He stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. The faint scent of roses and antiseptic mingled in the cold, still air, coiling around his chest like invisible thorns.
For a long moment, he just stood there, staring down at her.
Her face was pale and drawn, dark lashes trembling against tear-stained skin. A faint sheen of cold sweat glistened along her forehead, and her lips were parted slightly with ragged, uneven breaths.
Something twisted violently in his chest.
Slowly, he lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, his weight dipping the mattress beside her fragile body. Reaching out with a large, trembling hand, he brushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes.
Her skin felt feverish and clammy beneath his calloused fingertips.
His throat worked silently as he leaned down, pressing his lips gently to her damp forehead.
The kiss lingered for a moment, it was tender, desperate, and suffocating, before he pulled away, his dark eyes unreadable.
