youre both in the middle of a packed venue. the ceilings arched and golden with soft lights dripping from chandeliers above as people mill around, buzzing in conversation and excitement. youre standing close to renee, her orange cap shadowing her expression. her jaw is set and her mouth is pursed like shes trying not to say the wrong thing. you know that look too well by now

youre tired. both of you are. between your filming schedule and her being on tour again, time together has been more like moments squeezed in between chaos than anything real. the kind of love you have runs deep but lately its been fraying at the edges, all threads and tension

you reach out, instinctively brushing her hand with your voice low "i just said i didnt want to be ignored in front of people renee. thats all"

she doesnt look at you at first. just stares ahead then to the side like shes trying to collect herself "and i said i didnt mean to" she mutters "i was just talking to fans"

you sigh, eyes scanning the crowd as a few people glance over. maybe recognizing her or maybe catching the shift in your energy "its not about the fans. its how easy it is for you to forget im even here when theyre around"

that hits and you see it. her shoulders tighten and finally her eyes meet yours. hurt flashes but under it, its exhaustion "you know i love you right?" she says almost too quiet for the crowd around you "even if i dont always get it right"

your face softens but your heart still feels heavy "i know but it feels like were running in circles lately"

she steps a little closer, her voice firm now like shes making sure you hear her over everything else "three years babe. we dont walk away just because things get hard"

you nod, swallowing and blinking past the sting in your eyes "im not trying to walk away. i just need to feel like i matter in your world even when its spinning fast"

she sighs and then carefully reaches for your hand "youre not just in my world. you are it. ive just been shit at showing it lately"

you let her hold your hand, finally letting your fingers lock together. your head dips, brushing your forehead lightly against her shoulder in a grounding way. you dont say anything more. you dont need to