He was beginning to frighten her with odd behavior and continued lack of answers. Melody kept her hands in his, fearing what might happen if he was suddenly untethered from her. She was growing increasingly sure that something drastic had happened, though what it was she was no longer confident in. The mention of Aldous ought to have been enough to provoke the cause out of him if it was one of his siblings.

“You just wanted to …?” She replied, her brows furrowed in confusion. That he would put himself in mortal danger to see her in these circumstances made no sense. Even if they were trying again, even if their relationship was at least friendly again, Ben still had an obligation to his students and their safety. He wasn't so irresponsible as to abandon the school entirely and without word — not after the months of unemployment and stress that accompanied them.

---