It's after the storm, and Scott and Liam are sat in Liam's kitchen. They're finally over the shock and now left to clean up the mess. Liam's dad walks in to grab something to drink, or at least that's what Scott pretends he's doing, knowing that he's probably just coming in to check on them; to see if they're okay.

Unfortunately for him, all Dr. Dunbar gets is silence, because neither of the two boys has said anything since Liam has finished talking. Scott's brain is busy processing and slowly the realizations sink in.

"Are you okay?" Liam hesitantly asks after a while.

"Oh, yeah…no, I am. I mean," Scott sighs. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…I don't know. It's a lot to take in."

Liam nods.

Scott's lips pull a lopsided smile. He's scratching his empty mug with his nail.

"I can…" Liam prompts. "If you want, I can tell you everything about the conversation with my parents I had yesterday? It's… It's kind of important."

Scott quickly nods, clearing his throat. "Sure. Of course. Tell me."

"Your mom was really sweet when she brought me home. She didn't ask why I was limping or anything about what had happened. She just told me that whenever I needed something that your door is always open, and… And that parents love their children, no matter what. Even when they sometimes might be a little strict or blunt, they're only acting that way because of the shock. She's really nice."

Scott huffs, smiling.

"Anyway, I came home and my mom was literally waiting for me by the door. She hugged me and kept saying how worried she had been. I hugged her back and was surprised, because when she finally let go and looked at me I expected to see that disappointed look in her eyes, but it wasn't there. I guess… I guess your mom was right. They did still love me and suddenly I felt a bit more confident. I didn't feel empty anymore like I had done the night before. I don't know whether that was because of their sympathy or because of your help or because I wasn't in a depressed mood. I suppose it doesn't really matter either; just that I felt better."

"We sat down and the room immediately filled with tension again. After a while I couldn't take it anymore, so I spoke up first and apologized for what I had done. It broke the ice between us a little and when my dad asked me how I was doing, I just started gushing. I told them how it had all started, after my explosion last year, how I had channelled my I.E.D. into something different, something I didn't see as bad. I told them how I couldn't bear seeing them being so disappointed in me, that I didn't want that to happen ever again. I don't… I don't think I should have said that, though, because my mom kind of took offense to that. Maybe I should have said it differently, I don't know. I didn't mean to make it sound like an accusation or anything, but she kind of took it that way. She told me that the disappointment that I had seen was more directed towards herself, because she's…" Liam bit his lip. "…because she's my mom, so she should have helped me."

Scott sees Liam's trembling hand and covers it with his, squeezing gently.

"I didn't know she blamed herself," Liam admits softly, eyes trained onto the table. "Anyway, we talked for a long time. I also told them about you and how you have been helping me; how I have actually already gotten better because of you."

A sense of pride boils up in Scott, but he pushes it back down.

"I told them that we're together. They kinda figured that something was going on, but they didn't want to infiltrate my privacy, ironically enough. I think, now, they wished they had."

Scott frowns. "How do you mean?"

"The reason my mom read my little book was because she apparently had gotten suspicious. I didn't think they ever noticed the cuts on my arms, but she had. Then, the day when I told everything to Mason, she had overheard something. Something odd. In the end, she gave in to her worry and decided to snoop around my room. That's when she found the notebook. Then again, I did a poor job at hiding it as well."

Scott tilts his head, squeezing Liam's hand again. Finally, Liam catches his gaze. "Maybe I hadn't hidden it away on purpose. I keep thinking that maybe I had wanted them to find out, that maybe, deep down, I knew I needed help."

"Are you going to get help?"

"I'm seeing Ms. Morrell next week," Liam answers. "At first, they wanted me to see an actual psychiatrist, but I refused. It just… I don't know if I'm ready for that. And I know that sounds weird, but I just don't know if it would help. I'm scared that every time I would go to the practice I would feel like a total weakling, and that would just be counter-productive."

"That's not really true, though," Scott opposes. "It takes a lot of guts to be honest and admit you need help. There's nothing wrong with that."

"I know," Liam replies. "I know there isn't. But I also know that my thoughts sometimes don't accept that logic, so I want to start easy. I told my parents that if Ms. Morrell doesn't help, I'll go to someone more professional."

Scott sighs. "Lydia says she's really good…"

"She's the reason I came up with it. I told my parents what she had been going through and that seeing Ms. Morrell had really helped her." He smiles. "And the last push they needed was when I told them I'll continue talking to you, because that helps as well."

Scott's heart swells at those words.

Liam exhales a deep breath. "So…that's all, I guess." He snorts. "A whole lot to happen in only twenty-four hours."

Scott can only agree with that. Processing everything proves easier now, though. It sooths him to know that Liam will get help. Taking a step like that isn't easy, and Scott should be proud of him.

And, to hell, he is proud of him.

"You've been really quiet," Liam says.

"Yeah, I know, sorry. It's…" Scott searches for words. "I think it's really good that you're going to see a counsellor. I mean, I'm not saying that I think you needed one all this time, but…but, to be…" He licks his lips. "To be honest with you, after what has happened, I think it's important that you are. I mean, I'm really impressed and proud of you that you can acknowledge how serious this has become."

Liam smiles a sad smile.

"Don't get me wrong," Scott instantly defends himself, holding up his hands. "I'm not saying you're crazy or a freak or whatever. I'm actually being serious. I mean, when I met you three months ago you never would have even considered seeing someone. You didn't even think you had a problem! Which…which shows…" He ducks his head, forcing Liam to look at him. "You've already grown so much. I've seen it."

"And do you want to keep seeing it…?"

