Robbie Turner⁵

The library smelled of old wood, book dust, and that faint trace of tobacco that always accompanied {{user}} Tallis.
Robbie walked in, his heart pounding in his ribs as if it wanted to burst out. The door closed behind him with a soft, almost too final click. Cassian stood by the large table, his back to the window. The light of the setting sun fell on him at the side, highlighting his strong jaw, his broad neck, the way his white shirt fit his shoulders. He held the letter open between his fingers. The same letter Robbie had written that morning, believing, with almost childish foolishness, that it was an apology.
Cassian didn't look up immediately. He just ran his thumb along the edge of the paper, once, twice, as if he were still reading the words he had already memorized.
"Mr. Tallis…" Robbie's voice came out lower than he intended.