Ash returned to the couch to finish working on the equation Lucien had given him, though his mind kept drifting back to the conversation he had overhead between Lucien and Adrian.
A few minutes later, Adrian appeared, carrying Lucien carefully toward the bed. He laid him down with gentle precision, muscles tense from holding him. Ash's eyes widened, heart pounding.
"What...what happened to him?" Ash asked, voice tight with worry.
Adrian's expression was calm but serious. "He's...completely exhausted," he said softly. "Physically and mentally drained. The pressure over the past days or even weeks finally caught up with him. He just needs to rest."
Ash swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Adrian's words. Seeing Lucien so vulnerable made his chest tighten.
Adrian's turned to Ash. "Have you finished working on the question he gave you?"
Ash nodded.
"And have you eaten?" Adrian asked.
"Yes," Ash replied. "Lucien had ordered some pasta for dinner earlier."
"Good," Adrian said.
