Tumblr Prompts

I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness

From the prompt

Brocedes + let me help you, dammit.

Pls make Lewis the one who says it

Lewis saw it happening. The moment Nico was changing.

Sure, being teammates had always been quite testing. Them being best friends and both being incredibly competitive.... That was just asking for struggles.

But it also lit a fire up in the both of them. They both pushed each other to be faster. To be better.

To win.

But Nico was changing. And not in a positive way.

Maybe to others it wasn't that noticeable. Others who didn't know Nico as long as he did.

Nico was frustrated at many things. But mainly at himself.

It was hard to watch. Especially for Lewis.

Even more so when it came to the point that Nico even started to push Lewis away.

They argued, they literally fought verbally, on most days; while on other days the silence between them was deafening.

Lewis didn't know which of the two was worse, but, the good days between them were getting lesser and lesser.

Lewis could see the looks from Toto aimed at Nico and him. He could see the looks they got from the whole team.

He had to do something.

He was no hero, but he had to try and save whatever he still could.

So, one day he cornered Nico. He waited until everyone else was out of the meeting room, then grabbed his old friend's arm and pulled him back inside said room.

Nico startled and looked at him like he'd gone insane.

Maybe he had---

But Nico was clearly spiraling down and Lewis had to do something.

"What is your problem?" Nico snapped as Lewis closed the door of the meeting room, leaning against it with his back. "Why did you pull me back in here?!"

"Because we need to talk."

"Now? About what?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You've been acting different."

"I'm fine, Lewis."

"Don't you lie to me. I know you're not."

Nico looked like he'd been slapped in the face and took a step backwards.

"I don't know what you're talking about - - - "

Lewis couldn't take it anymore.

"Let me help you, dammit!"

Nico froze. They both did.

The only thing that could be heard in the room was their breathing.

"You think you can help me?"His voice sounded so cold. So distant." That's funny."

"It's not meant to be funny."

"Oh but it is! Lewis, I've been seeing a therapist for months but now you think you can just swoop in like some kind of hero and save me like some damsel in distress?!"

And Lewis is gobsmacked. Why didn't he know? Why didn't he see?

Why didn't he stop this from happening.

"That's not how these things work, Lewis."

Lewis is still too dumbstruck to speak, so Nico is determined to finish this up.

"Can I go now?"

Lewis stares at him, so Nico gestures towards the door he's leaning against, hand reaching for the doorknob.

That's when it happens......

On a whim, Lewis' fingers clasp onto Nico's wrist. A desperate attempt at conveying something without using words.

But---

The look in Nico's eyes is cold and detached.

Maybe he's right.

Maybe Lewis can't swoop in and save him.

It's too late for that.

He lets go. Steps away from the door.

Nico leaves.

He failed to save the one person he's always vowed to protect.