He was still in his study when I walked in.
Of course he was.
The house had settled hours ago, the kind of quiet that followed a long day filled with too many people and too many conversations that meant more than they sounded like. Most of it had already begun to blur at the edges for me. For him, I doubted it ever did.
He looked up when I entered, his attention shifting from the desk to me without any sign of surprise.
"You're still awake," I said.
"So are you."
"That feels less impressive coming from you."
His gaze lingered just long enough to make it clear he was taking in more than the words. Then he set whatever he had been holding aside.
"You're avoiding your room," he said.
I closed the door behind me and walked further in. "I wasn't aware I had a curfew."
"You usually leave when the house settles."
"I usually have a reason to."
"And tonight?"
