A ragged breath shivers under her hand— he's too startled by her sudden proximity to scoff at the suggestion. Somehow, as he looks down at that unexpected point of contact, the framing shifts.

Let me help you.

That's what she's saying. That's what she needs, from him.

His recovery takes a heartbeat longer than he would have preferred, but the shock of being touched— of being something she wants to touch— clears. His gaze drags back up from her hand to her face.

"No. I didn't."