Key Story (2) - Chapter 13
The bright, neon lights of the arcade flickered above Fayne as she stood off to the side, watching her friends from school huddled around a pinball machine. The air was filled with the familiar hum of electronic music and the occasional sound of victory cheers from nearby games. It had been a long day, and while she enjoyed the lighthearted energy around her, Fayne's mind drifted elsewhere.
She glanced down at her phone, her thumb hovering over Milo's contact. It had been a while since she'd seen him in person, and with everything going on recently, she felt the need to check in on him. They had been part of each other's lives for so long, and yet, it felt like things had shifted since Sable's kidnapping. The group had grown quieter, more distant, and Milo especially had withdrawn into himself.
"Fayne! Come on, it's your turn!" one of her friends called out, laughing as they waved her over to the next game.
"Yeah, I'm coming," she responded with a soft smile, tucking a strand of white hair behind her ear. But her fingers moved quickly on the screen, sending a quick text to Milo before joining her friends at the machine.
Fayne: Hey Milo, I'm going to be in your city tomorrow to visit a friend. Any chance you'd want to hang out afterward?
She hit send just as one of her friends handed her the controls, grinning mischievously. "Think you can beat my score?" they teased.
Fayne laughed lightly, her usual reserved demeanor slipping as she focused on the game. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but think about Milo—about how different things had become between them over the last few months. They still talked, of course, but not like before. There was a distance now, an unspoken weight that had grown between the group. She missed their easy conversations, the ones where they could just be themselves without the looming pressure of everything that had happened.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she quickly glanced at the screen.
Milo: Yeah, sure. Just let me know what time.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. At least he hadn't shut her out. Fayne tucked her phone away and returned her attention to the game, feeling a little more at ease now that their hangout was set. Maybe tomorrow would be different—maybe it would feel like old times again.
But as she lined up her next shot on the game, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Raze.
Raze: Hey, got some news. Mind if we meet?
Her brow furrowed slightly. Raze, of all people, reaching out? It wasn't like him to initiate things out of the blue. He was usually the one to go with the flow, never pressing for anything unless it really mattered. Fayne hesitated for a moment, wondering if whatever he wanted to share was important.
She glanced over at her friends, who were still engrossed in the game, laughing and teasing each other without a care in the world. The carefree energy of the arcade felt so distant from the tension she sensed building in the group. She quickly sent a response to Raze.
Fayne: I'm going to Milo's tomorrow. Want to come? Maybe we can all hang out together.
Her thoughts flickered to Milo again, knowing how he usually needed time to prepare for social situations. Spontaneous hangouts weren't his thing. She'd have to ask him if it was okay to bring Raze along.
Fayne pocketed her phone after sending the text to Raze, her fingers lingering for a moment longer. She knew how Milo usually felt about last-minute plans, and she didn't want to overwhelm him. But she'd see what he said tomorrow.
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Milo sat at his desk, the soft hum of his computer filling the silence of his small apartment. His eyes, heavy with a mix of fatigue and frustration, scanned the tournament footage for what must have been the hundredth time. His mind kept drifting back to Zenith, to Lynx, and the attack on Sable. It had been weeks since the kidnapping, and even though things had slowly settled down, something still didn't sit right with him. There was something more behind Zenith's actions, something bigger than just the game.
He clicked through more footage, his finger tapping lightly on the mouse as he replayed moments of Zenith's matches. Patterns emerged—strategies that were too precise, too calculated. This wasn't just about winning games. It was something else. Something sinister.
His phone buzzed on the desk, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Fayne, reminding him about their hangout tomorrow. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he quickly typed a response.
"Yeah, tomorrow's still good. I'll clean up a bit before you guys come."
He appreciated Fayne's effort to stay connected, especially after everything they had been through lately. The kidnapping had shaken all of them, and though Sable had started to recover, it was clear that the road ahead was still long. Milo himself hadn't really dealt with it either—he had been too focused on the shadows lurking behind Zenith's carefully constructed façade.
As he leaned back in his chair, his mind wandered again, back to the strange behavior of Zenith. They weren't just another competitive gaming team—they were something more. Milo had always suspected there was more going on behind the scenes, but the kidnapping of Sable had made him realize just how deep it went.
Zenith wasn't playing to win. They were playing for control.
