But suddenly...
In that exact second, as Ren drowned in his own self-loathing, Yurin's small pinky finger resting motionless on the bed. slowly began to move.
It shifted slowly. Incredibly faint. Before gently hooking itself around Ren's trembling pinky finger.
It was a touch so light it was practically weightless. Yet it struck with the devastating force of a thousand-volt lightning bolt striking dead-center in Ren's heart.
The towering man froze. His breath hitched. His eyes flew wide, staring down at those two interlocked pinky fingers through a thick veil of tears.
Yurin's eyes remained closed. His breathing remained steady. It wasn't a tight, desperate grasp, nor a yearning embrace.
But it was permission.
Permission for Ren to step just a fraction closer into his world. Permission acknowledging that he wasn't entirely alone in this pain.
The dam holding back Ren's emotions shattered.
