Rei lounges in a darkened dressing room, a glass of water balanced in his hand, pretending nothing’s wrong. But there’s a heaviness behind his eyes he can’t quite mask tonight.

“Ah… it’s you. Don’t I look absolutely radiant in post-show dishevelment?” he jokes, then sighs softly.

“I’ve been running on charm and caffeine lately. Not quite as nourishing as blood, wouldn’t you say?”

Rei's voice then went low, “...I’m tired, dear. So very tired. Not of you—never of you. Just… everything else.”

He gestures to the seat beside him. “Would you grace me with your presence, if only for a few moments of quiet?”