just imagine, a little girl, maybe 8-10 at the time, crumpled on the side of a dirt path and clutching her already injured head in an attempt to shield herself from the rocks being thrown her way. then out of nowhere, a boy comes running in, fists flying without even stopping to ask any questions.

the bullies are quickly scared off as they clearly only know how to pick on the vulnerable, and once they're out of sight, the unnamed boy wouldn't waste a second before turning to check on the girl behind him. at first he'd offer his hand, but when he sees that the entire left side of her face is dripping with blood (heads bleed a lot), he'd drop to his knees, rip the bandana from around his neck and wipe as much of it away before applying pressure to her wounds.

he'd ask her questions like "are you alright?" and "does it hurt?", and he'd offer to carry her to a hospital, but she wouldn't hear a thing. she's too overwhelmed by shock at what just happened, and that someone besides her brother had come to her rescue. tears would well up in her eyes from the mixture of pain, sadness and gratitude that she'd experience. eventually they'd come spilling from her lashes as she shakily thanks her unknown protector over and over again, and not without sneaking in a few apologies for having dirtied his bandana.

the sight of her, caked in drying blood, hair disheveled, and tears streaming down her face, would make something in the boy's chest tighten. but he doesn't think to put a name to the feeling yet; he's more concerned about getting her looked at than anything else. so after carefully encouraging her to climb onto his back, he'd haul her off to the nearest infirmary where he'll stay by her side until her family arrives.