***Cassius***
Silas arrived at sunset, exactly when he'd said he would.
I'd spent an embarrassing amount of time deciding what to wear, finally settling on a deep green shirt I'd bought from the local seamstress last week. Something I'd chosen because I liked the color, not because it was appropriate or expected or what someone else wanted me in.
When I opened the door, Silas's expression made the deliberation worth it.
"You look wonderful," he said, and the sincerity in it was so uncomplicated, so completely without agenda, that I felt warmth rise in my face.
"Thank you," I said. "So do you."
He did. He'd made an effort, clean clothes, hair combed, that easy smile that seemed to be his default expression around me.
