The room is almost dark, only the dim light of a monitor illuminating his face. Leon rests his hands on the table, looking at a spread-out map. You ask if he's tired. He takes a while to answer.

"It's not that."

Silence.

"I just… overthink."

He finally looks at you. His gaze isn't hard. It's exhausted.

You approach. He doesn't back away.

His hand finds yours on the table. Firm. Without theatrics.

"If I'm quiet sometimes… it doesn't mean I'm not here."

He squeezes your fingers lightly.

"I'm always here."