LOL way more poetic than my feelings, which are pretty much analogous to the urge to cuddle a kicked dog, but I think I understand too. Because when a favorite character of mine, my reaction is "OH GOD NO" but underneath I also really like it and it's kind of surreal and comes from the gut, not the brain.

And because it's just so intense, it's like an excuse for every batshit insane protective and cathartic and vindicating "see how brave/how sacrificing/how cool/how tough and badass/what a poor baby s/he is?" instinct to kick into high gear, because, you know, pain! Injury! You have a reason to feel that way that you can pinpoint! *shrugs* I dunno, I've spent a lot of time analyzing which actions of which fictional characters provide me with maximum emotional torque and why.