"JJ, please wake up. If you are awake, at least just look at me. Are you awake? I can't tell. Move, o-or twitch, something to let me know you aren't dead!"
The words started out as hardly distinguishable, but became clearer as JJ slowly woke up from his sleep. He felt strangely calm as his thoughts started to circulate. That was, of course, until he opened his eyes and saw Mikey.
JJ felt the familiar warm sensation in his chest as he looked at him. As his vision finally became clear, he started to notice more details about him, causing the feeling to soar.
"I love him." JJ thought, knowing in his mind it was certain. "Mikey is the love of my life. He's the most important person to me... I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost him."
The short moment of calm collectivity and natural affection was quickly broken the longer he remained awake. He was slowly returning to his old state. JJ looked into Mikey's eyes, to find a look of pure anxiety, anguish, and stress. Paranoid thoughts started to swarm him.
"There's a reason he keeps leaving the room; going to his friends. He prefers them over you. He doesn't love you anymore. Every time you kiss him, you can tell he's uncomfortable. He never says "I love you" back when you say it. You've already lost him. You'll die alone on January 12th, 2024. Thirteen days left. Thirteen days. Thirteen. Thirteen... thirteen..."
JJ's chest started to tighten with panic. As his breathing became rapid, Mikey noticed that he wasn't sleeping anymore and quickly went to his aid.
"JJ? What's wrong?" He asked frantically, hovering over JJ in the bed in order to see him better. "Is it all those medications? Are you in pain? I thought they were supposed to help you!"
Unable to form words at the moment, JJ couldn't answer as he continued to breathe helplessly. He was now able to properly consume his surroundings - the same tent he'd been in when he'd gotten his concussion. He couldn't move his right arm, as multiple IVs were hooked to it, so he had to use only his left to desperately grasp Mikey's shoulder.
In response to the touch, Mikey looked down at him with heavy anxiety. They both stared at each other for a moment, before JJ finally found something to say:
"I need you to love me." He whimpered. "Please, love me."
"I... I do." Mikey answered. "Is that was this is about? You know I love you, JJ. It's alright. I'm here with you right now, and I'm not leaving."
"He hesitated." The horrible voice in JJ's mind spoke again. "He's lying to make you feel better. Your panic attack is stressing him out, so he's only saying that to make you stop."
"You're the last thing I have!" He burst out, tears welling in his eyes. "I can't lose you too! I can't! I can't!"
"C-Calm down! You're not going to lose me, I'm going to stay with yo-"
Mikey yelped as JJ pulled him downwards with his one free hand. JJ suddenly reached over and ripped the IVs out of his left arm, causing him to grimace, before he secured both of his hands around Mikey's head and instantly kissed him.
"He doesn't love you anymore, but that doesn't mean you have to let him go."
Once the decision was in place, JJ forgot about his previous anxieties and put all of his focus into this. He deepened the kiss, resisting a moan as the feeling of Mikey's lips on his sent waves of excitement and pleasure through him, distracting him from the petrifying fear in his mind. Mikey seemed to be more worried about the IVs at the moment, so he wasn't too invested. But JJ forced him to continue; moving one of his hands to his back and pulling him closer as he tried to get off. JJ finally let a moan as the feelings took over, but it was at that same time that Mikey managed to break their connection for a brief moment.
