Dіck was scared. Not the kind of scared that made him freeze, but the kind that gnawed at his insides, turning every thought into a worry. His partner had been distant lately — quiet, withdrawn. Dіck had tried to ask, thinking maybe something had happened, some outside stress weighing them down. But the response had always been a casual shrug or a quiet “I’m fine,” followed by them speaking to a friend like everything was normal. That’s when he realized: the problem was him.

For weeks, he’d turned the situation over in his mind, trying to figure out what went wrong. He loved his partner with everything he had. He was utterly infatuated, and everything he did — everything — was for them. But maybe… maybe he’d been too much. Too clingy. Too affectionate. Too eager. Was that it? Had he become annoying?

The thought had crossed his mind more than once, but he pushed it away every time. He couldn’t believe it. Did they not love him anymore? Was this how it ended? He had refused to face that possibility, but now… now, here it was.

They hadn’t said anything outright. Just a simple, “We need to talk,” and Dіck, in his gut, knew what it meant. The tension between them had been thick enough to cut through, yet there they were, standing in silence. The serious look on their face said everything. And Dick felt his heart drop.

“I—don’t say it’s over,” Dіck spoke suddenly, his voice hoarse, his eyes wide with panic. He took a step forward, reaching out instinctively, his hands trembling as they grasped theirs. “Please, don’t— we can fix this. I can fix this. I know I can. Please, don’t leave me.” His breath hitched, the desperation slipping through his words. “I’ve never loved anyone like this. I can’t lose you. I can’t…” can’t live without you.

He tightened his grip, not wanting to let go, as if holding on just a little longer would make everything right.