Deep in the night.
The sound of the door unlocking woke her.
She didn't move.
Didn't open her eyes.
Just listened.
His footsteps were uneven.
Slow. Careless.
The faint scent of alcohol reached her even from the bed.
He was home.
The mattress dipped slightly as he sat down.
For a moment, she thought he might say something.
Anything.
But he didn't.
A few seconds later, the bed shifted again.
Then silence.
She opened her eyes.
The room was dark, but she could make out his figure lying beside her, turned away.
As always.
"…You're back," she said softly.
Her voice barely broke the quiet.
"Mm."
That was it.
She stared at his back for a long time.
At the distance between them.
So close…
And yet, it felt impossible to reach.
"…Did you eat?" she asked.
A pause.
"Yeah."
Another short answer.
Another wall.
Her fingers curled slightly under the blanket.
"…I made something earlier."
No response.
She closed her eyes again.
"Goodnight," she whispered.
He didn't reply.
Morning came too quickly.
She woke up first.
Like always.
The other side of the bed was empty again.
The blanket was messy, thrown aside without care.
In the kitchen, she found him.
Leaning against the counter, scrolling through his phone.
"You're up early," she said.
"Work."
She nodded and walked past him, reaching for a glass.
Their shoulders brushed slightly.
He didn't react.
"…Will you be home tonight?" she asked, her voice careful.
He didn't look at her.
"Not sure."
Not sure.
She swallowed.
"I can wait—"
"I said I'm not sure."
The words came sharper this time.
Colder.
Silence followed.
"…Okay," she said quietly.
He grabbed his jacket and walked toward the door.
"I'm leaving."
She turned slightly.
"…Have a good day."
The door closed behind him.
The apartment fell into silence again.
She stood there for a long moment.
Then slowly exhaled.
At the café, the day felt heavier.
Even the air seemed thicker.
"Hey, your regular is back," her coworker whispered.
She paused.
"…Already?"
"Same seat."
She picked up a tray and walked over.
He was there.
Just like yesterday.
Calm. Still.
Watching.
"Your order?" she asked.
"The same."
She nodded and placed the coffee in front of him.
For a brief moment, their eyes met again.
"…You work a lot," he said suddenly.
She blinked slightly.
It was the first time he had spoken beyond an order.
"…I have to."
A simple answer.
He studied her quietly.
Not intrusive.
Just… observant.
"…Do you ever rest?" he asked.
The question caught her off guard.
She hesitated.
"…When I can."
He didn't respond immediately.
Then, softly—
"You should."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the tray.
"…Thank you," she said, though she wasn't sure why.
She turned and walked away.
From behind—
His gaze followed her.
Steady.
Unmoving.
That night, when she returned home—
The apartment was dark again.
She didn't check her phone this time.
Didn't expect anything.
But as she stood by the window, looking out at the quiet street—
She felt it.
That strange feeling again.
Like she wasn't alone.
Her eyes scanned the darkness.
But there was nothing.
No one.
Still…
Her chest tightened slightly.
Outside—
Hidden just beyond the reach of the streetlight—
He stood there.
Watching.
"…You noticed," he murmured.
Not surprised.
Just… waiting.
And for the first time—
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.