[Recommended Song]: Mixed Signals by Ruth B.
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"I think I'm... starting to fall for you."

"Jah, are you-"

Realization hit Jace hard in the head. He was astounded.

"Will you feel disgusted if I say am?"

Elijah smiled awkwardly when he heard no reply from Jace. It was... complete... silence. He had already expected this. He shouldn't have spoken a word. "I'm sorry for being like this. If... I feel disgusting to be around, I just can't stop from what I feel-"

The taller male cut him with a hug and smiled: "Jah, You aren't an illness. How can you call yourself disgusting?"

Elijah smiled softly then began with a soft voice: "Maybe... because the world both hate and accepts me. But my question, Jace. Will you love me if I... fell harder?"

Jace bit his bottom lip and stared at the shorter male: "I'm sorry." He apologized, causing the mentioned latter to bow his head.

"You don't have to say sorry." The younger smiled soft but guilty. "Maybe it's my fault for...misinterpreting every action you act or do towards me. Besides, I knew it was a taboo."

"No, Jah, I just don't know how to feel. It's something I'm not used to and- I'm not even sure if I love you more than a friend. I didn't want to hurt you, nor give you false hope." Jace looked at him apologetically. "I'm so sorry..."

Elijah hummed. Then he said: "I'm just glad you're there when I need you. Don't force yourself to love me, no relationships work out like that." He chuckled as if no pain hit him. He was sure that he loved Jace, he loves the latter more than himself. Yet, he can't force love on someone who doesn't want it, can he?

You can call Elijah crazy, but, he was happy with how Jace was open and truthful. Though his heart bled from the rejection, it led him to understand that the other himself was someone who cares for him and accepts him.

Jace loved Elijah as a brother, the younger was thankful for that. He shouldn't force nor ask for more when the affection is already there.

"Should we go?"

Jace just nodded silently. They left the training room, perfectly fine. That's what you can see, maybe not.

Night:

Having the last conversation earlier, Jace and Elijah still talked. Callista was cooking dinner, Kai and Tris were playing video games, and Dominic and Zack researching about San Vedra's past.

"What are you guys doing?" Jace asked looking at Zack and Dominic back and forth.

Zack murmured something before turning to Jace and saying: "San Vedra advance research."

Bewildered, Jace pointed at those books they were holding. "Okay, ge. Is that from our personal library? 'Cause, you know, we don't have the main history of school books." He followed an explanation, in which Zack's mouth hung agape to.

"No, this is actually a favorite book of mine that I can't finish-"

Jace gently took it and read the title. Nadie Encontrará

"I'm surprised you had urges to read this." He said.

Zack became stupefied, what was wrong with the book? He stated. "I found it at an old book shop near the mall. I decided to buy it since it intrigued me. But, it turns out it's a Spanish book."

"This is a Horror-Thriller book from 2016, have you asked Tris or Elijah about this before buying?"

Zack's eyes widened. Now, in no way he'll finish translating a book. He already faced enough with his language Horror, he couldn't sleep straight for one whole month, traumatized. What more can he expect from a book that's not his own language? Yeah, a lot.

"You can keep that book-" The older said flinching.

Jace declined. "Give it to Tris, he's a Horror book collector after all. I've finished this, book one to three." He frowned. "I don't know how to feel with Valeria's death, though. I still can't understand that part."

Zack was stunned. Was Jace really that brave to finish a whole Horror series? He laughed and ask: "Do you have the book one to three?"

Jace nodded. "In my room. I even highlighted some important details and exciting parts."

"By exciting parts you mean-"

"Yep, unexpected jumpscares."

'The fuck? He can still sleep peacefully after reading a horror book?' This thought came across Zack's head. He wondered where Jace took that courage from.

"Dinner's ready, come on!"

Smelling the fresh aroma, Kiara took a peek at what Elijah was cooking. Cheesy & Garlic bread and some pasta.

Zack shivered and went to the dining area. It was as if he was rethinking his decisions in life.

Jace laid the book down. He tapped Dominic's shoulder nodding to the kitchen. "Get your eyes off the screen, dinner's ready."

Everyone went silent. Tris stabbed his pasta, shocking Callista out of her chair.

She said: "Do you have envy against my pasta?! Why do you look so angry while chewing?!"

"Hm?" Tris hummed chewing the pasta while drinking his water.

Elijah seemed bothered by how aggressively his brother stabbed that pasta. Poor thing, was his brother holding a grudge against the delicious food?

When his eyes traveled for what could possibly be pissing off Tris, his eyes locked on Jace and Dominic who were acting like a teasing couple.

Looks like he found out.

He kept staring at the two, to the point that he even needed Kiara to tell him that he added too much Garlic.

And...

"Oh fuck." He hissed. Besides adding too much garlic, his finger was bleeding because he accidentally cut his finger while cutting cheese.

"Oh, goodness!" Kiara took the knife from the other male. "I told you to be careful."

"I was, and, you didn't say a thing," Elijah said in a low voice.

"You weren't listening."

"Oh."

"Kai! Go fetch the first aid!" Kiara growled, causing Jace and Dominic to turn.

"I'll go--"

Tris stood up and went with Kai. He said with a glance. "It's okay, Jace. We've got him covered. You can go eat dinner."

When the two came back, they brought the first-aid kit with them.

Elijah was healed, and Kiara offered to finish off what was left.
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I apologize for any grammar/spelling mistakes 😀 Y'all are a few chapters away from the DollMastering part. May I ask? Have you gotten your tissues ready?

-xoxo: Ms. Khi 🦊🖤