𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐥𝐲
⚠️𝐓𝐖: 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬⚠️
•••
In the opulent confines of Valentino's penthouse, Vox, Velvette and Valentino lounged on plush cushions, surrounded by scattered sketches. The room was adorned with elegant décor, the soft glow of chandeliers casting a warm ambiance.
Velvette eagerly showcased her latest creation, a sleek outfit for Vox, its sleeves conspicuously absent, exuding confidence and flair. She spoke animatedly about the design, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she described the intricate details.
Vox listened intently, his skepticism evident as he examined the sketch.
"It's certainly... bold,"
He remarked, his tone measured.
Velvette beamed, unfazed by Vox's reservation. "Trust me, Vox, you'll look stunning in it. It's perfect for your persona."
Valentino reclined on the couch, observing the exchange with amusement.
"Well, Vox, what do you think?"
He inquired, a playful glint in his eye.
Vox hesitated, his mind racing with doubts. "It's... different. But maybe it could use a few adjustments,"
He suggested, his gaze flickering to Velvette.
Velvette's enthusiasm faltered slightly, but she nodded, eager to accommodate Vox's preferences.
"Of course, Vox. What did you have in mind?"
With a smooth motion, Vox took the sketchpad from her, his fingers tracing over the design with careful precision. As he made his alterations, Velvette and Valentino watched with curiosity, their interest piqued by Vox's vision.
When Vox handed the sketchpad back to Velvette, the once-sleeveless ensemble now boasted elegant sleeves cascading down his arms. Velvette and Valentino exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion palpable.
"Sleeves? But Vox, you have such great arms! They should be shown off."
Velvette chirps.
Vox's gaze flickered to his arms, hidden beneath the fabric of his shirt, concealed from view. "Yeah, well, there's, uh, a reason for that,"
He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Valentino arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"What reason, Vox?"
Vox's heart raced as he scrambled for an excuse, anything to divert their attention from the truth. "Oh, you know, just... personal preference. Besides, sleeves add a touch of elegance, don't you think?"
Valentino and Velvette exchanged puzzled glances, but before they could press further, Vox excused himself, mumbling about needing to use the restroom.
Once inside, he closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment, trying to collect himself. With a sigh, he approached the sink, gazing at his reflection in the mirror. Slowly, he began to roll up his sleeves, revealing the bandages encasing his arms. His breath caught in his throat as he carefully unraveled the fabric, revealing the haunting scars etched into his skin; a testament to his pain and struggles, hidden from the world.
A bitter sob escaped his lips as he traced the lines of his scars, each one a painful reminder of his darkest moments. And as he looked down at his arms, he noticed the faint stains of blood seeping through his sleeves, a stark reminder of the pain he had tried so desperately to hide.
Before he could process his emotions, there was a knock on the door, followed by Valentino's concerned voice calling out to him. Panic surged through Vox as he frantically tried to cover his scars, forgetting to lock the door in his haste.
Valentino entered the bathroom, his expression filled with concern.
"Vox, are you alright?"
He asked, his gaze flickering to the blood-stained bandages resting beside the sink.
Vox's heart hammered in his chest as he struggled to maintain his composure.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine,"
He stammered, his arms instinctively hiding behind his back.
Valentino's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him, his gaze locking onto Vox's trembling form.
"What happened, Vox?"
He demanded, his voice firm yet tinged with worry.
Unable to bear the weight of his deception any longer, Vox's resolve crumbled. With tears in his eyes, he whispered,
"I... I hurt myself, Valentino. I'm sorry."
Valentino's expression softened, his heart aching for his friend's pain. Without a word, he gently grasped Vox's arms, pulling them into view. He saw the blood that seeped through his stained, white sleeves, and as the scars that marred Vox's skin. A pang of sadness hit him amidst a big wave of despair.
As Vox's trembling form stood before him, Valentino's heart ached with a mixture of sadness and concern. Without a word, he gently pulled Vox into a comforting embrace, feeling the weight of his pain radiating through their shared embrace.
"Vox,"
Valentino whispered softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It's okay. You're safe now."
Tears streamed down Vox's cheeks as he buried his face in Valentino's shoulder, his body shaking with silent sobs. For so long, he had carried the burden of his pain alone, believing himself unworthy of love and acceptance. But in that moment, enveloped in Valentino's embrace, he felt a glimmer of hope stir within him, a hope that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as alone as he had thought.
Valentino held Vox close, offering silent reassurance as they stood there, lost in their shared moment of vulnerability. And as the minutes passed, the weight of Vox's pain began to lift, replaced by a sense of comfort.
Eventually, Vox pulled away, his eyes more red and swollen from crying than usual.
"I'm sorry, Valentino,"
He murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion.
"I didn't mean for you to see me like this."
Valentino shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"Don't apologize, Vox. You don't have to hide from us. We're here to support you, no matter what."
In that moment, Valentino's hand gently tilted Vox's chin upward, his eyes searching Vox's for a moment before leaning in and pressing a tender kiss to Vox's forehead. It was a gesture filled with warmth and affection, a silent promise of unwavering support and understanding.
Vox's breath caught in his throat at the unexpected intimacy, his heart skipping a beat as he felt a surge of emotions flood through him. It was a fleeting moment, but in that brief exchange, Vox felt a connection deepen between them—a bond that transcended friendship and ventured into the realm of something more profound.
As they left the bathroom, Velvette greeted them with concern etched on her face. Valentino wrapped an arm around Vox's shoulders, offering a reassuring squeeze as they faced their friend together, ready to move forward with newfound understanding and solidarity. And as they walked side by side, Vox couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the love and support that surrounded him, knowing that with Valentino by his side, he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
•••
-𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟏 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬-
-𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞-
𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬... 𝐭𝐲𝐬𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 :))
[ If you're struggling with self-harm, know that you're not alone, and reaching out for support is a courageous first step towards healing and finding healthier coping mechanisms. Remember, there are people who care about you and resources are available to help you navigate through this difficult time. I'm always free if you need someone to talk to :) ]
