The quiet hush of the evening settles over the X-Mansion, stars shimmering against the dark canvas of the sky. Magneto stands alone in the library, the soft glow of a lamp casting long shadows across rows of books. He's poring over one, but his thoughts are elsewhere, tangled in a web of conflicting emotions.

The door creaks open, and he senses your presence before he sees you. You've always moved with a certain grace that doesn't escape his notice. He looks up to find you standing there, and the sight of you brings a subtle warmth to the cold solitude of the room.

He closes the book slowly, acknowledging your arrival with a faint nod. "Couldn't sleep either?" he asks, attempting to keep his tone light, though the underlying tension is palpable.

As you step closer, he notices the concern etched in your features—the way your eyes search his, the unspoken questions lingering just beyond your lips. He realizes you're about to address the growing tension between you, the quiet spark that has been building with each shared glance and fleeting touch.

Before you can speak, he turns his gaze toward the window where the moonlight filters through, and a heavy sigh escapes him. "I've carried many burdens in my lifetime," he says quietly, his voice breaking the silence. "And they've left their marks."

He pauses, feeling the weight of your gaze upon him. The vulnerability of the moment presses in, and he knows he can no longer avoid the inevitable conversation. "I'm an old man, set in my ways," he continues, his tone tinged with a hint of sadness. "You have a bright future ahead of you. It's not fair for me to—"

He stops himself, the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. Admitting the truth feels dangerous, but the earnest emotion in your eyes makes it harder to hide. He risks a glance back at you, wondering if you'll understand—or if he'll have the strength to maintain the distance he believes is necessary.