The pain—along with the anger, luckily for her—passed after a moment or two, but not without leaving a strained expression glued to his face. He didn't realize his hand had snapped to grasp hers in the throes of the throbbing, and though he glanced down at it, he made no immediate point to move it away.

"It's okay, it's okay," he murmured, his voice strained. He wasn't sure if it was her or himself he was trying to reassure; any attempts of trying to hide his pain had faded as his worry had escalated.

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