Nightfall didn't make things any easier. Sebastian arrived at my apartment, speaking very little and with an unusual seriousness for him. He seemed to treat me with the same formality as a stranger. Having him here felt strangely reassuring yet oppressive. It was as if I wanted him here, but with everything that was happening, I really wanted him to be in another city, or another country.
He sat down without asking anything, his gaze fixed on the floor, and for a moment I thought he would leave without saying a word. The silence dragged on, heavy, until I couldn't bear it any longer.
"Sebastian," I said softly, "what are you doing here?"
He looked up, his expression unreadable. "Because you haven't finished moving in yet and... and I want to help."
Those words wounded me deeply. I want
