"Nico, put down your pencil. We're watching a movie." I flinched when Octavian's voice drifted from the lounge into my room. How they were still together, was a question no-one could answer. Octavian was always upset or angry at Nico, and would raise his voice, telling him to stop things he enjoyed doing.

I sighed, tuning out Octavian's nasal voice. When Nico and I became flatmates, we were long-time best friends, and I can't deny that I felt more than just platonic feelings for him. I never dreamed that Nico would be sitting in the lounge with a boyfriend that wasn't me.

I returned to my guitar where I was practicing a new song. 'Treat you better' by Shawn Mendes seemed to fit perfectly with my situation. Being in love with someone who is in a toxic relationship.

"I won't lie to you

I know he's just not right for you

and you can tell me if I'm off

but I see it on your face

when you say that he's the one that you want"

I nearly dropped my guitar when the door slammed. From the lounge I heard quiet sobs. Every sob was a jab in the heart, hearing them come from the man I loved.

"Neeks, are you okay?" As soon as I entered the lounge I got my answer. Nico was curled up on the couch, his hands covering most of his face, while every sob racked his body.

Without a word I sat down next to the small Italian, and pulled him in my lap. It was the fourth time over the course of two weeks that Octavian had made Nico break down. It killed me, every single time.

"What happened, Neeks? You can tell me, you know. Shhh, I'm here now. Calm down, it's okay."

I rubbed small circles on his back, while my other hand lightly stroked his raven hair.

Slowly the sobs got more spaced apart, and he trembled less.

"He thought I was too busy with my drawing. Then you started playing that song, and he got angry because he thought I wasn't supposed to be living with you, but with him. He didn't shout at me though, he slapped me across the cheek, without saying anything and left."

Nico's voice wavered, and he sniffed once more. He shifted in my lap, leaning into my hand caressing his hair.

"Nico..." Was I really about to do this? Possibly losing my best friend, or making him even more upset then he already was? "Why do you let him walk over you like that? You're not his property, you don't have to obey his every command like a pet. You should stand up for yourself."

Instead of answering, a soft sigh left his lips. It was almost a full minute later when he responded. "I don't know. I guess he didn't love me the way I did."

My breath hitched. Did. Nico said did. As in past tense. Completed action. No longer happening. Finished. Before I could voice my thoughts, he spoke again. "I guess that I'm too afraid to be heartbroken again. At first I felt safe, but as the relationship proceeded, I lost the feeling of safety. I thought it was normal, you know. I thought that at a certain point your relationship starts to become less fluffy. Last week I was talking to Hazel, and she said even after 3 years she still feels safe with Frank. It was starting to dawn on me that maybe my relationship wasn't normal. I even thought the hitting was a sign of affection, that it was normal, until I watched a documentary about abusive relationships and found myself to relating to a lot of the things said in the show."

During this ramble, Nico searched for words to describe what he had had with Octavian, and in the end, with hesitance, called it a relationship.

To take his mind of what he'd just gone through, I struck up conversation.

"What do you want to do? We have an entire afternoon to fill."

"The song you were singing earlier, can you please sing it to me? Your voice relaxes me."

I started to move to get my guitar, which I'd left in my room, but before I could make it up halfway, he restricted me from going further. "No, just sing. I don't want you to leave to get your guitar. Besides, I'm in the way."

I slowly sank back down and cleared my throat.

I know I can treat you better than he can

And any guy like you deserves a gentleman

Tell me why are we wasting time

On all your wasted crying

When you should be with me instead

I know I can treat you better

Better than he can

I'll stop time for you

The second you say you'd like me to

I just wanna give you the loving that you're missing

Baby, just to wake up with you

Would be everything I need and this could be so different

Tell me what you want to do

Nico snuggled deeper into my chest, curling his legs under himself. His breathing was slowing, and he was no longer sobbing.

Give me a sign

Take my hand, we'll be fine

Promise I won't let you down

Just know that you don't

Have to do this alone

Promise I'll never let you down

'Cause I know I can treat you better than he can

And any guy like you deserves a gentleman

Tell me why are we wasting time

On all your wasted crying

When you should be with me instead

I know I can treat you better

Better than he can

Better than he can

Better than he can

Nico was now asleep in my lap, clinging to me. I didn't want to move him, so I just slowly repositioned us, till I was lying on the couch, cuddling him closely.

--

Nico's healing process was slow. He had days where he'd come out of his room smiling, and suggest to go somewhere. Then there where days where he needed hours of me talking, just to get him out of bed. I knew he was improving but it wasn't until three months after 'the incident' that I saw how much he'd actually improved.

I was just getting out of the shower when the doorbell rang. "Nico, can you get it for me. I think it's my package, but I'm not dressed." "Okay."

Through the thin walls of our apartment I heard Nico open the door. "Hello....Octavian." his voice changed the moment he spoke the name. The hello had been cheerful, but the name was spat and venomous. Pulling my shirt over my head quickly, I left the bathroom and walked to the door.

Nico was stood in the door opening, glaring at Octavian, who was standing just outside the door, smiling smugly.

"What do you want Octavian?" I didn't even try to be polite. As if, I was angrier than Nico.

"Nico, I know you want me back. I'm the only one that loves you. That will ever love you. So just admit it now, and come move in with me instead of that cunt."

Nico reacted the exact opposite of what I'd expected. "His name is Will, and you are the only one who is a cunt in this building. I don't want you back. I don't love you. I never loved you truly. I was trying to get over someone who I thought didn't love me back, but guess what, he loves me and treats me better than you ever did."

I looked at Nico in surprise. He'd hadn't been out a lot alone without me these past months, only going to work at his bookshop and sometimes getting some groceries. If he had hung out with someone he liked, it would explain his smiles when he returned.

Nico slammed the door, leaving a dumbfounded Octavian standing outside the door. Nico turned to me, smiling weakly. "How did I do?" "You did great. I'm proud of you. But who is the lucky guy who gets your full attention?"

"You're an idiot sometimes. I meant you. In the past months I've felt more loved than in all the months I spent with Octavian. Now close your mouth, or I'll do it for you."

"My sassy Neeks has returned."

"Yours. I like that. I want to be yours. Can I be?"

"Are you, Nico Di Angelo, asking me to be your boyfriend? If so, the answer is yes, you turnip."

I pulled him into my chest, and softly kissed his silky hair. "I'd be honoured."