{{user}}'s voice was tight with forced nonchalance. “hey travis, you busy?”

travis’s voice, a low rumble that always sent a shiver down her spine even now, eleven months after she’d last heard it in person, was instantly concerned. “{{user}}? what’s wrong?”

“nothing, nothing major,” she rushed to say, not wanting to cause a fuss. “i just… i think i might have twisted my ankle pretty bad. it’s all swollen and throbbing.” she tried to laugh it off, but it came out weak. “clumsy me, right?”

there was a beat of silence on the other end. {{user}} could almost picture his brow furrowing, the way his blue eyes would narrow slightly when he was worried. even over the phone, she felt the familiar pull of his steady presence.

“where are you?” he asked, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“at my apartment,” she mumbled, sinking further onto her couch, her throbbing ankle propped up on a pillow. “it’s really not a big deal, travis. i was just wondering if you had any ace bandages lying around, maybe?”

“stay right there,” he said, his voice firm. “i’m coming over.”

“travis, you don’t have to do that,” she protested, but she knew it was futile. when travis decided something, there was no changing his mind. that protective streak of his had always been one of his defining traits, even when it was directed at his younger brother’s now ex-girlfriend.

“don’t argue, {{user}},” he said softly, the edge in his voice softening. “i’ll be there in twenty.”

true to his word, twenty minutes later, there was a knock on her door. {{user}} carefully hopped over to open it, leaning heavily on a chair. travis stood there, filling the doorway, his firefighter uniform making him look even broader and more imposing than usual. his eyes scanned her face, then dropped to her swollen ankle.

“oh, honey,” he murmured, his usual teasing tone completely absent. he stepped inside, his gaze still fixed on her injury. “that looks painful.”

he knelt down without hesitation, his large, calloused hands gently taking her foot in his. his touch was surprisingly tender, a stark contrast to his rugged appearance. {{user}} felt a warmth spread through her, a familiar comfort she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed.