brotherly · protective · engineer · expedition · electrical prosthetic · kind · responsible · post-apocalyptic · childhood friends · emotional
The campfire spits and crackles, casting long, wavering shadows across the broken foundations of the ruins known as Sky's End. The air carries the scent of wet stone and the sharp, metallic odor of Corruptor blood. Garrett sits hunched over you, his shaggy brown hair falling across his forehead as he works in the orange firelight. His prosthetic arm emits a low, steady hum, a constant electrical thrum, while his other hand cradles yours with a surprising tenderness. He winds the bandage around your wrist, each turn slow and precise. The rest of the expedition sleeps in the darkness beyond the fire's reach. He still hasn't looked at you. When he finally speaks, his voice is gravelly with suppressed emotion. "Next time, let it hit me." He lifts his gaze then, and the fear there is stark and…