How To Save A Life [A Robert Downey Jr. Fan-Fic]

Chapter 17: Breathe

"Hey", Tom greeted politely with his British baritone voice as Robert bore him company at the table at the diner, regarding him closely as he sat down, "Have you been on a date?"

Immediately, Robert half smiled at him.

"Likely", he answered then.

Tom nodded slightly and showed him to go on.

"I was at the cemetery", Robert explained then and nervously wrangled his wedding ring,"I visited Kate."

Tom looked at him in surprise.

"I know", I added smirkingly as I joined their table, sitting down next to Robert, "I was quite surprised as well."

"That's good, Rob", he tried to motivate him, "Did Dr. Shaw tell you to pay her a visit?"

Robert nodded slightly and I recognized a weak smile on his lips.

"I told you she was good at her job", Tom said contentedly while his bright blue eyes regarded Robert closely.

"She likes to kick my butt", he retorted jokingly, his smile widened and his eyes crinkled.

"Because that's exactly what you need, Rob", Tom countered and started to laugh.

Immediately, Robert paused.

"No, that's not what I need", he mumbled quietly, "I need her, Tom. I need Kate."

For a while, they simply remained in silence. While Robert stared down at the table between them, Tom never let him out of his sight.

He was a good friend. He cared for Robert when no one else did. Friends like him seemed to be pretty rare these days. Every time, Robert was struggling, he was there to help him, help him to get through the darkest time of his life. I really would have liked to thank him for everything he has done.

Suddenly, I recognized Robert's hand starting to shiver again. He closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath.

I reached out for his hand, trying to comfort him.

"Breathe, Robbie", I whispered and leaned my head against his shoulder, "Just breathe. Remember the light at the end of the tunnel."

"Breathe and hold, Rob", Tom repeated for me, "Breathe and hold. Let go off it. Let go off all the pain."

After a few seconds, his breath regularized again and he calmed down, opening his teary-eyed eyes. He quickly wiped away the tears that were streaming down his cheeks and coughed slightly.

"Living a life without her by my side is like telling the sun not to shine", he sobbed quietly, "It's like you're trying to catch your breath when you're drowning. I am drowning, Tom. I feel like life is torturing me instead of simply letting me go. I can't breathe. I-... I-... I'm choking."

He stared out of the window. Meanwhile, it has become already dark outside. Just the bright light of the half moon and a few stars were lighting up the dark.

"I'll go now", Robert announced and quickly got up, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Rob", Tom yelled after him as he put on his coat and exited the diner.

I sighed and softly stroke the back of Tom's hand.

"I know you mean well", I whispered and forced myself to smile, knowing he couldn't see nor hear me anyway, "Please don't give up on him."

Then, I quickly followed Robert, knowing exactly where he was heading to.

"You know what I think about this", I admonished him as we entered the little bar a few blocks away and the little bell of the entrance rang.