It's been two months since {{char}} had started her battle with cancer, two long, grueling months filled with chemo, nausea, and too many days lost to the fog of fatigue. But here she was, propped up in her hospital bed with pillows strategically placed around her to provide some semblance of comfort, playing her favorite video game on her Nintendo Switch Lite. Her fingers danced over the buttons with surprising dexterity considering her weakened state. On the screen, a fierce warrior fought valiantly against hordes of digital monsters, a stark contrast to Celine's own fragile form beneath the thin hospital gown. The room was dimly lit, only the soft glow of the TV and the moonlight streaming through the window providing illumination. The rhythmic beeping of machines and distant sounds of hospital staff moving about outside served as an ever-present reminder of her confinement, drowned out by the playlist of metal music blasting through her ear buds. "Oh bad man, what's the reason why," she sang along to the lyrics of Disturbed's 'Bad Man', "the innocent always have to die, by your hand?" her voice a quiet murmur, so subdued compared to her normal powerhouse singing voice. Her eyes remained focused on the screen as she navigated the virtual world, pushing through waves of pain and exhaustion to find solace in the pixelated battles—they seemed almost trivial compared to the real one she faced daily. Just keep fighting, she told herself, drawing strength from the words she often heard in her favorite songs. The door to her hospital room opened quietly and in walked Dr. Castillo, her oncologist. His expression was serious as he approached her bedside, clipboard in hand. His kind brown eyes searched hers as he greeted her. "Hey there, rockstar. How you holding up today?" Celine gave her in-game character a break by a bonfire and offered Dr. Castillo a tired smile. "Kicking ass at Dark Souls," she responded with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. Inside, though, she felt her heart rate spike just a bit at his presence—his visits usually meant news, good or bad. Dr. Castillo raised an eyebrow. "Already? Impressive," he said with a hint of humor, setting the clipboard down next to her bed. "How are you feeling today?" Celine considered lying, telling him that she felt fine because she didn't want to worry anyone, but she knew better. If I don't tell him the truth, how can they help me fight this thing? She took a deep breath. "Tired," she admitted, setting the game down on her lap. "Really tired. And my chest hurts from laughing earlier." Dr. Castillo nodded solemnly. "Understood," he said, making a note on her chart. "Your energy levels are bound to be up and down. Try not to push yourself too hard." He looked down at her charts again. "We're going to need to run some more tests to see how your last round of chemo went. They'll come get you shortly." As he left, Celine couldn't help but feel a pang of dread coil around her insides. More tests meant potentially more bad news, but she pushed those thoughts away. For now, she had music and video games and the promise of seeing {{user}} again soon. Leaning back into her pillows, she resumed her game, letting the roar of guitars fill her ears and transport her far away from the sterile walls of Saint Mary's Hospital.

Celine glanced up from her game and offered grey a small smile as he walked over to the side of her bed. "Hey there, handsome," she said softly, her voice raspy from disuse. She hated how tired and pale she looked, but he still seemed to love her just the same. She took his hand in hers, squeezing gently as he settled into a chair next to her bed. "How's my favorite rockstar feeling today?" grey asked with a warm smile. Despite the gravity of their situation and the pain it caused them both, they had found a way to maintain their humor and support one another through these dark times. It was one of the things that Celine loved most about him. "Tired," she answered honestly. "But I'm trying not to let that keep me down too much." She went back to playing her game, content to have him by her side for now. "You want to play some Dark Souls with me later?" she offered between breaths, remembering how they used to spend hours gaming together before everything changed.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" she asked curiously, setting the game down and turning to face him. Despite her fatigue, a spark of interest lit up her green eyes. If it meant something would help take her mind off of her troubles for a little while, she was all ears. "What do you need from me?"

Celine leaned forward slightly, resting one elbow on the bed as she tilted her head inquisitively. The gesture made her pale skin seem almost translucent against the wrinkled sheets beneath her. Her emerald gaze searched his face for any hint of what he might be up to.

"Hey," grey began softly, reaching out to caress her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I just wanted to tell you... I love you." He smiled reassuringly as she waited expectantly for him to continue. "I've been carrying this around in my pocket since our last visit, and..." he pulled a small velvet box from inside his jacket and held it out to her, "I want to give you something before we play."

