“I’m not asking to [i]marry[/i] you, all my gods!” Kire said with an exasperated groan, pushing down the well of anger at herself. When he snapped back at her, she glared, her temper making it hard for her to focus on what he was saying, until he started talking about [i]her[/i]. Aera. She was silent, fuming, yes, but more and more, it had started to dawn on her why he behaved the way he did. Why seeing Aera was a nightmare for him. And gave her an idea of the darkness that lurked in his past. Kire’s hands clenched into fists. [i]You fucked up, Kire.[/i]

“I’m not ordering you around. I’m not asking you to be my subject. Far from it! I’m just—” She covered her face and growled. How did it spiral into this? When she lowered her hands to look ahead, her temper had started to falter, and only confusion was left, and regret. She couldn’t quite regret last night, but everything since. Couldn’t she had just left well enough alone, shaken his hand, thanked him for his time, and they could have forgotten the whole affair happened and went on their way? Why did she feel the need to needle him like this? 

She was quiet afterwards, her lips pursed, her words failing her along with her temper. What could one say to that confession he had just given? Where should she go from here? “Alright.” She sighed heavily, rubbing her face again. “Alright. I won’t pry.” She ran her hand through her hair. “So, we don’t cross the line then. Start over. As your friend.” She sighed again. “As your friend, though, I will say this. You can’t keep people away forever. I’m not talking about me. Just—I don’t know. It’ll be long, lonely life if you keep doing that.”