Charlie has lived at my place for a couple of days now. Thank god my mom was so understanding of the situation and let him stay here for a bit. He's definitely been a little better but we still didn't know how much time he had to stay here for. I still had to watch him go through some harder moments, days that were just more tough for him. Two days ago, he locked himself up in the bathroom for an hour without saying anything. I got so worried that he had done something bad again, but when he finally opened the door, all he had been doing in there was cry and take some time for himself.
C - I'm sorry Nick. I just needed some space. I promise I didn't do anything.
He said sorry a lot, and I hated that. None of what was happening to him was his fault, but for some reason he thought that he was the problem.
Since then, I had learned how to manage his emotional breakdowns. I now knew that when he wasn't feeling well, I had to give him some space without being too distant. Charlie needed me and I always did everything I could to make him feel safe and loved. I knew that bringing him a cup of tea always made him smile a little. I knew that checking in on him made him feel seen and heard. Some days were perfectly fine. We would bring Nellie to the park and take walks at the beach. I definitely knew him a little better. On the other hand, some days were just horrible, though. But I managed to learn how to make him heal in a way.
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When we woke up today, I could tell that it wasn't going to be a good day. I still woke him up with a smile on my face and I had brought him a cup of tea. It was a rainy Sunday morning, and I knew that Charlie hated ugly weather. I tried to cheer him up by offering him to play some games with my mom in the after noon.
N - Good morning love. How was your sleep?
C - It was... okay. I had some nightmares again.
He had been having nightmares a lot since the hospital. But I had learned to hold him in my arms in a way that would make him feel better.
N - Would you like me to prepare a bath for you?
C - Yes, please. You're the best.
I let him lay down a little more, the time that I would prepare the bath. As usual, I poured some hot water and let a bath bomb dissolve. Lavender, it was his favorite smell. I lit up some candles and turned off the lights. I then went to pick him up as he was still half asleep.
N - There you go, princess. Your majesty's bath is ready.
C - Thank you, sir.
We both let out a little laugh as I was about to close the door to let him enjoy his bath.
C - Wait. Nick, could you, maybe... stay with me?
N - Oh, um, sure, no problem.
I went back in the room and closed the door. I turned around for him to take off his clothes and get in the bathtub.
N - Are you sure you want me in here? I don't want to-
He interrupted me.
C - Nick, turn around.
I slowly turned around, not too sure of what to expect. He was already in the water, foam covering up his whole body. I watched as he closed his eyes and relaxed. He looked so peaceful, more peaceful than he's ever been in the last week.
C - Thanks again. This is amazing.
N - No problem, Char. Anything for you.
He looked up at me then at his left arm laying on the side of the bathtub. His wound hadn't fully healed yet so he had to be careful with it. I held his hand as I was sitting of the floor next to him.
N - I love you Charlie Spring.
C - I love you too Nick Nelson.
We stayed in there for what felt like hours. When he was ready to get out, I turned around again and handed him a towel. He wrapped it around him and hugged me from behind.
It took a couple of seconds to realize that my shirt was now all wet.
N - Char, look what you've done.
I laughed as I opened the light. Charlie's expression changed.
C - Nick...
He then started shaking with such fear in his face. I turned around to look at my shirt. It was covered in blood.
