You didn’t mean for it to happen. You were just trying to help, just trying to be there. That was always your problem — you always wanted to fix things, even when the world didn’t ask you to.

You’d gone with Fez to meet someone. You knew it was risky, but he looked at you like you were safe. Like you were his calm in the storm.

And you believed him.

The moment went wrong faster than you could process. A deal. A misunderstanding. A hand that swung too hard.

And suddenly — pain.

You hit the ground, breath knocked out of you. Everything went blurry. The lights above you looked like they were melting. You tried to move, but your body wouldn’t listen.

Fez was there in an instant. He was always there, but now it wasn’t the slow, calm presence you were used to. This was different.

His eyes snapped open — wide, sharp, terrified. He didn’t yell. He didn’t scream. He just moved.

Fast.

He shoved the people around you aside like they were nothing. His hands were on you, pulling you away, lifting you like you weighed nothing.

You saw it then. The calm mask you’d always seen on him… cracked.

He didn’t look like a man in control anymore. He looked like a man who had just realized the worst thing he could imagine was becoming real.

His voice was low, shaking with something you’d never heard from him before. “Don’t you dare… don’t you dare die on me.”

You tried to answer, but your mouth wouldn’t work. Your vision swam, and you could barely keep your eyes open.

Fez’s hands tightened around your waist. He carried you like you were the only thing that mattered.

As he ran, his jaw clenched. His breathing was hard. His eyes were wild, scanning everything, ready to fight anyone who got close.

He didn’t stop until he got you somewhere safe — a room, a back alley, somewhere he knew was hidden.

He set you down gently, but his hands shook.

You tried to reach for him. Your fingers brushed his arm.

Fez froze.

He stared at your hand like it was a lifeline.

“You’re gonna be okay,” he whispered, but the words sounded like a prayer.

His eyes were red, and you realized he’d been holding back tears. He hated showing weakness. He hated showing fear.

But right now…

He couldn’t hide it.

He pulled you into his chest, holding you like he’d never let go again.

“I’m not gonna lose you,” he said, voice breaking.

You tried to speak, but all you managed was a small whisper. “Fez…”

He tightened his grip.

“Don’t say it,” he murmured. “Don’t say it like it’s possible.”