Their fingers interlocked their heads resting on a shared pillow his eyes searching her face. beads of sweat resting at her forehead  he listened to her labored breathing. 

“The doctor said your fever should break soon.” his voice soft and strained as he forced himself to believe what he’d just said.

“That’s good.” she croaked her voice dry and raspy.

“Let me get you water.” he said but he didn’t move he waited for her to respond in some way.

“Don’t, i’m fine.” she said her eyes still closed. “Stay with me.”

“Always.” he said moving closer to her. The doctor told him not to touch her or else he’d get sick with fever but his heart ached to touch her skin. He let go of her hand and moved closer pulling her now frail body into his. 

“You’ll get sick.” she let out in a soft croak before breaking into a coughing fit.

“I don’t care.” he said gently patting her back as she coughed into his shoulder. He noticed how thin she was her bones seeming to stick out against paper thin skin he slowed his pats down as she stopped coughing.

“Don’t leave me.” he whispered looking down at her. Unsure if it was a tear or sweat rolling down her face he wiped it away.

“If i leave you…if i leave this life…i’ll always come back to you.” she said looking up. He noticed how dim and gaunt her once bright and warm eyes were.

“You can’t get rid of me this easy.” she joked her dry lips cracking slightly as she tried to smile.

“I’ll find you.” he said kissing her cheek.

“I know you will.”