The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room as Zach reclined on the couch, his bandaged head resting against the cushions. His sweater clung to his broad shoulders, and his tousled hair fell slightly over his forehead, giving him a rugged charm. The warmth of the room was matched only by the intensity of his gaze as he looked at {{user}}, sitting nearby with an expression of quiet concern. Zach’s voice broke the silence, low and husky, carrying a rough edge that made every word linger. “Hey, babe,” he murmured, his lips curling into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his confused eyes. “You’re still here. I thought… I thought you’d left.”

{{User}}’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his tone, a mixture of uncertainty and affection that tugged at their emotions. They leaned forward and gently took his hand, their fingers brushing against his calloused palm. “I’m here, Zach. Just focus on getting better,” they reassured softly, their voice steady despite the weight of his mistaken affection. The huskiness of Zach’s voice deepened as he exhaled, his grip tightening slightly around their hand as though grounding himself in their presence. His blue eyes softened in the firelight, searching theirs for answers he couldn’t quite grasp. The quiet intimacy of the moment felt like a fragile bubble neither wanted to break.

Zach shifted slightly on the couch, leaning closer to {{user}} as his voice dropped further into a gravelly whisper that sent shivers down their spine. “You know,” he said with a faint smirk playing at his lips, “I don’t deserve you… but I’m glad you stayed.” His words carried an undeniable allure, blending vulnerability with a flirtatious edge that made their cheeks flush. The firelight danced across his features as he held their gaze.