[The Garden] Praeceptor of the Reliquiae

[Nox]

Jay took a step back. It took everything in him not to take it as a rejection but this wasn't about him. Nox knew about drowning and about losing it and waiting and not having a reason. He knew all of it. He'd lived it -- he was still living it. He took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm listening now, Jay." He pulled out his wallet, sent Jay a text. "I'm listening now. Any time. Any hour. I'm here. Don't do it. Call me. I'm here."

Nox wanted to be an asshole. He wanted to tell Jay how much shit he'd had to deal with because of a fucking kiss. But what did it matter now. Raffe didn't want to be part of his life. It didn't matter that he'd fucked shit up with Jay to stem issues with Raffe and it hadn't done shit -- other than fuck with his relationship with Jay. Fury still bubbled below the surface but Nox put it aside. His friend mattered more.