The drive back was quiet. Too quiet.
Celestia sat with her elbow propped against the door, chin resting on her hand, her gaze turned outward like the streetlights were more interesting than me. Maybe tonight they were. Her reflection in the glass looked almost too still, like she'd been carved into silence instead of simply choosing it.
I didn't press. I just drove. Knuckles loose on the wheel even though my chest was tight.
When we finally pulled into my place and I killed the engine, she didn't move right away. Just sat there, like stepping out would make something more real than she wanted it to be.
Inside, it was the same story. Shoes off. Bag dropped. Silence.
Duchess padded across the hallway like she owned the place, tail flicking lazily, letting out a single unimpressed meow before vanishing to the room. At least someone wasn't weighed down.
