I step away from the window fully, sitting on the bed again.My body feels heavier, but not with fear this time.With something else.
Silas sits back down in the chair, farther than earlier.Giving me space.Being cautious.I hate how much I notice the distance.
“What’s wrong?”he asks quietly.
I shake my head.“Just ...thinking.”
“About?”
“You.”The word slips out before I can stop it.My eyes widen.“I, I mean about ...why you’re here.”
His brows lift slightly.Not offended.Not surprised.Simply curious.“You asked me to stay,” he says simply.
“That’s it?”I whisper.
“That’s it,” he repeats.
My heart thuds unevenly.“People ...people don’t just stay.”
“I do.”
Something in his voice sounds like a vow.Heavy.Unbreakable.I don’t know what to do with that.Another knock breaks the silence.Silas rises immediately and intercepts it like a shield.
A small voice calls softly, “Silas?I brought food.”
Peyton.
Silas cracks the door open and takes the tray from her without letting anyone come inside.He murmurs something quiet, thanks her, then closes the door again.He brings the tray to the small table beside me, placing it carefully.
“I can leave while you eat if you want,” he offers.
My stomach tightens.The idea of being alone in this room ...no.Not yet.
“Stay,” I whisper.It seems like I don’t know how to say much else when it comes to him.
He nods and returns to the chair.It seems like he can’t do much else.The thought of us stuck in this weird loop forever makes me smile and I look away to hide it.
The tray holds oatmeal, fruit slices, and tea.Simple.Safe.Normal.My chest tightens at the normality of it.I lift the spoon slowly, my hand trembling.Silas says nothing while he pretends he’s not tracking every movement.I appreciate the lie.
It takes effort, but I eat.A few bites.Small ones.But I do it.
When I look up, his eyes soften.Filled with pride and warmth.“You’re doing really well,” he murmurs.
My cheeks heat.I look down, confused by the warmth spreading through me.
After a few minutes, I stop eating, pushing the bowl away slightly.Silas doesn’t complain.He just nods like he knew exactly how much I could manage.
When I finally break the silence, my voice is small.“Silas?”
“Yeah?”
“I want to try something.”
His posture straightens, alert but not tense.“Okay.What is it?”
I swallow hard.“I ...I want to shift.”
His eyes widen slightly.“Only if you’re ready,” he says softly.
