Ruby's gaze lingered on Julian's face, taking in the features she had grown accustomed to.
His mossy green eyes, warm and soulful, were what stood out the most...gentle yet deep, full of quiet emotions that he never voiced.
There was something about those eyes that made her pause, that made her feel seen in a way she couldn't quite explain.
"I'm really fine," she reassured him softly, her breath brushing against his face in the quiet stillness of the night.
Julian's body stiffened slightly, the warmth of her breath making him suddenly aware of how close they were.
A flicker of something passed through his gaze...something unreadable, something uncertain.
And then, as if remembering something, his expression steadied.
Brother Kenji's words…
Julian had been thinking about them for a while now.
'Let her come to you, don't rush.'
With that thought, he nodded slowly, forcing himself to relax, and a small, reassuring smile curved on his lips.
