Within the spaces

Episode 21

Faye stared at Yoko, stunned into silence. The weight of Yoko's confession hung between them, delicate and fragile, like glass teetering on the edge of a table. Her heart ached at the vulnerability Yoko had just laid bare. She didn't know how to respond-her emotions felt like a storm she couldn't quite name. All she knew was that she didn't want to see Yoko sad, didn't want to be the cause of the trembling in her voice or the tears shining in her eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, Faye's hand instinctively reached across the table, resting lightly over Yoko's. She gave it a small squeeze, her thumb brushing against the back of Yoko's hand in a gesture of comfort. "Yoko..." she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Yoko looked up at her, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear. The sight broke Faye's composure, and she found herself swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat.

"I don't even know where to start," Faye began, her words slow and measured. "You've caught me completely off guard. And not because of what you said, but because of how much it means to me that you trusted me enough to say it."

She paused, her gaze searching Yoko's face. "I need you to know that I care about you too. More than you probably realize. You're funny, and kind, and you light up every room you walk into. Being around you makes everything feel a little brighter, a little easier. You're special, Yoko. I hope you know that."

Yoko's lips parted slightly, but she didn't speak, as if afraid to interrupt.

Faye took a deep breath, her grip on Yoko's hand tightening just a little, but her gaze drifted away as she wrestled with the turmoil inside her.

"Yoko," she began, her voice low, tinged with regret. "This... this is so messy. You know that, right?" She finally looked back at Yoko, her eyes searching hers for understanding. "We're colleagues. We work together almost every day. If anything goes wrong, it could ruin not just us, but everything around us. Do you understand how risky this is?"

Yoko nodded slowly but didn't look away. "I know it's complicated. I've thought about it a lot, trust me. But I also know how I feel about you, P'Faye. I can't ignore it anymore. And I don't think you can, either."

Faye sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's not that simple. I'm not in a place where I can handle... a relationship right now. My life is already so full-work, and ... some other things I can't explain. I am trying to figure out who I am without dragging someone else into the chaos."

Her voice cracked slightly as she continued. "I care about you, Yoko. I do. You mean more to me than I can explain. But I don't know if I can be what you need. And I don't want to hurt you because of that."

Yoko leaned forward, her hands gripping the table now, mirroring Faye's posture. "You don't have to have it all figured out, P'Faye. I'm not asking for perfection. I'm just asking for a chance. For us to try. I want to know you, all shades of you."

Faye's eyes glistened with tears, and she looked away, shaking her head as if trying to escape the intensity of Yoko's words. "You're so young," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "You have so much ahead of you. You shouldn't have to deal with someone like me. I am not there yet. I am not good at relationships. I am not good at things that are important to me. I won't be good enough for you."

"Stop deciding what's good for me," Yoko cut in, her voice trembling but firm. "You don't get to do that, P'Faye. You don't get to push me away because you think it's the right thing to do. I'm here. I'm telling you I'm willing to take that risk. Can't you hear me?"

Faye let out a shaky breath, her hands covering her face for a moment. "You're so stubborn," she muttered, her voice tinged with something between exasperation and affection.