Gansey frowned when his bare heel found the wall so close behind him. This Ronan was familiar to him, but he'd never been the subject of Ronan's paranoia, his mistrust. They fought, Ronan pushed, and Gansey pushed back and it was over in tense, useless silence. Ronan chose to be ineffectual, it was one of his favorite brands of rebellion. But why was Ronan making this strange turn of events about him and not the strange room or the fact that Noah was alive and making breakfast.

"If you'd be so kind as to give me some space to think, I'd be happy to have this conversation with you." This was not a warning, though maybe it was a challenge. No, it would have been if Ronan didn't look so terrified, so desperate for an answer. Gansey was afraid that, for the first time, he'd be unable to provide any comfort or answers. It tightened his chest. Still, he stood his ground, and added, "Ronan. Please." Because he was scared, too.