Declan felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest, Nolan could probably even hear how hard it was beating. Despite the physicality of what they just went through, it was more nerves than that. Declan didnât like talking about this â not about why he did it or how often he had and how he needed to quit. It was a gut reaction for him, he got defensive and refused to talk about. He didnât know how to explain it, because no one ever understood anyway. The cutting helped â it was fucked up and Declan didnât want to do it, but it helped.
However, Nolan didnât say anything. He didnât push on it. He cried and fell to the floor.
âHey ââ, Declan had started, shifting his weight to get up off the bed before freezing to a stop as he started to hesitate. Declan had thought that giving Nolan time and space was the right thing to do. He had let him move to Seattle, because he was trying to do the right thing. Nolan needed space, he should get it. Giving him space didnât fix anything, though â shoving himself back into Nolanâs life seemed to help. He showed up at his house and eventually Nolan let him in. Declan kept showing up and he ended up back in his husbandâs bed. At his side where he belonged.
That thought never went anywhere though. Declan was extremely careful about crossing boundaries, and now he wasnât sure if Nolan needed space.
Declan sighed and got himself into some clothing before coming forward to hug him. He could not not watch him cry and this was the only way he knew how to comfort him. He pulled him to his chest, his fingers dipping into his hair and heâd held him there. Safe and warm in his arms, that was where he belonged.
âThis isnât your fault.â
Despite the much needed close proximity to his husband, he still didnât know if it was what he wanted. Of course it was his fault. Nolan did this to the only man he loved and now he was the one being comforted. He weakly tried pushing Declan away as he shook his head, but he wanted him to stay. He wanted everything to be back to the way it was. Before all this shit happened and before heâd lost his fucking mind. Nolan continued sobbing, clutching yet pulling away from the other. His hands shook and his breathing was uneven--- and he needed his medication. Finally, he shoved Declan off before pulling himself to his feet.Â
âStop!â He held out his shaky hands, his head hung low as his body threatened to push him to his knees again. âI need to apologise because if I donât, Iâm gonna lose my fucking mind all over again.â Heâd found the strength to string those words together. âIâm not looking for forgiveness or pity, Declan. I just--- I need you to understand that Iâm--- Iâm sorry. For everything I did to you. I put things on or in front of you when this started going to shit because I was scared of myself. I--I shut down everything because I was scared of what Iâd do to myself. I shut you and everyone else out for months because I was afraid to hurt--- but I was so selfish a-and stupid. I almost lost you forever because I wanted to look out for myself.â Nolan shook his head, pulling on a shirt before glancing back at him.
âI left you alone and I hurt you--- so you hurt yourself. So, yes. It is my fault. I drove you to do this and it made me realise--- h-how different am I from Roman? He killed my brother. He drove him to that because heâs a fucking sick man who cares only about himself. How different am I from the man who tried to kill me twice and will only aim for a third? How different am I when Iâve tried myself?â He admitted as more tears slipped down his face. âI was afraid to hurt myself or worse and that was so selfish and Iâm sorry. Iâm so, so fucking sorry, Declan. Words donât mean shit, and I wish I could take everything I did back---but I promise Iâll be a better man for you. That is the least I could do.â