person i love.

"you okay?" i asked as he came out.

he shook his head yes.

"thanks for helping me, i'm gonna go." he told me, kissing me on the forehead.

"i want you to stay, tate."

"i don't want to hurt you any more."

i pulled him to sit next to me, and he gave up and agreed to staying.

gently, i placed my arm around tates neck, kissing him softly.

"i love you."

"i love you tate." i said, "you have me. i really hope you know you have me."

he whimpered a little.

"i was worried you'd think i was weak."

i sighed, stroking his hair from the back.

"i know you're not weak."

he fell into my arms, wanting so badly to feel loved and comforted.

words couldn't stop his pain forever but falling asleep in my arms could temporarily.