Unmarred skin.
I snatched them back. “Oh my God, Ash—”.
I scrambled upright, searching for my gloves.
He shook his head. “You aren’t paying attention. You didn’t hurt me Seph.”
I looked at him, stunned.
A grin spread across his face.
I stared at him, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Something in my chest lifted—before I crushed it.
“That’s not—” I swallowed. “That’s not possible.”
Ash laughed wildly, his eyes sparkling with pure joy. He caught my wrists gently, carefully touching my sleeves before I could retreat further.
“See?” he said, turning my hands palm up between us. “I’m still here. Still breathing. Unhurt.”
I froze.
He shifted closer, slow and deliberate, watching my face the whole time like he was tracking a wild animal for signs of panic.
“You touched me all night,” he said, reverent now. “I woke up once. Thought maybe I’d dreamed it. But you were there. Curled up like you always do when you’re cold. You had your hands by my shoulders.”
My throat tightened. “Ash, I could have—”
“But you didn’t,” he interrupted, fierce certainty. “Youwon’t. Not like that.”
I shook my head, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “You don’t know that. It could have been an accident. Or the wards. Or—”
“Or maybe,” he said gently, “you have more control than you think.”
That landed like a blow.
I looked up at him.
My chest ached. “You should’ve pushed me away immediately.”
But he was already shaking his head.
I sank back onto the blankets, the fight draining out of me all at once. Ash followed, sitting cross-legged in front of me, close but not touching now — giving me the space to choose.
“I don’t care what anyone says,” he said. “If anyone says you are bad, or wrong, or need fixing—” His jaw clenched. “They’re lying.”
I wrapped my arms around myself, staring at my bare hands like they belonged to someone else.
“I don’t know what this means,” I admitted.
Ash smiled again — softer this time, still fierce, but warm.
“Next time you fall asleep by yourself, you don’t have to stay that way,” he said. “You can ask me to be closer if you want.”
He leaned back on his hands, entirely at ease, like this wasn’t terrifying.
“And” he added with a grin that was almost boyish, “you can touch me.”
