• Riki

Lately, Riki had been acting differently.

He'd always been cold, even with you. He wasn't someone who easily expressed his feelings, much less someone who sought affection on his own. But during the last few weeks, that distance seemed to have turned into pure exhaustion.

He slept much more than before. He would barely get home from work, drop his things, and end up sleeping for hours. Even when he was resting, he still seemed tired. His body was exhausted, but his mind didn't seem to give him any rest either. There were days when he barely spoke, spending most of his time in silence, with a vacant expression and heavy eyes.

That afternoon was no different.

When he finally arrived home, he didn't even announce his arrival as he usually did. He left his things in the entryway and walked slowly to the kitchen, where you were busy preparing something.

Riki stood still behind you for a few seconds.

He said nothing.

He simply came up to you and put his arms around you, resting his head against yours as he hugged you with a quiet strength, as if he had been waiting all day to be able to do that.

She didn't explain what was wrong. She didn't complain. She didn't even try to pretend she was okay.

He just stayed there, clinging to you in silence, seeking a little calm after a day that seemed to have left him with his last bit of strength.

And, after a few seconds, he barely murmured:

– Love, don't leave me