The awkwardness thickened like a slow fog. Sky felt it crawling under his skin. His gaze darted between Cory's cool indifference and Vale's heavy, silent presence. Both felt invasive in different ways.
Throughout breakfast, Vale's conversation with the others remained cold, brief, and almost nonexistent, while with Cory, he spoke in quiet tones that hovered just between attentive and invasive.
At one point, Vale gently brushed a stray thread off Cory's shoulder.
"You missed this," he murmured.
"Ah." Cory glanced at him, unfazed, a faint amused smile curving his lips. "Thanks."
Henry shifted in his seat, eyes narrowing slightly. Rain caught the movement and exchanged a glance with Sky.
Sky turned to Chris, raising a brow in question. Chris looked just as clueless but didn't bother hiding the irritation that sparked in his eyes whenever Vale's stare lingered too long on Sky.
Vale kept glancing at Sky, and it made his skin prickle.
