- Song(s) for chapter -
Dangerous by The Neighborhood
To My Soul by Jerry Folk

Letting out a shriek, I woke up to see the worried face of Ms. Wells.

"Dear, I'm so sorry, but Mr. Gold is going berserk and he won't listen to neither Mr. Wells or I. I didn't know if you'd be able to calm him..." she said nervously, obviously very sorry to have woken me up.

I began to get up from my bed, numbly nodding. "Yeah. I can see what I can do. What is he doing?"

I followed her out into the hall.

"He must have drank a lot, he sometimes does that when he's really stressed. He keeps throwing things around in the library. He already broke three vases and tore apart numerous books. He's in a fit! Crying here and there too!"

We continued to walk down the hall, nearing his personal library.

"Wait...he's completely belligerent right now? How in the heck am I supposed to calm down a drunk man?" I began to feel anxious at the fact that Orion was this bad while drunk.

"I swear he doesn't get like this often, but I feel like you will be able to calm him down. You have something about you that's angelic in a sense," she said sweetly back, turning around with a soft smile. I gave her a hesitant smile back, quickly reverting back to my frown as she turned back around.

Once we neared his door, she whispered, "we will be right outside the door if you need us. If he doesn't calm down, I will have to call his uncle, and I don't think Mr. Gold would like that very much."

I nodded, before slipping into the library. I had only walked in here a couple times, once during the 'tour' and another time when I was trying to find the bathroom late at night. The house is confusing when you're half asleep.

I looked around the large room, noticing that he was slumped into a chair, his head was in his hands as he breathed heavily. He only wore grey sweatpants with no shirt, revealing the entirety of his toned chest: some parts of his arms were inked, adding onto his attractiveness.

I slowly began to walk towards him until he spoke up. "I'm fine, Clyde. Really. I just need space." His words were slurred slightly, indicating he had consumed a hefty amount of alcohol.

I looked around the room, seeing the scattered pages of books and a couple lampshades in pieces on opposite ends of the room. Even the furniture was toppled over.

"It doesn't seem like you're fine," I remarked, nearing him cautiously. I wasn't sure how he was mentally, so I needed to stay on my toes.

I didn't want him hurling a book or lamp at my head.

He picked his head up from his hands hastily upon hearing my voice. His eyes were still glazed over from the alcohol, and his face appeared shiny from sweat.

I watched as his features darkened, and I instinctively stepped back.

"What the hell are you doing here? You should be sleeping. Don't you have to get up at seven tomorrow?" His voice was low, and in the strangest way, he didn't seem mad at the fact I was there; he was more upset with the fact I wasn't getting enough sleep for my shift tomorrow.

I stepped forward a bit. "I'm fine. But you...you aren't fine. What's wrong?"

He narrowed his eyes. "It's none of your concern."

"I think it is. Afterall, I am your partner for life, darling," I retorted back. He simply rolled his eyes at my usage of his endearing name for me.

"It's me." The words were so soft, that I wasn't sure if he did actually speak or not.

I stepped forward so I was closer to him, almost touching his leg with mine.

"What?"

He kept his eyes on the ground, clenching and unclenching his jaw.

"You asked me who else is full of bitterness that I know of. It's me. I'm rancorous, darling." He looked up at me with such a sad intensity, I felt myself tearing up at the sight.

He looked so broken, and in that moment, I felt the need to repair him.

"Why?" I asked in a whisper of a voice. I was now crouched down by his one arm rest, showing that I cared.

His blue eyes found mine, studying my face for a few moments before a smirk appeared on his lips: his wine-stained lips.

"Are you expecting a sob story tonight? Do you want to feel my pain? My sorrow? My woes?" His questions were laced with irritation; if looks could kill, I would've been dead.

"No, I didn't know if you wanted to talk-"

"Just don't! I'll give you an answer when the time is right!" he interrupted. He didn't yell, but his words were sharp and hit me as if he screamed in my face.

Then, he began to hyperventilate. His breaths became rapid and hollow, and he clenched onto the arm rests, gripping it so hard his knuckles were turning white.

I wrapped my arms around his figure, trying to calm his central nervous system.

Growing up with a mother who struggled with anxiety, I caught on to some tricks and tips to help them get through it.

After a few minutes, he cooled down and almost slumped in tiredness; it had to be close to two in the morning.

"Why don't we get you ready for bed, and we can talk about this tomorrow." He nodded subtly, slowly standing up from the chair. As he did this, he swayed slightly, and I helped stable him by placing my arm around his waist. I felt some of his weight shift over to me, indicating he needed help walking to his room.

Thankfully, his room was just around the corner in the hall.

As I walked him into his bedroom, I led him into his private bathroom, getting his toothbrush all set with toothpaste while getting a washcloth out for him. After he finished brushing his teeth and washing his face, he toppled onto his bed.

As I was about to turn the light off, his voice scratchily said, "please stay." I turned around to see that same hurt expression on his face; I couldn't just leave him.

I turned the light off and walked over to the other side of the bed, hesitantly crawling under the sheets. I could feel his warmth but remained on my side of the bed.

After what seemed like a couple minutes, I could hear his breathing slow, indicating that he was asleep.

My mind didn't allow me to sleep for a few more minutes as it kept racing with unanswered questions.

Questions that only Orion could answer.

**unedited**