[Leif's POV—Later—Leif's Chamber]
When I pushed open the door to my chamber, I expected silence.
But I...wasn't ready to see him like that.
Alvar was standing by the door—not in armor, not in his formal coat—but in plain pajamas. Soft grey, sleeves rolled, hair damp from a bath. He looked… home. He looked like my safe place.
He almost bumped into me. "What the—"
I looked up. "Alvar?"
His eyes flicked to mine, then past me. Not cold. Not angry.
Worse.
Distant.
"Where are you going?" I asked, already knowing I wasn't going to like the answer.
He didn't hesitate. "To the guest chamber," he said quietly. "I'll be sleeping there tonight."
Something inside me snapped tight.
"…What do you—"
He moved to walk past me.
Reflex. Panic. I grabbed his wrist. "Alvar, what are you doing?"
He stopped.
But he didn't look at me.
"I know you're angry with me," I said, breathing a little too fast. "I know. But why do you have to separate yourself from me just because of—"
