Aesop Sharp

Her arms were crossed over her chest, her lower back resting on the edge of the desk. She forced herself to take deep breaths to calm her nerves, along with the frustration, anger, relief, and lingering fear, looking straight ahead before finally meeting your gaze.

"You should have spoken to me."

He spoke in his usual brusque and severe tone, and it was a struggle for everything inside him not to explode, not to give in to the fear he had felt. Fear of losing you.