A/N: Interpret this story how you wish. While writing I decided to keep an open mind and although I've decided to list this under Star Trek fanfiction it belongs where ever your mind decides to place it. That goes for character choices as well. Read and enjoy.
I walked through the sliding doors and stepped into the slightly warmer than normal room. From my spot by the door I saw him look up. I caught his dark eyes and held his hard gaze. Moving from the door I strode over to him. His black hair was plastered to his heard with sweat but other than that there was no other outwards signs of the sickness raging his body. I was standing, almost awkwardly, beside him. His mouth began to open but quickly snapped shut and his firm look temporarily disappeared. I reached forward to help him but stopped just short of his shoulder, he didn't like to be touched. When his ever calm face began to change into one of absolute pain my moments hesitation ended. I sat down on the edge of the bed, moving to touch his cheek in a gentle caress and grab his shoulder. His eyes snapped open at my touch but he seemed to be in too much pain to speak. My arm snaked its way around towards his other side and I pulled him close to my body. He tried to pull away. It was funny, even in such a weak state he was still himself.
"Relax," I murmured into his hair, my arms cradling him, giving him the comfort I knew he deserved but also knew he would never allow himself to receive openly, at least for more than a moment. He gave an almost inaudible sigh before relaxing into my embrace.
We sat that way for a moment as I listened to his decreasingly even breaths and felt his heart race under my arms. Suddenly, his entire body tensed, and not because of my touch. His breath hitched and I pulled him closer. His hands buried themselves into my shirt. He clung there, the pain from the illness completely consuming his every being. Tears stung my eyes; I couldn't bear to see him in such pain. I had to stay strong for him, even though I was usually the emotional one.
Fretfully, I waited for his inner torture to be over. What seemed to me like hours pasted, finally, his body shuddered once more. Then with a ragged breath, he stilled. It seemed for the time being the pain had stopped. His breathing began to even out and before I knew it, he was pulling away. In a split second I decided something, I would never let him suffer alone again. Grabbing his arm I turn him ever so slightly to look him in the eye.
"Stay, please. I want to be there for you. I don't want to leave you alone because you deserve so much more than loneliness, I care about you and I know this isn't how you usually receive comfort but it's the only way I know how to give it so, please, stay." As I finished he starred right into my eyes, like he was starring right into my very being. I pulled him close with the intent never to let go again.
Please review, I'd love to know what you thought of the story and who you interpreted the characters to be.