Milo's fingers tapped restlessly against his desk. It wasn't just about the tournament anymore. He had started digging deeper, piecing together fragments of information that pointed to something far more dangerous. Zenith's actions weren't random—they were strategic, calculated to thin out the competition and assert their dominance, not just in e-sports, but in the gaming industry itself.
There were rumors, whispers on online forums, about Zenith being linked to underground dealings—manipulating e-sports, tech development, and even gambling rings. They used tournaments as a front, a way to control markets and eliminate threats to their growing influence.
And Raxian's team had become a threat.
Milo clicked on another video, this time focusing on Lynx's movements in-game. Why had he gone after Sable? It wasn't just to break her spirit for the tournament. Sable must have seen or heard something, something that made her a danger to Zenith. Lynx's attack wasn't just about competition; it was about silencing her.
Raxian's growing influence also made him a target. He was the heart of their team, the one who held them all together. If Zenith could break him, the rest of the team would fall apart. But there had to be more to it than that. Milo's gut told him that Zenith feared Raxian for more than his gaming skills. Maybe it had something to do with Raxian's family.
Raxian had never talked much about his family, but Milo had started to wonder if there was a deeper connection there—something in Raxian's background that made him a threat to Zenith's operations. Maybe his family had ties to the tech industry or had opposed Zenith in the past. Whatever it was, Zenith seemed determined to destroy Raxian and anyone connected to him.
Milo rubbed his temples, the weight of it all pressing down on him. He had to figure this out, but he couldn't do it alone. Tomorrow, he would see Fayne and Raze, and maybe it was time to let them in on what he had discovered. They had a right to know that this was bigger than just games.
But a part of him hesitated. He didn't want to ruin their hangout with conspiracy theories and suspicions. They all needed a break, especially after everything with Sable. Fayne had reached out to reconnect, and Raze had some news to share. Milo didn't want to drag them into something that might put them in even more danger.
He sighed, glancing at the time. Tomorrow would be about spending time with friends. He would leave Zenith in the shadows, at least for now. But deep down, Milo knew this wasn't over. The shadows were creeping closer, and it was only a matter of time before they had to face the truth.
With one last glance at the screen, Milo closed the footage and shut down his computer. His thoughts still churned with the weight of his suspicions, but tomorrow, he would let it go—at least for a little while. They all needed a break, and for one day, he would let himself pretend that everything was normal.
Even if he knew it wasn't.
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The soft strains of piano music echoed through the ballet studio as Fayne sat quietly by the window, her eyes following her friend's graceful movements across the floor. It had been such a surprise to discover that her online friend lived so close to Milo's city, and when her friend had invited her to watch today's practice, Fayne couldn't say no.
Her friend, a ballet dancer with an ethereal presence, moved with such ease and precision. Fayne couldn't help but feel a quiet awe as she watched the fluidity of each step—the way her friend's lithe form seemed to glide effortlessly across the polished floor. Every movement was a picture of grace and control, her arms curving elegantly as she twirled and leapt in time with the music.
Fayne found herself leaning forward slightly, her heart racing in a way that surprised her. She hadn't expected to be so mesmerized by the dance, but there was something about the way her friend moved—the lightness, the precision—that held her gaze. It wasn't just admiration she felt. There was something deeper stirring inside her, something that made her cheeks warm.
Her friend finished the routine with a soft, graceful landing, the music fading into the background as she caught her breath. She shot Fayne a bright smile, her eyes twinkling with a mix of exhaustion and pride.
"How was it?" her friend asked, her voice still light and airy from the dance.
Fayne blinked, realizing she had been holding her breath. "It was… beautiful," she replied softly, her voice a little shaky. She hoped her friend wouldn't notice the flush creeping up her neck.
Her friend laughed, a soft, musical sound that matched the elegance of her movements. "I'm glad you think so. It's always more fun to practice when someone's watching."
Fayne smiled, feeling a bit more at ease, though the nervous flutter in her stomach remained. As her friend gestured for her to follow, they made their way to the locker room, where the soft echo of their footsteps filled the otherwise quiet space.
Inside, the locker room was a simple, intimate space, with rows of benches and lockers lining the walls. Her friend grabbed a towel, patting down her face and neck as she began to unwind from the practice.
