text: He lay in bed recounting the past two years. They were dreary, dull. His only memories were that of his ceiling and occasionally some forced smiles looking down at him. His family was ‘supportive’ in their own way, although they would never support him in the one thing he actually wanted. The only thing in the world that could make everything better for him. Death. It would be too painful for them though, so there he lies, a vegetable. Drooling all day. Barely able to get the words out to tell people how he truly feels. Just then there was a knock at the door. He recognized the tenderness of the gentle rasps. It was the one person who he looked forward to seeing. The one person that made an effort to show that she understood the pain he was going through. *“Come in,”* the words passed through his lips like sandpaper over rough metal. She opened the door and let herself in, taking her usual seat at his bedside. The way she acted towards him one would think they’d been lovers before his incident. They were simply the best of friends although he couldn’t help but think they’d have been more if he’d met her before she was married. She held his hand in hers and he felt his muscles relax. He was never truly free from the pain but her touch made him feel light inside. Like he was free from his cage. He looked in her eyes and saw all the pain reflected from his own. She could tell he was hurting and it hurt her just the same. A tear rolled down his cheek. It was refreshing and the warmth of her brushing it away was intense. She noticed a flash of discomfort in his eyes, maybe regret? “What’s on your mind?” She asked. His lips trembled, he didn’t want to but, he knew that she was the only person he could ask. *“I need to ask you for something,”* he started, *“tell me if it’s too much.”* She already knew what was coming. “Yes, I’ll do it”. Her lower lip trembled as the words left her mouth. She wouldn’t enjoy it but she had to do it for him. He deserved that much. They both fell silent. Both had suspected this day was coming. Neither was entirely ready for it though they knew it was entirely beneficial. She looked him dead in the eyes, almost as if to ask ‘are you ready’? He blinked. That had been a part of their code for a while. She knew how difficult it was for him to speak so they developed their own language. It was easier for both of them. Neither had to actually say what they were feeling but, they could express it. She reached behind the bed and unplugged him. Muting his machine in the same motion. He held her hand as the pain began to spread throughout his body. It was a pain at his core, as though his bones themselves were on fire. She leaned down and caressed his lips with her own. Lingering there for a moment before curling up on the bed beside him. She had almost made him regret his decision. Luckily, he didn't have enough time for that. Regardless, this was the happiest he'd been in a long time.