We're All Gonna Die

Chapter 3

TW// MENTIONS OF SELF-HARM

About half an hour later, Myles had fallen asleep, clutching his stuffed duck tightly. The duck, Sir Quackinton, meant a lot to him. He had gotten it for himself when he realised he could indulge in 'childish acts'. He was never without it when little as the toy brought him great comfort, a sign he could still get to enjoy a childhood.

Veronica slowly laid him on the couch to go retrieve his pacifier when his thumb made its way into his mouth. She slowly eased his thumb away, replacing it with the dummy. She sat on the couch, laying his head on her lap and began running her fingers through his hair.

A few minutes later, the front door opened, and Kenny walked in. "Hey love, how was your day?" He asked as he walked up to the pair.

"It's been okay. Did anything happen with Myles this morning? He seems stressed."

Kenny sighed as he sat next to the two, "Ma mentioned she was going to take him bra shopping."

"It's happened before. He was okay. We'll just donate whatever she buys like last time."

"This isn't like last time, Ronnie. He is not doing okay. This is gonna ruin the progress he's made."

"Kenny-"

"I'm worried about him. He had a relapse."

She was shocked. She had not noticed anything new on his skin when she helped him get changed so he couldn't possibly have, "what? But I... there wasn't anything there when I changed him."

"Did he take off his socks?"

Her mind was racing. She thought he was doing better. She was mentally going through all her interactions with Myles in the last few days, trying to find some sign or indication of a relapse. Maybe she could have done more to help prevent it.

"How did you know Kenny?"

"This morning, when he put on his shoes, he winced. I wanted to play it off as nothing, but I just couldn't. So, I checked his room after I dropped him off. There's a wad of bloodied tissues in his bin. I know I shouldn't have gone through his room, but I didn't know what to do. "

The two looked at each other while Myles slept oblivious between them. He was not going to enjoy the conversation that would be had when he was awake and out of little space.

"We should check, right? Make sure it's cleaned and won't get infected. He won't let us when he's awake."

Veronica sighed. She did want to check, but it felt like an invasion of privacy or crossing boundaries. But Kenny was right. If the kid woke up and found out they knew, he wouldn't let them near him. She nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, okay, let's check."

Kenny stood up to get the first aid kit and returned to the living room. He adjusted Myles on the couch so he could have easy access to both his legs. He quickly got to work, preparing what he thought he needed before taking off his socks. He froze when he felt the sock. It was damp. He had still been holding on to the hope he had been wrong.

He took off his sock and rolled up the pant leg of his onesie, revealing a mess of red. Blood was smeared around his ankle and without cleaning, it was hard to tell where exactly it came from.

"Fucking hell Myles," he mumbled as he began cleaning the skin of the ankle. After a minute it was clear to see where the blood was coming from. There were three gashes across his ankle, a little below half an inch deep. At first glance, it just looked like a very bad scratch from a cat but they knew better.

"Do you think he needs stitches?" Kenny asked bringing Veronica's attention to Myles' leg.

Her breath hitched as she looked at it. She was a child psychiatrist she was used to seeing things like this. But it felt like she was dealing with her first psychiatry case all over again.

"He should be able to get away without stitches for the most part. Just needs to make sure it stays clean and doesn't start bleeding again."

Kenny starts to disinfect the wound when Myles whines in his sleep and tries to squirm away.

"Shhh kiddo. It's okay," Veronica whispered, praying he would stay asleep just a little longer.

Kenny had just started wrapping the wound when Myles stirred awake.

"What are-" he froze when he realised what was going on. They knew. He tried sitting up to move away but Veronica wouldn't let him.

"It's okay papi. Kenny is just wrapping it up now. He's almost done."

He immediately teared up and turned to hide his face in her stomach as he let out quiet sobs.

She ran her fingers through his hair trying to soothe him, "It's okay baby. Just let it out we're here for you."

Kenny finished wrapping his wounds and packed the things he used away. He left to return the first aid kit and when he returned he joined them on the couch. Myles' crying had calmed to little sniffles and Veronica and Kenny felt their hearts ache at the sight of him curled up between them.

"Hey, Bubba?"

Myles hesitated before looking up at Kenny, "There's those pretty eyes. Do you still feel tiny Bubba?"

Myles gave a little nod, "I'm scared." He admitted quietly.

"It's okay kiddo there's nothing to be scared about. We will save the big yucky talk for later. For now how about we all cuddle and watch paw patrol, hmm?"

Myles nodded again preferring this option. He was just glad the other two didn't seem angry or disappointed.

He whined when he felt himself being moved, "You're okay I'm just repositioning us so we can cuddle with Kenny as well."

Myles laid between the two enjoying the closeness as he watched his cartoons. Half an hour later he was back asleep leaving the other two to worry about the talk to be had later.