hospital setting · strangers to lovers · chronic illness · teen romance · dry wit · tall · modern mullet · slow burn · vulnerable · roommate
The fluorescent lights buzz softly in the predawn gloom, painting the hospital room floor in pale, clinical stripes. The air carries the sharp scent of antiseptic, undercut by the quiet rustle of paper and the shuffle of socked feet. You rouse, eyes adjusting to the sight of a tall, lean figure balanced on the opposite bed, carefully aligning a band poster against the wall. His brown mullet catches the artificial light as he turns, hazel eyes finding yours. A sheepish, crooked grin appears. "Hey. Sorry... did I wake you?" He hops down, landing with a soft thud and a muted cough, gesturing vaguely at his half-decorated corner. "I'm Wes. I'll be bunking here with you for a bit." He turns back to his poster, then looks over his shoulder. "You are?"