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Chapter Text

As Will walked away from Stella that night, his heart felt heavy. He knew it was the right thing to do. The hospital lights blurred in the distance as he turned one last time, catching a glimpse of Stella through the window, her face bathed in the soft glow of the room. She looked peaceful, yet there was a sadness in her eyes that mirrored his own.

He went from hospital to hospital, receiving treatment. It was a miracle Stella didn’t contract B. cepacia from him. Stella was his entire life. She had saved him, and he had saved her. Since young, he had always thought he’d die without having experienced love fully. But he had, and as much as he had wished to stay with Stella, he knew he had to go, to protect her.

Each day was a cycle of treatments and medications. Will kept himself busy, filling his time with art, pouring his emotions into every stroke of the pencil. He tried to recall her face, the details, her sliding on the ice, smiling, and her lying on his chest.

One evening, after a particularly difficult day, Will sat in his hospital room scrolling through his phone. He hesitated before tapping on Stella’s name. It had been months since they’d last spoken. He wanted to hear her voice, to know how she was doing. Taking a deep breath, he typed a message.

“Hey, it’s me. Just wanted to check in. How are you?”

He hit send and felt his heart race as he waited. Minutes felt like hours, but then his phone buzzed. Stella’s reply came quickly.

“Will! I’ve been thinking about you. Can we video chat later?”

He grinned, a mixture of excitement and nerves flooding his system. “Absolutely. I’d love that.”

As the sun began to set, he prepared for their call. When the screen lit up with Stella’s face, his heart skipped a beat. She looked radiant, her eyes sparkling with life, but he could still see the subtle shadows beneath them. He sat down on his hospital bed, and put on the nasal cannula as he felt his breathing become shallow.

“Will!” she exclaimed, her voice like music to his ears. “It’s so good to see you!”

“Good to see you too,” he replied, trying to hide the tremor in his voice.

But as the conversation turned serious, Will felt the knot in his stomach return. He wanted to share his truth but feared how it would affect her.

“Stella,” he began, hesitating. “I need to tell you something. My health… it’s not getting better. I’ve been struggling a lot lately.”

Her expression shifted, concern washing over her face. “What do you mean? Are you okay?”

“I’ve been going through treatments, but they’re not working as well as I hoped. Some days, I feel weaker than I’ve ever been,” he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t want to worry you, but I needed you to know.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes, and she leaned closer to the screen. “Will, I’m so sorry. I wish I could help you. You’ve always been there for me.”

“I didn’t want to burden you,” he said, feeling the weight of his confession. “You fought so hard for your life. I wanted you to focus on your recovery.”

She suggested coming to visit him in the hospital, and he felt his heart swell with affection. However, it did come with risks too.

As the days passed, Will found himself counting down the hours until Stella's visit. He wiped down his room every day, to try and make the place as safe for Stella as possible. Finally, the day arrived. He could hardly believe it when he received the text: “I’m here!”

Stella stepped in and her smile was radiant, but the sight of the masks and the clear plastic barrier they had set up between them brought the reality crashing down.

“Hey,” she said, her voice bright, yet tinged with a hint of sadness as she maintained the required six-foot distance.

“Hey,” Will replied, feeling a mixture of joy and longing as he took in her familiar face. He lay on the bed, connected to a dozen tubes that transported the medications into his body. “It’s so good to see you.”

Stella stood just outside the barrier, her hands pressed against the clear plastic as if she could reach through to him. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me too. It’s been too long,” he said, fighting the urge to get out of the bed. Instead, he reached out and placed his hand on the window, at the exact same spot where Stella’s hands pressed.

“How are you really doing?” she asked, concern etched on her face. “I’ve been worried about you.”

Will took a deep breath, the pain of the past weeks pressing down on him. “I’ve had some rough days, but I’m trying to stay positive. Seeing you helps.”

“I wish I could be closer,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “This barrier feels so wrong.”

“I know,” he replied, his heart aching. “But at least we can be together like this. I’ll take what I can get.”

They spoke about everything—her recovery, his treatments, and their shared dreams of the future.

“Once this is all over,” Stella said with a determined glint in her eye, “we’ll make up for lost time. I want to go on adventures with you—wherever you want.”

Will smiled, the thought filling him with hope. “I’d like that. Maybe a road trip to the beach? Just us, no barriers.”

“Absolutely! I can already picture it,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Just the sound of the waves and us finally free.”

But as the conversation deepened, Will felt the familiar knot return. “Stella, I need to be honest. I’m scared. I don’t know how much longer I have.”

Her expression softened, and she leaned closer to the barrier. “I get it. I’m scared too. But we can’t give up. ”

“Promise me you’ll keep fighting, Will. I believe in you,” she urged.

“I promise,” he replied, his voice steady. “For you.”

She pressed her pinky finger to the barrier, and he did the same.

