That night, in the bathroom, Aether faced away from Zachary and reached on the ground. She was being discovered.
still wearing her shorts and tightly covering her chest, alrad of
Since the bandages were still wrapped around her, it made things less platous because of this, Aether tele sightly relieved.
Meanwhile, Zachary knelt on one knee and was using the showerhead to dinne Arthen’shack. All the while, he made sure to avoid her wound
His breathing was a little unsteady-
This was the first time he had seen another man’s backup close. And somehow, Aether’s back looked different from the backs of other men
For Wesley, Russell, and Neil, their backs were strong, well–defined, and muscular, nut Archer’s back was smooth, soft, and fair, with just the right amount of
Clesh
fell better than ang woman’s back he had ever touched. And just from looks alone, it was strangely captivating and hard to look away from
Zachary messaged some body wash onto Aether’s back, his muchlingraing a little longer than necessary.
Aether armed to sense that something was off and instinctively reached back to grab at him.
Instantly, both of them froze.
Aether gave his hand a light squeeze. Then, unrealizing what had happened, she immediately yanked her has
“You Wine would you react like that to another guy? If you weren’t a man, I’dhonestly suspect you were a woman. ”
Jethers
Arther stiffened, too nervous to say anything.
Zachary looked visibèrembarrassed. “Do guys” backs normally feel this smooth?”
“Y–Yeah, of course,” Aether responded, her voice lacking confidence.
When she felt the heat of Zachary’s palm on her skin, her face tumed red. “You can go now. I can handle the rest myself ”
“I’m rinsing off the soap,” Zachary replied.
With that, Aether said nothing more.
When Zachary finally finished rinsing her back and left, Aether hurriedly continued washing up on her own.
Since her hair had gotten a little wet, she decided to wash it too.
She rubbed shampoo in with one hand while rinsing with the other. But no matter how careful she was, water inevitably got onto her wound, and it sting
Afterward, she put on her pajamas and stepped out of the bathroom to dry her hair.
She had just picked up the hairdryer when Zachary took it from her and stood behind her. He then proceeded to dry her hair for her.
Aether turned around to face him. “Zachary,”
Water droplets from her damp hair landed on her face, and strands clone messily to her forehead, slightly blurring her vision.
Through the haze, she could only see the lower half of zachary’s face. He was too tallforher
#1 can do it myself.” Aether tried to take back the hairdryer, but Zachary didn’t let her
“With that injury of yours?” he asked.
I use a fan.”
“I can just use a
For a moment, Zachary was at a loss for words.
He simply ignored her and continued blow drying her hale. Only when it was completely dry did he finally put the hairdryer away.
“It’s time to change your dressing. Lir down,” he instructed.
“You can just apply the medicine. I’ll handle the bandaging myself,” Aether sald
“How! With one hand?”
“I can do it “Atherinsisted.
“Relax. I’m not lato men,” Zachary stated, grabbing the medicine before pushing her to the bed.
“Bandaging is easy. I’ll do it.”
“No. I’ll do it. Why are you bring so stubborn?” Zachary’s lope was firm.
“This isn’t about being stubbord We might both be guys, but I have a sense of shame, okay?” Aether refused to back down. “My back is one thing, but absolutely
At the from! That’s why Fil bandage myull.”
Zarbary was confused. “The front? Do you think I’m gonna bandage your junk or something? What’s wrong with bandaging your chest?–
“It’s off–limits.” Acilat made up all racuse.
“Myclist is a sensitive spot if you touch it, you’ll nigger a trap, and I’ll have to eat you alive!
“You’re so dramatic.”
“Yeah!” Archer’s lace was lighted. “If you touch me trelessly, I can’t call myself paranove! Anul if that happens, I’ll latch onto you!
“You wouldn’t mad a guyclinging to you, right, Zachary?
“Whatever “Zachary feally relented and carefully applied the medicine, not as he treated her, he noticed how bod her injury was. II.
His expression darkened. “Who shot you?
When we went to the supermarket, Wesley got armbushed, I took a ballet for him,” Aether honestly answered.
[chary Conner’s favorability -2. Current favorability -721
you took a bullet for him? Why would you do that?” Zachary felt aware of frustration,
Aether was puzzled. “Isn’t he wour close friend? Why are you mad that I took a ballet for him?” Shouldn’t taking a bullet for his close friend increase favorability” She didn’t get it.
Tachan hesitated.
Aether was right. Why was he angry? After all, Aether’s late wasn’t worth aw less than Wesley’s.
But for some reason, he couldn’t shake off his frustration.
“Did you take the bullet because he’s my trend, or because it was him?” he questioned.
Aether didn’t like ying. Honestly, she had simply taken the hit to gain favorability. Besides, she could restart from a previous saved checkpoint.
Aether avoided Zachary’s question and curiously tilted her head. “Does it make a difference?”
Zachary let out a bitter Laugh “So, you think there’s no difference between him and t?”
Zachary Conner’s favorability–1. Current favorability–731
Aether tell silent. She heard the shirt in his tone and realized that she was losing favorability. However, she wasn’t sure what to say to stop it or gain some back
“Unbelievable.” Zachary scotted, his frustration boiling over. “So, you’re only nice to me because I’m part of the Fabled Four. You’re just trying to cozy up to all of
“To you, everyone in Fabled Fo
Four is the same. You want to please all of us. I’m not your only priority. I’m not special to you at all. I’m just like the rest of them!”
Aether didn’t know how to refute that because, truthfully, she was trying to gain favorability with all of the Fabled Four. She had been treating them equally.
“You’re not saying anything. Does that mean you admit to it?” Zachary’s eyes reddened.
He began. “I really thought. No matter how hungry you were, you’d let me eat first. No matter how hot it was, you’d go to the balcony to cook so you wouldn’t wake me up. Even in the summer, you’d suffer in that heavy mascot suit just to avoid embarrassing me. You even refused to take my money.
“I thought I was special to you. But in the end, I’m no different from the rest, huh? You’d even take a bullet for Wesley. You really are a perfect bootlicker. You act all self–sacrificing as if you’re some saint to everyone you meet.”
Zachary had always been smooth with women and rarely lost his temper. But right now, Aether had broken his composure.
Zachary felt as though he had been scammed. He felt Aether’s kindness had always been mixed with ulterior motives. It was as it she had played with his feelings,
Aether’s nose tingled, and her eyes tumed red. “Zachary, did I not do enough? Is that why you’re upset? Just tell me where to change, and I will.”
“That’s not the point!” Zachary bellowed. “How can you share your feelings among four people? Giving Neil water is one thing, but taking a bullet for Wesley is a whole different level!
“Tell me, what am I to you?”
