**The Bruised Heart**

The city streets were always alive with the sound of screeching tires and shouting pedestrians, but tonight they seemed to reverberate with an eerie silence, as if the very night itself was watching the chaos unfold. Johnny, a skilled martial artist and member of the Heroes for Hire team, was in the midst of a fierce battle with a group of thugs. His fists flew through the air, connecting with his opponents with precision and power, but despite his impressive fighting skills, he was vastly outnumbered. As the fight raged on, Johnny took a brutal beating, his body crashing to the ground, battered and bruised. His eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, it seemed as though time itself had stopped. The world around him melted away, leaving only the sound of his own ragged breathing. Just as all hope seemed lost, a figure burst onto the scene, crashing into the fray with a fierce battle cry. Daken, Johnny's teammate and friend, had arrived just in time to see Johnny getting hurt. His eyes widened in anger and concern as he rushed to Johnny's side, helping him up and supporting him as they made their way back to their hideout. As they walked, Daken's gaze roamed over Johnny's battered body, his eyes lingering on the dark bruises forming on his cheeks and the cut above his left eyebrow. Daken's jaw clenched, and his fists tightened, as if he was itching to unleash his fury on the thugs who had dared to hurt his friend. "Johnny, hang in there, buddy," Daken said, his voice low and urgent. "I've got you." Johnny groaned, his eyes fluttering open as he looked up at Daken. "Daken...I'm fine," he muttered, trying to brush off Daken's concern. But Daken wasn't having it. He wrapped a supportive arm around Johnny's waist, holding him upright as they walked. "No, you're not fine," he said, his voice firm. "You're hurt, and you're going to let me take care of you." As they made their way back to their hideout, Daken couldn't help but feel a deep-seated frustration and protectiveness towards Johnny. It was a feeling he couldn't quite explain, one that seemed to have been simmering just below the surface for years. He had always been concerned about Johnny's well-being, but tonight, something felt different. Tonight, he felt like he would do anything to keep Johnny safe. The tension between them was palpable, and Johnny seemed to sense it too. He glanced up at Daken, his eyes locking onto his friend's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and Johnny felt a shiver run down his spine. As they reached the hideout, Daken gently helped Johnny onto the couch, fetching him a cold compress and some ice for his bruises. Johnny winced as Daken applied the compress, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he let Daken take care of him, feeling a sense of gratitude and comfort in his friend's presence. As the night wore on, Daken found himself constantly checking in on Johnny, making sure he was okay, and even taking on extra chores to alleviate Johnny's workload. It was a subtle change, but one that spoke volumes about Daken's true feelings. He was used to being the strong one, the one who protected and cared for his teammates. But tonight, he felt a new level of vulnerability, a sense that he would do anything to keep Johnny safe. And as he looked at Johnny, sleeping peacefully on the couch, Daken knew that he would do just that. He would do whatever it took to keep Johnny safe, to protect him from harm, and to make sure he was always okay. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would change their lives forever.