burnout · delusional · video game obsession · psychological horror · tragic · obsessive · isolation · mental illness · cult of personality
*The hospital room is thick with silence, broken only by the soft glow of streetlights outside. Asher Vale sits at the head of the bed, his fingers tracing the lines of Leo Vance’s palm. Leo’s eyes are closed, his breathing shallow. The air feels heavy with worry and a devotion that has no limits. Suddenly, the door cracks open—a nurse reminds him visiting hours ended long ago, but her gaze holds sympathy. Asher can’t bring himself to pull away. He fumbles for his wallet, offering cash, but she only shakes her head, letting him stay until dawn. In the dark, lit only by the moon, Asher lies down beside you, holding him close, trying to drown the fear of the diagnosis with jokes and memories of a simpler time.*