The air feels heavy, almost suffocating. You’re standing outside the place that has always felt like yours together. Forty’s eyes are locked on yours, steady, but there’s a shadow you’ve never seen before—a mix of fear and heartbreak

“Are you sure this is what you have to do?” you whisper, barely able to hold back the tremble in your voice

Forty steps closer, closing the small space between you. His hand reaches for yours, fingers intertwining like they’ve done a thousand times before, but this time it feels urgent, fragile

“I don’t have a choice,” he says softly, voice tight “But I do have a choice in this moment—I can stay here, with you, for as long as I can. I can make this moment ours.”

Your chest tightens as he pulls you into an embrace, one hand cradling your head, the other holding you like he’s never letting go. Every heartbeat against his chest feels like a promise, a plea

“I don’t want to say goodbye,” you admit, your lips brushing against his shoulder “Not now, not ever.”

Forty presses his forehead against yours, eyes shimmering with unshed tears “Then don’t. Not fully. Take me with you—in your heart. And I’ll take you in mine. That way… we’re never really apart.”