It’s like he’s been watching everything in slow motion and under water. The bustle and sound of the city around him is muffled, sluggish. All he can see is him. When he finally says something, the world suddenly comes back into focus.

He blinks.

Akaya stares at him for a moment, fixed on that expression that says so much and nothing at the same time. And even now, the questions don’t form in his head, much less his lips. They’ll come later.

He gets in without a word.