Adam:

I heard Sauli squeak and I looked up at him, only to see his face paler than ever and tears were streaming out of his eyes. My eyes widened in awe. I just told Sauli everything, and he was crying. It hurt me to see him cry, more than it should have. I just wanted to make him stop.

"…I'm sorry," I said, scooting over to sit next to him, and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and pulled him close without giving it a second thought. He rested his head on my shoulder. I didn't even care if it was weird to hold him like this. I was so fucking sick of being so bottled up. I was sick of never opening up. For once in my life, I felt light and free. I felt strange, but a good strange, almost… weightless? Surely, I could trust this one person who's been nothing but beyond to me.

I flinched when I felt a sensation on my scarred arm. I looked down to see Sauli stroking a scar on my arm that was wrapped across his chest. I felt sadness run through me. I was feeling worse for him for having to see these things than for myself for having them.

Sauli looked up at me, his face resigned and solemn.

"Please," He whispered, much softer, "Don't do this to yourself anymore."

I thought about that for a minute. Did I really need to anymore? Sauli seemed to ease the pain more effectively than the cutting.

Sauli sighed and started trying to pull away from me. I instantly, but reluctantly dropped my arms. He scooted over and climbed back onto the couch. I stayed on the ground and watched him until he patted the spot next to him, inviting me up.

I paused for a moment, and then slowly pulled myself to my feet. My legs felt wobbly and I was weirdly off-balance. I looked down at my jacket, frowning at it. I bent over to pick it up, but Sauli grunted and when I looked over at him, he shook his head.

I straightened up and sat next to Sauli. It was quiet for a minute, neither of us knowing what to say. I stared at my still shaking hands and waited for him to break the silence, and thankfully, he did.

"May I?" Sauli asked quietly, gesturing to my arm. I fought the urge to scream no and hide in my jacket.

I slowly lifted my arm and Sauli gently took it, one hand holding my wrist and the other holding up my elbow. I curled my fingers in, making a tense fist. I breathed deeply, trying to get used to someone touching my wounds and not hurting me.

"Adam," Sauli called. I looked over in time to see him poking a bruise. "Relax." I winced, and inhaled.

Sauli noticed and apologized. He held onto my wrist and used the other hand to stroke my arm. His fingertips barely swept over my arm, like feathers. It felt amazing. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the comforting touch. Too soon, he stopped and dropped my arm.

"Adam," He called again. The intent was different in his eyes. "Let me help you."

I gulped, already knowing exactly what he was about to say, "With what?"

"With your father," he replied, glancing at my arm again. He continued when he saw the look in my eyes. "Look, maybe we can go over to your house at night when he's asleep and just… I don't know, kill him?"

"Fuck, do you want us to get arrested?" I said, impatiently. "I am not a killer, okay? I don't ever want to have to do that to someone, I don't care who it is."

"But your dad—"

"No, Sauli," I felt a rush go through me when I said his name. "I can't."

He huffed and crossed his arms, trying to think of another solution.

"Fine then," Sauli muttered like a little kid. "I'll go over there and do it myself."

My heart skipped a beat. I paled.

"No," I was appalled. "I'll never tell you where I live. I just can't risk putting you in that kind of danger. Don't you fucking see? He'll kill you. If he finds out you know he won't have an ounce of mercy."

Sauli raked his hand through his hair roughly. "Ugh! Then how about you stay here and we just call the police? We have to do something."

I considered that. "No, I'm still a minor, so they'd take me away and find some relatives for me to live with."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

I bit my lip. I mumbled, "I don't want to leave…" you. "This place," I finished, sighing.

Sauli rested his elbows on his knees and hid his face in his hands. "Fine," He said, his voice muffled by his hands. "But I can't let this go on. I can't stand knowing this is happening and I'm not doing anything to help." He looked back up at me, the worry was apparent on his face.

I just studied him hard for a moment. "You've already helped so much…" I said quietly, barely audible. "You have no idea."

Sauli smiled slightly at me.

There was another moment of silence.

"So, now what?" Sauli asked. "What's going to happen next?"

"I… don't know," I admitted, frowning at him. "But please don't try anything. Let me handle this."

"But—"

"Please."

Sauli sighed, resigned, and after a minute, he finally nodded. He looked over at his watch.

"I need to go, don't I? Your parents will be home soon." I said.

Sauli didn't say anything.

I sighed, getting up to leave anyway. I picked up my jacket and pulled it on. It felt strangely heavy and foreign. I didn't like it. I wanted to take it off and throw it away along with the memories it carried.

I started to leave, but when my hand landed on the door knob, I heard Sauli call back to me. I turned.

"Be careful," Sauli said from the couch. His hands were folded on his lap and he stared at the ground as he spoke. The expression on his face was dejected. I smiled at the amazing man in front of me and nodded, heading out the door. Thank you.