Chasing You

"You keep pushing me away." His voice was soft, but the hurt in it was unmistakable.

He tried to take her hands, fingertips barely grazing her skin, hoping she'd look at him-just once. But she pulled her hands back, eyes glued to the floor, as if meeting his gaze would shatter whatever fragile hold she had on herself.

"You keep coming back," she whispered, her voice trembling.

He stepped closer, closing the space between them, and gently tilted her chin up with his fingers-slow, careful-until her eyes met his.
"Because I care."

"Stop caring," she said, her voice cracking on the last word.

His eyes softened, sadness flickering across them, but he didn't look away.
Not even when she tried to.

"I can't."

She sucked in a shaky breath, like the weight of his words was too much and not enough all at once. "Please... please try."

He shook his head slowly, never breaking eye contact, as if memorizing every broken piece of her-the way her lips trembled, the way she blinked too fast, the way she tried so hard to stay composed.

"If I do... who's going to hold you when you fall apart?"

Her chest tightened, the words hitting deeper than she wanted them to.
She blinked rapidly, voice barely a breath.

"...No one."

He moved even closer, until she could feel his warmth, until there was nothing left between them but the truth she kept running from.
His eyes held hers-steady, warm, unwavering.

"That's exactly why I'm still here."