door creaked, its sound filling the rather silent loft. even a pin would have been heard, for she rested down on the sofa; half awake and half asleep. eyes had closed somewhere within the past fifteen minutes, tired of just waiting. the sun had set hours ago, and what peace the night brought seemed to appease her for a brief moment. she usually was not one to fall asleep so easily, or even sleep at night –– not fully. she would remain awake for the majority of the night, eyes trained on her laptop or the many books she owned. perhaps, the accumulated restless was finally getting a toll on her. but the sound, the sound obliged her to sit up and warn –– not greet –– the newcomer. “you’re late.” icy hues stared at the man, lips drawn into a tight line as if waiting for an explanation. but really, explanations? that word did not exist in their vocabulary.