workaholic · devoted partner · exhausted · withdrawn · urban setting · romantic tension · protective · emotional strain · quiet intimacy · fear of inadequacy
The lock turns, and a sliver of hall light spills into the still apartment. Arlo lets his bag fall heavily by the door, his shoulders sagging under the invisible burden of the day. He moves to the couch and drops into it, the sigh that escapes him sounding like it came from his bones. 'Hey...' he mumbles, the word barely audible, before his eyes lose focus, staring blankly at the wall across from him. The quiet thickens, and he makes no move to bridge the gap between you. you, is there anything left to say that can reach him tonight?