The next morning Vic woke up first and looked down to see Tegan was still laid against his chest; he smiled as he saw her and remembered the night before. He kissed her on the top of her head and she began to stir.

“How long have you been awake?” She asked as she sat up a bit, still snuggling to Vic though.

“About ten minutes, you’re cute when you sleep” Tegan blushed and leaned in to kiss Vic on the lips.

“I’m hungry, make me pancakes?” Tegan whined at Vic who giggled at her attempt but got up to make breakfast anyway.

“Okay, but you have to make the hot chocolate” She smiled at him and jumped out of bed.

“Deal” She kissed him on the cheek and they both walked off to the kitchen.

When they entered the kitchen Mike was sat at the table, he had his back to them and when they finally reached him they were shocked with the sight.

“Shit Mike, what happened?” Vic asked worried.

Mike had bruises all over his face and as Vic gave him the once over he noticed that his wrists were blood stained. He saw that there was dried blood on the middle of his shirt; Vic could only think that there were cuts on his torso too. Mike was zoned out and didn’t respond to Vic’s questions. He looked high.

Vic shook Mike to bring him back to reality and asked him again “Mike, what happened?” This time he had a ‘parent voice’ on and as soon as he finished his sentence Mike began to cry and fell into his brother.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t keep the promise” He just cried and Vic hugged him, rubbing his back. Tegan had made Mike a glass of water and got him out some aspirin since he looked in pain.

“Here you go” Tegan said as she passed them to Mike who gave her a thankful look.

“I thought going to the party would cheer me up. I thought with the tablets and being at a party I would be fine. But it wasn’t. It was horrible. I kissed some girl and it turned out she had a boyfriend, she came on to me though. When he found out he did this” Mike pointed to his face as he sighed and began to speak again. “I fought back but he was much stronger than me. He just called me a load of names, usually stuff like that doesn’t get to me but for some reason it did and I ran off. I felt like a fucking girl like I wanted to cry for nothing. So I broke the bottle that was still in my hand and did this. I ran home after realising what I did and I fell asleep here until about an hour ago but I have like no energy or strength to move. I’m weak and I broke the promise and I’m worthless and-“ Vic cut him off.

“You are not those things. You just got lost for a moment, that’s fine. We didn’t expect you to get better straight away. It’s good that you tried to go out and enjoy yourself. You should have called me though, I would have come and picked you up and bought you home and tried to help you. Remember that next time okay?” Vic comforted.

“Go take a shower and when you’re done we’ll take care of these” He pointed to Mike’s wrists. “And these” He said as he slightly lifted Mike’s shirt to reveal that he had attempted to cut the word ‘useless’ into his stomach. Vic’s heart broke at the sight in front of him. Tegan didn’t know what to say, she was speechless; Mike looked even more broken and vulnerable than the day she first saw him cutting. She wanted to just hug him and tell him it would be okay. He may still be a dick to her but she knows how much a hug, especially from someone who understands, can help.

When Tegan went through this she was bad, really bad. She would cut almost every day. Sometimes Vic would find her in a similar state to Mike’s current one and he would just hold her in his arms for hours on end, without saying a word and it was a great comfort for her. He never once judged her and all he ever tried to do was help. He knew that it would be difficult, which it was, but he never left her side. He stood by her and when she was finally strong enough to seek out help, professional help, he stayed with her again. Tegan finally overcame her problem and Vic was so proud of her, she would be eternally grateful for having him as a best friend. For him being there through it all and keeping the promise that he would never leave. They made that promise when they were about ten though. He kept it all those years and is still continuing to do so.

Mike had walked off to the stairs and began walking up them when Tegan decided she would try to talk to him. He did need to shower but she wanted to try now for some reason.
Vic nodded when she asked if he thought it would be okay and she followed Mike. He was now in his bedroom and his top had been discarded, Tegan walked in just as he was about to take off his jeans.

“Hey Mike” She said softly as she slowly walked over to the bed.

“What do you want Tegan?” He sounded pissed off, already back to normal Mike.

