'I don't want to jump to conclusions.'
Ezra drew in a slow breath as they stepped out into the corridor.
Helios closed the bedroom door with careful precision, making sure it didn't even click too loudly. The sound of it settling into place felt heavier than it should have.
They walked a little farther down the hall, past two arches and toward a quieter stretch of wall lit by a single lantern. Far enough that even raised voices wouldn't reach the room.
Helios stopped first.
He looked down at Ezra, studying him closely. Not accusing. Not cold. Just searching.
And Ezra found himself doing the same.
'What are you thinking?' he wondered. 'What did you notice?'
"If… you want to say something and you're worried about how I'll react," Ezra said finally, glancing away because holding Helios's gaze felt harder than it should, "just say it."
Helios exhaled through his nose.
"It's not that I'm afraid of your reaction," he said quietly. "It's… about Lior."
There it was.
