This was so much worse.
Gods this was like being ripped in two, his chest searing and straining as if threatening to tear away from his body and remove the pain. His vision flickered in and out nauseatingly, the swirl of the night sky above him a thick soup of light and color.
When he'd lost his hand he felt numb. He had lost the ability to feel, to even acknowledge he was numb. And that situation had emotional repercussions.
But this. No one prepared him for this kind of pain.
Where was hell now. Where was the end and why didn't it come sooner.
Something he forgot to do was keeping him around. Someone he forgot to see. Someone—
And then he heard her.
Forcing his eyes open, he saw the blue in her irises first. Fear, disgust… concern? He blinked but she blurred and he fought to focus his vision again. He reached for her hand instinctually and found it resting lightly on his chest. The burning sensation intensified.
Beautiful. She really was beautiful, with a frown and a crinkled brow. And relief washed through him like cool seawater.
"Hey beautiful. I didn't think you'd notice—AH"
Pain at his side. Agonizing pain, but this time he was able to suppress it easily. Something charged spiked down his spine and laced together his consciousness, keeping it steady. She had a hand on chest and concern in her eyes. She muttered something frustratedly about broken ribs.
He couldn't help but smile. That happened to be a mistake, as he convulsed when he attempted the action.
"Ah— that must be why it hurts when I laugh."
She rolled her eyes and stared him down.
A hand on his chest, concern in her eyes. And she was beautiful.
And then he decided he wanted to live.