holding on • jenzie

32 ⇝ one kiss

» Death may indeed be final, but the love we share while living is eternal. «

「 In which everything starts to fall into place again. 」

Dedicated to: -seaveystars xox

POV: Mackenzie Ziegler
DATE: 15 March 2026

•••

"Morning." Johnny yawns as I open my eyes.

"Morning." I reply back, disorientated.

Johnny and I arrived home last week after five long weeks in the hospital. It's been a long journey, and now that I'm home, it's slightly confusing too. I keep forgetting where simple things like spoons are, and we're still getting used to being independent.

In hospital, we relied on people to help us. Now, we rely on each other. When we walk long distances, we definitely need each others help. Cooking and cleaning the dishes is a team effort. Getting out of bed in the mornings is a shared struggle.

I'm lucky I have him by my side constantly; we even sleep in the same bed now. No conversation was needed about it, it simply happened. The first night we were back he walked into my bed and made himself at home. I suppose after spending five whole weeks so close but not able to touch was hard for him too.

For half an hour, we stay together,
occasionally talking about something but most of the time just lying silently, slightly touching.

Lauren pushes open the door lightly, welcoming herself into my room. My cheeks colour the slightest pink because of my outfit; a braletté and shorts. Johnny's do too– he's shirtless. Here Lauren is, fully clothed, watching us with amusement. We roll over. I prop myself up on my elbows.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before." She then laughs. "Remember when I came back from fashion week?"

We all chuckle. "You fell over in shock." Johnny laughs, remembering.

"How could I not? You two were screaming the house down when I left." Lauren smiles. "Anyway, brunch is on the table since you woke up so late. We need to talk about something."

"Okay." Johnny sighs, reaching for a shirt. I internally sigh at the muscle that ripples in his arms as he does so.

"Here." He smiles when Lauren's gone, passing me one of his hoodies. I grin, pulling it over my head happily.

"Can I keep this one?"

"Not a chance." He grins. "But you look better in it than I do."

"I beg to differ." I smile, unable to help myself. "Yellow suits you."

"No." He tells me. "It suits you."

I rise up to my knees on the bed, holding out my hands. He grabs my waist instead, picking me up and planting my feet on the ground to very loud protest. I'm ticklish, so the whole grabbing my waist thing doesn't work well.

Annoyed now, I try to walk out of the room. The idea was nice, but Johnny simply reaches from behind me and slams the door shut. He keeps walking, bumping into my back. I turn, shouting "Hey!"