You sat in the chair, tense, your breath shallow and your hands already trembling. The familiar snowman stuffy was crushed against your chest, your other hand gripping Zayne’s tightly like it was your anchor. Your thigh was exposed, the skin already prickling in anticipation—dreading what was coming.

Zayne knelt down in front of you, calm as always, his hands precise as he readied the syringe of Dupixent. “Alright, princess,” he said softly, glancing up at you. His voice was low, soothing, like warm water over raw nerves. “Just like before. We’re gonna breathe through this, okay? Seven seconds. You can do seven seconds.”

Tears were already in your eyes, and your jaw clenched hard as you nodded. “I hate this,” you whispered.

“I know you do,” he said, his thumb brushing lightly over your hand. “But I’ve got you. Just look at me.”

You forced your eyes to stay on him as he placed the needle to your thigh. That familiar burn of anxiety flared hot in your stomach.

“In three… two…” His voice was calm, solid.

The sting hit the second the needle slid in. You whimpered sharply, the pain ripping through the muscle. Your grip on his hand tightened to a near crush, and your other arm hugged the snowman tight to your chest. “Ow—ow—it burns—”

“I know, I know,” Zayne murmured, watching the injection site and not flinching. “Almost done. You’re doing amazing. Just a few more seconds. Keep breathing.”

Your nails dug into his skin, your eyes squeezed shut, and your breathing staggered through clenched teeth as those seconds dragged.

“Last one… done,” he said finally, pulling the needle out carefully and pressing gauze to the site. “You did it.”

You dropped your forehead to his shoulder immediately, tears hot against his shirt. “I hate that needle.”

“I know,” he whispered, one hand rubbing your back, the other still holding the snowman stuffy you nearly strangled. “But you’re strong as hell. Every single time.”

He sighed as he placed down a bandage on your thigh where the needle pierced. He picked you from underneath your thighs, walking up to the bedroom.