The following morning was overcast, the sun struggling to peek through a thick veil of clouds. Elias could feel the change in the air. Something unspoken lingered between him and Malik like a fog that wouldn't lift.
Malik had been quiet during their walk to the cliffs; his usual playfulness dulled. Elias tried to fill the silence, but even his words felt hollow.
"You, okay?" Elias asked finally.
Malik hesitated. "Yeah. Just... thinking."
Elias knew that tone. It was the tone of someone trying to protect you from something—something heavy.
They sat on the cliffs overlooking the churning sea. The waves mirrored Elias' stomach.
"You ever feel like... if you let people really see you, they'll leave?" Malik asked, eyes fixed on the horizon.
Elias nodded slowly. "Every day."
Malik looked at him. "That's what scares me. I like you, Elias. More than I expected. But I've been let down before. I don't want to hurt you."
Elias reached for his hand. "Then don't. Stay."
Malik didn't answer. But he didn't pull away either.