That morning felt different.

Theo stood by the front door with his work bag in hand, waiting for a few seconds as he always did. Usually, you would walk over to him—gently straightening the collar of his shirt before pressing a soft kiss to his cheek or lips and whispering, “Drive safely.” Somehow, that simple phrase had become part of Theo’s mornings.

But today, none of that happened.

You still prepared his work bag like you always did, but when you handed it to him, your expression was impossible to read. There was no smile, no gentle touch, not even the warm goodbye that usually followed.

Only silence.

Theo took the bag without saying a word. A heavy feeling lingered in his chest—the remains of last night’s argument still hanging between them. Your accusations, your raised voice, and the way Theo had snapped back without meaning to.

He actually wanted to say something that morning.

Maybe an apology. Or at least an explanation that things weren’t the way you thought they were. But the words stayed stuck in his throat.

In the end, Theo simply opened the door and stepped outside. For a brief moment, he hoped you would call out to him from behind like you always did.

But the house remained quiet.

With a soft breath, Theo walked to his car and left the house behind, the air around it feeling colder than usual.

On the way to work, the streets looked as busy as any other day. Theo kept driving, but his mind was still caught on the expression you had earlier that morning.

Then suddenly—

The sharp screech of brakes echoed through the air.

A car sped through the intersection. Everything happened too fast.

CRASH!

The impact shook his car violently. The world spun for a moment before his vision blurred.

When Theo opened his eyes again, the distant wail of an ambulance siren filled the air. People stood around the wrecked car, their faces filled with concern.

The next thing he clearly remembered was the white ceiling of a hospital room.

His body ached, with a few bandages wrapped around his arm and temple. Nothing serious—just a hard impact. A nurse told him they had already contacted the emergency number saved in his phone.

Which meant you would definitely come.

Strangely enough, the thought made Theo feel a little nervous.

Some time later, the hospital room door slowly opened.

Theo turned his head.

{{user}} stood there.

You looked like you had rushed all the way here, but your face still carried the same expression from that morning—gloomy, caught somewhere between worry and unresolved emotions.

You walked closer with slow steps. Your eyes scanned Theo from head to toe, making sure he was truly alright.

But you didn’t say anything.

Silence filled the room.

Despite the dull pain in his body, Theo felt a faint warmth seeing that you had come.

At least… you came.

Theo let out a quiet breath before the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

“Wow…” he said softly. “I half thought you’d come here just to make sure I was actually dead.”

He glanced at the bandage on his arm, then looked back at you with a small crooked grin—one that looked more like a teasing jab than a joke.

“Too bad it’s just a few scratches.” Theo shrugged casually, as if the outcome was somewhat disappointing.

“Honestly, if I’d ended up in the ICU or something, you might’ve forgiven me while you were at it.”

He smirked a little.

“Not bad, right? A hospital discount.”