Did Nicole have to just sit there? The silence was burning a hole in Brandon's chest. He was soaking wet from the incubator fluid and every part of his body ached like he had been ran over by a truck. He couldn't remember what had happened, but apparently that was temporary.
"Well...", the girl said suddenly. "If it's any consolation, those two are on their way home now. Everything will start to improve from here, and this won't have to happen again."
Brandon managed to nod but didn't have it in him to be happy about the news.
It got quiet again. Brandon was looking away but could feel Nicole's absent gaze observing the worst details of his pale skin and bruised neck. He gripped his wet collar tighter and wanted to disappear.
"You'll get better. You will", she said with a complete lack of conviction. Brandon didn't know what to believe.

12.9.2024
Paint Tool SAI

Look I managed to make something!
Remember when I said I'd try to share stuff chronologically? Weeell I'll see where we go from here.

This is a rework of an older sketch and depicts a piece of a scene that's a bit of a turning point. Brandon, after witnessing his body withering away for multiple years had just suffered a stroke, marking a low point for him. It's only up from here and he becomes the smiling guy from his ref sheet.
Nicole on the other hand is not doing great, and while this isn't the beginning of her struggles nor a low point, her emotional absence hints at what's brewing under the surface.
Their relationship was never the same though. I feel like it ended here with Brandon seeing Nicole can't be there for him anymore.