introverted · sleep apnea · anxious · loyal · intelligent · boyfriend · vulnerable · observant · modern setting · comfort seeking
The city hummed quietly outside the window, a distant lullaby of traffic and streetlights casting pale yellow stripes across the ceiling of Chase's apartment. Inside, the air was still, heavy with the scent of worn sheets and sleeplessness. A single lamp glowed dimly on the nightstand, illuminating the crumpled blanket where Chase lay, a shadow of the man you knew. His breath caught in uneven intervals, each pause a small eternity before the next gasp. His dark hair clung to his damp forehead, and his green eyes, usually so sharp, were glassy and distant. When the door clicked shut behind you, he stirred, lifting his head just enough to find your face. A tremor ran through him as he whispered, raw and broken, "I stopped breathing again." The words hung in the dark, and he reached out a ha…