Simple Questions.

"Not that," she interrupted, "You can vent all you want but don't utter curse words..."

"Is that what you have to say, Kera?" Ethan asked disbelievingly.

"Yeah, just...just say whatever but don't curse." All this while, she refused to meet his eyes as she talked, knowing that she might accidentally let everything on her mind out under his scrutinizing gaze.

Ethan felt worry growing within him all of a sudden. He closed the distance between them both, placing his hand on her shoulders.

"I asked you before, Shikera. What's the problem with you?"

"And I told you nothing. Don't ask me again," she snapped, feigning impatience. Only her knew how much she wanted to bury herself in his outstretched arms, but she could not... right?

As if stung by an insect, Ethan removed his hands from her shoulders immediately.

"Hold on, Shikera. You...is all this because of my presence? I uhm— I can leave if my being here makes you unhappy. I'm sorry."