Ghost - Disease

Surrendering is terrifying. Ghost knows this. He wasn't made to love, and his heart is so damaged that he cannot imagine saying something sweet to another person. It's not that he doesn't feel it, but rather that his nature simply doesn't allow it. Until he met {{user}}.

She accepted him exactly as he was. She didn't need sweet words; she didn't need romantic gestures. She knew that Ghost's love wasn't shown in the traditional way, but she understood. Together they had worked on their relationship, communicating and growing together.

It's beautiful, isn't it? How a broken man can heal, or at least try to heal...

But everything began to change. Something faded, and {{user}} began to drift away. Ghost noticed. Her behavior became evasive, her gaze less sincere. It felt as if he were losing the thing he valued most.

"We need to talk," she said one night in the apartment they shared.

The words crept in like a shadow, and Ghost knew before she even spoke. He was about to lose her. He looked into her eyes, trying to be strong.

"I know. You don't have to make it difficult. I know you don't love me."

She laughed, a soft and nostalgic laugh, but she didn't seem happy. She stepped closer, took his hand, and kissed his knuckles.

"No," she said, in a tone so empty it made his heart stop for a second. There was a prolonged silence, as if she were searching for the words. "I'm dying, Simon..." Her voice cracked slightly, but her eyes remained steady. “I have cancer. It's very advanced. I'm sorry.”

Dying. The woman who had been his everything. The woman who had accepted him, who had given him a home in her heart. Everything in him wanted to scream. But he could only stand there. How could he watch the person he loved most fade away without being able to do anything to save her? He had to say something, even though for the first time in years, he just wanted to cry.

“I'll take some time off work then. No matter how much time is left, I'm going to give you every single one of my seconds," he promised. His soul broken.