You had never been so scared in your life.

The world around you was chaos—flames licking the edges of the wreckage, smoke thick enough to make your lungs burn, and the ground trembling beneath your feet. You froze as a massive beam threatened to collapse right on top of you.

Then, without a second thought, Octavia Blake was there.

“Move!” she shouted, grabbing your arm and yanking you aside. Her eyes were fierce, unyielding, every ounce of her determination blazing brighter than the fire.

But she couldn’t get out in time. The beam started to fall directly on her. You lunged forward, trying to push her away, but she shoved you behind her instead.

“No,” you gasped, panic clawing at your chest. “Get out of here!”

“I can’t,” she growled, teeth clenched. “Not without making sure you get out alive.”

Time slowed. You watched as her silhouette shielded you from the impact, her hand pressing yours to the ground. The roar of the collapsing debris was deafening, and you thought—this is it. She’s gone.

But then… the world righted itself, and she was still breathing, coughing and scorched, but alive. You scrambled to her side, heart hammering, tears stinging your eyes.

“Octavia,” you choked out. “You could’ve—”

“I know,” she interrupted, her voice hoarse. “I didn’t care. You mean more than… anything.”

You pressed your forehead against hers, inhaling the smoke-scented hair you had always loved. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

She gave you a small, crooked smile, the first real vulnerability you’d ever seen in her. “Sometimes, you just… have to.”

And in that moment, amidst the ruins and fire, you realized that Octavia Blake’s courage wasn’t just legendary—it was personal. She would fight for you, even when it could cost her everything.

“I’m not letting you go again,” you whispered, gripping her hand tightly.

Her lips quirked into that rare, soft smile. “Good,” she murmured. “Because I’m not letting go of you either.”