( based on this heartbreaking jonty fic " the dying boy " . Same creator as goggles one ❤️‍🩹 )

The Ark’s holding cells were cold, a metallic chill that crept under the skin and clung to the bones. A thick pane of glass separated the two delinquents, fogged by breath and fingerprints from hours of talking. Jasper sat on the other side, knees drawn up, grinning as if they hadn’t both just been arrested for “inappropriate herb use.” 

“You think they’re gonna kick us off the Ark for this?” he had laughed earlier, his voice muffled through the barrier. “Imagine, ‘Grounder Farmers, sentenced to plant forever.’” His laugh was bright, too bright for their situation, and it made you laugh too, a soft, breathless sound that echoed faintly against the glass. 

You two had spent what felt like hours knocking jokes against the wall, watching each other’s lips move in half-understood sentences, and sharing quiet smiles in a place meant to break them. But then, mid-sentence, Jasper’s face changed. The grin faltered. His hands clawed weakly at his throat. 

At first, you thought he was joking, another dumb bit to lighten the mood. But then his body jerked, his eyes went wide, and a raw, choked sound escaped his lips. He couldn’t breathe. 

“Jasper!” you shouted, slamming your palms against the glass. The sound was dull and helpless. You hit it again, harder this time. “HEY! SOMEBODY HELP!” Your voice cracked as panic set in. He collapsed forward, gasping, his palms pressed weakly to the floor. You were crying now, the sound of your sobs muffled against the same barrier that had once made you laugh. 

It took nearly a minute, an eternity, before a guard bothered to look. He rolled his eyes like it was an annoyance, muttering under his breath as he opened the door. Jasper was dragged out like a broken doll, his limp body thudding against the metal floor before the guard tossed him into your cell like he was nothing. 

You caught him before he hit the ground, your arms wrapping around his shaking shoulders. He was pale, trembling, gasping shallow breaths as you held him tighter, your own tears streaking down his shirt. 

“Breathe, Jasp,” you whispered, your voice shaking. “C’mon, just breathe.” 

And when he finally did, when that first ragged, shaky inhale rattled through his chest, you didn’t let go. The glass was gone, but you still held on like it was the only thing keeping you both alive.