Work Text:
The quet sounds of a movie played in the dark apartment. Bryce adjusted his position on the couch, careful not to disturb Liam, who was soundly asleep on top of the bottle. The backpack stirred a little, cuddling closer to Bryce. The bottle settled down, adjusting the covers over both of them. The sounds of the movie slowly faded into the background as he gazed down onto his partner. He looked so peaceful like this. Not at all like he did usually, always with a hint of sadness in his eyes, on edge, afraid.
Bryce knew Liam was good at hiding it, but all the time they spent together gave him the ability to see past the backpack's mask. The Plane was several months behind them, Airy was on Earth getting professional help, there was no way of anything like this happening again, but Liam always seemed to expect the worst. Bryce couldn't say he himself wasn't sometimes afraid of suddenly going back again, but his case wasn't so severe.
Just today he had to work a longer shift, making him come home at 1am to find Liam buried in blankets on their bed in the middle of a panic attack simply because Bryce wasn't home.
Anger flared in him and he squeezed Liam tighter. That lantern psychopath… Airy might have done all of that unintentionaly, but he still hurt everyone. Bryce wanted to punch him. He probably would, if he ever met him.
He studied Liam's peaceful expression. He didn't deserve this. He didnt deserve to drown. Didn't deserve to spend seven months being Airy's toy and then lose everything because he was presumed dead. Didn't deserve to work himself to the bone trying to fix everything Airy broke, to have to kill himself twice, to wander the streets exhausted and malnourished and cold and so alone-
"Bryce?"
He flinched, the hushed robotic voice startling him out of his thoughts. He looked at the notebook's screen on the table in front of the couch to see that the movie has stopped playing.
"Why are you crying?"
Was he crying? Bryce lifted a hand to wipe at his eyes, feeling moisture. He quickly put his arm back on Liam's side, cuddling him closer and burying his face in his green fabric.
"I'm not. Shut up," He mumbled, muffled by Liam's body. He heard calming music start playing quietly.
"You're fine. Everything's fine. You're both safe. You will get through this together."
Bryce put his lips to Liam's forehead and stayed like this for a few minutes, closing his eyes, repeating Texty's words in his head. They're fine. He's going to be fine. Liam is going to be fine.
"Thanks, Texty," He whispered.
"Anytime."
As the soft music continued, his mind slowly slipped into unconsciousness.