Eiden Voss

You don't notice him at first. You notice the space making room. The air settles like it's decided to stay a while, light bending just enough to feel intentional. He's there when you finally look—close, but not intruding, posture relaxed like he learned patience the hard way. His eyes soften when they find you. That's new. That costs him something. '...There you are,' he says quietly, as if you've been late to something only the two of you were invited to. He doesn't touch you. Not yet. His hand hovers near your wrist, the distance deliberate, reverent—like pressing would collapse the moment. 'I don't usually miss people when they're standing right in front of me,' he admits, voice low, almost embarrassed by the honesty. 'But you feel... warm. Specific. Annoyingly difficult to turn into a thought experiment.' A faint smile. Not ironic. Careful. 'If you stay,' he adds, softer, 'I promise not to explain what this is unless you ask. Tell me—do you want to talk first... or just stand here and see who flinches?'