Sid ducked, twisted his body sideways, and his elbow cracked into the president's ribs. The man gasped, staggered, then came again. Sid's body flowed, his feet bouncing against the pavement as if every move was part of a freerun sequence. Even wounded, his speed was untouchable.

"Ruined your life?"

Sid spat through clenched teeth.

"You ruined your own life the moment you decided people were toys for you to break, dumbass!"

The president's wild punch flew wide. Sid caught his arm, twisted sharply, then drove his knee into the man's gut. The president crumpled forward, coughing spit, and Sid's fist came down hard against his jaw.

The man crashed onto the pavement, gasping like a fish out of water. Sid staggered, clutching his side, but raised his chin high.

"Stay down. You're finished."

The crowd, who had been recording and murmuring, erupted with cheers. Some men rushed forward, pinning the president to the ground. He screamed curses, flailing like a child, but it was no use. Rough hands held him down, and someone shouted,

"Call the cops!" While another barked, "And an ambulance!"

Sid shook his head, raising his hand weakly.

"No. No hospital."

Big D rushed to his side, panic in his eyes as he gripped Sid's arm.

"Bro, you're bleeding bad. You need a doctor. Forget the climb, man— you need stitches, or you'll bleed out!"

Sid forced a crooked smile, trying to look stronger than he felt.

"If I go to a hospital, they'll lock me down, keep me there. I won't make it in time. I need to climb that tower… it's my promise. I can't stop now."

Big D's voice cracked, frustration mixing with fear.

"Are you hearing yourself?! You're gonna die for this stunt?"

Before Sid could answer, Morgana stepped forward. Her face was pale, her eyes locked on the blood soaking his shirt. But when she spoke, her voice was calm, steady.

"My house is near here. If you won't go to a hospital… then at least come with me. I'll treat you. Please."

Sid looked at her then, really looked at her. Her violet tinted eyes carried no fear, no hesitation, just resolve. It was the same girl he remembered, but rebuilt, standing taller than before.

For a moment, his pain faded. He nodded slowly.

"Alright. I'll trust you."

Big D exhaled, still shaken, but forced a smile.

"Fine. But I'm not letting either of you carry him. I'll take the heavy lifting, don't worry."

Together, the three of them turned their backs on the chaos. Behind them, the president screamed as the crowd held him down, spitting threats no one took seriously anymore. Red and blue lights flashed in the distance, sirens drawing closer.

Sid pressed one hand to his side, his other arm over Big D's shoulder, but his eyes stayed forward. The fight was over. The climb was still ahead.

Morgana's apartment was small but tidy, tucked above a corner shop with a narrow stairwell that creaked under their weight. The smell of antiseptic and paper books greeted them as she pushed the door open.

Sid leaned against Big D, still holding his side, but his eyes roamed the room. Neat shelves lined the wall, stacked with medical texts, forensic case studies, and jars of neatly labeled samples. A desk lamp threw a soft glow across scattered notes, evidence that Morgana spent long nights studying.

"Sit down."

Morgana said firmly, motioning Sid toward a chair by the kitchen table. Her tone was clipped, no nonsense, and surprisingly steady. Sid and Big D obeyed, Big D carefully putting Sid down as he winced from the pain while being lowered onto the chair.

Sid pressed his hand to his side. Blood had already soaked through the cloth, sticky and dark. He tried to brush it off with a smirk.

"It's just a scratch."

"A scratch doesn't bleed like that, Wilder. And please, let me repay you for what you've done so far for me. This is the least I can do…"

Morgana shot back, sharper than either of them expected. She grabbed a small plastic kit from her shelf, then stacked notebooks and a sealed box beside it. Sid giggled weakly as he watched her move.

"Ah ah yes, th-thanks…"

Big D leaned back, grinning wide as he remembered the prank he once pulled in the jail booth, teasing Sid about Morgana. Watching them now, they looked… right together. He pulled out his phone and hit record.

"Look at this, people! Sid Wilder, the parkour star, bleeding out in a kitchen, and who's patching him up? Morgana herself. You can't write a better love story than this. Forget the tower climb, this is the real event of the year!"

Morgana turned sharply, her eyes locking onto him.

"Put it down."

The command was sharp, cutting through the air. Big D blinked, surprised.

"Huh? But this is—"

"I said, stop filming."

Her voice didn't waver, and there was no hesitation in her gaze. For a moment, Big D froze, then slowly lowered the phone.

"Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off."

He tucked it into his pocket with a sheepish shrug. Sid watched the exchange quietly, his lips pressed thin. He had never seen her like this— strong, commanding, unwilling to bend. The shy, fragile girl he remembered was gone. Something in his chest twisted, though he couldn't find the words to name it.

"You've changed."

"Thanks for noticing. But you… you never changed."

She peeled the fabric away gently, her movements careful and precise.

"You're always rushing in to save someone, even if it risks your life. I'm doing my master's now in forensic taphonomy. Since you love playing with danger, and I study the dead… why not join me? But as a corpse, since I need a dead body for my thesis."

"Nah, my life's fine. I'll pass."

Morgana moved quickly, fetching a small kit from her shelf. She snapped on latex gloves with practiced ease, then crouched in front of Sid.

"Lift your shirt."

Sid smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he slowly lifted his shirt, revealing inch by inch of toned abs and defined pecs. He paused for a moment, enjoying the way Morgana's gaze flicked over his bare chest before he continued, pulling the shirt completely off and tossing it aside.

"Uhm… is this okay for you?"

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