─ brett ; academy

☆ Epilogue ☆

People come and go, that’s life.

I just didn’t expect it to hurt as much as it did.

That’s what I told myself as I stood in front of Wil Winchester’s grave six months after he had died.

Committed Suicide the day I had apparently ‘died’, Kayli had said when she had come inside my hospital room while I was recovering. A sad sniffle crept out of my throat as I gently laid a single white rose on his headstone, my bare knees pressed onto the ground.

“Hey Wil,” I sighed, ignoring the tear sliding down my cheek. “I-I—” I started off before sobs erupted out of my chest.

I had sat down beside his grave and wept, “I’m sorry. I know I should have come to see you earlier---but the truth is, I’ve been so angry with you.” I admitted, feeling the weight lift from my chest slightly.

“I wish you would have told me—told anyone of what you were going through…and how you were feeling. I can’t help but blame myself. If only I had been a better friend…none of this would have happened.” I croaked, my eyes glistening with fresh tears, “If I had been a better friend, you would still be here.”

“I wish I had the chance to tell you how much you meant to me—how much you meant to everyone. How loved you were, and now it’s too late.” I continued, breathing hard as my shaky fingers traced over his name, etched on the hard stone. “I want you to know, I forgive you, Wil. I hope you can forgive me too.”

“Brett?” the distant voice of North calls out, no doubt looking for me. “I told North and the others I’d be out most of the day…they must have known I’d be here.” I added, “Everything in life is okay—it seems. I figured everything out with the boys, Dad’s been coming around more, and it seems like we’re going to be okay. Atlas…well he's hurting a lot more than he’s letting on, but he’s healing, we all are.” I forced a smile, before standing up.

“I hope you find peace. I love you buddy.” I finished my speech with teary eyes as I kissed my fingertips before pressing them on his headstone. I walked away from Wil’s grave with a lighter heart.

I was glad to be able to finally get closure—in the only way I could. I could breathe easier.

“Babe?” the deep voice of North asked quietly, his heavy footsteps coming up from behind me as I sat in the grass in front of the Charleston Graveyard. I didn’t reply, only sent him a tiny smile as he sat down beside me. He said nothing more, only pulling my frame onto his lap—hugging me closely.

“I love you.” I whispered quietly, snuggling into his arms as they tightened around me. North and the boys, in the past six months, have been the men who stuck by me after everything—no matter how much I tried to push them away.

We had a lot of things to work through, but we were getting back to the way things used to be.

I was thankful to have Axel and the guys by my side, too.

I loved my boys.

So much more than I was expecting.

“I love you too.” He murmured, nuzzling his bearded face against the soft skin of my neck.

“Tickles,” I giggled, taking his face in my hands and rubbing my thumbs against the course hair on his face.

“You love it.” He retorted, a smirk growing on his face. He nuzzled his cheek to mine to further prove his point.