Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

82) Drunken Flashbacks

Aris’s P.O.V

I barely had time to duck before something flew over my head. When I covered my neck, I heard something shatter on the ground behind me. I couldn't help but flinch at the noise, heart racing at the last thing I expected from her.

Before I could make sense of it, she collapsed on the ground, sobbing into her hands. Spare bottles littered around her, different sizes that had a scent too strong for comfort.

“Y/N?”I whispered, voice shaking. I’m not sure she could hear me, shaking so badly she was glitching into another reality. “Hey. It's just me. Only me,”I whispered, kneeling down as slowly as I could manage. Once again, she didn't appear to notice, too immersed in a world I could never even begin to understand.

The scent of liquor was revolting, something that was never meant to mix with her. She's books and healing and too long showers. She never deserved to be violence and flashbacks and tears. She never wanted to be.

She's not okay. At all.

While she was still, for lack of a better word, distracted, I stood up again, keeping my hands out just in case. She laid on the ground, rocking back and forth while mumbling to herself.

Walking backwards, I reached for her bag hanging up. Figuring taking the time to find exactly what she needed wasn't the main priority, I slung it over my shoulder. While she was still hyperventilating, I grabbed the other strap to wear it properly, adjusting it over me.

“Hey, Y/N. Hi,”I softly repeated, reaching out for her. She covered her ears as she stared at something behind me. Her face was twisted in a horrified grimace, memories flickering in her eyes.

“That isn't real. Whatever you're looking at, it isn't there,”I assured her, trying to block wherever she was gazing. As if I was invisible, she sat up, arms trembling at the slight movement. When I tried to grab her hand, she snatched hers away, holding it to her chest as she glared at me.

Yeah. This is not going to go down well.

And still, by some miracle, I managed to coax her out of that one spot, guiding her to my side and along the path that was suddenly a tripping hazard.

I knew everything was going wrong, but I didn't think it'd turn to this. I didn't think it was possible for her to spiral so badly she’d turn to what she hates. I didn't think it’d get so bad she’d turn violent again. I did think it’d get so bad she’d be barely recognizable.

It did though. Things got really, really bad.

She takes care of everyone when they're out of it. If someone's deep under the influence, she’s the first one to help them.

So it's my turn then. Not just because she’d do it for me or anyone else who needed it. Just because she needs it right now. She really does. I already failed at keeping her safe tonight. I’m not an idiot. I knew something was wrong the second she got that look in her eyes and still let her go. I have to make up for that somehow.

“‘M miserable,”she mumbled against my neck, arms wrapped around me as tightly as she could manage.

“I know. But we're going to make it better. We're going to take care of it,”I whispered.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don't have to be sorry. It's okay,”I promised.

“I don't wanna-ain’t gonna do it no more,”she slurred. Shutting my eyes, I held her closer as I kept humming the same comforting words that I still don't know how to make happen. She didn't seem to care about that though. To be fair, it’s the first time in weeks she looks like she's worrying about one instead of a million things. I just don't know how to properly pinpoint what that is.