Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

57

Travis was nervous. He knew that Christian was having a hard time being away from Reilly and Elizabeth, especially since he knew for a fact they wouldn't be able to come down at all. But Travis thought that it was just that - just him missing his family.

Elizabeth telling him that Christian wasn't answering phone calls or texts was terrifying. He saw how often he texted her. How he tried to call her right after workouts or games... this wasn't like his best friend.

"Yelich, open up!" Travis called out, pounding on his door. He waited thirty seconds before pounding harder. "Yelich!" Travis shouted it out this time, cursing to himself. Nothing. Not a peep.

They all had a buddy's key - just in case. This seemed like an emergency, so Travis fished it out and unlocked the door. The silence was even more deafening inside the apartment.

"Christian, dude. Where are you?" Travis frowned, trying to find his vulnerable friend. A shaky breath came from the bathroom and Travis rushed over, heart pounding at what he saw.

Christian... his best friend was on the floor, leaning against the bathtub as he stared at the blood pouring down his wrists. Alarmingly fast. Jesus Christ. What was he going through?

Travis didn't let himself think about that, grabbing a stack of washcloths and crouching in front of his friend. "I need you to let me help you," he said softly as Christian snatched his wrists away, revealing the blood that had seeped onto his shorts.

***

He went too deep, and he knew that. But it prolonged his relief. Kept his mind off of everything he'd lost.

Christian felt Travis put pressure on his wrists, and the pain felt good. It helped him forget.

"Don't tell Elizabeth," he managed to get out, still staring as the blood soaked the washcloths. It's not like she'd care. But it would give her ammo to leave. To pack herself and Reilly up to be with George. He'd get home and they'd both be gone. His reason to survive would leave.

Because he wasn't good enough. He wasn't smart enough. He wasn't George enough.

"I have to, Christian. She's the one who called me over... She's worried about you. For good reason, it seems," Travis frowned, wrapping another cloth around his friend's wrist. If this one got soaked through like the last one, he had to take Christian to the hospital. He wasn't convinced that he shouldn't already.

"She has George," he shrugged, closing his eyes. He was exhausted.

"Keep your eyes open," Travis said softly. Hospital. They needed to get to the hospital. "I don't know who George is, but I know he isn't you."

"She doesn't call me anymore. I haven't seen Reilly in a week," he whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Don't tell her. It's nothing."

"Christian... You need to go to the hospital and I need to call Elizabeth," Travis said quietly.

"I'll let you do one of those things," Christian countered.

He was so pale... the decision was difficult, but he made the right one.

***

72 hours. They let him out of the hospital, but he had to stay with Travis for 72 hours.

"I'm sorry," he told Travis quietly, looking at the stitches that closed up the fresh tears in his wrist.

"I almost lost a friend today," Travis said softly, turning to wrap Christian in a tight hug. "I need you to tell me when things get this bad," he said sternly, driving back to his rental.