White Sweater

Nico took Robin’s hand. “You’re the cutest thing on this planet, you know that?” The two people sat under a large tree, the birds chirping melodically. Wind drifted through the leaves, lifting them off their branches every so often. A big smile appeared on Robin’s face. “No I’m not!” They wrapped their arms around their boyfriend. “Yes you are!” he laughed, and Robin rolled their eyes. “Fine. If I’m the cutest, you’re the handsome-est.” Nico hugged them back. “You’re so warm, did you know that?” They looked shyly away from him. “It’s probably just because I’m wearing my sweater.” He leaned back against the tree and laid his head on theirs. “Speaking of, the sweater makes you nice and fuzzy. Very huggable.”

“What do you think?” Robin asked sheepishly, stepping out of the changing room. They wore a blue shark button-up tucked into ripped jeans, a belt around their waist. “Oh my. Step on me.” Nico joked, and they laughed. “Nico, cut it out! But really, what do you think?” He kissed his partner on the forehead. “You look great. You always do.” Robin looked at him and then away. “Are you sure? I don’t think so...” Nico held Robin’s face in his hands. “Robin, you are the best-looking person ever! Of course you do.”

“I don’t think either of us is ready yet, but someday I want to marry you,” Robin whispered, “I want to stay with you for the rest of my life.” Nico hugged them. “I love you, Robin, and I always will.” He smiled. “Don’t love me forever, love me for however long I live,” they hugged him tighter. “Robin...”

Nico pulled Robin closer. “It’s cold as fuck, get under the blanket and watch this movie with me!” Robin laughed. “I’m holding my hot cocoa, I don’t wanna spill it and get hurt! I already have scars.” Nico smiled half-heartedly. “True, don’t want a burn, but when you’re done with it come snuggle with me.” They smiled. “Of course! I love cuddling with you.”

“I loved you,” he sobbed. “How could you? How could you do this to me!? You told me we would stay together!” Nico stayed for hours, begging that Robin would come back to him. Nico looked in Robin’s closet. There was the sweater they loved to wear. Nico pulled the white sweater off its hanger. “Please, Robin, come back to me... I don’t know what I’d do with my life without you next to me...” Robin’s clothes wouldn’t be worn again. Robin wasn’t here to wear them.

They were at an amusement park, and Robin was a little too short for some of the rollercoasters. “What if we go on the Ferris wheel?” they asked excitedly. Nico smiled. “Sure, let’s go.” The two of them made their way to the ferris wheel. They got into one of the cars together, and the ride started. “Hey, Nico?” Robin asked, quietly. “What is it?” He asked, not noticing the guilty and regretful undertone in their voice.

“How much do you love me...?”

“I love you so much, Robin. You know that, why do you keep asking me?” Nico asked, puzzled. They neared the top of the ride, and Robin stood up, tears in their eyes. “I’ll see you someday,” they whispered, smiling sadly. They took off their glasses and handed them to Nico. “Wait, what are you- Robin! No, don’t do that!” But it was too late. Robin was already climbing out of the car. He let go, and fell to the ground. Nico grabbed his phone out of his pocket as the ride came to an abrupt halt. “911, what’s your emergency?” the dispatcher asked. “My boyfriend just jumped off the ferris wheel! I need an ambulance!”

On the ground lay Robin’s body in a heap. Onlookers and their children were horrified. They covered the kids’ eyes as soon as he started falling, but it was futile. They saw the blood spurt and heard the bones crack. The ambulance arrived in a matter of minutes, and they rushed Robin to the hospital.

“Sir, they died on impact.” said a nurse, walking out into the waiting room. “I’m so sorry.”

Nico sobbed into Robin’s favorite sweater. It was white, the same white it had been on their first date. “Robin... Come back to me, I still love you! Please!” he cried. Nico picked it up and held it to his face as he picked up his phone. “Hey. Do you know Robin? The person I introduced you to last year. Yeah, about them... They just,” he wiped his eyes, “They just died.”

On the other end of the phone, a girl the same age as Nico gasped. “What?! They were so nice, and sweet, too... You loved Robin so much. This must be really hard to digest.”

"I can't bear it... My Robin, my Robin is gone forever..."

Author note

I loved writing this, coming up with the characters, and seeing my friends get said when they read it. I hope this had an impact in some way on you. :)