They were losing. The battle was slipping through their fingers like sand. And there was nothing he could do. Nothing they could do.

His muscles screamed with exhaustion, his every breath labored as he shot a glance toward you. His figure was slightly hunched, one arm clutching his side where you knew his ribs were broken. But his eyes, those piercing, steely eyes, were still sharp, still focused on you.

You saw him flinch as you took a step toward him, pain etched on his face.

You finally reached Aaron, his breath heavy, but his hand steady as he cupped your cheek, the warmth of his touch grounding you in the chaos around them. His thumb brushed against her skin, his gaze softening despite the blood on his face and the destruction surrounding them.

You reached up, your hand trembling as you pressed it against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers, strong and steady despite the wreckage of his body. His other arm wrapped around you, pulling you into him despite the agony it must’ve caused him.

“If this is the end,” he said quietly, his voice raw but steady, “then I’m going to spend it with you.”

You could feel his ribs shifting under the weight of their closeness, but he didn’t let go.