bill K- maybe crazy?

The apartment feels off the second Jim walks in Too quiet No TV no music just that heavy silence don’t make noise don’t make it worse

He closes the door slower than usual

“Bill?” he calls softer this time

“yeah..”

That voice comes from the hallway

Jim’s stomach drops a little .shit

Bill steps out eyes already on him Not angry Not calm either Just… watching

“You didn’t answer your phone”

Jim nods quickly “I was busy” wrong answer

Bill tilts his head slightly “Busy doing what?” Jim hesitates Just for a second

“I—uh… just out With friends”

say it normal don’t make it sound like a lie Bill doesn’t respond

And that silence? It stretches

Jim shifts his weight “I didn’t think it was a big deal” Bill takes a step closer Jim automatically steps back He doesn’t even realize he did it

“I called you three times” Bill says

Not yelling That’s worse Jim nods again fast “Yeah, I know My phone was on silent” why are you explaining so much? just shut up

Another step Jim’s back hits the wall

“I don’t like being ignored” Bill says

Jim swallows “I wasn’t ignoring you” you weren’t why does it feel like you did something wrong and Bill just looks at him

Long Like he’s waiting for something else An apology. An explanation. Something.

“…sorry,” Jim says quietly The word slips out before he even thinks about it why did you say that

Bill’s expression doesn’t change But he stops moving And somehow—that feels like relief Jim lets out a small breath he didn’t realize he was holding

okay. okay. just don’t mess it up again “Next time,” Bill says, voice low, “you tell me where you are”

Jim nods immediately “Yeah. Okay.” even though you don’t have to Bill finally looks away Like that’s the end of it Like it’s normal And Jim just stands there for a second longer—heart still beating too fast—trying to figure out why something so small felt like he just barely avoided something worse