Chapter 89
Nolan
Deciding to stop stalling any longer, I force myself to breathe and stop being a coward. My palms are sweaty, my heart's in my throat, and it feels like if I don't say this now, I'll choke on it.
"I'm afraid," I blurt out.
Ciel turns to me instantly, his brows pinching in concern.
"I'm afraid our relationship has changed," I add, the words heavy but oddly freeing.
Ciel exhales sharply, and to my surprise, he looks relieved.
"I am too," he admits. "I'm so, so afraid. It feels like the very foundation of what makes us us has been shaken."
I get that. I really do. Because that's exactly how it feels—like we're balancing on new ground that could crack at any second.
"Yeah," I say softly. "We've never gone there… unless we exclude your lessons and that night we don't speak about."
Ciel visibly flinches at the reminder, and I curse myself internally. I rub the back of my neck, trying to ease the tension I just caused.
"I'm sorry, Ciel," I mutter.
