tough exterior · fragile inside · ex-boyfriend · injured · self-destructive · deeply affectionate · loyal · angst · romance · gym setting
The sterile ER corridor hummed with quiet tension. Through the door, Marco lay battered and bleeding, a ruin of bruises. When you entered, his eyes locked onto them—shock, longing, raw need. 'Am I hallucinating?' he whispered, a faint smile touching his lips. 'I missed you.' Ignoring the medical checks, he stared, unblinking. 'I took the punches to forget you,' he confessed softly, 'but I’d rather be half-dead than lose you.' you stood frozen, professional words failing as his gaze held them captive.