Colors {Stollace}

Chapter Nine ✦ Brokenness Is a Work of Art

Colors {Stollace} ✦ Chapter Nine ✦ Brokenness Is a Work of Art

   "If brokenness is a work of art, this must be my masterpiece, " Sleeping At Last ✦ Neptune

✦ Will ✦

  (A week after previous chapter)
 
It was midnight. Everyone in his house was asleep, his father, Hyacinth...everyone except him. It was deadly quiet, the only sounds were from the streets below, where the occasional honk and tires squealing was heard. Will looked into the mirror, the corners of his blue eyes red.

You look just like your dad. Blonde, curly hair, blue eyes, tan skin, freckles-

  "Stop it," Will whispered to himself, squeezing his eyes shut so he didn't have to look into the mirror.

You're just like your father. You talk like him. Walk like him. Attract the ladies like him.

  Will bit his lip to distract himself and dug his fingernails into the sink.

  You both like men. You like the same music. You want to be a nurse just like him. You're a spitting image of him. You aren't even Will, you're just Apollo's son.
 
  "Shut up," Will whimpered, feeling tears slide down his cheeks. He looked into the mirror.

You even look like your father when you cry. Red eyes, flushed cheeks, yet still so sweet and innocent. You even like the same kind of guys. Brown hair, deep blue eyes. Hyacinth...Connor.

  "Stop," Will demanded, a bit louder, glaring at his image in the mirror.

You like the same ice cream, you like the same drinks, you watch the same shows, you have the same style. Is there anything that isn't Apollo?

  "Shut up!"

You're just like your father.

  "I said shut up!" Will punched the mirror, instantly shattering it. His knuckles throbbed and bled as tears ran down his cheeks. He sobbed hysterically, throwing bottles of soap off of the counter. He threw open the medicine cabinet and pulled out whatever he could find. A bottle of sleeping pills there, his anti-depressants he never took here. The door burst open and Apollo and Hyacinth rushed in, frantically looking around. Apollo's eyes instantly went to the pill bottles.

  "Will," Apollo said gently, holding out a hand. "Give me those."

  Will clutched them to his chest, squeezing them tightly and backing away from his fathers.

  "Please, hand those to me. We can sit down and eat ice cream and talk it through, okay? Just give me the pills," Apollo practically begged, throwing a glance to Hyacinth when Will stepped back. "Give me the pills."

  "No!" Will cried. "Get out!"

  Hyacinth stepped forward and reached a gentle, soft hand out, caressing Will's cheek and wiping away his tears.

  "C'mon, let's go the living room, yeah?" he asked quietly. Will nodded solemnly and followed them out into the hallway, before sprinting to his room and slamming the door shut, locking it. He quickly popped open the pill bottles and mixed them into his hands.

  "Will!" Apollo cried out desperately. "Stop. Please, stop whatever you're doing and just listen!"

  Will stopped, clutching the pills in his hands tightly. He looked towards the door, tears still marking down his cheeks.

  "I know it hurts, okay?" Apollo asked, his voice cracking slightly. Will could tell that he was crying. "I know it hurts so bad, whatever you're going through, but you have to tough it out. You have to get through it. I know you're strong, I've seen you conquer things I could never be strong enough to overcome. Just...please come out here. Give me the pills and we'll go out to IHOP and eat whatever you want. Or we can do whatever you want. Just, please...please, for the love of God, drop the pills and come out here."

  "Will, you know we love you so, so much and I know you have tons of other friends, too. Leo, Nico, Connor...think about them. Think about us. We'll talk about it, okay? Whatever you're going through, we'll listen and we'll help you get through it. I promise," Hyacinth said, his voice sounding watery as well. "Please."

  Will dropped the pills and unlocked the door, opening it and flinging himself into his fathers' arms. He buried his face into Hyacinth's chest and sobbed, feeling Apollo rub his back lightly.  

  "You didn't take any pills, right?" Apollo asked softly. Will shook his head no and clutched onto his fathers tightly. He pulled away and took the bandage he always wore off of his wrist and showed them what was underneath. Layers upon layers of bright red lines and light pink scars contrasted against Will's tan skin. Apollo let out a pained gasp, more tears tracking down his face as he hugged Will tightly. "Why?" Apollo asked, his voice shuddery and thick with emotion.

  "I wanted to be different than you."

✦✦✦

  "Please don't send me away," Will whispered as the waitress at IHOP left with their drink orders. Hyacinth and Apollo shared a look.

  "Will, neither of us are psychologists. What if this happens again and we can't stop it. What if you-" Hyacinth's voice cracked, before he cleared his throat. Apollo continued for him.

  "I think it would be best if we sent you somewhere just for a week or two. Just to ensure that you're safe."

  "But I-"

  "We'll discuss it at home, okay?" Apollo asked, giving will a soft smile. The blonde boy nodded and put his arm under the table, absentmindedly scratching the bandage on his wrist.