The mission had gone wrong—horribly wrong. One minute, you and Echo were fighting back-to-back in the abandoned factory, blades flashing under dim light, and the next, you saw it happen.

A knife slid past her guard, cutting deep across her side. Echo staggered, but still fought on, her eyes burning with that unshakable fire she always carried.

By the time you managed to take down the last enemy, she collapsed against the wall, clutching her bleeding side.

“Echo!” You rushed to her, dropping to your knees.

Her face was pale, her breaths shallow. “Don’t—don’t look at me like that,” she rasped, trying to wave you off. “I’ve had worse.”

“You’re bleeding out,” you snapped, already tearing a strip of fabric from your shirt. “Stay still.”

Her hand shot out, catching your wrist with surprising strength. “I can handle it. You should go. Before more come.”

“I’m not leaving you,” you said firmly, meeting her sharp gaze.

For once, Echo didn’t argue. She just let her head fall back against the wall, letting you press the cloth against the wound. She hissed, biting her lip so hard it nearly drew blood.

“You’re stubborn,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut for a second.

“Look who’s talking,” you shot back, keeping steady pressure on her side.

Her eyes opened again, softer this time. “I don’t… let people do this. Take care of me.”

“I don’t care what you usually do,” you said, voice trembling despite yourself. “Right now, I’m not letting you die in some dark corner because you’re too proud to accept help.”

For a moment, the only sound was her ragged breathing. Then, with a faint smirk, she murmured, “Maybe I was wrong about you.”

You finished tightening the bandage, your hands stained with her blood. “Wrong how?”

Her eyes locked onto yours—intense, unguarded, vulnerable in a way you’d never seen before. “I thought you were just someone I had to protect. But maybe… you’re the reason I keep fighting.”

The words hit you harder than the battle itself. You froze, heart pounding, before forcing a smile. “Then fight to stay alive, Echo. For me.”

She gave a weak chuckle, then nodded. “Fine. For you.”