He didn’t have a choice in the matter, it was a demand—whether he like it or not—that he partner with you on this task. Of course, Jiyan would have preferred to work this alone, especially when he knows there’s bad blood and unshed feelings between the both of you. Especially when he knows it’s his fault you’re hurting.

He would have told you why he left. He would have told you that the reason he broke it off was because he was afraid of losing you, but he didn’t realize he’d be losing you regardless.

Now you both lay in the tent, the air is thick and tension palpable between the two of you as the crickets chirp to occupy the silence. He wants to reach out, to pull you against him as he used to, but all he can muster is a sigh as he turns his back to you…once again.