“Look, I get that you still hate me and everything even though I thought we were going to start getting on but whatever. Right now I don’t care about that, I just wanted to tell you that you are going to get better and I know you don’t want to hear that. Hell I NEVER wanted to hear that because I felt like the person saying it was lying straight to my face. But I got better, I am stronger now. I almost died so many times because of the way I was but Vic was there. He helped me so much if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be alive. I just want you to know that even though you probably won’t take me up on this offer, I am here if you want to talk to someone that understands. I just want to see you overcome this. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, no matter how much I hate them.” She sighed and stood back up; Mike hadn’t looked at her once but could sense she was being genuine. She walked to his door “I’ll let you shower now” She turned and walked out of the room.

Tegan went back downstairs and joined Vic who had just finished off making pancakes.
“How is he?” He asked as he sat at the table next to Tegan.

“I honestly can’t tell. I was expecting him to protest and start an argument but he let me say my piece, whether he actually listened or not I don’t know but I hope he did. I don’t think we’ll ever be friends; that’s as clear as anything but I’m still willing to help him. No one deserves to go through that and because I know what it’s like I want to help even more” She gave Vic a sad smile and he pulled her into his side, kissing the top of her head.

“This is one of the many reasons I love you. You help people in their hour of need, whether you like them or not. That is something I admire about you. Not many people can say that they are willing to piss on the person they hate if they were on fire but I know you would and that shows how caring you are. It shows how strong you are; you don’t let personal issues get in the way of what’s important” Tegan smiled widely at what Vic said, it really warmed her heart.

“Thank you Vic, for everything you’ve ever done for me. I swear I am the luckiest girl alive right now” She went back to eating her pancakes “Last night was fabulous by the way. The most perfect date night I have ever had” She winked at him and he giggled at her.

Once they were finished with breakfast Mike returned downstairs and sat on the couch opposite the couple.

“You won’t tell mom and dad will you” Mike was almost begging Vic.

“Not if you don’t want me to, but I think we should go to the hospital because they look quite bad, like they need stitches” Vic commented.

“Erm okay. What if they send me to a mental hospital or something though, I don’t want to be put away Vic” Mike’s fear was rising to the surface.

“Mike they won’t, I know they won’t. If they ask those sorts of questions we’ll just say it was a drunken relapse and that you’ll be okay” Mike relaxed a little then he and his older brother made their way to the hospital. Tegan stayed at home, knowing she would be unwanted by Mike but also knowing that the two of them would be okay on their own.

Whilst on the way to the hospital Vic decided he would bring up Tegan with Mike.

“Why are you always so mean to her Mike. Seriously, she has never done anything to you and right now she only wants to help but you keep being an ass” Vic sighed out of frustration, hoping his brother could shed some light on the situation.

“I don’t know I just don’t like her that much. I get that she’s trying to help and I appreciate it but I’m not suddenly going to become all friendly with her. In my eyes she’s still a little bitch and she annoys me.” He replied.

“You know she honestly thought after last week that you two would be able to start again. Not become best friends but at least get along; even I thought that would happen to be honest” Vic admitted.

“Well I’m sorry to burst both of your bubbles” Mike said with a hint of annoyance, for the rest of the journey to the hospital he sat in silence, staring out the passenger window.


Later that day Vic and Mike returned home, Mike did need to get a few stitches and the doctors did ask a few questions about his wounds. Since Vic informed them that he had recently been put on anti-depressants they dropped the subject because he’s getting some sort of help.

When they returned home Mike informed Vic that he was going for a nap and Vic gave him a caring hug before he went up to his room. Vic assumed Tegan would be in his room so went over to it to see that he was correct.

“Okay yeah, that will be great. I can’t wait; it’s going to be so fun. Bye” Tegan hung up and the phone and gave Vic a kiss hello.

“How’s Mike?” She asked as he laid himself across her.

“He’s gone for a nap. I tried to talk to him about why he’s still so mean but it was no use, you two are never going to be friends” He gave her a sympathetic smile and kissed her arm.

“It’s okay, I have you and that’s all I need” She smiled at him and his heart almost pounded out of his chest, he really did love Tegan; more than anything.

“Who was on the phone?” He enquired.

“Aunt Delphi, I arranged to go and stay with her just after Christmas” She smiled thinking about going to New York, she’s never been before.

“Oh, that’s good. I’ll miss you when you’re gone” He said with a pouty face.

“Well it’s not for another couple of months but I’ll miss you too” She moved her body around so she could reach Vic’s face and pulled his bottom lip between her teeth. He let out a moan and a make out session soon followed.