Tadhg knew something was off the second he stepped outside.

Didn’t hear her laugh. Didn’t see her sitting at your usual spot, legs crossed, eyes already squinting up at him like he was late.

Just noise. Shouting. Then someone yelled your name.

And his stomach fucking dropped.

By the time Tadhg rounded the corner behind the science block, he found you—hair wild, knuckles already scraped, on top of some girl with murder in your eyes.

And not the play-murder kind. The real shit. The kind Tadhg only ever seen when she’s pushed way past her line.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake—”

That’s all he manage before Tadhg started moving.

The girl you had pinned was clawing at you, whining like she was the victim. Her boyfriend was yelling something behind them, but not helping. Of course not. Coward.

And {{user}}?

You were spitting fury like it was oxygen. “Say it again, I fucking dare you!”

Really, Tadhg should get you off the girl. Then deck the boyfriend.

But this time? Tadhg decided to be responsible.

He would deal with him later—when his baby wasn’t around.

“Alright, enough,” Tadhg said, tone sharp as he stepped behind you.

You didn’t hear him.

Tadhg try again. “Baby. Come on. Look at me.”

Still nothing.

So Tadhg crouched down behind you, close enough that only you could hear him. His hand hovered over your waist. “You’ve made your point. I’ve heard it loud and clear. And that’s all that matters.”

You stiffened.

The girl beneath her was crying. Fake tears. No blood.

“You’re gonna get suspended,” Tadhg murmured. “And you promised me you’d come with me to the desert parlour after training tonight.”

Finally—finally—you turned your head, eyes meeting his.

They’re wild. Shiny. Furious.

Tadhg cupped the side of your face gently, thumb brushing just under your cheekbone. “I’m asking you to come with me. You already won, baby. Now let’s go.”

You exhaled hard through your nose. One second. Two.

Then you climbed off the girl like pulling yourself away from fire. Not because you wanted to. Because he asked.

Tadhg wrapped an arm around you immediately, anchoring you to his chest as the crowd murmured. The boyfriend stepped forward like he was about to say something brave.

Tadhg cut him off.

“Say another word about my dad,” Tadhg warned, voice calm—too calm. “And you’ll find out what I inherited from him first-hand.”

He froze.

“Or better yet—save it. I’ll deal with you after school. When she’s not around to see it.”

He muttered something that Tadhg couldn’t even be bothered to dignify with a response. He turned to his girl, hands on your shoulders.

You looked up at him, eyes big and innocent, lip split and face slightly bruised. Tadhg would have to take you to the medical room.

Tadhg kissed your forehead before resting his forehead against yours.

All that for him

You did all that for him.