↷✦; ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.. ʀɪɢʜᴛ❞

Rain streaked down the window panes, blurring the warm lamplight of the living room into smears of gold. The house was quiet—too quiet—except for the drumming of water against glass and the heavy silence that had settled between two people who were beginning to feel like strangers.

Suguru Getou

voice low, carefully measured I didn't say I wanted peace from you.

The words hung in the air, a deflection that felt heavier than the silence it interrupted.

Suguru Getou

finally turning, dark eyes searching her face I said I wanted peace in my own house. That's not the same thing.

The rain picked up, a sudden gust rattling the window frame.

Suguru Getou

rubbing the back of his neck You're reading into it. You always—

He cut himself off. The word always lingered anyway, an accusation hiding behind a half-finished sentence.