While things had seemed to go back to the way they had been, Elijah couldn't help but get the feeling that Mila was distracted by something. She was more reserved, less likely to be open with him, and he didn't like it. It felt too much like she was pulling away, like she would disappear again in an instant. So many times, he'd thought he had finally caught her, only to have her slip through his fingers, and he was determined not to let it happen again. As he entered her apartment after her shift, he looked around at the still packed bags, holding back a sigh at what they could mean. Elijah wrapped his arms around her middle, noting she didn't melt back against him like usual. He pecked her neck.
"Hello, love. How was your night?" She shrugged, twisting a bit to glance up at him.
"It was alright. The usual riffraff in the bar, nothing new." He nodded, leaning down to capture her lips. He could feel it there too; she was holding back, not giving all of herself. He groaned, pulling away and running a hand through his hair.
"Mila, what is wrong?" At her confused look, he frowned. "You don't seem as…committed to our new relationship as you were before." Her brow arched, and she crossed her arms.
"You're questioning my commitment?" Her tone was soft, and she wondered what he was getting at. He took a step away from her, turning away for a moment as he thought over his answer.
"It does seem that way, yes. As though you're pushing me away." His eyes looked sad, and she couldn't help the twist in her stomach.
"Is there a point you're making, Elijah?" She knew she'd been a bit distant, but she was finding it hard to love a man who only loved her partially. Not to mention, he didn't know her. He likely had loved the chase, loved having to find her.
"I'm worried that you're going to leave again." He took a step towards her, and she stood her ground. It was probably past time they had this conversation. She moved to sit at her small dining table, waving a hand for him to join her. The worried look didn't fade from his eyes as he sat across from her.
"Elijah, I understand that you think you love me. And, honestly, I've found I care for you as well. However," she held up a hand as he opened his mouth to speak, "I think, perhaps, things have been rushed. You've known me for a little over a month, and for someone like us, that's almost no time at all." She dropped her gaze to the table. "Hayley, on the other hand-"
"Is just my friend." He interrupted, reaching for her hands. She pulled them away, and he swallowed his hurt at the action. Elijah wanted more than anything to have her eyes meet his again, for her to let him in.
"No, Elijah, she's not. She loves you, dearly, and it's clear you love her too." Mila looked up, and he saw the flash of pain in her gaze before she covered it. He sat back, processing what she was saying. While it was true that he cared for Hayley, he hadn't thought too hard about it; it was clear, however, that Mila had. "I don't blame you. Wolf or not, she's pretty." That shocked him, because he knew what she was implying: that Hayley was prettier than her, that she would understand him choosing Hayley over her. "I just…I can't fully give my heart in a relationship where I'm only going to get a part of yours. I'm not asking you to choose between us, because that would be unfair. I just need you to understand my distance." She dropped her gaze again, and he swallowed back against the pain in his chest. He'd unknowingly hurt her, and he didn't know how he could fix it.
"Mila, I would never…Hayley is my friend, but I wouldn't choose her over you in anything." She snorted, knowing it wasn't true. He never spent a full day with her; usually just the morning, before heading off into the world. She didn't expect him to spend every waking minute with her, but knowing he was likely spending days in the sun with Hayley didn't fail to twist her insides.
"And why not? She's beautiful, and clearly special, and..." She cut off, and he tilted his head in curiosity.
"And what, Mila?" He worked to keep his voice soft, wanting to coax her into looking up at him again. He wanted to take the pain from her gorgeous hazel eyes.
"She can be with you outside. In the sunlight." The words were murmured, but they hit as hard as if she yelled them. It was easy to forget that others of their kind weren't as fortunate as them. It was a fair thing to point out; if she tried to be there for him the way Hayley was, at the compound or around the city in the sunlight, it would be the end of her. "I can't give you that. I work most nights, and then I'm trapped here during the day. You can go places with her that you can't with me." She leaned back in her chair, effectively putting more distance between them, and he hated it. "So, no, I don't blame you for loving Hayley. Just please don't question my commitment to this relationship when yours is split." He moved quickly, wrapping his arms around her tightly and pressing his lips to her hair. She returned the hug gently, rubbing his back.
"I am sorry if I made you feel this way, Mila." His words were muffled by her hair, but she heard him clear as day. She hadn't meant for him to blame himself, but his hug was making up for a lot of the feelings that had brewed between them. Even if it was partial, he did care. "I promise you, I will make it up to you."