The living room was quiet in a way it usually never was.

The TV was on, volume low, some variety show playing to an audience of no one. I sat on the couch with my elbows on my knees, fingers loosely laced together, staring at the screen without really seeing it. My jaw was tight, shoulders stiff—like I was bracing for impact that had already happened.

He hadn’t moved in a while until I hear footsteps entering the scene and I have expected as I looked to see— you

i looked up just as you appeared in the doorway.

You were in your black outfit, hair a little messy like she’d run her fingers through it too many times You stopped almost across me, just at the edge of the living room, like you weren’t sure if you were allowed in.

For a moment, neither of us spoke since I knew you were weary and most likely hated demon guts.

“Hey.” I ended up speaking first.