Let me live | Hardzello♡

Chapter 29

Tw I guess?: Throwing up

"You know, not a lot of people who've had your childhood have dared to open up like you just did. Seeing this was just your first session, I'm really proud of you Joe." The therapist says to Joe.
The latter looks at the man with a blank expression on his face, not even making the effort to force a smile. This guy is a therapist, fake smiling probably wouldn't work anyway. "Thanks." He mumbles.
The therapist looks up when Lucy enters the room.
Realising that she barged in on Joe's therapy session, Lucy freezes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. Just here to check their heart rates." The girl says with an apologetic look on her face. Her eyes move from the shaking Joe to Ben's bed.
The blond is still lying in bed with his eyes closed and his earphones in.
The therapist gets up. "I was just leaving, actually. I think I broke Joe enough for today." He says. "Could I have a word with you?"
Lucy nods. "Of course, just give me a second." She walks over to the two beds, and scribbles down the heart rates of the two boys. She gives the therapist a short nod to say she's done, and the two soon disappear to the hallway.
The moment the door closes behind them, Joe lets out a loud sob. He looks aside, and his eyes meet Ben's.
Ben immediately gets up out of bed, and sits down onto the bed of his boyfriend.. "You did so good Joey." He says with a proud smile, his voice gentle and soft. "Can I lie down with you? Or would you like some distance?" He asks sweetly. He knows that Joe might not want any physical contact after just having talked about the man who abused him.
But Joe shakes his head immediately. "No. I don't want distance. Can we please cuddle?" He pleads with a soft sniffle.
Ben nods. "Of course." He lies down next to Joe, and presses a soft kiss onto the boy's cheek. "Gosh, I'm so proud of you." He whispers, pulling the boy close to his chest.
That's when Joe breaks down again. Painful sobs rip through his throat, already causing his whole body ache.
"You're safe, you're loved. I'm with you. He's not here." Ben shushes, knowing what kind of things are rushing through Joe's head right now.
Joe just cries into Ben's chest, trying to synchronise his breathing with Ben's.
The blond just gives the boy in his arms small kisses while whispering reassuring things to the boy. "Shhh, it's okay, I promise. Just focus on me, can you try to do that for me?" He asks.
And even though he stays silent for a second, Joe eventually nods. "Keep talking, please...-" He looks at Ben with big eyes, knowing Ben's voice will help him calm down.
"I can't believe how much I love you... It feels like you've always been in my life. I can't believe it's only been a couple of weeks. I have never been this happy before. You're just so perfect. It's almost unhealthy the things I'd do to make you happy." Ben lets his nose touch with Joe's, staring into his eyes.
That finally manages to make Joe smile through his tears. "You dork." He whispers. "I- I love you." He sniffles.

"See? I told you they need each other." Lucy whispers with a smile to her colleague.
The two smile as they stand in the doorway looking at Ben calming down Joe.
"I can see they do." The therapist says with a nod.
A victorious smile appears on Lucy's face. "So you'll make sure they'll be able to keep seeing each other?" She asks.
"I will."

()()()

After an hour of cuddling in silence, in which Joe dozed off a couple of times, Ben breaks the silence. "Are you a bit more okay now?" He asks in a soft voice. He won't ask if Joe's okay, since he can still feel the boy tremble a little.
Joe shrugs, hugging Ben's chest a little tighter. "A bit. Still nauseous though." He mumbles.
Ben frowns, his eyes radiating a gaze etched with worry. "Should I ask Lucy to bring you a bucket? Maybe you're coming down with a fever." He says.
Joe just nods at that. He closes his eyes, trying to push away the memories that rush through his head since an hour. When he suddenly feels a hand on his forehead, he slightly flinches.
"S-sorry love." Ben apologises, feeling his heart ache at the whimper coming from his boyfriend. "Just wanted to check your temperature." He leans in, giving the boy a gentle kiss on the head.
Joe intertwines their fingers. "Sorry." He whispers a bit ashamed.
"No S-word. This isn't your fault." Ben whispers back. "I'll ask Lucy for a bucket so you can get some sleep, okay? You need your rest." He adds when the boy in his arms yawns.
Joe nods. "Okay." He mumbles. "You sweet. Love you."
Ben giggles at that, knowing that Joe is too drowsy to speak properly. He can see that it won't take his boyfriend long to fall asleep. Within a few minutes, Joe's head is heavy on his chest. "Sweet dreams Joey."