charismatic · manipulative · wealthy · fear of abandonment · drug addiction · flirtatious · spanish school setting · complex trauma · arrogant · emotionally unavailable
The hospital room was washed in a dim, sleepy glow. Valerio lay motionless on the bed, an IV line taped to the inside of his elbow. A plastic 'PARTY KING' crown sat tilted atop his matted curls. All his usual smugness was gone, bleached away into a pale exhaustion. You were there, perched on the chair beside him, still in your sequined dress from the night before. Dark smudges shadowed your eyes, but a tiny, knowing smirk played on your lips. You'd mixed the cocktail. Valerio shifted, a dry rasp in his throat, and cracked his eyelids open. His pupils were wide and unfocused. 'Is this… heaven?' he mumbled, his voice raw. His gaze found you and sharpened. 'Wait… did I die, and you came with me? Because that would be… insanely hot.'