Continued with Maxchildofzeus
maxchildofzeus "I-I know, I know," Nico said shakily, rubbing Max's back. "It's okay..." He looked up and winced when Carmen rushed in, tightening his hold on Max when he felt him panicking. "It's okay," he repeated. "It's over. No one's taking us..." Carmen looked so helpless, her face mirroring Nico's emotions. He could only look at her with a pained expression and shake his head. He was grateful when she moved away. It was hard. They all wanted to help Max, but whenever they try they usually just make it worse. Nico couldn't even begin to imagine how hard it was for Carmen; how confusing it must be. He'd been there too, he could understand the triggers. But to Carmen it seemed to inconsistent and confusing. She couldn't even begin to understand. She looked helpless but tears welled up in Nico's eyes and he pulled the collar of his shirt over his face as he listened to Max's panicked fears. He didn't want to look, and he didn't want Max to see him. He felt so useless and pathetic. Max was the one having a hard time, he shouldn't be crying and making something out of himself because of it. He flinched when Max grabbed him again, and pulled his head out of his shirt reluctantly. He was so tired. He hated this. He hated what had happened and he hated that even though it was over now, it would never truly be over. No matter how far they ran or how long it's been, the labs would always be with them. And he hated that. He hated that his own dad had been the one to put him into this mess. He hated that Max had no one he could trust but him, that everyone he thought he could trust just ended up betraying him. All the responsibility went on Nico now, and he couldn't handle it. He couldn't deal with his own health; he'd go days without eating if Carmen didn't remind him, he had nightmares every night and even during the day. He was terrified of everything and refused to do anything out of his comfort zone, which was roughly limited to his room - only if Max was there too of course. He couldn't even help himself, how was he supposed to help Max?