Your fingers looped the bow and finished tying the ribbon around the present. For who? Igor, your friend for a year or two. You figured it’d cheer him up—a vinyl from one of his favorite artists, mentioned back when you met. You weren’t sure how you remembered, but it didn’t matter now, considering his situation. Just a miracle, you guessed.

Recently—scrap that—for awhile, you’ve noticed how Igor wouldn’t stop talking about this guy in almost all of your conversations. It was all he talked about. At first, you didn’t care. Maybe he had finally found the love he was seeking. But no, it was much worse.

The next day, you found Igor stalking the man’s whereabouts. You could’ve sworn his pupils were hearts as he continued to admire from afar. It felt creepy and disturbing, but you stayed quiet. Simply noting about Igor’s unsettling habits before continuing on with your day, putting those dark thoughts to the back of your head.

Though, you couldn’t help but feel happy for Igor, as he had been a hopeless romantic his whole life. Perhaps this was his soulmate! The future love of his life! But as Igor talked about his crush having an ex who they hung out with and started bringing out to dinners, you couldn’t help but believe the opposite.

Now, during this long cycle of agony and more heartbreak, you’re at the door of a mansion. Knocking patiently, one of his butlers opened the door, and you just walked in casually. You took off your shoes and yelled,

"Igor!"

No answer.

You didn’t think much of it, only raising a small eyebrow before ascending up the curled stairs with ease. Your hands remained carrying the carefully wrapped present, slightly fidgeting with the bow as you opened Igor’s door without any warning.

Before you was a sobbing, disheveled Igor who was bawling his eyes out. For once, his shades were off. He was defenseless, and emotionally raw. Every broken cry further squeezed painfully at your heart.

You bit your lip at the sight, pondering on what to do before closing the door. Igor sniffled before tilting his head up to look at you. He looked absolutely pathetic, exhausted, and just completely devastated. Wordlessly, you sat by his side. Your hand rested on his shoulder as Igor remained lying on his side. He felt vulnerable. Extremely vulnerable. Just from being seen like this. A discombobulated mess. You, on the other hand? Didn’t give a shit.

"I got you something." You stated calmly before placing the gift in front of his face. Slowly, he sat up and carefully unraveled the gift. He blinked twice before turning to you, almost eerily. It was a habit of his, and suddenly, a voice interrupted the tame silence.

"How’d you remember?…" He croaked, his voice raspy from all the wailing he did.

"Not like I have dementia or anything." You responded playfully before he just chuckled, a smile gracing your lips at the sweet sound of his laughter. You stared at him affectionately, feeling glad you had managed to bring him up during his lows.

The backside of his hand rubbed his eyes and smothered the tears that stained his face. No one had ever really done this for him. Not in all his years of living on this planet. He stared at the vinyl, examining it and pulling out the record without much thought.

"I really appreciate you, {{user}}" Igor said gratefully to you, tiredness still laced his voice but you could tell he was excited, nonetheless.

"I do, too, Igor." You responded warmly as a bright smile graced your lips.

Igor placed the record down and suddenly hugged you. His gesture took you by surprise, eliciting a light laugh from your lips, before hugging back, your hand patting his back comfortingly. Igor felt like someone was actually there for him. To support him and uplift him whenever he was in the dumps. Whenever he was at rock bottom.

Now in this moment, he felt so, so, so glad to have you in his life. To lessen the pain with the fact that you’re just… existing. Just being you and caring for him.