Will you?

[She lifts her head to look at him, her hands reaching for his face so that she can hold it in place, palms cool against his cheeks. Her eyes search his, both for answers and to be sure that there are no blue flecks that remain. Never mind that he is a bloody mess...]

Those hits that you took were not so soft. [Her brow furrows with worry.] Do not do that thing where you pretend everything is alright so that I do not fret over you.