With one last lingering look, Stella stepped back, her smile bittersweet as she waved goodbye. Will watched her leave, his heart full yet aching, knowing that even the barriers couldn’t diminish the love they shared.

Chapter Text

Days turned into weeks, and Will settled into the familiar rhythm of his treatments. The medications that had once given him hope now seemed to drain him further, leaving him exhausted and frail.

The next time she visited, he could see the concern etched on her face before she even spoke. “Will, are you okay? You look… different.”

He forced a smile, but it felt weak even to him. “I’m hanging in there. Just a rough day.”

Stella leaned closer to the barrier, her eyes searching his. “You don’t have to hide it from me. I can see you’re struggling.”

“It’s just… I’m so tired,” he admitted, his voice cracking. “Some days, I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle.”

As they spoke, Will realized how much he needed her, even when it scared him. He took a deep breath and tried to muster the strength to share his fears. “What if I can’t get better? What if… what if I don’t have much time left?”

Stella’s expression shifted, and she leaned even closer, her voice steady. “Then we make every moment count. We’ll take it one day at a time. ”

“I wish I could believe that,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m scared of what might happen if I don’t get better.”

Stella’s gaze softened, and she reached out, her finger gently brushing against the barrier. “I’ll be right here, every step of the way.”

In the following weeks, Will’s health continued to decline. He found it harder to breathe, his energy waning with each passing day. He wanted to remain strong for Stella, but every time they spoke, he could see the worry growing in her eyes, a reflection of the fear that gripped him.

On one particularly tough day, he struggled to keep his eyes open during their call. “Will, are you there?” Stella’s voice broke through the haze, filled with concern.

“I’m here,” he managed to say, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Just… a little tired.”

“Will, you need to take care of yourself. Please,” she urged, her voice laced with emotion. “Promise me you’ll let the doctors help you.”

“I promise,” he replied, though a part of him felt like he was letting her down. “I’m trying. I really am.”

As the days went by, Will found himself trapped in a cycle of fatigue and despair. He hated seeing Stella worry, hated that he was putting her through this. During one of their visits, he could see her trying to hold back tears, and it broke something inside him.

“I’m so sorry, Stella. I didn’t want this for us,” he said, his voice cracking.

“Will, please don’t apologize,” she said, her voice trembling. “You’re fighting with everything you have, and that’s more than enough for me. Just… don’t give up, okay?”

As she pressed her pinky against the barrier, a tear slipped down her cheek. Will felt the ache in his chest deepen. The barriers felt more real than ever, a constant reminder of the distance that illness had created between them.

“Remember, we’ll have that road trip one day,” she said, trying to muster a smile through her tears.

“I’m holding you to that.” He managed a weak smile.

Chapter Text

As the weeks turned into a blur of treatments, Will’s health took a drastic turn for the worse. Each day felt heavier, and the vibrant spark that once filled his eyes dimmed. He found it increasingly difficult to breathe, the simple act of speaking becoming a struggle. Still, he held onto the hope that Stella’s love provided, knowing that she would be there for him, no matter what.

One evening, as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow through the window, Will prepared for their video call. He wanted to be strong for Stella, to show her that he was fighting, even as his body betrayed him. But as he sat in front of the screen, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather himself before she appeared.

When Stella’s face filled the screen, he forced a smile. “Hey,” he said, though it came out as a raspy whisper.

“Hey, Will! You look tired,” she said, her brow furrowing with concern.

“Just a long day,” he replied, but even he could hear the weakness in his voice.

“Will, are you okay? You don’t look so good,” she said, worry flooding her eyes.

He wanted to reassure her, to tell her that everything was fine, but the truth was too heavy to carry. “I’m… hanging in there,” he managed, but even he could tell it wasn’t convincing.

As they talked, Will struggled to keep his focus. Every word felt like a monumental effort, and he could see the concern growing on Stella’s face. “Will, please—if you need to rest, it’s okay. You don’t have to push yourself for me.”

“No, I want to be here,” he insisted, but he could feel the darkness creeping in, the edges of his vision blurring. “I just—”

Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit him, and he had to brace himself against the edge of the table. “Stella, I—” The words faltered in his throat as he felt his breathing quicken, a tightness constricting around his chest.

“Will? Will! What’s happening?” Her voice was frantic, and he could see her leaning closer to the screen, desperation etched on her features.

“I don’t know,” he gasped, struggling to draw in air. “I can’t… I can’t breathe.”

“Call a nurse! Get someone!” Stella urged, panic rising in her voice. “Please, Will, stay with me!”

He could feel himself slipping away, the darkness closing in around him. “Stella,” he managed to choke out, tears filling his eyes. “I’m so scared.”

“Don’t be scared, Will. I’m right here. Just hold on, okay?” she cried, her voice trembling.

But the world around him began to fade, the edges blurring until all he could see was Stella’s face, illuminated by the soft glow of the screen. He wanted to reach out, to tell her how much he loved her, how grateful he was for every moment they had shared. But as his body betrayed him, the words became trapped in his throat.

