Precious Virtue ✓

Chapter 33: The Song Of Hope

Precious Virtue

Chapter XXXIII: The Song Of Hope

[Preston's POV]

Adrien's soft humming reverberated through the silence in my room. The tune was as sweet as it was gentle, almost like a lullaby that remedied the pain in my heart. It pacified the echoing voices in my head. It gave me something to focus on, to prevent another spiral.

I didn't know what happened to me. After my phone call with Adrien, I just completely lost it. Too many emotions had built up inside me all at once, and I couldn't hold it in. It was too painful to hold in.

I had stopped crying a while ago. A storm still raged inside my head, but it had calmed down, for the time being at least. My eyes were puffy and I had a pounding headache. My limbs weighed a ton and I was numb all over. All I wanted to do now was sleep. With my head resting on Adrien's shoulder, his fingers gently brushing through my hair, I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep.

Who knew having a complete mental breakdown could be so fucking exhausting?

"This moment feels all too familiar..." I mumbled, drawing lazy circles along Adrien's arm. "Last time it was me holding on to you while you cried."

Adrien's humming quieted down. His finger brushing slowed, and he wrapped both arms around me, giving me a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah...and you know what happened after that?" Adrien said. I tilted my head up to glance at him. "I got help. You need help, Preston. Professional help. You have a problem, and it's time to admit that you do."

I bit my lip. I knew, deep down, that he was right. Elijah had been right the whole time with his persistent attempts at telling me to get help for myself. But I was scared. I was scared of the process. I was scared of confronting these inner demons, of facing these intense emotions.

"I-I...I know that I do, but I'm afraid." I admitted with a shaky voice. I tried to look away, but Adrien cupped my face with both hands, forcing me to look at him.

"Look at me." Adrien said sternly, "You're not alone in this. You helped me when I was in my darkest moments, and now, I'm going to help you."

I nodded my head. Adrien stared at me fondly for a moment, his thumb brushing over my cheek, before he pulled me back against him, and hugged me tight.

I hugged him back, wrapping my arms around his torso. I rested my head against his shoulder once more and closed my eyes. Another few moments passed where we soaked in the everlasting silence, and then, Adrien's phone vibrated in his pocket.

Adrien used one hand to pull his phone out. His eyes trailed over the screen, probably reading a text message. He quickly typed a response, shutting off his phone and tucking it back into his pocket.

"Are you willing to come downstairs with me?" Adrien asked.

"Why?" I replied.

"Blaire texted. She asked if you were calmed down enough to come downstairs."

I frowned. With hesitance, I nodded my head. I peeled myself away from Adrien, despite the undying urge to stay in the comfort of his arms and never leave. That's one of the things I've always admired about Adrien. He was always comfortable to be around. His voice, his aura, his smile, everything about him was soothing. He just had that natural instinct.

Part of me felt like I was about to spiral again—my heart rate picked up when Adrien let go of me and stood up, but then, he was grabbing my hand to help me up, and I was able to calm myself down again.