Her eyes went wide with surprise as she recognized the box, the same one he'd used when proposing. Her heart raced as he opened it up, revealing a simple gold band encrusted with tiny diamonds. Tears filled her eyes as she realized what was happening, and a genuine smile spread across her lips. "Oh my god," she breathed out in disbelief, a tear rolling down her cheek. "grey, you don't have to--"

"Oh god," she whispered, her eyes shining with tears. "I love you too, so much." She leaned forward and wrapped him in a tight hug, burying her face into his neck as they clung to each other for dear life. "I want this, more than anything," she mumbled against his skin. "I want us to spend the rest of our lives together, no matter what happens." She pulled back slightly and reached out to take the ring from him, sliding it onto her finger with a smile that lit up her entire face. "Thank you, grey," she said hoarsely, tears streaming down her cheeks. "This means everything to me." With renewed determination, she drew in a deep breath and straightened herself in the bed. "Okay," she smiled through her tears, wiping them away with the back of her hand. "So what do you want to play now?"

Celine glanced down at her game console lying idle beside her pillow, then up at grey expectantly. Her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks, buoyed by his love and their shared love for gaming. It might only be for a moment, but she was able to forget about her troubles and focus on something that brought them both happiness.

"How about we try out that new shooter game I've been wanting to play?" she suggested with a crooked smile, the hope in her voice evident. "You know, just something mindless and fun for a bit? Then maybe later we can play some more Dark Souls." Her tone was lighthearted and teasing, but there was an undercurrent of longing in her words; not only for distraction but also for normalcy, for the life they'd had before cancer.

She pressed a button on the Nintendo Switch Lite, powering it up and selecting their new game. The screen lit up with bright colors and fast-paced action, serving as a stark contrast to her current reality. It was only temporary escape, but she would take it gladly, grateful for any reprieve from the constant weight of sickness and fear. "Come on," she urged gently, offering him a sympathetic smile. "Let's kick some alien ass."

"You got it," replied Celine as she passed the Nintendo Switch Lite to grey. The physical act of handing something to him felt like a small victory, a sign that she was regaining some of her strength and independence despite her weakened state. She watched intently as he began playing the game, nodding along with each hit and death his character sustained as they tried to navigate the new world together. Their laughter filled the room, punctuated by occasional muttered curses or encouraging words for one another. It was a moment of pure joy in an otherwise dark and dreary existence, and Celine cherished every second of it. Even if it were only temporary, even if her body continued to fail her, she would hold onto this tiny spark of happiness as long as she possibly could.

She smiled softly at him as he spoke, her eyes filled with love and determination. "Me too," she whispered, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "We're going to fight this together, no matter what." The lie came easily now; it had become their truth, their shared reality. No matter how slim the chance, they would hold onto hope and face this challenge side by side. They had each other, after all, and that was worth more than any statistics or odds could ever measure. As she squeezed his hand reassuringly, her mind drifted back to their conversation earlier about their future; about the life they hoped to build together once she recovered. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to dream of those possibilities, of a world where cancer didn't exist and they could spend forever together, making music and gaming and raising a family if they so chose. Perhaps one day that dream would come true, but for now they had each other in this hospital room, fighting their own personal battles against insurmountable odds. "Hey," she said after a moment, tilting her head slightly to the side as she looked up at him. "I've been wanting to ask you something..." She hesitated for a second before continuing. "...when we get better...and everything goes back to normal...would you still want to be with me? Even if I couldn't play guitar or game anymore?" Her voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper, but she needed to know the answer. Their love had transcended their passions and hobbies; it had become something greater than either of them could have ever imagined. But she wanted to make sure he knew that she would be enough for him, even without those things that had defined her before cancer changed everything. Her heart pounded in anticipation as she

Her eyes shone with tears of relief and gratitude as he spoke those words, washing away any doubts that had lingered in the back of her mind. "Thank you," she whispered softly, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to his lips. "I love you too, more than anything. No matter what happens, we'll find a way to make it work." She wrapped him in another hug, holding onto him as if he were her lifeline in this sea of uncertainty. As they sat there together, lost in their own little world of hope and comfort, the outside world faded away. The beeping of machines and distant voices became background noise, unimportant distractions that couldn't touch them or the love they shared. For now, all that mattered was being together, holding onto each other as they faced whatever came their way. Their fight against cancer had taken so much from them already; their strength, their independence, and even parts of their identity. But it couldn't take this. It couldn't take the love they shared and the promise of a future together. And as long as they had each other, there was always hope.

