Laurel said nothing as she began to rub the ointment all over his back. Once she was done she sat back, "Give it a minute to dry and then you can put a clean shirt on," she told him quietly before slowly standing back up and looking down at him.

Nic hadn't moved or said anything. And still nothing.

Laurel paused for a long moment before slowly squatting down in front of him, resting an arm on his knee and peering up at his face. "I understand now," she told him quietly, eyes showing some of light they had in the past, "Thank you for letting me in."

Nic's eyes were still blank. But it didn't look like he believed her. Like she still had absolutely no clue. Like she had just finished the first page of a very long book.

Yet... there was an odd weariness in face. Like the kind you get after taking off something that had been burdening you. He was clearly not accustomed to being anywhere near this vulnerable. And as his back suggested - for a very good reason.

Laurel sighed, wrapping her arm around his leg and hugging it a little as she continued to stare up at him. She was silent for awhile. "Do you believe they're true?" she finally asked softly.

Still nothing.

"Do you?" Laurel persisted when he didn't respond.

He didn't want to answer the question. He didn't want to talk about it. Or have it mentioned ever again.

Laurel watched him for a moment, "Sorry..." she murmured before suddenly shifting forwards onto her knees and tilting her head up until she was kissing him, "... sorry."

Nic was stiff at first, not wanting Laurel to take his guard down. But that didn't last too long.

Laurel continued to kiss Nic slowly, her hands hesitantly coming up until they rested on his abs. After a moment she rose up a little more and tried to push him back onto the bed.

Nic let her.

Yue didn't look at James as she tried to relax in the hot tub.

James sank into the other side. He was silent for awhile before letting out a sigh, "Did I hurt you this time?" he asked quietly.

Yue was silent for a moment. "... My foot fell asleep," she replied, a bit confused. She was thinking about when James carried her to the pool.

James looked confused for a moment, "Oh... no, I meant," he paused, "when I was away."

Yue didn't say anything. So yes.