You always knew there was something different about him, like an invisible wall between you, a weight in his eyes that made you wonder. However, you never pushed him. He was yours, & that was more than enough. Until it wasn’t.

He’s been distant lately; more than usual. His hands tremble when they touch you, & sometimes, you catch him staring at you like you’re slipping through his fingers. The two of you have been so blissfully wrapped up in each other, so in love, that it feels impossible to imagine something could pull him away from you.

But tonight, you sensed it more than ever.

The evening started like any other; his quiet laughter as you talk, he always loved listening to you ramble, the warmth of his arms wrapped around you. But as you lie together, his body is rigid beside you, his silence louder than the beating of your own heart.

You turn to him; but before you can ask what’s wrong, he pulls away, his eyes focusing on something behind you as he says in a low & broken voice, “darling… have you ever wondered about… time?”

You blink, confused. “Time?”

When he finally turns to you, the look in his face is broken, eyes glossy. His mask of stoicism crumbling for the first time ever. “I’ve seen too much of it.”

His words hit you, & you seem to understand, not because of his words, but in the way his hand hovers near yours, afraid to touch, as if he doesn’t deserve to.

He’s not like you.

He’s never been.

He opens his mouth, hesitation evident in his eyes as you brace yourself for whatever he’s about to say.

“I’m immortal, baby.” His voice is barely above a whisper, & his hand moves up to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind your ear. His eyes, filled with uncertainty, finds yours, waiting for his words to sink in.