What Happened? (5)

Aliya's pale face contorted into a semblance of something indescribable, which finally got through the calm mask that Ian had on.

Ian was usually composed around everyone. This may explain why Geneva never liked Aliya; her mere presence could trigger Ian in unexpected ways. There was a hushed phrase that previously went around that he was only 'human' around Aliya, but that notion had long since been countered.

Ian felt much saner this time, facing his long-lost love, whom he thought dead,

"It's not like that, I—" he stopped and clenched his fists at his sides. For the second time in his life, and maybe for the last time, he said words that were very similar to ones he had borne out to his Elvin,

"You have no idea what it was like. Losing you broke me, Aliya."

"Clearly, not enough," she snapped, her voice cracking under the strain or forcing herself to speak louder than her weak body could handle.