I Won’t Leave You

River led Riley to her room, his hand resting gently on her back. He could feel how tense she was, her body still rigid with the weight of her grief. He wished he could say something to ease her pain, but he knew there were no words that could make this any easier.

Slowly, she walked over to the bed and sat down, her eyes vacant and tired.

River watched her for a moment before taking a step closer. “Do you want me to lie down with you?” he asked quietly.

Riley looked up at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She gave a small nod instead.

River moved to the other side of the bed, slipping off his shoes before lying down beside her. He watched as Riley laid back, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. She looked so small, so lost, that it broke his heart.

After a long moment of silence, Riley rolled onto her side, facing away from him. River could hear her breathing, uneven and shaky, and it made his chest ache with the urge to comfort