Aether blinked slowly, as if something had just clicked in his mind. His gaze narrowed as he said, "Hey... Don't tell me we just fucked because you thought you might die and didn't want to leave with any regret?"
She flinched, her body reacting before her mind could. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable, but Aether caught it.
Noticing that small tremor in her, Aether's frown deepened. He gently pushed her back just a bit, enough to study her face with a seriousness that left no room for escape. His voice dropped low, slow, steady. "Are you?"
Sandra's breath caught. She bit her lip hard, trying to calm the sudden ache blooming in her chest. Seeing the raw intensity in his eyes, like he was already hurt by the answer he suspected was coming, she hesitated. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "...I... I'll be honest... Yeah. I didn't want to have any regrets, that's..."
Aether's expression darkened. His jaw tensed, and he pulled his hand away from her skin with a sharp exhale.
