By the time he snatches hold of the hand that she raises to trace his face, her eyes have misted over. Her head falls heavily against his arm that supports it. Seo feels something tightening inside him, drawn tense like a bow ready to shoot - crackling as if sparks were cast into dry roots. He feels the tension spread to his shoulders, tightening the lines there, along his spine as he folds himself around her. He squeezes his eyes shut and wills for his heart to stop its pounding - destructive rhythm. The control - fine threads of it - is imminent to be lost.
He spends a moment longer without moving, listening and awaiting another attack. When nothing comes - Seo moves. His arms protest for a moment, unwilling to remove themselves from the embrace they hold her in. Then leaves under snow crunches and his ears perk up.
Naju would burn. There was no other way out of it.
