The moment had been building for longer than either of them had realized, every word, every pause, every glance adding to something neither of them could ignore anymore, and now that they were standing there, closer than ever, it felt inevitable.
"This has to stop," Zein said quietly.
"Does it?" Ace asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Then say it properly," he said.
Zein hesitated.
"…this has to stop," she repeated.
"Look at me and say it," he said.
Zein slowly met his gaze.
"…this has to stop," she said again.
Ace didn't respond immediately.
"Then why don't you sound convinced?" he asked.
Zein's breath faltered.
"…because I'm not," she admitted.
A long silence followed.
"Then say what you actually mean," Ace said.
Zein looked at him, her guard finally breaking in a way she couldn't stop anymore.
"…I don't want this to stop," she said.
Ace's expression didn't change—
But something in his eyes did.
"Good," he said softly.
Zein's heart raced.
"…this is a mistake," she whispered.
"Maybe," he said.
"…and you still want this?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered.
"…why?" she asked.
Ace held her gaze.
"…because it's you," he said.
And this time—
Zein didn't look away.