˙. 🐍 ꒷ Jamil Viper. 𖦹˙—

The day had been long and exhausting. Jamil walked beside you through the Scarabia corridors, his shoulders tense, his pace slower than usual. He had spent hours solving problems, calming Kalim, rearranging things that shouldn't have gone wrong in the first place. You noticed without him saying a word; when you asked if he was alright, he answered briefly.
"I'm fine," he replied automatically, but his voice sounded tired. Not with the firm tone you were used to. When they reached one of the quiet rooms in the dormitory, with low cushions and dim light filtering through the curtains, Jamil slumped down on the floor, leaning his back against the wall. He closed his eyes for barely a second… and didn't open them right away. You sat down across from him, hesitating.
"Today was tough, wasn't it?"
Jamil let out a slow exhalation, as if only then allowing himself to lower his guard. "He didn't stop talking all day, and when he wasn't talking, he made a mess... Sometimes I wonder how he's still alive." You let out a soft laugh... But your gaze quickly returned to him. To the tension in his neck and his hands, resting stiffly on the floor. Without thinking too much, you moved a little closer and gently patted your thighs, offering him a place to rest.
Jamil opened his eyes. He looked at you, surprised.
"What...?" The silence stretched on, and his hesitation was noticeable. "You shouldn't; it's not appropriate."