"What do you want in return?"
Aein questioned him abruptly as Ellis backed away to sit on the edge of the bed and gazed up at him as he spoke.
"Nothing. I don't want anything. I only wanted to give it to you."
He had never intended to tell this man the meaning behind the gift—or even his own name. Whatever connection they had was enough. Greed for love had gotten him nowhere before, and dragging someone else into the mess of his life and twisted personality wasn't fair. Maybe even if he were a dominant omega, things wouldn't be any different—it would still be him, with the same flaws, the same chaos. Staring vacantly, he blinked slowly at Aein, who quietly tucked the grain of rice back into the handkerchief and slid it into his inner pocket, a gesture so small yet so deliberate it grounded him for a fleeting moment.
"Are you hurt?"
The quiet voice traveled in the room before reaching him, and he lied naturally.
"No."
