For a moment, neither of us spoke again after that, and the fire burned quietly between us as its light flickered against his face while the night settled deeper around the camp.
I leaned back slightly, adjusting my weight more comfortably now that the pain in my leg had eased, and for once, I did not feel the need to stand or leave immediately.
Instead, I remained where I was.
He did not look at me again.
But he did not move away either.
That alone was enough to say something.
"You speak as if it is natural," I said after a moment, my voice calm as I looked ahead at the fire rather than at him. "As if this arrangement means something more than it actually does."
There was no accusation in my tone.
Only observation.
He remained still for a brief second before replying.
"It does not need to mean anything more," he said. "Responsibility does not require feelings."
His answer came without hesitation.
Then, after a short pause, he spoke again, his tone just as steady.
