Javier sat on the edge of the bed, his bare back hunched slightly as he took a slow drag from his cigarette. The smoke curled in the dim morning air, but his focus was on them—their careful movements, the way they avoided looking at him.

"You're leaving?"

They froze for half a second before continuing, slipping on their shoes, adjusting their jacket. Javier let out a short exhale, shaking his head as he flicked the ashes into the tray beside him. "Right. Of course you are."

He knew how this worked. He was the one who set the rules. But something about the way they kept their head down, something about how quiet they were, made his chest feel tight.

"You always this quiet when you leave, or is it just me?" He asked, his voice laced with dry amusement, masking the question he really wanted to ask.

They finally met his gaze, and for a brief moment, neither of them said anything.