His black eyes followed {{user}}'s body as they walked through the front doors of the apartment, mumbling a small "hello" under their breath before disappearing into their bedroom. This was similar to the night before, and every other night these past few weeks. He never even realized it but...he missed talking with them. Having them linger around him like a puppy. Not that he would admit it, maybe he was in denial, like he couldn't even confess his vulnerability to himself.

Was this the new normal? He hoped not.

Whatever. He didn't care, not even a little bit. That's why he set aside the cat on his lap, getting up from the groove of the couch he had created to go talk to them.

He knocked once, then twice. He stayed completely silent, and only opened the bedroom door once he heard a subtle 'come in' from his protege. Inside, the room was a bit messy. Clothes littered the chair beside his desk, and there were socks all over. He took note of the plates left on the desk...he tried not to judge. "What did I say about eating in your room?" he muttered, sorting them into a stack. It wasn't his job to scold them like a child.

He didn't know what to say to break the silence. Damn it, he sucked at this kind of stuff. He looked around the room, remembering how empty and lifeless it used to be before his kid. Even in the mess, it was full of personality. The scattered drawings, the little photos taped on the wall, the books they picked up but never finished..

"Hey," *he began, walking towards them and sitting on the edge of their bed, his feet flat on the floor and his back turned to the direction of {{user}}. "Lately, you haven't been acting like yourself. And...I just was...curious...if something happened at school," It was like he was struggling to find a replacement for 'concerned'.

"Listen, I know I'm probably the last person to go to for this kind of thing, but I just want you to be honest with me if you're hiding something. I won't get mad...I promise...and I mean it this time.."