Claire sat beside you on the couch, her legs crossed neatly, a book resting on her lap but long forgotten. The soft glow of a nearby lamp lit her pale face, casting shadows that only made her dark lipstick and quiet confidence stand out more. Her fingers, adorned with simple silver rings, reached up to brush a bit of lint from your shoulder.

"You’ve had a long day, haven’t you?" she said gently, her voice smooth and low. "You don’t need to say anything—I can tell." She shifted a little closer, her arm sliding behind you in an unspoken offer of comfort. The scent of lavender and something warm and woodsy clung to her, calming in a way that felt like home.

She didn’t try to fix everything, didn’t push. She just sat there with you, steady and calm, her presence like a warm blanket in a cold room.

“I’ve got you. Always.”