Their eyes met.
And the air shifted.
He leaned in slightly. She didn't pull away. Her breath hitched, lips parting the tiniest bit. Cael froze, heart pounding.
Then… he stopped.
His jaw tightened, and he pulled back with visible effort, eyes dark with restraint.
"Elisa," he said, his voice husky, like it was a strain for him to speak. "I can't. Not like this."
Elisa blinked, disoriented. Her stomach dropped at the rejection, but Cael's face—struggling, pained, and sincere—held her still.
"The last time we were close… it was after the attack. Let it not be like the only time we ever do anything is when you are vulnerable. I don't want to be the guy who takes advantage of your vulnerability every time."
He shifted back a little and ran a hand through his hair. "I want to earn whatever this is. I want to know it's real."
Cael stepped back.
"That's not what this is," she said quietly.
