Sarai told herself she was going to act normal.
That was the plan.
A very simple, very reasonable plan.
She stood in her room, staring at her closet like it had personally betrayed her.
"…okay," she said slowly. "Why do none of my clothes make sense right now?"
She pulled out a top.
Looked at it.
Put it back.
Pulled out another.
Paused.
"…this is ridiculous."
It was just a normal day.
There was no reason to be standing here overthinking an outfit like she was about to attend an event.
She closed her eyes briefly.
"Get it together," she muttered.
Ten minutes later—
she was still standing there.
Sarai exhaled and finally grabbed something simple. Comfortable. Casual. Not trying too hard.
Which, unfortunately, still felt like trying.
"…I hate this," she said under her breath.
By the time she stepped into the hallway, she had mostly convinced herself she was being dramatic.
Mostly.
The kitchen was already occupied.
Of course it was.
Virek stood near the counter, a glass in his hand, the early light from the windows cutting across the space just enough to catch along his shoulders and arms.
Sarai stopped.
Not obviously.
Just enough.
"…okay," she whispered to herself. "Be normal."
She walked in like she hadn't just paused.
"Good morning," she said.
Virek looked up.
His gaze moved over her once.
Not slow.
Not rushed.
Just… aware.
Sarai felt it.
Immediately.
"…morning," he said.
She moved toward the counter, grabbing a mug like that had been her only goal the entire time.
"Did you sleep?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Good," she said. "That's good. We like sleep. Sleep is important."
Virek watched her.
Sarai grabbed the coffee pot.
Missed the mug slightly.
Corrected it.
"…wow," she muttered. "Strong start."
That faint shift.
She saw it.
"Don't," she said immediately, pointing at him without looking up.
"Don't what?"
"That," she said. "Whatever that is."
"I didn't do anything."
"You did," she replied, finally looking at him. "You reacted."
"I'm standing here."
"That's not all you're doing," she said.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"…you're off today," he said.
Sarai blinked.
"…I am not off."
"You are."
She set the coffee down, turning toward him fully now.
"I am perfectly normal," she said.
"You're not."
Sarai stared at him.
Then—
"…okay," she said. "Maybe slightly."
That earned it.
A real reaction this time.
Small.
But real.
Sarai caught it immediately.
"…there it is," she said.
Virek didn't deny it.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You think this is funny."
"I think it's noticeable."
"That's worse," she said.
She grabbed her mug and leaned lightly against the counter, taking a sip just to give herself a second.
"…okay," she said after a moment. "So what exactly is giving me away?"
Virek didn't answer right away.
Sarai watched him.
"…you're thinking too long."
"You're more aware than usual," he said.
She paused.
"…what does that mean?"
His gaze held hers for a second longer than necessary.
"You're paying attention to things you weren't yesterday," he said.
That landed.
Sarai looked away first.
"…okay," she said quietly. "That feels a little targeted."
"It's accurate."
She exhaled, shifting her weight slightly.
"…you're also not helping," she added.
"How?"
Sarai hesitated.
Then gestured vaguely at him.
"…you're just… standing there."
He looked down at himself briefly.
Then back at her.
"That's usually how that works."
She pressed her lips together.
"…you know what I mean."
"I don't."
"Yes, you do."
Silence.
Then—
"…you're noticing me noticing you," she said.
Virek didn't answer.
Which was an answer.
Sarai let out a quiet breath, dragging her hand lightly over the back of her neck.
"…okay," she said. "This is new."
"Yes."
She glanced at him again.
"…you're very calm about it."
"I'm not surprised."
"Why?"
A pause.
"Because it was going to happen," he said.
That made her blink.
"…you were that confident?"
"No."
"Then what?"
He held her gaze.
"Observant."
Sarai stared at him.
Then laughed softly.
"…wow," she said. "Okay."
She shook her head slightly, taking another sip of her coffee.
"…this is going to get worse before it gets better," she added.
"Probably."
She looked at him again.
"…and you're fine with that?"
"Yes."
Sarai paused.
Then—
"…okay."
And this time—
she didn't look away right away.