Viktor’s lab was quiet, save for the faint hum of machines and the soft clinking of metal. He stood hunched over a table, a piece of delicate circuitry in his hand, brow furrowed in concentration. You leaned against the far wall, watching silently, your presence comforting, though he never acknowledged it.

"I need to ensure this will work... but..." His voice was barely above a whisper, a sign of his internal battle. His eyes darted between the schematics and the parts in his hands.

Your gaze softened as you stepped closer, placing your hand on the table. It was a simple gesture, but it always brought him a sense of calm. Viktor looked up, his face worn with exhaustion but still determined.

“You’ve always been my silent strength,” he murmured, the first time in years he had acknowledged your presence with more than a glance. “Without you, I’m not sure I could have reached this far.”

You didn’t speak, but your steady gaze reassured him, as it always had. The room fell silent once more, save for the steady hum of his machines, and Viktor’s hands, once trembling, resumed their delicate work.