Distance Between Us

Chase woke up to movement.

A slight shift beneath him, a change in the rhythm of breathing. His arms were still wrapped tightly around Arrow's unmoving body, his face buried in the crook of his cold neck. He had fallen asleep like this—clinging to him, waiting, hoping.

And now, Arrow was awake.

Chase's breath hitched, his body tensing as he pulled back just enough to look at him.

Arrow's eyes were open, staring at the ceiling, blank and unreadable. He didn't look confused or dazed—he looked… calm. Almost unsettlingly so. His expression was distant, detached, as if he were analyzing his surroundings rather than reacting to them.

Chase swallowed, his voice hoarse. "Arrow?"

Slowly, Arrow turned his head, his red eyes meeting Chase's. For a long moment, he just looked at him. No relief, no recognition, no softness. Just silence.