Stay With Me

Rina's sharp eyes flickered to Briggs' side, where blood was already seeping through his shirt. He was gripping his side, his breathing uneven, but he was too focused on her to acknowledge his own injury.

"Briggs—shit—you're hurt."

She rushed to him, dropping to one knee as she inspected the wound. It wasn't life-threatening, but it was deep enough to be dangerous if left untreated.

Briggs grunted, trying to wave her off. "I'm fine, dammit. You—" He winced, gripping his side tighter.

Rina wasn't having it.

"Shut up, Briggs. You're bleeding. You need medical attention."

Briggs exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated but too weak to argue. He chuckled dryly. "You bossing me around now? Thought you were too busy being a damn superhero."

Rina didn't laugh. She was already tearing off part of her undershirt, pressing it firmly against the wound.

"Stay with me, okay?" Her voice softened, despite the urgency in her movements.

Briggs gave her a weak smirk. "Not dying yet, Cap."

"Damn right, you're not." Rina glanced over her shoulder backup was still minutes away.

She sighed and muttered under her breath. "I told you to stay with your family, idiot."

Briggs chuckled again, though it came out more like a pained cough. "Yeah, yeah… I should've listened."

Rina kept pressure on his wound, her expression unreadable. But inside? She was furious. At Viper. At herself. At the entire damn situation.

And for the first time in a long while, she felt fear.

Not for herself.

But for Briggs.