The dawn had never looked more beautiful.

It spread across the sky in soft shades of pink and gold, touching broken rooftops and empty streets like it didn’t know the world was ending. Like it didn’t know this was your last morning.

Your body was weak against him, trembling as the virus worked its way through your veins. You were burning up, but your skin still felt cold under his touch. Leo held you a little tighter, one arm wrapped around you as if he could keep the sickness from spreading just by sheer will. His fingers threaded through your hair, slow and steady, like he was afraid to rush the moment. He wanted to freeze it instead. Trap you both in this quiet morning, just for a little longer.

You were so brave.

You didn’t even cry once, even when the pain got bad. Even when you could barely lift your head. You just curled closer to him, like you were trying to memorize the way he felt, too.

The plan was set. You promised each other that tonight, you’d end it together. No fear. No regrets. Just love. And Leo wasn’t scared. Not of dying. Not if it meant he’d be with you. But still, he couldn’t stop memorizing your face. The slope of your nose. The curve of your lips. The way your lashes fluttered against your cheeks. He wanted to burn it all into his memory. Just in case.

“Leo.” your voice cracked, barely a whisper.

He met your gaze as you looked up at him, your eyes glassy but still yours. Still warm. Still full of love, even with the dark veins crawling up your neck.

“Shh…” he murmured, brushing his thumb over your cheek. “It’s alright.” he said.

And it was. It really was.

“I wish…” Leo swallowed hard, leaning down until his forehead rested against yours. “I wish we had more time.”

He closed his eyes and breathed you in. “Just a little longer. That’s all I want. Just to love you a little longer.”

And he would. Until his very last breath.