Lucien sat slouched on the sofa, elbows resting on his knees, staring at his faint reflection in the glass coffee table. The TV played on mute, its flickering light tracing over his tired face, but his thoughts were elsewhere, tangled and heavy.
The sudden sound of hurried footsteps broke the stillness. Ash burst into the living room, his face wet with tears.
Lucien quickly stood up, startled. "Ash, what's wrong?"
But Ash didn't answer. He stumbled forward and collapsed into Lucien's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Lucien's arms went around him at once, holding him close. "Hey...it's okay," he murmured quietly, his hand moving in slow circles across Ash's back. But the more he soothed him, the harder Ash cried-the sound raw and aching.
After a while, Ash's sobs began to ease. He pulled back slightly, eyes red and trembling. Lucien gently wiped away his tears with his thumb, voice low and steady. "Tell me, Ash...what happened?"
