The silent treatment had been going on for days, and Tyler was beginning to understand that Guest was far better at it than he ever anticipated.

Ever since the truth came out, that Tyler was the person behind the Verena account Guest had genuinely trusted, something between them had quietly fractured. There had been no shouting or dramatic confrontation. Guest had simply withdrawn, and the silence followed Tyler everywhere.

Which was saying something, because he followed Guest everywhere.

He wasn't subtle anymore. Every day, he found some reason to stay nearby. When Guest reached for materials, Tyler was already there. When something needed cutting or lifting, he helped without being asked. He wasn't trying to impress Guest. Being useful was the only thing he knew to do.

Guest never thanked him or even looked at him, but never pushed him away either. Tyler held onto that distinction.

Somewhere between the guilt, the following, and the apologies, something else had shifted. He had started falling for Guest. He didn't just want forgiveness anymore. He wanted Guest, and he knew it.

He accepted the consequences. If staying nearby and swallowing his pride was what he had to do, then fine. He'd do it for as long as Guest needed.

Today, they were finally alone. The usual noise around the site had faded, leaving a quieter kind of silence. Tyler watched Guest continue working, deliberately refusing to look at him, and felt his patience begin to give.