Work Text:
It was too much. The Netherling's thoughts are going overboard. The demon felt so much detachment from their own body and lots of emotional distress, that they thought that there was one way to express this stress. Cuts were made, blood drips were running through their arms. It was enough adrenaline for them to express their emotions.
They were good at hiding the injuries with a long sleeved jacket, pretending it is a new fashion. However, they didn't try to hide it behavior wise, they were more absent at the club, changing moods frequently and with a terrible temper that made the other patrons concerned. Zander noticed the behavior changes from the little devil, but whenever he tried to ask them if they were alright, they brushed it off by saying everything is fine.
One night the club was empty, the patrons were organizing it to close. The Netherling was in their guest bedroom, looking at the razor with an urge to hurt themselves even more but not wanting to because they fear dying from blood loss. Suddenly, they hear a knock from the door, it wasn't a strong one but enough to startle the devil a little.
"Darling?" A deep familiar voice called the devil in a gentle yet concerned voice.
The little demon walked to the door and opened it to see who it was. It was Zander, with a concerned yet comforting look in his eyes. Bug eyed, they responded. "Oh, hi Zanny."
"Can I enter?" The incubus requested gently.
"Oh.. ehh sure." Stuttering, the Netherling opened the way for Zander, who entered the room calmly.
The little devil closed the door and flopped their body to the bed. Silence took care of the room for a few seconds, Zander grabbed the chair from the desk and stared at the Netherling for a moment.
"So.. what do you want?" The patron quizzed.
"I just want to make sure how you are doing, considering your behaviors through these past few weeks." The incubus responded, showing calm and worry in his body through relaxed shoulders and quiet voice.
"Oh.. I-I'm fine." The Netherling affirmed, but it was clear that they were pretending, they tapped their feet and their heart beat quicker than normal.
Zander walked close to the Netherling and sat on the bed beside them, and with a gentle sigh and a slightly raised tone in his voice, he commented. "Are you sure? Because you have been more absent in our clubs, which isn't a problem to me, but you showed bad temper and mood swings, and you stuttered way more."
The Netherling glanced their sight at the incubus with discomfort in their eyes. Zander noticed and a regret sigh left his lips.
"I'm sorry, dear. I shouldn't have said that. What I want to say is that, whatever you are suffering with, I am here for you, you don't have to bottle all your distress." The incubus continued with a more comforting tone.
Again, silence took care of the room, and after a few seconds, the Netherling leaned forward to a sitting position and slowly took off their jacket. The incubus watched the little demon slowly semi undress themselves, and he wasn't expecting what he was about to see. The Netherling is seen with cuts on their arms, they weren't bleeding but some of them looked fresh while others were closed, the little devil looked away out of guilt. Zander reacts with widened eyes, staring at the cuts for a seconds then directing his glance to the Netherling, who laid in the bed and curled themselves up, with small tears on their eyes.
"I-I'm sorry..." The Netherling wept quietly. "I-It's just... I-I've been dealing with heavy emotional distress and disconnection from my own body..The adrenaline from the cuts helped me..."
Zander felt his heart break there. He doesn't like seeing his Netherlings struggle with things, and seeing one of them develop such an unhealthy coping mechanism. He silently admits to himself that he is not very good with comforting someone who self harms, but tries his best to be there for them.
"Darling... I am so sorry." The incubus lamented. "First of all, thank you for telling me, and second, I am sorry that you have been dealing with this."
The Netherling turns back to look at the incubus, tears were already running down their face, they feel a part of them break after venting to Zander, even though they know how comforting he is, they still felt guilt and shame from telling him about their self harm habits. They didn't say anything, just stared at the incubus gently patting their head.
"I said it before and I will say it again, I am always here for you, my darling, doesn't matter the time." The incubus dropped his upper body on the bed and turned his gaze to the sorrowful Netherling, with a whisper. "You don't need to apologize for your injuries. Do you want a hug?"
The Netherling nodded and, with open arms from the incubus, they hugged him. They found warmth and comfort in his hug, that they started breaking down in tears on his chest. Zander didn't say a word, letting the Netherling let their emotions out, he patted the Netherling's head and softly kissed their head. A few minutes later they broke away from the hug, the little devil wiped the tears with their hand and let out a soft smile, with the incubus smiling back softly.
"If you want, I can help you find other ways to cope with this distress." Zander wiped the little tear from the Netherling's cheek.
"Honestly, I am not proud of having this coping mechanism so, I appreciate the idea." The Netherling accepted.
"If you want, the club is open tomorrow, you can stop by there, or maybe a late night drink can help you calm your brains for tonight." The blonde suggested.
The Netherling let out a soft yawn. "Maybe tomorrow. I am getting a bit of tired."
"Rest well, my darling, if you want anything, do not hesitate to reach out to me, okay?" The incubus kissed the little devil's temples. "Want me to stay here until you fall asleep."
The Netherling nodded. "Please..."
Zander laid beside the Netherling, slowly caressing their hair with the tip of his fingers. The little devil found comfort beside the incubus, they felt grateful that he tries his best to always be there for any Netherling, independent of each moment.