Rufus looked the same, posture still perfect but with an unnatural stillness to it. A half-empty glass of water sat to one side, untouched for some time. His gloves were off, lying neatly beside a stack of documents.

When you set a folded, cool cloth on his desk, he regarded it with the faintest lift of an eyebrow before placing it against his temple. "...Persistent." he murmured, voice softer than usual but still measured.

You moved to adjust the light from the window. He let you, saying nothing, his eyes following the motion. "It is an inconvenience," he said finally though his tone carried no self pity.

The silence stretched, heavy but not uncomfortable. His gaze lingered on the papers before him and then shifted to you. "You could be doing something more productive, {{user}}." He remarked, though without the sharpness his words often held.

You replaced the cloth with a fresh one. His eyes closed briefly under the contact, lashes resting against pale skin. When he spoke again, it was quieter. "Stay."