AT THE SAME TIME
ZAVIER
Dinner ended, not peacefully, not quietly. Just finished, like a storm deciding it had done enough damage for one night. But the silence after? That was worse, because for once no one was talking, not even Riko. Which meant something was happening.
"You feel that?" Aiden's voice murmured in my head.
"Yes." I whispered internally.
Warm, steady and proud. It wasn't overwhelming like before, not burning, not chaotic, just there, calm and watching.
"You chose well." Aiden said.
"I didn't choose." I replied.
"You did."Aiden said.
"I panicked."I sighed.
"You stayed."Aiden repeated. "I like him." Aiden added.
"You are not helping."I said.
"I am approving."Aiden explained.
"I did not ask for approval."I said.
"You have it anyway."Aiden said.
I exhaled slowly, leaning slightly into Adam without thinking, he noticed immediately. Of course he did.
"You are quiet." He said softly.
"I am being evaluated internally." I replied.
"...by?"Adam asked.
