Chapter 112: Can I have you? (M)
Ash stood in the middle of the living room, his arms crossed tightly across his chest. His heart was pounding in his chest, emotions churning chaotically as he tried to make sense of the past few days. He felt stupid for bringing this up, but he couldn’t take it anymore. The distance, the rejections—it was eating at him, and he needed answers.
Elijah stood on the opposite side of him, looking at him with wide, panicked eyes. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. He looked like a deer caught in headlights, completely thrown off guard by the intensity of Ash’s emotions.
"Why are you just standing there?" Ash finally snapped, his voice tight with frustration. "Aren’t you going to say something?"
Elijah ran a hand through his hair. "Ash, I...I don’t even know where this is coming from. You think I don’t want you anymore? That’s crazy!"
"Is it?" Ash shot back, his voice trembling with anger and sadness. "Because every time I try to get close to you, you push me away. You keep stopping me, like...like I’m not good enough anymore."
Elijah took a step toward him, but Ash held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Ash, that’s not it," Elijah said hurriedly, his voice filled with desperation. "You have no idea how much I want you. Every time I see you, I—"
"Then why?" Ash interrupted, tears brimming in his eyes. "Why do you keep turning me down? Why won’t you touch me anymore? I feel like...like I’m not even attractive to you. Like you don’t even want me."
Elijah’s heart clenched at the sight of Ash’s tears. He rushed forward, grabbing Ash by the arms before Ash could pull away again. "Stop, please," Elijah begged, gripping him firmly but gently. "Listen to me, Ash. That’s not it at all."
Ash stared up at him, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "Then what is it? Why does it feel like you’re avoiding me? I just want to understand."