He picked her up in his arms, supporting her weight easily as he carried her out of the bathroom. She felt small and fragile in his grip, her cold body trembling ever so slightly. The robe clung to her damp skin, but she didn’t protest as he walked toward the bedroom in quiet urgency.

 Hayden laid her gently on the bed like she was something breakable, his hands brushing her arms with unspoken care before pulling away. He turned toward the dresser, jaw clenched, and opened a drawer. A few seconds of quiet rummaging, then he pulled out a black oversized hoodie, faded, warm, worn at the edges. The kind of hoodie that felt like a hug.