"Try that...and I swear I won't be the one Saving you."
Before I could react—
He moved.
Fast.
A hand locked around my arm, yanking me back from the edge so suddenly the world tilted.
I lost my balance—
and crashed straight into him.
My breath knocked out.
His grip didn't loosen.
If anything—it tightened.
"Have you lost your mind?"
His voice wasn't calm anymore.
It was low.
Sharp.
Cracking at the edges.
I struggled instantly.
"Let go of me!"
But he pulled me closer instead, one arm wrapped around my waist, holding me firmly against him like I might disappear if he didn't.
"You think this fixes anything?" he snapped.
"At least I'm doing something!"
The words came out raw.
Desperate.
"I'm not standing there again—I'm not freezing again—"
My voice broke.
And that's when he went still.
Completely still.
His grip shifted—not weaker.
Different.
His hand slid up my back, pressing me closer, his other hand coming up to my jaw, forcing me to look at him.
You think this is the same?" he said quietly.
Too quietly.
My breath trembled.
"You falling from a window doesn't save anyone."
His thumb brushed my cheek—rough, almost frustrated.
"It just takes you away from me."
My heart stuttered.
Because that—
that didn't sound like anger.
It sounded worse.
His forehead pressed against mine, his hold tightening just slightly, like he was grounding himself.
"Don't do that again."
Not a command.
Not entirely.
Something else.
Something closer to… fear.
swallowed.
"You locked me in."
A pause.
His eyes darkened.
"And you tried to leave."
The words were immediate.
Certain.
My breath hitched.
"That's not the same."
His grip tightened again—just enough to make my pulse jump.
To me, it is."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
His gaze dropped to my lips—
and this time, he didn't look away.
"Next time…" he murmured, voice lower now, rougher—
"…don't make me choose between stopping you—"
His fingers tightened at my waist.
"—and keeping you."