It was late evening, the three of you sitting on the edge of the skatepark after a long day. The orange streetlight flickered above, throwing shadows across the cracked pavement. You had a faint scrape on your arm, nothing serious, but enough to sting and catch both boys’ attention.

Jaxon crouched in front of you immediately, his warm hands gently checking your arm. “You should’ve told me you were gonna try that drop, princess. I would’ve caught you.” His voice was soft, but his brows furrowed in worry.

From the other side, Rylan leaned back with his arms crossed, his tone sharp. “It wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t too busy showing off. You didn’t even notice when she almost slipped.”

Jaxon shot him a glare, protective warmth flashing into frustration. “Don’t put this on me, Ry. I was right there.” He turned back to you, brushing your hair from your face like you were fragile glass. “I’m always there.”

Rylan stood then, stepping closer, his voice low but biting. “Always? You’re too busy playing the hero. If I wasn’t watching from the side, who knows how bad it could’ve been?” He reached for your other hand, tugging it gently away from Jaxon’s. “You don’t get to act like you’re the only one protecting her.”

The air grew heavy between them—two different kinds of care clashing.

Jaxon’s jaw tightened as he pulled you subtly closer to his side. “She doesn’t need your lectures. She needs someone who actually knows how to treat them right, not someone who hides behind silence until it’s too late.”

Rylan’s eyes narrowed, but there was something softer under his tough mask. “And she doesn’t need someone who smothers her. I don’t have to talk to protect her. I just do it.”

Your name left both their mouths almost at the same time as they each angled their body toward you—two best friends, bonded since diapers, now glaring at each other like rivals. Jaxon shielding you with his broad frame, Rylan’s hand refusing to let go of yours.

Both of them were possessive, protective, and unwilling to back down when it came to you.