The dorm room was quiet except for the soft hiss of rain against the window.
Eli sat on the edge of Riven's bed, holding a bag of melting ice against his jaw. His shoulder throbbed with every small movement, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his chest from seeing Riven like that — fierce, cornered, and burning with a fury that had nowhere safe to go.
Riven stood by the desk, rummaging through a first aid kit with the kind of focus that made Eli feel like the world outside didn't exist.
"You should be icing that arm, not me," Eli said, breaking the silence.
Riven didn't look up. "You talk too much for someone who just picked a fight with people twice your size."
"I didn't pick it." Eli winced when he shifted. "I just… didn't run."
That made Riven pause. He glanced at Eli, eyes unreadable in the low light. "You should've."
"And let them corner you alone? Not happening." Eli's voice was quiet, but steady. "I meant it when I said I'd stand with you. Even if it's stupid."
Riven closed the first aid kit and crossed the room, kneeling in front of him. He took the ice pack gently from Eli's hand, inspecting the bruise along his jaw. His fingers brushed Eli's skin — careful, almost hesitant.
"Stupid," Riven repeated under his breath. But there was no heat in it.
They stayed like that for a moment, the distance between them shrinking into something almost fragile. Riven's eyes softened, but there was still a storm behind them.
"They're not done," Riven said quietly. "Tonight was just a warning."
Eli reached out, lightly tugging on Riven's sleeve until he met his gaze. "Then let them come. I'm not going anywhere."
For the briefest second, Riven's breath caught. Then he stood, muttering something about getting antiseptic, but Eli didn't miss the way his shoulders seemed… lighter.
The rest of the night passed in quiet ritual — cleaning cuts, swapping ice packs, stealing glances they didn't quite know how to explain. The rain outside never let up, but inside the small dorm room, there was warmth.
And maybe, Eli thought as he drifted toward sleep, warmth was enough to hold back the storm.
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