The air was thick with the lingering traces of the curse you’d just defeated, its oppressive energy slowly dissipating into the night. Megumi stood amidst the wreckage, his chest rising and falling with every labored breath. He’d seen you use your Domain Expansion before, but this time—this time it had taken too much out of you.

When he turned and saw you collapse to your knees, your hands trembling as they tried to support your weight, his heart dropped. The glow of your Domain faded, leaving behind a void of exhaustion etched into your pale face. For a moment, he couldn’t move. He’d been so focused on the fight, so wrapped up in surviving, that he hadn’t realized just how much you were sacrificing for him.

Your weak cough broke the stillness, snapping him out of his trance. He was at your side in an instant, crouching down and steadying you with firm hands, his fingers trembling slightly as they gripped your shoulders.

“Hey, hey… Don’t pass out on me now,” he said, his voice softer than you’d ever heard it, but tinged with panic. His usually stoic face betrayed the worry he couldn’t hide, his dark blue eyes scanning your face for any sign of consciousness.

“Don’t even start,” he cut you off as you opened your mouth, his tone sharper than he intended, but it was laced with guilt rather than anger. His gaze flickered to the blood trickling from the corner of your mouth, the dark veins crawling up your arm from the strain of your Domain Expansion. It made his stomach twist.

He wasn’t good at expressing his emotions, but you didn’t need him to say more. The way he held you, the way his voice faltered—it was enough.