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everyone's damaged, a little depressed
every now and then we get that feeling in our chest
Breathing in, Dylan feels like the melody fills him up. Fills him whole. And makes him breath easier.
The sound's pressing against the eardrums, cutting background noises out. Cutting his intrusive and tormenting thoughts out. Just for a while but that's enough.
Dylan catches the rhythm and can't help himself: drumming his fingers and swaying to the beat. This is a flow and he is a fish.
it's hard to get up out of bed
when everything is on its head
and nothing seems to make any sense
Zoe sits quietly besides him. Watches him vibing. And can't hold back a warm smile.
Moments of peace and quiet are such a luxury for him. And she's happy to bring one more.
everything's backwards and i'm hanging on
no matter how hard i try i always come undone
The zen expression on his face is suddenly cracking with a frown line.
Yes, this is him. Dylan Faden. The looser. The freak. The wreck. All the bad words — it's about him.
His fault or not — doesn't matter. He still feels like it is.
And he tries to make up. For his mistakes. For everyone’s mistakes.
He's taking on too much. Much more than one human can bear. And he thinks that's right.
it's hard to find a place to hide
when you're running from what's inside
He’s so tired. He's so fucking tired. But he has to move on. Has to look in the eye of a man he’s become. Though it scares him shitless.
Every new line makes him realise — this song is about him. This song resonates with his soul, cleansing it. And it feels like redemption. The one he subconsciously yearned for all this time.
Closing his eyes, Dylan smiles blissfully through the pain and leans his back against the wall, letting the tense shoulders relax a bit.
when the world is on your shoulders
and the weight of your own heart is too much to bear
well, i know that you're afraid things will always be this way
it's just a bad day, not a bad life
This is what he wanted to hear. So desperately. For so long. This is what Zoe is saying to him through the song.
He’s not made of steel. Not forged in fire. Despite everything Dylan is still human. Warm, fragile, passible.
He has feelings. And now he lets them out. In front of the person he trusts.
and i know it feels so hopeless
and i know how close you are to the edge right now
so i wrote this song to say, things won't always be this way, no
it's just a bad day, not a bad life...
Last line, last chord. Then — silence. And curious glance of brown eyes.
Looking up, Dylan locks their eyes and stops vibing. Then, after a long quiet gaze — he abruptly breaks into tears.
He’s not trying to hold back. Not trying to hide. He’s a bare wire before her.
A hint of worry flickers across Zoe's face but she holds it back. Just sitting there, just watching. Just letting him be. As long as he needs it.
Finally Dylan takes the headphones off and gets closer to the girl. Decisively touches her hand, weaving his fingers into hers and squeezing tightly.
His cheeks and beard and everything is wet of tears but he's not trying to wipe it away. He just lets it flow.
Dylan soaks up the heat of her skin and doesn't want to let go. He's been yearning for warmth all these years. And now can't get enough of it. Now he knows — this is one more thing he'll be fighting for.