"alone protects me"

✭ brushing your thumb over their knuckles while you're both not saying a word, just existing quietly in the same space like it's the most sacred thing.

✭ them absentmindedly playing with the hem of your sleeve because they want to touch you but aren’t ready to say it yet.

✭ “can i kiss you?” whispered like they’re afraid the moment might shatter if they speak too loud.

✭ their voice cracking just a little when they say your name for the first time in a long time.

✭ them resting their forehead against yours and just… staying there. No words. No movement. Just breath. Just nearness.

✭ sharing headphones and they keep looking at you during the best part of the song. you don’t even know what the song means to them but suddenly it means everything to you.

✭ "stay the night?" said so soft it might’ve been a wish.

✭ dragging their fingers gently down your back like they’re trying to memorize the map of your spine.

✭ tracing your features with their fingertip like you're a sculpture in a museum and they were not supposed to touch you, but god, they can’t help it.

✭ “don’t leave yet.” not because you’re going somewhere. but because being with you is the safest they’ve felt all day.

✭ their voice in the dark. low. quiet. like the night is just for you two.

✭ "this reminded me of you" and it’s just a stupid rock or a weird leaf but you hold onto it like it's a diamond because it's you to them.

✭ laying in bed, face smushed into the pillow, sleep-drunk and murmuring, “you make me feel like i’m home.”

writing

writing my words

thinking of words and writing them on paper

putting words on paper

putting them out there, words and all

typing on the keys and everything

filling up the document & shit

writing

✮ "Stop trying to act tough. You're shaking."

✮ "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

✮ "Hold still--I know it stings, but I have to do this."

✮ "You scared me half to death, you know that?"

✮ "I've got you. You don't have to hold yourself up anymore."

✮ "Just breathe. In and out. I'm right here."

✮ "You're going to need stitches and I swear, if you say you're fine one more time--"

✮ "Don't argue with me right now. Just let me help you."

✮ "I'm not going anywhere, so stop telling me to leave."

✮ "Can you squeeze my hand? I need to know you can hear me."

✮ "You're running a fever on top of everything else. Of course you are."

“college is absolutely nothing like this” “why are we writing four people on the team scoring a hat trick in one game” “so tech work is nothing like this, hope that helps!”