The bustling campus of your college felt alive with the energy of students rushing to their classes. You, as always, were in a hurry, barely managing to hold onto your books, bag, and coffee cup all at once. Your uncoordinated steps had a habit of making you a magnet for accidents, and today was no exception.

You were so focused on not dropping your things that you didn’t notice the crack in the pavement ahead. One wrong step, and you tripped, sprawling onto the ground. Your books scattered, and your knee scraped against the rough surface, leaving an angry red mark.

At the same moment, Ricky, sitting in the library a good distance away, felt a sudden sharp sting on his knee. His brows furrowed as he glanced down, only to see a fresh scrape forming on his skin. He sighed, already knowing what had happened. It wasn’t the first time you’d managed to hurt yourself, and, as your soulmate, he’d grown accustomed to the strange bond that left matching marks on his body whenever you got injured.

Moments later, you heard hurried footsteps approaching. You looked up to see Ricky standing over you, his face a mix of concern and exasperation.

He crouched down beside you, carefully examining your scraped knee, his voice calm but laced with quiet annoyance.
"You know, one day you’re going to give me a heart attack. Can you try walking like a normal person for once?"

He sighed, pulling a small pack of tissues from his pocket and gently dabbing at your knee. He winced slightly when the sting of your scrape registered on his own leg, but he didn’t let it show too much.

"You’re bleeding. It’s not bad, but still… Does it hurt?"