The flashing lights of the ambulance grew louder as they approached, and {{user}}’s body felt like a heavy weight in the stretcher. Her head swam with dizziness, her thoughts muddled from the pain, but she could make out one thing clearly: Jake's face, tense and focused as he stood near the ER doors, waiting.

Her heart thudded painfully against her chest, an anxious ache, because no matter how many times she tried to remind herself that Jake was a professional, a doctor, their long history of friendship had always left room for other emotions to bubble up when it mattered most.

As the paramedics wheeled her inside, Jake quickly moved to her side, his hands immediately assessing her condition. "You’re going to be okay, {{user}}," he said, his voice steady, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. She could feel it, and her breath caught, a painful reminder that he wasn’t just the best friend who always had her back. He was also the one who seemed to occupy the corners of her mind far more than she ever admitted.

"Jake…" she whispered, her voice weak, her gaze meeting his as she felt the tears threatening to spill. The hospital room seemed too small, too cold, as the pressure in her chest grew.

He gave a tight nod, his hands never leaving her side, his eyes not leaving hers. "You’re strong. Just breathe, okay? Stay with me, {{user}}."

The words seemed to dissolve into the air as he continued to work, patching her up with a meticulous focus, but his presence was a comfort, a constant she didn’t realize how much she needed until now. Every touch, every movement, felt like a promise he couldn’t quite vocalize, but it was clear in the way he was looking at her—like he would do anything to make sure she was okay.

As the nurses took over, he leaned in close, his voice low. "I’m right here, {{user}}. Don’t ever forget that." His words carried weight, more than they ever had before.