It takes everything she has not to follow after him. Choosing between him and Zye? Not the easiest thing to do. But for now, she has to. It’s not like she knows how to fix everything from Jace hating this situation to the safety of everything and everyone. She can only help so much.

He’s not the only one that needs her.

This is why she’s bounding back up the steps with her long ponytail swaying behind her. She’s happy to get back into Zye’s apartment before he even knows she’s stepped out. The second she shuts the door, Xerxes is perking up. He stands from the couch and moves toward her.

“Everything okay?”

She smiles sweetly at him. “Yup, everything is fine. Hey, why not pick out something we can do to keep his mind busy right now. Maybe something…mindless or where he could watch and we can just talk about it.”

“I’ll be right back then.”

Callua finds it adorable how he runs off back to his place to gather up whatever he thinks will work. So sweet and kind, she’s glad that Zye has him when she can’t be around. Of which, she strides up to his bedroom door and gives a knock. The lack of running water confirms he must already be out.

“You doing okay?”

The door opens. Stepping into her line of sight, Zye continues to dry his hair. “I heard voices.”

“It’s just Xerxes.”

“Ah, okay. That’s fine.”

He’s not sure what to say as he lets the towel rest over his head. Even this much is draining. It helps that he grabbed the first clean clothes he could see; a pair of jeans and a crop top with a hood. Nothing seems important at the moment. A solid reason why he ambles out to the living room.

Callua scoffs as she sees him sit there, staring at the dark screen. She strides over and takes the towel from his head. “How about I let you eat whatever horrible meal you want instead of cooking?”

“Sure. My card is in my wallet—”

“Ah-ah! No, no. I got this.”

She steps away just as Xerxes bursts back into the apartment. Of course, the second he sees them both standing there he turns a little sheepish for making such an appearance. He shuts the door with the utmost care before hurrying over to Zye. The latter glances up at him.

“Hey, kid. How’d the test go?”

“Good. I remembered the trick you taught me.”

As Xerxes nears the couch, Zye glances over at Callua. “Just order the usual.”

The request has her shaking her head. Of course, that’s what he wants, the greasiest pizza in the whole city. Not that she can disagree. It is good and a reason to give them a second alone. She steps away and heads to the kitchen to call it in. Something he’d usually tease her about considering it’s easier to place it through their site.

Once she’s gone, Xerxes is next to Zye. He sits on the couch but keeps his distance at first. He’s unsure what to do or say. All he can think of is to place the case on the table. “I thought we could try it, all three of us. It’s just a board game.”

“Sure.”

“Zye?” Xerxes looks up at him, waiting for those eyes to gradually shift toward him. “I’m sorry for your loss. I…I’m here for you.”

It helps melt the weariness from his shoulders for a moment to have Xerxes here. He’s like a soft breeze in spring. He tussles Xerxes’s hair, one large hand on the crown of his head. “Thanks, Xerxes. That means a lot.”

Xerxes partially turns with a serious expression. “I mean it, though. I know I can’t do much but I’m right down the hall.”

Hand still on Xerxes’s head, Zye keeps him steady as he leans forward. He taps their foreheads together with the slightest touch. “How about you get that started up? Let’s see if we can beat Callua’s uncanny luck. Unless you’re regretting the game already.”

“What are you two scheming?”

Zye ruffles Xerxes’s tresses once more while he pulls away. He slinks further onto the couch. “Nothing. Hope your ass is ready to lose.”

She raises a brow at him. “Oh? Okay, game on. Just for that, I’m not going easy on you.”

The atmosphere slowly begins to shift. The only problem is that time doesn’t slow much less stop. Before either of them know it they’ve eaten their late lunch and played for far longer than any of them can believe. Regardless, the smallest bit of peace amid the storm can do wonders.

Unfortunately, Xerxes doesn’t want to bring any more problems than Zye already has. He glances at the time and promptly stands up. He slips between where Callua and Zye are sitting on the couch to the other side of the table. Xerxes gives them both a smile.

“I have to get back but I can come by after school tomorrow.”

Zye waves. “Don’t worry if you can’t, focus on school. You’re too close to mess up now.”

“R-right. See you later.”

He leaves in a small flurry of movement. Once he does, Callua is glancing at Zye. She shoots him a look, trying to gauge how he’s feeling. The sensation of being looked at doesn’t go unnoticed. Zye stares at the black screen, wishing there was still something on it to distract him further.

“If you need to go, it’s fine.”

“It’s not. Losing someone isn’t easy.”

“Life doesn’t stop moving just because I’m sad. I’ll be here tomorrow.”

She pushes herself up, fingers gripping at the cushion. “I’ll be back in the morning, afternoon at the latest.”

“I’ll still be here.”

Callua takes a deep breath as she stands. She hesitates a moment before swooping in to give him a tight hug. She ends it with a pat on the top of his head. “I love you, okay? I’ll be back soon but if you need anything please send me a message or call me.”

“I promise.”

She already regrets answering the call to go meet with Jace. But she knows he wouldn’t have called for her if he didn’t need something— if something wasn’t going wrong. At the same time, Zye does seem to be mellowing down. The exhaustion looks like it’s settling back in.

It’s childish to think she can be here for him every hour of the day. That’d be overbearing, she’s sure. This is why she decides to give him space and make for the door. As much as she doesn’t want to, she gives him a small wave, blows him a kiss, and slips out.

For a moment…everything is fine.

Then the silence sets in and it’s deafening.

Zye slowly pulls his feet up onto the couch. Long legs bend to draw his knees against his chest. He runs his hands up over his face and tries to breathe. That much is hard enough to do as it is.

“Fuck.” He grounds out through gritted teeth. Seven more of the same follow before he throws his head back, biting back a hollowed-out scream. Not that he’d care if he disturbs any neighbors at this point.

His mind won’t stop reeling now that they’re gone. There’s nothing to stop it and he doesn’t know what to do. The storm is brewing again, assisted by the memories that crawl along the walls and floor. Everywhere he looks he sees her— hears her.

It’s like he’s suffocating.

There’s only one thought that’s louder than all the others.

Can’t stay here, need to get out.