Held at the Edge of Not Yet
"Perhaps I misheard. Did you say… you don't desire… a relationship with me?"
A quiet smile tugged at Victor's lips, its ripple slipping into the space between them like something whispered after dark. Not looking away, his gaze stayed fixed on hers - deep, patient - peeling back each emotion one by one till only her rawest truth remained visible.
Silence came first. Not harsh, just measured - like checking ground underfoot before moving on. The reply waited its turn. His grin stayed close to the face, barely showing. You sensed it more than spotted it. Underneath, a tightness hummed low. Held back. Ready.
Something shifted in her eyes when he looked at her, like being caught without cover in a wide-open space.
A shadow passed across their face. Fear followed close behind. After that came a gentler thing - delicate, risky - longing.
Inside her gaze, everything knotted up - sharp, wide open.
