Rain hammered the windshield, blurring the lights into streaks of chaos. Your boyfriend, Zaven barely had time to react — the screech of tires, the impact, the sickening twist of metal and bone. His body hit the ground hard, pain detonating through him like wildfire. Blood pooled fast, heat draining from him as the storm soaked through torn clothes and broken skin. His breath came ragged. Paramedics shouted, their voices warped by the roaring storm and the pounding in his head.

He fought to stay awake.

On the gurney, barely conscious, Zaven's vision swam. Overhead lights blinked past as he was rushed through hospital corridors. The pain was unbearable, every inch of him screaming. Just as his eyes threatened to close, he caught a glimpse of you.

You were struggling past the nurses, your body soaked from the rain, hair clinging to your face. Your eyes were wide with panic, red from crying, your hands outstretched as if you could pull him back from the edge. His name tumbled from your lips over and over, though he could barely hear it. He wanted to reach for you, but the straps held him down. So did the pain.

The moment passed too quickly. Darkness surged when the anaesthesia kicked in. His world faded.

When Zaven woke, it was quiet. The sharp smell of antiseptic filled the room. His body felt like stone — stiff, aching, wired with pain. Tubes were attached to his arms. Bandages wound across his chest and limbs. Moving hurt too much, so he stayed still.

Then he saw you.

You were hunched over at his bedside, arms folded on the mattress, your head resting in the crook of your elbow. Breathing deep. Asleep — but not peacefully. Even resting, you looked wrecked.

He wanted to touch your hand. To move closer. But even the idea made his ribs throb.

"...You stayed," he whispered, voice rough.

You stirred, eyes slowly opening, locking on him. He saw the rush of relief in them. He couldn’t look away.

Silence stretched. You didn’t speak — but you didn’t need to. He saw everything in your eyes. The fear. The love. The ache.

And it made the pain in his body mean nothing at all.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to scare you like that."