“Stella… I—” His voice was barely a whisper now, and he could feel the weight of the darkness pulling him under. “I love you.”

“Will, no! Please stay with me! I love you too! You can’t leave!” Her voice echoed in his mind, a lifeline in the suffocating darkness.

But as he took one last shuddering breath, the light around him dimmed, and he felt himself slip away, enveloped in a quiet calm.

The screen remained lit, Stella’s face a mix of fear and love, her eyes wide as she cried out for him. But in that final moment, Will knew he had given everything he could. He had fought as hard as he could for her, and now he felt a sense of peace wash over him. It was as if it was waiting for him, waiting to bring him to Poe and everyone else.

And then, everything faded to black.

Chapter Text

Stella ran. Her new lungs enabled her to. She ran down to the hospital a few kilometres away, right after she hung up the call when Will collapsed.

She held onto the hope that she would see Will again, that he would come back to her, laughing and full of life. But deep down, a gnawing fear took root, whispering that time was slipping away.

Suddenly, the doors to the ICU swung open, and a group of nurses rushed in, their expressions grave. Stella’s heart dropped as she stood up, dread pooling in her stomach.

“Will!” she cried out, her voice cracking. She tried to move toward them, but a nurse stepped in front of her, shaking her head.

“Miss, please stay back!” The nurse’s voice was firm but compassionate. “We need to work.”

Stella felt her breath quicken as she watched them hurriedly move around Will’s bed, their voices a blur of urgency. “Charge to 200,” one nurse instructed, her eyes locked on the monitor displaying Will’s vitals, which were flickering ominously.

“Clear!” another nurse shouted, and the sound of the defibrillator filled the room. Stella held her breath, hope surging within her as she prayed for Will to respond.

But when the nurses stepped back, the monitor’s flat line continued, a haunting sound that echoed in her ears. “No, no, no,” she whispered, her heart racing. “Come on, Will.”

The nurses exchanged worried glances, and one stepped forward, her expression softening as she approached Stella. “I’m so sorry, but we can’t get a rhythm back. We need to stop resuscitation efforts.”

Stella’s world shattered in that moment, the words hanging heavy in the air. “What do you mean? You can’t just stop!” Her voice trembled as tears streamed down her face.

“I know this is hard,” the nurse said gently. “But sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can’t bring someone back. I’m so sorry.”

Stella shook her head, disbelief flooding her. “No. He can’t be gone. Not Will. He promised me…” Her voice broke, “He can’t leave me like this.”

The nurse reached out, offering a comforting hand. “I know this is devastating. I wish there was more we could do.”

Stella felt her knees buckle, and she sank into a nearby chair, her heart feeling like it was being crushed. “Please, just let me see him. I need to say goodbye.”

The nurse nodded, her expression empathetic. “We’ll take you to him, but it’s important to prepare yourself. He’s not the same.”

With a heavy heart, Stella followed the nurse down the corridor, her mind racing. She couldn’t bear the thought of Will being gone, of all the dreams they had shared now shattered.

When they reached the ICU room, the nurse gently opened the door. The room was dimly lit, machines beeping softly, and the air felt thick with an indescribable heaviness.

Will lay on the bed, his face pale and still. Stella’s heart ached as she stepped closer, taking in the sight of him. “Will…” she whispered, her voice trembling as she reached for his hand, feeling the coolness of his skin against hers.

Tears streamed down her face as she squeezed his hand, her heart breaking into a million pieces. “I love you,” she said softly, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you. I should have been there.”

In that moment, all the memories flooded back—the laughter, the adventures, the love they had shared. She felt the weight of her grief crashing down around her, a tidal wave of sorrow that threatened to consume her.

“Will,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry you had to suffer. I wish I could have taken it all away.”

But as she looked at him, she saw a peace that hadn’t been there before. The tension in his face had softened, the lines of pain and struggle easing away. In death, he appeared free—no longer trapped in a body that had betrayed him, no longer battling the constant cycle of illness that had haunted him for so long.

“You fought so hard,” she murmured, a bittersweet smile breaking through her tears. “And now you’re free. You can finally rest.”

In that moment, she felt a profound sense of connection. Will had always wanted to live, to love fully, and even though she would miss him with every fiber of her being, she realized that he had finally found peace, unburdened by the struggles that had weighed him down for so long.

“I’ll carry you with me, always,” she vowed, her heart aching yet filled with a sense of determination. “I’ll live for both of us. I’ll make sure your dreams don’t fade away.”

As she sat there, holding onto his hand, the reality of their love enveloped her. For the first time, she felt his touch, the feeling of his cold skin against her palms. It was a love that transcended even death—a bond that would remain unbroken. She closed her eyes, imagining him free, exploring the world without pain, his laughter echoing in her heart. He was finally free.