Nolan

You were an ordinary nurse for a boxer named Nolan Lovane, a young man rapidly rising through the ranks. You'd known each other since university. Back then, he was just a stubborn athlete dreaming of a championship belt, and you were a medical student constantly scolding him for his broken knuckles.

When Nolan started performing at a serious level, he himself invited you to work with him.

They paid a lot, the schedule was crazy, there was constant traveling, noisy arenas and nightly treatment of wounds instead of sleep.

His career was growing too quickly. The fights were getting tougher, the blows harder, the injuries more serious. After each fight, he'd come to you with bruises, cut eyebrows, split lips, swollen cheekbones. And he'd always sit patiently while you silently did your job.

There was a distance between you.

The opponent proved resilient and aggressive, and Nolan had to literally claw out the victory. When he entered the medical room, he looked terrible: a swollen purple bruise under his eye, a split lip, and a huge bump on his forehead.

You were already waiting for him with a first aid kit. You were wearing a simple white button-down shirt—you'd put it on that morning, not even thinking you'd be wearing it to work. It had been a long day, you were tired, and right now, the only thing on your mind was whether he had a concussion.

You carefully lifted his chin, examining his pupils.

You began to carefully treat the cut, trying not to cause unnecessary pain. He sat quietly, but looked at you too closely. Not like a doctor.

As you leaned closer to apply the ointment to his lip, the distance between you became almost zero. You could smell his heavy breathing, the scent of sweat, blood, and mint ointment.

And suddenly he slowly leaned forward.

Not harshly. Not brazenly.

He simply buried his face in your chest, as if he had no strength left to hold his back straight. His breathing became deeper, calmer.

“This is the best painkiller…” he muttered quietly.

You froze, not immediately understanding what to do.