{{user}}'s feet got tangled in the mess of driftwood near the dock, and before she could stop herself, she was flying through the air, landing face-first into the sand. "ow!" she groaned, blinking up at the sky, her nose throbbing and blood starting to trickle down her face.

"god, baby, are you okay?" rafe's voice was sharp with panic as he rushed over, crouching beside her. his hand went straight to her face, pushing her hair back from her forehead as he surveyed the damage. "shit... your nose, your lips—are you bleeding everywhere?"

"i'm fine, rafe. just—" she cut herself off with a wince, realizing her braces had made the whole thing worse. she dabbed at her lip, grimacing at the sting of a canker sore. "just a little... mess. i'm good. really."

he looked down at her, his eyes wide with that mix of concern and irritation he always wore when she hurt herself. "silly girl. can't take you anywhere without getting banged up."

"it's not my fault, okay? the wood was... i swear it moved!" she defended, sitting up and wiping her nose, which just seemed to make it worse as more blood leaked onto her shirt. she glared at the red stain, then shot a playful look at rafe. "i'm fine, really. i just need to—"

"no. you're not fine." rafe’s tone was softer now, but there was that possessive edge to it. "you’re gonna need a doctor. or... at least a lot of ice. i’ll take care of you. no more moving till you’re fixed up."

"wow, rafe. look at you, playing the protective boyfriend," {{user}} teased, trying to smile despite the pain. "don't you have like, a yacht to go yell at or something?"

he shot her a look, leaning down and picking her up easily, holding her close. "you're clumsy as hell," he shot back, brushing the sand off her. "seriously, stop breaking yourself."

"not my fault," she mumbled, snuggling into his chest as he carried her off toward his jeep. "i swear, i'm gonna give you gray hairs before i'm twenty."

rafe scoffed, rolling his eyes. "i'm already halfway there, baby."