The question takes Scott by surprise. His eyes fall onto their holding hands on the table and he shrugs. "I don't know," he admits honestly. "I mean, I still like you. I still care about you. But I also feel confused… I think it's because everything is still too fresh. But I can't… We can't pretend that this hasn't left its mark. You know, on 'us'."

Liam nods. "No, I get that. I feel it too, actually. Everything now…" He gestures at the air between them. "Everything's so…"

"…Awkward."

"Yeah. And unfamiliar."

"At least I'm not the only one who has noticed it," Scott says. "Shows that it's not just me."

Hearing his own words, Scott suddenly realizes that's what it is: they're just in unknown territory again. They had taken their time to explore the area around their hearts before, familiarize themselves with each other's worlds. So this bit that they're going through now is just new, and that's why it feels so awkward. They're in a relationship and they're supposed to be close, but this part of them is still distant. That doesn't mean Scott's feelings for Liam have changed. This was just a setback. They've been forced to take a step back and get to know each other again. Scott internally scoffs when he realizes that that probably means more talking.

Yet, if that's what it takes to get through this, he's happy to oblige. What's that saying? Rome wasn't built in a day? Well, progress isn't made without a few setbacks either. You need to suffer through fall and winter before it becomes spring again. And then maybe, just maybe, in summer they'll finally be happy. Like, truly happy. With less sad moments. The prospect fills Scott's chest with light and hope and motivation and this sudden burst of optimism that makes him get up from his chair.

He reaches down and wraps his arms around Liam, tangling his fingers into the boy's hair. "There," he says, "no more awkwardness."

Liam chuckles into his boyfriend's side and Scott tightens his grip.

"Have you thought about telling Mason?" Scott asks once he has sat back down – one never knows when Dr. Dunbar might want another drink.

"I'm going to tell him," Liam answers, "but not about what happened at the lacrosse field. It'll only upset him."

"He might find out, though."

"How? Only you, I and our parents know what happened."

Scott's gaze drops. "Well…" he rubs his hands together between his thighs. "I kinda told Lydia and Stiles."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry, I really needed to talk about it as well and obviously they will keep it a-"

"It's fine," Liam interrupts him. "I get it. It gets to you too." He sighs. "I guess I'll tell Mason then."

"Sorry," Scott apologizes again, thankful that Liam shrugs it off. Luckily, the boy sees that secrets like that always need to be told to a third party. It's common sense. Lydia and Stiles aren't as close to Liam, so it'll have less impact on them and that's where the sharing stops. Telling Mason might be difficult for Liam, but then again; talking helps. And maybe the fact that Liam's getting help brings the same comfort to Mason as it does to Scott.

They continue talking for a couple of hours more, but Scott doesn't stay the whole afternoon. By now, both boys have figured that they need a little time, which is why they feel content when they hug at the front door. They pour everything into the simple gesture that is wrapping their arms around each other. It reassures them that, yes, it's still a little awkward, but at least they're both willing to break through it.

And that's all they need.

Melissa is home on that particular Saturday; curled up on the sofa with a blanket. To Scott, it's an inviting contrast, especially with the cold outside. His nose is a little runny from the bike ride when he steps into the hallway.

"How was he?" his mom asks when Scott has sat down next to her, muting the TV.

Scott hides his feet under her blanket. "He's okay," he answers with a confident smile. "He has told me about everything that's happened and now we're good again."

Melissa tilts her head. "I'm glad. And with his parents?"

"Yeah, they've been surprisingly cool, actually," Scott replies, resting his head on his hand. "It's not like they were completely freaked out and sent Liam to Eichen House or something. Next week he's going to Ms. Morrell, though."

"The guidance counsellor?"

Scott hums. "Yeah, apparently she's really good."

His mom nods. "That's a good decision. Did he come up with it himself?"

Scott thinks for a moment. "He kind of did. I mean, obviously his parents found that he needed help, but Liam had proposed it."

"That's really something."

"Hmhm."

"Would you like to go see her?"

Scott frowns. "No? Why?"

Melissa sits up a little. "You care a lot. It might be nice to talk to someone about your relationship with Liam."

"Yeah, but I'm not depressed…"

"That doesn't mean it doesn't affect you, too."

Scott presses his lips into a thin line, because he knows his mother's right. Yet, he doesn't really see the point of going. But that thought also messes with his head a little, because isn't that something a troubled person would say?

"There's nothing wrong with it," Melissa adds after a while.

"I know," Scott instantly replies. "I know there isn't. It's just...I don't think I need it. I mean, I don't feel conflicted or anything? Sure, I felt bad after yesterday, but I talked to Lydia and Stiles about it, and I felt better afterwards. It's not like I bottle everything up."

Melissa smiles. "That's all I needed to know."

She switches the sound back on and reverts her eyes back to the TV. Scott stares at the moving images as well, but his thoughts are still with their conversation. It's odd how he can feel so strongly about not wanting to go to a counsellor, while he knows it can only help. Where is the line? When should someone decide to get help? Surely, attempting suicide isn't a guideline. If anything, that's already a bit too late.

It's probably just Scott's way too caring personality that makes him encourage others to get better, rather than himself. It's a little like forgetting to eat; disregarding your own feelings as unimportant, putting others before you. In some eyes, that might be a problem. And maybe it is.

Yet, if Scott's aware of this little personality trait, then he has the opportunity to do something about it.

So he promises himself the same thing Liam has promised to his parents: he will continue to talk to his friends and he will be honest towards himself. He's going to pay more attention to his eating pattern and if it turns out that's not enough, he will take more fitting measures.

Melissa slides a proud hand through his hair.