She laughed and gave Tristan Davis a light pat on the back. "Seriously, are you clueless? I'm just here to check your injuries."

She nudged him. "Come on, let me see."

Tristan let go of her right away, tilting his face toward Emily Blair like a good kid. Emily leaned in, examining the bruises on his cheek. She reached out and touched his skin. Her fingertips moved slowly across the purple mark. "Does it hurt?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

She mumbled, almost to herself, "You two really didn't hold back."

Their faces were so close Tristan could see the tiny baby hairs on Emily's cheek and even catch his own reflection in her eyes. The air between them was mixed with her soft, fresh scent.

Her gentle touch felt like a feather brushing his heart, making it flutter and tingle.

Tristan felt like he was turning to mush. "It doesn't hurt," he said, his voice soft and low.

Emily shot him a look, her finger still resting on his bruise, and raised her eyebrow. "Really?"

The way she said it, her voice curling up at the end, tugged right at his heart. Tristan's bones practically turned to jelly.

He changed his tune fast. "Honestly, Andrew Lane's punches? Nothing special. Didn't hurt at all. But... now that you're here, I guess it kind of stings.”

Tristan inched closer, putting on his best wounded puppy face. He grabbed Emily's other hand. “I need you to make me feel better. If you comfort me, I won't hurt anymore."

He was working hard for sympathy while still taking a swipe at Andrew Lane.

Emily let out a quiet hum, then pressed her finger straight on his bruise, this time harder.

A sharp pain shot through Tristan and his gentle, shy expression twisted in an instant. He frowned, eyes wide. "Ow... ow, that hurts..."

Emily didn't even flinch. She pressed down even harder.

Tristan jerked his head away, dodging her hand.

Emily kept her eyebrow raised, her hand still floating in the air. "Why are you dodging me?" she asked, her tone cool.

Tristan covered his face with his hand, looking completely betrayed. "Why are you being so mean to me?"

Emily narrowed her eyes, her fingers wiggling in the air.

Tristan pouted, then leaned his face toward her again, surrendering. “Can you be gentle... please..."

Emily let out a small snort and moved her hand again.

Tristan braced himself, expecting another attack on his bruise, but instead Emily switched it up. She grabbed his ear and gave it a little tug.

She wasn't rough at all, but Tristan acted like she was twisting it off. He scrunched up his face, groaning dramatically. "Easy, easy, that hurts..."

She pulled his head a little to the side. Tristan looked up at her, all puppy eyes. "You don't even care about me, do you?"

Emily gritted her teeth, glaring right

back at him. "You started the fight. Why should I feel sorry for you? The more t hurts, the better you'll the betteryou

remember next time. Are you going to go out and fight again?"

Tristan grabbed her hand and shook

it a little, pleading. "No, I won't. Yout

already said it wasn't my fault please, don't be mad at me.

Emily stayed stone-faced.

Tristan gave her hand another gentle shake, blinking at her. "Come on... please... don't be mad..."

Emily let out a short huff and finally let go. "Don't let it happen again."