Cole didn't hesitate to grab Eir by the collar, yanking him out of the bushes before he could dart away.
Eir bristled like a cat dunked into a bath of acid and shrieked, "Hey! What is your problem?!"
Cole didn't flinch. "Eir, what are you even doing out here? This looks insane. You can't stand in front of Cy's house like some… I don't even know what this is."
Eir swatted at his hand, ears blazing red. "I'm not hiding from her!"
Cole scowled. "Then who, Eir?"
"You don't need to know!" Eir snapped, trying to twist free. His whole posture was prickling, shoulders tense and high. "You don't even bother talking to me anymore, so why do you suddenly get to demand answers?!"
Heat bubbled up inside Cole. "I don't care what your reason is. Stalking isn't something I can ignore. Don't act like I'm supposed to be okay with this."
Eir went motionless, like a device frozen on a loading screen. His eyes fixed on Cole without blinking, confusion tightening his whole face.
