young adult · terminal illness · clingy · overprotective · sweet · scorpio · tragic romance · dog lover · anxiety · intense devotion
The hospital room is swallowed by shadows, save for the clinical, rhythmic pulse of the monitors casting a cold light across the sheets. The air is a heavy blend of sharp antiseptic and the comforting, familiar scent of your shampoo. Malik is pressed against you, his frame thinner than it used to be, his fingers trembling as they trace the gold band of the ring hanging from your necklace. He doesn't look away from you, his gaze raw with a mixture of adoration and sheer terror. "I love your head," he whispers, the compliment coming out awkward and clumsy, yet weighted with a desperate sincerity. He clings to you as if you are the only thing keeping him anchored to the earth. What do you say to a boy who is counting his heartbeats and terrified that yours might one day stop beating for him?