Minor sigh of relief. He looked down at Ethan, who was still sleeping peacefully. But then, something caught his attention. Ethan's eyes flickered open, and Minor froze.Ethan's gaze locked onto Minor, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Minor felt his heart racing as he tried to read Ethan's expression.
And then, Ethan's eyes dropped to Minor's face. He could see the tension in his eyes, the uncertainty. And Minor knew that Ethan had seen something.
"Minor?" Ethan said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Minor nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah?"
Ethan's eyes flickered back up to Minor's face. "What's going on?" he asked.
Minor hesitated, unsure of what to say. He didn't want to lie to Ethan, but he didn't want to reveal his true feelings either.
"Ethan, let's just focus on getting you better," he said finally.
But Ethan's eyes narrowed. "You're not just talking about my health," he said. "You're talking about something else."
Minor felt his heart sink. He had been trying to avoid this moment, but now it seemed like he couldn't escape it.
Ethan's eyes met Minor's as he poured himself a cup of grog, his voice dripping with casual curiosity. "So, Minor, I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time with Ann lately. She seems... fascinated by your stories."
Minor's expression didn't change, but Ethan detected a flicker of tension in his eyes. "Just sharing my knowledge with her," he said, his voice neutral.
Ethan chuckled, his eyes never leaving Minor's face. "Ah, yes, the art of navigation. I'm sure she's grateful for your expertise."
Minor's jaw clenched, but he didn't rise to the bait. "What's it to you, Ethan?" he asked, his tone cool.
Ethan shrugged, his voice taking on a hint of nonchalance. "Just making conversation. You know how it is when we're stuck at your cave for weeks on end."
The two men stood there for a moment, the silence between them heavy with unspoken emotions. Ethan could sense Minor's anger simmering just below the surface, but he refused to back down.
"I'm sure Ann appreciates your... attention," Ethan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, who wouldn't want to spend hours listening to tales of the high seas?"
Minor's face darkened, but he kept his emotions in check. "You're not exactly one to talk, Ethan," he said, his voice low and even.
Ethan's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, I'm just trying to help you see things from my perspective. You know, for the sake of our friendship."
The two men stood there for a moment longer, the tension between them palpable. Finally, Ethan nodded and turned to leave. "I'll catch you later, Minor," he said, his voice dripping with false camaraderie.
As he walked away, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had planted the seed of doubt in Minor's mind, and he knew that this wasn't the last they would hear about it.