Entwined Desires, Uncharted Territory

I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing with possibilities. The memory of what had just happened—Jaxon's sudden withdrawal, the fear in his eyes—still stung, but beneath that pain stirred something else. A determination. A wanting.

"I'm going to talk to him," I said, sitting up and reaching for my discarded clothes.

Rhys caught my wrist gently. "Maybe give him some space, Hazel. When Jax gets like this..."

"No," I said firmly. "That's the problem. Everyone gives him space. Everyone lets him retreat." I pulled on my oversized t-shirt. "I'm not letting him push us away again."

Rhys studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Okay. But be careful."

I found Jaxon in his room, sitting on the edge of his bed, head in his hands. He didn't look up when I entered, but his body tensed.

"Get out," he said, voice rough.

I closed the door behind me. "No."

His head snapped up, eyes flashing. "I said—"

"I heard you," I interrupted. "And I'm not leaving."