Never Had Them Before

"Nope."

That was Eryx's answer to her question.

No explanation.

No attempt to soften the word.

Just that.

Lunara turned slightly toward him, her eyes narrowing. But he didn't meet her gaze.

His hand stayed steady on the wheel, though his fingers flexed once, tightening before relaxing again. He leaned slightly into the curve of the road, head tilting like he was trying to shake something off. The truth was, the dull ache behind his eyes had started turning into something sharper.

He hadn't been sleeping properly. Not for weeks.

It was always like this, juggling long hours at the office until midnight while making sure he was beside her during the day. He never said anything about it. Never wanted her to know how hard it was starting to feel.

Lunara waited a moment longer, clearly expecting something more. But he didn't add a word.

And that silence, it said enough.