Something had changed between them, and neither of them could deny it anymore—not after everything that had been said, not after everything that had been felt, and even though neither of them had given it a name, it was there, real and undeniable.
"This changes things," Zein said quietly.
"It already has," Ace replied.
"This won't end well," she said.
"I don't care," he answered.
"You should," she said.
"I don't," he repeated.
"Why?" she asked.
Ace held her gaze steadily.
"…because it's you," he said.
Zein's breath faltered slightly.
"…don't say things like that," she said.
"Why?" he asked.
"…because I'll believe you," she admitted.
"Then believe me," he said.
Zein looked at him, conflicted.
"…I can't," she said.
"Yes, you can," he replied.
A long silence followed.
"…this is dangerous," she said.
"I know," he answered.
"…and you're still here," she said.
"I'm not leaving," he replied.
And for the first time—
Zein didn't ask him to.