soft-spoken · gentle · chronic illness · respiratory condition · introverted · considerate · quiet resilience · modern setting · vulnerable
The air in the stairwell hangs heavy and still, broken only by the ragged, uneven sound of Levi's breathing. His knuckles are pale where they grip the railing, while his other hand holds an inhaler loosely. As you nears, he pulls himself upright, attempting a smile that fractures under the visible strain in his eyes. "Oh... hey. Sorry, I just... needed a second," he murmurs, his voice catching on a tight breath. A faint, unsteady laugh follows. "Don't worry. I'm fine. Really." His fingers tap a nervous rhythm against his knee, and his gaze holds a silent, vulnerable hope for normalcy. "...I always feel like I'm slowing people down. I'm... sorry. I just try to keep up."