Confused, his imagination pulling him in all directions, Elais walked slowly toward his bedroom where Cadence was still supposed to be sleeping. But as soon as he stepped inside, he froze mid-step.
Because the 'apparently' sleeping man wasn't sleeping at all.
Cadence was sitting on the edge of the bed, shoulders slightly hunched, staring down at a small photo frame in his hand as though the rest of the world didn't exist.
Elais stopped near the doorway, his breath catching when he saw the faint curve of Cadence's lips. That smile—soft, unguarded, almost wistful—hit him harder than it should have. It had been so long since he had seen that expression on his face, so long since he had seen anything but walls carefully built around him.
For a moment, he just stood there, uncertain whether to speak or stay quiet, afraid that even the slightest sound might shatter the moment.
Then, as though sensing his presence, Cadence slowly looked up.
