TW - Depression and thoughts of death

What a height to see such a sight

"Please don't do this…"

It shouldn't have surprised him. Really, he almost expected someone to stop him. Although he wasn't sure if he wanted to be stopped. The night was still warm, the gentle breeze carrying the faint noise of traffic below. Yellowed lights basked the sidewalks while cars hummed past, oblivious to the interaction occurring above.

"You won't miss me." He murmured, eyes gazing out towards the city, captivated by the sickening beauty. It wasn't much. There wasn't really anything beautiful, but at the same time, he could see the occasional silhouette making their way through the streets, in their own little world. Funny how each person he saw had their own life, their own story, their own voice, unaware that they shared a world with so many others.

"Don't say that. Please come back." The voice was surprisingly even, if not calm, given the circumstances.

He didn't move from his spot, and instead, gently swung his legs back and forth as he balanced on the cold, metal railing. He could feel the rust beneath his thumb and middle fingers as he readjusted his grip on the rail. His palms on the other hand came into contact with the thin layer of paint, which was slowly chipping away with age. A fingernail danced sharply against the bar, unconsciously tapping out two letters. "The view is nice from up here."

Soft footsteps approached him. The first few hesitant, before taking cautious steps and stood beside him. His brown eyes closed momentarily as another warm breeze brushed past, ruffling his bronzed curls . The air felt cool against his sweaty neck, drawing out shivers that ran down his spine.

"You always find the prettiest views."

He remained silent but opened his eyes again, pausing to watch as her dark hair seemingly floated in the air. His gaze was directed back towards the scenery, lights twinkling in the night. There must be a party going on. Loud, joyous shouts and hoots echoed through the luminous streets, the laughter resonating off the concrete walls. From where he was perched, he could make out the small crowd that hobbled and swayed carelessly, causing a few cars to honk in alarm.

"Is there something you want?" He finally asked. He tore his eyes from the city below and glanced over his shoulder. The dark hair had settled back down, while a lone feather refused to submit to gravity. He watched, mesmerised by the feather, as it gracefully spun and twirled in the air. From the dim light cast from behind them, he could distinguish the streaks of gold and blue from the otherwise black feather. A small smile graced his lips.

"I want you to come down." Her voice was quiet, but firm, staring blankly ahead at the flickering glow in the distance. Without turning her head, she reached over and placed a warm hand over his unusually cold one and gave a gentle squeeze. She angled her face so that her kaleidoscopic eyes could wearily study him, before letting her thumb trace meaningless circles on the back of his hand.

"Piper…" It was a whisper, the world barely passed his lips before the wind snatched it away. It was more than a whisper, it was a plea, begging for her to understand his pain. It was an insight to the damage done inside him. Closing his eyes, he managed to say, "I'm not okay."

The warm fingers dancing on his hand paused before resuming its ghostly routine. It helped, in a way. He could focus on her fingers, blocking out the other thoughts and concentrate, grounding himself to the present. The swirls and flicks felt oddly nice. Calming, perhaps. The occasional fingernail gently running down his fingers caused the hairs on his arms to rise and he let out a faint shiver.

"We'll get through this." She murmured, tapping against his hand. Piper watched as he scraped his lower lip with his teeth, biting back the tears that threatened to spill from behind the closed eyes. His brows were furrowed, as he finally pressed his lips together into a thin line. Her eyes travelled across his face and observed in strange fascination at the curls that framed his face, lightly swaying in the wind, grazing against the jagged scar on his cheek bone. Above the collar of his shirt, beads of sweat glistened under the starlight. Her gaze trailed down his arm and came to a stop to where her hand rested on top of his. Carefully, she shifted her hand upwards and clutched at his wrist, conveying her thoughts with her action.

"I don't know about that, Pipes." He took a shuddering breath before exhaling loudly into the night. The air around them was getting cooler. The wind was no longer gentle and calming; it was getting harsher as it brushed past them, almost angrily. He could hear the creak as Piper readjusted herself next to him. The fingers wrapped around his wrist tightened slightly, instinctively. "How do you know?" His voice sounded weak and pathetic to his ears. The sound of the underlying hopelessness and plea was clear, cutting through the swelling hisses of the wind.

"Because we've don't this before, Leo." Piper breathed, searching his face. "Because I'm your friend, and I love you for that. Because you deserve to be happy." Tears prickled at her eyes and she took a few moments to compose herself.

