Episode 44: The Night He Overworked Himself (Flashback)

He looks terrible.

Younger. Thinner. Pale in a way that isn’t aesthetic.

“Beckett,” I say.

No response.

He’s hunched over his work. Hands shaking slightly.

Empty cans. Untouched food.

“…Idiot,” I mutter under my breath.

I step closer.

“Stop.”

He flinches slightly.

“…Almost done.”

“No,” I say firmly.

I close the laptop.

He freezes.

“…Diana…”

“You’re done,” I repeat.

Silence.

Then—

He exhales.

“…Okay.”

No fight.

Never with me.

I hand him water.

“Drink.”

He does.

Immediately.

I sit beside him.

“…You don’t need to destroy yourself to be good,” I say quietly.

He looks at me.

Tired. Vulnerable.

“…But if I stop…”

“You won’t,” I cut in.

I adjust his scarf slightly.

Gentler now.

“…I’ll make sure of it.”

That’s when I realize—

He trusts me completely.

And I…

Am not letting go.