Of course, Zacaraya expected resistance and pushback, it would be foolish to assume otherwise. However, he knew that he was fully capable of keeping it from Epel's hands, considering both the height and strength difference. Although he took advantage of these differences, and although he was winning, he wasn't wearing the trademark Zacaraya Samble smirk, and no sarcastic chuckle was directed at Epel. Rather, he was deadly silent, his brows furrowed and completely intent on trying to open the tiny box whilst keeping it from Epel's hands; why the hell was it so small and fidgety?!
A sudden shriek and a sudden sharp slap to his face got him to stop fidgeting with the box momentarily to glare down at the Pomefiore, just about ready to rip this guy into shreds.
But... Anger did not arise within him. Rather, when he saw the look on Epel's face: the look of betrayal, of helplessness, of regret... Zac's stomach churned and his heart became tight in his chest. Epel looked so... vulnerable, and he was reminded of the days when he himself was but a small and frail cub, desperately trying to fight the bigger and stronger bullies to find his place in the world. He didn't feel sorry for him, far from it. He felt... a remorseful connection.
He had built a reputation for himself, and being a big softie was not in those particular plans.
"I-" he choked out, though he couldn't find the words to continue. So, instead, he simply gawked at Epel's glistening eyes, a stinging red hand mark already appearing on his cheek.
He never wanted to be the foundation of someone's pain, but it was looking pretty clear that he was quickly becoming Epel's. All because he got scared that he revealed something personal about his past.
Zac was coming to the realisation that he could not 'fix' this particular relationship, and he hated it. It seemed like every interaction ended unfavorably. But if he handed it back now, Epel would just bolt and never speak to him again. For some reason, he hated that idea even more than his secret getting out.
"Wait, I... won't break it. Just- calm down a moment," he ordered with hasty breaths in an attempt to calm down.
Despite every voice in his head yelling at him not to, that it was a bad idea that will only end negatively, Zacaraya would attempt to pull Epel into his chest in a swift motion, wanting to essentially hold him in place in a tight hug. The box was still safely in Zac's grip just behind Epel's back. An attempt to calm him down and with him, the situation at hand. Perhaps it couldn't be fixed, but this was essentially the last step he could think to take.