"You know," Aria whispered, her voice trembling with a little laugh, "you look even taller now."
Elion's eyes widened, only slightly. "Noticed that, huh?"
"Mm." She nodded, her nose brushing his. "It's… unfair."
"Unfair?"
"You're making it very difficult for me to pretend I'm calm."
He chuckled under his breath, and the sound made her toes curl.
His hand slid down from her cheek, skimming lightly along her jaw, her neck, until it rested just above her collarbone, grounding her and flustering her all at once.
Aria's back arched the slightest bit in response, just enough to bring her closer without meaning to.
"Elion…" she breathed, almost pleading, "say something. Anything. You're just… staring."
He took a slow breath, his eyes drinking in the soft pink glow on her skin, the way her fingers held onto him, the way she trembled beautifully under his touch.
"I'm staring," he whispered, "because you're impossible to look away from."
Her breath hitched.
