The Temperature Of Rage

Ethan's fingers slowed as he examined Zara's leg. There were no bruises, just a faint flush of redness on her calf. He sat back in his chair, yet didn't let go. Instead, he gently lifted her leg onto his lap, cradling it with care, and began rubbing the irritated spot with slow, tender motions.

Zara didn't resist. Her gaze, however, shifted — not to Ethan, but to the unexpected duo standing a few feet away.

A girl stood in front of Marcus.

She appeared to be around his age and was staring directly at him with a soft expression — something warm, almost hesitant in her eyes. But then, her gaze flickered sideways.

To them.

To Zara and Ethan.

And in an instant, that warmth turned cold. Zara noticed it immediately — the subtle yet sharp change in the girl's demeanor. Where there was tenderness, now sat irritation. Her features hardened, jaw tightening as she looked at the two of them.

Zara blinked but didn't react. She wasn't the kind to be bothered by someone else's moods. Be it affection or anger — she never let anyone's expressions dictate hers.

And Ethan? He was, true to his nature, utterly unconcerned. His focus remained solely on her leg, as if the rest of the world didn't exist.

Yet, despite their calm, Zara sensed something brewing. A tension — thick and alive — radiating from the stranger's gaze.

And then, it snapped.

"Are you even a person?!" the girl suddenly shouted, her voice slicing through the peaceful atmosphere.

Marcus's head snapped up in shock. He blinked, stunned, unsure of who her words were meant for — until he saw where she was pointing.

Ethan.

Zara turned too, her eyes dancing with amusement as she watched the scene unfold. Ethan hadn't even flinched, still gently massaging her leg, his expression as calm as ever.

"You're really shameless," the girl continued, her voice rising with every word. "What if he had fallen and hit his head on the ground? Are you even human?!"

Marcus stood frozen, as if lightning had struck him on a clear day. Words failed him. Beside him, Zara simply smiled wider, clearly enjoying the drama playing out before her.

Still unbothered, Ethan continued rubbing her leg. But he could feel Zara's gaze on him now. When he looked up, he was met with her playful smirk.

He raised a brow, puzzled.

Then came the voice again — louder this time. "Hey! I'm talking to you. Look here!"

Finally, Ethan turned his gaze toward the girl.

And it changed.

Gone was the soft expression he wore just seconds ago. His eyes narrowed, shadows creeping in, and his brows furrowed slightly. A dark gleam passed through his eyes — not loud, but cold and unmistakable. He didn't like her tone. At all.

But he kept it in. Barely.

Only because Zara was next to him.

Zara, however, saw the change in an instant — the subtle tension in his jaw, the way his fingers stilled momentarily, the way his aura dropped in temperature.

Marcus saw it too.

He swallowed nervously and stepped forward to diffuse the ticking time bomb. "Ethan, it's a mistake. She misspoke," he said quickly. Then, turning to the girl, he added, "You misunderstood. It's not—"

But the girl wasn't done.

She shoved him aside and stormed past. "Who do you think you are?! Just because he's sitting here happily with you, you think you can bully him like that?"

Each word was like fuel on fire. Ethan's expression darkened further, his face now a mask of icy calm. The kind of calm that Marcus feared the most.

Marcus stumbled back, dread pooling in his stomach. This version of Ethan — cold, unreadable, simmering — was the one even his enemies feared.

And now, he was here. In public. With Zara next to him.

Panicking slightly, Marcus turned to Zara, pleading with his eyes — help him calm down.

Zara got the message.

Without a word, she reached down and placed her hand gently on Ethan's. The one still resting on her leg. She gave it a light squeeze.

That was all it took.

Ethan turned to her. Her expression was composed, but her eyes spoke volumes — calm down.

His gaze softened in a second. The darkness faded. The corners of his mouth twitched, not into a smile — but something close. His focus narrowed again, only on Zara, and the simple gesture she made.

And the fact that, for the first time, she had voluntarily held his hand in hers.

Whatever the girl was yelling in the background no longer mattered.

But to the girl — their silent moment made her blood boil further.

She turned toward Zara now, pointing furiously. "And you! Being a girl and a friend — how could you—"

She didn't get to finish.

A hand came from behind and quickly covered her mouth, pulling her into a firm hold as she struggled against it.

Zara blinked, confused but curious, her brow arching in question.

Ethan, who was still basking in the simple peace of Zara's hand in his, raised his eyes only when he heard Zara mentioned in that accusing tone.

And that was all it took for the shadows to flicker again.

Marcus, now the one holding the girl back, kept his arms tight around her as she fought to break free.

Then—

Stomp!

She brought her heel down hard on Marcus's foot.

He yelped in pain and let her go, staggering back.

The girl turned sharply toward him, her tone laced with worry and anger. "What are you doing?! I was helping you! How can you defend them? What if you got seriously hurt when you fell?"

Marcus let her rant. He didn't argue. He just stood there, taking it.

But quietly, he turned to glance at his two friends. Zara looked amused as always, and Ethan…

Ethan wasn't amused.

He was cold. Unforgiving.

Seeing the deadpan look on Ethan's face, Marcus felt a shiver go down his spine. Still, he forced a smile and mouthed sorry to both of them.

Zara chuckled and nodded.

Ethan didn't react.

That stare alone was enough to make Marcus flinch.

Trying to salvage the situation, he clapped his hands together. "Alright, alright! You misunderstood. That's all. Come on now — they're my friends. Let me introduce you."

The girl looked slightly calmer after unloading her fury, though her arms were still crossed and her lips still twisted in a frown.

Marcus softened his tone, reaching out to pinch her cheek with a grin. "Look how cute you are when you're angry."

She slapped his hand away. "What friends? They—"

"He's my best friend!" Marcus interjected quickly, cutting her off before she could start another verbal war.