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"You feel safe here?"

The question catches me off guard.

I look around the cabin.

At the table he built. The dinner he cooked. The man who gave me space when I was frightened and stayed close when I needed him.

"Yes," I say softly.

His gaze holds mine.

"Good."

Something warm settles in my chest.

After dinner, Vex washes the dishes while I dry them and put them away.

I place a mug in the wrong cupboard.

He moves it without comment.

"Sorry."

He looks at me.

"About the mug."

"It's a mug."

"Your expression suggested I had breached a treaty."

"This is still my face."

I laugh and shake my head.

He reaches past me to put a plate away, his chest brushing my shoulder.

A small gasp escapes me.

He stops.

"Knee?"

"No."

His hand remains on the open cupboard door.

He's close enough that I can feel the warmth coming off him.

And for once, I don't have a clever remark ready.

He studies me.

"Something wrong?"

I shake my head.

"Then why'd you go quiet?"