Herbalists' Cache we are a hurricane; drop our anchors in a storm

Aditya's approach startled him, and the tension in the other's posture immediately set him on edge. Not again. Visiting Morningside, He answered too quickly, swallowing hard as he took his own step back. I mean— I was going to. So we could talk about... Fuck, he was going to ask, god help him.
What's wrong? Alarian allowed his concern to bleed into his expression, ears cocking back slightly. He hoped it was something not-mate-related this time, but he knew he would listen either way. Their tryst had carved out a soft space in his chest for the male, perhaps permanently; he had realized it had little to do with his opinion, his feelings about Aditya. He did not understand— but he knew what he felt, and he knew this would hurt for some time yet.