Affection

like pins

pressing his skin and making him bleed.

He can't feel it;

years of this have made him numb to the feeling.

Something about love

makes him uncomfortable

even more so than it should.

She presses her body close to his,

willing him to respond.

He does not,

loathing the feeling of a warm hand

against his cold face.

For a moment,

an embrace.

He wakes.

It has all been but a dream.