They walked side by side along the lighted paths that led back to the hostels.
Axel couldn't stop looking at Dallas.
Dallas had left earlier- hurt and disappointed. But he was back to look for him when Axel didn't shown up in their room.
That fact alone made something inside Axel ache in a completely different way. Dallas was clearly still upset, clearly still wounded by what had happened with Ivan, but he had still searched for him?
Still worried about him?
In that moment, all Axel wanted was to pull Dallas into his arms. To wrap himself around him and say everything he hadn't managed to say earlier. To make him understand that his feelings weren't confusion.
They were real.
And that he was he one he wanted to be with.
"Dallas…" Axel started softly, but he didn't get to finish.
"Let's not talk about any of it right now," Dallas cut in quietly, not even looking at him. He kept walking, steps steady, gaze fixed ahead.
