Sparrow noticed and nudged him. "You okay?"
Cutie didn't respond. He just kept walking, his expression carefully blank, even as something inside him crumbled a little more with each step.
.
.
.
At a fabric stall, Veer pulled Kaya to a stop, pointing at a deep blue scarf. "This would look good on you."
Kaya raised an eyebrow. "I don't need—"
Veer was already unwrapping it, draping it around her shoulders. His fingers lingered at her neck, adjusting the fabric carefully. Their faces were inches apart, and for a moment, the noise of the market faded.
"There," Veer said softly. "Perfect."
Kaya's breath caught. This close, she could see the way his eyes softened when he looked at her, the genuine warmth there that had nothing to do with their act.
"Veer..."
As Veer leaned down to kiss Kaya, she gritted her teeth and grabbed his arm.
"If you do not wish to die right here, then just stop," she said quietly.
