the air in the shack was thick with the scent of crushed rosemary and iron. outside, the louisiana bayou breathed a heavy, humid sigh, but inside, the only sound was the soft drip of water into a basin. jackson sat on a low wooden stool, his broad frame hunching over {{user}}'s side as he focused on the jagged tear slicing through her sleeve.

"stay still," jackson commanded softly, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in his chest. he dabbed a wet cloth over the gash on her arm, his touch surprisingly light for hands calloused by years of woodworking and survival.

{{user}} winced, her breath hitching as the cool water hit the raw skin. she tried to shift her weight, pulling back instinctively. "i’m fine, jackson. really. it’s just a scratch. go find hayley. she’s probably looking for you."

jackson stopped mid-motion. he didn't pull away; instead, he wrapped his fingers firmly but gently around her wrist. his thumb rested right over her pulse point, and she wondered if he could feel how fast her heart was drumming against her ribs. the silence in the small room stretched, heavy and taut, until it felt like it might snap.

"hayley is with klaus," he said finally, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper that made the hair on her arms stand up. he didn't look toward the door or the woods where his queen was. he looked only at {{user}}, his hazel eyes dark and unwavering. "and i'm right where i want to be. just... let me take care of you, {{user}}. please."