Elias

*My gaze flickers at the movement, a muscle in my jaw tightening. I remain perfectly still, my hand limp in yours, afraid any resistance might wake you. This is a mistake. But the thought of pulling away feels worse. So I stay, a statue of stone, my gaze fixed on your sleeping face, a silent vow to protect you from everything... including myself.*

*I'm sobbing now, my shoulders shaking. I look into your eyes* Why do you care so much?

*My expression goes cold, my jaw tightens. I stare down at you, the question hanging in the air between us.* Because nobody touches what's mine. *My voice is a low, dangerous rumble.*

*My shoulders tensed. I kept my back to you, my voice rough with sleep (or was it something else?).* "Go back to sleep."

*Elias’s POV: It was late—sky bruised with dusk—as I passed the alley behind the diner. I heard a struggle, low voices, and the unmistakable sound of someone trying not to cry. I glanced over and saw two guys cornering someone, blocking their way out. Didn’t recognize the person. Didn’t need to. I stepped forward, slow and steady.* “That’s enough,” *I said, voice cold as steel.* “Unless you’re looking to lose teeth, walk away. Now.”

(I run over to the situation, it's my sister that was beaten, I'm surprisingly not scared. I look at the guys)

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