"Give me a sec—I'll just get changed," her friend said casually, tossing her towel aside as she began to pull out her change of clothes from her bag.
Fayne felt her heart skip a beat. She wasn't sure why, but the casual mention of changing—combined with the closeness of the small room—made her feel nervous. She sat down on the bench, suddenly hyper-aware of her surroundings.
Her friend was already halfway through undoing the buttons of her leotard, humming softly to herself, completely at ease. Fayne's eyes darted away, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she tried to focus on anything but the fact that her friend was right there, changing in front of her.
"You okay?" her friend's voice broke the silence, a hint of curiosity in her tone. "You're quiet all of a sudden."
Fayne swallowed, her cheeks burning as she forced herself to smile. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just… thinking."
Her friend raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-change to give Fayne a playful look. "Thinking? About what?"
Fayne shifted in her seat, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her sweater. She didn't know how to explain what she was feeling—it wasn't something she had put into words before. The graceful movements of the dance, the closeness of their friendship, the way her heart seemed to race when she looked at her friend now… It was all so confusing, and it made her feel exposed in a way she hadn't expected.
Her friend sat down beside her. "You're acting weird, Fayne. Come on, spill. It's just us girls here. What's going on?"
Fayne bit her lip, avoiding her friend's gaze as she tried to find the right words. "I just… I don't know," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's silly."
Her friend leaned in closer, a soft smile playing on her lips. "It's not silly if it's bothering you. We're friends, right? You can tell me."
Fayne's chest tightened. She knew her friend was just being kind, trying to put her at ease, but it only made the strange fluttering in her stomach worse. She glanced up, meeting her friend's eyes for just a moment before looking away again. "I… I guess I was just thinking about the dance. About how… graceful you are."
Her friend laughed, a bright, carefree sound that filled the small room. "Graceful? Me? You should've seen me during my first year. I was the opposite of graceful."
Fayne smiled, but the tension in her chest didn't ease. Her friend's easygoing demeanor only made her feel more self-conscious. How could she explain that it wasn't just admiration she felt? That something about her friend's movements, about her presence, stirred something deeper within her?
Her friend finished getting changed, pulling on a light sweater as she turned back to Fayne. "There. All done." She glanced at Fayne, her expression softening. "You're sure you're okay?"
Fayne nodded quickly, trying to push the confusing feelings aside. "Yeah. I'm okay. Just… overthinking, I guess."
Her friend smiled and gave her a playful nudge. "Well, stop overthinking. You're supposed to have fun today, remember?"
Fayne laughed softly, the tension easing just a little. Maybe her friend was right—maybe she was just overthinking everything. Still, as they left the locker room together, the fluttering feeling in her chest remained, a quiet reminder of the unspoken emotions she wasn't quite ready to confront.
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After practice, Fayne and her friend decided to grab some bubble tea from a cozy spot down the street. Fayne chose a rainbow-flavored drink, the swirling colors almost symbolic of the conflict inside her. It was bright, cheerful on the surface, but she couldn't shake the unease. The gentle sweetness of the drink contrasted with her thoughts, but it brought a small comfort as they chatted away before their separation. After finishing, they parted ways, her friend waving goodbye with a smile, unaware of the deeper turmoil Fayne was navigating.
Fayne had a bit of time to kill before Raze arrived. He had texted her, saying he was on his way by the train, and though she felt conflicted about inviting him to Milo's place, she couldn't ignore her curiosity. Why had Raze reached out like that? He never did that. Whatever it was, it had to be important.
Still, Fayne felt a twinge of guilt. She had originally wanted to spend some time alone with Milo. They hadn't hung out in person for a while, not since everything with Sable had gone down. It had been the perfect opportunity to bring up… well, something else. Raxian already knew, but maybe it was time to clear the air with Milo too? On second thought, maybe not. It might bring back the jealousy Milo used to feel toward Raxian.
Fayne sighed, wandering aimlessly into a nearby store. Her gaze shifted between shelves, not really looking for anything in particular until she stumbled upon the board game section. She paused, her eyes catching on a box with bold lettering: True Damage: Breakdown. A small smile tugged at her lips as her fingers brushed over the cover. The artwork depicted Ekko and the rest of the True Damage crew in all their flashy glory.
