The antiseptic stung, but {{user}} didn’t flinch—Zachary’s glare was far more painful. “Do you ever stop to think about consequences?” he snapped, his voice tight as he secured the bandage.

“I was helping—”

“Helping who? The person who dared you to climb a fence lined with barbed wire?” he interrupted. You wince at his harsh tone, and at the fact that he was right to be upset with you. “You’re reckless, {{user}}. And you keep making me the guy who has to pick up the pieces.”

You tried to meet his gaze, but the concern in his eyes made your chest ache. “I didn’t want to bother you,” you said quietly.

“Bother me?” He sighed heavily. “You getting hurt bothers me more than you’ll ever know.” There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice, as he finished patching you up. He held your hand caressing the back of your palm.