Celine grinned up at him, her eyes shining with hope and happiness. "Deal," she replied confidently. "And we'll make sure to dance at our wedding, just like you promised." She reached over and playfully tugged on one of his ears before laughing softly. Even through the pain and fatigue, they found ways to connect, to remind each other that life still existed beyond their illnesses. It was a testament to their resilience and strength as individuals and as a couple. Their fingers intertwined, skin on skin, holding onto the possibility of a future together. And for now, in this small moment, that was enough. They would cherish it, embrace it, and fight for every second they had together, no matter how long or short that might be. For they were in this battle together, bound by their love and their determination to overcome the odds.

Her heart swelled with warmth at the thought of being a stay-at-home mom and sharing kisses with her soulmate every day they'd have together. A future filled with love, laughter, and their shared passions seemed within reach, and she clung to that hope like a life preserver. The possibility of spending her days cuddling with grey and nursing the children they might one day have was almost too much to bear; it felt so real, so right in this moment. She leaned in closer, pressing her cheek against his chest as she wrapped her arms around him tighter. "I'd love that," she whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion. "No matter what life throws at us, we'll always have each other." Her fingers traced delicate patterns on his shirt, marveling at the feeling of skin against skin and how connected they still were despite their current circumstances. "We'll make it through this together," she murmured, her confidence unwavering. "No matter what."

Celine's voice was fierce and unyielding as she spoke those words, imbued with an inner strength that belied her frail exterior. Even as the chemo ravaged her body and sapped her energy, it couldn't touch the core of who she was; the determination to survive and the love she had for grey. She pressed herself closer against him, taking comfort in their connection and in the knowledge that together, they could face anything. No matter how dire their situation might seem at times, no matter how many obstacles were thrown their way, they would endure. They would make it through this dark tunnel and emerge into the light of a future filled with love and hope. "We will," she repeated softly, her breath warm against his skin. "I promise you."

Even during those dark days when her strength was at its lowest ebb, the thought that she would see grey's face each evening brought a small spark of light into her world. His visits were like oases in the desert, lifting her spirits and giving her hope where there had been none before. As they sat together, their fingers intertwined and their gazes locked, it was as if time stood still for just a moment; a precious reprieve from the endless cycle of treatments and suffering. She cherished those stolen moments with grey, holding onto them like fragile gems in the midst of her turmoil. And whenever he was there, she knew that no matter how bad things might get, they could still find happiness together; a small island amidst the storms of cancer's rage. In those brief instances of peace and love, she felt alive once more, and it gave her the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he held her hand and looked into her eyes, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of trepidation wash over her. But when he revealed the news that she would get better, that they could go home together, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. She wrapped him in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks as relief and joy flooded every cell of her being. With renewed determination, she promised herself that she would fight this battle until there was no longer any need for them to be apart; until they could have the life together that they had always dreamed of. And with grey by her side, she knew that nothing could ever keep them apart again.

Her heart swelled with gratitude and excitement as she looked up at grey, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. "I've never been more ready for anything in my life," she replied, a small laugh bubbling up from deep within her. "Let's go home, my love." She squeezed his hand reassuringly, the sensation of their skin against skin filling her with warmth and comfort. The thought of leaving this sterile hospital behind filled her with hope; a promise of a future where she could begin to heal not only physically but also emotionally, surrounded by the love that grey had given her. As they prepared for discharge, Celine couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the strength and resilience she had discovered within herself during this ordeal. The love they shared had carried her through some of her darkest moments, giving her the determination to fight when all hope seemed lost. And now that the end was in sight, she knew that nothing would ever be able to tear them apart again. Together, they could face any challenge, conquer any obstacle; for they were stronger than cancer and the trials it had put them through. They were in this together, until death did them part.

Her cheeks flushed as she glanced over at grey on the drive home. His gaze was fixed on her, and he seemed to glow with an intensity that made her heart race. She felt grateful for every moment they had together, even more so now that they were headed home. Despite the challenges ahead, there was a newfound sense of hope and happiness filling the car; a testament to the resilience of their love and the bond they shared. As they pulled into the driveway of her cozy little house, Celine couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for the life they would have together. The thought of cuddling up on the couch, playing guitar and gaming, and simply enjoying each other's company filled her with anticipation. But for now, she would cherish this moment; the feeling of being so close to him and knowing that no matter what lay ahead, they would face it side by side.