*Steven's P.O.V*

     Entering her bedroom, the room I was familiar with, brought back memories.

The night I ran away from home and climbed in through her window.

The many times I slept over while my parents fought.

Even when I just missed her, I'd come over to just see her.

The pictures of us that she framed on her wall, were gone. Which caused me to frown.

I know what I did was wrong. Very wrong.

But-..my life was rough, I couldn't stay around and let everyone down...

Besides- my life wasn't much better after I left anyhow.
___

*November 6, 1971*

     "How much you got." A shady man in leather spoke around the cigarette that hung from his lower lip.

My veins burned, my vision was clouded with purple spots as I replied shakily "- 26.." I mumbled.

The man in front of me considered, before handing me a small pouch "Fine."

I handed him the last of my money, and snatched the bag.

Weakly taking off, I walked through the darkness of the city- approaching the motel I was staying at.

Then again, it was abandoned..and completely run down.

But hey- I had a place to sleep, right?

Carefully avoiding the ruble that was breaking down along the ground, I passed the collapsed elevator and walked into my 'room'.

The whole front wall was practically gone, a large hole of a crack was keeping it wide open.

The dirty wall on my right had bloody hand prints all over it- which belonged to none other, than yours truly.

When the pain got unbearable, I cut. Cut all the sadness away.

The other night I sat down in the corner and trembled violently- crying hard as I convulsed. I brought the blade back and forth slowly. Throwing the knife away from me, I slammed my fist against the wall- staining its white paint with blood.

The night breeze blew into the room, causing me to shiver.

A few old blankets upon the floor resembled my bed, the rodents that darted around in the dark- my friends.

I didn't know what I was doing, but it was all I had. I couldn't go back now, not ever.

Sliding down the left wall, on to the ground, I impatiently removed the pouch from my pocket- doing the dirty deed.

I cried holding the empty pouch in my hand. Throwing it at the wall, I screamed in anger. I held my head in my hands and cried hard, yelling out in anger- "I want to go home-...I want to go home.." I cried and whispered softly.

Curling up into a ball upon the 'bed', letting the drug take over
The underwater feeling I received from the powder made me think of Boston.

The clear water lake that my father owned beside our home.

Every Summer my sister and I would play in the water, have friends over.

It was great.

We'd snorkel, and try to catch all the colorful little fish that swam away from our grasp.

I remember Joe coming up one year with his father.

Our parents had met to discuss business terms.

Joe was shy and didn't talk much, or interact at all. I decided it'd be the perfect opportunity to make a new friend.

Considering-..I didn't have many.

Joe stood behind his father shyly, playing with his hands as he remained quiet- looking at the ground.

My mother handed me a towel as I wrapped it around my shoulders, coming out of the lake leaving my sister to play with her friend.

"Hi." I chirped and looked to the quiet boy.

Joe's dark brown eyes flickered up to my own, he only watched me for a minute before looking back down "Hi." He mumbled.

"Do you wanna play?" I asked kindly.

Joe glanced to his father before looking back down "No thanks.."

Oh, but little six year old Steven was determined.

"My momma won't mind. You can borrow one of my swim suites. Okay?"

Joe hesitated, before stepping away from his father- who seemed to be too caught up in his conversation to care about his son.

"...okay.."

From then on, we were close as two could be. He was my best friend- we did everything together- went everywhere together.

No one could separate us. He was my brother. He was family.
___
*Present Day*

     As I tugged my coat off and took Delilah into my arms, the memory of leaving her played in my head.

It played in my head every night and day I was away from her.

I had pinned her against the bed, a knee on either side of her hips.

Kissing her soft, then rough. I could sense the tension of wanting to go further between us- but she seemed to only pause a moment.

"Steven-..." She whispered breathlessly in my ear.

I purred softly and continued to gently kiss along her neck.

"Hm." I responded. "W-wait..."
She whispered once more.

I felt her finger tips graze my under arm, lightly touching my wrist.

I froze and instantly regretted leaving the dull lamp on.

"Delilah- it's alright." I mumbled against her skin before she spoke. I knew what she was to say, I knew what she wanted to talk about, I knew what she saw.

Meeting her gaze, I could see the pain that clouded her eyes.

"Steven...what have you done to yourself?" She choked on a sob.

She saw the lines of faint scars along my wrists.

I pursed my Lips tightly and sat up a bit. I looked down at her as she lay beneath me.

Her shirt wasn't completely on as I had been in the process of trying to remove her clothing.

She frowned and sat up on her elbows, reaching her hand out- to gently touch my cheek.

"I'm fine-.." I lied to her. Placing my hand on top of hers in a reassuring manner.

"No...you're not, you weren't." She mumbled.

I paused, I was going to have to explain to her at one point- might as well be now..

Hesitating slightly, I removed my shirt, and tossed it to the side. Sighing softly.

I heard her gasp quietly, as she covered her mouth with her palm- I hung my head in shame.

Slashes of dull red were along my hips and sides. My ribs were becoming visible through my skin. Faint scars of white in rows were just below my collarbone.

"I'm sorry.." I mumbled quietly. I felt embarrassed showing her all this, showing her what I did while I was away.

I wasn't happy with myself, what else was there to say.

Delilah shook her head, I could see tears filling her eyes.

She moved closer and gently touched my ribs with her trembling hand- her finger tips grazing my skin.

"Don't apologize to me-.." She whispered softly- carefully taking me into a hug.

I wanted to cry, I wanted to let everything out- I was so happy to be home, to be with her. And now she has to see this..

I laid against her frame, as she lad back down on the bed.

Cuddling me gently, she frowned deeply and rubbed loving circles into my shoulders.

"We're going to fix things. Together. You need to promise me you won't leave, please stay. We can work it out, I can help you- we can get better, together." I could hear the pain in her voice as she held me.

I shifted, siting up a bit I held her face in my hands and peppered soft kisses along her face. "I'm not leaving again, I'm not leaving you- I promise." I reassured her, whispering softly.

She rested her forehead against mine and rested her hands on top of mine.

The last thing I remember before falling asleep, was holding her in my arms.

"I love you." I mumbled softly.

"I love you, too." She whispered.