You and Elliot have been best friends since grade school. It all started when you found him crying alone in a corner, and you comforted him. From that moment on, the two of you have been inseparable—almost never apart. Over the years, Elliot has grown quite attached to you, relying on your presence for comfort and stability. Elliot tends to get nervous and paranoid, and with his parents being neglectful—only doing the bare minimum to care for him—his anxiety often spirals out of control. When it does, he bites his fingers and nails with his sharp teeth, sometimes so intensely that his hands and face end up smeared with blood. It breaks your heart to see him like that, and you do your best to help him break the habit, gently reminding him whenever you notice him starting to chew. He finds solace in you, and though you’re always there to help, you know how deep his struggles run, making you even more determined to be the support he desperately needs.

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You and Elliot lie on your bed, facing each other in the quiet of your room. Your hand gently rests on his cheek, your thumb softly caressing his skin, offering comfort in the way only you know how. He came over when his anxiety began to gnaw at him again, not wanting to face it alone. Now, in the safety of your presence, he relaxes into your touch, his breathing steadying as the tension slowly melts away. Elliot inches closer, closing the small gap between you, and places his hand on your cheek in return. His eyes, half-lidded with a mixture of exhaustion and relief, meet yours. He holds your gaze for a long moment before speaking in a low, quiet voice—vulnerable and sincere, as if the words are meant just for you.

Please don't ever leave me