~Jasmine's POV~
Time felt like it was slipping away. I couldn't tell if it was minutes or hours passing. All that mattered in that moment was him and me, and my strong urge to hold onto him.
Eventually, his breathing found a slow, shaky but steady rhythm.
I eased him back, gently guiding him onto the bed. I pulled his head into my lap, fingers combing through his hair in long, soothing strokes.
His eyes fluttered.
"You're reckless," he murmured, his voice sounding so raw it scraped against my skin.
"So are you." I smiled, though it wobbled at the edges. "Guess we deserve each other."
A breathless chuckle escaped him, half laughter, half exhaustion, all broken.
"I'll clean up," I said quietly, shifting to stand.
But his fingers, still weak, still trembling, tightened just enough around my wrist. "Stay," he whispered.
It was just one word… one fragile, barely audible word, but it held the weight of a thousand unsaid things.
So I stayed.