Her thoughts drifted back to Raxian. He used to be obsessed with Ekko, as if League of Legends was his entire world. But now… things had changed. The game wasn't his priority anymore. It felt like Sable had become the center of his universe, and the shift in him was unsettling. His usual fierce dedication had been redirected into uncertainty, and it gnawed at Fayne too.
She could still recall their conversation at the diner. How they'd both skirted around their deeper fears, how it all felt complicated. She missed the simple days, but now, everything felt tangled in emotional webs neither of them could fully untangle. She hadn't seen Sable since the incident, but maybe that was for the best. Fayne wasn't sure she was ready to face her like this.
Her hand lingered over the game, tracing the outline of Ekko. It struck her how much had shifted. Raxian didn't seem to care as much about League anymore. He didn't even wear his True Damage shirts these days, not even outside of school.
She sighed, grabbing the game box and a few snacks to bring to Milo's. It felt like a small gesture to bring a piece of the old Raxian into their hangout, even if he wasn't there. Maybe it would bring a little comfort—though, knowing how things had changed, maybe it would only remind her how much they had all left behind.
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The train station was bustling with people, the sound of footsteps and distant chatter filling the air. Fayne stood near the entrance, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets and her bags dropped down to the ground as she waited. Her mind lingered on the day she'd just spent, her friend's graceful movements still fresh in her memory. It had been a nice distraction, but her thoughts kept circling back to today's plan. Raze hadn't given her many details about the news he wanted to share, and the uncertainty gnawed at her. She glanced at her phone again, just as the train from Raze's city pulled in.
A few moments later, she spotted him. Raze's familiar blue-streaked hair caught the light as he stepped off the train, his casual stride making him stand out from the bustling crowd. As he made his way towards her, Fayne couldn't help but notice how easily he blended into any scene—calm, confident, like nothing fazed him.
"Hey," he greeted with his usual laid-back smile as he approached, adjusting the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder. "Thanks for waiting."
"No problem," Fayne replied, smiling back. "You're on time for once."
Raze chuckled softly, falling into step beside her as they started their walk towards Milo's neighborhood. "Had to be, right? It's not every day I get invited to a secret hangout." His tone was teasing, but there was an underlying curiosity in his eyes. "So, what's the deal with Milo? I've never been to his place."
Fayne glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "Milo's… different. He doesn't really open up to people easily. You'll see when we get there. It's kind of a big deal that he even said yes to today."
Raze nodded, his eyes scanning the city around them as they walked. "I figured. I haven't talked much with him outside of the game, but he seems like the quiet type." He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. "You two are pretty close, huh?"
Fayne smiled softly, tucking a strand of white hair behind her ear. "Yeah, we've known each other for a long time. He's been through a lot, but he's strong in his own way."
Raze hummed in acknowledgment, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets. The conversation dipped into a comfortable silence as they walked through the quiet streets. Fayne found herself glancing at him, wondering what news he had to share. It wasn't like Raze to initiate meet-ups like this, and she couldn't shake the feeling that whatever he had to say was important.
"So… what's the news you mentioned?" Fayne asked after a moment, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.
Raze's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "Yeah… I was going to wait until we were all together, but I guess I can fill you in now." He paused, glancing around to make sure they were alone before lowering his voice. "It's about Solace."
"Solace?" Fayne's brow furrowed. "From Zenith's team?"
Raze nodded, his gaze growing more intense. "We've been talking for a while. At first, it was just casual stuff—game strategies, tournaments, that kind of thing. But recently… it's been different. She's been reaching out more. I think there's something going on with her, something she's not saying."
Fayne's mind raced. Solace had always been a bit of a mystery, but she hadn't expected Raze to be in contact with her like that. "What do you mean? Do you think she's trying to get away from Zenith?"
Raze shrugged, his expression conflicted. "I don't know. She doesn't talk much about Zenith, but there's this… vibe, you know? Like she's trying to distance herself from them. I can't figure out if she's really in trouble or if she's just playing us."
Fayne's steps slowed slightly as she processed his words. Solace had always seemed detached, almost aloof. Could there really be more to her than they had seen? "Do you trust her?"
Raze hesitated, then let out a sigh. "I want to. She seems genuine, but I've been around enough people to know when someone's holding something back. I just… don't know what yet."
