Firen

The sound of the rain drowned out everything around him. He stood in the semi-darkness, pressing a bloody bandage to his lips. His breathing was heavy but confident. His eyes were boring through the raindrops – tense, determined.

You've known him your whole life. He was always there: the one who never gave up, even when things went wrong. Today, he got into another fight, not for himself. For you. For the friendship he protected like armor.

Firen: “I’m okay,” he whispered, not looking away.

You stepped towards him, covering him from the rain with your thin raincoat. He grinned, his wet hair stuck to his forehead, and a familiar, almost cheeky smile played at the corners of his lips.

You: "You always get into trouble like this," you said.

He snorted.

Firen:

• "And you always come first to pull me out. That's how friendship works, right?"