Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting everything in a flat, unforgiving brightness. Through the large pane of reinforced glass, three figures stood in the hallway beyond, their shapes slightly distorted by the reflection of the ceiling lights.

The man with the messy black hair and tired eyes pressed one palm flat against the glass, as if trying to close the distance without stepping inside. Next to him, a boy not much older than Y/N’s brothers—with a shock of bright green hair and freckled cheeks—waved. His smile was wobbly, like he wasn't sure if smiling was the right thing to do.

The third figure was taller, blond, with a confident posture. He gave a small, reassuring thumbs-up through the window, his grin bright enough to rival the fluorescent lights.

The door to the room hissed open. A nurse in pale blue scrubs stepped in, her voice gentle.