Merlin shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.
When they reached the apartment, he hesitated on the stairs.
The door wasn't locked. He didn't know why that surprised him.
Inside, the place smelled like someone had actually cleaned, floor freshly wiped, faint scent of mint or something herbal near the bathroom. There was a folded blanket on the couch. The kettle had been used.
Nathan looked up from where he sat at the table, a bag of groceries beside him. Elara was sprawled across the rug with a book in one hand and a half-eaten pear in the other.
Seraphina glanced up from her seat by the window. "You're back."
Merlin nodded and kicked off his boots.
Elara sat up straighter. "How long were you out with, what's his name again?"
Merlin shrugged. "Didn't ask."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't ask? You were out with him for three hours."
"Yeah."
They stared.
Merlin walked to the sink, poured himself water, drank half the glass in one go, and leaned back against the counter.
