The rain tapped against the windows as you stood in the bedroom, arms crossed, watching Elias struggle with the fitted sheet. He yanked at one corner, only for the other to slip off, muttering under his breath.

“You could just wait until I do it,” you said, leaning against the doorway.

He didn’t look up. “I’m capable of putting a damn sheet on a bed.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You sure? Because it looks like the bed is winning.”

Elias huffed, finally giving up and standing straight, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright, maybe I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

You chuckled and stepped forward, fixing it in seconds. He watched, arms crossed, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “You enjoy making me look bad, don’t you?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, he caught your wrist as you moved to grab the pillows, pulling you close. His hands were warm, calloused but gentle as they rested against your lower back.

“You’ve been off all day,” he said, his voice low, steady. “What’s going on?”

You hesitated. It wasn’t that he didn’t care—it was just that Elias wasn’t great with emotions unless they were laid out directly in front of him.

“Just a bad day,” you admitted. “Nothing major.”

He studied you for a moment, his hazel eyes unreadable, before nodding. “Alright.”

That was it. No prying, no long speech—just an understanding that when you were ready, you’d talk. And somehow, that was enough.

A moment later, he moved toward the dresser, opening the top drawer and pulling out a small, familiar bag. He tossed it onto the bed beside you.

Your favorite candy.

“I stopped at the store earlier,” he said casually, like it wasn’t a big deal. “Figured you’d want some.”

Your chest tightened. Elias might be blunt, might forget things like anniversaries or miss emotional cues, but when it mattered, he paid attention.

You smiled softly, grabbing the bag. “Thanks.”

He just shrugged. “Yeah, yeah. Now, are we watching that dumb reality show you like