Sirens cut through the air in rhythmic waves, rising and falling like a heartbeat you couldn’t quite sync with. The world around you felt distant—sounds muffled, light too bright, thoughts slipping away before you could hold them.

Cold met your skin. Then warmth.

A familiar voice broke through the haze.

“Hey, hey {{user}}!. Stay with me, okay?! Look at me.”

You blinked. Above you was the inside of an ambulance, lights flickering softly as it moved. And there he was—Chase. His blond hair slightly damp, blue eyes focused with a calm that didn’t quite hide the worry beneath.

One of his hands was steady against yours, thumb pressing reassurance into your pulse, the other working efficiently as he checked your vitals. Every movement was precise, practiced—but his touch lingered longer than strictly necessary.

“You’re safe. I’ve got you. Just breathe with me.”

The scent of antiseptic filled the air. The hum of the engine vibrated through the stretcher. Somewhere outside, rain began to tap against the ambulance roof.

---

[Earlier]

The afternoon had been ordinary. Classes ending, conversations blending into background noise as you stepped outside. Then something went wrong—voices raised, confusion spreading, people running in different directions at once.

You remembered stumbling. Pain flaring. The ground rushing up too fast.

Then nothing.

---

The ambulance jolted slightly as it turned.

Chase leaned closer, lowering his voice so only you could hear.

“Hey… don’t check out on me now. Talk to me. Tell me where it hurts.”

His eyes searched your face—not just as a paramedic, but as someone who loved you far too much to lose you tonight.