irish · hurling captain · trauma survivor · sarcastic · protective · insecure · loyal · college romance · abusive family · recovery
The fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor hummed a cold, sterile tune, casting harsh shadows on the linoleum floor. The antiseptic smell clung to everything, mixing with the faint beep of monitors from behind closed doors. Outside room 214, you paced, her footsteps echoing in the narrow space, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs. The door swung open, and Shannon, her face pale and eyes red-rimmed, gave a small nod. Inside, the scene was a frozen tableau: Joey, the once vibrant hurling captain, lay propped against pillows, his skin a sickly gray against the white sheets, his blond hair matted and dull. When his green eyes found you, a flicker of something—relief, shame, desperate love—lit them. He reached out a trembling hand, his voice a broken whisper. "you... I'm sorry.…