Half a heart

Chapter 38

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Harry's POV

The drive to Charlie's therapy appointment was quiet, the kind of silence that hung heavy in the air, filled with things unsaid. I glanced over at him in the passenger seat, his face turned towards the window, eyes staring out at the passing scenery but not really seeing it. His hands were clenched tightly in his lap, and I could tell he was trying to hold himself together. It broke my heart to see him like this, struggling with something so dark and heavy.

"Do you want to listen to some music?" I asked, trying to break the tension, even if just a little. The silence was becoming too much to bear, each second stretching out into eternity.

Charlie shook his head without looking at me. "No, it's okay. I just... I just want to get there."

I nodded, understanding his need to focus on getting to the appointment. The car was filled with a tension that felt almost tangible, like if I reached out, I could touch it. I knew he was anxious, and truthfully, I was too. I wanted to help him, to take away his pain, but I didn't know how. All I could do was be there for him and hope that it was enough.

As we drove, I couldn't help but worry about what would happen in therapy. Would Charlie be able to open up? Would he find the help he needed? I wanted so badly for this to work, for him to find some peace, but I knew that therapy was just one step in a long process.

"You know, you don't have to do this alone," I said after a few moments, keeping my eyes on the road. "Whatever you're going through, I'm here. We all are."

Charlie didn't respond right away, and for a moment, I wondered if he had even heard me. But then he sighed, a sound so heavy it seemed to carry the weight of the world. "I know, Harry. It's just... it's hard to talk about it sometimes. It feels like if I say it out loud, it'll make everything more real."

"I get that," I replied softly. "But talking about it doesn't mean you're alone with it. It means you're sharing the burden, letting others help carry it with you."

Charlie finally turned to look at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and something else—maybe hope, or at least the desire for hope. "What if it's too much? What if I can't do it?"

I met his gaze briefly before returning my focus to the road. "You don't have to do it all at once, Charlie. Therapy isn't about fixing everything in one session. It's about taking small steps, one at a time, and building from there. And no matter what, you're not alone in this. We'll take those steps with you."

He didn't say anything else, but I saw the slight nod of his head out of the corner of my eye. It wasn't much, but it was something—a sign that maybe, just maybe, he was starting to see that there was a way forward.

The rest of the drive passed in relative silence, the hum of the engine the only sound between us. As we neared the therapy office, I could see Charlie's anxiety starting to spike again. His hands clenched and unclenched, his breathing becoming shallow and rapid.

"Hey," I said gently as I pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. "It's okay to be nervous. Therapy can be really tough, especially at first. But it's a safe space, and the therapist is there to help you, not judge you."

Charlie nodded, but I could see the fear in his eyes as he looked at the building. "What if I don't know what to say?"

"You don't have to know," I reassured him. "Just be honest about what you're feeling, and the therapist will help guide you. You don't have to have all the answers right now."

He took a deep breath and finally unclasped his hands, letting them rest on his knees. "Okay. I'll try."

"That's all anyone can ask," I said, giving him a small, encouraging smile. "I'll be right here when you're done. And if you need to talk after, we can go grab some coffee or take a drive. Whatever you need."

Charlie gave me a faint smile in return, the first one I'd seen from him in what felt like ages. "Thanks, Harry."

I nodded, watching as he gathered his courage and opened the car door. He hesitated for a moment, then stepped out into the parking lot, standing there for a second as if bracing himself. I wanted to reach out, to hold his hand and tell him it would all be okay, but I knew he needed to do this on his own, in his own way.

"Take your time," I called after him as he started walking towards the building. "And remember, I'm here if you need me."

Charlie paused, turning to give me one last look. "I know. Thanks."

I watched him walk through the door, my heart aching with both pride and worry. I knew this was the beginning of a long journey for him, one that would have its ups and downs, but I also knew that he was strong, even if he didn't realize it yet.

As I sat there in the car, waiting for Charlie to finish his session, I couldn't help but think about everything that had led to this moment. The pain, the fear, the love that held us all together. And I knew that no matter what, I would be there for him, every step of the way.