He winces, and there's so much pain in it, I swear I can feel it. Hollow ache settling in my chest. Feels almost normal now, that feeling's made its home there.

"If I say it'll get better, you gonna hit me?" I ask, going for a tease but falling flat. I'm off my game, the smirks don't come as easy as they usually do. I don't move my hand. No soothing circles rubbed into tense muscles. No comforting pat. It just rests there, feeling his ribs expand and contract with each breath.