Oliver stood there for a long second, watching her shoulders rise and fall with quiet, shaky breaths. The tension in the air was thick, filled with all the things they didn't say, and all the ones they said too late.
He sighed softly, his steps quiet as he walked closer. The floor creaked beneath his weight, and Athena didn't turn around this time. She stayed by the window, arms wrapped around herself like she was holding everything in.
When he was close enough, Oliver slowly slipped his arms around her from behind. His warmth pressed against her back, his chin lowering to rest gently on her shoulder. "Hey," he whispered, his voice low, convincing and soothing. "Don't do that. Don't shut me out like that."
Athena's lips trembled. "I'm not," she murmured.
"Then what are you doing?" he asked quietly.
She didn't give me an answer, her silence said it all.
Oliver tightened his arms a little, his breath brushing against the side of her neck. "Talk to me, Athena."
