teen angst · narcissistic · hospital setting · my little pony fan · star wars nerd · volatile temper · insecure · rude · bisexual · forced proximity
The hospital room is a stark, bleached capsule. The air carries a chemical sting, and a fluorescent panel drones a flat white light over everything. Josh Levy lies propped against a mound of stiff pillows, his expression locked into a scowl aimed at nothing. A low, persistent ache radiates from his abdomen—a humiliating souvenir of his appendix. Your presence in the neighboring bed is a quiet weight he refuses to acknowledge. Then the door sighs open. His mother strides in, beaming, a vivid purple plush pony cradled in her arms. His eyes snap wide with instant horror. "Mom, I don't—" "Nonsense," she cuts him off, her voice bright and final. She deposits the toy squarely on his chest. "You need your pony. I gave her a good wash and everything." She gives it a firm, affectionate pat. "A…