They reached the edge of Milo's neighborhood, the streets quieter here, lined with trees and old buildings. Fayne turned to Raze, her voice softer now. "Do you think we should be worried about her? Like, for real?"
Raze met her gaze, his expression serious. "I don't know yet. But I didn't want to keep this from you guys. If something's going on with Solace, we need to figure it out before it blows up in our faces."
Fayne nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. It wasn't just a game anymore—things were shifting, and not in a way she liked. But before she could say anything more, they rounded the corner and Milo's apartment building came into view.
Fayne took a deep breath, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Solace and Raze's warning. Whatever was going on, she knew they had to tread carefully. Milo needed to know, but how much could they really trust?
As they reached the front door, Fayne knocked softly, glancing at Raze as they waited. "Let's see how Milo's doing. We'll figure this out together."
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Fayne took a deep breath, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Solace and Raze's warning. Whatever was going on with Zenith, she knew they had to tread carefully. Milo needed to know, but how much could they really trust? How much could they even handle right now?
As they reached the front door of Milo's apartment, Fayne knocked softly, glancing at Raze, who had been quiet for the last few blocks. His usual laid-back demeanor was still there, but there was an undercurrent of tension. Fayne could sense it—the weight of everything they were carrying. The uncertainty about Zenith, the strange shifts in their dynamics, and the unanswered questions swirling around them all.
"Let's see how Milo's doing," Fayne said, trying to lighten the moment with a soft smile. "We'll figure this out together."
Raze gave a nod, though his expression remained guarded. He knew that what they were about to walk into wasn't just a casual hangout anymore—it was something heavier. Milo had been suspicious for a while, and Fayne felt the unease bubbling beneath the surface of everything lately. But they were a team. They'd navigate it like they always did.
The door creaked open, and Milo stood there, wearing a hoodie that looked like it hadn't seen daylight in a few days. His hazel eyes flicked between them, a trace of nervousness evident in his expression, but he smiled—grateful to see them.
"Hey," Milo said, stepping aside to let them in. His apartment was small, cluttered but tidy enough. Fayne noticed a half-cleaned table and a few hastily shoved-aside items in the corner. It wasn't much, but it was Milo, and that was enough.
"Thanks for letting us crash," Raze said, giving Milo a light fist bump as he entered, his usual nonchalance back in play for the moment.
Fayne smiled, feeling a little more at ease as she followed them inside, the warmth of Milo's space settling around them. There was a familiarity here, an unspoken understanding between friends. No matter what was happening outside, this felt like a moment of refuge.
"I brought something," Fayne said, lifting a bag with a grin. "Thought we could play a board game or something."
Milo's eyes lit up a little, his smile more genuine now. "A board game, huh? What did you bring?"
Fayne reached into the bag and pulled out a True Damage-themed game, a strategic board game modeled after the in-game world they all knew too well. Milo's brow lifted in surprise as he examined the cover, featuring Ekko, Qiyana, and Senna in their iconic styles.
"Raxian would've flipped if he saw this," Milo chuckled, shaking his head. "He was so obsessed with Ekko for the longest time."
"I know, right?" Fayne laughed, setting the game on the table. "He used to wear his True Damage shirt everywhere."
"Not so much anymore," Milo added, a hint of thoughtfulness creeping into his tone. "He's been... different lately."
Raze, who had taken a seat on the couch, chimed in, "Yeah, his focus has shifted a lot. Sable's been at the center of it."
The mention of Sable brought a brief but heavy silence over the room. Fayne shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Milo, who had tensed slightly. She knew it was still a sensitive topic, but they had to address it eventually.
"Have you heard from Sable at all?" Milo asked, his voice quieter now, unsure.
Fayne shook her head gently. "No, not really. She's still... dealing with everything. But I think she'll be okay."
Milo nodded, though the weight in his expression told her he wasn't convinced. "I hope so."
The atmosphere was heavy, and Fayne sensed the tension between them. She knew Milo was worried about more than just Sable. There was something else, something deeper. She exchanged a glance with Raze, who seemed to be thinking the same thing.
They moved to sit at the table, starting to unpack the board game. Raze took his usual place, leaning back casually, but Fayne could tell he was still watching Milo closely, as if waiting for something.
