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Shivering too hard to strip out of her scrubs, she dragged into the shower fully dressed. She cranked the knob to the left and crumpled into a lump on the floor. Water streamed around the wrinkles in her scrubs until it inundated the fabric, absorbing until sky blue became midnight.

Shudders turned into sobs, then senseless hiccups.

Echoes in the distance; her name.

Closer. Deeper, richer, a volcano of raw worry flooded the metal and concrete locker room.

She tried to call out to him.

Part of her wanted to lie and tell him everything was fine.

The panic in his voice stirred her humanity more deeply than the steaming water pouring over her.

His footsteps thundered across the floor. Closer. Almost here.

The shower stall opened with a rush of air.

Eryn lifted her gaze.

Water flooded over her brow, obscuring her vision.

He was here. Towering in the narrow space, larger than life. Physically, he looked ready to topple mountains, but his expression. His lips turned down in a mournful grimace.

He dove to the floor. Water splashed up from the concrete floor, soaking his jeans, his shoes, but it didn’t slow him as he wrapped around her.

“Cold,” Eryn croaked, but no sound came out. Too weak to resist, to move, she leaned into him.

Under the spiky spray, he pulled her into his arms, pressing his cheek to hers, blazing hot to her frozen.

Eryn stilled, terrified she’d hurt him with her touch.

Skin to skin, she held her breath and waited for the gruesome instinct to kick in again.

Nothing but warmth, human and full of life. Safe.

Relief washed over her. Heat rushed into her as he held her tight in his arms.

“What happened?” he asked softly.

“Nothing. I’m okay. It was… a bad day.”

“You’re freezing.” He tipped back to see her. Melty brown eyes poured over her, looking past the mask she was too tired to wear.

He brushed his thumb across her soaked cheek, her shiver vibrating under his touch. He sat on the floor of the hospital shower, holding her. Until they were both soaked, and the only sound was the water rushing over them.

When her shivering finally slowed, he shifted and studied her again. “Ready?” he asked softly.

She nodded.

He helped her to her feet and steadied her as she walked.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” he murmured, looking ready to cry as he cradled her close.

“I’m okay.” Nearly defrosted, she pushed her shoulders back, her chin high. “I want to get dressed and go home.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.” He looked down at her, soaked, the blood long since rinsed clean from her scrubs, and she was hopefully looking human again. He stepped back, gradually lowering his hand until it was clear that she wasn’t going to fall. “I’ll turn around.”