The sun was setting, painting the streets of London in dull orange and fading gold. Long shadows stretched across the pavement as the day slowly gave way to evening.

The city carried on around it—cars passing, distant chatter, the occasional hum of movement—but none of it felt particularly interesting.

Tom walked along the sidewalk, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his blue hoodie. Heading home.

His black eyes drifted lazily over the street, not really focusing on anything. Just passing time. Waiting to get back.

“…Same as always.”

The quiet mutter slipped out under his breath, flat and unimpressed. He kept walking.

Streetlights flickered on one by one as the sky dimmed further, casting a colder glow over the pavement. The air shifted with it, the last bit of warmth fading into the evening chill.

Tom barely reacted. Just adjusted his pace slightly, shoulders relaxed, gaze unfocused—like he’d done this walk a hundred times before.

And would do it a hundred more.