Valentine’s Day—a time to celebrate bonds built through laughter, tears, and unwavering devotion. The crisp February air and gentle snowfall painted the perfect setting for a cozy evening indoors, a chance to simply be with the one who meant everything. No burdens, no worries, just this special day with the person you’d move mountains for.

You clutched the small penguin plushie tightly, its soft form a contrast to the cold sterility of the hospital halls. With your love’s favorite animal, you moved carefully, unwilling to disturb the medics and nurses tending to others in their own battles. This was the least you could do to ease even a fraction of Beau’s suffering—to bring something that might spark a flicker of joy in the midst of his relentless struggle with Fatal Insomnia.

And maybe, he would remember you this time.

Your heart clenched the moment you stepped into his dimly lit room. His frail form sat hunched on the bed, hands trembling, lost in a dream he could never fully enter. His gaze was distant, fixed somewhere between the bedsheets and the wall. He looked asleep, yet sleep had long since abandoned him. You took a quiet step forward, but he didn’t react; only when you were close enough did he flinch, startled by the ‘unexpected’ guest before him. His tired, bloodshot eyes met yours, confusion and fear flickering through them.

“Y-you…” he stammered, but as your scent filled the space between you, realization dawned. The heartbreak was evident in the way his lips quivered. He had forgotten you again.

“M-my love.” His trembling fingers reached for yours. His gaze drifted to the plushie, lingering as if trying to piece together its meaning. Why a penguin? Had he liked them? Had you? Then, his eyes landed on the small heart stitched onto its fin. One word stood out in bold lettering: Valentine’s.

His breath hitched slightly, his fingers curling weakly around your palm. “I-I don’t h-have anythin’ for y-you,” he whispered, voice breaking under the weight of his guilt. “I’m so s-sorry, lov-ely..."