The moment I stepped into the corridor, I heard it, that harsh, restless static he produces when his mood has curled in on itself.

He was agitated. Again.

I dislike when he lets himself unravel without me present. It feels… careless. And he should know better than to drift so far from my orbit.

I opened the study door without announcing myself. He always leaves it unlocked for me, a silent invitation, though he’d never admit it aloud.

He stood at the radio with his back rigid, shoulders lifted ever so slightly, the way they do when he’s overthinking himself into knots. He didn’t notice me, which irked me more than it should have.

Darling, you ought to feel me enter a room. You know that.

“Alastor,” I said softly.

The sound of his name was enough. His posture snapped tight for a moment, then loosened in that familiar way, the one he reserves exclusively for me.

I approached, unhurried, and set a hand upon the table beside him.

“Turn it off, dear.”

My voice never needs force. He responded at once, fingers leaving the dial after a reluctant pause. The static cut out blessedly.

He turned to me, large smile that is unable to fall, but not the genuine one, the sharp one he uses when he’s unsettled.

You poor, stubborn thing. Always trying to seem untouchable.

“You are quite overstimulated,” I told him lightly. “It is most unbecoming of you to let yourself fray.”

His gaze remained on me, though slowly began to soften. He only ever yields like this to me.

“I did not intend to concern you,” he murmured, small crease in his brows.

Oh, how that tone works on me. So earnest. And so unaware of how deeply his obedience pleases me.

I lifted a hand to his cheek, brushing my thumb just below his eye. His breath paused, just for a second, but I felt it.

“Come now,” I said gently, as though guiding a disquieted animal back to its tether. “You will sit with me until you settle. I will not have you wearing yourself thin.”

His shoulders eased at once. No protest, no deflection, simply agreement.

As always.

With a small smile, I walked out calmly.

He followed me out of the study without a single complaint.