As they set up the game, Milo started talking again, his fingers absently adjusting the game pieces. "I've been... thinking a lot about Zenith. There's something off, something bigger than just the tournament."
Raze's eyes flickered toward Milo, the unspoken tension rising. Fayne knew Milo had been holding back his suspicions for a while now, trying not to burden them with his theories. But it seemed like today, he couldn't hold it in any longer.
Fayne stayed quiet, letting Milo continue. "I've been watching the footage again, and it's not just about gaming with them. They're not playing to win—they're playing to control. I think... there's something more going on with Zenith than we realize."
He hesitated, glancing between Fayne and Raze, clearly unsure how much to say. But the concern in his voice was undeniable.
"I don't know exactly what they're planning, but it's not just about beating us. I think they're involved in something bigger—maybe illegal. And... I think we've been in their way."
Raze leaned forward, his usual carefree attitude slipping for a moment. "You think it goes beyond the game? What, like some underground operation?"
Milo nodded, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. "Yeah. I've seen some stuff—rumors, bits of information. I don't know how deep it goes, but I think Zenith's using the gaming scene as a front for something more dangerous. Maybe even... manipulating the industry."
Fayne felt a chill creep down her spine. She had suspected something was off with Zenith ever since Sable's kidnapping, but hearing Milo confirm it felt heavier. It wasn't just about games anymore.
Raze leaned back again, his expression thoughtful. "So what do we do?"
Milo sighed, glancing at the board game in front of them as if it was a symbol of the simpler days before all of this. "I don't know. But we need to be careful. I don't think this is over."
Fayne felt the weight of his words, but she reached out and placed her hand gently on Milo's arm. "We'll figure it out, Milo. Together."
He gave her a small, appreciative smile, but the unease in his eyes remained. "Yeah. Together."
The game started, but the tension lingered. They joked, laughed lightly at the absurdity of some in-game references, but under it all, the shadows of Zenith loomed larger than ever.
As the evening went on, their conversation drifted from the game to lighter topics. But that nagging feeling—the uncertainty about Zenith, the danger they were facing—was never far from their minds. Even in the small moments of comfort between friends, they all knew that something much bigger was on the horizon.
And when the time came, they would face it. Together.
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As the game continued, the subtle tension in the air began to ease, and the conversation shifted between light banter and playful competition. Milo seemed more at ease now, though Fayne noticed how his attention occasionally drifted. She wondered if it was still the weight of everything that had happened, or if Raze's presence was stirring something else.
After a few more rounds of dice rolls and strategic moves, Raze leaned back, glancing at Milo once more. "You know, man... I kinda get it. Living alone, I mean."
Milo raised an eyebrow, glancing up from the board game. "Oh yeah?"
Raze nodded, his usual laid-back demeanor softening as he spoke. "Yeah. I've been living alone for a while now too. It's... different, right? Has its moments. But there's something about the quiet that's... I don't know, peaceful."
Fayne perked up at that, her eyes flicking between the two. She hadn't expected Raze to open up like that. It wasn't that Raze was secretive—he just wasn't one to bring up personal things out of nowhere. She could sense a shared understanding between them, something unspoken but present.
Milo, who had been quiet for a moment, nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's peaceful. But... I guess it depends on the day."
Raze's lips quirked up in a small smile. "Totally. Some days it's exactly what you need, and other days... well, it feels like too much space, you know?"
Fayne watched as Milo considered that, his fingers absentmindedly fidgeting with the game piece in his hand. She could tell that Raze's words were resonating with him. Milo had always been private about his personal life, but maybe seeing that someone else understood, that Raze wasn't just the laid-back guy on their team, made him feel less alone in it.
"I guess it's a balance," Milo said after a pause, his voice thoughtful. "You get used to it, but... sometimes, yeah, it feels like a lot."
Raze leaned forward slightly, his tone casual but curious. "You ever feel like it makes you stronger? Being on your own, I mean."
Milo glanced at him, the question hanging in the air for a moment. Then he nodded, though there was a hint of something more in his expression. "Yeah. It does. But it's... hard, sometimes. Especially with everything going on."
