⋅•⋅⊰∙∘⭒❊✿❊⭒∘∙⊱⋅•
I watched as Adrien stepped into the room, usually so confident, but this time, he seemed a bit tentative, like he was walking on thin ice and trying not to break it.
I was ready for tension at this point whenever they were near, maybe Ethan would make a sharp remark, or Adrien would throw in some sarcasm to defend himself...but nothing like that came. The atmosphere felt heavy, but it didn't crack. Ethan just looked up, gave a slight nod, and that moment passed without any drama.
Thank God, because this definitely wasn't the time for that crap.
Adrien stood a respectful distance off, hands jammed in his jacket pockets.
"How you holding up?" he asked, his voice low and steady, lacking his usual edge.
Ethan let out a short, dry laugh that had no malice in it, just deep exhaustion wrapped in irony.
