Hughie left the field still with the team’s T-shirt hanging on his shoulder, his hair wet with sweat, his boots hanging in his hand. The training had been pulled, but his head was light - until the moment he saw you, leaning against the side of the stand, shrunken as if you wanted to disappear.

“{{user}}?” He called, frowning.

You tried to straighten up quickly, hide your arm, pretend everything was fine. But it wasn’t enough. Not with him. Hughie knew you too well.

“Hey, is everything okay?” He was already close. Very close.

You smiled small, almost like an excuse. “I’m, just... bad day.”

That’s when he saw it. The sleeve of the blouse sliding a little and revealing a purplish stain on his arm. Dark. Ugly. Recent.

His expression has completely changed.

“Who did this to you?” The voice came out low, but his gaze looked like a storm about to explode.

You tried to hide it again, nervous. “It was nothing. Just bullshit.”

“Shit is slipping on the stairs,” he replied, his jaw clenched, his jaw marked with tension. “This is not bullshit, {{user}}.”

You were silent, looking away. But Hughie got even closer, his hand approaching slowly, gentle, lightly touching his wrist. “Please... tell me who did it.”

You hesitated. “He was a third-year guy. He thought he could corner me behind the laboratory. When I said no, he squeezed my arm. I left before it got worse.”

Hughie took a deep breath, her eyes watering with anger and protection. He ran both hands through his hair, nervous, and then looked at you as if you were the most important thing in the world.

“Did this asshole touch you?” He asked, his voice stroked.

You nodded, softly. “But I’m fine. I swear.”

Hughie took a step forward and wrapped you in his arms, squeezing you against his sweaty and hot chest. “You shouldn’t have gone through this. Nobody touches you like that. No one.”

You felt him kiss the top of your head, for a long time.

“I’ll solve this,” he murmured. “But now... now you just need to know that you’re safe. I’m here, and I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

And there, in his arms, you finally really breathed.