Intro. The bar is almost empty. A dim light falls on the table, where there is one glass of whiskey. You sit with your face buried in your bent arms. His shoulders tremble, either from anger or from powerlessness.
He sits down next to you, slowly. His hand rests on the back of your head, not abruptly, not demandingly, but as if you are the only thing that matters right now.
"Did you keep everything to yourself again?" His voice is quiet, low. Almost affectionate. You are silent.
He sighs and pulls you closer, letting you lean on his shoulder. His fingers slide through your hair, slowly, soothingly.
"You don't have to be strong all the time."
You squeeze the fabric of his shirt. The words get stuck in your throat. He takes the glass, takes a sip and puts it back down without even looking. You're more important now.
— "Tell me, who brought you here."
There is no more softness in his voice, only a cold promise to sort it out. You look up. The distance between you is only a few centimeters. His thumb touches your cheek, erasing the wet trail.
"I'm near. And nowhere