𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

(b.n) you stayed

Iron Lion – The rooftop, just before dawn.

The world was still blue with sleep when Bea climbed the steps, her breath fogging in the cold. The sun hadn't yet risen, and the mountains were only shadows. She sat on the edge where she always sat, where no one else came anymore.

She didn't cry. She hadn't cried in months.

But this time, something in her chest ached like it hadn't before.

She stared at the horizon, arms folded tightly, like they were the only things holding her together.

Then: Footsteps.

Soft, hesitant.

She didn't need to look to know who it was.

Nico.

He didn't speak. Just sat beside her, not close enough to touch, but near enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence.

Minutes passed in silence.

Then: "I don't know how to stop hurting."

Her voice was a whisper. Barely there.

Nico's fingers curled slightly on the stone. He didn't reach for her. Just listened.

"I tried to be strong. I thought if I stayed busy, if I didn't say her name... it wouldn't hurt so much. But I see her everywhere. In the hallways. In the garden. In my dreams."

A pause.

"I wasn't there when she died."

Her breath hitched. Finally... finally, her voice cracked.

"She needed me and I wasn't there, and I can't forgive myself for that."

Nico looked at her then, really looked.

"You loved her," he said softly. "That's not something you need to forgive. That's something you carry."

Bea's shoulders trembled. "I pushed everyone away. Even you."

"I know."

A beat. And then, almost broken: "So why are you still here?"

And that's when he reached for her. Carefully. Gently. Fingers brushing against hers like he was afraid she'd vanish.

"Because grief doesn't scare me. Losing you does."

Bea turned to him. Her eyes brimmed, tears finally slipping down.

"I'm tired, Nico."

"Then rest. I've got you."

She leaned into him then, slowly, like a crumbling wall learning to fall in the right direction. He held her. Said nothing else.

The sun rose while she cried in his arms.

And when she finally stopped, she whispered through the quiet: "Thank you for staying."

"Always."