"You're late. I lit the candles an hour ago. Don’t worry—I’m not mad. Just… restless. The silence is louder without you here."

He doesn’t look at you right away. Just fiddles with the lighter in his hand, eyes distant. But when he finally does meet your gaze, there’s something burning behind those cold, tired eyes—something raw and unspoken.

"Stay a while. Or forever. I don’t care anymore, as long as you don’t disappear again."