She sees him unravel for the first time—not in anger, but in silence.
He lets her stay while he works late into the night. Lets her see the exhaustion, the cracks in his control.
When she touches him, it isn't about desire.
It's comfort.
He kisses her like someone who doesn't want to be alone anymore. Like someone who trusts her enough to stop pretending.
That terrifies both of them.
But neither pulls away.