To remember your father

Lucius woke before dawn, but instead of rising immediately, he remained in bed, staring at the ceiling with a gloomy face. With a sigh, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and trudged toward the bathroom.

The cold splash of water against his face jolted him momentarily. Bracing himself against the washbasin counter, he leaned forward, his tired eyes locking onto his reflection in the mirror.

Reaching for the towel hanging nearby, Lucius dried his face before tossing it back onto the rack. Without a glance backward, he stepped out of the bathroom, noticing Layla had woken up and was tying her hair into a bun with her back toward him.

"I'll bring coffee for us," Layla said.

"I'll be going for a run. You should have a coffee without me," Lucius opined. He kissed her cheek from behind and left the room.