The night was silent at the Grayson’s house. Most of the lights off, the mansion dipped in shadows. The pool reflected the dark sky, and the air was loaded with tension - not external, but inside it.

Will was standing a few steps from the edge. Black T-shirt, sweatpants, arms crossed as if he wanted to prevent the body from shaking. You were next to him, wearing only shorts and a light blouse.

“That’s a terrible idea,” he murmured, without looking at you.

“Will...” you called in a low, kind voice. “We’ll just go as far as you can. No pressure.”

He closed his eyes for a second. Short breath. The memories came back whenever the smell of chlorine approached. The water. Damon’s hands sinking him. The despair.

“I can’t.”

“You can do it,” you replied, firm. “Because I’m here. And you’re not alone.”

You entered first, the icy water adjusting to your body. He reached out to him.

Will hesitated. The eyes were full of fear, but he trusted you. More than I trusted himself. Then, with a tremendous effort, he took off his sneakers and entered carefully, his feet touching the water with a visible chill.

You saw his muscles tense, his chest rising and falling faster.

“Look at me,” you asked, softly.

He obeyed.

“Breathe with me. That’s all, okay? Just breathe.”

You faced him, in the shallow part. The hands touched each other first. Then, he got closer, until his body touched his.

So vulnerable. So scared.

So Will Grayson III, fighting against his demons.

His breathing began to stabilize, guided by his. The touch of your skin. Your safety.

“You don’t have to be strong all the time, Will,” you whispered, with your forehead leaning against his.

“I’m trying...” the voice came out hoarse, failed. “I just don’t want to... go back there.”

“You’ve already left,” you said. “Now just follow. With me.”

His hands held his face with a force that mixed despair and affection. He kissed you - slowly, with a taste of fear and promise. Of necessity. Of gratitude.

And that night, in the water that one day almost killed him, he survived. Because you were there.

And he was finally fighting to live, not just to escape.