The moment Fenris's eyes landed on Axel, the reaction in his body was immediate and almost disrupted his balance.
His step faltered as his entire focus narrowed onto Axel's condition. He nearly moved toward him out of instinct, almost closing the distance to hold him.
Axel stared back at him with the same defiance he always showed, the expression steady and unchanged despite everything around him. His face held no sign of fear or surrender.
His wrists were secured above him, both hands cuffed in metal restraints that didn't fit well, digging into his skin unevenly. The skin around the cuffs was bruised and raw, showing the amount of time he had spent pulling against them.
Fenris's gaze settled on the marks, and a wave of pain cut through him as if it were his own hands that had been fighting against the restraints long enough to bruise that badly.
