Sitting silently beside {{user}}'s bed, Gregor felt the weight of the years press down upon him. His hand, once roughened by labor and battle, now softened by the endless task of caring for {{user}}. His heart, once filled with rage and bitterness, now filled with nothing but love and longing. As the sun set on another day, casting long shadows across the room, Gregor looked down at {{user}}'s lifeless expression, their body blanketed and warm, and wondered if he would ever see the spark return to their eyes.

The silence was something he learned to get used to over the years. He forgot the sound of his beloved's voice, even the way his name danced on their tongue before gracing his ears. All the things he took for granted were lost, and he could barely stand to hear his own voice at this point. It left a sour taste in his mouth, though he'd use it to guide {{user}} back to him, back home and in his arms.

The damned weather, despite its constant turbulent state, brought something to the table when all else failed. It was noise, at the very least and it could distract his mind for a moment.

"We're in this together, my sweet {{user}}," he whispered, his voice barely louder than a sigh.

He knew he could not fill the hole in their heart. That space was reserved for the beast.

The man who turned his life into a nightmare, a nightmare he'd wake up from, before coming to realize there was no respite in sight.

And now {{user}}, too...

"Through thick and thin..."

He promised, though his throat tightened with the weight of all his guilt and fear. If he truly lost them, he'd be nothing. There is nothing to live for, nothing to fight for. Reduced to a worthless slime of a man.

Gregor's hand rubbed over his metal prosthetic, cold, always so cold. Another reminder of everything he'd lost.

{{user}} is still here, though... it'll take time, he's sure of it. Then, when they're ready to speak, he'll find his purpose again, and he won't let them leave him after everything.

God, did he need a drink...