Through Heaven or Hell (William Macbeth X Female Reader)

Under the Bare Branches

(Y/N) ran down the halls, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. She couldn't stay in there, not with Will and certainly not with the woman she had thought was her grandmother. Not after what Corrine had spat at her. Not after she practically told Will all that (Y/N) was - a monster.

A choking feeling wrapped its way around (Y/N). She didn't want to think of that. She didn't... she didn't...

I didn't mean to.

Those were the only words whirling around in her brain at the moment. The words that fell emptily, limply to the ground. The words that had no support.

Because even if she didn't mean to, it didn't lessen the pain that she had inadvertently causing among millions upon millions upon millions-

She cut her thoughts off with a sharp cry. She collapsed behind a planter, hiding underneath the bare branches of the trees that stretched over her. The concrete's cold seeped through her until she was once again chilled to the bone. All the warming up from the night before was gone in an instant.

Her eyes travelled up into the sky, noting how the previously sunny day had shifted into the familiar grey of autumn.

A short bark of laughter stole from her mouth at the sight. It was a cold, angry sound, punctuated by another tear rolling down her cheek. Of course the one day that held hope would fail to deliver on its promise. It was as fickle as her life.

Why had she expected anything more?

She leaned her head back against the cold bricks in the planter, absentmindedly looking around her. Studying the things around her. Thinking far too much.

"(Y/N)?"

A tremor ran through (Y/N)'s body at the familiar voice. Why did he have to try to come? Why was he looking for her after what her grandmother had just said?

"(Y/N)!" His voice was louder now. Closer.

Worried.

She cringed away from his voice, trying to stifle her sobs. She didn't want him to see her right now. Not as she was. Not as she sobbed and fell apart. She wanted to fade from existence.

"Where are you?" Will's voice took on a desperate tone. "(Y/N)!"

He was frantic, she noted silently. She didn't know why, though.

"(Y/N)?" His voice was quiet. Like he was scared that something had happened to (Y/N) in the few moments that they hadn't been in the same room.

A quiet sob slipped out of her mouth. It sounded so impossibly loud in the gentle breeze and still greyness of the day. (Y/N) berated herself for allowing the sound to leave her mouth. She pressed her fingertips against her mouth.

Another hot tear slipped down her cheek.

Will's footsteps paused, like he was trying to pinpoint the exact location of the sound. Like he was trying to find her.

Then they resumed.

And they were coming right at her.

Wrapping her arms around her knees, she drew them up against her chest. She buried her face in them, trying to hide her reddened cheeks and tears. She felt too weak and shaky to move.

So she just sat there. Waiting. Waiting for her doom to come forth.

She knew the exact moment he saw her. She could've probably repeated the exact millisecond, in fact.

It would be pretty hard to miss. The sudden pause, his soft exhale, his relief almost tangible in that exact moment. However, his concern was just as heavy.

He walked towards her. Even his footsteps were uncertain, like he didn't know if he'd be doing more harm than good by trying to talk to her and comfort her.

(Y/N) hated herself for doing that to him once again. The second day in a row.

Idiot, idiot, idiot.

Will sat down next to her. He remained silent, merely offering his presence as an invitation to speak. Or to derive comfort from in its quiet, gentle way. (Y/N) wasn't certain.

So she, too, remained silent.

They both sat there for an amount of time that neither of them were certain of. It was a comfortable silence, however, so they both allowed it to stretch on.

(Y/N) didn't want to admit it, but she was disappointed when Will shifted slightly away from her to give her more space. She enjoyed the warmth radiating from him. She enjoyed the closeness they both felt.

But she couldn't tell Will that. Especially not now.

Finally, it was Will that broke the silence.

"I'm... I'm not sure about what happened in there, (Y/N)," he said frankly, studying his hands. They were fitted together loosely, almost like a jigsaw puzzle. "And I don't think that I can really even ask you." His blue eyes flitted up to her face, his brows creased in concern, the clear blue reflecting worry and care back at her. "It wouldn't be fair. But..." He swallowed and looked away from her once more. "I am here for you. Just so you know." He sounded uncomfortable, like he couldn't say that he was as present in his own concerns. That he only found the point in caring for others and not for himself.

She blinked at him. She didn't want to ruin the moment by speaking. And she couldn't keep looking him in the eye. He was too honest and gentle. Everything she wasn't.

(Y/N)'s eyes eventually focused on the distant cemetery that rested far behind Will. It was easier than meeting those soft blue eyes.

He looked slightly put out by the response. Or lack of, technically.

Pushing his way onto his feet, he cast one more glance to her. (Y/N) could feel the weight of his gaze on her.

She almost wanted it to stay there. She wanted Will to stay there. With her.

"I'll... see you. I guess." He sounded miserable.

Turning on his heel, Will made his way back up to the hospital.

Tell him, tell him, tell him. The words rang through her head, alongside the wish to call him back and enjoy his presence by her side once again.

I won't, she told the voice sternly. There was no point, she wasn't going to do that. She wasn't going to ask him to come back. There was no way.

"Will!"

The word burst from her mouth, fighting against her best attempts.

He turned back, surprise arching his brows. "Yes?"

Come back. Please.

(Y/N) dropped her gaze to her feet. "I'm sorry. You don't..." She bit her lip, trying to think of the proper words. She didn't want to be rude when he just offered to talk to her. "You don't have to worry about me. There's so much more to worry about." Her eyes flashed back up to see an unreadable expression on Will's face. "I'm not worth it." The words were barely above a whisper. There was no way that he could hear them from all the way across the clearing.

Which was why it shocked her when he strode up to her once more and offered her a hand. A strangely determined look was in his eyes, although it was accompanied by some fear.

(Y/N)'s eyes focused on that hand, confusion crumpling her brow. Was that...?

Quietly, he offered a, "Come on. Let's go."

But instead of listening to his words, she reached out for him. As her fingers brushed over his hand, his hand twitched, preparing to wrap it around her fingers.

However, she moved her hand up until she pushed up his sleeve further.

Dark purple and blue bruises encircled his wrist. Slight indentations were still tattooed into his skin. Thin scratches decorated the blue and purple with a horrible, rusty red.

"Will," she breathed, the blood running from her face at the horrible sight of his skin. "What happened?"

(A/N): hm.

see you guys next week :)