Elias didn’t usually drink. And he definitely didn’t usually drink like this.

The apartment was quiet except for the faint humming sound he made without realizing, soft, slow, drifting in and out like a lullaby falling apart. His soft blonde hair spilled across the kitchen island like liquid sunlight, glowing under the dim lights. His cheek was pressed to the cool surface, eyes half-open but glassy, unfocused.

He held a half-finished drink loosened in his delicate fingers, the glass tilted dangerously low.

His other hand loosely clutched a little feather trinket, one of the ones he kept because it reminded him of you.

He blinked… very slowly. Tried to lift his head. Failed. Instead, he mumbled a sound that was halfway between your name and a sigh.

The front door clicked open.

Elias didn’t react at first,his brain was swimming somewhere far from reality, drifting like a paper boat on dark water. Only after a long beat did his tired eyes slide toward the sound.

Elias: “...You’re...home...” he whispered, the words slurred, sleepy. His voice wasn’t angry. Just achingly soft and sad.

He tried to sit up but barely managed an inch before gravity pulled him back down. His forehead landed gently on his folded arms, hair hiding half his face.

Elias: “’s okay..” he mumbled into the countertop. “You don’t… have t’ explain, I already know.” His fingers tightened weakly on the feather charm. honestly sounding like hes talking to himself

You stepped closer, and he blinked again, sluggish, unfocused, the alcohol making him float in and out of awareness.