Cassius remained seated beside the bed.
Marionette's fingers were still wrapped around his sleeve, refusing to let go even in her sleep.
His eyes lingered on the hand clutching his clothes.
She wasn't holding on tightly.
In fact, with a little force, he could have easily freed himself.
Yet he didn't.
For reasons even he couldn't explain, he allowed her to hold him for a while longer.
As though aware of another presence, his gaze drifted toward the doorway, where Adrien had been standing quietly all along.
Cassius lowered his eyes.
With surprising patience, he gently loosened her fingers one by one.
The instant his sleeve slipped free, her brows furrowed slightly.
A faint murmur escaped her lips.
"...Cassius..."
His hand stopped.
For the first time, she called his name.
Slow
