Epilog: Still Here

The story

I woke before the light, and he was still there, his arm across me like a quiet song. Rain on the window, the ashtray cold, nobody saying a word. I used to crave the high, but this one stayed after it ended. The rarest thing at the end of a long night isn't fire. It's someone who doesn't run.

Lyrics

light rain ambience]

Did we sleep... or just dream?

I wake before the light
And you’re not gone
Your arm’s still draped across my chest
Like a quiet song

The window’s blurred with morning rain
But inside, we’re warm and still
No stories left to tell
Just this breath, just this feel

Still here
No lights, no crowd
Still warm
No need to be loud
If this is love
Let’s not define
Let’s just stay
Right here in time

Still here
And you didn’t run
Still close
When the night was done
We didn’t speak
But now I know
You came to stay
Not just to go

The ashtray’s cold
The floor is bare
But all I feel is
You still there

No names, no blame
No rewind
Just skin
And space
And time

I used to crave the high
But you stayed when it ended
No climax
Just calm
And how your touch mended

Still here
And I’m not afraid
Still warm
While the world fades
No fix, no fire
Just this breath
The one I didn’t know I had left

Still here
Not asking why
Just holding on
As morning slides by
You don’t have to say a word
I already know —
You’re still here