she had been pacing out in the hospital corridor for what seemed like hours, watching family member after family member take turns to hold vigil beside her cousin’s bed. they all had motioned for her to come in with them, to which she merely grimaced in return, gesturing that they should go ahead -- ariel had no idea what to do or say without bursting into tears. at least, she tried her best in composing herself before finally making her way into the room, puffy-eyed and sniffling, she thought of whether she’d rather face him awake or asleep. it didn’t matter, however, as the second she laid eyes on her cousin, the dam of tears she thought she had quelled began to break once more, leaving her to gasp and shiver in its wake. “h-hi ale-” she hiccuped out, barely keeping herself together. ( @alessandrxs )