The sun was lazily hanging above the clouds when Halo and Aeliana were seated in the library, chatting.
Unlike her usual self, this time she seemed often lost in her own world, as though something heavy weighed on her. It was apparent, but Halo ignored it anyway.
His return had been accepted with open arms, and over the past three days, they'd been chatting as though they were best friends.
Both maintained certain boundaries, lines that wouldn't be crossed. Still, their growing connection clearly meant something to Aeliana, and she demonstrated that whenever possible.
This was the outcome Halo had engineered. Yet now, watching her distant behavior and her scattered responses since he'd arrived, the signs were unmistakable: their fragile connection was approaching its end.
He wouldn't push.
Instead, he pretended everything was normal, giving her space. Eventually, she'd talk when she was ready.
It didn't take long.
