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"Just go, please."
Liam doesn't budge. He looks over at Theo with a face full of tears that he doesn't even see, head buried in his hands.
"I just want to be alone."
The cry in the older boy's tone makes his heart ache painfully.
"I don't want to leave you alone like this."
"Yes, you do. I'm no good when I'm like this."
"I don't care. I'm not leaving."
"Liam. Go."
Theo sniffles and it makes his lip tremble.
"Let me help you."
"You can't help me. It's in my head."
"I know. Let me hold you."
Theo pauses—finally looks over at him. Sees his eyes are red and puffy and his cheeks are tear-stained. Sees him crying over him. "What?"
"Just c'mere."
Without thinking twice, Theo shifts his weight to be closer to him. He lets himself go over the center console and feels Liam's arms wrap around his body. In his hold, he feels lighter, like the world's already more manageable just because Liam's there and he didn't leave and he cares enough to comfort and hold him.
He lets out a shaky breath.
"It's okay. You're going to be okay." He squeezes tighter. "I know it hurts. It won't last forever. You'll be okay again and you'll be sad again, but you'll never be alone again. I promise. I'm never going to leave you, Theo. I promise," he repeats.
Theo lets his tears fall without shame—he knows Liam's never one to judge that.
"Thank you," he mutters.
Liam reaches up to press a soft kiss on his cheek. Not uncommon, but something he only does when Theo's at his worst. Something that grounds him, steadies him. Something that promises he's right at his side.
"I've got you," he says, lips pressed gently against his skin. "You're gonna be okay."