Havenfell

Chapter 15: In Times of Need

(Trigger Warning: Discussions of self-harm)

Felicity slowly opened their eyes, blinking a few times as the room came into focus. Soft light filtered in through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the unfamiliar surroundings. As they sat up, the events of the previous night came rushing back - the confrontation with Alex, the heated arguments, and the emotional toll it had taken on everyone.

Glancing around the room, Felicity noticed that Bree was the only other person present. She sat in a chair by the window, her gaze distant and her shoulders slumped. There was a heaviness to her posture that spoke of the burden she carried.

"Hey," Felicity said softly, their voice still thick with sleep. "How long was I out?"

Bree turned to face them, a sad smile on her lips. "A few hours. The others went to get some food and clear their heads."

Felicity nodded, swinging their legs over the edge of the bed. They padded over to Bree and sat down beside her, sensing the unspoken pain that hung in the air.

"It's not your fault, you know," Felicity said gently, placing a hand on Bree's arm. "What happened with Alex... You couldn't have predicted or controlled his actions."

Bree sighed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know, but I still feel responsible. I brought him into the group, and now everyone is hurting because of it."

Felicity squeezed Bree's arm reassuringly. "We're all responsible for our own choices, Bree. Alex made his, and it's not on you to carry that weight."

As Bree nodded, her gaze fell upon Felicity's wrist, where the sleeve of their shirt had ridden up slightly. The faint, silvery lines that crisscrossed their skin were unmistakable - it was obvious to her what was going on.

Bree's eyes widened, and Felicity quickly tugged their sleeve down, a flush creeping up their neck. They had never intended for anyone to see those scars, to know the depths of their pain.

"Felicity..." Bree whispered, her voice laced with concern and understanding.

Felicity took a shaky breath, realizing that the time had come to open up, to trust someone with their darkest secret. They had always been the one to comfort others, to offer a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. But now, in this quiet moment with Bree, they found the courage to let themselves be vulnerable.

"It's something I've struggled with for a long time," Felicity began, their voice barely above a whisper. "When things get overwhelming, when the pain inside becomes too much to bear, I turn to this..."

They exhale deeply.

"I turn to cutting myself."

Bree listened intently, her eyes filled with empathy and a silent promise of support. She didn't interrupt or judge, allowing Felicity the space to share their story at their own pace.

"I've never told anyone before," Felicity continued, their fingers absently tracing the scars on their wrist. "I guess I was afraid of being seen as weak, of being a burden to others."

Bree reached out and took Felicity's hand in her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're not weak, Felicity. You're one of the strongest people I know. And you could never be a burden, not to me, not to any of us."

Felicity felt a warmth spread through their chest, a sense of relief and gratitude for Bree's unconditional acceptance. They knew that opening up slowly was only the first step, that the road to healing would be long and challenging. But with the support of friends like Bree, they felt a glimmer of hope that they could face whatever lay ahead.

As the two sat in comfortable silence, the sunlight streaming through the window, Felicity knew that they had found a true friend in Bree. And for the first time in a long while, they allowed themselves to believe that maybe, just maybe, they deserved to be loved and cared for, scars and all.