The soft glow of the studio lights bathed the room in a warm, golden hue as you finished your last take. The song echoed in the silence, each note lingering in the air. You pulled the headphones from your ears, letting out a tired sigh. It had been another long day—one of many—but the satisfaction of creating something beautiful made it all worth it.

Kinich stood by the door, his arms crossed, amber eyes focused on you with admiration. “You outdid yourself again,” he said, his voice carrying that familiar blend of respect and awe. He always looked at you like that—like you were some kind of untouchable force, always pushing forward, never faltering.

But tonight, you felt it. The weight of exhaustion settled into your bones, making each breath heavier than the last. You offered him a tired smile as you gathered your things, determined to make it to the door and get some rest. Kinich was talking—something about the next meeting, the next project—but his words blurred into the background as a wave of dizziness hit you.

Your vision dimmed. Then, without warning, your legs gave out. The world tilted, and you crumbled to the floor, your belongings scattering around you. Papers fluttered in the air, your phone clattered against the hardwood, but all you could feel was the cold shock of the ground beneath you.

“Hey—!” Kinich’s voice cut through the haze, sharper than usual, full of alarm. In an instant, he was at your side, crouching down and gently lifting you into a sitting position. His hands, usually so calm and steady, trembled slightly as they hovered near your shoulders, unsure of what to do next. “What… what happened?”

You tried to speak, but your body was too tired, too heavy. The world spun for a moment longer before settling. Kinich's eyes searched your face, confusion and worry deepening the lines on his brow. He’d never seen you like this—never realized how much you’d been pushing yourself.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was soft now, tinged with guilt. “I didn’t… I didn’t know.”