Cracks in the Armor

Ash's POVThe sound of our footsteps echoes through the quiet street, and for the first time in a long time, I feel a sliver of peace. It's strange, really. Being with Zane feels like stepping into uncharted territory, but there's also a calmness to it. I'm still wary, still guarding myself, but maybe... just maybe, I can let a little of that guard down.As we walk, I glance over at him, watching the way the soft streetlights catch in his hair, the way his lips curl into a faint smile. I want to say something—anything—but the words are stuck somewhere between my chest and my throat. Vulnerability isn't my strong suit, and this whole situation is still too fragile. Instead, I let the silence linger, hoping he can feel the shift between us, even if I can't articulate it."You've been quiet," Zane says after a moment, his voice soft but teasing. "That's a first."I smirk at his attempt to break the tension, grateful for it. "I'm not usually quiet?"He chuckles. "Not with me."We stop at the corner, waiting for the light to change, and I take a breath. It feels like a threshold, this moment—like whatever happens next will shape everything that follows. I turn to face him, my gaze locking onto his. I see the openness there, the patience, and it makes something inside me crack."I don't want to mess this up, Zane," I admit, my voice barely audible. "But I don't know how to do this."Zane takes a step closer, his eyes soft but determined. "We'll figure it out together," he says gently. "One step at a time."The light changes, and we cross the street, his words settling over me like a warm blanket. Together. It's such a simple concept, but it's one I've never fully allowed myself to believe in. I've always been on my own, always built walls to keep people at bay. But Zane is different. He sees through those walls—always has."Do you want to come over?" he asks, breaking the silence again.The question catches me off guard. It's not that I haven't thought about it—being alone with him, away from the office, away from the pressures of my life—but the idea still unsettles me. I don't trust myself around him, not entirely. There's a pull between us that's undeniable, and I'm not sure I can keep things slow if we're alone together."I—" I pause, trying to gather my thoughts. "I don't know if that's a good idea."Zane's face falls slightly, but he quickly covers it up with a casual shrug. "It's okay. No pressure. I just thought...""No, it's not that," I cut in, shaking my head. "It's not that I don't want to. I just... I need to be careful, Zane. There's a lot at stake here."He nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I get it. But you don't always have to be so careful, Ash. Sometimes, it's okay to take risks."A risk. That's exactly what this is—a risk to everything I've built, to the control I've fought so hard to maintain. But as I look at him, I realize that maybe it's a risk worth taking."Okay," I say finally, my voice low. "I'll come over."Zane's eyes light up with surprise and something else—something I can't quite place. We hail a cab and head back to his place, the tension between us shifting from uncertain to something more charged. There's an undercurrent of excitement, of anticipation, but also a quiet understanding that whatever happens next will be on our terms.When we arrive at his apartment, Zane unlocks the door and steps aside, allowing me to enter first. The space is cozy, simple but warm, and it feels... comfortable. Like him. I take a moment to take it all in before turning to face him."Nice place," I say, and I mean it. It feels like a reflection of Zane—uncomplicated, welcoming."Thanks," he replies, closing the door behind us. "I wasn't sure if you'd ever actually see it."I raise an eyebrow. "Why not?"He shrugs, his tone light but with an edge of honesty. "You're always so hard to read. Sometimes I wonder if you'll bolt before we get too close."His words hit me harder than I expect, and I feel a pang of guilt. He's right, of course. I've been doing everything I can to keep my distance, to keep this thing between us from becoming too real. But now that I'm here, in his space, with him looking at me like that... I realize how much I've wanted this. How much I've wanted him."I'm not going anywhere," I say quietly, stepping closer to him. "Not tonight."Zane smiles, that soft, gentle smile that always makes my chest tighten. "Good," he whispers.We stand there, inches apart, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. His gaze drops to my lips, and for a brief moment, I think about closing the distance. But then I remind myself of what we agreed—to take things slow, to be careful."Do you want a drink?" Zane asks, breaking the spell.I exhale softly, nodding. "Yeah. That'd be great."He moves to the kitchen, leaving me standing there, trying to regain my composure. I watch him pour us each a glass of wine, his movements easy and familiar. There's something calming about being in his space, about seeing this side of him—the side that's not tied to work or the constant push-and-pull of our complicated relationship.When he hands me the glass, our fingers brush, and a spark shoots up my arm. I see the same flicker of something in his eyes, but neither of us comments on it. We sit down on the couch, the wine giving us an excuse to focus on something other than the electricity between us."This feels... weird," Zane says after a moment, breaking the silence."Weird how?" I ask, sipping my wine.He chuckles softly. "Like, I don't know... normal? We've spent so much time dancing around each other at work, trying to keep things professional. It's strange to just sit here and... talk."I smile, because he's right. It does feel strange. But it also feels good."Maybe we should get used to it," I suggest.Zane looks at me, his expression softening. "Maybe we should."We talk for a while—about work, about our lives before we met, about anything and everything that comes to mind. It's easy, the way conversation flows between us, and before long, I realize how much time has passed. The wine has loosened both of us up, and I can feel the tension slowly easing out of my body.But beneath the surface, there's still that pull, that undeniable attraction that keeps drawing me closer to him. The wine is making it harder to keep my distance, and I can see it in his eyes too—that same struggle, that same desire.Eventually, the conversation lulls, and we're left sitting in comfortable silence. Zane shifts slightly, turning to face me, and I feel his gaze on me—heavy, intense."Ash," he says softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to make things harder for you. But I don't think I can keep pretending this is nothing."I meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "It's not nothing," I admit quietly. "It's never been nothing."For a moment, we just sit there, the weight of our words hanging between us. Then, slowly, cautiously, Zane reaches out and takes my hand, his fingers warm against mine. I don't pull away. I can't.Maybe this is reckless. Maybe it's dangerous. But right now, it feels like the only thing that makes sense.And for tonight, that's enough.