Raze, ever perceptive despite his chill exterior, caught the weight of Milo's words. He gave a small, understanding nod. "Yeah, I get that. Guess it's just one of those things—you figure it out as you go."
Fayne smiled softly, watching the two of them connect in a way that felt new, but natural. Raze's openness seemed to bring out something in Milo—a willingness to share, even if only a little.
"Raze," Milo said, his voice quiet but clear, "do you ever... feel lonely?"
Raze blinked, surprised by the directness of the question. He leaned back in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck as he considered it. "Sometimes. I mean, I'm good with my own space, but yeah... there are days when it gets to me. Just gotta find ways to deal with it, I guess."
As the conversation deepened, Fayne couldn't help but notice the subtle, lingering tension between her and Milo. It was a tension that had been there for a while, unspoken but ever-present. The kind of tension that made small moments of eye contact stretch just a second too long, or a brush of hands feel more significant than it should. Even though they'd begun to reconnect after everything that had happened between them, there was still something unresolved. Something that clung to their interactions—an unacknowledged weight.
Fayne stole a glance at Milo, her gaze catching on the slight furrow of his brow as he considered Raze's words. It was clear Milo was thinking, but not just about the solitude they were discussing. There was something deeper gnawing at him—something that mirrored her own hesitation. For all their growth and the steps they had taken to rebuild their connection, there was still a distance neither of them dared to cross. And that distance, Fayne realized, wasn't just between them, but was perhaps widened by the memories of their past and the uncertainty of their future.
Then there was Raze, sitting casually across from them, his words lingering in the air. "Sometimes. I mean, I'm good with my own space, but yeah... there are days when it gets to me." His tone was laid-back, but Fayne could sense a deeper layer beneath it, one that went beyond the surface. Raze was someone who rarely shared personal details, yet here he was, opening up about something as vulnerable as loneliness. She wasn't sure if Milo caught it, but to her, there was something symbolic in the way Raze spoke about solitude.
The mention of "space" and "dealing with it" triggered a faint memory of Solace in Fayne's mind. She knew Raze had been talking to Solace lately—this mysterious figure from Zenith who had slipped quietly into their circle. Fayne hadn't fully understood the extent of Raze and Solace's connection, but now, hearing him speak, she wondered if his words weren't just about the physical loneliness of living alone. They seemed to carry a weight, hinting at the emotional distance he had allowed others to keep—especially Solace. Raze, despite his easy-going demeanor, was more introspective than he let on. Maybe, just maybe, Solace was the person who had begun to break through that shell.
Fayne's thoughts circled back to Milo. His earlier question—"Do you ever feel lonely?"—wasn't just about solitude, either. It was about him, about them. Milo was trying to gauge something, maybe even ask about her without directly doing so. There was a vulnerability in his question, one that Fayne hadn't expected, and it made her heart ache a little. She had been there before, alone with her thoughts and feelings, wondering if there was still space for them in each other's lives.
And then there was the quiet fear that Milo might still be keeping a part of himself closed off, even now.
The room felt heavy with all the things left unsaid. Raze's admission hung between them like a thread connecting them to their shared experiences, their shared loneliness. But it was more than just loneliness. There was a desire, a longing to bridge the gap that had formed between them. Milo's eyes flicked towards Fayne for just a moment, and in that look, she saw the same unspoken question: Do we still have a chance to make this work?
And yet, despite all the signs, despite the quiet glances and the soft touches, neither of them moved to address it directly. It was easier to stay in the safety of the moment, surrounded by board games and the familiar presence of Raze, than to face the uncertain emotions between them.
Raze's words, though seemingly about solitude, carried the quiet weight of the choices they were all making. Each of them was navigating a personal space of emotional distance—Milo with Fayne, Fayne with her growing understanding of her own feelings, and Raze with the enigmatic Solace. It wasn't just about loneliness; it was about the fear of letting someone in too close. The fear of being vulnerable again, of being hurt again.
For Milo, perhaps the question wasn't just whether he felt lonely, but whether he was ready to risk feeling something more with Fayne. Whether the connection they had was strong enough to bridge the gap that had formed over time.
As the game continued, the weight of the conversation lingered in the background. The playful banter resumed, but Fayne knew that nothing had been truly resolved. They were all still sitting with their thoughts, navigating the quiet tension that bound them together—and kept them apart.