Daniel awoke to the heart rending sound of Darren’s animal like keening as he dry cried again.

Gathering his lover in his arms he gently rocked him, smoothing back what was left of his sweat drenched hair. ‘Ssshhh, it’s ok, I’m here.’

‘It hurts Danny, it hurts.’

‘I know baby, I know.’

Reaching over Darren he turned on the bedside lamp.

‘I’m going to make it all better, just hang on in there.’

Daniel got out of bed and fetched Darren’s ever increasing medical bag from on top of the dresser. Unzipping it he took out a syringe and the half empty bottle of liquid morphine. Going back to the light, he opened the sterile packaging and uncapped the bottle. Fixing the syringe in the top he drew off the required amount and then squirted a little clear like a true professional.

Sliding his arms under Darren he propped him up with some pillows. Lifting his left arm he inspected the crook of his elbow. Nope. He tried with the right.

‘Sorry sweetheart it’s going to have to be your toes again.’

It only took a few minutes for the morphine to take hold and when Daniel was sure that Darren was sleeping peacefully he put on his robe and snuck downstairs.

Opening the sliding doors he stepped out onto the cool patio. Then he did something that he had found himself doing more and more frequently of late. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up.

Taking a long drag he exhaled with a sigh.

Not much longer.