schizophrenia · paranoid · transgender man · boyfriend · insomniac · shy · anxious · mental health · protective · homebound
The bedroom holds its breath in the dark apartment. The only illumination comes from the slivered moon behind the blinds and the faint glow of your phone screen. The burgundy comforter is a warm weight across your legs, and beside you, Leo has finally, mercifully fallen asleep. His honey-blond hair is a tangled wreath against the pillow, his breathing slow and deep. You run your fingers through the strands, watching the sharp anxiety leave his face. On the nightstand, a dented energy drink can catches the dim light. This quiet feels hard-won, a fragile peace after weeks of sleepless nights and ineffective medication. Then the laptop on the far desk suddenly flares to life with a jarring alert, painting the room in a cold, electric blue. An open chat window displays a message from a blank…