the music blared in the background as lottie matthews scanned the room, her heart pounding. she had been laughing with some friends when a guy had made a crude comment, catcalling her across the room. before she could say anything, {{user}} had already stepped in, fists flying.

now, lottie found herself in the bathroom, kneeling beside the girl, who was sitting on the edge of the counter. a bruise was already swelling on her cheek, blood coating over her knuckles.

“you didn’t have to do that,” lottie said softly, grabbing a towel and wetting it with cold water. she carefully pressed it to your face, her fingers brushing against her skin. “he deserved it,” you mutter, wincing slightly but not backing down. “nobody gets to talk to you like that.”

lottie’s breath caught. “you got hurt because of me,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. her hands were shaking as she cleaned the cuts on your hands.

{{user}} reached out, her fingers brushing against lottie’s wrist. “i don’t care,” you mutter softly, gaze locking with lottie’s. “i’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

the air between them was thick with unspoken words, and for a moment, lottie forgot everything but the heat of your touch.