Arthur's eyes did not flicker. He stood like a statue carved out of thought, the kind of stillness that made everyone else speak louder to fill the silence. Kai's face stayed flat too, the set of his jaw like a locked hinge. The air between them tasted metallic and close, like the room had been sealed and the world outside put on hold.
"You're the one who infiltrated us," Kai said in that thin, level voice, the accusation wrapped up like a paper knife. "We should be asking you that."
Arthur said nothing. His hands were loose at his sides, but they were not empty. Daniel tried to break the tension with a laugh that sounded too high, too quick.
"Ohhhh… the situation is so tense, I'm so scared." He backed up, eyes wide, then, like a kid needing proof of safety, he ran toward Ryan and pressed his palms against Ryan's shoulder, pushing puppy eyes so obvious they could have been painted on.
The gesture was ridiculous and instantly human.
