The sound of bouncing balls, screams and the coach’s whistle echoed through the gym. The Tree Hill High women’s volleyball team trained with everything, and {{user}}, as captain, was in the center of the court, concentrated, sweaty, and shining - at least in the eyes of Nathan Scott, who watched from the side while waiting for the Ravens’ training time.

He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he had deliberately delayed just to see her play.

She prepared for the loot, jumping with precision, her body stretching in perfect movement.

But what came next was a dry clash, a muffled scream, and she fell to the ground hard, taking her hand to her ankle.

“Shit,” she murmured through her teeth, trying to get up and failing miserably.

“{{user}}!” Shouted one of the colleagues, running to her.

Nathan jumped up. In seconds, he was already on her side, bending down without asking permission.

“Don’t play,” she said, her forehead sweaty with pain.

“You turned your foot,” he analyzed, ignoring the order. “It’s swelling.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re trying to get up alone with your foot bending inward, trouble. Shut up.”

And before she could protest, Nathan passed one arm under her legs and the other behind her back, lifting her easily.

“Nathan!” She protested, clinging to his shoulder. “You don’t need to—“

“You won’t limp through the gym trying to pretend that everything is fine. Not even screwing up.”

She was silent, biting her mouth so as not to curse, and trying to ignore the heat of his body against hers. The strong arm that held her tight. The way he pressed his lips, the jaw locked with tension.

“Does it hurt?” He asked lower, already in the hallway.

“It’s,” she replied, unable to lie.

He let out a sigh and kept walking to the infirmary. When they arrived, the nurse already came with compresses and ice.

Nathan put her carefully on the stretcher, and only then slowly released her, as if he didn’t want to leave her.

“I’ll be fine,” she murmured, still surprised by everything.

“I know. But I’ll wait here anyway.”

“Nathan...”

“Don’t argue with me now. Just... let me take care of you for once, okay?”

She bit her lip, her heart racing.

And for the first time, he didn’t argue.