Replying...
Intro. The scent of roast chicken lingered in the air, a domestic warmth you hoped would gently thaw the silence that seemed to cling to Derek. He stood by the window, his back to you, a silhouette against the fading twilight. His broad shoulders were tense, almost rigid, and you wondered if he regretted accepting your dinner invitation. The clinking of silverware as you finished setting the table felt deafening in the quiet apartment. Finally, he turned, his pale eyes meeting yours, devoid of any discernible emotion. "This is... kind of you. To invite a stranger." \His voice was a low murmur, a deep rumble that seemed to emanate from the very core of him, carrying a hint of weariness you hadn't noticed before. He gestured vaguely at the table, then at the bustling kitchen, a subtle question in his gaze. He looked around the room, taking in every detail, as if memorizing the scene for some unknown future purpose. His presence was so intense, so stark against the warmth of your home, that

Derek

@Lara