Avery's brow furrowed in concentration as she hunched over the workbench, her fingers deftly manipulating the delicate components of the T.D.M module. The familiar hum of machinery and the pungent scent of mutagen filled the air around her, creating an almost intoxicating atmosphere that she reveled in.
"Just a little more," she muttered under her breath, tongue poking out in the corner of her mouth as she made the final adjustments. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the lab, and Avery felt a searing pain rip through her forearm.
She cried out, instinctively recoiling, but the damage was already done. A thin stream of crimson liquid oozed from the gash, and Avery's eyes widened in horror as she recognized the telltale signs of a ruptured detonite ampule.
"No, no, no!" she gasped, adrenaline surging through her veins. Panic clawed at her chest as she realized the severity of the situation. Detonite was highly volatile, and even the slightest exposure could have catastrophic consequences.
Avery's gaze darted frantically around the lab, searching for any sign of help. But the others had long since departed for the day, leaving her alone with the ticking time bomb that was her injured arm.
"Aiden!" she cried out, desperation lacing her voice. "Aiden, please! I need help!"
Seconds felt like an eternity as Avery waited, every nerve ending on high alert. The throbbing in her arm was almost unbearable, and she could feel the mutagen seeping into the wound, its caustic properties already beginning to burn.
A blur of movement caught the corner of her eye, and Avery whirled around to see Aiden rushing into the lab, his usually impassive expression now etched with concern.
"Avery, what happened?" he demanded, his gaze immediately zeroing in on her injured arm.
"Detonite," Avery gasped, her voice quivering. "I-I need to get it out, Aiden. You have to help me!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Aiden moved closer, his eyes scanning the wound with a practiced eye. Avery watched, her heart pounding in her ears, as he carefully examined the injury, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"This is bad," he murmured, his voice low and urgent. "We need to get you to the infirmary, now."
Avery shook her head frantically, the adrenaline coursing through her veins making it difficult to think clearly. "No, Aiden, we don't have time! The detonite, it's-"
Her words were cut off by a sudden, gut-wrenching explosion of pain as Aiden's fingers pressed against the wound, his movements swift and precise. Avery cried out, her vision swimming, but she could see the grim determination in Aiden's expression as he worked.
Seconds felt like hours as Avery watched, her breath coming in ragged gasps, as Aiden carefully extracted the remnants of the detonite ampule. The air around them crackled with tension, the ever-present hum of machinery now drowned out by the pounding of Avery's heart.
Finally, Aiden pulled back, his hands covered in blood, but the wound on Avery's arm now sealed. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her chest heaving with the effort of each breath.
"How...how did you-?"
Aiden's gaze met hers, and for the briefest of moments, Avery saw a glimmer of emotion in his usually stoic expression. "I couldn't let you die, Avery," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Avery felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of his words – and the realization that he had just saved her life – threatening to overwhelm her. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Aiden had already turned away, briskly making his way towards the infirmary, leaving Avery alone with the lingering scent of mutagen and the faint echo of his footsteps.
…
TWO DAYS LATER.
Two days had passed since the detonite ampule incident, and Avery felt a mix of emotions as she sat in the small hospital room, her injured arm bandaged and healing. Relief that she was alive, gratitude towards Aiden for his quick actions, and a lingering sense of regret over the words she had been unable to say.
The door to her room creaked open, and Avery's heart skipped a beat as Aiden stepped inside, his expression guarded but tinged with a hint of concern.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft yet measured.
Avery mustered a weak smile. "Better, thanks to you," she replied, her eyes searching his face. "Aiden, I...I need to tell you something."
He raised a hand, the ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "There's no need," he said. "I'm just glad you're alright."
Avery felt a flutter of disappointment, but she pressed on, determined to make him understand. "But I have to say it," she insisted, her good hand reaching out to grasp his sleeve. "I...I care about you, Aiden. More than just as a friend or co-worker."
Aiden's brow furrowed slightly, and Avery saw the familiar confusion cross his features – the same look he always gave her when she indulged in her usual flirtatious behavior.
"Avery, you don't have to—" he began, but she cut him off, her grip tightening.
"No, please, just listen," she pleaded, her eyes shining with a mixture of desperation and vulnerability. "That day, when the ampule exploded, all I could think about was how much I regretted not telling you how I felt."
Aiden's expression softened, and he gently placed his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know, Avery," he said, his voice laced with a tenderness that was so rarely seen. "You've made your...feelings quite clear before."
Avery's heart sank as she realized he still didn't understand. "But this is different," she insisted, her voice trembling. "I'm not just being playful or flirtatious. I...I love you, Aiden."
For a moment, Aiden seemed taken aback, his eyes widening slightly. Then, to Avery's dismay, a small, sympathetic smile spread across his lips. "I appreciate your honesty, Avery," he said, his tone gentle. "But I think you may be confusing your feelings. I'm just glad I was able to help you that day."
Avery felt a lump rise in her throat, her heart sinking as she realized that once again, Aiden had misinterpreted the depth of her emotions. She opened her mouth to protest, to plead with him to understand, but the words seemed to catch in her throat.
Sensing her distress, Aiden squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Rest, Avery," he murmured. "You've been through a lot, and you need to focus on healing."
With a resigned nod, Avery watched as Aiden turned and made his way towards the door, leaving her alone with the weight of her unrequited feelings. She couldn't help but wonder if she would ever find the courage to truly bare her heart to him, or if she was doomed to forever be trapped in this cycle of misunderstanding.
One thing was certain, though – Avery was grateful to be alive, and she owed that to Aiden's quick thinking and unwavering concern. As much as her heart ached, she knew that she would always cherish the moments when he had come to her aid, even if he could never see her as anything more than a friend.