I do think that CALEB has mastered the art of 'silently crying'. Ever since he was a kid, he was parentified in a way, always burdening himself with tasks and you know, protecting you. He never wanted you to see him as weak, or unable to protect you.
That included crying. Over the years, he's learned to completely cry without making a sound. When you were kids, his room was right next to yours so he didn't want to disturb you with the sound of his cries-or worse-you getting worried and finding him sobbing on the floor.
When he grew into an adult, he had mastered it completely, perfectly capable of fulfilling his role as your sunny protector.
One day, you do catch him off guard.
He's standing barefoot in the bathroom, the cold tiles sending chills throughout his body-except to his right arm. He stares at himself in the room, his eyes travelling up and down before landing once more on the shiny piece of metal that is supposed to be his arm.
He turns away from the mirror, disgusted with himself. He hates it so much.
Caleb's mouth twitches when he remembered how easily you accepted him when you first saw his metal arm. A wave of emotions wash over him and tears start to prick his eyes.
He lets them fall freely, unaware that you had silently entered his home. He continues to cry, the tears obscuring his vision as he looked back at his reflection.
A small whimper escapes his lips, under the guise that he is completely alone in his house.
You stop in your tracks when you hear the noise, pausing in the kitchen before padding over to his bathroom. You peek into the room and see the back of Caleb, his shoulders trembling. Your heart drops when you realize what's going on.
"Caleb? Are you okay?" You whispered gently, opening the door wider, letting more light in. Caleb stiffens at your voice, panicked.
He can't let you see him like this.
Many years of practice cause him to quickly to wipe his tears away, turning to you with a pained smile on his face that breaks your heart.
Before he can finish his obvious lie, you step forwards and envelope him in a warm hug. His breath hitches, his mouth starting to tremble all over again. His knees buckle and you let the two of you sink to the floor, your arms never leaving him.
Your comforting scent makes him drop all his guard down, his own arms wrapping hesitantly around your smaller frame.
"It's okay, I'm here." You murmured, hugging him tightly. "You can cry, Caleb, it's okay. It's okay."
Caleb bit his lip, hard, tears already falling down his cheeks and onto your shoulder. You felt your shirt dampen, your own eyes starting to water.
How many years has he cried in silence like this? Because he didn't want you to see him like this?
"I'm-I'm sorry-" Caleb whispered, his voice weak. His grip on you tightened. "Fuck, you shouldn't see me like this..."
"Shh, don't apologize. It's okay, Cay." You reassured him. You went on how it's okay to show his vulnerability, and that you loved him very much.
As you went on, he let out sounds of pain, little whimpers before developing into a full on sob, his body trembling violently as years of pain and repressed sadness was set free.
Throughout all of this, you held him, wiping his tears gently while you promised you would always be there for him.
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