is it just her, or did this feel impossible ? not only was she battling her own guilt, forced to engage with the other when she canāt stop replaying what happened between her and miller not all that long ago, but sheās beginning to feel like this entire conversation was calculated. like eden wanted to sow doubt, to knock her off her balance, somehow. and even though sheās not outright saying it, devon can tell that she suspects something, or at least, sheās noticed just how close they are again, and she doesnāt like it. this would be so much easier if she just said that, though. well, maybe not easier, but she would at least feel less⦠on edge. cheeks flush slightly at the mention of fletcher, embarrassed that she forgot to mention him. god, even if she isnāt purposefully trying to be cruel, sheās beginning to think that maybe she is, anyway. canāt ponder that for long, though, as edenās words strike her square in the jaw. she could make it sound as innocent as she wanted, but she didnāt believe the act for a second. she could claim she wasnāt trying to sabotage, or play a game, but devonās not stupidā thatās exactly what sheās doing. and she doesnāt want it to work, and it isnāt, for the most part, but thereās a tiny piece of her that she knows will cling to it, certain that sheāll spiral about it later when sheās staring up at the ceiling. what if sheās rightā what if that wasnāt their ending ? no, it couldnāt be. ā i⦠well, no, itās not really that simple, ā she defends, eyes narrowed. ā i did what i thought was the right thing, at the time. i just⦠wanted him to be happy. ā a clichĆ©, but it was true. does she wish things were different now ? of course, but there was no going back. and part of her knows, now, that she possesses knowledge that could shatter edenās view of this in an instant by repeating the words he said to her, not all that long agoā that he would leave her, if devon asked him to. if she was cruel, like she suggested earlier, thatās exactly what she would say. instead, she tries to tamper down the smirk that threatens to tug at her lips, looking at the other intently. ā what makes you say that, hm ? ā ā ā just say it, eden. stop bullshitting me and tell me how you really feel, for once. ā
doesnāt know much about what was said between the pair, but since theyāve joined back in with the rest of the group, he can tell that somethingās just off. itās not like theyāve particularly gotten along, or ever really interacted with one another unless forced to, but the fact that neither one can meet his eye tells him all that he needs to know. thereās a hundred and one scenarios that shift through his head, and somehow being on the outskirts of it, and not knowing, has his anxiety skyrocketing. tries to play it as cool as he can, like the ability to remain calm and collected is an ability that comes easy to him, when in reality, he canāt quite keep still, always shifting his weight, in some way, or rubbing at tired eyes, scratching at the underside of his jaw. gets snippets of edenās moodā thatās sheās obviously not happy about what was said, and thatās only confirmed when she insists that theyāll talk about it later when he makes an attempt to ask about it. it isnāt until everyoneās packing up for the night, downing the last of their drinks and retreating to their rooms, that he makes an effort to try again, but this time with devon. he approaches her in the kitchen, taking the spot beside her to help with the dishes, towel in hand to start drying what she washes. such a mundane task, but one that comes with a flood of memoriesā a life like this, that they once shared together. a life that he had to say goodbye to all too soon; one that he always thought theyād have together. ā everythingās alright, yeah? ā the question is phrased simple, easy. but he knows the complication thatās tied within it. ā like, youāre okay, i mean? feel like you havenāt been able to look at me, all night long, ā pauses, then, vulnerability on show for a second. ā did she say something to you? ā












