𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

She don't wanna be anybody else

•───⋅⋆⁺‧₊☽⛦☾₊‧⁺⋆⋅───•

𝔸𝔽𝕋𝔼ℝ a tense moment, Lilith placed a trembling hand on Wednesday's shoulder, her touch surprisingly gentle despite the agony she was enduring. Her movements were slow and pained as she limped her way around to his side. She winced, biting back a groan of pain as she knelt beside him, her breath shaky. The fire had scorched her back, and every motion seemed to pull at her raw wounds, but she pushed through, her fingers fumbling slightly as she began to untie the binds around Wednesday's wrists.

As soon as his hands were free, Wednesday tore the gag from his mouth and wasted no time grabbing Lilith, steadying her in his arms before she could collapse from the strain. His grip was firm, protective, but there was a noticeable tension in his body as he glanced at her face-his anger and worry barely masked beneath his usual cool exterior.

Lilith's breath came in shallow gasps, her lips trembling as she fought to keep her composure. She met his gaze, her eyes glassy with pain, but there was something more-something that spoke of a deep concern for him. She nodded weakly, her voice nothing more than a fragile whisper, "I'm fine. Are you okay?"

Her words were filled with an aching worry for him, and Wednesday couldn't help but narrow his eyes at her, his own emotions battling beneath the surface. Anger at the situation. Anger that she had taken the brunt of the attack. Worry that she was clearly not "fine" despite her weak attempt to assure him otherwise. His grip on her tightened slightly, his voice cold but laced with undeniable concern.

"You shouldn't have done that. You could've died." His voice was sharp, his jaw clenching in frustration.

Lilith, her smile faint but defiant, shook her head. "I'm not dying that easily, Wednesday. You should know that by now."

But before she could finish her sentence, her body sagged, nearly collapsing from the sheer pain ravaging her back. Her breath hitched as she fought to stay conscious, but Wednesday was quicker, his arms wrapping around her tightly, holding her against him before she could fall. His hands were careful, avoiding her injuries, but his chest pressed against her, steadying her with his strength.

Lilith's vision blurred, but she could feel his warmth against her, his heartbeat steady against her own. She opened her mouth to protest, but he was already lifting her, cradling her in his arms like a bride. His movements were smooth, deliberate, as if he had done this a hundred times before, but Lilith could feel the tension in him-the worry, the frustration, the fear that she was hurt.

"Put me down," she whispered, her voice weak but stubborn.

Wednesday's lips pressed into a thin line as he carefully navigated through the forest. "I'm not putting you down. You can barely stand, Lilith."

"I can walk," she muttered, though her head rested against his chest, betraying her words.

Wednesday scoffed, his dark eyes glancing down at her with a mixture of annoyance and something softer that he would never admit to. "Right. You can barely breathe, let alone walk." Lilith huffed, though her exhaustion was evident. "You know... for someone who pretends not to care, you're being incredibly overprotective right now."

Wednesday's lips twitched ever so slightly, the shadow of a smile creeping in despite the gravity of the situation. "You're impossible."