The tension between them had stopped being something they could manage or redirect, because now it existed in every second they stood in the same space, every word they spoke, every silence they shared, and as Zein Shoin tried to hold onto the last pieces of control she still had.
She realized that control wasn't what she wanted anymore—not completely, not when it meant stepping away from something that had already become real, something that had already changed her in ways she couldn't undo, while Ace stood there like he had already accepted that truth, like he was simply waiting for her to do the same.
"You're avoiding something again," he said.
"I'm not," she said.
"You are," he replied.
"I said I'm not," she said.
"Then look at me," he said.
Zein met his eyes.
"I'm looking," she said.
"Say it again," he said.
"I'm not avoiding anything," she repeated.
"Say it like you believe it," he said.
Zein's voice faltered.
"…I'm not," she said.
Ace watched her carefully.
"You hesitated," he said.
"…stop noticing everything," she said.
"I won't," he replied.
Zein exhaled slowly.
"…this is getting out of control," she said.
"It already is," he said.
"That's not good," she said.
"It's not bad either," he replied.
Zein looked at him.
"…you're okay with this?" she asked.
"Yes," he said.
"…why?" she asked.
Ace didn't hesitate.
"Because you are," he said.
Zein blinked.
"…I didn't say that," she said.
"You didn't have to," he replied.
Zein shook her head faintly.
"…this is different," she said.
"Yes," he said.
"…how?" she asked.
Ace's voice lowered.
"Because now you're not denying it," he said.
Zein's breath slowed.
"…that doesn't mean I understand it," she said.
"You don't need to," he replied.
"Then what do I need to do?" she asked.
Ace stepped closer.
"Stay," he said.
Zein didn't move.
"…I already am," she said.
"Then stay honestly," he replied.
Zein's voice softened.
"…I'm trying," she said.
"I know," he said.
"…stop saying that," she said.
"Stop proving it," he replied.
Zein almost smiled—
But didn't.