"Happy…" Leo repeated, sounding distant, hollow. He rolled the word around in his mouth before a confused look settled over his face. "I can't remember the last time I was happy. I sometimes wish… I wish I could remember… know what that feels like."

A tear, shimmering in the light, trickled down her cheek before falling onto the corroding rail. "You can be happy." There was a choked back sob. "Let me help you. We can get through this, together. Like old times."

"Old times… You were always there for me, weren't you." It wasn't a question. He mumbled it quietly to himself, with wavering certainty, "Back when we were in school. You stood by me, you helped me get through it. I-I…" Leo trailed off, shifting on the bar so that his body was angled towards her. He blinked owlishly, as if realising for the first time that his friend was actually beside him.

"Of course I helped you. I will always be happy to help you. It was tough," Piper let her fingers dance across his skin again, though this time tracing the faint and scars on his lower arm. She remembered a time when she had sat him down and she had ran her finger over each little line, the small etches in his skin confirming the depth of his internal suffering. But for now, she let her thumb glide over them before returning to the wrist, circling her fingers around once again. "…But you were worth it. You are worth it, Leo. Always."

"Piper?" Leo whispered, his breaths coming out in harsh gasps as he stared blankly at the horizon. His hands clenched the metal while his feet hooked onto the support beams, locking him in place. "Piper… I want to come down now. Please." His voice was impossibly small, child-like in a sense. His arms shook.

"Shhh. Okay, take it easy." She said soothingly, "Take nice deep breaths." Piper took timid steps so she stood behind him, her hand never leaving his wrist. Carefully, she swapped hands, so her arm was no longer across her body. Using her free arm, she circled around his waist and held him, making sure he knew exactly what she was doing. "I've got you Leo. I got you. Now slowly swing your leg over the rail, okay?"

"Okay Piper." He sounded flat, as if all emotion had left him. She had to act quickly, before he let everything go.

"Your leg, Leo. I'm holding you tightly. Shift your weight and lift your leg over." She held her breath as she watched him struggle to move. Silence stretched until he experimentally unhooked his feet, his breath hitching slightly. "I've got you." She reassured him gently.

Leo swallowed thickly. The wind whipped at him, growling as he inched away from the edge, leaning in to the warmth which was his friend. He counted to three before letting out a terrified cry, swinging his leg across him.

His shoe hit the railing. His weight shifted. His eyes widened in horror. He wobbled dangerously, before the arm around his waist tightened, slowly pulling him to safety. "Piper…?" The strangled cry died on his lips, tears rolling down his face. "I don't think I want to die yet…"

"I know." She managed to smile, in a time like this. "Now bring your other foot over."

"Don't let me go."

"I won't. I promise."

Clenching his eyes shut, he twisted his body and threw himself towards her, praying that the momentum would be enough.

And he fell against Piper.

His eyes flew open. Her arms were wrapped around him still and Leo searched her face for any signs of anger through his tear-filled eyes. But all he was greeted with was a watery smile and relief.

Leo's bottom lip trembled.

"I got you, Leo." Piper whispered in his ear, her breath warm against his cold skin. "Breathe."

He crumbled, collapsing on the wet concrete tiles. The arms drew him closer, and he pressed his face into the crook of her shoulder. Tears streamed down his face and sobs wracked his body, but a gentle hand ran through his hair, soothing him.

"Shhh… you're safe now."

Leo clung onto her, like a lifeline, fearing that she would disappear the moment he let go. She was everything that he needed right now in his rare moment of vulnerability.

He wasn't sure how long he stayed there, embraced by the warmth, but he didn't care, and he realised Piper didn't either. They both needed it. They both needed to feel loved, after everything they had been through. It was the perfect opportunity to reflect and remind themselves about the good in the world, or what was left of it.

"Thank you, Piper." Leo finally whispered, his head resting against her. His eyes once again watched as the world below them continued. The lights twinkled and the cars hummed, but he was warm.

"Are you feeling better now?"

He smiled into her hold and nodded carefully, "Yeah. I'm okay."

. . .

Neither commented on the rehearsed lie.

AN - Hello again! This one was slightly dark and I'm not sure how it turned out. Oh well. I hope you liked this one. If you did, let me know! Also, feel free to leave prompts behind for me. Anyway, until next time, stay safe.